Was out for.a nice afternoon drive on a Wednesday and arrived in Cedar Key. Cedar Key is in the middle of revitilization/rebuild after being hit by Hurricane Idalia so not many restaurants were open. After walking along the strip we came upon Big Deck Raw Bar, not much to look at from the outside but sure did smell good and that is what brought us there. We were seated inside, basic patio seating available no fancy table/chairs with an area for live music. We ordered: Cedar Key Steamed Clams - arrived in a paper basket with some (not much - so don't think your going to dunk an bread in a broth) but the clams had a very good taste to them, served with drawn butter. 2 dozen to an order and I would of order a 2nd batch had I known how good the flavor was. Grouper basket - 3-4 pieces of Grouper lightly fried, no very greasy and nicely seasoned. Disappointed Tartar sauce is pre-packaged and not home made, but The Grouper was seasoned well that I was fine eating it with no dipping sauce. I chose fries for a side and they were seasoned and crispy. Crab Cakes - 2 Crab Cakes per entree and was hugely disappointed in the texture, flavor and overall appearance of the dish. The Crab cakes looked nothing like previous yelpes photos and had more filler then crab. This is one item would not order again. Beware the bathroom situatuion is a very tight squeeze and located outside by the outdoor seating. On The plus side the bar area has seating looking out on the street for great people watching. This one is one to at least visit once and you decide for me, I would come back just for the Steamed Clams. read more

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Beloved took me on a trip to show me Cedar Key. Unfortunately, it was a cold day so everything except Big Deck Raw Bar and Duncan's on the Gulf was closed. As the first order of our business for the day was to get some good cocktails, we stopped by Big Deck Raw Bar where we were warmly greeted, had a few very good generous on the pour drinks and enjoyed its whimsical fun laid back atmosphere and décor. The menu of the place doesn't amount to much. It's pretty much comprised of things like chicken wings, burgers, and varying hand helds; seemingly like typical bar foods. I was going to place an order but got a look inside their kitchen and decided not to. We were there early and it just didn't look clean and ready. Big Deck Raw Bar is however a rather enjoyable trendy Cedar Key place. read more

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I had a grilled grouper sandwich with tartar sauce. It was good and flavorful. Juicy fillet. It felt like they caught it a few hours before it hit the grill. Cool little spot, I was out on a job filming dolphin researchers. Wish I would've hung out longer for drinks. But get the grouper sandwich, grilled, it is pretty filling and very reasonably priced. It's an outdoor spot. read more

If you're a smoker and enjoy eating and drinking while doing so - this is the place for you! They do have a decent menu from what I can see, no kids menu though. They are one of two restaurants open on a Sunday. We did not stay for reasons below, however we could tell the staff here works hard and try to get your drinks quickly. Google maps says it's good for kids, this is where I disagree, once you sit down and look around it's definitely not kid friendly as every table around us was smoking. You do you though! read more

The Peel and Eat Shrimp I had at Big Deck Raw Bar was some of the best shrimp I have ever eaten. The generous portion was perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked. Served with a side of melted butter and lemon wedges. We also enjoyed the fish and chips but the peel and eat shrimp was something that I randomly think about and contemplate jumping in my car and making the 2 hour drive there. read more

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We love this place for a beer and steamed clams. Live music on some nights. Casual atmosphere. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - Steamed clams. 2 dozen for $14. Can't beat it! - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

Went on a Thursday for karaoke night and we had a blast!!!! The clams were incredible!!!

Food was good just very heavy. Service was good since we were with the bar tender. Since it's located right on dock street we enjoyed sitting at the bar and people watch with a great view. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

It's a cool local hangout. Food appears like typical bar menu. We stopped in twice for drinks but didn't eat anything. There really isn't a bad view in this town!! read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - Outside Patio - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

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Great fried shrimp and fries. Excellent service. No air conditioner, beer not too cold.

The fried oysters and shrimp were some of the best we've EVER had!! Service was excellent! Friendly waitstaff and bar tender. And the steamers were spot on!! AND dog friendly Would highly recommend! read more

The Cajun peel n eat shrimp was fantastic. I just wish they had more menu items. I think this is a 60/40 bar and restaurant, mostly bar. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - Cajun peel 'n eat shrimp - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

great staff, good food cold beer! Fun place to hang out

Grouper sandwich was EXCEPTIONAL! Megan was our server and she was AWESOME! Cool spot!

Good grouper and clams with fast and efficient service. Low key and reasonably priced food, was a nice stop on our trip to cedar key.

We didn't have much choice. Only place open at 20:00 on a Sunday when we got into town that would allow dogs, or so we were told. Food was edible. Shrimp was probably frozen imported Vietnamese. Our server was super nice and cool and so was the bartender, otherwise this place would get one star. Both had blue heelers like we do. Cheyenne was our server. They were supposed to close at 21:00 but stopped taking orders for food at 19:40. I've worked at a couple of restaurants and was an assistant manager at one. Our policy was if a customer shows up during working hours, we take their order, and stay open until they're done. But that was thirty years ago, and customer service has gone downhill since. At least in my old curmudgeonly mind. Damn kids these days! read more

Great place in Cedar Key to sit out and have a few drinks while you "people watch." Have been here a few times when we have been in town from out of state. Have never eaten here, but the staff seems friendly and attentive. Always look forward to coming here. read more

Great open air seating with a small bar. The clams and the oyster po boy were delicious. It's a very casual place with a very friendly and accomendating staff read more

The food was good. The clientele was a bit over the top politically for our taste. LOL read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - This was taken from our table on the deck. - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

The food was fast and delicious and the staff was super friendly. Definitely going to go back next trip.

This was an average place. The fried oysters were ok. The sandwiches were ok . The nachos were unimpressive. Our server was very wound up and kind of different. I wouldn't chose this one again. read more

Bar food, but not bad. Just not 5 star restaurant. Did we expect that? No not that all. This place is in the cutest sleepiest lil town. Will we come back? Of course, no doubt about it. Had their wings, they were cooked perfectly, and their quesadilla, not too shabby. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

We were there twice on our trip. Mid day adult beverage and nachos which was very tasty and different than we are used to. Then we stopped in after eating at Steamers for an adult beverage and to enjoy the ambiance. Happy with both places. read more

Great outdoor setting for a seafood/sports bar. Fried shrimp were excellent and the muffuletta was a unique blend of Cuban and muffuletta, very tasty! Decent selection of beers and great prices. read more

My husband ordered a drink form here and we sat down to listen to music. We had a great time, enjoyed the music, the breeze, and the people surrounding us. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - a man on stage - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

Horrible. No one wearing masks. Out of almost everything on menu. Blackened shrimp po boy bland and lukewarm.

I just want to preface my review by stating that the hornet which accosted La Chica and I during our entire visit in no way influenced my rating. Shortly after arriving on Cedar Key, we walked around a bit on Dock Street, where there are probably 10 different eating options. It had been about 9 years since my last visit, so I was not sure where to grub. Out come the cell phones. Like Spock on a foreign M-class planet, we're holding up our mobile devices like science team tricorders trying to find our way. The reviews on Yelp for Big Deck were BUZZING with excitement, so in we went. No spots at the bar, so we sat in the covered dinning area. We wanted some local seafood, so we went with the fried oysters appetizer. The waitress put in our order and brought us two cold beers. As we sipped our beers and enjoyed the cool breeze coming off the gulf, a hornet landed on the table. I didn't really want to kill it, so I gave it a pass. Then it flew up onto my cup, possibly getting a sip of my beer and then flew away. The oysters arrive. Holy hell, they were the biggest oysters I had ever seen. Even when you peel off the breading, they were massive. Slightly more size than flavor though. They seemed to be a little light in the seasoning department, so the Crystal Hot Sauce saved them. Also, they only came with a cocktail dipping sauce; tarter would have been a nice addition. The hornet returns, and with a thirst for Yuengling! Right on my cup again, and when I went to swat at him, I must've pissed him off because he returned moments later with backup. One landed on my head. Luckily, I avoided being stung, but I really started chowing down on them oysters because now I just needed to get the hell out of dodge. You know these things communicate with each other, so it was only a matter of time before the whole posse showed up. For about 5 minutes it was safe, and then they returned. This time strutting their stuff on La Chica's side of the table. She freaks the fugg out! It was time to relocate. We had two oysters left, and the new seat gave us the promise of completing our meal. All of a sudden, one lands on my cup and I feel and hear one ON MY EAR. The damn thing was nearly in my ear hole. Close us out! We concluded our business and moved on with our day. Funny thing was that the hornets were not interested in any of the other folks at the restaurant. All-in-all decent food, cold beers, friendly staff and an obvious hornet problem. read more

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It seems like the quality of restaurants in Cedar Key has gone down over the years in terms of both food and service. The Big Deck Raw Bar has been one of the few places to serve food in a consistently good way. This is an open air bar with a menu you might expect from a seaside bar, although there are dinner options available. The atmosphere is laid back, and the service I've received here has always been friendly. I've stuck with their sandwich offerings, out of which I recommend the grouper sandwich. They do lack a good selection of side items. They currently only serve curly fries, potato salad, and coleslaw. Grits, hushpuppies, and green beans would be good additions to their sides. Guests I've eaten with spoke highly of the crab cakes, clams, and shrimp quesadillas. Sometimes I'm tempted by restaurants in Cedar Key with a better view and larger menu, but I'd rather settle for a limited bar menu that serves good results. read more

Big Deck Raw Bar - American Near Me - Cedar Key, Florida

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How can you be listed as raw bar in Cedar Key and not have raw oysters? Good live music and a fun "dive" atmosphere

Great music and grouper fingers. The staff is hustling as fast as they can but having a hard time keeping up. Our waitress was super friendly and once we got on her routine she was great as well. Would go back for sure. read more

First time here, we usually go across the street, but my kids wanted outdoor seating. Went on a Friday afternoon so not too busy. Only one waitress, but she was cheerful and we were very happy with the service. Food was frankly better than we expected. We got shrimp quesadillas, grouper sandwich, peel and eat shrimp, the clams, and I got the hot dog. It was all very good and we will probably go back instead of going across the street. read more

The music was enjoyable, the service and drink quality was great they had a proper amount of fans to stay comfortable in the hot Florida weather. I would give the big deck 5 stars but the food was terrible if you're looking for a place to sit and relax for a few drinks it's a great spot to check out, but for a coastal town I was really disappointed at the poor quality of fish read more

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Great service! Very kind and friendly waitress. She made sure that we always had what we needed. My blackened grouper sandwich was great and my wife's grouper wrap was outstanding! And the cold beers hit the spot!! Great ambiance, but could use some physical updating for sure. read more

Great locale on beautiful Cedar Key. Consistent food quality in a lovely setting. Ordered the shrimp po boy and oyster po boy. Both were huge and amazing! Really fresh. The only down side was the roll they used which tasted too hard; they gladly replaced them on hot dog rolls. Dog friendly and a great escape. Super delightful server whose name I lost but her cute pic is posted. Ask for her, she's fun and will take care of you. read more

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Cute bar that was our only option for food after 9 pm. What was nice is they had a live band that was playing great music. It took a while to order but we got our order within 10 minutes. It's all bar food like. Almost everything is fried although you can do grilled and blackened for some. I got the grilled grouper sandwich with curly fries. My friend got the clam chowder and they didn't bother telling her it had bacon in it. It also didn't taste that good. She also ordered the fried shrimp. It was ok. We had our friends order the fried oysters, one was good the other was burnt and then a couple ordered the peel shrimp, which was actually quite good. They did replace the burnt dish but it took them a while to come back to check on it so almost all of us were done by then. My sandwich was quite good. Whatever they fried did seem to be fresh but in general, the food was mediocre and so was the service. When you don't have any other options, this is not bad. read more

Not awesome. It's kind of weird that it's called the "raw bar," as there's nothing raw on the menu. My sister said the food was okay. I have no opinion since my burger never came. They had live music, but they probably shouldn't. It was mediocre and too loud on one side of the restaurant, and indistinct from the other. Most of the patrons around us were obnoxiously trashed. Weirdest part was a cook (I assume, since he was running back and forth from the walk-in), came up behind my sister and tapped her finger while she was using her smartphone. Said he was just "messing with us," when I said "what the F dude!?" He thought it was funny. We did not. read more

I'm giving this restaurant 2 stars because the location/view is nice. This is a smoking permitted establishment so I wouldn't recommend it to non smokers. We had to change tables because our neighbor was blowing smoke right at our 14 year old daughter. My husband and I ordered the steamed clams that were recommended by locals. I ate 1 and it was so full of sand that I chewed on sand for the next five minutes. A cold beer can always make the situation better but the beer, both draft and bottled, were warm. I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Had dinner here "once". Ordered blackened grouper. Arrived "unblackened". Companion ordered Clam chowder. Searched and found one clam? Said the broth maybe from kitchen dish washer. Pass this one by. read more

Nothing special from a food perspective, but not outright bad. I ordered a grouper sandwich for lunch, and it did the job. I ordered the fish blackened and expected a bit more flavor from it, but it was okay. The bun was straight off of a food service truck, and the tartar and cocktail sauces were in plastic single serving tubs. The fries were pretty good. It looks like this place is more of a bar than anything else, so maybe it makes sense that the food takes a back seat. I mean, when you get those plastic tubs of sauce plopped on your plate, it just screams, "we don't really care that much." read more

The clams were really good here- plain but they didn't need much! and they had a good bar selection. I liked the outdoor shack feel the whole place has. I was disappointed with the service. We had to get up and find our waitress a couple times, but the prices were reasonable and I saw bands playing throughout the weekend. read more