Great vibe and great staff, quick service. My only complaint is that as someone who doesn't like meat I was excited to hear they had tofu as a protein option. Unfortunately for me, it was silken tofu which most people use to make desserts with- it is soft and slimey texture is off putting on salads etc. A far better and simple swap would be extra firm tofu which can be fried and totally ups the satisfaction for people who don't like meat. read more

I tend to try to find places like this instead of the vast majority of pretentious places in the area. From the outside, this place looks very small, but there is a ton of seating on the patio. Lots of covered area too, which was good because we came in the middle of a rainy week. The menu is pretty simple, but enough choices to keep everyone satisfied. You order right when you walk in and the staff was super nice and made sure we saw the specials, even though I knew immediately what I wanted. I don't mess around - when I see oysters, I'm getting oysters. I got an oyster po' boy and it was pretty good - lots of fried oysters on the sandwich and the fries were delicious. I will say though, that (and it may just be what I ordered) everything was very, very salty. I drank so much water to try to balance some of it out. For a casual place, I would definitely recommend! It does seem like it can get pretty busy during the weekend, so be prepared for that. read more

Valley Swim Club - Oyster po boy - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

If you could describe a restaurant as a good hang, this would be it. Don't let the casual, order-at-the-counter vibe fool you: VSC boasts an extremely well-curated selection of wines and beers and a knowledgeable staff to help you pair your meal, whether it's their fresh AF poke bowl, their excellent smash burgers, or their generously portioned fish and chips. (Note for vegans: their impossible smash burgers is one of the best I've ever had -- and I'm not even vegan!) We also need a moment to discuss their French fries which are actually hand-cut and somehow both perfectly crispy and a little greasy in all the right ways. In terms of ambience, it's 90% outdoors so if you've got a problem with the temp, take it up with your higher power of choice. (Did I mention there's an excellent beer and wine selection?) read more

Valley Swim Club - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

Went here after reading about the Bay Area's best fish sandwiches. I can see why theirs made the list! It was definitely one of the best I've ever had. Huge, crispy batter, super fresh fish. A little messy but that's OK. The fries were sooooo good too. Kinda spicy so be sure to ask for "not spicy" if you need it that way. Valley Swim is a nice little casual spot with a huge back patio to sit outside with overlooking a meadow and hills. Really lovely. It's also VERY DOG FRIENDLY! Like they will fawn over your dog and offer a water bowl. It takes a little bit for the food to arrive so if you know what you want already and are in a hurry just order online for pick up. Otherwise it's a great spot to just chill out and relax. I wanna go back and try more things on the menu but I keep ordering the fish sandwich, it's so good! read more

Love it. This place really knows how to elevate the seafood sandwiches and even the soft serve. You gotta try it. The staff is really wanting to make you welcome and you have a great meal. The food. Wow. The food. They plate the food with care. And the food is AMAZING. The fish is so fresh and the flavours are fresh. We went to the Star further up the road and they have plenty to learn from the VSC (Valley Swim Club). The ambiance is lighthearted, friendly and so enjoyable. A great change of pace. You gotta try it. read more

Valley Swim Club - A great sense of humour. - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

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My favorite spot in Sonoma! My wife and I got engaged here and I frequent for lunch dinner or happy hour! Everything is GOOD!

Great food and atmosphere. Love the name and theme too. Such a pleasant surprise from what I expected and so welcoming with great service. Definitely try this place. I will say, the name actually threw me off until I stopped in to understand more about it. I'm glad I did. read more

We had a good big juicy bursting with flavor fishwich there. They said the burger was smashed but it was still pretty good, I couldn't even tell. The fries were ok and luckily not smashed, and the ambience is good, but it's important to note theres no swimming here. My daughter saw the swimming club sign so we stopped, but the first thing you see after you pull in is a big no swimming sign you could see her little face crumple. Not sure what the deal is with the swimming club, but it seems like that part closed and it's just a restaurant at this point. We couldn't see the pool and no one in swim wear or skivvies running around, so we figured this must be the old clubhouse. read more

Valley Swim Club - Tenders are good - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Went here Thursday and four of us enjoyed the food and outdoor ambiance on a sunny afternoon. Two of us had the Trout Sandwich, one had fries, (a bit greasy but crisp), and one had slaw, (a bit under seasoned), and enjoyed them. Another had the Cod sandwich with fries and the fourth had the Chicken Katsu plate. All very good. The lager was fresh and the wine pour was good. Pleasant service, well worth a visit on a sunny day as most of the seating is outside. read more

Let's just say, won't be back. Uncomfortable seating, crappy Michalada, average food. Step up your game.

VSC's simple menu made with QUALITY ingredients matched with a fun MCM swim theme & a casual patio scene that feels like you're hangin' in your own backyard - some joints just nail it! I mean, where else can you order a gently grilled trout sammie so fresh I thought I pulled it from the lake myself? Friendly food runners make sure you & your pup have everything you need. This whole vibe was just what we needed to wash away the week's heatwave! Will be back very soon and you should go there NOW! read more

Valley Swim Club - Rice beer, sour cherry limeade, trout sandwich & sweet potato fries! - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

Maybe the best fried fish sandwich I've ever had? It was absolutely delicious. I will be back next weekend. And everyone was nice, and the vibe on the patio was very nice read more

Delicious food and a great setting. Went during the week so it wasn't as crowded as the weekend. Looking forward to going back.

Fun place, great staff, great menu....food tooooo salty! Comfortable ambiance...casual seating. read more

Valley Swim Club - Shrimp Po' Boy - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Didn't expect much from this quick lunch but was pleasantly surprised by my battered cod sandwich. It was actually awesome and super flavorful. I tried the fried oysters but they were not for me. Still had a strong salty, sea water-y taste that I couldn't get behind. The fried mushrooms were much better, and I also liked the cashew queso. The ice cream here is the real star of the show. Straus soft serve is just the absolute best, and I loved all the different toppings you can add. I got the cookie crumble and it was truly big pieces of crumbled cookies and not just a dusting of cookie powder. The perfect dessert to beat the wine country heat. You sit at big picnic tables in a covered, open-air patio behind the small building where they have their ice cream shop and wine fridge. It's a fun setting for families or groups of friends. Definitely more of a no frills kind of place. read more

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Not sure how this place doesn't have better reviews, it is SUCH a gem. The chicken katsu sandwich is otherworldly delicious. I have never had a bad meal here, which makes a lot of sense given how the chefs have won a James Beard award for one of their other establishments. The ambience is 10/10, such a cute back patio and the "swim club" is simply a concept so don't be fooled and expect to be sitting poolside! read more

A year ago i loved eating here. This year quality seems to decline w each visit and quantity is notably inconsistent esp fish/chips. Today the table was just sticky all over with brown raised blobs of more sticky stuff across the service area.iped but does not appear clean. The sour cherry-limeade is very refreshing when avail and the chlorine smell in the bathroom is like an old indoor pool smell. Love it. Extremely heavy chairs are hard to move and they and the benches are too low (need a cushion). I hope things improve soon. Staff generally pleasant and helpful except when I mentioned the sticky table. read more

After months of saying "we should go there" we finally opted for a quick lunch visit. We got a chicken katsu sandwich with fries, and a spicy tuna bowl. Both were super tasty, and we were extra impressed with the twice fried fries. The patio is super cute, and the lean into the swim club schtick is fun. Staff seemed a little flustered during our visit so ordering wasn't particularly pleasant, but things came out pretty fast. I would like to come back on a day where I can have an adult beverage, because the selection looked great (and the tap water tasted not great lol) read more

Came to Valley Swim Club for lunch the other day. A cute, casual stop with covered outdoor seating and order counters. I had the tuna salad sandwich, of which my favorite component was the bread. It gave cheesy Texas toast vibes (though that's not actually what it was). My sister-in-law had the chicory salad, which looked REALLY good. I think I would try that next time! We also had the soft serve with olive oil and sea salt... this was my favorite part of the meal and the perfect ending. Service was quick and friendly and I look forward to trying other menu items. read more

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I've tried a handful of dishes at this establishment and I think this shrimp and crab Louie salad is one of my favorite things I've tried so far. The combo of ingredients is a perfect balance of flavors and the crunchy veggies and lettuce items mixed with the decadence of the cooked shrimp and crab salad is an amazing meal for one. I asked for a little bit of both rather than either or because i love both ingredients and am a bit greedy and my request was pleasantly accommodated. It really hit the spot and felt like a healthy meal while also being rich and delicious. Thanks again Valley Swim Club read more

Valley Swim Club - Shrimp and crab Louie salad - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

Great food, really friendly service. Nice casual, pleasant atmosphere and good wines. Good for kids too. Burger was fantastic read more

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My happy place and weekend ritual. Excellent seafood, excellent wine and kid friendly! Kind staff and all the vibes.

Came here for the first time and was pleased to find that this restaurant has outdoor seating and is dog friendly. There are lots of enticing things on the menu. I shared a fish and chips with cabbage slaw with my mom for lunch, and we were both very impressed. As someone with British roots I found the fish and chips to be very high quality and authentic, perfect crisp batter and high quality cod, and also thoughtful that there was malt vinegar available as a dressing for the fish too. The cabbage slaw was made with a citrus dressing rather than mayo one, which was unique tasting and refreshing. There's pleasant, peaceful atmosphere here with a view of a green field out the back too. The service employee was pleasant and polite and the food came quickly. Nice that they use farm to table ingredients too. read more

Valley Swim Club - Fish and chips with cabbage slaw! - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

I was excited to hear Valley was opening up a seafood restaurant! Valley Swim Club is located on Arnold Drive outside of downtown Sonoma. While it isn't downtown this place is worth the visit! They are currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They have a fun take on a "swim club". The swim club is very casual, and you walk up to a counter to order. They have seating in the main room as well as additional seating outdoors. During the winter months they have it tented and heaters. The menu rotates and includes snacks, salads and soups, sandwiches and main entrees, kids' menu and desserts. I ordered the shrimp sandwich, which comes with potato chips. The shrimp was well seasoned and was rather delicious. My friend ordered the clam chowder and French fries. The chowder had great flavor. It wasn't your traditional heavy cream chowder and was very light. They have a good selection of sparkling wine as well as many other wines and beer and non-alcoholic drinks. During weekdays on Tuesdays through Fridays they offer a happy hour from 3-5 p.m. with $10 glasses of wine and half-off bubble bottles! I look forward to coming back soon to try more items on the menu! read more

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Teeny weenie lil breakfast burrito for $14 is a joke. Should be called 'mini breakfast burrito' Also, Microwaved and premade. What a joke! There is no way this burrito cost more than $2 to make. I have seens "kids burritos that are 3x the size of this for $8". Flavors were ok.. was kinda chewy on one side due to being microwaved, I'm sure it's not high quality meat and most likely non organic eggs. This really turned me off to this place. The burrito also not even fresh made for the price of that size is a joke. It was microwaved outside in some sort of food truck thing. Probably won't be back here. Lady inside the cart was nice and idk about any of the other food. I've gotten a lot of mixed feedback from people also mostly steering me away. read more

Valley Swim Club - $14? Baby breakfast burrito.. - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

Don't let the name fool you. There's no swimming at the Valley Swim Club! Valley Swim Club is a California clam shack. The name references the hot springs that existed below the grounds and the bathing culture that had developed around them. It is also inspired by the Olompali Swim Club, a commune in the 60's where Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead once hanged out. These days the fast-casual restaurant is known for great creative seafood and farm-to- table ingredients, and its soft serve(the version with olive oil and sea salt) was named by the S.F. Chronicle as one of the best in the Bay Area. We dropped by here on a Fall colors drive through Sonoma County. After we stepped in the door, a smiling staffer handed us a food and a separate drinks menu, and pointed out the daily specials. We ordered at the counter, and went to the covered back patio to wait for our food to be brought to our table. The back patio has canvas walls with transparent vinyl windows that allowed you to look out to the open fields. There were also some tables and seatings outside. We were amused by signs posted in the fields that warned of "No lifeguard on duty". Soon our food was brought to us. We started with tasty fried oysters. The oysters were succulent and the batter was light so you can taste the seafood. Next we had the shrimp tostada. It had a ton of ingredients with delicious shrimp, but it was small size so it was kind of pricey. For the Lunch Plate, we chose the trout(chicken and shrimp also options), and we decided on the Ssam dressing(with kimchi, ssamjang- a Korean spicy sauce, lettuce cup). We really enjoyed this dish. You scoop a piece of fish on the lettuce cup and add kimchi and ssamjan. It can get really messy in your hands but it was so good! The soft serve with olive oil and sea salt did not disappoint. The combination of sweet and savory flavors was a sensory delight. Prices here can be expensive, but the quality of the food made it worth it..The staff were so incredibly warm and friendly. I already have plans to come back with members of my car club. read more

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I visited VSC for the first time today. I used to frequent the previous restaurant and missed having something close to home. Staff was friendly as we came in and provided us with menus. They also told us about the specials. My mom and I both ordered the spicy tuna bowl and I would rate it 4.5 out of 5. I viewed this place as a location where I could go to lunch but paying $26 seemed a bit much. And I left hungry! The sodas we got were $6 & $4 which seemed to be a bit much. I think this restaurant is catering more towards tourists than locals. Also, what's a wellness charge? I probably won't be going back but I do wish them a lot of success. read more

Valley Swim Club - Spicy Tuna Bowl - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

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3.5 STARS If you're going out for seafood, you already know it's going to be cha-ching. Unless you want a free detox with the Hershey squirts, you can't cheap out. Valley Swim Club is a new casual seafood shack in Sonoma from the owners of Valley Bar + Bottle. Tho, it's casual counter service, they charge $$-$$$ sit-down restaurant prices...a snack for two was $60 (post-tip). But, it doesn't seem to stop locals because it was poppin' on a Tuesday. The parking lot was full. And, my friend had to hover for an open table while I waited in line to order. So def recommend visiting during off peak hours. They're open for takeout and dine-in. Most of the seating is outdoors (dog-friendly) which is why we visited before heading back to the city. M E N U American seafood: Snacks, salads, sandwiches, and plates. Beer and wine available. Based on the food I saw on neighboring tables, if you're looking for value, stick with their cod sandwich ($16, no side). Their poke bowl ($24) looks like the ones from fast-casual poke shops w/ little ahi, cucumbers, green onions, and furikake but at a high mark-up. 2% wellness charge added to all bills. D R I N K * Sour Cherry Lemonade ($6) Not my drink so didn't try it. F O O D * Fried Whole Belly Clams ($20): https://tinyurl.com/378fefxf Hot, golden brown, crunchy-chewy deliciousness. Great fry with light batter, not greasy or heavy. Served with a creamy, zesty tarter sauce. GET THIS! * Spicy Peel 'N Eat Shrimp (4 pc - $20) A special of the day, the shrimp were large, plump, and tender but the sauce was barely spicy and one note in flavor. IMO, at $5/apiece, it was a poor value. S E R V I C E Friendly and prompt. Order at the counter, grab a number placard, and seat yourself. Your food will be delivered to you and they'll bus your table after you're finished. There's a self-serve water station with condiments. A M B I A N C E Spacious, partially covered patio overlooking the grassy fields. Once you can snag the seat, it was relaxing to enjoy the picturesque backdrop. But, can we talk about their chairs? They're hella clunky and heavy...it felt like moving a bookcase. There's only one restroom stall (outside) so had to wait a bit. P A R K I N G They have their own private lot but it was full on a weekday. Overall, I have mixed feelings about Swim Valley Club. I will gladly pay $$$ for good food and I know seafood ain't cheap but their price points are too high for a fast casual model and small portions. BUT, they seem to be already a hit with the locals. If you visit, def get the fried whole belly clams! read more

Valley Swim Club - Fried Whole Belly Clams ($20) + Spicy Peel 'N Eat Shrimp (4 pc - $20) - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

Finally checked out after reading about this place in the paper. Cute ambiance. I always feel a bit rushed at places that give you a menu at the check out station without having it on the wall to read as well. Went for the tuna melt special, cod sandwich, side of fries and a can of a Stillwater Lager. Ample seating that was tidy and with enough propane heaters to keep you warm. Food came as fast as practical. Cod sandwich was the right amount of oily and crispiness with a perfect spicy kick. Would definitely recommend. The tuna melts cheese was not melted all the way and was lacking in flavor. This is often one of my go to sandwiches and I would not get this again here. Fries were seasoned well, not too soft or crispy. I do love that the sandwiches came with potato chips. Overall, not worth the drive for me as I live out of town. But if I want some fish & chips next time I'm in Sonoma, I'd try it again. read more

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A friend recently recommended Valley Swim Club, so we decided to check it out on a Sunday. They mentioned the food was decent but not the best bang for your buck--and honestly, that turned out to be spot on. The ambiance is really cool. It feels like you're hanging out in a retro swim club from The Sandlot, just... without the pool. The backyard seating stretches out nicely and gives off a great laid-back vibe. The menu leans heavily toward seafood, which we were into. We ordered their special: a bowl of ramen, a poke bowl, and two sakes. You order up front and they bring the food out to you, which was a nice touch. The food was good--not bad at all--but not quite $100 good. For that price, you expect something more memorable. It's a tough one, because the atmosphere is awesome, but the value just isn't there. I'd come back for a drink and the scene, but probably not for a full meal read more

Food was good. A little light on atmosphere. Sat outside at a table, which helped. A seat indoors would have felt confining. Another restroom seems needed. Nice place to try. Not inclined to return. read more

I was very impressed by my lunch here. I was lucky enough to share a few things with my family. The fish sandwich was excellent 5/5. The flavors and textures went well together. fish and chips were good too but they don't feel as balanced as the sandwich was but that is how the dish normally tastes. It needed that vinegar or salt. The fries were really good and had that quality potato taste. The shrimp poboy was ok; I think there wasn't enough shrimp for the size of the bread so it just wasn't as good as the fish sandwich to me. clam chowder was good. It was soupier than other clam chowders I've had, as in it was not thick and creamy. It had a lot more extra seafood and veggies in it to feel more premium. the straus vanilla soft serve with olive oil and sea salt was so good; I knew I had to get it when I walked in and no regrets. read more

Love the vibe here--the outdoor setting is laid-back and comfortable. I don't tend to eat fried food and I am vegan so for me, the food here was not a home run. I got the spicy tuna bowl and replaced the tuna with tofu, which was not very appetizing. The bowl had no color and the tofu was cold (probably to simulate the tuna?) but had very little taste. The chef here clearly has no clue that vegan options can be tasty, which is disappointing. My friend ordered fish and chips and she loved it (it looked and smelled great). So if you eat like most people and not like me, you will probably enjoy this place a lot. read more

I want this restaurant to do well, but they need serious help with their menu. Cod sandwich had no salt and had to be taken home in a to-go box to be re-cooked and seasoned. The other fish sandwich was not remarkable, Also the buns used on both were not great and everything slid out everywhere, which would be okay, IF it was delicious. Slaw had very little acidity, for balance, so basically not good. I would come back here in warmer weather if their kitchen got it in line and gave customers some value for their money. Otherwise, no. read more

Located in the former Delicious Dish location on Arnold Drive, Valley Swim Club offers a West Coast take on a typical New England seafood shack. At this fast casual establishment, the team behind Valley Bar and Bottle more successfully applies the counter service model, which is not appropriate for their other supposedly more upscale operation. With very little renovation from the previous incarnation, the dining room consists of a semi-enclosed concrete patio with hard wooden chairs and tables. Uncomfortably frigid in winter despite a few heaters, the venue leaves one longing for warmer summer days. Overlooking a field barren except for a barbed wire fence, the view does little to help the atmosphere. The limited menu has many of the offerings that you would find at a typical roadside stand on Cape Cod: clam chowder, fried oyster roll, battered cod sandwich and the like. Typical of projects from Emma Lipp, Stephanie Reagor, Lauren Feldman and Tanner Walle, prices are high, so watch your wallet. Served with potato chips, the Valley smashburger ($18, seriously?) was quite good, although the meat patty was rather small. Simply presented with white American cheese, lettuce, onion and "swim sauce" (seemingly a type of aioli), it was true to its roots. Crispy and not oily, the fried oyster mushrooms ($14) were a delicious appetizer and disappeared all too quickly. The sweet potato fries ($6) were less crisp, but still OK. Consisting simply of sushi-grade tuna mixed with nori and cucumber and topped with sesame seeds, the spicy poke bowl ($26, ouch!) was unimaginative. For the price, the portion was minuscule: do not plan on sharing, or you will leave hungry. More appropriate for lunch than dinner and definitely much more pleasurable in summer than winter, Valley Swim Club is fine, but with prices that are too high for a fast casual roadside shack with small portions. read more

Valley Swim Club - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Valley Swim Club just opened this week. It has nothing to do with swimming or pools, but a seafood restaurant. My wife and I visited 3 days after they opened. They have a smaller menu, which I prefer for a seafood spot. Easier to keep things fresh. The service was great. Very friendly staff. You order at the counter and get a number. Food is then brought out to you. We had: Fried oyster mushrooms - 5/5. Nicely fried mushrooms with a tartar sauce Fried cod sandwich 4/5. Great fresh tasting cod. The batter wasn't too thick. The sauce and soggy coleslaw made the bottom bun a bit mushy though. Steamed clams 3/5. The clams were fresh and very good. The noodles were not dry pasta but tasted homemade. The problem was that there was a third of an inch of butter/oil in the bottom of the pan. It was just really greasy and heavy. A lighter sauce and some veggies would have made this an amazing dish. I thought this place was great. Prices were reasonable. I hope they expand their menu to have lighter offerings. Being inspired by the East Coast Seafood scene, I would have loved to get more steamed seafood, clam bake style. Overall I was happy and I'll be back. read more

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This is a cute place on 12. The fish sandwich and the burgers are delicious if pricey. The wine and beer selection is quite nice and the set up is fun. You are right by a very pleasant open field with a view of the hills. We hosted a gathering there and it was so easy, and everyone had a blast. read more

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The Ambiance , the service and the food were all incredible. Been here multiple times and I will continue to come over and over again. This place is amazing. The food is fresh. The drinks are on point and the service is impeccable. I really truly know that I can count on this place to provide a lovely evening out read more

My GF and I just entered this restaurant intrigued by the outside and wanted to check it out. I saw all the signs that led me to believe there might be a swimming pool in the back of the restaurant so when I asked the guy at the cashier "Is there a swimming pool here?", he barked back immediately in response "There is NO swimming pool." I'm a VERY rude tone of voice. We would've eaten there but NOT with his RUDE response! He was NOT welcoming at all and got SO annoyed at my question. SORRY, but I won't be stopping in to eat there in the future! GOODBYE. read more

Cute spot! We came on a super hot day so when I arrived and realized their indoor seating was like 1 table for 6 people and the table was already taken, ugh I died a little inside. So dramatic I know but it's very hot these days. We still decided to eat there as they had a very cute patio outside. We were lucky enough to get a coveted table in the shade. Otherwise the options are tables in the sun but with misters on. (And misters are a nice idea for not eating but when I am eating, I don't want random droplets on my food) Menu is a little vague. They had daily specials but I had to ask for more details. Ended up forgetting what they were so went with what sounded refreshing: Pink shrimp roll with slaw on the side. Delicious on a hot day. Flavorful and slaw was the right side. It coulda had a better shrimp to bread roll ratio but whatcha gonna do. Fried oysters appetizer. So good. Get it. So hot and meaty and crispy. Chefs kiss! Kiddie burger. Pricey for a small burger that came with no fries or side. Still a very delicious burger that my sons devoured. It had a hearty portion of melted cheese on it too. Fried fish sando. Nicely fried and had a spicy slaw inside. We got this with a side of fries and maybe it was so hot that it took the joy out of fries but the fries were just ok. They had soft serve I was curious about but my kids were already melting so we'll have to try it next time. read more