Big Ray's Fish Camp — Restaurant in Tampa

First time trying Big Ray’s as I’ve been wanting to try it for a while now. First off, when you search this restaurant it gives 2 dollar signs but that can be deceiving. The site had the menu with prices but obviously the prices were not accurate/current - not even close. I wanted a grouper sandwich and the price on their website was $15. I did not look at the chalkboard with current prices (lesson learned) behind the counter when I got there as I knew what I wanted and what I thought I expected to pay according to the website. I ordered just a fried grouper sandwich with the onion rings. The sandwich itself was $22! Last time I was at Bern’s, they were on Howard, not Interbay!! I’m not cheap but I do expect accuracy and transparency. The total with a 15% tip I included came out to $27 and change. Again, this was just for a fried grouper sandwich that comes with either fries or slaw or onion rings for a dollar extra (which I got) and no appetizer nor a drink either! They should just put “market” for the prices on their website instead of leaving up inaccurate prices as my sandwich was $7 more than advertised on their website. Now for the food. The onion rings were excellent with the right amount of batter (light). The grouper was also battered lightly which is what I preferred and was perfectly fried and not over cooked. The filet was neither thick nor too thin. The bun was fresh and not soggy. I liked the fact that they used fresh romaine lettuce as well. The tarter sauce was unique as it was very chunky and not just your typical mayo and relish. For the price, I definitely would have expected something much bigger and honestly felt cheated. It was like ordering from a fast food restaurant like Arby’s and their fish sandwich (size comparison that is). One review mentioned something to the effect of “not just another oversized piece of fish on a bun” or something to that effect. They must’ve been referring to Hooter’s big fish sandwich. Well if you have ever been to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill in Clearwater, you get an oversized fantastic grouper filet for much less (even their colossal size is cheaper) and fresh as they contract their own boats that supply their fish daily. All this and a fantastic view on the beach I might add. They also have accurate prices on their website - I know this as I order from their pickup location occasionally in addition to dining at their location. No, I am not employed by Frenchy’s but had to add a comparison in this review of similar food and quality. In summary, the food is excellent at Big Ray’s but if it is great food along with value you are seeking, you might want to disregard the misleading $$ designation (more like 3 at the least) and confirm the current prices at the location before ordering so you won’t feel disappointed/sticker-shocked like I was. Fantastic food with high prices are expected at fine dining establishments, not at semi-rustic establishments where you place your order at a counter in a tank...

I drove 40 miles expecting a solid seafood experience but left disappointed, frustrated, and honestly shocked. From the moment we arrived, the service was unwelcoming. The young Asian woman at the counter seemed far more interested in her phone than helping customers. When I politely asked questions—as a first-time guest unfamiliar with the setup—I was met with eye rolls, dismissiveness, and an attitude that made me feel like a nuisance, not a paying customer.

We spent over $100 as a family of five and received greasy, soggy, subpar food. The $23 grouper sandwich was oily and borderline inedible. The fried snapper was served on top of old, browned lettuce, and the coleslaw tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge for days. The fish itself had a strange odor, almost like it had been fried in dirty or old oil. Even worse, the snapper had broken pin bones—which is a serious food safety issue. Despite checking carefully, my 4-year-old still ended up with a bone lodged in his throat, and we had to rush him to the hospital. That alone should be enough to raise health code concerns.

When I asked if they had bottled juice or water, I was met with a sarcastic response and told to grab my own soda from a 12-pack on the desk. There was no signage explaining anything. I was also charged full price for two water cups—just tap water from the soda machine for toddlers.

No one welcomed us, offered help, or explained anything, even though it was clearly our first visit. We weren’t told where to leave our trays. When I asked, the same woman pointed toward a trash can outside with no explanation. My mother asked where the restroom was, and the response was simply “around the building,” with no direction. The seating area smelled like sewage, benches were soaked and unclean, and the mold-covered boat and rope out back made the entire experience feel neglected and unsafe.

How do you mess up a grilled cheese? Even the kids said it tasted bad. The slaw was no better.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had, especially for a place that markets itself as a local seafood staple. I won’t be returning, and I sincerely hope they take a long, hard look at their customer service, food handling, and overall sanitation.

Also we got chewed my ants and flies...

This place is undoubtedly the best seafood in Tampa Bay. I’ve been meaning to try it for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The food is tasty, and the portions are extremely generous (especially for seafood). The staff is also super friendly and helpful! The food came out super quickly, and there was plenty of parking, but we went mid-week around 2 p.m., so your experience may vary.

TL;DR: Come eat here! I’ll be coming back—it’s really good.

We ordered the:

Lobster Corndog Conch Fritters Oyster Po’Boy Grouper Reuben Garlic Parmesan Fries Pineapple Coleslaw

Alrighty, so the Lobster Corndog—it’s the hyped item. It was tasty, but I’ll probably order it once. It’s more about the wow factor for me. The lobster-to-batter ratio favors the meat, which I really liked. The taste was yummy, and the sauce was really good. Personally, I like my lobster simple, so this was more for the experience, but still very tasty.

The Conch Fritters were very good! A nice balance between the batter and conch. There was a light, airy texture to the fritters that was pretty unique—I haven’t had conch fritters like that before. Super tasty; would order again.

Oyster Po’Boy: Delicious! Plenty of fried oysters, good bread, great veggies, and a great sauce. 10/10, wish I could eat one right now. If you like fried oysters, get this.

The Grouper Reuben had a generous amount of fish, which was a welcomed change. Usually, seafood restaurant portions are smaller, but this one was huge. The fish tasted fresh. I will say it was a bit heavy on the blackened seasoning (a little too salty for my preference), so I recommend eating it as a whole sandwich to balance everything out. It was yummy, and I’d get it again.

The fries were so good! They have my favorite type of French fry—battered. Not smooth, but crunchy, like Checkers fries. The amount of garlic and parmesan on these fries was perfect, especially the garlic. As someone who loves chunky garlic, these were the bomb. So, so, so good.

The pineapple coleslaw was good and had great flavor. I don’t love pineapple personally, so I didn’t eat much of it, but if you like pineapple, you’ll enjoy it. It wasn’t heavy on the mayo, and the light vinegar base is exactly...