Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Shrimper's in Stuart: More than shrimp ...

Shrimper’s
Grill and Raw Bar
4903 S.E. Dixie Hwy
Stuart, Florida
772-220-3287
Lunch seven days: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday: 4-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 4-11 p.m.
Happy Hour, Monday: Friday: 3-7 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Located on the water at Manatee Marina, Shrimper’s should be on everyone’s A-list of inexpensive, open air eateries to visit in the Stuart area.

Specialties include shrimp (of course) cooked eight different ways, Crunchy Grouper, and fried lobster baskets.  They also serve a Cracked Conch Platter, not often available in this part of Florida, and a number of other fresh seafood dishes that make this place a favorite among locals.  Chicken, hamburgers and other meat selections are available for non-seafood eaters.

I sampled the fried Florida lobster – fresh bite-size pieces in a light, tasty batter served with a garlic tinged sauce – and it was delicious ($11.95). For a dollar more (and instead of fries), it came with huge, fried onion rings, also served with a sauce, and a small side of bland cole slaw.  Fellow diner ordered a dolphin sandwich ($9.95) with sweet potato fries. The piece of fish was fine but the insipid hamburger roll it was served with diminished taste and presentation.

The raw bar is a big draw with its oysters, clam steamers, and peel-and-eat shrimp. With a good turn over of tables, even after the season ends, the raw bar items and fish entrées promise to be fresh.

Shrimper’s offers an array of dinner specials served 4 p.m. until “actual sunset” for $9.95 that include Crunchy Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, Barbequed Shrimp, and more. This deal comes with a choice of New England clam chowder, Bahamian conch chowder or dinner salad and potato, rice or vegetable and includes one beverage. No question – this is value for the buck in a great setting. We’ll be back.

Service: good. Full bar with lots of seating.

Tags: Stuart dining, waterside dining in Stuart, seafood restaurants in Stuart, dockside dining in Stuart, Stuart raw bar