The Old Salty Dog

A friend wanted to meet here for lunch. I had the fish & chips. The batter fell off of the fish (there was 2 large pieces) when I tried to eat it and the fish was «bland». The fries were the best part of the $ 16 entrée. No one else was crazy about their meals either (the old salty dog, chefs salad and a shrimp roll).

Food was average and the service was horrible. The only thing impressive about this place is the view. Wouldn’t recommend it.

I came here because it was so highly praised (I should have Unilocaled it!) The location is cool but that’s it. The food is below average and not worth the trip. There are way too many incredible restaurants in the Sarasota area. I regretted taking up time here.

What a great beach bar. I saw flip flops and board shorts sitting next to dress pants and a jacket. The down side to this place is lack of parking. The beer was ice cold and the food was wonderful. We tried many items including the salty dog they are famous for. If you expect bar food, you will be very pleasantly surprised. It was awesome. If you’re looking for 5 star seafood– wrong address.
I could retire on siesta key and become a regular at this place. I love loved it

I was visiting Sarasota, so I am not 100% sure that this is THE ONLY OPTION IN THE AREA, but after several hours on a boat this was the only place in sight.
There was a little bit of a wait, which is always a good thing.
Do yourself a favor and order the Salty Dog Hot Dog, I didn’t I ordered the coconut shrimp, but my lunch companion did order it and he throughly enjoyed it… The drinks were decent, and again since I was visiting I did not pay the bill, but it seemed decently priced for bar food.
The waiter was good, given that the place was packed and we could see them running around everywhere!
I didn’t love the general state of the place, as in the plastic wobbly tables and worn plastic food baskets, they weren’t in terrible condition that food couldn’t be served in them, however, business seems to be good — they doing something right.

I don’t think there’s anything that I don’t love about the Old Salty Dog. I put in a request to go here at least once everytime we vacation in the area. The view of Sarasota Bay is the definite kicker for this eatery. No reservations allowed, just know it can get very busy on the weekends around lunchtime, but we’ve never waited too long for a table to open up. They have a full bar and a list of yummy fruity cocktails to keep you in the beachy island mood. The coconut shrimp is really good and the firecracker wrap is my absolute favorite. My family members like the mahi/​grouper fish sandwiches. I’ve benefited from bringing a cardigan or other cover-​up, as we’ve found that even when it’s real nice and warm out, it can get quite breezy. Especially if you’re sitting in a shady spot at this delicious jewel on City Island.

The food, service and location was good. We ordered mahi blackened Reuben, fish dip, coco loco (delicious) loaded hot dog. All the food was good except the fish dip was very small portion for the price and wasn’t that good.

This is likely as romantic as I get, a nice ride on the Harley with an evening supper overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with the love of my wife! Last weekend, the wife and I took the bike out for a Sunday afternoon cruise, stopping at The Old Salty Dog for supper and a sunset. The place is absolutely amazing! I had an order of oysters on the half shelf, they were fresh, cold, fat and juicy just the way oyster lovers like myself like them. Perfectly shucked and clean, they know how to shuck and present raw oysters. My wife had the crab dip and she was very impressed with this appetizer, lot’s of crab without being crabby (if you know what I mean). For our entrees KZ ordered ½lb of Peel and Eat Shrimp and I ordered the Lobster Roll. The P&E shrimp were fat and perfectly steamed and seasoned, I had to steal a few for myself (I always do… hehe!!). The Lobster Roll was nothing short of phenomenal, I thought I was back in New England. The roll was overloaded with lobster perfectly mixed with celery and onion, and whatever they are using (likely mayo) for a dressing. There was no doubt this was lobster with discernible lobster claws and body pieces. KZ also had a gold margarita which she loved, (could have just been the atmosphere and sunset), but I tasted it and it was a well made margarita!
The Old Salty Dog on City Island, is the perfect evening spot, right on the inlet to Sarasota Bay south of Long Boat Keys you can watch the boats returning to the marina while the sun set’s over the gulf, in a casual laid back atmosphere. The wait staff and exceptional, right there when you need them, but not at your talbe as if they were in your conversation. A shout out to Samantha for the excellent job she did serving us on this great evening.

3 ½ stars, really.
Our waitress was very attentive. We had Shrimp Po Boy — excellent, Lobster Roll, also excellent. The French fries are good but the vegetable was, unfortunately, green beans from a can.
The view is awesome!

Man, Unilocal,y’all really need that 0.5 star option, stat! This is yet another 3.5 star review, but the service being less than stellar brings it down to three.
Came here while on vacation a few blocks up the road in Longboat. Essentially, we ate and drank here because we didn’t have to drive drunk and walked… The drinks are decent, but nothing extraordinary. Gotta love the Beergaritas!
Food was decent, but definitely know what to order. We tried some of the dogs, which were mediocre. You guys shouldn’t market these as your selling point. Although I am spoiled, being from Chicago and all. The grilled peel and eat shrimp were absolutely delightful! Bar none my favorite part of this place.
Service was slow, and a few of the neighboring tables complained about us because we are drunk bros. These complaints probably forced the less than stellar service. The ambience and aesthetic environment here are beautiful, so come for the views! Don’t get crapped on by a pelican though…

Very casual vibe with lovely views.
My highest recommendation here (even though I have a lot) would have to be the raw oysters. They are HUGE and packed with flavor. Let me emphasize it by saying again, they were the biggest oysters ever.
Their spiked strawberry lemonade drink and beer options are great and both their Grouper and Mahi Mahi sandwich (lightly blackened) are delicious!!! You HAVE to go a side of the Boom Boom sauce with any meal you get, spectacular!
You can’t come to this area without visiting this place every single time!

Breaker breaker one nine. That’s a negatory, good buddy!
Yeah, that’s trucker talk, because I don’t like The Old Salty Dog.
ITEM!
We purchased the coconut shrimp as an appetizer. This was $ 11 and came with four — Count ‘em! — four shrimp. Unacceptable!
ITEM!
We also purchased the Barbecue Chicken Strips. They were neither barbecue nor worth more than $ 4. The were, in fact. $ 9. Unacceptable!
ITEM!
We purchased the egg rolls. They were pretty good, with a little fish in a lot of dough, and maybe 4 or so egg-​roll-​sized objects. $ 9. Marginally acceptable!
Beers were more reasonably priced. Leaf through the extra pages of drink-​info and you may find some prices. I’d make an effort to determine the price of the beers, because when four shrimp cost $ 11, I wouldn’t be that surprised if the «wrong» drink did too.
There were two good points. Three, if you count sufficient parking.
They allow dogs. They have real estate on the water (though, be advised, the view is of some docks and boats, not the majesty of the ocean’s mighty bosom). (Or maybe that was just where I was sitting, judging by some of the review photos.)
³⁄₁₀. Would not return, unless for a single beer on the patio.

The view and atmosphere is wonderful but the food is just average. But it was really fast.
No frills, plastic cups and food baskets but pretty average for the a beach place.
Once I found «The Drydock» a mile or so away there is not need to go back here.

I just happened to catch an Episode of Man vs. Food a day before I left for Florida last week. The loaded Old Salty Dog is a buffet in itself. American cheese, Sauerkraut, beer batter amongst other things on this masterpiece will have you bloated once you finish.
This place is truly a hidden gem in Sarasota, just a hop, skip, and jump from St. Armand’s circle. Very casual bar and restaurant. Patio and inside seating is available with plenty of air flow to keep you cool while enjoying food and drinks. Our whole family really liked the whole experience here. Friendly staff, great food, and beautiful location are all reasons that I surely will make the hour drive from Cape Coral to indulge here again!

Bar food galore, seafood and hot dogs. This is not fine dining nor for the health conscious. The old salty dog is a breaded fried hot dog that is delicious and comes with fries, as seen on the Diners, Drive-​ins, and Dives Show.
You can add a variety of toppings, like sauerkraut, onions or cheese. The lure here seems to be the fresh seafood options and the amazingly relaxing bay views. With the seagulls, passing boats, and old Florida feel you can’t help but relax. Seating is either outside along the deck or there is some limited indoor seating. The staff is quick and friendly. Dogs are always welcomed which adds to the pluses. With a full bar, the beer is ice cold too. Sip and enjoy the Florida sunset on the bay.

The Old Salty Dog on Sea Island (between Lido Key and Longboat Key) has the best Beergarita’s that I’ve ever had. You’ve got to try one. Also enjoyed oysters, and had tasty, plump chicken wings today.
Oh, and the views are amazing!

Did you know you can bring your dog to the Old Salty Dog? Very pet friendly!
It’s the home of the famous ‘Salty Dog’ which is a battered, deep fried dog 12″ long with 8 different toppings…(I have yet to try this — but I will very soon!) this was also featured on a few food shows… so, they have some claim to fame but this is not a ‘hot dog joint’…it’s more seafood than anything… I wonder why it’s named ‘The Old Salty Dog’? they only have 3 kinds on the menu? anyway…
I LOVE coming here because it’s so ultra casual… the outdoor area is an open deck that wraps around half the restaurant, with a waterfront view… you better believe I’m eating outside! Large inside bar and dining area. It’s a very ‘no frills’ joint with character and that makes me a fan.
They have a happy hour and offer some good discounts on different drinks…
The food is nothing extravagant — pretty basic. aside from the infamous ‘fried dog’ there’s some good seafood here. The conch fritters are delish, the fried oysters is a must get always… why? because I love oysters and i’ll get them anyway I can… the fresh fish sandwiches include choices of: mahi mahi or grouper prepared either charbroiled, blackened, or batter fried… served on a roll with fries or coleslaw — I’ve had the mahi mahi blackened and it was great. They also have jerk fish taco’s, lobster rolls & po’ boys. Variety of entrée’s as well but they are very pricey — I would stick to lunch here and go elsewhere for the same seafood entrees at a much more affordable price.
I visit this place every time I’m in Sarasota. This is in Siesta Key, near the bridge — you get some really great views from here. I can’t wait to sample more! the dog just may be next on my list to satisfy my curiosity.(and fried oysters). 4 stars for the view, the ambiance and some good fish.

When in Sarasota, always make time to eat at the Columbia Restaurant located in Armand Circle.
This time the wife and I wanted to eat by water. Hence, based on Unilocalers we decided on Old Salty Dog on City Island near Longboat Key. A stones throw from Armand’s Circle.
The service was very good and the view on the water outstanding. Therefore, 4 stars.
The food was ok. Nothing to write home about. The grouper was fresh. However, no flavor. The beer not cold.
We got back from Cuba this past weekend and the food in the paladars was great. Better than this place.
Had a better meal in my wife’s aunts home in Cuba.

Came here to try their beer battered dogs and for some finger food! The hostess was nice and asked if we preferred to sit by the water or inside or on the patio. We chose to sit by the water!
We ordered the dog bites (beer battered hot dog bites with fries) and the conch fritters. Dog bites were so pleasant! Crunchy and flavorful (: The conch fritters were interesting. I’ve never had conch fritters before, so I didn’t know what to expect. Thought it was maybe like calamari. But it’s small pieces of conch with batter and onions, formed into a ball that are fried. Wasn’t a huge fan, but they were nice and crispy! We also got a beergarita, which we expected to be three times the size it was (just from coronaritas we’ve had before – which honestly is also a better sounding name).
We also told our waitress, Jen, that we were in a bit of the hurry and asked if it possible to get our check as soon as it was possible for her. She was happy to. She was so accommodating! (:
To top off our experience, we saw dolphins!

This is a restaurant with Great view with lunch. I have been to this place several time while I am travel for work. Summer is a bit hot since this is an open air restaurant. During this time in early January with out side temperature 72 degree, this is nice to sit out side.
We have order the primary top order of restaurant — the grouper sandwich. The grouper here is the fresh catch in the morning. The freshness cannot be comparable. They can prepare the grouper with grilled, blacken with three level of spiciness, or batter fried. I have my grouper grilled since I like to taste the seawater in the meat. The fresh grouper can be checked by pocking the meat to see the meat is breaking to little fiber. If they break like little fiber, it is fresh and may be the fresh catch of the day. This is the place sell this grouper dish. Please check my picture at where my folk pointing by zoom in and you will get what I have mean about the freshness.
The restaurant usually have huge lunch crowd. The restaurant always filled up at 12:00. To get a good view seat, please come at 11:45 or early. Parking is challenge after 12:00 noon. They have bar area that you can sit and order the tropical drink.