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    The Shady Gator

    2.5 (2 reviews)

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Good Spirits Liquors

    Good Spirits Liquors

    3.8(33 reviews)
    40.3 mi
    $$

    I picked this place because they had a cool outdoor sitting area and I had my dog with me…read more Unfortunately, they wouldn't let my dog come to the outdoor patio area. Which is the first time I have ever had this issue with an outdoor restaurant. So I ordered my food to go. Before ordering, I was told it would take about 30-35 minutes. It actually took, 65 minutes to get my BLT and my father's Big Al Chicken Hogie. The BLT was fantastic. Ranks in the top five ever. Super thick bacon, quality, lettuce, and tomato....nice bread. Highly recommended. My father sandwich was another story. It was like an alien trying to impersonate a cook, made it. Like whoever designed this sandwich had never actually seen or eaten one in their whole life. When you order a chicken Philly style sandwich, you just expect things to be a certain way. This awful sandwich was covered in raw, uncooked mushrooms and huge chunks of beef steak tomato. Looks like they took a huge tomato , cut it into 6 chunks and called it done. There was no mayo, bbq, or any form of condiment. Since we ordered it to go, we didn't know it was so bad until we got back to our hotel. If I had not had the BLT, there would be zero reason to return here. The BLT and friendly staff are the reason they get 3 stars instead of 1.

    Really cool place. Nicely decorated with tiki poles, picnic tables and fun paint jobs. Indoor bar…read moreavailable. Outdoor bar in the form of a tiki hut with numerous cages of beautiful birds that actually talk to you. A few TVs but not a sports bar. Food was absolutely fantastic! It did take a while to get the food and it even wasn't busy. Everyone is having difficulty getting help. Generous portions. Don't pass up their onion rings! Not much at Lake O so I would recommend this as a good option.

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    Good Spirits Liquors
    Good Spirits Liquors
    Good Spirits Liquors

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    Riviera Bar and Grill - Crab cakes

    Riviera Bar and Grill

    4.4(388 reviews)
    46.9 mi
    $$

    Ok this place is a total dive. It was recommended to me by a local bartender who seems to know her…read morestuff. I came here after a round of golf. Everyone loved my golf hat- "play bad fast". I looked at the outdoor bar but every single seat was taken. All the outdoor tables were booked. So I went inside and saw the inside bar was also full. A table for ten and a table for 6 had departed and needed to be bussed, but both were too much for just one person. So I checked in w the hostess and she asked - booth or table. I wanted table. I got a nice table by the river! Lovely views. Exactly what I wanted. Menus were dropped and soon, Sam was checking in on me. I was so hungry, I had looked at the menu and pics on my way there. I went for the crab cake appetizer and the Gold Wave cocktail. For my entree, I was torn between the Grouper Reuben and the Sea Dog (fried grouper on a long roll, topped with all sorts of goodness). Sam said grouper Reuben was his choice. He asked if I wanted grilled, blackened or fried. I told him to surprise me. For my side, I had the choice of (more) coleslaw (it has coleslaw instead of sauerkraut), fries, sweet potato fries, or a side house or Cesar salad for $4 more. I went w the house salad and their standard citrus vinaigrette. Salad and crab cake came out first. Salad was a huge portion- romaine (some pieces needed better washing), red onion galore, halved cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices. It was great, but needed croutons. The crab cake was the perfect size for one person. It had a whole grain mustard remoulade sauce. Yum! It had some filler but also had a lot of crab. I enjoyed it. The grouper Rueben came out hot!!!! Served with a side of coleslaw and a pickle. I added some needed salt. Boy that fish filet was huge. Sam had put it in grilled for me. Healthy. Nice. I ate half and then I was stuffed. I filled up on the salad and crabcake apparently. I enjoyed the views of boaters going by. It started to rain hard and the folks outside just stayed there. The overhang must've been protecting them well. My server, Sam, was around often to answer my questions. Apparently the grouper Reuben market price is only $21. And if you want redfish or mahi, the price is the same- $21! That's crazy. What a deal. The gold wave is made with Elijah Craig; Good ol Kentucky bourbon. And for dessert, they have cheesecake, peanut butter pie, mud pie, key lime pie, coconut sorbet and orange cake (which he says is a local favorite). I was too stuffed to buy but happy to hear the list. Overall I had a wonderful meal and service was really good. I would recommend adding croutons to the salad, and cleaning up the bathrooms regularly. This place ain't fancy. It's a dirt parking lot. The tables are naked. Folks come casual. However, the prices are great and the food does the talking. Come check them out.

    This visit was two years since the last. We were seated…read moreright away and our drink order taken within minutes. We ordered an Arnold Palmer and a Ponce De Leon margarita, mozzarella sticks, shrimp basket, chicken fingers basket and (2) Florida orange cakes to go. Mozzarella sticks- average. Shrimp basket- good but tropical slaw was store bought with pineapple added. Chicken fingers- good not great, onion rings, good not great . Margarita- strong. Biggest problem- from 9-18 people just standing around talking, making staff walk around them. Other problems- some people just walk in past the front desk and just seat themselves ( the privileged). Total bill with tip $100 . Don't need to travel a half hour to just be ok. Won't be back.

    Photos
    Riviera Bar and Grill - Eating by the Mangroves.

    Eating by the Mangroves.

    Riviera Bar and Grill - Grilled Grouler with sweet potato fries

    Grilled Grouler with sweet potato fries

    Riviera Bar and Grill - Inside

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    Inside

    The Shady Gator - bars - Updated July 2026

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