Cedar River Seafood — Restaurant in Lake City

We’ve eaten here twice now. We have children and grandchildren near Ocala and found this place on one of our trips down. The first time we stopped it was a weekday and was not terribly busy. We went right in and ordered a few minutes after getting there. Stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer with grilled shrimp and shrimp scampi for entrees. The mushrooms were okay - not great, not bad, but okay. I’d eat them again but wanted to try something different on the second trip. The grilled shrimp was excellent! Excellent! The shrimp scampi was good as well (my wife ordered it and, uncharacteristically, I didn’t sample it. She cleaned her plate though!

Next visit was Friday, March 17, 2023. We arrived around 6:10 and were seated at 6:30 (approximately) after being told about a 30 minute wait. Pleasantly surprised to say the least. The restaurant was busy with several large groups. Our server stopped by after 4-5 minutes to take our order. We ordered fried green tomatoes, I got grilled shrimp again with Cole slaw and fried corn on the cob. My beautiful wife got grilled shrimp and deviled crab (choose two with two sides) with Cole slaw and baked potato. The tomatoes came out in just a few minutes and were really good with the ranch dressing which tasted homemade. That’s where things got a little……long. We watched people who had come in after us get served and leave while we were still waiting for our food. After more than an hour from being seated and getting our tomatoes I was beginning to get just a little upset. We had a destination still 2 hours away and needed to get in, eat a relaxing meal, get back on the road. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Once our server realized how long we’d been waiting (after I helped her out some), she went to the kitchen to see where our food was. Apparently, our ticket had gotten placed on “hold” or something and never put back in queue. We eventually got our meal. It was hot and, again, very good. The server was extremely apologetic, removed the appetizer and a further discount to compensate us. We didn’t ask for either but were pleased she was proactive in addressing a problem. We would rather have paid the full price and been in and out in under an hour instead of roughly 2 hours. But, it was addressed without us asking and we were pleased with the resolution. I’m sure it’s an aberration and not indicative of normal guest experience at this restaurant. I said all that to tell you this: a business who is proactive in addressing problems is a place who cares about their customers and wants them to return. This is such a business. I’m impressed with their customer service. We’ll return on another trip. Maybe even on a weekend.

The food is outstanding. My wife loved the deviled crab and the grilled shrimp was, once again, delicious. The coleslaw is very good and the fried corn on the cob is outstanding. I highly recommend it.

As I said above, we’ll return and I’m sure things will go smoothly. I recommend...

I might have to go back another time because I keep hearing such great things about this restaurant. We decided to try this restaurant when we were in Lake City. The food was delicious. Our child had the chicken tender and fries. I had the Seafood Alfredo with scallops to see how that was. I also got as the sides, the sweet potato souffle (did not eat unsanitary as it had the bottom of a pkatevon it)& clam chowder. My husband liked the chicken tenders as well. Delicious all around. The hush puppies were inedible though. They were deep fried way too long. Our server Chelsea was okay if that. I was her darling. I just love it when someone who is probably 30 or so years younger addresses my husband or I as darling. I guess they aren't taught how to address customers. It isn't using intimate words like "darling", "sugar", "honey". We aren't intimate or familiar with you for you to address us that way young or old. My husband isn't your honey nor am I your darling. She had to bring extra napkins because when she handed my daughter her plate she actually had her plate SITTING in my sweet potatoes. No she must have NOT thought that this might be unsanitary let me get you another side as it was on its own plate. No she even saud oh let me get you extra napkins as her plate got into the sweet potatoes. GROSS! Yes I had to ask for the refills but we did not get them then we asked for the to go boxes. We got the to go boxes and then had to wait and wait for the server for the check. Usually if people are requesting to go boxes then you might think they are READY to go and think to bring the check. Nope, not this server. She had dropped the to go box and left. She looked clueless when she finally came back and asked if we needed anything else, like why are we still there just sitting. DUH! We need the check. We had everything boxed for the last 7 minutes.

So great food overall, service not so much. The server wasn't rude just not good. If you put a plate on top of food that is just disgusting make a better decision to just say "sorry this slipped and got sweet potatoes on it, let me take this and get you another plate". Nope serve it as is after it had the bottom of a plate sitting in it. Thinking on it, she was a pretty bad server. I would go back to try this again but hopefully get a decent server. Change my...

I can't believe it took me this long to try this place! It was so great! I ordered the shrimp scampi and double cheese grits (carb lover here!), and it came with two complimentary hush puppies. The shrimp scampi was very good... a bit lemony, but I still loved it. But it was the hush puppies and the cheese grits that elevated the experience. I do love me some cheese grits and these were just the chef's kiss! Best I've tasted in a very long time! They even went out of their way to cover said grits with tin foil to hold in the heat, which I appreciated. And I ordered a Coke and it was huge and so good! The service was excellent, the building was very spacious, parking was great,, the place was very clean and the aesthetics really fit theme well.

I came here with my sweet aunt and she ordered fried shrimp, fried okra, and cheese grits and she absolutely loved it. She's the one that took me here and she said she couldn't believe I had never been, especially since I lived in Lake City for over 5 years. My parents say they also love going here.

If you're from The South like me and you're wondering about the size of their portions, you need not worry. They give you more than plenty, so you'll leave feeling satiated and happily full.

The only thing I wish they would offer are maybe three hush puppies instead of two. Having said that, considering the size of their portions, that might be selfish of me to suggest. But still, they are just so delicious that I can't help but want more when I eat here. While this isn't necessarily my all-time favorite restaurant (I'm a Japanese food lover, so for me, Fuji Sushi holds that place in my heart), but if you're looking for great seafood, cooked in that special Southern way, with fantastic sides and satisfying portions, then I feel like you will probably really enjoy this place. That is why I feel it deserves 5 stars. It doesn't pretend to be anything else than what it is and I love that. Besides, how can you not love seafood from The South? Sea Soul...