High & Dry Grill — Restaurant in Dunedin

So let me start by saying I was always curious to eat at this place or at least stop in for a drink on a nice day. I can’t say anything about the drinks or the food because I would rather be stabbed repeatedly with a rusty Used needle that had been found in an alley than to even let someone pay for a meal or a drink from this establishment. That may sound crazy to some but that response is from the experience with some older over tan white woman that was dressed like a ghost that claimed to be the owner. While waiting to meet some friends to rent some kayaks from the place next door which also I believe is owned by this same ghost woman. We stopped in front to sit on a unsteady bench trying to keep our feet off the little bit of grass that she cannot even keep maintained from trash and a bunch of ants! While sitting there watching said ants carry around bits and pieces of other humans trash more than likely looking for food or building shelter from said mean ghost woman, we were falsely welcomed by this lady with a terrible attitude and told to get off of the bench then looks at my gf who had a can of soda in her hand and said no outside drinks. Ok, if that is her dumb rule I suppose we can follow that. But to say it with such a rude tone as if we stole something from there like that embarrassment of a bench I tried to sit on, or vandalized her small piece of what was an awful example of what grass should look like was 100% unnecessary! Wanted to call her every fitting name under the sun for whoever she thought she was but determined to have a good afternoon and stick to the plan we Instead we just kept quite and moved along. Met our friends and still paid for the kayaks and enjoyed our day. The 3 kids working that side of the building were friendly and helpful. Nothing else can be said for their boss (ghost woman) which we even overheard them complaining of her when she did pop her head in to check on them. Now after a wrap to a beautiful day in the Florida sun with good company one of the best ways to end the day would be to have a nice cold or even frozen cocktail and take it all in and what a perfect location to do that right where you return the rented kayaks!? But due to this old bag of bones with the terrible attitude we opted to go all the way down to caladesi mobile station, buy a cold cocktail and come back to enjoy the rest of the day on what I consider to be the best part of Dunedin causeway! Aka every single square inch of where that business isn’t! If you have had a pleasant experience here then you should prob hit the Hardrock up or go play your favorite numbers in lotto cause I’d say you’re lucky! Or maybe you’re related to the owner in some way and if that is the case than I will just say I’m sorry. But based on much similar reviews I’d say I’m right on point to say I bet there is a better experience and environment eating a publix sub of your choice in the public bathroom in stall number 2!! So if your desperate and don’t know the area and or you happened to drive past the other FANTASTIC and FRIENDLY establishments all along the way then maybe give this place a try, but if you don’t want to experience this rude, overran, football leather skin woman in a white sheet... go ANYWHERE ELSE with your hard earned money. I’m sorry I had to associate the fine name of publix in this review. Final thought: pack your own lunch and cold drinks and find a great (well built) bench in any other place than hers and have a...

I am highly disappointed in this establishment. This was our families second attempt. The first time, our food was simply awful. No one in our party had anything positive to say about their meals. My niece got sick while still on site. This last time was Monday 1/30/23. I was hopeful it would be better this time. We were hollered at upon arrival about where we were standing. The same man also yelled at a younger fella who was only attempting to help seat us. He was clearly having a very very bad day. He hollered at several people while we were there. In fact several parties just left as they refused to be his next victims. Our food took over an hour and was delivered one by one 10 mins apart. My daughter ordered a quassadilla that didn't come until after our entire party was finished eating. Horrible customer service, no method behind the madness, and staff who made it clear to everyone that they were there on their "day off" will absolutely prevent me from giving this place a 3rd chance. I only gave two stars because of the location and charm of the building. (IN RESPONSE TO THE OWNERS REPLY: Mr Costley actually recommended that we leave while waiting for our food. Maybe you can zoom in on your cameras to see how miserable he was. He usually tips 25%-40% so the 15% he left was only because it wasn't the servers fault the cook was inefficient and the old man was in a horrible mood. My name is Tara not Karen and to be clear this is the first time I have ever left a negative review for a restaurant. My apologies for the date mix up. (This is taking accountability for being wrong)..you obviously need that guidance. I recommend you take more time to address all of the concerns in the many bad reviews for your establishment and take ACCOUNTABILITY vs. Treating customers so horrible. You may find that you will get different results. As I stated above our party was finished eating their food before my daughters quassadilla came out and my husband (Mr Costley) was nearly finished eating before the second plate came out, he must be a fast eater. 😂 My guess is that this reply was written by that old man who was walking around yelling at his servers and customers which sent several of them walking away that day. I'm sure you can see this on your cameras as well. I hope that for anyone who chooses to dine here your experience was better than our last two. To answer your question i am not angry at all. In fact i am a very positive happy person (i am sure that is on your cameras as well lol). I gave an honest review based on two different horrible experiences. Dont worry there will not be a third. Have a wonderful...

Four of us locals stopped in to check this place out. The building is interesting as it a tiki roofed open air seating venue. There is a long community table in the center which seats approximately 30 people, a counter runs along the perimeter of half walls with barstools. Some customers opted to be seated at tables on the sand dodging the skydiving seagulls. Good fun, old-time Florida vibe.

We were seated immediately and ordered a wine and a beer while waiting for our friends to join us. (They serve beer, wine, champagne and wine-based cocktails, which are reasonably priced)

While perusing the menu, our friends arrived. We had fun chatting and watching folks enjoying the intercoastal activities.

Emilia provided top-notch service. She saw that we were there for a leisurely lunch. Drinks were replenished in a timely fashion, and when we were ready to order, she was right there.

Two friends ordered the 1/3# Charbroiled Burger touted as flame grilled. The frozen burger was disappointing at best.

I decided on the Nathan Chicago Hot Dog. It surely didn't come out as described (pickles peppers, tomato, relish and celery salt). The bun was soggy when served and stuck to my fingers (worse than buns from a dollar store). I was given another bun, but it too disintegrated into a gloopy mess. There were three pickled banana peppers, no tomato, relish and an imitation Nathan's hot dog.

My guy ordered the Hot Italan Sausage Sandwich. It was custom ground with bell peppers, onions and hot peppers ground in with the sausage. This sausage was on a sturdy roll and very tasty although it was not spicy hot. (The caveat on the menu was 'Caution,this one has some heat!')

We loved the fried onion rings which were crispy and delicious. French fries were good too.

Based on the atmosphere, view, Emelia's service and the drinks, we would go back. Knowing what we know now, we'd order the sausage, French fries and onion rings. The review will be better if these items are...