I booked this through VRBO and my detailed review is listed there. We had many issues and although they addressed a couple of the issues, it was not with the money we paid per night because of the inaccurate post and amenities and I felt it was misleading. read more

I rented a houseboat early last fall and stayed for a week. The reason was to be down here when everyone was gone. It was fantastic. I loved it so much I bought one and rented a slip for the next year and have enjoyed the last 3 weeks have been great. read more

Water is nice. Cool boats and water. Store has a very kind Asian man. He helped me choose ice cream and motor oil. Can't recommend the Asian guy enough. 5/5 read more

Pates Ford Marina - water - Marinas Near Me - Smithville, Tennessee

Loved this place! Good atmosphere, great food! Lots of drink options. Check out the view from our table. read more

Pates Ford Marina - Marinas Near Me - Smithville, Tennessee

Be very aware!! Take pictures of everything before you leave the marina. This was our 3 boat rental in 12 months and until this time, under new ownership, we've never had an issue. After returning from our day, several hours later they called us and said the propeller was "scuffed" and per contract, read every detail, we had to pay $300 for the damage. There are so many marinas to rent from that we will never be back again! read more

It's an open air restaurant that serves bar food on the water and has live music! Friendly staff and great views of the water and boats! If this is what you're looking for, you're in the right place! read more

On April 18, 2022 I reserved and paid for 2 pontoon boats for a trip we had scheduled for August 2022. I contacted Pates again in July and told them we wouldn't need both pontoons and would like a refund in one of them, I was told over the phone that that don't give refunds (it was confirmed on their website), but that we could have a "credit" for a boat rental. I asked if we could use it the following year as summer was almost over and the weather would be getting to cold for boating and I was told yes, we could use the credit up to the following summer. We showed up in August and my Fiance went in and signed the contract for the rental. I called today to use our "credit" boat rental and was told any "credits " have to be used by the end of the calendar year so we were not entitled to a credit boat rental. Well, lesson learned..... READ THE SMALL PRINT and don't believe a business who gives you a verbal promise, in this case.....THEY LIED. The "new manager" (male) proceeded to tell me how he has only been in this position for 2 weeks although he does work for their "sister Marina" a few miles away for the past 5 years. (Again folks, read your contracts as they have more than 1 location). He also shared with me how he was "brought in" because of "things like this"..... which I didn't understand? Things like what? Lying store reps or bad business practice of ripping people off? Nowhere on the website does it say that "credits" or rain checks are only good through the end of the calendar year. It ONLY states that on the contract in small print of course. He also told me that this store has thousands of dollars they were out of and that's why he's been hired there, to fix it. I guess they will fix "it" by keeping my money, that should help their money woes. I will take responsibility for not reading the contract but this place needs to take responsibility for hiring staff that blatantly lied to their customer by telling me I could have a credit up to the following summer knowing that would be "signed away" once the contract was signed. Don't ask people to support your small business if you have taken every possible precaution to not give a refund at all, or a "credit" for a product or service that was paid for, that is not good business practice and your making free money on your "no rain check" policy. What a shame for y'all, really so sad. Thankfully there are A-LOT of OTHER marinas to rent from. Buyer beware on this one!!!! Tell all your friends! read more

The owners of Tootsie's in Nashville also offer this fun place to dock your boat at while you're enjoying Pates Ford Resort & Marina. They serve up the infamous Bushwackers ($7), pizzas, burgers, salads, wraps, and even a black bean veggie burger ($8.50) for us vegans too! Our group spread out to enjoy the deck and some even joined a corn hole tournament while other ponied up to the bar while all of us enjoyed the live music and dance floor. You can enjoy some interesting people watching... hello overly tan man with pony-tail and baby blue Speedos on. Yes, you're old enough to be my father so I'll pass on the offer of a Fireball shot. Thaaaaaaaanks. This is a great spot to break up the day when you're boating and to enjoy some tasty bites while meeting some of the locals. read more

Pates Ford Marina - Marinas Near Me - Smithville, Tennessee

Phenomenal Mother's Day excursion to Pates Ford Marina to try this place. We had no idea what to expect but what a great surprise. A seasonal restaurant that has the Lulu's vibe. Open air dining on the lake. The food didn't disappoint either; Coconut shrimp that was crispy and fresh, quality burger, and blackened mahi seasoned just right. They have a great version of broccoli salad. The service was fast and friendly. Our waitress Lacey (see pic) was very helpful with recommendations and also super attentive without being annoying. Well done Lacey! If you only went for the view you wouldn't be disappointed but the bonus is great service and food. Not that any of it was made from scratch but everything was fresh and good quality. From what I've read it's the same owners as Tootsie's. We would do it again. read more

See all

I visited this bar and grill with two friends of mine when a music event took place. We started at the bar, only having one drink each, and we ordered food. After we paid, we sat enjoying the music. The waitress asked us to give up our seats at the bar unless we were either going to eat, drink, or tip more. We did so without commentary. Upon finding another area to sit, I decided I wanted to order fried pickles. I've been here before and the "pickle spears" that are on their menu are wonderful. However that was not the case that night. I paid in cash so I wouldn't have to keep up with my card. When the waitress returned, she handed me my pickles in a to go box and my change. I was then confronted by two men who told me, "Management is asking you to leave." I was obviously confused more so than any other emotion so I calmly asked why. The two men pointed to the parking lot and said, "Leave." We were then escorted to the parking lot without explanation. When we returned to our vehicles, stunned and confused, I opened my "Fried Pickle Spears" (which were $8.75 on the menu). They were not spears, but they were soggy pickle chips. In addition, the waitress only gave me $7 in cash back after I had paid with a twenty dollar bill. Now I'm not a rocket scientist but something doesn't add up there. I was not given the chance to count my change, open my food, or even tip before being asked to leave. I'm extremely dissatisfied with their customer service and management. More so, I am confused. We still don't know why we were asked to leave. If you're hoping to enjoy a night out listening to music, I would not recommend this grill. If I had the option to leave 0 stars, I would. read more

Everything, and I mean everything comes from a can or freezer. I had the nachos and was able to eat it, if you can't tolerate that rubbery Subway chicken then take a chance on the chilli topping. There were 10 of us and all got something different, we ate most of it but no one recommended their food. The great band, atmosphere, and drinks made up for the lazy bar food. read more

See all

Great Place! Love the food! It all tastes really good. Service is on a low on the nights with the band playing, but other than that, the service is really good! The sweet tea needs improving. Great place overall though! read more

Salmon is undercooked. Cole slaw is sour. Food is not cooked well. Poor seasoning. Too much money for the end product. read more

Pates Ford Marina - Marinas Near Me - Smithville, Tennessee

Don't understand the previous reviews. Coolest place on the lake I had a ribeye steak that was the best I have ever had in any restaurant fresh steamed broccoli and a baked potato it was all phenomenal my husband Fish tacos outstanding fresh and delicious outdoor atmosphere live music one of the coolest places I've ever been to friendly servers and bushwhackers read more

See all

I am a regular customer of fish lips, in my 50s. I was VERY disappointed on the 4th of july visiting the restaurant/marina. Has there been a change of management? The food was way over priced 2 burgers and a salad totaled more then $50.00(wow) and the sad part is they weren't very good. If this had been my 1st visit I would never go back. If /when I go back, if they are still nasty I will look elsewhere for dinner and entertainment. Please tell me this was just a one time incident........very disappointed, and sad to see how things were being done read more

If I could I would give it 72 stars. We did not rent our boat from here but another marina about 11 miles down. It was a bad boat and started sinking on the way. We did make it to Pates and there we found the BEST people in the world. They did not care that we were not their customers, they made us feel welcome, they were worried about our safety and did everything they could to help us out. They did create 6 new customers for life as I will not go to any other marina ever again. I am just hoping they have an available slip for when we buy our own boat. Thank You guys again. You made a terrible day great. read more

Just a little set up here before the review I'll say I'm native to center hill lake for over 20 yrs now and I've eaten at all the establishments on the lake. Before the present ownership this place was the best and most reasonable place to eat on the lake. We used to be able to eat steak here for $12-$15 but now it's just a Burger for the same money! While there have been improvements to the marina and restaurant construction wise I can't say the food or prices have been the same improvement. While the appearance is better it has sunk to the level of some and higher than others when it comes to value for the $$$$! 2 burgers with fries and a chicken strip basket with fires plus 3 drinks was $50! Wtf!!!! Over priced has become the norm here too now! We used to drive out just to eat here before the present owners thought they could do better! Not so! I suggest you not go out of your way just to eat here. I would recommend Hurricane Marina more central to the lake and much nicer in all respects of appearance, food and drink with full bar and beer on tap! All you get here are way over priced bottles! On to the food! My son and I ordered the $12-$13 hamburgers! While the burger patty was way bigger than the bun, that's the end of the so called good part. It came with onion (2rings), 1 slice of tomato, 4 very small pickles and shredded lettuce with mayo and mustard in packets! Really pisses me off when I pay that much for a burger and the condiments come on the side! Really! I hated that when I was a kid traveling before the days of fast food and still do. Now to the Fries that were way over cooked or recooked! Either way it was rubber and hard and I love crispy Fries! I got a bonus with my drink which had a hair in it of the short kind! Eyelash, eyebrow??? I got a refill later and guess it was my lucky day as I had a new hair in my drink again! I'll also mention the whole place was opened up with ceiling fans only on a 90+ day! Hurricane has AC or outside dinning! Did I mention nicer and beer on draw and a full bar? So take my advice skip Fish Lipz! Tight ass owners was written all over this place and they have bigger restaurants elsewhere which would lead you to believe they would know what they were doing! Pass!! PS! Beware of other reviews from people that never eat at any place that's not 5stars! Just saying! I'm real and eat all sorts of food and travel a lot! read more