Captain Jacks Waterfront Grill

Terrible!!! Slow service bad food… Crab legs were still cold almost frozen in the middle… Steamed veggies were half a small bowl of nothing but limp squash… Way over priced and we didn’t even drink, but should have to make the experience better…

A bit high priced, and the food is overall good, but not amazing. Still, I really enjoyed myself here probably because I just love sitting at a place on the water (even if the road is right nearby). The place seems large and mostly outdoors. It’s a casual fun atmosphere and boaters can come right up to dock. You can also bring your pets! In fact, I saw one guy who brought his parakeet on his shoulder! lol
We had some tasty frozen drinks, that either hid the alcohol taste very well with all the sweetness or it was lacking enough alcohol. I’m not sure which, but kinda leaning towards the latter. They have a few beers on tap, but may not be familiar with them. For example, our waitress didn’t know that there are several types of Sam Adams beers when I asked which one was on tap.
I had the stuffed flounder for my main course and ate every bite. However, I could have been better with less sauce on it. My stomach hurt from all that afterwards I think. We tried the fried cheesecake for dessert… it was okay. Nothing exciting.
If you’re looking for a leisurely dinner outside while enjoying the Florida atmosphere, this is your place. I wouldn’t say no to going back!

Decent location on the marina, but the food was pretty awful. Crab cakes say they are made with Maryland lump crabmeat, but any lumps were the size of a pencil eraser at the largest. Fried fish advertised as beer battered bout was soft and non-​crispy in the least. Definitely substandard food and very much overpriced. Even bland hush puppies cost $ 4.99 compared to $ 1 at Rusty Bellies a few blocks away (which has much better food at lower prices). Wife and I left and drove home feeling like we had a big lump in our stomach. Won’t be going back.

Very slow service and food was cold, would not recommend anyone who wants a hot meal

Ridiculously slow service even with a very slow night. They also 86d half the menu before 7pm. What food we did get that was availabile was good. Not sure good enough to go back.

What a great place! Beautiful waterfront seating and food delicious. My son wanted crabs so we got, a little pricy for a small cluster but very good. Hey it’s his bday :). We definitely found a new place to eat!

Best Tiki bar ever! Has a beautiful view of whiskey river bar across the water. Great location. Food & cocktails same quality as Gill Dawgs. Get there early to get a good seat. There’s so many in this area, it’s a hard call.
Try them all!

To be fair, they are a 2 and a half stars. It’s only outside seating and very dated as well as a hodge podge of license plates and old decorations. I ordered the grouper sandwich which was 13 dollar’s and barely covered a small Hamburger bun. It was okay but definitely not worth the money.. It was served with homemade chips which were good. My wife ordered the blackened steak tacos in which she really enjoyed drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Bottom line, this appears to be a summer boating and tourist trap

Cool location. On the water and a lot of TVs which is good for us sports nuts. Mahi tacos were ok. Felt like an average Ruby Tuesdays type place. I will need to go back on sunnier day. Was raining which really took away from the experience. Staff was friendly and cordial.

While sitting on the dock digesting this phenomenal cuisine, I’m humbled. Captain Jack’s food is mind blowing when you’re just expecting an amazing view. I’m coming back for brunch tomorrow.

I came across this bar a few weeks ago, just to check out and it’s decent, but nothing special. It’s right on the water, down the street from the Spongedocks, and it definitely seems like a neighborhood bar. It’s open air, with a restaurant right next to the bar. Bartender was attentive; not the best conversationalist, but she did her job. Drink/​beer selection was average and wait time for drinks was minimal. It was, however, one of the quietest open air bars I’ve been to. They had a guy playing guitar and nobody even clapped when he finished his songs. It was weird. And this was on a Saturday night too. Like I said, decent place, but pretty boring. Won’t return.

Awesome location nice tiki bar overlooking the water really good burgers cool place to watch the games

Love captain jacks. It’s a great spot for dinner or just drinks. Nice relaxed atmosphere on the water, but hey if it’s too hot for that they have a huge upstairs dining room with AC.

Terrible experience once again! We have given it a couple tries now… mostly because Rusty Bellies is too busy… and Capt Jacks never fails to disappoint. We can’t even make it half way through our app, which arrives with our salads, before our entrees are delivered… and they are delivered cold at that! We visit expecting to be able to relax and have a few drinks… always leave feeling dissastisfied and rushed out (not even 40 minutes in and out). They could really use some work on their food prep timing and temperature.

I come here often and you can count on 2 things. Slow device and mediocre food. If it weren’t for the view I a wouldn’t come here. The setting is nice. Just don’t expect decent service. If you ask for a condiment after your food arrives expect it long after your food is ice cold. Bring a bottle of water, you may dehydrate waiting for your drink and forget about ordering a second drink. It will come about 15 minutes after you want to leave.

Update Captain Jacks again. There are not too many changes since my last update, but food quality seems improved a lot! Therefore, it gets back to 4 star in my review. It is still the coolest Tiki bar and restaurant at Tarpon Spring. Snow birds are gone and I gonna ‘nest’ there for the summer.

Nice outside place to have a drink and some appetizers service was good. Bloody Mary was tastey had the shrimp app and nachos rolling rock was cold. Thumbs up

PET FRIENDLY
I’ve read mixed reviews, so initially I was going to go to rusty bellies, BUT… Rusty bellies are NOT pet friendly. Hubby and I bring our four legged kids most places. So I called here and they welcome pets so we gave it a shot. Glad we did! Now we not only have another waterfront pet friendly restaurant to go to, but a sports bar as well for our Packer games! Double bonus! Tony was our waiter and he could not have been nicer and more accommodating, but absolutely EVERYONE was super nice… maybe it was because we have the cutest Chihuahuas in the world*) but maybe they are just all really nice young folks! Refreshing!
That all said, they had to deal with a tough crowd; I, being from Wisconsin where everybody smiles, says hi, chats with you, many of these patrons were cold as ice! Definitely NOT from Wisconsin, or Florida for that matter. I really felt sorry for the staff as well as the band.
I would have liked to see a bit larger portions on some dishes like the fish and chips and the prices are a bit above average, like $ 10 smoked fish spread? I thought $ 8.00 was expensive for a scoop of fish and some crackers, (that’s at another waterfront restaurant), but this is PRIME real estate after all and I’m sure all the lovely taxes are a B… H! Plus they have a dozen or more staff members on! We never waited for anything, the food came out quick and hot, hot, hot, and the seafood is fresh. We WILL be back! God bless!

Waterfront bar with great views of the sponge docks across on the S side of the river
Sit downstairs if you enjoy watching folks mooching about on their boats by the dock on the N side of the river
Great happy hour with an incredibly friendly (and hilariously witty) cast of usual suspects
I was there on a Friday early evg when the girl who the local police officer was looking for was discovered asleep in the «shark»…
You had to be there to experience what was a true situation comedy… wicked funny

For staters:
Potato Teasers are very good.
Main course: I had the Coconut Crusted Chicken & Mandarin Salad. I was very surprised by how well the coconut chicken and mandarin oranges complimented each other. They have the best drinking buckets around. Live music and outdoor seating right on the water in Tarpon Springs.