Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Siesta Key

So Disappointing!! We were really excited to try this place. A WASTE OF HARD EARNED MONEY! They were not busy at all on a Saturday night. That should have been a red flag. We were sat immediately. We asked for outside near the water. We were sat outside, not closest by the water. They are hard benches, picnic table style. It was a few minutes before we were greeted by, Aldo. We were not even asked if this was our first time here. Which it was. We ordered drinks, after he returned we ordered fried oysters as an appetizer. These came out almost immediately. Still should have been another red flag! Pre-Cooked. They weren't even hot to the touch, They had been sitting under a heat lamp. The Mariner Fry Boat looks great on the picture. And this also came out while we were still eating the "fried oysters". Immediately. This also was Pre-Cooked! so nasty and so disappointing no flavor, cold DISAPPOINTING! We are Florida Natives. We know seafood. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PLACE! So we were checked on twice which included the check being brought. No drink refills. We seen the other servers more than we did Aldo. As for the "BOAT", Market price not listed on the menu, other than that , it was $110.95 Yes, you read that right. The boat has about a 1/2 inch lip, this boat is not full. So 1/2 inch lip FILLED with soggy stale french fries that have been sitting. 6 Fried shrimp also pre-cooked no flavor, Fried fish not terrible, Calamari was the best thing we ate on this thing. 2 small fried lobster tails with the shell, which one did not have any meat at all just the fried shell.Which would have been known if we were actually attended to throughout our meal. So lets break it down. Market price 3oz lobster tails are $6.99 each so $14 remember one had no meat. Calamari is $8 for 2 lbs. Shrimp $15 for 2 lbs. Fish ( good fish) $15 a lb. Which there was more fish than anything other than french fries. 1 corn on the cob cut into 1/4's. We enjoy eating out and supporting our local businesses. But we will NEVER make this mistake again. PRE-COOKED FOOD sitting and dying!! NOT GOOD BUSINESS for a restaurant. The boat is a GIMMICK! Everything we had was PRE-COOKED!! NOTHING WAS HOT OR FRESH. I'd like to see new ownership or management come in and take over. The location is not too bad. Located on the water. However, I forgot to mention that the server Aldo told another patron that it was mosquitoes biting. Which this is not the case, they are no-see-ums ( ceratopogonidae ). So, if you plan to eat outside, bring spray. They do not have any citronella torches to take care of this issue. they bring a ( tabletop windmill ) to take care of flies. It does not help . Like I said, someone needs to come in and revamp this place. Such a sad thing to see this place the way it is. I forgot to mention that my husband said that the mens restroom did not have any paper towels. He had to use the paper towels...

Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, 5353 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231: 6/10/2021

We stumbled onto this creek side restaurant thanks to a kind suggestion from our tour guide Will, from Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures. Any place with the word “oysters” in the name is guaranteed to get my attention, and boy was I glad we stopped in here! We walked in around noon and were able to be seated right away. We started off our meal with a cold beer and a Bloody Mary, which Brandy brought to us quickly. The beer was cold and the bloody mary had just the right amount of seasoning. We put in an order of the Buffalo shrimp and a dozen oysters on the half shell. The oysters were in various sizes, not the largest I have had, but certainly not the smallest either. Even-tho the oysterst were not the largest, they had such an amazing flavor to them. There was a sharp bite of salinity which complemented the somewhat sweet cocktail sauce. We contemplated ordering another dozen instead of food, yes they were that good. The buffalo shrimp were large and flash fried with very little grease. They were butterflied, Tail on, and had a remarkable “snap” when you bite into them, indicating they were fresh shrimp. Although they did not come tossed in buffalo sauce, they were relatively easy to coat in our basket. The sauce, a traditional buffalo wing sauce, had subtle hints of butter with the perfect amount of “Zap” from the spice and heat of the hot sauce. The ranch, which I believe must have been homemade, complimented the buffalo’s spice which took the dish to another level. After these appetizers were so good, I was certainly worried that I would be let down on the main course meal, how can a restaurant nail drinks, apps and an entree I asked my wife? We finished the meal by sharing an order of their Daily special “Tempura Fish Tacos”. The fish was an Alaskan Pollock, fried in a similar manner to fish and chips. The taco’s themselves were a purple corn tortilla, that had a significant crunch when consumed, certainly a good thing. The fish was flakey and cooked perfectly, and the flavors of the toppings, slaw and sauces brought the whole meal to a mouthwatering finish. Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar had done it, The pulled of what is a near perfect drink, Appetizer and main course which I will think of for quite some time.

Thank you to Brandy and the staff at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in Sarasota Fl, for such a remarkable and memorable meal. If you’re in the area, I highly suggest you check these guys out and grab a souvenir next door on your way out!.

Cleanliness: 5 out of 5 Food Price vs Value: 5 out of 5 Drinks: 5 out of 5 Appetizers: 5 out of 5 Entree: 5 out of 5 Staff friendliness: 5 out of...

After nearly a decade of living in Sarasota, my wife and I finally decided to check out Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, and boy, were we pleasantly surprised! Despite our initial reservations that it might be a bit tourist trap- like, we were delighted to discover that it exuded a distinctly local vibe that instantly put us at ease.

One of the first things that struck us was the charming scenery. Being able to stroll out onto the dock and soak in the picturesque surroundings was a highlight of our visit. And for those with small watercraft, the option to pull right up to the dock and tie off added an extra layer of convenience and accessibility.

Now, let's talk drinks. While we found the drinks to be a bit lackluster in terms of potency, the taste was still enjoyable. However, it was evident that they were either watered down or lacking in alcohol content. Despite this minor setback, we were determined not to let it dampen our spirits.

When it came time to order food, we opted for the "Mariner's Fry Boat," and boy, oh boy, did it exceed our expectations! This mammoth feast was more than enough to satisfy the appetites of two hungry diners, and at just over $100, it represented excellent value for money. The boatload of perfectly fried seafood, including two juicy lobster tails, nestled atop a bed of fries, was a sight to behold. And let's not forget the delightful addition of Caribbean slaw, which provided a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the seafood.

Needless to say, we left Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar with full bellies and smiles on our faces. And thanks to the generous portions, we even had plenty of leftovers to enjoy for lunch the next day!

Overall, our experience at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar was nothing short of delightful. Despite the mediocre drinks, the delicious food, charming ambiance, and friendly service more than made up for it. We'll definitely be returning for another visit in the near future. Cheers to good times and...