Fat Willie's Fish Camp — Restaurant in Brandon

I need to start by saying that prior to this past year, my last visit to Fat Willie's had been over 15 years ago. I hadn't been back because it was so hard to find parking back then. Not because the parking lot is small, but because they have a huge local following. I mean, people have always lined up before they open just to get a seat. I remember parking across from the restaurant on Front St in the grassy area which is considered their overflow parking. So, if you don't find a space on their lot you can park across the street. Everyone else does it.

Anyway, this is what I would describe as a true hidden gem. It's tucked away behind the CSX railroad track near the intersection of Valrico Rd and Front St. You won't see it from the road but the locals know exactly where it is. Everyone who lives in Valrico knows about this place and the community has actually supported them through a few ups and downs in a period of over 45 years. Yes, this place has survived a lot. They had to close briefly during COVID-19 but were able to reopen (and thank goodness for that). This is the type of Old Florida staple that should be preserved at all cost. I mean, it's literally a historical site for this town. It once housed the General Store and Post Office back in the early 1900's. You can read about this history on their website. There are also some very cool articles about Bill "Willie" Robinson and how his family and staff have kept his legacy going through thick and thin. A South Tampa Magazine article titled "Fat Willie's Fish Shack" from 2014 which talks about how he modeled his restaurant after a North Carolina staple called Jack Lineberger's Fish Camp. There was also a great Fox 13 news story that was televised in June called "Former employees preserving legacy of Fat Willie's Fish Camp" that highlights the loyalty and dedication of the employees who are basically their own family. You can't get better than this folks. Who wouldn't want to visit this restaurant after reading about the history?

Let's talk about the food! I love it! I've had the fried oyster and fried catfish basket which comes with a side (Grits or French Fries), hush puppies, and their homemade slaw. I've also had the gator bites appetizer. All have been wonderful. They know how to do a fish fry. I mean they learned from the best and have been doing this for years. I've also sampled the fried onion rings as well. All of these items are standouts. Especially that fried catfish. Make sure you ask for lemon wedges to go along with the catfish. It doesn't need it, but it actually elevated the flavor even more. I can't stop thinking about that crispy and light cornmeal batter with the lemon. I was also impressed with how the fish stayed tender inside of that crispy layer. The best I've tasted in the Tampa Bay area so far. Oh and the grits were also really good. The onion rings were also lightly battered and fried to perfection. They have blackened and grilled fish offerings that are also very popular. I brought the leftovers home to my husband who is not a seafood lover. He surprisingly liked the catfish.

Also, everyone is friendly and helpful (staff, owner, family members, and local patrons). It's a true family run business. A true reflection of Willie's values and personality. Just go try it...

I arrived a little before 6pm with my party of 13. Most of us got our drinks right after we were seated. However, my daughter that came a little after me waited over a half hour to make her drink order and that was only after I went to the register and reminded them. After A WHILE we gave our order. Over an hour after we arrived we finally got food. I expected the food to be hot and fresh. Instead it was barely like warm and rubbery. The grits were so cold they were solid. My friend that was with me and he just sent his food back and just had tea. The rest of us got our food in boxes to go home because by the time the last plate came out, we had been there over 2 hours and the kids were tired of waiting and grumpy. The staff acted like it was their first time working in a restaurant. I actually saw one girl put a to go box on her head and then took it and gave it to a customer. I said something to the girl and the register and she acted like she didn't care. I asked for the manager after we waited forever to get bills and boxes. I asked for the manager and she told me that it was crowded (It wasn't) and she had parties of 10 back to back. Most of the tables were empty. I asked her what was the difference between 3 parties of 10 and 6 parties of 5? She said that I should have called ahead. Why? I might understand if the food was brought out together and hot. Instead it was scattered and cold/rubbery. My daughter in law said the pasta tasted microwaved. My mother and sister eat the minimum 1 time a week and rave about it. I unfortunately didn't have the same experience. The manager acted like she didn't care and only had excuses for the bad service and food. I really thought that I had a good seafood restaurant close to home, but I guess I will still be making my trip to...

Let me start by saying, this place has been here, since I was young, and growing up in the area! It is a small place! The entrance is very narrow! So, you have to wait for people to exit before you can be seated! This is mostly seafood! So, if your looking for other types of food, the selection is not very big! I am a southern girl! So, when I eat fish or seafood, I want grits!!!! I did not see any grits on the menu! So, that was a thumbs down for me! They also have a lot of fried foods! Not a lot of veggies, either! I think I saw green beans on the menu! Now, I ordered, devil crabs and shrimp, with creole seasoned potatoes! The devil crabs were good, shrimp was supposed to be fried, but no color, no flavor, no breading? The potatoes were terrible to me, but it's probably because I didn't care for the seasoning, plus they weren't hot enough! The server forgot to bring the coleslaw with the meal, she was not attentive enough, and we had to search to get her to bring the slaw, when it finally arrived, I was more than half done with my food! The tea was weak to me, watered down, not sweet enough! Finally, I had to use the girl's room! Again, small area, no room, now, please, not trying to be mean but I think if a place has been in business all these years, they could at least update the bathroom! Or make it look more updated! So, final thoughts, it was an okay experience, but me personally, I'm not sure if I will go back! It wasn't...