Captain John’s Seafood & Island Grill

I have visited Captain John’s twice now and it is hands down one of the best restaurants I have been to in Florida. They serve Caribbean seafood and whenever I eat there I feel like I am in the Caribbean. The people that work there are beyond friendly and the food is out of this world! I get the curry shrimp with garlic rice… I am telling you, it will change your life! It is a small building in the middle of a neighborhood, if you aren’t looking for it you will probably miss it. There is a small dining area and they do take out.

They have a big menu. I mean big! Seafood a go-​go. But that’s not what I’m reviewing. I have eaten here three times and each time it’s been the Jamaican food I’ve gone for. I realize this makes this an incomplete picture but I doubt I’ll ever get the seafood platters so I’ll stick with what I’m familiar with.
The gold standard of Jamaican food in Sanford is Montego Bay over next to Winn Dixie. Captain John’s combines that menu with a boat load of seafood items not available most other places. I love jerk and Caribbean curries. Captain John’s jerk is ok, not great. This past visit was better than the first two. I accidentally deleted the picture of my second visit when I swear to god they fed the chicken through a wood chipper. I picked not less than 30 bone chips, bits and pieces. The first two visits the jerk was overcooked and even the dark meat was dry. Yesterday’s visit yielded much better results. The chicken wasn’t a minefield of pulverized bone and the meat was cooked through and not to death. The brown stew chicken is more juicy but that’s also a product of a different cooking technique. The actual jerk spice is milder here than Montego Bay and has a bit more allspice. Good flavor but I prefer more heat. The rice and peas are very nice and seasoned quite well. I really like their take on cabbage and you get quite a bit which I like very much. Not a bad lunch at all but they are about $ 1 more for an almost identical meal from the competition.
Parting thoughts.
1. Montego Bay has better jerk for slightly less money but this place isn’t too bad and it’s a bit closer.
2. Like I said I haven’t tried the seafood platters. When I first moved to Florida and saw these huge steamed Florida fish camp and Caribbean style platters I was overjoyed… until I actually ate one. Incredible flavor but it’s a two hour project. These might be the best ever but I don’t have time for that kind of food commitment.
3. I’ve heard their garlic wings are incredible! I haven’t had them for the one reason I like my wings stoooopppiiiidd hot. I’ve been two places my whole life that actually made wings I found too extreme. So maybe I’ll get some ghost pepper sauce and dump some on these garlic jobbies after I bring them home.
4. Speaking of hot I was miffed they only carry some sort of Frank’s type of hot sauce. In a Caribbean place!!! I’m sorry folks but ya’ll need to go buy or make some proper scotch bonnet hot sauce for us masochists.
All in all worth your visit.

The absolute BEST seafood, and in my opinion, the best MEAL ever. I love the grilled tilapia & shrimp (galic and spicy) with potatoes, cabbage, and corn on the cob. I live in Orlando and drive 30 miles to eat at this place.

Thank you Captain John’s for providing authentic Jamaican cuisine to the Sanford area. We have waited a long time for a nice clean and peaceful place to grab a plate of curry chicken or curry goat. Can’t wait to try your Garlic crabs. I recommend Captain John’s for an authentic curry chicken dinner. It was delish.