Salt Shack On The Bay — Restaurant in Tampa

This is our second time coming here. Needless to say, the experience was not it. The food made up for the entire experience. We were originally seated at a table by the bar and the service initially was promising but unfortunately a storm started to roll through so we moved to the bar. That being said that’s when the service started to go downhill and fast. We sat down and I understood that there is a procedure when you switch from server to the bar area and at this point we had only ordered drinks. We didn’t want to not have our server and as someone who has worked many years in the service industry I didn’t want to take away from the server so I wanted to try to keep the server if we could.

We sat at the bar to keep out of the rain as the storm rolled through and the bartender and our supposed server continued to overlook us for about a good 30 mins before my husband said something to one of the bartenders who then proceeded to say something to us about the procedure from switching from server to the bar and then gave us a drink on the house for our wait

Our server finally came over to finally take our order but after my husband explained to her what the bartender expressed to him she then says it’s probably best we just close our tab with her since she’ll probably end up going home anyway which at this point the rain is coming down but it’s Florida, rain doesn’t last long usually, it pretty much seemed she didn’t want to deal with a bar table. Which is fine.

So we close out with the server and we wait and wait and wait and people who had been moved to the bar are served, food served and we still sat with menus sitting in front of us waiting to be acknowledged. We have people sitting right next to us being served and we just continue to be ignored. At this point I’m annoyed and ready to go because we have no tab open but my husband insists we give them a chance so he says something again to the other Bartender. We place our order and needless to say our food is the only thing that made up for the entire experience .

I personally have no desire to return however my husband thinks we should give another chance as the last time we visited years ago it was a great experience but as someone who has worked this industry for MANY YEARS I find it difficult to believe that the service was this bad given that it was hardly busy. Food came out in a timely fashion, drinks were made as soon as they were ordered. Essentially it appeared we were just blatantly overlooked and everyone around us was given what appeared to be good service.

In the pictures is where we originally were seated and where we were sitting when we moved.

Edit: email in response...

A Coastal Paradise at Salty Shack on the Bay!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Salty Shack on the Bay, and let me just say, it was an absolute treat! From the moment I stepped through the door, I was transported to a beachy paradise, and the entire experience left me with a big smile on my face.

The atmosphere at Salty Shack is simply fantastic. The moment you walk in, you're greeted by a delightful beachy feeling that instantly puts you in a relaxed and happy mood. The decor is tastefully done, with light, airy colors and charming nautical elements. It truly feels like a little slice of coastal heaven!

Now, let's talk about the food. Oh my, where do I even begin? The menu at Salty Shack is a seafood lover's dream come true. Every dish I tried was bursting with flavor and made with the freshest ingredients. From succulent shrimp to perfectly grilled fish, their culinary creations truly showcase the flavors of the sea. And let's not forget about their delectable sides and appetizers that perfectly complemented the main courses. It was an absolute feast for the taste buds!

The service at Salty Shack deserves a special mention as well. The staff members were incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. They made me feel right at home, always ready with a smile and happy to assist with any questions or recommendations. It's clear that they genuinely care about their customers' experience, and their passion shines through in every interaction.

To top it off, Salty Shack offers a wonderful array of drinks to accompany your meal. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing tropical cocktail or a classic glass of wine, their drink menu has something to satisfy every palate. I personally indulged in their signature beach-inspired concoctions, and they were absolutely delightful!

My experience at Salty Shack on the Bay was nothing short of extraordinary. The beachy atmosphere, mouthwatering food, top-notch service, and fantastic drinks all combined to create an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a seafood aficionado or simply looking for a relaxing coastal getaway, Salty Shack is the perfect destination. I can't...

We have entertained clients, family and visitors here since opening. The food is great, atmosphere great, the service usually great. We have never made a complaint until now. The manager Friday night, Feb 9 (with the long dark hair) ruined an evening. We checked in and gave a name and # to the someone seating, and were told roughly a 30 to 40 minute wait. After an hour and 15 minutes, we checked again.They scrolled right to our name on the list and told us another 20 to 25 minutes. TWO HOURS LATER, we went up to the desk to tell them we had to leave to relieve a sitter and asked the specific manager standing there what happened. She immediately started looking at the list and said they tried to call us. (They text, not call.) She then said we weren’t even on the list. We absolutely were, they found it 2 times prior. Our name just had the wrong number ! The hostess that took our info. two hours earlier approached the desk, I simply asked if she remembered checking us in. She rolled her eyes??The manager sent her away away to sweep, scolded me for asking her, and thanked us “for leaving“, then greeted the customers beside us???? She could not have treated us more rudely. No apologies, no “we’re sorry we just screwed up, got your # wrong“, etc. Instead, we received the rudest treatment someone could probably be given. Accept the error made, apologize, and be gracious to the owners customers. That’s how to treat guests that had 100’s of choices and picked this one to give our money to over and over again. It was unsettling enough to the point that Salt Shack certainly lost our business and that of others as well. A family waiting for a table walked out after us and apologized for the behavior they observed. They said she was a “snot“ to them as well at a past visit, and that they “would never go back after observing the situation with us“. No customer should ever be treated in that manner. It was so irrational and so disappointing. A simple apology...