Friendly Fisherman Restaurant — Restaurant in Madeira Beach

Where to start? Before writing this, I read many others and viewed posted pics. None of which I could relate to our experience. My girl ordered Gator bites and small onion rings. I, Fish and chips. I was literally surprised, a little concerned as to how fast the food arrived, i mean, really fast, but it was a Thursday and just 5 p.m. with only 2 other tables occupied, so I reasoned that to be why. At first, I noticed all fried foods to be, with the exception of the hush puppies, a light pale beige color. Not at all what is pictured in the post and described on the menu, so possibly a fluke. Still somewhat optimistic, I start with the cole slaw, disappointingly warmer than room temp, same with tartar sauce ,then fries, 4 is the most I could tolerate. I would gamble they were leftovers from lunch, like rubbery chewy, cool, no flavor, most likely cooked in a synthetic oil. I tried one of the onion rings and only 1 bite , and again, no flavor other than a flour taste. So then the fish. I, still hopeful, cut a bite-sized piece off this "beer battered" filet, and I only have 'thick' flavorless batter. A little crispy outside but soggy inside. I easily pull the batter away from the filet to find there is much more batter than what was mushy fish, again, no seasoning. I left 90% of my food on the plate. the waitress never questioned it. Hmmm. My girl said gator bites were o.k. and agreed about the disappointing onion rings .She did praise the sauce for the bites. Also,curious, the waitress carries a point of sale but didn't share what the total bill would be. I just happened to place a $100 bill on the table, and she brought back change. She did the same to the table next to us using a C.C.. the girl also had to ask to see the bill. So I asked the waitress after she returned the change for a total so I could calculate a tip ,and it was like it was inappropriate to do so. Left, we stopped in at Mad Beach restaurant because I was starving after our $60 dinner at F.F. so I could have a double smash burger and crispy hot and seasoned tater tots.

• I am pleased to have the owner respond to my less than positive review and offer to take the time to share my experience directly . As I stated in my review, "perhaps my experience was a fluke," all considered. I understand the challenges to operate in the food service industry in these economic times, such as they are. Their approach to this is a positive one, and when I return to FL. I will accept...

Four of us ladies went here on Thursday Jan 2, 2025 for lunch. Two of us had been there in the past before the storms. We were seated outside. We waited quite sometime for our waitress. She came out and was not very friendly from the beginning. Thought maybe she was having a bad day so we just waited until she finally asked us about drinks. No friendly draft beers that day. So eventually brought two teas and a bottled and a can beer. Asked if she could bring a glass. Took sometime to get them. She would walk past us like we didn’t exist during our whole stay there. Approx 2 hrs There was a limited menu which was fine but my fish and chips was not good at all. Batter had a bad taste so I just picked at the soggy fish inside. French fries were not good either. I liked the slaw. Figured they must be having problems with the kitchen because of the storm. Nobody complained. The other ladies didn’t say much except it was okay. The main problem was our waitress. She would not come to our table to check on us. We had to go inside to get her but only found the lady that took us to our table and asked her to tell our waitress. Then she kept walking by without acknowledging us. Another lady in our group went inside and found her. She came out and asked us what our orders were again and started writing them down. She never came back. The I saw here waiting on other people right by us and told her we were leaving and needed our tickets to pay. She didn’t come back. I saw her go inside and we all went in by her station and paid her. I have never had this type of experience before. I wish I would have called the manager because she was the main problem for our bad experience. It will be awhile before I return. Not sure about the other three...

Hostess was very friendly & personable!

Our server's service, however, was very lacking. Even on what seemed like a slow day at about 1:30pm with only about 4 or 5 tables seated. Our party was 6 adults and two kids. Food came out slow & staggered, we were never offered refills on our drinks and when we asked it seemed like an inconvenience, (we were there about 90 mins) and the server had a very dull/bland personality that came off rude when I honestly don't think she was trying to be; but who knows. Still tipped $20 because who knows what was going on with her.

Our family got a variety of food: clam chowder with salad, a couple burger meals, fish & chips, blackened salmon sandwich, crab cakes, a salmon meal, and a couple kid's spaghetti meals.

The burgers, salmon meal & and the kid's meals were good. The blackened salmon sandwich was actually really good and well cooked. The fish & chips basket was okay, but the fish was overcooked/dry and was a weird really thin cut of fish that wasn't quite a fillet but wasn't quite fish sticks. But the crab cakes...were absolutely God awful; outside was soggy & the inside was oddly wet and cold with no chunks of crab. Seemed like mostly binders and I don't think the crab meat was real to be honest (didn't have enough crab in it to tell in the one bite me & 2 others in my party each spit out.)

Hate to leave such a lousy review but all in all, this placed honestly sucked when I really feel like it has potential to be a great place to stop. I pass it all the time & thought why not. But go to Caddy's next door. Hell, Bubba Gump Shrimp is right next door too. Save your...