We'd heard about this place for a while and seen ads, but never made the trek over there. It's a pretty little drive down Highbanks Road that dead ends into the St. John's River. The restaurant is not as rustic as I thought it would be. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice open air view from upstairs. There is a big nice bar and lots of Vs. The food was good too. The raw and steamed oysters were big and tasty. The steamed shrimp ($5 for a mug of shrimp) were huge. We also had gator tail, catfish sandwich, and cuban sandwich. They had some lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. It looks like they have some higher end items for dinner. While eating upstairs, we noticed tables downstairs. When we asked, we were told there was a limited menu down there. We glanced at a copy and it had about 8-10 items on it. They have a bar down there called their tiki bar and picnic tables to eat on. This is a great place to stop if you are out on a boat on the St. John's or a nice drive from Seminole County.
We had out of town guests in and wanted to take them so someplace that had a great Florida view. This place has a wonderful view, it's just too bad the food and service are just OK. It took an hour to get all the meals out to the table, and there were many empty tables as it was a Monday evening. Food was not horrible but would not pick over other places nearby.
(2)
Diane M.
Bella, Great job you are doing each and every Wednesday night! So glad you are back!
(4)
E N.
I went to see the manatees nearby and to escape the human-atee horde at Disney World. Manatees are lovely, watching them eat and breathe is a joy. This place is not. My uncle had inquired with a local, who suggested this dump. I think his "tip" was a practical joke. The beer was flat. The gator-tots were burned. Our food, simple lunch fare, took 45 min to arrive, and the swamp house was nearly empty. My meal was drenched in 1000 island dressing. More dressing than mahi. I didn't say "mahi-mahi" b/c there was only enough fish, barely a sliver of fish, to justify "mahi." My 20 dollar lunch left me with a queasy stomach, and I'm sitting in a bathroom suffering as I type this review. I'm out nearly 100 bucks, and I'll probably miss the evening plans as a result of selecting this enclosed patio next to a trailer park that claims to be a grill. Thanks for the favor Swamp House! I needed some alone time, but I could have done without the sick stomach. Kind reader, do yourself a favor. There's a Wendy's in one direction and a Joe's Crab Shack in the other. Those joints won't be memorable, but you'll save time, nearly 100 bucks, and avoid a pain in your gut. (View is not bad. Fish tanks are entertaining. But I can't deal with a restaurant that burns 45 min on fish tacos and makes me sick!)
(1)
Hao L.
We stopped by this place after scuba diving in Blue Springs nearby. We were famished and were ready to chow down. They had vodka drinks on special, so we each had a madras as we enjoyed the riverside view from the open air layout of the restaurant. I had a seafood trio with blackened mahi mahi, scallops, and shrimp, and my wife had the fish and chips. The food was definitely adequate, but nothing memorable or unique. The service was spotty, and the waitress initially forgot to ask what soup we wanted (which came with the meal), and she then messed up my side dish. In conclusion, I wouldn't object going back to that place if I'm in the area, but I would consider other options. It does have a nice view, though.
(3)
OrlandoGirl F.
We heard about this place by accident and were happy we made the drive. The outside tiki bar overlooks the water and had a guy playing and singing. The outside bar closes at 6. the bartender told us it was because of the bugs after dark. We decided to go upstairs and sat at the bar. There was music upstairs also.There were a lot of locals. Both the patrons and staff were all very friendly and we had a great time. Food: We decided to start with the crab cake appetizer. It was like crab dip (crab and cream cheese etc) shaped into a patty and fried. Dont expect a lot of crab meat. My BF ordered some wings. He said they werent good He sent them back & they took them off the bill. One of the locals said you have to ask for them extra crispy and that's the only way they are any good. The burger is HUGE, but its $10. It would be easy for 2 people to split. Kinda pricey for a burger, especially considering you're at a fish camp in Debary Bottom line, good music, great views and atmosphere. Average, somewhat overpriced food.
(4)
Stefanie C.
Still one of my favorite places to waste away an afternoon during the spring and summer. I am always disappointed when they reduce hours after Labor Day. I just dropped by the Tiki Bar downstairs on Sunday afternoon this past weekend. They were packed as usual and there was a guy playing Buffett tunes on the deck. We always look forward to spending a few hours in the shade with our dog and watching the boats go by on thh river while enjoying a few beers (sometimes a "joos") and their awesome cheeseburgers. It's also a good place to dock your boat for lunch. No it's not fancy and it can get a bit loud but it's a country backwoods bar and we love it. (I have never eaten upstairs but my friends say it's really good but it can get a bit expensive.)
(4)
George K.
It is a shame the service is so bad...the food is great. Better employees could make this place really good.
(2)
Susan B.
We had been here a while back for dinner & it was pretty good. But, we had sat inside & it was for Mother's Day w/ a nice menu. We were looking forward to going back for a birthday & thought it would be fun to sit out on the deck by the water. First, I wish we had known that the menu outside is different from the one inside. Definitely more limited. We ordered the potato skins w/ pork-requesting the BBQ sauce on the side. They arrived covered in the sauce. But, we ate them anyway, they weren't bad, a little over cooked. The salads came, tossed would be an understatement, thrown on the plate was more like it and with the wrong dressings, no biggie, they just brought new ones. But, the clincher was the dinners, if you could call them that! We ordered the steak medallions over mashed potatoes, w/ a mushroom/onion gravy, one of us requested a baked potato substitute. The steak medallions, were a joke! They had asked how we wanted them cooked, but they came out pounded so flat, overcooked was the only option! They had what seemed like some sort of breading, we couldn't even tell what we were eating, very bland! The baked potato looked old & was undercooked. The prime rib was so overcooked it looked & tasted like shoe leather. Still doubting it was prime rib! We sent our dinners back & skipped ordering anything else. The manager came over to address the problem, she said everything had looked ok to her, but to her credit she did take them off our bill. The service is slow, hard to find your server if you need anything, but I'm guessing it may be better if we had sat inside. Outside may be ok if you just want to pull up on your boat for some casual munchies & a beer... I'm just glad we had brought a birthday cake, I was starving! We actually came home and had a bowl of cereal! IF we go back, we will definitely try the menu inside next time!
(2)
dave b.
The beer and appetizers are good although smaller portions compared to similar places with similar prices. For example a 10$ "gator tail" gets you 15 little chunks if gator. I would need 4 of those to get 2 people appetized. My experience with the "gator soup" wasn't a good one. It tasted like tomato sauce with uncooked rice. The atmosphere and workers are nice. I'd stick with main meals and drinks if I go back.
(2)
Jan T.
I've tried this restaurant 3 times and have regretted every one. The service is consistently slow and inept. It can take 2 hours for them to take your order, serve food, and bring your bill. One time the food came out for everyone except one person. Their SALAD took another 20 minutes to make. I've even visited during slow nights (a rainy Monday) and waited over 20 minutes to get a draft beer from the bar located 15 feet away. The waiters like to disappear when you are ready to order or get your check. Finally, the food is mediocre at best. Will NEVER go there again.
(1)
Kevin S.
This was possibly the worst seafood I have ever had. Not only a bad meal, but an expensive bad meal. I had the seafood trio platter, which was mahi mahi (grilled and overcooked), fried shrimp (which must have been the same batter as chicken), and sea scallops which were horrible and like rubber. Gross, never go again!
(1)
Vinny F.
My favorite thing about this place is that I can just float up with my boat, dock, and eat a nice lunch with an amazing view of the river. The food is good but not the best. Service has always been good. I usually just order a burger and fries. But I really do like it here. I always come back.
(3)
Kate F.
I don't know what to say about this establishment. I'm visiting from out of town with my son and my boyfriend and I thought we should stop here after visiting Blue Springs. Bad decision. When we walked into the place, I really loved the atmosphere and location on the water. That's about all I can say that I enjoyed about our experience here. Had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated when there were only 3 tables seated in the dining room. It was 2pm on a Tuesday. Once we got our table, we waited another 10 minutes until our server showed up to ask us for drinks. We placed our drink order and waited and waited for them to arrive at the table. We could never find the server when we wanted him, and about another 20 minutes after we ordered our first round, the server showed up to ask for our order. To make a long story short, I don't know what was worse, the service, or the food. Having been a server, bartender and cocktailer for 10 years total, I would like to give the server the benefit of the doubt. I can say that the food was DREADFUL. My son ordered the grilled cheese and sweet potato fries off of the child's menu. The bread was soggy, the apparent Kraft Singles started to harden the longer it sat there. The sweet potato fries were luke warm and mushy. I ordered the Ahi Tuna Salad. It looked lovely, but was mediocre at best. I was so hungry by this point that I ate about half of the salad (which looked like it came from a bag from Publix and was a day away from expiring) and all of the seared ahi, about 6-8 thin slices. I got sick from it. I mean really sick within 10 minutes of consuming this garbage. It was a $13 salad! My boyfriend ordered the Black and Bleu Burger, which on first bite, he thought was quite pleasant. After a few bites he could barely stomach it. It was smothered beyond below with bleu cheese. More than a normal Black and Bleu burger. 4 hours later sitting at home, he got sick as well! This place has such potential. Lovely location, charming atmosphere, but the food and service is awful. The prices are also crazy for the rubbish they serve. And not to mention, $7.25 for a Draft domestic beer, which was warm. We don't mind spending money to go out to eat, we enjoy dining out. But we don't like paying outrageous prices for nasty food, warm beer, and bad service. I would give no stars if I could. I guess the one star is for the location and nice decor.
(1)
Terry C.
Great food and wonderful service. We got to sit outside and watch a small gator as we waited. A definite must for this area.
(4)
Kim W.
We have been here a few times and recently went back, after a long hiatus. The best thing about this place is the location. It is on the water, at the end of Highbanks road. On your way there, for the first time you will say out loud, "We are going the wrong way." Don't worry. Keep driving. The food here is a step-above your typical bar food. They offer decent dinner selections, and some pretty good appetizers. Definitely try the spinach, artichoke and crab dip. Also, I am not a huge catfish fan, but the Catfish brushetta was worth a try. There is usually live music, which makes it fun. They also offer a Sunday brunch.
(3)
Christine K.
We ended up here as our family parked their RV in the same park as this restaurant ... I had my hesitations ... but SERVICE: AWESOME! FOOD: AWESOME! Esp, their fried catfish .... ATMOSPHERE: INTERESTING, unique and casual... Definitely a place to try ....
(4)
Karsyn L.
Okay, so first off the scenery was beautiful and the establishment was very clean and had a down home feel to it. Our server was absolutely phenomenal and catered to my every need. She answered every question with ease and honesty. I mentioned that I didn't like fried pickles if they were chips because the batter is normally too light. When I ordered them, she brought them out and had special requested that they were put in extra batter because I had mentioned I liked thick batter. She never let our drinks run dry, always kept them refilled and brought our food out promptly and with a smile. Now onto the food. I have never seen such a humongous Mahi Mahi sandwich in my life. It was perfectly cooked and extremely fresh. The corn fritters were perfect and the sweet potato was out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the Alfredo pasta which came with the best garlic bread either of us have ever tasted. All in all, this restaurant was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I will continue to drive from my hometown 3 hours away to eat here again.
(5)
Dave O.
I've been here a few times over the past three of four years and I've always been middle of the road when thinking of this place. I've never had a really bad experience with the food or the service but nothing memorable either, looking at the reviews people either love it or hate it. Most of my experiences here was for business dinners with people from out of town several dinners with as few as four of us and several more with a group of more than 10 which they were always able to accommodate. The servers have always provide decent service and my recent visit I must say the service was outstanding. They offer a number of beer choice as well as wines and liquor, I've tried the fried alligator, St. John's catfish and spinach and artichoke dip appetizers all were served fast and were pretty good. I've also eaten the blackened grouper, the scallops and my last dinner was the ahi tuna served with a baked potato and coleslaw. The tuna was tossed in sesame seed and seared rare the tuna was served as a whole filet but was tender and I cut it with a butter knife it was very good not the best I've ever eaten but did have a great texture, color and flavor. Our table ordered a variety of entrees including the trio, the crab and shrimp pasta, fried catfish and scallops I didn't hear anyone complaint. The location does have a fish camp feel so if you don't understand the setting you may be a little put off by the laid back attitude and the old Florida charm I'm sure I will return it seems I always do. I think 3 stars is a fair rating and should not be taken as a negative.
(3)
Philip R.
What a wonderful lunch we had I suggest the corn fritters and grouper which was wonderful our waitress was very friendly and made our experience that much better I would recommend this place to anyone
(5)
David W.
Please ignore previous 1 & 2 star mishaps, I'm a tables in wonderland member & happy to pay $60/plate for the experience ... The food here is very good, black & bleu chips are as good as the ones I've had at the windermere country club ... Trash was a very pleasant server .... Atmosphere is swamp front & chill, plenty of Spanish moss if you like that, can definitely recommend this experience for less than $30 per person , good people hang here, if you leave hungry it's your own fault, no back to sippin on my rum bucket ... Cheers , the 5th star is for 'authentic florida'
(5)
Anibal O.
This place has gone down hill fast... Went a few years ago and it was alright not great but this last visit sucked more then a shark vacuum. We sit, party of 5, get our orders off quickly and the menu looks appetizing.. 1 hour later we get our appitzers after we told the waitress that they are taking for ever... The friend green tomatoes and gated bites where great... Crab cakes where rich but good. Then the meals come... Over beaded fish that was uneatable, steak was ok not great. Chicken wings over fried, salad was not tasty at all, hamburger was over cooked and the fries tasted funny seemed they needed to change the oil.. My problem was the over price for the amount you get, the lack of service every time you had to flag someone down, it doesn't take an hour to do our meal when ur half full and we were there before most people... When we left there were some hungry eyes looking around in other tables waiting as long as we did... To screw up on fried fish and a burger and salad which is so easy to do was the final straw.
(2)
John K.
This place is awesome! We come and sit out on the patio bar and listen to the music on the weekends. Tje burgers are cooked on the outside grill and the beers are cold. Nice selection of beer as well..
(5)
Marie C.
Great place for lunch. We split fried green tomatoes for an app. Had a tasty chipotle sauce to go with it. All of our meals were great. We all had something different everything from a burger to salmon. We were certainly the clean plate club. A delight for us was our waitress, Stephi. Helpful as well as personable.
(4)
David O.
Ignore the negative reviews. This place was great. The staff were so attentive and the food was spectacular.
(5)
scott w.
First time visitors... The wife and I loved it.. Eat Gator anything, it's all good!! Monica walked us thru the menu and it was great!
(5)
Jim H.
I have been going to this restaurant for about 10 years If you want s good burger it's great And the atmospheres the best BUT The service Sucks Takes forever for you to get someone to your table to take your order And to get your food
(2)
Chuck G.
I've eaten at Swamp House twice now and it's a pretty good place to go for casual food and drinks with a nice view of the water. When I give people directions to the restaurant I just tell them to get on Highbanks road and make a right when you get to the river. It's right on the water which is really nice. Inside is typically kitschy with alligators and other paraphernalia on the walls. On a weekday evening, it's pretty dead so no problem getting a table with a good view. The service is pretty much what you'd expect from any Applebee's or Red Lobster. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly not bad. The server at my last visit was very good, both friendly and attentive. I saw a comment in another review here about the tiny pours of wine, and that is definitely true. I had beer but my father had 3 miniscule glasses of chardonnay. The food took a little while to arrive, but it didn't seem like an atrocious wait. Between the four of us, we had shrimp, grouper, ahi tuna, and fish/chips and all of it was very good. My shrimp were swimming in Old Bay seasoning which I hate, but that's not anyone's fault really. Overall, the experience has always been decent here. Unfortunately, Swamp House is about all there is for good casual dining in the area. If you don't mind a little drive, JB's Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach is very similar but with better food. However, if you're stuck in Debary, Swamp House is one of the best alternatives for eating out.
(3)
Tommy B.
One of the best charred grilled burgers I have had in a long time... Tasted as if I had made it myself , very impressed also if you check in on facebook you get a free shooter shot lol can't beat that give this place a shot you won't regret it . Great atmosphere and a awesome view of the lake not entirely sure why this establishment only has less then 3 stars I mean honestly it's a fish camp it's going to be super busy the food is well worth the wait have a drink relax and enjoy the great view.
(5)
Matt F.
I have been to this establishment a few times over the years, but I have to say that it rapidly became the worst restaurant I've been to in a very long while. The downward trend started months ago, but after today's experience, I can safely say I don't ever want to go back. Saturday, 1:30. Practically empty. I sat down with my family and we were promptly given drinks, so good start. We ordered our food the next time the server came around, then proceeded to wait an hour for our food. In the meantime, refilling drinks would take minutes because the server would start just chatting with another, not about the tables, but about whatever they thought was funny. I watched as at least 10 employees wandered around for things to do, while the food continued to "cook". You have that many employees and it takes an hour or more to get food? Embarrassing. The food itself? Lukewarm. As though it had been sitting on the shelf for a while before being taken out. Maybe it was ready sooner, which speaks to the poor service rather than the cooks. Either way, the situation was inexcusable. We were told we were next in line countless times, but not with any empathy. Beer is cheap if you get the cheap stuff, but if you want craft you're going to pay an arm and a leg. Steer clear of this out of the way eatery. It's expensive, slow, and completely unsatisfying.
(1)
Paul M.
I went here with a group of 5 during Biketoberfest. Its a pretty nice ride from Daytona if you take the backroads. Anyway, we shared the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Fried Pickles, Coconut Shrimp and Chicken Wings (hot & bourbon), all of which were delicious and what you would expect. The stand out was the Gator Tail Sweet and Spicy style. If you like the Chinese reataurant classic, General Tso's Chicken, you will love this gator tail! Tender chunks of tail with a great sauce! I had the Classic Gumbo which was some of the best I've ever had! The others had BBQ pork, Catfish BLT, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Burgers. Everyone thoroughly enjioyed their meals, not one complaint. And we all said we would return here next year. Great view of the river, and you can dock right at the resaurant if you come by boat! Fun and funky casual atmosphere. The wait staff was young but efficient and friendly.
(4)
Jake G.
My first time ever going to this restaurant and easily the last. How is the service you might ask? Well it took 15 minutes before anyone came over to the table. Another 10 minutes for our drinks. And after that we had to go up to the bar everytime for our own drinks. Make sure you know what you want to eat when the waiter come over the first time or you will be waiting another 20 minutes before they come back to find out what you want. The food was dry and overcooked. I would say the only good thing there were the appetizers. The waiter I had was very knowledgable but was probably the worst server I have ever had in my life. So if you still decide to go here just make sure you have a good amount of time and a lot of patience.
(1)
N H.
We ate here for lunch. I had the blackened trio. I was very happy with the food and service. It will definitely be a restaurant we stop at in the future when we are visiting relatives.
(5)
Vinny B.
Nice bar on the water. Have been two times this month by boat. The food is always amazing. Service is great. Of course nothing fancy, just a nice little place to eat when boating.
(4)
Sharon B.
I will never go back! We went several times the quality of the food wavered, however we continued to give it a chance. The we went down one night with a large group of friends an it took over an hour to get are food, the baked potatoes were raw and cold, the seafood was cold. Everyone in the place were sending their food back. The manager came over and was extremely rude with out our group, basically said they did nothing wrong. we told her we did not want the food it was uneatable, we still paid! SBenton
(1)
chrissy a.
I absolutely love the food at this restaurant. Every meal I have had has been absolutely delicious.
(5)
Valerie L.
The Swamp House Grill should provide more then 10 free slips to their by water patrons. With their menu prices added to the $10 to park a boat it's a huge deterrent.
(1)
Bob R.
Great place! The atmosphere is pure authentic Florida. It is right on the river surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. You can sit there all day and watch the boats go by. It is very laid-back and friendly. The menu has been upgraded from years ago and it has made it an even better place to go!
(4)
Katharine T.
Terrible. We waited 2 hrs and never got our food. The restaurants turned over twice while we were there. Servers were beyond rude and even avoided eye contact because they didn't want to answer us on why our food never arrived. We left some cash for our drinks and walked out. First time I've ever walked out. No one even cared-- at all!! No excuse. It was appalling. No manager can over after countless complaints.
(1)
Lee B.
Out for a Sunday ride in the jeep, wife wanted someplace on the water so thought we give it another try. Sat down at a table after waiting for 20 minutes decided to walk up to the bar and get a beer stood there for 15 minutes with nobody ever knowledge your presence, just look at you and I guess wait on the regulars. Finally got the bartender to come over and give me a couple of beers went back over to the table sat for another 15 minutes while waitresses and waiters are walking by and see us looking at a menu never saying a word that those tables do not get serviced by staff. the absolute worst service I've ever seen!
(1)
Micro T.
2 people eating lunch $88. Realy! All we had was 2 beers each, an appetizer that consited of 6 shrimp, an entree each which were a burger and an order of fish tacos. Unbelivable. Will not go back until they get their head out of their a$$.
(1)
Jeff R.
Last visit here on a nice warm day after Christmas was very disappointing. We've eaten here many tines, but lately it seems to be going down hill. Has there been a change in management the last year? Service was very, very slow. We stopped by on a Saturday around one 1 PM and dined in a mostly empty restaurant. It took an HOUR to get out order! The waitress kept promising that we "were next" over and over. But still we waited. Interestingly enough , when I received my Swamphouse burger, it had absolutely nothing on it - no tomato, no onions, pickles, lettuce, mayo or anything. It looked so odd! !!
(2)
Kimberly R.
Came to have dinner for two, after a five minute wait for anyone to acknowledge my friend and I. Then, we got seated at a table with one chair... I asked the waitress for another chair and she said "Yeah, it's whatever." and walked away. Never to bring the second chair. WTF?
(1)
Tara S.
The service was friendly but slow. We had to go get our own drinks. Our server was very friendly but inattentive. It wasn't very crowded so not sure why the slow service. The appetizers were very good. Wish we had just stuck to ordering those. The main meals were expensive and disappointing. The Cajun chicken was very thin and dry. The shrimp was small and overwhelmingly spicey. The restaurant itself it very unique and comfortable. They actually denied our request too move a table so we could sit by the water and we sat on the other side with plastic hanging down over the side. All in all disappointing and won't come back.
(3)
Carla O.
View Food On the way home from a grandchild's birthday party, we were hungry, so I googled the nearest seafood restaurant. It happenned to be the Swamp House Grill. It sounded like it would be a fun experience since it waa on the water and we had never been there before. The setting is gorgeous, old Florida on the water with docks and an adjacent RV park. We were greeted by a friendly host and led to a table overlooking the water, as we requested. The waittress appeared in 10 minutes to take our drink order. I asked her if the grouper on the menu was really grouper. She checked with the kitchen and was told that they didn't think so. Glad I asked. Wish I had thought to ask what kind of lettuce the coconut shrimp salad came with. I am accustomed to a very delicious coconut shrimp salad that we frequently order at Caribbean Jack's in Daytona Beach. The one that was placed before me was a plain Jane plate full of iceberg lettuce and a miniscule amount of shredded red cabbage decorated with 3 pithy, old tomato wedges. The 5 coconut shrimp were okay, It is normally served with bacon, so I asked for it on the side, because I don't eat it, but my husband does. The dressing was served on the side. It was a vinergary raspberry concoction.The price is the same as the price at Caribbean Jack's, but here there is little value for your money. My husband ordered the Caesar with blackened shrimp that was flavorless. When the waittress came to clear our plates, mine was filled with the whole meal minus the shrimp. Did she ask me if anything was wrong? Nope. on the way out, I used the rest room. It was dirty. It is a shame that the experience was lacking when they have so much to work with. If ever I return, it will be to have a few drinks, only. I will eat before I go.
(2)
Robert L.
I think the price is a little "ripe" for the average portion of food you get and for the average quality of the serving. We had the grouper Reuben sandwich and it seems like the amount of fish has diminished, and the flavor was not as good as the previous times we were there. If you don't mind the above review, you'll pay for the outdoor atmosphere at a riverside setting.
(3)
Jessica I.
Great setting right on the water, with a large but not overwhelming menu. Good selection of seafood, salads, and burgers. My grouper was nicely fried and really tasty. I wisely went with the corn fritters for my side, and they delivered. Service was underwhelming and they were out of quite a few things, but I'll give them a pass since it was a holiday week.
(3)
Evan C.
Was told 10 minute wait- ended up to be 45 minutes. Told food would be delayed because of a busy kitchen, it was for nearly 1.5 hours. Server never asked for sides for my entree, he was nice enough to pick some for me. Burnt fries served to one person of our party. Food was way over seasoned. When we told server we were running short on time and to bring certain members food out if it's ready- they brought them out in to go containers. No condiments brought out for potatoes and fries. Had to ask for lemon for waters. For the wait time, not worth it. For the price of the meal REALLY not worth it. It's a fish camp, and you can get nearly the same menu almost anywhere else. Watched people who were seated way after us get their meals and checks and leave before we were served our meals. I have been to many fish camps in the area- this one will no longer be supported.
(1)
Debra S.
Don't let the surrounding trailer park fool you! This place has a great menu, good service, nice atmosphere and fabulous food! I had the gator tail in spicy sauce and the stuffed Mahi. Both were delicious and cooked to perfection! Live music was a bonus too.
(4)
Nat W.
This restaurant is located in a secluded area near a lake. The restaurant is nicely decorated inside...very much fun to look at. People were friendly and nice. I had to order the gator tail nuggets. It was surprisingly easy to eat and nice and chewy. Coconut shrimp were good too. Their appetizer portions were small for the price. I ordered bacon quesadilla and I liked it. My husband ordered grilled salmon and he liked it. Their side dishes were kinda blah. Overall, this place is not bad but I agree with some people said overpriced!
(3)
Mark C.
First, we were admonished by the waitress for seating ourselves. Ummm...the manager told us to. Crab cakes for an appetizer - good flavor, but mushy, creamy. No texture at all. Wine servings are the smallest I've ever seen - I think a shot glass would hold more wine. Given the price, the lack of a decent pour, and just meh food, I doubt we would return.
(2)
Roger S.
Had a wonderfully seasoned steak cooked to perfection. Daughter had Ahi Tuna also very good. Rayza our server did an excellent job.
(4)
J F.
Great location at the marina with views of the St. John's River. Servers are usually quick to help but the kitchen area takes their time. More time to enjoy the scenery I guess. Food is mostly average but sometimes better. Decent beer selection but stick with basic domestic brands to avoid sticker shock with other choices. Overall worth a stop especially when the weather is nice.
(4)
B-movie G.
It's location is pretty far out of the way, but the food was really good and the view was really nice. They play pretty much just classic rock while you're eating. Believe it or not, this sparked a small, playfull argument between the wife and I who never realized that I really like Bruce Springsteen. I only give them 3 stars because the service was ridiculously slow and my wife had pretty bad indigestion the next day. I on the other hand was fine.
(3)
Traveler F.
Are you coming down to Central Florida for a visit? Take one day out of your Theme Park huddled vacation and go see the real Florida. Do you live here but never ventured beyond the national chains or high end independent destination restaurants? Take a drive to DeBary. We are very fortunate to live so close to nature and yet we seldom take advantage to live that experience. However you are getting there, whether driving which will take you to the dead end of W. Highbanks Rd. or by boat which puts you on the marina, this is certainly a connection with nature. Regular car parking is in an unpaved lot. Get ready to track around in sand. The restaurant itself sits in the Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort. The Marina is also the starting point for the St. Johns River Eco Tours. If you want to take the tour, which is in a flat bottom pontoon boat, call ahead and make sure they are operational. During times of high winds they will not go out on the river. The camp resort houses RV. The marina acts as a parking lot for boats. The building that houses the restaurant also houses a convenient store. There is a huge open dining room upstairs, a bar at one end, and a Tiki Bar on the ground floor along the marina. Food is served from the same menu either upstairs or downstairs. The upstairs has a private room that can be reserved for small gatherings of about 25 people. Being a Swamp House it goes without saying what adorns the walls. Alligators. There is a huge preserved Gator that kind of separates the bar area from the dining room. His headstone is proudly displayed. Being literally on the St. Johns River, this menu showcases catfish, alligator, shrimp, and other fish varieties. Most fish can be grilled, blackened, or fried. There are Louisiana style dishes such as gumbo, crab cakes, and jambalaya. The menu has a little bit for everyone. Not feeling too adventurous, don't know why you shouldn't, there are safe bet items. Fried Gator Tail - 1/4 pound hand prepared citrus marinated nuggets, corn meal battered. The batter is lightly seasoned with a delicate underlying bite. A crisp crunch to the bite just crumbles to reveal succulent tender alligator meat. This is by far one of the best tasting battered alligator tail I've tasted. 1/4 pound is not enough! Grilled Grouper Sandwich - A generous portion of lightly seasoned grouper, tomato, onion, lettuce, on a bun. The fish was cooked to tender flaky perfection, seasoning was just enough to let the fish shine. Sweet potato fries lightly seasoned and fried to crispy goodness, served with Mud Sauce. Mud Sauce is whipped cream, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Mud never tasted any better. Big Catfish B.L.T. - Fried Catfish with Applewood Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato served with Sweet Potato Fries and that now famous Mud Sauce. The bacon was a little too crisp and hard for my liking. But the catfish stood out like a swamp star. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. I would like another piece of fish please. This is not the kind of place to go and have a nice quiet meal. This is where you walk in and let loose. The live music attracts and allows for loud conversations. The staff encourages lively interactions and are not afraid to pass a few witty remarks at just about anything. The cold libations flow freely. From the upstairs I am sure there are enough taunting on the lower Tiki bar deck to encourage more swampy raucousness. The food is great, the atmosphere is lively, and the St. Johns River flows right along at it's leisure. Next trip I am getting in one of those boats and float around the river. This is what Florida living is all about. Go out and live it!
(4)
LaMonte M.
We were camping here this week in the area and thought we would check it out. Reviews were ok. The wife ordered the special of Mahi-Mahi extra blackened for $19.99! I had the blackened Grouper for $18.99. Sides we had were corn fritters, red beans & rice and a baked potato. Appetizer was mushrooms(2) stuffed with cream cheese & spinach. The appetizer came out quickly and was good! When our meal came from the kitchen by Annie we both were surprised my baked potato was barely warm, my blackened grouper was too spicy and barely warm. The wife's Mahi was not hot, the red beans and rice not warm. Disappointed to say the least. We asked to speak to the manager and he asked what he could do for us. We asked if he cooked and would redo our meal. He said he was way too busy to do that, so he took the food back for a recook. Our meal arrived about 15 minutes later, much better as far as hot this time and fish was less blackened and better. Appetizer and fritters were good and meal finally good ! We feel it is overpriced By a few bucks, as no rolls or bread comes with the meal and i was not spectacular. Not sure if we would revisit or not! The manager never came back to see if we were satisfied and we thought that was inappropriate as a manager! The waitress felt bad and we explained that it was nothing to do with her service at all and tipped properly for that.
(1)
Adler D.
Benign coming to the Swamp House Grill since I was a kid when it was only five tables in a side room next to the marina; it has grown tremendously in the last ten years! It is pricey, but the portions are huge so I think it's worth it. Overlooking the St.Johns River you a great feel for Florida while you are having a great meal. I recommend the fish and chips w/ sweet potato fries, the sweet dip for the fries is to die for! If you aren't in the mood for a meal, head down there for a nice beer at the end of the day. I recommend for families and people looking for that 'genuine Florida feel' on their vacation.
(5)
Lynn B.
Um, I have been here 2 times recently and How do I say it? It never got better from the first time.. Its like the bottom of the food chain fare- trust me- its just gross. The prices for the nasty food- what are they drinkin' on dat rivah? lol Seriously, gator tails are NOT supposed to fight you back when you bite into the. PS Am I the only one who remembers Gator Land over by sea world... well folks- its nastier then that! he he Please forgive my typos. Thanks.
(1)
James P.
This is my first review, I normally do not take the time to create a ID and password. I have this time because of the horrible experience I had at Swamp House Grill at lunch yesterday. I arrived in a party of 4 with hopes of decent seafood. The restaurant was no busy and we were seated promptly. We ordered Blackened Grouper over mixed green, Fish and Chips, Crab Cakes, Onions Rings, and Tuna Salad with mixed greens. After an hour wait the food arrived. The Grouper was not blackened, the Tuna was served with iceberg lettuce, the Fish and Chips had to much batter and the Onion Rings were cold. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is the view, I would rather have had edible food in a timely matter.
(1)
Danielle L.
Waited over 30 minutes for our food when there was only one other table in the restaurant. Our waitress never told us why we waited or that our food would be on the way, it's like she was ignoring us. Had to flag her down for a drink refill. We almost left, but didn't have time to go anywhere else (lunch break). Our server was rude the whole time. It seemed to inconvenience her that we needed extra napkins...oh and the change for one of the checks. At the end we had to flag down the other waitress to get a pen to sign the credit card slip. The food was ok but the service was awful. I get that sometimes you're having a bad day, but the waitress should never throw the receipt books on the table at you. I will never go back.
(1)
Jason D.
Went on Friday night and were turned away due to the restaurant booking 4 large parties and turning away walk in customers. Will never go back, don't waste your time on this place.
(1)
Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)
Jessica R.
I have been to the Swamp House, mmmmmm 3 times? Yea, three times and always love the atmosphere. Was actually a birthday choice for me and I live in Orlando. food: they have a pretty good variety to choose from. If you are on a diet, the selections will be slim pickin's. However, their cesar salad with grilled shrimp is pretty good. Corn nuggets, were a bust. More like cornbread with a hush puppy consistency. If that is what you dig though, they were still tasty. Stuffed mushrooms are so good though! Prices: they seem standard. However, my friend and I believe they actually went up from the last time we were there. No real drink specials, ever. $4.50ish 16oz draft beers(not 100% sure the exact ounce size, but they are bigger than your normal pint glass). They have a lot of "big bucket" drinks. More bang for your buck I suppose. I am not a mixed drink fan....beer or shots so that is a bummer. Speaking of shots: They have a "Swamp House Specialty Shot" its a BBQ Bacon shot....AHHHH SO GOOD! I had you at bacon didn't I? Yea, that's what I thought. It is a mixture of A1 Steak Sauce, blood mary mix, soco and a PIECE of effing bacon in it! IT IS A MUST IF YOU GO! Atmosphere: I think the atmosphere is what makes this place such a great time. You have a beautiful view of the St. Johns. People out on the river can dock their boats and come up for food and beverages. They have an upstairs porch like seating, and picnic tables on the bottom closer to the docks. If I am not mistaken I believe they have live music on the weekends down there as well. We always stay up top. Service: Wont spend much time on this....service is very sub-par. Nothing excellent, but the girls are really nice. We have had the same server the last few times we were there and she makes a lot of mistakes, but always makes up for them. Also we sit close to the bar and think they usually only ever have one girl in that entire section so we cut them some slack. We have seen the owner walking around and talking to the guests on several occasions, which I think says a lot about the place. They remember us when we come in. Over all this place is A-OK in my book. Will absolutely go back. I like to look at it as a nice place to go with friends for a nice relaxing afternoon over some beers and a few BBQ shots. If the weather is nice, you just can't go wrong.
(4)
Andrea M.
The atmosphere is amazing, by the river very casual and great views, service was good. Had the fried pickles they were very good. But the rest of the food was terrible, just awful. Cold food, very thrown together like they are in a big hurry. We are locals and we WANT to love this place and make it somewhere we go regularly but the food is overpriced and really not worth the price at all. Sorry....I would love to be happy here, but we won't be back.
(2)
Ernie C.
Way overpriced. Empty on weeknight. Service friendly. Food just average at best.
(2)
Sarah E.
I visited the SwampHouse Grill this past weekend on my sister and brother in law's recommendation. We also brought along a friend and my other sister, which made for a party of five. We were on the upper deck with a stunning view of the river (you know, I live in FL and I can count on one finger the number of times I have seen the water this year. Once, this visit. Man, we Floridians really take this stuff for granted, don't we?) This is a rather open, airy atmosphere - it's not completely "outside", it's roofed and all...but I bet in high summer time it might make for a uncomfortable, muggy, mosquito-y meal. We were there in early April though, so it was relatively cool, and there was a nice breeze off the river. We were seated rather quickly and the waitress brought our drink orders promptly. One section of the table ordered fried pickles as an appetizer, the other side, the fried gator. The pickle chips were a bit soggy, I thought - perhaps if they were sliced a bit thinner, it would make for a crispier snack. The gator bites, however, were enormously tasty. A bit tangy (I think that is citrus marinade?), a nicely seasoned cornmeal crust and a creamy/spicy/zesty dipping sauce. Next time, I think we need to order these things for the whole table! For my entree, I ordered the blackened mahi tacos and they were absolutely wonderful. The fish was tender and had a nice kick to it, and was wrapped in a soft flour tortilla overflowing with a sort of sweet/spicy salsa (the menu says "cilantro lime" but that doesn't sound right..there was definitely lots of tomato and something sweet, like pineapple or mango). It also came with "sweet chili mayo", though, so perhaps the combination of all of those things together is what confused my taste buds a bit. Anyway - I am quibbling here, because the overall flavor of the dish was perfect and I do not think I would change a thing anyway. The plate came with two nicely sized tacos and I chose the sweet potato fries as a side. The fries were crisp and nicely flavored, but I am afraid I got a bit of a shock when I went to dip them in the sauce that they were served with. I was expecting something slightly spicy, sort of like whatever was served alongside of the pickles and gator bites, but no sir - that was not it at all. instead it was a tooth-achingly sweet concoction called "mud sauce" - a dreadful combination of butter, whipped cream, sugar, and cinnamon. I realize I am in the minority - I just do not like sweet things. For other people, this is probably some sort of heavenly mouthful, but I almost threw the little tub of it out into the river for the gators to feast upon! (If I had read the menu, perhaps I would not have gotten a nasty shock. Forewarned is forearmed, people!) Other folks at the table ordered: lobster pot pie (lots of succulent lobster, a buttery crust, but if you ask me I could have done without all the peas and carrots); a catfish BLT (I did not try, but it was quickly devoured); and the Blackened Riverfront Trio ("this is delicious, but there's not enough of it"!). There was a band playing downstairs - or maybe just a guy with a guitar and a drum machine - who played an odd combination of greatest hits from the 90's. It was a a bit surreal sitting there eating my tacos and hearing some man with a wee tinny voice crooning "tell me all your thoughts on God....'cause I'd really like to meet her", while I watched the sunset over the river in 2013.
(4)
Chuck G.
I've eaten at Swamp House twice now and it's a pretty good place to go for casual food and drinks with a nice view of the water. When I give people directions to the restaurant I just tell them to get on Highbanks road and make a right when you get to the river. It's right on the water which is really nice. Inside is typically kitschy with alligators and other paraphernalia on the walls. On a weekday evening, it's pretty dead so no problem getting a table with a good view. The service is pretty much what you'd expect from any Applebee's or Red Lobster. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly not bad. The server at my last visit was very good, both friendly and attentive. I saw a comment in another review here about the tiny pours of wine, and that is definitely true. I had beer but my father had 3 miniscule glasses of chardonnay. The food took a little while to arrive, but it didn't seem like an atrocious wait. Between the four of us, we had shrimp, grouper, ahi tuna, and fish/chips and all of it was very good. My shrimp were swimming in Old Bay seasoning which I hate, but that's not anyone's fault really. Overall, the experience has always been decent here. Unfortunately, Swamp House is about all there is for good casual dining in the area. If you don't mind a little drive, JB's Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach is very similar but with better food. However, if you're stuck in Debary, Swamp House is one of the best alternatives for eating out.
(3)
Tommy B.
One of the best charred grilled burgers I have had in a long time... Tasted as if I had made it myself , very impressed also if you check in on facebook you get a free shooter shot lol can't beat that give this place a shot you won't regret it . Great atmosphere and a awesome view of the lake not entirely sure why this establishment only has less then 3 stars I mean honestly it's a fish camp it's going to be super busy the food is well worth the wait have a drink relax and enjoy the great view.
(5)
Matt F.
I have been to this establishment a few times over the years, but I have to say that it rapidly became the worst restaurant I've been to in a very long while. The downward trend started months ago, but after today's experience, I can safely say I don't ever want to go back. Saturday, 1:30. Practically empty. I sat down with my family and we were promptly given drinks, so good start. We ordered our food the next time the server came around, then proceeded to wait an hour for our food. In the meantime, refilling drinks would take minutes because the server would start just chatting with another, not about the tables, but about whatever they thought was funny. I watched as at least 10 employees wandered around for things to do, while the food continued to "cook". You have that many employees and it takes an hour or more to get food? Embarrassing. The food itself? Lukewarm. As though it had been sitting on the shelf for a while before being taken out. Maybe it was ready sooner, which speaks to the poor service rather than the cooks. Either way, the situation was inexcusable. We were told we were next in line countless times, but not with any empathy. Beer is cheap if you get the cheap stuff, but if you want craft you're going to pay an arm and a leg. Steer clear of this out of the way eatery. It's expensive, slow, and completely unsatisfying.
(1)
Anibal O.
This place has gone down hill fast... Went a few years ago and it was alright not great but this last visit sucked more then a shark vacuum. We sit, party of 5, get our orders off quickly and the menu looks appetizing.. 1 hour later we get our appitzers after we told the waitress that they are taking for ever... The friend green tomatoes and gated bites where great... Crab cakes where rich but good. Then the meals come... Over beaded fish that was uneatable, steak was ok not great. Chicken wings over fried, salad was not tasty at all, hamburger was over cooked and the fries tasted funny seemed they needed to change the oil.. My problem was the over price for the amount you get, the lack of service every time you had to flag someone down, it doesn't take an hour to do our meal when ur half full and we were there before most people... When we left there were some hungry eyes looking around in other tables waiting as long as we did... To screw up on fried fish and a burger and salad which is so easy to do was the final straw.
(2)
John K.
This place is awesome! We come and sit out on the patio bar and listen to the music on the weekends. Tje burgers are cooked on the outside grill and the beers are cold. Nice selection of beer as well..
(5)
Marie C.
Great place for lunch. We split fried green tomatoes for an app. Had a tasty chipotle sauce to go with it. All of our meals were great. We all had something different everything from a burger to salmon. We were certainly the clean plate club. A delight for us was our waitress, Stephi. Helpful as well as personable.
(4)
David O.
Ignore the negative reviews. This place was great. The staff were so attentive and the food was spectacular.
(5)
scott w.
First time visitors... The wife and I loved it.. Eat Gator anything, it's all good!! Monica walked us thru the menu and it was great!
(5)
Jim H.
I have been going to this restaurant for about 10 years If you want s good burger it's great And the atmospheres the best BUT The service Sucks Takes forever for you to get someone to your table to take your order And to get your food
(2)
Karsyn L.
Okay, so first off the scenery was beautiful and the establishment was very clean and had a down home feel to it. Our server was absolutely phenomenal and catered to my every need. She answered every question with ease and honesty. I mentioned that I didn't like fried pickles if they were chips because the batter is normally too light. When I ordered them, she brought them out and had special requested that they were put in extra batter because I had mentioned I liked thick batter. She never let our drinks run dry, always kept them refilled and brought our food out promptly and with a smile. Now onto the food. I have never seen such a humongous Mahi Mahi sandwich in my life. It was perfectly cooked and extremely fresh. The corn fritters were perfect and the sweet potato was out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the Alfredo pasta which came with the best garlic bread either of us have ever tasted. All in all, this restaurant was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I will continue to drive from my hometown 3 hours away to eat here again.
(5)
Dave O.
I've been here a few times over the past three of four years and I've always been middle of the road when thinking of this place. I've never had a really bad experience with the food or the service but nothing memorable either, looking at the reviews people either love it or hate it. Most of my experiences here was for business dinners with people from out of town several dinners with as few as four of us and several more with a group of more than 10 which they were always able to accommodate. The servers have always provide decent service and my recent visit I must say the service was outstanding. They offer a number of beer choice as well as wines and liquor, I've tried the fried alligator, St. John's catfish and spinach and artichoke dip appetizers all were served fast and were pretty good. I've also eaten the blackened grouper, the scallops and my last dinner was the ahi tuna served with a baked potato and coleslaw. The tuna was tossed in sesame seed and seared rare the tuna was served as a whole filet but was tender and I cut it with a butter knife it was very good not the best I've ever eaten but did have a great texture, color and flavor. Our table ordered a variety of entrees including the trio, the crab and shrimp pasta, fried catfish and scallops I didn't hear anyone complaint. The location does have a fish camp feel so if you don't understand the setting you may be a little put off by the laid back attitude and the old Florida charm I'm sure I will return it seems I always do. I think 3 stars is a fair rating and should not be taken as a negative.
(3)
Philip R.
What a wonderful lunch we had I suggest the corn fritters and grouper which was wonderful our waitress was very friendly and made our experience that much better I would recommend this place to anyone
(5)
David W.
Please ignore previous 1 & 2 star mishaps, I'm a tables in wonderland member & happy to pay $60/plate for the experience ... The food here is very good, black & bleu chips are as good as the ones I've had at the windermere country club ... Trash was a very pleasant server .... Atmosphere is swamp front & chill, plenty of Spanish moss if you like that, can definitely recommend this experience for less than $30 per person , good people hang here, if you leave hungry it's your own fault, no back to sippin on my rum bucket ... Cheers , the 5th star is for 'authentic florida'
(5)
Paul M.
I went here with a group of 5 during Biketoberfest. Its a pretty nice ride from Daytona if you take the backroads. Anyway, we shared the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Fried Pickles, Coconut Shrimp and Chicken Wings (hot & bourbon), all of which were delicious and what you would expect. The stand out was the Gator Tail Sweet and Spicy style. If you like the Chinese reataurant classic, General Tso's Chicken, you will love this gator tail! Tender chunks of tail with a great sauce! I had the Classic Gumbo which was some of the best I've ever had! The others had BBQ pork, Catfish BLT, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Burgers. Everyone thoroughly enjioyed their meals, not one complaint. And we all said we would return here next year. Great view of the river, and you can dock right at the resaurant if you come by boat! Fun and funky casual atmosphere. The wait staff was young but efficient and friendly.
(4)
Lynn B.
Um, I have been here 2 times recently and How do I say it? It never got better from the first time.. Its like the bottom of the food chain fare- trust me- its just gross. The prices for the nasty food- what are they drinkin' on dat rivah? lol Seriously, gator tails are NOT supposed to fight you back when you bite into the. PS Am I the only one who remembers Gator Land over by sea world... well folks- its nastier then that! he he Please forgive my typos. Thanks.
(1)
B-movie G.
It's location is pretty far out of the way, but the food was really good and the view was really nice. They play pretty much just classic rock while you're eating. Believe it or not, this sparked a small, playfull argument between the wife and I who never realized that I really like Bruce Springsteen. I only give them 3 stars because the service was ridiculously slow and my wife had pretty bad indigestion the next day. I on the other hand was fine.
(3)
James P.
This is my first review, I normally do not take the time to create a ID and password. I have this time because of the horrible experience I had at Swamp House Grill at lunch yesterday. I arrived in a party of 4 with hopes of decent seafood. The restaurant was no busy and we were seated promptly. We ordered Blackened Grouper over mixed green, Fish and Chips, Crab Cakes, Onions Rings, and Tuna Salad with mixed greens. After an hour wait the food arrived. The Grouper was not blackened, the Tuna was served with iceberg lettuce, the Fish and Chips had to much batter and the Onion Rings were cold. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is the view, I would rather have had edible food in a timely matter.
(1)
Danielle L.
Waited over 30 minutes for our food when there was only one other table in the restaurant. Our waitress never told us why we waited or that our food would be on the way, it's like she was ignoring us. Had to flag her down for a drink refill. We almost left, but didn't have time to go anywhere else (lunch break). Our server was rude the whole time. It seemed to inconvenience her that we needed extra napkins...oh and the change for one of the checks. At the end we had to flag down the other waitress to get a pen to sign the credit card slip. The food was ok but the service was awful. I get that sometimes you're having a bad day, but the waitress should never throw the receipt books on the table at you. I will never go back.
(1)
Jason D.
Went on Friday night and were turned away due to the restaurant booking 4 large parties and turning away walk in customers. Will never go back, don't waste your time on this place.
(1)
Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)
Jessica R.
I have been to the Swamp House, mmmmmm 3 times? Yea, three times and always love the atmosphere. Was actually a birthday choice for me and I live in Orlando. food: they have a pretty good variety to choose from. If you are on a diet, the selections will be slim pickin's. However, their cesar salad with grilled shrimp is pretty good. Corn nuggets, were a bust. More like cornbread with a hush puppy consistency. If that is what you dig though, they were still tasty. Stuffed mushrooms are so good though! Prices: they seem standard. However, my friend and I believe they actually went up from the last time we were there. No real drink specials, ever. $4.50ish 16oz draft beers(not 100% sure the exact ounce size, but they are bigger than your normal pint glass). They have a lot of "big bucket" drinks. More bang for your buck I suppose. I am not a mixed drink fan....beer or shots so that is a bummer. Speaking of shots: They have a "Swamp House Specialty Shot" its a BBQ Bacon shot....AHHHH SO GOOD! I had you at bacon didn't I? Yea, that's what I thought. It is a mixture of A1 Steak Sauce, blood mary mix, soco and a PIECE of effing bacon in it! IT IS A MUST IF YOU GO! Atmosphere: I think the atmosphere is what makes this place such a great time. You have a beautiful view of the St. Johns. People out on the river can dock their boats and come up for food and beverages. They have an upstairs porch like seating, and picnic tables on the bottom closer to the docks. If I am not mistaken I believe they have live music on the weekends down there as well. We always stay up top. Service: Wont spend much time on this....service is very sub-par. Nothing excellent, but the girls are really nice. We have had the same server the last few times we were there and she makes a lot of mistakes, but always makes up for them. Also we sit close to the bar and think they usually only ever have one girl in that entire section so we cut them some slack. We have seen the owner walking around and talking to the guests on several occasions, which I think says a lot about the place. They remember us when we come in. Over all this place is A-OK in my book. Will absolutely go back. I like to look at it as a nice place to go with friends for a nice relaxing afternoon over some beers and a few BBQ shots. If the weather is nice, you just can't go wrong.
(4)
Andrea M.
The atmosphere is amazing, by the river very casual and great views, service was good. Had the fried pickles they were very good. But the rest of the food was terrible, just awful. Cold food, very thrown together like they are in a big hurry. We are locals and we WANT to love this place and make it somewhere we go regularly but the food is overpriced and really not worth the price at all. Sorry....I would love to be happy here, but we won't be back.
(2)
Ernie C.
Way overpriced. Empty on weeknight. Service friendly. Food just average at best.
(2)
Stefanie C.
Still one of my favorite places to waste away an afternoon during the spring and summer. I am always disappointed when they reduce hours after Labor Day. I just dropped by the Tiki Bar downstairs on Sunday afternoon this past weekend. They were packed as usual and there was a guy playing Buffett tunes on the deck. We always look forward to spending a few hours in the shade with our dog and watching the boats go by on thh river while enjoying a few beers (sometimes a "joos") and their awesome cheeseburgers. It's also a good place to dock your boat for lunch. No it's not fancy and it can get a bit loud but it's a country backwoods bar and we love it. (I have never eaten upstairs but my friends say it's really good but it can get a bit expensive.)
(4)
George K.
It is a shame the service is so bad...the food is great. Better employees could make this place really good.
(2)
Jan T.
I've tried this restaurant 3 times and have regretted every one. The service is consistently slow and inept. It can take 2 hours for them to take your order, serve food, and bring your bill. One time the food came out for everyone except one person. Their SALAD took another 20 minutes to make. I've even visited during slow nights (a rainy Monday) and waited over 20 minutes to get a draft beer from the bar located 15 feet away. The waiters like to disappear when you are ready to order or get your check. Finally, the food is mediocre at best. Will NEVER go there again.
(1)
Kevin S.
This was possibly the worst seafood I have ever had. Not only a bad meal, but an expensive bad meal. I had the seafood trio platter, which was mahi mahi (grilled and overcooked), fried shrimp (which must have been the same batter as chicken), and sea scallops which were horrible and like rubber. Gross, never go again!
(1)
Vinny F.
My favorite thing about this place is that I can just float up with my boat, dock, and eat a nice lunch with an amazing view of the river. The food is good but not the best. Service has always been good. I usually just order a burger and fries. But I really do like it here. I always come back.
(3)
Kate F.
I don't know what to say about this establishment. I'm visiting from out of town with my son and my boyfriend and I thought we should stop here after visiting Blue Springs. Bad decision. When we walked into the place, I really loved the atmosphere and location on the water. That's about all I can say that I enjoyed about our experience here. Had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated when there were only 3 tables seated in the dining room. It was 2pm on a Tuesday. Once we got our table, we waited another 10 minutes until our server showed up to ask us for drinks. We placed our drink order and waited and waited for them to arrive at the table. We could never find the server when we wanted him, and about another 20 minutes after we ordered our first round, the server showed up to ask for our order. To make a long story short, I don't know what was worse, the service, or the food. Having been a server, bartender and cocktailer for 10 years total, I would like to give the server the benefit of the doubt. I can say that the food was DREADFUL. My son ordered the grilled cheese and sweet potato fries off of the child's menu. The bread was soggy, the apparent Kraft Singles started to harden the longer it sat there. The sweet potato fries were luke warm and mushy. I ordered the Ahi Tuna Salad. It looked lovely, but was mediocre at best. I was so hungry by this point that I ate about half of the salad (which looked like it came from a bag from Publix and was a day away from expiring) and all of the seared ahi, about 6-8 thin slices. I got sick from it. I mean really sick within 10 minutes of consuming this garbage. It was a $13 salad! My boyfriend ordered the Black and Bleu Burger, which on first bite, he thought was quite pleasant. After a few bites he could barely stomach it. It was smothered beyond below with bleu cheese. More than a normal Black and Bleu burger. 4 hours later sitting at home, he got sick as well! This place has such potential. Lovely location, charming atmosphere, but the food and service is awful. The prices are also crazy for the rubbish they serve. And not to mention, $7.25 for a Draft domestic beer, which was warm. We don't mind spending money to go out to eat, we enjoy dining out. But we don't like paying outrageous prices for nasty food, warm beer, and bad service. I would give no stars if I could. I guess the one star is for the location and nice decor.
(1)
Terry C.
Great food and wonderful service. We got to sit outside and watch a small gator as we waited. A definite must for this area.
(4)
Kim W.
We have been here a few times and recently went back, after a long hiatus. The best thing about this place is the location. It is on the water, at the end of Highbanks road. On your way there, for the first time you will say out loud, "We are going the wrong way." Don't worry. Keep driving. The food here is a step-above your typical bar food. They offer decent dinner selections, and some pretty good appetizers. Definitely try the spinach, artichoke and crab dip. Also, I am not a huge catfish fan, but the Catfish brushetta was worth a try. There is usually live music, which makes it fun. They also offer a Sunday brunch.
(3)
Christine K.
We ended up here as our family parked their RV in the same park as this restaurant ... I had my hesitations ... but SERVICE: AWESOME! FOOD: AWESOME! Esp, their fried catfish .... ATMOSPHERE: INTERESTING, unique and casual... Definitely a place to try ....
(4)
Sarah E.
I visited the SwampHouse Grill this past weekend on my sister and brother in law's recommendation. We also brought along a friend and my other sister, which made for a party of five. We were on the upper deck with a stunning view of the river (you know, I live in FL and I can count on one finger the number of times I have seen the water this year. Once, this visit. Man, we Floridians really take this stuff for granted, don't we?) This is a rather open, airy atmosphere - it's not completely "outside", it's roofed and all...but I bet in high summer time it might make for a uncomfortable, muggy, mosquito-y meal. We were there in early April though, so it was relatively cool, and there was a nice breeze off the river. We were seated rather quickly and the waitress brought our drink orders promptly. One section of the table ordered fried pickles as an appetizer, the other side, the fried gator. The pickle chips were a bit soggy, I thought - perhaps if they were sliced a bit thinner, it would make for a crispier snack. The gator bites, however, were enormously tasty. A bit tangy (I think that is citrus marinade?), a nicely seasoned cornmeal crust and a creamy/spicy/zesty dipping sauce. Next time, I think we need to order these things for the whole table! For my entree, I ordered the blackened mahi tacos and they were absolutely wonderful. The fish was tender and had a nice kick to it, and was wrapped in a soft flour tortilla overflowing with a sort of sweet/spicy salsa (the menu says "cilantro lime" but that doesn't sound right..there was definitely lots of tomato and something sweet, like pineapple or mango). It also came with "sweet chili mayo", though, so perhaps the combination of all of those things together is what confused my taste buds a bit. Anyway - I am quibbling here, because the overall flavor of the dish was perfect and I do not think I would change a thing anyway. The plate came with two nicely sized tacos and I chose the sweet potato fries as a side. The fries were crisp and nicely flavored, but I am afraid I got a bit of a shock when I went to dip them in the sauce that they were served with. I was expecting something slightly spicy, sort of like whatever was served alongside of the pickles and gator bites, but no sir - that was not it at all. instead it was a tooth-achingly sweet concoction called "mud sauce" - a dreadful combination of butter, whipped cream, sugar, and cinnamon. I realize I am in the minority - I just do not like sweet things. For other people, this is probably some sort of heavenly mouthful, but I almost threw the little tub of it out into the river for the gators to feast upon! (If I had read the menu, perhaps I would not have gotten a nasty shock. Forewarned is forearmed, people!) Other folks at the table ordered: lobster pot pie (lots of succulent lobster, a buttery crust, but if you ask me I could have done without all the peas and carrots); a catfish BLT (I did not try, but it was quickly devoured); and the Blackened Riverfront Trio ("this is delicious, but there's not enough of it"!). There was a band playing downstairs - or maybe just a guy with a guitar and a drum machine - who played an odd combination of greatest hits from the 90's. It was a a bit surreal sitting there eating my tacos and hearing some man with a wee tinny voice crooning "tell me all your thoughts on God....'cause I'd really like to meet her", while I watched the sunset over the river in 2013.
We had out of town guests in and wanted to take them so someplace that had a great Florida view. This place has a wonderful view, it's just too bad the food and service are just OK. It took an hour to get all the meals out to the table, and there were many empty tables as it was a Monday evening. Food was not horrible but would not pick over other places nearby.
(2)
Diane M.
Bella, Great job you are doing each and every Wednesday night! So glad you are back!
(4)
E N.
I went to see the manatees nearby and to escape the human-atee horde at Disney World. Manatees are lovely, watching them eat and breathe is a joy. This place is not. My uncle had inquired with a local, who suggested this dump. I think his "tip" was a practical joke. The beer was flat. The gator-tots were burned. Our food, simple lunch fare, took 45 min to arrive, and the swamp house was nearly empty. My meal was drenched in 1000 island dressing. More dressing than mahi. I didn't say "mahi-mahi" b/c there was only enough fish, barely a sliver of fish, to justify "mahi." My 20 dollar lunch left me with a queasy stomach, and I'm sitting in a bathroom suffering as I type this review. I'm out nearly 100 bucks, and I'll probably miss the evening plans as a result of selecting this enclosed patio next to a trailer park that claims to be a grill. Thanks for the favor Swamp House! I needed some alone time, but I could have done without the sick stomach. Kind reader, do yourself a favor. There's a Wendy's in one direction and a Joe's Crab Shack in the other. Those joints won't be memorable, but you'll save time, nearly 100 bucks, and avoid a pain in your gut. (View is not bad. Fish tanks are entertaining. But I can't deal with a restaurant that burns 45 min on fish tacos and makes me sick!)
(1)
Hao L.
We stopped by this place after scuba diving in Blue Springs nearby. We were famished and were ready to chow down. They had vodka drinks on special, so we each had a madras as we enjoyed the riverside view from the open air layout of the restaurant. I had a seafood trio with blackened mahi mahi, scallops, and shrimp, and my wife had the fish and chips. The food was definitely adequate, but nothing memorable or unique. The service was spotty, and the waitress initially forgot to ask what soup we wanted (which came with the meal), and she then messed up my side dish. In conclusion, I wouldn't object going back to that place if I'm in the area, but I would consider other options. It does have a nice view, though.
(3)
OrlandoGirl F.
We heard about this place by accident and were happy we made the drive. The outside tiki bar overlooks the water and had a guy playing and singing. The outside bar closes at 6. the bartender told us it was because of the bugs after dark. We decided to go upstairs and sat at the bar. There was music upstairs also.There were a lot of locals. Both the patrons and staff were all very friendly and we had a great time. Food: We decided to start with the crab cake appetizer. It was like crab dip (crab and cream cheese etc) shaped into a patty and fried. Dont expect a lot of crab meat. My BF ordered some wings. He said they werent good He sent them back & they took them off the bill. One of the locals said you have to ask for them extra crispy and that's the only way they are any good. The burger is HUGE, but its $10. It would be easy for 2 people to split. Kinda pricey for a burger, especially considering you're at a fish camp in Debary Bottom line, good music, great views and atmosphere. Average, somewhat overpriced food.
(4)
Susan B.
We had been here a while back for dinner & it was pretty good. But, we had sat inside & it was for Mother's Day w/ a nice menu. We were looking forward to going back for a birthday & thought it would be fun to sit out on the deck by the water. First, I wish we had known that the menu outside is different from the one inside. Definitely more limited. We ordered the potato skins w/ pork-requesting the BBQ sauce on the side. They arrived covered in the sauce. But, we ate them anyway, they weren't bad, a little over cooked. The salads came, tossed would be an understatement, thrown on the plate was more like it and with the wrong dressings, no biggie, they just brought new ones. But, the clincher was the dinners, if you could call them that! We ordered the steak medallions over mashed potatoes, w/ a mushroom/onion gravy, one of us requested a baked potato substitute. The steak medallions, were a joke! They had asked how we wanted them cooked, but they came out pounded so flat, overcooked was the only option! They had what seemed like some sort of breading, we couldn't even tell what we were eating, very bland! The baked potato looked old & was undercooked. The prime rib was so overcooked it looked & tasted like shoe leather. Still doubting it was prime rib! We sent our dinners back & skipped ordering anything else. The manager came over to address the problem, she said everything had looked ok to her, but to her credit she did take them off our bill. The service is slow, hard to find your server if you need anything, but I'm guessing it may be better if we had sat inside. Outside may be ok if you just want to pull up on your boat for some casual munchies & a beer... I'm just glad we had brought a birthday cake, I was starving! We actually came home and had a bowl of cereal! IF we go back, we will definitely try the menu inside next time!
(2)
dave b.
The beer and appetizers are good although smaller portions compared to similar places with similar prices. For example a 10$ "gator tail" gets you 15 little chunks if gator. I would need 4 of those to get 2 people appetized. My experience with the "gator soup" wasn't a good one. It tasted like tomato sauce with uncooked rice. The atmosphere and workers are nice. I'd stick with main meals and drinks if I go back.
(2)
C R.
We'd heard about this place for a while and seen ads, but never made the trek over there. It's a pretty little drive down Highbanks Road that dead ends into the St. John's River. The restaurant is not as rustic as I thought it would be. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice open air view from upstairs. There is a big nice bar and lots of Vs. The food was good too. The raw and steamed oysters were big and tasty. The steamed shrimp ($5 for a mug of shrimp) were huge. We also had gator tail, catfish sandwich, and cuban sandwich. They had some lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. It looks like they have some higher end items for dinner. While eating upstairs, we noticed tables downstairs. When we asked, we were told there was a limited menu down there. We glanced at a copy and it had about 8-10 items on it. They have a bar down there called their tiki bar and picnic tables to eat on. This is a great place to stop if you are out on a boat on the St. John's or a nice drive from Seminole County.
(4)
Sharon B.
I will never go back! We went several times the quality of the food wavered, however we continued to give it a chance. The we went down one night with a large group of friends an it took over an hour to get are food, the baked potatoes were raw and cold, the seafood was cold. Everyone in the place were sending their food back. The manager came over and was extremely rude with out our group, basically said they did nothing wrong. we told her we did not want the food it was uneatable, we still paid! SBenton
(1)
chrissy a.
I absolutely love the food at this restaurant. Every meal I have had has been absolutely delicious.
(5)
Valerie L.
The Swamp House Grill should provide more then 10 free slips to their by water patrons. With their menu prices added to the $10 to park a boat it's a huge deterrent.
(1)
Bob R.
Great place! The atmosphere is pure authentic Florida. It is right on the river surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. You can sit there all day and watch the boats go by. It is very laid-back and friendly. The menu has been upgraded from years ago and it has made it an even better place to go!
(4)
Katharine T.
Terrible. We waited 2 hrs and never got our food. The restaurants turned over twice while we were there. Servers were beyond rude and even avoided eye contact because they didn't want to answer us on why our food never arrived. We left some cash for our drinks and walked out. First time I've ever walked out. No one even cared-- at all!! No excuse. It was appalling. No manager can over after countless complaints.
(1)
Lee B.
Out for a Sunday ride in the jeep, wife wanted someplace on the water so thought we give it another try. Sat down at a table after waiting for 20 minutes decided to walk up to the bar and get a beer stood there for 15 minutes with nobody ever knowledge your presence, just look at you and I guess wait on the regulars. Finally got the bartender to come over and give me a couple of beers went back over to the table sat for another 15 minutes while waitresses and waiters are walking by and see us looking at a menu never saying a word that those tables do not get serviced by staff. the absolute worst service I've ever seen!
(1)
Micro T.
2 people eating lunch $88. Realy! All we had was 2 beers each, an appetizer that consited of 6 shrimp, an entree each which were a burger and an order of fish tacos. Unbelivable. Will not go back until they get their head out of their a$$.
(1)
Jeff R.
Last visit here on a nice warm day after Christmas was very disappointing. We've eaten here many tines, but lately it seems to be going down hill. Has there been a change in management the last year? Service was very, very slow. We stopped by on a Saturday around one 1 PM and dined in a mostly empty restaurant. It took an HOUR to get out order! The waitress kept promising that we "were next" over and over. But still we waited. Interestingly enough , when I received my Swamphouse burger, it had absolutely nothing on it - no tomato, no onions, pickles, lettuce, mayo or anything. It looked so odd! !!
(2)
Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)
Jake G.
My first time ever going to this restaurant and easily the last. How is the service you might ask? Well it took 15 minutes before anyone came over to the table. Another 10 minutes for our drinks. And after that we had to go up to the bar everytime for our own drinks. Make sure you know what you want to eat when the waiter come over the first time or you will be waiting another 20 minutes before they come back to find out what you want. The food was dry and overcooked. I would say the only good thing there were the appetizers. The waiter I had was very knowledgable but was probably the worst server I have ever had in my life. So if you still decide to go here just make sure you have a good amount of time and a lot of patience.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
C R.
We'd heard about this place for a while and seen ads, but never made the trek over there. It's a pretty little drive down Highbanks Road that dead ends into the St. John's River. The restaurant is not as rustic as I thought it would be. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice open air view from upstairs. There is a big nice bar and lots of Vs. The food was good too. The raw and steamed oysters were big and tasty. The steamed shrimp ($5 for a mug of shrimp) were huge. We also had gator tail, catfish sandwich, and cuban sandwich. They had some lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. It looks like they have some higher end items for dinner. While eating upstairs, we noticed tables downstairs. When we asked, we were told there was a limited menu down there. We glanced at a copy and it had about 8-10 items on it. They have a bar down there called their tiki bar and picnic tables to eat on. This is a great place to stop if you are out on a boat on the St. John's or a nice drive from Seminole County.
(4)Rick P.
Went for a Sunday lunch...WOW, what a mistake. First of all, the service was slow. But the food was Awful!! And Expensive!! We started with potato skins, which weren't bad once we picked the piece of plastic wrapping out of one of the skins. I had the grilled shrimp with red beans and rice, and sautéed green beans. The shrimp were obviously pre-frozen and rubbery. The rice was under cooked and hard with watery red beans which tasted like they came out of a can. The Green beans were so salty we could not eat them. My wife had grilled catfish which were over seasoned and tasted per-frozen. Also, the corn fritters were doughy and tasteless. All that was bad enough, then we got the bill. 6.75 for a draft beer!! Albeit a microbrew, but come on!! $95.00 for 4 people was the final tab with a small tip. I gave them one star for location, but will not return or recommend.
(1)Beth E.
We had out of town guests in and wanted to take them so someplace that had a great Florida view. This place has a wonderful view, it's just too bad the food and service are just OK. It took an hour to get all the meals out to the table, and there were many empty tables as it was a Monday evening. Food was not horrible but would not pick over other places nearby.
(2)Diane M.
Bella, Great job you are doing each and every Wednesday night! So glad you are back!
(4)E N.
I went to see the manatees nearby and to escape the human-atee horde at Disney World. Manatees are lovely, watching them eat and breathe is a joy. This place is not. My uncle had inquired with a local, who suggested this dump. I think his "tip" was a practical joke. The beer was flat. The gator-tots were burned. Our food, simple lunch fare, took 45 min to arrive, and the swamp house was nearly empty. My meal was drenched in 1000 island dressing. More dressing than mahi. I didn't say "mahi-mahi" b/c there was only enough fish, barely a sliver of fish, to justify "mahi." My 20 dollar lunch left me with a queasy stomach, and I'm sitting in a bathroom suffering as I type this review. I'm out nearly 100 bucks, and I'll probably miss the evening plans as a result of selecting this enclosed patio next to a trailer park that claims to be a grill. Thanks for the favor Swamp House! I needed some alone time, but I could have done without the sick stomach. Kind reader, do yourself a favor. There's a Wendy's in one direction and a Joe's Crab Shack in the other. Those joints won't be memorable, but you'll save time, nearly 100 bucks, and avoid a pain in your gut. (View is not bad. Fish tanks are entertaining. But I can't deal with a restaurant that burns 45 min on fish tacos and makes me sick!)
(1)Hao L.
We stopped by this place after scuba diving in Blue Springs nearby. We were famished and were ready to chow down. They had vodka drinks on special, so we each had a madras as we enjoyed the riverside view from the open air layout of the restaurant. I had a seafood trio with blackened mahi mahi, scallops, and shrimp, and my wife had the fish and chips. The food was definitely adequate, but nothing memorable or unique. The service was spotty, and the waitress initially forgot to ask what soup we wanted (which came with the meal), and she then messed up my side dish. In conclusion, I wouldn't object going back to that place if I'm in the area, but I would consider other options. It does have a nice view, though.
(3)OrlandoGirl F.
We heard about this place by accident and were happy we made the drive. The outside tiki bar overlooks the water and had a guy playing and singing. The outside bar closes at 6. the bartender told us it was because of the bugs after dark. We decided to go upstairs and sat at the bar. There was music upstairs also.There were a lot of locals. Both the patrons and staff were all very friendly and we had a great time. Food: We decided to start with the crab cake appetizer. It was like crab dip (crab and cream cheese etc) shaped into a patty and fried. Dont expect a lot of crab meat. My BF ordered some wings. He said they werent good He sent them back & they took them off the bill. One of the locals said you have to ask for them extra crispy and that's the only way they are any good. The burger is HUGE, but its $10. It would be easy for 2 people to split. Kinda pricey for a burger, especially considering you're at a fish camp in Debary Bottom line, good music, great views and atmosphere. Average, somewhat overpriced food.
(4)Stefanie C.
Still one of my favorite places to waste away an afternoon during the spring and summer. I am always disappointed when they reduce hours after Labor Day. I just dropped by the Tiki Bar downstairs on Sunday afternoon this past weekend. They were packed as usual and there was a guy playing Buffett tunes on the deck. We always look forward to spending a few hours in the shade with our dog and watching the boats go by on thh river while enjoying a few beers (sometimes a "joos") and their awesome cheeseburgers. It's also a good place to dock your boat for lunch. No it's not fancy and it can get a bit loud but it's a country backwoods bar and we love it. (I have never eaten upstairs but my friends say it's really good but it can get a bit expensive.)
(4)George K.
It is a shame the service is so bad...the food is great. Better employees could make this place really good.
(2)Susan B.
We had been here a while back for dinner & it was pretty good. But, we had sat inside & it was for Mother's Day w/ a nice menu. We were looking forward to going back for a birthday & thought it would be fun to sit out on the deck by the water. First, I wish we had known that the menu outside is different from the one inside. Definitely more limited. We ordered the potato skins w/ pork-requesting the BBQ sauce on the side. They arrived covered in the sauce. But, we ate them anyway, they weren't bad, a little over cooked. The salads came, tossed would be an understatement, thrown on the plate was more like it and with the wrong dressings, no biggie, they just brought new ones. But, the clincher was the dinners, if you could call them that! We ordered the steak medallions over mashed potatoes, w/ a mushroom/onion gravy, one of us requested a baked potato substitute. The steak medallions, were a joke! They had asked how we wanted them cooked, but they came out pounded so flat, overcooked was the only option! They had what seemed like some sort of breading, we couldn't even tell what we were eating, very bland! The baked potato looked old & was undercooked. The prime rib was so overcooked it looked & tasted like shoe leather. Still doubting it was prime rib! We sent our dinners back & skipped ordering anything else. The manager came over to address the problem, she said everything had looked ok to her, but to her credit she did take them off our bill. The service is slow, hard to find your server if you need anything, but I'm guessing it may be better if we had sat inside. Outside may be ok if you just want to pull up on your boat for some casual munchies & a beer... I'm just glad we had brought a birthday cake, I was starving! We actually came home and had a bowl of cereal! IF we go back, we will definitely try the menu inside next time!
(2)dave b.
The beer and appetizers are good although smaller portions compared to similar places with similar prices. For example a 10$ "gator tail" gets you 15 little chunks if gator. I would need 4 of those to get 2 people appetized. My experience with the "gator soup" wasn't a good one. It tasted like tomato sauce with uncooked rice. The atmosphere and workers are nice. I'd stick with main meals and drinks if I go back.
(2)Jan T.
I've tried this restaurant 3 times and have regretted every one. The service is consistently slow and inept. It can take 2 hours for them to take your order, serve food, and bring your bill. One time the food came out for everyone except one person. Their SALAD took another 20 minutes to make. I've even visited during slow nights (a rainy Monday) and waited over 20 minutes to get a draft beer from the bar located 15 feet away. The waiters like to disappear when you are ready to order or get your check. Finally, the food is mediocre at best. Will NEVER go there again.
(1)Kevin S.
This was possibly the worst seafood I have ever had. Not only a bad meal, but an expensive bad meal. I had the seafood trio platter, which was mahi mahi (grilled and overcooked), fried shrimp (which must have been the same batter as chicken), and sea scallops which were horrible and like rubber. Gross, never go again!
(1)Vinny F.
My favorite thing about this place is that I can just float up with my boat, dock, and eat a nice lunch with an amazing view of the river. The food is good but not the best. Service has always been good. I usually just order a burger and fries. But I really do like it here. I always come back.
(3)Kate F.
I don't know what to say about this establishment. I'm visiting from out of town with my son and my boyfriend and I thought we should stop here after visiting Blue Springs. Bad decision. When we walked into the place, I really loved the atmosphere and location on the water. That's about all I can say that I enjoyed about our experience here. Had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated when there were only 3 tables seated in the dining room. It was 2pm on a Tuesday. Once we got our table, we waited another 10 minutes until our server showed up to ask us for drinks. We placed our drink order and waited and waited for them to arrive at the table. We could never find the server when we wanted him, and about another 20 minutes after we ordered our first round, the server showed up to ask for our order. To make a long story short, I don't know what was worse, the service, or the food. Having been a server, bartender and cocktailer for 10 years total, I would like to give the server the benefit of the doubt. I can say that the food was DREADFUL. My son ordered the grilled cheese and sweet potato fries off of the child's menu. The bread was soggy, the apparent Kraft Singles started to harden the longer it sat there. The sweet potato fries were luke warm and mushy. I ordered the Ahi Tuna Salad. It looked lovely, but was mediocre at best. I was so hungry by this point that I ate about half of the salad (which looked like it came from a bag from Publix and was a day away from expiring) and all of the seared ahi, about 6-8 thin slices. I got sick from it. I mean really sick within 10 minutes of consuming this garbage. It was a $13 salad! My boyfriend ordered the Black and Bleu Burger, which on first bite, he thought was quite pleasant. After a few bites he could barely stomach it. It was smothered beyond below with bleu cheese. More than a normal Black and Bleu burger. 4 hours later sitting at home, he got sick as well! This place has such potential. Lovely location, charming atmosphere, but the food and service is awful. The prices are also crazy for the rubbish they serve. And not to mention, $7.25 for a Draft domestic beer, which was warm. We don't mind spending money to go out to eat, we enjoy dining out. But we don't like paying outrageous prices for nasty food, warm beer, and bad service. I would give no stars if I could. I guess the one star is for the location and nice decor.
(1)Terry C.
Great food and wonderful service. We got to sit outside and watch a small gator as we waited. A definite must for this area.
(4)Kim W.
We have been here a few times and recently went back, after a long hiatus. The best thing about this place is the location. It is on the water, at the end of Highbanks road. On your way there, for the first time you will say out loud, "We are going the wrong way." Don't worry. Keep driving. The food here is a step-above your typical bar food. They offer decent dinner selections, and some pretty good appetizers. Definitely try the spinach, artichoke and crab dip. Also, I am not a huge catfish fan, but the Catfish brushetta was worth a try. There is usually live music, which makes it fun. They also offer a Sunday brunch.
(3)Christine K.
We ended up here as our family parked their RV in the same park as this restaurant ... I had my hesitations ... but SERVICE: AWESOME! FOOD: AWESOME! Esp, their fried catfish .... ATMOSPHERE: INTERESTING, unique and casual... Definitely a place to try ....
(4)Karsyn L.
Okay, so first off the scenery was beautiful and the establishment was very clean and had a down home feel to it. Our server was absolutely phenomenal and catered to my every need. She answered every question with ease and honesty. I mentioned that I didn't like fried pickles if they were chips because the batter is normally too light. When I ordered them, she brought them out and had special requested that they were put in extra batter because I had mentioned I liked thick batter. She never let our drinks run dry, always kept them refilled and brought our food out promptly and with a smile. Now onto the food. I have never seen such a humongous Mahi Mahi sandwich in my life. It was perfectly cooked and extremely fresh. The corn fritters were perfect and the sweet potato was out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the Alfredo pasta which came with the best garlic bread either of us have ever tasted. All in all, this restaurant was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I will continue to drive from my hometown 3 hours away to eat here again.
(5)Dave O.
I've been here a few times over the past three of four years and I've always been middle of the road when thinking of this place. I've never had a really bad experience with the food or the service but nothing memorable either, looking at the reviews people either love it or hate it. Most of my experiences here was for business dinners with people from out of town several dinners with as few as four of us and several more with a group of more than 10 which they were always able to accommodate. The servers have always provide decent service and my recent visit I must say the service was outstanding. They offer a number of beer choice as well as wines and liquor, I've tried the fried alligator, St. John's catfish and spinach and artichoke dip appetizers all were served fast and were pretty good. I've also eaten the blackened grouper, the scallops and my last dinner was the ahi tuna served with a baked potato and coleslaw. The tuna was tossed in sesame seed and seared rare the tuna was served as a whole filet but was tender and I cut it with a butter knife it was very good not the best I've ever eaten but did have a great texture, color and flavor. Our table ordered a variety of entrees including the trio, the crab and shrimp pasta, fried catfish and scallops I didn't hear anyone complaint. The location does have a fish camp feel so if you don't understand the setting you may be a little put off by the laid back attitude and the old Florida charm I'm sure I will return it seems I always do. I think 3 stars is a fair rating and should not be taken as a negative.
(3)Philip R.
What a wonderful lunch we had I suggest the corn fritters and grouper which was wonderful our waitress was very friendly and made our experience that much better I would recommend this place to anyone
(5)David W.
Please ignore previous 1 & 2 star mishaps, I'm a tables in wonderland member & happy to pay $60/plate for the experience ... The food here is very good, black & bleu chips are as good as the ones I've had at the windermere country club ... Trash was a very pleasant server .... Atmosphere is swamp front & chill, plenty of Spanish moss if you like that, can definitely recommend this experience for less than $30 per person , good people hang here, if you leave hungry it's your own fault, no back to sippin on my rum bucket ... Cheers , the 5th star is for 'authentic florida'
(5)Anibal O.
This place has gone down hill fast... Went a few years ago and it was alright not great but this last visit sucked more then a shark vacuum. We sit, party of 5, get our orders off quickly and the menu looks appetizing.. 1 hour later we get our appitzers after we told the waitress that they are taking for ever... The friend green tomatoes and gated bites where great... Crab cakes where rich but good. Then the meals come... Over beaded fish that was uneatable, steak was ok not great. Chicken wings over fried, salad was not tasty at all, hamburger was over cooked and the fries tasted funny seemed they needed to change the oil.. My problem was the over price for the amount you get, the lack of service every time you had to flag someone down, it doesn't take an hour to do our meal when ur half full and we were there before most people... When we left there were some hungry eyes looking around in other tables waiting as long as we did... To screw up on fried fish and a burger and salad which is so easy to do was the final straw.
(2)John K.
This place is awesome! We come and sit out on the patio bar and listen to the music on the weekends. Tje burgers are cooked on the outside grill and the beers are cold. Nice selection of beer as well..
(5)Marie C.
Great place for lunch. We split fried green tomatoes for an app. Had a tasty chipotle sauce to go with it. All of our meals were great. We all had something different everything from a burger to salmon. We were certainly the clean plate club. A delight for us was our waitress, Stephi. Helpful as well as personable.
(4)David O.
Ignore the negative reviews. This place was great. The staff were so attentive and the food was spectacular.
(5)scott w.
First time visitors... The wife and I loved it.. Eat Gator anything, it's all good!! Monica walked us thru the menu and it was great!
(5)Jim H.
I have been going to this restaurant for about 10 years If you want s good burger it's great And the atmospheres the best BUT The service Sucks Takes forever for you to get someone to your table to take your order And to get your food
(2)Chuck G.
I've eaten at Swamp House twice now and it's a pretty good place to go for casual food and drinks with a nice view of the water. When I give people directions to the restaurant I just tell them to get on Highbanks road and make a right when you get to the river. It's right on the water which is really nice. Inside is typically kitschy with alligators and other paraphernalia on the walls. On a weekday evening, it's pretty dead so no problem getting a table with a good view. The service is pretty much what you'd expect from any Applebee's or Red Lobster. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly not bad. The server at my last visit was very good, both friendly and attentive. I saw a comment in another review here about the tiny pours of wine, and that is definitely true. I had beer but my father had 3 miniscule glasses of chardonnay. The food took a little while to arrive, but it didn't seem like an atrocious wait. Between the four of us, we had shrimp, grouper, ahi tuna, and fish/chips and all of it was very good. My shrimp were swimming in Old Bay seasoning which I hate, but that's not anyone's fault really. Overall, the experience has always been decent here. Unfortunately, Swamp House is about all there is for good casual dining in the area. If you don't mind a little drive, JB's Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach is very similar but with better food. However, if you're stuck in Debary, Swamp House is one of the best alternatives for eating out.
(3)Tommy B.
One of the best charred grilled burgers I have had in a long time... Tasted as if I had made it myself , very impressed also if you check in on facebook you get a free shooter shot lol can't beat that give this place a shot you won't regret it . Great atmosphere and a awesome view of the lake not entirely sure why this establishment only has less then 3 stars I mean honestly it's a fish camp it's going to be super busy the food is well worth the wait have a drink relax and enjoy the great view.
(5)Matt F.
I have been to this establishment a few times over the years, but I have to say that it rapidly became the worst restaurant I've been to in a very long while. The downward trend started months ago, but after today's experience, I can safely say I don't ever want to go back. Saturday, 1:30. Practically empty. I sat down with my family and we were promptly given drinks, so good start. We ordered our food the next time the server came around, then proceeded to wait an hour for our food. In the meantime, refilling drinks would take minutes because the server would start just chatting with another, not about the tables, but about whatever they thought was funny. I watched as at least 10 employees wandered around for things to do, while the food continued to "cook". You have that many employees and it takes an hour or more to get food? Embarrassing. The food itself? Lukewarm. As though it had been sitting on the shelf for a while before being taken out. Maybe it was ready sooner, which speaks to the poor service rather than the cooks. Either way, the situation was inexcusable. We were told we were next in line countless times, but not with any empathy. Beer is cheap if you get the cheap stuff, but if you want craft you're going to pay an arm and a leg. Steer clear of this out of the way eatery. It's expensive, slow, and completely unsatisfying.
(1)Paul M.
I went here with a group of 5 during Biketoberfest. Its a pretty nice ride from Daytona if you take the backroads. Anyway, we shared the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Fried Pickles, Coconut Shrimp and Chicken Wings (hot & bourbon), all of which were delicious and what you would expect. The stand out was the Gator Tail Sweet and Spicy style. If you like the Chinese reataurant classic, General Tso's Chicken, you will love this gator tail! Tender chunks of tail with a great sauce! I had the Classic Gumbo which was some of the best I've ever had! The others had BBQ pork, Catfish BLT, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Burgers. Everyone thoroughly enjioyed their meals, not one complaint. And we all said we would return here next year. Great view of the river, and you can dock right at the resaurant if you come by boat! Fun and funky casual atmosphere. The wait staff was young but efficient and friendly.
(4)Jake G.
My first time ever going to this restaurant and easily the last. How is the service you might ask? Well it took 15 minutes before anyone came over to the table. Another 10 minutes for our drinks. And after that we had to go up to the bar everytime for our own drinks. Make sure you know what you want to eat when the waiter come over the first time or you will be waiting another 20 minutes before they come back to find out what you want. The food was dry and overcooked. I would say the only good thing there were the appetizers. The waiter I had was very knowledgable but was probably the worst server I have ever had in my life. So if you still decide to go here just make sure you have a good amount of time and a lot of patience.
(1)N H.
We ate here for lunch. I had the blackened trio. I was very happy with the food and service. It will definitely be a restaurant we stop at in the future when we are visiting relatives.
(5)Vinny B.
Nice bar on the water. Have been two times this month by boat. The food is always amazing. Service is great. Of course nothing fancy, just a nice little place to eat when boating.
(4)Sharon B.
I will never go back! We went several times the quality of the food wavered, however we continued to give it a chance. The we went down one night with a large group of friends an it took over an hour to get are food, the baked potatoes were raw and cold, the seafood was cold. Everyone in the place were sending their food back. The manager came over and was extremely rude with out our group, basically said they did nothing wrong. we told her we did not want the food it was uneatable, we still paid! SBenton
(1)chrissy a.
I absolutely love the food at this restaurant. Every meal I have had has been absolutely delicious.
(5)Valerie L.
The Swamp House Grill should provide more then 10 free slips to their by water patrons. With their menu prices added to the $10 to park a boat it's a huge deterrent.
(1)Bob R.
Great place! The atmosphere is pure authentic Florida. It is right on the river surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. You can sit there all day and watch the boats go by. It is very laid-back and friendly. The menu has been upgraded from years ago and it has made it an even better place to go!
(4)Katharine T.
Terrible. We waited 2 hrs and never got our food. The restaurants turned over twice while we were there. Servers were beyond rude and even avoided eye contact because they didn't want to answer us on why our food never arrived. We left some cash for our drinks and walked out. First time I've ever walked out. No one even cared-- at all!! No excuse. It was appalling. No manager can over after countless complaints.
(1)Lee B.
Out for a Sunday ride in the jeep, wife wanted someplace on the water so thought we give it another try. Sat down at a table after waiting for 20 minutes decided to walk up to the bar and get a beer stood there for 15 minutes with nobody ever knowledge your presence, just look at you and I guess wait on the regulars. Finally got the bartender to come over and give me a couple of beers went back over to the table sat for another 15 minutes while waitresses and waiters are walking by and see us looking at a menu never saying a word that those tables do not get serviced by staff. the absolute worst service I've ever seen!
(1)Micro T.
2 people eating lunch $88. Realy! All we had was 2 beers each, an appetizer that consited of 6 shrimp, an entree each which were a burger and an order of fish tacos. Unbelivable. Will not go back until they get their head out of their a$$.
(1)Jeff R.
Last visit here on a nice warm day after Christmas was very disappointing. We've eaten here many tines, but lately it seems to be going down hill. Has there been a change in management the last year? Service was very, very slow. We stopped by on a Saturday around one 1 PM and dined in a mostly empty restaurant. It took an HOUR to get out order! The waitress kept promising that we "were next" over and over. But still we waited. Interestingly enough , when I received my Swamphouse burger, it had absolutely nothing on it - no tomato, no onions, pickles, lettuce, mayo or anything. It looked so odd! !!
(2)Kimberly R.
Came to have dinner for two, after a five minute wait for anyone to acknowledge my friend and I. Then, we got seated at a table with one chair... I asked the waitress for another chair and she said "Yeah, it's whatever." and walked away. Never to bring the second chair. WTF?
(1)Tara S.
The service was friendly but slow. We had to go get our own drinks. Our server was very friendly but inattentive. It wasn't very crowded so not sure why the slow service. The appetizers were very good. Wish we had just stuck to ordering those. The main meals were expensive and disappointing. The Cajun chicken was very thin and dry. The shrimp was small and overwhelmingly spicey. The restaurant itself it very unique and comfortable. They actually denied our request too move a table so we could sit by the water and we sat on the other side with plastic hanging down over the side. All in all disappointing and won't come back.
(3)Carla O.
View Food On the way home from a grandchild's birthday party, we were hungry, so I googled the nearest seafood restaurant. It happenned to be the Swamp House Grill. It sounded like it would be a fun experience since it waa on the water and we had never been there before. The setting is gorgeous, old Florida on the water with docks and an adjacent RV park. We were greeted by a friendly host and led to a table overlooking the water, as we requested. The waittress appeared in 10 minutes to take our drink order. I asked her if the grouper on the menu was really grouper. She checked with the kitchen and was told that they didn't think so. Glad I asked. Wish I had thought to ask what kind of lettuce the coconut shrimp salad came with. I am accustomed to a very delicious coconut shrimp salad that we frequently order at Caribbean Jack's in Daytona Beach. The one that was placed before me was a plain Jane plate full of iceberg lettuce and a miniscule amount of shredded red cabbage decorated with 3 pithy, old tomato wedges. The 5 coconut shrimp were okay, It is normally served with bacon, so I asked for it on the side, because I don't eat it, but my husband does. The dressing was served on the side. It was a vinergary raspberry concoction.The price is the same as the price at Caribbean Jack's, but here there is little value for your money. My husband ordered the Caesar with blackened shrimp that was flavorless. When the waittress came to clear our plates, mine was filled with the whole meal minus the shrimp. Did she ask me if anything was wrong? Nope. on the way out, I used the rest room. It was dirty. It is a shame that the experience was lacking when they have so much to work with. If ever I return, it will be to have a few drinks, only. I will eat before I go.
(2)Robert L.
I think the price is a little "ripe" for the average portion of food you get and for the average quality of the serving. We had the grouper Reuben sandwich and it seems like the amount of fish has diminished, and the flavor was not as good as the previous times we were there. If you don't mind the above review, you'll pay for the outdoor atmosphere at a riverside setting.
(3)Jessica I.
Great setting right on the water, with a large but not overwhelming menu. Good selection of seafood, salads, and burgers. My grouper was nicely fried and really tasty. I wisely went with the corn fritters for my side, and they delivered. Service was underwhelming and they were out of quite a few things, but I'll give them a pass since it was a holiday week.
(3)Evan C.
Was told 10 minute wait- ended up to be 45 minutes. Told food would be delayed because of a busy kitchen, it was for nearly 1.5 hours. Server never asked for sides for my entree, he was nice enough to pick some for me. Burnt fries served to one person of our party. Food was way over seasoned. When we told server we were running short on time and to bring certain members food out if it's ready- they brought them out in to go containers. No condiments brought out for potatoes and fries. Had to ask for lemon for waters. For the wait time, not worth it. For the price of the meal REALLY not worth it. It's a fish camp, and you can get nearly the same menu almost anywhere else. Watched people who were seated way after us get their meals and checks and leave before we were served our meals. I have been to many fish camps in the area- this one will no longer be supported.
(1)Debra S.
Don't let the surrounding trailer park fool you! This place has a great menu, good service, nice atmosphere and fabulous food! I had the gator tail in spicy sauce and the stuffed Mahi. Both were delicious and cooked to perfection! Live music was a bonus too.
(4)Nat W.
This restaurant is located in a secluded area near a lake. The restaurant is nicely decorated inside...very much fun to look at. People were friendly and nice. I had to order the gator tail nuggets. It was surprisingly easy to eat and nice and chewy. Coconut shrimp were good too. Their appetizer portions were small for the price. I ordered bacon quesadilla and I liked it. My husband ordered grilled salmon and he liked it. Their side dishes were kinda blah. Overall, this place is not bad but I agree with some people said overpriced!
(3)Mark C.
First, we were admonished by the waitress for seating ourselves. Ummm...the manager told us to. Crab cakes for an appetizer - good flavor, but mushy, creamy. No texture at all. Wine servings are the smallest I've ever seen - I think a shot glass would hold more wine. Given the price, the lack of a decent pour, and just meh food, I doubt we would return.
(2)Roger S.
Had a wonderfully seasoned steak cooked to perfection. Daughter had Ahi Tuna also very good. Rayza our server did an excellent job.
(4)J F.
Great location at the marina with views of the St. John's River. Servers are usually quick to help but the kitchen area takes their time. More time to enjoy the scenery I guess. Food is mostly average but sometimes better. Decent beer selection but stick with basic domestic brands to avoid sticker shock with other choices. Overall worth a stop especially when the weather is nice.
(4)B-movie G.
It's location is pretty far out of the way, but the food was really good and the view was really nice. They play pretty much just classic rock while you're eating. Believe it or not, this sparked a small, playfull argument between the wife and I who never realized that I really like Bruce Springsteen. I only give them 3 stars because the service was ridiculously slow and my wife had pretty bad indigestion the next day. I on the other hand was fine.
(3)Traveler F.
Are you coming down to Central Florida for a visit? Take one day out of your Theme Park huddled vacation and go see the real Florida. Do you live here but never ventured beyond the national chains or high end independent destination restaurants? Take a drive to DeBary. We are very fortunate to live so close to nature and yet we seldom take advantage to live that experience. However you are getting there, whether driving which will take you to the dead end of W. Highbanks Rd. or by boat which puts you on the marina, this is certainly a connection with nature. Regular car parking is in an unpaved lot. Get ready to track around in sand. The restaurant itself sits in the Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort. The Marina is also the starting point for the St. Johns River Eco Tours. If you want to take the tour, which is in a flat bottom pontoon boat, call ahead and make sure they are operational. During times of high winds they will not go out on the river. The camp resort houses RV. The marina acts as a parking lot for boats. The building that houses the restaurant also houses a convenient store. There is a huge open dining room upstairs, a bar at one end, and a Tiki Bar on the ground floor along the marina. Food is served from the same menu either upstairs or downstairs. The upstairs has a private room that can be reserved for small gatherings of about 25 people. Being a Swamp House it goes without saying what adorns the walls. Alligators. There is a huge preserved Gator that kind of separates the bar area from the dining room. His headstone is proudly displayed. Being literally on the St. Johns River, this menu showcases catfish, alligator, shrimp, and other fish varieties. Most fish can be grilled, blackened, or fried. There are Louisiana style dishes such as gumbo, crab cakes, and jambalaya. The menu has a little bit for everyone. Not feeling too adventurous, don't know why you shouldn't, there are safe bet items. Fried Gator Tail - 1/4 pound hand prepared citrus marinated nuggets, corn meal battered. The batter is lightly seasoned with a delicate underlying bite. A crisp crunch to the bite just crumbles to reveal succulent tender alligator meat. This is by far one of the best tasting battered alligator tail I've tasted. 1/4 pound is not enough! Grilled Grouper Sandwich - A generous portion of lightly seasoned grouper, tomato, onion, lettuce, on a bun. The fish was cooked to tender flaky perfection, seasoning was just enough to let the fish shine. Sweet potato fries lightly seasoned and fried to crispy goodness, served with Mud Sauce. Mud Sauce is whipped cream, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Mud never tasted any better. Big Catfish B.L.T. - Fried Catfish with Applewood Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato served with Sweet Potato Fries and that now famous Mud Sauce. The bacon was a little too crisp and hard for my liking. But the catfish stood out like a swamp star. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. I would like another piece of fish please. This is not the kind of place to go and have a nice quiet meal. This is where you walk in and let loose. The live music attracts and allows for loud conversations. The staff encourages lively interactions and are not afraid to pass a few witty remarks at just about anything. The cold libations flow freely. From the upstairs I am sure there are enough taunting on the lower Tiki bar deck to encourage more swampy raucousness. The food is great, the atmosphere is lively, and the St. Johns River flows right along at it's leisure. Next trip I am getting in one of those boats and float around the river. This is what Florida living is all about. Go out and live it!
(4)LaMonte M.
We were camping here this week in the area and thought we would check it out. Reviews were ok. The wife ordered the special of Mahi-Mahi extra blackened for $19.99! I had the blackened Grouper for $18.99. Sides we had were corn fritters, red beans & rice and a baked potato. Appetizer was mushrooms(2) stuffed with cream cheese & spinach. The appetizer came out quickly and was good! When our meal came from the kitchen by Annie we both were surprised my baked potato was barely warm, my blackened grouper was too spicy and barely warm. The wife's Mahi was not hot, the red beans and rice not warm. Disappointed to say the least. We asked to speak to the manager and he asked what he could do for us. We asked if he cooked and would redo our meal. He said he was way too busy to do that, so he took the food back for a recook. Our meal arrived about 15 minutes later, much better as far as hot this time and fish was less blackened and better. Appetizer and fritters were good and meal finally good ! We feel it is overpriced By a few bucks, as no rolls or bread comes with the meal and i was not spectacular. Not sure if we would revisit or not! The manager never came back to see if we were satisfied and we thought that was inappropriate as a manager! The waitress felt bad and we explained that it was nothing to do with her service at all and tipped properly for that.
(1)Adler D.
Benign coming to the Swamp House Grill since I was a kid when it was only five tables in a side room next to the marina; it has grown tremendously in the last ten years! It is pricey, but the portions are huge so I think it's worth it. Overlooking the St.Johns River you a great feel for Florida while you are having a great meal. I recommend the fish and chips w/ sweet potato fries, the sweet dip for the fries is to die for! If you aren't in the mood for a meal, head down there for a nice beer at the end of the day. I recommend for families and people looking for that 'genuine Florida feel' on their vacation.
(5)Lynn B.
Um, I have been here 2 times recently and How do I say it? It never got better from the first time.. Its like the bottom of the food chain fare- trust me- its just gross. The prices for the nasty food- what are they drinkin' on dat rivah? lol Seriously, gator tails are NOT supposed to fight you back when you bite into the. PS Am I the only one who remembers Gator Land over by sea world... well folks- its nastier then that! he he Please forgive my typos. Thanks.
(1)James P.
This is my first review, I normally do not take the time to create a ID and password. I have this time because of the horrible experience I had at Swamp House Grill at lunch yesterday. I arrived in a party of 4 with hopes of decent seafood. The restaurant was no busy and we were seated promptly. We ordered Blackened Grouper over mixed green, Fish and Chips, Crab Cakes, Onions Rings, and Tuna Salad with mixed greens. After an hour wait the food arrived. The Grouper was not blackened, the Tuna was served with iceberg lettuce, the Fish and Chips had to much batter and the Onion Rings were cold. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is the view, I would rather have had edible food in a timely matter.
(1)Danielle L.
Waited over 30 minutes for our food when there was only one other table in the restaurant. Our waitress never told us why we waited or that our food would be on the way, it's like she was ignoring us. Had to flag her down for a drink refill. We almost left, but didn't have time to go anywhere else (lunch break). Our server was rude the whole time. It seemed to inconvenience her that we needed extra napkins...oh and the change for one of the checks. At the end we had to flag down the other waitress to get a pen to sign the credit card slip. The food was ok but the service was awful. I get that sometimes you're having a bad day, but the waitress should never throw the receipt books on the table at you. I will never go back.
(1)Jason D.
Went on Friday night and were turned away due to the restaurant booking 4 large parties and turning away walk in customers. Will never go back, don't waste your time on this place.
(1)Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)Jessica R.
I have been to the Swamp House, mmmmmm 3 times? Yea, three times and always love the atmosphere. Was actually a birthday choice for me and I live in Orlando. food: they have a pretty good variety to choose from. If you are on a diet, the selections will be slim pickin's. However, their cesar salad with grilled shrimp is pretty good. Corn nuggets, were a bust. More like cornbread with a hush puppy consistency. If that is what you dig though, they were still tasty. Stuffed mushrooms are so good though! Prices: they seem standard. However, my friend and I believe they actually went up from the last time we were there. No real drink specials, ever. $4.50ish 16oz draft beers(not 100% sure the exact ounce size, but they are bigger than your normal pint glass). They have a lot of "big bucket" drinks. More bang for your buck I suppose. I am not a mixed drink fan....beer or shots so that is a bummer. Speaking of shots: They have a "Swamp House Specialty Shot" its a BBQ Bacon shot....AHHHH SO GOOD! I had you at bacon didn't I? Yea, that's what I thought. It is a mixture of A1 Steak Sauce, blood mary mix, soco and a PIECE of effing bacon in it! IT IS A MUST IF YOU GO! Atmosphere: I think the atmosphere is what makes this place such a great time. You have a beautiful view of the St. Johns. People out on the river can dock their boats and come up for food and beverages. They have an upstairs porch like seating, and picnic tables on the bottom closer to the docks. If I am not mistaken I believe they have live music on the weekends down there as well. We always stay up top. Service: Wont spend much time on this....service is very sub-par. Nothing excellent, but the girls are really nice. We have had the same server the last few times we were there and she makes a lot of mistakes, but always makes up for them. Also we sit close to the bar and think they usually only ever have one girl in that entire section so we cut them some slack. We have seen the owner walking around and talking to the guests on several occasions, which I think says a lot about the place. They remember us when we come in. Over all this place is A-OK in my book. Will absolutely go back. I like to look at it as a nice place to go with friends for a nice relaxing afternoon over some beers and a few BBQ shots. If the weather is nice, you just can't go wrong.
(4)Andrea M.
The atmosphere is amazing, by the river very casual and great views, service was good. Had the fried pickles they were very good. But the rest of the food was terrible, just awful. Cold food, very thrown together like they are in a big hurry. We are locals and we WANT to love this place and make it somewhere we go regularly but the food is overpriced and really not worth the price at all. Sorry....I would love to be happy here, but we won't be back.
(2)Ernie C.
Way overpriced. Empty on weeknight. Service friendly. Food just average at best.
(2)Sarah E.
I visited the SwampHouse Grill this past weekend on my sister and brother in law's recommendation. We also brought along a friend and my other sister, which made for a party of five. We were on the upper deck with a stunning view of the river (you know, I live in FL and I can count on one finger the number of times I have seen the water this year. Once, this visit. Man, we Floridians really take this stuff for granted, don't we?) This is a rather open, airy atmosphere - it's not completely "outside", it's roofed and all...but I bet in high summer time it might make for a uncomfortable, muggy, mosquito-y meal. We were there in early April though, so it was relatively cool, and there was a nice breeze off the river. We were seated rather quickly and the waitress brought our drink orders promptly. One section of the table ordered fried pickles as an appetizer, the other side, the fried gator. The pickle chips were a bit soggy, I thought - perhaps if they were sliced a bit thinner, it would make for a crispier snack. The gator bites, however, were enormously tasty. A bit tangy (I think that is citrus marinade?), a nicely seasoned cornmeal crust and a creamy/spicy/zesty dipping sauce. Next time, I think we need to order these things for the whole table! For my entree, I ordered the blackened mahi tacos and they were absolutely wonderful. The fish was tender and had a nice kick to it, and was wrapped in a soft flour tortilla overflowing with a sort of sweet/spicy salsa (the menu says "cilantro lime" but that doesn't sound right..there was definitely lots of tomato and something sweet, like pineapple or mango). It also came with "sweet chili mayo", though, so perhaps the combination of all of those things together is what confused my taste buds a bit. Anyway - I am quibbling here, because the overall flavor of the dish was perfect and I do not think I would change a thing anyway. The plate came with two nicely sized tacos and I chose the sweet potato fries as a side. The fries were crisp and nicely flavored, but I am afraid I got a bit of a shock when I went to dip them in the sauce that they were served with. I was expecting something slightly spicy, sort of like whatever was served alongside of the pickles and gator bites, but no sir - that was not it at all. instead it was a tooth-achingly sweet concoction called "mud sauce" - a dreadful combination of butter, whipped cream, sugar, and cinnamon. I realize I am in the minority - I just do not like sweet things. For other people, this is probably some sort of heavenly mouthful, but I almost threw the little tub of it out into the river for the gators to feast upon! (If I had read the menu, perhaps I would not have gotten a nasty shock. Forewarned is forearmed, people!) Other folks at the table ordered: lobster pot pie (lots of succulent lobster, a buttery crust, but if you ask me I could have done without all the peas and carrots); a catfish BLT (I did not try, but it was quickly devoured); and the Blackened Riverfront Trio ("this is delicious, but there's not enough of it"!). There was a band playing downstairs - or maybe just a guy with a guitar and a drum machine - who played an odd combination of greatest hits from the 90's. It was a a bit surreal sitting there eating my tacos and hearing some man with a wee tinny voice crooning "tell me all your thoughts on God....'cause I'd really like to meet her", while I watched the sunset over the river in 2013.
(4)Chuck G.
I've eaten at Swamp House twice now and it's a pretty good place to go for casual food and drinks with a nice view of the water. When I give people directions to the restaurant I just tell them to get on Highbanks road and make a right when you get to the river. It's right on the water which is really nice. Inside is typically kitschy with alligators and other paraphernalia on the walls. On a weekday evening, it's pretty dead so no problem getting a table with a good view. The service is pretty much what you'd expect from any Applebee's or Red Lobster. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly not bad. The server at my last visit was very good, both friendly and attentive. I saw a comment in another review here about the tiny pours of wine, and that is definitely true. I had beer but my father had 3 miniscule glasses of chardonnay. The food took a little while to arrive, but it didn't seem like an atrocious wait. Between the four of us, we had shrimp, grouper, ahi tuna, and fish/chips and all of it was very good. My shrimp were swimming in Old Bay seasoning which I hate, but that's not anyone's fault really. Overall, the experience has always been decent here. Unfortunately, Swamp House is about all there is for good casual dining in the area. If you don't mind a little drive, JB's Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach is very similar but with better food. However, if you're stuck in Debary, Swamp House is one of the best alternatives for eating out.
(3)Tommy B.
One of the best charred grilled burgers I have had in a long time... Tasted as if I had made it myself , very impressed also if you check in on facebook you get a free shooter shot lol can't beat that give this place a shot you won't regret it . Great atmosphere and a awesome view of the lake not entirely sure why this establishment only has less then 3 stars I mean honestly it's a fish camp it's going to be super busy the food is well worth the wait have a drink relax and enjoy the great view.
(5)Matt F.
I have been to this establishment a few times over the years, but I have to say that it rapidly became the worst restaurant I've been to in a very long while. The downward trend started months ago, but after today's experience, I can safely say I don't ever want to go back. Saturday, 1:30. Practically empty. I sat down with my family and we were promptly given drinks, so good start. We ordered our food the next time the server came around, then proceeded to wait an hour for our food. In the meantime, refilling drinks would take minutes because the server would start just chatting with another, not about the tables, but about whatever they thought was funny. I watched as at least 10 employees wandered around for things to do, while the food continued to "cook". You have that many employees and it takes an hour or more to get food? Embarrassing. The food itself? Lukewarm. As though it had been sitting on the shelf for a while before being taken out. Maybe it was ready sooner, which speaks to the poor service rather than the cooks. Either way, the situation was inexcusable. We were told we were next in line countless times, but not with any empathy. Beer is cheap if you get the cheap stuff, but if you want craft you're going to pay an arm and a leg. Steer clear of this out of the way eatery. It's expensive, slow, and completely unsatisfying.
(1)Anibal O.
This place has gone down hill fast... Went a few years ago and it was alright not great but this last visit sucked more then a shark vacuum. We sit, party of 5, get our orders off quickly and the menu looks appetizing.. 1 hour later we get our appitzers after we told the waitress that they are taking for ever... The friend green tomatoes and gated bites where great... Crab cakes where rich but good. Then the meals come... Over beaded fish that was uneatable, steak was ok not great. Chicken wings over fried, salad was not tasty at all, hamburger was over cooked and the fries tasted funny seemed they needed to change the oil.. My problem was the over price for the amount you get, the lack of service every time you had to flag someone down, it doesn't take an hour to do our meal when ur half full and we were there before most people... When we left there were some hungry eyes looking around in other tables waiting as long as we did... To screw up on fried fish and a burger and salad which is so easy to do was the final straw.
(2)John K.
This place is awesome! We come and sit out on the patio bar and listen to the music on the weekends. Tje burgers are cooked on the outside grill and the beers are cold. Nice selection of beer as well..
(5)Marie C.
Great place for lunch. We split fried green tomatoes for an app. Had a tasty chipotle sauce to go with it. All of our meals were great. We all had something different everything from a burger to salmon. We were certainly the clean plate club. A delight for us was our waitress, Stephi. Helpful as well as personable.
(4)David O.
Ignore the negative reviews. This place was great. The staff were so attentive and the food was spectacular.
(5)scott w.
First time visitors... The wife and I loved it.. Eat Gator anything, it's all good!! Monica walked us thru the menu and it was great!
(5)Jim H.
I have been going to this restaurant for about 10 years If you want s good burger it's great And the atmospheres the best BUT The service Sucks Takes forever for you to get someone to your table to take your order And to get your food
(2)Karsyn L.
Okay, so first off the scenery was beautiful and the establishment was very clean and had a down home feel to it. Our server was absolutely phenomenal and catered to my every need. She answered every question with ease and honesty. I mentioned that I didn't like fried pickles if they were chips because the batter is normally too light. When I ordered them, she brought them out and had special requested that they were put in extra batter because I had mentioned I liked thick batter. She never let our drinks run dry, always kept them refilled and brought our food out promptly and with a smile. Now onto the food. I have never seen such a humongous Mahi Mahi sandwich in my life. It was perfectly cooked and extremely fresh. The corn fritters were perfect and the sweet potato was out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the Alfredo pasta which came with the best garlic bread either of us have ever tasted. All in all, this restaurant was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I will continue to drive from my hometown 3 hours away to eat here again.
(5)Dave O.
I've been here a few times over the past three of four years and I've always been middle of the road when thinking of this place. I've never had a really bad experience with the food or the service but nothing memorable either, looking at the reviews people either love it or hate it. Most of my experiences here was for business dinners with people from out of town several dinners with as few as four of us and several more with a group of more than 10 which they were always able to accommodate. The servers have always provide decent service and my recent visit I must say the service was outstanding. They offer a number of beer choice as well as wines and liquor, I've tried the fried alligator, St. John's catfish and spinach and artichoke dip appetizers all were served fast and were pretty good. I've also eaten the blackened grouper, the scallops and my last dinner was the ahi tuna served with a baked potato and coleslaw. The tuna was tossed in sesame seed and seared rare the tuna was served as a whole filet but was tender and I cut it with a butter knife it was very good not the best I've ever eaten but did have a great texture, color and flavor. Our table ordered a variety of entrees including the trio, the crab and shrimp pasta, fried catfish and scallops I didn't hear anyone complaint. The location does have a fish camp feel so if you don't understand the setting you may be a little put off by the laid back attitude and the old Florida charm I'm sure I will return it seems I always do. I think 3 stars is a fair rating and should not be taken as a negative.
(3)Philip R.
What a wonderful lunch we had I suggest the corn fritters and grouper which was wonderful our waitress was very friendly and made our experience that much better I would recommend this place to anyone
(5)David W.
Please ignore previous 1 & 2 star mishaps, I'm a tables in wonderland member & happy to pay $60/plate for the experience ... The food here is very good, black & bleu chips are as good as the ones I've had at the windermere country club ... Trash was a very pleasant server .... Atmosphere is swamp front & chill, plenty of Spanish moss if you like that, can definitely recommend this experience for less than $30 per person , good people hang here, if you leave hungry it's your own fault, no back to sippin on my rum bucket ... Cheers , the 5th star is for 'authentic florida'
(5)Paul M.
I went here with a group of 5 during Biketoberfest. Its a pretty nice ride from Daytona if you take the backroads. Anyway, we shared the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Fried Pickles, Coconut Shrimp and Chicken Wings (hot & bourbon), all of which were delicious and what you would expect. The stand out was the Gator Tail Sweet and Spicy style. If you like the Chinese reataurant classic, General Tso's Chicken, you will love this gator tail! Tender chunks of tail with a great sauce! I had the Classic Gumbo which was some of the best I've ever had! The others had BBQ pork, Catfish BLT, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Burgers. Everyone thoroughly enjioyed their meals, not one complaint. And we all said we would return here next year. Great view of the river, and you can dock right at the resaurant if you come by boat! Fun and funky casual atmosphere. The wait staff was young but efficient and friendly.
(4)Lynn B.
Um, I have been here 2 times recently and How do I say it? It never got better from the first time.. Its like the bottom of the food chain fare- trust me- its just gross. The prices for the nasty food- what are they drinkin' on dat rivah? lol Seriously, gator tails are NOT supposed to fight you back when you bite into the. PS Am I the only one who remembers Gator Land over by sea world... well folks- its nastier then that! he he Please forgive my typos. Thanks.
(1)B-movie G.
It's location is pretty far out of the way, but the food was really good and the view was really nice. They play pretty much just classic rock while you're eating. Believe it or not, this sparked a small, playfull argument between the wife and I who never realized that I really like Bruce Springsteen. I only give them 3 stars because the service was ridiculously slow and my wife had pretty bad indigestion the next day. I on the other hand was fine.
(3)James P.
This is my first review, I normally do not take the time to create a ID and password. I have this time because of the horrible experience I had at Swamp House Grill at lunch yesterday. I arrived in a party of 4 with hopes of decent seafood. The restaurant was no busy and we were seated promptly. We ordered Blackened Grouper over mixed green, Fish and Chips, Crab Cakes, Onions Rings, and Tuna Salad with mixed greens. After an hour wait the food arrived. The Grouper was not blackened, the Tuna was served with iceberg lettuce, the Fish and Chips had to much batter and the Onion Rings were cold. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is the view, I would rather have had edible food in a timely matter.
(1)Danielle L.
Waited over 30 minutes for our food when there was only one other table in the restaurant. Our waitress never told us why we waited or that our food would be on the way, it's like she was ignoring us. Had to flag her down for a drink refill. We almost left, but didn't have time to go anywhere else (lunch break). Our server was rude the whole time. It seemed to inconvenience her that we needed extra napkins...oh and the change for one of the checks. At the end we had to flag down the other waitress to get a pen to sign the credit card slip. The food was ok but the service was awful. I get that sometimes you're having a bad day, but the waitress should never throw the receipt books on the table at you. I will never go back.
(1)Jason D.
Went on Friday night and were turned away due to the restaurant booking 4 large parties and turning away walk in customers. Will never go back, don't waste your time on this place.
(1)Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)Jessica R.
I have been to the Swamp House, mmmmmm 3 times? Yea, three times and always love the atmosphere. Was actually a birthday choice for me and I live in Orlando. food: they have a pretty good variety to choose from. If you are on a diet, the selections will be slim pickin's. However, their cesar salad with grilled shrimp is pretty good. Corn nuggets, were a bust. More like cornbread with a hush puppy consistency. If that is what you dig though, they were still tasty. Stuffed mushrooms are so good though! Prices: they seem standard. However, my friend and I believe they actually went up from the last time we were there. No real drink specials, ever. $4.50ish 16oz draft beers(not 100% sure the exact ounce size, but they are bigger than your normal pint glass). They have a lot of "big bucket" drinks. More bang for your buck I suppose. I am not a mixed drink fan....beer or shots so that is a bummer. Speaking of shots: They have a "Swamp House Specialty Shot" its a BBQ Bacon shot....AHHHH SO GOOD! I had you at bacon didn't I? Yea, that's what I thought. It is a mixture of A1 Steak Sauce, blood mary mix, soco and a PIECE of effing bacon in it! IT IS A MUST IF YOU GO! Atmosphere: I think the atmosphere is what makes this place such a great time. You have a beautiful view of the St. Johns. People out on the river can dock their boats and come up for food and beverages. They have an upstairs porch like seating, and picnic tables on the bottom closer to the docks. If I am not mistaken I believe they have live music on the weekends down there as well. We always stay up top. Service: Wont spend much time on this....service is very sub-par. Nothing excellent, but the girls are really nice. We have had the same server the last few times we were there and she makes a lot of mistakes, but always makes up for them. Also we sit close to the bar and think they usually only ever have one girl in that entire section so we cut them some slack. We have seen the owner walking around and talking to the guests on several occasions, which I think says a lot about the place. They remember us when we come in. Over all this place is A-OK in my book. Will absolutely go back. I like to look at it as a nice place to go with friends for a nice relaxing afternoon over some beers and a few BBQ shots. If the weather is nice, you just can't go wrong.
(4)Andrea M.
The atmosphere is amazing, by the river very casual and great views, service was good. Had the fried pickles they were very good. But the rest of the food was terrible, just awful. Cold food, very thrown together like they are in a big hurry. We are locals and we WANT to love this place and make it somewhere we go regularly but the food is overpriced and really not worth the price at all. Sorry....I would love to be happy here, but we won't be back.
(2)Ernie C.
Way overpriced. Empty on weeknight. Service friendly. Food just average at best.
(2)Stefanie C.
Still one of my favorite places to waste away an afternoon during the spring and summer. I am always disappointed when they reduce hours after Labor Day. I just dropped by the Tiki Bar downstairs on Sunday afternoon this past weekend. They were packed as usual and there was a guy playing Buffett tunes on the deck. We always look forward to spending a few hours in the shade with our dog and watching the boats go by on thh river while enjoying a few beers (sometimes a "joos") and their awesome cheeseburgers. It's also a good place to dock your boat for lunch. No it's not fancy and it can get a bit loud but it's a country backwoods bar and we love it. (I have never eaten upstairs but my friends say it's really good but it can get a bit expensive.)
(4)George K.
It is a shame the service is so bad...the food is great. Better employees could make this place really good.
(2)Jan T.
I've tried this restaurant 3 times and have regretted every one. The service is consistently slow and inept. It can take 2 hours for them to take your order, serve food, and bring your bill. One time the food came out for everyone except one person. Their SALAD took another 20 minutes to make. I've even visited during slow nights (a rainy Monday) and waited over 20 minutes to get a draft beer from the bar located 15 feet away. The waiters like to disappear when you are ready to order or get your check. Finally, the food is mediocre at best. Will NEVER go there again.
(1)Kevin S.
This was possibly the worst seafood I have ever had. Not only a bad meal, but an expensive bad meal. I had the seafood trio platter, which was mahi mahi (grilled and overcooked), fried shrimp (which must have been the same batter as chicken), and sea scallops which were horrible and like rubber. Gross, never go again!
(1)Vinny F.
My favorite thing about this place is that I can just float up with my boat, dock, and eat a nice lunch with an amazing view of the river. The food is good but not the best. Service has always been good. I usually just order a burger and fries. But I really do like it here. I always come back.
(3)Kate F.
I don't know what to say about this establishment. I'm visiting from out of town with my son and my boyfriend and I thought we should stop here after visiting Blue Springs. Bad decision. When we walked into the place, I really loved the atmosphere and location on the water. That's about all I can say that I enjoyed about our experience here. Had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated when there were only 3 tables seated in the dining room. It was 2pm on a Tuesday. Once we got our table, we waited another 10 minutes until our server showed up to ask us for drinks. We placed our drink order and waited and waited for them to arrive at the table. We could never find the server when we wanted him, and about another 20 minutes after we ordered our first round, the server showed up to ask for our order. To make a long story short, I don't know what was worse, the service, or the food. Having been a server, bartender and cocktailer for 10 years total, I would like to give the server the benefit of the doubt. I can say that the food was DREADFUL. My son ordered the grilled cheese and sweet potato fries off of the child's menu. The bread was soggy, the apparent Kraft Singles started to harden the longer it sat there. The sweet potato fries were luke warm and mushy. I ordered the Ahi Tuna Salad. It looked lovely, but was mediocre at best. I was so hungry by this point that I ate about half of the salad (which looked like it came from a bag from Publix and was a day away from expiring) and all of the seared ahi, about 6-8 thin slices. I got sick from it. I mean really sick within 10 minutes of consuming this garbage. It was a $13 salad! My boyfriend ordered the Black and Bleu Burger, which on first bite, he thought was quite pleasant. After a few bites he could barely stomach it. It was smothered beyond below with bleu cheese. More than a normal Black and Bleu burger. 4 hours later sitting at home, he got sick as well! This place has such potential. Lovely location, charming atmosphere, but the food and service is awful. The prices are also crazy for the rubbish they serve. And not to mention, $7.25 for a Draft domestic beer, which was warm. We don't mind spending money to go out to eat, we enjoy dining out. But we don't like paying outrageous prices for nasty food, warm beer, and bad service. I would give no stars if I could. I guess the one star is for the location and nice decor.
(1)Terry C.
Great food and wonderful service. We got to sit outside and watch a small gator as we waited. A definite must for this area.
(4)Kim W.
We have been here a few times and recently went back, after a long hiatus. The best thing about this place is the location. It is on the water, at the end of Highbanks road. On your way there, for the first time you will say out loud, "We are going the wrong way." Don't worry. Keep driving. The food here is a step-above your typical bar food. They offer decent dinner selections, and some pretty good appetizers. Definitely try the spinach, artichoke and crab dip. Also, I am not a huge catfish fan, but the Catfish brushetta was worth a try. There is usually live music, which makes it fun. They also offer a Sunday brunch.
(3)Christine K.
We ended up here as our family parked their RV in the same park as this restaurant ... I had my hesitations ... but SERVICE: AWESOME! FOOD: AWESOME! Esp, their fried catfish .... ATMOSPHERE: INTERESTING, unique and casual... Definitely a place to try ....
(4)Sarah E.
I visited the SwampHouse Grill this past weekend on my sister and brother in law's recommendation. We also brought along a friend and my other sister, which made for a party of five. We were on the upper deck with a stunning view of the river (you know, I live in FL and I can count on one finger the number of times I have seen the water this year. Once, this visit. Man, we Floridians really take this stuff for granted, don't we?) This is a rather open, airy atmosphere - it's not completely "outside", it's roofed and all...but I bet in high summer time it might make for a uncomfortable, muggy, mosquito-y meal. We were there in early April though, so it was relatively cool, and there was a nice breeze off the river. We were seated rather quickly and the waitress brought our drink orders promptly. One section of the table ordered fried pickles as an appetizer, the other side, the fried gator. The pickle chips were a bit soggy, I thought - perhaps if they were sliced a bit thinner, it would make for a crispier snack. The gator bites, however, were enormously tasty. A bit tangy (I think that is citrus marinade?), a nicely seasoned cornmeal crust and a creamy/spicy/zesty dipping sauce. Next time, I think we need to order these things for the whole table! For my entree, I ordered the blackened mahi tacos and they were absolutely wonderful. The fish was tender and had a nice kick to it, and was wrapped in a soft flour tortilla overflowing with a sort of sweet/spicy salsa (the menu says "cilantro lime" but that doesn't sound right..there was definitely lots of tomato and something sweet, like pineapple or mango). It also came with "sweet chili mayo", though, so perhaps the combination of all of those things together is what confused my taste buds a bit. Anyway - I am quibbling here, because the overall flavor of the dish was perfect and I do not think I would change a thing anyway. The plate came with two nicely sized tacos and I chose the sweet potato fries as a side. The fries were crisp and nicely flavored, but I am afraid I got a bit of a shock when I went to dip them in the sauce that they were served with. I was expecting something slightly spicy, sort of like whatever was served alongside of the pickles and gator bites, but no sir - that was not it at all. instead it was a tooth-achingly sweet concoction called "mud sauce" - a dreadful combination of butter, whipped cream, sugar, and cinnamon. I realize I am in the minority - I just do not like sweet things. For other people, this is probably some sort of heavenly mouthful, but I almost threw the little tub of it out into the river for the gators to feast upon! (If I had read the menu, perhaps I would not have gotten a nasty shock. Forewarned is forearmed, people!) Other folks at the table ordered: lobster pot pie (lots of succulent lobster, a buttery crust, but if you ask me I could have done without all the peas and carrots); a catfish BLT (I did not try, but it was quickly devoured); and the Blackened Riverfront Trio ("this is delicious, but there's not enough of it"!). There was a band playing downstairs - or maybe just a guy with a guitar and a drum machine - who played an odd combination of greatest hits from the 90's. It was a a bit surreal sitting there eating my tacos and hearing some man with a wee tinny voice crooning "tell me all your thoughts on God....'cause I'd really like to meet her", while I watched the sunset over the river in 2013.
(4)Rick P.
Went for a Sunday lunch...WOW, what a mistake. First of all, the service was slow. But the food was Awful!! And Expensive!! We started with potato skins, which weren't bad once we picked the piece of plastic wrapping out of one of the skins. I had the grilled shrimp with red beans and rice, and sautéed green beans. The shrimp were obviously pre-frozen and rubbery. The rice was under cooked and hard with watery red beans which tasted like they came out of a can. The Green beans were so salty we could not eat them. My wife had grilled catfish which were over seasoned and tasted per-frozen. Also, the corn fritters were doughy and tasteless. All that was bad enough, then we got the bill. 6.75 for a draft beer!! Albeit a microbrew, but come on!! $95.00 for 4 people was the final tab with a small tip. I gave them one star for location, but will not return or recommend.
(1)Beth E.
We had out of town guests in and wanted to take them so someplace that had a great Florida view. This place has a wonderful view, it's just too bad the food and service are just OK. It took an hour to get all the meals out to the table, and there were many empty tables as it was a Monday evening. Food was not horrible but would not pick over other places nearby.
(2)Diane M.
Bella, Great job you are doing each and every Wednesday night! So glad you are back!
(4)E N.
I went to see the manatees nearby and to escape the human-atee horde at Disney World. Manatees are lovely, watching them eat and breathe is a joy. This place is not. My uncle had inquired with a local, who suggested this dump. I think his "tip" was a practical joke. The beer was flat. The gator-tots were burned. Our food, simple lunch fare, took 45 min to arrive, and the swamp house was nearly empty. My meal was drenched in 1000 island dressing. More dressing than mahi. I didn't say "mahi-mahi" b/c there was only enough fish, barely a sliver of fish, to justify "mahi." My 20 dollar lunch left me with a queasy stomach, and I'm sitting in a bathroom suffering as I type this review. I'm out nearly 100 bucks, and I'll probably miss the evening plans as a result of selecting this enclosed patio next to a trailer park that claims to be a grill. Thanks for the favor Swamp House! I needed some alone time, but I could have done without the sick stomach. Kind reader, do yourself a favor. There's a Wendy's in one direction and a Joe's Crab Shack in the other. Those joints won't be memorable, but you'll save time, nearly 100 bucks, and avoid a pain in your gut. (View is not bad. Fish tanks are entertaining. But I can't deal with a restaurant that burns 45 min on fish tacos and makes me sick!)
(1)Hao L.
We stopped by this place after scuba diving in Blue Springs nearby. We were famished and were ready to chow down. They had vodka drinks on special, so we each had a madras as we enjoyed the riverside view from the open air layout of the restaurant. I had a seafood trio with blackened mahi mahi, scallops, and shrimp, and my wife had the fish and chips. The food was definitely adequate, but nothing memorable or unique. The service was spotty, and the waitress initially forgot to ask what soup we wanted (which came with the meal), and she then messed up my side dish. In conclusion, I wouldn't object going back to that place if I'm in the area, but I would consider other options. It does have a nice view, though.
(3)OrlandoGirl F.
We heard about this place by accident and were happy we made the drive. The outside tiki bar overlooks the water and had a guy playing and singing. The outside bar closes at 6. the bartender told us it was because of the bugs after dark. We decided to go upstairs and sat at the bar. There was music upstairs also.There were a lot of locals. Both the patrons and staff were all very friendly and we had a great time. Food: We decided to start with the crab cake appetizer. It was like crab dip (crab and cream cheese etc) shaped into a patty and fried. Dont expect a lot of crab meat. My BF ordered some wings. He said they werent good He sent them back & they took them off the bill. One of the locals said you have to ask for them extra crispy and that's the only way they are any good. The burger is HUGE, but its $10. It would be easy for 2 people to split. Kinda pricey for a burger, especially considering you're at a fish camp in Debary Bottom line, good music, great views and atmosphere. Average, somewhat overpriced food.
(4)Susan B.
We had been here a while back for dinner & it was pretty good. But, we had sat inside & it was for Mother's Day w/ a nice menu. We were looking forward to going back for a birthday & thought it would be fun to sit out on the deck by the water. First, I wish we had known that the menu outside is different from the one inside. Definitely more limited. We ordered the potato skins w/ pork-requesting the BBQ sauce on the side. They arrived covered in the sauce. But, we ate them anyway, they weren't bad, a little over cooked. The salads came, tossed would be an understatement, thrown on the plate was more like it and with the wrong dressings, no biggie, they just brought new ones. But, the clincher was the dinners, if you could call them that! We ordered the steak medallions over mashed potatoes, w/ a mushroom/onion gravy, one of us requested a baked potato substitute. The steak medallions, were a joke! They had asked how we wanted them cooked, but they came out pounded so flat, overcooked was the only option! They had what seemed like some sort of breading, we couldn't even tell what we were eating, very bland! The baked potato looked old & was undercooked. The prime rib was so overcooked it looked & tasted like shoe leather. Still doubting it was prime rib! We sent our dinners back & skipped ordering anything else. The manager came over to address the problem, she said everything had looked ok to her, but to her credit she did take them off our bill. The service is slow, hard to find your server if you need anything, but I'm guessing it may be better if we had sat inside. Outside may be ok if you just want to pull up on your boat for some casual munchies & a beer... I'm just glad we had brought a birthday cake, I was starving! We actually came home and had a bowl of cereal! IF we go back, we will definitely try the menu inside next time!
(2)dave b.
The beer and appetizers are good although smaller portions compared to similar places with similar prices. For example a 10$ "gator tail" gets you 15 little chunks if gator. I would need 4 of those to get 2 people appetized. My experience with the "gator soup" wasn't a good one. It tasted like tomato sauce with uncooked rice. The atmosphere and workers are nice. I'd stick with main meals and drinks if I go back.
(2)C R.
We'd heard about this place for a while and seen ads, but never made the trek over there. It's a pretty little drive down Highbanks Road that dead ends into the St. John's River. The restaurant is not as rustic as I thought it would be. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice open air view from upstairs. There is a big nice bar and lots of Vs. The food was good too. The raw and steamed oysters were big and tasty. The steamed shrimp ($5 for a mug of shrimp) were huge. We also had gator tail, catfish sandwich, and cuban sandwich. They had some lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. It looks like they have some higher end items for dinner. While eating upstairs, we noticed tables downstairs. When we asked, we were told there was a limited menu down there. We glanced at a copy and it had about 8-10 items on it. They have a bar down there called their tiki bar and picnic tables to eat on. This is a great place to stop if you are out on a boat on the St. John's or a nice drive from Seminole County.
(4)Sharon B.
I will never go back! We went several times the quality of the food wavered, however we continued to give it a chance. The we went down one night with a large group of friends an it took over an hour to get are food, the baked potatoes were raw and cold, the seafood was cold. Everyone in the place were sending their food back. The manager came over and was extremely rude with out our group, basically said they did nothing wrong. we told her we did not want the food it was uneatable, we still paid! SBenton
(1)chrissy a.
I absolutely love the food at this restaurant. Every meal I have had has been absolutely delicious.
(5)Valerie L.
The Swamp House Grill should provide more then 10 free slips to their by water patrons. With their menu prices added to the $10 to park a boat it's a huge deterrent.
(1)Bob R.
Great place! The atmosphere is pure authentic Florida. It is right on the river surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. You can sit there all day and watch the boats go by. It is very laid-back and friendly. The menu has been upgraded from years ago and it has made it an even better place to go!
(4)Katharine T.
Terrible. We waited 2 hrs and never got our food. The restaurants turned over twice while we were there. Servers were beyond rude and even avoided eye contact because they didn't want to answer us on why our food never arrived. We left some cash for our drinks and walked out. First time I've ever walked out. No one even cared-- at all!! No excuse. It was appalling. No manager can over after countless complaints.
(1)Lee B.
Out for a Sunday ride in the jeep, wife wanted someplace on the water so thought we give it another try. Sat down at a table after waiting for 20 minutes decided to walk up to the bar and get a beer stood there for 15 minutes with nobody ever knowledge your presence, just look at you and I guess wait on the regulars. Finally got the bartender to come over and give me a couple of beers went back over to the table sat for another 15 minutes while waitresses and waiters are walking by and see us looking at a menu never saying a word that those tables do not get serviced by staff. the absolute worst service I've ever seen!
(1)Micro T.
2 people eating lunch $88. Realy! All we had was 2 beers each, an appetizer that consited of 6 shrimp, an entree each which were a burger and an order of fish tacos. Unbelivable. Will not go back until they get their head out of their a$$.
(1)Jeff R.
Last visit here on a nice warm day after Christmas was very disappointing. We've eaten here many tines, but lately it seems to be going down hill. Has there been a change in management the last year? Service was very, very slow. We stopped by on a Saturday around one 1 PM and dined in a mostly empty restaurant. It took an HOUR to get out order! The waitress kept promising that we "were next" over and over. But still we waited. Interestingly enough , when I received my Swamphouse burger, it had absolutely nothing on it - no tomato, no onions, pickles, lettuce, mayo or anything. It looked so odd! !!
(2)Melissa F.
I love the Swamp House! Good atmosphere, right on the St Johns River. Amazing view! The patio out back is fun on the weekends! I really summer they would keep the patio open through dinner (at least)!! Come on yall!! The service is always super friendly in the restaurant and in the tiki bar. Food.... depends what you get. I love the gator quesadillas and burgers are amazing. The fish menu usually leaves me disappointed, so I just avoid it :) but this is the only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5.
(4)Jake G.
My first time ever going to this restaurant and easily the last. How is the service you might ask? Well it took 15 minutes before anyone came over to the table. Another 10 minutes for our drinks. And after that we had to go up to the bar everytime for our own drinks. Make sure you know what you want to eat when the waiter come over the first time or you will be waiting another 20 minutes before they come back to find out what you want. The food was dry and overcooked. I would say the only good thing there were the appetizers. The waiter I had was very knowledgable but was probably the worst server I have ever had in my life. So if you still decide to go here just make sure you have a good amount of time and a lot of patience.
(1)