Big Ray’s Fish Camp on the Riverwalk — Restaurant in Tampa

First meal back in Tampa, and overall, it didn’t disappoint! I ordered a Cuban sandwich with a side of garlic Parmesan fries, and everything was made fresh, cooked to order, and served piping hot. As I approached the counter, I was struck by the lovely surroundings—the seating area offered a stunning view of the river, dotted with boats gliding by, adding a peaceful, scenic backdrop to the meal.

I originally expected a more traditional pairing of a classic Cuban sandwich with regular fries, but to my pleasant surprise, I was informed of more elevated options like Parmesan fries and other tempting sides. I opted for the garlic Parmesan fries, hoping for a burst of garlicky goodness. While the fries were perfectly crispy and well-seasoned, I was disappointed that they lacked a strong garlic flavor—there was barely a hint of it. However, they were still enjoyable, especially with their crunchy exterior and soft, fluffy inside.

The real star of the meal, though, was the Cuban sandwich. The bread was perfectly toasted, giving it a satisfying crunch, while the meats inside were flavorful and well-balanced, creating that perfect combination you’d expect from a quality Cuban sandwich. I didn’t order a drink since I had my own, but sipping my beverage while enjoying the serene riverside view really added to the experience.

This spot struck me as an ideal location for a casual date or a relaxed lunch. The atmosphere was welcoming, the views were charming, and even though the birds might wander over to eye your meal, they’re harmless and add to the laid-back vibe. The service was also commendable. The young lady at the counter was polite and helpful, and my food arrived quicker than I anticipated.

I’ll definitely be returning to try more items on the menu, and I’d recommend this place to anyone looking for a pleasant meal with a scenic...

WORST food in Tampa Bay...but at least the service is TERRIBLE.

I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to awful and overpriced food, and even awful customer service...usually I won't bother to leave a negative review, but people deserve to be warned about this tourist trap. It's located right next to Sail, which is a nice little bar on the Riverwalk overlooking HB Bay. The bar I recommend, but I would tell anyone considering grabbing a bite to eat to go pretty much ANYWHERE ELSE. There are a lot of great options nearby that won't serve you plated garbage and insult you when they do it.

Waited 20 minutes for food, finally got the WRONG food, then waited another 30 minutes for a replacement...which they got wrong again. The chicken sandwich (correct order) was soggy and gross (fries were okay, though) and the shrimp (both the peel and eat - wrong order) and the replacement grilled (correct) were inedible, and the attitude from the staff (cashiers and even the cooks who weighed in from the VISIBLY FILTHY KITCHEN) was ridiculous.

Fortunately, one staff member was nice and willing to help us out, and finally just refunded us for the entire HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

Would I ever eat there again? Not in a million years.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Not even to an enemy.

ZERO STARS for FOOD - ZERO STARS for SERVICE - NEGATIVE 1 STAR for CLEANLINESS. AVOID THIS DUMP...

Ok, sooooo. Damn! The conch fritters, oh my goodness, delish. I'm Bahamian, and the fritters are on point. The flavor is great, just a right amount of seasoning, good amount of conch, of course anywhere you get fritters, more conch is required, but the breading was spot on. I got them good and hot, which was great. NOW! I didn't get the name of the person that served me the conch fritters, but BABE', she warned me they were hot, but whst she didn't say was how goid they are. 😄 So, I'm here to tell you, they are great. I wanted them hot and freshut I wanted them fresh out of the fryer and they were. The conch fritters are the best I've had in Tampa. Lastly, to my girl "J". She is the young lady that took my order, I just cannot remember the spelling of her name, but I remember the J. Sweetheart, thank you for taking care of me, upon my request to help me preserve my meal . I am the lady that asked to please wrap my cuban sandwich because I was working at the TCC. Look, she went above and beyond but stayed with the the guidelines of the greatest of expectations. Thank You, Imma call you my Jay Bird. The sandwich and fries were great. To the entire team, I say thank you. I will be back and look everyone, if your looking for great food and great service and great atmosphere in Tampa Downtown..... BIG RAY'S FISH CAMP is your spot. Thank You!!!!!!...