Ballyhoo’s Grill

we were at the Original Ballyhoo’s Grill. the food and service were ok.

Real quick, this place is not called Ballyhoo’s Grill. It is actually called «The Original Grill,» because it was the original Ballyhoo’s. However, once they sold the licensing and rights to that name over 10 years ago, this place became THE ORIGINAL GRILL. The sign out front clearly reads, «Get Ballyhoo’d @ The Original Grill.» Got it?
We stumbled in here last Friday night for a snack before hitting up a football game at Anclote High School. La Chica had some really great and well-​seasoned peel & eat shrimp, and I went with a small Greek salad. The salad was not only good, but filling for $ 6. It kept my hungry at bay for the next 3 hours until I could eat a proper meal. I’d imagine a full large version would fill most people up to the point of being uncomfortable.
The atmosphere was classic waterfront Florida or Key West style, which ever you prefer to call it. The service was extraordinary at the bar, and the folks sitting around us were all great too.
I really liked the vibe in here, the cleanliness, the food and the prices.

Went there for dinner and while the food was good the service was awful. Our server had 3 tables, 2 four tops and 1 two top, and was so inattentive and rude I’m surprised that she doesn’t look for a line of work that suits her better.
Our appetizer came out pretty quickly and looked great so we waited to see if she would come over to give us utensils or plates, but no. After about 10 minutes I went up to the hostess stand and got some. She then came over when were done to grab the empty plates and we thought she will refill the drinks, but again no. So before our meal came out the manager came by and asked if we needed refills.
The server then delivered our meal and never came back to see if it was okay, did we need anything, were we interested in dessert, nothing. Here is your bill and bye.
I like the food there, it’s close to home, but with that kind of service being acceptable to the management I would rather go elsewhere.

Went out to dinner here with my family tonight. Everyday they have different specials so today was taco Tuesday. The shrimp tacos were amazing! We also ordered a lobster roll which was very good as well. The staff is wonderful and very helpful. We also got a chance to meet the owner! Thank you for a wonderful night out with my family Pauline!

Had lunch here service is slow because they are short handed. Bartender/​waiter food was ok. I won’t be back

Went to Ballyhoo’s today for business lunch. I had the Yaya’s 1905 salad with salmon instead of shrimp. It was very good. The service was good too. I would give it 5 stars but I’ve eaten there several times before and often had problems with either the service or the food. Also some of the people I was there with today said their meals weren’t very good.

I’m a long time fan of the Ballyhoo Grill in Citrus Park area and was excited to try this location. Seven of us came here recently to celebrate my mom’s birthday. The service was outstanding! The food was very yummy too. For appetizers we all shared the conch fritters, fish spread, & steamed clams. All delicious! For my meal I had the Greek salad with added blackened shrimp. It was ok. The potato salad left a lot to be desired, especially considering the location is in the middle of Tarpon Springs! But other than that minor thing, everyone enjoyed their meals, which included the cod, 2 burgers, and stuffed mahi-​mahi. The only off thing was that the dining area was completely empty! Maybe it was just a slow night. Whatever, I would definitely return!

My husband and I both had fresh lobsters and steamed clams. .wonderful! the atmosphere and staff ate terrific, especially Jessie who was our server! The lobsters were steamed to perfection served with drawn butter and choice of sides. The clams were some of the best we’ve ever eaten. This place is terrific!

Had a great time.
Food was good with good portions and price. Had the 10 dollar beer bucket (5 beers) and really enjoyed the music of Scott Fallon. .who we always enjoy when we are in Florida

Four stars is definitely for the service we received here. This place has a nice open patio for enjoying the outdoors. They have live music, and lots of TV’s. The food was good. But, we only had appetizers. Will have to go back and try more.

This place was pretty good. The staff was friendly and polite. Waitress was great. I just don’t know if the fish is fresh and if it’s not that would be disappointing. Other then that this isn’t a bad place to grab a bite to eat.

My wife, daughter and I went on valentines day (by accident). we still got in easy, and loved the shrimp cocktail and the special valentines day dessert. I had driven by the place before and put it on my wish list. Definitely recommend trying this out if you haven’t already.

Very average tea is water down seafood was way overcooked our server was above average and very friendly and quick service so just an average rating nothing special don’t know that I’d ever be back because there’s too much competition in the area

Horrible experience. Had a table of 7 friends at the outside seating area. One friend ordered Mahi Tuna. After an hour, still hasn’t shown up. Ended up canceling. Another friend ordered calamari. Came out 45 min later, cold. Sent it back and cancelled order. Waitress said it’s an hour wait for food. Patio was full but only 3 tables inside. Why an hour? My wife ordered a Rum Runner. Had ants in it. She took it to the bar to get another one. She drank ¼ of second drink and found ants again in drink. Bartender said «That’s what happens at an outdoor bar.» Will never come back to this place.

I went here with a few friends. I’ve driven by many times, but never dined there. As a group, we ordered the Shrimp Rockefeller appetizer and it was really good. I ordered the blue cheese and bacon burger and it was hand formed. It was slightly overcooked (I ordered medium rare) but it was still really good and juicy. A lot of places won’t serve you a burger unless it’s medium well to well done. IMHO maybe they shouldn’t be cooking burgers if they’re afraid to cook them how the diner wants them.
There was a band playing while we were there and they were pretty good as well. We did a little dancing before we left, as we all had very busy days and were just tired. We would all go back.
I understand that Ballyhoo has a new kitchen manager. Maybe that’s why we had a better experience than previous reviewers… just sayin’.

We went here on a Saturday night And it wasn’t busy. I ordered the you peel them shrimp and they were extremely mushy and the shell stuck to the shrimp. The didn’t have any taste. I also ordered the special of the day, the lobster it was $ 13.99. It’s a great price, but they put the whole lobster on your plate and have you crack it. There was no taste to it and wasn’t worth the work. My husband got chicken wings and they weren’t crispy at all. I have two starts because the server was great.

second visit and really disappointed– Waitress– said she was new– absolutely clueless
Order three things only to find out none were available– lobster roll– not available even thought there was tank full of lobster– wings– NO Chicken of any kind ??? special was coconut chicken wrap– prime rib sandwich– on board where one walks in-​but only for lunch– order soup– both cam cold– cream soups little taste and full of flour lumps–
Rib eye sandwich over cooked and tasteless– Wedge salad was good although ordered half and charged for whole– another server came out to try to defend problems– saying were cleaned out of chicken on football Sunday– omitting it was Tuesday but … will not return

Great dinner here tonight. Ahi tuna and peel n’ eat shrimp for starters. My cajun grouper fish tacos were excellent. One my my friends had the salmon reuben sandwich without the sauerkraut. Another had the shave prime rib sandwich — excellent flavor that was some of the best he’d ever had. The fourth member of our group had the shrimp alfredo. Great flavor and fresh shrimp. Huge portion. The key lime pie was the best! We are going to venture a guess that it is homemade. Do not miss this. We sat outside in the bar area. Aside from the smoker next to us, it was perfect. We will be back.

My husbeast and I went to dinner recently at Ballyhoo Grill in Tarpon. The renovations to the location have it looking better than it was before, the more powerful air conditioner was MUCH better. ;)
However the food. We ordered the Grouper appetizer $ 10.90 for 4 pieces of fish — while tasty, was seriously over priced. We ordered the seafood platter for two, which included enough food for four people, but in the end, we left more food behind than we actually ate, simply because we didn’t like the oysters.
We probably won’t go back.

This past Saturday it was pretty nice but later on, it seemed like it was going to rain and it was awfully windy outside. It was nice that Ballyhoo has a covered outside bar area. There, they allow dogs.
It was pretty loud since they had a band, but at least the band was pretty good. There were high tables and low tables for drinking and eating for which ever option you would like to take part in.
We ate here. The inside is pretty nice and tropical. If you can sit inside, I would think that would be the nicer of the two options.
We ordered a few orders since it was myself, husband, and mom and dad. We ordered shrimp and scallops entrée, sirloin, fish stuffed with stuffing and seafood, and an order of calamari.
I really didn’t think the food was great at all. I found it to be disappointing. My husband’s steak was pretty rare. He had asked for medium well. My dad’s fish tasted extremely fishy. Not edible to me. My mom and I’s scallops and shrimp were not warm, and I felt that the scallops were not cooked all the way. The calamari just tasted like the fried bits of leftovers.
I liked the atmosphere, but pretty blah about the food, and it was pretty pricey.
I did remember that there is a Ballyhoo in Citrus park area, and we have been there a couple times and liked it, so it stinks that this place was not the same.
There are plenty of places in Tarpon springs with outside areas that have a great view of the water. I can not say the same for this place.