Pete & Shorty's Iowa Bistro — Restaurant in Clearwater

This is a seat-yourself style restaurant. I was dining alone and selected a table on the outdoor patio (near the center). There are about 11-12 tables in this area.

It appeared to have two servers and one busser. The busser cleared the table that I chose not long after I was seated. Then, I waited...

Two women, another table of four, and then another party of four all seated after me, were waited on and food delivered.

It was a busy night. I tried to get the servers' attention, but didn't want to be rude or make a scene. Neither of the servers would even look at me!

I thought about leaving, but that would matter to no one, but me.

A different individual delivered food to yet another table, so I approached him to ask for assistance. A server immediately arrived to wipe off my table and take my order.

I had arrived to the restaurant at 6:27 pm. The server arrived to wipe off the table and take my order at 7:18 pm. The food was delivered at 7:30 PM.

I was so disappointed by this point, I'm sure it influenced my opinion of the food.

Pete and Shorty's is very visible on a busy highway. I had noticed it upon arriving to Clearwater five days prior to this visit. Being from the Midwest, I was craving a huge, mouthwatering deep fried tenderloin.

Signed a member of FB's "Pursuing Pork...

Wonderful! First off it's not always easy to get it. It's usually full. Food is delicious comfort food. Ice tea is delicious! I've only been lucky enough to get in there about 3 times out of a lot. It can be as fattening as you'd like or not. If you sont sent carba there is plenty of meat and just get salad or veggies. I should but I didnt. The fried breaded mushrooms are amazing. I could have pulled the breading off but I DIDN'T. You can also spend more by drinking and ordering your own plate but we didnt. We shared the pork shank dinner. Plenty for 2 people who are moderately overweight. IT WAS DELICIOUS and plenty of meat. It had mashed potatoes and you add a veggie. I had corn (which was the only wrong thing I've ordered) It was tasteless, BUT I saved it. Added some butter and mixed it in the mashed potatoes (WINNER WINNER). My husband has tried lots if things. He gets to go for lunch. The loose meat Pete is wonderful and I've had the burgers. Yum yum. I wanted dessert but I was too full. So i cant comment on desserts, YET Anyway, unfortunately now more people will try the place and i might never get in to try...

We had to say goodbye to Clearwater but before we leave, had to have a little lunch for our long drive across to the Atlantic coast. Found this bistro, the parking lot was packed so that is usually a good sign. We always ask, what they are know for and of course it was the meatloaf it was homemade, but was about average when it comes to meatloaf. Green beans were cooked to a perfect al dente, and mash potatoes were whipped so well it was hard to tell if they were real or instant🤔 and for the gravy it was not homemade, but tasty. It was tasty and filling and hit the spot. The other dish we ordered was the Caesar salad with grouper (in which seems to be the fish of Florida) I ordered it blackened, usually I order it with extra spice. The salad was fresh and the fish was not under or over seasoned. It was very fresh the nice flakey texture gave this dish alittle happiness. Overall it was a satisfying lunch attentive staff as for the food it was an average on taste and bang for your buck it ran about $20.00 per plate with the drink. Would I recommend it? As a cafe but a bistro? nope. I'll give them 2...