PigFish @ Calusa — Restaurant in Florida

The very good: Beautiful new space with amazing murals and ambience! They have 2 large bars and also high tops for seating. They have a large parking lot in the back and small in the front. Park in the back as that is where you enter the building. The servers were polite, professional and gave good service. The bar stools were super comfy and it had a real comfy vibe. It's family friendly with an area for the kids within easy parent view. The kids seemed to have a fantastic time as did the parents! We love the large selection of Hazy IPAs and even found one that was a tad lighter than the Zote. They had other styles as well. We just like the IPAs. Wish there was a better outdoor area but the patio is comfortable and nice. It does not seem like they have live music but that is fine by us. The mixed review: The food. First, you stand in line to order and then have to wait for a text. No biggie but be aware-and it can take awhile to get that text. The line can get long. We picked up our order and there were no napkins nor silverware provided. We found a napkin dispenser and they had some toothpicks for our food. After we were almost all done, the bartender asked if we needed silverware. We would have asked but I didn't see anyone with any so wasn't sure what was going on and we had handhelds anyway. We had the corn flake chicken sandwich and mushroom sandwich and each came with a side. We chose french fries and pickled veg. They gave a large amount of pickled veg and we loved it! Also, they have gluten free buns so we were happily surprised as my husband is gluten free. He said it was a really good bun which I have yet to find any place else with a good gluten free bun. I'd love to know where they got it. He said the chicken was good with yummy slaw. It wasn't anything special though so not sure why the price. My sandwich was less than stellar. First, it is on brioche sliced bread. The bread was super greasy. I had to repeatedly wipe my hands with many napkins to eat it. The filling was mush. Besides the very small sliced mushrooms, it was all mushy. It was also wet. So the bottom slice of bread was wet. They filled the sandwich by lumping it in one spot so I had to smoosh it around so I wasn't eating half the sandwich with just bread. The french fries were cold when we got them. I mean there was no more heat and they were stale tasting like they sat there for 2 hours. I've had better fries just about anyplace. For $18 a piece for our meals, I would expect a lot more. I was shocked that the vegetarian sandwich was so greasy and mushy. It wasn't fresh tasting. We didn't try an appetizers but would come back to do so. I really hope this award winning chef will revitalize that menu to include more healthy options, less grease, better french fries and some lower cost options. We love Calusa and really hope it continues to do...

The Pigfish Signature Sandwich with Cobia is without a doubt the finest fish sandwich in all of Central Gulf Coast Florida, and I say that in total confidence! Hear me out!

First of all, the passion of their chief chef led him on a quest to find what is likely the ONLY sustainable farm- raised Cobia source on the planet, in Panama! Seafood connoisseurs have long known this to be an incredibly delicious fish, as I learned decades ago when I was lucky enough to catch one on a deep sea fishing trip in Southport, NC. But In the past twenty years, I found it only twice on a menu, which explains why most people are unfamiliar with it. The quality and generous QUANTITY of perfectly seasoned, ultra-fresh filets served up in their “almost to thick to bite” sandwich with onion, tomato, lettuce, pickle, and bacon tartar sauce (but ask for a free side of their Jerk tartar if you dare!) on a potato roll will make you smile on first bite! It comes with your choice of sides (I went Caesar salad which was great). NEVER have I found such a ln amazing sandwich! Don’t be put off because it is their priciest sandwich- realizing that it’s content was probably swimming somewhere in Panama that morning, was beautifully kept fresh and shipped by the Blue Cobia outfit, and it is legions above anything you have had. Besides that, you work hard and YOU DESERVE IT!! I chose to couple that with a Calusa Pirate’s Grog Berliner Weisse, light, 4%, and fruity that drinks like a fine French Chardonnay and was perfect with my sandwich! The chef is super cool and friendly, the entire staff upbeat and passionate, and deliver hot food promptly, and Kathy who took my order was terrific! Sorry I didn’t get any deeper into the menu- I am confident they pour tha same passion into every dish, but, again, and you heard it here first, go big on your first visit with the Pigfish Signature...

A Sarasota Gem – 5 Stars Aren’t Enough!

First time at Pig Fish and I can confidently say it won’t be our last! From the moment we walked in, Kathy gave us the warmest welcome and the best introduction to the Pig Fish experience. Her knowledge, recommendations, and energy made us feel like VIPs, and she truly set the tone for an unforgettable meal.

I went with the fish and chips—and WOW. Hands down, the best fish I’ve had in Sarasota. The unicorn file fish was incredibly fresh, perfectly seasoned (with what I swear was love), and cooked to flaky, golden perfection. The salad was crisp and refreshing, and every single part of it—from the greens to the house-made croutons—was made fresh in-house. You can taste the difference.

We also tried “the pig,” and it’s honestly to die for. Rich, flavorful, and downright addictive.

Pig Fish is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Fresh ingredients, incredible flavors, and top-notch service. Do yourself a favor and get there—ask for Kathy and...