Good place to relax and have a drink and some good food
(4)
Jenna W.
I had the chipotle port sangria and it was good. Mom didn't really love her grub, she had the longboard tacos. I had the Baja chicken burrito. It was great and it still tasted pretty yummy the next day. I'd like to go back, but convincing Mom to go with me may not be my best bet. She just really didn't dig it., not even the decor. The one thing we agreed on: the slaw was yucky. I'm not a fan of slaw anyway and this just seemed to acidic. Mom thought it was too bitter.
(4)
Sally L.
Awesome food and casual cool atmosphere we WILL be back!
(4)
Morgan B.
I just had dinner here with my husband and everything we tried was delicious! As mentioned from other reviews they bring you chips and salsa as soon as you are seated. I immediately liked the seasoned chips and fresh salsa. My husband wasn't in love with the salsa at first but after a few bites it grew on him and the next thing I knew he ate the entire ramekin of it. For a starter we ordered the nachos which were incredible and huge! The queso it came with was outstanding and so was the guacamole and pulled pork. We asked the server if she recommended the nachos and she said it was a must if you like nachos, and she was right! These will be ordered again. Since Thursday is $2 taco night we decided to try a few different tacos. I had the banzai beef tacos which were outstanding! It tasted like Mongolian beef you would get at an Asian style restaurant. My husband got the shrimp tacos and pulled pork tacos and those were great too. We ended our meal with their version of a cannoli. Those were good but I am not sure I would order them again for the price. Plus they were very rich, something my husband loved but a little too sweet for me. Overall, the restaurant was packed but the service was still outstanding and the food was delicious. With a different deal most nights a week and already reasonable prices we will definitely be back!
(5)
Charlie N.
Nice ambiance, contemp decor. Awsome Fish Tacos and Surf and Turf Tacos are my favorite . Highly recommended !
(4)
Leslie V.
This is my second visit today! I stopped with a friend for a quick bite and buoyed my rare tuna taco with seaweed salad and sauce at lunchtime and then brought back my family for dinner tonight. Better service at night. By far... Good queso, ordered wings, burrito, a pork & a chicken taco wrapped in lettuce leaves and a BBQ chicken salad. Great meals and I'd recommend coming!
(4)
Matt B.
It's a bit to early to completely review this place, but here's my initial impression after 1 visit. I like the look of the restaurant, it fits the menu. The servers were extremely friendly. Overall we had a good time. It was $2 Taco Thursday and I was there with 3 co-workers for lunch. We ALL ordered off the taco menu. It's a pretty solid selection of 2-3$ taco, actually quite impressive for the promotion. The tacos were hit and miss, with all of us raving about the jerk chicken taco....the addition of plantains in this taco is genius, delicious, and a tasty home run. I HIGHLY recommend that you order those. The negatives were the booths are extremely uncomfortable....they have almost zero padding. The tacos seem a bit inconsistent with some of us having really wet tacos and some not. A few of the taco choices are not winners, you will have to eat your way thru them and decide, one of our party took a bite of one and chose not to eat it.
(3)
Robbie B.
I am giving this place 2 star review for a good reason! Unless you are willing to take the heat and very very very uncomfortable temperatures while eating a boiling hot fajita or sandwhich, then do not come here. Food is excellent Service is excellent Server is slow as usual But there is no A/C. In Florida? this is a must have. Everytime for past 2 months they said same thing, oh our technician will come tomorrow to fix it. Terrible establishment for comfort. However, for the food its great for a takeout, that is why i am giving it two stars.
(2)
Jennifer C.
I don't know, I'm a little torn on how I feel. While their buffalo chicken egg roll app was really good & the atmosphere was cool, I did not care for the tacos. I got the Mahi Mahi taco that fell a little flat as far as taste goes, but their pacific pork taco was actually quite gross. It was incredibly greasy and just could not eat it. For $3 though it was no big deal. I didn't order any drinks for happy hour as my friend whose been there before mentioned the sangrias were just okay. To anyone reading my review, I would say try it, don't stray based on my opinion. I think it's one of those restaurants that lay borderline good but possibly just mediocre...
(3)
Amanda Nicole M.
I went to Surf Shack this last Saturday. I had the red mango sangria and ahi tuna tacos. Both were delicious. The staff was also very kind and friendly. My bartender, Haley, was especially awesome. She was very sweet and genuinely enjoyed working. It's not that often that you see someone enjoy their work as much as she does: especially in this industry.
(5)
Erica G.
I dined here on a Monday evening with my family and the special of the day was burritos and sliders for $5 or $6, I can't remember. My only complaint would be that our server didn't mention that sides do not come with "special dishes", for example the slaw or fries did not come with the sliders. Not a huge deal, but being that we were first time diners it would have been a nice tip to share with us. Service was a bit slow, but it wasn't horrible. A 20% tip was still given .
(4)
Andrew G.
I just had Surf Shack for the first time and the food was extremely delicious. I went with the tacos. I had a cod, filet mignon. And a tuna taco. They were very tasty and plentiful. The service was just ok. They forgot to give me complimentary chips and salsa and the girl to the left and the guy to the right at wrong orders. Other than that, everything else was fine. I also love the Caribbean ambiance there
(4)
Desiree L.
Great flavor and variety of tacos. Drinks and daily specials are typically good bargains... Although they've made some recent changes in their prices which have me resisting coming when there aren't specials.
(4)
Kaley C.
We stopped in at Surf Shack for dinner on Friday and had an average experience. The service was pretty disappointing. Our server didn't seem to have much knowledge of the menu and could not provide any real recommendations. The delivery of our food took far too long and I had to flag down other servers to get water, napkins, etc. It seemed like the servers were making drinks for the tables they were serving and possibly for folks sitting at the bar. This lowered the level of attention (next to none) she was at to provide to our table. I ordered a margarita which was very disappointing (way too sweet), but followed it up with a "Plant City Mule" which redeemed my drink selection. Creative, strong, and tasty. The chips are good (if you like seasonings) and the salsa was great. Guacamole was full of avocado (yum), but was lacking some zing. When we finally got our meals, there were mixed reviews. I got two tacos (shrimp and yellowfin). They were OK, but the temperature of the dish felt very off. Both tacos were cold (not sure if they were meant to be that way or if they were sitting), but they were placed on a hot plate. It was very odd. My dinner date got the veggie wrap, which really should have been called a veggie burrito because it was warm and huge. This entree was the best of the table. The citrus rice and vegetable blend were really great. There were a few option for vegetarians, but would love to see a veggie taco too. We may try again and come back for veggie wraps. Suggest providing the staff with some additional menu and service training and try speeding up the kitchen a bit. Two tacos shouldn't take 40 mins.
(3)
Arthur F.
Taco Thursday at Surf Shack. The $2 taco lives. Arrived about 5:15pm and got the last available table. It was standing room right after that. Our waitress was really busy, but atended to our table quickly and professionally. We all ordered the jerk chicken, the shrimp, and fillet mignon tacos. Everyone enjoyed their tacos. For the price not a bad deal. I suggest sticking to the $2 deals.
(3)
Conni W.
First visit, sat at the bar, enjoyed a delicious Watermelon Coconut Margarita and a Frozen Cucumber Mint Mojito. Both were very refreshing on a hot summer day. We ordered Cod Fish and Chips which were outstanding and also ordered soft tacos which were very good. Tacos are ordered with any filling, 3.50 each. There's a great variety from which to choose, all are quite unique and flavorful. I had three, very filling. The only reason I'm not giving them a 5 is because the food is just a bit spicy....i.e, Cole slaw and salsa. Overall, very, very good experience.
(4)
Carley S.
We love Surf Shack! We are there at least twice a month for their Taco Thursday! Filet Mignon taco is the best taco I've ever eaten! If you haven't had it yet, you must try it soon!
(5)
Savannah B.
I first came here when I was looking at moving to Tampa Bay and it has become ones of my favs. They have lots of taco options and they are only about 7.95 for two and a side. My personal favorite is the jerk chicken tacos with plantains in them. They have really good blueberry sangria and I'm pretty picky about my sangria. I love their indoor /outdoor seating and they have great specials and happy hour. It's kind of nice that fro yo is right beside it if you still have room for it when you leave.
(5)
Benito D.
Food lacked any real depth of flavor. After you took the first bite you had everything the meal was going to offer. To many other options in the area to give this one another shot. A real disappointment at $20 a head. Better tasting food at Moe's or Chipotle Grill for half the price. Apps....Spicy White Queso, was neither. It had very little spice and no white. Definitely a bright Chef Mate Canned Cheese Sauce yellow. Guac? A little salt, some lemon from my iced tea and the left over salsa and we were able to make this pile of mashed avocado and cilantro into Guacamole. Entrees.....We had four different entrees. My Sun burn beef burrito had good flavors but was presented all alone on a stark white plate. Two of us had gourmet tacos. The braised chicken tacos were very bland. The mahi taco tasted way to gamy to be fresh. That one spent some time in the bottom of a freezer before being used. That one went uneaten. The Mongolian beef taco had potential but the beef was so over deep fried it was hard to chew. The jerk taco was the best item of the night. The last entree was the Mongolian beef bowl. Not bad but pairing of slaw was confusing. Again tasted like a pre-made sauce. Had the Mac and Cheese side. Over cooked shells in more canned cheese sauce. Any 6 year old would love it. Service.....Average. Staff need to be trained in the art of pre-bussing a table. Appetizer plates were still on table when check was paid.. Over all cleanliness...The bathrooms were filthy. If they don't care about what you can see how cleans is the stuff you cant see. I would be afraid to look into their coolers. They need to get some focus in the kitchen before they become another one of those restaurants we used to hear about.
(2)
Mark H.
Time for yet another update. We have been almost every Thursday since a lack-luster experience several months back, and everything has been on point. Steve is great and seems to be reading our reviews and running a tight ship. They get the star back that they lost back in November. Tip: Get the jerk chicken taco. Sooo delicious.
(4)
Cari P.
Just checked out Taco Thursday yesterday, we usually go for dinner on the weekend or get the Monday night deal sometimes and I was disappointed with the tacos. I had the pacific pork and pipeline fish and I can't really recommend either one of them. Looking at the other reviews, this may have just been a one-off thing. In the past with the Monday night sliders deal I've gotten the shrimp sliders which are ABSURDLY good. Can't recommend them enough. The burgers and sunburn steak burrito are also great. So while I can't personally recommend the tacos, I say check out pretty much anything else on the menu. Service is always friendly and quick, and we've never encountered a long wait even on busy nights. Even apart from the specials, the price is right for the quality as well. Overall, it's a solid four star restaurant and one our go-to places in the neighborhood.
(4)
Lindsey S.
My family came here for a late dinner meetup with the gawgeous Gigi S. & her awesome other half, Mark H. Our server was excellent. Super friendly & accommodating, he came to our table with smiles and a helpful attitude. Our food was just as good as he was. I ended up with three tacos that night: two jerk chicken and one bangin' shrimp. For $2.50 a piece they were pretty durn delicious. If you couldn't tell already, the jerk chicken was my favorite. The combination of juicy, seasoned chicken, avocado slices, and plantain makes this taco an absolute treat. The bangin' shrimp was a step below, but still very good. I would've liked a little more of a kick, but the flavor was likeable. We finished our meal off with a pineapple upside down cake. I have no word for how flipping delicious this was. Oh my dear sweet lawdy I was so bowled over! The cake was so moist and jam packed with the taste of pineapple and caramel. I wanted to take Christoph's portion for myself. Yes folks, this dessert almost turned me into an evil glutton. I can't wait to make my way back here and try (more like devour) the rest of their menu.
(5)
Stacey M.
I am obsessed with their steak quesadilla and their fish tacos. Incredible. I like how their taco night is on a Thursday.
(5)
L R.
I have been a patron of this establishment twice. The only thing that is consistent here is the sleepy service. Today, we were again greeted by a sleepy host. Next, we were greeted by a sleepy server and short shorts. Girlfriend, that does not excuse you from clearing the dirty dishes and napkins from my table. I ordered two margaritas, one came in a fancy margarita glass, the second one I ordered came in a regular boring glass. Inconsistent and not cool. Very boring experience. Dull, no music. The food was blah. The chips for my husband's guacamole seemed to be deep fried three times, they were so dark and crunchy. I ordered the volcano shrimp and the shrimp was dry. I had to wait 10 minutes to flag down the server to ask for sauce. Honestly, I think they forgot the sauce. This is the most boring restaurant I have been to in quite some time. I'm sure if the owner knew that his or her staff was hanging out at the kitchen window, they wouldn't be happy. More attention needs to be on the food and service. Not good enough for my Saturday afternoon cocktail.
(1)
Fernando M.
Like this place a lot. The food is always solid and inexpensive, the waitresses are nice and their happy hour is awesome. I talked to the bartender this week and she mentioned that are going to open late nights on Thu, Fri and Sat's now and will have happy hour - can't beat that! If you like tacos, Thursday is a good day to go to this place, their $2.50 "Surf and Turf" taco is really good.
(4)
Kelleigh M.
Taco Thursday? What's going on? The last few times we've walked right in at 7pm. If I had to take a guess, it's because the quality had gone down and the prices have gone up. The tacos used to be full on fresh produce. Now that seems to be replaced with tons (and I mean tons) of sauce. So much you can't even taste the meat. The $8 fajitas on Saturday are a better deal, IMHO.
(4)
Jay T.
We started at Stone Chase next door, but nothing on the menu caught out attention. We ventured over to Surf Shack and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is casual and inviting. It is a family friendly environment, but still adult. The bartender, Ewa, is amazing. She is attentive and friendly. We started with a chipotle port sangria, which was delicious and had just the right amount of heat at the finish, and the Blue Pom Limeade Cooler, which was refreshing and flavorful. For an appetizer we opted for the spinach, bacon, goat cheese s'mac and cheese. The presentation was inviting and the flavors were robust. Simply amazing! I opted for Bangin' shrimp tacos. Although it wasn't Bonefish bang bang shrimp, it still was delectable. My dining companion chose the longboard shrimp tacos and described them as "light but filling." The sides (coleslaw and French fries) were run of the mill. Overall...a must try.
(4)
Brian C.
Dinner Wed Dec 18 New Special appetizer - Kung Poa Calamari. Very unique and different take on a staple dish. So what makes it different? Lightly breaded Calamari ( both rings and tentacles) mixed with sweet banana peppers, peanuts in an Asian sauce. All served over shredded lettuce and carrots. If your a fan of calamari, you gotta try this. Wed is .60 wing day, big juicy wings... Really loved the Thai Chili sauce but didn't care too much for the Gauva sauce. Was happy to see the menu was updated with some new salads as well.
(4)
Melony R.
The first time I came here I had the sunburn steak burrito. It was awesome. The second time I came here I got the sunburn steak burrito. It wasn't awesome. It's close by and kids eat free on some days, so far it's hot or miss.
(3)
Matt F.
Great "California Style" taco bar. Nothing too fancy. The mahi and shrimp are the best. Who doesn't love free chips and salsa too!
(4)
Eric H.
This place pretty much sucks. I had the filet and mahi mahi taco. Both were horrible and I'm not sure if it was even real filter. Only reason I gave it one star is because the atmosphere is kind of cool and our server was average. Save your money and don't come here! I will never be back. Oh and the chips sucked too.
(1)
Morgan M.
Good drinks specials, every night of the week. Food is decent, although they are always running specials. Service has always been great:
(4)
Cece C.
It's crazy that we ended up going here because all day I was thinking about how much I wanted seafood. But my partner-in-crime kept suggesting Mexican. Behold... Surf Shack! A random but interesting American mixture of both with a beachy twist. We went late on a Saturday evening and really our enjoyed fajitas and quesadillas. In no particular order, the good things about this restaurant: 1) Cool-looking 2) Great service 3) Pretty quick food 4) Decent prices and good specials 5) Delicious Our server was great. They brought us chips and salsa literally the moment we sat down. Did I mention those were delish too? When she asked me how my food was all I could say was "I'm going to die. This was so good." And here's the best part, they are dog-friendly! Heck yeah I'll be back.
(5)
Carol C.
Been wanting to try this place since we moved to Westchase. Conveniently located next to Publix its a very quaint place. We decided to stop in before going to Publix. (Grocery shopping while starving is not good within our family) Inside the decor is very laid back. I felt as if I was in Southern Cali on the beach for a moment. The Chips and Salsa were delicious and we got the Volcano Shrimp to split. Let me preface by saying I LOVE Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish, but these top those. Less breading than Bonefish it had a light crunch with a topped with "goodness ". I found out they can be placed on tacos which they have Taco Night on Thursdays. $2.50 Shrimp tacos? OMG....dine in or take out. What? SOLD! I'm already making my list for this upcoming Thursday! Yes, please!!!
(5)
Camey C.
We stopped in for a quick bite and were for the most part very pleased. The service was great and out server was very informative and friendly. I had the steak fajitas and was not impressed at all. Not too much flavor, very bland. We also had the chicken and that was much better. Good drink specials and a fun atmosphere. We ordered a drink that someone ended up not liking and our server changed it out for a new one, no problem. For the location and prices we will be back to surf shack.
(4)
Trey E.
I can walk here from my townhouse in Lexington and this place is the bomb diggity. Thursday's is the day to come with like $1.50 or $2 taco's I forgot. Happy hour with $5 margaritas ( these are hand crafted, none of that premade fake lime juice crap) $4 craft beers, $2.50 domestics. Tacos are all great. Their ahi tuna salad is good too! Anyways, try it out.
(5)
Michael J.
Great food, Great Drinks, Great Atmosphere...The Surf Shack had it all. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. It really reminded me of my favorite Jersey Shore spot, " Surf Taco" but the food was even better! Judging by the other Yelp reviews, I should have tried the Tacos but went with the Steak Burrito instead. It was delicious! The perfect size for my appetite. A good draft beer selection is always a plus in my book and their other drinks looked delicious as well. I guess I have plenty of excuses to come back!
(5)
L E.
Best burger! Beyond any. Great service, nice atmosphere and really good food. The Surf Shack burger is awesome when you need a really great burger! Simply the best.
(4)
Rob B.
Great for cheap tacos! They have a Thursday taco special for $2.50 each. Everything from surf and turf tacos to Jerk chicken tacos with sweet plantains in it. Their burritos are huge and mac and cheese is good too. Try the Buffalo chicken eggrolls. They are amazing!
(5)
Jamie B.
Saturday night fajita night is always a great deal! Shrimp, mahi, steak or chicken for $8. Pretty good service even with the crowds. The place can be crawling with kids since they are located in West Chase area.
(4)
Erik K.
Went for lunch with my 3 year old son. Fast service and a fairly good meal. Very kid friendly as they bring bead necklaces for the kids
(4)
Robbie C.
Back for the taco deal. Enjoyed the volcano shrimp for appetizer and the bangin shrimp tacos. Love that it had avocado in it. Hubs got the jerk chicken taco and filet taco. He said the jerk chicken was so good he had to get more. Very cheap and cheerful. Sat outside on the patio and love that it is dog friendly. Some well behaved four legged friends enjoyed the ambience.
(4)
Daniel O.
I pretty much do Taco Thursday here every week... You can't go wrong. The chips and Salsa are quite good as well!
(4)
Steve E.
My girlfriend and I decided on a casual night out with some friends of ours, and we went to the Surf Shack in Westchase for dinner & drinks. The place is fantastic, and as a matter of fact, we're still sitting here as Brittany "helps" me type this review on my tablet. "Don't forget to tell everyone about...." Hahaha The decor is fabulous! From the outside you see the bamboo fence enclosing the outdoor patio, and then you step inside to see the surfboards hanging from the ceiling, the cascading waterfall behind the bar, and lots of happy people chillin' in shorts & sandals. The decor is a classic California fish taco stand, and these folks didn't miss a detail. Thursday night turns out to be $2 taco night, and what a lucky find for us. We ordered a variety of beers, many were on tap, and several were what I'd call "specialty" brews. The waitress brought us their free chips and salsa while we took our time pouring over the menu. We started by sharing the Ahi Poke appetizer and an order of chicken wings between the four of us, and then went straight for the tacos. I remember trying bites of fish tacos, bangin' shrimp tacos, bonzai beef tacos, and surf n' turf tacos. Lordy, they were all good!!!! We tried their homemade slaw and also the mac n' cheese for the sides, and then forced ourselves to have a couple of cold frosties while we all compared notes on the food. An excellent find in the middle of Westchase at the Publix shopping center - corner of Linebaugh and Countryway.This is a great place to just kick back and relax. We'll definitely be back! (OK, this would be the place where I pass the tablet around the table for everyone to read the review and make suggestions....)
(5)
Laura P.
Okay I do like the salsa. I like the filet tacos when they are hot. My food and my husbands food was Luke warm. I returned it and I think the server returned the same food at the same temperature. I told her and she told that's how it comes out. I asked for a side of sauce which I never got but they charged me for the sauce.. Ps! Rice needs to be kept at a certain temperature or can cause food poisoning. Look it up.
(3)
Eric C.
Went on Halloween and had the $2 taco specials (Jerk Chicken & Steak - 1 of each), both were excellent, but I'd definitely do the Jerk Chicken again. The sauce was amazing and the added avocados do this proud. I love this place, the staff are nice and pleasant, the ouside area rocks when the temps just right (at night) and they have TV's so you can watch the games. I'll continue to go back to this place on any night, but especially Saturday night for the $7.99 fajitas and the $2 taco night and Thursday night. Something for Brett to think about and speak to the ownership, it's a great place to mingle with friends, watch the games, have a beer or more and some awesome food. This would be a great place to do an Elite event in the future.
(5)
Karen C.
Had the Sun Burn burrito. Looks pain and boring compared to the other dishes at the table but it was so good. So much flavor packed in this burrito. I reluctantly let everybody at the table try it and they all loved it. We also tried the Buffalo chicken egg roll and the volcano shrimp and they were very good too. Our waitress was Amanda and she was super friendly and attentive. . Loved this place!
(5)
Kristi S.
If you think this place is anything like Zim Zari's up in Trinity, you've got it wrong. We went to the Thursday night taco deal ($2 - $3 tacos) during happy hour and were very disappointed. Somehow the bill for the two of us got to $27 with four tacos and two domestic beers. The tacos were mediocre at best with almost no meat and some kind of root filler inside of them. We were also misled on the price of the "happy hour" beers we got. When we asked the server about it she says it happens all the time. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Victoria G.
Tyler is awesome!! He serves us usually every Thursday for Taco Thursday. He's always up beat and makes our time here so enjoyable! Not only is the food top notch but the service is also! Love it here.
(5)
Gigi S.
Beware: On specials nights, there are a lot of kids and pets running around the outdoor seating areas which can get a tad messy when young flippant servers wipe the table crumbs onto the seats. I'd gladly sit in all the crumbs they desire as long as they offer those delectable little $2.00 tacos. That's a lot of flavor for 2.00. The wings aren't crunchy on .50 wing night, so Ballyhoo's is still best, and fajita night isn't consistent just yet with some fajitas served looking all sad and smokeless, or lightweight on meat, but the salsa is pretty good, and I can't seem to stay away..Fat, or Fiction?
(3)
Nathan B.
I ordered fish tacos and they sucked. Over priced and small portions. The service was terrible!
(1)
Don K.
Love it ! A fun place with specially prepared tacos! Such a deal on Thursday's taco night. Delicious and only $20 for two each w a glass of wine!
(5)
Andrew C.
Excellent food and service, one of my new favorite spots in Tampa. The volcano shrimp and buffalo chicken eggrolls were amazing!
(5)
Al E.
One of the first places we ate after we moved to Westchase. Good menu. A lot of specials. Nice patio. Good food. Good service. Highly recommended.
(4)
enrique b.
The food is average, which for Westchase is good. They do have great specials like Taco Thursdays, a full bar, and generally good service. They have done a nice job with the space, including the patio. I'm a big believer in 'it's all about the food', in which case I would lean more towards 2 stars. But you have to understand, I live in Westchase, so you learn to look past the food...
(3)
Paul F.
Went with some friends for the first and last time. Want something made how you'd like? Nope, not allowed. See an ingredient that you don't like or are allergic too, well your gonna have to pay more if you don't want it on your food. Want your burger cooked medium-well, goes great with the undercooked bacon on top. Disappointed and unsatisfied is to put it mildly.
(1)
Bonnie C.
Horrible. The chicken wings we ordered were slimy and pink inside. Manager said that they were cooked all the way, but clearly were not. We will not be going back because of the undercooked wings and poor customer service.
(1)
Mike E.
Burrito special on Mondays are the best. Everyone should try shack style. The only thing is that without the special it's a bit pricey, still best burrito in Tampa.
(5)
Camille C.
I have eaten here a handful of times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Their tacos are absolutely delicious and everyone I have ever taken to eat here loves it. Their prices aren't bad at all either.
(5)
Chuck R.
Went here this past Thursday and came across their $2 Taco Thursday's. Boy was it amazing! I highly recommend checking out their taco menu. A nice variety. I will definitely be back to try other things on their menu. 2 thumbs up from me!
(4)
Daniel L.
Surprisingly excellent food. Every plate I have order is just ridiculous good. Even the burritos are better than Chipotle. The atmosphere is great, I feel in the beach 4 min from my house. Love the variety of the menu as well. Totally recommended.
(5)
Daniel K.
I am a fan, don't get here as often as I like. I can tell you that the tacos are excellent, great seasoning and flavor, compelling combinations all in all a great experience. Sit out side on the patio, enjoy salsa and chips, have a cold drink and great ready for some great food.
(4)
Temre D.
Unfortunately my experiences at Surf Shack are progressively getting worse. Quality and consistency are lacking. Maybe it's just on Taco Thursday. My most recent experience ordering to-go was sub-par. One taco was missing from my order, another missing avocado which is a main ingredient. Then when I called to speak with a manager about my experiences, her view of "service recovery" was to give me a free taco next time, which is ultimately the taco I already paid for. Overall, I'm lowering my expectations for this restaurant.
(2)
Jeremy A.
As soon as you take a seat at this place you feel like you're on the beach in california. All their tacos were great but the korean bbq and shrimp were definitely my favorites. Price is right and they even have specials on the tacos all the time. This is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa, what a find and a must visit any time i'm back in Tampa.
(5)
Michael C.
My girlfriend and I were looking to try something new. Generally we eat in Town N' Country or South Tampa, but just looking and read the reviews we saw Surf Shack. Now I love driving through Westchase. It's such a beautiful area - clean roads, well groomed forested areas with tall, thick trees. You feel like you're in central Florida more than a neighborhood of Tampa. So we pull up to the shopping center, pretty average Florida things - a Suntrust, a McDonald's, a Publix - and then we see a line of interesting places including the Surf Shack. As you walk in, it feels more like a place that should be in City Walk or Downtown Disney, but no, its smack dab in the middle of Westchase. Take a while to look over the three menus - daily specials, drink specials, and the regular fare. Took us a while, but we decided to splurge and get: -Pork Sliders: 3 sliders full of pulled pork, fried onion strings and slaw. These weren't too bad, but you had to get a bite with pork and onion for it to really impress. -Longboard fish tacos: lightly fried, make sure you balance out the chipotle sour cream or you'll get bites of bland and bites of WHOA! -Tiger Shrimp Tacos: again, very lightly fried (like the breading could just fall off) and again, make sure you get the aioli spread evenly. -Bonzai Beef Tacos: I wanted these because I was debating these and the Mongolian Beef Bowl. Went with the Tacos and they were the best of the three. Slightly fried meat, great veggies and the sauce is what makes it. HERE ARE THE BIG NOTES: All entrees come with a side of slaw. The slaw sucks. For $0.99 you can switch it out for anything. GET THE MAC & CHEESE. Honestly some of the best M&C I've ever had. The cheese is thick, creamy and flavorful. If they ever have a special on Lobster Mac & Cheese, I'll be there. While waiting for your food, make sure to look around and take in the ambiance that really makes this place. They have a surf video playing along one wall. Behind the bar is this great water tank with constantly flowing water. And above you are a bunch of different surf boards. This was a nice place to go, but considering their Taco Thursday special - $2 Tacos - I think I might throw together a UYE to this place to really splurge.
(4)
Michael P.
Disgusting. Totally different seasonings than normal tacos or fajitas. Stinks and there is no flavor. Although they were nice and helpful to try and offer me something different and make something special but honestly. Tacos and fajitas are suppose to have thick red sauce and zest. Mexican style. Otherwise don't call it a taco! I don't like this place and rate the food a zero but the service is a ten. Just my honest opinion.
(2)
Stephanie W.
5 stars for their $2 taco Thursdays! Really delicious tacos Only issue, they don't do any substitutions no matter what on this special. You can't even have an item excluded because the cooks are making a bunch of the same type of tacos continuously. Guest w/ food allergies should read the menu before coming.
(5)
Sean S.
Taco Tuesdays is great. The salsa is great and filet mignon tacos keep us coming back. The service is always good and there are usually above average attractive waitresses which is important to me because I'm kind of superficial like that. This is a great remodel of the chicos that used to be in this location and features an almost identical menu.
(5)
Jay Y.
I tried the long board fish tacos which were good but rather small in size. Next time I'd probably opt for the 3rd taco for $3 more, but it can get pretty pricey for a workday lunch (especially if you include a beer). Nice atmosphere though, service was prompt and friendly. A lot kids with mom (I imagine with school ending for the year soon, there will be more kids), so the indoor area can get pretty noisy...
(2)
Nichole C.
I have been back five or six times since my last review. I see a few negative reviews for portion size and kids. I can see that being an issue. Depending on what you get the portions aren't huge and there are a lot of families inside, but I still find their food delish. Everything is so fresh and flavorful! Today I had a new special; chicken enchiladas {tender chicken thighs with TONS o' flavor}, and I'm sorry but I dream about their buffalo chicken egg rolls! The rice bowls are tasty, too! Honestly nothing they have isn't something I couldn't make it home but something about the freshness and their prices keeps me going back.
(4)
Cari E.
When you walk into the Surf Shack you feel like you've left West Chase. From the large water wall at the bar to the loop playing surf footage, Surf Shack is the perfect name for this joint. I swear if you close your eyes you think you'll be looking at rolling in instead of cars in the parking lot. Surf Shack is very close to work and it's reasonable prices make it a go-to for the occasional lunch out. The chips they give you when you eat in are really good. They are light and crispy and have a slight seasoning on them. The salsa isn't out of this world but it's free so I'm alright with that. I have sampled a variety of their tacos but the surf and turf are my favorite. It may be that it's the only place I've been that you don't have to choose between steak or shrimp, but they got it right. The chipotle pesto is really good but it's messy so be careful. The banging' shrimp taco and delicious as well. My only complaint is the fried ones make them unhealthy and the grilled taste a tad fishy. The filet mignon tacos are a little more boring but the steak is always cooked right. The best thing about the tacos is Taco Thursdays! They have $2 tacos and drink specials. Aside from the tacos, my coworker always gets the mongolian beef bowl and she is obsessed. I have tasted it and agree that it's good but not to the degree that she does. To each her own, right? The shrimp sliders are good. The bread on them is a bit too thick for my taste but if I take the top of the bun off it's just right! Overall, I'm a fan of this place. It's nice that it doesn't try to be anything more than what it is- a causal, chill place to grab a good fresh and fast food.
(4)
Angel S.
.
(3)
Amanda C.
Surf Shack is sort of a hidden local gem. My favorite part about this place is $2 Taco Thursdays, every taco is $2 and they are very good (my favorite is the Bonzai Beef!). Their salsa is one of my favorites I've had, although their chips could be a little more fresh. I loooove their pineapple mint tea and they also have lots of cocktails/margaritas/sangrias to choose from. They always switch up their specials which makes it interesting. The atmosphere is awesome! Surf boards hung to the ceiling, Jack Johnson music in the background and surf videos playing on a huge projector you really feel like you are at the beach!
(4)
Dave W.
We popped by for dinner and had a reasonable but not particularly memorable time. This strip mall location is decorated with surf boards and they play a surfing movie. Honestly, it's hard to get in the surf mood in a strip mall. Perhaps if the floor was made of sand and we were getting sun burned... The food was good, not great, and the prices were a bit higher than I expected for what we got. The solution had to be alcohol but even the $28 pitcher of sangria was weak.
(3)
Derek S.
Surf shack has potential. They have taco Thursdays where the tacos are at a great discount and you can try a few different things. They have a great variety. They also run other deals like burrito Monday. I definitely recommend going on one of the nights that they are running a discount. They have a nice outdoor seating area as well. We sat outside and enjoyed a few beers and 2 orders of tacos. I am planning on going back for the burrito deal soon. All in all we enjoyed our experience, there was a short wait for a table on a Thursday because they were running their taco deal.
(4)
Jeff C.
I can't see why this place is rated so high. And WHY is it called the SURF shack? I was picturing seafood galore. Look at the highlights - egg roll and taco? Sure this isn't the Mexican Shack? Now I will say that the filet on their fajitas was better than I expected. I paid a dollar more to get a combo with (Very small) shrimp. Ok - good price on Saturdays BUT - I was still hungry. Can't see coming back when there's better value all around this area.
(3)
Kelly D.
Excellent. Party of 4 and we were pigs when eating here. What we ordered: Pitcher of sangria - it was large and had fruit in it. Would get again $20 Chips and salsa- very good flavor. And it's free! Wrap- chicken the waiter recommended it and it was the special. $5 Thai Chicken - portion was big and it was tasty. Fish tacos- good Another wrap - good Chicken wings - with two of their sauces mixed. Nice flavor Desert: Cannoli with chocolate cookie dough filling. Would go back to the restaurant just for this! It was melt in your mouth good. Atmosphere: Chill with a surf feel. Very cool display behind the bar. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Shannon H.
The kitschy atmosphere is quaint but doesn't make up for the serious lack of service and mediocre food. The guacamole here is terrible; chips and salsa are ok.
(2)
Karen F.
We ate here about a month ago based on the reviews and would have to say that this is the first time we have been led astray by Yelp. I had the tacos which were marginal at best, not just a small portion, but missing the jicama ingredient, as well. Definitely was very unimpressive and we won't be back. That being said, there were a bunch of families with young children there so perhaps that is the clientele they cater to.
(2)
Sarah H.
This is the second time my boyfriend and I have been into Surf Shack and we had nothing but the best experience. We started off with the buffalo chicken egg rolls that everyone raves about and continued to order the surf and turf, ahi tuna, jerk chicken and the fish tacos because it was taco Thursday. Our server Rachel recommended we try the chipolte port sangria and my boyfriend tried the rotating IPA on tap. She kept our drinks full and was very accommodating. Good job Surf Shack, you're doing it right!
(5)
Jeff E.
The Surf Shack has quickly become one of my new favorite bar restaurants. The prices are extremely good, especially if you go on one of the many nights they have specials. I can say with certainty that Surf Shack has some of the best wings in town. They are much larger then you will normally find at most restaurants, and are always nice and crispy. There is a varied amount of sauces. One of the best features is that they will allow you to split the order, so when my wife and I go, I can order hotter wings for myself, and my wife can have something with less of a kick. The rest of the food is great, and this is one of the few places were I would actually order fish tacos. I've only ordered a few items other then the wings, but every time the meal has been excellent. The burritos are an item I would recommend to someone going for their first time. The service is very good. You are greeted promptly upon entering and the servers are always on top of filling drinks. Another big plus is the restaurant is extremely clean. I enjoy the open layout, and the fact that they can open almost the entire front of the store when the weather is pleasant is great. Over all, this is a great restaurant for a date night, or a night out with the family.
(5)
Meghan W.
I've eaten at Surf Shack twice now, and didn't have an outstanding experience either time. The first time the food was just okay, and the salad seemed like something I could make at home for a lot cheaper. The second time my fiance and mom didn't like their food at all (they got the fish tacos and said that there was hardly any taste of the actual meat), and while mine was okay, I ended up getting a little sick from it, I think. They do have really great fries, though, and a menu selection that is sure to please any eaters. I would go back and give it another try, as there were other things that looked good, and I'm not past assuming that I had two fluke experiences.
(2)
S P.
Really good. As other reviewers have said the buffalo chicken eggrolls are great. Sangria is sweet and not strong, service was perfect. Good place for kids.
(4)
Cassandra D.
Great specials with great price. Staff was nice and food was amazing. Highly recommend.
(4)
Davina D.
$2 Tacos on Thursdays. Bangin' Shrimp. Enough said. Their mac and cheese is worth a try too.
(4)
Christie D.
This place has a fun atmosphere with great food. $2 taco Tuesday? How can you not love that? The tacos are great and the chips n salsa that get brought to every table have an awesome flavor. The only thing they need are better happy hour specials!
(4)
Karyn L.
Cool atmosphere. I like the fact that the menu seems to fit the decor (some lighter fare, tacos and a kind of California cuisine) and the prices are also in tune with what you get. Try: The rice bowls. Pass on: The guacamole. Way too overseasoned for a dish that should let simple flavors shine.
(3)
Thaddaeus C.
Delish casual lil spot! Sat at the bar both times and their complimentary chips and salsa are great. Happy hour 3-6 with $1 off anything. Had the bacon cheeseburger, pork and fried fish tacos and all were on point! Several other menu items I'd like to try too! Everyone is super friendly and will make you feel like a regular!
(4)
Jennifer P.
This place is great! I've been twice now on taco Thursday (where all tacos are $2 each) and the service and food were always great. The location really does an amazing job of making themselves stand out in a strip mall and making you feel like you're at a stand alone restaurant. I've had several of their tacos, my favorites were the bangin' shrimp and the filet mignon tacos. They're both phenomenal! Also, the free chips and salsa they bring at the beginning is as fresh as it gets. You can even taste the fresh cilantro in the salse, wonderful! I've also had their raspberry lemonade (which came with free refills) and it was amazing! I let my friend try it and she immediately regret ordering her beer haha. I would definitely come here again and again!! Great local gem of a restaurant!
(5)
Tara P.
California Fish Taco's at their best! Having just moved back from Southern California I've missed the style of the food and of course the fish tacos! I've eaten here twice since they've opened and have tried every taco on the menu (I recommend the homemade hard shell style)! My favorite is the Bang Bang Shrimp and the Bonsai Beef Taco... but to be honest they have all been so tasty & flavorful that I can't choose a favorite. They have $2 tacos on Thursday, Half priced drinks after 9 PM and kids eat free on Sundays! Even if this place wasn't right in my neighborhood (Westchase) I'd still be a die hard fan! HAVE TO TRY IT OUT... IF YOU HAVEN"T ALREADY!!!
(5)
Lauren C.
Authentic surfboards and colorful scuba flippers adorn the walls, making the overall feeling of this place ultra-casual. In this laid-back haven where Jack Johnson tunes make an ideal dinner soundtrack, unless it's a Thursday night, when you'll find live music on the patio. Surf movies play on a giant screen on the wall, sports are on TV in the bar area, which has a cool blue, aquarium-esque glow to it. We started with the Ginger Lime Sangria and a beer brewed exclusively for Surf Shack, called the Shack Red, paired with an Ahi Tuna Poke appetizer -- bite-sized chunks of citrus-marinated tuna with cucumber slices and chiles, served with wonton chips and tangy Asian vinaigrette. We also tried the Pipeline Tacos, with grilled cod, thinly sliced cabbage, and a chile-tomatillo salsa. On the side was a "surf slaw" with bold flavors of lime and cilantro. Everything on the plate tasted fresh and healthy. The Kahuna Pork Bowl was another tasty entree, with orange chile pork, stir-fried with pineapple, carrots and red bell pepper atop citrus rice (also can be ordered with brown rice, which I appreciate.) They have some great happy hour deals, and half price drinks from 9-close. We will definitely be back. This is a welcome addition to the Westchase restaurant line-up!
(4)
Emma O.
Went here for dinner tonight for taco Thursday. All I'm saying is you should probably retrain your hostesses. On the other hand, our server Mackenzie was great!
(3)
Shauna E.
Went to Surf Shack again tonight for 50 cent wings. They have a new flavor, thai chili, which is divine. As usual the service was excellent. My brother never had to ask for a refill; she just kept them coming. Great, great place.
(5)
Lane R.
I just recently made it to Surf Shack for the first time. I have driven by it a few times and heard a lot of good talk, but had never actually gotten there for a meal. I like being greeted with chips and salsa that way I have time to peruse the menu without my hunger pains getting the best of me. It happened to be a Thursday when I was there so $2 tacos. Yay! I went for the surf and turf and the pacific pork. The surf and turf was tasty, the crispy onions were a great touch, but I didn't really taste the chipotle pesto. The pork was delicious very juice and the pineapple salsa was yum. I also had a glass of red mango (?) sangria which was good and pretty strong, but not great. I might go for another drink next time. Happy hour is only until 6 so get there early! As another review has mentioned I did notice a lot of children running around the restaurant. Strange. But that won't keep me from coming back.
(4)
Patrick K.
This is the type of place that Westchase has been missing. Finally getting away from the local norm, the owners of Stonechase have a great concept here. I wouldn't start using words like dude or hang ten (whoops I did it) but it is a seafood concept restaurant that has great fish tacos, and yes they even have a great burger. Its new and exciting and they have been really explorative as far as flavors and types of fare so you really can't go wrong. They opened up the first of December so they have pretty much worked all of the bugs out and they have even added a canopy for the outdoor area. If you are looking for a nice place to have happy hour then you have found a great one, full bar, micro brews and hand held foods make the "High Tide" visit worth the trip. Kowabunga Dude! (Ok sorry again).
(4)
Professional D.
Outstanding food and consistent service. Nightly specials. The jerk chicken tacos are amazing (they have avocado slices and plantains!) Plenty of chips and good fresh salsa. Only one complaint - the patio allows smoking. GROSS. The smoke also filters in through the doors (of course). I can't wait for all restaurants to get on board with true NON SMOKING. It really does ruin the food taste and dining experience.
(4)
Jessica P.
This.place.rocks ! It opened to the public on Friday, Dec 2nd and as of yesterday, Dec 6th, my boyfriend and I have been there 3 times. He gets the chicken burritos "shack style" which means cheese and salsa added on top. He says that it should be mandatory that they serve it that way because of how good it is. I've gotten the Veggy Bowl twice now. It's enough food for 2 meals, and oh-so-delicious. And for only $7.95 you can't beat it. I also got the seafood stack which was awesome, but I probably wouldn't get again because of the deep fried tortillas. But the seafood was so fresh so don't pass it up if you like that sort of thing. Same goes for the Volcano Shrimp appetizer.... ya just gotta try it and see how good it is. The chefs here are culinary masters! Now that I've raved about the food, I gotta tell you about the staff. They are just about as nice as it gets. Our first visit we had Parissa (I think I'm spelling that right), and she was very attentive and had a great personality. She had a smile on her face the entire time, and definitely made us enjoy our visit. Considering we've eaten there every other day since opening, I think it's safe to say I highly recommend this place. I think you will find that it will soon turn into your second home as well. Can't wait til my next visit...tomorrow =)
(5)
Marc R.
Granted it was a busy time..."Taco Thursday". Hostess's were running around doing what looked like nothing, while at least four different parties waited ten minutes to be seated at the available three booths and two tables. After being seated waitress took our order of one appitizer four entree's. The waitress brings out our appitizer then two minutes later brings out the entrees then five minutes later asks us if we are going to want dessert then brings our check and says "no rush". Terrible service.
(2)
Karen H.
I'm currently staying in Tampa with my husband while he's here on a business trip. We started using yelp to find good eats and wanted to find a good seafood place. Yelp recommended the Surf Shack and with 4 stars, we thought it would be perfect. We went around 5 pm so they weren't busy at all. Our waitress, Rachel, was nice enough but very slow. She didn't ask us if we'd like an appetizer, had to write down our order even though we were one of two tables in the place, and was very slow to bring us our food. While the food was delicious, I was dissapointed with the portion size of my side dish and the temperature of the food. All of our food was lukewarm at best. My husband didn't get his side dish and when he asked about it, Rachel informed him that they were out of it and making some more which I felt like was something she should have told us when she brought the food. If we're the only patrons in the restaurant, I would expect our food to be delivered in a timely fashion and to be piping hot when we receive it. Again, the food was super yummy but I won't go back to the Surf Shack.
(2)
Aron Y.
Second time eating here and probably will be my last. Food has no flavor at all. Meat is extremely bland. Salsa and guacamole taste like it came from a can. Nice looking place though. Just wish the food was as good as the place looks
(2)
Jimmy P.
Surf Shack is awesome dude! Took my parents there for lunch on a Sunday. The Buffalo chicken egg rolls are hands down the best appetizer I have ever eaten. They somehow get the outside to have the same texture of a crispy wing. Volcano shrimp was delicious but could have been more spicy. The Longboard fish tacos are great! We also had the fish buritto. Very tasty. Our server Tabitha was super friendly and sweet and our food arrived very quickly.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner 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 : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mike V.
Great Cali-Mex on best west coast!
(5)Shad L.
Good place to relax and have a drink and some good food
(4)Jenna W.
I had the chipotle port sangria and it was good. Mom didn't really love her grub, she had the longboard tacos. I had the Baja chicken burrito. It was great and it still tasted pretty yummy the next day. I'd like to go back, but convincing Mom to go with me may not be my best bet. She just really didn't dig it., not even the decor. The one thing we agreed on: the slaw was yucky. I'm not a fan of slaw anyway and this just seemed to acidic. Mom thought it was too bitter.
(4)Sally L.
Awesome food and casual cool atmosphere we WILL be back!
(4)Morgan B.
I just had dinner here with my husband and everything we tried was delicious! As mentioned from other reviews they bring you chips and salsa as soon as you are seated. I immediately liked the seasoned chips and fresh salsa. My husband wasn't in love with the salsa at first but after a few bites it grew on him and the next thing I knew he ate the entire ramekin of it. For a starter we ordered the nachos which were incredible and huge! The queso it came with was outstanding and so was the guacamole and pulled pork. We asked the server if she recommended the nachos and she said it was a must if you like nachos, and she was right! These will be ordered again. Since Thursday is $2 taco night we decided to try a few different tacos. I had the banzai beef tacos which were outstanding! It tasted like Mongolian beef you would get at an Asian style restaurant. My husband got the shrimp tacos and pulled pork tacos and those were great too. We ended our meal with their version of a cannoli. Those were good but I am not sure I would order them again for the price. Plus they were very rich, something my husband loved but a little too sweet for me. Overall, the restaurant was packed but the service was still outstanding and the food was delicious. With a different deal most nights a week and already reasonable prices we will definitely be back!
(5)Charlie N.
Nice ambiance, contemp decor. Awsome Fish Tacos and Surf and Turf Tacos are my favorite . Highly recommended !
(4)Leslie V.
This is my second visit today! I stopped with a friend for a quick bite and buoyed my rare tuna taco with seaweed salad and sauce at lunchtime and then brought back my family for dinner tonight. Better service at night. By far... Good queso, ordered wings, burrito, a pork & a chicken taco wrapped in lettuce leaves and a BBQ chicken salad. Great meals and I'd recommend coming!
(4)Matt B.
It's a bit to early to completely review this place, but here's my initial impression after 1 visit. I like the look of the restaurant, it fits the menu. The servers were extremely friendly. Overall we had a good time. It was $2 Taco Thursday and I was there with 3 co-workers for lunch. We ALL ordered off the taco menu. It's a pretty solid selection of 2-3$ taco, actually quite impressive for the promotion. The tacos were hit and miss, with all of us raving about the jerk chicken taco....the addition of plantains in this taco is genius, delicious, and a tasty home run. I HIGHLY recommend that you order those. The negatives were the booths are extremely uncomfortable....they have almost zero padding. The tacos seem a bit inconsistent with some of us having really wet tacos and some not. A few of the taco choices are not winners, you will have to eat your way thru them and decide, one of our party took a bite of one and chose not to eat it.
(3)Robbie B.
I am giving this place 2 star review for a good reason! Unless you are willing to take the heat and very very very uncomfortable temperatures while eating a boiling hot fajita or sandwhich, then do not come here. Food is excellent Service is excellent Server is slow as usual But there is no A/C. In Florida? this is a must have. Everytime for past 2 months they said same thing, oh our technician will come tomorrow to fix it. Terrible establishment for comfort. However, for the food its great for a takeout, that is why i am giving it two stars.
(2)Jennifer C.
I don't know, I'm a little torn on how I feel. While their buffalo chicken egg roll app was really good & the atmosphere was cool, I did not care for the tacos. I got the Mahi Mahi taco that fell a little flat as far as taste goes, but their pacific pork taco was actually quite gross. It was incredibly greasy and just could not eat it. For $3 though it was no big deal. I didn't order any drinks for happy hour as my friend whose been there before mentioned the sangrias were just okay. To anyone reading my review, I would say try it, don't stray based on my opinion. I think it's one of those restaurants that lay borderline good but possibly just mediocre...
(3)Amanda Nicole M.
I went to Surf Shack this last Saturday. I had the red mango sangria and ahi tuna tacos. Both were delicious. The staff was also very kind and friendly. My bartender, Haley, was especially awesome. She was very sweet and genuinely enjoyed working. It's not that often that you see someone enjoy their work as much as she does: especially in this industry.
(5)Erica G.
I dined here on a Monday evening with my family and the special of the day was burritos and sliders for $5 or $6, I can't remember. My only complaint would be that our server didn't mention that sides do not come with "special dishes", for example the slaw or fries did not come with the sliders. Not a huge deal, but being that we were first time diners it would have been a nice tip to share with us. Service was a bit slow, but it wasn't horrible. A 20% tip was still given .
(4)Andrew G.
I just had Surf Shack for the first time and the food was extremely delicious. I went with the tacos. I had a cod, filet mignon. And a tuna taco. They were very tasty and plentiful. The service was just ok. They forgot to give me complimentary chips and salsa and the girl to the left and the guy to the right at wrong orders. Other than that, everything else was fine. I also love the Caribbean ambiance there
(4)Desiree L.
Great flavor and variety of tacos. Drinks and daily specials are typically good bargains... Although they've made some recent changes in their prices which have me resisting coming when there aren't specials.
(4)Kaley C.
We stopped in at Surf Shack for dinner on Friday and had an average experience. The service was pretty disappointing. Our server didn't seem to have much knowledge of the menu and could not provide any real recommendations. The delivery of our food took far too long and I had to flag down other servers to get water, napkins, etc. It seemed like the servers were making drinks for the tables they were serving and possibly for folks sitting at the bar. This lowered the level of attention (next to none) she was at to provide to our table. I ordered a margarita which was very disappointing (way too sweet), but followed it up with a "Plant City Mule" which redeemed my drink selection. Creative, strong, and tasty. The chips are good (if you like seasonings) and the salsa was great. Guacamole was full of avocado (yum), but was lacking some zing. When we finally got our meals, there were mixed reviews. I got two tacos (shrimp and yellowfin). They were OK, but the temperature of the dish felt very off. Both tacos were cold (not sure if they were meant to be that way or if they were sitting), but they were placed on a hot plate. It was very odd. My dinner date got the veggie wrap, which really should have been called a veggie burrito because it was warm and huge. This entree was the best of the table. The citrus rice and vegetable blend were really great. There were a few option for vegetarians, but would love to see a veggie taco too. We may try again and come back for veggie wraps. Suggest providing the staff with some additional menu and service training and try speeding up the kitchen a bit. Two tacos shouldn't take 40 mins.
(3)Arthur F.
Taco Thursday at Surf Shack. The $2 taco lives. Arrived about 5:15pm and got the last available table. It was standing room right after that. Our waitress was really busy, but atended to our table quickly and professionally. We all ordered the jerk chicken, the shrimp, and fillet mignon tacos. Everyone enjoyed their tacos. For the price not a bad deal. I suggest sticking to the $2 deals.
(3)Conni W.
First visit, sat at the bar, enjoyed a delicious Watermelon Coconut Margarita and a Frozen Cucumber Mint Mojito. Both were very refreshing on a hot summer day. We ordered Cod Fish and Chips which were outstanding and also ordered soft tacos which were very good. Tacos are ordered with any filling, 3.50 each. There's a great variety from which to choose, all are quite unique and flavorful. I had three, very filling. The only reason I'm not giving them a 5 is because the food is just a bit spicy....i.e, Cole slaw and salsa. Overall, very, very good experience.
(4)Carley S.
We love Surf Shack! We are there at least twice a month for their Taco Thursday! Filet Mignon taco is the best taco I've ever eaten! If you haven't had it yet, you must try it soon!
(5)Savannah B.
I first came here when I was looking at moving to Tampa Bay and it has become ones of my favs. They have lots of taco options and they are only about 7.95 for two and a side. My personal favorite is the jerk chicken tacos with plantains in them. They have really good blueberry sangria and I'm pretty picky about my sangria. I love their indoor /outdoor seating and they have great specials and happy hour. It's kind of nice that fro yo is right beside it if you still have room for it when you leave.
(5)Benito D.
Food lacked any real depth of flavor. After you took the first bite you had everything the meal was going to offer. To many other options in the area to give this one another shot. A real disappointment at $20 a head. Better tasting food at Moe's or Chipotle Grill for half the price. Apps....Spicy White Queso, was neither. It had very little spice and no white. Definitely a bright Chef Mate Canned Cheese Sauce yellow. Guac? A little salt, some lemon from my iced tea and the left over salsa and we were able to make this pile of mashed avocado and cilantro into Guacamole. Entrees.....We had four different entrees. My Sun burn beef burrito had good flavors but was presented all alone on a stark white plate. Two of us had gourmet tacos. The braised chicken tacos were very bland. The mahi taco tasted way to gamy to be fresh. That one spent some time in the bottom of a freezer before being used. That one went uneaten. The Mongolian beef taco had potential but the beef was so over deep fried it was hard to chew. The jerk taco was the best item of the night. The last entree was the Mongolian beef bowl. Not bad but pairing of slaw was confusing. Again tasted like a pre-made sauce. Had the Mac and Cheese side. Over cooked shells in more canned cheese sauce. Any 6 year old would love it. Service.....Average. Staff need to be trained in the art of pre-bussing a table. Appetizer plates were still on table when check was paid.. Over all cleanliness...The bathrooms were filthy. If they don't care about what you can see how cleans is the stuff you cant see. I would be afraid to look into their coolers. They need to get some focus in the kitchen before they become another one of those restaurants we used to hear about.
(2)Mark H.
Time for yet another update. We have been almost every Thursday since a lack-luster experience several months back, and everything has been on point. Steve is great and seems to be reading our reviews and running a tight ship. They get the star back that they lost back in November. Tip: Get the jerk chicken taco. Sooo delicious.
(4)Cari P.
Just checked out Taco Thursday yesterday, we usually go for dinner on the weekend or get the Monday night deal sometimes and I was disappointed with the tacos. I had the pacific pork and pipeline fish and I can't really recommend either one of them. Looking at the other reviews, this may have just been a one-off thing. In the past with the Monday night sliders deal I've gotten the shrimp sliders which are ABSURDLY good. Can't recommend them enough. The burgers and sunburn steak burrito are also great. So while I can't personally recommend the tacos, I say check out pretty much anything else on the menu. Service is always friendly and quick, and we've never encountered a long wait even on busy nights. Even apart from the specials, the price is right for the quality as well. Overall, it's a solid four star restaurant and one our go-to places in the neighborhood.
(4)Lindsey S.
My family came here for a late dinner meetup with the gawgeous Gigi S. & her awesome other half, Mark H. Our server was excellent. Super friendly & accommodating, he came to our table with smiles and a helpful attitude. Our food was just as good as he was. I ended up with three tacos that night: two jerk chicken and one bangin' shrimp. For $2.50 a piece they were pretty durn delicious. If you couldn't tell already, the jerk chicken was my favorite. The combination of juicy, seasoned chicken, avocado slices, and plantain makes this taco an absolute treat. The bangin' shrimp was a step below, but still very good. I would've liked a little more of a kick, but the flavor was likeable. We finished our meal off with a pineapple upside down cake. I have no word for how flipping delicious this was. Oh my dear sweet lawdy I was so bowled over! The cake was so moist and jam packed with the taste of pineapple and caramel. I wanted to take Christoph's portion for myself. Yes folks, this dessert almost turned me into an evil glutton. I can't wait to make my way back here and try (more like devour) the rest of their menu.
(5)Stacey M.
I am obsessed with their steak quesadilla and their fish tacos. Incredible. I like how their taco night is on a Thursday.
(5)L R.
I have been a patron of this establishment twice. The only thing that is consistent here is the sleepy service. Today, we were again greeted by a sleepy host. Next, we were greeted by a sleepy server and short shorts. Girlfriend, that does not excuse you from clearing the dirty dishes and napkins from my table. I ordered two margaritas, one came in a fancy margarita glass, the second one I ordered came in a regular boring glass. Inconsistent and not cool. Very boring experience. Dull, no music. The food was blah. The chips for my husband's guacamole seemed to be deep fried three times, they were so dark and crunchy. I ordered the volcano shrimp and the shrimp was dry. I had to wait 10 minutes to flag down the server to ask for sauce. Honestly, I think they forgot the sauce. This is the most boring restaurant I have been to in quite some time. I'm sure if the owner knew that his or her staff was hanging out at the kitchen window, they wouldn't be happy. More attention needs to be on the food and service. Not good enough for my Saturday afternoon cocktail.
(1)Fernando M.
Like this place a lot. The food is always solid and inexpensive, the waitresses are nice and their happy hour is awesome. I talked to the bartender this week and she mentioned that are going to open late nights on Thu, Fri and Sat's now and will have happy hour - can't beat that! If you like tacos, Thursday is a good day to go to this place, their $2.50 "Surf and Turf" taco is really good.
(4)Kelleigh M.
Taco Thursday? What's going on? The last few times we've walked right in at 7pm. If I had to take a guess, it's because the quality had gone down and the prices have gone up. The tacos used to be full on fresh produce. Now that seems to be replaced with tons (and I mean tons) of sauce. So much you can't even taste the meat. The $8 fajitas on Saturday are a better deal, IMHO.
(4)Jay T.
We started at Stone Chase next door, but nothing on the menu caught out attention. We ventured over to Surf Shack and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is casual and inviting. It is a family friendly environment, but still adult. The bartender, Ewa, is amazing. She is attentive and friendly. We started with a chipotle port sangria, which was delicious and had just the right amount of heat at the finish, and the Blue Pom Limeade Cooler, which was refreshing and flavorful. For an appetizer we opted for the spinach, bacon, goat cheese s'mac and cheese. The presentation was inviting and the flavors were robust. Simply amazing! I opted for Bangin' shrimp tacos. Although it wasn't Bonefish bang bang shrimp, it still was delectable. My dining companion chose the longboard shrimp tacos and described them as "light but filling." The sides (coleslaw and French fries) were run of the mill. Overall...a must try.
(4)Brian C.
Dinner Wed Dec 18 New Special appetizer - Kung Poa Calamari. Very unique and different take on a staple dish. So what makes it different? Lightly breaded Calamari ( both rings and tentacles) mixed with sweet banana peppers, peanuts in an Asian sauce. All served over shredded lettuce and carrots. If your a fan of calamari, you gotta try this. Wed is .60 wing day, big juicy wings... Really loved the Thai Chili sauce but didn't care too much for the Gauva sauce. Was happy to see the menu was updated with some new salads as well.
(4)Melony R.
The first time I came here I had the sunburn steak burrito. It was awesome. The second time I came here I got the sunburn steak burrito. It wasn't awesome. It's close by and kids eat free on some days, so far it's hot or miss.
(3)Matt F.
Great "California Style" taco bar. Nothing too fancy. The mahi and shrimp are the best. Who doesn't love free chips and salsa too!
(4)Eric H.
This place pretty much sucks. I had the filet and mahi mahi taco. Both were horrible and I'm not sure if it was even real filter. Only reason I gave it one star is because the atmosphere is kind of cool and our server was average. Save your money and don't come here! I will never be back. Oh and the chips sucked too.
(1)Morgan M.
Good drinks specials, every night of the week. Food is decent, although they are always running specials. Service has always been great:
(4)Cece C.
It's crazy that we ended up going here because all day I was thinking about how much I wanted seafood. But my partner-in-crime kept suggesting Mexican. Behold... Surf Shack! A random but interesting American mixture of both with a beachy twist. We went late on a Saturday evening and really our enjoyed fajitas and quesadillas. In no particular order, the good things about this restaurant: 1) Cool-looking 2) Great service 3) Pretty quick food 4) Decent prices and good specials 5) Delicious Our server was great. They brought us chips and salsa literally the moment we sat down. Did I mention those were delish too? When she asked me how my food was all I could say was "I'm going to die. This was so good." And here's the best part, they are dog-friendly! Heck yeah I'll be back.
(5)Carol C.
Been wanting to try this place since we moved to Westchase. Conveniently located next to Publix its a very quaint place. We decided to stop in before going to Publix. (Grocery shopping while starving is not good within our family) Inside the decor is very laid back. I felt as if I was in Southern Cali on the beach for a moment. The Chips and Salsa were delicious and we got the Volcano Shrimp to split. Let me preface by saying I LOVE Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish, but these top those. Less breading than Bonefish it had a light crunch with a topped with "goodness ". I found out they can be placed on tacos which they have Taco Night on Thursdays. $2.50 Shrimp tacos? OMG....dine in or take out. What? SOLD! I'm already making my list for this upcoming Thursday! Yes, please!!!
(5)Camey C.
We stopped in for a quick bite and were for the most part very pleased. The service was great and out server was very informative and friendly. I had the steak fajitas and was not impressed at all. Not too much flavor, very bland. We also had the chicken and that was much better. Good drink specials and a fun atmosphere. We ordered a drink that someone ended up not liking and our server changed it out for a new one, no problem. For the location and prices we will be back to surf shack.
(4)Trey E.
I can walk here from my townhouse in Lexington and this place is the bomb diggity. Thursday's is the day to come with like $1.50 or $2 taco's I forgot. Happy hour with $5 margaritas ( these are hand crafted, none of that premade fake lime juice crap) $4 craft beers, $2.50 domestics. Tacos are all great. Their ahi tuna salad is good too! Anyways, try it out.
(5)Michael J.
Great food, Great Drinks, Great Atmosphere...The Surf Shack had it all. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. It really reminded me of my favorite Jersey Shore spot, " Surf Taco" but the food was even better! Judging by the other Yelp reviews, I should have tried the Tacos but went with the Steak Burrito instead. It was delicious! The perfect size for my appetite. A good draft beer selection is always a plus in my book and their other drinks looked delicious as well. I guess I have plenty of excuses to come back!
(5)L E.
Best burger! Beyond any. Great service, nice atmosphere and really good food. The Surf Shack burger is awesome when you need a really great burger! Simply the best.
(4)Rob B.
Great for cheap tacos! They have a Thursday taco special for $2.50 each. Everything from surf and turf tacos to Jerk chicken tacos with sweet plantains in it. Their burritos are huge and mac and cheese is good too. Try the Buffalo chicken eggrolls. They are amazing!
(5)Jamie B.
Saturday night fajita night is always a great deal! Shrimp, mahi, steak or chicken for $8. Pretty good service even with the crowds. The place can be crawling with kids since they are located in West Chase area.
(4)Erik K.
Went for lunch with my 3 year old son. Fast service and a fairly good meal. Very kid friendly as they bring bead necklaces for the kids
(4)Robbie C.
Back for the taco deal. Enjoyed the volcano shrimp for appetizer and the bangin shrimp tacos. Love that it had avocado in it. Hubs got the jerk chicken taco and filet taco. He said the jerk chicken was so good he had to get more. Very cheap and cheerful. Sat outside on the patio and love that it is dog friendly. Some well behaved four legged friends enjoyed the ambience.
(4)Daniel O.
I pretty much do Taco Thursday here every week... You can't go wrong. The chips and Salsa are quite good as well!
(4)Steve E.
My girlfriend and I decided on a casual night out with some friends of ours, and we went to the Surf Shack in Westchase for dinner & drinks. The place is fantastic, and as a matter of fact, we're still sitting here as Brittany "helps" me type this review on my tablet. "Don't forget to tell everyone about...." Hahaha The decor is fabulous! From the outside you see the bamboo fence enclosing the outdoor patio, and then you step inside to see the surfboards hanging from the ceiling, the cascading waterfall behind the bar, and lots of happy people chillin' in shorts & sandals. The decor is a classic California fish taco stand, and these folks didn't miss a detail. Thursday night turns out to be $2 taco night, and what a lucky find for us. We ordered a variety of beers, many were on tap, and several were what I'd call "specialty" brews. The waitress brought us their free chips and salsa while we took our time pouring over the menu. We started by sharing the Ahi Poke appetizer and an order of chicken wings between the four of us, and then went straight for the tacos. I remember trying bites of fish tacos, bangin' shrimp tacos, bonzai beef tacos, and surf n' turf tacos. Lordy, they were all good!!!! We tried their homemade slaw and also the mac n' cheese for the sides, and then forced ourselves to have a couple of cold frosties while we all compared notes on the food. An excellent find in the middle of Westchase at the Publix shopping center - corner of Linebaugh and Countryway.This is a great place to just kick back and relax. We'll definitely be back! (OK, this would be the place where I pass the tablet around the table for everyone to read the review and make suggestions....)
(5)Laura P.
Okay I do like the salsa. I like the filet tacos when they are hot. My food and my husbands food was Luke warm. I returned it and I think the server returned the same food at the same temperature. I told her and she told that's how it comes out. I asked for a side of sauce which I never got but they charged me for the sauce.. Ps! Rice needs to be kept at a certain temperature or can cause food poisoning. Look it up.
(3)Eric C.
Went on Halloween and had the $2 taco specials (Jerk Chicken & Steak - 1 of each), both were excellent, but I'd definitely do the Jerk Chicken again. The sauce was amazing and the added avocados do this proud. I love this place, the staff are nice and pleasant, the ouside area rocks when the temps just right (at night) and they have TV's so you can watch the games. I'll continue to go back to this place on any night, but especially Saturday night for the $7.99 fajitas and the $2 taco night and Thursday night. Something for Brett to think about and speak to the ownership, it's a great place to mingle with friends, watch the games, have a beer or more and some awesome food. This would be a great place to do an Elite event in the future.
(5)Karen C.
Had the Sun Burn burrito. Looks pain and boring compared to the other dishes at the table but it was so good. So much flavor packed in this burrito. I reluctantly let everybody at the table try it and they all loved it. We also tried the Buffalo chicken egg roll and the volcano shrimp and they were very good too. Our waitress was Amanda and she was super friendly and attentive. . Loved this place!
(5)Kristi S.
If you think this place is anything like Zim Zari's up in Trinity, you've got it wrong. We went to the Thursday night taco deal ($2 - $3 tacos) during happy hour and were very disappointed. Somehow the bill for the two of us got to $27 with four tacos and two domestic beers. The tacos were mediocre at best with almost no meat and some kind of root filler inside of them. We were also misled on the price of the "happy hour" beers we got. When we asked the server about it she says it happens all the time. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Victoria G.
Tyler is awesome!! He serves us usually every Thursday for Taco Thursday. He's always up beat and makes our time here so enjoyable! Not only is the food top notch but the service is also! Love it here.
(5)Gigi S.
Beware: On specials nights, there are a lot of kids and pets running around the outdoor seating areas which can get a tad messy when young flippant servers wipe the table crumbs onto the seats. I'd gladly sit in all the crumbs they desire as long as they offer those delectable little $2.00 tacos. That's a lot of flavor for 2.00. The wings aren't crunchy on .50 wing night, so Ballyhoo's is still best, and fajita night isn't consistent just yet with some fajitas served looking all sad and smokeless, or lightweight on meat, but the salsa is pretty good, and I can't seem to stay away..Fat, or Fiction?
(3)Nathan B.
I ordered fish tacos and they sucked. Over priced and small portions. The service was terrible!
(1)Don K.
Love it ! A fun place with specially prepared tacos! Such a deal on Thursday's taco night. Delicious and only $20 for two each w a glass of wine!
(5)Andrew C.
Excellent food and service, one of my new favorite spots in Tampa. The volcano shrimp and buffalo chicken eggrolls were amazing!
(5)Al E.
One of the first places we ate after we moved to Westchase. Good menu. A lot of specials. Nice patio. Good food. Good service. Highly recommended.
(4)enrique b.
The food is average, which for Westchase is good. They do have great specials like Taco Thursdays, a full bar, and generally good service. They have done a nice job with the space, including the patio. I'm a big believer in 'it's all about the food', in which case I would lean more towards 2 stars. But you have to understand, I live in Westchase, so you learn to look past the food...
(3)Paul F.
Went with some friends for the first and last time. Want something made how you'd like? Nope, not allowed. See an ingredient that you don't like or are allergic too, well your gonna have to pay more if you don't want it on your food. Want your burger cooked medium-well, goes great with the undercooked bacon on top. Disappointed and unsatisfied is to put it mildly.
(1)Bonnie C.
Horrible. The chicken wings we ordered were slimy and pink inside. Manager said that they were cooked all the way, but clearly were not. We will not be going back because of the undercooked wings and poor customer service.
(1)Mike E.
Burrito special on Mondays are the best. Everyone should try shack style. The only thing is that without the special it's a bit pricey, still best burrito in Tampa.
(5)Camille C.
I have eaten here a handful of times and haven't had a bad meal yet. Their tacos are absolutely delicious and everyone I have ever taken to eat here loves it. Their prices aren't bad at all either.
(5)Chuck R.
Went here this past Thursday and came across their $2 Taco Thursday's. Boy was it amazing! I highly recommend checking out their taco menu. A nice variety. I will definitely be back to try other things on their menu. 2 thumbs up from me!
(4)Daniel L.
Surprisingly excellent food. Every plate I have order is just ridiculous good. Even the burritos are better than Chipotle. The atmosphere is great, I feel in the beach 4 min from my house. Love the variety of the menu as well. Totally recommended.
(5)Daniel K.
I am a fan, don't get here as often as I like. I can tell you that the tacos are excellent, great seasoning and flavor, compelling combinations all in all a great experience. Sit out side on the patio, enjoy salsa and chips, have a cold drink and great ready for some great food.
(4)Temre D.
Unfortunately my experiences at Surf Shack are progressively getting worse. Quality and consistency are lacking. Maybe it's just on Taco Thursday. My most recent experience ordering to-go was sub-par. One taco was missing from my order, another missing avocado which is a main ingredient. Then when I called to speak with a manager about my experiences, her view of "service recovery" was to give me a free taco next time, which is ultimately the taco I already paid for. Overall, I'm lowering my expectations for this restaurant.
(2)Jeremy A.
As soon as you take a seat at this place you feel like you're on the beach in california. All their tacos were great but the korean bbq and shrimp were definitely my favorites. Price is right and they even have specials on the tacos all the time. This is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa, what a find and a must visit any time i'm back in Tampa.
(5)Michael C.
My girlfriend and I were looking to try something new. Generally we eat in Town N' Country or South Tampa, but just looking and read the reviews we saw Surf Shack. Now I love driving through Westchase. It's such a beautiful area - clean roads, well groomed forested areas with tall, thick trees. You feel like you're in central Florida more than a neighborhood of Tampa. So we pull up to the shopping center, pretty average Florida things - a Suntrust, a McDonald's, a Publix - and then we see a line of interesting places including the Surf Shack. As you walk in, it feels more like a place that should be in City Walk or Downtown Disney, but no, its smack dab in the middle of Westchase. Take a while to look over the three menus - daily specials, drink specials, and the regular fare. Took us a while, but we decided to splurge and get: -Pork Sliders: 3 sliders full of pulled pork, fried onion strings and slaw. These weren't too bad, but you had to get a bite with pork and onion for it to really impress. -Longboard fish tacos: lightly fried, make sure you balance out the chipotle sour cream or you'll get bites of bland and bites of WHOA! -Tiger Shrimp Tacos: again, very lightly fried (like the breading could just fall off) and again, make sure you get the aioli spread evenly. -Bonzai Beef Tacos: I wanted these because I was debating these and the Mongolian Beef Bowl. Went with the Tacos and they were the best of the three. Slightly fried meat, great veggies and the sauce is what makes it. HERE ARE THE BIG NOTES: All entrees come with a side of slaw. The slaw sucks. For $0.99 you can switch it out for anything. GET THE MAC & CHEESE. Honestly some of the best M&C I've ever had. The cheese is thick, creamy and flavorful. If they ever have a special on Lobster Mac & Cheese, I'll be there. While waiting for your food, make sure to look around and take in the ambiance that really makes this place. They have a surf video playing along one wall. Behind the bar is this great water tank with constantly flowing water. And above you are a bunch of different surf boards. This was a nice place to go, but considering their Taco Thursday special - $2 Tacos - I think I might throw together a UYE to this place to really splurge.
(4)Michael P.
Disgusting. Totally different seasonings than normal tacos or fajitas. Stinks and there is no flavor. Although they were nice and helpful to try and offer me something different and make something special but honestly. Tacos and fajitas are suppose to have thick red sauce and zest. Mexican style. Otherwise don't call it a taco! I don't like this place and rate the food a zero but the service is a ten. Just my honest opinion.
(2)Stephanie W.
5 stars for their $2 taco Thursdays! Really delicious tacos Only issue, they don't do any substitutions no matter what on this special. You can't even have an item excluded because the cooks are making a bunch of the same type of tacos continuously. Guest w/ food allergies should read the menu before coming.
(5)Sean S.
Taco Tuesdays is great. The salsa is great and filet mignon tacos keep us coming back. The service is always good and there are usually above average attractive waitresses which is important to me because I'm kind of superficial like that. This is a great remodel of the chicos that used to be in this location and features an almost identical menu.
(5)Jay Y.
I tried the long board fish tacos which were good but rather small in size. Next time I'd probably opt for the 3rd taco for $3 more, but it can get pretty pricey for a workday lunch (especially if you include a beer). Nice atmosphere though, service was prompt and friendly. A lot kids with mom (I imagine with school ending for the year soon, there will be more kids), so the indoor area can get pretty noisy...
(2)Nichole C.
I have been back five or six times since my last review. I see a few negative reviews for portion size and kids. I can see that being an issue. Depending on what you get the portions aren't huge and there are a lot of families inside, but I still find their food delish. Everything is so fresh and flavorful! Today I had a new special; chicken enchiladas {tender chicken thighs with TONS o' flavor}, and I'm sorry but I dream about their buffalo chicken egg rolls! The rice bowls are tasty, too! Honestly nothing they have isn't something I couldn't make it home but something about the freshness and their prices keeps me going back.
(4)Cari E.
When you walk into the Surf Shack you feel like you've left West Chase. From the large water wall at the bar to the loop playing surf footage, Surf Shack is the perfect name for this joint. I swear if you close your eyes you think you'll be looking at rolling in instead of cars in the parking lot. Surf Shack is very close to work and it's reasonable prices make it a go-to for the occasional lunch out. The chips they give you when you eat in are really good. They are light and crispy and have a slight seasoning on them. The salsa isn't out of this world but it's free so I'm alright with that. I have sampled a variety of their tacos but the surf and turf are my favorite. It may be that it's the only place I've been that you don't have to choose between steak or shrimp, but they got it right. The chipotle pesto is really good but it's messy so be careful. The banging' shrimp taco and delicious as well. My only complaint is the fried ones make them unhealthy and the grilled taste a tad fishy. The filet mignon tacos are a little more boring but the steak is always cooked right. The best thing about the tacos is Taco Thursdays! They have $2 tacos and drink specials. Aside from the tacos, my coworker always gets the mongolian beef bowl and she is obsessed. I have tasted it and agree that it's good but not to the degree that she does. To each her own, right? The shrimp sliders are good. The bread on them is a bit too thick for my taste but if I take the top of the bun off it's just right! Overall, I'm a fan of this place. It's nice that it doesn't try to be anything more than what it is- a causal, chill place to grab a good fresh and fast food.
(4)Angel S.
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(3)Amanda C.
Surf Shack is sort of a hidden local gem. My favorite part about this place is $2 Taco Thursdays, every taco is $2 and they are very good (my favorite is the Bonzai Beef!). Their salsa is one of my favorites I've had, although their chips could be a little more fresh. I loooove their pineapple mint tea and they also have lots of cocktails/margaritas/sangrias to choose from. They always switch up their specials which makes it interesting. The atmosphere is awesome! Surf boards hung to the ceiling, Jack Johnson music in the background and surf videos playing on a huge projector you really feel like you are at the beach!
(4)Dave W.
We popped by for dinner and had a reasonable but not particularly memorable time. This strip mall location is decorated with surf boards and they play a surfing movie. Honestly, it's hard to get in the surf mood in a strip mall. Perhaps if the floor was made of sand and we were getting sun burned... The food was good, not great, and the prices were a bit higher than I expected for what we got. The solution had to be alcohol but even the $28 pitcher of sangria was weak.
(3)Derek S.
Surf shack has potential. They have taco Thursdays where the tacos are at a great discount and you can try a few different things. They have a great variety. They also run other deals like burrito Monday. I definitely recommend going on one of the nights that they are running a discount. They have a nice outdoor seating area as well. We sat outside and enjoyed a few beers and 2 orders of tacos. I am planning on going back for the burrito deal soon. All in all we enjoyed our experience, there was a short wait for a table on a Thursday because they were running their taco deal.
(4)Jeff C.
I can't see why this place is rated so high. And WHY is it called the SURF shack? I was picturing seafood galore. Look at the highlights - egg roll and taco? Sure this isn't the Mexican Shack? Now I will say that the filet on their fajitas was better than I expected. I paid a dollar more to get a combo with (Very small) shrimp. Ok - good price on Saturdays BUT - I was still hungry. Can't see coming back when there's better value all around this area.
(3)Kelly D.
Excellent. Party of 4 and we were pigs when eating here. What we ordered: Pitcher of sangria - it was large and had fruit in it. Would get again $20 Chips and salsa- very good flavor. And it's free! Wrap- chicken the waiter recommended it and it was the special. $5 Thai Chicken - portion was big and it was tasty. Fish tacos- good Another wrap - good Chicken wings - with two of their sauces mixed. Nice flavor Desert: Cannoli with chocolate cookie dough filling. Would go back to the restaurant just for this! It was melt in your mouth good. Atmosphere: Chill with a surf feel. Very cool display behind the bar. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Shannon H.
The kitschy atmosphere is quaint but doesn't make up for the serious lack of service and mediocre food. The guacamole here is terrible; chips and salsa are ok.
(2)Karen F.
We ate here about a month ago based on the reviews and would have to say that this is the first time we have been led astray by Yelp. I had the tacos which were marginal at best, not just a small portion, but missing the jicama ingredient, as well. Definitely was very unimpressive and we won't be back. That being said, there were a bunch of families with young children there so perhaps that is the clientele they cater to.
(2)Sarah H.
This is the second time my boyfriend and I have been into Surf Shack and we had nothing but the best experience. We started off with the buffalo chicken egg rolls that everyone raves about and continued to order the surf and turf, ahi tuna, jerk chicken and the fish tacos because it was taco Thursday. Our server Rachel recommended we try the chipolte port sangria and my boyfriend tried the rotating IPA on tap. She kept our drinks full and was very accommodating. Good job Surf Shack, you're doing it right!
(5)Jeff E.
The Surf Shack has quickly become one of my new favorite bar restaurants. The prices are extremely good, especially if you go on one of the many nights they have specials. I can say with certainty that Surf Shack has some of the best wings in town. They are much larger then you will normally find at most restaurants, and are always nice and crispy. There is a varied amount of sauces. One of the best features is that they will allow you to split the order, so when my wife and I go, I can order hotter wings for myself, and my wife can have something with less of a kick. The rest of the food is great, and this is one of the few places were I would actually order fish tacos. I've only ordered a few items other then the wings, but every time the meal has been excellent. The burritos are an item I would recommend to someone going for their first time. The service is very good. You are greeted promptly upon entering and the servers are always on top of filling drinks. Another big plus is the restaurant is extremely clean. I enjoy the open layout, and the fact that they can open almost the entire front of the store when the weather is pleasant is great. Over all, this is a great restaurant for a date night, or a night out with the family.
(5)Meghan W.
I've eaten at Surf Shack twice now, and didn't have an outstanding experience either time. The first time the food was just okay, and the salad seemed like something I could make at home for a lot cheaper. The second time my fiance and mom didn't like their food at all (they got the fish tacos and said that there was hardly any taste of the actual meat), and while mine was okay, I ended up getting a little sick from it, I think. They do have really great fries, though, and a menu selection that is sure to please any eaters. I would go back and give it another try, as there were other things that looked good, and I'm not past assuming that I had two fluke experiences.
(2)S P.
Really good. As other reviewers have said the buffalo chicken eggrolls are great. Sangria is sweet and not strong, service was perfect. Good place for kids.
(4)Cassandra D.
Great specials with great price. Staff was nice and food was amazing. Highly recommend.
(4)Davina D.
$2 Tacos on Thursdays. Bangin' Shrimp. Enough said. Their mac and cheese is worth a try too.
(4)Christie D.
This place has a fun atmosphere with great food. $2 taco Tuesday? How can you not love that? The tacos are great and the chips n salsa that get brought to every table have an awesome flavor. The only thing they need are better happy hour specials!
(4)Karyn L.
Cool atmosphere. I like the fact that the menu seems to fit the decor (some lighter fare, tacos and a kind of California cuisine) and the prices are also in tune with what you get. Try: The rice bowls. Pass on: The guacamole. Way too overseasoned for a dish that should let simple flavors shine.
(3)Thaddaeus C.
Delish casual lil spot! Sat at the bar both times and their complimentary chips and salsa are great. Happy hour 3-6 with $1 off anything. Had the bacon cheeseburger, pork and fried fish tacos and all were on point! Several other menu items I'd like to try too! Everyone is super friendly and will make you feel like a regular!
(4)Jennifer P.
This place is great! I've been twice now on taco Thursday (where all tacos are $2 each) and the service and food were always great. The location really does an amazing job of making themselves stand out in a strip mall and making you feel like you're at a stand alone restaurant. I've had several of their tacos, my favorites were the bangin' shrimp and the filet mignon tacos. They're both phenomenal! Also, the free chips and salsa they bring at the beginning is as fresh as it gets. You can even taste the fresh cilantro in the salse, wonderful! I've also had their raspberry lemonade (which came with free refills) and it was amazing! I let my friend try it and she immediately regret ordering her beer haha. I would definitely come here again and again!! Great local gem of a restaurant!
(5)Tara P.
California Fish Taco's at their best! Having just moved back from Southern California I've missed the style of the food and of course the fish tacos! I've eaten here twice since they've opened and have tried every taco on the menu (I recommend the homemade hard shell style)! My favorite is the Bang Bang Shrimp and the Bonsai Beef Taco... but to be honest they have all been so tasty & flavorful that I can't choose a favorite. They have $2 tacos on Thursday, Half priced drinks after 9 PM and kids eat free on Sundays! Even if this place wasn't right in my neighborhood (Westchase) I'd still be a die hard fan! HAVE TO TRY IT OUT... IF YOU HAVEN"T ALREADY!!!
(5)Lauren C.
Authentic surfboards and colorful scuba flippers adorn the walls, making the overall feeling of this place ultra-casual. In this laid-back haven where Jack Johnson tunes make an ideal dinner soundtrack, unless it's a Thursday night, when you'll find live music on the patio. Surf movies play on a giant screen on the wall, sports are on TV in the bar area, which has a cool blue, aquarium-esque glow to it. We started with the Ginger Lime Sangria and a beer brewed exclusively for Surf Shack, called the Shack Red, paired with an Ahi Tuna Poke appetizer -- bite-sized chunks of citrus-marinated tuna with cucumber slices and chiles, served with wonton chips and tangy Asian vinaigrette. We also tried the Pipeline Tacos, with grilled cod, thinly sliced cabbage, and a chile-tomatillo salsa. On the side was a "surf slaw" with bold flavors of lime and cilantro. Everything on the plate tasted fresh and healthy. The Kahuna Pork Bowl was another tasty entree, with orange chile pork, stir-fried with pineapple, carrots and red bell pepper atop citrus rice (also can be ordered with brown rice, which I appreciate.) They have some great happy hour deals, and half price drinks from 9-close. We will definitely be back. This is a welcome addition to the Westchase restaurant line-up!
(4)Emma O.
Went here for dinner tonight for taco Thursday. All I'm saying is you should probably retrain your hostesses. On the other hand, our server Mackenzie was great!
(3)Shauna E.
Went to Surf Shack again tonight for 50 cent wings. They have a new flavor, thai chili, which is divine. As usual the service was excellent. My brother never had to ask for a refill; she just kept them coming. Great, great place.
(5)Lane R.
I just recently made it to Surf Shack for the first time. I have driven by it a few times and heard a lot of good talk, but had never actually gotten there for a meal. I like being greeted with chips and salsa that way I have time to peruse the menu without my hunger pains getting the best of me. It happened to be a Thursday when I was there so $2 tacos. Yay! I went for the surf and turf and the pacific pork. The surf and turf was tasty, the crispy onions were a great touch, but I didn't really taste the chipotle pesto. The pork was delicious very juice and the pineapple salsa was yum. I also had a glass of red mango (?) sangria which was good and pretty strong, but not great. I might go for another drink next time. Happy hour is only until 6 so get there early! As another review has mentioned I did notice a lot of children running around the restaurant. Strange. But that won't keep me from coming back.
(4)Patrick K.
This is the type of place that Westchase has been missing. Finally getting away from the local norm, the owners of Stonechase have a great concept here. I wouldn't start using words like dude or hang ten (whoops I did it) but it is a seafood concept restaurant that has great fish tacos, and yes they even have a great burger. Its new and exciting and they have been really explorative as far as flavors and types of fare so you really can't go wrong. They opened up the first of December so they have pretty much worked all of the bugs out and they have even added a canopy for the outdoor area. If you are looking for a nice place to have happy hour then you have found a great one, full bar, micro brews and hand held foods make the "High Tide" visit worth the trip. Kowabunga Dude! (Ok sorry again).
(4)Professional D.
Outstanding food and consistent service. Nightly specials. The jerk chicken tacos are amazing (they have avocado slices and plantains!) Plenty of chips and good fresh salsa. Only one complaint - the patio allows smoking. GROSS. The smoke also filters in through the doors (of course). I can't wait for all restaurants to get on board with true NON SMOKING. It really does ruin the food taste and dining experience.
(4)Jessica P.
This.place.rocks ! It opened to the public on Friday, Dec 2nd and as of yesterday, Dec 6th, my boyfriend and I have been there 3 times. He gets the chicken burritos "shack style" which means cheese and salsa added on top. He says that it should be mandatory that they serve it that way because of how good it is. I've gotten the Veggy Bowl twice now. It's enough food for 2 meals, and oh-so-delicious. And for only $7.95 you can't beat it. I also got the seafood stack which was awesome, but I probably wouldn't get again because of the deep fried tortillas. But the seafood was so fresh so don't pass it up if you like that sort of thing. Same goes for the Volcano Shrimp appetizer.... ya just gotta try it and see how good it is. The chefs here are culinary masters! Now that I've raved about the food, I gotta tell you about the staff. They are just about as nice as it gets. Our first visit we had Parissa (I think I'm spelling that right), and she was very attentive and had a great personality. She had a smile on her face the entire time, and definitely made us enjoy our visit. Considering we've eaten there every other day since opening, I think it's safe to say I highly recommend this place. I think you will find that it will soon turn into your second home as well. Can't wait til my next visit...tomorrow =)
(5)Marc R.
Granted it was a busy time..."Taco Thursday". Hostess's were running around doing what looked like nothing, while at least four different parties waited ten minutes to be seated at the available three booths and two tables. After being seated waitress took our order of one appitizer four entree's. The waitress brings out our appitizer then two minutes later brings out the entrees then five minutes later asks us if we are going to want dessert then brings our check and says "no rush". Terrible service.
(2)Karen H.
I'm currently staying in Tampa with my husband while he's here on a business trip. We started using yelp to find good eats and wanted to find a good seafood place. Yelp recommended the Surf Shack and with 4 stars, we thought it would be perfect. We went around 5 pm so they weren't busy at all. Our waitress, Rachel, was nice enough but very slow. She didn't ask us if we'd like an appetizer, had to write down our order even though we were one of two tables in the place, and was very slow to bring us our food. While the food was delicious, I was dissapointed with the portion size of my side dish and the temperature of the food. All of our food was lukewarm at best. My husband didn't get his side dish and when he asked about it, Rachel informed him that they were out of it and making some more which I felt like was something she should have told us when she brought the food. If we're the only patrons in the restaurant, I would expect our food to be delivered in a timely fashion and to be piping hot when we receive it. Again, the food was super yummy but I won't go back to the Surf Shack.
(2)Aron Y.
Second time eating here and probably will be my last. Food has no flavor at all. Meat is extremely bland. Salsa and guacamole taste like it came from a can. Nice looking place though. Just wish the food was as good as the place looks
(2)Jimmy P.
Surf Shack is awesome dude! Took my parents there for lunch on a Sunday. The Buffalo chicken egg rolls are hands down the best appetizer I have ever eaten. They somehow get the outside to have the same texture of a crispy wing. Volcano shrimp was delicious but could have been more spicy. The Longboard fish tacos are great! We also had the fish buritto. Very tasty. Our server Tabitha was super friendly and sweet and our food arrived very quickly.
(5)