Down the Hatch Seafood Restaurant
4894 Front St, Ponce Inlet, FL, 32127
Down the Hatch Seafood Restaurant Menu
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Address :
4894 Front St
Ponce Inlet, FL, 32127 - Phone (386) 761-4831
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
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
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jennifer J.
Don't waste your money. The food is not very good. I live in the area so I have tried it several times. I think the only reason why this place gets busy is because of its location on the river. Inlet Harbor restaurant has a much better atmosphere and the view and food is much better. I would definitely choose Inlet Harbor over this place. New Smyrna Beach has several good restaurants also.
(1)Doug M.
this is just a great place to hang out. The atmosphere and location are the main reasons to visit. Location- A+ great views of the boats coming and going and we even saw some dolphins playing Atmosphere- A with a band playing and the sun shining on the open-air deck what's not to love? Drinks- B they have a decent selection of beers on tap to choose from Food- B good solid seafood menu, very good salad and was very pleasantly surprised by the Citrus Cheesecake Prices- B- maybe a little high but worth it for the ambiance Service- A had great service both times. this last time by Mat who treated us great
(4)Melissa L.
We ate here for dinner on our first night in Daytona and it was good. Not great, but good. It was a Saturday night, so they were off the wall busy, but our server did a pretty good job keeping up - can't really complain when you know he did his best. We sat outside, so we experienced more of the laid-back, beachy atmosphere - I'm really not sure what the atmosphere inside the restaurant is like, but it appeared to be laid-back and maybe a little more intimate. Outside was a lot of fun, we watched boats motor up and down the inlet, saw quite a bit of wildlife, caught a spectacular sunset and jammed to their live band. It was a great way to kick off our vacation. Bring a sweater or light jacket though, once the sun goes down it can get chilly with the breeze off the water. It was a "seat yourself" situation outside and busy as I said before, so it took a few minutes for our waiter to get to us once we sat down. He was literally running around the deck taking orders though, so you know he was working as fast as he could. The menu is mostly seafood, but there was some variety for those who prefer something else. I ended up getting the coconut shrimp, as did my sister - it was good. It wasn't anything that blew my mind and was pretty standard, but I was satisfied. My nephew had the crab and my Dad had a seafood platter of some sort. I think everyone was on the same page of it being pretty standard, nothing spectacular. The prices were a little high for my taste, but you're paying to eat at an authentic seafood restaurant on the water so you have to take that into consideration. Bottom line, this is a place you'll come to for the atmosphere. The food is good, but nothing you couldn't get at a chain seafood restaurant in my opinion.
(4)Linda S.
We decided to have a bite of dinner and watch the sunset. Arrived and sat down by the dock. The no-seeums were horrible. Citronella candle was offered by Eric who was a very good server. He told us the frozen margaritas were great and the were - we had two ! I ordered the she crab soup - thick and tasty. The clam chowder was alright. We then ordered coconut shrimp and calamari appetizers. The shrimp and dip were great. The frozen calamari was under cooked and quite chewy. The dips, especially the tomato and black olive one was good. Our server Eric was at tentative and pleasant. The sunset was magnificent.
(3)Marc S.
Good prices on drinks and pretty good food. My wife's snapper was pretty fantastic and my stuffed shrimp was very good (although the sauce seemed like it was a little bit of an afterthought). The potatoes were great. Our server did a great job juggling several tables in different areas of the restaurant. (Seems like they need a new plan for seating and assigning waitstaff.) He made good drink and dessert suggestions and seemed generally knowledgable about the menu. As other reviewers have noted, the hush puppies are very, very good. The best I've had outside of the Carolinas. And the key lime pie is a pretty outstanding and uniquely textured dessert. We will almost certainly be returning when we come back to the area!
(4)Kat B.
3 stars because some about it was good, most not so good but I think the restaurant wasn't at all prepared for a busyish late lunch on a Monday. First, the steamer was broken, I would have steamed the seafood the old fashioned way if I were the chef, and they were not serving salads because they were out of lettuce........? Someone could have made a trip to the grocer. We liked our server and she was honest when she explained how our order didn't make it to the kitchen, after almost an hour after we finished our appetizer, and when we did finally get it the gator was red rare, ugh, and I never received the dip which goes with the sweet potato puffs. The puffs were good either way though. Good stuff, the atmosphere is fantastic! Right on inlet waters with a canopy of trees covering most of the outdoor deck. Some of the Live Oak branches come down below head level being involved as decor for the restaurant. The bar is good sized too. It goes to say, even though we experienced the troubles we did, we still enjoyed the place and will give it another try one day. I won't give up on this little gem.
(3)Loni A.
Wonderful place to have dinner. Great fish. Great service on a super busy night.
(5)Bill K.
"If you are near Daytona Beach do not miss this restaurant. The setting is fabulous, the fish fresh and the key lime pie are excellent". Great tee shirts too!!
(4)Pam K.
We went to celebrate my parent's 60th anniversary. All 8 of us were from out of town and we chose the restaurant on a recommendation from a local. Our plan was to sail down the inter-coastal waterway and stop at the restaurant for dinner -- we were so looking forward to it. The weather was cold so we skipped the boat and drove to the restaurant instead. It was a Saturday night, but maybe because it was cold, it wasn't busy. Most started with the clam chowder. It was thick and gravy-like, actually heaping out of the cup like pudding. Not great. Most of us ordered the trigger fish and it was overdone. Some ordered the coconut shrimp and they tasted like they were frozen, not fresh. All of this could have been helped had we had reasonable service. I don't know if our server was new or what, but she didn't have training and should not have been given a party of 8 people. Several of us had to get up and ask other restaurant staff for help throughout the meal because she was no where to be found. Refills on water, tea or coffee -- forget about it. Clearing the table of plates -- didn't really happen. We brought in a cake and asked that it be brought out after dinner with plates. They did this, but we didn't get forks. We spent about 10 minutes taking pics of the happy couple with the cake, etc., then cut the cake and waited, looking for someone we could ask to get forks. No one was around -- we waited a while. Finally I got up and asked the hostess to find us some. We walked out of there having spent a chunk of money. We were sorely disappointed. None of us will be going back.
(1)Thomas C.
We showed up here at about 8:30 pm on a Monday night, so it wasn't busy at all. We chose to sit outside at the very end of the dock, and needless to say the atmosphere was great. You eat over the water, surrounded by yachts and wildlife. A pelican was nearby snatching fish out of the water. It was just after sunset so there was a light breeze and it wasn't hot at all. The servers were very friendly, and the food was delicious. We started with the crab soup and crab cake. Both were delicious, although I wish the crab cake appetizer came with more than one crab cake for 10 dollars. For dinner, I ordered the broiled cobia off of the fresh fish menu, and my lady ordered the stuffed flounder. The cobia was prepared excellently. The stuffed flounder came out a little chewy and overcooked, but they promptly replaced the dish, and she ordered blackened snapper, which was also cooked well. I would definitely recommend visiting, and I know we will be back here again soon!
(5)Ali D.
On a cold, dark night in February we drove from Daytona to Ponce Inlet to try this restaurant. We went with no expectations at all, just a front desk recommendation. Now, a few months later, I am writing this review because I still think about our dinner at Down The Hatch. We dined inside, due to the unseasonably cold weather, and felt like we had the place to ourselves as there were not many other diners who had ventured out for dinner. We were rewarded by a restaurant with a wonderful, unique Florida ambiance. A rustic marina setting, complete with a Night Heron perched on a piling on the dock beside our window table. Fascinating marine decor, with the highlight being with a wall of local history photos of fishermen and stock car racing. Seafood was as good as we had have had anywhere in the area and the prices were very reasonable. Attentive, efficient service. This is a solid three star seafood experience so don't go expecting 4-5 star gourmet food. It is what it is and it does it very, very well. Highly recommended! Four stars for the whole experience!! I look forward to going back to Down The Hatch again and sitting outside and a hot and busy night.
(4)Amanda J.
We rented a pontoon boat one day and took it out which was a lot of fun (I suggest doing that) and docked up the Down the Hatch to have some apps and drinks. The docks are in excellent condition and easy for a small boat or a large on to pull up to. The atmosphere is great...We sat outside on the dock and enjoyed the water. Food is kind of average as it is at alot of places like this...it's more for the location. However one thing that stood out was the Conch Fritters. They were awesome and we got another order. I would suggest getting those. We also did the regular apps...chicken wings that were good, hot etc. Steamed shrimp, mozzerella sticks. They were all fine just didn't stick out in my mind. I didn't go into the main dining room so I'm not sure about that. If you are on the water make your day by stopping and at least gettinga drink and the Conch Fritters...it will add to your fun.
(3)Kristen S.
Convenient location from our condo but the service and the wait was horrible. It was really windy outside, so we asked to sit inside to be told there was a 45 minute wait on a Monday night due to them being short a server and the inside was practically empty. We sat outside so that we could get some food. It's seat yourselves, so we did and it was nearly 20 minutes before we could get a server to assit us after trying to flag down 2 gentlemen and 1 lady. JEEZ. Finally, we we ordered and the food came out about 25 minutes later. Our server never came back to check on us. Very simple menu, beach bar-ish with a lot of fried options. My husband got a blackened mahi sandwich with fries and I got friend shrimp. My fried shrimp was pretty good but I willnot be returning. As we were eating and others sat down, I felt bad for them as they were getting frustrated for not being acknowledged either.
(2)Walter M.
It's always sad to see what was a superior restaurant slide to mediocre and that has happened here. The food, service and pricing used to stand out as better than average. Now they stand out for totally different reasons. One of their most popular menu items, crab out of the shell is gone and no one seems to know why. The hush puppies which used to be served with all diners are now available only for separate purchase. ($4.95) and if you choose not to pay extra, there is no bread served at all. Our service was not bad, but only because our waitress liked to talk and it was difficult to get rid of her. Wonder what her other parties were doing meanwhile. The prices are outrageous for the quantity and quality served. Prime rib (14 oz) - $24.95, Grouper dinner with mashed potatoes , but no vegetables, - $28.95, bowl of soup - $7.95 and so on. Everything we had last night was OK, but just that. Nothing special. In an area with so many eateries, it would seem that Down The Hatch had better mend it's ways or soon all they will have left to offer is beautiful sunsets.
(2)Amy L.
Down the Hatch Seafood Restaurant and Down the Hatch are the same place despite having different addresses. Food is OK but over priced. Our waitress was slow. Bartender ended up waiting tables so getting drinks was slow. Indoor and outdoor service. Other waitresses and outdoor servers seemed to hustle. Unfortunately our experience - slow service and overpriced food - will not have us returning any time soon.
(2)H W.
We've eaten here on past vacations, and it was great..... I won't go back again though. We just had dinner and the waitress spilled food on my 6 month old daughter. She wasn't even sorry. She said it was ok because it wasn't hot. There goes her clothes, toy, and car seat. The food was cold, overcooked, and there was a hair in our appetizer. Think twice before choosing this location.
(1)J M.
After reading previous reviews, I had high hopes for this restaurant. Unfortunately, things did not pan out as hoped. Initial impression was favorable, save for the cigarette smoke surrounding our outside table, but things went downhill from there. The seafood menu was pretty limited with only deep fried or broiled seafood available - no steamed shrimp :( My wife ordered crab cakes, and neglected to inquire how they would be cooked - deep fried of course! The house salad arrived and the waiter neglected to inform anyone that the house salad dressing was strawberry yogurt poured over the iceberg lettuce. I give them credit - the salad also had some walnuts, apples and cranberries but they lost all of us with the dressing. A few minutes into our meal - the band started playing. With the band starting up, all conversation died out as it was just too loud to hear anyone. I like a band as much as anyone, but I go to a restaurant to eat and have a nice meal with my family - not to eat overcooked deep fried food while music is blaring. So - I would definitely stay clear of this place, unless you are into those items I mentioned. We have certainly had better meals for the $100 or so that this dinner cost us.
(2)Rhonda W.
New owners have got it goin' on! House salad is incredible (nuts, dried cranberries, sliced Granny Smith apples, strawberry dressing--yum-E)! Fresh fish sandwich is the best on the coast, with two huge pieces of perfectly battered fish. Scallops are just right--not overdone as some places do them. Buffalo shrimp are incredibly tender with just the right amount of heat. Hushpuppies are good--the best I've found in Florida--and that's saying something, since I'm a Carolina girl who knows her hushpuppies. Smoked fish dip is good. I commend them on their uber-fresh fish; the catch of the day is just that. Drinks are always well made, though as a regular diner at the Hatch, I've noticed that they use smaller cups on busy days and during Bike Week, Spring Break, and any other time they can get by with it. May depend on the bartender, but I usually feel cheated when I'm used to getting a large cup and then get served in a smaller one on a subsequent visit. The Rum Runners are great here. Price ranges in the $10-20 per plate cost, with an average of about $14. Atmosphere is casual--swimsuits to just-got-off-work attire is the common, with beachwear the common thread(s). We love dining on the deck; great view of the Halifax, and you'll sometimes see dolphins or manatees playing. A big owl statue keeps the birds under control (take a hint, Inlet Harbor)! Inside, it's toasty and dry, still with nice views of the intercoastal. Live music is of varied quality. They have great bands later in the evening, but early afternoon entertainment is sometimes dubious. Definitely worth a visit or twelve.
(4)Ashley H.
I have been here several times and the food is just okay. Pros: The drinks are served well, and the patio is great. Offers an ideal location directly on the river. After a day of being out on the water, you can get out and tie your boat to the dock and have a drink!!! Service and waitstaff are great! Cons: Nothing on the menu really wowed me. Its your typical Florida restaurant, serving lots of fried foods hush puppies etc... Overall a good place to pull up on your boat and have drinks!!!
(3)Mark P.
A fun and casual spot on the intercoastal with good food. We had a great dinner here last night. We got there right around sunset, which is a perfect time to have drinks or dinner. Their covered deck outside is roomy, and the views are beautiful. It was actually a chilly night, but worth it to have dinner on the deck. Everything we tried was very good, and the prices were good as well. The She-Crab soup was very rich, but something to try without a doubt. It was a dense bisque with plenty of crab and flavor. The highlight was a killer fish sandwich though. Two huge pieces of fresh fish with a nice light batter fried perfectly. It was complimented by a big soft roll and the usual fixins. The fries were good too, but I was concentrating on the fish. The wife had some blackened scallops which were great too, as were the roasted potatoes. The house salad it came with was unique, with a strawberry dressing and plenty of dried cranberries and other toppings. Overall, we were very happy with our choice and glad we gave this place a shot. Service was friendly and helpful too, which is always a plus.
(4)Clint M.
New menu and the food is great! I had the new Ribeye -- they hand cut their own beef. Rare to get that in Ponce.
(5)Aaron C.
Great atmosphere and food. Unfortunately we arrived when it was busy and could not sit outside in the "fun" area. I wish they would have a waiting list so that the tables were not just up for grabs for whoever ran to them first. But, still a very nice place.
(4)Mandy B.
Went their for mothers day dinner, have been there a few times before but this time was not good. Had the mahi sandwich it was about a half inch thick , our waiter came by to fill up drinks only once. Forgot the kids meals, took 20 minutes to get bill then had the bill messes up! Poor service!! Will stick with inlet harbor next time!
(1)Linda R.
It was a really hot day and everyone was flocking to the out door dock side area but we opted for the AIR and no flies in our food. The dining room was comfy, lots of booths with great views of the river and dock. And let me tell you it was great to get out of the hot sun and get a cold drink in my hand. As far as the drinks go I would opt for the simpler things. This place has a list of sickly sweet stuff but don't be lured in go for the basics, wine, beer gin and tonic...you get it. I love grouper and this is the kind of place you should order it. I went for the sandwich and the platter it came on was loaded with a generous portion of grouper as well as a nice crisp pile of fries. My husband ordered trigger fish. It was out standing! If you like sea bass give the trigger fish a try. It had the same light, moist meat, delish. This is definitely a nice spot for a casual flavorful meal.
(3)Brad J.
My wife found this place for me. Good job. Peaceful getaway on the water. Boat access!! Food is good typical for this type of place. Excellent she crab soup. Quiet at lunch on a Monday but I could see this place rocking on a weekend night.
(3)Heather P.
If you come to Daytona Beach, you have to make this a priority. I've ate here at least 10 times. It's got a great atmosphere, not a nightclub or bar feel by any means, BUT if you want good seafood, this should be your first stop. The service has always been good and the food is always great. Must try the conch fritters and clam chowder!
(5)Scott R.
DONT MISS this historic restaurant on the Halifax River! down-the-hatch-seafood.c… Down the Hatch History Nathaniel Hasty, a pirate from New England and his wife Elizabeth, a school teacher from Boston, settled in "Ponce Park" during the 1870's. By 1881 they had built and established a small fishing village and trading post where Elizabeth Hasty served as a Post Mistress for twenty four years. In 1908 Elizabeth Hasty sold the property to Frank E. and Annie Eliza Stone. The Stone family, including six year old Valda, moved form Titusville to "Ponce Park" joining a handful of families living at the Inlet. The Stones owned the only com- mercial fishing dock and soon were operating the Post Office, a general store, and an orange grove. After moving the boats to the new marina office, Timmons Fish Camp was converted to a fresh fish market and a small grocery store serving the locals and restaurants with fresh fish. Many big "fish stories" were told over beers, some which go a little "too salty" for the ladies, so Captain Frank purchased the family fish camp and built a bar on the waterfront for the fishermen. This was the original Down The Hatch pub located next to the fish market inside the bar area. .
(5)Livermore M.
Location location location! But, the food left a lot to be desired. Do not, I repeat do not get the salad with the strawberry dressing. It tastes like strawberry yogurt was just dumped on top iceberg. The house salad is a paltry handful of bagged iceberg lettuce in a huge bowl with a few craisins sprinkled on top, it was not the salad described on the menu (there were no apples, walnuts, nothing). The food was pretty much cold when we got it too. The snow crab legs were good even tho they were no longer warm. So much potential for this gorgeous location but the food just did not impress for the premium prices.
(2)Chris L.
I only went there for drinks. It's ok. I like the deck at inlet harbor better. They had better music.
(3)Steven S.
Under new ownership, this long-time establishment has become an entirely new place ...and a much improved place. Last night, I ordered the weekly special and my serving of prime rib was quite possibly the best of my life. And it's fish-and-chips are a must-have favorite. So hurry down to the new Hatch!
(4)Melissa L.
this place was fantastic. we sat outside on the patio/dock and it was wonderful. the waitstaff was great.We are always hesitent about seafood places even though they are on the water..you just never know. Growing up in Florida catching our own seafoodi is always the standard we use to judge places by and this place is deffinately "a keeper".. will go back on our next visit. The calimari was fantastic and fresh!! and the live music was great!
(4)Mary R.
Always a pleasure to dine here. Great views of the river. Nice selection.
(4)Paul C.
Came here by boat; very good dockage for a restaurant with dock hands to help tie up as well. Very laid back, open deck area to eat, drink, smoke, and enjoy view of river, and some strange people too. Best wings I ever had were here to my taste, and all other food was fresh too. Service was fast, and prices very reasonable. There was live band playing country/island type music that was a good fit for surroundings.; I will return in the future.
(4)Barry M.
Had an outstanding meal at Down the Hatch recently. Not only is the seafood fresh and tasty, but they serve a good steak too--cooked to perfection. The great food along with the killer setting and atmosphere make this a mandatory stop when anywhere near the Ponce Inlet.
(5)Kevin M.
Overall, a good Florida seafood experience. We enjoyed the atmosphere outside deck provided and the boats on the water. I ordered a blackened seafood combo Dinner, which was good aside from the blackened oysters - not good. The meal was accompanied by one of the best house salads I can remember, complimented by apple slices and dried cranberries. Others in the party had king crab, clam chowder and fried fish. Everyone enjoyed. Dinner for six cost $120. This was our second dinning experience here and would recommend to those who want a nice, casual dinning experience.
(4)Juliet W.
just had lunch here today - it was the blackened grouper sandwich of a lifetime! super FRESH and just what i was craving during my trip to the beach. great ambiance and excellent service. simply the perfect floridian dockside eatery. check it out!
(5)Allen S.
very disappointed in the menu selections. ordered a cajun chix sandwich for 9.00. it was dry served on a crushed low quality roll with a bag of potato chips. it was served in a paper basket with tissue that shredded on my sandwich. entrees were extremely overpriced and served alacart. my husband had a tigger fish sandwich that was terrible. he was charged 2.00 for fries instead of chips( are you kidding me?). $10.95 for a fish sandwhich and fries. I am in the restaurant business and I will tell you that this place is a complete ripoff. Go to Aunt catfish. It's a better value, better food, better service and a hell of a lot more for your money.
(2)Kristen F.
I've been to Down the Hatch numerous times when I've been on vacation in Daytona. I've always been on a slightly off time (early dinner) so the wait is short. The place is quite large but can get crowded during peak dinner times. It's right on the water so you get the lovely fishy smell when you walk outside. There's plenty of seating near the windows so you can watch the sunset and boats on the water. I generally go with a steak of some kind and have enjoyed it each time. You can walk around near the water or check out the numerous pictures and artifacts on the wall (famous people, auto racing stuff, etc) while you are waiting for your table.
(4)Alison S.
Great location, you can take the ferry here from New Smyrna and get dropped off on thier docks... Enjoyable atmosphere, reasonable prices. We got a fried seafood platter and thought it was OK, and neither of us cared for the smoked fish dip... but the location is hard to beat and I am sure we will be back for that reason.
(3)Chris C.
Dinner was good. We were seated quickly and comfortably. Our waitress Marie was excellent and paid proper attention to our large table. All the orders were properly served. I recommend going.
(4)Michael F.
"Headstones and Face Veils" A sad lady sat at the bar. Shoulders slumped, staring into an empty glass. A barmaid rested a hand on her arm. They spoke softly. I heard something about 'missing him so much.' Another drink was placed down and they talked a tad more. Soon after the barmaid came to me and smiled. I asked for a rum and coke and looked out at the water. Down the Hatch is along an inlet beside a marina. Food is available but I wasn't hungry. The stormy sky and melancholy woman had ushered me to a dark place where only alcohol would suffice. I had another drink and occasionally glanced at the woman. I'll bet her husband just died, I thought. She probably lives nearby, reliving in her mind the times they came here for dinner or cocktails. Fun times. Better times. Bygone times. I listened to the rain as it pounded on the roof and dock. Steam rose like ghosts from the ground, and for a split second I childishly wondered if one of the ghostly clouds was her dead husband. I paid for my drinks and wandered out to the marina. I was soaked within seconds but didn't care. A boat captain was leaving on a fishing expedition and I wished I was too. It seemed like an ideal escape about now. I walked back to my car in the tree covered lot. Down the Hatch is a nice place of peace at the end of the peninsula. Drinks are strong and vistas are many. A hidden getaway that can offer times of fun or, as I thought of the sad woman, memories of better days. I drove away in the rain, alone on a vacant road. Ain't life grand.
(3)Julie D.
This is one of those places that people like to go while on a beach vacation. Old and rickety. Dirt parking lot. Lots of weathered wood. Looks like somewhere a John Candy character would take his family while on vacation. You get the picture. Although not busy at all, we waited and waited and waited for the hostess to wake up and notice that she had customers. Then she seemed to scramble around trying to decide which dirty table to clear, so we could be seated. The views of the water are stunning, thru the walls of paned windows. Service was less then average. Slow. Food was aright. I got shrimp. The coleslaw was good. The bf got scallops. It was okay. I guess if you have such a prime location, you can operate with okay food.
(3)Ken S.
Small portions and high waterfront pricing. Had to ask where are waitress was twice. Stuffed mushrooms were awesome. Waterfront view is simply the best. Live music took often and long breaks. Calamari was great but small portion for the cost of 7 pieces served on a small salad plate! Really??? I don't mind paying top dollar but at least serve normal size portions.
(2)Mike G.
The view was great at sunset. Relaxed setting. Food wasn't bad, not special but atmosphere made up for it. Only main issue both positive and negative was the bartender had to serve us because the other waiters wouldn't. The bartender rocked and great with the kids but they need to staff another person or two so they didn't have too. Would go back again.
(3)Robert T.
I've eaten here many times, but yesterday was the very best! We had smoked fish dip served with jalapeños. I had broiled snapper and my wife had grilled grouper; both dishes were excellent! The little Yukon potatoes were very good with steamed veggies and salads. Also, souvenir t-shirts in the gift shop were reasonably priced at $16.
(5)Colin H.
I really want lo like it here. We live near by and have tried to like coming here, but at the end of the day, the best I can say is: "come for the bar, enjoy a beer and the music but the food is just not up to par. The food is average, and priced above average. Tonight is was really poor. I won't be back. Have a look around, there are better choices close by.
(2)Mimi G.
We've eaten lunch here a few times now as it is one of the few places of it's kind (an on the water seafood restaurant) where we can eat with my father in law because unlike many of the other places in the area they don't use peanut oil in their cooking. Since he is highly allergic, these other places are off limits and Down the Hatch it is. The location is great with lots of boats passing by adding interest to what is already a beautiful view and you can sit either outside in a more casual setting or inside. It's especially nice on a really hot Florida afternoon to have the indoor option. As far as the food is concerned, truth be told it's pretty basic. Certainly there's nothing remarkable about it and in comparison to other similar restaurants in the area it seems to be slightly over priced for what you get. For example my broiled trigger fish sandwich came on a regular hamburger bun with a piece of lettuce, an inedible hard tomato slice and a bag of ruffles potato chips on the side for $14.95. At Crabby Joe's I can get a trigger fish sandwich that is served with a choice of fries, potato salad, cole slaw or pasta salad for $12.95. When it comes to sandwiches and burgers it seems you pay a few dollars more here for each and if you want something like fries or cole slaw you will pay even more so. When you have places with similar menus and similar views nearby that give you more options and food for less money it's difficult to swallow (pun intended) paying a premium if the food they are serving is not a cut above the rest. In this case it really isn't so I give them two stars for their food and pricing and add the third star because the view and location is certainly worth something and the fact that they don't use peanut oil in their cooking makes them allergy friendly. If that is not a concern, you may find you can do better elsewhere.
(3)Anna P.
This is another favorite of my sister who is a local. I always go here when I visit the area. We dined inside and watched the sunset through the windows and we really enjoyed our selfs. The food was amazing and they were very accommodating with food allergies. I ordered one of the drinks with a souvenir glass that was well worth it for $20! After dinner we walked out on the dock to enjoy the end of the sunset and listen to live music. Great atmosphere for indoor and outdoor dining on the water!
(5)Amanda W.
Down the Hatch is a great lunch spot when boating on the Halifax! It is just north of the lighthouse, and there are several docks available. I had coconut shrimp- in addition to the appetizer, there is a lunch portion that is perfect! Its a little hard to find on the menu, though. Our only complaint- the outdoor seating area had a great view of the river, but there was a live band in that was really loud.
(3)Christie O.
Had the fish and chips and it was so greasy I couldn't eat it. Very nice location and restaurant just needs better food quality control for the prices they have listed
(1)Theresa P.
Went to happy hour and mussels. It was awesome. Some of the mussels were not opened .. The chef made me another small portion to make up for it. Great service great food. Great. Views !!...very good house wine. Indoor and door seating! Will return!
(4)Emilia L.
Down the Hatch came highly recommended, but it just fell flat for us. The location of the restaurant and the views of the bay were spectacular, but the food could not make up for it. I ordered blackened scallops with mashed potatoes -- simple enough, right? Wrong. My scallops came overcooked, and from the looks of it, it was the same way for my friends, as well. Fiance commented that his grouper was also overcooked and that was the dish that was so highly recommended to us. I just don't get how a seafood place could fail to cook either item properly. There's just no excuse.
(2)Matt S.
Called ahead for a 10 top. They let us know it was slowing and we'd be good in 45 min. Awesome. They were panicked as we arrived saying they had to find us a server. Once they did, it got a little weird. The server was a soft quiet talker. We just kept looking at each other trying not to giggle. Long time for drinks. Long time for food. Brought us wrong wine. Ran out of another. Chef made me uneasy as he stood at the bar talking to bartender as our food was being prepared. Dished were creative, but overthought. Blue cheese tuna? Weird and def not ahi. Server didn't ask for a temp and looked at me weird as I requested mid rare. Trigger fish was chewy. With parm? Weird. Great atmosphere, adequately priced. Just could do a little better on the details. Family fun makes everything better!
(3)Johnathan C.
This is another spot I vow to eat at every time we visit florida. The tuna melt sandwich is probably the single best food item in the state. LOVE this place.
(5)Tim D.
First time here and we loved our lunch, beers, scenery, and service. It's a great place to relax by the water with family and friends. We had the fish and chips and it was excellent. We will return.
(4)Dwayne K.
We came from the water in our boat. Great docks! Food was okay, but the service was great. A little disappointed that my eleven dollar chicken sandwich came with a small bag of chips, rather than fries. The bag of chips just seemed a little cheesy, even for a rustic restaurant. They also had a solo entertainer who was very good. Too bad he left at 5pm.
(3)Angelina M.
The location and the view is beautiful however the food is so overpriced for the typical beach food that you can get anywhere at less than half the price. So this is a no for me.
(1)Leslie B.
Conch fritters awesome!!! Staff very accommodating, friendly and professional. Fish spread appetizer also very good. The views at sunset with sailboats around is great photography
(5)Kimmy L.
The Food is just ok here. The service is horrible. The hostesses took forever to figure out how to find us a table. When they found a table one of the hostesses came looking for us and said to her co worker " Did they leave? Where are they? " We were sitting right in front of her. The food is overpriced nothing great. We couldn't substitute our sides on our meal. Pur server specifically said that but when we can one other time we could. The food takes forever and getting the check to us as well. I don't know how there are so many great reviews about this place. Don't waste you time here. I never write reviews but I did here because I wanted to save anyone from coming from a great day at the beach then having to deal with this.
(1)Katie B.
great food! large portions. neat little place off the patch to sit and look and the water.
(4)Justin B.
You can't beat the atmosphere at this joint. Get there as the sun is setting on a beautiful day and sit out on the water. There's always live music and the food is great. Conch Fritters are some of the better I've had this far away from The Keys.
(4)Debbie V.
Just left and will never go back! I had the worst dry grouper sandwich! First the waitress charged us $29 for it- I brought it to her attn. She apologized and charged us $19 for it plus fries. We will stick with Hidden Treasure in Ponce- good food, friendly staff and nice bathrooms- none of these exist at Down the Hatch! The only thing they also have is a nice location.
(2)TrixieRae R.
So while being held as a weather hostage waiting for the Daytona track to be cleared of rain, we opted to take the ride to "Down the Hatch". Glad we did. Pictured is their $5 fish dip. Try with the jalapeños and skip the hot sauce! Shared the coconut shrimp entree with a friend....big enough to share. Bethany our server is helpful attentive and on point with recommendations. She even recited the ridiculous numbers of specials for the evening. Personally I would have made me walk to the entrance to read them!! Definitely worth the drive through many small neighborhoods.
(5)Connor W.
Great place to dock your boat and grab lunch. Cool atmosphere and our waitress did an awesome job despite the fact that she was basically serving the entire restaurant. Food was adequate.
(4)George K.
Just a tip. Bring insect repellant if you eat/drink outside. Little no see ums flying around. The food and service was good.
(3)Liz H.
This place has TERRIBLE SERVICE!!! We waiting for almost 25 minutes for service and we were completely ignored. During this time we specifically asked for another waitress to let ours know we were there. She came back a while later saying our waitress was on her way. We proceeded to wait 10 more minutes before leaving the restaurant and going to Crabby Joe's where we were serviced immediately. I do not recommend this place for service. I have no idea what their food is like as we were never given the chance to try it.
(1)Robert M.
I have mixed feelings about this place. the good feelings: the waitress was great, very helpful and friendly. service was good, food came out quickly and correctly. scenic views of the river from the dining room are spectacular. nice to have option to sit inside where it is much quieter. not so good feelings: dining room is very dated making it look like an old place that feels no need to change. Value for the food wasn't there. everything priced on the high side. a fish of the day sandwich with a bag of chips (literally a bag of ruffles) was $13 when everyone else in town is under $10. I had the fish dinner, came with roasted potatoes which were small baby reds with no seasoning. My wife had broiled scallops again little seasoning. bottom line if you are going to charge premium prices then the food better be spectacular and it wasn't. I really can't justify going back.
(3)Jeremy D.
Do not order the mahi mahi! Here today on the 18th of May when the mahi are running all along our shoreline and they served some crap! I know mahi as I fish for it weekly! It might have been some Asian catfish! Horrible nothing but fishy taste! Very disappointed as I have come here for years! Never again!
(1)kj j.
Food was good at best. Way overpriced for what you get ! The marinara sauce tasted as if it was from a can.
(3)Ian P.
Didn't eat here, pulled in with a boat for a drink and restroom break. Great docks, cheap drinks and nice mellow atmosphere on a Monday afternoon.
(4)L.J. M.
View and location are great. Food is okay. Really enjoyed the live music. Servers went above and beyond. Very nice. Friendly staff. All in all a lovely evening with dinner overlooking the water and gorgeous sunset.
(4)Chriscoral A.
Great view. Beautiful waitress. Big menu but kinda pricy but it's worth it. I had the fish and chips . It was great I love the waffle fries. The oysters are the best I have had in ages.
(4)Linda K.
Best food we've had so far! Beautiful dock, good music, good service and good drinks. Fish dip is great, hush puppies were better than we've had anywhere else and mushrooms were ok but not a must order. Would certainly go back. Not overpriced at all considering the location.
(4)Niki M.
First, let it be known I have eaten here over 10 times, so I know what I am in for every time I come to this establishment. The food is a decent 7/10 usually, but the high price makes me give the food rating a 5/10. It isn't cheap to eat here; they must factor the views of the inlet into their prices. That being said, I come here for one reason only.. the atmosphere. It's a great place to go with friends and enjoy your lunch in the great outdoors. I never sit inside. Go park it under the questionable outdoor deck and soak up some rays! The mixed drinks are "meh" at best (sometimes I am not sure if they have any alcohol at all, other times I nearly breathed liquid fire out my mouth from the excess of tequila. Who in the world wants to be trashed after one drink!?) They are not consistent at all. The wait staff is usually pretty nice as well. Despite all this, I keep coming back every time I go to Daytona. I feel comfortable and relaxed there, and that is what makes me a fan. PS. Good luck finding the place if you are not familiar with the area!
(4)Anthony K.
Food was pretty good. The service was pretty bad. Waitress was rude and when I questioned the taste of the diet Pepsi she said she "didn't have time to check the soda line". Funny thing, I never asked her to check anything! We tried to come here a few nights ago and they closed early. I guess they were slow that night and decided to pack it up and go home. Oh well.
(2)Laura P.
Great casual spot for a good burger/chicken sandwich and cold beers overlooking the water in Ponce Inlet. Live music too. We go every time we visit my husband'a folks in Ponce Inlet. Tons of parking too, even during bike week.
(4)Jack B.
Nice setting on water frish fish being cleaned on the dock. However ordered shrimp . they appeared to be breaded frozen from either Thailand or winn Dixie. Too bad they can't serve fresh local shrimp.
(2)John T.
The service was terrible! We waited over 90mins for our food. The only save in grace were the onion rings and shrimp cocktail.
(2)Dave H.
Down the Hatch has been my favorite seafood restaurant for years. Every time I find myself in FL, I must stop by. Now, are they going to win Michelin stars? Probably not. But the food is superb, the prices are great, the staff is wonderful, the atmosphere is top notch (because it is NOT in the tourist trap areas, it is a few miles off the main highways) and of course the memories that actually go back to my childhood. Love it. PS - Take home a key lime pie.
(5)Debra C.
Trigger fish is the best! Pricy. Paper plates. Nice views. But, place was empty, and always has been on each of my visits. They may need to drop their prices? Hope they don't go belly up?
(4)Mary W.
Mahi mahi was over cooked. However, the seafood Au gratin my son got and the low country boil my hubby got were excellent. They had she crab soup listed on the board but didn't have any.
(3)Stephen O.
My experience at this location was mixed. My waitress/server was very pleasant and friendly. The condition of the dining was "old". It does not look like it has been rehabbed or refurbished in 15-20 years. The food was average. I had a steak with baby potatoes and a side salad. The salad seemed to be a bit more complicated than it needed to be. Some exotic greens, sunflower seeds and cranberry raisins. The steak was bland and/or under seasoned. The potatoes were good. For the price, the meal was an under performer. Expect to pay around $20-25/person, excluding bar drinks. The key lime pie was good and what I have come to know as authentic.
(2)Theresa S.
Awful service and bland food! It took us a solid 10 minutes to get a menu and 45 minutes to get our salads! We were there for a total of 96 minutes, just for dinner!! There were very few customers; it should not have taken long at all. Very disappointed & I will never recommend this restaurant.
(1)Christine M.
The ambience is nice. We enjoyed being outdoors. We didn't enjoy the stares though. I might be too healthy for this place. The blackened shrimp is good. The Caesar salad wasn't exactly to my liking because the lettuce was a bit old (it was turning brown in the middle). Nothing else on their menu appealed to me personally. I'm too picky I guess. My husband had the fish & chips, which was average. My daughter had their pasta off the kids menu. We would have to pay an additional $7 for broiled shrimp for her. Their kids menu should be expanded to include seafood items.
(2)JR R.
Went here with the family, the food was OK - but the band and ambiance made it a lot of fun. Spent the night with friends and family drinking, dancing, and having fun - it's a perfect place for that. But if you're looking for gourmet food, this place might not be it. JR
(3)Matt M.
After flying from Nebraska to Daytona Beach for the Daytona 500 and having it rained out this place was the highlight of our trip! The conch fritters were really good - not the best I have ever had but worth ordering. I opted for the Two Fried with Triggerfish and Scallops. I had never had Triggerfish and it was outstanding! My gf ordered the Triggerfish also and loved it too. The hushpuppies that came with dinner were the best I have ever had. The service was great and the beer was cold on this rainy night in Daytona.
(5)Sarah R.
You really can't beat the view from this restaurant and the food is pretty good also although the price is a little steep compared to similar restaurants in the area. Their fish dip and hush puppy appetizers are the best and they offer plenty of delicious fried seafood.
(4)Jim S.
Small portions of not so good food. Very expensive, slow service. Not recommend at all
(1)Chad S.
So after reading some reviews and a few recommendations from some friends I decided to drop in and give it a try. First off the smoked fish dip was money!!!!!! Loved every bite!!!! I ordered the catch of the day which was trigger fish along with cole slaw ( as I did not like the house salad description ) big mistake, it had that sitting in a fridge all day and night taste to it. For my side item I chose the garlic mashed potatoes which were fine ( standard). Now the trigger fish was served fried and had a pleasant texture to it, so kudos on a perfectly fried fish... Down side was the service. The place wasn't busy at all and they had plenty of staff running around, but it took a while to get our order, and the wait time on drink refills was dissatisfying. Hey it's off the beaten path and a local joint and that's what I'm into, if I'm back in the area I will stop in again and get me some fish dip....
(3)Kate S.
Have been coming here for over 10 years-always good but incredibly disappointed the last 2 visits. All but the appetizers were over cooked. If you want your wine served in plastic cups-sit outside. Good appetizers though and wine list isn't bad!! Smoked fish dip changed too-overpowered by lemon & seasonings.
(2)Reade G.
Wish there was no stars!..waited to be seated wile plenty of tables where open wile who i assume was the manager was chatting with old friends as employees are standing there to grab her attn.finally got seated. I could here the other 2 tables complaning about there food and sending it back..we waited 10-15 mins and still no one came by after that we just left. they wont get my money
(1)Alvaro Q.
"I got the grilled Mahi sandwich, simple but tasty and fresh! Good ambiance by the dock, and great service by Anthony."
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