Water front authentic seafood joint. I have been eating oysters for 30 years from NoLa to NYC; and these by far were the largest, freshest, sweetest oysters served RAW (I'll add my own fixin's thank you very much). The scenery from the patio seemed to make the oysters TASTE better? It over looks the swampy bogs where I assume many oysters grew up. They truly have any fixin's that you can dream of to TOP YOUR OYSTER! $11 per/doz (not the cheapest, especially considering the location), but still within reason. (Happy Hours in many cities across the U.S. offer $1 oysters) I was truly blown away by the experience. 1/2 the employees were quite nice. Remember, this is a town of 3,000 !!!! My wife had the grilled Mahi with one large hushpuppy(?)(kinda weird? I'm from the Carolinas-We Know Hushpuppies) and a side of deep fried GRITS BALLS-very funky and unusual, but recommended. Go to catch the Sunset!!
(5)
Rachel L.
My fiance and I sampled 4 items from the menu here. All of the entrees were great. The calamari was average, a bit salty. The clam pasta was super good. Perfect balance of flavors with delicate, fresh clams & crusty warm bread. The crab cakes were great even with a heavy acidic tone. They had very little breading; lots of crab. They were accompanied by fried green tomatoes and 2 house made dipping sauces. (Both great) The star of our meal was the conch cakes. They were by far the best conch I've had. They had a mango-coconut slaw/sauce with small sliver of bell peppers and onion with them. I would go back for that dish. The only down sides to this place was the price is a bit high for the portions and the entrees were more like apps; in size and that they didn't come with sides. I would go back for the pasta & conch.
(4)
Rob G.
We went to Up the Creek with our family on vacation. Very relaxed place with cool atmosphere. We were given menus when we walked in and told to sit where ever we wanted - we headed outside and found a table for our party of 5. We quickly went inside after a youngster was having a meltdown outside and the parents couldn't figure out that he was yelling loud enough to make it hard for us to hear our own conversations. OK we're inside and all is well. When you order, you go up to the bar, order and tell them where you're sitting. OK - that's odd - fix your own tea, soda etc OR they will bring you the alcoholic drinks.... Odd. Our food was good. Not great - we had shrimp by the pound, bisque, crab cakes and fish tacos. Don't get me wrong - the food was fine but nothing to write home about and it was expensive. $20 for a pound of shrimp? They were huge but come on - you're on the damn gulf folks.... They tout themselves about all kinds of alligator - but they did not have any when we were there but didn't say why. I doubt we'd be back but who knows.
(3)
Melissa T.
I was most excited by the expansive menu and the waterfront location. Unfortunately it was an extreme let down...the food was heavily breaded and greasy, it tasted as though it had been sitting around a while. Not impressed at all with our meal but that view was beautiful. Really wanted to try the "homemade" key lime pie but couldn't bring myself to chance it for another $5.
(2)
Natalie O.
Great casual waterfront location! We came twice so far, the 2nd time we were lucky enough to snag a table outside. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. You would think this might lessen the quality of service, but the service is amazing! They are super friendly and always go out of their way to get you what you need. We've had oysters, crab cakes, conch cakes, fried shrimp, homemade potato chips, fries, hush puppies, and their awesome gator empanadas (which we were bummed they weren't on the menu the 2nd time). Plus their Key Lime Pie is amazing, exactly how it should be.... and just as good as mine ;) For the type of restaurant Up the Creek is, it deserves 5 stars for sure. You can't beat this place!
(5)
Missy N.
Yummy yummy in my tummy! Great food and service. Local place don't pass this diamond in the rough up!
(5)
Peter O.
Love this place. Love the fact we can take our dog and sit on the deck overlooking the river. Great view and the food has never disappointed. Had oysters in mid June and they were great. Don't let the ordering from the counter turn you off.
(4)
Doug V.
Five stars just because. First off, very friendly staff. Nice views of the river. Good, local beer selection. And, food is damn good. I started with the oysters mignonette which were described to have habanero but I didn't feel the heat that habanero implies. I had a Proof Mango Wit beer from Tallahassee which was damn good. My wife had the crab cakes- 2 cakes grilled, nicely filled with crab instead of filler, and two fried green tomatoes. I had the conch cakes which my wife wished she ordered, topped with a mango relish. Lunch was a bit pricier then expected, but fresh, well prepared, and like I said, very friendly staff so worthwhile.
(5)
Jeff N.
So you grab a menu and wait in line. Ok, that's fine. So I wait in line for a $16 fish sandwich. Ok, I'm still trying to like this place. Must be good I'm thinking. I order chic wings, gone. Ok oysters, gone. Ok I'm still trying to place an order. "What table are you sitting at?" Asks the cashier. I don't know, I've never been here, I don't know? I get attitude ok, I'm done now. Left and went to Owl Cafe. Half the price, full service, great food. Now I know why we passed 2 families walking out expressing disappointment.
(1)
Samantha D.
Fantastic fresh local seafood. Best value for raw oysters. Great wine and beer selection. Fried flounder and fried shrimp are a must. The drawback is you have to order at the counter but the servers are all great! There is a wonderful view of Apalachicola Bay.
(4)
Mary S.
Fun little place in Apalachicola, even great for a rainy afternoon! The Crab Cakes were delicious, even paired with true southern style Fried Green Tomatoes! I ventured out of my comfort zone and ordered a dozen Oysters and was not disappointed. Definitely would go back, the menu and daily specials cater to everyone!
(4)
Xan T.
If you are drinking this is the place to come. But if you want a decent dinner don't come. We ordered several dozen oysters. This is no New Orleans French Market restaurant.
(1)
Bob S.
Outstanding outdoor patio eating with a view that's as pleasing as the service. The food is amazing and very reasonably priced. It's now on my list of top eating establishments that I've eaten at anywhere here and abroad.
(5)
Bobblehead B.
What a great find!!! In this quaint Florida Panhandle town for a Family Wedding. My cousin found this place at 6:00 AM while jogging!! Went over for lunch. Oysters are just great, but the fried shrimp were the best I ever had in my life. The breading is done perfectly!!
(5)
Henry H.
Had lunch and loved it so went back for dinner! If you are in Apalachicola, eat here. The steamed shrimp was the best shrimp we have ever had!. It was red shrimp and they said it was seasonal, but it was oh so good. Old bay seasoning, melted butter to dip, cocktail sauce....yum. Also had eggplant stack, fried green beans, parmasan oysters,,.everything was good. Great draft beer selections. Great view overlooking Apalachicola Bay. Friendly staff.
(4)
Dave F.
This place has good food, a casual atmosphere and a fair amount of vegetarian options. My daughter and I ate on the patio on a Saturday night overlooking the river. She had the veggy burger which she really liked. She especially liked that she could go to their salad bar to add any toppings she wanted. I had the fish tacos which were fresh and well seasoned. My only regret was that I missed the specials board, and since you order at the counter , there was no waitress to point this out. In an area dominated by seafood places , this is a great choice if there is a vegetarian in your group.
(4)
Brielle P.
Loved it! Delicious and fresh seafood of course. And you get to eat overlooking the water. I had the crab cakes with fried green tomatoes and it was super yummy, fairly priced and lots of crab meat! Will be back.
(5)
Katie B.
I've been here a couple times on vacation, and I've always been really impressed with their oysters. I've tried the basic steamed oysters, which were seasoned with just enough butter and lemon, the parmesan garlic oysters, which are my favorite, and the Mediterranean oysters, which were not as good as the others I've tried. The mixture of olives and garlic put on top of the Mediterranean oysters sort of overshadowed their actual flavor. But everything else I've tried here, including the sweet potato fries and homemade chips, has been excellent :)
(5)
Mike C.
Wow, great little place. Thanks to Yelp or I never would have found it! My wife and I loved loved loved the back patio where you can sit and watch the river. We watched birds, fish swimming, boats going by. Truly a lovely experience. The food here was good. I had conch cakes which were very good, and of course we had some oysters. I had honestly never had oysters before I came to Up the Creek so I can't compare them to anything, but they tasted great. Also, the key lime pie for dessert was divine. And finally, they had some really good beers and cocktails. Being an out of towner, I was very happy to find Cigar City here.
(4)
Emily V.
I love this place so much I went three times on a weeklong visit to Apalachicola! By the third time, they had recognized me :) The seafood here is so fresh and delicious and reasonably priced. I got raw oysters everytime I went there - heaven! I also had the boild shrimp which are pretty much the most delicious boiled shrimp I've ever had! The baskets are also huge with lots of seafood and the hushpuppies are super sweet and delicious. The staff is super friendly, I loved them all. Definitely no frills, delicious, reasonably priced seafood!
(5)
Thomas G.
We have been eating here for several years and we have always been impressed. The view is awesome. It's one restaurant that we are sure to go to every time we are in this area.
(5)
Kevin G.
TL:DR - A solid, no frills decision for a casual date or group outing. I recommend the peel & eat shrimp, the plain raw oysters, the mignonette oysters), and the margaritas. The fried grouper was amazing. I've eaten here several times. Up the Creek is a must for me every time I go to Apalachicola. Place your initial order at the counter and select your seat. They will give you a number to display on your table so the kitchen can deliver the food to the right table. You can place future orders at the counter or through the servers who will check in on you. Check the specials board - the fried grouper was excellent. Their margaritas are above average, but nothing too fancy. I've always had great service and left feeling like I had great food at a very reasonable price.
(4)
Jennifer E.
Great food & atmosphere! Salad/condiments bar. You order at bar & fix your own drinks. Awesome fried shrimp, cheese grits, sweet tea! Kids plates too. :-)
(5)
Charles L.
We loved everything . My wife is French and she thinks the crab caked are the best she has every. I loved the egg rolls. The alligator burgers are great. I had two 16 year old boys with us and they loved it. I am a hard person to please and they pleased me!!!!
(5)
Lou R.
The food here is great, it's just over priced. I had a dozen oysters, a bowl of soup and a beer and the bill was over $30. Here's what you can expect. You order at the counter, so you don't get the luxury of sitting down and having your order taken. They bring the food to you, then you pay at the register on the way out. So you have to deal with long lines to order and pay. The place is "rustic", for lack of a better term. I'm ok with all of that. The problem is, the pricing of the food is equivalent to a high end restaurant, which it's not. For comparison purposes, I had an awesome dinner with table service, unlimited bread, and linen table cloths in a nice restaurant (the Owl Cafe) that night and it only cost me $22.
(3)
Marie H.
We had lunch today and were very pleased with the food. We had Mediterranean style oysters that were outstanding. The conch cakes and fish tacos were also delicious. The atmosphere is casual waterfront perfectly suited to the location. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Carl N.
Our last night in Apalachicola, we chose Up The Creek for a oyster heavy supper. At Up the Creek, everyone orders at a counter then the severs bring the food to your table. Seems to work OK. It was just a little too warm to eat outside but there is a very nice view from Up the Creek's deck. For our dinner, I had a dozen raw and a dozen steamed Parmesan. The raw were nice and cold--very enjoyable. The oysters Parmesan were steamed with Parmesan cheese on top. It's a first time for me and worthy of a repeat. My wife had her standard gumbo and salad. Gumbo was very good with average seafood in it. Not New Orleans quality but very good. We were full so we ordered our dessert to go. We each took a Key Lime pie back to the room. The pies were excellent. Enjoyed our experience and plan on coming back. [Visited May 2014]
(4)
Paul P.
Went there out of the blue without checking any reviews, and it is certainly a jewel if you are in this neck of the woods. We sat right on the river and enjoyed everything. I had Calamari and the fish tacos....very good! Great service. My only ding is that it was a little more pricey than it should be, but will be going back. It was worth it, and the atmosphere was priceless!
(4)
Hazel Grace F.
The oysters were outstanding, large and tasty, and the grilled conch cakes were loads of flavors. The outdoor seating is great, particularly for the pet lovers that were out there. They had a good list of craft beer. Overall a great experience. Don't miss out on The Oyster Brewery a couple of blocks over.
(5)
Colette K.
Yummy bloody Mary's! The screened in deck is were to go for a relaxing view of the water.
(4)
Lindsay B.
Super friendly and food was very good. It's small, so if have more people in your group go earlier. We had a great time.
(5)
Foodie C.
Definitely Stay Away ! Way Overpriced for CANNED seafood taste experience... I should've known better when I only saw 5 cars parked ouside this place on Friday ... but I gave it a try because Yelp reviews. Huge Mistake! Oyster : smallest, driest, non fresh stuffs, salty, worse I ever had, had better oysters in Chinese buffet ! Rubbery taste oyster & cheese, Huge disappointment. Claim Chowder : brownish color, waterly, tasted like water, melted butter, can of chopped claim, big clumps of potatoes, most disgusting claim Chowder ever, for $11 soup No way it should taste like that. NO thank you even if free. Fish Taco : Lots of Mayo, has to be because they do not have good food here, Mayo is the best tasting thing in here... Service : Poor, had to ask for cocktail sauce for oysters because it did not come with when arrived, smallest lemon slice I ever seen so couldn't squeeze lemon juice.. unfriendly & unprofessional staffs, Not acceptable especially when food sucks as much as this place ! They call this place a seafood restaurant ?? Are you kidding, I dont know where they get their seafood, none of their food is fresh, CANNED seafood at best ! Their BAD food ruined part of my vacation in here, definitely Will not recommend to anybody !
(1)
J O.
Fun place on the bay. Food is good, expect tourist prices. Salad bar is actually decent with spring mix and fresh dressing. Hush puppies were excellent! Fish tacos were good but needed more seasoning. Family of 4 ate for $80+ for lunch. Service was good. Order at the counter and they will bring to you. Others report of bad service, I would just say they don't go out of their way to please or be super friendly.
(3)
Reed B.
Dined here for lunch for second year running. The oysters were fantastic. Had baked parmesean style as well as raw and was very pleased. Very nice staff and cool location looking out on the Apalachicola river. As with most establishments in the area - don't expect anything fancy. Just eat and enjoy.
(5)
Adam B.
Excellent food, excellent service, awesome view!! One of our favorite places in Apalachicola, FL! They are dog friendly too, if you sit on the patio.
(5)
Richard H.
We went on a Sunday afternoon and I must say everything was great We started with raw oysters and the restaurant provided a condiment bar for the oysters with cocktail sauce, crackers, a variety of hot sauces, horseradish I had the Alligator Burger which comes with fries, the restaurant also provides a sandwich / topping bar which included onion, pickles, tomatoes, lettuces The Alligator Burger was served on a multigrain bun and the meat was very flavorful and juicy. My wife had The Grouper Basket with fries and the Grouper was coated in light batter and perfectly fried to a light golden color, it was very flavorful and a large portion. The restaurant is a semi self service where you pick out a seat for yourself, look over the menu and go to the bar and order when you are ready , Then you get your own drinks and sit back down and they bring your food and when you are done you pay at the bar and leave when you wish Over all it is a 5 star rating and the indoor and out door seating just makes that much better and for those of you that like to bring the family dog with them they are allowed on the outdoors seating deck and they provide a place to get fresh water for Fido too If you are in the area I would highly recommend the restaurant
(5)
Brian H.
So came here based on other reviews and the oysters were huge a couple about 3" long, shrimp and gator fried baskets were great. Highly recommended.
(4)
Bart B.
Extremely spotty. Have been here at times when we thought it was awesome and at others where we felt ripped off and didn't even really want to eat what we were served. The main common thread I think I've picked up on . . . go at a peak hour and wait if you have to. They seem to be much more on their game then. The times we've been disappointed have tended to be more at in-between times (like 4 pm-ish). If you go at an off-peak time, though, don't be surprised to get less than fresh food and subpar service.
(3)
Jayne M.
Had a great meal there, I had a dozen raw oysters, conch cakes and tasted my family members salmon & bacon sandwich, crab cakes & sweet potato fries. Oysters were fresh and served with the usual condiments. The conch cakes were pretty good, the sauce was good & the mango/red onion slaw in top was artful & delicious. Crab cakes were packed with crab & very good. Salmon sandwich was good it needed a better sauce to pull it together but it was very good. Presentation was good, someone cares on the kitchen! Finished with key lime pie & coconut cream pie - tasty! The place has a great view & vibe, we sat outside. You order at the counter after you sit, which is confusing. I would eat there again, lots of other stuff looked very tasty on the menu.
Did a day trip to Apalachicola and St. George's Island. Toured the towns on our bikes and looked at all the menus and decided on "Up the Creek Raw Bar". The selection of oysters that we ate were the best we've ever had in our lives! The steamed clams were also delicious. If I ever get back to this part of the world, it will be hard to not stop here for some oysters!
(4)
Medic L.
An amazing place to eat for awesome oysters! We put down 4 dozen, which were cooked in various ways. We also had the crab cakes. It looks"iffy" from the outside, but totally worth it!
(5)
David L.
Fried seafood joint with good fried oysters, shrimp, etc. to go with redneck ambiance. Limited menu and modest portions, but overall a fun, unpretentious spot
(4)
Courtney P.
What a pleasant surprise. We got the Southern Fella oysters and they were like anything we've ever had. Yum. I got the conch cakes and my boyfriend got the salmon and bacon sandwich. Both were great. The conch cakes had a lot of different tastes going on and the mango slaw was amazing. You order at the counter but a member of the waitstaff checked on us a couple of times. She was very friendly and helpful.
(5)
Jeff E.
The food was good, but the "system" for taking orders, food delivery and payment was not very efficient. I probably would not go back just for that reason. Just seemed rather chaotic.
(3)
Rita B.
Raw Oysters... Fantastic! Sweet potato fries! Perfect! Conch fritters... Amazing! Blackened amberjack...Fresh and delicious ! Homemade mint and chocolate ice cream...Wow! Incredible view!! You will love this place!
(5)
Ted D.
Okay I'll start by saying we really liked this place and would go often if we weren't 2000 miles away. This is a second story restaurant and they have very cleverly built an outside counter that has you sitting side-by-side and facing out over the river. As we went late in the day we got to enjoy watching the evening fall over the river, the birds in and out of the Sawgrass and the shrimp boats making their way up river following what was no doubt a long day. You order inside, serve yourself to the soft drink and iced tea bar and then your food is delivered by undoubtedly the friendliest young wait staff imaginable. The counter folks were also friendly and very helpful. Oysters on the half were very good and we especially enjoyed the Southern Fella baked oysters with collards! Steamed shrimp were also very good. The peel and eat shrimp were also very good. Crabcakes were lack luster - small and too much filler. Key lime pie was good. Overall a very nice experience.
(4)
Paul H.
My family and I took the drive over from St. George Island while vacationing last week to Up the Creek based on the reviews here and the fact that they (Up the Creek) was pet friendly and we could bring our dog with us and not have to worry about leaving him in a strange place for hours. The pet friendly area was set up outside on an enclosed porch with views of the water and boats parked behind the restaurant, we seated ourselves and had our dog seated under our table with us. It was strange to not have a wait staff come up and take your orders, every order was taken inside by going up to the counter and then they gave us a number to bring out the food. My wife and I shared the fried green bean appetizer, which were excellent when paired with some of the remoulade dipping sauce, not too oily at all. I had the alligator burger while she had the blackened gulf shrimp and both dishes were great. Definitely enjoy our experience and the views!
(4)
Melissa C.
Oh please, oh please can I go back right now? It's only 850 miles away!! This place does it RIGHT! Some may be turned off by the fact that you have to order at a counter but I found it handy because we CONSTANTLY wanted to order more. Getting up and telling them what we wanted was easy. There was never a line more than 1 or 2 people (could have to do with the time of year) and the servers were very attentive to empty plates and any other requests we had. And then there's this little thing called the oysters. $7.99 for a dozen of their delicious, fresh out of the water you're looking out across, oysters. Holy deal!!! I love raw oysters and this is the best price I've ever seen. We also tried several of the baked oysters but I honestly don't remember which ones they were because I love the plain, raw oysters the best. I tried to conch cakes and liked them a lot but it was only a minor break in between oysters. Loved the food, service, and the view. I cannot wait for another vacation to the area so I can return. Thank you so much for the best food experience on our trip!!
(5)
Jeff L.
Love the head on shrimp and the view. They also have a great grouper sandwich. This is one of those places we always come to when we go to the beach.
(4)
Angela H.
I ordered the entree with 3 crab cakes, rice and string beans to go and it was a good sized entree that was cooked well. The crab cakes weren't lump but weren't all filler either. It was a solid 3 stars taste, quality and how fast my order came out. On a side note, there is a liquor store down the street so it was a great way to stay out of the kitchen and still have a 'home away from home' meal. I would go back again for another dish.
(3)
Angela D.
Excellent oysters! We came here with 6 adults and 6 kids so we ordered almost the entire menu. The conch cakes and crab cakes were both amazing, my husband liked the crab cakes better but they were both excellent. Loved the Parmesan oysters! The raw oysters were small but our dozen was actually 15 so no complaints here. The bisque was fantastic as were the egg rolls. Our non oyster eaters got the chimichangas and said they were delicious. The margaritas were flowing and the FL/GA line cocktail was a nice treat. The self serve counter was no big deal and the vibe is relaxed and laid back. LOVE this place and we make a point to drive here every year when we stay on St. George.
(4)
John V.
We had lunch here twice and the first time (fish tacos and crab cakes) it was good; the second time (oysters mignonette and peel 'n eat jumbo shrimp) it was great! Very attentive service and a nice selection of beers on tap. Plus, very dog-friendly in their enclosed porch overlooking the bay. Friendly and casual with ample parking (a little in front and a lot on the street). Prices are moderate but good for what you get.
(5)
Denise W.
Wonderful lunch at Up the Creek Raw Bar. The oysters were so fresh and the grouper sandwich was great.
(5)
Samuel M.
"Wow, wow, wow" is all I can say. I had crab and lobster bisque, alligator empanadas, and three kinds of baked oysters. Don't miss this place.
(5)
Kathleen N.
Uh-mazing!!! The oysters were so fresh! Can't say enough about how good it was. The only downside and not a huge deal was you had to wait in line to order which was fine but if you wanted a second cocktail/drink you would have to go back in line.
(4)
Morgan M.
This place wasn't really anything more or less special than anywhere else we went in Apalachicola. We had baked and raw oysters, and I do like that they have a little condiment bar to fix your own cocktail sauce (if you're picky about that). We sat on the porch and the view was nice enough, but I thought Papa Joe's had a better view of the river and basically the same food.
(3)
tania C.
Finally gave up....after several tries since the Wheel house closed. It's over priced and don't understand all great reviews. Grouper was loaded in salt and the asian salad again heavily salted. Oyster were very small and covered with cheese so that the oyster was barely visible.
(2)
Mary Ann M.
A great family restaurant . The oysters are delicious. The customer service is a little weird. You stand in a line to order your food , self serve soda drinks and the staff brings you your food. So no server. You have a great view and like I said the oysters are awesome.
(4)
Jaime G.
Up the Creek has a lovely view and tasty food, yet the service is not traditional. You order at the bar and your food (oysters preferably) are brought to your table. You must retrieve the necessary items (crackers, horseradish, hot sauce, cocktail sauce, lemons) and self serve beverages. Needless to say, it's waterfront and the seafood is fresh and delicious, but it is an interactive meal.
(4)
Houston A.
Pretty good seafood, but there is better nearby for cheaper prices. The waterfront view is great. We didn't like paying $21 for a piece of grouper that was, at best, a child size portion. Decent food, but overpriced for what you get.
(3)
Peter Y.
I have been eating oysters as long as I can remember. Raw, steamed or however. Slap them on a cracker and I'm good. However, Up the Creek takes it a step further into uncharted territory for this self-proclaimed oyster-aholic. Raw oysters topped with habeneros, scallions and lime? Or how about topping them with sour cream and caviar? The taste combinations were awesome. I was completely floored. I don't even remember what I drank or had as a side. And to top it off, we sat facing the river watching the shrimp boats head out. Simply incredible. This place is a little pricey considering it is in the oyster capital of the south, but after eating here 3 times in the span of 5 days, I guess I figured it was worth it. If you visit or just pass through, stop here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Sheryl B.
Oh my gosh I had the best amberjack fish tacos here. In fact this Southern California native had the best fish tacos I have ever had and I KNOW fish tacos! Oh and the fried string beans are really good, too. We will be back again!
(4)
Jesse V.
My first visit to the Apalachicola. Heard about this place from my brother and he didn't steer me wrong. I got regular raw oysters, the oysters "Mignionette" and "Classic" ones. All were excellent! The crab bisque was sublime and the sweet potato fries were the best I've had anywhere. Also tried some wings, moist with a savory sauce that had a nice tangy vinegar taste (not enough heat for my likes though). Good service. All around great place! If you are in or near Apalachicola you got to stop by this place!
(5)
Jane B.
Stopped by after a fun bike ride through town and was delighted with our choice for lunch! Conch cakes were amazing and the slaw served with them was very tasty. Landlubber husband raved about his blackened chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. Good service and friendly staff. Going back for the crab cakes before we leave!
(5)
Bill H.
Best blackened grouper I have ever had. Omg it was good. Great food. Great view. Cold beer.
(5)
Les V.
Sat outside watched gators swim down the river. Enjoyed meal of Mediterranean oysters for start , the fried shrimp and sweet potato fries were excellent also fried green tomatoes , the special was blacken Grouper very good. Looking forward to going back and try the fried Gator .
(5)
Steffanie B.
This is definitely an interesting place. Placed our order at the counter and sat down to wait for it. The staff was friendly enough. The steamed oysters were good but the peel and eat shrimp was another story. Very mushy in texture and many were green and smelled badly. We will not be back.
(2)
Paul M.
OK... for the laid back raw bar experience this place may top them all. Nestled in downtown Apalachicola on a back street, this restaurant overlooks the bay and offers both indoor and outdoor seating if you prefer. The food was excellent. We ordered fresh raw oysters and shrimp caught in local waters. This quaint little coastal restaurant also came with a friendly staff and our favorite, the owner who stopped by our table to discuss the history of the restaurant and the quality of the local seafood brought in daily by the local fisherman. My wife and I's favorite ... Local! Local! Fresh off the boat! Keep it coming! Overall we put this restaurant on the "A" list and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to eat. Just remember to dress casual.
(5)
Ashley A.
Heads up everyone: This is a self service restaurant. If you've been walking around Apalachicola all day and have tired, sweaty children who need a break, be prepared to work your butt off for dinner here. Up and down from the table constantly to order drinks, then food, then to refill your drinks, then to prepare your salad, and then again to pay. I guess I wouldn't have been so annoyed if I'd known this beforehand. Add to that the mediocre food and I was thoroughly annoyed. The plus side is that they aren't charging an arm and leg for the merely adequate fare.
(2)
Gaby S.
Excellent ... And I mean EXCELLENT oysters and crab cakes. We came here in between meals bc our lunch in St George Island left us hangry. Then oysters were HUGE and they have like 6 different styles of hot sauce. The homemade crab cakes were full of crab meat and little batter. But even the batter on the fried green tomatoes (that come with the crab cakes) were seasoned correctly and fried to perfection. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Brad K.
Great place ! 2lbs of HUGE shrimp for $20 Sort of a serve yourself raw bar Love everything about this place Can't wait to o back!!
(5)
Mike H.
Awesome food and awesome view from the outdoor deck! This is the place you need to go when driving through or visiting the area. Over the years I have eaten at several spots in the area and I have to say that this is my favorite! From the parking lot, head upstairs, get in line to order,and then take a seat. The food will be out quickly. We chose to sit outside facing the water which was wonderful. Great service and excellent drink selections. Also, the cocktail sauce was homemade and some of the best I have ever had. I thought the Parmesan oysters were great and also enjoyed them steamed. If you only have time to go to one place in Apalach, go here! Worth the drive from SGI.
(5)
Marqus R.
Being in Apalachicola I expected good oysters and I got them at Up The Creek, having had the Moscow (raw oysters with sour cream and caviar) and the Parmesan (steam with Parmesan cheese topping). Indeed, the oysters were very good. The view, as the dinning area is on the second floor overlooking the water, is also second to none in the area. However, I found that everything else is a distant second if not a third or fourth place to other noted eateries in the area. If they just sold oysters and nothing else, I couldn't be cirtical of the place, but when they attempt to serve other foods that border upon being absolutely horrid, I can indeed be very critical. First off, you either wonder up the stairs or take an elevator to the second floor. No problem with that, but when you enter, you aren't greeted. You get to stand in line, sort of like a McDonalds, then when you get to the clerk she points, says "the menus are here and there are some specials on the blackboard." Couldn't she at least be polite or interested enough to say hello, welcome, hand me a menu and just call the "board" a "board" since it is white with black marker writing on it, not even remotely similar to a blackboard. Then, after you place your order, wait for her to write it all down, place it on the cook area while announcing "new order"....as if she would be giving them an old order....she hands you a number sign and tells you to put it down wherever you find a seat. So, you do that, then you have to go hunt around to get yourself a glass of water, which while you are at it, you can entertain yourself by checking a salad bar that is so limited, small and skimpy it would even make a rabbit laugh. Also don't believe the labels on the dressings or sauces. The remoularde sauce is a disgrace to the name and the others a total jokes. I also had the Mahi Mahi and the sweet potato fries; both greasy, both improperly seasoned. So, great view, great oysters; nothing more. With so many other places offering great oysters in the Apalachicola area, there is no need to put up with the lousy service and other sub par food.
(2)
Lisa B.
Great at handling a large crowd, we had a party of 17. We had a variety of food and it was all good and fresh! We will be back!
(4)
dawn t.
No oysters! Thank you EPA for screwing with the local economy! Had the soft shell crab and it was to die for! Servers attitude was average. Probably because of the lack of business due to NO Oysters! Thanks government for screwing up the local economy.
(4)
Lady D.
This place is awesome yet again! Today's lunch is seafood bisque and conch cakes. The bisque is just right- OMG- with just the right hint of sherry. No salt or pepper necessary. Conch can be tough if not done properly. My conch cakes came topped with a wonderfully sweet mango slaw that perfectly balanced the mild tupilo honey and lime sauce. The plate was dusted with toasted sweet coconut. What a wonderful meal!
(5)
Jessica P.
Such an amazing restaurant! We've gone twice in the three days we have been in Apalachicola; it's that good! The service is great, even though you have to order at a counter. The Parmesan oysters are awesome! They have specials every day and their crab and lobster bisque is so tasty. Don't miss out!
(5)
Richard H.
Definitely our favorite place to eat at in the entire area. Should have gone back our second night but went to the Owl's Nest and discovered it was a little hyped up and expensive. This joint had a great atmosphere, on the spot wait staff, a fantastic view of the Apalachicola Bay, and awesome food and drink When it was all over, the price really wasn't that bad considering I had two martini's and my wife had wine. So when we're back in the area, we're definitely heading back to visit this place.
(5)
A S.
After the past 9 years we have tried it all on SGI and in Apalachacola. We all agree this is one of the best- if I could do a 1/2 star it would b a 4 1/2 rating. The broiled oysters were to die for!! devoured by my gang in seconds flat! We tried the Parm & traditional- both delicious. Our fried shrimp was battered to perfection - light and so fresh! My son had the fried gator and said it was great. My sweet potatoes fries were some of the best I have ever had! I hate to encourage u to go to add to my future wait time but- give it a try u wont b disappointed.
(4)
Joe P.
The BEST Restaurant in Apalachicola, FL...Period!! Me, my wife , my brother and his wife ate there on September 7th 2013. I had the Parmesan (Steamed) Oysters ($8.99 Doz) that are prepared with Parmesan Cheese, Butter and seasonings. They were SO GOOD that I ordered another round and went with the Classic (Steamed) Oysters ($10.99 Doz) prepared with Bacon, Cheddar Cheese and Jalapeños. All I can say is that these were heavenly. After living in the Pacific Northwest for almost 9 years and not having good oysters readily available this place and their preparation of the local oysters was a true find. The Oysters were small to medium size and tasted like butter with a little salinity on the finish....oh so good...my mouth is watering as I write this!!. My wife (a Vegetarian) had the Warm Eggplant Stack ($10.99) prepared with yellow tomatoes and a basil, parmesan, ricotta blend, served with a fresh tomato coulis. I tasted it and ended up helping her finish the huge portion she was served. We both loved the italian sauce that was on it. and the eggplant was cooked perfectly..not too much breading and not oily. My brother had Crab Cakes ($11.99 - 2 cakes) prepared with fresh blue crab claw meat with light seasoning (and very little else!), garnished with fried green tomatoes and our house remoulade and aioli sauces on the side. He raved about them the entire time he was eating them. The crab meat was big lump pieces and the cakes had been delicately pan fried to a golden crust. According to my brother who has lived in Panama City for 8 years and has sampled crab cakes all up and down the Florida coast...these were the best!! My brothers wife had the Fried Alligator Basket ($15.99) prepared with Chunks of Whole Body Alligator Meat...she also had Sweet Potato Fries. She said the Fried Alligator pieces were really good. They were golden brown and didn't seem greasy (but I didn't try any). If it says anything, she finished them all. The Sweet Potato Fries were thick cut and again not greasy at all...we all shared them. All in all....our meal was well worth the drive from Panama City Beach and the next time I visit my brother in Florida I'll be heading to Up The Creek Raw Bar for another satisfying meal. By the way....we sat outside under the enclosed seating area which some local restaurants do not have...which was nice because it kept the sun off our heads and the birds off our table!!
(5)
Joy S.
Totally bewildering ordering and payment system. But somehow it all works perfectly. There's a method to the madness! Outstanding food and the service was hyper attentive. They also pour local Apalach beer, Oyster City Brewing company by the pitcher. Good times.
(5)
Janice M.
We were recommended here by our Inn Keeper. Crab cakes were delicious,just crab meat. The fried green tomatoes were huge but too much breaking for my liking. Hubby had the grouper sandwich and was delighted. His sweet Potato fries were plentiful, fresh and hot and very tasty. We had the unusual for a starter fried green beans. Very different dipped in cornmeal and deep fried. Good different that is I would come here again.
(4)
Ken B.
We ate here twice and it was our favorite spot in Apalachicola. Very informal laid back place right on the bayside. The shrimp were really good both grilled and fried. Also the sweet potato fries are a stand out. Tried the Tuna Sashimi special which was a surprising but welcome special of the day. We enjoyed the change from fried seafood. Would also recommend that you save some room for a slice of pie. The coconut creme pie tasted really good.
(5)
Steve V.
Oysters are the freshest anywhere. Period. And big. Beer is crisp. Views are grande. Sweet potato fries are perfectly lightly fried. Crab bisque to die for. Friendly service. Military discount. I love this place. I've been here at least 5 times now and each time is great. Oh and the keylime pie is outta control good! Literally! I've complained, but there's nothing management can do. Five stars.
(5)
Pattie W.
I was driving through and wanted to try some local fare. Checked Yelp and chose Up A Creek and glad I did ! I got the Parmesan Oysters and the Grilled Conch Cakes. Both were great. Ate outside looking at the water. Patio was also "dog friendly" which made it that much more appealing to me. There were a couple of very well behaved dogs there with their "people ". Nice relaxing afternoon.
(4)
Laurie A.
I loved this place when we decided to drop in last year while on vacation. It has some awesome views. I saw a bald eagle, manatees, and many other wildlife from the deck. The shrimp was great and the waitress was really nice. Plan to go back again this year!! See ya in a few weeks!
(5)
Jason B.
Came here back in July and then again tonight. Oysters are great and reasonably priced. Everything else we have tried has been top notch. My son tried buffalo wings and my daughter went with a burger this time. Their non-seafood fare was very well done as well and that is not always the case on the coast. Give this place a try, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Jennifer A.
We loved our dinner. Crab cakes, tuna and oysters. Deserts were to die for!! Great service!! We will be back on our next visit!!
(5)
Bobbie M.
We tried to find seafood as fresh and reasonably priced during our second visit to the forgotten coast area. Couldn't find it so back we went to Up The Creek Raw Bar. Once again enjoyed the beautiful Apalachicola River view on a warm and beautiful Monday, from the outer deck. Beer was cold, oysters were good size and fresh, fried green beans and sweet potato fries were fun and tasty. A very casual, dog friendly porch on a sunny day. Just what we wanted! We do not mind ordering at the bar rather than a wait staff on an afternoon out just looking for some fun.
(4)
Matthew M.
It was our first trip to the area, and with any of our vacations, food is on the mind. We were excited to eat some great local seafood, and Up The Creek did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, everything, and I mean everything was amazing. I absolutely loved the service concept. I don't mind ordering from the counter, especially when you are immediately greeted and explained how everything works. The staff worked as a team, and that is the only way that this service concept can be succesful. They don't pressure you at all. Take your time, and when you are ready, come up and order. When you need something(refill, condiments), just grab it yourself. It adds to the laid back atmosphere of the area and this great restaurant. We tried several different items over our 3 visits. Parmesian Oysters would fantastic and a nice change if you have been slamming down oysters for a few days. Super fresh and tasty. The peel and chow shimp were the best I have ever had. They were huge! No need for butter, just enjoy the flavor. The grouper sandwhich, by far, is the best grouper sandwich I have ever had. I had mined blackened. The guys in the kitchen do it right by creating a crust, and not just dusting the fish. Perfection at it's best, especially with the sweet potatoe fries. If you are in the area, it is a must to take in the view of the waterway from the Up The Creek Raw Bar while enjoying some great local food.
(5)
Charlie M.
If you want to gorge on oysters in Apalachicola, this is the place to go. Boss Oyster down the street might be famous for all of its many different crazy oyster recipes, but it's twice as expensive and the atmosphere isn't as good. For cold beer, chill/funky atmosphere, and tray after tray of oysters for a good price, this joint cant be beat.
(4)
Jessica M.
Thanks Yelp reviewers for pointing us up the river a few blocks out of downtown Appalachicola to the best restaurant in the area. We managed to visit this place 3 times in 24hrs and each visit the food was excellently prepared and incredibly fresh. We had oysters all over the gulf and these were the best - meaty and incredibly fresh (the boat dock / oyster processing is literally right next to the restaurant - doesn't get any fresher). The blackened grouper sandwich was perfect and the much-reviewed sweet potato fries were sweet and delicious. The shrimp were the largest peel & eats I've ever had, they come steamed with the head still on. It's counter service and they leave your tab open until you're ready to leave. You can sit at the bar (full bar with a few good beers on tap including Sweetwater 420), inside tables or outside deck tables overlooking the Appalachicola river (gorgeous views!) and you just head up to the counter or bar when you're ready for more food or drink. They have a small salad bar with help yourself toppings and sauces like lettuce/tomato/onion, remoulade, horseradish, cocktail sauce, homemade salad dressings, etc. The counter service works great actually, everyone works together there and you're not at the mercy of one particular server. Had the key lime pie on our last visit and it was excellent.
(5)
Laurence H.
This is really the only must go place in Apalachicola. It's frequented by locals on the 2nd floor of warehouse. The food is well made and the price is right.
(4)
Cassandra P.
My husband and I ate here on a day trip down from Panama City beach on our vacation last year so this year we brought the family back and it was just as yummy as before! Great food and atmosphere!
(4)
Jim A.
Very good food & very nice people running the operation plus good daytime river views. Not white table cloth but reliable.
(4)
Rick B.
We had a total of three meals here and every one was super good. The oysters were terrific, the blackened shrimp were good, the fried green beans were yummy, the seafood soup was killer. Not a fancy place but the service was great, the view was nice and the oysters were worth the 8-hour drive to get there.
(5)
Shelley G.
Well worth a visit! Local oysters so fresh - they don't get any better than this. We had a dozen raw naked ones - yum! Also loved the grilled grouper sandwich. Helpful staff and great beer on tap.
(5)
Rita D.
Giving a restaurant 5 stars doesn't mean it's high end or fancy. It simply means it executes whatever it does well. When I'm in Apalachicola, that means good oysters and good daft beer at a decent price. Up the Creek delivers and with a super friendly staff. I don't need to eat anywhere else when I'm in town, in fact I just ate there 3 nights in a row! The oysters are plump and flavorful and shucked perfectly so you can easily get every morsel. The Parmesan oysters are nothing but heavenly. There's a variety of beer on tap, either 12 or 16 oz. Also tried the peel and eat shrimp. Warning: They are served with the heads on, which some people might object to. But at 6 to the half-pound, they are mighty! I usually love sweet potato fries, but theirs are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. I prefer mine salty or chipotle, so I wouldn't order them again, but that's just a matter of taste. I did like the fried green beans, as did my husband, who doesn't even like green beans. You order at the counter and pay as you leave. Love the casual atmosphere. Great value. See you next time we're in town!
(5)
Buzz D.
great fresh oysters---what else is there!!! We had about 5doz oysters in various forms! favorite was raw with their migonette==excellent, plain raw were sweet and briny . greek version had too much olives--imo. Tap beers were served promptly with a smile--would be a place will visi again!!
Oysters were awesome!!! We also had the fried green beans (thankfully we ordered just the small size) steamed clams and the conch cakes! All good, but the oysters were A-mazing! Loved the outdoor, screened-in, dog friendly porch! We will be back, for sure!
(5)
Leilane V.
Absolute great view, right on the water. Good spot for a beer, but the food was not good and the Oysters the worst of Apalachicola.
(2)
Gary W.
Great Oysters! I recommend steamed parmesan ones. Great atmosphere with outside seating. Nice wait staff
(4)
Thomas W.
ATMOSPHERE: Upon stepping into the dining area, you feel at home. It is certainly more of a bar, however things are very clean, open and inviting. Depending on what you order, your food could be served on a plastic tray or fine china. You do order at the counter, which some find to be tedious, however if you want to pay on separate checks or if you simply won't let that sort of thing ruin your experience, it's kind of fun. There is a self-serve condiment bar that is always fully stocked (and fresh) ready to dress whatever you order with whatever you like (so if you're the kind of guy that likes to dip your seared zucchini in a ketchup, horseradish and Tabasco mixture, no one will judge you). FOOD: Obviously fresh, and amazingly even-fresher-tasting. With each bite you can tell that the chef cares very much about your experience. My plate (or basket) is clean every time, and I have never had to wait longer than 10 to 15 minutes. I am NEVER dissatisfied. SUGGESTIONS: I am always sure to order the peel and eat shrimp. They are seasoned to perfection, and they leave the head on. If you can overcome eating something that is looking at you, you'll find that it's the best way to eat shrimp. The Gator basket is delicious as well, especially when paired with sweet potato fries (topped with sugar, cinnamon and probably crack). In short: if you want to be happy, go here.
(5)
Bruce G.
Wonderful. Just passing through for a night. Oysters were perfection. My friend loved the alligator burger, said it was not gamey but like light pork. I had 2 dozen oysters, beer and fried shrimp and walked extremely satisfied. Bartender/waiter (we ate at the raw bar) was great, nice guy.
(5)
Paul P.
Best oysters I've had in my life.. Hands down.. Amazing wait staff!!! Great value and amazing view!! Go and you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Charles C.
Fantastic laid back atmosphere! Great oysters, lobster/crab bisque..... and save room for the in- house made sweet potato donuts!
(5)
Craig B.
This is a refreshing change from many restaurants in Apalach. It has a full bar and a wonderful view of the river. The food, though, is the real draw. It's gourmet in a non-gourmet town. Vegetarian where vegetarian isn't cool. I heartily recommend it. The reason I don't give it a 5 is because it isn't always cleaned quickly; tables and other places sometimes have crumbs and the food isn't always executed perfectly. When they are on, they are incredible, though.
(4)
Duke B.
This is going to be harsh. Four friends and I decided to give Up the Creek a shot. This was a mistake on almost every conceivable level. After placing our order at the counter with a humorless staff member, we pulled up a chair for some serious culinary nightmares. I should have known better by looking at the empty dining room and the menu; I had a funny feeling. It's one of those places that is trying to be "creative." Cajun this, and Asian that; cilantro this, and blackened crusted that -- all on the chalkboard. But this is a "joint" with "five flavors of beer on tap," not a bistro. A "joint" shall not blindly attempt bistro. Flavors of beer?!? Who says that? I should have known better when we ordered 3 Bloody Marys, and the same server asked us if we would like that with vodka or tequila. I get it... Bloody Maria and all that, ole! But That's not what we ordered... So we get the Bloody Marys, and they are thin... and they are sweet... Like really sweet with an orange-ish hue. I ask the waitress/bartender about this. My wife gives her the benefit of the doubt, "She probably grabbed the V8 Fusion by mistake." But no. Up the Creek makes their Bloody Marys with 100% Florida orange juice, triple sec, and sweet and sour mix. Doink! I half expected them to say: "Try our signature margaritas, we make them with rum, dry vermouth, cinnamon extract, a scoop of ice cream, coconut milk, and dog blood. Deee-licious!" Give me a break. We sent them back and went with the beer. They can pour a good beer! On with the food! I ordered a dozen oysters with habeñero cilantro vinaigrette on the side (I'm thinking this is a spicy light acidic mignonette) and half a bag of steamed clams. My partners in this fiasco got a cheeseburger, tuna dip, conch fritters, another dozen oysters, and "catch of the day" fish and chips. Sidenote: I am from Louisiana, and I really hate when you get oysters and they count the ones the size of a quarter as part of the dozen. These are freebies, any good coon-ass will back me up, and so if they are particularly small that day, you might get 16 instead of 12. Not at Up the Creek, AND THIS IS APALACH! Oyster capital of the south! I also got a plastic ramekin with some mayonnaise-y habeñero sauce (not vinaigrette), and another one with about 8 cilantro leaves (come to find out, a $4 extra option). The ill-conceived sauce tasted horrible. The woody-ness of the habeñero, clashing with whatever else was in there (Cream of mushroom soup? Ranch dressing? Butter?)... and I am supposed to assault my oysters with this smear? The steamed clams were good enough; teeny tiny, but edible. However, they did not go back and retrieve the dead unopened ones (about 6 of 50 and I got charged for those!). Out of curiosity, I pried one open with my fork, and it was a putrid black mass that defiled the rest of the watery broth. Come on! For $26 remove the rotten ones. There was a bay leaf in there. Fancy! The cheeseburger was your typical wafer thin elementary school cafeteria frozen soy patty. Not handmade. Not good. The conch fritters were quite good. Conch straight from the Apalachicola river I'll bet! I jest. My darling wife's "catch of the day" fish and chips, were uniform rectilinear cubes of fish stick. I said, "Baby, are those like VandeKamp's™ fish sticks?" She said no, VandeKamp's™ are actually good. I did not delve further, however her "chips" were American "chips" and not British "chips." So she got a $15 basket of fish sticks and potato chips. Fries did come with the burger! They do exist! The grand finale! Ta da! Tuna dip. My two sweet lady friends shared the tuna dip. I would let them reach over and type their impressions of this delectable treat, but they cannot. Unfortunately, they are both currently covered in sweat wrapped in blankets sleeping off a night of vomiting and full-bore turbo diarrhea from food poisoning, and it is 3:30 pm the day after. Coincidence? "Up S#!t Creek With a Turd for a Paddle" should be the name of this joint. Or how about "Conch Fritters and Beer, Anyone?" Perhaps "Anal Burns R Us," or "Don't Poo Your Panties!" Maybe even "Please Don't Sue Us If We Ruin Your Vacation." Avoid Up the Creek like full-bore turbo diarrhea. P.S. My portion of our lunch was over $60. I think we got charged for the Bloody Marys, too, but I am not certain. There was no ticket; the humorless waitress/bartender just told my wife a number as we were trying to escape with our lives. I would be humorless, too, if I had to work here; the food was downright embarrassing... and the Bloodys... Comic even!
(1)
Misha B.
Absolutely the worst restaurant that I have ever eaten at in my life! From the cocktails that we ordered - Bloody Marys- which somehow included orange juice and sprite?- to the burger that you have to walk across the restaurant to get your lettuce and tomato for, this place is terrible. The service was worse than at your typical drive-thru. Every single thing that we ordered - other than the beer - was inedible. Whatever you do when you are in Apalachicola, do NOT eat at Up the Creek.
(1)
Janet S.
Great Raw recipes...seems all along the coast places either know oysters as raw/steamed or cooked, here they know raw with toppings and they are YUM. Oysters mignionette, (onion/habanero/hite vinegar), oysters with sour cream/horseradish/caviar (ish) with a side dish of cobia sashimi with a mild curry coleslaw, YUM, these could be picked up and taken as a small bite. This place was arguably the most inventive we found on the forgotten coast plus you could grab a beer or wine and watch Cash Cab with the locals, what's not to like. Oh and did I mention they do ethnic nights, we arrived during Russian weekend featuring their local oyster and fish catch. We went back three times after scoping out the competition. The service was fast and unpretentious, a homey little place with a view over the bay. But hey if you want your oysters big and pricey and ordinary you know where else to go right!!!! Did I mention the "other place" smelt of school dinners. Oh people, of all the dining things to do .....oysters and their accessories...its so subjective...and sometimes they are small but you usually get given more than your 12 right to make up for it.
(5)
Shanon W.
On day two of my visit to Apalachicola we decided to try this restaurant. Mistake - BIG mistake. Two of us spent the rest of our vacation deathly ill from food poisoning (thanks to the tuna dip). Needless to say, the trip was ruined. Run, don't walk, away from this place!
(1)
Melissa D.
We like this place alot. The oysters were good, the service was fine and friendly (even when I changed my side order TWICE). The sweet potato fries were awesome, the coconut cream pie was great. We have eaten here twice this trip and once last year~ all three visits were great. the views are really nice as well plus the screened in porch is Dog Friendly.... what is NOT to like about that!
(3)
Jaryd G.
This was my first time here and the fried shrimp and green bean basket was awesome. Im not a huge fan of the self service concept, but it was a good experience.
(4)
Corrie H.
Delicious food. Nice chef-so helpful with our food allergies. The conch cakes were DIVINE! Fried grouper was yummy yummy and my son thought the alligator burger was awesome. Kids loved it and the view can't be beat.
(5)
Christine B.
Location is great, very friendly wait staff! Crab and Lobster Bisque awesome as was the fried fish basket.
(3)
Robert M.
sat at the bar, my usual place, and had a freebie from the Water St Hotel...a dozen raw oysters. friendly greeting from bartender/counter guy Jeremy and he whipped up the oysters in a jiffy, which were not great (try the owl tap room for great), but very good. at this place you order at the counter, take a number and find a seat. if you don't know what you want you take a menu and come back. some people may not like that, but usually by the time you've looked over the menu one of the counter guys have brought you your drink order. (if the ordering process bothers you avoid it by a bar seat). i had blackened chicken over spring greens ($6.99) and deep-fried green beans ($3.99...i think) which gave access to the salad bar, which is rather skimpy (costs (3.99) as a solo. both items were good, waqshed down by bass ale. Jeremy was friendly., efficient and the food was good...price was right. i'd give this place a B+ and i would go back to try the alligator burger.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
PaulSEGAL ..
Water front authentic seafood joint. I have been eating oysters for 30 years from NoLa to NYC; and these by far were the largest, freshest, sweetest oysters served RAW (I'll add my own fixin's thank you very much). The scenery from the patio seemed to make the oysters TASTE better? It over looks the swampy bogs where I assume many oysters grew up. They truly have any fixin's that you can dream of to TOP YOUR OYSTER! $11 per/doz (not the cheapest, especially considering the location), but still within reason. (Happy Hours in many cities across the U.S. offer $1 oysters) I was truly blown away by the experience. 1/2 the employees were quite nice. Remember, this is a town of 3,000 !!!! My wife had the grilled Mahi with one large hushpuppy(?)(kinda weird? I'm from the Carolinas-We Know Hushpuppies) and a side of deep fried GRITS BALLS-very funky and unusual, but recommended. Go to catch the Sunset!!
(5)Rachel L.
My fiance and I sampled 4 items from the menu here. All of the entrees were great. The calamari was average, a bit salty. The clam pasta was super good. Perfect balance of flavors with delicate, fresh clams & crusty warm bread. The crab cakes were great even with a heavy acidic tone. They had very little breading; lots of crab. They were accompanied by fried green tomatoes and 2 house made dipping sauces. (Both great) The star of our meal was the conch cakes. They were by far the best conch I've had. They had a mango-coconut slaw/sauce with small sliver of bell peppers and onion with them. I would go back for that dish. The only down sides to this place was the price is a bit high for the portions and the entrees were more like apps; in size and that they didn't come with sides. I would go back for the pasta & conch.
(4)Rob G.
We went to Up the Creek with our family on vacation. Very relaxed place with cool atmosphere. We were given menus when we walked in and told to sit where ever we wanted - we headed outside and found a table for our party of 5. We quickly went inside after a youngster was having a meltdown outside and the parents couldn't figure out that he was yelling loud enough to make it hard for us to hear our own conversations. OK we're inside and all is well. When you order, you go up to the bar, order and tell them where you're sitting. OK - that's odd - fix your own tea, soda etc OR they will bring you the alcoholic drinks.... Odd. Our food was good. Not great - we had shrimp by the pound, bisque, crab cakes and fish tacos. Don't get me wrong - the food was fine but nothing to write home about and it was expensive. $20 for a pound of shrimp? They were huge but come on - you're on the damn gulf folks.... They tout themselves about all kinds of alligator - but they did not have any when we were there but didn't say why. I doubt we'd be back but who knows.
(3)Melissa T.
I was most excited by the expansive menu and the waterfront location. Unfortunately it was an extreme let down...the food was heavily breaded and greasy, it tasted as though it had been sitting around a while. Not impressed at all with our meal but that view was beautiful. Really wanted to try the "homemade" key lime pie but couldn't bring myself to chance it for another $5.
(2)Natalie O.
Great casual waterfront location! We came twice so far, the 2nd time we were lucky enough to snag a table outside. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. You would think this might lessen the quality of service, but the service is amazing! They are super friendly and always go out of their way to get you what you need. We've had oysters, crab cakes, conch cakes, fried shrimp, homemade potato chips, fries, hush puppies, and their awesome gator empanadas (which we were bummed they weren't on the menu the 2nd time). Plus their Key Lime Pie is amazing, exactly how it should be.... and just as good as mine ;) For the type of restaurant Up the Creek is, it deserves 5 stars for sure. You can't beat this place!
(5)Missy N.
Yummy yummy in my tummy! Great food and service. Local place don't pass this diamond in the rough up!
(5)Peter O.
Love this place. Love the fact we can take our dog and sit on the deck overlooking the river. Great view and the food has never disappointed. Had oysters in mid June and they were great. Don't let the ordering from the counter turn you off.
(4)Doug V.
Five stars just because. First off, very friendly staff. Nice views of the river. Good, local beer selection. And, food is damn good. I started with the oysters mignonette which were described to have habanero but I didn't feel the heat that habanero implies. I had a Proof Mango Wit beer from Tallahassee which was damn good. My wife had the crab cakes- 2 cakes grilled, nicely filled with crab instead of filler, and two fried green tomatoes. I had the conch cakes which my wife wished she ordered, topped with a mango relish. Lunch was a bit pricier then expected, but fresh, well prepared, and like I said, very friendly staff so worthwhile.
(5)Jeff N.
So you grab a menu and wait in line. Ok, that's fine. So I wait in line for a $16 fish sandwich. Ok, I'm still trying to like this place. Must be good I'm thinking. I order chic wings, gone. Ok oysters, gone. Ok I'm still trying to place an order. "What table are you sitting at?" Asks the cashier. I don't know, I've never been here, I don't know? I get attitude ok, I'm done now. Left and went to Owl Cafe. Half the price, full service, great food. Now I know why we passed 2 families walking out expressing disappointment.
(1)Samantha D.
Fantastic fresh local seafood. Best value for raw oysters. Great wine and beer selection. Fried flounder and fried shrimp are a must. The drawback is you have to order at the counter but the servers are all great! There is a wonderful view of Apalachicola Bay.
(4)Mary S.
Fun little place in Apalachicola, even great for a rainy afternoon! The Crab Cakes were delicious, even paired with true southern style Fried Green Tomatoes! I ventured out of my comfort zone and ordered a dozen Oysters and was not disappointed. Definitely would go back, the menu and daily specials cater to everyone!
(4)Xan T.
If you are drinking this is the place to come. But if you want a decent dinner don't come. We ordered several dozen oysters. This is no New Orleans French Market restaurant.
(1)Bob S.
Outstanding outdoor patio eating with a view that's as pleasing as the service. The food is amazing and very reasonably priced. It's now on my list of top eating establishments that I've eaten at anywhere here and abroad.
(5)Bobblehead B.
What a great find!!! In this quaint Florida Panhandle town for a Family Wedding. My cousin found this place at 6:00 AM while jogging!! Went over for lunch. Oysters are just great, but the fried shrimp were the best I ever had in my life. The breading is done perfectly!!
(5)Henry H.
Had lunch and loved it so went back for dinner! If you are in Apalachicola, eat here. The steamed shrimp was the best shrimp we have ever had!. It was red shrimp and they said it was seasonal, but it was oh so good. Old bay seasoning, melted butter to dip, cocktail sauce....yum. Also had eggplant stack, fried green beans, parmasan oysters,,.everything was good. Great draft beer selections. Great view overlooking Apalachicola Bay. Friendly staff.
(4)Dave F.
This place has good food, a casual atmosphere and a fair amount of vegetarian options. My daughter and I ate on the patio on a Saturday night overlooking the river. She had the veggy burger which she really liked. She especially liked that she could go to their salad bar to add any toppings she wanted. I had the fish tacos which were fresh and well seasoned. My only regret was that I missed the specials board, and since you order at the counter , there was no waitress to point this out. In an area dominated by seafood places , this is a great choice if there is a vegetarian in your group.
(4)Brielle P.
Loved it! Delicious and fresh seafood of course. And you get to eat overlooking the water. I had the crab cakes with fried green tomatoes and it was super yummy, fairly priced and lots of crab meat! Will be back.
(5)Katie B.
I've been here a couple times on vacation, and I've always been really impressed with their oysters. I've tried the basic steamed oysters, which were seasoned with just enough butter and lemon, the parmesan garlic oysters, which are my favorite, and the Mediterranean oysters, which were not as good as the others I've tried. The mixture of olives and garlic put on top of the Mediterranean oysters sort of overshadowed their actual flavor. But everything else I've tried here, including the sweet potato fries and homemade chips, has been excellent :)
(5)Mike C.
Wow, great little place. Thanks to Yelp or I never would have found it! My wife and I loved loved loved the back patio where you can sit and watch the river. We watched birds, fish swimming, boats going by. Truly a lovely experience. The food here was good. I had conch cakes which were very good, and of course we had some oysters. I had honestly never had oysters before I came to Up the Creek so I can't compare them to anything, but they tasted great. Also, the key lime pie for dessert was divine. And finally, they had some really good beers and cocktails. Being an out of towner, I was very happy to find Cigar City here.
(4)Emily V.
I love this place so much I went three times on a weeklong visit to Apalachicola! By the third time, they had recognized me :) The seafood here is so fresh and delicious and reasonably priced. I got raw oysters everytime I went there - heaven! I also had the boild shrimp which are pretty much the most delicious boiled shrimp I've ever had! The baskets are also huge with lots of seafood and the hushpuppies are super sweet and delicious. The staff is super friendly, I loved them all. Definitely no frills, delicious, reasonably priced seafood!
(5)Thomas G.
We have been eating here for several years and we have always been impressed. The view is awesome. It's one restaurant that we are sure to go to every time we are in this area.
(5)Kevin G.
TL:DR - A solid, no frills decision for a casual date or group outing. I recommend the peel & eat shrimp, the plain raw oysters, the mignonette oysters), and the margaritas. The fried grouper was amazing. I've eaten here several times. Up the Creek is a must for me every time I go to Apalachicola. Place your initial order at the counter and select your seat. They will give you a number to display on your table so the kitchen can deliver the food to the right table. You can place future orders at the counter or through the servers who will check in on you. Check the specials board - the fried grouper was excellent. Their margaritas are above average, but nothing too fancy. I've always had great service and left feeling like I had great food at a very reasonable price.
(4)Jennifer E.
Great food & atmosphere! Salad/condiments bar. You order at bar & fix your own drinks. Awesome fried shrimp, cheese grits, sweet tea! Kids plates too. :-)
(5)Charles L.
We loved everything . My wife is French and she thinks the crab caked are the best she has every. I loved the egg rolls. The alligator burgers are great. I had two 16 year old boys with us and they loved it. I am a hard person to please and they pleased me!!!!
(5)Lou R.
The food here is great, it's just over priced. I had a dozen oysters, a bowl of soup and a beer and the bill was over $30. Here's what you can expect. You order at the counter, so you don't get the luxury of sitting down and having your order taken. They bring the food to you, then you pay at the register on the way out. So you have to deal with long lines to order and pay. The place is "rustic", for lack of a better term. I'm ok with all of that. The problem is, the pricing of the food is equivalent to a high end restaurant, which it's not. For comparison purposes, I had an awesome dinner with table service, unlimited bread, and linen table cloths in a nice restaurant (the Owl Cafe) that night and it only cost me $22.
(3)Marie H.
We had lunch today and were very pleased with the food. We had Mediterranean style oysters that were outstanding. The conch cakes and fish tacos were also delicious. The atmosphere is casual waterfront perfectly suited to the location. We highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Carl N.
Our last night in Apalachicola, we chose Up The Creek for a oyster heavy supper. At Up the Creek, everyone orders at a counter then the severs bring the food to your table. Seems to work OK. It was just a little too warm to eat outside but there is a very nice view from Up the Creek's deck. For our dinner, I had a dozen raw and a dozen steamed Parmesan. The raw were nice and cold--very enjoyable. The oysters Parmesan were steamed with Parmesan cheese on top. It's a first time for me and worthy of a repeat. My wife had her standard gumbo and salad. Gumbo was very good with average seafood in it. Not New Orleans quality but very good. We were full so we ordered our dessert to go. We each took a Key Lime pie back to the room. The pies were excellent. Enjoyed our experience and plan on coming back. [Visited May 2014]
(4)Paul P.
Went there out of the blue without checking any reviews, and it is certainly a jewel if you are in this neck of the woods. We sat right on the river and enjoyed everything. I had Calamari and the fish tacos....very good! Great service. My only ding is that it was a little more pricey than it should be, but will be going back. It was worth it, and the atmosphere was priceless!
(4)Hazel Grace F.
The oysters were outstanding, large and tasty, and the grilled conch cakes were loads of flavors. The outdoor seating is great, particularly for the pet lovers that were out there. They had a good list of craft beer. Overall a great experience. Don't miss out on The Oyster Brewery a couple of blocks over.
(5)Colette K.
Yummy bloody Mary's! The screened in deck is were to go for a relaxing view of the water.
(4)Lindsay B.
Super friendly and food was very good. It's small, so if have more people in your group go earlier. We had a great time.
(5)Foodie C.
Definitely Stay Away ! Way Overpriced for CANNED seafood taste experience... I should've known better when I only saw 5 cars parked ouside this place on Friday ... but I gave it a try because Yelp reviews. Huge Mistake! Oyster : smallest, driest, non fresh stuffs, salty, worse I ever had, had better oysters in Chinese buffet ! Rubbery taste oyster & cheese, Huge disappointment. Claim Chowder : brownish color, waterly, tasted like water, melted butter, can of chopped claim, big clumps of potatoes, most disgusting claim Chowder ever, for $11 soup No way it should taste like that. NO thank you even if free. Fish Taco : Lots of Mayo, has to be because they do not have good food here, Mayo is the best tasting thing in here... Service : Poor, had to ask for cocktail sauce for oysters because it did not come with when arrived, smallest lemon slice I ever seen so couldn't squeeze lemon juice.. unfriendly & unprofessional staffs, Not acceptable especially when food sucks as much as this place ! They call this place a seafood restaurant ?? Are you kidding, I dont know where they get their seafood, none of their food is fresh, CANNED seafood at best ! Their BAD food ruined part of my vacation in here, definitely Will not recommend to anybody !
(1)J O.
Fun place on the bay. Food is good, expect tourist prices. Salad bar is actually decent with spring mix and fresh dressing. Hush puppies were excellent! Fish tacos were good but needed more seasoning. Family of 4 ate for $80+ for lunch. Service was good. Order at the counter and they will bring to you. Others report of bad service, I would just say they don't go out of their way to please or be super friendly.
(3)Reed B.
Dined here for lunch for second year running. The oysters were fantastic. Had baked parmesean style as well as raw and was very pleased. Very nice staff and cool location looking out on the Apalachicola river. As with most establishments in the area - don't expect anything fancy. Just eat and enjoy.
(5)Adam B.
Excellent food, excellent service, awesome view!! One of our favorite places in Apalachicola, FL! They are dog friendly too, if you sit on the patio.
(5)Richard H.
We went on a Sunday afternoon and I must say everything was great We started with raw oysters and the restaurant provided a condiment bar for the oysters with cocktail sauce, crackers, a variety of hot sauces, horseradish I had the Alligator Burger which comes with fries, the restaurant also provides a sandwich / topping bar which included onion, pickles, tomatoes, lettuces The Alligator Burger was served on a multigrain bun and the meat was very flavorful and juicy. My wife had The Grouper Basket with fries and the Grouper was coated in light batter and perfectly fried to a light golden color, it was very flavorful and a large portion. The restaurant is a semi self service where you pick out a seat for yourself, look over the menu and go to the bar and order when you are ready , Then you get your own drinks and sit back down and they bring your food and when you are done you pay at the bar and leave when you wish Over all it is a 5 star rating and the indoor and out door seating just makes that much better and for those of you that like to bring the family dog with them they are allowed on the outdoors seating deck and they provide a place to get fresh water for Fido too If you are in the area I would highly recommend the restaurant
(5)Brian H.
So came here based on other reviews and the oysters were huge a couple about 3" long, shrimp and gator fried baskets were great. Highly recommended.
(4)Bart B.
Extremely spotty. Have been here at times when we thought it was awesome and at others where we felt ripped off and didn't even really want to eat what we were served. The main common thread I think I've picked up on . . . go at a peak hour and wait if you have to. They seem to be much more on their game then. The times we've been disappointed have tended to be more at in-between times (like 4 pm-ish). If you go at an off-peak time, though, don't be surprised to get less than fresh food and subpar service.
(3)Jayne M.
Had a great meal there, I had a dozen raw oysters, conch cakes and tasted my family members salmon & bacon sandwich, crab cakes & sweet potato fries. Oysters were fresh and served with the usual condiments. The conch cakes were pretty good, the sauce was good & the mango/red onion slaw in top was artful & delicious. Crab cakes were packed with crab & very good. Salmon sandwich was good it needed a better sauce to pull it together but it was very good. Presentation was good, someone cares on the kitchen! Finished with key lime pie & coconut cream pie - tasty! The place has a great view & vibe, we sat outside. You order at the counter after you sit, which is confusing. I would eat there again, lots of other stuff looked very tasty on the menu.
(4)John Z.
This was the second time we had visited Up a Creek Raw Bar; we hadn't been there in a few years. We enjoy Apalachicola and often like to venture off the main touristy path. Located right along side the waterfront it offers a great view. The restaurant is a non-traditional sit down place in that you grab a table look over the menu, and then go up to the counter to place your order. We stopped in for lunch on a cold November afternoon. Looking over the menu both my son and I decided to give the alligator burger a shot. I ordered mine with a cup of the crab bisque on the side. The bisque was wonderful! It was a rich, hearty, and flavorful warm-me-up for a cold November day. As for the alligator burger, well I was sure what to expect. I have to say that it was a bit different. As for the old proverbial cliché "it tastes like chicken" did not hold true. The burger patty have a strong flavor of an "Old Bay" seasoning [which I don't really care for], and seemed to lack an adequate binder in that the patty was crumbling as I ate it. The meat had and unusual texture...almost grainy. For the cost of it [$15.99] I did my best to eat as much as it as I could. My son on the other hand wasn't able to even finish half of his. The unfortunate risk of trying something new and unusual, but none-the-less I can check off alligator on the food bucket list. So, with that I won't give the establishment a bad score because we have had a good experience in the past and the other items on the menu are good. I do have to say that it is a bit pricey for a place that you have to go up and place your order at the counter.
(3)Matt M.
Did a day trip to Apalachicola and St. George's Island. Toured the towns on our bikes and looked at all the menus and decided on "Up the Creek Raw Bar". The selection of oysters that we ate were the best we've ever had in our lives! The steamed clams were also delicious. If I ever get back to this part of the world, it will be hard to not stop here for some oysters!
(4)Medic L.
An amazing place to eat for awesome oysters! We put down 4 dozen, which were cooked in various ways. We also had the crab cakes. It looks"iffy" from the outside, but totally worth it!
(5)David L.
Fried seafood joint with good fried oysters, shrimp, etc. to go with redneck ambiance. Limited menu and modest portions, but overall a fun, unpretentious spot
(4)Courtney P.
What a pleasant surprise. We got the Southern Fella oysters and they were like anything we've ever had. Yum. I got the conch cakes and my boyfriend got the salmon and bacon sandwich. Both were great. The conch cakes had a lot of different tastes going on and the mango slaw was amazing. You order at the counter but a member of the waitstaff checked on us a couple of times. She was very friendly and helpful.
(5)Jeff E.
The food was good, but the "system" for taking orders, food delivery and payment was not very efficient. I probably would not go back just for that reason. Just seemed rather chaotic.
(3)Rita B.
Raw Oysters... Fantastic! Sweet potato fries! Perfect! Conch fritters... Amazing! Blackened amberjack...Fresh and delicious ! Homemade mint and chocolate ice cream...Wow! Incredible view!! You will love this place!
(5)Ted D.
Okay I'll start by saying we really liked this place and would go often if we weren't 2000 miles away. This is a second story restaurant and they have very cleverly built an outside counter that has you sitting side-by-side and facing out over the river. As we went late in the day we got to enjoy watching the evening fall over the river, the birds in and out of the Sawgrass and the shrimp boats making their way up river following what was no doubt a long day. You order inside, serve yourself to the soft drink and iced tea bar and then your food is delivered by undoubtedly the friendliest young wait staff imaginable. The counter folks were also friendly and very helpful. Oysters on the half were very good and we especially enjoyed the Southern Fella baked oysters with collards! Steamed shrimp were also very good. The peel and eat shrimp were also very good. Crabcakes were lack luster - small and too much filler. Key lime pie was good. Overall a very nice experience.
(4)Paul H.
My family and I took the drive over from St. George Island while vacationing last week to Up the Creek based on the reviews here and the fact that they (Up the Creek) was pet friendly and we could bring our dog with us and not have to worry about leaving him in a strange place for hours. The pet friendly area was set up outside on an enclosed porch with views of the water and boats parked behind the restaurant, we seated ourselves and had our dog seated under our table with us. It was strange to not have a wait staff come up and take your orders, every order was taken inside by going up to the counter and then they gave us a number to bring out the food. My wife and I shared the fried green bean appetizer, which were excellent when paired with some of the remoulade dipping sauce, not too oily at all. I had the alligator burger while she had the blackened gulf shrimp and both dishes were great. Definitely enjoy our experience and the views!
(4)Melissa C.
Oh please, oh please can I go back right now? It's only 850 miles away!! This place does it RIGHT! Some may be turned off by the fact that you have to order at a counter but I found it handy because we CONSTANTLY wanted to order more. Getting up and telling them what we wanted was easy. There was never a line more than 1 or 2 people (could have to do with the time of year) and the servers were very attentive to empty plates and any other requests we had. And then there's this little thing called the oysters. $7.99 for a dozen of their delicious, fresh out of the water you're looking out across, oysters. Holy deal!!! I love raw oysters and this is the best price I've ever seen. We also tried several of the baked oysters but I honestly don't remember which ones they were because I love the plain, raw oysters the best. I tried to conch cakes and liked them a lot but it was only a minor break in between oysters. Loved the food, service, and the view. I cannot wait for another vacation to the area so I can return. Thank you so much for the best food experience on our trip!!
(5)Jeff L.
Love the head on shrimp and the view. They also have a great grouper sandwich. This is one of those places we always come to when we go to the beach.
(4)Angela H.
I ordered the entree with 3 crab cakes, rice and string beans to go and it was a good sized entree that was cooked well. The crab cakes weren't lump but weren't all filler either. It was a solid 3 stars taste, quality and how fast my order came out. On a side note, there is a liquor store down the street so it was a great way to stay out of the kitchen and still have a 'home away from home' meal. I would go back again for another dish.
(3)Angela D.
Excellent oysters! We came here with 6 adults and 6 kids so we ordered almost the entire menu. The conch cakes and crab cakes were both amazing, my husband liked the crab cakes better but they were both excellent. Loved the Parmesan oysters! The raw oysters were small but our dozen was actually 15 so no complaints here. The bisque was fantastic as were the egg rolls. Our non oyster eaters got the chimichangas and said they were delicious. The margaritas were flowing and the FL/GA line cocktail was a nice treat. The self serve counter was no big deal and the vibe is relaxed and laid back. LOVE this place and we make a point to drive here every year when we stay on St. George.
(4)John V.
We had lunch here twice and the first time (fish tacos and crab cakes) it was good; the second time (oysters mignonette and peel 'n eat jumbo shrimp) it was great! Very attentive service and a nice selection of beers on tap. Plus, very dog-friendly in their enclosed porch overlooking the bay. Friendly and casual with ample parking (a little in front and a lot on the street). Prices are moderate but good for what you get.
(5)Denise W.
Wonderful lunch at Up the Creek Raw Bar. The oysters were so fresh and the grouper sandwich was great.
(5)Samuel M.
"Wow, wow, wow" is all I can say. I had crab and lobster bisque, alligator empanadas, and three kinds of baked oysters. Don't miss this place.
(5)Kathleen N.
Uh-mazing!!! The oysters were so fresh! Can't say enough about how good it was. The only downside and not a huge deal was you had to wait in line to order which was fine but if you wanted a second cocktail/drink you would have to go back in line.
(4)Morgan M.
This place wasn't really anything more or less special than anywhere else we went in Apalachicola. We had baked and raw oysters, and I do like that they have a little condiment bar to fix your own cocktail sauce (if you're picky about that). We sat on the porch and the view was nice enough, but I thought Papa Joe's had a better view of the river and basically the same food.
(3)tania C.
Finally gave up....after several tries since the Wheel house closed. It's over priced and don't understand all great reviews. Grouper was loaded in salt and the asian salad again heavily salted. Oyster were very small and covered with cheese so that the oyster was barely visible.
(2)Mary Ann M.
A great family restaurant . The oysters are delicious. The customer service is a little weird. You stand in a line to order your food , self serve soda drinks and the staff brings you your food. So no server. You have a great view and like I said the oysters are awesome.
(4)Jaime G.
Up the Creek has a lovely view and tasty food, yet the service is not traditional. You order at the bar and your food (oysters preferably) are brought to your table. You must retrieve the necessary items (crackers, horseradish, hot sauce, cocktail sauce, lemons) and self serve beverages. Needless to say, it's waterfront and the seafood is fresh and delicious, but it is an interactive meal.
(4)Houston A.
Pretty good seafood, but there is better nearby for cheaper prices. The waterfront view is great. We didn't like paying $21 for a piece of grouper that was, at best, a child size portion. Decent food, but overpriced for what you get.
(3)Peter Y.
I have been eating oysters as long as I can remember. Raw, steamed or however. Slap them on a cracker and I'm good. However, Up the Creek takes it a step further into uncharted territory for this self-proclaimed oyster-aholic. Raw oysters topped with habeneros, scallions and lime? Or how about topping them with sour cream and caviar? The taste combinations were awesome. I was completely floored. I don't even remember what I drank or had as a side. And to top it off, we sat facing the river watching the shrimp boats head out. Simply incredible. This place is a little pricey considering it is in the oyster capital of the south, but after eating here 3 times in the span of 5 days, I guess I figured it was worth it. If you visit or just pass through, stop here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Sheryl B.
Oh my gosh I had the best amberjack fish tacos here. In fact this Southern California native had the best fish tacos I have ever had and I KNOW fish tacos! Oh and the fried string beans are really good, too. We will be back again!
(4)Jesse V.
My first visit to the Apalachicola. Heard about this place from my brother and he didn't steer me wrong. I got regular raw oysters, the oysters "Mignionette" and "Classic" ones. All were excellent! The crab bisque was sublime and the sweet potato fries were the best I've had anywhere. Also tried some wings, moist with a savory sauce that had a nice tangy vinegar taste (not enough heat for my likes though). Good service. All around great place! If you are in or near Apalachicola you got to stop by this place!
(5)Jane B.
Stopped by after a fun bike ride through town and was delighted with our choice for lunch! Conch cakes were amazing and the slaw served with them was very tasty. Landlubber husband raved about his blackened chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. Good service and friendly staff. Going back for the crab cakes before we leave!
(5)Bill H.
Best blackened grouper I have ever had. Omg it was good. Great food. Great view. Cold beer.
(5)Les V.
Sat outside watched gators swim down the river. Enjoyed meal of Mediterranean oysters for start , the fried shrimp and sweet potato fries were excellent also fried green tomatoes , the special was blacken Grouper very good. Looking forward to going back and try the fried Gator .
(5)Steffanie B.
This is definitely an interesting place. Placed our order at the counter and sat down to wait for it. The staff was friendly enough. The steamed oysters were good but the peel and eat shrimp was another story. Very mushy in texture and many were green and smelled badly. We will not be back.
(2)Paul M.
OK... for the laid back raw bar experience this place may top them all. Nestled in downtown Apalachicola on a back street, this restaurant overlooks the bay and offers both indoor and outdoor seating if you prefer. The food was excellent. We ordered fresh raw oysters and shrimp caught in local waters. This quaint little coastal restaurant also came with a friendly staff and our favorite, the owner who stopped by our table to discuss the history of the restaurant and the quality of the local seafood brought in daily by the local fisherman. My wife and I's favorite ... Local! Local! Fresh off the boat! Keep it coming! Overall we put this restaurant on the "A" list and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to eat. Just remember to dress casual.
(5)Ashley A.
Heads up everyone: This is a self service restaurant. If you've been walking around Apalachicola all day and have tired, sweaty children who need a break, be prepared to work your butt off for dinner here. Up and down from the table constantly to order drinks, then food, then to refill your drinks, then to prepare your salad, and then again to pay. I guess I wouldn't have been so annoyed if I'd known this beforehand. Add to that the mediocre food and I was thoroughly annoyed. The plus side is that they aren't charging an arm and leg for the merely adequate fare.
(2)Gaby S.
Excellent ... And I mean EXCELLENT oysters and crab cakes. We came here in between meals bc our lunch in St George Island left us hangry. Then oysters were HUGE and they have like 6 different styles of hot sauce. The homemade crab cakes were full of crab meat and little batter. But even the batter on the fried green tomatoes (that come with the crab cakes) were seasoned correctly and fried to perfection. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Brad K.
Great place ! 2lbs of HUGE shrimp for $20 Sort of a serve yourself raw bar Love everything about this place Can't wait to o back!!
(5)Mike H.
Awesome food and awesome view from the outdoor deck! This is the place you need to go when driving through or visiting the area. Over the years I have eaten at several spots in the area and I have to say that this is my favorite! From the parking lot, head upstairs, get in line to order,and then take a seat. The food will be out quickly. We chose to sit outside facing the water which was wonderful. Great service and excellent drink selections. Also, the cocktail sauce was homemade and some of the best I have ever had. I thought the Parmesan oysters were great and also enjoyed them steamed. If you only have time to go to one place in Apalach, go here! Worth the drive from SGI.
(5)Marqus R.
Being in Apalachicola I expected good oysters and I got them at Up The Creek, having had the Moscow (raw oysters with sour cream and caviar) and the Parmesan (steam with Parmesan cheese topping). Indeed, the oysters were very good. The view, as the dinning area is on the second floor overlooking the water, is also second to none in the area. However, I found that everything else is a distant second if not a third or fourth place to other noted eateries in the area. If they just sold oysters and nothing else, I couldn't be cirtical of the place, but when they attempt to serve other foods that border upon being absolutely horrid, I can indeed be very critical. First off, you either wonder up the stairs or take an elevator to the second floor. No problem with that, but when you enter, you aren't greeted. You get to stand in line, sort of like a McDonalds, then when you get to the clerk she points, says "the menus are here and there are some specials on the blackboard." Couldn't she at least be polite or interested enough to say hello, welcome, hand me a menu and just call the "board" a "board" since it is white with black marker writing on it, not even remotely similar to a blackboard. Then, after you place your order, wait for her to write it all down, place it on the cook area while announcing "new order"....as if she would be giving them an old order....she hands you a number sign and tells you to put it down wherever you find a seat. So, you do that, then you have to go hunt around to get yourself a glass of water, which while you are at it, you can entertain yourself by checking a salad bar that is so limited, small and skimpy it would even make a rabbit laugh. Also don't believe the labels on the dressings or sauces. The remoularde sauce is a disgrace to the name and the others a total jokes. I also had the Mahi Mahi and the sweet potato fries; both greasy, both improperly seasoned. So, great view, great oysters; nothing more. With so many other places offering great oysters in the Apalachicola area, there is no need to put up with the lousy service and other sub par food.
(2)Lisa B.
Great at handling a large crowd, we had a party of 17. We had a variety of food and it was all good and fresh! We will be back!
(4)dawn t.
No oysters! Thank you EPA for screwing with the local economy! Had the soft shell crab and it was to die for! Servers attitude was average. Probably because of the lack of business due to NO Oysters! Thanks government for screwing up the local economy.
(4)Lady D.
This place is awesome yet again! Today's lunch is seafood bisque and conch cakes. The bisque is just right- OMG- with just the right hint of sherry. No salt or pepper necessary. Conch can be tough if not done properly. My conch cakes came topped with a wonderfully sweet mango slaw that perfectly balanced the mild tupilo honey and lime sauce. The plate was dusted with toasted sweet coconut. What a wonderful meal!
(5)Jessica P.
Such an amazing restaurant! We've gone twice in the three days we have been in Apalachicola; it's that good! The service is great, even though you have to order at a counter. The Parmesan oysters are awesome! They have specials every day and their crab and lobster bisque is so tasty. Don't miss out!
(5)Richard H.
Definitely our favorite place to eat at in the entire area. Should have gone back our second night but went to the Owl's Nest and discovered it was a little hyped up and expensive. This joint had a great atmosphere, on the spot wait staff, a fantastic view of the Apalachicola Bay, and awesome food and drink When it was all over, the price really wasn't that bad considering I had two martini's and my wife had wine. So when we're back in the area, we're definitely heading back to visit this place.
(5)A S.
After the past 9 years we have tried it all on SGI and in Apalachacola. We all agree this is one of the best- if I could do a 1/2 star it would b a 4 1/2 rating. The broiled oysters were to die for!! devoured by my gang in seconds flat! We tried the Parm & traditional- both delicious. Our fried shrimp was battered to perfection - light and so fresh! My son had the fried gator and said it was great. My sweet potatoes fries were some of the best I have ever had! I hate to encourage u to go to add to my future wait time but- give it a try u wont b disappointed.
(4)Joe P.
The BEST Restaurant in Apalachicola, FL...Period!! Me, my wife , my brother and his wife ate there on September 7th 2013. I had the Parmesan (Steamed) Oysters ($8.99 Doz) that are prepared with Parmesan Cheese, Butter and seasonings. They were SO GOOD that I ordered another round and went with the Classic (Steamed) Oysters ($10.99 Doz) prepared with Bacon, Cheddar Cheese and Jalapeños. All I can say is that these were heavenly. After living in the Pacific Northwest for almost 9 years and not having good oysters readily available this place and their preparation of the local oysters was a true find. The Oysters were small to medium size and tasted like butter with a little salinity on the finish....oh so good...my mouth is watering as I write this!!. My wife (a Vegetarian) had the Warm Eggplant Stack ($10.99) prepared with yellow tomatoes and a basil, parmesan, ricotta blend, served with a fresh tomato coulis. I tasted it and ended up helping her finish the huge portion she was served. We both loved the italian sauce that was on it. and the eggplant was cooked perfectly..not too much breading and not oily. My brother had Crab Cakes ($11.99 - 2 cakes) prepared with fresh blue crab claw meat with light seasoning (and very little else!), garnished with fried green tomatoes and our house remoulade and aioli sauces on the side. He raved about them the entire time he was eating them. The crab meat was big lump pieces and the cakes had been delicately pan fried to a golden crust. According to my brother who has lived in Panama City for 8 years and has sampled crab cakes all up and down the Florida coast...these were the best!! My brothers wife had the Fried Alligator Basket ($15.99) prepared with Chunks of Whole Body Alligator Meat...she also had Sweet Potato Fries. She said the Fried Alligator pieces were really good. They were golden brown and didn't seem greasy (but I didn't try any). If it says anything, she finished them all. The Sweet Potato Fries were thick cut and again not greasy at all...we all shared them. All in all....our meal was well worth the drive from Panama City Beach and the next time I visit my brother in Florida I'll be heading to Up The Creek Raw Bar for another satisfying meal. By the way....we sat outside under the enclosed seating area which some local restaurants do not have...which was nice because it kept the sun off our heads and the birds off our table!!
(5)Joy S.
Totally bewildering ordering and payment system. But somehow it all works perfectly. There's a method to the madness! Outstanding food and the service was hyper attentive. They also pour local Apalach beer, Oyster City Brewing company by the pitcher. Good times.
(5)Janice M.
We were recommended here by our Inn Keeper. Crab cakes were delicious,just crab meat. The fried green tomatoes were huge but too much breaking for my liking. Hubby had the grouper sandwich and was delighted. His sweet Potato fries were plentiful, fresh and hot and very tasty. We had the unusual for a starter fried green beans. Very different dipped in cornmeal and deep fried. Good different that is I would come here again.
(4)Ken B.
We ate here twice and it was our favorite spot in Apalachicola. Very informal laid back place right on the bayside. The shrimp were really good both grilled and fried. Also the sweet potato fries are a stand out. Tried the Tuna Sashimi special which was a surprising but welcome special of the day. We enjoyed the change from fried seafood. Would also recommend that you save some room for a slice of pie. The coconut creme pie tasted really good.
(5)Steve V.
Oysters are the freshest anywhere. Period. And big. Beer is crisp. Views are grande. Sweet potato fries are perfectly lightly fried. Crab bisque to die for. Friendly service. Military discount. I love this place. I've been here at least 5 times now and each time is great. Oh and the keylime pie is outta control good! Literally! I've complained, but there's nothing management can do. Five stars.
(5)Pattie W.
I was driving through and wanted to try some local fare. Checked Yelp and chose Up A Creek and glad I did ! I got the Parmesan Oysters and the Grilled Conch Cakes. Both were great. Ate outside looking at the water. Patio was also "dog friendly" which made it that much more appealing to me. There were a couple of very well behaved dogs there with their "people ". Nice relaxing afternoon.
(4)Laurie A.
I loved this place when we decided to drop in last year while on vacation. It has some awesome views. I saw a bald eagle, manatees, and many other wildlife from the deck. The shrimp was great and the waitress was really nice. Plan to go back again this year!! See ya in a few weeks!
(5)Jason B.
Came here back in July and then again tonight. Oysters are great and reasonably priced. Everything else we have tried has been top notch. My son tried buffalo wings and my daughter went with a burger this time. Their non-seafood fare was very well done as well and that is not always the case on the coast. Give this place a try, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Jennifer A.
We loved our dinner. Crab cakes, tuna and oysters. Deserts were to die for!! Great service!! We will be back on our next visit!!
(5)Bobbie M.
We tried to find seafood as fresh and reasonably priced during our second visit to the forgotten coast area. Couldn't find it so back we went to Up The Creek Raw Bar. Once again enjoyed the beautiful Apalachicola River view on a warm and beautiful Monday, from the outer deck. Beer was cold, oysters were good size and fresh, fried green beans and sweet potato fries were fun and tasty. A very casual, dog friendly porch on a sunny day. Just what we wanted! We do not mind ordering at the bar rather than a wait staff on an afternoon out just looking for some fun.
(4)Matthew M.
It was our first trip to the area, and with any of our vacations, food is on the mind. We were excited to eat some great local seafood, and Up The Creek did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, everything, and I mean everything was amazing. I absolutely loved the service concept. I don't mind ordering from the counter, especially when you are immediately greeted and explained how everything works. The staff worked as a team, and that is the only way that this service concept can be succesful. They don't pressure you at all. Take your time, and when you are ready, come up and order. When you need something(refill, condiments), just grab it yourself. It adds to the laid back atmosphere of the area and this great restaurant. We tried several different items over our 3 visits. Parmesian Oysters would fantastic and a nice change if you have been slamming down oysters for a few days. Super fresh and tasty. The peel and chow shimp were the best I have ever had. They were huge! No need for butter, just enjoy the flavor. The grouper sandwhich, by far, is the best grouper sandwich I have ever had. I had mined blackened. The guys in the kitchen do it right by creating a crust, and not just dusting the fish. Perfection at it's best, especially with the sweet potatoe fries. If you are in the area, it is a must to take in the view of the waterway from the Up The Creek Raw Bar while enjoying some great local food.
(5)Charlie M.
If you want to gorge on oysters in Apalachicola, this is the place to go. Boss Oyster down the street might be famous for all of its many different crazy oyster recipes, but it's twice as expensive and the atmosphere isn't as good. For cold beer, chill/funky atmosphere, and tray after tray of oysters for a good price, this joint cant be beat.
(4)Jessica M.
Thanks Yelp reviewers for pointing us up the river a few blocks out of downtown Appalachicola to the best restaurant in the area. We managed to visit this place 3 times in 24hrs and each visit the food was excellently prepared and incredibly fresh. We had oysters all over the gulf and these were the best - meaty and incredibly fresh (the boat dock / oyster processing is literally right next to the restaurant - doesn't get any fresher). The blackened grouper sandwich was perfect and the much-reviewed sweet potato fries were sweet and delicious. The shrimp were the largest peel & eats I've ever had, they come steamed with the head still on. It's counter service and they leave your tab open until you're ready to leave. You can sit at the bar (full bar with a few good beers on tap including Sweetwater 420), inside tables or outside deck tables overlooking the Appalachicola river (gorgeous views!) and you just head up to the counter or bar when you're ready for more food or drink. They have a small salad bar with help yourself toppings and sauces like lettuce/tomato/onion, remoulade, horseradish, cocktail sauce, homemade salad dressings, etc. The counter service works great actually, everyone works together there and you're not at the mercy of one particular server. Had the key lime pie on our last visit and it was excellent.
(5)Laurence H.
This is really the only must go place in Apalachicola. It's frequented by locals on the 2nd floor of warehouse. The food is well made and the price is right.
(4)Cassandra P.
My husband and I ate here on a day trip down from Panama City beach on our vacation last year so this year we brought the family back and it was just as yummy as before! Great food and atmosphere!
(4)Jim A.
Very good food & very nice people running the operation plus good daytime river views. Not white table cloth but reliable.
(4)Rick B.
We had a total of three meals here and every one was super good. The oysters were terrific, the blackened shrimp were good, the fried green beans were yummy, the seafood soup was killer. Not a fancy place but the service was great, the view was nice and the oysters were worth the 8-hour drive to get there.
(5)Shelley G.
Well worth a visit! Local oysters so fresh - they don't get any better than this. We had a dozen raw naked ones - yum! Also loved the grilled grouper sandwich. Helpful staff and great beer on tap.
(5)Rita D.
Giving a restaurant 5 stars doesn't mean it's high end or fancy. It simply means it executes whatever it does well. When I'm in Apalachicola, that means good oysters and good daft beer at a decent price. Up the Creek delivers and with a super friendly staff. I don't need to eat anywhere else when I'm in town, in fact I just ate there 3 nights in a row! The oysters are plump and flavorful and shucked perfectly so you can easily get every morsel. The Parmesan oysters are nothing but heavenly. There's a variety of beer on tap, either 12 or 16 oz. Also tried the peel and eat shrimp. Warning: They are served with the heads on, which some people might object to. But at 6 to the half-pound, they are mighty! I usually love sweet potato fries, but theirs are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. I prefer mine salty or chipotle, so I wouldn't order them again, but that's just a matter of taste. I did like the fried green beans, as did my husband, who doesn't even like green beans. You order at the counter and pay as you leave. Love the casual atmosphere. Great value. See you next time we're in town!
(5)Buzz D.
great fresh oysters---what else is there!!! We had about 5doz oysters in various forms! favorite was raw with their migonette==excellent, plain raw were sweet and briny . greek version had too much olives--imo. Tap beers were served promptly with a smile--would be a place will visi again!!
(5)Aimee C.
We ate here last weekend. It was fantastic! You order at the counter, which isn't my favorite thing to do, I'd rather have waiter service, but it's not a big deal. The staff is very friendly and helpful in making suggestions. I ordered the conch fritters (more like cakes than fritters though) from the appetizer menu as my entrée. They were covered in a salsa of some sort. Delicious! My husband ordered their cajun burger (i think that's what it was called). Yum. It comes almost naked, but they have a condiments bar at which you add toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, etc. A friend of ours got the zucchini fries with her order and they were awesome. Surprisingly not greasy. The restaurant is very clean. The staff friendly. The food great. The prices very reasonable. PLUS, the amazing view of the Apalachicola River. You can see it out of every window! You can eat out on the porch if you like as well. Bottom Line: We'll definitely be going back to Up the Creek Raw Bar to try their other offerings! Note: They're closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, but they're open from 12-9pm every other day of the week.
(5)Pamala K.
Oysters were awesome!!! We also had the fried green beans (thankfully we ordered just the small size) steamed clams and the conch cakes! All good, but the oysters were A-mazing! Loved the outdoor, screened-in, dog friendly porch! We will be back, for sure!
(5)Leilane V.
Absolute great view, right on the water. Good spot for a beer, but the food was not good and the Oysters the worst of Apalachicola.
(2)Gary W.
Great Oysters! I recommend steamed parmesan ones. Great atmosphere with outside seating. Nice wait staff
(4)Thomas W.
ATMOSPHERE: Upon stepping into the dining area, you feel at home. It is certainly more of a bar, however things are very clean, open and inviting. Depending on what you order, your food could be served on a plastic tray or fine china. You do order at the counter, which some find to be tedious, however if you want to pay on separate checks or if you simply won't let that sort of thing ruin your experience, it's kind of fun. There is a self-serve condiment bar that is always fully stocked (and fresh) ready to dress whatever you order with whatever you like (so if you're the kind of guy that likes to dip your seared zucchini in a ketchup, horseradish and Tabasco mixture, no one will judge you). FOOD: Obviously fresh, and amazingly even-fresher-tasting. With each bite you can tell that the chef cares very much about your experience. My plate (or basket) is clean every time, and I have never had to wait longer than 10 to 15 minutes. I am NEVER dissatisfied. SUGGESTIONS: I am always sure to order the peel and eat shrimp. They are seasoned to perfection, and they leave the head on. If you can overcome eating something that is looking at you, you'll find that it's the best way to eat shrimp. The Gator basket is delicious as well, especially when paired with sweet potato fries (topped with sugar, cinnamon and probably crack). In short: if you want to be happy, go here.
(5)Bruce G.
Wonderful. Just passing through for a night. Oysters were perfection. My friend loved the alligator burger, said it was not gamey but like light pork. I had 2 dozen oysters, beer and fried shrimp and walked extremely satisfied. Bartender/waiter (we ate at the raw bar) was great, nice guy.
(5)Paul P.
Best oysters I've had in my life.. Hands down.. Amazing wait staff!!! Great value and amazing view!! Go and you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Charles C.
Fantastic laid back atmosphere! Great oysters, lobster/crab bisque..... and save room for the in- house made sweet potato donuts!
(5)Craig B.
This is a refreshing change from many restaurants in Apalach. It has a full bar and a wonderful view of the river. The food, though, is the real draw. It's gourmet in a non-gourmet town. Vegetarian where vegetarian isn't cool. I heartily recommend it. The reason I don't give it a 5 is because it isn't always cleaned quickly; tables and other places sometimes have crumbs and the food isn't always executed perfectly. When they are on, they are incredible, though.
(4)Duke B.
This is going to be harsh. Four friends and I decided to give Up the Creek a shot. This was a mistake on almost every conceivable level. After placing our order at the counter with a humorless staff member, we pulled up a chair for some serious culinary nightmares. I should have known better by looking at the empty dining room and the menu; I had a funny feeling. It's one of those places that is trying to be "creative." Cajun this, and Asian that; cilantro this, and blackened crusted that -- all on the chalkboard. But this is a "joint" with "five flavors of beer on tap," not a bistro. A "joint" shall not blindly attempt bistro. Flavors of beer?!? Who says that? I should have known better when we ordered 3 Bloody Marys, and the same server asked us if we would like that with vodka or tequila. I get it... Bloody Maria and all that, ole! But That's not what we ordered... So we get the Bloody Marys, and they are thin... and they are sweet... Like really sweet with an orange-ish hue. I ask the waitress/bartender about this. My wife gives her the benefit of the doubt, "She probably grabbed the V8 Fusion by mistake." But no. Up the Creek makes their Bloody Marys with 100% Florida orange juice, triple sec, and sweet and sour mix. Doink! I half expected them to say: "Try our signature margaritas, we make them with rum, dry vermouth, cinnamon extract, a scoop of ice cream, coconut milk, and dog blood. Deee-licious!" Give me a break. We sent them back and went with the beer. They can pour a good beer! On with the food! I ordered a dozen oysters with habeñero cilantro vinaigrette on the side (I'm thinking this is a spicy light acidic mignonette) and half a bag of steamed clams. My partners in this fiasco got a cheeseburger, tuna dip, conch fritters, another dozen oysters, and "catch of the day" fish and chips. Sidenote: I am from Louisiana, and I really hate when you get oysters and they count the ones the size of a quarter as part of the dozen. These are freebies, any good coon-ass will back me up, and so if they are particularly small that day, you might get 16 instead of 12. Not at Up the Creek, AND THIS IS APALACH! Oyster capital of the south! I also got a plastic ramekin with some mayonnaise-y habeñero sauce (not vinaigrette), and another one with about 8 cilantro leaves (come to find out, a $4 extra option). The ill-conceived sauce tasted horrible. The woody-ness of the habeñero, clashing with whatever else was in there (Cream of mushroom soup? Ranch dressing? Butter?)... and I am supposed to assault my oysters with this smear? The steamed clams were good enough; teeny tiny, but edible. However, they did not go back and retrieve the dead unopened ones (about 6 of 50 and I got charged for those!). Out of curiosity, I pried one open with my fork, and it was a putrid black mass that defiled the rest of the watery broth. Come on! For $26 remove the rotten ones. There was a bay leaf in there. Fancy! The cheeseburger was your typical wafer thin elementary school cafeteria frozen soy patty. Not handmade. Not good. The conch fritters were quite good. Conch straight from the Apalachicola river I'll bet! I jest. My darling wife's "catch of the day" fish and chips, were uniform rectilinear cubes of fish stick. I said, "Baby, are those like VandeKamp's™ fish sticks?" She said no, VandeKamp's™ are actually good. I did not delve further, however her "chips" were American "chips" and not British "chips." So she got a $15 basket of fish sticks and potato chips. Fries did come with the burger! They do exist! The grand finale! Ta da! Tuna dip. My two sweet lady friends shared the tuna dip. I would let them reach over and type their impressions of this delectable treat, but they cannot. Unfortunately, they are both currently covered in sweat wrapped in blankets sleeping off a night of vomiting and full-bore turbo diarrhea from food poisoning, and it is 3:30 pm the day after. Coincidence? "Up S#!t Creek With a Turd for a Paddle" should be the name of this joint. Or how about "Conch Fritters and Beer, Anyone?" Perhaps "Anal Burns R Us," or "Don't Poo Your Panties!" Maybe even "Please Don't Sue Us If We Ruin Your Vacation." Avoid Up the Creek like full-bore turbo diarrhea. P.S. My portion of our lunch was over $60. I think we got charged for the Bloody Marys, too, but I am not certain. There was no ticket; the humorless waitress/bartender just told my wife a number as we were trying to escape with our lives. I would be humorless, too, if I had to work here; the food was downright embarrassing... and the Bloodys... Comic even!
(1)Misha B.
Absolutely the worst restaurant that I have ever eaten at in my life! From the cocktails that we ordered - Bloody Marys- which somehow included orange juice and sprite?- to the burger that you have to walk across the restaurant to get your lettuce and tomato for, this place is terrible. The service was worse than at your typical drive-thru. Every single thing that we ordered - other than the beer - was inedible. Whatever you do when you are in Apalachicola, do NOT eat at Up the Creek.
(1)Janet S.
Great Raw recipes...seems all along the coast places either know oysters as raw/steamed or cooked, here they know raw with toppings and they are YUM. Oysters mignionette, (onion/habanero/hite vinegar), oysters with sour cream/horseradish/caviar (ish) with a side dish of cobia sashimi with a mild curry coleslaw, YUM, these could be picked up and taken as a small bite. This place was arguably the most inventive we found on the forgotten coast plus you could grab a beer or wine and watch Cash Cab with the locals, what's not to like. Oh and did I mention they do ethnic nights, we arrived during Russian weekend featuring their local oyster and fish catch. We went back three times after scoping out the competition. The service was fast and unpretentious, a homey little place with a view over the bay. But hey if you want your oysters big and pricey and ordinary you know where else to go right!!!! Did I mention the "other place" smelt of school dinners. Oh people, of all the dining things to do .....oysters and their accessories...its so subjective...and sometimes they are small but you usually get given more than your 12 right to make up for it.
(5)Shanon W.
On day two of my visit to Apalachicola we decided to try this restaurant. Mistake - BIG mistake. Two of us spent the rest of our vacation deathly ill from food poisoning (thanks to the tuna dip). Needless to say, the trip was ruined. Run, don't walk, away from this place!
(1)Melissa D.
We like this place alot. The oysters were good, the service was fine and friendly (even when I changed my side order TWICE). The sweet potato fries were awesome, the coconut cream pie was great. We have eaten here twice this trip and once last year~ all three visits were great. the views are really nice as well plus the screened in porch is Dog Friendly.... what is NOT to like about that!
(3)Jaryd G.
This was my first time here and the fried shrimp and green bean basket was awesome. Im not a huge fan of the self service concept, but it was a good experience.
(4)Corrie H.
Delicious food. Nice chef-so helpful with our food allergies. The conch cakes were DIVINE! Fried grouper was yummy yummy and my son thought the alligator burger was awesome. Kids loved it and the view can't be beat.
(5)Christine B.
Location is great, very friendly wait staff! Crab and Lobster Bisque awesome as was the fried fish basket.
(3)Robert M.
sat at the bar, my usual place, and had a freebie from the Water St Hotel...a dozen raw oysters. friendly greeting from bartender/counter guy Jeremy and he whipped up the oysters in a jiffy, which were not great (try the owl tap room for great), but very good. at this place you order at the counter, take a number and find a seat. if you don't know what you want you take a menu and come back. some people may not like that, but usually by the time you've looked over the menu one of the counter guys have brought you your drink order. (if the ordering process bothers you avoid it by a bar seat). i had blackened chicken over spring greens ($6.99) and deep-fried green beans ($3.99...i think) which gave access to the salad bar, which is rather skimpy (costs (3.99) as a solo. both items were good, waqshed down by bass ale. Jeremy was friendly., efficient and the food was good...price was right. i'd give this place a B+ and i would go back to try the alligator burger.
(4)