Right on the water/intercoastal. Great if you have a boat to come tie up & have lunch. Most of the seating is right on the water or right next to the water. Indoor seating, the walls open up which is nice if you want to feel like you're outside without actually being outside. Very casual, good number of people looked like they came right off the beach and just put a tank top over their suits. Napkin dispenser in the middle of the table. Plastic pitchers w/plastic cups - great beach bar atmosphere. There is a very cool outdoor bar (sandy floor/tiki hut feel w/TVs mounted to watch the game, etc). Looks like a FUN place to watch the Bruins beat the Lightening with the exception that there looks to be a large smoking crowd. (which is one of the reasons we opted for indoor seating) Service - Good - Very friendly, but a bit slow. Draft beer selection - fair - They've got Yuengling which saved them. But the standard, bud/bud light, etc. w/ Sierra Nevada. Food - Pretty good - Surprisingly good selection - fried, grilled fish, raw bar, sandwiches. I had the conch fritters & Black Jack burger. The conch fritters were ok. A little breadier (if that's a word) than I like & they served them with a spicy mayo side sauce rather than cocktail sauce, but that was tasty. I liked my burger. Cooked perfectly & I loved the soft/fresh bread. The fries were great too - not greasy & lightly seasoned. I'd come back here again.
(4)
Carol D.
Great cold seafood plate, great shrimp poor boy.
(5)
Scott P.
a nice place to eat drink and be merry. fresh seafood and great drinks! gets a bit crowded but well worth the wait. request to be seated by the river.
(4)
Alex R.
Waterfront view is good in some parts of the restaurant but at others its not so hot. Service was SLOW!!!! Food is over-priced for the quality...not that great. Black beans and rice were bland....tasted like they came out of a can. Grouper was extremely "fishy" to the point I wonder if it was grouper at all or something they caught out of the river. Clam strips were good though, which is the only reason I gave it two stars. I won't be coming back.
(2)
Andy R.
Great value for money, good food, smiley service. What a great setting for sunset....love it
(5)
Marianne N.
Oh my, what a great place! Sunset Grill is right! The mix drinks are fabulous, the food is affordable, inspired, and delicious. Watch the sunset on the water and stay for the moonlight because pops will put their green underwater lights on under the dock so you can watch the eerily large shadows of the waterway inhabitants drift by the dining deck. Fun Fun Fun! Make enough time to relax at Pops, to enjoy the drinks, the sunset, and the green-lit waterway monsters!
(5)
Mark S.
One star because Pop's provides sustenance and another star for the ambiance. Those are the only reasons one would want to come. The seafood gumbo is runny (apparently starting with water and not a roux) and contains "krab". The fish and chips contain barely any fish and the fish that was there seems to have high concentrations of cardboard. Edamame salad was an interesting and unexpectedly good complement to the dishes. Ambiance takes you right to the edge of the intercoastal waterway and provides plenty of things for kids and adults to watch.
Absolutely the worst seafood I've had in the Sarasota area. And the service was sub-par as well. Skip it.
(1)
Zelena O.
Three awful dinners. Cold soggy French fries old grouper fried greasy sat in our stomachs. Not going back
(1)
Skip S.
We had a great time Saturday night at Pops. The band 'Gypsy King' rocked the house. Had a great tiem dancing under the stars. We have a few cocktails and they were very reasonable and stout! Had a few appetizers and the cost was on the low end of normal for our area. Very casual and outdoors, so if you want fancy, this is not your place. But, if you want old school florida dinning and don't mind eating out of plastic baskets, you will have a good time
(4)
Jeff W.
I come here for the very strong drinks, the black bean soup, the conch fritters, and did I mention, the very strong drinks. The bartender does a very good pour. The grouper sandwiches are pretty good, and the oysters are fresh as always. You might find yourself tripping over tourists and old people, but just ignore them and concentrate on having fun. It's got a very nice view, and the staff is very friendly. I rate this restaurant a very unpretentious place guaranteed to give you decent food, strong drinks, and a good time.
(4)
Piet O.
We have been here a few times for lunch. Once all the snowbirds have gone home, it's not very busy. The service is friendly and accurate, but a bit on the slow side. The food is good without being outstanding -- but it must be said that we haven't tried any of the entrees. The ambience is Florida to a T: the boats drifting by, the clang of the bell at the drawbridge, children playing in the warm Intracoastal on the opposite shore. A good way to spend a couple of hours.
(4)
Jeff H.
Great menu, great live entertainment, great atmosphere (nothing says welcome home to SRQ like Pop's bar in the daytime). The only thing that keeps me from giving Pops five stars is the druken dregs that I've had to deal with in the past. Not always, but more than once, in the night crowd, someone's been a drunken jackass.
(4)
C R.
Just what we were looking for! We were spending the night in Venice and wanted a casual waterside seafood restaurant. Sunset Grill hit the spot. The whole restaurant is situated on a canal. There is a cool bar right outside near the water. We loved the concept that they serve drinks in coozies, so they stay cold.. We were seated next to the water and could watch the boats pass by. Our only complaint was that we were seated right in front of the band, which was really loud when you are only 5 feet away from the speaker. We split a steamer pot which we chose to have oysters and shrimp ( other choices and crab legs). The pot contained corn on the cob, red potatoes, onions, carrots and celery. It was excellent!
(4)
Carol O.
Enjoyed Pop's! Coconut shrimp - a must! It was delicious. Shrimp quesadilla was the best I've ever had. Their Wings are my parents go to here. Very meaty & cooked just right! They take pride in their food and it shows. Great service, nice location on the water.
(5)
David E.
Great place !!!!! Just moved to Venice and my sister, who lives in Sarasota, took us there. Amazing food, great outside bar, seating and a great view of the active waterway. Were able to watch multiple schools of dolphins and fish go by as we enjoyed the atmosphere. Had to join their "points club" as I KNOW we will be back !!! Have fun, I know we did !!!!
(5)
Joe L.
Great atmosphere, nice views of the water and friendly service. Even saw a manatee in the water right from out table! Best conch fritters in the area. The Grouper Reuben was very good. I plan to return many times in the future.
(4)
Debra S.
We had stumbled upon this restaurant .... What a gem . The manager Donna and our waitress were fabulous !!! The food was exceptional my husband had fish and chips and I had the shrimp and scallops. We both really enjoyed the clam chowder. We loved this restaurant and will defiantly be back !!'n
(5)
shannon W.
We were very excited based on the reviews to take my Mom to Pop's for her birthday, but of course we end up with the only rude server in the place. We drove all the way from Longwood, FL just to have lunch and we won't be back. I am not sure what his problem was but it ruined everything. He didn't want us to ask him for anything he cut you off and looked away. Slammed the piece of key lime pie down in front of my Mom that I had ordered so we could sing happy birthday. I was embarrassed. The only time he got halfway decent was when it came time to pay/leave a tip. Well, at least she enjoyed the view of the water and got to spend time with family.
(2)
Jenni S.
Never again! Such bad service. We arrived around 4:45 on a week night and the wait time was estimated at around 20 minutes so we hung out at the bar, had a couple of drinks and waited... and waited.. and waited... finally we checked with the hostess and she said it should be any time. 30 minutes later we checked again. We'd been watching two empty tables in the back for the past half hour and wondered about them. She was hoarding them for a larger party that came in after us and wanted to seat us outside instead - after an hour and 15 minutes of waiting. So we paid the bar tab and left. That's an hour and a half that we'll never get back.
(1)
Lisa M.
Casual restaurant located near Nokomis Beach just east of Casey Key. Mostly outdoor tables with views of the intercoastal waterways. Live music on most days and nights. Food is reasonably priced and tasty.
(4)
Gail L.
Really nice place and close to Nokomis beach. On the water, inter coastal, with Key West feel. Sit on the deck, inside or in the courtyard patio area at a fire-pit table. Mostly older crowd at the bar but many younger people with children in dining area. Very friendly service at reasonable prices. Loved the clam chowder. Husband had shorediner for two and loved the clams and two lobster tails. Fried shrimp and scallops also very good. We joined the Pops club. Telling our friends to try this place.
(4)
Yani V.
The food was great, atmosphere was wonderful, service was good, definitely coming back.
(5)
Kathy G.
Great location and service but the food was not very good. My grilled shrimp dinner was not seasoned well and the sweet potato was under cooked. My husbands Salmon BLT was overcooked and dry. The peel and eat shrimp were small and expensive also very difficult to peel. No a good dining experience.
(1)
Kristen S.
We loved this place. Very relaxed, casual vibe. Lots of outdoor seating overlooking the inter coastal. Breezy. Friendly service. Coconut shrimp was great!
(5)
Ker P.
This is a great waterside restaurant off the beaten path a bit, which is nice that it's hidden because it doesn't seem to get the crowds that Fins gets. We were seated outside right away and had a great view of the boats sailing by and docking next to us. The prices were reasonable, the service was friendly, and the food was delicious!
(4)
Lila W.
I had heard several people rave about this restaurant. My brother and I ventured out and we were NOT disappointed. I had shrimp and he had scallops. Both were cooked perfectly. Lightly battered with a great taste. The view was perfect, the service was great. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Alex P.
My boyfriend and I had lunch here on a Saturday off-season. We were quickly seated at an outside table in the shade with a perfect view of the water and there was a constant breeze so, we were very comfortable. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive which is always a huge plus! We ordered the fried pickles appetizer and they were delicious. I then ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap while my boyfriend ordered the USA Burger. Both of our lunches were very good, but I'm giving 4 stars, because the burger was cooked well done when we ordered it medium. Either way, everything was delicious with great service in a beautiful laid-back atmosphere. We will be back!
(4)
William W.
The food was great, but our sever Paul and the bartender Maia made the night. A storm rolled in and they handled everything perfect!!
(5)
conor b.
What once was a favorite, lost its flare. Was one of my favorite destinations and the view is to die for. The food always was alright, but it was consistently alright. Unfortunately on my last visit I had to send not one, but all three of our meals back. I've never done that in my life but a burnt on the outside, raw on the inside burger for a child was unacceptable and it just got worse. It's hard to justify a mistake that bad just for the view.
(3)
Kelly R.
Good food, great location but this place is full of hillbillies! Arrive in an old t shirt and some cargo shorts and you'll be overdressed. It was a lengthy wait (over 1 hour) but worth it. We really enjoyed our dinner. I had the fried shrimp and cup of NE clam chowder. He had the seafood trio which included lobster tail, mango shrimp skewer and swordfish. The shrimp were delish...seasoned and cooked to perfection. The swordfish was cold by the time it came to our table, but the rest was great. Service was good, too, considering how busy it was. Located on the water! The outside bartenders were very slow, and nobody could consistently make a decent pain killer. The strawberry daiquiri was great though!
(4)
Donna R.
Best piña coladas in Florida!! This waterside restaurant will not disappoint. Tonight we had fish tacos with mahi mahi and clam chowder that were delicious. One of our favorite restaurants while visiting Siesta Key each year.
(4)
Rita D.
Fabulous waterfront dining! Wait was a little bit but since it was Mothers Day we expected it. Staff was great! Everyone from the hostess, bar staff and waitress were awesome! Food was delicious! Coconut shrimp was fantastic and as other reviewers mentioned - possibly the best ever! The family had buffalo shrimp, blackened mahi and popcorn shrimp! Everyone enjoyed their meal and the kids raved about the best fries ever :o) Prices were reasonable and portion sizes were generous! For Mothers Day they offered a complimentary mimosa or glass of wine. They even gave me flowers! How sweet is that!! It was fun to watch the boats pull in up to the dock and sitting on the water with a nice breeze was perfect! Great place for an enjoyable meal! Thanks Pops!
(4)
Barbara S.
Stopped in for lunch by myself. Host was so great to give me a table by the water. Service was good, food was good. I asked for extra lemon for my calamari and they certainty heard me! Lots delivered quickly with the meal. The Espresso Martini is wonderful. Relaxing and peppy at the same time and tastes delicious. And the view and ocean breeze make it a delight. They really have it together.
(5)
Manda J.
This place was a nice location on the water but not worth waiting an hour for a table. We encountered poor service at the outside bar (blatantly ignored) and at our table (unattentive server) The wood fire grill taste is definitely an acquired taste but despite that the food was just mediocre. The clam chowder was decent. The cole slaw was bland and the mac and cheese was equal to something I could whip up from a box. Lobster tail and skewers were dry. Disappointing choice for our vacation kick off meal. I did like the look of those fire pit tables. That'd be fun to use with a group of friends and beverages only.
(2)
Kyle B.
Touristy place but fun nonetheless. Good place for some tropical drinks and seafood. The steamboats are where it's at! Really love sitting on the water for lunch!
(3)
Daniel E.
If you do two things... Order conch fritters and a local beer. Anything else you do is simply a plus on the water.
(4)
Nick B.
Nick (server) was by far the most attractive server I have had at Pops (5 star)! And James the cook made the best black jack burger I have ever had there and I've been coming for 15 years! Thank you both for making my experience amazing! Nick
(5)
John G.
We had a great dinner with a great view of the sunset and the Intracoastal. The fish fry all you can eat was awesome. Another person in our party had a grilled shrimp BLT wrap and that was top notch. Great time and atmosphere!
(5)
R C.
Great atmosphere with the waterfront but I was disappointed with the food. I ordered coconut shrimp based on a previous Yelp review and was disappointed to find it was the typical, institutional coconut shrimp found in many restaurants. The sauces that came with the shrimp were very sweet. I enjoyed the edamame salad. That was tasty.
(2)
Kathy D.
I always enjoy eating at Pop's. Food is good and right on the water. I usually go with friends on the weekend.. During off season, not too busy. Fun atmosphere!
(5)
Lauren L.
I had the coconut shrimp which was by far the best coconut shrimp I've ever had! The edamame salad was also unexpectedly delicious! I visited with my family and as a party of 11 everyone raved about the food which is saying a lot for a large group who ordered a variety of menu items. We had fried pickles and calamari for appetizers. Everything was hot and fried to perfection! Our server was also lovely and had no problems splitting our checks and politely humored my family of jokers. It was a very good experience overall!
(5)
Morgan M.
Very good food. Love the coconut shrimp, clams, lobster, and house salad. Only thing is that the wait took forever due to our name being crossed off when we haven't even been seated yet. They say unlimited drinks, yet we literally got our drinks and no refills. The waiter did not ask us or anything. Also our bill took forever to come, but overall very good food. I would still come again, but next time earlier.
(4)
Dawn C.
we stumbled on this place and we're so glad we did. great place to kick back. Casual with a tropical feel. Great food, Seafood, salads burgers and wraps. great appetizers, the fried pickles were the BEST. I would highly recommend them. my favorite is coconut shrimp and theirs is very good. Served with 2 kinds of dipping sauce. Very yummy! Hubby had the fish and chips and it was also very good.,,Everything was fresh and hot. We'll be coming back for sure!
(4)
Tim G.
We pulled the pontoon boat up to the dock today and had lunch (five of us). The daily special was a mahi-mahi sandwich, and it was delicious. Oysters, shrimp and conch fritters were had by others...and everyone was pleased. Plus, they had Modelos on special for $3. I'm a fan, and I'll be back.
(4)
Lady K.
I mean, I love this place. The outdoor seating is awesome, the outside bar faces the inter-coastal so you can see the boats (not beach) roll by and the water is perfect. I have taken many guests here and they all love it. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because there is very limited vegetarian options, but all my seafood loving friends have liked the food here. Besides salad and fries, the only vegetarian option is a portobello burger which I personally do not care for. A normal veggie burger would be a great addition! If you are looking for a great beach bar, this is the place! Boats can pull right up and the service has always been good.
(4)
Stephany V.
Do not get the "baked" mac n cheese unless you're a fan of the stuff in the box. Should've come with a warning on the menu! The bar is fun and on other visits we've had decent bar food. The quesadilla is good.
(3)
Brian B.
Food was good but not great. The swordfish and mahi mahi was more on the dry side. Pina coladas/Mud slides were excellent, along with a good beer selection. Live band playing in a the background added a nice touch, so the ambiance made up for a bit of the meals shortcomings. Key lime pie and pineapple upsidedown cake were the favorite of the meal.
(3)
Lea B.
Overall we had a great experience. The wings were as good as any you may like. I had an off menu special request which they executed perfectly and our server they were going to try it themselves. Maybe it will make the menu or as a special. I ordered the Ruben and rather than having it with whatever fish they were serving on the sandwich I requested mine with a tuna steak, delicious! The fried pickles weren't our favorite. We sat by the water but they had several community tables with fire pits in the center.
(3)
Siri G.
This place is very cute! Nice fire tables and a homey feel on the water. Unfortunately I didn't care for any of the food. Tuna couldn't be seared as requested, fries were soft and cold, amateur salad with only bottle dressings, soup was a thick gross mess, nacho chips were horrible I could make better at home, conch fritters just tasted like fried dough....maybe we ordered the wrong stuff? The crab cakes were ok and the coconut shrimp was good. Now I feel like a debbie downer!
(2)
Joe G.
I recently moved to Nokomis and went with my family and ordered the steamed pot with shrimp and mussels. I do not eat shrimp very often and was not aware I was consuming raw shrimp and ended up eating them and it was all down hill from here. I am surprised a sea food place can get this wrong.
(1)
Joann C.
I went to Pop's with my mind set on clams. I set down after an hour and half wait, and the waiter informed me there were no clams. It was around 7:30/8ish, a reasonable time to sit down and have dinner, so I was surprised they were already out of clams and mussels. The calamari was over cooked and the fish and chips were just okay. As per the live entertainment, I think they should hire a dj. It felt more like karaoke then live entertainment. Overall, the environment the venue seemed neglected and would only recommend for a quick drink and a peek at the sunset!
(2)
Jamie R.
Fun place! Great food! Best coconut shrimp ever! Great Florida cocktails! We sat at the bar inside to cool off. We had an fun bartender. She was very informative of the area near great things to do! Thanks to her she made our day!!
(5)
Kate H.
When visiting my in-laws this is one of my favorite spots, and its all because of the overall scenery and environment. Live music, great rum runners, being right on the water, watching the boats go by, etc. I'd give it five stars if the food were stellar. I'd say the food itself is just good.
(4)
Courtney H.
Ok so...it's a great place for a sunset. The wings and conch fritters were pretty good. I ordered the burger and requested it well done. It arrived and looked good. However I had to ask for onion to put on the burger. At the first bite I knew it tasted off. It tasted burnt and like a dirty grill. I didn't eat it and ask the server to take it away. She requested that she have a manager come to the table. The manager came over and informed me that the burger is cooked on a wood grill fire. Hmm... she said some people don't like the taste. She said you can request that it be cooked on the flat grill and it wouldn't have the burnt taste. She asked if I wanted her to have them remake it. I declined. She told me she could discount the burger 50% off....lol really? I didn't eat 15% of it and you're going to discount it 50% off? Well that is so nice. Thanks for going out of your way! Epic fail. Who trained this manager? The fried shrimp a dinner companion had was very good. The fries were not bad. Just know what your are ordering. Ask questions if you must. Don't end up like me paying 50% for a subpar burger and slow service.
(2)
Jan F.
Not my favorite FL waterside restaurant. Location is nice and you can boat in but you will need to sit with the horde of tourists. It is large and you mostly eat outdoors. Nearby parking is at a premium but there was a nice man in a golf cart to whisk you from a more remote parking area to the front door. From there it was downhill from walking past smelly bathrooms to being seated next to a cold blowing fan that could not be turned off by the staff to seating near smokers (ugh!). Food did not really improve the situation. My mixed grill was overcooked. The two shrimp kabobs were probably the best part but were not well cooked. We recently had some at home that were far superior. The lobster tail was dried out and hard to remove from its shell. The grilled mahi mahi (??) was also dry. The included side salad was fair but probaby the best part. Sadly I ordered the totally bland beans and rice. Hot sauce, the supplied sour cream, and small amount of pico di gallo did not help. Companions were not impressed with their offerings either. Ho hum. We will make a better pick next time.
(2)
Tom B.
Great place for food ,and drinks.Good place to watch NFL games. bar shows about 6 different games on sunday.
(5)
Carrie B.
Now that my folks have moved back to Atlanta from Venice I'm going to miss Pops the most and appropriate that it's my 300th Yelp review since sadly I can't imagine getting back there :(. I love the bar, love the waterway and love the seafood, it was a great place to just hang and chill, low-key and open late, which is a score for Venice. Only downside is not allowing dogs.
(5)
Jeanna L.
Came here for lunch while vacationing in Venice. What a great place! Drinks were good & reasonably priced. Our waitress was very friendly. Outdoor seating was really nice. We were here during off season so there was no wait. The fish tacos (a Tuesday special) were really good. The rice & beans were bland so I mixed the fresh pico de gallo with them and it was great. The coconut shrimp & dipping sauces were good too. Would definitely go back! I bet it's a fun night spot too.
(5)
Tracey Y.
After a day on the beach Pops is where we want to be. Cool drinks and great food. Something for everyone. Love the clam chowder. Super fresh seafood. Great prices and love sitting outside in a totally casual atmosphere. Our beach getaway.
(4)
Katie L.
Drinks were good and half of wings Wednesday. I would recommend this place we sat outside and saw dolphins the only thing that was bad was bugs started to bite
(4)
Dave W.
This place would be difficult to find without a GPS but it was worth the drive. Sorry, Jan F., but we tourists have to eat as well. The restaurant was fairly crowded and most people we sitting inside since it was rather cool. They have some nice fire pits in front but they were all occupied. My wife and I started with the Coconut Shrimp appetizer, which was excellent. Carol had the Mango Shrimp platter with a side of sweet potato fries and I had Pop's platter with a side of Mac & Cheese. Both were excellent, served piping hot and rather large. My crab cake was quite good. Fair, but small selection of beers as well as a few good wines. Worth finding it for dinner.
(4)
Emily P.
I work at a beachside restaurant and so I know the peak busy times. they had a wait that was beachside worthy at an intercostal view. this used to be one of my favorite places when I was younger, they've added firepit tables with a smaller menu and it's first come first serve but other then that nothing's changed. a little pricey but coconut shrimp is the best around in my opinion (: go check it out! good place to go when you're in no shirt no shoes nokomis !
(3)
Francesco C.
A tiki bar with a dance area! A fun mature establishment! Sort of hard place to find. But the atmosphere is pretty neat. The restaurant is nestled along side of the inter-coastal waters, great view of visiting manatees or dolphins. Their live entertainment is located on their center staged area, designated where you will see couples and singles dancing. It's okay, they are kind of away from the dinning area, so no food fights there.... or - I think there is not. The food is good, I had their "mixed grill" a lobster tail cooked just right seasoned sweet and buttery, and the catch of the day was grouper, I had it seasoned and grilled also occupying the same dish was a shrimp skewer flavored of mango seasoning! For the sides I had black beans and rice and sweet potato fries! It was all flavorsome!
(3)
Jon M.
best waterfront view in the Venice Sarasota area - even better than ocean view IMO- you can see boats right up close here stopping for a bite or drink at the dock - just a fantastic sandy turquoise waterview place to relax. my fave: pineapple teryaki grilled chicken sandwich & a frozen pina colada. cmon.
(5)
Nancy C.
We are at Pops for the first time thus evening. While the environment is nice and the food pretty good, the hostess was just plain rude. Our table location was awful. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)
Deborah M.
Good food. LOUSY service. Was offered to sit "family style" around a fire pit, great group of folks. They took their order, we were also at the table, their food came, - still didn't take our order. No drinks refilled. Two people had to chase down "management" to get our order taken. Finally, Paul came back. 2 salads and shrimp ordered. The other party finished and paid before we got our food. All we got was lip service on how large the restaurant was (it was 60% full) and that he put the order in. Well he was 2/3 right on the order. Lucky it was close because there was no one to say anything to, as NO ONE checked in on our table. Attitude from the food runner, attitude from the hostess and mgmt that didn't care about our business. I hope my dad left a lousy tip that equalled the service that Paul provided.
(2)
Tom M.
Been to Pops several times over the last few years. Easy to get to from the venice pass, and a right on the water. I've always stopped in while boating. A few times we just went for drinks and been outside on the water. No complaints there. Good drinks, on the water, little outdoor bar. All is good. The food is awful. I had a bad experience here with food before, and from what I've heard from locals here much longer than me, the place took a nose drive at some point in the last few years. We stopped in because we pass the restaurant often and it seems the owners are putting money into the place, so we thought we'll stop in and see what's going on. Our server was nice enough but seems she never had any training. when we sat down, no one came over. I got up, twice, to find someone to get a waiter to come over to us. Twice is 2 too many. The service never improved from there. The food. We were a party of six and not one person could finish half their meal. Not one. We actually all decided to stop eating, pay, get out of there because we were nervous someone was going to get sick. We ended up going up to spanish point directly leaving pops to get food. There is no way there was anyone watching the food quality there. Literally inedible. Now, that all said, Pop's has a great location, and they get steady tourist traffic because of this. I hope they get their act together and turn the place around and don't fall into the lazy tourist trap, which is send out crap food, over charge, who cares? I will stop by again at some point and see if they've turned it around. More attention by the owners/managers is what they need I think. I'd love to make it a regular stopping point again. For now, if you're boating and looking for lunch, shoot up to spanish point.
(2)
Brian S.
Conch fritters and coconut shrimp for starters with the family were very good. Shrimp just the same as everywhere else. Conch excellent. Two grouper reubens EXCELLENT would deff get again. One mixed grill. Includes one lobster tail mango shrimp skewer and catch of the day. Would also get it again. Mom shrimp and scallops meh.. Nice water view. For the type of dining the food was very good. All happy campers. Four drinks two of which alcoholic. Bill total 100$
(4)
Nic W.
Recently arrived at this restaurant via boat and had a great meal. One star missing because I had extremely slow service and got ate up my noseeums. Beyond that the food was incredible. I ate the cocunut shrimp, someone else had clams, and someone else had ribs. The food was great and filling. Will go back here again and see if service and noseeums are as bad...
(4)
Bill G.
I keep coming here because it is on the water, accessible by boat, and next door to my marina. But . . . . . . The beer is not very cold, the food is less than average, the outside bar is not clean (really not clean ), etc. yet I keep coming back?
(1)
Mandi W.
My mother and I stopped here to check the place out because we had just moved here temporarily. Upon arrival the hostess didn't act like she saw us coming, so we stood there waiting for her to acknowledge us. About 2 minutes go by and finally we spoke up asking if we should seat ourselves. The hostess went on to say they're closing soon so if we want a drink, we can do that. We asked what time is "soon" and she stated it would be about an hour....ok...so...nothing to eat an hour before closing. Ok. Fine. we'll settle for a drink. So we walk over to the bar and we noticed there was an area we can sit down by the water on the other side of the bar, so we ask if it would be ok to sit down there. The bar tender told us we had to take it up with the hostess. So, we go back to the girl and ask her the same question. She proceeded to act annoyed so, we just walked away. We won't be going back. Not with that behavior. Too bad they couldn't be a little nicer about things. Poor behavior ruins everything with me. I'm a nice person, I expect it back.
(1)
Sarah A.
Service was okay food was okay lots of flies which is somewhat to be expected... Calamari was rubber... Salmon club over grilled, char taste... Burgers, scallops, onion rings and sweet potato fries great!
(3)
Steven F.
It was great excellent service the shrimp and crabmeat salad with the edamame salad was the best I have ever had and all these compliments from a former restaurant owner. Will recommend and come back
(5)
Denise V.
Great Place!! Old Florida on the water!! Love the buffalo shrimp and grilled mahi Reuben!! Good drinks..
(5)
Peperonata Pasta And Empanadas F.
:(
(1)
Aaron S.
Love this place! Great casual layout right on the water. Good drink specials, friendly service. Try the grouper reuben, sounds awful, tastes incredible.
(5)
Andrew G.
We had lunch at Pop's two days in a row, primarily because we were boating and it is in a very good location. We were seated promptly and the service was prompt. The first day we had the grouper sandwich with fries and cold salad plate. The grouper sandwich was excellent. The cold salad plate had a seafood salad that had a little too much mayonnaise. The drink of the day was very good. A plus is that the drinks are served in green cups made from plants. The second day we stopped in for gumbo, fries, and a drink. We would not recommend the Mojito as it did not taste anything like a Mojito should. Stick with something simple, or try the drink of the day. The gumbo was very good, but might be a little spicy for some. Sadly, Mooch the dolphin died the day before. He was a fixture in the area for quite some time. You'll see his name on the menu.
(3)
Lisa U.
We went here on a Tuesday afternoon, in-season, with plans to meet friends there for dinner. They told us that there is usually a long wait, so we decided to go early, get a table and just people (and boat) watch, and chill with some drinks. The parking lot is tiny and can get congested quickly, but there is also another parking lot across the street, if you don't mind a little walk. We were given several options for seating, as apparently when it's windy, people get cold on the deck that was open at the time. They walked us around and yes, it was cold, so we sat inside. We told our server that we were gonna be there a while. As in, several hours. Our first server was Dana. She was very sweet and attentive, checking in at intervals and answering all of our questions. She left at three and we got Rebecca after that. Rebecca was more standoffish, though not rude. Since we were seated by the computer, she didn't walk up the step to our table, instead handing drinks over the rail, and taking the dirty dishes as we handed them to us. Very casual, but our (older) friend didn't care for it. I heard another customer ask her what was in one of the drinks and her reply was "it's right there on the menu. People really like that one." My fiance ordered gumbo and a salad. He asked for the gumbo to be brought out with his salad, and her reply was "it's easier for me to bring it out first, and that's how I put it in." WOW. A simple "sure, I can do that" would have sufficed. She had several other little comments like that that made me wish Dana was still there -- again, not overtly rude, but not service oriented. My fiance said his gumbo was nothing to write home about. His Mediterranean salad didn't have olives in it, which seemed weird. He said there was nothing to make it special -- it was just a salad. I got ribs. They were tender and almost falling off the bone, but it was typical smoke the ribs then pour the sauce on them instead of having the sauce on them in the cooking process. Mac and cheese was bland but ok, sweet potato was tiny and almost cold. Our friend got a salad with honey mustard, which Rebecca said was homemade and great -- our friend agreed, with enthusiasm. Our other friend got the seafood medley (?mix -- I can't remember). Menu says it includes the catch of the day, which is wrong -- it always includes mahi. Also, I tried to order corn on the cob, which is a side on the menu, and was told abruptly "we don't have that, pick something else." Apparently corn on the cob is not a side anymore. The inside of the "clubhouse" where we sat could use some work. There's been a leak in the ceiling at some time, and there is obviously paint damage and maybe mold near it. The light fixtures are beautiful. This place is owned by a group of friends, who may need to invest a bit in fixing some minor things in order to make it look a bit better. That being said, it was good, and I'd like to go back and try some of their fried fish options (we gave up fried food for Lent. BOO!) Great place to sit and watch the boats go by. We saw a few dolphins too. Laid back, off the normal path, and they don't mind if you sit there and relax for hours. You can't say that about everywhere! One last thing: I don't know that they are handicapped accessible. The ladies room is definitely not, and I suspect the rest of the place isn't either. I was also surprised that they allow smoking on the deck. Florida laws must be different than most other places.
(3)
Jewells N.
We went for dinner - it is high season so the parking lot was super packed - there is a grass lot across from marina that had over flow - don't park at marina; you WILL be towed. We had no wait - but we went later ( late in FL is 8 PM :) ) . It was nice local place but they talk of the "great view" - huh, i was NOT impressed looking at the marina channel. Food was ok, fresh and good service but Casey Key Fish house at other end of island was 100% better. Tried the Grouper Ruben (house specialty) - was not impressed, fish was really oily - opening up sandwich and looking under melted cheese and kraut : looked like that is where the filet trimmings (part near belly and by head ) - so made sense that fish was oilier based on what was in the sandwich. Food was not bad, just had better and little pricy for what you got which would be a 2 star but the Edamame salad side gets 5 stars by itself so over all 3 3. That salad was really good and never seen it anywhere, roasted red peppers and corn, Edamame and other beans in a superb light dressing - just yummy.
(3)
Erin B.
We sat down and waited for 20minutes for drinks or just anyone to say hi. No one said hi and the people who got there 10-15minutes after us got instantly served. The waiter for our table looked at us and said nothing before walking away so we walked out.
(1)
Larry B.
Very touristy place. Food average , drinks are served in the cheapest plastic cups, bar tenders use the tall pour method with weak drinks. Conch fritters were good, bad margarita that gives you heartburn after second sip. If you can not master a margarita at the beach you are a piss poor establishment . Save your money and purchase some fresh seafood .
(1)
Connie C.
We chose Pops (20 minute wait versus 75) over Sharkys. However it would have been faster to go to Sharkys. 70 minutes after ordered food it arrived. Waiter was AWOL. Never returned to refill drinks entire time. Some of party's dinner arrived cold. Would rate food itself a 7.5 but only 2 stars for poor service.
(2)
Denise A.
Typical of restaurants with a beautiful view/good location, Pop's capitalizes on their view rather than good food/service. I have only been here once, but I was really excited/looking forward to the visit as it was recommended to me. I would have given Pop's a 3 except for the following. While their food was mediocre, their service was subpar. The food took far too long to be served, and once we received our order, my plate was cold and the fries tasted soggy as if they had been sitting out. Furthermore, during our abnormally long wait, we received minimal attention (no refills on drinks or any waitress checking in on us or updating us about the food). The place could also use some updating/upkeep. If it weren't for the location, I wouldn't return. Perhaps it would be a good place for a drink rather than a meal. While I would consider revisiting if it were convenient, I'm not eager to return.
(2)
Danny N.
Had the seafood platter, someone else had crab cakes, and spicy tuna raps. All were middle of the road. Biggest issue was slow Svc. Will be back as it has a great atmosphere. Hopefully I will be more impressed next visit.
(3)
Frank B.
We were on one of our wondering through Florida rides and just happened upon Pop's Sunset Grill. If we had been coming from the opposite direction on the bridge we would have missed it and that would have been a shame. Great casual atmosphere and the waiter new the menu well and made great suggestions. I tried a MiaMia blackened Reuben sandwich that was outstanding and the bean salad was totally unique and delicious. Definitely stop if your in the area.
(5)
Heather S.
Fun place! We came with a large party and we were seated outdoors in a timely manner. Fantastic steamer pots for the seafood eaters and even a nice portobello burger for the veggies. Dan spilled his beer at the bar and then I spilled my beer at the table and both were replaced at no charge. Other pluses = live music, fried pickles, a lively dance floor, and a good atmosphere for kids.
(4)
Mary G.
Fun Place.....Good Drinks,,,, But the food is fast food served very slowly. My burger was a No taste burger, even with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos. Grouper Ruben, another disappointment. So sad was all the food To much fast food with little attention on taste. It was funny to see a sysco truck in parking lot for storage, that kind of tell a story in it's self.
(2)
Dustin P.
Food and service are average. I agree with the others, atmosphere is cool. Outdoor bar with tvs is and water is good.
(3)
Lola T.
Buffalo shrimp wrap is a winner! Good seafood platter selection. Onion rings are available and pretty good just not on the menu. Nacho appetizer is great to share. Been here three times service has always been friendly, kitchen can take a while when busy but the outside fire tables make the wait! Our server Nazareth was great and able to handle our table of 13 with ease. Make sure to walk down to the water and check out the boats, very nice!
(4)
Angie P.
i go here as often as i can. best frozen drinks, hands down, in the area, even compared to more expensive places. right on the intercoastal, its a taste of florida that will make you wanna go back again & again. conch fritters, great seafood, hamburgers, and great edamame salad. something on the menu that everyone will love
(5)
Bob B.
Great waterside seafood dive. Bar overlooks the intracoastal. Lots of action. Local, friendly. A neighborhood institution. My favorite lunch spot! (grouper or mahi sandwiches)
(4)
Ryan G.
Great atmosphere on the intercostal. Service good, food ok but skimpy. Fried platter for price does not come with much. Macaroni as a side taste like from a box. Will go back for drinks and environment.
(3)
Jim S.
We went to Pop's again (we go there often, in season) and had a great meal. They added a new "Buffalo Shrimp Wrap" and it was excellent! Also had $3 Landsharks and excellent service. We sat on the ICW and had a nice late lunch.
(4)
Barbara W.
We liked the atmosphere of this place. We were able to sit out on the water. Since we went off season, it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great. We liked the grouper sandwich. The mussels were o.k.... but not the best that we have had. The restaurant has a Pop's Club which if you join up you can get $10 back every time you rack up $100 of purchases, even including alcohol. Will go again, but probably only during off season when parking is easy and it is easy to get seating on the waterway.
(4)
Darren M.
Pops is a good place to stop for drinks and simple food on the water. Stick to the basics here, and enjoy the view.
(3)
Michelle B.
We go to Pop's every year. We always sit at the outside bar. The food is ok. The drinks are good. The outside bartenders are not friendly unless they know you. It's one of the only outdoor/water bars in the area & that's why we go. I like the Casey Key Fish House at the next bridge north much better. The food & service is better!
(3)
Mark B.
Came here for lunch on 1/13/14. Great views, but slow service and mediocre food. I ordered a special - crab cake sandwich. It turned out to be a very small crab cake, devoid of flavor, on a huge hamburger bun. Bun to cake ratio was easily 3 to 1! My wife disliked the "turkey Panini" she ordered as it was served on heavily grilled wheat pita! Sevice was extremely slow - more than 20 minutes for a soda refill. This might be a good place for drinks and conversation, but don't come for the food.
(2)
Jennifer H.
Atmosphere great. Beer cold but in plastic cup. Fish fry rubbery, chowder watered down. Kabob tasteless along w/rice & canned black beans. Food was horrid. Nice waitress. Won't be back to eat.
(1)
Ellen B.
We visited on a Saturday afternoon and were able to snag the one remaining table outside, with a lovely water view. Very helpful server, we had the West Coast Salad, the Resolution Salad, the fried pickles as an appetizer, and the mahi mahi sandwich special. Two of us had beers, the others iced tea and water. The mahi mahi sandwich came with edamame salad. Food was well prepared and very tasty, and service was prompt. When we told the server how much we liked the edamame salad, she returned with the printed recipes for us to take home. Had a good time and we'll be back.
(4)
Joan A.
Fire tables outside, on the water, great Florida location. We had the burger, red plate special and red beans and rice. The sweet potato side was perfectly done. Food is prepared on a wood fire grill and that flavor really came through. We sat by the water and watched the kayaks floating down the waterway. We will definitely go back. The server was a bit slow getting the final check to us, but it was a fun place to wait for the bill for a reasonably priced meal.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kim H.
Right on the water/intercoastal. Great if you have a boat to come tie up & have lunch. Most of the seating is right on the water or right next to the water. Indoor seating, the walls open up which is nice if you want to feel like you're outside without actually being outside. Very casual, good number of people looked like they came right off the beach and just put a tank top over their suits. Napkin dispenser in the middle of the table. Plastic pitchers w/plastic cups - great beach bar atmosphere. There is a very cool outdoor bar (sandy floor/tiki hut feel w/TVs mounted to watch the game, etc). Looks like a FUN place to watch the Bruins beat the Lightening with the exception that there looks to be a large smoking crowd. (which is one of the reasons we opted for indoor seating) Service - Good - Very friendly, but a bit slow. Draft beer selection - fair - They've got Yuengling which saved them. But the standard, bud/bud light, etc. w/ Sierra Nevada. Food - Pretty good - Surprisingly good selection - fried, grilled fish, raw bar, sandwiches. I had the conch fritters & Black Jack burger. The conch fritters were ok. A little breadier (if that's a word) than I like & they served them with a spicy mayo side sauce rather than cocktail sauce, but that was tasty. I liked my burger. Cooked perfectly & I loved the soft/fresh bread. The fries were great too - not greasy & lightly seasoned. I'd come back here again.
(4)Carol D.
Great cold seafood plate, great shrimp poor boy.
(5)Scott P.
a nice place to eat drink and be merry. fresh seafood and great drinks! gets a bit crowded but well worth the wait. request to be seated by the river.
(4)Alex R.
Waterfront view is good in some parts of the restaurant but at others its not so hot. Service was SLOW!!!! Food is over-priced for the quality...not that great. Black beans and rice were bland....tasted like they came out of a can. Grouper was extremely "fishy" to the point I wonder if it was grouper at all or something they caught out of the river. Clam strips were good though, which is the only reason I gave it two stars. I won't be coming back.
(2)Andy R.
Great value for money, good food, smiley service. What a great setting for sunset....love it
(5)Marianne N.
Oh my, what a great place! Sunset Grill is right! The mix drinks are fabulous, the food is affordable, inspired, and delicious. Watch the sunset on the water and stay for the moonlight because pops will put their green underwater lights on under the dock so you can watch the eerily large shadows of the waterway inhabitants drift by the dining deck. Fun Fun Fun! Make enough time to relax at Pops, to enjoy the drinks, the sunset, and the green-lit waterway monsters!
(5)Mark S.
One star because Pop's provides sustenance and another star for the ambiance. Those are the only reasons one would want to come. The seafood gumbo is runny (apparently starting with water and not a roux) and contains "krab". The fish and chips contain barely any fish and the fish that was there seems to have high concentrations of cardboard. Edamame salad was an interesting and unexpectedly good complement to the dishes. Ambiance takes you right to the edge of the intercoastal waterway and provides plenty of things for kids and adults to watch.
(2)R David P.
It was sprinkling when we went and then breezy and then some rain on and off. The hostess, located at the entrance to the fenced in patio area, said there was a wait for a table and gave be a buzzer. We mingled over to the bar that overlooks the water/dock. There is a fire pit and chairs and tables scattered throughout this area and looks like it might be fun at night. Two of the house red drafts are only $4 which was a welcome nice start. Then the hostess walks past us with an older couple that had just arrived at the restaurant and seats them in a table that had become free on the dock. I complained and was sat immediately on the other dock/deck to the right of the entrance which is closer to the marina. The restaurant sits on the inter-coastal and has a nice view of the green/blue water and shore side fauna (Pic3). This place is cute but needs quite a few repairs. The deck floor is slightly unstable and the roof leaks and needs repair out there. The gutter spout is gone and water splashes everywhere. One of the fans is so bad the blades are bent downwards! Eating on the deck takes place on plastic chairs and tables. We were served our drinks in environmentally safe plastic cups which impressed the tree hugger in me. However I would regret that the food is served on Styrofoam plates and plastic silverware. The food itself tastes wonderful! The serving size was perfect. We started out with the Coconut shrimp appetizer which was nothing special in my book. They served 8 shrimp for $8.95 and they were served with a tropical mayonnaise and Asian dipping sauce. Both were good for different reasons and they offer way too much sauce for 8 shrimp which was a waste. The breading/coconut to me accounted for more than the shrimp in each bite and had me a bit nervous for the shrimp I was getting in my entrée. My wife and I both had the mixed grill. It is served with Fresh Fish, Mango Shrimp Skewer, and a Lobster Tail with Two sides for $18.95. She had the Tuna Steak Sashimi as her fish and I had the blackened Mahi Mahi. Both were excellent. The lobster tails were small but sufficient and served with drawn butter. The skewers of shrimp were phenomenal. I had mixed vegetables and "baked" macaroni and cheese. The vegetables were wonderfully vibrate with color and crisp and snappy. The macaroni was worse than the kind you get out of a box. Not crispy at all and the cheese felt gritty. I'd say pass on it. My wife had the edamame salad which was spectacular. She loved it so much se mentally noted the ingredients to try and tackle it herself at home. For dessert we tried both the pineapple upside down cake and the chocolate "cobbler" brownie. I wanted the pineapple upside down cake primarily and my gut feeling was right. Of the two, this was by far the better dessert. Served with just the right amount of whip cream and a perfect temperature it was a delight to wrap up our meal. The brownie, was too much on the chocolate. The dish would be excellent without the heavy amount of chocolate syrup poured over the top. ( I would order it without as the brownie is heavy and chocolatey enough). All in all because of the quality of the service (Tara) and the food, I almost forgot I was eating with plastic and styrofoam until the bill came.
(4)Robert V.
Absolutely the worst seafood I've had in the Sarasota area. And the service was sub-par as well. Skip it.
(1)Zelena O.
Three awful dinners. Cold soggy French fries old grouper fried greasy sat in our stomachs. Not going back
(1)Skip S.
We had a great time Saturday night at Pops. The band 'Gypsy King' rocked the house. Had a great tiem dancing under the stars. We have a few cocktails and they were very reasonable and stout! Had a few appetizers and the cost was on the low end of normal for our area. Very casual and outdoors, so if you want fancy, this is not your place. But, if you want old school florida dinning and don't mind eating out of plastic baskets, you will have a good time
(4)Jeff W.
I come here for the very strong drinks, the black bean soup, the conch fritters, and did I mention, the very strong drinks. The bartender does a very good pour. The grouper sandwiches are pretty good, and the oysters are fresh as always. You might find yourself tripping over tourists and old people, but just ignore them and concentrate on having fun. It's got a very nice view, and the staff is very friendly. I rate this restaurant a very unpretentious place guaranteed to give you decent food, strong drinks, and a good time.
(4)Piet O.
We have been here a few times for lunch. Once all the snowbirds have gone home, it's not very busy. The service is friendly and accurate, but a bit on the slow side. The food is good without being outstanding -- but it must be said that we haven't tried any of the entrees. The ambience is Florida to a T: the boats drifting by, the clang of the bell at the drawbridge, children playing in the warm Intracoastal on the opposite shore. A good way to spend a couple of hours.
(4)Jeff H.
Great menu, great live entertainment, great atmosphere (nothing says welcome home to SRQ like Pop's bar in the daytime). The only thing that keeps me from giving Pops five stars is the druken dregs that I've had to deal with in the past. Not always, but more than once, in the night crowd, someone's been a drunken jackass.
(4)C R.
Just what we were looking for! We were spending the night in Venice and wanted a casual waterside seafood restaurant. Sunset Grill hit the spot. The whole restaurant is situated on a canal. There is a cool bar right outside near the water. We loved the concept that they serve drinks in coozies, so they stay cold.. We were seated next to the water and could watch the boats pass by. Our only complaint was that we were seated right in front of the band, which was really loud when you are only 5 feet away from the speaker. We split a steamer pot which we chose to have oysters and shrimp ( other choices and crab legs). The pot contained corn on the cob, red potatoes, onions, carrots and celery. It was excellent!
(4)Carol O.
Enjoyed Pop's! Coconut shrimp - a must! It was delicious. Shrimp quesadilla was the best I've ever had. Their Wings are my parents go to here. Very meaty & cooked just right! They take pride in their food and it shows. Great service, nice location on the water.
(5)David E.
Great place !!!!! Just moved to Venice and my sister, who lives in Sarasota, took us there. Amazing food, great outside bar, seating and a great view of the active waterway. Were able to watch multiple schools of dolphins and fish go by as we enjoyed the atmosphere. Had to join their "points club" as I KNOW we will be back !!! Have fun, I know we did !!!!
(5)Joe L.
Great atmosphere, nice views of the water and friendly service. Even saw a manatee in the water right from out table! Best conch fritters in the area. The Grouper Reuben was very good. I plan to return many times in the future.
(4)Debra S.
We had stumbled upon this restaurant .... What a gem . The manager Donna and our waitress were fabulous !!! The food was exceptional my husband had fish and chips and I had the shrimp and scallops. We both really enjoyed the clam chowder. We loved this restaurant and will defiantly be back !!'n
(5)shannon W.
We were very excited based on the reviews to take my Mom to Pop's for her birthday, but of course we end up with the only rude server in the place. We drove all the way from Longwood, FL just to have lunch and we won't be back. I am not sure what his problem was but it ruined everything. He didn't want us to ask him for anything he cut you off and looked away. Slammed the piece of key lime pie down in front of my Mom that I had ordered so we could sing happy birthday. I was embarrassed. The only time he got halfway decent was when it came time to pay/leave a tip. Well, at least she enjoyed the view of the water and got to spend time with family.
(2)Jenni S.
Never again! Such bad service. We arrived around 4:45 on a week night and the wait time was estimated at around 20 minutes so we hung out at the bar, had a couple of drinks and waited... and waited.. and waited... finally we checked with the hostess and she said it should be any time. 30 minutes later we checked again. We'd been watching two empty tables in the back for the past half hour and wondered about them. She was hoarding them for a larger party that came in after us and wanted to seat us outside instead - after an hour and 15 minutes of waiting. So we paid the bar tab and left. That's an hour and a half that we'll never get back.
(1)Lisa M.
Casual restaurant located near Nokomis Beach just east of Casey Key. Mostly outdoor tables with views of the intercoastal waterways. Live music on most days and nights. Food is reasonably priced and tasty.
(4)Gail L.
Really nice place and close to Nokomis beach. On the water, inter coastal, with Key West feel. Sit on the deck, inside or in the courtyard patio area at a fire-pit table. Mostly older crowd at the bar but many younger people with children in dining area. Very friendly service at reasonable prices. Loved the clam chowder. Husband had shorediner for two and loved the clams and two lobster tails. Fried shrimp and scallops also very good. We joined the Pops club. Telling our friends to try this place.
(4)Yani V.
The food was great, atmosphere was wonderful, service was good, definitely coming back.
(5)Kathy G.
Great location and service but the food was not very good. My grilled shrimp dinner was not seasoned well and the sweet potato was under cooked. My husbands Salmon BLT was overcooked and dry. The peel and eat shrimp were small and expensive also very difficult to peel. No a good dining experience.
(1)Kristen S.
We loved this place. Very relaxed, casual vibe. Lots of outdoor seating overlooking the inter coastal. Breezy. Friendly service. Coconut shrimp was great!
(5)Ker P.
This is a great waterside restaurant off the beaten path a bit, which is nice that it's hidden because it doesn't seem to get the crowds that Fins gets. We were seated outside right away and had a great view of the boats sailing by and docking next to us. The prices were reasonable, the service was friendly, and the food was delicious!
(4)Lila W.
I had heard several people rave about this restaurant. My brother and I ventured out and we were NOT disappointed. I had shrimp and he had scallops. Both were cooked perfectly. Lightly battered with a great taste. The view was perfect, the service was great. We will definitely be back.
(4)Alex P.
My boyfriend and I had lunch here on a Saturday off-season. We were quickly seated at an outside table in the shade with a perfect view of the water and there was a constant breeze so, we were very comfortable. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive which is always a huge plus! We ordered the fried pickles appetizer and they were delicious. I then ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap while my boyfriend ordered the USA Burger. Both of our lunches were very good, but I'm giving 4 stars, because the burger was cooked well done when we ordered it medium. Either way, everything was delicious with great service in a beautiful laid-back atmosphere. We will be back!
(4)William W.
The food was great, but our sever Paul and the bartender Maia made the night. A storm rolled in and they handled everything perfect!!
(5)conor b.
What once was a favorite, lost its flare. Was one of my favorite destinations and the view is to die for. The food always was alright, but it was consistently alright. Unfortunately on my last visit I had to send not one, but all three of our meals back. I've never done that in my life but a burnt on the outside, raw on the inside burger for a child was unacceptable and it just got worse. It's hard to justify a mistake that bad just for the view.
(3)Kelly R.
Good food, great location but this place is full of hillbillies! Arrive in an old t shirt and some cargo shorts and you'll be overdressed. It was a lengthy wait (over 1 hour) but worth it. We really enjoyed our dinner. I had the fried shrimp and cup of NE clam chowder. He had the seafood trio which included lobster tail, mango shrimp skewer and swordfish. The shrimp were delish...seasoned and cooked to perfection. The swordfish was cold by the time it came to our table, but the rest was great. Service was good, too, considering how busy it was. Located on the water! The outside bartenders were very slow, and nobody could consistently make a decent pain killer. The strawberry daiquiri was great though!
(4)Donna R.
Best piña coladas in Florida!! This waterside restaurant will not disappoint. Tonight we had fish tacos with mahi mahi and clam chowder that were delicious. One of our favorite restaurants while visiting Siesta Key each year.
(4)Rita D.
Fabulous waterfront dining! Wait was a little bit but since it was Mothers Day we expected it. Staff was great! Everyone from the hostess, bar staff and waitress were awesome! Food was delicious! Coconut shrimp was fantastic and as other reviewers mentioned - possibly the best ever! The family had buffalo shrimp, blackened mahi and popcorn shrimp! Everyone enjoyed their meal and the kids raved about the best fries ever :o) Prices were reasonable and portion sizes were generous! For Mothers Day they offered a complimentary mimosa or glass of wine. They even gave me flowers! How sweet is that!! It was fun to watch the boats pull in up to the dock and sitting on the water with a nice breeze was perfect! Great place for an enjoyable meal! Thanks Pops!
(4)Barbara S.
Stopped in for lunch by myself. Host was so great to give me a table by the water. Service was good, food was good. I asked for extra lemon for my calamari and they certainty heard me! Lots delivered quickly with the meal. The Espresso Martini is wonderful. Relaxing and peppy at the same time and tastes delicious. And the view and ocean breeze make it a delight. They really have it together.
(5)Manda J.
This place was a nice location on the water but not worth waiting an hour for a table. We encountered poor service at the outside bar (blatantly ignored) and at our table (unattentive server) The wood fire grill taste is definitely an acquired taste but despite that the food was just mediocre. The clam chowder was decent. The cole slaw was bland and the mac and cheese was equal to something I could whip up from a box. Lobster tail and skewers were dry. Disappointing choice for our vacation kick off meal. I did like the look of those fire pit tables. That'd be fun to use with a group of friends and beverages only.
(2)Kyle B.
Touristy place but fun nonetheless. Good place for some tropical drinks and seafood. The steamboats are where it's at! Really love sitting on the water for lunch!
(3)Daniel E.
If you do two things... Order conch fritters and a local beer. Anything else you do is simply a plus on the water.
(4)Nick B.
Nick (server) was by far the most attractive server I have had at Pops (5 star)! And James the cook made the best black jack burger I have ever had there and I've been coming for 15 years! Thank you both for making my experience amazing! Nick
(5)John G.
We had a great dinner with a great view of the sunset and the Intracoastal. The fish fry all you can eat was awesome. Another person in our party had a grilled shrimp BLT wrap and that was top notch. Great time and atmosphere!
(5)R C.
Great atmosphere with the waterfront but I was disappointed with the food. I ordered coconut shrimp based on a previous Yelp review and was disappointed to find it was the typical, institutional coconut shrimp found in many restaurants. The sauces that came with the shrimp were very sweet. I enjoyed the edamame salad. That was tasty.
(2)Kathy D.
I always enjoy eating at Pop's. Food is good and right on the water. I usually go with friends on the weekend.. During off season, not too busy. Fun atmosphere!
(5)Lauren L.
I had the coconut shrimp which was by far the best coconut shrimp I've ever had! The edamame salad was also unexpectedly delicious! I visited with my family and as a party of 11 everyone raved about the food which is saying a lot for a large group who ordered a variety of menu items. We had fried pickles and calamari for appetizers. Everything was hot and fried to perfection! Our server was also lovely and had no problems splitting our checks and politely humored my family of jokers. It was a very good experience overall!
(5)Morgan M.
Very good food. Love the coconut shrimp, clams, lobster, and house salad. Only thing is that the wait took forever due to our name being crossed off when we haven't even been seated yet. They say unlimited drinks, yet we literally got our drinks and no refills. The waiter did not ask us or anything. Also our bill took forever to come, but overall very good food. I would still come again, but next time earlier.
(4)Dawn C.
we stumbled on this place and we're so glad we did. great place to kick back. Casual with a tropical feel. Great food, Seafood, salads burgers and wraps. great appetizers, the fried pickles were the BEST. I would highly recommend them. my favorite is coconut shrimp and theirs is very good. Served with 2 kinds of dipping sauce. Very yummy! Hubby had the fish and chips and it was also very good.,,Everything was fresh and hot. We'll be coming back for sure!
(4)Tim G.
We pulled the pontoon boat up to the dock today and had lunch (five of us). The daily special was a mahi-mahi sandwich, and it was delicious. Oysters, shrimp and conch fritters were had by others...and everyone was pleased. Plus, they had Modelos on special for $3. I'm a fan, and I'll be back.
(4)Lady K.
I mean, I love this place. The outdoor seating is awesome, the outside bar faces the inter-coastal so you can see the boats (not beach) roll by and the water is perfect. I have taken many guests here and they all love it. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because there is very limited vegetarian options, but all my seafood loving friends have liked the food here. Besides salad and fries, the only vegetarian option is a portobello burger which I personally do not care for. A normal veggie burger would be a great addition! If you are looking for a great beach bar, this is the place! Boats can pull right up and the service has always been good.
(4)Stephany V.
Do not get the "baked" mac n cheese unless you're a fan of the stuff in the box. Should've come with a warning on the menu! The bar is fun and on other visits we've had decent bar food. The quesadilla is good.
(3)Brian B.
Food was good but not great. The swordfish and mahi mahi was more on the dry side. Pina coladas/Mud slides were excellent, along with a good beer selection. Live band playing in a the background added a nice touch, so the ambiance made up for a bit of the meals shortcomings. Key lime pie and pineapple upsidedown cake were the favorite of the meal.
(3)Lea B.
Overall we had a great experience. The wings were as good as any you may like. I had an off menu special request which they executed perfectly and our server they were going to try it themselves. Maybe it will make the menu or as a special. I ordered the Ruben and rather than having it with whatever fish they were serving on the sandwich I requested mine with a tuna steak, delicious! The fried pickles weren't our favorite. We sat by the water but they had several community tables with fire pits in the center.
(3)Siri G.
This place is very cute! Nice fire tables and a homey feel on the water. Unfortunately I didn't care for any of the food. Tuna couldn't be seared as requested, fries were soft and cold, amateur salad with only bottle dressings, soup was a thick gross mess, nacho chips were horrible I could make better at home, conch fritters just tasted like fried dough....maybe we ordered the wrong stuff? The crab cakes were ok and the coconut shrimp was good. Now I feel like a debbie downer!
(2)Joe G.
I recently moved to Nokomis and went with my family and ordered the steamed pot with shrimp and mussels. I do not eat shrimp very often and was not aware I was consuming raw shrimp and ended up eating them and it was all down hill from here. I am surprised a sea food place can get this wrong.
(1)Joann C.
I went to Pop's with my mind set on clams. I set down after an hour and half wait, and the waiter informed me there were no clams. It was around 7:30/8ish, a reasonable time to sit down and have dinner, so I was surprised they were already out of clams and mussels. The calamari was over cooked and the fish and chips were just okay. As per the live entertainment, I think they should hire a dj. It felt more like karaoke then live entertainment. Overall, the environment the venue seemed neglected and would only recommend for a quick drink and a peek at the sunset!
(2)Jamie R.
Fun place! Great food! Best coconut shrimp ever! Great Florida cocktails! We sat at the bar inside to cool off. We had an fun bartender. She was very informative of the area near great things to do! Thanks to her she made our day!!
(5)Kate H.
When visiting my in-laws this is one of my favorite spots, and its all because of the overall scenery and environment. Live music, great rum runners, being right on the water, watching the boats go by, etc. I'd give it five stars if the food were stellar. I'd say the food itself is just good.
(4)Courtney H.
Ok so...it's a great place for a sunset. The wings and conch fritters were pretty good. I ordered the burger and requested it well done. It arrived and looked good. However I had to ask for onion to put on the burger. At the first bite I knew it tasted off. It tasted burnt and like a dirty grill. I didn't eat it and ask the server to take it away. She requested that she have a manager come to the table. The manager came over and informed me that the burger is cooked on a wood grill fire. Hmm... she said some people don't like the taste. She said you can request that it be cooked on the flat grill and it wouldn't have the burnt taste. She asked if I wanted her to have them remake it. I declined. She told me she could discount the burger 50% off....lol really? I didn't eat 15% of it and you're going to discount it 50% off? Well that is so nice. Thanks for going out of your way! Epic fail. Who trained this manager? The fried shrimp a dinner companion had was very good. The fries were not bad. Just know what your are ordering. Ask questions if you must. Don't end up like me paying 50% for a subpar burger and slow service.
(2)Jan F.
Not my favorite FL waterside restaurant. Location is nice and you can boat in but you will need to sit with the horde of tourists. It is large and you mostly eat outdoors. Nearby parking is at a premium but there was a nice man in a golf cart to whisk you from a more remote parking area to the front door. From there it was downhill from walking past smelly bathrooms to being seated next to a cold blowing fan that could not be turned off by the staff to seating near smokers (ugh!). Food did not really improve the situation. My mixed grill was overcooked. The two shrimp kabobs were probably the best part but were not well cooked. We recently had some at home that were far superior. The lobster tail was dried out and hard to remove from its shell. The grilled mahi mahi (??) was also dry. The included side salad was fair but probaby the best part. Sadly I ordered the totally bland beans and rice. Hot sauce, the supplied sour cream, and small amount of pico di gallo did not help. Companions were not impressed with their offerings either. Ho hum. We will make a better pick next time.
(2)Tom B.
Great place for food ,and drinks.Good place to watch NFL games. bar shows about 6 different games on sunday.
(5)Carrie B.
Now that my folks have moved back to Atlanta from Venice I'm going to miss Pops the most and appropriate that it's my 300th Yelp review since sadly I can't imagine getting back there :(. I love the bar, love the waterway and love the seafood, it was a great place to just hang and chill, low-key and open late, which is a score for Venice. Only downside is not allowing dogs.
(5)Jeanna L.
Came here for lunch while vacationing in Venice. What a great place! Drinks were good & reasonably priced. Our waitress was very friendly. Outdoor seating was really nice. We were here during off season so there was no wait. The fish tacos (a Tuesday special) were really good. The rice & beans were bland so I mixed the fresh pico de gallo with them and it was great. The coconut shrimp & dipping sauces were good too. Would definitely go back! I bet it's a fun night spot too.
(5)Tracey Y.
After a day on the beach Pops is where we want to be. Cool drinks and great food. Something for everyone. Love the clam chowder. Super fresh seafood. Great prices and love sitting outside in a totally casual atmosphere. Our beach getaway.
(4)Katie L.
Drinks were good and half of wings Wednesday. I would recommend this place we sat outside and saw dolphins the only thing that was bad was bugs started to bite
(4)Dave W.
This place would be difficult to find without a GPS but it was worth the drive. Sorry, Jan F., but we tourists have to eat as well. The restaurant was fairly crowded and most people we sitting inside since it was rather cool. They have some nice fire pits in front but they were all occupied. My wife and I started with the Coconut Shrimp appetizer, which was excellent. Carol had the Mango Shrimp platter with a side of sweet potato fries and I had Pop's platter with a side of Mac & Cheese. Both were excellent, served piping hot and rather large. My crab cake was quite good. Fair, but small selection of beers as well as a few good wines. Worth finding it for dinner.
(4)Emily P.
I work at a beachside restaurant and so I know the peak busy times. they had a wait that was beachside worthy at an intercostal view. this used to be one of my favorite places when I was younger, they've added firepit tables with a smaller menu and it's first come first serve but other then that nothing's changed. a little pricey but coconut shrimp is the best around in my opinion (: go check it out! good place to go when you're in no shirt no shoes nokomis !
(3)Francesco C.
A tiki bar with a dance area! A fun mature establishment! Sort of hard place to find. But the atmosphere is pretty neat. The restaurant is nestled along side of the inter-coastal waters, great view of visiting manatees or dolphins. Their live entertainment is located on their center staged area, designated where you will see couples and singles dancing. It's okay, they are kind of away from the dinning area, so no food fights there.... or - I think there is not. The food is good, I had their "mixed grill" a lobster tail cooked just right seasoned sweet and buttery, and the catch of the day was grouper, I had it seasoned and grilled also occupying the same dish was a shrimp skewer flavored of mango seasoning! For the sides I had black beans and rice and sweet potato fries! It was all flavorsome!
(3)Jon M.
best waterfront view in the Venice Sarasota area - even better than ocean view IMO- you can see boats right up close here stopping for a bite or drink at the dock - just a fantastic sandy turquoise waterview place to relax. my fave: pineapple teryaki grilled chicken sandwich & a frozen pina colada. cmon.
(5)Nancy C.
We are at Pops for the first time thus evening. While the environment is nice and the food pretty good, the hostess was just plain rude. Our table location was awful. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)Deborah M.
Good food. LOUSY service. Was offered to sit "family style" around a fire pit, great group of folks. They took their order, we were also at the table, their food came, - still didn't take our order. No drinks refilled. Two people had to chase down "management" to get our order taken. Finally, Paul came back. 2 salads and shrimp ordered. The other party finished and paid before we got our food. All we got was lip service on how large the restaurant was (it was 60% full) and that he put the order in. Well he was 2/3 right on the order. Lucky it was close because there was no one to say anything to, as NO ONE checked in on our table. Attitude from the food runner, attitude from the hostess and mgmt that didn't care about our business. I hope my dad left a lousy tip that equalled the service that Paul provided.
(2)Tom M.
Been to Pops several times over the last few years. Easy to get to from the venice pass, and a right on the water. I've always stopped in while boating. A few times we just went for drinks and been outside on the water. No complaints there. Good drinks, on the water, little outdoor bar. All is good. The food is awful. I had a bad experience here with food before, and from what I've heard from locals here much longer than me, the place took a nose drive at some point in the last few years. We stopped in because we pass the restaurant often and it seems the owners are putting money into the place, so we thought we'll stop in and see what's going on. Our server was nice enough but seems she never had any training. when we sat down, no one came over. I got up, twice, to find someone to get a waiter to come over to us. Twice is 2 too many. The service never improved from there. The food. We were a party of six and not one person could finish half their meal. Not one. We actually all decided to stop eating, pay, get out of there because we were nervous someone was going to get sick. We ended up going up to spanish point directly leaving pops to get food. There is no way there was anyone watching the food quality there. Literally inedible. Now, that all said, Pop's has a great location, and they get steady tourist traffic because of this. I hope they get their act together and turn the place around and don't fall into the lazy tourist trap, which is send out crap food, over charge, who cares? I will stop by again at some point and see if they've turned it around. More attention by the owners/managers is what they need I think. I'd love to make it a regular stopping point again. For now, if you're boating and looking for lunch, shoot up to spanish point.
(2)Brian S.
Conch fritters and coconut shrimp for starters with the family were very good. Shrimp just the same as everywhere else. Conch excellent. Two grouper reubens EXCELLENT would deff get again. One mixed grill. Includes one lobster tail mango shrimp skewer and catch of the day. Would also get it again. Mom shrimp and scallops meh.. Nice water view. For the type of dining the food was very good. All happy campers. Four drinks two of which alcoholic. Bill total 100$
(4)Nic W.
Recently arrived at this restaurant via boat and had a great meal. One star missing because I had extremely slow service and got ate up my noseeums. Beyond that the food was incredible. I ate the cocunut shrimp, someone else had clams, and someone else had ribs. The food was great and filling. Will go back here again and see if service and noseeums are as bad...
(4)Bill G.
I keep coming here because it is on the water, accessible by boat, and next door to my marina. But . . . . . . The beer is not very cold, the food is less than average, the outside bar is not clean (really not clean ), etc. yet I keep coming back?
(1)Mandi W.
My mother and I stopped here to check the place out because we had just moved here temporarily. Upon arrival the hostess didn't act like she saw us coming, so we stood there waiting for her to acknowledge us. About 2 minutes go by and finally we spoke up asking if we should seat ourselves. The hostess went on to say they're closing soon so if we want a drink, we can do that. We asked what time is "soon" and she stated it would be about an hour....ok...so...nothing to eat an hour before closing. Ok. Fine. we'll settle for a drink. So we walk over to the bar and we noticed there was an area we can sit down by the water on the other side of the bar, so we ask if it would be ok to sit down there. The bar tender told us we had to take it up with the hostess. So, we go back to the girl and ask her the same question. She proceeded to act annoyed so, we just walked away. We won't be going back. Not with that behavior. Too bad they couldn't be a little nicer about things. Poor behavior ruins everything with me. I'm a nice person, I expect it back.
(1)Sarah A.
Service was okay food was okay lots of flies which is somewhat to be expected... Calamari was rubber... Salmon club over grilled, char taste... Burgers, scallops, onion rings and sweet potato fries great!
(3)Steven F.
It was great excellent service the shrimp and crabmeat salad with the edamame salad was the best I have ever had and all these compliments from a former restaurant owner. Will recommend and come back
(5)Denise V.
Great Place!! Old Florida on the water!! Love the buffalo shrimp and grilled mahi Reuben!! Good drinks..
(5)Peperonata Pasta And Empanadas F.
:(
(1)Aaron S.
Love this place! Great casual layout right on the water. Good drink specials, friendly service. Try the grouper reuben, sounds awful, tastes incredible.
(5)Andrew G.
We had lunch at Pop's two days in a row, primarily because we were boating and it is in a very good location. We were seated promptly and the service was prompt. The first day we had the grouper sandwich with fries and cold salad plate. The grouper sandwich was excellent. The cold salad plate had a seafood salad that had a little too much mayonnaise. The drink of the day was very good. A plus is that the drinks are served in green cups made from plants. The second day we stopped in for gumbo, fries, and a drink. We would not recommend the Mojito as it did not taste anything like a Mojito should. Stick with something simple, or try the drink of the day. The gumbo was very good, but might be a little spicy for some. Sadly, Mooch the dolphin died the day before. He was a fixture in the area for quite some time. You'll see his name on the menu.
(3)Lisa U.
We went here on a Tuesday afternoon, in-season, with plans to meet friends there for dinner. They told us that there is usually a long wait, so we decided to go early, get a table and just people (and boat) watch, and chill with some drinks. The parking lot is tiny and can get congested quickly, but there is also another parking lot across the street, if you don't mind a little walk. We were given several options for seating, as apparently when it's windy, people get cold on the deck that was open at the time. They walked us around and yes, it was cold, so we sat inside. We told our server that we were gonna be there a while. As in, several hours. Our first server was Dana. She was very sweet and attentive, checking in at intervals and answering all of our questions. She left at three and we got Rebecca after that. Rebecca was more standoffish, though not rude. Since we were seated by the computer, she didn't walk up the step to our table, instead handing drinks over the rail, and taking the dirty dishes as we handed them to us. Very casual, but our (older) friend didn't care for it. I heard another customer ask her what was in one of the drinks and her reply was "it's right there on the menu. People really like that one." My fiance ordered gumbo and a salad. He asked for the gumbo to be brought out with his salad, and her reply was "it's easier for me to bring it out first, and that's how I put it in." WOW. A simple "sure, I can do that" would have sufficed. She had several other little comments like that that made me wish Dana was still there -- again, not overtly rude, but not service oriented. My fiance said his gumbo was nothing to write home about. His Mediterranean salad didn't have olives in it, which seemed weird. He said there was nothing to make it special -- it was just a salad. I got ribs. They were tender and almost falling off the bone, but it was typical smoke the ribs then pour the sauce on them instead of having the sauce on them in the cooking process. Mac and cheese was bland but ok, sweet potato was tiny and almost cold. Our friend got a salad with honey mustard, which Rebecca said was homemade and great -- our friend agreed, with enthusiasm. Our other friend got the seafood medley (?mix -- I can't remember). Menu says it includes the catch of the day, which is wrong -- it always includes mahi. Also, I tried to order corn on the cob, which is a side on the menu, and was told abruptly "we don't have that, pick something else." Apparently corn on the cob is not a side anymore. The inside of the "clubhouse" where we sat could use some work. There's been a leak in the ceiling at some time, and there is obviously paint damage and maybe mold near it. The light fixtures are beautiful. This place is owned by a group of friends, who may need to invest a bit in fixing some minor things in order to make it look a bit better. That being said, it was good, and I'd like to go back and try some of their fried fish options (we gave up fried food for Lent. BOO!) Great place to sit and watch the boats go by. We saw a few dolphins too. Laid back, off the normal path, and they don't mind if you sit there and relax for hours. You can't say that about everywhere! One last thing: I don't know that they are handicapped accessible. The ladies room is definitely not, and I suspect the rest of the place isn't either. I was also surprised that they allow smoking on the deck. Florida laws must be different than most other places.
(3)Jewells N.
We went for dinner - it is high season so the parking lot was super packed - there is a grass lot across from marina that had over flow - don't park at marina; you WILL be towed. We had no wait - but we went later ( late in FL is 8 PM :) ) . It was nice local place but they talk of the "great view" - huh, i was NOT impressed looking at the marina channel. Food was ok, fresh and good service but Casey Key Fish house at other end of island was 100% better. Tried the Grouper Ruben (house specialty) - was not impressed, fish was really oily - opening up sandwich and looking under melted cheese and kraut : looked like that is where the filet trimmings (part near belly and by head ) - so made sense that fish was oilier based on what was in the sandwich. Food was not bad, just had better and little pricy for what you got which would be a 2 star but the Edamame salad side gets 5 stars by itself so over all 3 3. That salad was really good and never seen it anywhere, roasted red peppers and corn, Edamame and other beans in a superb light dressing - just yummy.
(3)Erin B.
We sat down and waited for 20minutes for drinks or just anyone to say hi. No one said hi and the people who got there 10-15minutes after us got instantly served. The waiter for our table looked at us and said nothing before walking away so we walked out.
(1)Larry B.
Very touristy place. Food average , drinks are served in the cheapest plastic cups, bar tenders use the tall pour method with weak drinks. Conch fritters were good, bad margarita that gives you heartburn after second sip. If you can not master a margarita at the beach you are a piss poor establishment . Save your money and purchase some fresh seafood .
(1)Connie C.
We chose Pops (20 minute wait versus 75) over Sharkys. However it would have been faster to go to Sharkys. 70 minutes after ordered food it arrived. Waiter was AWOL. Never returned to refill drinks entire time. Some of party's dinner arrived cold. Would rate food itself a 7.5 but only 2 stars for poor service.
(2)Denise A.
Typical of restaurants with a beautiful view/good location, Pop's capitalizes on their view rather than good food/service. I have only been here once, but I was really excited/looking forward to the visit as it was recommended to me. I would have given Pop's a 3 except for the following. While their food was mediocre, their service was subpar. The food took far too long to be served, and once we received our order, my plate was cold and the fries tasted soggy as if they had been sitting out. Furthermore, during our abnormally long wait, we received minimal attention (no refills on drinks or any waitress checking in on us or updating us about the food). The place could also use some updating/upkeep. If it weren't for the location, I wouldn't return. Perhaps it would be a good place for a drink rather than a meal. While I would consider revisiting if it were convenient, I'm not eager to return.
(2)Danny N.
Had the seafood platter, someone else had crab cakes, and spicy tuna raps. All were middle of the road. Biggest issue was slow Svc. Will be back as it has a great atmosphere. Hopefully I will be more impressed next visit.
(3)Frank B.
We were on one of our wondering through Florida rides and just happened upon Pop's Sunset Grill. If we had been coming from the opposite direction on the bridge we would have missed it and that would have been a shame. Great casual atmosphere and the waiter new the menu well and made great suggestions. I tried a MiaMia blackened Reuben sandwich that was outstanding and the bean salad was totally unique and delicious. Definitely stop if your in the area.
(5)Heather S.
Fun place! We came with a large party and we were seated outdoors in a timely manner. Fantastic steamer pots for the seafood eaters and even a nice portobello burger for the veggies. Dan spilled his beer at the bar and then I spilled my beer at the table and both were replaced at no charge. Other pluses = live music, fried pickles, a lively dance floor, and a good atmosphere for kids.
(4)Mary G.
Fun Place.....Good Drinks,,,, But the food is fast food served very slowly. My burger was a No taste burger, even with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos. Grouper Ruben, another disappointment. So sad was all the food To much fast food with little attention on taste. It was funny to see a sysco truck in parking lot for storage, that kind of tell a story in it's self.
(2)Dustin P.
Food and service are average. I agree with the others, atmosphere is cool. Outdoor bar with tvs is and water is good.
(3)Lola T.
Buffalo shrimp wrap is a winner! Good seafood platter selection. Onion rings are available and pretty good just not on the menu. Nacho appetizer is great to share. Been here three times service has always been friendly, kitchen can take a while when busy but the outside fire tables make the wait! Our server Nazareth was great and able to handle our table of 13 with ease. Make sure to walk down to the water and check out the boats, very nice!
(4)Angie P.
i go here as often as i can. best frozen drinks, hands down, in the area, even compared to more expensive places. right on the intercoastal, its a taste of florida that will make you wanna go back again & again. conch fritters, great seafood, hamburgers, and great edamame salad. something on the menu that everyone will love
(5)Bob B.
Great waterside seafood dive. Bar overlooks the intracoastal. Lots of action. Local, friendly. A neighborhood institution. My favorite lunch spot! (grouper or mahi sandwiches)
(4)Ryan G.
Great atmosphere on the intercostal. Service good, food ok but skimpy. Fried platter for price does not come with much. Macaroni as a side taste like from a box. Will go back for drinks and environment.
(3)Jim S.
We went to Pop's again (we go there often, in season) and had a great meal. They added a new "Buffalo Shrimp Wrap" and it was excellent! Also had $3 Landsharks and excellent service. We sat on the ICW and had a nice late lunch.
(4)Barbara W.
We liked the atmosphere of this place. We were able to sit out on the water. Since we went off season, it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great. We liked the grouper sandwich. The mussels were o.k.... but not the best that we have had. The restaurant has a Pop's Club which if you join up you can get $10 back every time you rack up $100 of purchases, even including alcohol. Will go again, but probably only during off season when parking is easy and it is easy to get seating on the waterway.
(4)Darren M.
Pops is a good place to stop for drinks and simple food on the water. Stick to the basics here, and enjoy the view.
(3)Michelle B.
We go to Pop's every year. We always sit at the outside bar. The food is ok. The drinks are good. The outside bartenders are not friendly unless they know you. It's one of the only outdoor/water bars in the area & that's why we go. I like the Casey Key Fish House at the next bridge north much better. The food & service is better!
(3)Mark B.
Came here for lunch on 1/13/14. Great views, but slow service and mediocre food. I ordered a special - crab cake sandwich. It turned out to be a very small crab cake, devoid of flavor, on a huge hamburger bun. Bun to cake ratio was easily 3 to 1! My wife disliked the "turkey Panini" she ordered as it was served on heavily grilled wheat pita! Sevice was extremely slow - more than 20 minutes for a soda refill. This might be a good place for drinks and conversation, but don't come for the food.
(2)Jennifer H.
Atmosphere great. Beer cold but in plastic cup. Fish fry rubbery, chowder watered down. Kabob tasteless along w/rice & canned black beans. Food was horrid. Nice waitress. Won't be back to eat.
(1)Ellen B.
We visited on a Saturday afternoon and were able to snag the one remaining table outside, with a lovely water view. Very helpful server, we had the West Coast Salad, the Resolution Salad, the fried pickles as an appetizer, and the mahi mahi sandwich special. Two of us had beers, the others iced tea and water. The mahi mahi sandwich came with edamame salad. Food was well prepared and very tasty, and service was prompt. When we told the server how much we liked the edamame salad, she returned with the printed recipes for us to take home. Had a good time and we'll be back.
(4)Joan A.
Fire tables outside, on the water, great Florida location. We had the burger, red plate special and red beans and rice. The sweet potato side was perfectly done. Food is prepared on a wood fire grill and that flavor really came through. We sat by the water and watched the kayaks floating down the waterway. We will definitely go back. The server was a bit slow getting the final check to us, but it was a fun place to wait for the bill for a reasonably priced meal.
(4)