Jim Shaw's Seafood Grill — Restaurant in Macon

This was my Birthday dinner with a friend, it was my first time eating here! I've always wanted to try them but never got around to it. I've definitely been missing out!!! This place is not fancy by no means but it is DELICIOUS!!! They surpassed my expectations and I love being surprised. I'm not easily impressed. I ordered The create your own meal. I had fried scallops(on a bed of rice) and blackened gator bites with steamed broccoli and a loaded baked potato. Plus those hush puppies that make my soul happy! Now let's discuss those blackened gator bites. These were so GREAT that they come in 2nd place to the ones I ate in New Orleans(which says it all). My mom had never had blackened gator bites and she ate all my left overs. She could not get over the fact that 1) it's gator 2) it was so flavorful and juicy 3) the spice creeps up on you( but it's so worth it and I dislike spicy food) All my food was delectable but those Gator bites won the gold! Lol. For dessert, I had the KeyLime pie. I'm not a huge fan of KeyLime but I thought I'd try it. This had to be one of the best KeyLime pies I've eaten. It reminded me of the texture of NY cheesecake(creamy) with a kick of the tang from the KeyLime. My mom couldn't get enough of it, neither could I! Had I known I would have gotten 2 slices. My friend tried a bite and he was equally impressed. I definitely want to return and try their other options. I've had gator bites locally but this place makes the best one so far(besides New Orleans). This place is seafood heaven. Family friendly and affordable. My friend had the squash casserole and it was pretty tasty. I'm getting that as my side, next...

We got seated right away with no wait at 7pm on a Saturday. We got the grilled rainbow trout and blackened red snapper with the voodoo shrimp appetizer. The food was really good. Fish was not over cooked. It tasted great. None left over. Potatoes were tender. Squash casserole a bit salty but still okay. Voodoo shrimp was cooked perfectly. The sauce is more of a slightly spicy yum yum sauce. It was tasty. Not a lot of heat (the blackened fish was spicier) but still really good. Some things came on the wrong plate but easy fix. Did good with special request such as extra cheese and sauce on the side for the shrimp appetizer. Def better than you would get at red lobster or one of the big chains. There is parking on site so no street parking which is a plus. Service was okay but not great. It took a looong time to get drinks out after we told her what we wanted. She tended to a few other tables before getting our drink order but told us our food was in the entire time. It also took quite a bit to try to flag her down for a question. Frustrating but not a deal breaker. I think she just had too many tables to juggle efficiently. Still gave an 20% tip. Atmosphere was good. More of a family place and not a fancy date night place. Will...

Skipper Zimmerman found that he had a passion for fine cooking while doing just that on St Simmon's Island , GA back in the late '70's and early '80's . So Skipper took a leap of faith and came home to Macon, GA and opened his first restaurant on riverside and called it Skipper's. I remember eating Blackened Red Fish there for the first time . WOW . I and my second wife drove from Eastman to Macon every weekend so I could get me some more of Skippers Blackened Red Fish . Then on another leap of faith Skipper bought his own place on Vineville that really didn't look like much . But Skipper Zimmerman turned that little hole in the wall into a consistantly great place to meet friends and eat great fresh seafood . Skipper's consistance to allways being there among his customers gives an asurring feel to his seafood loving crowds that fill that little Jim Shaws everytime the doors open . He has a casual side with an outdoor fireplace , and another side for that special aniversery or special night . Either side gets the same fresh seafood cooked to perrfection . Trust me , there is no other place in Macon, GA that has what Jim Shaws restaurant and it's faithfull owner Skipper Zimmer have to offer day in and day out...