The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key — Restaurant in Siesta Key

Three of us came in for grouper sandwiches. Two came out normal (a little rubbery which means it was overcooked) but the second half of my sandwich came out with a grey chunk in it. I was pretty certain it wasn’t normal but I took a small bite of it anyways and it tasted horrible. I let our server know, she came back out and said she showed it to her manager and they said it was part of the blood line and it shouldn’t have been cut like that and they’d make me a new one. I get the new sandwich and it’s the exact same issue, only this time it was on BOTH halves of the sandwich. I let the server know & she said she’d send her manager out. TWO managers come out and they proceed to tell me that its very normal to have part of the bloodline in grouper and that If they didn’t include the bloodline in the fish they wouldn’t have much fish to serve. The male manager before walking away said “you already sent one back, you’re now sending this one back”. I never once got an apology from the manager for this situation. I live in Tampa and eat grouper sandwiches often, so I’m not new to this type of fish and what to expect or what it should taste/look like. I’m also sitting here still very hungry, my family has finished their meals and I’ve only been able to eat half of mine. The manager then proceeds to whisk the plate away from me and tells me she will refund me. I said but I’m still hungry, I want the sandwich, I just would like a good piece of grouper. She laughs and says “oh, now you want me to cook you a third one? Sure, I can do that”, while half laughing under her breath”. I then told her to never mind, she was being rude and I didn’t appreciate how she was handling the situation. I spent many years working in restaurants as a server and thankfully none of the establishments ever treated anyone like this. I’m appalled at the managers level of disrespect and rudeness over this situation. My guess is this restaurant purchased some really low quality grouper and they’re trying to pass this sub par quality off as normal to unsuspecting tourists who don’t know any better. Good try. Our server was overly apologetic and said numerous times she wanted to make sure we were happy. 100% happy with our server but 100% disappointed with the management and quality of food at this...

Another little local gem just North of Siesta Key village by about a block. It turned out to be one those (If you know then you know) places. Food was really delicious and portions size was tremendous. Staff where all very friendly. The place appears to be way bigger on the inside then it looks on the outside. It also sports one of the longest bars that I've seen in the whole village. We were very impressed with the atmosphere and the personaliized decore. It gives the restaurant a special and unique identity. Anthony was our server and he was friendly and efficient had our drinks to us very quickly and the food followed soon after. Very fast service. I tried the Loaded Salty Dog (one of their signature dishes) I have to tell you that was the biggest and I dare say probably the best hot dog I have ever had. Meat was jucy and delicious not something you find everywhere. This dog was loaded down with 3 types of cheese and Sautéed onions and mushrooms as well as crisp sourkrut. The hot dog nearly won. I.almost couldn't finish it. They claimed it was a quarter pound dog, the whole sandwich likely weighted in at 1 and 1/4 pounds.. Be really hungry if you order this monster...but if you can't finish it (Henry thier mascot maybe standing by literally to help you clean up.) Heather sampled the Grilled Shrimp Tacos and they where also pretty large and she found them wonderfully flavorful. The Beer I ordered was a locally brewed Draft and it was cold crisp and really hit the spot. Heather sampled one of their special house made Margaritas and it was delicious but stout...they didn't skimp on the tequila that's for sure. So if you haven't tried this place I strongly recommend it. We will be trying more of their fine cuisine on our next visit. Very glad we...

The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key: A Mixed Bag, But Worth a Visit! Our recent trip to The Old Salty Dog on Siesta Key offered a bit of a mixed experience, but overall, it's a place we'd consider visiting again, especially if you have a furry friend!

First and foremost, it's a wonderfully dog-friendly place, which is a huge plus for pet owners. They were very welcoming to our dog, making it easy and enjoyable to dine out with our companion. The relaxed, casual atmosphere is perfect for a laid-back meal by the water.

Now, for the food. I decided to be adventurous and ordered their signature dish, the "Salty Dog." Unfortunately, I really did not like it. It just wasn't to my personal taste, and I found it quite overwhelming. However, this is where the "mixed bag" comes in: my family ordered other dishes that were great! They enjoyed their meals thoroughly, with everything from seafood to other pub-style fare receiving high marks. This suggests that while my particular choice wasn't a hit, the kitchen is certainly capable of producing delicious food.

So, while I might steer clear of the "Salty Dog" next time, the positive experience of dining with our dog and the enjoyment my family had with their meals means we'd still recommend The Old Salty Dog Siesta Key. Just be sure to explore their menu beyond the...