Rob C.
Yelp
If Jimmy Buffett and a Bass Pro Shop had a baby, they'd name it Flounder's. Before you even walk in, you're greeted by what appears to be an entire fishing boat parked out front--as if they were too proud to dock it anywhere else. It's part restaurant, part nautical museum, part "where are we and why does everything smell faintly of saltwater taffy?"
Inside, the décor continues the "Captain Ahab's vacation home" theme--wooden floors, ship paneling, ropes, nets, and more fishing memorabilia than a Gulf Coast yard sale. I half expected a talking parrot to ask if I wanted a table for one.
Now, on to the food. For a place that screams tourist trap, the food is surprisingly good. I kicked things off with the Flounder Bisque, which they proudly call award-winning on the menu. They don't say which award, but let's assume it was from someone's Aunt Linda who has high standards and a ceramic spoon collection. Regardless, it's tasty--creamy, comforting, and just the right starter for what's to come.
Then came sushi, because why not order raw fish at a place where the tables wobble like the deck of a ship? I've had sushi here before, so I felt brave. The Yellowtail Specialty Roll hit me with a refreshing burst of lemon on the first bite--a bright, clean flavor that whispered, "See? We know what we're doing." I'd get it again.
Then my waitress, Avery (who deserves her own standing ovation), talked me into trying the Maguire's Roll, a tribute to their Irish Pub sibling across the bridge. It's steak on sushi. Yes, you read that right--surf meets turf meets confusion. Let's just say my palate filed a formal protest. Not terrible, but not exactly something Tokyo or Dublin will be fighting to claim.
For dessert, I went with their Key Lime Pie, which could double as a structural landmark. This thing is three layers tall, with alternating shades of green and enough whipped cream to spackle a small boat. It's sweet, tart, and so big it might have its own gravitational pull. Delicious? Absolutely. Dangerous? Also yes. One slice could either feed a family of seven or put one person into a blissful sugar-induced nap.
In all, Flounder's is exactly what you expect from a beachside institution: loud, lively, full of tourists, and serving food that's way better than it has to be. The view's great, the atmosphere is a spectacle, and Avery, my server, deserves a five-star medal for multitasking--she juggled several giant tables and still remembered my low sodium soy sauce.
If you're looking for subtlety, go elsewhere. But if you want good seafood, a fun scene, and dessert that could double as a flotation device, Flounder's has your name written on it.
Four stars for food and fun. Five for Avery. Zero for my sugar levels.