Billy's Stone Crab — Restaurant in Gulfport

We found ourselves drawn to this coastal gem after searching for a last-minute dinner idea from Google, eager to enjoy a meal near the water. Arriving on a Sunday around 5 p.m., we were greeted by a tranquil atmosphere—the restaurant was pleasantly quiet, creating a peaceful backdrop for our evening.

Upon perusing the menu, we noted a disconnect between the enticing reviews with pictures on Google to the descriptions and the actual offerings presented to us. The sides depicted in the photographs didn’t align with what they actually had on the menu, highlighting the need for a menu refresh that’s overdue. Additionally, the seating could benefit from a bit more comfort for a more enjoyable dining experience.

When it came to the food, there were some standout dishes worth mentioning. I highly recommend trying the gator bites; they offered a delightful crunch paired with a rich flavor profile. The prime rib was another highlight, delivering tenderness and a satisfying taste. However, my surf and turf experience, priced at $23, fell seriously short of expectations, featuring a petite prime rib steak alongside two scallops and three shrimp that were overcooked, tucked alongside two sides that didn't quite impress.

For the little ones, the burger was decent, while the chicken sandwich received a thumbs-up for its flavor. However, the shrimp flatbread, priced at $14, was a tad disappointing due to the limited amount of diced shrimp it featured—roughly two ounces on a crisp yet understated thin crust. On a positive note, all the vegetables served with our sandwiches were fresh and added a nice touch. The fries were notably crunchy and delicious but would certainly benefit from a dash of seasoning to elevate them further.

Service began on a positive note; our waitress was attentive and accommodating initially. However, as the meal progressed, we experienced a dip in service. After a wait for our drinks, we noticed our server chatting on the dock outside, leaving us feeling somewhat abandoned aw we were searching for refills. As newcomers to the restaurant, it was challenging to seek assistance when we felt a bit adrift.

In summary, while this seaside restaurant has the foundation to be a fantastic dining destination, it would greatly benefit from a menu revamp and improved service consistency. With a little polish, it could become a favorite spot for beachgoers seeking delicious...

Though we have never been into the restaurant or nightclub here, we have now visited the upstairs bar twice. The first occasion we were waiting for sunset to take pictures at Fort DeSoto Park. We enjoyed apps, drinks and a live guitarist. We were impressed enough that we decided to go there again just because (it is about 45 minutes from our house). We arrived after the rush about 9 p.m. Again, there was a talented guitarist and his electronic "band" playing. Our bartender was attentive and began taking exceptional care of us. We had made our trek there based on my telling my wife I wanted some calimari.

When we arrived, I noticed they had oysters for $.75/each, i.e. $9/dozen. I briefly forgot about my calimari craving and ordered a dozen oysters (after getting a thumbs up from the bartender). They were excellent!

We often knosh when at a bar and this is what we did this night. So, we then ordered the calimari, which was nicely cooked, though slightly salty. I probably would not have noticed as much, but I was tasked with eating about 3/4 of the app. We then perused the menu and decided to split a Mahi and crab stuffing dinner doused with hollandaise sauce. The whole green beans were crisp, which is how I prefer them since they make great finger food (Hey, it's a bar!). The homemade mashers were nice and buttery. Of course, the star of the dish was the mahi, and it shined brightly. The fish was flaky and fresh and the stuffing (my wife's favorite part of any meal that includes it) was sublime. Along with the hollandaise, it created the perfect entree. After our two apps, I could not have eaten this alone. My plan had been to allow my wife to eat the lion's share of the stuffing, but it was so tasty, we split it 50/50.

I should also mention our drinks were excellently prepared by our bartender/server.

If you want a laid-back, scenic experience, do not hesitate to try...

Several people told me to try this place as I love lobsters so I decided to go and try it for the first time.

The place is what you would find in key west. It is old but has that historical charm. The place has a bar side with very loud music and a dining side where it is more quiet where you can talk.

We had reservations so they sat us in 10 minutes. The view wasn’t bad but the sun was shining directly into my eyes so I could not look at the people sitting across from me.

I ordered the small rock lobster for $14.99 and a side of mash potatoes which was a la cart for $4.99. The mash potato was the size of a scoop of ice cream. The friends ordered several other side dishes and some hush puppies.

I ordered a red sangria and it was sad looking sangria drink that I have ever seen. Small glass with one slice Orange in it. It tasted horrible so I drank the water.

The hush puppies came out within 5 minutes. However, it took them over an hour to bring our food out. I looked around and it wasn’t that busy and was wondering why it took them that long. Maybe it is how long it takes for them to get the food out. The waitress didn’t even come over and say anything. For what I have seen in many restaurants, it is usually 20 minutes but this was a horrible experience that I have experienced in a very long time.

When the food came out, my friend’s salad dish was very soggy and it wasn’t at all cold and crispy. The small salad cost $9.99 and it was the side of a side salad you get at a restaurant.

Overall, I definitely would not recommend this place for so many reasons. The value is not there as everything is over priced for what you get. The terrible long wait for the food is just wrong. The food was very subpar of what you get at a ba and not at...