I just am soooo impressed with how much they care about how to improve. A+ customer service! Thank you guys!!!

If you want a "unique to Florida" restaurant, this is the place! I ordered Alligator bites as an appetizer & gator tacos as an entrée. Well cooked, very tasty. The only reason I did not rate with 5 stars is because the service is a little slow. There were only about 2 waitresses working for lunch, and it took a little while to get the check. Other than that, definitely a must-go if you want a unique Florida experience. read more

Black Hammock Restaurant - Gator tacos and hush puppies - Seafood Near Me - Oviedo, Florida

We came in at 4:30pm and our server was CeeCee. We were the only customers in there. It took 45 minutes to get our food and the server never checked in on us before or after food was brought to the table and she brought us voice teas when my mom ordered water. First time customers but the food was awesome though. read more

Food was above average. New server but was very helpful. 2 burgers were excellent Brother had catfish and frog legs, he said it was good. But seafood prices are high. read more

It is tough to review Black Hammock because there are so many aspects of the place. There is a full service restaurant, an indoor bar, an outdoor seating area that serves drink and apps, a gift shop, airboat rides, alligator pits, bird aviaries and a boat launch. We scoped out the place before decided to eat at the restaurant. We followed dinner with drinks on the outdoor covered seating area between the Lazy Gator Bar and gift shop. The restaurant is old and dated looking and has a musty smell that was especially noticeable in the sunroom. There is dark wood paneling inside so we opted for the sunroom- at least you can kind of see the water. Our server seemed to us to be a stand-in. He was nice but not particularly comfortable at his job. They were out of kids menus, we were shorted utensils and the food was brought out incorrect. My Gator Monterrey Sandwich was good, but not great, and was piled high with gator nuggets. You can choose fries or slaw with a sandwich- stick with the fries. We also ordered the catfish nuggets and got a large portion considering it was an app. They were very good too. Still bar food, and not the best bar food I've had but better than many other places. Apparently gator is easy to screw up. Some of the gator was chewy but most was not and I liked the light breading. Next we headed down to sit closer to the water and have a few drinks while the sun set. It was a gorgeous night with a nice breeze and miraculously, no bugs! From our seat we saw multiple baby gators swimming back and forth in the canal. There was an interesting mix of people- young and old, tourists and locals, families and bikers. Too bad you can't get the full menu down by the water. They have new management so maybe they'll change that, then they'll earn 4 stars. read more

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If I could give this place a zero star I would. My daughter has been to this place before and recommend it to us for Father's Day what a mistake. The poorest service I have ever seen . First the server brought us drinks then took our order for appetizers. 30 minutes later she brings out one another 20 minutes later she brings out the what is supposed to be cold peel and eat shrimp the shrimp were warm like they just thawed them out . That not the worst of things 1 1/2 later she brings out my food but not the rest. Another 20 minutes after I am about done eating she brings out the rest. The food is good but service sucks find another restaurant. I would also like to add that I went out back to a bar that they have out back and there was no social distancing at all whatsoever this place should be closed down in fact not to mention the waitress was wearing a mask but not cover your nose so what good would that do you. read more

We had the most amazing experience! Our bartenders Jena and Claire were amazing as well as our airboat tour driver Tim. Thanks so much for the experience read more

Black Hammock Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Oviedo, Florida

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Everything about the Black Hammock Restaurant is great! Staff is excellent! We enjoyed the food and 2 for 1 margaritas. Cajun gator bites are a must but then again so are the hush puppies. Our server Bree was fantastic she graciously handled a couple of busy tables on a Saturday afternoon alongside her awesome coworkers. The entire experience from restaurant, gift shop to the airboat ride was definitely a two thumbs up! My family and I appreciate the staff, it was our first time out and they welcomed us and went above and beyond in assisting us. read more

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I give it 5 stars because of the atmosphere and the staff. Food is ok, we tried alligator just to have the experience. We tried the sampler. Interesting!! But the atmosphere is off the hook Old Florida complete with spectacular views of the most alligator inhabited lake in America. Very cool. And they rehab alligators so us tourists can get an up close view. But the sunsets can't be beat. Ahhh.... this is a must when your friends and family from up north come to visit. Or if you want a real Florida throw back experience. read more

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I took my family there today not realizing they had birds outside. It was a miserably hot day and the birds looked just that- miserable. 2 were molting and one was hanging its head so far below his perch and was so still, we thought he was dead. Only his eye movement proved otherwise. They also had 6 gators in a tiny enclosure with water so murky you couldn't see the tails of the partially submerged gators. We were set to go on a boat tour, but found their lack of decent care so depressing we left. If the owner or manager is reading this- please take better care of your animals. They deserve better. read more

The only thing good about this restaurant was the view. Actually the corn fritters were delicious but everything else outweighs this one positive. We arrived at the waterside table area as seen in their photos here on yelp around 2 pm. Waited for about 10 minutes without anyone coming to check on us so I went to the bar upstairs where the inside had several patrons but the two bartenders were available. At the bar I told the woman bartender that the two of us were sitting downstairs outside for the view and I grabbed a menu. She said the food and the bar are separate, it would be two separate checks and that she would send a waitress and I wasn't able to order food from her nor drinks from the other. I ordered two beers and took them back downstairs to our table. After about 30 mins still no waitress I went back upstairs and was told she would actually send the waitress this time??? About 10 minutes later as soon as the waitress came into the vicinity (from 5 empty tables away) she asked if we know what we want to order (as though she wouldn't want to come back if we weren't ready) and I said yes and ordered. She advised we need to pay immediately and that the card reader was asking for a tip. (I asked how do we know how much to tip if we haven't gotten any service) and also I asked if she was going to come and check on us and the answer was NO, we order and they bring food and that's all. So we ordered (take out with delivery I suppose) and while waiting I went back upstairs to get another round of drinks. When I came back down I realized the tables were filling up but that the man bartender from upstairs was actually going to the tables and grabbing drink orders? Not sure what made us excluded and why I had to keep going upstairs to order? We overheard the same strange details being explained as the very first info that drinks are separate and the food would be handled by other department but he proceeded to come back and forth to all the tables (except ours) while we ate the mediocre take out food and I returned back and forth up and down the stairs for refills... while sitting enjoying the view among the 10-15 other (initially empty) tables I noticed signs about enjoying the margaritas at the lazy gator restaurant? I thought we were seated AT a restaurant... on the water...where we could order drinks and food but clearly that was not the case? I have come to the bar a few times over the years. I have eaten at the restaurant up top of the parking lot before. I have also done an airboat tour there before. But after this awkward visit with aloof, distractedly uncaring staff and mediocre food delivery by more unfriendly and bothered staff, we will never be back. This is definitely not a cohesive environment, no one is smiling and it felt like an 'us against them' vibe with me (the paying patron) in the middle. Don't bother. read more

(7/13/2019) Had some visitors from Sweden come visit Orlando, not for the first time. They had already in previous visits done the whole theme park thing, and wanted something back to nature. We've seen plenty of gators peeping up at us in Lake Jesup, so brought them to Black Hammock for some cracker cooking and gator spotting. It's a little bit of a haul out here, but they must have plenty of tourist traffic, as the signage is pretty good for an off the path back road. There's pens of tropical birds and small gators for a spectacle before you enter the restaurant (they also do air boat tours on the lake). The Tiki Bar overlooks the edge of the lake, if it weren't so hot (Florida in July), we would have sat outside. It was late for lunch, we sat inside the restaurant. There was only a small group of seniors celebrating a birthday. It was a little dingy inside, but plenty of windows and pretty bright on the patio side that faces the water (which you can't see from the restaurant). Our adventurous guests wanted the Gator Bites (Florida-style) and Frog Legs (deep-fried). Both were fried crispy, with a light breading, and neither tastes like chicken, really. Gator is a white meat, but slightly chewy, like a muscle-textured catfish. Frog legs were huge, I don't know where these things were coming from. They were fine, tasted faintly of algae, and I was doing great, until I got the the webs and had to spit out the little bones. That part was seriously off-putting, but that's a personal perception. I had the Catfish Sandwich for an entree, blackened. It was juicy and well-seasoned. Portions were reasonable for the price and freshly cooked. Service was very attentive, friendly, and accommodating. Place is a hoot for visitors who haven't experienced the non-beach, non-Disney, side of Florida. read more

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This place is a complex on Lake Jesup and a good place to view some alligators in the wild. Did not care for the menu, or the drink prices, or especially the alligators penned up in tiny unnatural enclosures for visitors to gawk at. read more

My little slice of heaven. Don't come for just the food (it's not fancy but I can recommend the fish and chips) I love the atmosphere and the beautiful sunsets, too. Check out the bars, boats and outside areas, as well. If your a little outdoorsey, you might like this place, too. read more

Black Hammock Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Oviedo, Florida

Food was amazing, the view is so pretty. Georgia was our server and she was truly next level. Impeccable service, give her a raise.

This past summer, I made it my goal to experience as much of my home state as possible, no matter how "unique" these experiences were. Black Hammock definitely qualifies as a "unique experience," but it is one I'm definitely glad I had. Who knew not even five miles from my front door in Suburbia lay the untamed Florida wilderness, complete with winding dirt roads that lead to nowhere, mansions built in the middle of swamps, and a restaurant that butts up to one of the biggest lakes in Central Florida? That's where I found Black Hammock Restaurant, nestled on the shore of gator-infested Lake Jesup. I've lived in Oviedo for 14 years, and passed the signs for it HUNDREDS of times. This summer, I was finally brave enough to venture in. The decor is exactly what you would expect from a restaurant whose menu prominently features the very creature that lives in both the lake and the exhibits outside: gator heads, baby gators in an aquarium, a small statue of a fisherman that looks like Sean Connery, and life preservers I assume (hope) have never been used. But this just adds to the atmosphere; this is Old Florida at its finest. For starters, I ordered the Gator Nuggets (Florida Style aka breaded and deep fried) and the frog legs (prepared the same way). Both dishes were a first for me; the gator nuggets are to this day one of the strangest and best-tasting food I've ever had. The frog-legs, while a little oily, were still good, but the concept of what they really were was hard to get over. Otherwise, it's just a greasy chicken wing. Finally, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. It was perfectly cooked, juicy, and loaded with toppings. I would DEFINITELY order it again! Be sure you stop by the gift shop! Although it is small, they have some cool Black Hammock "memorabilia!" Next time, maybe I'll be brave enough to go on one of the restaurant's airboat tours. This way, I'll be able to MEET my dinner face to face... ...if I don't become its dinner first. read more

Took 5-10 minutes of us standing before finally asking if we were supposed to sit ourselves, we were told no. Waitress left mid order to greet new customers like we weren't important, very strange. The coke tasted flat. Server brought our app the same time as our entrees. Catfish and fish and chips were alright, vegetables all tasted the same and tasted like they were out of a freezer bag. Won't be back. read more

Gators and airboat rides were the inspiration and excuse to check out this Orlando-area institution and catch up on our day drinking. I expected gators to be lining the shores of Lake Jesup as I had been told repeatedly that this body of water has the state's highest concentration of gators. Well, they weren't plying the shores, but they were in cages (yes, sad) and the crew there feeds them whole chickens. It's a slice of Flori-cana, for sure. Just the sort of shtick-y show that's amusing to people who find that sort of thing amusing. We had intended to splurge on an airboat ride, but the weather was overcast (translation: the gators were digging the mud, not wanting to sunbathe and pose for tourist snapshots). As for drinks, we started with mai-tais on the outdoor patio overlooking the lake (tres scenic). The beer selection was short, but one shouldn't expect a decent IPA selection when day drinking with rednecks (er, the sunblock-challenged). The service was lacking, namely a wait person to check on us an hour after we ordered our first round. But there's nothing a cell phone can't fix. We called the bar and asked that someone hook us up with more drink-skies. Because of this incident, a few peeps in the crew decided not to tip, but I did anyway, hoping it might inspire perhaps not greatness but efficiency next time. Go for the scenery: Sit outside (otherwise this venue isn't too exciting). Do note: This is the place to go with good friends, not where you'll meet your next significant other. Also, the music was great. We didn't go specifically to enjoy some tuneage, but were pleased by the low-country blues wafting from the restaurant at just the right, talk-over decibel. read more

I can no longer enjoy this restaurant in good conscience. I live in oviedo and used to take any out of towner here to look at and eat gator here. Bottom line is they don't take care of their birds. My sister is a bird fanatic so she loves stopping to check on the parrots and the parakeets. We noticed 5 sick birds in different stages of decay; some were missing feet, others appeared blind in one eye, and their colors were faded. I stopped by a few months later since we did inform whoever we could about the neglect to see if they'd done anything. There were still sick birds so I left. As far as the food and atmosphere, that's where the second star comes from, it's a cool place but I can't support an establishment that neglects it's "attractions." read more

This is a fantastic brunch/lunch spot for a relaxed Sunday with friends or family, especially if you like a quieter atmosphere. Go for the Gator Bites! Black Hammock kind of feels like the proper Floridian mix of a casual sports bar that extended itself to also be a family restaurant. The food ranges from salad & appetizers like gator and conch bites to full dinner plates of steak or pasta. I believe they also have a full bar and wine list. The TVs and decor inside remind you of a sports bar, but the boat dock, alligators, parrots, and parakeets - as well as the outside bars and picnic areas - are what make Black Hammock a great family destination. read more

Came here on a Saturday night with our two kids. Husband had steak with blackened gator. I had the gator tacos. Kids had gator bites and mac and cheese. Gator and steak dishes were very good. Florida seasoning was mild but tasty. Blackened was excellent and steak was cooked very well. Margaritas were 2 for 1 and were tasty. Would definately come here again. P.S. under new management and it seems to show read more

Maybe this place is more popular on weekends but when we showed up at 7pm on a Tuesday there was NOBODY there. "What do you have on tap?" "Bud Light." ... We got some fried alligator bites and shrooms and left. They weren't too bad though, just not good enough to keep us around. read more

Had the Banging Shrimp and gator- Awesome! Shrimp was super fresh, hand breaded and the banging sauce was sweet and just a hint of a spicy kick. The gator was perfect - a delightful experience of flavorful, slightly chewy that comes with fresh, locally sourced product. Not the over processed "tastes like chicken" generic stuff served all over. Hand breaded and prepared 4 ways with my favorites being Florida & blackened. Visited with Chef Patrick and loved hearing about the fresh gator sourced locally, plus there will soon be 5 ways to how your gator can be prepared. Even though the restaurant is only minutes from the hustle and bustle of Central Florida the "Old Style" Florida fish camp atmosphere is relaxing and fun. I may never leave... read more

Black Hammock Restaurant - A culinary delight - bangin' shrimp appetizer! - Seafood Near Me - Oviedo, Florida

I have been meaning to go here for a while, since I heard great things! But I was super disappointed!!! I am not sure if a Thursday dinner brought out the bench warmers of servers, or if I just got unlucky. To start I asked for a pina colada, they offered a dark rum floater, I said YES! The original server was just fine. But who actually brought our drinks, and who we had the most interactions with, not so much. My pina colada floater had no floater, when I asked about it, she said it was mixed in. Yet there were no signs of any dark rum in the drink. I understand floaters do sink in, but there was no sign of even a path of this supposed dark rum "floater"! hah... But we got charged for it, of course. When I asked to add Monterey Cheese to my Black Hammock Burger the server proceeded to insert her finger in her ears, and violently scratch it as she told me they were unable to add Monterey Cheese to my burger. I did not understand this since, both cheeses are on the menu. This made no sense, but I just wanted the ear scratching lady to go away. :-( My boyfriend asked the original server, about the odd server. Apparently at her previous job she would get drunk every shift. Perhaps I got a drunk server? Perhaps she drank the dark rum right off the top of my pina colada?! The food was also underwhelming. I will not return, or recommend. Wekiva Island has better burgers and customer service (in their FOOD TRUCK), and alligators in the natural habitat. :-) read more

Went for an airboat ride around Lake Jessup and it was amazing. The staff was very friendly and loved to educate. We saw tons of alligators and birds and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. He made many stops and slow downs to teach us fun facts about the wild life and trees. We saw 2 bald eagles nesting high up in a tree too! Great tour to take wonderful pictures as well. We paid for a 30 minute ride but wound up out there for nearly 50 minutes. After the ride we ate some gator tacos and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. We will definitely return! read more

Ashley was a wonderful server! She was so kind and polite and very knowledgeable about the area.

Bottom Line Up front - This place is a great local dive, and I mean that in the best possible way! Great food, great service, great surroundings with a history and local flare not found in the city of Orlando. Just a short 20 minute drive from the University area this place is situated right on Lake Jesup which apparently boasts the largest concentration of Gators per acre in Florida - I haven't confirmed that tidbit but I did eat Gator there and it was great! The atmosphere is what you'd expect with 1960's era "Gator" attractions, Air boat rides, etc... The must go to is the restaurant which has decent seafood selection, mostly fried but not all, complete with souther specialties like catfish, shrimp and grits, hushpuppies, and the like. This was recommended to me by a local co-worker and I certainly pass on the recommendation to any one reading this review. read more

Black Hammock is off the beaten path, located on Lake Jessup. It's a great place to get away, have a drink, eat some gator tail, and watch the sunset on the lake. read more

I seesawed between 3 and 4 stars and then remembered that while I hung out there last weekend I kept asking myself why I don't come here more often. The Black Hammock is a very interesting spot to sit and have standard American beers (Thank goodness they had Yuengling. They also have Guinness). The chicken fingers and fries I ate 3 stars; the friendly and prompt service 4 stars; and the outdoor atmosphere 5 stars. It's the kind of setting in which you get comfortable and relax with friends for a couple of hours. read more

Asked for a 1/4 pound of gator and was given a 1/2 pound.Didn't realize until the bill came.I told the waitress and she said I might can take it off but I'll need to get the gator back.ARE YOU SERIOUS! What are they gonna do re sell it? This place is a joke read more

I have mixed feeling about the Black Hammock. It's a great little dive-y place. Staff is always fun but ordering food outside is a hassle with a different menu than what's in the restaurant. If you want to see gators, turtles or other wildlife this is the place to go. Airboat rides are great. Can't say it's bad can't say I want to run out there every time I get a chance. read more

The only reason they get 3 stars is because of the beautiful view and the set up. The service is absolutely horrible in the bar area, not sure about the restaurant since we've never eaten there, but its a definitely a locals place. They seem to get good service but if its your first time, expect to wait a while, hope your not totally parched... Air boat tour was awesome and the guides were knowledgeable with great personalities. read more

Haven't been here in years but friends who have never been wanted to go. The food is just okay. I had catfish and shrimp. I think I've got a bag of this same catfish in my freezer from Costco. The shrimp was good, fries were cold. Husband had a burger 1/2 pound and said it was overcooked. The service was slow. When the waitress checked on us she was friendly enough but she kept disappearing and the place wasn't busy at all. A spray bottle of cleaner and a dirty rag were in the table next to us the whole time. The Lazy Gator was busy out back giving the impression that the restaurant is not as important as the bar. There are Airboat rides and gators in cages to impress out of town tourists. I remember this place from back in the mid 1990's and I'm sad to see how much it has changed. So much potential to be a fun place to eat but now it's just average. I'll pass next time and select another restaurant. read more

I've never experienced worse service in my life. After the "waitress" passed my table at least a dozen times I went inside to order drinks (apparently they're separate) and cornered her there to give her my order. After a very long wait she brought my food with no utensils or napkins. Still never received any even with a reminder. And I was told water needed to be ordered at the bar. The bar said there would be a wait so they would bring it to my table. It never came. Food wasn't bad but couldn't make up for the horrible service read more

Give this place another try! We've come twice this month and enjoyed both meals. The Fish and Chips Rock!!! Staff are friendly and attentive. read more

We had dinner at the Black Hammock last night and I can only tell you this place is a hidden gem. The wings were excellent, the grilled seafood platter was outstanding. The talapia with creamed mushroom sauce was deserving of a much fancier location. We have been out twice in the last month and I cannot tell you how much we have enjoyed this restaurant. The Cheese grits and shrimp were a Huge hit at our table as well as the Gator Tail Sub. It is well worth the trip out there. Also the service was excellent and friendly. The coffee (which is very important to me) was some of the best I have had at a restaurant that was not a coffee house. Best Key Lime pie around. All home made and the crust was to die for. Prices are reasonable and you get to have your picture taken with little Max the Alligator. Give a try if you have not been there recently. We will be back for the French Gourmet dinner with Escargot really soon. read more

15 minutes to get drinks, another 45 before we had to get up and ask somebody when are food is coming only to be told they haven't started it yet! It was a party of 8 with 4 other tables in the place. Holiday weekend and you are understaffed? No manager comes to our table, and there is no communication at all! Only a bunch of excuses from the staff. Get your shit together. I'm a general manager of 2 restaurants in Tampa, and seeing this makes me absolutely disgusted with the way this was run today..now my party of 8 family members wasted over an hour of their time and are still starving! read more

It was Valentine's Day and I really thought it would be very crowded but after our air boat ride it was nice to warm up have the place to ourselves. We all ordered something different and my burger was great. No complaints and a fun time. Our out of town relatives really like ordering gator. It was fun. read more

Black Hammock Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Oviedo, Florida

It's not fine dining and I knew that before I sat down, but after waiting 45 minutes with no drinks, the deep fried extravaganza began, shame we were missing 3/6 sides and werent given any cutlery. Seafood sampler had no scallops, florida sampler had no frog legs, gator was especially tough and stringy. This is well below average dining, beaten by most off the beaten trail eatery's. Waiting staff had a real attitude, although they seemed massively understaffed - no apologies were offered for the complete lack of attention. On a plus side, the airboat ride and staff were fantastic, so do yourself ( and kids ) a favor - take the ride, then take another ride..... Out of the car park. read more

This places tacos were amazing and definitely a place I'm coming back to every time I visit. Service was also great and everyone was extremely nice. read more