Cooters Restaurant & Bar

Reviews 5

EV

Evan Haigley

Been coming here for over 25 years. EXCELLENT food and options. Havent been in forever because Im a local and locals rarely visit CLWB... but when we do, we go to Cooters. Last Thursday I stopped in for lunch and had an awesome blackened grouper sandwich and I know my grouper. Just enough blackening seasoning, well cooked, little to much bread for my personal likings but not a complaint, fresh veggies, and good tartar sauce. What was most surprising was the $11.99 price! I pay more on mainland for the same sandwich. A bar a block away from Cooters sells theirs for $16.99. But today, today I was super impressed with the Daytona style chicken wings in tequila sauce! Wings are a staple anywhere in America and like most, Ive had my fair share. But these are the most memorable wings I can remember. Lightly covered in corn starch and breading, deep fried, then finished on the grill. The sticky coating had prefect chare marks that added even more flavor to the wings. It was sweet with a teriyaki flavor. Only two people in the whole restaurant know how to make it and is guarantee you wont find this recipe anywhere else. Hands down best wings since I spread my foodie wings! I sat at the bar both times and Cassie was my bartender. After only working there for a year, not only did this girl know her s***, she was excited to explain and recommend. Not only can you tell site likes her job, shes really good at it too! I went in today looking for something other than seafood and asked how the pulled pork was. She said excellent and home made like everything else there. So then I asked is the pork as good as the wings, she said, "BETTER!" Their hot wings looked good and came recommended from the gentlemen sitting next to me. Cassie directed me to the Daytona style with tequila sauce. SOOOOOOOOOO worth it. Parking (during the day)... a snap. Food... original and well thought up. Staff... on point. Verdict... try the entire menu!

---

BR

brittany reid

To Owner: First I would like to acknowledge the unprofessional response of the assumption that I know "koko". Would you believe that im not the only one thats complaining about the old tasting food? Maybe take these reviews into consideration and find out what the issue is. Obviously if two people are complaining about the "cheese"....find the root of the issue! Fyi smarty pants you order your seafood fresh you stated... would you believe that cheese isnt seafood?! However if you order your other ingredients fresh thats great as you should...maybe you need to speak to your line staff about preparing the food instead of finding "connections" within your reviews. I am sure that I will NEVER come back to your "wonderful" establishment but IF I do ill male sure that I introduce myself maybe ill bring you some fresh cheesesticks :) (shrug) Previous: Waiter was decent but the food was not up to par. My cheesesticks were old and it tastes like it was made at 10am ....its now 6pm...The veggie burger was aight....however my fries tasted like breadsticks and the "Complimentary" bread should go in the "Complimentary" TRASH! Not too pleased.... Response from the owner a month ago "Britt" I see that you and "koko" are associated, so same response.... So sorry to see a comment like this. As one of the most popular and well established (1993) restaurants on Clearwater Beach, it would be impossible for any of our food items to be "old". We order all of our food ingredients, seafood, and meats on a daily basis to ensure that everything coming out of our kitchen is fresh.

---

DA

David Punnett

Hi Folks, Id been to this location several years prior and had a good meal. However this past week I ventured back for some crab legs. My partner opted for the fish and chips. First the crabs. 1 1/2 lbs of salt drenched, artery hardening, blood pressure multiplying crab. I almost gagged on the first bite. If I want salt I want to add it myself. I pushed the plate aside and started gulping water. I called the waiter over and queried him about the salt he said it was normal and the amount was carefully added to the water during the preparation of the food. Dont crabs live in salt water and have a natural salty taste. Why add more? I ate the luke warm fries and regarded this second visit to Cooters as my last and final visit. The fish and chips, while a generous portion had the same over-salting approach. More water gulping. And finally I had ordered a Rum-Runner beverage. Upon finishing the drink I saw that the glass was still almost full to the brim with ice thus explaining the lack of taste. This upscale drink is supposed to have two types of rum and a liquor in the mix. None were apparent. It wasnt until I dined later in the week at Crabby Bills that I realized how watered down the drink was at Cooters. Im assuming that being a tourist driven eatery, Cooters may not care about repeat business. Im now of the same assertion.

---

ER

Erik Toner

We arrived early to avoid the evening rush crowd, and were fortunate to have been seated quickly. The food was just slightly expensive, but you have to keep in mind that with the preponderance of tourists in Clearwater Beach, prices will be slightly higher with almost everything. That fact aside, the food was well cooked and flavorful. My wife ordered the "souvenir glass" cocktails, and each different drink was NOT watered down (nice alcohol content compared to other tourist restaurants in Orlando that horrible and very expensive drinks). The only reason that I do not give 5 stars is the "environmental air flow." As a native Floridian, I am used to summertime heat/humidity; however, "dining out" is the exception. If a restaurant (especially at the beach) does wants to have open doors and "natural breezes" in lieu of central air conditioning, then please provide more fans (ceiling, ground stand, etc.) for the patrons. Not everyone will be physically comfortable - especially during this hot summer. Tourists, elderly people (this is Clearwater after all), etc. may find this bothersome from a health perspective (even myself, though, as stated above, a Florida native - I also am medically disabled)

---

A

A Private User

We were told to come to Cooters by a friend who came across it last year when they visited. So we tried it...What a cute place! The staff welcomed us at the door and we had a little wait because they were quite full. So we went up to the bar for a drink. My wife had the "Cooteraid" she loved it, I had the "Rum Runner" and it was great! We didnt have to wait as long as they told us, which was nice. We sat out on their patio. We had a wonderful server who recommended the "Hot Crabby Shrimp dip"-Best appetizer we ever had!! My wife had the "Crab Stuffed Grouper" and let me say that I tasted it and she wouldnt share with me after she had a bite, its that good! I ordered the "NY Strip" -the chef did an amazing job at cooking it to medium rare, it was huge, perfectly cooked and you must try their Black Beans and rice!! But save room-Homemade Key Lime Pie was so good, we came back the next morning to get some to take home with us!! I read some of the other reports and saw some negative things...shocked honestly! This place was great! I highly recommend it for lunch and dinner! We were here for a weekend and wish we found on the 1st day!!! We will be back!! Thank you. Noah & Tiffany Lewis

---

---