Okay, so we hit Anna Maria Island last weekend, right? Super hyped for some good seafood after hearing all the buzz. I mean, you always hear about “best seafood,” but you gotta see for yourself, you know?
First stop, we rolled into this place called “The Sandbar.” Looked pretty chill from the outside, right on the beach. Figured, can’t go wrong with a beachside joint. We grabbed a table outside – prime real estate, let me tell ya. Ordered some conch fritters to start. They were decent, nothing mind-blowing, but good enough to munch on while we waited.
For the mains, I went for the grilled grouper sandwich. Heard grouper was the thing to get around there. It was… fine. A little dry, to be honest. My wife got the shrimp tacos. She said they were alright, but she’s a tough critic when it comes to tacos. So, The Sandbar? Solid B. Good vibes, okay food.
Next day, we were determined to find the real deal. We asked a local guy at the bait shop where he goes for seafood. He pointed us towards “Star Fish Company.” Said it’s more of a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but the seafood’s fresh off the boat. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Star Fish Company was a different story. It’s basically a dock with picnic tables. Super casual. You order at a window, grab your food, and find a spot. I got the fried mullet basket. Mullet! Never had it before. My wife got the scallops. Dude, the mullet was amazing. Crispy, flaky, and just tasted like the ocean, in a good way. The scallops were incredible too – super sweet and tender. You could tell they were just caught that morning. No fancy sauces, no frills, just damn good seafood. Plus, the prices were way better than The Sandbar. We devoured everything. Star Fish Company? A+. Legit.
So, moral of the story? Sometimes the “best” seafood isn’t in the fancy restaurants. Go where the locals go. Get your hands dirty. Eat some mullet. You won’t regret it.
Pro-tip: Star Fish Company gets BUSY. Go early or be prepared to wait. It’s worth it, though. Trust me.
Bonus: We also tried a place called “Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant.” The view from the top is killer, but the food was kinda meh. Standard tourist trap stuff. Stick to Star Fish Company, you’ll be happier.
That’s my Anna Maria Island seafood adventure! Hope it helps you find some good eats!
