Salt Life Food Shack — Restaurant in Fernandina Beach

If you like burnt food... Look, to be "fair", we got there about 40 minutes before they closed, but we did order apps as soon as we sat down - parmesan oysters and grouper dip. This took about 25 minutes - I guess to make sure the oysters were thoroughly scorched. They were basically burned into the shell with some parmesan sprinkled on top to disguise their condition. The grouper dip, on the other hand was great.

Aware that they were closing soon, we ordered entrees before the apps arrived and let the server know that she could just send everything out when it was ready- no need to wait until we were finished with the apps, since at that time they still hadn't arrived. The chicken sandwich was fried to within an inch of its life, giving it that bitter burned flavor, and that was complimented with a toasted bun (pictured) that was either recovered from an earlier forgotten order or purposefully thrown into the back of the cheese melter to punish it for having the audacity to have been ordered.

You may wonder why we didn't mention the obliterated condition of our food to anyone in the restaurant at the time. As soon as the last of the food was delivered, we asked for the check and boxes so as not to keep the staff any later than necessary, even though we were not the last table in the place. We promptly packed, paid and departed, without even really inspecting our food.

We've been here before and had good meals, of course, it was always earlier. It was obvious that the kitchen staff was irritated by the late order. If there was a manager in the building, either they did nothing to secure the quality of the food, or they colluded in the vindictive preparation of ours.

Whichever it was, the message was received - don't go to Salt Life in the last hour they're open. Although, since they are open an hour later than most other restaurants in town, that might suggest that they're trying to capture that late night business. Apparently not. But here's an idea... if you don't really want people to come in between 9 and 10 on a Thursday, just close at 9.

Separately, or server was very friendly. I'd like to believe that was genuinely her character, and that she would have been horrified to learn of the condition of our food. But there is a part of me that wonders if her friendliness wasn't just a misdirection... like a magician's assistant creating a distraction while the magician himself is taking a blowtorch to your food.

We come to Fernandina Beach every year, and have always come to Salt Life for dinner at least once, so we're not regulars in the sense that we come once a week, or even once a month, but we had always enjoyed it. It's unfortunate on our last visit that the food was so poor that not only would it be our last visit, but that it would move me to write this incredibly lengthy account of my disappointment.

Good...

Great Seaside/Island Vibe with Good Food to Match This was my first visit and I had a really great experience at Salt Life Food Shack. I ate here on a Saturday afternoon on Memorial Day weekend to enjoy the rooftop experience that I'd heard about. I wasn't disappointed in the beachside view or the food.

Service: Our service was really spot on the entire time I was at the restaurant. We walked in and got on the wait-list for the rooftop area and we sat at the bar downstairs until our reservation was ready in about 15 mins. When we did get upstairs on the rooftop, our server was on point the entire time we were there. She had recommendations on the menu items and checked on us regularly to make sure we were good. No complaints about the service.

Food: Me and my friends thoroughly enjoyed our food as well. For an appetizer we had the grilled garlic parmesan oysters and they were delightful. They served them with a garlic bread that sopped up really well with those grilled oysters. That garlic butter sauce was perfection.

For our main course I had the chili lime mahi mahi with grilled vegetables and it was also flavorful and perfectly seasoned. That coconut cream sauce was heavenly and those grilled veggies were seasoned just right. It was exactly what I was looking for... a flavorful seafood meal that wasn't too heavy.

My friends had the shrimp tacos and they said they liked what they had as well.

The drink I had at the bar was stiff just like I wanted it. I had the Rum Runner and you could most definitely taste the rum. I'd recommend it.

Atmosphere/Ambiance: The restaurant/bar has a great seaside/island vibe to it. They played some really good reggae that I really loved. I hear there's live music that plays but we were probably there too early in the day to get the live music. Either way the rooftop is definitely where's it at. Those ocean views up there are worth a visit. The bar is nicely appointed and the first floor patio seating area looked expansive as well. You can't go wrong wherever you sit in this spot.

Definitely put this place on your to-do list for drinks for...

Today went back had chips and grouper cheese,dip. Couldn't taste any fish but the cheese was terrible Check out the floor joist above the ductwork. The menu was filthy with old food on it I brought it to the attention of the same Manger as my last encounter with the buss issue. He was arrogant and condescending and gave me the impression so what. I told him I was going to call corporate HQ and let them know this guy isn't doing his job.the place could run better and cleaner if the kitchen and floor staff was running the place. I'm not going back but I don't think they really care. There are plenty of other options on the island. The young person who bused the tables was doing an absolutely terrible job After wiping down each table after she removed the dishes, One dirty rag and one swip per table, and she was fine with that. I confronted the floor manager and reported to him her efforts or lack of He didn't seem to have solved the issue, In Fact, he looked for her for some time and didn't realize she was upstairs bussing tables. I know it's not pandemic time, but for gosh sakes, the customers deserve and pay for clean, safe food and envriment when trusting the restaurant with their safety. I've praised this place in the past as one of the best served foods on the island. I'm still going to say that, I'm from New England and had hoped I found my new go-to seafood eaterie? But I won't go back if I'm eating in a dirty place with unsafe tables. Do you jobs we all pay good money for it and...