This is a fun place to hang out near the water, have a drink, and listen to some live music. The food is so-so, comparable to normal bar type food. I did try this chocolate mousse dessert and it was very, very good.
(4)
Jessica M.
Beautiful view and great food. The atmosphere here is awesome! I got a hamburger and it was one of the best I've ever had. My in-laws come here all the time, and I definitely want to go back next time we're in town. We sat outside on the HUGE dock, and the weather was perfect. The staff was friendly and fast. Overall, we had a great experience here!
(4)
Ryan M.
HORRIBLE. I went in with my wife and kids and ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, three of the were so rotten that you couldn't pick the oyster up it dripped through my fork. So I gave it another shot and ordered the soft shell crab sandwich and only ate two bites it was nasty and greasy. My wife ordered the grouper sandwich and the smell was so bad she couldn't eat either it was definitely spoiled. The need to be checked out by the health dept. before someone gets really sick.
(1)
Domenic M.
Enjoyable night out, for the area. Parking is ample, but the waiting list is sometimes a bit long. When you do get seated, expect a well-rounded menu with good specials. Your server is likely to be one of the many "good" apples that seem to be on staff. The crowd is all-ages, which is surprising for where it is. The view is lovely, and the live music is usually fair to average. Interaction with the band (intimate setting) is frequent. In love with the steaks, the grouper bites, and the gator.
(3)
Ashley G.
Disappointment. We really were looking forward to some great seafood and unfortunately, Cracker's was not it. Wishing I would have trusted some of the Yelp reviews. Will not make this mistake again.
(1)
Crystal R.
IF YOU GO HERE PAY WITH CASH!! The food here was great, the service was fine, but ended in a horrible experience! My husband, father, and I rent kayaks from the Crystal River Kayak Company (shout out to them for being A++) and paddled our way over the Cracker's for lunch. Being that we were in Kayaks all we had taken with us was my credit card and ID for fear of anything else getting wet. Our lunch was very good and the prices were very fair, we were very relaxed and having a great time. Our ticket total was $45 and I gave the waiter my card. He came back and said it was declined. I explained perhaps the magnetic strip got wet if he would try manually punching in the numbers instead, again he came back and said it was declined. I asked if there was an ATM nearby to try the card myself and he said the restaurant had their own ATM inside the restaurant. My husband went to the ATM and boom...pulled out $60 with a $3 ATM fee. We paid cash for our bill and were on our way. Being that we were on vacation all the way from California I frequently checked my online bank account to track how much we were spending. I was shocked to see the $45 (that we paid cash for) in fact did clear! AND the ATM cleared twice!! When my husband called to clear up the mistake and ask for the $108 back that he got the run around, back and forth phone calls with the manager, and nothing was resolved. A week later my bank is now working on the issue and disputing the charges no thanks to the "manager" who seemed to hope we would just forget we were missing $108. I don't know if anyone else has had similar problems or if I was unlucky that day but if you eat there I recommend paying in cash!
(1)
Chad E.
If you were selling the place, you'd be set, because they have a great location - right on the water. Unfortunately, location only helps in real estate. It isn't bad for a restaurant, but it only gets you so far and then you have to also have good service and food as well, and that's where Cracker's falls a little short. The service is friendly at Cracker's, but it's a bit slow. And the food is nothing special. It's solid fare, but nothing outstanding by any means. Being situated on the waterfront would be so much better if the food was light and fresh instead. It makes me think they are going to show up on Kitchen Nightmares next season.
(3)
James P.
Outstanding view and outdoor seating, acceptable-to-good rated food (Cracker Melt? Gator, conch fritters, and calamari? Sign me up!), but the service can be a little spotty. Some times it's great, other times I've walked out after 14 minutes without even getting acknowledged that I was waiting. But the food is good, the view is great, and the beer is ice cold and cheap. Every time I'm back in town I always come here.
(4)
Rob B.
Outside section has nice view. Service was good and so was the food. The blackened grouper was excellent and good portion size. The crab rolls were really good too. Salads are big so hope your Hungary. The gator bites didn't have much flavor; but they sauce helped.
(5)
david g.
Not sure the view is "outstanding" but is does have a view. I really liked my blackend redfish. I thought it was good. We sat outside. Birds were a little annoying and the bugs were bad. When the band started, it was loud. Not exactly what we were looking for. Server was reasonably attentive. Drink glass did not go empty. I would eat there again. May sit inside next time. Not sure what the rules are here in Florida, but the woman at the next table was smoking. I dont have a tolerance for that while I am trying to eat. Not sure if that is allowed here or not. I would eat there again. Might even hang out there some time.
(3)
Lindsay G.
Better than expected. Cute place on the water, good food, and friendly staff. Try this place before going to chain restaurants in Crystal River.
(4)
Julie B.
Great food, very reasonable...try the grouper melt...super yummy! Nice tiki bar too
(5)
Kevin H.
On a recent golf trip 15 of us went to Crackers for dinner. Our waitress was fantastic, her name is Amanda. Everyone at the table was impressed on how well she handled so many people. The best waitress ever! The food was really good and the portions are very generous for the pice.
(5)
Mike Q.
The help, especially at the Tiki bar is wonderful but the owners are not. They have driven away almost all locals. Many better places to visit in the area that really want and appreciate your business.
(1)
Jessie F.
We had drinks here before AND after our dinner at a restaurant next door. We wish we had chosen to stay and eat here as the ambiance is much better. The menu seemed a bit pricey but looked delicious.
(3)
Rowan K.
Food is good. Prices are reasonable. Location is great. Right on the water. Service was good. I didn't have to wait very long. I had cheeseburger & coleslaw & it came with a sliced pickle. I had sweet tea. Good place. Live music.
(5)
Tedd S.
Ohhhh Comeonnnnn! Anyone in Crystal River knows not to eat here...it's strictly a tourist trap with horrible service, chain-grade food and high prices! The view from the dock seating area is pleasant in itself...just don't eat the food!
(2)
Sugar B.
I hate this place. My seafood pasta had no taste but plenty of nasty grease! My husbands steak was leather but I guess that's what he gets for ordering a steak at a seafood place. Service wasn't too bad. I've given this place a few chances but sadly have never had a good experience.
(1)
Necota S.
Greatly improved layout. Food is classic Florida seafood. Patio area is nice.
(3)
Kate D.
Terrible. I was there at night and didn't see the view, but the food was pretty bad. To start, I got a mouthful of shell flakes with each oyster on the half shell, and my conch fritters were horribly overdone - almost burnt and very tough and greasy. I moved to the south 10 months ago and have been amazed by the absolutely perfect fry jobs, every time, until coming here. By very far the worst fry job I've ever experienced since moving to the south (and maybe ever) - it really should not have been served at all. The place was pretty empty so it's not like the kitchen was overwhelmed.
(1)
Frank C.
Wanted to go and enjoy dinner with my family, ended up listening to music so loud, you couldn't even hear your waitress. My wife ordered fish taco's and I had shrimp taco's, the fish taco had no flavor at all. My son wouldn't eat his hotdog because the edges were hard and crunchy. Very disappointed!
(1)
Richard H.
Only reason for 2 stars is view and have had a fairly good meal here before. Service is OK. Food can be good or bad. Ordered haddock dinner, grilled. It was not haddock and was so over cooked it was tough. Told server, but she did nothing about it. We have had fairly good meals in the past. Do not plan to go back here for a while. We will give them another shot in a few months, if they fail, they will be off our list.
(2)
Amber D.
HORRIBLE! We've been here more than once hoping for better food but to no avail. Undercooked fish, no flavor, dirty tables, I could go on. It is now referred to as Crappers in our house. Save your money.
(1)
Mitch L.
Great location...right on the water...nice tiki bar. Went on Mother's day and had great flounder sammie with NE Chowda :)
(4)
Tom D.
Look I love beach and river dives more then most, but Cracker's isn't supposed to be a dive, yet it's much worse than many dives I've been to. We've frequented the area often over the last six years and go to Cracker's at least a couple times a year because you can dock your boat right out back. Each time we forget how horrible the service is, or give them a pass because they're not "big city" and don't know how to actually be hospitable to their guests. But then when we go to Granny's, another local restaurant, and we're reminded that it's not that the wonderful folks in the area aren't "big city", it's because the training and hiring standards at Cracker's are putrid. On our recent trip to Cracker's we docked the boat and walked up to be seated, this is a common practice because the restaurant is right on the water. We picked the table on the deck that we wanted to sit at and cleared it with the hostess. We sat down and waited for our server to arrive, and waited, and waited. Ten to fifteen minutes later she arrived, flustered, to take our drink order. With two young children we wanted to get some juice for them and some crackers to snack on while we waited for our appetizers to come. So we put in our order and waited, and waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later she finally came back around with half our drinks. We only had four adults and two children so it shouldn't take that long to grab our drinks. When she did bring our drinks, and I poured the frosty refreshments, I noticed something floating in my drink, it was a cigar wrapper. So instead of dying of thirst while she took her sweet time to get back around to us, I went to the bar and got a replacement drink. The bartender was helpful and quickly replaced my drink, but wasn't surprised by my situation. Now back to the crackers...this place is obviously called Cracker's due to their use of the classic Floridian term, not because they provide crackers for children to eat while waiting on the real food to show up. This became obvious when we again had to hunt our server down for our crackers because she had disappeared again. Finally she came back around with our appetizers of onion rings and fish dip ($8). Both are typical flare for the area. The only thing missing at this point were plates to eat off of, so I asked her for plates. So now the wait begins for the plates. A handful of minutes later she comes cruising by the table and I grab her attention and ask her about the plates after she ran food to another table across the restaurant. She tells me that "hot food is our priority". Well I guess she's right because my hot food is now cold because I don't have a plate to eat off of. So about now we've been here for an hour and our main course hasn't made an appearance. And when it finally arrives we are pleased. Not because it's the most amazing redfish sandwich I've ever eaten, but because the kids are about to lose their minds with the rest at the table following shortly behind and we're getting closer to leaving. We eat our food, drink our drinks and get ready to wrap up this ridiculous lunch experience. But wait for it....the server is again lost at sea. We finally settle our tab and out of the door we go, in just over two hours flat. I gave Cracker's 1-Star because you have to get some credit for being able to dock your boat out back and eat right on the river's bay while enjoying a cold refreshment. Everything else however was disappointing yet again. One of these days I'm going to learn my lesson.
(1)
Rick D.
Good restaurant for local FL fare. Very convenient to the Best Western next door. Prices reasonable, good selection of dinners and sandwiches. No complaints on the food, but service is usually a bit slow. Full bar outside on the water, next to the docks. Sometimes even a band on Friday/Sat nights. A local bar hangout. I go there at least once or twice every week I am in town.
(4)
Susan P.
Other than the view, which is lovely, there is nothing better than mediocre at this restaurant. The decor is lousy. The kid who greeted us was less than enthusiastic as he wrapped 2 forks in 2 paper napkins, walked us to a table and threw down the "place settings." Our waitress,Vicki, seemed more capable and professional but she couldn't make up for the food. I had scallops, baked potato and coleslaw. The scallops were well-cooked (said grilled but I doubt it) but had practically no seasoning at all. The hush puppies were cold and hard as if they'd been sitting around too long. My baked potato was only lukewarm and the coleslaw was overly mayonnaise-y. My husband fared much worse. He'd ordered fried haddock with fries and a tossed salad. His salad was some soggy, wilted iceberg lettuce with a slice of onion, a whole baby carrot (what's up with that?), a celery stick, a slice of tomato and some croutons. The packaged breadsticks were the freshest thing on the plate. His main course came out. The fries were hot and tasty. But the fish? It was most definitely not freshly fried. The batter coating came off the fish which had that waterlogged consistency that you sometimes get when fish is frozen and thawed on an improper way. The fish did not seem fresh at all. We'd eaten here about 6 years ago, weren't impressed but figured we'd give it another try. Unless Robert Irvine comes in and gives it a restaurant makeover, we won't be back.
(1)
E J.
Good local seafood, good service, reasonably priced, and it's on the water...Need I say anymore?
(4)
Jeff F.
While on vacation our dive master suggested this place. I have to admit I first thought it would just be a decent meal to get in between dives but boy was I wrong! This place was fantastic! It had great food (and even the leftovers were great). If you happen to be in the area for one of the many manatee swims stop by for some yummy food!
(5)
Kathy O.
Nice place to go for a beer and appetizers after a good day of boating. Not sure I'd order a full meal there, but good music on Sunday afternoon - reggae band - and cold beer.
(3)
M.A. B.
Nice patio overlooking the water. Eat outside if it's a nice day! Good service, full bar, extensive menu. Had a shrimp Caesar salad - dressing didn't overpower the lettuce. Spicy croutons, Parmesan cheese topped the salad. It had six sizable grilled shrimp that were Gulf Coast fresh. I'll be back again!
(4)
Jeana P.
We came in with a party of 9 on Wednesday night with a reservation. Our server was very polite and quick and was able to anticipate our needs very well. Though I don't remember her name I know she had short hair and large gauges. Our appetizers came out very quickly as well as our salads but our food was a little behind. Many of us ordered all different menu items and there weren't too many raves around the tables. The alcoholic drinks that were ordered were very strong. I had the salmon and it was large and good but the only thing impressive was the full sauce that came with. All in all it was just pretty boring. We'll come back if everywhere else is packed.
(3)
Kristen G.
Crackers is one of the few restaurants in Crystal River with both a beautiful view and fresh fish. And, how can you go wrong with that combination? We had the Grouper Rueben, Redfish, and Catfish. The portions were large, and the fish was cooked excellently. We had the nachos for an appetizer, and even though they were really good, I'll skip them next time because of how much food comes with each meal. I'm pretty sure there were five catfish fillets with the meal for around $13, and they even blackened the catfish even though it wasn't on the menu. Service and food were great, and we will definitely return!
(4)
Kristen D.
Loved being able to sit outside on their patio and enjoy the afternoon sun. I had a cucumber margarita and it was refreshing, also not a bad price! The fried gator bites, sweet potato fries, and zucchini fries were great appetizers. I got the grilled shrimp dinner and it came with two sides- a salad and and I picked sweet potato fries. The meal was delicious and the shrimp was tender and a good size. A great spot on the river with good drinks and food. Our server was also super friendly and the service was super fast!
(5)
Liz H.
The staff were eating and then handling food without gloves or a wash of hands, that to me is a giant no-no. I've worked in the food industry and that's not OK. We only stopped in because a local mentioned we should try this place after our manatee tour. The bartender wasn't too friendly and took a while to notice our drinks were empty. I have to say the tropical drinks are pretty good (the little bar menu was covered in dirt though). The appetizers took about 30 minutes to come out, and the main course almost an hour I would say. I don't mind waiting for my food as long as it's tasty, but this was probably the worst seafood I've ever had. I ordered the Mahi filet and I took two bites and couldn't eat anymore. Very bad, also the tartar sauce I'm guessing is homemade. Not in a good way. Bartender also recommended their house coleslaw, it was like a clump of mayo. My boyfriend ordered the three sampler (gator, conch fritters, clam strips) and the conch fritters were downright nasty. Like burnt hush puppies with no conch. I grew up in the islands, so maybe I was spoiled with good seafood, but this was just gross. I give it two stars because the tropical drinks were nice, and their Cracker's wings were really good. Other than that it is very dirty, staff doesn't seem too into what they're doing, and the food is bad. Sadly, we will not be going back on our next trip.
(2)
R M.
Was staying at the best western and stopped in for dinner The $2.50 for shock top 20oz and the excellent fish tachos with grilled shrimp deserved a 5 stars Service was awesome me. Fast and the order was correct
(5)
Gioia G.
Seafood meal with a Waterview We stop here for lunch, we were 10 people. The food was delicious and service was top notch. Our waitress was awesome. We add raw oysters (decent sizes) and sweet potatoes for appetizers. You must try sweet potatoes, they were delicious. We try their combo with grouper, scallop and shrimps. We also had shrimp stuffed with crab meat and taco salad. All the food was delicious nothing tasted bad
(5)
Riley B.
Cracker's is pretty hit or miss overall. I feel inclined to give it a 3.5 stars, but 3 will have to do. I've eaten here every year for the past five years as my girlfriend's family always visits Crystal River. The service and kitchen speed is perennially bad. Not that the staff isn't friendly, they are just extremely forgetful and slow. However, I will give credit where credit is due and say that this past summer they have stepped their game up across the board, and everybody's food (on both of our 2 visits) was way better than it was in the past. Hopefully this will be 4 or 5 in 2016.
(3)
Shawn J.
We have been here at least 6 times over the years and have never had a bad meal. The food is quite good, and the restaurant always looks clean. Sitting outside on the water really makes this place for us, especially when there is live music. Friendly staff and good drink selection. We are true fans.
(5)
Lila W.
I'm still thinking about the fish tacos I got 4 days ago! Only 2 instead of the traditional 3, but really they could just add another tortilla and split the fillings evenly, the two are so big. A while ago we tried the grouper melt and it was delicious. The sweet potato fries are always a must have for me.
(4)
Nicolas L.
Cracker's Bar & Grill is a local favorite restaurant and it did not disappoint. I tried the Fish Tacos and they were really good. The tacos were filled with a generous portion of flakey haddock. I order the fish blackened (fried and grilled were the other options) and the seasoning was very flavorful. The tacos were also filled with creamy and crunchy coleslaw and sharp cheddar cheese. The sides of fries were also very good, crispy on the outside and soft of the inside. The portions were very large as well. The bar offered a number of drink specials but had a very limited selection of craft beer. However, they had Sweetwater IPA on tap at $1.75 for 10 oz! This is probably the cheapest I have seen a craft beer selection being sold for. The restaurant also has a nice tiki bar ambiance that is perfect after a day on the river.
(4)
Kevin S.
Crackers has just the ambience that we had been hoping to find. We were in town staying on the water nearby and excited to take our boat from the hotel to dinner and back. Good food choices, good menu choices, good beer prices, but bad bad service. Thankfully we were so relaxed and happy to be dining outside and near the water that we really weren't too terribly upset with the poor service. We even went back to dine at Crackers a second time and hoped that the slow and inattentive service was just a one time thing. Unfortunately, it was just as bad or possibly worse. And we had visited them on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I can only assume that the weekends would be even busier for them. Even after experiencing the poor service I imagine that we would plan to visit Crackers again the next time we stay on the water in Crystal River. Can't beat the view.
(3)
Bella P.
Great food and good service. Being from out of town it was nice to come to a local place like this. We had been recommended it by some of the people here and dricided to give it a try. It sneaks up on you if you aren't careful. The interior is nice, as is the waterfront dining area. The view is great! We sat outside and that was a bit of a mistake as I was wearing shorts and got my legs chewed up by bugs. I suggest if it's late and you're sitting outside please make sure your skin is covered!! The bugs can be pretty bad. I got the fish and chips, as well as the fried catfish basket. I'm not really a big fish eater but wow this stuff was good! The tartar sauce was delicious as was their coleslaw. The fish was hot and cooked well. The meal was fantastic. The only drawback was the stupid bugs. If they could have done something about that it would have been 5 stars.
(4)
Lisa X.
Great for lunch and the service was great - nice views of the water!
(3)
Alyssa S.
Our tour guide from Manatee Tour and Dive suggested this restaurant after our manatee tour. We sat on the patio and there was live music. It was nice way to end our adventure in Crystal River. The serving sizes are large. I had the fish tacos, which were more like grilled fish quesadillas but were still great. My friend got a salmon spinach salad which she said was delicious also. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we are back in Crystal River.
(4)
Matthew W.
Every time I'm in Crystal River I stop for the blackened grouper. This time I tried the gator sausage. Amazing! The blackened oysters are ado very good. I have had a lot of grouper all over florida this is by far the best I have ever had. Do Not go to competitors next door it's nothing like this place!!!
(5)
Dan C.
Had a fresh, blackened grouper sandwich. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The views aren't so bad either!
(4)
None H.
Place and food are alright, but you see the problem of getting a lot recommendations: crowded, loud and nothing really great about it but being recommended to everyone. Been there several times (starting with being recommended to go there while staying first time in Crystal River, then some more times due to the memory). There's really nice staff, there's staff which is okay, the food at least for me got a very little bit worse from year to year. So alright, but next time we'll give another location a try. The seafood dealer and cafe (in Crystal River Mall) was overcrowded this day, but we'll definitely try. So don't miss Cracker's, but adjust any special expectations to a normal level.
(3)
R P.
Arrived at around 5:30 after a long drive and a float down rainbow river. Always like to try by the water restaraunts. The outside tiki deck and bar area is mostly elevated and has both regular and bar height tables. Good view of the water and the small docks from the entire area. The tiki area was about half full and quiet. Most people were relaxing and talking a little. We sat outside at a bar height table with a view of the water. Chairs were big and comfortable sling back chairs bolted to pvc frames. It works. This area is seat yourself. Waiter came by as soon as we were settled and handed us menus. He let us know about the drink, wine and beer specials and prices. Nice that shock top 11 oz draft in a plastic cup was under $2. Order a pitcher and they put a bag of ice in it to keep it cool. We ordered scallops, redfish sandwich and taco salad w chicken. Coleslaw and baked potato as sides. Free wifi, plenty of wildlife flying or swimming by along with boat action to keep your eyes busy. After another round of drinks the entrees were delivered. Scallops were quite good. Broiled, bigger than bay scallops and smaller than "diver" scallops. Redfish sandwich was broiled and moist. Quite good. Taco salad w chicken was good too. Nothing was salty. The flavor of each item came through. Very plesant. Server was as you'd like. Asking if you would like another drink when your drink is 2/3 gone. Bringing the next drink just before or after your last sip. Offered water with entree and checked back a few min after the entrees were delivered. I'd go back no questions asked.
(4)
Angela E.
This place was recommended to me and my friend and I happened to be in town for the day. The parking lot is very small. We went on Saturday evening, around 7, and thankfully found an open spot at the very end of the parking lot. We came here for the outdoor seating and I am so glad that we did. Cracker's has an awesome outdoor patio right on the water, complete with an outdoor bar. They had a live band playing that was really good and that just added to the great atmosphere. The drinks are priced great and the food is decent. I had the Black and Blue, which is a burger with a blue cheese on top and that was delicious. I also love their french fries. Very tasty. I like that even though this restaurant is listed as a seafood restaurant, they have enough of a variety of non-seafood items for those that don't eat seafood. The service was pretty good and our waitress frequently visited our table to see if we needed anything or refills for most of the time that we we were there. We stayed until about 9 and had to go searching for our waitress to pay our bill, but otherwise it was a great experience. I think it would be fun to go back during the day to watch the boats go by on the outdoor patio.
(4)
Michael M.
Had dinner while visiting Crystal River for one of the first times. If you are seeking an establishment to enjoy fried food in a sports bar environment look no further. I had received a dazzling recommendation to try this restaurant out which may have led to my expectations of an enjoyable dining experience, unfortunately my experience was not outstanding. If you are ordering something fried it is standard fare, and clearly within the cooking staff's comfort zone. I ordered a grilled seafood dinner and felt that the proteins lacked any seasoning whatsoever. The side dishes were lackluster, and the beverages seemed watered down. Thankfully the staff were all very friendly and polite. I wish that the quality of the food and beverages were somewhere close to that of the friendliness of the staff. Unfortunately I will not be returning for any further adventures in mediocre dining.
(2)
Tom K.
Meh. Crackers attraction is that it is one of the few places that you can eat on the water in Crystal River. The large outdoor area makes it a stop for anyone and their brother(or grand parents) to stop for cheap beer and bar food. The food is nothing fantastic but I have eaten here a few times. Did I mention it was on the water. Service is OK, not great. Time for food out of the kitchen is actually pretty quick. Good for efficiency. But being able to slide out food that quick means deep fried, pre-made, stuff in buckets, nothing special food... We do not go as much as we used. A bit crowded. The mix of geriatric(and I am no spring chicken) and loud cheap drinkers make for a unique sideshow. I am not saying don't go. It is a real "Crystal River" place. Just go with your expectations set appropriately. PS. LOUD live music on Friday - Saturday. We actually like the steel drum music on Sunday afternoons.
(3)
Carlos V.
A nice view on the bay. Good bar to chill out and have some drinks. The burgers are awesome especially the Cracker's house burger. Yummy.
(4)
Eric V.
Basically an overpriced hamburger joint. Nothing special here other than a $50+ check for the absolute minimum...........
(2)
Ken L.
Absolutely, wonderful! River Ventures recommended this place after our swim. We were absolutely amazed with our waiter, Craig! He was excellent with the children and our food arrived quickly. The food was excellent. The shrimp were very large, oysters were fresh, fried grouper was very good and the hamburger was excellent. Zucchini fries were tasty. No, I did not eat all that. However I tasted it all! What a great family experience! I can't wait go back!
(4)
Patti B.
Ate here 3 years ago and came back again. Still great for the good, service and the views. We all at something different and shared thinking it was all good. Blackened mani mani, stuffed shrimp, scallops and claim dinners all around. If was great. Service was great with a very attentive waiter. Unbelievable, we sat at the same table as 3 years ago. Great view of the harbor. We sat inside because it was late lunch early dinner and just still too hot. Great place. A tradition.
(4)
Brenda D.
We went to Cracker's for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by how good the seafood is. Coming from NH, it's very hard to beat our seafood! Loved the Oysters and I'm not an oyster person. The scallops were excellent also. The server was very nice and took photos of us even though she was very busy. I'd go back if, I were in the area. :)
(4)
Xing Y.
Great fish tacos! Zucchini fries are also very amazing. Portion is great, a bit too much for lunch. It also has a great view of the river.
(4)
Jennifer M.
I really debated over 3 or 4 stars but the atmosphere made me give it 4 stars. The day we went was a beautiful, sunny, cool, day so we sat outside on the patio. What a great spot! It's a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. We ordered conch fritters and fish dip as an appetizer. Both were delicious! (Really we ordered a sampler platter appetizer but they only brought out the conch fritters...great mistake because they were delicious!) The entrees were hit and miss. One person in our group ordered the wahoo sandwich. The taste was okay but it had so many bones in the fish that it was unpleasant to eat. Another person ordered the black and blue burger and it was delicious! My husband and I ordered fish and chips. The portion was huge however, it was the most tasteless fish we have ever had. We soaked it in salt, lemon and vinegar but nothing seemed to help it out. Definitely a place I would go again (especially on a beautiful day), but maybe just for appetizers and drinks or a burger.
(4)
Michelle C.
This place was pretty bad. The only reason why I am giving it two stars is because the server was really nice and gave us good service. The oysters were quite possibly the worst raw oysters I've ever had. They were not fresh and tasted terrible. The view at their tiki bar is nice but it's really just a tourist destination with bad food.
(2)
Aden B.
Great food and pretty quick timing for food . the service wasn't the best and was slow on getting drinks .
(3)
Patty F.
Seriously awful. From the service to the ambiance to the food and back to the service. We ate on the patio on their high tops. We ordered a couple of beers and food for our son. We waited FOREVER for his chicken fingers. The waited another eternity for our food which we got probably after 25 minutes. The entire time with no drinks even though we asked for one more beer and water. We got our food and 2 things happened: my salad was swimming in dressing. It wasn't even fair to call it a salad. It was a bowl of dressing with some lettuce and croutons sprinkled in. Inedible. My husband ordered fish tacos, we got shrimp tacos. More like a coleslaw taco with a couple of shrimp tossed in. Took so long for the waitress to check on us and we were so hungry that he ate half a taco anyways. We sent it back and got a cheese taco with some fish in it. The combination of being understaffed and not having a great cook created a terrible experience. Blah
(1)
Diane H.
Love the location. .right on the water. . Good food .good service. .live music Sunday afternoon. Florida atmosphere extroidonare. ..how about manatee watching..Great for families where the kids can run. Outdoor bar and seating
(4)
Chris S.
I'm shocked to see the brutal reviews from a few folks on here. I've been to this place twice and the service was good, food wasn't bad and the atmosphere was amazing in the summer when you can sit on the deck. And, ask yourself something else. Where is a better place to eat in Crystal River? Exactly, there isn't. Even the locals will send you here. Is the food incredible? Nope. Is it good, sure. This place isn't going to make you crave a return, but it shouldn't disappoint you either. I've always gone with the mahi mahi (blackened) and it's been good. I'd recommend trying the gator blackened, too, rather than fried. And, while some of you have complained about the food on here - consider the value. This place is fairly priced and offers good value at the current rate. And, with patio seating allows you to feel the ocean breeze while enjoying seafood. What could be better?
(4)
Janet C.
Great prices for food and drinks! The seafood in general tasted fresh. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp, oysters and wings!
(5)
Mark E.
Okay, so maybe not the best seafood on the Florida gulf coast, but this place has character, great ambiance and amazing views. If you are in Crystal River, you should give this place a try.
(4)
Dori P.
Went in for a quick bite and had amazing fish tacos. Service was quick and local beer was great!
(5)
Denise S.
Giving it two stars for the atmosphere. Patio is very dated, but it has a nice vibe and live music. Server was ok, but hung around way too long chatting. The rest of the staff seemed friendly, except for the zombie doing the seating. I ordered a few drinks, and they were small, but pretty good. The food for the most part was awful. Shell pieces in the oysters seems to be a regular thing here. The salad was huge, filled with brown-edged warm wilted lettuce, a dried 3" thick piece of cucumber, one mini carrot, and 2 huge rings of onion. This is the worst salad I ever had. The waiter asked me about it, and I told him. He agreed their salads were bad, but never offered a replacement. I ordered fried shrimp. They were the only thing good here. They were super fresh, huge, and expertly cooked. My hush puppies had raw gooey dough in the middles, making them Inedible. We got some severely over cooked blackened flounder and scallops. This is not a place where you should go. At all. Ever.
(2)
Karen G.
Fried food galore...and not amazing at that! Perhaps if you imbibe a few cocktails before ingesting, things could be more enjoyable. Very plain. Very standard. Okay service. There was a long wait with tons of seating open which isn't the best sign now that I think of it. I got the blackened seafood combination plate: frozen, rubbery, and just salt and pepper with nary a squirt of lemon. Poor seafood had to go out like that. What a sad, sad fate! I'm not sure what else to say except Long John Silvers might do seafood more justice than Crackers.
(2)
Karen V.
Stopped here for lunch and was lucky to get an outside table. Enjoyed grouper, fried clams and sweet potato fries. We enjoyed all of it and will definitely go back and recommend for others to eat there. Gave it 4 stars because they were doing some construction while we were there.
(4)
M H.
Came by boat and for there just after opening for lunch. Got a spot on the patio. Very relaxed. Excellent fish tacos...good portions.
(4)
Cori B.
Crackers was a recommendation made for a local place with good fish. I'll be honest, I don't eat fish so perhaps I'm not going to fully review the meal that was so highly recommended but I was seriously unhappy with my meal here. I ordered a grilled veg sandwich that really turned my stomach. The bread was soggy to the point it just fell apart into a scramble (it couldn't be picked up) and the veggies had zero taste and were a bit raw. It was more like a salad with soggy croutons. I hate MAYBE 1/4 of it and that was only to avoid having to go somewhere else for food again in an hour. Fiance ways the grouper was ok but he was disappointed based on the rave reviews. I would try somewhere else if I was out that way again.
(2)
Martin C.
Busy restaurant the night we were there, which was a Wednesday. Nice patio area on the water with a tiki bar. Food was not bad and fairly priced, but service was slow.
(3)
John J.
Went there last year on Veterans Day and enjoyed a decent meal. Went today (Veterans Day) and had an awful meal. Sign on the hostess station said seat yourself and when I did I say there for at least 5 minutes before anyone realized I was there. I asked if they had any Veterans Day specials and was told "Yes, 50% off your bill" sounded great!!! Ordered stuffed Mushrooms and a Shrimp Po'boy. Mushrooms came out dripping in oil like little balls of grease. The Crabmeat stuffing in them tasted very old. Next comes my Po'boy. Was loaded with so much chopped lettuce and tomatoes that I couldn't see the 6 shrimp at first. THANK GOD I asked for the remoulade on the side. Tasted like chili powder and Worcestershire sauce! The tartar and cocktail tasted like it had sat opened in a cooler for way to long as they and the coleslaw all had a musty mildewy taste!! The waitress was pleasant and attentive but when she brought my bill out she said they have to run my card twice as the appetizer wasn't included in the 50% off!!!!! Talk about bait and switch! I paid without saying anything, but was already forming this review in my head. Needless to say, it might be fine and fool the tourist, but this Florida guy will never set foot back in there again!!
(1)
Ulysses A.
So if you dig frozen reheated food from Sysco or U.S. Foods, then you'll probably be happy here. If you like fresh food this is not the place for you. Also if you've ever had real fish taco's this place will anger you. However if you're just looking for a beer on the waterfront, then by all means stop in. The waterfront is the only reason this gets more than one star. The service is non existent.
(2)
John K.
It's just ok at best. Food is overpriced and the service is very pore. The oysters had shell in them. They give you plastic silver ware to eat with.
(1)
Peg B.
Crackers was just another tourist restaurant until someone told us to ask for the "fresh catch" which was redfish and it was divine! It was so fresh and light and full of fishy saltwarter goodness. The sweet potato fries were a big hit but the red fish! make sure you ask about the fresh catch.
(4)
David M.
If you judged a restaurant on food quantity, Crackers would rate high. Unfortunately the quality is mediocre at best Last night I had the fried catfish, one of the house specialties. It was heavily fried catfish "fingers" served with heavily fried hush puppies and soft fries. I was expecting a nice catfish fillet. There was a lot of it but so heavily fried and chewy, I couldn't eat it. My gal had "blackened" haddock. Once again it was a large serving but chewy. Perhaps it was overcooked. She ordered "steamed vegetables " which was a $1.95 extra. These turned out to be a small portion of lukewarm broccoli. To her credit, the server asked if everything was OK. I mentioned my disapointment with the catfish. She told the manager who promptly removed it from the bill.
(2)
Kathleen G.
Since I can' give is zero, I'll have to give it one star. My boyfriend and I tried to eat there on 4/23/2015. We arrived around 815 pm and waited for at least 5 mins just to get seated. Now there were maybe 10 patrons in the whole place and at least 7-10 employees milling around, No one seemed to notice us waiting to be seated. We did see an employee going thru her purse at the bar, and a few talking and laughing. When they finally did notice, we were told someone would be right with us. When we did finally get seat, we looked at the menu for at least another 5-7 mins. No one came to take a drink order. During that time 4 different employees passed our table and looked at us and one women was s-l-o-w-l-y sweeping up a table. So finally we got up and left. There are so many great places to east in the area, I say try one who will appreciate your business.
(1)
Caitlyn P.
Good food, good service, huge portions. I recommend the fish tacos. I'd give it 3.5 stars. Fun to out on the dock and look at the boats. Sometimes you can see some manatees. Full bar inside and outside and they had live music while we were there. Huge porch. Good environment. I recommend this place.
(3)
Tiffany M.
Andrew was our waiter and he was terrific! Good was great, service was great... Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Andy R.
Stopped here for weekday lunch. We were the youngest people by 20 years. It looked like a retirement convention docked for lunch. About the time we ordered, the elderly bikers rolled in on their three wheel Harleys and Goldwings. The portions are big and the seafood fresh. The decor was dated and the floor bounced as the wait staff hurried about. The server was nice but not very attentive or fast, I think she was working too many tables. I ordered the fish tacos with grilled haddock. Very meaty and good. Others got grouper Reuben (good), chicken sandwich with onion rings (good), fried clam dinner (frozen clams but good), and grilled scallops (fresh but tasteless). The French fries were good. Crackers has a nice outdoor seating area but it was cool temps and we wanted to avoid any noseeum bugs so we ate inside. Bathroom was small and OK cleanliness. We would eat here again.
(4)
Emily S.
I have to say I am really shocked at all the low reviews for this restaurant. We were in florida to see "the mouse" for most of the trip, but also spent 5 days on this coast to see the Manatees. I would compare this to a local version of Applebees or a similar type diner. Its cute inside and had good quality food, good service and good prices. It also has a patio on the water as is part of a motel/Best Western. Our food was very good, the waitress was very nice and all tasted fresh. And as to prices, all were pretty much what we paid the entire time we were in florida for similar type items. Most items ie sandwiches, baskets, etc are in the $10 to $18 range. And their beer was incredibly inexpensive. If you are here on vacation please try this as note this is a SMALL area and NOT MANY OPTIONS especially on the water. We went to the Crystal river ale house the next night and its TRULY a dive and not even ON yelp. So give this a try, again good food, cheap prices, nice staff.
(4)
Joel P.
Horrible management and food. Waited an hour to get into the restaurant for food that came out raw. and Scallops were frozen sysco food. And warm salads. Waited 15 minutes for managers Karol and carleen who are totally incompetent and made our server so upset she was crying. Our server, jet was great. Avoid at all costs!!
(1)
Amy M.
Sat on the deck and had shrimp & grits app that was amazing, I had blackened grouper Reuben my gf & blackened haddock w/sweet potato fries. We were both very happy. Were tourists or we would come back. Thinkin of getting more shrimp and grits to go. Waitress was on top of things, too.
(4)
Stephanie D.
this place might have been fun in 1989 - I think that's the last time they put money into it. Chairs are gross,tables are dirty, beers are small and in plastic cups - hello, this is Florida, who serves beer in plastic cups when it's 100 degrees? No breeze, no fans. not a fan, would not return.
(1)
Leesa C.
I enjoy the atmosphere at crackers more than the food... The outside bar with live music is a great way to enjoy a meal and a cold drink off the water.
(3)
Amber A.
Friendly service can't mask horrible neglect of customers. Our waitress said she'd be right back for our order, then ditched us for twenty minutes. We had to ask for our server and finally someone came and said she was on break and had to cover. They messed up our orders and forgot my toddler's pizza. The food was abundant and priced pretty well except that it was mediocre. The fries were over cooked, the slaw was flavorless, the fish tacos were boring. Most if us left more than half our plate and didn't want doggie bags. The location and layout is casual and comfortable.
(2)
Mike K.
Excellent food and large portions. Love that. It is located right on the water we will be back
(4)
John B.
This seems to be where the locals hang out. Large portions of great food. The local craft beer was great too. Must sit outside overlooking the river.
(5)
Noah R.
Food was mediocre. Sweet potato fries were greasy. Service was excellent. Others felt too much grease and not worth returning
(2)
Kenny V.
Imade the BIGGEST MISTAKE of my dinning life.(turns out this was the start of my mistake)..Went to crackers for dinner last night with my wife and 2 daughters. The place was packed and was a 20 min.to be seated and another approx 30/45 min to get our food. ( if we stayed). So we went to Charley's next door went right in and got seated wright away the place was about half full/empty. (.problem for a reason).when we got our food it was such small portion that when the waitress ask can she get us anything else I told her she could bring me the rest of my order. ( I was serious). Then she brought us the bill ($100.83) that did it. I guess she knew I wasn't happy she never asked how everything was problem a good thing she didn't to. The food sucked and not because of the portions THE FOOD SUCKED... you can read my review on Charley's tips site. And next time I will wait to be seated and eat.. at crackers we drove aprox45 min to get there ( never again at Charley's.) From now on I only go to Crackers . wait or not........much better and much larger portions of food at crackers lesson learned....
(5)
Dan D.
Outside deck area overlooking the river is worth 2 stars. Service was good, food baskets were OK at in my opinion at a premium price (paying for the location and view). Between November and April the place is taken over by the snowbirds-tourist who pack the place due to its location. God Bless em!
(3)
Logan S.
Service was very poor. Food was nothing great. View and atmosphere is what saved it from 1 star.
(2)
Jim S.
I have been there three times and have ordered the fried fish once and fried grouper once. The food was perfectly fried, but there is NO seasoning on the fried fish. Perfectly moist, but no salt or pepper. Hate paying $10.00 for a fish sandwich and the beautifully fried fish is not seasoned. Evidently, speaking to other and friends, this is the norm. Other food was very good as well as the service. Other food not fried was very good. Good beer prices on tap
(2)
Kon T.
The food is ok. I had the fried alligator and grouper. It was ok and the flavor was just decent. If you plan to select 2 items, try the scallops and the grouper blacken. The flavor is pretty good. My friend ordered that and I had a taste and it was good. The menu is very limited. The outdoor dinning is better than the indoor. It is a great view of the water. Restroom is decent.
(3)
Yo D.
I gave it one star because I got the feeling they didn't care much for the colored type. The food was decent but nothing I'd brag about. I'll add - I am not "angry black guy" just a dude not from here and got a rude awakening. I will not be back
(1)
Diane J.
We are locals and have eaten here a few times to be disappointed every time. We will never ever go there again. The last time we had fish tacos - the worst I have ever had!! Service is always so-so. There are much better restaurants in the area. Steer away from this one!!
(1)
Yossy L.
Ordered a simple Mahi sandwich for takeout. Went to pick it up and order was ready upon arrival. However, there seems to be no one in charge of takeout orders and therefore no one who really cares about them as well. I was third in line behind a dine-in patron and another Togo order who said he had waited for 30 minutes to get his order (which was also ready and sitting with a line of bagged orders on the bar). There appeared to be only one register at the bar. Many waitresses walked up to the register, entered their order for their table and left without making eye contact or acknowledging me or the other Togo order ahead of me. Bartenders walked up entered their drink orders and left without acknowledging the Togo orders obviously waiting. I even grabbed a manager to ask if I was in the right place and she said yes, but did not help expedite the situation at all. Sandwich was soggy due to the unnecessary wait and lack of customer service/procedures. Cooks did their job, but the manager doesn't know what she is doing. Plan on taking out somewhere else unless you have a lot of time to waste.
(2)
Ana T.
Great food & wine and atmosphere was great too with band. Great stop on our way to Tampa.
(4)
Gabriel J.
Surprisingly good food! Looks like it would be mediocre, but everything was quite delicious. And awesome location on the water
(4)
Kristy B.
Amazing crab stuffed shrimp. So so margarita and small standard beer selection but excellent seafood. My husbands herb crusted snapper was the best we've ever tasted.
(4)
Richard S.
We have eaten at Cracker's for years, but NO MORE! They have eliminated soft shell crabs from the menu because the customers can't tell the difference between crab cakes and soft shell crabs, so they send them back. Apparently, the staff is incapable of being trained as to the difference, so that they could discuss the choice with the customer. With no crabs to choose, I had oysters. The breading on the oysters was as thick as the tasteless hush puppies. There are many seafood restaurants in the area. I would suggest that you pick another and not Cracker's!
(2)
Warren B.
Not bad. I got conch fritters and crab stuffed shrimp, gf got grilled scallops. We also ordered cocktails, "Malibu sun splash" or something that were mediocre at best. The conch fritters were meh. Crab stuffed shrimp tasted pretty great although it was more like crab topped shrimp haha they definitely weren't stuffed. But the grilled scallops literally weren't seasoned at all... Completely bland. Wouldn't recommend those. Overall though, worth a visit.
(3)
Amanda S.
Was not impressed with this local restaurant! Prices were pretty high considering the quality of food. Menus had white out all over them and prices weren't listed. Would not visit again.
(2)
Rob J.
Service was horrible. Outdoor deck was hotter than being in the sun. They need to put some vents in the roof and new ceiling fans. Food was ok at best. Both times I have eaten there it has been the same.
(1)
Carey Y.
After an AMAZING experience of swimming with a wild manatee, Gabriel and I found ourselves starving and in a town we knew nothing about. Our boat captain told us that Crackers is the best place around to grab lunch, so we headed straight there. We walked through the restaurant to be seated out back, and found a huge deck with round tables and umbrellas. It had a tiki bar/casual vibe and there was even the predictable dude-with-guitar playing decent, classic rock, cover tunes. Our waiter took our order and made a few suggestions. We started with the clam strips appetizer- one of my favorite and very rarely indulged-in snacks. We decided to share the suggested salmon and grouper sandwiches with sides of fries and a salad. The clam strips came out quickly and looked awesome- if not kind of skimpy. They were hot, crunchy and a little bit more breaded than I like, but we polished them off so quickly that we felt a little shorted. The price was more or less fair, but the portion really could have been a bit more generous. The sandwiches and the bread they came on were delicious. The fish was simply prepared and fresh, and the ripe tomatoes and crunchy lettuce were refreshing. The rolls were great for the first few bites, but quickly got soggy beyond holding, and ended up on the plate while we used a fork to finish the fish. The fries were exactly as requested- extra crunchy and well-done. The salad, made mostly of iceberg and croutons, left a lot to be desired. I find it especially odd when the sandwiches come with a decent lettuce like romaine, and then they skimp with a salad made of iceberg. Overall, the setting was what made this a memorable meal. The food was pretty good- but not really noteworthy. If you're in the area, it's a fair choice, but I'd be inclined to explore more if I'm ever back there with some time and hunger on my hands.
(3)
Mary A.
Yes, the locals DO eat there. I've lived in Crystal River all my life, and eat there almost every weekend. I frequently see people I know there. Like all places, you occasionally get a poor server, but most of the time, they're friendly and helpful. The food is great. I usually get a Cracker burger & fries. I love the French dip. My husband loves the onion rings or the sweet potato fries. If I'm feeling virtuous, the spinach salad with grilled shrimp is wonderful. The view is gorgeous, especially on a sunny day. Sometimes we sit outside, but not very often. In Florida, it is illegal to smoke inside a restaurant, so the smokers all sit outside. Since we don't smoke, that's no fun. We try to sit next to the windows on the inside. It is a bar, too, and their margaritas are great.
(5)
Terry G.
Sat outside by the water at picnic tables and had really generous portions of grilled scallops. Salad was iceberg lettuce. The service was personable but slow at times. I would recommend this place for a reasonably priced, good-quality meal.
(3)
Brad K.
attached is a photo of the most nasty, worst french dip I've ever had tasted like FISH - couldn't stomach the last half, the bake potato was raw being this is a fish place on the water..who knows what the kitchen did service was not good, she didn't pay much attention to our table at all wanted to sit outside but there were to many flies (you need a electronic fly trap guys !) worst dining we've had in the last 6 to 12 months
(1)
Kristen G.
Crackers is one of the few restaurants in Crystal River with both a beautiful view and fresh fish. And, how can you go wrong with that combination? We had the Grouper Rueben, Redfish, and Catfish. The portions were large, and the fish was cooked excellently. We had the nachos for an appetizer, and even though they were really good, I'll skip them next time because of how much food comes with each meal. I'm pretty sure there were five catfish fillets with the meal for around $13, and they even blackened the catfish even though it wasn't on the menu. Service and food were great, and we will definitely return!
(4)
Lila W.
I'm still thinking about the fish tacos I got 4 days ago! Only 2 instead of the traditional 3, but really they could just add another tortilla and split the fillings evenly, the two are so big. A while ago we tried the grouper melt and it was delicious. The sweet potato fries are always a must have for me.
(4)
M.A. B.
Nice patio overlooking the water. Eat outside if it's a nice day! Good service, full bar, extensive menu. Had a shrimp Caesar salad - dressing didn't overpower the lettuce. Spicy croutons, Parmesan cheese topped the salad. It had six sizable grilled shrimp that were Gulf Coast fresh. I'll be back again!
(4)
Liz H.
The staff were eating and then handling food without gloves or a wash of hands, that to me is a giant no-no. I've worked in the food industry and that's not OK. We only stopped in because a local mentioned we should try this place after our manatee tour. The bartender wasn't too friendly and took a while to notice our drinks were empty. I have to say the tropical drinks are pretty good (the little bar menu was covered in dirt though). The appetizers took about 30 minutes to come out, and the main course almost an hour I would say. I don't mind waiting for my food as long as it's tasty, but this was probably the worst seafood I've ever had. I ordered the Mahi filet and I took two bites and couldn't eat anymore. Very bad, also the tartar sauce I'm guessing is homemade. Not in a good way. Bartender also recommended their house coleslaw, it was like a clump of mayo. My boyfriend ordered the three sampler (gator, conch fritters, clam strips) and the conch fritters were downright nasty. Like burnt hush puppies with no conch. I grew up in the islands, so maybe I was spoiled with good seafood, but this was just gross. I give it two stars because the tropical drinks were nice, and their Cracker's wings were really good. Other than that it is very dirty, staff doesn't seem too into what they're doing, and the food is bad. Sadly, we will not be going back on our next trip.
(2)
R M.
Was staying at the best western and stopped in for dinner The $2.50 for shock top 20oz and the excellent fish tachos with grilled shrimp deserved a 5 stars Service was awesome me. Fast and the order was correct
(5)
Stefanie M.
Food was very fresh and tasty, had fish tacos grilled. sat outside with a beautiful water view and excellent service.
(5)
Gioia G.
Seafood meal with a Waterview We stop here for lunch, we were 10 people. The food was delicious and service was top notch. Our waitress was awesome. We add raw oysters (decent sizes) and sweet potatoes for appetizers. You must try sweet potatoes, they were delicious. We try their combo with grouper, scallop and shrimps. We also had shrimp stuffed with crab meat and taco salad. All the food was delicious nothing tasted bad
(5)
Riley B.
Cracker's is pretty hit or miss overall. I feel inclined to give it a 3.5 stars, but 3 will have to do. I've eaten here every year for the past five years as my girlfriend's family always visits Crystal River. The service and kitchen speed is perennially bad. Not that the staff isn't friendly, they are just extremely forgetful and slow. However, I will give credit where credit is due and say that this past summer they have stepped their game up across the board, and everybody's food (on both of our 2 visits) was way better than it was in the past. Hopefully this will be 4 or 5 in 2016.
(3)
Shawn J.
We have been here at least 6 times over the years and have never had a bad meal. The food is quite good, and the restaurant always looks clean. Sitting outside on the water really makes this place for us, especially when there is live music. Friendly staff and good drink selection. We are true fans.
(5)
Jeana P.
We came in with a party of 9 on Wednesday night with a reservation. Our server was very polite and quick and was able to anticipate our needs very well. Though I don't remember her name I know she had short hair and large gauges. Our appetizers came out very quickly as well as our salads but our food was a little behind. Many of us ordered all different menu items and there weren't too many raves around the tables. The alcoholic drinks that were ordered were very strong. I had the salmon and it was large and good but the only thing impressive was the full sauce that came with. All in all it was just pretty boring. We'll come back if everywhere else is packed.
(3)
Kristen D.
Loved being able to sit outside on their patio and enjoy the afternoon sun. I had a cucumber margarita and it was refreshing, also not a bad price! The fried gator bites, sweet potato fries, and zucchini fries were great appetizers. I got the grilled shrimp dinner and it came with two sides- a salad and and I picked sweet potato fries. The meal was delicious and the shrimp was tender and a good size. A great spot on the river with good drinks and food. Our server was also super friendly and the service was super fast!
(5)
Nicolas L.
Cracker's Bar & Grill is a local favorite restaurant and it did not disappoint. I tried the Fish Tacos and they were really good. The tacos were filled with a generous portion of flakey haddock. I order the fish blackened (fried and grilled were the other options) and the seasoning was very flavorful. The tacos were also filled with creamy and crunchy coleslaw and sharp cheddar cheese. The sides of fries were also very good, crispy on the outside and soft of the inside. The portions were very large as well. The bar offered a number of drink specials but had a very limited selection of craft beer. However, they had Sweetwater IPA on tap at $1.75 for 10 oz! This is probably the cheapest I have seen a craft beer selection being sold for. The restaurant also has a nice tiki bar ambiance that is perfect after a day on the river.
(4)
Kevin S.
Crackers has just the ambience that we had been hoping to find. We were in town staying on the water nearby and excited to take our boat from the hotel to dinner and back. Good food choices, good menu choices, good beer prices, but bad bad service. Thankfully we were so relaxed and happy to be dining outside and near the water that we really weren't too terribly upset with the poor service. We even went back to dine at Crackers a second time and hoped that the slow and inattentive service was just a one time thing. Unfortunately, it was just as bad or possibly worse. And we had visited them on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I can only assume that the weekends would be even busier for them. Even after experiencing the poor service I imagine that we would plan to visit Crackers again the next time we stay on the water in Crystal River. Can't beat the view.
(3)
Bella P.
Great food and good service. Being from out of town it was nice to come to a local place like this. We had been recommended it by some of the people here and dricided to give it a try. It sneaks up on you if you aren't careful. The interior is nice, as is the waterfront dining area. The view is great! We sat outside and that was a bit of a mistake as I was wearing shorts and got my legs chewed up by bugs. I suggest if it's late and you're sitting outside please make sure your skin is covered!! The bugs can be pretty bad. I got the fish and chips, as well as the fried catfish basket. I'm not really a big fish eater but wow this stuff was good! The tartar sauce was delicious as was their coleslaw. The fish was hot and cooked well. The meal was fantastic. The only drawback was the stupid bugs. If they could have done something about that it would have been 5 stars.
(4)
Lisa X.
Great for lunch and the service was great - nice views of the water!
(3)
Alyssa S.
Our tour guide from Manatee Tour and Dive suggested this restaurant after our manatee tour. We sat on the patio and there was live music. It was nice way to end our adventure in Crystal River. The serving sizes are large. I had the fish tacos, which were more like grilled fish quesadillas but were still great. My friend got a salmon spinach salad which she said was delicious also. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we are back in Crystal River.
(4)
Matthew W.
Every time I'm in Crystal River I stop for the blackened grouper. This time I tried the gator sausage. Amazing! The blackened oysters are ado very good. I have had a lot of grouper all over florida this is by far the best I have ever had. Do Not go to competitors next door it's nothing like this place!!!
(5)
Dan C.
Had a fresh, blackened grouper sandwich. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The views aren't so bad either!
(4)
None H.
Place and food are alright, but you see the problem of getting a lot recommendations: crowded, loud and nothing really great about it but being recommended to everyone. Been there several times (starting with being recommended to go there while staying first time in Crystal River, then some more times due to the memory). There's really nice staff, there's staff which is okay, the food at least for me got a very little bit worse from year to year. So alright, but next time we'll give another location a try. The seafood dealer and cafe (in Crystal River Mall) was overcrowded this day, but we'll definitely try. So don't miss Cracker's, but adjust any special expectations to a normal level.
(3)
R P.
Arrived at around 5:30 after a long drive and a float down rainbow river. Always like to try by the water restaraunts. The outside tiki deck and bar area is mostly elevated and has both regular and bar height tables. Good view of the water and the small docks from the entire area. The tiki area was about half full and quiet. Most people were relaxing and talking a little. We sat outside at a bar height table with a view of the water. Chairs were big and comfortable sling back chairs bolted to pvc frames. It works. This area is seat yourself. Waiter came by as soon as we were settled and handed us menus. He let us know about the drink, wine and beer specials and prices. Nice that shock top 11 oz draft in a plastic cup was under $2. Order a pitcher and they put a bag of ice in it to keep it cool. We ordered scallops, redfish sandwich and taco salad w chicken. Coleslaw and baked potato as sides. Free wifi, plenty of wildlife flying or swimming by along with boat action to keep your eyes busy. After another round of drinks the entrees were delivered. Scallops were quite good. Broiled, bigger than bay scallops and smaller than "diver" scallops. Redfish sandwich was broiled and moist. Quite good. Taco salad w chicken was good too. Nothing was salty. The flavor of each item came through. Very plesant. Server was as you'd like. Asking if you would like another drink when your drink is 2/3 gone. Bringing the next drink just before or after your last sip. Offered water with entree and checked back a few min after the entrees were delivered. I'd go back no questions asked.
(4)
Angela E.
This place was recommended to me and my friend and I happened to be in town for the day. The parking lot is very small. We went on Saturday evening, around 7, and thankfully found an open spot at the very end of the parking lot. We came here for the outdoor seating and I am so glad that we did. Cracker's has an awesome outdoor patio right on the water, complete with an outdoor bar. They had a live band playing that was really good and that just added to the great atmosphere. The drinks are priced great and the food is decent. I had the Black and Blue, which is a burger with a blue cheese on top and that was delicious. I also love their french fries. Very tasty. I like that even though this restaurant is listed as a seafood restaurant, they have enough of a variety of non-seafood items for those that don't eat seafood. The service was pretty good and our waitress frequently visited our table to see if we needed anything or refills for most of the time that we we were there. We stayed until about 9 and had to go searching for our waitress to pay our bill, but otherwise it was a great experience. I think it would be fun to go back during the day to watch the boats go by on the outdoor patio.
(4)
Brenda D.
We went to Cracker's for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by how good the seafood is. Coming from NH, it's very hard to beat our seafood! Loved the Oysters and I'm not an oyster person. The scallops were excellent also. The server was very nice and took photos of us even though she was very busy. I'd go back if, I were in the area. :)
(4)
Xing Y.
Great fish tacos! Zucchini fries are also very amazing. Portion is great, a bit too much for lunch. It also has a great view of the river.
(4)
Michael M.
Had dinner while visiting Crystal River for one of the first times. If you are seeking an establishment to enjoy fried food in a sports bar environment look no further. I had received a dazzling recommendation to try this restaurant out which may have led to my expectations of an enjoyable dining experience, unfortunately my experience was not outstanding. If you are ordering something fried it is standard fare, and clearly within the cooking staff's comfort zone. I ordered a grilled seafood dinner and felt that the proteins lacked any seasoning whatsoever. The side dishes were lackluster, and the beverages seemed watered down. Thankfully the staff were all very friendly and polite. I wish that the quality of the food and beverages were somewhere close to that of the friendliness of the staff. Unfortunately I will not be returning for any further adventures in mediocre dining.
(2)
Tom K.
Meh. Crackers attraction is that it is one of the few places that you can eat on the water in Crystal River. The large outdoor area makes it a stop for anyone and their brother(or grand parents) to stop for cheap beer and bar food. The food is nothing fantastic but I have eaten here a few times. Did I mention it was on the water. Service is OK, not great. Time for food out of the kitchen is actually pretty quick. Good for efficiency. But being able to slide out food that quick means deep fried, pre-made, stuff in buckets, nothing special food... We do not go as much as we used. A bit crowded. The mix of geriatric(and I am no spring chicken) and loud cheap drinkers make for a unique sideshow. I am not saying don't go. It is a real "Crystal River" place. Just go with your expectations set appropriately. PS. LOUD live music on Friday - Saturday. We actually like the steel drum music on Sunday afternoons.
(3)
Carlos V.
A nice view on the bay. Good bar to chill out and have some drinks. The burgers are awesome especially the Cracker's house burger. Yummy.
(4)
Eric V.
Basically an overpriced hamburger joint. Nothing special here other than a $50+ check for the absolute minimum...........
(2)
Ken L.
Absolutely, wonderful! River Ventures recommended this place after our swim. We were absolutely amazed with our waiter, Craig! He was excellent with the children and our food arrived quickly. The food was excellent. The shrimp were very large, oysters were fresh, fried grouper was very good and the hamburger was excellent. Zucchini fries were tasty. No, I did not eat all that. However I tasted it all! What a great family experience! I can't wait go back!
(4)
Patti B.
Ate here 3 years ago and came back again. Still great for the good, service and the views. We all at something different and shared thinking it was all good. Blackened mani mani, stuffed shrimp, scallops and claim dinners all around. If was great. Service was great with a very attentive waiter. Unbelievable, we sat at the same table as 3 years ago. Great view of the harbor. We sat inside because it was late lunch early dinner and just still too hot. Great place. A tradition.
(4)
Jennifer M.
I really debated over 3 or 4 stars but the atmosphere made me give it 4 stars. The day we went was a beautiful, sunny, cool, day so we sat outside on the patio. What a great spot! It's a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. We ordered conch fritters and fish dip as an appetizer. Both were delicious! (Really we ordered a sampler platter appetizer but they only brought out the conch fritters...great mistake because they were delicious!) The entrees were hit and miss. One person in our group ordered the wahoo sandwich. The taste was okay but it had so many bones in the fish that it was unpleasant to eat. Another person ordered the black and blue burger and it was delicious! My husband and I ordered fish and chips. The portion was huge however, it was the most tasteless fish we have ever had. We soaked it in salt, lemon and vinegar but nothing seemed to help it out. Definitely a place I would go again (especially on a beautiful day), but maybe just for appetizers and drinks or a burger.
(4)
Diane H.
Love the location. .right on the water. . Good food .good service. .live music Sunday afternoon. Florida atmosphere extroidonare. ..how about manatee watching..Great for families where the kids can run. Outdoor bar and seating
(4)
Patty F.
Seriously awful. From the service to the ambiance to the food and back to the service. We ate on the patio on their high tops. We ordered a couple of beers and food for our son. We waited FOREVER for his chicken fingers. The waited another eternity for our food which we got probably after 25 minutes. The entire time with no drinks even though we asked for one more beer and water. We got our food and 2 things happened: my salad was swimming in dressing. It wasn't even fair to call it a salad. It was a bowl of dressing with some lettuce and croutons sprinkled in. Inedible. My husband ordered fish tacos, we got shrimp tacos. More like a coleslaw taco with a couple of shrimp tossed in. Took so long for the waitress to check on us and we were so hungry that he ate half a taco anyways. We sent it back and got a cheese taco with some fish in it. The combination of being understaffed and not having a great cook created a terrible experience. Blah
(1)
Chris S.
I'm shocked to see the brutal reviews from a few folks on here. I've been to this place twice and the service was good, food wasn't bad and the atmosphere was amazing in the summer when you can sit on the deck. And, ask yourself something else. Where is a better place to eat in Crystal River? Exactly, there isn't. Even the locals will send you here. Is the food incredible? Nope. Is it good, sure. This place isn't going to make you crave a return, but it shouldn't disappoint you either. I've always gone with the mahi mahi (blackened) and it's been good. I'd recommend trying the gator blackened, too, rather than fried. And, while some of you have complained about the food on here - consider the value. This place is fairly priced and offers good value at the current rate. And, with patio seating allows you to feel the ocean breeze while enjoying seafood. What could be better?
(4)
Deb G.
Love It! Food was awesome, serving was also good. We have had shrimp and grits, seafood trio , county fried steak, and the blue cheese/ Bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer they have all be great., cant wait to go back and try something different,
(5)
Janet C.
Great prices for food and drinks! The seafood in general tasted fresh. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp, oysters and wings!
(5)
Mark E.
Okay, so maybe not the best seafood on the Florida gulf coast, but this place has character, great ambiance and amazing views. If you are in Crystal River, you should give this place a try.
(4)
Denise S.
Giving it two stars for the atmosphere. Patio is very dated, but it has a nice vibe and live music. Server was ok, but hung around way too long chatting. The rest of the staff seemed friendly, except for the zombie doing the seating. I ordered a few drinks, and they were small, but pretty good. The food for the most part was awful. Shell pieces in the oysters seems to be a regular thing here. The salad was huge, filled with brown-edged warm wilted lettuce, a dried 3" thick piece of cucumber, one mini carrot, and 2 huge rings of onion. This is the worst salad I ever had. The waiter asked me about it, and I told him. He agreed their salads were bad, but never offered a replacement. I ordered fried shrimp. They were the only thing good here. They were super fresh, huge, and expertly cooked. My hush puppies had raw gooey dough in the middles, making them Inedible. We got some severely over cooked blackened flounder and scallops. This is not a place where you should go. At all. Ever.
(2)
Karen V.
Stopped here for lunch and was lucky to get an outside table. Enjoyed grouper, fried clams and sweet potato fries. We enjoyed all of it and will definitely go back and recommend for others to eat there. Gave it 4 stars because they were doing some construction while we were there.
(4)
Karen G.
Fried food galore...and not amazing at that! Perhaps if you imbibe a few cocktails before ingesting, things could be more enjoyable. Very plain. Very standard. Okay service. There was a long wait with tons of seating open which isn't the best sign now that I think of it. I got the blackened seafood combination plate: frozen, rubbery, and just salt and pepper with nary a squirt of lemon. Poor seafood had to go out like that. What a sad, sad fate! I'm not sure what else to say except Long John Silvers might do seafood more justice than Crackers.
(2)
M H.
Came by boat and for there just after opening for lunch. Got a spot on the patio. Very relaxed. Excellent fish tacos...good portions.
(4)
Cori B.
Crackers was a recommendation made for a local place with good fish. I'll be honest, I don't eat fish so perhaps I'm not going to fully review the meal that was so highly recommended but I was seriously unhappy with my meal here. I ordered a grilled veg sandwich that really turned my stomach. The bread was soggy to the point it just fell apart into a scramble (it couldn't be picked up) and the veggies had zero taste and were a bit raw. It was more like a salad with soggy croutons. I hate MAYBE 1/4 of it and that was only to avoid having to go somewhere else for food again in an hour. Fiance ways the grouper was ok but he was disappointed based on the rave reviews. I would try somewhere else if I was out that way again.
(2)
Martin C.
Busy restaurant the night we were there, which was a Wednesday. Nice patio area on the water with a tiki bar. Food was not bad and fairly priced, but service was slow.
(3)
John J.
Went there last year on Veterans Day and enjoyed a decent meal. Went today (Veterans Day) and had an awful meal. Sign on the hostess station said seat yourself and when I did I say there for at least 5 minutes before anyone realized I was there. I asked if they had any Veterans Day specials and was told "Yes, 50% off your bill" sounded great!!! Ordered stuffed Mushrooms and a Shrimp Po'boy. Mushrooms came out dripping in oil like little balls of grease. The Crabmeat stuffing in them tasted very old. Next comes my Po'boy. Was loaded with so much chopped lettuce and tomatoes that I couldn't see the 6 shrimp at first. THANK GOD I asked for the remoulade on the side. Tasted like chili powder and Worcestershire sauce! The tartar and cocktail tasted like it had sat opened in a cooler for way to long as they and the coleslaw all had a musty mildewy taste!! The waitress was pleasant and attentive but when she brought my bill out she said they have to run my card twice as the appetizer wasn't included in the 50% off!!!!! Talk about bait and switch! I paid without saying anything, but was already forming this review in my head. Needless to say, it might be fine and fool the tourist, but this Florida guy will never set foot back in there again!!
(1)
Ulysses A.
So if you dig frozen reheated food from Sysco or U.S. Foods, then you'll probably be happy here. If you like fresh food this is not the place for you. Also if you've ever had real fish taco's this place will anger you. However if you're just looking for a beer on the waterfront, then by all means stop in. The waterfront is the only reason this gets more than one star. The service is non existent.
(2)
John K.
It's just ok at best. Food is overpriced and the service is very pore. The oysters had shell in them. They give you plastic silver ware to eat with.
(1)
Peg B.
Crackers was just another tourist restaurant until someone told us to ask for the "fresh catch" which was redfish and it was divine! It was so fresh and light and full of fishy saltwarter goodness. The sweet potato fries were a big hit but the red fish! make sure you ask about the fresh catch.
(4)
Dan D.
Outside deck area overlooking the river is worth 2 stars. Service was good, food baskets were OK at in my opinion at a premium price (paying for the location and view). Between November and April the place is taken over by the snowbirds-tourist who pack the place due to its location. God Bless em!
(3)
David M.
If you judged a restaurant on food quantity, Crackers would rate high. Unfortunately the quality is mediocre at best Last night I had the fried catfish, one of the house specialties. It was heavily fried catfish "fingers" served with heavily fried hush puppies and soft fries. I was expecting a nice catfish fillet. There was a lot of it but so heavily fried and chewy, I couldn't eat it. My gal had "blackened" haddock. Once again it was a large serving but chewy. Perhaps it was overcooked. She ordered "steamed vegetables " which was a $1.95 extra. These turned out to be a small portion of lukewarm broccoli. To her credit, the server asked if everything was OK. I mentioned my disapointment with the catfish. She told the manager who promptly removed it from the bill.
(2)
Michelle C.
This place was pretty bad. The only reason why I am giving it two stars is because the server was really nice and gave us good service. The oysters were quite possibly the worst raw oysters I've ever had. They were not fresh and tasted terrible. The view at their tiki bar is nice but it's really just a tourist destination with bad food.
(2)
Aden B.
Great food and pretty quick timing for food . the service wasn't the best and was slow on getting drinks .
(3)
Dori P.
Went in for a quick bite and had amazing fish tacos. Service was quick and local beer was great!
(5)
Kathleen G.
Since I can' give is zero, I'll have to give it one star. My boyfriend and I tried to eat there on 4/23/2015. We arrived around 815 pm and waited for at least 5 mins just to get seated. Now there were maybe 10 patrons in the whole place and at least 7-10 employees milling around, No one seemed to notice us waiting to be seated. We did see an employee going thru her purse at the bar, and a few talking and laughing. When they finally did notice, we were told someone would be right with us. When we did finally get seat, we looked at the menu for at least another 5-7 mins. No one came to take a drink order. During that time 4 different employees passed our table and looked at us and one women was s-l-o-w-l-y sweeping up a table. So finally we got up and left. There are so many great places to east in the area, I say try one who will appreciate your business.
(1)
Caitlyn P.
Good food, good service, huge portions. I recommend the fish tacos. I'd give it 3.5 stars. Fun to out on the dock and look at the boats. Sometimes you can see some manatees. Full bar inside and outside and they had live music while we were there. Huge porch. Good environment. I recommend this place.
(3)
Tiffany M.
Andrew was our waiter and he was terrific! Good was great, service was great... Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Andy R.
Stopped here for weekday lunch. We were the youngest people by 20 years. It looked like a retirement convention docked for lunch. About the time we ordered, the elderly bikers rolled in on their three wheel Harleys and Goldwings. The portions are big and the seafood fresh. The decor was dated and the floor bounced as the wait staff hurried about. The server was nice but not very attentive or fast, I think she was working too many tables. I ordered the fish tacos with grilled haddock. Very meaty and good. Others got grouper Reuben (good), chicken sandwich with onion rings (good), fried clam dinner (frozen clams but good), and grilled scallops (fresh but tasteless). The French fries were good. Crackers has a nice outdoor seating area but it was cool temps and we wanted to avoid any noseeum bugs so we ate inside. Bathroom was small and OK cleanliness. We would eat here again.
(4)
Emily S.
I have to say I am really shocked at all the low reviews for this restaurant. We were in florida to see "the mouse" for most of the trip, but also spent 5 days on this coast to see the Manatees. I would compare this to a local version of Applebees or a similar type diner. Its cute inside and had good quality food, good service and good prices. It also has a patio on the water as is part of a motel/Best Western. Our food was very good, the waitress was very nice and all tasted fresh. And as to prices, all were pretty much what we paid the entire time we were in florida for similar type items. Most items ie sandwiches, baskets, etc are in the $10 to $18 range. And their beer was incredibly inexpensive. If you are here on vacation please try this as note this is a SMALL area and NOT MANY OPTIONS especially on the water. We went to the Crystal river ale house the next night and its TRULY a dive and not even ON yelp. So give this a try, again good food, cheap prices, nice staff.
(4)
Joel P.
Horrible management and food. Waited an hour to get into the restaurant for food that came out raw. and Scallops were frozen sysco food. And warm salads. Waited 15 minutes for managers Karol and carleen who are totally incompetent and made our server so upset she was crying. Our server, jet was great. Avoid at all costs!!
(1)
Amy M.
Sat on the deck and had shrimp & grits app that was amazing, I had blackened grouper Reuben my gf & blackened haddock w/sweet potato fries. We were both very happy. Were tourists or we would come back. Thinkin of getting more shrimp and grits to go. Waitress was on top of things, too.
(4)
Stephanie D.
this place might have been fun in 1989 - I think that's the last time they put money into it. Chairs are gross,tables are dirty, beers are small and in plastic cups - hello, this is Florida, who serves beer in plastic cups when it's 100 degrees? No breeze, no fans. not a fan, would not return.
(1)
Leesa C.
I enjoy the atmosphere at crackers more than the food... The outside bar with live music is a great way to enjoy a meal and a cold drink off the water.
(3)
Amber A.
Friendly service can't mask horrible neglect of customers. Our waitress said she'd be right back for our order, then ditched us for twenty minutes. We had to ask for our server and finally someone came and said she was on break and had to cover. They messed up our orders and forgot my toddler's pizza. The food was abundant and priced pretty well except that it was mediocre. The fries were over cooked, the slaw was flavorless, the fish tacos were boring. Most if us left more than half our plate and didn't want doggie bags. The location and layout is casual and comfortable.
(2)
Mike K.
Excellent food and large portions. Love that. It is located right on the water we will be back
(4)
John B.
This seems to be where the locals hang out. Large portions of great food. The local craft beer was great too. Must sit outside overlooking the river.
(5)
Kenny V.
Imade the BIGGEST MISTAKE of my dinning life.(turns out this was the start of my mistake)..Went to crackers for dinner last night with my wife and 2 daughters. The place was packed and was a 20 min.to be seated and another approx 30/45 min to get our food. ( if we stayed). So we went to Charley's next door went right in and got seated wright away the place was about half full/empty. (.problem for a reason).when we got our food it was such small portion that when the waitress ask can she get us anything else I told her she could bring me the rest of my order. ( I was serious). Then she brought us the bill ($100.83) that did it. I guess she knew I wasn't happy she never asked how everything was problem a good thing she didn't to. The food sucked and not because of the portions THE FOOD SUCKED... you can read my review on Charley's tips site. And next time I will wait to be seated and eat.. at crackers we drove aprox45 min to get there ( never again at Charley's.) From now on I only go to Crackers . wait or not........much better and much larger portions of food at crackers lesson learned....
(5)
Logan S.
Service was very poor. Food was nothing great. View and atmosphere is what saved it from 1 star.
(2)
Jim S.
I have been there three times and have ordered the fried fish once and fried grouper once. The food was perfectly fried, but there is NO seasoning on the fried fish. Perfectly moist, but no salt or pepper. Hate paying $10.00 for a fish sandwich and the beautifully fried fish is not seasoned. Evidently, speaking to other and friends, this is the norm. Other food was very good as well as the service. Other food not fried was very good. Good beer prices on tap
(2)
Kon T.
The food is ok. I had the fried alligator and grouper. It was ok and the flavor was just decent. If you plan to select 2 items, try the scallops and the grouper blacken. The flavor is pretty good. My friend ordered that and I had a taste and it was good. The menu is very limited. The outdoor dinning is better than the indoor. It is a great view of the water. Restroom is decent.
(3)
Yo D.
I gave it one star because I got the feeling they didn't care much for the colored type. The food was decent but nothing I'd brag about. I'll add - I am not "angry black guy" just a dude not from here and got a rude awakening. I will not be back
(1)
Diane J.
We are locals and have eaten here a few times to be disappointed every time. We will never ever go there again. The last time we had fish tacos - the worst I have ever had!! Service is always so-so. There are much better restaurants in the area. Steer away from this one!!
(1)
Noah R.
Food was mediocre. Sweet potato fries were greasy. Service was excellent. Others felt too much grease and not worth returning
(2)
Yossy L.
Ordered a simple Mahi sandwich for takeout. Went to pick it up and order was ready upon arrival. However, there seems to be no one in charge of takeout orders and therefore no one who really cares about them as well. I was third in line behind a dine-in patron and another Togo order who said he had waited for 30 minutes to get his order (which was also ready and sitting with a line of bagged orders on the bar). There appeared to be only one register at the bar. Many waitresses walked up to the register, entered their order for their table and left without making eye contact or acknowledging me or the other Togo order ahead of me. Bartenders walked up entered their drink orders and left without acknowledging the Togo orders obviously waiting. I even grabbed a manager to ask if I was in the right place and she said yes, but did not help expedite the situation at all. Sandwich was soggy due to the unnecessary wait and lack of customer service/procedures. Cooks did their job, but the manager doesn't know what she is doing. Plan on taking out somewhere else unless you have a lot of time to waste.
(2)
Ana T.
Great food & wine and atmosphere was great too with band. Great stop on our way to Tampa.
(4)
Gabriel J.
Surprisingly good food! Looks like it would be mediocre, but everything was quite delicious. And awesome location on the water
(4)
Kristy B.
Amazing crab stuffed shrimp. So so margarita and small standard beer selection but excellent seafood. My husbands herb crusted snapper was the best we've ever tasted.
(4)
Richard S.
We have eaten at Cracker's for years, but NO MORE! They have eliminated soft shell crabs from the menu because the customers can't tell the difference between crab cakes and soft shell crabs, so they send them back. Apparently, the staff is incapable of being trained as to the difference, so that they could discuss the choice with the customer. With no crabs to choose, I had oysters. The breading on the oysters was as thick as the tasteless hush puppies. There are many seafood restaurants in the area. I would suggest that you pick another and not Cracker's!
(2)
Warren B.
Not bad. I got conch fritters and crab stuffed shrimp, gf got grilled scallops. We also ordered cocktails, "Malibu sun splash" or something that were mediocre at best. The conch fritters were meh. Crab stuffed shrimp tasted pretty great although it was more like crab topped shrimp haha they definitely weren't stuffed. But the grilled scallops literally weren't seasoned at all... Completely bland. Wouldn't recommend those. Overall though, worth a visit.
(3)
Amanda S.
Was not impressed with this local restaurant! Prices were pretty high considering the quality of food. Menus had white out all over them and prices weren't listed. Would not visit again.
(2)
Rob J.
Service was horrible. Outdoor deck was hotter than being in the sun. They need to put some vents in the roof and new ceiling fans. Food was ok at best. Both times I have eaten there it has been the same.
(1)
Mary A.
Yes, the locals DO eat there. I've lived in Crystal River all my life, and eat there almost every weekend. I frequently see people I know there. Like all places, you occasionally get a poor server, but most of the time, they're friendly and helpful. The food is great. I usually get a Cracker burger & fries. I love the French dip. My husband loves the onion rings or the sweet potato fries. If I'm feeling virtuous, the spinach salad with grilled shrimp is wonderful. The view is gorgeous, especially on a sunny day. Sometimes we sit outside, but not very often. In Florida, it is illegal to smoke inside a restaurant, so the smokers all sit outside. Since we don't smoke, that's no fun. We try to sit next to the windows on the inside. It is a bar, too, and their margaritas are great.
(5)
Jessica M.
Beautiful view and great food. The atmosphere here is awesome! I got a hamburger and it was one of the best I've ever had. My in-laws come here all the time, and I definitely want to go back next time we're in town. We sat outside on the HUGE dock, and the weather was perfect. The staff was friendly and fast. Overall, we had a great experience here!
(4)
Domenic M.
Enjoyable night out, for the area. Parking is ample, but the waiting list is sometimes a bit long. When you do get seated, expect a well-rounded menu with good specials. Your server is likely to be one of the many "good" apples that seem to be on staff. The crowd is all-ages, which is surprising for where it is. The view is lovely, and the live music is usually fair to average. Interaction with the band (intimate setting) is frequent. In love with the steaks, the grouper bites, and the gator.
(3)
Ashley G.
Disappointment. We really were looking forward to some great seafood and unfortunately, Cracker's was not it. Wishing I would have trusted some of the Yelp reviews. Will not make this mistake again.
(1)
Carey Y.
After an AMAZING experience of swimming with a wild manatee, Gabriel and I found ourselves starving and in a town we knew nothing about. Our boat captain told us that Crackers is the best place around to grab lunch, so we headed straight there. We walked through the restaurant to be seated out back, and found a huge deck with round tables and umbrellas. It had a tiki bar/casual vibe and there was even the predictable dude-with-guitar playing decent, classic rock, cover tunes. Our waiter took our order and made a few suggestions. We started with the clam strips appetizer- one of my favorite and very rarely indulged-in snacks. We decided to share the suggested salmon and grouper sandwiches with sides of fries and a salad. The clam strips came out quickly and looked awesome- if not kind of skimpy. They were hot, crunchy and a little bit more breaded than I like, but we polished them off so quickly that we felt a little shorted. The price was more or less fair, but the portion really could have been a bit more generous. The sandwiches and the bread they came on were delicious. The fish was simply prepared and fresh, and the ripe tomatoes and crunchy lettuce were refreshing. The rolls were great for the first few bites, but quickly got soggy beyond holding, and ended up on the plate while we used a fork to finish the fish. The fries were exactly as requested- extra crunchy and well-done. The salad, made mostly of iceberg and croutons, left a lot to be desired. I find it especially odd when the sandwiches come with a decent lettuce like romaine, and then they skimp with a salad made of iceberg. Overall, the setting was what made this a memorable meal. The food was pretty good- but not really noteworthy. If you're in the area, it's a fair choice, but I'd be inclined to explore more if I'm ever back there with some time and hunger on my hands.
(3)
Terry G.
Sat outside by the water at picnic tables and had really generous portions of grilled scallops. Salad was iceberg lettuce. The service was personable but slow at times. I would recommend this place for a reasonably priced, good-quality meal.
(3)
Brad K.
attached is a photo of the most nasty, worst french dip I've ever had tasted like FISH - couldn't stomach the last half, the bake potato was raw being this is a fish place on the water..who knows what the kitchen did service was not good, she didn't pay much attention to our table at all wanted to sit outside but there were to many flies (you need a electronic fly trap guys !) worst dining we've had in the last 6 to 12 months
(1)
Diana M.
This is a fun place to hang out near the water, have a drink, and listen to some live music. The food is so-so, comparable to normal bar type food. I did try this chocolate mousse dessert and it was very, very good.
(4)
Ryan M.
HORRIBLE. I went in with my wife and kids and ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, three of the were so rotten that you couldn't pick the oyster up it dripped through my fork. So I gave it another shot and ordered the soft shell crab sandwich and only ate two bites it was nasty and greasy. My wife ordered the grouper sandwich and the smell was so bad she couldn't eat either it was definitely spoiled. The need to be checked out by the health dept. before someone gets really sick.
(1)
Crystal R.
IF YOU GO HERE PAY WITH CASH!! The food here was great, the service was fine, but ended in a horrible experience! My husband, father, and I rent kayaks from the Crystal River Kayak Company (shout out to them for being A++) and paddled our way over the Cracker's for lunch. Being that we were in Kayaks all we had taken with us was my credit card and ID for fear of anything else getting wet. Our lunch was very good and the prices were very fair, we were very relaxed and having a great time. Our ticket total was $45 and I gave the waiter my card. He came back and said it was declined. I explained perhaps the magnetic strip got wet if he would try manually punching in the numbers instead, again he came back and said it was declined. I asked if there was an ATM nearby to try the card myself and he said the restaurant had their own ATM inside the restaurant. My husband went to the ATM and boom...pulled out $60 with a $3 ATM fee. We paid cash for our bill and were on our way. Being that we were on vacation all the way from California I frequently checked my online bank account to track how much we were spending. I was shocked to see the $45 (that we paid cash for) in fact did clear! AND the ATM cleared twice!! When my husband called to clear up the mistake and ask for the $108 back that he got the run around, back and forth phone calls with the manager, and nothing was resolved. A week later my bank is now working on the issue and disputing the charges no thanks to the "manager" who seemed to hope we would just forget we were missing $108. I don't know if anyone else has had similar problems or if I was unlucky that day but if you eat there I recommend paying in cash!
(1)
Chad E.
If you were selling the place, you'd be set, because they have a great location - right on the water. Unfortunately, location only helps in real estate. It isn't bad for a restaurant, but it only gets you so far and then you have to also have good service and food as well, and that's where Cracker's falls a little short. The service is friendly at Cracker's, but it's a bit slow. And the food is nothing special. It's solid fare, but nothing outstanding by any means. Being situated on the waterfront would be so much better if the food was light and fresh instead. It makes me think they are going to show up on Kitchen Nightmares next season.
(3)
James P.
Outstanding view and outdoor seating, acceptable-to-good rated food (Cracker Melt? Gator, conch fritters, and calamari? Sign me up!), but the service can be a little spotty. Some times it's great, other times I've walked out after 14 minutes without even getting acknowledged that I was waiting. But the food is good, the view is great, and the beer is ice cold and cheap. Every time I'm back in town I always come here.
(4)
Rob B.
Outside section has nice view. Service was good and so was the food. The blackened grouper was excellent and good portion size. The crab rolls were really good too. Salads are big so hope your Hungary. The gator bites didn't have much flavor; but they sauce helped.
(5)
david g.
Not sure the view is "outstanding" but is does have a view. I really liked my blackend redfish. I thought it was good. We sat outside. Birds were a little annoying and the bugs were bad. When the band started, it was loud. Not exactly what we were looking for. Server was reasonably attentive. Drink glass did not go empty. I would eat there again. May sit inside next time. Not sure what the rules are here in Florida, but the woman at the next table was smoking. I dont have a tolerance for that while I am trying to eat. Not sure if that is allowed here or not. I would eat there again. Might even hang out there some time.
(3)
Lindsay G.
Better than expected. Cute place on the water, good food, and friendly staff. Try this place before going to chain restaurants in Crystal River.
(4)
Julie B.
Great food, very reasonable...try the grouper melt...super yummy! Nice tiki bar too
(5)
Kevin H.
On a recent golf trip 15 of us went to Crackers for dinner. Our waitress was fantastic, her name is Amanda. Everyone at the table was impressed on how well she handled so many people. The best waitress ever! The food was really good and the portions are very generous for the pice.
(5)
Mike Q.
The help, especially at the Tiki bar is wonderful but the owners are not. They have driven away almost all locals. Many better places to visit in the area that really want and appreciate your business.
(1)
Jessie F.
We had drinks here before AND after our dinner at a restaurant next door. We wish we had chosen to stay and eat here as the ambiance is much better. The menu seemed a bit pricey but looked delicious.
(3)
Rowan K.
Food is good. Prices are reasonable. Location is great. Right on the water. Service was good. I didn't have to wait very long. I had cheeseburger & coleslaw & it came with a sliced pickle. I had sweet tea. Good place. Live music.
(5)
Tedd S.
Ohhhh Comeonnnnn! Anyone in Crystal River knows not to eat here...it's strictly a tourist trap with horrible service, chain-grade food and high prices! The view from the dock seating area is pleasant in itself...just don't eat the food!
(2)
Sugar B.
I hate this place. My seafood pasta had no taste but plenty of nasty grease! My husbands steak was leather but I guess that's what he gets for ordering a steak at a seafood place. Service wasn't too bad. I've given this place a few chances but sadly have never had a good experience.
(1)
Necota S.
Greatly improved layout. Food is classic Florida seafood. Patio area is nice.
(3)
Kate D.
Terrible. I was there at night and didn't see the view, but the food was pretty bad. To start, I got a mouthful of shell flakes with each oyster on the half shell, and my conch fritters were horribly overdone - almost burnt and very tough and greasy. I moved to the south 10 months ago and have been amazed by the absolutely perfect fry jobs, every time, until coming here. By very far the worst fry job I've ever experienced since moving to the south (and maybe ever) - it really should not have been served at all. The place was pretty empty so it's not like the kitchen was overwhelmed.
(1)
Frank C.
Wanted to go and enjoy dinner with my family, ended up listening to music so loud, you couldn't even hear your waitress. My wife ordered fish taco's and I had shrimp taco's, the fish taco had no flavor at all. My son wouldn't eat his hotdog because the edges were hard and crunchy. Very disappointed!
(1)
Richard H.
Only reason for 2 stars is view and have had a fairly good meal here before. Service is OK. Food can be good or bad. Ordered haddock dinner, grilled. It was not haddock and was so over cooked it was tough. Told server, but she did nothing about it. We have had fairly good meals in the past. Do not plan to go back here for a while. We will give them another shot in a few months, if they fail, they will be off our list.
(2)
Amber D.
HORRIBLE! We've been here more than once hoping for better food but to no avail. Undercooked fish, no flavor, dirty tables, I could go on. It is now referred to as Crappers in our house. Save your money.
(1)
Mitch L.
Great location...right on the water...nice tiki bar. Went on Mother's day and had great flounder sammie with NE Chowda :)
(4)
Rick D.
Good restaurant for local FL fare. Very convenient to the Best Western next door. Prices reasonable, good selection of dinners and sandwiches. No complaints on the food, but service is usually a bit slow. Full bar outside on the water, next to the docks. Sometimes even a band on Friday/Sat nights. A local bar hangout. I go there at least once or twice every week I am in town.
(4)
Tom D.
Look I love beach and river dives more then most, but Cracker's isn't supposed to be a dive, yet it's much worse than many dives I've been to. We've frequented the area often over the last six years and go to Cracker's at least a couple times a year because you can dock your boat right out back. Each time we forget how horrible the service is, or give them a pass because they're not "big city" and don't know how to actually be hospitable to their guests. But then when we go to Granny's, another local restaurant, and we're reminded that it's not that the wonderful folks in the area aren't "big city", it's because the training and hiring standards at Cracker's are putrid. On our recent trip to Cracker's we docked the boat and walked up to be seated, this is a common practice because the restaurant is right on the water. We picked the table on the deck that we wanted to sit at and cleared it with the hostess. We sat down and waited for our server to arrive, and waited, and waited. Ten to fifteen minutes later she arrived, flustered, to take our drink order. With two young children we wanted to get some juice for them and some crackers to snack on while we waited for our appetizers to come. So we put in our order and waited, and waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later she finally came back around with half our drinks. We only had four adults and two children so it shouldn't take that long to grab our drinks. When she did bring our drinks, and I poured the frosty refreshments, I noticed something floating in my drink, it was a cigar wrapper. So instead of dying of thirst while she took her sweet time to get back around to us, I went to the bar and got a replacement drink. The bartender was helpful and quickly replaced my drink, but wasn't surprised by my situation. Now back to the crackers...this place is obviously called Cracker's due to their use of the classic Floridian term, not because they provide crackers for children to eat while waiting on the real food to show up. This became obvious when we again had to hunt our server down for our crackers because she had disappeared again. Finally she came back around with our appetizers of onion rings and fish dip ($8). Both are typical flare for the area. The only thing missing at this point were plates to eat off of, so I asked her for plates. So now the wait begins for the plates. A handful of minutes later she comes cruising by the table and I grab her attention and ask her about the plates after she ran food to another table across the restaurant. She tells me that "hot food is our priority". Well I guess she's right because my hot food is now cold because I don't have a plate to eat off of. So about now we've been here for an hour and our main course hasn't made an appearance. And when it finally arrives we are pleased. Not because it's the most amazing redfish sandwich I've ever eaten, but because the kids are about to lose their minds with the rest at the table following shortly behind and we're getting closer to leaving. We eat our food, drink our drinks and get ready to wrap up this ridiculous lunch experience. But wait for it....the server is again lost at sea. We finally settle our tab and out of the door we go, in just over two hours flat. I gave Cracker's 1-Star because you have to get some credit for being able to dock your boat out back and eat right on the river's bay while enjoying a cold refreshment. Everything else however was disappointing yet again. One of these days I'm going to learn my lesson.
(1)
Susan P.
Other than the view, which is lovely, there is nothing better than mediocre at this restaurant. The decor is lousy. The kid who greeted us was less than enthusiastic as he wrapped 2 forks in 2 paper napkins, walked us to a table and threw down the "place settings." Our waitress,Vicki, seemed more capable and professional but she couldn't make up for the food. I had scallops, baked potato and coleslaw. The scallops were well-cooked (said grilled but I doubt it) but had practically no seasoning at all. The hush puppies were cold and hard as if they'd been sitting around too long. My baked potato was only lukewarm and the coleslaw was overly mayonnaise-y. My husband fared much worse. He'd ordered fried haddock with fries and a tossed salad. His salad was some soggy, wilted iceberg lettuce with a slice of onion, a whole baby carrot (what's up with that?), a celery stick, a slice of tomato and some croutons. The packaged breadsticks were the freshest thing on the plate. His main course came out. The fries were hot and tasty. But the fish? It was most definitely not freshly fried. The batter coating came off the fish which had that waterlogged consistency that you sometimes get when fish is frozen and thawed on an improper way. The fish did not seem fresh at all. We'd eaten here about 6 years ago, weren't impressed but figured we'd give it another try. Unless Robert Irvine comes in and gives it a restaurant makeover, we won't be back.
(1)
E J.
Good local seafood, good service, reasonably priced, and it's on the water...Need I say anymore?
(4)
Jeff F.
While on vacation our dive master suggested this place. I have to admit I first thought it would just be a decent meal to get in between dives but boy was I wrong! This place was fantastic! It had great food (and even the leftovers were great). If you happen to be in the area for one of the many manatee swims stop by for some yummy food!
(5)
Kathy O.
Nice place to go for a beer and appetizers after a good day of boating. Not sure I'd order a full meal there, but good music on Sunday afternoon - reggae band - and cold beer.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Diana M.
This is a fun place to hang out near the water, have a drink, and listen to some live music. The food is so-so, comparable to normal bar type food. I did try this chocolate mousse dessert and it was very, very good.
(4)Jessica M.
Beautiful view and great food. The atmosphere here is awesome! I got a hamburger and it was one of the best I've ever had. My in-laws come here all the time, and I definitely want to go back next time we're in town. We sat outside on the HUGE dock, and the weather was perfect. The staff was friendly and fast. Overall, we had a great experience here!
(4)Ryan M.
HORRIBLE. I went in with my wife and kids and ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, three of the were so rotten that you couldn't pick the oyster up it dripped through my fork. So I gave it another shot and ordered the soft shell crab sandwich and only ate two bites it was nasty and greasy. My wife ordered the grouper sandwich and the smell was so bad she couldn't eat either it was definitely spoiled. The need to be checked out by the health dept. before someone gets really sick.
(1)Domenic M.
Enjoyable night out, for the area. Parking is ample, but the waiting list is sometimes a bit long. When you do get seated, expect a well-rounded menu with good specials. Your server is likely to be one of the many "good" apples that seem to be on staff. The crowd is all-ages, which is surprising for where it is. The view is lovely, and the live music is usually fair to average. Interaction with the band (intimate setting) is frequent. In love with the steaks, the grouper bites, and the gator.
(3)Ashley G.
Disappointment. We really were looking forward to some great seafood and unfortunately, Cracker's was not it. Wishing I would have trusted some of the Yelp reviews. Will not make this mistake again.
(1)Crystal R.
IF YOU GO HERE PAY WITH CASH!! The food here was great, the service was fine, but ended in a horrible experience! My husband, father, and I rent kayaks from the Crystal River Kayak Company (shout out to them for being A++) and paddled our way over the Cracker's for lunch. Being that we were in Kayaks all we had taken with us was my credit card and ID for fear of anything else getting wet. Our lunch was very good and the prices were very fair, we were very relaxed and having a great time. Our ticket total was $45 and I gave the waiter my card. He came back and said it was declined. I explained perhaps the magnetic strip got wet if he would try manually punching in the numbers instead, again he came back and said it was declined. I asked if there was an ATM nearby to try the card myself and he said the restaurant had their own ATM inside the restaurant. My husband went to the ATM and boom...pulled out $60 with a $3 ATM fee. We paid cash for our bill and were on our way. Being that we were on vacation all the way from California I frequently checked my online bank account to track how much we were spending. I was shocked to see the $45 (that we paid cash for) in fact did clear! AND the ATM cleared twice!! When my husband called to clear up the mistake and ask for the $108 back that he got the run around, back and forth phone calls with the manager, and nothing was resolved. A week later my bank is now working on the issue and disputing the charges no thanks to the "manager" who seemed to hope we would just forget we were missing $108. I don't know if anyone else has had similar problems or if I was unlucky that day but if you eat there I recommend paying in cash!
(1)Chad E.
If you were selling the place, you'd be set, because they have a great location - right on the water. Unfortunately, location only helps in real estate. It isn't bad for a restaurant, but it only gets you so far and then you have to also have good service and food as well, and that's where Cracker's falls a little short. The service is friendly at Cracker's, but it's a bit slow. And the food is nothing special. It's solid fare, but nothing outstanding by any means. Being situated on the waterfront would be so much better if the food was light and fresh instead. It makes me think they are going to show up on Kitchen Nightmares next season.
(3)James P.
Outstanding view and outdoor seating, acceptable-to-good rated food (Cracker Melt? Gator, conch fritters, and calamari? Sign me up!), but the service can be a little spotty. Some times it's great, other times I've walked out after 14 minutes without even getting acknowledged that I was waiting. But the food is good, the view is great, and the beer is ice cold and cheap. Every time I'm back in town I always come here.
(4)Rob B.
Outside section has nice view. Service was good and so was the food. The blackened grouper was excellent and good portion size. The crab rolls were really good too. Salads are big so hope your Hungary. The gator bites didn't have much flavor; but they sauce helped.
(5)david g.
Not sure the view is "outstanding" but is does have a view. I really liked my blackend redfish. I thought it was good. We sat outside. Birds were a little annoying and the bugs were bad. When the band started, it was loud. Not exactly what we were looking for. Server was reasonably attentive. Drink glass did not go empty. I would eat there again. May sit inside next time. Not sure what the rules are here in Florida, but the woman at the next table was smoking. I dont have a tolerance for that while I am trying to eat. Not sure if that is allowed here or not. I would eat there again. Might even hang out there some time.
(3)Lindsay G.
Better than expected. Cute place on the water, good food, and friendly staff. Try this place before going to chain restaurants in Crystal River.
(4)Julie B.
Great food, very reasonable...try the grouper melt...super yummy! Nice tiki bar too
(5)Kevin H.
On a recent golf trip 15 of us went to Crackers for dinner. Our waitress was fantastic, her name is Amanda. Everyone at the table was impressed on how well she handled so many people. The best waitress ever! The food was really good and the portions are very generous for the pice.
(5)Mike Q.
The help, especially at the Tiki bar is wonderful but the owners are not. They have driven away almost all locals. Many better places to visit in the area that really want and appreciate your business.
(1)Jessie F.
We had drinks here before AND after our dinner at a restaurant next door. We wish we had chosen to stay and eat here as the ambiance is much better. The menu seemed a bit pricey but looked delicious.
(3)Rowan K.
Food is good. Prices are reasonable. Location is great. Right on the water. Service was good. I didn't have to wait very long. I had cheeseburger & coleslaw & it came with a sliced pickle. I had sweet tea. Good place. Live music.
(5)Tedd S.
Ohhhh Comeonnnnn! Anyone in Crystal River knows not to eat here...it's strictly a tourist trap with horrible service, chain-grade food and high prices! The view from the dock seating area is pleasant in itself...just don't eat the food!
(2)Sugar B.
I hate this place. My seafood pasta had no taste but plenty of nasty grease! My husbands steak was leather but I guess that's what he gets for ordering a steak at a seafood place. Service wasn't too bad. I've given this place a few chances but sadly have never had a good experience.
(1)Necota S.
Greatly improved layout. Food is classic Florida seafood. Patio area is nice.
(3)Kate D.
Terrible. I was there at night and didn't see the view, but the food was pretty bad. To start, I got a mouthful of shell flakes with each oyster on the half shell, and my conch fritters were horribly overdone - almost burnt and very tough and greasy. I moved to the south 10 months ago and have been amazed by the absolutely perfect fry jobs, every time, until coming here. By very far the worst fry job I've ever experienced since moving to the south (and maybe ever) - it really should not have been served at all. The place was pretty empty so it's not like the kitchen was overwhelmed.
(1)Frank C.
Wanted to go and enjoy dinner with my family, ended up listening to music so loud, you couldn't even hear your waitress. My wife ordered fish taco's and I had shrimp taco's, the fish taco had no flavor at all. My son wouldn't eat his hotdog because the edges were hard and crunchy. Very disappointed!
(1)Richard H.
Only reason for 2 stars is view and have had a fairly good meal here before. Service is OK. Food can be good or bad. Ordered haddock dinner, grilled. It was not haddock and was so over cooked it was tough. Told server, but she did nothing about it. We have had fairly good meals in the past. Do not plan to go back here for a while. We will give them another shot in a few months, if they fail, they will be off our list.
(2)Amber D.
HORRIBLE! We've been here more than once hoping for better food but to no avail. Undercooked fish, no flavor, dirty tables, I could go on. It is now referred to as Crappers in our house. Save your money.
(1)Mitch L.
Great location...right on the water...nice tiki bar. Went on Mother's day and had great flounder sammie with NE Chowda :)
(4)Tom D.
Look I love beach and river dives more then most, but Cracker's isn't supposed to be a dive, yet it's much worse than many dives I've been to. We've frequented the area often over the last six years and go to Cracker's at least a couple times a year because you can dock your boat right out back. Each time we forget how horrible the service is, or give them a pass because they're not "big city" and don't know how to actually be hospitable to their guests. But then when we go to Granny's, another local restaurant, and we're reminded that it's not that the wonderful folks in the area aren't "big city", it's because the training and hiring standards at Cracker's are putrid. On our recent trip to Cracker's we docked the boat and walked up to be seated, this is a common practice because the restaurant is right on the water. We picked the table on the deck that we wanted to sit at and cleared it with the hostess. We sat down and waited for our server to arrive, and waited, and waited. Ten to fifteen minutes later she arrived, flustered, to take our drink order. With two young children we wanted to get some juice for them and some crackers to snack on while we waited for our appetizers to come. So we put in our order and waited, and waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later she finally came back around with half our drinks. We only had four adults and two children so it shouldn't take that long to grab our drinks. When she did bring our drinks, and I poured the frosty refreshments, I noticed something floating in my drink, it was a cigar wrapper. So instead of dying of thirst while she took her sweet time to get back around to us, I went to the bar and got a replacement drink. The bartender was helpful and quickly replaced my drink, but wasn't surprised by my situation. Now back to the crackers...this place is obviously called Cracker's due to their use of the classic Floridian term, not because they provide crackers for children to eat while waiting on the real food to show up. This became obvious when we again had to hunt our server down for our crackers because she had disappeared again. Finally she came back around with our appetizers of onion rings and fish dip ($8). Both are typical flare for the area. The only thing missing at this point were plates to eat off of, so I asked her for plates. So now the wait begins for the plates. A handful of minutes later she comes cruising by the table and I grab her attention and ask her about the plates after she ran food to another table across the restaurant. She tells me that "hot food is our priority". Well I guess she's right because my hot food is now cold because I don't have a plate to eat off of. So about now we've been here for an hour and our main course hasn't made an appearance. And when it finally arrives we are pleased. Not because it's the most amazing redfish sandwich I've ever eaten, but because the kids are about to lose their minds with the rest at the table following shortly behind and we're getting closer to leaving. We eat our food, drink our drinks and get ready to wrap up this ridiculous lunch experience. But wait for it....the server is again lost at sea. We finally settle our tab and out of the door we go, in just over two hours flat. I gave Cracker's 1-Star because you have to get some credit for being able to dock your boat out back and eat right on the river's bay while enjoying a cold refreshment. Everything else however was disappointing yet again. One of these days I'm going to learn my lesson.
(1)Rick D.
Good restaurant for local FL fare. Very convenient to the Best Western next door. Prices reasonable, good selection of dinners and sandwiches. No complaints on the food, but service is usually a bit slow. Full bar outside on the water, next to the docks. Sometimes even a band on Friday/Sat nights. A local bar hangout. I go there at least once or twice every week I am in town.
(4)Susan P.
Other than the view, which is lovely, there is nothing better than mediocre at this restaurant. The decor is lousy. The kid who greeted us was less than enthusiastic as he wrapped 2 forks in 2 paper napkins, walked us to a table and threw down the "place settings." Our waitress,Vicki, seemed more capable and professional but she couldn't make up for the food. I had scallops, baked potato and coleslaw. The scallops were well-cooked (said grilled but I doubt it) but had practically no seasoning at all. The hush puppies were cold and hard as if they'd been sitting around too long. My baked potato was only lukewarm and the coleslaw was overly mayonnaise-y. My husband fared much worse. He'd ordered fried haddock with fries and a tossed salad. His salad was some soggy, wilted iceberg lettuce with a slice of onion, a whole baby carrot (what's up with that?), a celery stick, a slice of tomato and some croutons. The packaged breadsticks were the freshest thing on the plate. His main course came out. The fries were hot and tasty. But the fish? It was most definitely not freshly fried. The batter coating came off the fish which had that waterlogged consistency that you sometimes get when fish is frozen and thawed on an improper way. The fish did not seem fresh at all. We'd eaten here about 6 years ago, weren't impressed but figured we'd give it another try. Unless Robert Irvine comes in and gives it a restaurant makeover, we won't be back.
(1)E J.
Good local seafood, good service, reasonably priced, and it's on the water...Need I say anymore?
(4)Jeff F.
While on vacation our dive master suggested this place. I have to admit I first thought it would just be a decent meal to get in between dives but boy was I wrong! This place was fantastic! It had great food (and even the leftovers were great). If you happen to be in the area for one of the many manatee swims stop by for some yummy food!
(5)Kathy O.
Nice place to go for a beer and appetizers after a good day of boating. Not sure I'd order a full meal there, but good music on Sunday afternoon - reggae band - and cold beer.
(3)M.A. B.
Nice patio overlooking the water. Eat outside if it's a nice day! Good service, full bar, extensive menu. Had a shrimp Caesar salad - dressing didn't overpower the lettuce. Spicy croutons, Parmesan cheese topped the salad. It had six sizable grilled shrimp that were Gulf Coast fresh. I'll be back again!
(4)Jeana P.
We came in with a party of 9 on Wednesday night with a reservation. Our server was very polite and quick and was able to anticipate our needs very well. Though I don't remember her name I know she had short hair and large gauges. Our appetizers came out very quickly as well as our salads but our food was a little behind. Many of us ordered all different menu items and there weren't too many raves around the tables. The alcoholic drinks that were ordered were very strong. I had the salmon and it was large and good but the only thing impressive was the full sauce that came with. All in all it was just pretty boring. We'll come back if everywhere else is packed.
(3)Kristen G.
Crackers is one of the few restaurants in Crystal River with both a beautiful view and fresh fish. And, how can you go wrong with that combination? We had the Grouper Rueben, Redfish, and Catfish. The portions were large, and the fish was cooked excellently. We had the nachos for an appetizer, and even though they were really good, I'll skip them next time because of how much food comes with each meal. I'm pretty sure there were five catfish fillets with the meal for around $13, and they even blackened the catfish even though it wasn't on the menu. Service and food were great, and we will definitely return!
(4)Kristen D.
Loved being able to sit outside on their patio and enjoy the afternoon sun. I had a cucumber margarita and it was refreshing, also not a bad price! The fried gator bites, sweet potato fries, and zucchini fries were great appetizers. I got the grilled shrimp dinner and it came with two sides- a salad and and I picked sweet potato fries. The meal was delicious and the shrimp was tender and a good size. A great spot on the river with good drinks and food. Our server was also super friendly and the service was super fast!
(5)Liz H.
The staff were eating and then handling food without gloves or a wash of hands, that to me is a giant no-no. I've worked in the food industry and that's not OK. We only stopped in because a local mentioned we should try this place after our manatee tour. The bartender wasn't too friendly and took a while to notice our drinks were empty. I have to say the tropical drinks are pretty good (the little bar menu was covered in dirt though). The appetizers took about 30 minutes to come out, and the main course almost an hour I would say. I don't mind waiting for my food as long as it's tasty, but this was probably the worst seafood I've ever had. I ordered the Mahi filet and I took two bites and couldn't eat anymore. Very bad, also the tartar sauce I'm guessing is homemade. Not in a good way. Bartender also recommended their house coleslaw, it was like a clump of mayo. My boyfriend ordered the three sampler (gator, conch fritters, clam strips) and the conch fritters were downright nasty. Like burnt hush puppies with no conch. I grew up in the islands, so maybe I was spoiled with good seafood, but this was just gross. I give it two stars because the tropical drinks were nice, and their Cracker's wings were really good. Other than that it is very dirty, staff doesn't seem too into what they're doing, and the food is bad. Sadly, we will not be going back on our next trip.
(2)R M.
Was staying at the best western and stopped in for dinner The $2.50 for shock top 20oz and the excellent fish tachos with grilled shrimp deserved a 5 stars Service was awesome me. Fast and the order was correct
(5)Gioia G.
Seafood meal with a Waterview We stop here for lunch, we were 10 people. The food was delicious and service was top notch. Our waitress was awesome. We add raw oysters (decent sizes) and sweet potatoes for appetizers. You must try sweet potatoes, they were delicious. We try their combo with grouper, scallop and shrimps. We also had shrimp stuffed with crab meat and taco salad. All the food was delicious nothing tasted bad
(5)Riley B.
Cracker's is pretty hit or miss overall. I feel inclined to give it a 3.5 stars, but 3 will have to do. I've eaten here every year for the past five years as my girlfriend's family always visits Crystal River. The service and kitchen speed is perennially bad. Not that the staff isn't friendly, they are just extremely forgetful and slow. However, I will give credit where credit is due and say that this past summer they have stepped their game up across the board, and everybody's food (on both of our 2 visits) was way better than it was in the past. Hopefully this will be 4 or 5 in 2016.
(3)Shawn J.
We have been here at least 6 times over the years and have never had a bad meal. The food is quite good, and the restaurant always looks clean. Sitting outside on the water really makes this place for us, especially when there is live music. Friendly staff and good drink selection. We are true fans.
(5)Lila W.
I'm still thinking about the fish tacos I got 4 days ago! Only 2 instead of the traditional 3, but really they could just add another tortilla and split the fillings evenly, the two are so big. A while ago we tried the grouper melt and it was delicious. The sweet potato fries are always a must have for me.
(4)Nicolas L.
Cracker's Bar & Grill is a local favorite restaurant and it did not disappoint. I tried the Fish Tacos and they were really good. The tacos were filled with a generous portion of flakey haddock. I order the fish blackened (fried and grilled were the other options) and the seasoning was very flavorful. The tacos were also filled with creamy and crunchy coleslaw and sharp cheddar cheese. The sides of fries were also very good, crispy on the outside and soft of the inside. The portions were very large as well. The bar offered a number of drink specials but had a very limited selection of craft beer. However, they had Sweetwater IPA on tap at $1.75 for 10 oz! This is probably the cheapest I have seen a craft beer selection being sold for. The restaurant also has a nice tiki bar ambiance that is perfect after a day on the river.
(4)Kevin S.
Crackers has just the ambience that we had been hoping to find. We were in town staying on the water nearby and excited to take our boat from the hotel to dinner and back. Good food choices, good menu choices, good beer prices, but bad bad service. Thankfully we were so relaxed and happy to be dining outside and near the water that we really weren't too terribly upset with the poor service. We even went back to dine at Crackers a second time and hoped that the slow and inattentive service was just a one time thing. Unfortunately, it was just as bad or possibly worse. And we had visited them on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I can only assume that the weekends would be even busier for them. Even after experiencing the poor service I imagine that we would plan to visit Crackers again the next time we stay on the water in Crystal River. Can't beat the view.
(3)Bella P.
Great food and good service. Being from out of town it was nice to come to a local place like this. We had been recommended it by some of the people here and dricided to give it a try. It sneaks up on you if you aren't careful. The interior is nice, as is the waterfront dining area. The view is great! We sat outside and that was a bit of a mistake as I was wearing shorts and got my legs chewed up by bugs. I suggest if it's late and you're sitting outside please make sure your skin is covered!! The bugs can be pretty bad. I got the fish and chips, as well as the fried catfish basket. I'm not really a big fish eater but wow this stuff was good! The tartar sauce was delicious as was their coleslaw. The fish was hot and cooked well. The meal was fantastic. The only drawback was the stupid bugs. If they could have done something about that it would have been 5 stars.
(4)Lisa X.
Great for lunch and the service was great - nice views of the water!
(3)Alyssa S.
Our tour guide from Manatee Tour and Dive suggested this restaurant after our manatee tour. We sat on the patio and there was live music. It was nice way to end our adventure in Crystal River. The serving sizes are large. I had the fish tacos, which were more like grilled fish quesadillas but were still great. My friend got a salmon spinach salad which she said was delicious also. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we are back in Crystal River.
(4)Matthew W.
Every time I'm in Crystal River I stop for the blackened grouper. This time I tried the gator sausage. Amazing! The blackened oysters are ado very good. I have had a lot of grouper all over florida this is by far the best I have ever had. Do Not go to competitors next door it's nothing like this place!!!
(5)Dan C.
Had a fresh, blackened grouper sandwich. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The views aren't so bad either!
(4)None H.
Place and food are alright, but you see the problem of getting a lot recommendations: crowded, loud and nothing really great about it but being recommended to everyone. Been there several times (starting with being recommended to go there while staying first time in Crystal River, then some more times due to the memory). There's really nice staff, there's staff which is okay, the food at least for me got a very little bit worse from year to year. So alright, but next time we'll give another location a try. The seafood dealer and cafe (in Crystal River Mall) was overcrowded this day, but we'll definitely try. So don't miss Cracker's, but adjust any special expectations to a normal level.
(3)R P.
Arrived at around 5:30 after a long drive and a float down rainbow river. Always like to try by the water restaraunts. The outside tiki deck and bar area is mostly elevated and has both regular and bar height tables. Good view of the water and the small docks from the entire area. The tiki area was about half full and quiet. Most people were relaxing and talking a little. We sat outside at a bar height table with a view of the water. Chairs were big and comfortable sling back chairs bolted to pvc frames. It works. This area is seat yourself. Waiter came by as soon as we were settled and handed us menus. He let us know about the drink, wine and beer specials and prices. Nice that shock top 11 oz draft in a plastic cup was under $2. Order a pitcher and they put a bag of ice in it to keep it cool. We ordered scallops, redfish sandwich and taco salad w chicken. Coleslaw and baked potato as sides. Free wifi, plenty of wildlife flying or swimming by along with boat action to keep your eyes busy. After another round of drinks the entrees were delivered. Scallops were quite good. Broiled, bigger than bay scallops and smaller than "diver" scallops. Redfish sandwich was broiled and moist. Quite good. Taco salad w chicken was good too. Nothing was salty. The flavor of each item came through. Very plesant. Server was as you'd like. Asking if you would like another drink when your drink is 2/3 gone. Bringing the next drink just before or after your last sip. Offered water with entree and checked back a few min after the entrees were delivered. I'd go back no questions asked.
(4)Angela E.
This place was recommended to me and my friend and I happened to be in town for the day. The parking lot is very small. We went on Saturday evening, around 7, and thankfully found an open spot at the very end of the parking lot. We came here for the outdoor seating and I am so glad that we did. Cracker's has an awesome outdoor patio right on the water, complete with an outdoor bar. They had a live band playing that was really good and that just added to the great atmosphere. The drinks are priced great and the food is decent. I had the Black and Blue, which is a burger with a blue cheese on top and that was delicious. I also love their french fries. Very tasty. I like that even though this restaurant is listed as a seafood restaurant, they have enough of a variety of non-seafood items for those that don't eat seafood. The service was pretty good and our waitress frequently visited our table to see if we needed anything or refills for most of the time that we we were there. We stayed until about 9 and had to go searching for our waitress to pay our bill, but otherwise it was a great experience. I think it would be fun to go back during the day to watch the boats go by on the outdoor patio.
(4)Michael M.
Had dinner while visiting Crystal River for one of the first times. If you are seeking an establishment to enjoy fried food in a sports bar environment look no further. I had received a dazzling recommendation to try this restaurant out which may have led to my expectations of an enjoyable dining experience, unfortunately my experience was not outstanding. If you are ordering something fried it is standard fare, and clearly within the cooking staff's comfort zone. I ordered a grilled seafood dinner and felt that the proteins lacked any seasoning whatsoever. The side dishes were lackluster, and the beverages seemed watered down. Thankfully the staff were all very friendly and polite. I wish that the quality of the food and beverages were somewhere close to that of the friendliness of the staff. Unfortunately I will not be returning for any further adventures in mediocre dining.
(2)Tom K.
Meh. Crackers attraction is that it is one of the few places that you can eat on the water in Crystal River. The large outdoor area makes it a stop for anyone and their brother(or grand parents) to stop for cheap beer and bar food. The food is nothing fantastic but I have eaten here a few times. Did I mention it was on the water. Service is OK, not great. Time for food out of the kitchen is actually pretty quick. Good for efficiency. But being able to slide out food that quick means deep fried, pre-made, stuff in buckets, nothing special food... We do not go as much as we used. A bit crowded. The mix of geriatric(and I am no spring chicken) and loud cheap drinkers make for a unique sideshow. I am not saying don't go. It is a real "Crystal River" place. Just go with your expectations set appropriately. PS. LOUD live music on Friday - Saturday. We actually like the steel drum music on Sunday afternoons.
(3)Carlos V.
A nice view on the bay. Good bar to chill out and have some drinks. The burgers are awesome especially the Cracker's house burger. Yummy.
(4)Eric V.
Basically an overpriced hamburger joint. Nothing special here other than a $50+ check for the absolute minimum...........
(2)Ken L.
Absolutely, wonderful! River Ventures recommended this place after our swim. We were absolutely amazed with our waiter, Craig! He was excellent with the children and our food arrived quickly. The food was excellent. The shrimp were very large, oysters were fresh, fried grouper was very good and the hamburger was excellent. Zucchini fries were tasty. No, I did not eat all that. However I tasted it all! What a great family experience! I can't wait go back!
(4)Patti B.
Ate here 3 years ago and came back again. Still great for the good, service and the views. We all at something different and shared thinking it was all good. Blackened mani mani, stuffed shrimp, scallops and claim dinners all around. If was great. Service was great with a very attentive waiter. Unbelievable, we sat at the same table as 3 years ago. Great view of the harbor. We sat inside because it was late lunch early dinner and just still too hot. Great place. A tradition.
(4)Brenda D.
We went to Cracker's for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by how good the seafood is. Coming from NH, it's very hard to beat our seafood! Loved the Oysters and I'm not an oyster person. The scallops were excellent also. The server was very nice and took photos of us even though she was very busy. I'd go back if, I were in the area. :)
(4)Xing Y.
Great fish tacos! Zucchini fries are also very amazing. Portion is great, a bit too much for lunch. It also has a great view of the river.
(4)Jennifer M.
I really debated over 3 or 4 stars but the atmosphere made me give it 4 stars. The day we went was a beautiful, sunny, cool, day so we sat outside on the patio. What a great spot! It's a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. We ordered conch fritters and fish dip as an appetizer. Both were delicious! (Really we ordered a sampler platter appetizer but they only brought out the conch fritters...great mistake because they were delicious!) The entrees were hit and miss. One person in our group ordered the wahoo sandwich. The taste was okay but it had so many bones in the fish that it was unpleasant to eat. Another person ordered the black and blue burger and it was delicious! My husband and I ordered fish and chips. The portion was huge however, it was the most tasteless fish we have ever had. We soaked it in salt, lemon and vinegar but nothing seemed to help it out. Definitely a place I would go again (especially on a beautiful day), but maybe just for appetizers and drinks or a burger.
(4)Michelle C.
This place was pretty bad. The only reason why I am giving it two stars is because the server was really nice and gave us good service. The oysters were quite possibly the worst raw oysters I've ever had. They were not fresh and tasted terrible. The view at their tiki bar is nice but it's really just a tourist destination with bad food.
(2)Aden B.
Great food and pretty quick timing for food . the service wasn't the best and was slow on getting drinks .
(3)Patty F.
Seriously awful. From the service to the ambiance to the food and back to the service. We ate on the patio on their high tops. We ordered a couple of beers and food for our son. We waited FOREVER for his chicken fingers. The waited another eternity for our food which we got probably after 25 minutes. The entire time with no drinks even though we asked for one more beer and water. We got our food and 2 things happened: my salad was swimming in dressing. It wasn't even fair to call it a salad. It was a bowl of dressing with some lettuce and croutons sprinkled in. Inedible. My husband ordered fish tacos, we got shrimp tacos. More like a coleslaw taco with a couple of shrimp tossed in. Took so long for the waitress to check on us and we were so hungry that he ate half a taco anyways. We sent it back and got a cheese taco with some fish in it. The combination of being understaffed and not having a great cook created a terrible experience. Blah
(1)Diane H.
Love the location. .right on the water. . Good food .good service. .live music Sunday afternoon. Florida atmosphere extroidonare. ..how about manatee watching..Great for families where the kids can run. Outdoor bar and seating
(4)Chris S.
I'm shocked to see the brutal reviews from a few folks on here. I've been to this place twice and the service was good, food wasn't bad and the atmosphere was amazing in the summer when you can sit on the deck. And, ask yourself something else. Where is a better place to eat in Crystal River? Exactly, there isn't. Even the locals will send you here. Is the food incredible? Nope. Is it good, sure. This place isn't going to make you crave a return, but it shouldn't disappoint you either. I've always gone with the mahi mahi (blackened) and it's been good. I'd recommend trying the gator blackened, too, rather than fried. And, while some of you have complained about the food on here - consider the value. This place is fairly priced and offers good value at the current rate. And, with patio seating allows you to feel the ocean breeze while enjoying seafood. What could be better?
(4)Janet C.
Great prices for food and drinks! The seafood in general tasted fresh. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp, oysters and wings!
(5)Mark E.
Okay, so maybe not the best seafood on the Florida gulf coast, but this place has character, great ambiance and amazing views. If you are in Crystal River, you should give this place a try.
(4)Dori P.
Went in for a quick bite and had amazing fish tacos. Service was quick and local beer was great!
(5)Denise S.
Giving it two stars for the atmosphere. Patio is very dated, but it has a nice vibe and live music. Server was ok, but hung around way too long chatting. The rest of the staff seemed friendly, except for the zombie doing the seating. I ordered a few drinks, and they were small, but pretty good. The food for the most part was awful. Shell pieces in the oysters seems to be a regular thing here. The salad was huge, filled with brown-edged warm wilted lettuce, a dried 3" thick piece of cucumber, one mini carrot, and 2 huge rings of onion. This is the worst salad I ever had. The waiter asked me about it, and I told him. He agreed their salads were bad, but never offered a replacement. I ordered fried shrimp. They were the only thing good here. They were super fresh, huge, and expertly cooked. My hush puppies had raw gooey dough in the middles, making them Inedible. We got some severely over cooked blackened flounder and scallops. This is not a place where you should go. At all. Ever.
(2)Karen G.
Fried food galore...and not amazing at that! Perhaps if you imbibe a few cocktails before ingesting, things could be more enjoyable. Very plain. Very standard. Okay service. There was a long wait with tons of seating open which isn't the best sign now that I think of it. I got the blackened seafood combination plate: frozen, rubbery, and just salt and pepper with nary a squirt of lemon. Poor seafood had to go out like that. What a sad, sad fate! I'm not sure what else to say except Long John Silvers might do seafood more justice than Crackers.
(2)Karen V.
Stopped here for lunch and was lucky to get an outside table. Enjoyed grouper, fried clams and sweet potato fries. We enjoyed all of it and will definitely go back and recommend for others to eat there. Gave it 4 stars because they were doing some construction while we were there.
(4)M H.
Came by boat and for there just after opening for lunch. Got a spot on the patio. Very relaxed. Excellent fish tacos...good portions.
(4)Cori B.
Crackers was a recommendation made for a local place with good fish. I'll be honest, I don't eat fish so perhaps I'm not going to fully review the meal that was so highly recommended but I was seriously unhappy with my meal here. I ordered a grilled veg sandwich that really turned my stomach. The bread was soggy to the point it just fell apart into a scramble (it couldn't be picked up) and the veggies had zero taste and were a bit raw. It was more like a salad with soggy croutons. I hate MAYBE 1/4 of it and that was only to avoid having to go somewhere else for food again in an hour. Fiance ways the grouper was ok but he was disappointed based on the rave reviews. I would try somewhere else if I was out that way again.
(2)Martin C.
Busy restaurant the night we were there, which was a Wednesday. Nice patio area on the water with a tiki bar. Food was not bad and fairly priced, but service was slow.
(3)John J.
Went there last year on Veterans Day and enjoyed a decent meal. Went today (Veterans Day) and had an awful meal. Sign on the hostess station said seat yourself and when I did I say there for at least 5 minutes before anyone realized I was there. I asked if they had any Veterans Day specials and was told "Yes, 50% off your bill" sounded great!!! Ordered stuffed Mushrooms and a Shrimp Po'boy. Mushrooms came out dripping in oil like little balls of grease. The Crabmeat stuffing in them tasted very old. Next comes my Po'boy. Was loaded with so much chopped lettuce and tomatoes that I couldn't see the 6 shrimp at first. THANK GOD I asked for the remoulade on the side. Tasted like chili powder and Worcestershire sauce! The tartar and cocktail tasted like it had sat opened in a cooler for way to long as they and the coleslaw all had a musty mildewy taste!! The waitress was pleasant and attentive but when she brought my bill out she said they have to run my card twice as the appetizer wasn't included in the 50% off!!!!! Talk about bait and switch! I paid without saying anything, but was already forming this review in my head. Needless to say, it might be fine and fool the tourist, but this Florida guy will never set foot back in there again!!
(1)Ulysses A.
So if you dig frozen reheated food from Sysco or U.S. Foods, then you'll probably be happy here. If you like fresh food this is not the place for you. Also if you've ever had real fish taco's this place will anger you. However if you're just looking for a beer on the waterfront, then by all means stop in. The waterfront is the only reason this gets more than one star. The service is non existent.
(2)John K.
It's just ok at best. Food is overpriced and the service is very pore. The oysters had shell in them. They give you plastic silver ware to eat with.
(1)Peg B.
Crackers was just another tourist restaurant until someone told us to ask for the "fresh catch" which was redfish and it was divine! It was so fresh and light and full of fishy saltwarter goodness. The sweet potato fries were a big hit but the red fish! make sure you ask about the fresh catch.
(4)David M.
If you judged a restaurant on food quantity, Crackers would rate high. Unfortunately the quality is mediocre at best Last night I had the fried catfish, one of the house specialties. It was heavily fried catfish "fingers" served with heavily fried hush puppies and soft fries. I was expecting a nice catfish fillet. There was a lot of it but so heavily fried and chewy, I couldn't eat it. My gal had "blackened" haddock. Once again it was a large serving but chewy. Perhaps it was overcooked. She ordered "steamed vegetables " which was a $1.95 extra. These turned out to be a small portion of lukewarm broccoli. To her credit, the server asked if everything was OK. I mentioned my disapointment with the catfish. She told the manager who promptly removed it from the bill.
(2)Kathleen G.
Since I can' give is zero, I'll have to give it one star. My boyfriend and I tried to eat there on 4/23/2015. We arrived around 815 pm and waited for at least 5 mins just to get seated. Now there were maybe 10 patrons in the whole place and at least 7-10 employees milling around, No one seemed to notice us waiting to be seated. We did see an employee going thru her purse at the bar, and a few talking and laughing. When they finally did notice, we were told someone would be right with us. When we did finally get seat, we looked at the menu for at least another 5-7 mins. No one came to take a drink order. During that time 4 different employees passed our table and looked at us and one women was s-l-o-w-l-y sweeping up a table. So finally we got up and left. There are so many great places to east in the area, I say try one who will appreciate your business.
(1)Caitlyn P.
Good food, good service, huge portions. I recommend the fish tacos. I'd give it 3.5 stars. Fun to out on the dock and look at the boats. Sometimes you can see some manatees. Full bar inside and outside and they had live music while we were there. Huge porch. Good environment. I recommend this place.
(3)Tiffany M.
Andrew was our waiter and he was terrific! Good was great, service was great... Would definitely come here again!
(5)Andy R.
Stopped here for weekday lunch. We were the youngest people by 20 years. It looked like a retirement convention docked for lunch. About the time we ordered, the elderly bikers rolled in on their three wheel Harleys and Goldwings. The portions are big and the seafood fresh. The decor was dated and the floor bounced as the wait staff hurried about. The server was nice but not very attentive or fast, I think she was working too many tables. I ordered the fish tacos with grilled haddock. Very meaty and good. Others got grouper Reuben (good), chicken sandwich with onion rings (good), fried clam dinner (frozen clams but good), and grilled scallops (fresh but tasteless). The French fries were good. Crackers has a nice outdoor seating area but it was cool temps and we wanted to avoid any noseeum bugs so we ate inside. Bathroom was small and OK cleanliness. We would eat here again.
(4)Emily S.
I have to say I am really shocked at all the low reviews for this restaurant. We were in florida to see "the mouse" for most of the trip, but also spent 5 days on this coast to see the Manatees. I would compare this to a local version of Applebees or a similar type diner. Its cute inside and had good quality food, good service and good prices. It also has a patio on the water as is part of a motel/Best Western. Our food was very good, the waitress was very nice and all tasted fresh. And as to prices, all were pretty much what we paid the entire time we were in florida for similar type items. Most items ie sandwiches, baskets, etc are in the $10 to $18 range. And their beer was incredibly inexpensive. If you are here on vacation please try this as note this is a SMALL area and NOT MANY OPTIONS especially on the water. We went to the Crystal river ale house the next night and its TRULY a dive and not even ON yelp. So give this a try, again good food, cheap prices, nice staff.
(4)Joel P.
Horrible management and food. Waited an hour to get into the restaurant for food that came out raw. and Scallops were frozen sysco food. And warm salads. Waited 15 minutes for managers Karol and carleen who are totally incompetent and made our server so upset she was crying. Our server, jet was great. Avoid at all costs!!
(1)Amy M.
Sat on the deck and had shrimp & grits app that was amazing, I had blackened grouper Reuben my gf & blackened haddock w/sweet potato fries. We were both very happy. Were tourists or we would come back. Thinkin of getting more shrimp and grits to go. Waitress was on top of things, too.
(4)Stephanie D.
this place might have been fun in 1989 - I think that's the last time they put money into it. Chairs are gross,tables are dirty, beers are small and in plastic cups - hello, this is Florida, who serves beer in plastic cups when it's 100 degrees? No breeze, no fans. not a fan, would not return.
(1)Leesa C.
I enjoy the atmosphere at crackers more than the food... The outside bar with live music is a great way to enjoy a meal and a cold drink off the water.
(3)Amber A.
Friendly service can't mask horrible neglect of customers. Our waitress said she'd be right back for our order, then ditched us for twenty minutes. We had to ask for our server and finally someone came and said she was on break and had to cover. They messed up our orders and forgot my toddler's pizza. The food was abundant and priced pretty well except that it was mediocre. The fries were over cooked, the slaw was flavorless, the fish tacos were boring. Most if us left more than half our plate and didn't want doggie bags. The location and layout is casual and comfortable.
(2)Mike K.
Excellent food and large portions. Love that. It is located right on the water we will be back
(4)John B.
This seems to be where the locals hang out. Large portions of great food. The local craft beer was great too. Must sit outside overlooking the river.
(5)Noah R.
Food was mediocre. Sweet potato fries were greasy. Service was excellent. Others felt too much grease and not worth returning
(2)Kenny V.
Imade the BIGGEST MISTAKE of my dinning life.(turns out this was the start of my mistake)..Went to crackers for dinner last night with my wife and 2 daughters. The place was packed and was a 20 min.to be seated and another approx 30/45 min to get our food. ( if we stayed). So we went to Charley's next door went right in and got seated wright away the place was about half full/empty. (.problem for a reason).when we got our food it was such small portion that when the waitress ask can she get us anything else I told her she could bring me the rest of my order. ( I was serious). Then she brought us the bill ($100.83) that did it. I guess she knew I wasn't happy she never asked how everything was problem a good thing she didn't to. The food sucked and not because of the portions THE FOOD SUCKED... you can read my review on Charley's tips site. And next time I will wait to be seated and eat.. at crackers we drove aprox45 min to get there ( never again at Charley's.) From now on I only go to Crackers . wait or not........much better and much larger portions of food at crackers lesson learned....
(5)Dan D.
Outside deck area overlooking the river is worth 2 stars. Service was good, food baskets were OK at in my opinion at a premium price (paying for the location and view). Between November and April the place is taken over by the snowbirds-tourist who pack the place due to its location. God Bless em!
(3)Logan S.
Service was very poor. Food was nothing great. View and atmosphere is what saved it from 1 star.
(2)Jim S.
I have been there three times and have ordered the fried fish once and fried grouper once. The food was perfectly fried, but there is NO seasoning on the fried fish. Perfectly moist, but no salt or pepper. Hate paying $10.00 for a fish sandwich and the beautifully fried fish is not seasoned. Evidently, speaking to other and friends, this is the norm. Other food was very good as well as the service. Other food not fried was very good. Good beer prices on tap
(2)Kon T.
The food is ok. I had the fried alligator and grouper. It was ok and the flavor was just decent. If you plan to select 2 items, try the scallops and the grouper blacken. The flavor is pretty good. My friend ordered that and I had a taste and it was good. The menu is very limited. The outdoor dinning is better than the indoor. It is a great view of the water. Restroom is decent.
(3)Yo D.
I gave it one star because I got the feeling they didn't care much for the colored type. The food was decent but nothing I'd brag about. I'll add - I am not "angry black guy" just a dude not from here and got a rude awakening. I will not be back
(1)Diane J.
We are locals and have eaten here a few times to be disappointed every time. We will never ever go there again. The last time we had fish tacos - the worst I have ever had!! Service is always so-so. There are much better restaurants in the area. Steer away from this one!!
(1)Yossy L.
Ordered a simple Mahi sandwich for takeout. Went to pick it up and order was ready upon arrival. However, there seems to be no one in charge of takeout orders and therefore no one who really cares about them as well. I was third in line behind a dine-in patron and another Togo order who said he had waited for 30 minutes to get his order (which was also ready and sitting with a line of bagged orders on the bar). There appeared to be only one register at the bar. Many waitresses walked up to the register, entered their order for their table and left without making eye contact or acknowledging me or the other Togo order ahead of me. Bartenders walked up entered their drink orders and left without acknowledging the Togo orders obviously waiting. I even grabbed a manager to ask if I was in the right place and she said yes, but did not help expedite the situation at all. Sandwich was soggy due to the unnecessary wait and lack of customer service/procedures. Cooks did their job, but the manager doesn't know what she is doing. Plan on taking out somewhere else unless you have a lot of time to waste.
(2)Ana T.
Great food & wine and atmosphere was great too with band. Great stop on our way to Tampa.
(4)Gabriel J.
Surprisingly good food! Looks like it would be mediocre, but everything was quite delicious. And awesome location on the water
(4)Kristy B.
Amazing crab stuffed shrimp. So so margarita and small standard beer selection but excellent seafood. My husbands herb crusted snapper was the best we've ever tasted.
(4)Richard S.
We have eaten at Cracker's for years, but NO MORE! They have eliminated soft shell crabs from the menu because the customers can't tell the difference between crab cakes and soft shell crabs, so they send them back. Apparently, the staff is incapable of being trained as to the difference, so that they could discuss the choice with the customer. With no crabs to choose, I had oysters. The breading on the oysters was as thick as the tasteless hush puppies. There are many seafood restaurants in the area. I would suggest that you pick another and not Cracker's!
(2)Warren B.
Not bad. I got conch fritters and crab stuffed shrimp, gf got grilled scallops. We also ordered cocktails, "Malibu sun splash" or something that were mediocre at best. The conch fritters were meh. Crab stuffed shrimp tasted pretty great although it was more like crab topped shrimp haha they definitely weren't stuffed. But the grilled scallops literally weren't seasoned at all... Completely bland. Wouldn't recommend those. Overall though, worth a visit.
(3)Amanda S.
Was not impressed with this local restaurant! Prices were pretty high considering the quality of food. Menus had white out all over them and prices weren't listed. Would not visit again.
(2)Rob J.
Service was horrible. Outdoor deck was hotter than being in the sun. They need to put some vents in the roof and new ceiling fans. Food was ok at best. Both times I have eaten there it has been the same.
(1)Carey Y.
After an AMAZING experience of swimming with a wild manatee, Gabriel and I found ourselves starving and in a town we knew nothing about. Our boat captain told us that Crackers is the best place around to grab lunch, so we headed straight there. We walked through the restaurant to be seated out back, and found a huge deck with round tables and umbrellas. It had a tiki bar/casual vibe and there was even the predictable dude-with-guitar playing decent, classic rock, cover tunes. Our waiter took our order and made a few suggestions. We started with the clam strips appetizer- one of my favorite and very rarely indulged-in snacks. We decided to share the suggested salmon and grouper sandwiches with sides of fries and a salad. The clam strips came out quickly and looked awesome- if not kind of skimpy. They were hot, crunchy and a little bit more breaded than I like, but we polished them off so quickly that we felt a little shorted. The price was more or less fair, but the portion really could have been a bit more generous. The sandwiches and the bread they came on were delicious. The fish was simply prepared and fresh, and the ripe tomatoes and crunchy lettuce were refreshing. The rolls were great for the first few bites, but quickly got soggy beyond holding, and ended up on the plate while we used a fork to finish the fish. The fries were exactly as requested- extra crunchy and well-done. The salad, made mostly of iceberg and croutons, left a lot to be desired. I find it especially odd when the sandwiches come with a decent lettuce like romaine, and then they skimp with a salad made of iceberg. Overall, the setting was what made this a memorable meal. The food was pretty good- but not really noteworthy. If you're in the area, it's a fair choice, but I'd be inclined to explore more if I'm ever back there with some time and hunger on my hands.
(3)Mary A.
Yes, the locals DO eat there. I've lived in Crystal River all my life, and eat there almost every weekend. I frequently see people I know there. Like all places, you occasionally get a poor server, but most of the time, they're friendly and helpful. The food is great. I usually get a Cracker burger & fries. I love the French dip. My husband loves the onion rings or the sweet potato fries. If I'm feeling virtuous, the spinach salad with grilled shrimp is wonderful. The view is gorgeous, especially on a sunny day. Sometimes we sit outside, but not very often. In Florida, it is illegal to smoke inside a restaurant, so the smokers all sit outside. Since we don't smoke, that's no fun. We try to sit next to the windows on the inside. It is a bar, too, and their margaritas are great.
(5)Terry G.
Sat outside by the water at picnic tables and had really generous portions of grilled scallops. Salad was iceberg lettuce. The service was personable but slow at times. I would recommend this place for a reasonably priced, good-quality meal.
(3)Brad K.
attached is a photo of the most nasty, worst french dip I've ever had tasted like FISH - couldn't stomach the last half, the bake potato was raw being this is a fish place on the water..who knows what the kitchen did service was not good, she didn't pay much attention to our table at all wanted to sit outside but there were to many flies (you need a electronic fly trap guys !) worst dining we've had in the last 6 to 12 months
(1)Kristen G.
Crackers is one of the few restaurants in Crystal River with both a beautiful view and fresh fish. And, how can you go wrong with that combination? We had the Grouper Rueben, Redfish, and Catfish. The portions were large, and the fish was cooked excellently. We had the nachos for an appetizer, and even though they were really good, I'll skip them next time because of how much food comes with each meal. I'm pretty sure there were five catfish fillets with the meal for around $13, and they even blackened the catfish even though it wasn't on the menu. Service and food were great, and we will definitely return!
(4)Lila W.
I'm still thinking about the fish tacos I got 4 days ago! Only 2 instead of the traditional 3, but really they could just add another tortilla and split the fillings evenly, the two are so big. A while ago we tried the grouper melt and it was delicious. The sweet potato fries are always a must have for me.
(4)M.A. B.
Nice patio overlooking the water. Eat outside if it's a nice day! Good service, full bar, extensive menu. Had a shrimp Caesar salad - dressing didn't overpower the lettuce. Spicy croutons, Parmesan cheese topped the salad. It had six sizable grilled shrimp that were Gulf Coast fresh. I'll be back again!
(4)Liz H.
The staff were eating and then handling food without gloves or a wash of hands, that to me is a giant no-no. I've worked in the food industry and that's not OK. We only stopped in because a local mentioned we should try this place after our manatee tour. The bartender wasn't too friendly and took a while to notice our drinks were empty. I have to say the tropical drinks are pretty good (the little bar menu was covered in dirt though). The appetizers took about 30 minutes to come out, and the main course almost an hour I would say. I don't mind waiting for my food as long as it's tasty, but this was probably the worst seafood I've ever had. I ordered the Mahi filet and I took two bites and couldn't eat anymore. Very bad, also the tartar sauce I'm guessing is homemade. Not in a good way. Bartender also recommended their house coleslaw, it was like a clump of mayo. My boyfriend ordered the three sampler (gator, conch fritters, clam strips) and the conch fritters were downright nasty. Like burnt hush puppies with no conch. I grew up in the islands, so maybe I was spoiled with good seafood, but this was just gross. I give it two stars because the tropical drinks were nice, and their Cracker's wings were really good. Other than that it is very dirty, staff doesn't seem too into what they're doing, and the food is bad. Sadly, we will not be going back on our next trip.
(2)R M.
Was staying at the best western and stopped in for dinner The $2.50 for shock top 20oz and the excellent fish tachos with grilled shrimp deserved a 5 stars Service was awesome me. Fast and the order was correct
(5)Stefanie M.
Food was very fresh and tasty, had fish tacos grilled. sat outside with a beautiful water view and excellent service.
(5)Gioia G.
Seafood meal with a Waterview We stop here for lunch, we were 10 people. The food was delicious and service was top notch. Our waitress was awesome. We add raw oysters (decent sizes) and sweet potatoes for appetizers. You must try sweet potatoes, they were delicious. We try their combo with grouper, scallop and shrimps. We also had shrimp stuffed with crab meat and taco salad. All the food was delicious nothing tasted bad
(5)Riley B.
Cracker's is pretty hit or miss overall. I feel inclined to give it a 3.5 stars, but 3 will have to do. I've eaten here every year for the past five years as my girlfriend's family always visits Crystal River. The service and kitchen speed is perennially bad. Not that the staff isn't friendly, they are just extremely forgetful and slow. However, I will give credit where credit is due and say that this past summer they have stepped their game up across the board, and everybody's food (on both of our 2 visits) was way better than it was in the past. Hopefully this will be 4 or 5 in 2016.
(3)Shawn J.
We have been here at least 6 times over the years and have never had a bad meal. The food is quite good, and the restaurant always looks clean. Sitting outside on the water really makes this place for us, especially when there is live music. Friendly staff and good drink selection. We are true fans.
(5)Jeana P.
We came in with a party of 9 on Wednesday night with a reservation. Our server was very polite and quick and was able to anticipate our needs very well. Though I don't remember her name I know she had short hair and large gauges. Our appetizers came out very quickly as well as our salads but our food was a little behind. Many of us ordered all different menu items and there weren't too many raves around the tables. The alcoholic drinks that were ordered were very strong. I had the salmon and it was large and good but the only thing impressive was the full sauce that came with. All in all it was just pretty boring. We'll come back if everywhere else is packed.
(3)Kristen D.
Loved being able to sit outside on their patio and enjoy the afternoon sun. I had a cucumber margarita and it was refreshing, also not a bad price! The fried gator bites, sweet potato fries, and zucchini fries were great appetizers. I got the grilled shrimp dinner and it came with two sides- a salad and and I picked sweet potato fries. The meal was delicious and the shrimp was tender and a good size. A great spot on the river with good drinks and food. Our server was also super friendly and the service was super fast!
(5)Nicolas L.
Cracker's Bar & Grill is a local favorite restaurant and it did not disappoint. I tried the Fish Tacos and they were really good. The tacos were filled with a generous portion of flakey haddock. I order the fish blackened (fried and grilled were the other options) and the seasoning was very flavorful. The tacos were also filled with creamy and crunchy coleslaw and sharp cheddar cheese. The sides of fries were also very good, crispy on the outside and soft of the inside. The portions were very large as well. The bar offered a number of drink specials but had a very limited selection of craft beer. However, they had Sweetwater IPA on tap at $1.75 for 10 oz! This is probably the cheapest I have seen a craft beer selection being sold for. The restaurant also has a nice tiki bar ambiance that is perfect after a day on the river.
(4)Kevin S.
Crackers has just the ambience that we had been hoping to find. We were in town staying on the water nearby and excited to take our boat from the hotel to dinner and back. Good food choices, good menu choices, good beer prices, but bad bad service. Thankfully we were so relaxed and happy to be dining outside and near the water that we really weren't too terribly upset with the poor service. We even went back to dine at Crackers a second time and hoped that the slow and inattentive service was just a one time thing. Unfortunately, it was just as bad or possibly worse. And we had visited them on Monday and Wednesday evenings. I can only assume that the weekends would be even busier for them. Even after experiencing the poor service I imagine that we would plan to visit Crackers again the next time we stay on the water in Crystal River. Can't beat the view.
(3)Bella P.
Great food and good service. Being from out of town it was nice to come to a local place like this. We had been recommended it by some of the people here and dricided to give it a try. It sneaks up on you if you aren't careful. The interior is nice, as is the waterfront dining area. The view is great! We sat outside and that was a bit of a mistake as I was wearing shorts and got my legs chewed up by bugs. I suggest if it's late and you're sitting outside please make sure your skin is covered!! The bugs can be pretty bad. I got the fish and chips, as well as the fried catfish basket. I'm not really a big fish eater but wow this stuff was good! The tartar sauce was delicious as was their coleslaw. The fish was hot and cooked well. The meal was fantastic. The only drawback was the stupid bugs. If they could have done something about that it would have been 5 stars.
(4)Lisa X.
Great for lunch and the service was great - nice views of the water!
(3)Alyssa S.
Our tour guide from Manatee Tour and Dive suggested this restaurant after our manatee tour. We sat on the patio and there was live music. It was nice way to end our adventure in Crystal River. The serving sizes are large. I had the fish tacos, which were more like grilled fish quesadillas but were still great. My friend got a salmon spinach salad which she said was delicious also. We will definitely keep this place in mind if we are back in Crystal River.
(4)Matthew W.
Every time I'm in Crystal River I stop for the blackened grouper. This time I tried the gator sausage. Amazing! The blackened oysters are ado very good. I have had a lot of grouper all over florida this is by far the best I have ever had. Do Not go to competitors next door it's nothing like this place!!!
(5)Dan C.
Had a fresh, blackened grouper sandwich. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The views aren't so bad either!
(4)None H.
Place and food are alright, but you see the problem of getting a lot recommendations: crowded, loud and nothing really great about it but being recommended to everyone. Been there several times (starting with being recommended to go there while staying first time in Crystal River, then some more times due to the memory). There's really nice staff, there's staff which is okay, the food at least for me got a very little bit worse from year to year. So alright, but next time we'll give another location a try. The seafood dealer and cafe (in Crystal River Mall) was overcrowded this day, but we'll definitely try. So don't miss Cracker's, but adjust any special expectations to a normal level.
(3)R P.
Arrived at around 5:30 after a long drive and a float down rainbow river. Always like to try by the water restaraunts. The outside tiki deck and bar area is mostly elevated and has both regular and bar height tables. Good view of the water and the small docks from the entire area. The tiki area was about half full and quiet. Most people were relaxing and talking a little. We sat outside at a bar height table with a view of the water. Chairs were big and comfortable sling back chairs bolted to pvc frames. It works. This area is seat yourself. Waiter came by as soon as we were settled and handed us menus. He let us know about the drink, wine and beer specials and prices. Nice that shock top 11 oz draft in a plastic cup was under $2. Order a pitcher and they put a bag of ice in it to keep it cool. We ordered scallops, redfish sandwich and taco salad w chicken. Coleslaw and baked potato as sides. Free wifi, plenty of wildlife flying or swimming by along with boat action to keep your eyes busy. After another round of drinks the entrees were delivered. Scallops were quite good. Broiled, bigger than bay scallops and smaller than "diver" scallops. Redfish sandwich was broiled and moist. Quite good. Taco salad w chicken was good too. Nothing was salty. The flavor of each item came through. Very plesant. Server was as you'd like. Asking if you would like another drink when your drink is 2/3 gone. Bringing the next drink just before or after your last sip. Offered water with entree and checked back a few min after the entrees were delivered. I'd go back no questions asked.
(4)Angela E.
This place was recommended to me and my friend and I happened to be in town for the day. The parking lot is very small. We went on Saturday evening, around 7, and thankfully found an open spot at the very end of the parking lot. We came here for the outdoor seating and I am so glad that we did. Cracker's has an awesome outdoor patio right on the water, complete with an outdoor bar. They had a live band playing that was really good and that just added to the great atmosphere. The drinks are priced great and the food is decent. I had the Black and Blue, which is a burger with a blue cheese on top and that was delicious. I also love their french fries. Very tasty. I like that even though this restaurant is listed as a seafood restaurant, they have enough of a variety of non-seafood items for those that don't eat seafood. The service was pretty good and our waitress frequently visited our table to see if we needed anything or refills for most of the time that we we were there. We stayed until about 9 and had to go searching for our waitress to pay our bill, but otherwise it was a great experience. I think it would be fun to go back during the day to watch the boats go by on the outdoor patio.
(4)Brenda D.
We went to Cracker's for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by how good the seafood is. Coming from NH, it's very hard to beat our seafood! Loved the Oysters and I'm not an oyster person. The scallops were excellent also. The server was very nice and took photos of us even though she was very busy. I'd go back if, I were in the area. :)
(4)Xing Y.
Great fish tacos! Zucchini fries are also very amazing. Portion is great, a bit too much for lunch. It also has a great view of the river.
(4)Michael M.
Had dinner while visiting Crystal River for one of the first times. If you are seeking an establishment to enjoy fried food in a sports bar environment look no further. I had received a dazzling recommendation to try this restaurant out which may have led to my expectations of an enjoyable dining experience, unfortunately my experience was not outstanding. If you are ordering something fried it is standard fare, and clearly within the cooking staff's comfort zone. I ordered a grilled seafood dinner and felt that the proteins lacked any seasoning whatsoever. The side dishes were lackluster, and the beverages seemed watered down. Thankfully the staff were all very friendly and polite. I wish that the quality of the food and beverages were somewhere close to that of the friendliness of the staff. Unfortunately I will not be returning for any further adventures in mediocre dining.
(2)Tom K.
Meh. Crackers attraction is that it is one of the few places that you can eat on the water in Crystal River. The large outdoor area makes it a stop for anyone and their brother(or grand parents) to stop for cheap beer and bar food. The food is nothing fantastic but I have eaten here a few times. Did I mention it was on the water. Service is OK, not great. Time for food out of the kitchen is actually pretty quick. Good for efficiency. But being able to slide out food that quick means deep fried, pre-made, stuff in buckets, nothing special food... We do not go as much as we used. A bit crowded. The mix of geriatric(and I am no spring chicken) and loud cheap drinkers make for a unique sideshow. I am not saying don't go. It is a real "Crystal River" place. Just go with your expectations set appropriately. PS. LOUD live music on Friday - Saturday. We actually like the steel drum music on Sunday afternoons.
(3)Carlos V.
A nice view on the bay. Good bar to chill out and have some drinks. The burgers are awesome especially the Cracker's house burger. Yummy.
(4)Eric V.
Basically an overpriced hamburger joint. Nothing special here other than a $50+ check for the absolute minimum...........
(2)Ken L.
Absolutely, wonderful! River Ventures recommended this place after our swim. We were absolutely amazed with our waiter, Craig! He was excellent with the children and our food arrived quickly. The food was excellent. The shrimp were very large, oysters were fresh, fried grouper was very good and the hamburger was excellent. Zucchini fries were tasty. No, I did not eat all that. However I tasted it all! What a great family experience! I can't wait go back!
(4)Patti B.
Ate here 3 years ago and came back again. Still great for the good, service and the views. We all at something different and shared thinking it was all good. Blackened mani mani, stuffed shrimp, scallops and claim dinners all around. If was great. Service was great with a very attentive waiter. Unbelievable, we sat at the same table as 3 years ago. Great view of the harbor. We sat inside because it was late lunch early dinner and just still too hot. Great place. A tradition.
(4)Jennifer M.
I really debated over 3 or 4 stars but the atmosphere made me give it 4 stars. The day we went was a beautiful, sunny, cool, day so we sat outside on the patio. What a great spot! It's a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. We ordered conch fritters and fish dip as an appetizer. Both were delicious! (Really we ordered a sampler platter appetizer but they only brought out the conch fritters...great mistake because they were delicious!) The entrees were hit and miss. One person in our group ordered the wahoo sandwich. The taste was okay but it had so many bones in the fish that it was unpleasant to eat. Another person ordered the black and blue burger and it was delicious! My husband and I ordered fish and chips. The portion was huge however, it was the most tasteless fish we have ever had. We soaked it in salt, lemon and vinegar but nothing seemed to help it out. Definitely a place I would go again (especially on a beautiful day), but maybe just for appetizers and drinks or a burger.
(4)Diane H.
Love the location. .right on the water. . Good food .good service. .live music Sunday afternoon. Florida atmosphere extroidonare. ..how about manatee watching..Great for families where the kids can run. Outdoor bar and seating
(4)Patty F.
Seriously awful. From the service to the ambiance to the food and back to the service. We ate on the patio on their high tops. We ordered a couple of beers and food for our son. We waited FOREVER for his chicken fingers. The waited another eternity for our food which we got probably after 25 minutes. The entire time with no drinks even though we asked for one more beer and water. We got our food and 2 things happened: my salad was swimming in dressing. It wasn't even fair to call it a salad. It was a bowl of dressing with some lettuce and croutons sprinkled in. Inedible. My husband ordered fish tacos, we got shrimp tacos. More like a coleslaw taco with a couple of shrimp tossed in. Took so long for the waitress to check on us and we were so hungry that he ate half a taco anyways. We sent it back and got a cheese taco with some fish in it. The combination of being understaffed and not having a great cook created a terrible experience. Blah
(1)Chris S.
I'm shocked to see the brutal reviews from a few folks on here. I've been to this place twice and the service was good, food wasn't bad and the atmosphere was amazing in the summer when you can sit on the deck. And, ask yourself something else. Where is a better place to eat in Crystal River? Exactly, there isn't. Even the locals will send you here. Is the food incredible? Nope. Is it good, sure. This place isn't going to make you crave a return, but it shouldn't disappoint you either. I've always gone with the mahi mahi (blackened) and it's been good. I'd recommend trying the gator blackened, too, rather than fried. And, while some of you have complained about the food on here - consider the value. This place is fairly priced and offers good value at the current rate. And, with patio seating allows you to feel the ocean breeze while enjoying seafood. What could be better?
(4)Deb G.
Love It! Food was awesome, serving was also good. We have had shrimp and grits, seafood trio , county fried steak, and the blue cheese/ Bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer they have all be great., cant wait to go back and try something different,
(5)Janet C.
Great prices for food and drinks! The seafood in general tasted fresh. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp, oysters and wings!
(5)Mark E.
Okay, so maybe not the best seafood on the Florida gulf coast, but this place has character, great ambiance and amazing views. If you are in Crystal River, you should give this place a try.
(4)Denise S.
Giving it two stars for the atmosphere. Patio is very dated, but it has a nice vibe and live music. Server was ok, but hung around way too long chatting. The rest of the staff seemed friendly, except for the zombie doing the seating. I ordered a few drinks, and they were small, but pretty good. The food for the most part was awful. Shell pieces in the oysters seems to be a regular thing here. The salad was huge, filled with brown-edged warm wilted lettuce, a dried 3" thick piece of cucumber, one mini carrot, and 2 huge rings of onion. This is the worst salad I ever had. The waiter asked me about it, and I told him. He agreed their salads were bad, but never offered a replacement. I ordered fried shrimp. They were the only thing good here. They were super fresh, huge, and expertly cooked. My hush puppies had raw gooey dough in the middles, making them Inedible. We got some severely over cooked blackened flounder and scallops. This is not a place where you should go. At all. Ever.
(2)Karen V.
Stopped here for lunch and was lucky to get an outside table. Enjoyed grouper, fried clams and sweet potato fries. We enjoyed all of it and will definitely go back and recommend for others to eat there. Gave it 4 stars because they were doing some construction while we were there.
(4)Karen G.
Fried food galore...and not amazing at that! Perhaps if you imbibe a few cocktails before ingesting, things could be more enjoyable. Very plain. Very standard. Okay service. There was a long wait with tons of seating open which isn't the best sign now that I think of it. I got the blackened seafood combination plate: frozen, rubbery, and just salt and pepper with nary a squirt of lemon. Poor seafood had to go out like that. What a sad, sad fate! I'm not sure what else to say except Long John Silvers might do seafood more justice than Crackers.
(2)M H.
Came by boat and for there just after opening for lunch. Got a spot on the patio. Very relaxed. Excellent fish tacos...good portions.
(4)Cori B.
Crackers was a recommendation made for a local place with good fish. I'll be honest, I don't eat fish so perhaps I'm not going to fully review the meal that was so highly recommended but I was seriously unhappy with my meal here. I ordered a grilled veg sandwich that really turned my stomach. The bread was soggy to the point it just fell apart into a scramble (it couldn't be picked up) and the veggies had zero taste and were a bit raw. It was more like a salad with soggy croutons. I hate MAYBE 1/4 of it and that was only to avoid having to go somewhere else for food again in an hour. Fiance ways the grouper was ok but he was disappointed based on the rave reviews. I would try somewhere else if I was out that way again.
(2)Martin C.
Busy restaurant the night we were there, which was a Wednesday. Nice patio area on the water with a tiki bar. Food was not bad and fairly priced, but service was slow.
(3)John J.
Went there last year on Veterans Day and enjoyed a decent meal. Went today (Veterans Day) and had an awful meal. Sign on the hostess station said seat yourself and when I did I say there for at least 5 minutes before anyone realized I was there. I asked if they had any Veterans Day specials and was told "Yes, 50% off your bill" sounded great!!! Ordered stuffed Mushrooms and a Shrimp Po'boy. Mushrooms came out dripping in oil like little balls of grease. The Crabmeat stuffing in them tasted very old. Next comes my Po'boy. Was loaded with so much chopped lettuce and tomatoes that I couldn't see the 6 shrimp at first. THANK GOD I asked for the remoulade on the side. Tasted like chili powder and Worcestershire sauce! The tartar and cocktail tasted like it had sat opened in a cooler for way to long as they and the coleslaw all had a musty mildewy taste!! The waitress was pleasant and attentive but when she brought my bill out she said they have to run my card twice as the appetizer wasn't included in the 50% off!!!!! Talk about bait and switch! I paid without saying anything, but was already forming this review in my head. Needless to say, it might be fine and fool the tourist, but this Florida guy will never set foot back in there again!!
(1)Ulysses A.
So if you dig frozen reheated food from Sysco or U.S. Foods, then you'll probably be happy here. If you like fresh food this is not the place for you. Also if you've ever had real fish taco's this place will anger you. However if you're just looking for a beer on the waterfront, then by all means stop in. The waterfront is the only reason this gets more than one star. The service is non existent.
(2)John K.
It's just ok at best. Food is overpriced and the service is very pore. The oysters had shell in them. They give you plastic silver ware to eat with.
(1)Peg B.
Crackers was just another tourist restaurant until someone told us to ask for the "fresh catch" which was redfish and it was divine! It was so fresh and light and full of fishy saltwarter goodness. The sweet potato fries were a big hit but the red fish! make sure you ask about the fresh catch.
(4)Dan D.
Outside deck area overlooking the river is worth 2 stars. Service was good, food baskets were OK at in my opinion at a premium price (paying for the location and view). Between November and April the place is taken over by the snowbirds-tourist who pack the place due to its location. God Bless em!
(3)David M.
If you judged a restaurant on food quantity, Crackers would rate high. Unfortunately the quality is mediocre at best Last night I had the fried catfish, one of the house specialties. It was heavily fried catfish "fingers" served with heavily fried hush puppies and soft fries. I was expecting a nice catfish fillet. There was a lot of it but so heavily fried and chewy, I couldn't eat it. My gal had "blackened" haddock. Once again it was a large serving but chewy. Perhaps it was overcooked. She ordered "steamed vegetables " which was a $1.95 extra. These turned out to be a small portion of lukewarm broccoli. To her credit, the server asked if everything was OK. I mentioned my disapointment with the catfish. She told the manager who promptly removed it from the bill.
(2)Michelle C.
This place was pretty bad. The only reason why I am giving it two stars is because the server was really nice and gave us good service. The oysters were quite possibly the worst raw oysters I've ever had. They were not fresh and tasted terrible. The view at their tiki bar is nice but it's really just a tourist destination with bad food.
(2)Aden B.
Great food and pretty quick timing for food . the service wasn't the best and was slow on getting drinks .
(3)Dori P.
Went in for a quick bite and had amazing fish tacos. Service was quick and local beer was great!
(5)Kathleen G.
Since I can' give is zero, I'll have to give it one star. My boyfriend and I tried to eat there on 4/23/2015. We arrived around 815 pm and waited for at least 5 mins just to get seated. Now there were maybe 10 patrons in the whole place and at least 7-10 employees milling around, No one seemed to notice us waiting to be seated. We did see an employee going thru her purse at the bar, and a few talking and laughing. When they finally did notice, we were told someone would be right with us. When we did finally get seat, we looked at the menu for at least another 5-7 mins. No one came to take a drink order. During that time 4 different employees passed our table and looked at us and one women was s-l-o-w-l-y sweeping up a table. So finally we got up and left. There are so many great places to east in the area, I say try one who will appreciate your business.
(1)Caitlyn P.
Good food, good service, huge portions. I recommend the fish tacos. I'd give it 3.5 stars. Fun to out on the dock and look at the boats. Sometimes you can see some manatees. Full bar inside and outside and they had live music while we were there. Huge porch. Good environment. I recommend this place.
(3)Tiffany M.
Andrew was our waiter and he was terrific! Good was great, service was great... Would definitely come here again!
(5)Andy R.
Stopped here for weekday lunch. We were the youngest people by 20 years. It looked like a retirement convention docked for lunch. About the time we ordered, the elderly bikers rolled in on their three wheel Harleys and Goldwings. The portions are big and the seafood fresh. The decor was dated and the floor bounced as the wait staff hurried about. The server was nice but not very attentive or fast, I think she was working too many tables. I ordered the fish tacos with grilled haddock. Very meaty and good. Others got grouper Reuben (good), chicken sandwich with onion rings (good), fried clam dinner (frozen clams but good), and grilled scallops (fresh but tasteless). The French fries were good. Crackers has a nice outdoor seating area but it was cool temps and we wanted to avoid any noseeum bugs so we ate inside. Bathroom was small and OK cleanliness. We would eat here again.
(4)Emily S.
I have to say I am really shocked at all the low reviews for this restaurant. We were in florida to see "the mouse" for most of the trip, but also spent 5 days on this coast to see the Manatees. I would compare this to a local version of Applebees or a similar type diner. Its cute inside and had good quality food, good service and good prices. It also has a patio on the water as is part of a motel/Best Western. Our food was very good, the waitress was very nice and all tasted fresh. And as to prices, all were pretty much what we paid the entire time we were in florida for similar type items. Most items ie sandwiches, baskets, etc are in the $10 to $18 range. And their beer was incredibly inexpensive. If you are here on vacation please try this as note this is a SMALL area and NOT MANY OPTIONS especially on the water. We went to the Crystal river ale house the next night and its TRULY a dive and not even ON yelp. So give this a try, again good food, cheap prices, nice staff.
(4)Joel P.
Horrible management and food. Waited an hour to get into the restaurant for food that came out raw. and Scallops were frozen sysco food. And warm salads. Waited 15 minutes for managers Karol and carleen who are totally incompetent and made our server so upset she was crying. Our server, jet was great. Avoid at all costs!!
(1)Amy M.
Sat on the deck and had shrimp & grits app that was amazing, I had blackened grouper Reuben my gf & blackened haddock w/sweet potato fries. We were both very happy. Were tourists or we would come back. Thinkin of getting more shrimp and grits to go. Waitress was on top of things, too.
(4)Stephanie D.
this place might have been fun in 1989 - I think that's the last time they put money into it. Chairs are gross,tables are dirty, beers are small and in plastic cups - hello, this is Florida, who serves beer in plastic cups when it's 100 degrees? No breeze, no fans. not a fan, would not return.
(1)Leesa C.
I enjoy the atmosphere at crackers more than the food... The outside bar with live music is a great way to enjoy a meal and a cold drink off the water.
(3)Amber A.
Friendly service can't mask horrible neglect of customers. Our waitress said she'd be right back for our order, then ditched us for twenty minutes. We had to ask for our server and finally someone came and said she was on break and had to cover. They messed up our orders and forgot my toddler's pizza. The food was abundant and priced pretty well except that it was mediocre. The fries were over cooked, the slaw was flavorless, the fish tacos were boring. Most if us left more than half our plate and didn't want doggie bags. The location and layout is casual and comfortable.
(2)Mike K.
Excellent food and large portions. Love that. It is located right on the water we will be back
(4)John B.
This seems to be where the locals hang out. Large portions of great food. The local craft beer was great too. Must sit outside overlooking the river.
(5)Kenny V.
Imade the BIGGEST MISTAKE of my dinning life.(turns out this was the start of my mistake)..Went to crackers for dinner last night with my wife and 2 daughters. The place was packed and was a 20 min.to be seated and another approx 30/45 min to get our food. ( if we stayed). So we went to Charley's next door went right in and got seated wright away the place was about half full/empty. (.problem for a reason).when we got our food it was such small portion that when the waitress ask can she get us anything else I told her she could bring me the rest of my order. ( I was serious). Then she brought us the bill ($100.83) that did it. I guess she knew I wasn't happy she never asked how everything was problem a good thing she didn't to. The food sucked and not because of the portions THE FOOD SUCKED... you can read my review on Charley's tips site. And next time I will wait to be seated and eat.. at crackers we drove aprox45 min to get there ( never again at Charley's.) From now on I only go to Crackers . wait or not........much better and much larger portions of food at crackers lesson learned....
(5)Logan S.
Service was very poor. Food was nothing great. View and atmosphere is what saved it from 1 star.
(2)Jim S.
I have been there three times and have ordered the fried fish once and fried grouper once. The food was perfectly fried, but there is NO seasoning on the fried fish. Perfectly moist, but no salt or pepper. Hate paying $10.00 for a fish sandwich and the beautifully fried fish is not seasoned. Evidently, speaking to other and friends, this is the norm. Other food was very good as well as the service. Other food not fried was very good. Good beer prices on tap
(2)Kon T.
The food is ok. I had the fried alligator and grouper. It was ok and the flavor was just decent. If you plan to select 2 items, try the scallops and the grouper blacken. The flavor is pretty good. My friend ordered that and I had a taste and it was good. The menu is very limited. The outdoor dinning is better than the indoor. It is a great view of the water. Restroom is decent.
(3)Yo D.
I gave it one star because I got the feeling they didn't care much for the colored type. The food was decent but nothing I'd brag about. I'll add - I am not "angry black guy" just a dude not from here and got a rude awakening. I will not be back
(1)Diane J.
We are locals and have eaten here a few times to be disappointed every time. We will never ever go there again. The last time we had fish tacos - the worst I have ever had!! Service is always so-so. There are much better restaurants in the area. Steer away from this one!!
(1)Noah R.
Food was mediocre. Sweet potato fries were greasy. Service was excellent. Others felt too much grease and not worth returning
(2)Yossy L.
Ordered a simple Mahi sandwich for takeout. Went to pick it up and order was ready upon arrival. However, there seems to be no one in charge of takeout orders and therefore no one who really cares about them as well. I was third in line behind a dine-in patron and another Togo order who said he had waited for 30 minutes to get his order (which was also ready and sitting with a line of bagged orders on the bar). There appeared to be only one register at the bar. Many waitresses walked up to the register, entered their order for their table and left without making eye contact or acknowledging me or the other Togo order ahead of me. Bartenders walked up entered their drink orders and left without acknowledging the Togo orders obviously waiting. I even grabbed a manager to ask if I was in the right place and she said yes, but did not help expedite the situation at all. Sandwich was soggy due to the unnecessary wait and lack of customer service/procedures. Cooks did their job, but the manager doesn't know what she is doing. Plan on taking out somewhere else unless you have a lot of time to waste.
(2)Ana T.
Great food & wine and atmosphere was great too with band. Great stop on our way to Tampa.
(4)Gabriel J.
Surprisingly good food! Looks like it would be mediocre, but everything was quite delicious. And awesome location on the water
(4)Kristy B.
Amazing crab stuffed shrimp. So so margarita and small standard beer selection but excellent seafood. My husbands herb crusted snapper was the best we've ever tasted.
(4)Richard S.
We have eaten at Cracker's for years, but NO MORE! They have eliminated soft shell crabs from the menu because the customers can't tell the difference between crab cakes and soft shell crabs, so they send them back. Apparently, the staff is incapable of being trained as to the difference, so that they could discuss the choice with the customer. With no crabs to choose, I had oysters. The breading on the oysters was as thick as the tasteless hush puppies. There are many seafood restaurants in the area. I would suggest that you pick another and not Cracker's!
(2)Warren B.
Not bad. I got conch fritters and crab stuffed shrimp, gf got grilled scallops. We also ordered cocktails, "Malibu sun splash" or something that were mediocre at best. The conch fritters were meh. Crab stuffed shrimp tasted pretty great although it was more like crab topped shrimp haha they definitely weren't stuffed. But the grilled scallops literally weren't seasoned at all... Completely bland. Wouldn't recommend those. Overall though, worth a visit.
(3)Amanda S.
Was not impressed with this local restaurant! Prices were pretty high considering the quality of food. Menus had white out all over them and prices weren't listed. Would not visit again.
(2)Rob J.
Service was horrible. Outdoor deck was hotter than being in the sun. They need to put some vents in the roof and new ceiling fans. Food was ok at best. Both times I have eaten there it has been the same.
(1)Mary A.
Yes, the locals DO eat there. I've lived in Crystal River all my life, and eat there almost every weekend. I frequently see people I know there. Like all places, you occasionally get a poor server, but most of the time, they're friendly and helpful. The food is great. I usually get a Cracker burger & fries. I love the French dip. My husband loves the onion rings or the sweet potato fries. If I'm feeling virtuous, the spinach salad with grilled shrimp is wonderful. The view is gorgeous, especially on a sunny day. Sometimes we sit outside, but not very often. In Florida, it is illegal to smoke inside a restaurant, so the smokers all sit outside. Since we don't smoke, that's no fun. We try to sit next to the windows on the inside. It is a bar, too, and their margaritas are great.
(5)Jessica M.
Beautiful view and great food. The atmosphere here is awesome! I got a hamburger and it was one of the best I've ever had. My in-laws come here all the time, and I definitely want to go back next time we're in town. We sat outside on the HUGE dock, and the weather was perfect. The staff was friendly and fast. Overall, we had a great experience here!
(4)Domenic M.
Enjoyable night out, for the area. Parking is ample, but the waiting list is sometimes a bit long. When you do get seated, expect a well-rounded menu with good specials. Your server is likely to be one of the many "good" apples that seem to be on staff. The crowd is all-ages, which is surprising for where it is. The view is lovely, and the live music is usually fair to average. Interaction with the band (intimate setting) is frequent. In love with the steaks, the grouper bites, and the gator.
(3)Ashley G.
Disappointment. We really were looking forward to some great seafood and unfortunately, Cracker's was not it. Wishing I would have trusted some of the Yelp reviews. Will not make this mistake again.
(1)Carey Y.
After an AMAZING experience of swimming with a wild manatee, Gabriel and I found ourselves starving and in a town we knew nothing about. Our boat captain told us that Crackers is the best place around to grab lunch, so we headed straight there. We walked through the restaurant to be seated out back, and found a huge deck with round tables and umbrellas. It had a tiki bar/casual vibe and there was even the predictable dude-with-guitar playing decent, classic rock, cover tunes. Our waiter took our order and made a few suggestions. We started with the clam strips appetizer- one of my favorite and very rarely indulged-in snacks. We decided to share the suggested salmon and grouper sandwiches with sides of fries and a salad. The clam strips came out quickly and looked awesome- if not kind of skimpy. They were hot, crunchy and a little bit more breaded than I like, but we polished them off so quickly that we felt a little shorted. The price was more or less fair, but the portion really could have been a bit more generous. The sandwiches and the bread they came on were delicious. The fish was simply prepared and fresh, and the ripe tomatoes and crunchy lettuce were refreshing. The rolls were great for the first few bites, but quickly got soggy beyond holding, and ended up on the plate while we used a fork to finish the fish. The fries were exactly as requested- extra crunchy and well-done. The salad, made mostly of iceberg and croutons, left a lot to be desired. I find it especially odd when the sandwiches come with a decent lettuce like romaine, and then they skimp with a salad made of iceberg. Overall, the setting was what made this a memorable meal. The food was pretty good- but not really noteworthy. If you're in the area, it's a fair choice, but I'd be inclined to explore more if I'm ever back there with some time and hunger on my hands.
(3)Terry G.
Sat outside by the water at picnic tables and had really generous portions of grilled scallops. Salad was iceberg lettuce. The service was personable but slow at times. I would recommend this place for a reasonably priced, good-quality meal.
(3)Brad K.
attached is a photo of the most nasty, worst french dip I've ever had tasted like FISH - couldn't stomach the last half, the bake potato was raw being this is a fish place on the water..who knows what the kitchen did service was not good, she didn't pay much attention to our table at all wanted to sit outside but there were to many flies (you need a electronic fly trap guys !) worst dining we've had in the last 6 to 12 months
(1)Diana M.
This is a fun place to hang out near the water, have a drink, and listen to some live music. The food is so-so, comparable to normal bar type food. I did try this chocolate mousse dessert and it was very, very good.
(4)Ryan M.
HORRIBLE. I went in with my wife and kids and ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, three of the were so rotten that you couldn't pick the oyster up it dripped through my fork. So I gave it another shot and ordered the soft shell crab sandwich and only ate two bites it was nasty and greasy. My wife ordered the grouper sandwich and the smell was so bad she couldn't eat either it was definitely spoiled. The need to be checked out by the health dept. before someone gets really sick.
(1)Crystal R.
IF YOU GO HERE PAY WITH CASH!! The food here was great, the service was fine, but ended in a horrible experience! My husband, father, and I rent kayaks from the Crystal River Kayak Company (shout out to them for being A++) and paddled our way over the Cracker's for lunch. Being that we were in Kayaks all we had taken with us was my credit card and ID for fear of anything else getting wet. Our lunch was very good and the prices were very fair, we were very relaxed and having a great time. Our ticket total was $45 and I gave the waiter my card. He came back and said it was declined. I explained perhaps the magnetic strip got wet if he would try manually punching in the numbers instead, again he came back and said it was declined. I asked if there was an ATM nearby to try the card myself and he said the restaurant had their own ATM inside the restaurant. My husband went to the ATM and boom...pulled out $60 with a $3 ATM fee. We paid cash for our bill and were on our way. Being that we were on vacation all the way from California I frequently checked my online bank account to track how much we were spending. I was shocked to see the $45 (that we paid cash for) in fact did clear! AND the ATM cleared twice!! When my husband called to clear up the mistake and ask for the $108 back that he got the run around, back and forth phone calls with the manager, and nothing was resolved. A week later my bank is now working on the issue and disputing the charges no thanks to the "manager" who seemed to hope we would just forget we were missing $108. I don't know if anyone else has had similar problems or if I was unlucky that day but if you eat there I recommend paying in cash!
(1)Chad E.
If you were selling the place, you'd be set, because they have a great location - right on the water. Unfortunately, location only helps in real estate. It isn't bad for a restaurant, but it only gets you so far and then you have to also have good service and food as well, and that's where Cracker's falls a little short. The service is friendly at Cracker's, but it's a bit slow. And the food is nothing special. It's solid fare, but nothing outstanding by any means. Being situated on the waterfront would be so much better if the food was light and fresh instead. It makes me think they are going to show up on Kitchen Nightmares next season.
(3)James P.
Outstanding view and outdoor seating, acceptable-to-good rated food (Cracker Melt? Gator, conch fritters, and calamari? Sign me up!), but the service can be a little spotty. Some times it's great, other times I've walked out after 14 minutes without even getting acknowledged that I was waiting. But the food is good, the view is great, and the beer is ice cold and cheap. Every time I'm back in town I always come here.
(4)Rob B.
Outside section has nice view. Service was good and so was the food. The blackened grouper was excellent and good portion size. The crab rolls were really good too. Salads are big so hope your Hungary. The gator bites didn't have much flavor; but they sauce helped.
(5)david g.
Not sure the view is "outstanding" but is does have a view. I really liked my blackend redfish. I thought it was good. We sat outside. Birds were a little annoying and the bugs were bad. When the band started, it was loud. Not exactly what we were looking for. Server was reasonably attentive. Drink glass did not go empty. I would eat there again. May sit inside next time. Not sure what the rules are here in Florida, but the woman at the next table was smoking. I dont have a tolerance for that while I am trying to eat. Not sure if that is allowed here or not. I would eat there again. Might even hang out there some time.
(3)Lindsay G.
Better than expected. Cute place on the water, good food, and friendly staff. Try this place before going to chain restaurants in Crystal River.
(4)Julie B.
Great food, very reasonable...try the grouper melt...super yummy! Nice tiki bar too
(5)Kevin H.
On a recent golf trip 15 of us went to Crackers for dinner. Our waitress was fantastic, her name is Amanda. Everyone at the table was impressed on how well she handled so many people. The best waitress ever! The food was really good and the portions are very generous for the pice.
(5)Mike Q.
The help, especially at the Tiki bar is wonderful but the owners are not. They have driven away almost all locals. Many better places to visit in the area that really want and appreciate your business.
(1)Jessie F.
We had drinks here before AND after our dinner at a restaurant next door. We wish we had chosen to stay and eat here as the ambiance is much better. The menu seemed a bit pricey but looked delicious.
(3)Rowan K.
Food is good. Prices are reasonable. Location is great. Right on the water. Service was good. I didn't have to wait very long. I had cheeseburger & coleslaw & it came with a sliced pickle. I had sweet tea. Good place. Live music.
(5)Tedd S.
Ohhhh Comeonnnnn! Anyone in Crystal River knows not to eat here...it's strictly a tourist trap with horrible service, chain-grade food and high prices! The view from the dock seating area is pleasant in itself...just don't eat the food!
(2)Sugar B.
I hate this place. My seafood pasta had no taste but plenty of nasty grease! My husbands steak was leather but I guess that's what he gets for ordering a steak at a seafood place. Service wasn't too bad. I've given this place a few chances but sadly have never had a good experience.
(1)Necota S.
Greatly improved layout. Food is classic Florida seafood. Patio area is nice.
(3)Kate D.
Terrible. I was there at night and didn't see the view, but the food was pretty bad. To start, I got a mouthful of shell flakes with each oyster on the half shell, and my conch fritters were horribly overdone - almost burnt and very tough and greasy. I moved to the south 10 months ago and have been amazed by the absolutely perfect fry jobs, every time, until coming here. By very far the worst fry job I've ever experienced since moving to the south (and maybe ever) - it really should not have been served at all. The place was pretty empty so it's not like the kitchen was overwhelmed.
(1)Frank C.
Wanted to go and enjoy dinner with my family, ended up listening to music so loud, you couldn't even hear your waitress. My wife ordered fish taco's and I had shrimp taco's, the fish taco had no flavor at all. My son wouldn't eat his hotdog because the edges were hard and crunchy. Very disappointed!
(1)Richard H.
Only reason for 2 stars is view and have had a fairly good meal here before. Service is OK. Food can be good or bad. Ordered haddock dinner, grilled. It was not haddock and was so over cooked it was tough. Told server, but she did nothing about it. We have had fairly good meals in the past. Do not plan to go back here for a while. We will give them another shot in a few months, if they fail, they will be off our list.
(2)Amber D.
HORRIBLE! We've been here more than once hoping for better food but to no avail. Undercooked fish, no flavor, dirty tables, I could go on. It is now referred to as Crappers in our house. Save your money.
(1)Mitch L.
Great location...right on the water...nice tiki bar. Went on Mother's day and had great flounder sammie with NE Chowda :)
(4)Rick D.
Good restaurant for local FL fare. Very convenient to the Best Western next door. Prices reasonable, good selection of dinners and sandwiches. No complaints on the food, but service is usually a bit slow. Full bar outside on the water, next to the docks. Sometimes even a band on Friday/Sat nights. A local bar hangout. I go there at least once or twice every week I am in town.
(4)Tom D.
Look I love beach and river dives more then most, but Cracker's isn't supposed to be a dive, yet it's much worse than many dives I've been to. We've frequented the area often over the last six years and go to Cracker's at least a couple times a year because you can dock your boat right out back. Each time we forget how horrible the service is, or give them a pass because they're not "big city" and don't know how to actually be hospitable to their guests. But then when we go to Granny's, another local restaurant, and we're reminded that it's not that the wonderful folks in the area aren't "big city", it's because the training and hiring standards at Cracker's are putrid. On our recent trip to Cracker's we docked the boat and walked up to be seated, this is a common practice because the restaurant is right on the water. We picked the table on the deck that we wanted to sit at and cleared it with the hostess. We sat down and waited for our server to arrive, and waited, and waited. Ten to fifteen minutes later she arrived, flustered, to take our drink order. With two young children we wanted to get some juice for them and some crackers to snack on while we waited for our appetizers to come. So we put in our order and waited, and waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later she finally came back around with half our drinks. We only had four adults and two children so it shouldn't take that long to grab our drinks. When she did bring our drinks, and I poured the frosty refreshments, I noticed something floating in my drink, it was a cigar wrapper. So instead of dying of thirst while she took her sweet time to get back around to us, I went to the bar and got a replacement drink. The bartender was helpful and quickly replaced my drink, but wasn't surprised by my situation. Now back to the crackers...this place is obviously called Cracker's due to their use of the classic Floridian term, not because they provide crackers for children to eat while waiting on the real food to show up. This became obvious when we again had to hunt our server down for our crackers because she had disappeared again. Finally she came back around with our appetizers of onion rings and fish dip ($8). Both are typical flare for the area. The only thing missing at this point were plates to eat off of, so I asked her for plates. So now the wait begins for the plates. A handful of minutes later she comes cruising by the table and I grab her attention and ask her about the plates after she ran food to another table across the restaurant. She tells me that "hot food is our priority". Well I guess she's right because my hot food is now cold because I don't have a plate to eat off of. So about now we've been here for an hour and our main course hasn't made an appearance. And when it finally arrives we are pleased. Not because it's the most amazing redfish sandwich I've ever eaten, but because the kids are about to lose their minds with the rest at the table following shortly behind and we're getting closer to leaving. We eat our food, drink our drinks and get ready to wrap up this ridiculous lunch experience. But wait for it....the server is again lost at sea. We finally settle our tab and out of the door we go, in just over two hours flat. I gave Cracker's 1-Star because you have to get some credit for being able to dock your boat out back and eat right on the river's bay while enjoying a cold refreshment. Everything else however was disappointing yet again. One of these days I'm going to learn my lesson.
(1)Susan P.
Other than the view, which is lovely, there is nothing better than mediocre at this restaurant. The decor is lousy. The kid who greeted us was less than enthusiastic as he wrapped 2 forks in 2 paper napkins, walked us to a table and threw down the "place settings." Our waitress,Vicki, seemed more capable and professional but she couldn't make up for the food. I had scallops, baked potato and coleslaw. The scallops were well-cooked (said grilled but I doubt it) but had practically no seasoning at all. The hush puppies were cold and hard as if they'd been sitting around too long. My baked potato was only lukewarm and the coleslaw was overly mayonnaise-y. My husband fared much worse. He'd ordered fried haddock with fries and a tossed salad. His salad was some soggy, wilted iceberg lettuce with a slice of onion, a whole baby carrot (what's up with that?), a celery stick, a slice of tomato and some croutons. The packaged breadsticks were the freshest thing on the plate. His main course came out. The fries were hot and tasty. But the fish? It was most definitely not freshly fried. The batter coating came off the fish which had that waterlogged consistency that you sometimes get when fish is frozen and thawed on an improper way. The fish did not seem fresh at all. We'd eaten here about 6 years ago, weren't impressed but figured we'd give it another try. Unless Robert Irvine comes in and gives it a restaurant makeover, we won't be back.
(1)E J.
Good local seafood, good service, reasonably priced, and it's on the water...Need I say anymore?
(4)Jeff F.
While on vacation our dive master suggested this place. I have to admit I first thought it would just be a decent meal to get in between dives but boy was I wrong! This place was fantastic! It had great food (and even the leftovers were great). If you happen to be in the area for one of the many manatee swims stop by for some yummy food!
(5)Kathy O.
Nice place to go for a beer and appetizers after a good day of boating. Not sure I'd order a full meal there, but good music on Sunday afternoon - reggae band - and cold beer.
(3)