Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House — Restaurant in Pensacola

I really wanted to like this place. We were a party of 5 who came in for cocktails, appetizers, and dinner. First issue was we literally sat there for 10 minutes for our waitress to come over and take our drink orders… Meanwhile, there were no less than five servers standing around doing pretty much nothing and we had to get up and ask one of them to find our waitress… who was for some reason detained in the kitchen. She was very nice… took the drink orders, and then, when they were ready, she literally brought them over one-at-a-time. Literally. On her sixth trip to the table, she brought us the cocktail napkins we had to ask for. Don’t we get those first??

We all felt like this level of service was a bit sloppy, but we were still hopeful.

Appetizers and entrees were ordered. Sadly, the waitress brought the meals before a couple of the appetizers showed up, and when I commented that really shouldn’t be the way food comes, she said that the oyster shucker was not very fast. No apology .., just an excuse. Meanwhile, while all these mis-steps are going on, the manager was wandering around… mostly on his phone… and not paying any attention to the service his wait staff was providing. Since it wasn’t at all busy - there were only 2-3 other tables - we didn’t understand why they seemed to struggle so much. So overall, the food was very good… The amberjack in particular… However, the server brought out a shrimp and scallop pasta without any shrimp or scallops. We brought it to our server’s attention, and the manager quickly brought out a separate plate of shrimp and scallops. Awkward. Who is on QC in the kitchen and doesn’t the server know what the food is supposed to look like??

Lastly… and this is a pet peeve… absolutely everything that came to our table required one of the numerous servers who brought things to ask who ordered them. The servers weren’t that busy, and our order was not that complicated that somebody who was paying attention wouldn’t be able to remember who gets what. My final comment is I think the mandatory 20% tip is a big mistake. I understand that finding workers is a real challenge in the industry right now but guaranteeing superior compensation for average service is not going to work. I typically tip 20% anyway, but I would like the flexibility to give important feedback to a server who isn’t doing enough for a bigger tip by giving them a smaller one. That’s how I learned to be a really good server in that business along time ago.

In the end, this is a training issue. The servers have not been trained how to properly and efficiently wait on tables. Many rookie mistakes. The food was very good - especially the oysters - but they need to step up their game if they’re going to make it. Customers have to enjoy how they are treated and served as much as they enjoy what they...

If there were a Michelin star for servers, Haley would be wearing it on a chain around her neck like a trophy.

Our Slick Lips experience was solid across the board, but Haley? Haley made it.

Before we even crossed the threshold, she gracefully approached us as we hovered over the menu like tourists studying a treasure map. She offered her help without pressure, just good vibes and Southern hospitality. That initial contact set the tone for what turned out to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in a long time.

Once seated, Haley delivered that rare blend of personable charm and true professionalism. She took a special request from us—one of those "hey, I know this might be annoying, but…" asks—and handled it like a pro. She set realistic expectations, didn’t sugarcoat the kitchen’s potential response, but passed along the request with grace. And shout out to the kitchen for coming through!

Now let’s talk about the Sidewinder Fries. Haley gave a description so vivid, so poetically indulgent, I swear Anthony Bourdain is up there somewhere tipping his hat. Think: if a curly fry and a steak fry had a beautiful, golden, crunchy love child—it would be the Sidewinder. Crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. She wasn't lying. They were delicious. A small potato miracle.

From a business perspective, I understand how tempting it is for servers to push the priciest dishes on the menu. But Haley? Nope. When I asked what she personally liked, she spoke with authenticity. She named her true favorites, regardless of price, and only mentioned the higher-end items when they were truly popular or worth it. That kind of honesty builds trust—and loyalty.

Thanks to Haley, we’ll be back. Soon. Probably hungry. Keep the 2-top by the...

This was a night out with girls,we picked this place because we never been before..Unfortunately the experience wasn't so great...matter fact not at all...First of this place is downtown so you have to park way off and pay for your parking then walk a mile or 2 depending on the direction you park to get to the restaurant but I'm like cool,we get in there and I immediately notice how hot it was inside the restaurant,I had to ask the waitress if they could turn the air up and so then we ordered,I'm thinking drinks first ladies!! The first drink was GREAT but then I order a diffrent drink and it was YUCKIE!! I ask the waitress if I could maybe switch that drink out or get so.ething diffrent I had only took 2 small sips,she took my drink and then brought the SAME drink back just to tell me they basically have a policy that once you order the drink your stuck with it and you still have to pay for it...She was like I can pour it out but why when I will still be charged for it...So I goup it down really quick and my next thought was maybe the food will be great,now don't get me wrong the barbeque shrimp I give it a 10 out of 10 but the most expensive thing I paid for was the crab cakes and boy was it YUCKKKIEEE🤮 look like they took the crab out the can and mixed it with veggies and pat it in a pile and just gave it to me...I was so disappointed because crab cakes is my favorite thing to order at any seafood restaurant but they definitely missed the assignment ,my bill was around 106,I actually had the highest bill at the table but no complaints if only my drinks and the food was great...anyways I always give restaurant a second try but this is a big NONO for me...This restaurant is definitely a no...