Tiki Docks Skyway — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

First, our previous visit. We visited this restaurant about 18 months ago and it was a disaster. The waitress went AWOL for 35 minutes and the staff couldn't find her. She came back from the parking lot smelling like pot. The situation made us an hour late to catch our boat to leave. We stated we shouldn’t be paying a hefty 20% automatic tip given that we refilled our own glasses multiple times, got drinks from the bar ourselves, and now were an hour late leaving. Oddly, they refused even though the manager spent a while trying to find the waitress. One person in our party contacted the owner who said he’d forward some gift cards to make up for paying a ridiculous tip and the terrible experience, but he never did.

We thought we’d give it another try. BAD IDEA.

First, the waiter was really good and we appreciated his help. In our case he knew there was a problem and tried to get the manager to do something which she failed miserably. I ordered the lobster rolls, but first I asked the waiter if they were any good and if the picture in the menu (see picture from website menu) was representative of what I'd get. He confirmed both. I stated I didn't want to get caught in a McDonald's ad where the burger looks huge and the reality is bad.

When the food came, one lobster roll was reasonable. About a half of what the picture looked, but ok. The second was abysmal. Almost no lobster in the bun (see picture). I asked the waiter while he was at the table (so the manager couldn't say I altered it) if they could add a little more lobster to it and he went to check. The manager came out and she started telling me that they portion each roll in the kitchen. I kept pointing to the lobster roll and asking her if that looked like 2 ounces or if that looked like the menu picture or if she thought this was reasonable to serve. She wouldn't answer any of the questions, just deferring to the kitchen's "portion control". She stated she'd have to ask the kitchen manager. After waiting about 10 minutes with no answer I went to find the manager again. She asked me how she could help, and I just looked at her in front of the meal. She went on to blame the situation on her corporate management, that they wouldn't let her add anything to the sandwich. It was a bizarre conversation, and I just handed her the plate with the remaining food. Incompetent restaurant management at its finest.

Such a simple problem to fix, such a disaster of a response multiple times.

There are many great restaurants in the area, this isn’t one of them. Never...

So glad to have such a great spot down here in our neighborhood!! For them having been open for such a short amount of time, we were super-impressed. Great service, incredible drinks and phenomenal service from our server, Willow. We will be sure to ask for her section, next time we go back, which will probably be soon! Everyone we interacted with was friendly, and we were happy to see all social distancing protocols being observed and tables and chairs being cleaned well after each guest. Aside from a couple of the wait staff (at other tables, thankfully) wearing their masks improperly below their nose, the whole vibe made me feel safe. And as I rarely venture out, this made me happy.

We each had 2 drinks, which had our food portions not been so large, probably would've been too much, because they do not skimp on the alcohol. We had the following: Watermelon Whiskey, 1934 Zombie, Puka Punch, Watermelon Margarita, Sea Bird and the Sneaky Rum Runner. Since we're all family, who've been holed up together since March, we shared so we could each try what the other ordered. Personally, my favorites were the Watermelon Margarita and Puka Punch, though ALL of them were exceptional. My compliments to the bartender(s)!

For lunch I had the Fish and Chips with slaw, and it was phenomenal. HUGE portion, crispy, flaky and delicious. Fried to look like it was the entire fish (see picture), so it made me smile at the clever presentation. The crinkle fries could've been crispier and were lacking of any salt whatsoever, but I didn't need them, what with the size of the fish, so I could've cared less. My son ate my slaw, and he said it was good.

My family had the Perfect 10 Dockwich with Angus Beef, and the Tacos (2 fish and 1 pork), and neither had a bite left on their plates. My fish portion was so large, that I only ate half of it. My cat thought he was in for a treat when I walked back in the house with the to-go container. Not happening.

Anyway, if you can't tell from my review, I will definitely be going back. Soon! Our neighborhood is lucky to have this place, but I daresay it won't take too long, until word gets out and this place is slammed more than it already is. Next time though, I'll probably take an Uber, so I can try a few more of those...

Long story short, I was disappointed in the lack of service my family and I received. I ate here last week for the first time and it was great. I decided to bring my husband and twin 2year olds for dinner to enjoy the outside environment. First- there is no sign that says “please wait to be seated” or “see hostess”. So after waiting and having several employees walk past us, I asked a nearby waitress. She straight ignored me and walked away. I attempted to ask another waitress, and she too didn’t respond. So- I grabbed two high chairs and asked the bartender, who told me there is a hostess and she will be over soon. So we went back and waited a few more minutes, finally the hostess came and sat us. After settling ourselves and twins, we waited. And waited. And waited. All the tables around us were getting refills, to go boxes, check’s, etc. all different servers. I made direct eye contact with the waitress who ignored me and she kept talking to the bartender while looking at me. It wasn’t confirmed but, I’m pretty sure we were in her section. So after about 10-15 mins or so, my kids were starting to get aggravated(I forgot snacks), so we packed up and decided to leave. Before we did, I asked to speak with the manager. I explained the situation and she apologized. I will not eat here ever again. A snobby waitress who makes her living on tips couldn’t be bothered to wait on a family with two small children. It was quite an inconvenience to pack everything up just to go somewhere else. They seemed to be staffed appropriately, but poorly managed and a great lack of...