Owens Fish Camp Menu

  • Starters
  • Salad & Soup
  • Naked Fish
  • Sandwiches
  • Baskets
  • Low Country Boil
  • Plates
  • Sides
  • Jars
  • Sweets

Healthy Meal suggestions for Owens Fish Camp

  • Starters
  • Salad & Soup
  • Naked Fish
  • Sandwiches
  • Baskets
  • Low Country Boil
  • Plates
  • Sides
  • Jars
  • Sweets

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  • Bryan V.

    Ok, this place is great. Great food and and very professional staff with quick food services. It's a place for family, friends, and business. Amazing staff that know the menu so well you don't need to look through the paper menu. You just need to tell the wait staff what you would like and the recommend items from the menu. Highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Brooke B.

    Where to start...my husband and I own a timeshare in this area so we come every year (this is our second year) and are looking for restaurants to add to our yearly dinner menu. We first came to Owens on a Sunday night. We were told it was a 1 hour wait and the hostesses were sorta rude about it like we won't seat you anytime soon. Not sure if it was because I was holding a 5 month old baby...? We still wanted to try it so we called the next day for a reservation. Well they don't take reservations for less than party of 6. They explained we could do a call ahead of 30mins. Which we did. We still waited 30mins to be sat on Tuesday night. So we got drinks from the bar. My friend ordered wine with club soda and husband a beer. They finally sat us outside and they were super concerned with what I was going to do with my stroller even though there was plenty of room around our table and our baby was going to bed in that stroller in 10 mins. The menu has some very interesting choices. We got the deviled eggs for starter which were OK.The crab cakes were excellent! Oysters on half shell excellent. The appetizers were really good overall. Before the main courses came my friend ordered just a club soda with no wine this time. The waitress said that we would have to buy a whole bottle cause they distill it? But we saw the bartender with an open bottle for my friends first drink...? It feels like staff wants to say "no" to everything. They are not at all accommodating. The main courses were just Ok to me. Both husband and I got grouper and mine was bland. The green beans have a lot of butter. The scallops with pork were good individually but the combo was odd. French fries and collard greens were a must have. Overall I doubt we will come back. The wait time is ridiculous and unorganized. If you go to dry dock in Longboat Key they are just as busy and they get it done and you are seated! The food is interesting and new flavors but the staff and the attitudes really cancelled that out for me. Did I mention our baby never cried once and that is why we take her out places? We will continue our search for new places to eat each year.

    (3)
  • Ryan B.

    Great food, long waits, and unless you get a table inside theres cockroaches everywhere.

    (3)
  • Mike E.

    Fantastic! Food 5 stars , atmosphere 5 stars, service 5 stars.............best place in sarasota?

    (5)
  • Joe B.

    Be sure not to miss this place, but not open for lunch. Booo. I'll send my friends and family here any time

    (4)
  • Sean G.

    They did a great job with our party of eight people. The portions were generous...especially for the mussels...and they were 100% with the accuracy of the special orders. Service was very timely and courteous, and exceeded expectations when you consider they were pretty busy. Can't wait to return.

    (4)
  • Alyssa G.

    The staff was great and the food absolutely delivered. The only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is because of prices. However, my crab legs were beautifully cooked and lasted all of 6 minutes with how good they were!

    (4)
  • James O.

    Finally found a restaurant in Sarasota that is REALLY worth going to-something that you'll crave and think about when you aren't there, something to tell friends about back home. Owens has figured out how to run a great establishment: the atmosphere is unique and inviting, the food is delectable, and the service was excellent. Definitely try and sit out in the quant back patio around the fire with a drink while chatting with friends or listening to the banjo and mandolin duo. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass ($29) with potatoes and green beans. The Sea Bass was excellent. Up there with one of the best tasting pieces of fish I've had. It was perfectly cooked to perfection and drizzled with a homemade lemon garlic herb sauce. Everything about this place was great. Come here, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Brent H.

    Poor customer service I had a reservation for dinner with a group. Owens would not honor the reservation because we had a coupe of our group as a no show. I will never ever come here again and will tell everyone that comes here for business and leisure to go to Pacific Rim. Way better service and a friendly atmosphere. I would give them a lower rating if I could.

    (1)
  • J R.

    One of the best for food and atmosphere in Sarasota. Seriously, the softshell crab BLT is awesome, and the desserts to not disappoint.

    (5)
  • Yvonne G.

    Fun ambience, low country Carolina vibe, crazy busy starting on Friday through the weekend.

    (3)
  • Tiffany B.

    The wait may have been long but it was well worth it. I found the starters to be better priced and delicious. We got the spicy Maryland shrimp, mini lobster rolls and the hot peanut jar. Outstanding. The food came out fast even with the wait. I'd definitely recommend this place to others. The Southern sangria was also a nice treat.

    (5)
  • Laura S.

    This place is awesome! Really delicious, fresh fish, big portions, and a fun atmosphere. Their cheese grits are amazing, and their jambalaya is great too. I recommend their catch of the day! All around, I was impressed!

    (5)
  • Dan M.

    The only reason I'm giving them 2 stars is because the service was decent. We went there for our anniversary. My husband got lobster. It was ok not worth the price. I got the chicken and grits with a bacon and shallot sauce. It tasted like they poured plain red wine vinegar and oil on the fried chicken. We went there quite late and I did not feel like waiting for a new entree. I also did not want my husband to feel bad about his choice for dinner. The chicken tasted old. I will not be visiting again. We drove 40 minutes to eat there. The band and atmosphere in the back while we waited for our table was great! I'll give them That.

    (2)
  • Kathy B.

    The Owen' fish Camp was a fun unique restaurant in downtown Sarasota. It is very small but plenty of room to enjoy the meal. The service was quick and our server was so pleasant and helpful. Food arrived hot and delicious. We really enjoyed the restaurant- we plan on going again!

    (5)
  • Nancy C.

    Great little hideaway locale in the heart of Sarasota. Nice menu, big portions, lively restaurant. Only had to wait 15 minutes for a table on a Friday evening. Food was very good. Has a downhome feel. I will definitely come back here to try more items on their menu. I had Escargot appetizer with the small fried green tomatoe salad, the salad was larger than I anticipated and I couldn't finish my meal. Husband had shrimp and grits and enjoyed it very much. He also had the NE chowder and loved it!

    (4)
  • Jess T.

    What a cute hole in the wall! My boyfriend and I wanted to find a new place while on vacation and he really hit the jackpot! This place is right over the Sarasota bridge and is a little tricky to find. The atmosphere and decor is hard to beat. It's comfortable and welcoming. They have a nice selection of wine and beer. We started off with the mini lobster rolls, which were seriously amazing. My boyfriend got the clam chowder as well... It had bacon in it so that's all I have to say about that. I got the fresh fish of the day (grouper) sautéed in the lemon caper butter sauce with parsley potatoes and garlicky green beans. Hands down one of the best meals I had on vacation. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with this place!

    (5)
  • Mindy J.

    We stopped in here for dinner and ordered a dozen oysters, fish and grits, and a salad. Everything was prepared really well, and the portions were reasonable. I'd go back here again to try the naked fish as other people's dinners looked yummy.

    (4)
  • Kathy W.

    As a local, this is by far our favorite restaurant in Sarasota. The trick is that you have to get there by 5:00, especially during season or prepare to wait! The seating is limited so it fills up quickly. I order the fish tacos every time and my husband orders the fried shrimp. Both are delicious! We are typically not dessert eaters but we do not leave without splitting the Bourbon Pecan Pie with fresh cream- it is fantastic! Parking is a bear if you aren't familiar with the area. Some advice- don't park in the small lot next to the restaurant. It is extremely tight and we are constantly entertained by watching cars try to back out of the tight quarters. Management has to frequently go out to help navigate cars out of their spaces. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is very casual.

    (5)
  • Pam W.

    Fun, fun, fun! Great atmosphere and even better food. The fried green tomato salad is not to be missed. Sangria should be served in pitchers, but at least treat yourself to a glass! Get here early because the tables go fast! Don't forget to start with a Bloody Mary Shooter! Enjoy!

    (5)
  • Wesley C.

    Just loved this place the food the atmosphere need I say more my favorite place I have been on west coast florida Everything was great service was friendlyq

    (5)
  • Anne C.

    First time here. Sat at the bar and had great service. Everything we ordered was delicious. Portions were big, so beware. Started with the camp salad w/candied pecans--loved the dressing. Then one of us ordered the Jambalaya--lots of shrimp and great flavor. I had the pecan crusted trout with potatoes, and I subbed out the green beans for the succotash since we had heard how great the succotash was--the trout was very flavorful and the succotash was excellent. For dessert, we split the fried cherry pie. I'm not crazy about cherries, but this was very good. Would definitely go back--the entire menu looks tasty.

    (5)
  • Cole O.

    High hopes, almost every dish we ordered wasn't really that flavorful and seemed overlooked in the tenderness-level. Such potential here, really is...

    (3)
  • Kady W.

    Owen's Fish Camp just makes you want to smile upon arriving. Their outside decor is quite festive and contrasts greatly to neighboring businesses. I went on a Tuesday evening and the wait for my table of 4 without reservations was about 15 minutes, not too bad. My table ordered and shared the escargot over grits, 1 full sized fried green tomato salad, seafood basket, a seafood trough(err low boil), and a snapper dinner. All of our dishes came out fresh, delicious, and as described. There were really no complaints from our table regarding the food. In addition to our tasty food, our server was really sweet and was able to stagger our food so that we could share everything at a reasonable pace. Even though the food and service was amazing, I felt that there were just too many flies roaming about the restaurant. My suggestion to diners is to either cover up your skin or to bring some mosquito repellent.

    (4)
  • Sharon T.

    Have not been here for a couple years but my daughter loves the Fried Green Tomato Salad so we came for dinner. Crab Cakes were excellent, service was good. No complaints. The food is unique but there are also basics available for those who are not adventurous. Parking is tight so be aware of that also.

    (5)
  • Tamara T.

    Made from scratch sauces, piping hot plates, fresh fish and great service. This place is a winner. We came in looking for fish and chips and it certainly didn't disappoint. Great portion sizes including plenty of protein. Prices were also reasonable for what you get and the atmosphere and decor is fairly unique and inviting. We'd definitely come back!

    (4)
  • Joseph S.

    Just terrific all around. Food, Service, and ambience made it a wonderful experience.

    (5)
  • Ginny M.

    Quaint little restaurant with delicious food. I had the scallops with pork and polenta....yummy! May have long wait time to get table but trust me, worth the wait.

    (4)
  • Joyce C.

    Arrived early with another couple after seeing a play at FST. We waited about 15-20 minutes, not too bad for Saturday. I HATE this place don't go. Stay away....Okay, truth be told I said that so I can get in quicker. Actually I like this place a lot....We shared the large order of the fried green tomato salad. Very good. I had the tacos, Larry had the scallops and pork, Paula had the shrimp and grits and the other Larry had the fried cod. Sides included cheesy grits (I could just eat a large bowl of these grits and walk out happy), cole slaw, succotash, and fries. All were very good with the exception of those grits, I love them. We passed on dessert, just too full. We looked around, wow, the wait is now a long one, and it is a bit noisy. We don't care. Only complaint, a better wine selection please....

    (4)
  • Perry C.

    When in Sarasota be sure to have dinner and a movie at Burns Court and Owens Fish Camp. You can always count on great seafood and a lively atmosphere at OFC. The dishes are consistently good and the fish is always fresh. Even though the place is hard to find, the food brings people in. (Expect to wait.) You will love it. Feels like the kind of place you would have run into Hemingway or Robert Frost. The place is an old Key West style fishing cottage nestled among banyan trees; a very pleasant place to enjoy while you wait to be seated.

    (4)
  • Roxanna W.

    I love Owens! It's a wonderful atmosphere, great food, and just an all around fun place to hang out and take guests to! The menu is great provided you don't have any food allergies. Matter of fact, the menu is awesome if you don't. If like me, you do and have to eat gluten free, know that they *do* have a gluten free menu and I've never been ill eating off it. My only complaint is that they do not have a lot of exciting options on there. Be prepared to WAIT potentially longgg waits pretty much any time you go because it's a popular spot and it's not a very big place. The staff is generally pretty friendly even when they're busy. The lady manager/owner is hit or miss in the friendly department. I love their food and love to take out of town guests or meet up with friends. It isn't a cheap spot though. We ate there recently and for three of us our bill was $70 and that's 3 entrees, 1 bowl of soup and water for the drinks. I'd say one of the neat things about this place besides the atmosphere is that it's not a stuffy place and it's great across the board as far as being family friendly as well as a nice place for couples or a group to go out to. They don't take reservations unless you have a large party which is a bummer because we went on a Monday evening and there was an HOUR AND A HALF wait. So. Just know when you go don't go starved haha.

    (4)
  • Mel F.

    The only reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is a WISH they were open for lunch as well! There always seems to be a wait (which yes, that IS a mark of a great place and you can put your name in) but having lunch be an option would be more than fab. The atmosphere is just so much fun. The open yard in the back with fire pit burning was perfect for our recent chilly night visit. Food is fresh and delicious. Our table had a mix of food - fish and chips, the shrimp caesar salad, snapper with greens and the crab BLT. Not a single complaint among us! We also ended by sharing the Mud Pie (complete with homemade whipped cream) and the Apple Pie a la Vanilla Bean Mode. Great place. Will be a staple of where we bring visitors to share what makes Sarasota unique!

    (4)
  • Roarke S.

    Went when my sister was in town. Ordered way more food than we could eat, all of it delicious. I wish I could remember it all, but the grits and the collared greens were particularly good, or maybe they stick out because everywhere else they're done so poorly.

    (5)
  • Ed O.

    Every one told us don't miss out on eating at Owens. So last evening we gave it whirl. This shabby chic restaurant used every inch of space for eating and entertaining. It was quite crowded this Sunday evening and reservations are recommended. The place was really NOISY around the larger tables. Now for the food: the fresh fish, the salads, the sides all were great. Our party of six cleaned their plates. The highlights were the fried green tomato salad, the succotash and green bean sides and the fresh fish with a brown butter hollandaise sauce. We are here for a month and will return. The only reason I didn't rate the place 5 stars is as I stated before, the noise.

    (4)
  • Felicia G.

    We love this place! The rustic back yard with live music and a fire pit set the mood to an awesome night. the scallops with the braised beef was to die for. It does cost a pretty Pennie and they do not have liquor (only wine and beer). But with all being said I would definitely recommend this place

    (4)
  • Alex L.

    I found this place thanks to yelp. It is Saturday night & my birthday & we are looking for a perfect spot for dinner...we found it! They are SUPER busy but do call ahead seating if you are coming within 30 minutes. FYI the wait is always more than 30 minutes! Of course we were wanting to eat at 7:30 primetime so we called ahead, got there and were told it was a 80 min wait or so for 2. We grabbed a couple of reasonably priced beers and went out back. This place is quaint as can be but within 10 minutes we had to go inside because the Mosquitos are serious! They must try to get something out there for this.. But luckily that is literally the only downside to this place. The food was delicious from start to finish. Be careful getting an appetizer because the portions are huge! The camp salad was fresh & tasty. Entrees were beyond expeditions. Fully recommend the pasta that actually had more meat & seafood than pasta! The fish tacos were yummy but a tad bit salty, still very delicious unless u are adverse to salty food. I ordered a side of collard greens just because and they hit the spot. No room for a birthday dessert, but this place for sure is a hidden gem... Go check it out....but be prepared to wait a bit :)

    (4)
  • Terry D.

    Walking around Sarasota my wife noticed this place off the beaten path. Unique old Florida feel. Got there before they opened and they were nice enough to seat us for a couple drinks. I love fried oysters and theirs did not disappoint me. I also had shrimp and fish which were very tasty. I definitely would come back.

    (4)
  • Janice R.

    Our whole family just loves Fish Camp - our Sarasota fave along with Cafe Bijou. This is the most relaxed place. Fabulous fishing and beach themed decor. Great service. Wonderful and reasonably priced seafood. We love it all - special kudos to the king crab legs, fish and chips, all fresh fish, garlic shrimp, good wines...it is the best!

    (5)
  • Tami S.

    My new favorite in Sarasota! This was my 1st time to Owen's. Started with the Lobster Rolls, small and flavorful, not drenched in mayonnaise at all. Next course fish of the day "snapper" grilled, cheesy grits, and collard greens. Finished our night off with a bourbon pecan pie and real whip cream, yum!

    (5)
  • Greg U.

    Disclaimer: I don't eat seafood. So why would I come to Owen's Fish Camp?? It's just that cool; the ambience, style and location. I had the "really good" burger and it really was; Good. Really. My friends had the fish and chips and the Steamed Mussels over angel hair pasta. They raved about the food, service and loved the Camp atmosphere. Come early if you don't want the long wait. Parking is very limited and you may want to find space out on S. Pineapple. Overall, great experience and this land lubber will definitely be back.

    (5)
  • Susan M.

    One of my favorites! Great food and atmosphere. Not five stars because the wait is long and they don't take reservations

    (4)
  • Anjali K.

    Yum!! I went to Owen's Fish Camp for dinner while I was in Sarasota for work. Great prices, great food, great atmosphere. Owen's Fish Camp is an extremely casual dining place. We arrived around 7:15 without a reservation. While there was a wait, we decided to try some of the sangria and sit out on the porch. This was a great way to pass time and enjoy the beautiful night-time weather of Sarasota. For appetizers we ordered the giant shrimp, and my entree was the Owen's basket (fish, oysters, fries, shrimp, an Owen's specialty). Delicious!! Very fresh seafood (which you expect from Sarasota). To top it off, our bill was about $50. This absolutely cannot be beat for a fresh, delicious seafood dinner with a nice casual atmosphere. I would definitely go back to try some of their other seafood specialties!

    (4)
  • Diana P.

    We love this place but I didn't give it 5 stars bc our first experience was tastier than the ones after. I felt like they started adding more salt to the dishes and they didn't need it. Over flavoring is my pet peeve with restaurants. With that said, I will still be visiting Owens each time I'm down in Sarasota. Fresh fish, unique menu items, friendly staff and awesome atmosphere. One of the coolest, authentic 'local' looking places. A+ for aesthetics. Try the fries green tomatoes and def get a dessert, even if your belly doesn't think it can handle it-you won't be sorry.

    (4)
  • Cherie W.

    One of our Sarasota favorites. It has never disappointed.

    (5)
  • David S.

    We ate here on our first night in Sarasota and loved it do much that we had to go back a second time before we left! My wife loved the fish tacos and I loved the Scamp fish entree. The succotash was awesome and for dessert don't pass up the fried cherry pie! The staff is friendly and the food always served quickly. They also have a nice selection of beers. Get there early because it gets packed!

    (5)
  • Marcos O.

    I recommend Guy Fieri to stop in on his next taping of DDD while in Sarasota. It's a tiny restaurant with a tiny parking lot located on a tiny street with tiny houses in front of a tiny indie movie theatre... That alone makes it awesome. Had the pasta jambalaya with crawfish, sooo good. Be ready to be rolled out as you will be stuffed just like the crab cake I had!

    (5)
  • Jeanne C.

    My husband and I really enjoyed our meal last night. The place was uncomfortably cold inside because of the unexpected cold front that moved thru Florida the last few days. I think some sort of portable heaters would have helped. We both ordered the fish, simply broiled, one Chilean Sea bass and also the grouper. Both dishes were really good. We each got two side choices which we enjoyed and literally our plates were clean of food, it was so good. We liked the simple choices for wine by glass and bottle. Service was attentive. My one negative was the blackberry dessert. Blackberry hand pies turned out to be tiny finger pies with two bites and they were gone. Eight bucks was way too much for this dessert. The taste was too oily and had an off taste. Make these blackberry pies larger with a more controlled frying and I would have been in heaven. We did enjoy the service and the meal but thought the prices were too high for what we received. Spent 110.00 on dinner ( two cheaper drinks each) and walked out satisfied but certainly not full. We also were expecting some type of early bird special on anything but there was no specials. We probably won't be back but it was a neat place in an area of Sarasota we were not familiar with.

    (3)
  • Tina P.

    I don't have one bad word to say about Owens. It's delicious and fresh every single visit. In season, you might have to wait a while for a table but it'll be well worth it.

    (5)
  • Melodye F.

    Great food, great prices! great ambiance. My husband and I love this place and visit as often as we can when we are in town. Took my brother there and he informed me as we were sitting down to eat that he doesn't like fish but ordered the grilled fish of the day and ate it all up. It is one of our favorite places to eat in Sarasota. Cool back yard with seating, drinking, and listening to music. Heading down to Sarasota soon and it is on our list of nights out for dinner. Do not miss this restaurant when in Sarasota and have some dessert too.

    (5)
  • Jason M.

    Our only complaint is that we did not try Owens Fish Camp sooner! What a cute place! It has a really fun, casual, hip feel to it. it's on a little alley so unless you're looking for it, you'd have a hard time finding it. We visit Sarasota a few times a year and had heard from family about Owens. It is not at all touristy and you will not find it advertised in the travel brochures you pick up at the airport. We walked in and there was a short wait so we grabbed some drinks and headed out back. Super cute area out back with tables, mismatched chairs, porch swings, etc. They came and found us when our table was ready. Wine selection is nice, just enough choices. I also tried the sangria which was tasty. We shared the fried green tomato salad which was amazing. For entrees we had grouper and fish tacos. The tacos were the best I had the whole trip - and I ordered fish tacos every time I saw them on a menu! Service was great too, fun and efficient. We will definitely be back on our next visit to Sarasota!

    (5)
  • Marissa W.

    The hubby, myself, and baby Adalynn took a relaxing drive to Sarasota this weekend to walk on the beach and to just hang out and venture away from Tampa for a little while. I had bookmarked Owens Fish Camp awhile ago and since we were in the area we decided to give it a try. For the most part we were very impressed with this restaurant however, there were only a few minor flaws. Cons - we came on a saturday night so naturally we knew that it was going to be busy and we did not have any other plans for the evening, however - we waited about an hour and fifteen minutes for our table which even on a saturday evening was a little longer than I would have liked especially with a 2 month old baby in tote! In addition, I know that they were very busy but, the hostess was not exactly the friendlest and seemed irritated simply by my asking how our table is announced. Which just so you know, they come and find you. My only other complaint would be that they only serve beer and wine and no liquor. I am definitely a fan of wine however, there are no Moscatos that are offerred and the Reisling that the bartender picked out for me was the worst Reisling I have ever come across. Therefore - I stuck to Ginger Ale for the rest of the evening ;) Pros - after checking in you can either hang out in the front of the restaurant outside, at the bar, or outside. We went outside until the mosquitos basically ate us alive (some advice - maybe some citronella torches outside would help this problem) but nonetheless we really enjoyed it. They have a bluegrasss string band playing outside who I personally thought were really cool and different. They also have a pit outside which Im assuming you cook your own oysters on? I could be wrong about this and a cornhole station. Once our table was called, we were promptly seated and our waitress was very nice and efficient. We ordered the deviled eggs and prawns for an appetizer which we both really enjoyed. Just make sure you read the menu - the prawns are priced based on one so if you have four people in your group you will need to order at least 4, and at approx 6 dollars for each this can get a little pricey. My husband ordered the camp basket which he liked a lot and it had a little bit of everything in it including fish, shrimp, and I believe oysters with fries and coleslaw and I had the fried shrimp basket. I know it doesn't sound exciting or different however, this was the best fried shrimp I have had in awhile. It was perfectly cooked and not oily tasting. I changed my sides to the parsley potatoes and green beans which were absolutely divine! Also, the presentation of the appetizers was absolutely beautiful and although Owens seems to be a laid back type of place you can tell that there is a trained and professional chef in the kitchen. The service was very good and quick and our bill was pretty reasonable based on the amount of food that we recieved. I would definitely go back however, maybe on a week night this time to avoid the long wait time ;)

    (4)
  • Fran T.

    We shared a couple of appetizers..crab cake and lobster rolls. I enjoyed both. I had the catfish with collards and black eyed peas. The fish was cooked to perfection. The sides were large proportions. The collards were different. ..just can't place a word on it. The black eyed peas tasted more like a spicy jambalaya but good. Cool location a little off the beaten path.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth F.

    The food, service, and atmosphere are always stellar! Due to this, sometimes the wait is a little long.

    (4)
  • Chris N.

    We vacation on Anna Maria Island which has quite a few nice restaurants, but we're always looking to try something new, hopefully seafood oriented. Well, we really like this place. Arrived around 5:30 on Thursday and we were able to park on the street around the corner. We were quickly seated and our server was Cecilia, a lovely and very helpful young woman. Had Murph's bloody may oyster shooters and they were delicious. Half dozen raw oysters on the half shell and they were also great, a bit salty and good size. My wife had grilled grouper with sides of black eyed peas with andouille sausage and spicy local collard greens. The grouper was cooked perfectly and the sides were wonderful. I ordered the seared sea scallops with braised pork with sides of Owen's succotash and cheesey grits. The four very large scallops were seared to perfection, still moist and not too chewy.The succotash was very good and the grits were amazing. I rarely order grits but I will definitely get them the next tine we're here. Owens is definitely one of our favorite restaurants on the Florida Gulf Coast!

    (5)
  • Starlite Room S.

    From concept to execution this is the best restaurant in Sarasota, hands down. They have the friendliest staff and the food is very good. If you haven't been you are missing out!

    (5)
  • Edward V.

    BETTER THAN FIVE STARS! The only reason I am giving Owens five stars is because ten stars is not an option. While I was in the Tampa/ Sarasota area for a mini vacation ( with family), I read the reviews for Owens and had to go. Our first trip to this amazing place was a Sunday evening around 7:00 pm. We were told there was 30 minute wait. We went to the bar and ordered drinks and went out back......WOW. You feel as though you have stepped back in time. Plenty of seating on the covered porch around the fireplace and chairs nestled here and there. 30 minutes later we were called to our table and were immediately greeted by our server. She was knowledgable about the food and made some suggestions for us as it was our first time. ( We enjoyed Owens so much, we went back again 3 days later). Wednesday night, one hour wait.......so worth the wait. The Grouper, Red Snapper and Mahi Mahi comes in fresh every day and you get to choose your sauce and two sides. You have to try the succotash .....OMG!!! It is a combination of Lima beans, corn, chick peas, dried cranberries, edamame in there house made vinaigrette. There are certainly more option on the menu ( lots more) even a grilled vegetable plate ( which my wife ordered) as she is a vegetarian. Whatever you decide to order, just make sure you save room for dessert. The Pecan pie and Key Lime pie were the favorites (you HAVE to try them) . Owens Fish camp is an amazing place. The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgable about the food and history of Owens ( and there is a bit of history here). Weather you go for the awesome food, great atmosphere, or to learn a bit of history.......JUST GO! And don't forget to get a picture with Owen out front. Ambience ***** Service ***** Food ***** Quality ***** Value ***** Happy Trailz

    (5)
  • Benjamin D.

    Actually four and a half stars. My family has owned a home in Sarasota for 14 years and this was certainly one of the best meals i've had in all the times i've come down. Thanks to Owen's, there is no need to go to Philippe Creek or Anna Marie again. The food was excellent, the drinks were great and the service was awesome. The atmosphere of the "shack" was just enough to be enjoyable but not too much to be cheesy and camp. We also enjoyed the live music they had in their back patio area where you got to wait for your table with drinks. As for the food, we had the fried green tomato salad, oysters, the crab cake, sea scallops with pork and blackened grouper; all of which was spectacular. If I could think of one negative, it could only be that they charged a bit much for the Blue Point Oysters ($27 for a dozen). yes I get that those were from Maine but that still is a bit much for a casual restaurant. However, that aside, we absolutely loved the place and will certainly be back on our next trip down.

    (4)
  • Greg B.

    A casual place with fantastic food. I tried grits for the 5th time in my life when an employee having his dinner break offered me a sample. Wow never finished them before this time. The catfish and sauce was excellent. Another time I enjoyed some great thick chowder. The employees are as nice as they look. The only con I have is in the selection of IPA beers. Its a new found favorite place for me.

    (4)
  • Lauryn L.

    Since moving to the Sarasota area from Massachusetts I hadn't been that impressed with the restaurant scene, that was until I found places like Owens. This is a true gem in Sarasota. The decor is cute, a old house with shabby chic old Florida fun. You feel like you are at someone's cute house for a fun meal. The back yard has s cute deck complete with tire swings, perfect for grabbing a drink while you wait to be seated. Every time I've been this place is packed and with good reason. The food is wonderful. I was wowed on my very first visit, the place was packed, I a girlfriend and I arrived for a fun dinner out, our service couldn't have been better. We were treated like VIPs, our server spent time describing her favorites and helping us make the most out of our first time there. Since I'm a young adult I find this type of service refreshing as it's not always the case, often times I find the young dinners get poor service, not at Owens. The grouper is some of the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and seasoned. I had such a great first experience I rushed back with my whole family eager to share with them. Owens has become one of our favorites in town and a must recommend to all our friends.

    (5)
  • Nayte C.

    It would be difficult to describe how amazing the experience has been tonight. The little band, the excellent wine, wonderful atmosphere... And then the food. I am at a loss to describe how good our dinner was. Fried green tomato salad, fish and chips, and the catfish. You will not want to miss this little gem.

    (5)
  • Todd L.

    Reviews made me believe this place was going to please and impress, but it displeased and depressed. Food - The quality and culinary skill were both sub-par. I had the pan seared grouper, which came out thick (albeit small) and pretty, but it was overcooked, flavorless, and no way worth the $26 they charged for it (due to its size, flavor, and lack of culinary care). I should've known, because it, along with my husband's meal, were delivered in less than 5 minutes from ordering. Why is this of note? Well the place was ridiculously packed with a 45 minute wait for us. Which leads me to believe that the grouper was precooked and then seared again for a quick plating. I had the cheese grits, which were creamy, but cheese should not have been in its name. Bland at best....Waffle House delivers better plain grits than here at a third of the price. I also had the greens, which were above average and sadly the star of the whole dinner table that night. My husband ordered the shrimp basket with fries. Shrimp were okay, but nothing special or worth the price, especially since the basket was mostly fries and maybe 10 shrimp total. The coleslaw was forgettable except that it tasted old. He also ordered the black eyed peas and those weren't bad, but they shouldn't outshine any of the main dishes, which they did. Price - As inferred above, they are whack considering the quality/$ ratio or the quantity/$ ratio never came close to matching their prices. After living in the Carolinas for a few years, I know fish camps, and Owen's you're no Jack Kennedy. If you want to be an upscale restaurant with upscale prices, then you better deliver. If you want to be low brow "fish camp", you better deliver. Clearly this floating between the two has several people confused. I'm not. Atmosphere/Ambiance - Fantastic!

    (2)
  • Patti K.

    AMAZING!! Owens Fish Camp was the BEST restaurant experience I've ever had! The food was fantastic, big servings, fresh, hot and well worth the wait! My taste buds dance just thinking about it!!

    (5)
  • Susan M.

    Beyond long wait was a spoiler for good food and staff. Called ahead 30 minutes and had to wait 45 minutes to be served...took the fun out of it.

    (3)
  • Margarett R.

    Food was mediocre at best and overpriced. Not sure what all the hype was about. So loud and so noisy it was hard to have a conversation.

    (2)
  • Kelly M.

    I've never written a yelp review before, but thought it was necessary for this place. I went to dinner here last night with my family, the food was great! We had blueprint oysters on the half shell to start, I had the pecan crusted trout for dinner, and we split key like pie and Mississippi mud pie for dessert. My plate was clean afterwards it was delicious! The fish was great, I had never had trout before, and the green beans with it were the best I've ever had. Great ambiance and friendly staff. I would def recommend

    (5)
  • Bethie R.

    Perfect! We were looking for a casual fish place driving along 75 and we found it. Owens was Amazing! The fried green tomato salad was perfect. There is nothing that could make it better. The tomatoes are cooked perfectly and they give you a steak knife so they're cut properly. We also had the fresh catch red snapper with green beans and parsley potatoes. Omg. Such perfect flavor combinations. They give you a choice of sauce and thankfully put it on the side because our grilled snapper didn't need it...we used some of their homemade tarter with the potatoes and that was nice. The lobster Cobb salad was large and refreshing and the BBQ pork was tasty. I'm from Orlando and will drive back just to go to Owens. The service was wonderful and they were always moving and helpful. Our server's name is Hope. She was delightful, sincere, and kept a careful eye on our table for any opportunity to help us. Our food arrived quickly, was warm, and was seasoned nicely. Can't say enough good things about it!!!! The ladies room was even clean with nice smelling hand soap....

    (5)
  • Elana L.

    What a nice quaint little place. It's hidden behind other buildings and off a side street so it's easy to miss. I would say that mostly snow-birds/tourist eat here based on the clientele that was here when we were here. The food is pricey but very tasty!! Good date night location! We first ordered the mussels. They were in a buttery sauce and were very good. The oyster po-boy was delish! My husband really liked it! I had the halibut with hollandaise sauce. It was so yummy! Nice flaky fish and the sauce was creamy and full of flavor. Our consensus overall was that all of the food is very buttery. We could taste the butter in every dish. That is not always a bad thing though! :) If you are in the area, this is a nice place to go!

    (5)
  • Dudley M.

    Very busy at 5:30pm so we sat at the bar. The bartender was busy serving the waiting guest but was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. We ordered a lighter dinner - deviled eggs, clam chowder, fish & chips and mussels. The eggs and chowder were excellent. The fish & chip were good but overly breaded. You should pass on the mussels, bland with little of the cooking sauce in the bowl. I wish the bartender had steered me away from the last dish.

    (3)
  • Rhonda H.

    Awesome atmosphere and food! Crab legs, fish tacos, and cheese grits were excellent!

    (5)
  • Ryan B.

    Excellent food! Totally fun atmosphere, cute set up. Delicious food! Can't go wrong, totally a great menu. Fun casual atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Doug M.

    The food is awesome you can't go wrong many choices on the menu. We enjoyed it so much we returned for our last dinner out on our vacation. I had the jambalaya the first night and on Friday night they had a rack of ribs on special that just fell off the bones. I also recommend having the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, it's outstanding.

    (5)
  • Jennifer M.

    In town for a trip to Fort Myers and decided to make a trip to Sarasota for the day. Stopped at Owen's based off of Yelp reviews and they didn't disappoint. Apps: Started with devices eggs, smoked fish spread, and Fried Green Tomato salad to share with 4 people. Everything was absolutely amazing but the FGT salad was top notch especially since I am from KY! Dinner: Our table had the catfish with grits (absolutely amazing!), crispy chicken, and crab cakes- couldn't go wrong. Pass on the garlic pasta as a side. Dessert: Our table had the apple with ice cream, bourbon pecan pie, and mud pie. Apple and pecan were simply amazing! We even got a second piece of pecan for dessert tomorrow. If you are in the area and looking for some great seafood with a southern feel definitely try Owen's!

    (5)
  • G T.

    The food and service was great. The parking not so much. We didn't want to wait so we grabbed our dinner at the bar. The mussel pasta was great and the fresh fish is really good. We tried some of the more southern sides and I enjoyed the black eyed peas. People raved about the grits but I've decided I'm not a grits person so can't really judge. They have a limited selection of beers on tap (about 4 or 5) but they were priced about right. Gotta go if you can get parking.

    (4)
  • Kim W.

    My favorite spot in sarasota, I truly miss Florida and Owens is one of the reasons!! Fried green tomato and Goat cheese salad, scallops with braised pork add grits!, blackberry empanadas OMG, oysters rock., Bloody Mary oyster shooters, pasta jambalaya, fish dip!! boiled peanuts! These are a few of my favorite things :))) please go you will be soo happy you did!

    (5)
  • Greg R.

    Amazing. People in the service industry kept telling us to come here. This place is a must see. In a little quaint part of downtown Sarasota in an old fishing shack. The food was outstanding. We both got the camps salad and the seared scallops with braised pulled pork. Wow fabulous dish.

    (5)
  • Dustin K.

    Outstanding food great service highly recommend coming here. Hidden gem in Sarasota. Will defiantly be back

    (5)
  • Kim K.

    Solid seafood served up in an old house nestled in Burns Court. There is a really lifelike (in the light of dawn anyway), creepy statue of an old man sitting by the front door. Sangria? Don't bother. Scallops? Yes. Five big big pieces come in the entree and are cooked to perfection. Garlic string beans? Solid. Collard greens? Tad too salty but solid. Deviled eggs? Heck yes! Pecan pie? Taste like its from the South. Yum. Tip: if you're going for dinner, wait inside. In 2 minutes I received ten bites in the outdoor waiting area. Argh! I came to eat, not be eaten!

    (3)
  • Teresa S.

    Beer and wine only, so keep that in mind. Excellent food and great recommendations from Cassandra. Had a wonderful July 4th evening.

    (4)
  • Alex R.

    Great food and service. The owner came and discussed our experience. Must visit in Sarasota....

    (5)
  • Eric S.

    We took a big group (about 18) to Owen's based on Yelp reviews. Since we are staying in Bradenton, it was an extra 15 miles to get there, after we had been to Siesta Key for the day. So, I was hoping it would be spectacular. I was impressed, but I got the impression that this was not a great place to go with groups once there. The staff was friendly and good, but I could tell we were trying their patience (3 kids under 2 and some elderly grandparents as well). The atmosphere was great! The tree outside was beautiful, and I really enjoyed the setting. My wife and I shared the sea scallops with braised pork (phenomenal) and the swordfish. The succotash was fantastic. The cheesy grits were creamy and good. The black eyed peas were above average. I wish we had gotten the swordfish blackened instead of seared, but it was still a great piece of fish. Overall, great night. I said to my wife on the way back that I wish the two of us had gone there for a date. It would have been 5 stars, but the group and kids made it a little less enjoyable.

    (4)
  • Britt S.

    My favorite restaurant in Sarasota by far! It's so crazy, but I always HOPE that there's a long wait so that we can have a few drinks in their backyard area! The ambiance is so warm and inviting with a string band straight from the back hills of Tennessee, lights delicatley strewn across moss filled trees, a tire swing, a firepit, and an area set up for a friendly game of corn hole! This restaurant is old florida at it's best with a splash of coastal South Carolina charm! Once seated, the food and service is always fabulous. I've never had a bad meal here...My favorites are the Fried Green Tomato Salad, Fish Tacos with Green Salsa, and Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich. It's always hard to choose!

    (5)
  • Michael D.

    FORN FORN FORN Owen's Fish camp is badass. Awesome interior with great decorations throughout. The service was amazing, but who cares lets get to the food! Oyster Po Boy, check! Great seafood and sides, check! Everyone loved their meals and I would eat here anytime I wanted a seafood craving. The sides were almost as good as the entrees itself and there was not a plate that looked like it just came out of the dishwasher. On top of the great food and service, the price wasn't bad all. Next time I am in the area I will be back for sure.

    (5)
  • Matt C.

    Great atmosphere with very relaxed porch and yard for waiting. Definitely not meant as high brow. Griped green tomato salad, oysters were great. Shrimp and grits were the best I have had. My wife's fish tacos were 'okay'.... Overall price and service were really good for a relaxed fun atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Cindy C.

    Cool restaurant exterior invites you to eat here! Awesome banyan tree outside. Go early -- avoid the rush! I had the shark steak, collards and cheesy grits; my husband had the fish and chips. All delicious. Service was awesome, iced tea was delicious, menu and decor made us laugh, food was amazing. Loved the atmosphere -- an old house with an enclosed porch and rustic interior. Parking is tough (even though they tell you it isn't!) so give yourself plenty of time. It would be great if the Low Country Boil came in a one-serving portion (you can only order the two-person for $45). Still -- this is a must-go-to-restaurant anytime we visit Sarasota from now on.

    (5)
  • Stephen S.

    Get here early because it fills up fast, but definitely worth the wait!

    (5)
  • Robert H.

    I think of it as a very southern version of Bonefish. Great appetizers and great fried food! Wonderful atmosphere too. I had the grilled red snapper with lemon butter caper sauce, would definitely reccomend. Girlfriend had the Oyster Rockafeller, one of the best she's ever had. I think my favorite thing was the french fries haha. Fried perfectly with great taste. Next time i go back, which i hope is very soon, i will have to try the Pecan Pie, looked out of this world.

    (4)
  • Tracey B.

    Great little place nestled among some gorgeous trees. This is a local favorite so go early or expect long wait times. Fresh Southern style comfort foods translation rich and heavy. I had the soft shell crab BLT creation which was delicious. Fun place to take out- of-town guests to.

    (4)
  • D A.

    Great atmosphere. We enjoyed our dinner! The best crab cakes ever. They were very spicy. We also enjoyed the smoked fish spread on crackers. I never thought I'd try it but it was good.

    (4)
  • Vince L.

    My wife and I have been 3 times and each visit we like it more than the last. This time I had a clam chowder and we ordered the deep fried pickles. Both were very good. The highlight of the meal was the Low Country Boil. An abundance of clams, mussels, potatoes, sausage, corn and a couple of crab claws, unceremoniously dumped into a bowl to be shared by the two of us. Everything was tasty and perfectly cooked. I am not sure if I will ever be able to go again and not order this dish. Do yourself a favour and when in Sarasota give Owens a try.

    (5)
  • Brett H.

    Great place, especially for Seafood. My friend had fish with a bunch of veggies and loved it. I had the Clam Chowder which was AMAZING! I also had the Jambalaya which was good but I would've preferred it with some other pasta since it comes with Angel Hair. The portions were good and the food came out quick. Overall, a great place.

    (4)
  • Tiffani C.

    The front desk girl recommended this place and I'm so happy I took her recommendation!! The sangria is amazing! I sat at the cute bar, the bartenders were fantastic...I had the Salmon blackened with black eyed peas and potatoes...everything was great! Will def come back if I'm ever back in the area!

    (5)
  • Stephanie M.

    Love this place. The atmosphere "out back" is so relaxing. The food is well worth the wait. The fried pickles and the Bloody Mary oyster shooters were awesome. My family also enjoyed the jambalaya and the fish tacos. We come to Owens fish camp every time we are in town and never have been disappointed.

    (5)
  • Todd R.

    Been 4 or 5 times--my favorite restaurant in Sarasota! There's usually a wait so be prepared to have a few drinks. Great outdoor atmosphere, great indoor atmosphere, very rustic and authentic feel. Food is very unique--seafood "upscale southern style". The escargot n grits is very good, the deviled egg appetizers, the boiled peanuts, the oyster po-boy sandwich. And the succotash is a great twist and full of flavor. I will say I tried their fried seafood combo platter--wasn't impressed. Other than that, everything has been great.

    (5)
  • Portia H.

    When we walked in the waitress said the only seats that she had left was the table top or we could wait 20 minutes for a table? I asked her what about the 2 empty round table seats off to the left and she said that those tables were being made ready for parties ahead of us? I never saw anyone take those seats while we waited for our food to be prepared. We went outside and waited on the wicker couch, but we were beginning to feel like we'd stumbled into an unfriendly establishment. The restaurant appeared to be very redneckish. When our food came out the staff said that it was for a man who'd just came from outside and stumbled up to the bar? After the staff rambled all thru our food checking it to make sure it matched what we'd ordered they handed the plastic bag off to us saying that it was our order. Hum what a revelation! When we ordered the fried blackberry pie I asked what kind if ice cream they use and the waitress said vanilla. Well Duh it said that in the menu! I said yeah what kind if vanilla. She said she didn't know. I asked the male bartender what kind of ice cream the use and he said vanilla bean. Again, Duh! He didn't know either. I told the lady waitress that we like Hagen Daz. She said its better than that. Well it isn't unless you like thin, no creamy ice cream with icicles pieces thru out it. The fish smelled so good as we drove back to our condo. I we couldn't wait to eat it. The anticipation was much better than the fish! The batter on the fish was thick and gooey. The fried pied was much more pastry than berry and FULL OF GREASE! Someone should teach them the technique of laying the fried pie out on paper towels before they bag it up. It was yuck! The french fries were so skinny and off the mark that I trashed them. Luis liked them, but he doesn't LOVE French fries the way u do. The collard greens were good. They had pieces of meat, probably pork thru out just as they should have. We won't dine here again.

    (2)
  • K. B.

    Excellent restaurant with refreshingly helpful staff...busy spot so be prepared to wait. Never had a bad meal and the prices are most reasonable...mussels and pasta best ever and my amazing wife raves about the green tomato salad. Dont miss the boiled peanuts as an appetizer!

    (5)
  • Melissah B.

    Oh my... southern goodness with a stylish kick! Started with Southern Sangria, fruity and tasty goodness! Shared a Camp Basket and added on the Spicy Collard Greens. Fish, shrimp, and Oysters... all tasty! But those greens... oh my... those greens! Pork, Balsamic, and possibly my Nana's touch from Heaven since I think the Angels were involved in their preparation. No wrong turns are possible here. Try anything! It's all delicious!

    (5)
  • Shelley J.

    After hearing so much about this place it was nice to finally make it over and try it out for ourselves. After being seated outside we were waited on by Terry, a cheerful server with a refreshing wry sense of humor. She did a great job of explaining specials and answering questions about the food and was very attentive the entire time we were there. Even though we arrived late, no one rushed us and we were still served dessert after closing time. Nice change from the places that practically kick you out. My husband ordered the oyster po' boy, our friend Lois the fried fish and I got the pimento cheese burger which I was told is made with grass fed beef. The po' boy was absolutely delicious, with the oysters cooked perfectly and everything served on the best bread this side of New Orleans. It was crusty on the outside and soft and dense on the inside. The burger was juicy and served with just the right amount of gooey fresh pimento cheese. My only complaint was it was a little overcooked, but the flavor was so good I didn't complain. I am sure if I had they would have gladly cooked another for me. Lois loved her fish, declaring it was the best she had eaten in some time (which is something since she only eats fish and no meat). To top the meal off my husband ordered the fried berry pie with ice cream. It was fresh, delicious and not overly sweet. No canned pie filling here! This place is definitely on our list to come back to again before we go roving the country again in search of new eats. Give it a try. You won't be sorry!

    (4)
  • Nancy H.

    This place was recommended by our kayak tour guide as a local "hole in the wall" seafood place where the locals go. While it would be a stretch to call this a hole in the wall, it is a charming spot off the beaten track with amazing creative seafood dishes. My bf had shrimp and grits served with andouille sausage, and I had an amazing scallop dish served with pulled pork over polenta with corn and edamame relish. So delicious. Service was great. Sat outside on the porch. Also a really neat waiting area out back with live music. A definite stop for a great meal and something out of the ordinary.

    (5)
  • Tom M.

    Stands up and delivers again! Food: 5 stars. Everyone enjoyed their meal tremendously. I asked the server what she would recommend ( I eat everything) and she said the scallops with braised pork over cheesy grits. This is a standout dish. Blue point oysters where fresh and the smoked fish spread app was great, and enhanced with our servers recommendation to put hot sauce on it. Thanks again! My mother-in-law scoffed at the idea of eating grits, but the waiter said to try them, and if she didn't like them, there would be no charge. She of course loved them. Attmosphere 5 stars: One of a kind niche place. Can't say enough. Definitely a great place to bring out-of-towners as well. Laid back and relaxed. Service 5 stars: As from above, our service was impressive. The owner was in as well and made a stop to say hello to everyone. Very nice guy who you can tell really cares about his customers.

    (5)
  • Kacey H.

    Great food & atmosphere! The sangria tasted more like fruit juice than sangria so I suggest sticking to beer!! We had the fried pickles with a side white sauce, escargot (snails), with chorizo (sausage) and grits, oyster shooters as appetizers which all were outstanding but if I had to choose one it would be the escargot! Then for our main course I had the seared scallops, grits & green beans. My husband had the fried catfish, greens & grits. Both of our meals were delicious but we couldn't even eat half because we were so full. However, the food tasted just as good the next day!! When we are back in Sarasota we will most definitely be back to Owen's! It was even a stormy, rainy night & we still sat outside because its covered with fans. It was actually very peaceful and we enjoyed our dinner on the "porch!"

    (5)
  • Erika E.

    Fried green tomato salad was out of this world. The peel and eat shrimp was overcooked and definitely do not get the prawn appetizer. Grits and green beans were amazing. Crab claws were good. Despite a few things I would not reorder I would def go back. Supper fun place and overall the food was Very Good

    (4)
  • Summer R.

    This place has a really great atmosphere and a down-to-earth and kind wait staff. I had an oyster shooter, crab cake dinner, and small house salad. The crab cakes were obviously made fresh, and the house salad was amazing! It was definitely the best side salad I've had anywhere, it even came with candied walnuts! Way better than the generic iceberg salad at most places. My only criticism is the lack of variety on their menu. I wouldn't recommend this place for a blind date or business dinner. If you aren't sure if your company enjoys seafood, this isn't the place.

    (4)
  • Matt C.

    My family and I travel to Sarasota area often. We have tried many restaurants in the area but none as good as this. In fact I will put this place up against any restaurant I have ever eaten at. From the hostess to the owner indiscreetly overseeing his business this is a top notch joint. Most importantly our food was delicious. Everything is made w excellent ingredients, flavor paired beautifully, a variety of flavored to dance on your pallet and all for a fair price. My only minimal complaint (and I mean it didn't detract from the meal) was the fried green tomato on my salad needed to be crispier. I highly recommend coming with a small group and order a variety of items so you can enjoy all it has to offer. You must try the Pecan Pie...simply outrageous. Atmosphere tops it off as it is very eclectic and quaint!

    (5)
  • Taryn C.

    This place has amazing food and the coolest atmosphere inside. Out back they have the cutest waiting area, super funky. The only thing is they get packed really quickly and the wait times are long, but it's totally worth the wait in my opinion.

    (5)
  • Dawn M.

    Fried green tomato salad and fish and chips always keeps me coming back when I am in town. Also tried the fish tacos and apple pie ice cream which were also great. The staff is average but trained to get you in and out in a hurry as they usually have big crowd. None the less I will be back!

    (4)
  • Bruce W.

    Last night was our third visit, and the first in 2 years. Our experience reminds me of Yogi's quote, "it got so popular no-one goes there anymore." By April 10 many seasonal visitors have gone north, but you wouldn't know it here. We were told (at 6:30) that the wait would be 25 minutes, but it was 45. Then, when we got a table, we were placed at a table under a very loud speaker. The noise level at Owen's is already greater than most. The last thing you need is blaring music, assuming conversation is important to you! My wife was told they could not turn it down. The food was excellent. I had red snapper grilled ($27). When we left, although it was late, there was still a long wait for those just arriving. We will go back in off season, but during the busy season we won't return. I really dislike the practice of restaurants of not taking reservations. It works well for them, because they never have to deal with last minute cancelations. But when wait times get to be over 20 minutes, I feel abused. In contrast, restaurants like Miguel's that provide excellent food but do take reservations will be where you find us during the busy season. So, sadly, Yogi's words apply: Owen's got so popular, we stopped going there anymore.

    (3)
  • William C.

    Excellent food. Nice atmosphere. Great location. It's just a fun place to eat. The fresh fish is always outstanding ! As good as the food is. . . the atmosphere is better ! Just decided that they have the best Pecan pie I've ever had. :-)

    (4)
  • Trung N.

    If you are in the neighborhood on vacation or passing by you should definitely check this place out. I've been here twice now and the Lobster Boil is amazing! Everything else we tried was great too so don't be shy to have some boiled peanuts or other dishes.

    (5)
  • L B.

    Service is just ok- sat us by a very noisy table after they had already had to move another couple who complained. Atmosphere was quaint- cute backyard area. Red snapper was good.

    (3)
  • Cynthia M.

    Great atmosphere! Love the secret back garden area. I ate dinner with 3 friends in the outside porch area. Great surroundings. I felt like I was in a fish camp. The fish tacos were a disappointment. They were overfilled and soggy with little flavor. The cole slaw was good. I had to add it to the taco for flavor. Would have preferred my wine in a wine glass and not a short water glass. Service was great. Parking is a problem. We arrived at 4:00 for a late lunch so there was no wait. Fried green tomotoes, grits and collard greens give the place a southern flavor. Expensive and not worth the money. A great tourist trap

    (3)
  • Suki N.

    Awesomesauce flowing from low country boil, I could swim in it! King snow crabs were the best buttery goodness I've tasted in long time. Boil was enough for 4 but so good we took some home with us! Also go for clam chowder, it's tasty too!

    (5)
  • Jennifer K.

    Short wait for table. While you wait, head to the bar and pick up a glass of wine or beer. Their menu offers a variety of choices. The atmosphere is super cute and intimate. Best for small groups up to four people. Great prices too!

    (4)
  • Michelle T.

    I wish I could do 3.5 stars. 3 seems too little and 4 is being generous. The fried green tomato salad, crab cakes, fries, and scallops & BBQ dish are all pretty good. A word of advice, stick to the seafood. The one steak on the menu was horrible. Sometimes the food is on the greasy side. The service is pretty poor. Raw oysters not from the gulf are nice to have access to, but they are pricy.

    (4)
  • Chas B.

    While am not a foodie, I do no good food and good value and Owen's Fish Camp never disappoints. My wife and I eat here every time we visit Sarasota, and we are looking forward to our next visit.

    (5)
  • Brinn L.

    This place was amazing! We came here on the second to last night of our vacation, and decided to come again the following night! We came a little early to listen to the live music in the "backyard". The backyard is a beautiful area with trees, a fire pit, and stringed lights with an old country feel. We were so happy to wait out there. We sat inside one night and outside another night and both areas we were very happy and comfortable. THE FOOD was AMAZING. Everything we got, from oysters to entrees were phenomenal. We got the jambalaya, hollandaise steak, and scallops and I would recommend all meals, especially the jambalaya (it tasted like something my Italian grandmother had made). If you are in Sarasota, go to fish camp. You will not be disappointed! Please Note: Because the place is so excellent there is almost always a wait after about 5:30/6:00 expect to have a glass of wine outside first! The wait is very worth it.

    (5)
  • Leisy G.

    This place is very unique from the exterior to the interior of the restaurant. I'm not a big fan of pickles but my boyfriend wanted to try their fried pickles on a jar and I actually loved them. He had the Oyster Rockefeller which he really liked and I had a plate of mussels with pasta. The pasta really didn't have much flavor, I wish it did because I was amazed of how many mussels my plate brought. It must have been around 20-30 mussels. That's what I liked the most. We had the Mississippi mud pie for dessert. I was impressed of how fast the service was, the food didn't take longer than 15 minutes and I was observing the tables around me and they were getting their food super fast as well. Our server was great, too bad I don't remember her name but it seems like the staff knows what they are doing. Will definitely come back. The only thing that it lacks is the parking, very few parking spots so that means park a block away and walk.

    (4)
  • Jewels M.

    2nd time to Owen's...it really is campy ...our reservation was for 8:00 we didn't get seated until well after 9:00...However we were entertained by a young trio from Tennessee ....out on the porch ....yup !!! !they where totally authentic !!!!! great musicians the girl who did most of the singing was so extraordinarily talented .....the music was low country bluegrass....creole ......Cajun ....etc Dinner was worth the wait everyone was happy with there choice and planning a return trip .....fun night ... ....

    (5)
  • Niall C.

    We had dinner here twice on a recent trip to Sarasota and the food was excellent on both occasions. The wait can be long at the weekend (c. 1hr) but it is well worth it. I would definitely recommend the restaurant.

    (5)
  • S F.

    Unfortunately, we had the absolute worst experience last night at Owen's. We've been coming down to Sarasota regularly for the past five years, and always eat at Owen's. Given its popularity and the time of year, we did the call ahead seating which shortened our wait from an hour and a half to an hour and ten minutes. We checked in at the hostess stand when we arrived, and once we heard that we still had over an hour before we would be seated, we took a walk and looked at the art galleries. Half an hour later, our daughter wanted to head out back to ride the tire swing, so I stopped at the hostess stand again to let them know we'd be out back if they were looking for us. The hostess informed me that she had taken our name off the list because she decided we had walked away and weren't staying. We had no exchange that would have indicated that, in fact it was just the opposite. After she kept insisting that it seemed like we didn't want to stay -- smiling broadly the entire time -- she said she could put us back on the list but our wait would be another hour and twenty minutes! Having worked as a waitress and a hostess in high school and college, I have a lot of empathy for people working in those positions and know that misunderstandings do happen. However, there is a customer friendly way to handle a misunderstanding, and then the way which this hostess did, which was by taking great pleasure in the fact that she could use her power to put our name back at the bottom of the list. A total wait of nearly two hours with a child, and no "credit for time served", plus the non customer friendly attitude was just a recipe for an unpleasant evening. So my husband asked her to take our name off the list, and we went and had a nice meal downtown. After this experience, I doubt we'll be going back to Owen's any time soon. We will also be sure to share this experience with our friends who live down here year round, and those who visit regularly. They can decide for themselves if they're in the mood for lousy customer service.

    (1)
  • John H.

    Excellent menu. You must have the boiled peanuts. Fish tacos were great. Apple pie was just ok. Service was good. I will be back on my next visit to Sarasota.

    (5)
  • Kevin G.

    A great little place to visit if you are in Sarasota. Always quality food and service. No complaints here.

    (5)
  • Ganesha B.

    Great service and amazing food! If you like seafood.. And who doesn't? Seriously: it's a MUST!

    (5)
  • Jay K.

    Lots of good reviews but I think it fell short of expectations. For starters, ordering drinks at the bar is a shit-show. I have to call out the bartender (appeared middle-aged with crazy-ass tight pants that were not very flattering as her belly sort of rolled over them). She was direct and not very polite. Drinks however, were reasonably priced. Appetizers were good, not great. We had the fish dip, peel and eat shrimp, and boiled peanuts. All average, not great. The service at the table was very good. Attentive and polite. The food was average, not great. The black grouper - blackened - was still bland. The side dishes were pretty good. The fried catfish lacked flavor and was served with no sauce. Interesting.

    (3)
  • Chris O.

    Great little Southern restaurant, I found via Yelp. I had the combo platter. All the seafood and fish was extremely fresh. The Fried Green Tomatoes are a must have, as are the Blackberry Empanadas.

    (5)
  • Otto A.

    Worst first, shrimp grits with smoked sausage, wanted to love it, shrimp was cooked awesome, sausage good, the entire plate was drenched in a red sauce that turned the grits into tomato bisque soup. Not great to say the least. Don't bury quality ingredients in a sauce...let the sauce complement the shrimp and sausage. Fish tacos, awesome, with crispy delightful fries. Salad, fried green tomato with goat cheese...Delish. Oyster Rockefeller not bad at all! Service good to above average.

    (4)
  • J A.

    Have to dock a star because of how lousy their bar service is. This is an important feature of a place like this because you wait about 45-60 minutes for a table; you're bound to order a drink. I was about to order my beer from a guy behind the bar that looked about 19 years old, then he waved me over to a "line" forming on the side of the bar. A single file line to get a beer. And as far as I could see, two people were just idling behind the bar while one tended to the "line." In Chicago, it's every man, woman and child for him/herself when it comes to getting a drink. Or any other city/establishment, really. But this bar is clearly managed by someone using the principles of an elementary education teacher. Oh, and the bartender also told me my beer was $1 more than featured on the menu (mistakenly, I'll admit). Know your drafts; there are less than 5 of them.

    (4)
  • Patsy T.

    I have been n search for the perfect bread pudding and I think I found it tonight. It was so fresh, not to sweet, and gone in minutes. I left nothing on my plate. Yum!!

    (5)
  • Barbara N.

    Yes, Owen's in downtown Sarasota is very good. It would be a 4 or 5 star if the fried seafood baskets with fries hadn't been so very salty. Everything we ordered at Owen's was extremely tasty and the seafood was the freshest. One of us had the fried oyster basket $14, another had the Fish Camp Basket $19 that included a really good fried soft shell crab. I and my 89 year old dad would have finished ours but for the overwhelming saltiness. The excellent Low Country Boil for Two was also brought to our table, $39. Each ingredient was individually cooked to perfection. As a locavore, I like very much that the menu talks about using fresh local ingredients. Service was decent, but not amazing. I noticed the wait staff were all youthful and attractive--older and chunkier servers need not apply. Nice, casual indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Despite the eye candy ;) we will definitely return. BTW, it only took us 24 years to find a decent seafood restaurant in Sarasota. Good dining is not a Sarasota strong suit. The east coast of Florida is much more foodie friendly--but it doesn't have the gorgeous gulf beaches.

    (3)
  • Peter Y.

    Really a nice find in Sarasota. Meant to go for awhile and it was worth the wait. Hidden on a quiet street in downtown, the restaurant has its own parking lot but there is ample street parking. The restaurant's decor and atmosphere is relaxing and very comfortable. Waitstaff is attentive and very knowledgeable about the food and drinks. Either the owner or manager also checked on each customer. Food wise, fresh seafood. Drinks are ok with wine fairly priced depending on your level of taste. Highly recommend the garlic snails. It is a change from the Escargot in other restaurants. Snails are on a bed of grits which were fantastic. Fish of the day is a good choice. Food comes out quick so order accordingly.

    (4)
  • Nic M.

    This is a hidden little gem and I'm glad we found it! There will likely be a 45 min wait or so, but the wait is part of the fun. The is a house that was converted into a restaurant and the owners kept the homey, small house feel to it. You can wait in the small bar area or grab a drink and head out to the "backyard" where there is live music, plenty of seating, a tire swing for kids, and even a fire pit area where you can order chargrilled oysters while you wait. The service was great, the staff was friendly, and the food was OUTSTANDING! I highly recommend the scallops topped with pulled pork, over a bed of succotash and grits- it was unique and delicious! The pricing wasn't bad either. For two of us our bill was $100 (without tip) and we ordered a bottle of wine, 2 oyster shooters, half-dozen raw oysters, and 2 entrees. I'll be visiting this place again the next time I'm in the area!

    (5)
  • Atom M.

    Yum.

    (4)
  • Jane H.

    cute. old style florida fish shack. tasty!! does not have a full liquor license!!! beer & wine only.

    (3)
  • Deborah C.

    Passing through the branches of the banyan tree in front of Owen's was a good beginning for a pleasant dining experience. Its nice somebody finally shook the stuffiness out of Burns Court and added a little down home southern comfort. The catfish platter I ordered was authentic country roadside and delicious. Nothin' like a big slab of fried catfish, meaty and light served with a large serving of collard greens that were shiny from a little pork thrown in, tender but not over cooked. I would have preferred a big piece of corn bread rather than cheesy grits. I guess you have to bring your own corn bread from Word of Mouth. Deserts could be improved on, I had the fried blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream. A real piece fruit pie, like blueberry or rhubarb would have been a better end to the meal. Prices were reasonable and the service was very good. Oh and did I tell you this place was fun!

    (4)
  • Pac M.

    Thanks to Yelp, we found this place while on a recent trip to Siesta Key. Great menu! It was hard to settle on a few items so we ordered as much as we could fit in our stomachs, Boiled peanuts- YUM Shrimp boil- YUM Fresh blackened Grouper amazingly fresh and flaky. The portions are very generous. You will not leave this place hungry.

    (4)
  • Brian W.

    Old school Florida feel. Awesome owner, came by and geeked out with us about travels and cameras and stuff. Waitress was friendly and approachable but didn't impress us with her knowledge of the food. And the food... was mediocre. Mussels were okay, grouper wasn't bad, corn on the cob was just so-so, the oysters were horrible. Almost flavorless. They weren't supposed to be especially flavorful, they said, but these were almost entirely devoid of flavor, like they'd been washed and washed and were totally plain. Meh. Disappointing. Especially for the price.

    (2)
  • Robert F.

    Nice atmosphere, pretty good service but dinner left a lot to be desired. Oysters Rock... were over cooked with a sauce that overpowered the oysters. They were hard to find. Soft-shell crabs were overcooked and way too salty. The red snapper was nice but, one small blackened filet with succotash and cole slaw was way over priced at $30.

    (2)
  • Pamela M.

    We had been planning dinner here for the last 10 days. I know it's been open for about a year but it just seems like we are finally finding time and well, the "season" is over and we can get back to "local time". When we arrived for an early dinner we were certainly excited to see what the evening had in store for us. Let me set the stage...very casual old Florida, which is exactly what you feel from the front door down to the menu. This is a great old Burns Court cottage with a lot of history. Cozy and inviting. The patio would be perfect is light clothing or on a cool night. We were in work/office garb so we needed to sit inside on a humid early June evening. First surprise: Matzanas Creek Sauvignon Blanc - special wine, so perfect for summer in Florida. We ordered the fish spread to share for the four of us (Excellent!)....so perfect for a drink and leisurely perusal of the menu. We saw so many wonderful things that we proceeded to order a dozen oysters on the half shell and then the Oyster Rockefeller. OMG! I love this place! Around the table.....Catfish, Grilled Red Snapper, Fish Tacos and Fish and Chips. We have various sides including Cheesy Grits (Amazing!), Coleslaw, Shoestring Fries and Succotash. All very tasty and praised by our table. The service was very good and attentive. In addition it was clear that our waitress had been with the restaurant since it opened and was full of knowledge about the location. Only drawback....no full bar. Beer and wine only. But with a great selection or wine and Red Hook IPA on draft, who needs hard liquor? Awesome dinner....Enjoy!!!!

    (5)
  • Gene A.

    Holy cow. This place is great! The food is phenomenal. The atmosphere is "home town whole in the wall". (My made up phrase.) You gotta ask for Cassy. She is the bar tender extraordinaire. I don't believe she has ever met a stranger. She runs a tight ship, but you are very happy to do what ever she says. She makes you feel like you are a regular even though you have never been there. Just ask her what you need to eat tonight and let her choose. Anything she chooses will be great.

    (5)
  • Kim D.

    We had the peel & eat shrimp appetizer, alaskan crab & chicken dinner. For dessert it was the fried cherry pie with ice cream & mississippi mud cake. Loved the quaint atmosphere, it made me think I was at an old camp house. Food was good & service was good. Best shrimp compared to Casey's or Phillipe's but Phillipe's crab was better. Mississippi mud cake wasn't what we expected, more of a cheesecake type than moist cake. Fried pie was fresh but had pudding inside with the cherry filling & we weren't expecting that. Would eat there again.

    (5)
  • Kevin P.

    Wow! This place was great. The location is a little tricky but once you find it, you be glad you chose the place. The food was great too. I had the seared scallops with braised pork on top if cheesy grits and succotash. Then we had the bourbon pecan pie. All was great. I will go again!

    (5)
  • Bizz M.

    This place is casual and slick. We went here once with friends a few months back and once again tonight as newbie residents of Sarasota. When you first walk up to Owens you feel as thou you are walking into a huge tree house filled with hanging lights and adults. Its not a big place but its big enough that your not on top of people. I guess people have an issue with the wait here but the first time we went it was 6 of us at around 7pm on a Saturday and we waited maybe 30 minutes. Tonight (Sunday 8pm) we sat right down. Guess what people...when you have wait at a restaurant that's usually a good sign. Be patient and eat happy. The service has been great both times and the food has been just as good. Sea Scallops, King Crab Legs, Clam Chowder...alllll issss gooood. Just go here. Its a great spot with a really cool tree, a petrified old man and some great food.

    (5)
  • Allison M.

    changed menu. no blackberry pie. we drove all the way here for blackberry pie and they don't have it anymore!!!! ugh!!!!

    (1)
  • Erin K.

    Fun atmosphere and good food. A little loud. Parking can be difficult at dinner time.

    (4)
  • Sara S.

    Always loved the old house even when it was 501, but I expected the food to be a lot better after seeing the high ratings here. Mussels weren't anything special, just good. Seafood stew was pretty gross; literal blend of the fresh catches: three different fish in a food processor with broth make a baby food but still chewy concoction.... Grouper was prepared well. Fried blackberry pies would've been better with more berries and less crust if that's even possible being fried and all. I did enjoy the casual environment and pleasant staff. I'll be back to try more items and hope to update this review with a better rating.

    (3)
  • Vincent T.

    Had dinner there a few weeks back -won't be back. Collard green were the worst I have ever had - tasted they were cooked in vinegar they were so sour. Wasn't impressed with the place, food or service. Want good seafood in Sarasota - go to the Lucky Pelican off University just east of I75

    (2)
  • Jayson H.

    We decided to make the walk to Owen's Fish Camp based off it's wonderful reviews on Yelp! We're glad we did!!! The atmosphere was just what we were looking for, the service was wonderful, and the food was great. The prices are very reasonable for great seafood and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. Also, see if you can find the "Show off your bobbers" sign!

    (5)
  • Roving F.

    We've been there twice now. Yesterday in the rain was really like being in camp. Our server both times was Terry and she is outstanding and even remembered my name just after one visit. The Oyster Po Boy is fantastic as is the clam chowder. Will go there many many times.

    (4)
  • Lydia A.

    Owen's was amazing, one of the best meals I have ever had! My husband and I were on our honeymoon and wanted to try a local place for dinner. Our waitress was great, she made a great recommendation as well. Our meal came out 10 minutes after ordering! We had the shrimp and grits and seared scallops with braised pork and cheesy grits. We are staying on Anna Maria island and will probably come back later in the week! If you're in the Sarasota area you have to try this place out!

    (5)
  • Mark P.

    Incredible ambiance, great service and amazing food. We had the seafood boil which knocked out socks off, but we also ordered dessert: a great blackberry "pie" (think a small dessert Hot Pocket) and the amazing apple pie ala mode. Even their french fries are amazing. I cannot give this place a high enough rating. We loved it and can't wait to be in the area again to go back.

    (5)
  • Leah G.

    We tried this restaurant after 3 recommendations from friends and hotel. It was excellent. We ordered the oyster shooters as an app. A nice small list of beers available. For dinner we ordered the crab legs, fresh snapper, BBQ sandwich ( for one of my kids). The fresh snapper was great with the salsa. The sides available were excellent. We didn't like the root beer floats because of the vanilla ice cream. After dinner we enjoyed a small group singing and playing instrument in the back patio while the kids played on the tire swing. The service was great and I would recommend the restaurant.

    (4)
  • Frank L.

    This place rocks, great food, great chef, great owners, great managers, great food, GREAT GREAT look to the place, they did a theme to this joint & they hit the freakin bulls-eye! Food is amazing, it's in a great location, they serve boiled peanuts in glass jars, I've been here 3 times & the food has knocked it out of the friggin' park each and every time... the boiled seafood pot, great!! but with all boiled pots, gets cool quick, ... par for the course so eat quick & that won't be a problem, it's all delicious! It's in a tucked away & beautiful location here in downtown Sarasota, I'm glad this place, this building, this area found it's fit... parking is a freakin HORROR SHOW so plan ahead on how you're going to get here. Love this fish camp & wish they allowed people in during the day for a tour of the history of the house as well as time to check out every nook & cranny of all the fun awesomeness that now adornes this joint! Good job, Campers! Continued success!! Burns Court Cinema is right next door, Great place to see independent & foreign films! Bonus! Rock on, lil Fish Camp, I'm hip to your jive!!

    (5)
  • arlene d.

    Second time here while visiting on vacation . Love this place. Got deviled eggs $5 for 4 camp salad with pecans. $4 and shrimp and grits with smoked sausage $16 great service. Did have a good kids menu not listed

    (4)
  • Bonnie D.

    Worst meal I had in Sarasota. I had fish tacos that had a noxiously overwhelming fishy taste characteristic of cheap frozen fish past it's sell by date. I respectfly complained to the waitress who could not have cared less. I'd go back to The Half Shell, or the Lucky Pelican, but would never return here.

    (1)
  • Claire S.

    I love Owens Fish Camp. It's a very cute restaurant with excellent food. I love the outdoor waiting area in the back and the fish sandwich was delicious! Prices are extremely reasonable too. We had recently gotten engaged and the owner heard about it through another customer and sent over a complimentary dessert for us which I thought was a very nice touch. Will definitely be back next time I am in Sarasota.

    (5)
  • Lisa L.

    Eat here!!! Had my first oyster in a Bloody Mary shooter...very good!! The low boil was impressive and my red snapper was the best I've ever had! Blackberry pastry for dessert is a must! Great service too!!

    (5)
  • sarah s.

    Great Clam Chowder and oysters! We had 1/2 order of blue point and Texas oysters, tasted great. Husband got fresh grouper grilled with the tastiest cheeses grits, fried blackberry pies for dessert . . . Yum! Such a cute hidden spot. This might become one of our family favorites in Sarasota!

    (4)
  • Patrick F.

    I had the Red Snapper, blackened, with cheese grits and string beans. It was tasty and fresh. Ordered oysters, both Texas and New York Blue Point. The Blue Points cost nearly twice as much, but they were extraordinary. One of my dining companions ordered scallops, but sent them back because they were overcooked. She was pleased with the second serving. Lots of plusses, one minus.

    (4)
  • Melinda C.

    Very very good seafood. Raw oysters were fantastic. Scallops and soft-shell crab was done well. Can't say enough about how good this place was.

    (5)
  • John C.

    Amazing, but very simple menu. Every dish is exquisite in it's own way. Very comfortable environment inside and out.

    (5)
  • M.A. M.

    This place was great!!! We came a few days after Christmas so it was pretty crowded - we waited about an hour for a table but the beers on tap were so good that we didn't mind it! The food was excellent but had a little bit of a "southern" feel. The prawns appetizer was amazing but a little spicy, and the crabcakes were delicious - definite favorite. I ordered the seared red snapper with brown butter hollandaise - best fish I've had in a few years. It was absolutely amazing. I got the cheesy grits and the collard greens which were OK - I wasn't a huge fan but the fish definitely made up for it. We got the mint chocolate cake for dessert which was amazing. The place is really expensive - definitely for special occasions.

    (4)
  • L L.

    Synopsis: Don't do it. We've been several times over the year or two it's been open. Have had varying service -sometimes vague and vacuous, sometimes good. Food usually a solid B. So yes, the leader of our film group set us up to go about 4pm after a Burns Court film. Small group, less than 10. Some people got there a few minutes after 4 - the film finished at 4:15. The hostess was draconian and must we say MUCH less than welcoming. Though we had made arrangements, NO ONE was allowed to sit at the table until ALL (including those who needed rest room breaks) had reported for head count. We, the hapless patrons in the room, though obviously the ones paying the check, meekly awaited the bidding of Queenie the Hostess. Can we mention that less than 20% of the tables were occupied at this early hour, and some of our party were using canes? Maybe the owner punishes people who don't honor the "do not seat incomplete party" rule, regardless of the circumstances. The results aren't good. Our server was quite good - efficient and kind. She got an extra tip. Hope the hostess is not in the tip pool. Food was OK. Salads, soggy, with bruised lettuce. Crabcakes obviously pre cooked and barely warm, though good lump meat. Fish was OK--though no one was raving. And yes, the place is cute and quaint--but good looks only get you so far. We are looking for other more welcoming venues with better quality food, both as a group and personally. This place is always crowded--yes, location, location, location.

    (1)
  • Ellen W.

    Low country boil is the best!

    (4)
  • Alberto C.

    Amazing food. The scallops and brisket were to die for. The snails app. Was great and wet different. I love the menu

    (5)
  • Amanda A.

    Perfect place for what we were looking for-casual late dinner and a few beers! Boiled peanuts were amazing! Shrimp appetizer, fish n chips good. Bourbon pecan pie out of this world! Love the kitschy decor and ambiance;)

    (4)
  • Keriann P.

    walked in, ordered drinks, saw a roach on the wall, and promptly left. When we saw the roach, we informed the waitress, who pretty much brushed it off. She didn't even offer to comp the drinks. Very strange. Oh well, we certainly will not be revisiting Owen's Fish Camp again!

    (1)
  • L G.

    Purchased the fish camp basket which included deep fried fish, oysters, shrimp, soft crab, fried, and slaw. Salty seafood goodness. Also, ordered 6 raw oysters which came with a cocktail sauce and a sweet dipping sauce. The raw oysters we're fresh and delicious.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    Even for a very busy restaraunt, still great service. The prawns and fish tacos were excellent. Very friendly staff and patrons.

    (5)
  • Jon M.

    There were 5 people in our party and we had a variety of different dishes. Everyone liked what they got. I had fresh Gulf Grouper and my wife had scallops, both were excellent! Drink menu is not very extensive but gets by ok. Service was fast and friendly.

    (4)
  • New England Traveler B.

    We go every year when we come down to Florida.... my wife had the fried tomato salad.... she enjoyed it... (she orders it every year--LOL).... I tried the snails.... over grits... served with garlic bread and a great sauce--very good...... had the fish specials... grouper and snapper.. both had to be caught that morning...:-)... fresh tasting and moist... we both had the collard greens... nice flavor...had the pecan pie with FRESH whip cream.. YES FRESH!!!! You will enjoy your here.. my wife said.. "it was the best dinner we have had in Florida" ENJOY!!!!!!!

    (5)
  • Scott L.

    Found this local treasure because of Yelp when I was visiting Sarasota. Absolutely amazing.

    (5)
  • H David C.

    Great restaurant. We went there on our first night in Sarasota......we really spoiled ourselves. Food was great! Waitress was great!

    (5)
  • Stephen V.

    All I can say is awesome. The grilled prawns in chili, lime and garlic were one of the best dishes I have eaten in a long time. Friendly service, great atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Shelly J.

    Not worth the mosquito bites while waiting in line. Food is mediocre at best. I believed the hype but you don't have too. Try Eat Here or Retropolitan instead.

    (3)
  • Dan F.

    Stopped in here during our vacation after reading the reviews. The fish was very fresh, and cooked right! The seafood was tasty and my kids enjoyed it as well. Thanks Yelp for the reviews which helped us pick this place. Will definitely go back next time we pass through.

    (4)
  • Assunta S.

    The Three Kitcheneers had the most amazing time at Owens tonight. From the Country Boil to the Cheesy Grits, everything was amazing.

    (5)
  • Q's H.

    Excellent food!!! One of the best places I have found in the SRQ area. I will positively return on my next visit!!!!! Highly recommend for casual, quality dining!

    (5)
  • Owen B.

    Excellent dining experience, we will definetly be coming back for more! Mark went out of his way to make sure we had a good time, thanks!

    (5)
  • Benjamin R.

    I stumbled onto this place visiting a friend in Sarasota. It's tucked away off the main street (and not that easy to find), but it's a gem. The place feels like your grandmothers house (or at least the way you'd want your grandmothers house to be); big breezy porch, lots of space inside, and all of it inviting. And then there's the food. We weren't too hungry, so we avoided the main dishes (which all looked fantastic) and had the fish tacos. While they aren't as good as those you get in Baja, they are some of the best I've had on the East Coast. And I'd go back just for the cheesy grits. The waitstaff were friendly and helpful, and seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as we were. I'll be back next time I'm in the area.

    (5)
  • Dann H.

    This is a new seafood restaurant opened by the Caragiulo brothers in the old 516 Burns space in Burns court. They don't do reservations, but we called ahead around 7:15 on a Friday night. We were told it was going to be an hour and 15 minutes - which was fine. After a drink at home, we walked down to the restaurant and got there about an hour after calling. When we asked the hostess about our call-ahead spot, she told us that it was only valid for 30 minutes and that we had to start over on the waiting list. That was a little surprising, since the person we'd spoken to on the phone had never mentioned that to us. It's certainly a kink they need to work out, but I'll chalk it up to new restaurant jitters. It was only another 15-20 minutes after we got on the list a second time that we were seated, but it was 8:30 in Sarasota, so around bedtime for about 75% of the possible customers anyway. The food itself was above average, but had a few mis-steps. The half dozen Blue Point oysters were delicious, but we had to ask for saltines and those were nearly stale. For entrees we had fried soft shell crabs and the scallops with braised pork. The crabs were far from the best I've ever had - over-cooked and under-cleaned, though the green beans and cheese grits were delicious. The scallops themselves were perfectly done with a beautiful crust, but the 'braised pork' on top tasted exactly like what I'd expect them to serve on their BBQ pulled pork sandwich - which means that it was too sweet and sticky, especially on an already-sweet piece of seafood like a sea scallop. I had really been hoping for something firmer and saltier to balance out the scallop. We'll be coming back at least one more time to give this place a try, but we'll probably shoot for lunch and a sandwich next time. They've done a good job with the space, but have a few issues to still work out. As of this review, the online menu and restaurant menu are similar but not exactly the same. The prices on the online menu are usually a dollar or two cheaper than what's actually served, and there are some other options in the restaurant that aren't reflected online.

    (3)
  • Alison R.

    Crazy person yelled at us for pulling in the driveway so didn't get a chance to try the food. But she was so nuts, thought it was worth warning you all.... Enter at your own risk.

    (4)
  • Benjamin M.

    There are so few restaurants in Sarasota which I want to return to. Owen's Fish Camp is one of them. Although this is one of the trendiest (and oddly land locked) fish shack I've been to, the food was good! Portions are a good size, beers are priced well and staff is attentive enough. It was worth the wait to get our table. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • LA A.

    Just damn good seafood. decent pricing cause portions are good size. Alot of fresh homemade food, not pre-packaged sysco crap. Great service to boot. Very cool atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Bob V.

    Wow, is this place cool! Read about it on Yelp. Figured it would be good from the reviews that Yelp had. Went on Tuesday night walked right in around 6:00 p.m. got a table right away, got full right after that. I would be willing to wait for a table it would be worth it. Service was excellent, Mark was a great waiter. Food was great, my wife had red snapper she loved it. I had the scallops topped with pulled pork, fantastic. We split the fried green tomato salad really good, this place is great.

    (5)
  • Lauren J.

    I absolutely love this place! I have an apartment downtown, am always finding myself in a downtown Sarasota food rut. A few friends told me about Owen's months ago, but it took me forever to actually try it. This place is owned by the owner's of Caraguilos, which has notoriously horrible Italian food, surprisingly these Italians have hit the nail on the head in terms of southern fare. First of all, get there early, it is ALWAYS packed and does not offer reservations. It has some sort of call ahead system that makes absolutely no sense,so just skip lunch and go for an early dinner. Second of all, get the shrimp and grits. It is epic. The grits are more of a polenta consistency but they are super creamy, and cheesy, the shrimp are spicy and always cooked just right. DO NOT GET THE JAMBALAYA, it sounds so tempting but its bland, and served over pasta not rice. I have also tried the fried green tomato salad, which is wonderful, but i recommend sharing it with one or even two other people, and don't expect it to be light, its fried green tomatoes, bacon and buttermilk ranch dressing, mmmm southern bliss. The mussels are also nice, but nothing spectacular and definitely not southern. Go on a date or with a bunch of friends, its a great funky fish house atmosphere and everyone is happy to be there.

    (4)
  • C K.

    Food was very nice. Good Seafood choices. Couple at our table got the meal for two and it was a great choice. Wait was over an hour, but we knew it would be so it wasn't a problem. It was a problem finding parking so get there with some time to drive around. Better yet, send someone in to get on the list while you park.

    (4)
  • Kathy M.

    Best seafood ever!! Fresh and wonderful side, great atmosphere. Was there for a conference and several people recommended it- as well as a local caterer.

    (5)
  • Elena C.

    This place is wonderful. The food is the best Southern Style Food that I've had in Sarasota. I shared a Fish & Chips basket, Spicy Collard Greens and a delicious cheesy grits with my husband. We can't wait to return and try the rest of the menu! Service is friendly and good. It's a winner!

    (4)
  • Jerry S.

    Great little neighborhood place. Will be back soon ! Fried green tomatoes are the best. I do recommend trying the grouper with the collard green.

    (4)
  • Eric H.

    You are very unlikely to stumble on this wonderful place so please go find it. We had an absolutely fantastic meal here. We waited approximately 20 minutes or so but the quaint atmosphere added to our experience. Our server was very young but already skilled in courteous attentive service. I wouldn't hesitate to come here for any occasion.

    (5)
  • Taz S.

    little loud but the outdoor seating was great. Nice variation of food in LSU style.

    (4)
  • Shawnna C.

    Food was great! We loved everything we ordered, especially the scallops & the fried blackberry pie. Although we waited a long time, the service was great. Our waitress was adorable. Definitely would go back :)

    (5)
  • Steve B.

    VERY COOL!!! But you might sit next to some of the pretentious Sarasota dorks that love to frequent the Hip new place in town, in turn making it NOT so hip! OK, enough about the three sun-burnt ,loudmouth tools that sat next to us dropping F Bombs.... This is a neat place that should be as busy as it is!!! Very Fun menu, casual staff, creative dishes. We kept it simple are first time; had the JAR of fried pickles and fish spread, both were very good. Loved the garlicky homemade ranch that came with the pickles!!! I ordered the Lobster roll and my wife got the fish tacos I give the the Lobster roll 3 out of 5 stars Was good but not the best I have had. Mostly claw meat, needed a little more mayo (which sounds strange, I know) but was tad dry. Good portion size. The slaw was nothing special. I give the fish tacos 2 out of 5 stars I read in a review that somebody loved the fish tacos and that surprised me. I / we did not care for the Cajun style seasoning on the fish (was very strong!!). The best fish tacos I have had (in Seattle and in different parts of California), the fish was pretty much left alone, maybe a light breading, just nice chunks of white flaky fish. Let the toppings do the talking!!! I am being somewhat hard on these two dishes but still LOVED this place and cannot wait to return and try other things on the menu!! Check it out!!!!!!

    (4)
  • Alisa B.

    Hands down my favorite Sarasota restaurant right now. Casual. Chic. Fun. Delicious. Well-priced. There just aren't a lot of even marginally good seafood restaurants in Sarasota and this one is great -- and I love the Southern take on things -- like the deep fried pickles and deviled eggs! I always get the same thing -- grouper, but last time I tried the steamed plate to share and it was amazing! Thank you Carajulos' brothers for bringing Owen's to us!

    (5)
  • Ken I.

    If you are visiting Sarasota and you can only go to one place to eat ... this is it. Modern, traditional, contemporary, old ... what a mixture of styles - both in decor and cuisine ... and with a fun waitperson to boot For starters, it was a hard decision - everything in the list, I love - but I settled for the shrimp peel. All I could say is hmm ... hmm. I was a happy camper eating with my fingers. While savoring the shrimp, I noticed that they had boiled peanuts (a comfort food for me because I had it almost every Thursday - which was market day - when I was growing up in a small town in the Philippines) - and so I just had to have it. It did remind me of the boiled peanuts of my childhood - soft and salty - but with a twist - theirs was mildly spiced! For my main course, I had fish and chips. When it came, it was served on a newspaper - well - pseudo-newspaper because it was wax paper printed with news.. Terrific. I used to be a fish and chip cook when I lived in New Zealand back in the 80's and there, at that time, we did wrap fish and chips in newspaper, or at least, newsprint. So I thought that attention to detail is remarkable AND I didn't have to ask for malt vinegar (like in most restaurants serving fish and chips). It was there on the table. For dessert, since it was my first time to eat out during this visit to Florida, I ordered key lime pie. No complaints there, it was zesty and key limey. I didn't hesitate to give this 5 stars even though I've been there only once. I love the ambiance, the authenticity with a twist, the whimsical decor, the friendly waitstaff, and based on the menu, I am sure I will be going back there again. I need to taste their ceviche. Real bad. (Oh, the movie theater is next door, so this is a good place for dining post- or pre-movie viewing.)

    (5)
  • Krista G.

    I have been 3 times in recent months and each time the food was absolutely wonderful. Saturday night I had a small fried green tomato salad, red snapper grilled with hollandaise on the side, grits and collard greens. Yum Yum and Yum! I also get the pinot grigio which is really good for $5/glass. My husband was disappointed in his dinner this last time we went but it was due to poor ordering. He didn't care for the caeser salad at all and he should have stuck to the camp salad but was swayed by the server. The caeser was $9 and not worth it at all. I ate one of the shrimp from the skewer and it wasn't very good. He had the fried catfish and said it was good but he would have preferred sides other than collards and grits. I think my favorite dinner is the shrimp and grits though and on a previous visit my husband had the steak which was really tasty. We only had dessert once and it was red-velvet cupcakes which we got to-go, they put extra cupcakes in for us and we thought that was so nice but once we got home we realized they were a few days past their prime. Might try dessert again next time. We have had to wait each time we went so know that before you go. The bar is a good place to wait but small so people are standing on top of you which I don't so much care for. It's definitely worth checking out though.

    (5)
  • Marissa M.

    Great menu- with a of of variety, if you're looking for something on the cheaper side or something a bit more pricey- they have a lot to choose from. big portions, great atmosphere & nice staff! the clam chowder and mussels were delicious- want to come back to get oysters. definitely one of the best spots in sarasota :)

    (5)
  • Todd H.

    Great food. Perfectly prepared fish. Fabulous flavor and creative sides. I will definitely visit again. Cute atmosphere!

    (4)
  • Byron W.

    One of the best restaurants in Sarasota. Seafood is what you want here. They have fresh black grouper which is awesome. Appetizers are great, although oysters are 22.00 /dz which is too expensive. Ambiance is great.poster in men's john is worth a trip while there. It's always crowded. We went Monday night and still waited 15 mins. But worth it.

    (5)
  • MaryAnn G.

    It was good.....I thought it could be a lot better.....the fish tacos were awful.....the fish and chips were good c:

    (3)
  • Amy Z.

    Hands down, one of the best seafood restaurants I've ever been to - great service, especially at the bar while we waited for our table (free samples). Food was awesome, reasonably priced, and the decor was absolutely perfect. I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.

    (5)
  • Debbie C.

    We just had dinner there with our 13 month old. The food was excellant. The staff was great and very accommodating to our child. My husband had the snapper and I had lobster. Both very fresh and tasty. The kid menu was typical kid food. We gave it four stars due to the limited parking. It is in a very quant part of Sarasota.

    (4)
  • Lauren F.

    Definitely one of my favorite places to eat in all of Sarasota. The food is outstanding and the decor and setting of the restaurant couldn't be more perfect!

    (5)
  • Michael S.

    fancy place - charming service - nice food. i was sitting outside on the veranda and tried grilled fish of the day. tasty and reduced to the max. "ilike" ;-)

    (4)
  • Norman B.

    What a wonderful evening at this restaurant! The attention from the wait staff and the food was excellent. A very crowded restaurant and waited probably an hour to be seated for dinner but was certainly worth the wait. We had drinks while waiting. It was Veteran's Day with our nephew just arriving back to the states from Afghanistan and they graciously gave his meal to him free. Must try their Blackberry pie and their Pecan Pie. All in all a fantastic time!

    (5)
  • Phillip B.

    The food was excellent! Our waitress made honest recommendations which wad helpful. I started off with a salad with fried green tomatos salad, goat cheese, and ham. It was delicious. My only complaint is that it haf a little too much dressing. My wife had the warm caesar salad with shrimp and also thought it wad delicious. We shared the seafood feast which had mussels, shrimp, king crab legs, corn, and red potatoes. It normally comes with andouille sausage, but my wife is a vegetarian. The mussels took up the entire shell. The best. Nothing like I have seen before from any NY/LI restaurant. The shrimp were fresh and delicious and the crabs legs were great. They give you this plastic tool to cut through the length of the shell with ease. Very easy to get all the meat out, how ingenious. The people next to us raved about the scallops on top of a pork succatash. One of the top seafood restaurants I have been to. Very nice themed decor...a rowboat attached to the ceiling.

    (5)
  • Greg R.

    Saw Owens about a year ago and have been meaning to go ever since. A great setting in a cool neighborhood. My wife ordered soft-shell crab which was amazing and I had the seafood jambalaya pasta. It was incredible. Top it off with a little pecan pie tart for great southern flair. Service was great. Some times a restaurant with this great atmosphere can't live up to expectations but Owens over delivered.

    (5)
  • Molly K.

    Food was blah and pricey -- $90 incl tip for 2 of us who had 2 apps and 2 glasses of wine each. Bluepoints pretty good, but $12/half dozen. Mussels in leek broth had very good broth, but mussels were flabby, a couple were closed, and 2 were bad. Friendly service, but rushed -- as soon as you put your fork down, the next course arrived. Doesn't seem right that a "fish camp" with scatty furniture and placemat menus charges downtown prices. Parking is a trip. Very popular place, but either it is resting on its laurels or I'm missing something.

    (2)
  • Naomi L.

    I was thrilled to get a great table with my in laws, who reside one block away 8 months year. Fresh seafood, great cocktails. Dessert I am a picky pastry chef, so not the best. The Manager is on top of her game and I loved our server!

    (5)
  • casey H.

    OK here goes, the place is has a cool atmosphere love it. Appetizer outstanding I had the deviled eggs which were excellent and the oysters Rockefeller which were superb. Let's talk about the entrées I first ordered the shrimp and grits, do not order this the shrimp were way overcooked. And I want didn't want to be a dick but the waitress said it was OK to send it back, so I did. So the next offering for entrée I order the wahoo, one of the greatest eating fish around. I order it with lemon caper butter. It came out almost the same as the shrimp, overcooked. My dessert was excellent the pecan pies without reproach. My waitress was excellent she was very nice, I didn't punish her for the ineptitude of the kitchen. the staff was excellent, the kitchen staff needs training.

    (3)
  • Kal M.

    This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while! The atmosphere is great- Owen's is nestled in an eclectic and artsy neighborhood in Sarasota. The restaurant sits underneath a huge banyan tree. Inside was a bit loud but was light and bright. We sat outside on the cute little patio. Misting fans made for an enjoyable and cool evening. Decor is very kitschy and the menu is quirky and filled with fun quotes and retro pictures. This place was packed on a Monday but we only waited for about 15 mins for a seat. Service was fast and friendly and food came out quickly. The menu is very unique and really reasonably priced for such a high end and touristy area! We started with the deviled egg appetizer with redneck "caviar" (which is mustard seeds). There were four huge deviled eggs & the presentation was very nice. I'd never had a deviled egg before (gasp) but I thought it was pretty tasty- light and mustardy with a nice cayenne kick. I had a house salad and the gumbo. The portion sizes were huge. The salad came with tarragon dressing- tasted like a nice balsamic- and might have been one of the best dressings I've ever had. The greens were high quality and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe. The gumbo was overflowing with shrimp, crawfish, and fish. It was served with a cheese toast that was delicious. Other things we tried- cornmeal crusted catfish, mahi tacos, and mahi sandwich (without bacon). Everyone raved over the well-seasoned food and portion sizes. I would love to go back to try the fried green tomato goat cheese salad (I saw a few people order that) and dessert!

    (5)
  • Beth P.

    Great atmosphere! Great sangria, but only have beer and wine. No cocktails. The fried green tomato salad is delicious! The small portion was actually quite filling. Pan fried lump crap cake appetizer was delicious. It was all crab and very little filling. Also had the highway cheesy grits. They are a must have! For dessert we tried the fried black cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Another must have! So save room for dessert. Only downside was lack of cocktails and when we tried to split the large fried green tomato salad, it was going to be a $4 charge. Will definitely come back when I'm in town.

    (4)
  • Mary T.

    This place is a very cute little restaurant tucked away in Sarasota. This place is good for singles, or families with kids. It has a very rustic old country kind of feel, which is a really comfortable atmosphere. It's one of my favorite seafood spots in Sarasota. They have dining inside or outside, and are usually on a wait so choose what time you decide to dine wisely. The later the easier it usually is to get in. The service is usually very attentive here. The food I enjoy here: -Seafood Chowda (definitely one of my favorite chowder places) - Seafood Gumbo -Fried Green Tomato Salad (love love love this salad!!) - Grilled Grouper -Fish Tacos -Fried Softshell Crab BLT -Jambalaya -Catfish -Pecan Pie (delish!!) If you find yourself in the Sarasota area, go check this place out. The food and atmosphere should definitely be work it. I'm a fan and am sure you will be too. My only complaint is if you order to go, make sure all your food you order is there. Every time I go they seem to leave something off even if it's something as small as a side dish. Moral = double check your bag before leaving. Cheers and Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Mike P.

    This is a funky weird eclectic place with a funky weird eclectic menu however everything was really delicious. Portions were very large and this is a place that makes you want to come back to try other things.

    (4)
  • Kathy G.

    They're closed for now. Couldn't they put a sign outside on the street to say so??? Too many bushes, etc. and hard to find with overgrowth of landscaping. Found even with temporarily being closed, parking is an issue. Not sure if I'll go back to try or not. At this point, not worth the drama.

    (1)
  • Crys A.

    Wonderful place. The back patio is so laid back and chill; really great vibe. For dinner I had the fried green tomato salad which was honestly just SPECTACULAR. I wish I had gotten the large portion. For dinner I had the grilled grouper with succotash and it was delicious. Service was also top notch. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait -- hopefully in the back patio if you can! Highly recommend.

    (5)
  • Chris S.

    So this place is good but this southern food meets seafood. If you are looking for lighter fare fish dishes this is not your place. I think you need to be a bit prepared for this if you are looking for your prototypical seafood dishes you will not find it here. Appetizers: * Crab Cakes - really good and mostly lump crab meat. Loved it * Friend Green Tomatoes - my wife really likes these and this place didn't disappoint Mains * Seared Sea Scallops w/ Braised Pork & Succotash - again just a ton of stuff going on here. Really good but you can tell I was going to have crush 20 more minutes on the tread mill after eating this * Shrimp and Grits - wife always gets this and was really happy with this dish We skipped out on deserts but walked away liking the place and the vibe but needed to be better prepared that this is southern style cooking meets the Ocean. This place is tucked away and if you blink you'll drive right past it. We parked on the main road and walked to the restaurant. Also, get there early. We got there at 5PM and had to sit outside because the main room was already taken. People that had a party of 8 were told the wait was 1.5 to 2 hours since they didn't have a ton of capacity to sit many large parties. They do have a beer garden which they recommended to drink at but the place is small.

    (3)
  • Lori G.

    The atmosphere of this place is awesome. The food is very well prepared and lots of good choices. One of us had the Naked Fish grouper, snapper and triple tail! All were excellent! The sides were very good also...collards, grits, succotash, black eyed peas. The outdoor area out back with the band is a great place to wait for your table. The place was packed on Sat night. There was roaster oysters on a open fire and really good fish spread. Beer was cold and company was good. I would highly recommend Owens.

    (5)
  • Tara A.

    The atmosphere is amazing. They have a lot of neat stuff to entertain you while you wait. You will wait if you don't have a reservation. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it. Even if you just order the fish and chips, you'll wall away happy. Neat little Sarasota restaurant. Definitely worth a visit.

    (5)
  • Julie W.

    What a unique restaurant. This placed was packed and we did get there early..we had to wait for about 20 minutes...which was nit bad at all. We sat at the the bar and had a local beer while we waited. For dinner we had deviled eggs as our appetizer. It was really good. I had fish tacos and my husband had fish. He also had oyster shooters and loved it. We are sure to visit again. Wonderful service!

    (5)
  • John P.

    I came here while wandering around Lido Beach and the areas of Sarasota! Being as hungry as I was swimming all day, Owens Fish camp was perfect. I wish I had someone with me to order and share the big boil! But they wouldn't do a "big boil for one".. So I went with the Jambalaya with Pasta, which was phenomenal. It was as satisfying as I expected, enormous proportions, tasty sauce and all! I also ordered a bowl of clam chowder for an appetizer which was great also. I'll come back again for the boil!

    (4)
  • S L.

    I like Owens Fishcamp. It's an interesting little place. Very quaint and reminds me of an old house in New England by the ocean. The menu items are pretty tasty and fresh especially the blue point oysters. I love the backyard really cool eclectic and whimsical. Sometimes I'll have a banjo band playing outback. I like the little bar area so quaint and intimate. It's a great location being right next to Burns Court theater if you're interested in watching a great foreign flick.

    (4)
  • Bryan M.

    This place is pretty cool... very small and quaint as well busy.. the hours are limited but the atmosphere, service, and freshness of the seafood are great. Nice selection of beers but I dont think they have liqour but do have wine. The collards and grits are amazing... the seafood jar with shrimp, fiah, and scallops are good with the little toasted breads. I ordered the 1lb lobster tail but didnt really care for it.. it was overcooked and tough. But that was my mistake I should have ordered the fresh local catches. I will be back

    (4)
  • Samantha T.

    Flew in from out of town to surprise my family. We arrived right when they opened at 4pm. My grandparents are elderly and can't easily move in/ out of booths. When they seated us at a way to crowded 4-top half booth/half table I asked them to move us to a five top round outside. They seated us at a five spot round table but wasn't enough under the heaters. After tipping the hostess $10 and asking for a favor, I moved my grandparents to a warmer table in the middle of the two heaters. Honestly, I was a little disappointed by the hostess and seating staff for the lack of empathy when the the restaurant was far from full. Unlike the seating staff, our waitress was amazing. We started with the mussels, fried pickles and garlic snails. Although the sauce was great, the many of the mussels weren't opened and we couldn't eat them. The pickles had a light cornbread breaking but the sauce was too overbearing with onion. The snail... AMAZING. For entrees, my grandparents split the fresh grouper meal (which was incredible). I had the soft shell crab with a side of grilled shrimp. We also had the camp basket and the camp salad wish was very fresh. The Camp Basket was also awesome and offered a great selection of seafood. Great place if you want to try a new place. My only complaint is that the YOUNG hostess team seemed to not care about the comfort of their elderly guests, which were my most important focus of the night.

    (4)
  • Jonna B.

    My husband took me here for my birthday and we LOVED it! The atmosphere took me a little by surprise when we went out back for appetizers and live music while we waited. "Fish Camp" is definitely an accurate term. The back yard is decorated with old rusty lawn furniture and wooden tables, surrounded by tiki torches. It is ultra-casual and charming. I likened the whole experience to a Disney-type experience where every detail of the restaurant is purposefully put together and leaves you feeling like you are transported to another place. I took pictures but it was a little too dim. I ordered the Kitty Mitchell with grits and succotash. I would highly recommend all three. I also ordered the hollandaise sauce and it was too rich so I used my husband's butter caper sauce. He ordered the Sea Bass (perfect!!!) and black eyed beans and collard greens. I wouldn't get the collared greens again, but I don't like them anyway. I'm sure they are great if that's your thing. We had the smoked fish spread appetizer (delicious) and the pecan pie for dessert (amazing). We were so stuffed by the time we left but 100% satisfied with our experience.

    (5)
  • Carisa T.

    We've been coming to Siesta Key for the past 25 years and can NOT believe we have never been to Owens Fish Camp! Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) was delicious! We were a party of 5 and ordered the catfish, scallops with braised pork, fish tacos, the po' boy, the fish dip and the fried green tomato salad. For dessert we ordered the pecan pie and fried cherry pie! It was AL amazing! Really considering going back before we head back to Miami on Saturday! My faves: the fried green tomato salad, scallops and fish tacos! YUM! AMAZING!!!

    (5)
  • Jennifer S.

    Everytime we go here it is phenomenal. Iblobe sitting in the "backyard" area and listening to the great music. The seafood is always fresh and tastes great. Expect very long lines no matter what time of year but well worth the wait.

    (5)
  • Joetta G.

    I really enjoyed this place. Waiting for our table at a swing bench in the backyard listening to a banjo, guitar, and vocals trio and sipping a beer or glass of wine was lovely. The backyard is filled with lights, people enjoying themselves, kids running all around, and even a tire swing. For dinner we had the deviled eggs, which were so creamy and delicious, followed by the jambalaya and the pork and scallops. Both were lovely and delicious, but very different from each other. This isn't fine dining with superb presentation--it's flavorful good stuff in a fun but not too Disney environment.

    (5)
  • Tim W.

    I've been to Owen's Fish Camp at least 6 times over the last few years and I can honestly say that it's my favorite restaurant in Sarasota. The food is always amazing, the service is great, and the atmosphere is outstanding. This place gets busy in the evening so while they don't take reservations, I always call 30 minutes ahead to put my name in the queue. When you arrive, you might only have a 20 minute wait remaining. This is okay because you can order a glass of wine and sit in the back yard and enjoy live music. They also have the game of corn hole set up out back for guests as well. What to order? The New England Clam Chowder is a winner for starters. For the main course, go for the Fish & Chips, Really Good Burger, or the Pork BBQ sandwich. They also have some amazing fish entrees as well. You will really enjoy your night here! You will have to find parking a block or two away but we all need exercise so just deal with it!

    (5)
  • Kyle N.

    I had for the first time the pumpkin grouper. This was possibly the best fish dish I've ever had in my life. The ambiance with the music and the beautiful cottage atmosphere with the Banyan Tree is a must-see for both locals and people from out of town kudos toI have for the first time pumpkin grouper.

    (5)
  • Vanessa C.

    The food was sooo good.the staff were so friendly.the place was lovely we will definitely be back

    (5)
  • Kim K.

    Lots of seating options. Couple patios, a communal table, bar and inside. Very cool and vibrant. Loud music and crowd-very lively! Red snapper was small. Black eyed peas have tomatoes in them so I didn't eat them but I almost cried when I took my first bite of the grits! They were amazing! $25 for small snapper and two sides. I should've had the shrimp app. I didn't drink, but I noticed they served their wine in a double old fashioned glass. Wine glasses are designed with stems for a reason. Sat at bar and service was pretty attentive. Soft drinks are served in 8 oz bottles so don't think you're going to get refills. I normally don't order desserts but the pictures of the black cherry pie looked so good! It was very-well plated and delicious!

    (4)
  • Arsham G.

    What a gem! Put aside the unique cozy feel that this place has, aside the fact the it feels like it's in its own world, this place is amazing. It has some of the best price to quality to portion size ratio for a seafood joint. I have the Jambalaya which was fucking incredible, tons of shrimp, chicken, sausage, crawfish! Also the cheese grits are the best I've ever had. Fish tacos and New England clam chowder were also ordered and both were on point, a must stop if you're in the area!

    (5)
  • Marianne D.

    Thanks fellow Yelpers for your recommendations. This place is tucked away but we found it. The parking lot is extremely small, pull in and back out for maybe 8 cars, but we were warned. Owen's Fish Camp feels rustic and charming. The banyan tree in front was given to Sarasota developer Owen Burns by Thomas Edison...pretty cool. I really liked the atmosphere. It's a very busy place as Yelpers said, but the live music out back in the "yard" is the perfect place to have a drink and fun while you wait for your table. They don't take reservations but you can call 30 minutes before your arrival and put your name on a wait list to cut down your time. Try the sangria or local brews! The staff are all friendly and the owner or manager came by a couple times to check on us. Nice! Our server Brittany was a sweetie and provided excellent and friendly service. She also told us the stars of the menu and her favs. We started with the deviled eggs (4 egg halves) with redneck caviar (ask what that is!) and they were packed with flavor, a touch of heat and crunch on top of the smooth egg filling with the pickle slice. So good! We also had to try the fried pickle spears (5 spears). They were very hot so be careful if you get these, which you should. Loved these dipped in the creamy cool ranch. Awesomeness! My husband ordered the scamp special (a whitefish similar to grouper) with the lemon caper sauce along with cheesy grits and succotash (because of Yelp reviews). Two sides come with entrees. My husband cleaned his plate and loved it all, especially the succotash which surprised him. I had the fried green tomato salad with country ham and goat cheese...layers of textures and flavors and very tasty. I also had the mini lobster rolls (2 little rolls). One criticism...I think the lobster filling should be put inside the toasted Hawaiian roll because it was just on top and not plentiful. It fell off when picked up. More bread than filling. It was good, though. I would recommend Owen's Fish Camp for the music in the backyard, the charming rustic fishing shack feel, the excellent service and the tasty fresh food.

    (5)
  • Jay U.

    What a fun, authentic place. We couldn't stay long. Only time for a round of oyster shooters and cold beer on the back patio. Can't wait to get back!

    (5)
  • Melissa W.

    Delicious and charming! Loved the service and food equally! We had a dozen of the Texas brine oysters to start with the pleasantly surprising addition of freshly shaved horseradish, a homemade mignonette as well as the usual sides. The oysters were fresh and meaty! Also had the deviled eggs as an indulgent starter and we're not disappointed. As our main dishes, my fiancé had the scallops that were covered in pulled pork on a plate of cheese grits and succotash, delectable! I had the swordfish blackened with a side of brown butter hollandaise and similar sides, perfectly portioned and incredible flavor! Well cooked and completely cleaned the plate For a sweet and heavenly finish, we shared the Bourbon Pecan Pie that also featured fresh whipped cream (but I wish I had my own slice!) Definitely will come back here next time we come down to Florida!

    (5)
  • Meredith F.

    Great eclectic environment. Enjoyed the live music outback. Crab cakes were delicious! We both had 2 different catch of the day which were both delicious! Good sangria as well. Definitely would come back!

    (5)
  • Jeanne T.

    This little hidden treasure is a must if you're in the area! We first got there and was told the wait was an hour, we decided to wait because the place was packed. That's a good sign. We were lucky there were two seats at the bar and the bartender said we could eat there. So we did! Sangria was the best! The seafood was fresh and the menu was simple! The service get a double thumbs up! I tried the soft shell crabs which were delicious. The best chowder ever! Love this place and will be back.

    (5)
  • David S.

    WOW! Where to begin. Yes, you will probably wait for a table for an hour. But, during that wait you will be able to experience the live music out back while playing corn hole (or not). Have a drink and take in the atmosphere. Once seated you are in for a real treat the seafood is fresh and prepared superbly. Our server Monica was very Knowledgeable and provided great service. Our group of four had raw bluepoint oysters which was served with fresh grated horseradish, mussels with a leek broth, jambalaya with chicken,sausage and shrimp, two different prepared types of black grouper and fish and chips. Everyone of us were amazed by the meal we had just experienced. Do not miss this place. It is rustic cool and unpretentious. Run don't walk to get here.

    (5)
  • Rachel B.

    We went again one year later and of course everything was amazing. We called ahead so the wait was only 30 minutes. The fried pickles, oysters, and gumbo was amazing. Our husbands want to go again tonight! Atmosphere, food, and service all get 5 stars!

    (5)
  • Jesse P.

    Delicious food, friendly service and one of the nicest decr around. I had the crispy fish sandwich and a bowl of their clam chowder soup on a cold and rainy November day. It was a perfect combo after a defeating day trying to catch fish in the ocean. I couldn't even catch a break, but Owens Fish Camp helped satisfy my need for a warm slice of fish on what has been a long day. The only downside is parking.... Small lot, but well worth the walk.

    (3)
  • Harry K.

    Just ate again at Owens. Fish Tacos some of the best ever, mini Lobstah Rolls - yummy! Fried Oysters, Fresh Oysters and Oyster Shooters. Waitress was fabulous as was the Oyster Bar tender! Don't miss this amazing food and go early! Doors open @ 4pm. Be sure to look around and enjoy the eclectic arts and historical collections. A gem buried in downtown Sarasota!!

    (5)
  • Anna M.

    Very disappointed with this restaurant. We called ahead for seating an hour and a half before we got to the restaurant and we were told they could no longer take any calls due to the fact their kitchen couldn't handle the tables that were already seated. We decided to take the chance and just stop by the restaurant and were told the same thing 45 minutes before the kitchen closed. I have heard nothing but good things about this restaurant. It is a holiday weekend, why would you not have all your staff working in preparation for the crowd? I am very disappointed since I am not local. Hopefully the next time I am in town, this won't happen and I can update this review.

    (2)
  • Heather F.

    Based on my limited experience here, this spot is a Sarasota MUST. I absolutely loved everything about it - food, atmosphere, service... I guess the rest of Florida is aware of this because when I got there around 6 on a Wednesday night there was an hour wait. This can be a bit of a drawback because there isn't much else nearby to walk to. However, I would definitely suggest grabbing a drink and checking out the back patio. There was live music when we were there and a small crowd with ages ranging from 8-98. The patio feels like a cozy backyard garden with different chairs, plants, tiki torches strewn about. The whole place maintains a cohesive and unique atmosphere. The inside feels like your eccentric grandmother's house, who happens to be obsessed with the ocean. The room I was in had a canoe hanging from the ceiling, and on a smaller level, even the lamp next to our table had a fish net covering. But moving on to the most important and distinguishing part... the food. In my opinion, everything I ate was complete culinary perfection (and I'm not even a huge seafood person!) We started with a bottle of wine for the table, which we chose from a menu that distinguishes the bottles by quality: "cheap, decent, good." We then indulged in the oysters Rockefellar and garlic snails. This was my first time trying either of these dishes, and I loved both! The snails were served with grits, which I recently learned I'm a pretty big fan of. Which brings me to the main course... seared snapper with lemon caper butter and a side of cheesy grits and green beans. I was pretty much licking my plate by the end of this. Then, although I was completely stuffed, we decided to share a slice of the pecan pie with fresh cream... Absolute southern heaven. And lastly, our waitress was very friendly and knowledgable. She made most of the suggestions above, and I'm very happy I trusted her judgment. If/when I ever return to Sarasota, I will definitely return, and I'll look forward to it until then!

    (5)
  • Ben S.

    Owens is always top quality. If you don't know what to get, get the fish and chips, it's unbelievable. The patio is very quaint and relaxing as long as the weather cooperates. If there's a line out the front door do not be surprised, this is a local favorite. There is typically a much older crowd here.

    (5)
  • Mark E.

    I have been to this restaurant three separate times.... Each at different days and times....I never found a parking spot within a four block range. So... I can't tell you if the food is good or not because I couldn't park my car!

    (1)
  • MarYtierra P.

    Great suggestion from yelp! Great seafood...very fresh and great prices! I ordered the fish of the day...red snapper and it was delish. Our waitress was very good at recommending food. She gave us a complementary shot of a dessert drink...bid plus!!!! I cant wait to come back again...too bad im only in town for one more day. ....

    (5)
  • Justin B.

    One of my favorite spots in town. Great food and atmosphere. Only downside is no reservations and wait time.

    (5)
  • Ashley A.

    This is a hidden gem and worth going too! Oysters Rockafeller was great! Also tried the grouper dinner which was one of the best that I have tried in the area.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    Recommend the low country broil. Best seafood in sarasota. Good atmosphere. Come here every time we vacation in siesta key.

    (5)
  • Sal L.

    We were in Siesta Key for a week last week. This was the best restaurant we ate at for overall atmosphere, ambiance and the quality of the food and service. My girlfriend had the large scallops with the pulled pork. She loved it! I had the fish tacos that were excellent. If we come back to Sarasota we will definitely go back there again!

    (5)
  • Jennifer F.

    I just went to Owen's Fish Camp tonight for my birthday dinner and left not only extremely impressed, but also super full! This was the best food I have had in a very long time. I went with my family and we each ordered different items and tried each others'. There wasn't a single item that anyone disliked or thought was just mediocre. The Bloody Mary oyster shooters were delicious and the Garlic Snails with Chorizo with White Wine Sauce over Grits was to die for! It is an appetizer but plenty for a meal! My husband, who hates girts, couldn't get enough of them! The portions were huge and the prices were decent for the quantity and quality of the food and service. We waited for maybe 20 minutes at 6:30 on a Friday night (not in season) and the back yard atmosphere was a fun and entertaining way to occupy our time while we waited for our table. There was live entertainment, a corn hole game, big jenga, and a campfire area where you could order carbroiled oysters, boiled peanuts, grilled shrimp kabobs, and a few other items, as well as wine and beer. Overall, I would recommend everyone and anyone to experience this restaurant and try to find something to complain about. In addition, all the wait staff was friendly, fast, and helpful! I can't wait to go there again! P.S. - I have never left a review for a restaurant before, but I felt compelled to do so for Owen's!

    (5)
  • Dott F.

    So thankful to Yelp and Yelpers because my husband and I would never have found Owens Fish Camp. A delightful experience. I listened to Yelpers about long waits so we skipped lunch and arrived about 4:15 and were seated immediately. Jade was our waitress and did a fabulous job with serving as well as recommendations. We had the deviled eggs and a dozen oysters for apps. Jade suggested the scallop dish as a specialty of the house. It was delicious. Huge scallops topped with braised pork which added a smokey flavor over grits and succotash. I am not a succotash fan but these changed my mind. Great balance of flavors and spices. I had the seafood cobb salad, lots of lobster, crab and shrimp. Desserts, fresh peach cheese and bourbon pecan pie. We are in Sarasota for the week and are eating at all Yelp approved restaurants. Tonight is Dolce Italia. Many thanks.

    (5)
  • Richard B.

    Best Oysters ever!!! Better be good at $24 a dozen. Gumbo soup was good, service was good. The naked fish which cost $28 was worth about $8. WE had blackened grouper. Really disappointed with that dish. Don't forget to have the oyster shooters always a must.

    (4)
  • Melanie V.

    Favorite! Best catfish, collard greens and grits ever! The collard greens were like nothing I've ever tasted before and the catfish was just great.The bf ordered the fried seafood basket deal (soft shell crab!, shrimp, oysters, other random things I can't recall) and the breading was SO good. Like, too good. Everything on the menu looked so good that we kept wondering how the other items were. We raved about this meal throughout the duration of the trip. We saw multiple recommendations for the blackberry pie, too, so we had to try 'em. You get two, small empanada-esque pies with the order and they were also amazingly good. It's the outside crust that made it too good, I think. Prices are awesome (not too high at all!), service was nice and they have a non-pricey selection of wine and beer. Eating at Owen's is just like being in someone's house as I think it's actually in an old house. It's cozy and fun and has delicious food! I can't wait to come back on my next trip here!

    (5)
  • Mary B.

    Nothing less than amazing! The fried basket is sooo light! Fried green tomatoes a must !!

    (5)
  • Ashley T.

    this restaurant is tucked behind an antique market and beside a bright pink movie theater. the area was so cute that the appearance alone drew me in. we got there just before the dinner rush so we were immediately seated on the patio. i loved the tables and mismatched chairs. overall i would probably rate this place 3.5 stars. the grilled romaine caesar salad with fried shrimp was delicious and i would absolutely order it again and again if i lived here. but for my entree, i ordered the fish tacos and was really disappointed. they were very messy, overfilled, and i just didn't prefer their flavor combinations. i also tried the camp basket, salmon, and seafood soup but nothing really stood out to me other than the salad. the salmon was good; not too fishy but nothing special. the decor and location are nice for dining here and the food wasn't bad. just not great enough for me to go back the next time i'm in town.

    (3)
  • Cheryl H.

    I had the grouper with butter hollandaise sauce, spicy collard greens and cheesy grits. Everything was delicious. We sat at the bar and the bartender gave us samples of the boiled peanuts and oysters. The pecan pie was superb. Fun place and very busy for a weeknite.

    (5)
  • Whitney P.

    What a great place enjoyed everything about it! Our 2 year old loved the live music and tire swing. The wait was painless because of the backyard patio. Loved the appetizers! Oysters Rockefeller & crab cakes! Get the wicked clam chowda and blackened grouper with Hollandaise. Can't go wrong with dessert we had apple pie and bourbon pecan pie - I don't think you can go wrong!

    (5)
  • Darius L.

    We had a great dinner at Owen's Fish Camp last night. We aren't Sarasota natives, but after doing some digging I came across the Fish Camp. Glad that I did. It's situated behind a row of businesses and parking is a challenge. We parked a few blocks away at a public lot on Orange and Dolphin. When you see the giant banyan tree and Tate, you'll know that you've made it. I'm glad we made reservations too. They sat all 6 of us right away, and the waitstaff was attentive, knew the menu and got us drinks right away. The appetizers were good. The deviled eggs were a hit, as were the peel and eat shrimp and the mussels. I don't think that any of the plates went back to the kitchen with food left on them. Entrees were excellent. I had a good portion of grilled snapper, and other dishes seemed to go over well - the fish basket, the soft shelled crabs and the pulled pork sandwich all got thumbs up. Only issue was the flat iron steak - it was a little burnt on the edges, and was definitely over-charred. Big portions of sides accompanied - the collard greens were fantastic, as were the green beans. There were lots of fries for people who ordered those and we shared a grilled vegetable plate, which was the right call. We finished the meal by sharing a couple of pieces of Mississippi mud pie. It was so good a fight almost broke out about people taking other people's bites. Super good. Get to the Fish Camp and have a great dinner.

    (4)
  • robert l.

    Nice ambiance which attempts to replicate coastal FL living from a time gone by for folks that might not have ever seen anything like that. The food was enjoyable and tasty. Bar service was a little slow on my first visit.

    (4)
  • Tina S.

    Its been so long since I went. But I keep reminding myself how excellent this place was. The fun atmosphere with the bungalow house setting with the lights. The shrimp/sausage and grits was amazing. The fried green tomato salad was great but only three medium tomatoes on top which was not that reasonable. it said large for $9.99. I asked what small was? (2) Seared Sea Scallops with Braised Pork & Owens Succotash 23.99 was unbelievable. Be prepared for long waits/ We waited an hour at almost 10 pm. I thought the crowd would be gone by then. Well worth the wait.Service was wonderful.

    (5)
  • Megan M.

    We got there early on a Wednesday (around 5 or 530), and we had no wait. My husband and I ordered mussels to share as an appetizer, and they were delicious. For our entrees, I had snapper in a lemon butter caper sauce with cheesy grits and cole slaw for sides. The fish was also delicious. I had never had grits, so I can't comment on quality - but they tasted decent to me. I don't think I"m a true fan of grits, though. Cole slaw tasted fresh. My husband had the fish tacos which were also delicious. They had (for us) a mild level of spice, but another diner was sending hers back complaining they were too spicy. Service was excellent with the exception of not warning us about the horrendous bugs/mosquitoes on the patio. When we finally complained, we were 3/4 of the way through our meal and didn't feel like moving. They did offer us some bug spray. Prices were fair for quality. This was definitely one of our best meals in the Siesta Key area - certainly worth the drive off the key. Loved the atmosphere. We will return again but sit inside.

    (4)
  • Jordan K.

    I had the halibut with a lemon caper sauce and it was fantastic. THe halibut was great quality and very flavorful. The collard greens were excellent, but the old bay fries were lacking seasoning. I couldn't even taste the old bay on them. Perhaps the star of the meal was the fried cherry pie for dessert.

    (4)
  • Donny F.

    WOW. what an experience the food was great. We had oysters and the mussles for appetizers and the kids had the fish and shrimp baskets. A must try is the seafood stew. Incredible!!!! And the clam chowder was great as well. Now for dinner we shared the seafood for two and everything came out in a steaming pot that put on a plate for you. My wife had the chocked that had a great sause on top and a friend had the fish tacos that we nice and spicy and fresh. Everything we tried was great and I will be back for sure. Out of this world flavors

    (5)
  • Jimmy H.

    Oh HAWT DOG! ...Just an expression for how wonderful this gem is. There was a brilliant live folk duo, great beers, succulent fish, the best atmosphere you could ask for. ...And can I live in the backyard area? They have a fire pit with marshmallow sticks. MARSHMALLOW STICKS!!!!

    (5)
  • Steve N.

    I wasn't sure what all of the hype was about. The food was pretty good, but overpriced. Maybe it's because I'm used to seafood in Destin, where I grew up going, but this didn't come close. Cool atmosphere though.

    (3)
  • John C.

    This is an outstanding restaurant. The boil is boiled seafood. Do something different! Go for the naked fish choices. The sides are amazing. Black eyed peas, grits, collard greens are real. Shrimp and grits are some of the best. Make room for dessert. Mississippi mud and key lime are well worth the calories. Enjoy!

    (5)
  • Mary H.

    Wonderful hidden gem! Expect a wait (30-45 minutes) that will be well worth your while. While waiting, you can enjoy the backyard - which is kitcshy charm all over -with a cold beer. Sit on the chair swing on the lovely porch or by the firepit of many rustic BBQr's dreams. We were definitely in love with the decor amd ambience inside. The food is seriously good. Oysters Rockefeller were cooked perfectly and served at a perfect temperature. "Redneck Caviar" on incredibly smooth deviled eggs were wonderful (I'm not a salt person, but my dear partner advised that it needed more salt). We finally decided on the Low Country Boil and were not dissapointed. Service was very.. uhm.. hipster, but polite. Our server was darling and the bartender did us a favor by letting us "over tip" so we could have cash in hand for overpriced parking (not part of the restaurant). Price wise, it's pretty standard Sarasota: not cheap but not exorbitant either. Two appetizers, two beers and the priciest item on the menu (for two, however) ran us triple digits, with tip. Definitely recommended.

    (4)
  • Troy S.

    Outstanding! Don't let "Fish Camp" fool you - the seafood is as good as anything in a fancy restaurant. Everything was delicious, service was great, and we can't wait to come back!

    (5)
  • Beth F.

    Walked in right after they opened on a Sat eve and explained to the hostess we were planning to see a film next door and what would be the best way to avoid a long wait afterwards? She handed me a card and said if I could step out of the film and call the about half hour before it was over that would help cut down on wait time. Well, that's a pain, but OK. I called as suggested and was told by a rude hostess that the wait was now an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half and when I tried to put our name on the list she said "are you gonna be here in half an hour?" Well excuse me but what does that matter if the wait is double that??? I explained to her that we were in a film that would be over in 30-45 min and she begrudgingly put me on the list. When we walked over from Burns Court after the film I walked to the hostess stand and told her my name and asked now what the wait was - she told me 45 minutes to an hour. I admit I made a bit of a face at that to which she snottily replied "well the wait is now almost two hours so you should be happy you got time cut off" OK lil' 17 year old chick, I have been serving tables longer than you have been alive and I do not think that is an appropriate way to talk to your guests. For folks who cannot or do not drink alcohol this whole "no reservations" thing for what is a very popular restaurant is really a bad idea. If you consistently have an hour or more wait, no reservations is a bad idea. We decided not to wait and although will possibly try again so far to me Owens Fish Camp smells pretty foul.

    (2)
  • Dan J.

    this is a great place. food is solid but go for the atmosphere, drinks and backyard BBQ plus live music. its like a house party at a restaurant... or at least when im there!!

    (5)
  • Mechell Y.

    The food is pretry. good but a bit pricey. Hubby is a big seafood eater and I am not. There are very few options for the non seafood eater...unless you want chicken fingers and a salad. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The parking is HORRIBLE!

    (3)
  • Lauren F.

    Owen's is a great little cottage of a restaurant. You can dress up if you want to, but you don't have to. You can sit outside on the adorable deck. Seating is a bit close, but it was dark and candlelit so it felt much more private. Did not have an issue with the service. The chicken fried lobster tail sounds really strange, but it was delicious (though expensive for two little tails). I can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Kelly A.

    Very underwhelming. I would rather give this a 3.5 stars. The oysters Rockefeller were phenomenal but that was about it. Jambalaya was rather bland although it was a hearty portion. King crab legs were average but rather pricey. Beer and wine selection was adequate but nothing spectacular. After reading other reviews I was ready to wowed and was disappointed. $150 for 4 people and I would at least like a memorable meal.

    (3)
  • D G.

    Good but way overrated. Reading all the reviews left me expecting a lot more. Location and parking are impossible. Way to over crowded to relax. As another reviewer wrote seemed rushed. Signature baskets were over breaded with way to many french fries. Reminded me of frozen fast food.

    (3)
  • Scott M.

    Excellent Southern food in Sarasota. Everything about this place reminds me of true southern food. The outside seating ambiance is great and so is the food. It gets busy at night but is well worth the wait. Our service was excellent and the Southern food amazing!

    (5)
  • Erica W.

    great service, even better food huge outside bar/drink/wait area with live music oysters rockefeller delicious fresh fish, great southern faves had kitty mitchell (grouper) with browned butter and greens

    (5)
  • Lynn J.

    I just adore the atmosphere and the friendly service. I sat at the bar as usual. The new england clam chowder is simply the best. It comes with huge chunks of clam w/ applewood smoked bacon. Wash it down with a kentucky bourban ale and finish it off with shrimp and grits. Don't forget to go outside into the back yard and check out the old ice box.

    (3)
  • Carol B.

    What a delightful place. Ingenious decor. Get there early or the wait can be an hour. Nice music in the back room with comfy seats. You can by a bottle of wine and just hang out there before or after dinner. All fresh food and well prepared

    (4)
  • Syd K.

    Love this place! Fantastic food and greats service. You can catch a bite and catch a cool independent film next door at Burns Court.

    (5)
  • Mike C.

    Fabulous food and fun ambiance

    (5)
  • C David S.

    Outstanding. This is a hidden gem in Sarasota. Who else offers a live band for the waiting dinners? We arrived on a Wednesday around 7pm the wait time was a short 15-20 minutes --but, just an indicator of how popular The Fish Camp is. The food and service were great. The fish tacos are the best I've ever had (although a bit salty- and I like salty) This is one I will be back to once again.

    (5)
  • Kay S.

    Such a fun atmosphere that all should experience at least once. Upscale old Florida. Good food and drink. The first boiled peanuts I have ever had, and loved them.

    (4)
  • Brian J.

    Definitely a favorite in Sarasota. Food is always good. It took me several trips before I realized they had that back porch where you can relax without standing like a sardine in the bar or out front. Get the grilled Caesar and daily catch grilled or blackened with lemon caper butter. Never miss the cheesy grits or succotash. The scallops with BBQ is also great.

    (5)
  • Karen W.

    This place takes the cake for amazing service and food. The fried green tomato salad is fabulous. Crab cake is the best of downtown Sarasota. To end your amazing meal, don't turn down the Bourbon Pecan pie with home-made whipped cream.

    (5)
  • Heather H.

    Delightful place! You will forget you are in downtown Sarasota. True old Florida feel.

    (5)
  • C T.

    Great location in a part of downtown with art galleries and cool little shops. It looks like a little house that was converted into a restaurant with a backyard area for hanging out and live music. First impressions are of this kitschy restaurant with a ton of personality so I was certainly hoping that the food would live up to this. We were a biggish group so we sat in the bar near the backdoor to the yard - not an ideal location because within a first ten minutes, we were bitten by those barely-there mosquitos. By the end of the meal (abbreviated due to the mosquitos), we opted to skip dessert because it wasn't fun to be eaten alive. Plus, it was getting very hot and humid with the backdoor constantly opening. So, how was the food? Decent, but nothing special. We had the fried green tomatoes salad (nicely fried on a bed of salad with blue cheese dressing), the Bluepoint oysters, devilled eggs and lobster sliders (tasty but any more than the 2 small sliders would have put me in "ugh" mood). We also sampled the scallops (big pass!), Jambalaya, softshell crab sandwich, fish & chips and the fish of the day. Nothing stood out...the cooking felt a bit like the nicer chain restaurants but with a lot more personality and ambiance. Come for the atmosphere and beer but not the food. It's a cut above the Phillippi Creeks of this area, but not much more. I've been wanting to try this place for a while so a bit disappointed. Great to bring big families and visitors but don't come, expecting a foodie meal.

    (2)
  • Steve K.

    This is the place if you are looking for something different. Food was good and just enough to fill you up. The interior was a little bit too crowded but the service was good. I would recommend

    (4)
  • Chuck B.

    Fantastic seafood and delicious hors d'oeuvres. I love this place for a quick little lunch or a nice dinner with the family. The kitchen is clean, the servers are friendly and the bathroom is even clean. This is one of my top 10 restaurants in Sarasota. Don't miss this great little restaurant!

    (5)
  • Shelly G.

    Went for my husbands birthday and was extremely happy! Great Rockefeller oyster app followed by a delicious fish entree and the best mud pie!! Great atmosphere. Casual but nice!

    (5)
  • Michael H.

    Best seafood restaurant located in downtown Sarasota. Be prepared to wait. Owen's Fish Camp is always crowded. The broil is always great for two people. The shrimp and grits is another fine favorite. If you're looking for something small the fish and chips is good as well. If someone in your group hates seafood they'll enjoy the burger.

    (5)
  • Alan L.

    A delightful dinner in an interesting room. One block from the main streets and you feel like you've travelled to another time and place. Everything that we ate was delicious and the staff is efficient. Be prepared to wait, but be assured that your wait will be rewarded with a great meal.

    (4)
  • Keith M.

    Fantastic restaurant. The food is always good and the prices are always justifiable. This is one of my favorite places to go when I'm in Florida.

    (5)
  • Jessica B.

    Owens Fish Camp is great we haven't been here in a couple years but everything was as good as i remember it. There is always a long wait because its a small restaurant so either go early or be ready to wait. There is a back area with plenty of seating and live music, and a tire swing for little ones. Music wasn't too loud which made for a nice atmosphere. I dont remember this waiting area it must be relatively new. Along with other people we decided to order food from the bar and just eat out back at a picnic table. Some of what we had was the fried lobster appetizer, shrimp and sausage with grits, and the blackened grouper with green tomato salsa! Everything was amazing i definitely recommend eating here I'd you want a casual southern style meal. The staff was very friendly and attentive.

    (5)
  • Alex M.

    Make no mistake, this is a tourist destination complete with all the fishing themed, old FL kitsch that one can think of, and you WILL wait for a table, just about every night of the week, BUT the food is quite good and it's a fun atmosphere. When I have people in town I bring them here because of the fun factor. The BBQ pork scallops and fish dip are very yummy as is most things on their menu.

    (4)
  • Meghan R.

    Absolutely delicious food at this out-of-the-way seafood spot. I had the lobster cobb salad which was perfect in every way, with just the right amounts of lobster, shrimp and crab. My fiancé had the crab sandwich which could have used more crab, but was still delicious. The prices are abut high but worth it, and the service is excellent. Lots of atmosphere as well! Get there early because it gets busy at all hours, and try finding a spot in the small parking lot next to the building. If not, there is plenty of street parking.

    (4)
  • Teresa H.

    Walking into Owens is like walking into someone's south Florida home and staying for dinner. We're greeted by hostesses who are glad to seat you when the whole party has arrived. This tells me this is a popular spot on a Saturday night. Walking past the bar area, we found the backyard where a Blue Grass band plays at night. We didn't stay late enough to hear their wooing vocals, but could smell the smouldering coals of barbecue. Definitely perfect for another night when we didn't have a show to contend with. We were seated quickly at a table for four. Looking at the menu there is an overwhelming variety of delicious seafood to choose from. But the menu item to go for when visiting for the first time is the Southern low country boil. It's an amalgam of crab claw, shrimp, clams, mussels, andouille sausage, potatoes, corn all sitting in a delicious broth with garlic bread on the side. The menu suggests this dish is fit for two, but when it arrives, you can see it could easily feed four. If your server offers a bib, definitely accept. Those crab claws can get quite messy. The clams are gigantic and juicy. The mussels worth every bite. Dip the potato in the broth and you'll find the flavour of the boil concentrated into every succulent bite. And if I weren't so full, I would have attempted to dip the garlic bread too. But I needed to save a spot for the deep fried oysters we ordered as well. With three partaking in the boil, there was lots to take home. We cleaned up the seafood but took the potatoes, sausages, and corn to go. We had added a side of grits and green beans to round out the low country fare. Delicious and definitely worth a trip back to sample more of the different variety of seafood on the menu.

    (4)
  • J V.

    I have heard great things about this place and we wanted to try it for my sons graduation dinner. I read the website that said call for reservations for parties of 6 so I called. I had 8 and they wouldn't take a reservation. They said they only do reservations for parties of 6 and for 8 we would just have to come and wait and be seated at separate tables. As much as I wanted to try this restaurant, I will not go now. I guess the money that would have been generated from a party of eight is not important to them or accommodating new local customers. There are many other restaurants out there to choose from. Went to Caragiulos and was not disappointed and now have a new favorite restaurant to entertain guests visiting and business clients at. Poor move Owens.

    (1)
  • Teal F.

    Love their backyard with live music and oysters on the grill. Boiled peanuts, clam chowder, and the scallops with pulled pork are my favorites. Great atmosphere and friendly staff.

    (4)
  • Fuzygenius O.

    glamp (glamping) dining. it's not for me. the food was average. I dine out for 99.9% of my meals. I do not plan to add their number in my phone. No primary parking for their restaurant.

    (1)
  • Natasha P.

    Food is good but nothing to write home about. Portions are generous. Service felt rushed. Ambiance really cute. Location almost a secret. Burns court is so nice and quaint it was a treat to walk around a little bit.

    (3)
  • Susan H.

    Decided to try this place after reading yelp reviews. What a find! Had a wonderful outdoor area to relax, play cornhole, or swing on the tire swing while waiting for a table. Shrimp and grits were delicious and smoky, while the special Triple Tail was out of this world. Family loved this restaurant and while definitely return before the trip is over.

    (5)
  • James J.

    This restaurant of very unassuming. Tucked away on backstreet but the food takes backseat to none! Very quaint location, excellent table service by friendly staff enhanced our dining experience. I liked the back patio that also served as a waiting area, there are tables setup and a stage for a band so I presume that space is also used on some nights for that purpose. My wife and I loved the ambience and would definitely visit this restaurant again if in the area.

    (4)
  • Josh O.

    This was my favorite restaurant in Sarasota, and I still miss their blackened red snapper with succotash and cheesy grits. The service here is so consistently horrendous, however, that I will never be back. The high school girls at the hostess stand are always rude and snippy. I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish by not offering call ahead seating or reservations, but I can say that they've succeeded in driving me and my family away. I've been there with 7 people out of season and they pushed tables together for us (after an hour wait). I called tonight to see how long the wait would be for 8 people, and was told with a hefty helping of attitude that we would "definitely be split up" and it would be "at least an hour from arrival" before we would sit and that we wouldn't be seated at the same time. I'm writing this from Walt's Fish Market, and even though it's a longer drive from my house than Owen's it's well worth the trip.

    (1)
  • Robson T.

    Having lived in Sarasota for close to 2 years... I may say that I just had my favorite meal in Sarasota, FL. A disclaimer: I am not a foodie like many of you yelpers. However, coming from Singapore-a foodie paradise where food bloggers are more popular than tv personalities, and a food scene so competitive, food trends move faster than the seasons in fashion. I must profess, I am at least a picky eater. The experience at Owen's Fish Camp was top notch. From the impeccable attention of the wait staff to the quality of food, the Fish Camp scored points at every level possible. Couple that with the charmingly decorated "camp site", one feels immediately at home. We had the New England Clam Chowder. And it was packed with the favors of the sea. The bacon in it brought the flavors up a notch! Then, the Maine lobster roll. Great. With a decent accompaniment of pesto and creamy mayo. Cue the star of our dinner: the boil. This is seafood galore in a nutshell. Shrimp, clam, mussels in a butter sauce complete with the legs of an Alaskan King Crab, flavorful and feeling like it's fresh out of sea. It is also wonderfully served with garlic bread, corn and potatoes--the satisfying meal (for 2) was worth every penny (approx $48+)! I will definitely return. And all visitors of Sarasota (snow birds or not) should definitely check this place out.

    (5)
  • Alex R.

    I came here while on vacation with my girlfriend. The ambiance is great it's hidden within this posh area of Sarasota, a block away from the Ritz Carlton. I had the Mini Maine Lobster Rolls, simply amazing. When you order a Coke, it's brought to you in classic Coca-Cola glass bottle. I had the Crispy Fish sandwich. It was delicious. Flakey yet still crispy. Once you bite into it you can hear a crunch in your head. The sauce inside that sandwich was very tangy and just gave it a perfect element. The fries that accompanied were very good Nicely spiced. Great place. The service was exceptional.

    (5)
  • Erin C.

    Such a cool atmosphere! The backyard is so cool and the food was delicious. They had a very good selection of beer and wine.

    (5)
  • Taylor R.

    Owen's is my partner's & my favorite restaurant in town hands down! The fresh fish is always incredible, the fish spread is to die for, and the atmosphere is very down to earth and comfortable. We never mind having to wait for a table because the live music and drinks out back are a great way to relax before dinner. We'll always be back!

    (5)
  • Na M.

    Two stars for the atmosphere. Nice back area to wait. We waited over an hour for mediocre rocker fella oysters. $22 for 2 scrawny super greasy soft shell crabs. Good clam chowder. Not worth the price or wait, will not return or recommend.

    (2)
  • Nida K.

    I'm very sorry for the lack of attention given to my poor Yelp page lately. I know, work should never be an excuse, but it is in this case. I've pretty much been on the road non-stop. Speaking of being on the road for work, I would've never ever set foot in Owen's Fish Camp, let alone Sarasota, if it weren't for work. This is seriously the cutest restaurant ever! It's off the beaten path, but once you find it, it's the coolest hidden gem of a restaurant. Owen's Fish Camp is set in a house. It's old, it's rustic, and it's decorated to the T with fisherman, boat, ocean stuff... you get the picture. We went in to see the hostess who told us it would be a bit of a wait so she let us know we could grab drinks from the bar and head outside to the backyard where there was live music. Oh, live music there was... it didn't get any more southern than that, banjos and all. It was fantastic! We were seated shortly after where I enjoyed a delicious meal which consisted of an amazing lobster roll and a blackened snapper. All in all I have no complaints. I loved the atmosphere, company and amazing food. This is a must go if you are ever in Sarasota!

    (5)
  • Maggie L.

    Great food and cool atmosphere at night but don't even bother trying to get a table during season unless you have a reservation. It's impossible.

    (3)
  • Gregg G.

    Outstanding! A 90 minute wait on a Wednesday evening and well worth every minute! We sat out on the patio, sat in the porch swing, and listened to the band as we sipped our drinks. We started with two dozen oysters and fried pickle spears. Oysters were fresh and the Blue Points were exactly what we expected...medium-large and full of flavor PLUS they serve the oysters with FRESH and jarred horseradish which most restaurants do not. Normally fried pickles are chips.slices, but not here...spears and they are lightly coated in a cornmeal breading that is delicious and VERY hot so be careful! There were 4 of us so we got to try so many different items. I had the Fried Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad with greens tossed in a vinaigrette style dressing...super delicious. One of the diners had the gumbo which was filled with so many flavors...shrimp, Andouille sausage, fish, Chorizo sausage, and slightly spicy (it was ONE my favorite thing of the evening). A third diner had the fish dip/spread and it was super delicious. For our entrees, Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage (super flavorful and a little spicy), Scallops with Short-Ribs and Succotash (very good but there are only 3 scallops so if you are REALLY hungry you might want to order a side or appetizers like we did), and the Pimento Burger (very good). For desert we ordered another dozen Blue Point Oysters but they are were out! So we ordered pecan pie and fried cherry pie. Fried Cherry Pie was good, but the Pecan Pie was so rich and scrumptious! All the food came out pipping hot and the service was prompt and helpful. Loved the fact the owner walked around checking on patrons and helping out! We will be back again this trip and every trip to the Sarasota area!!

    (5)
  • Brian P.

    Went based on yelp feedback and a personal recommendation. Atmosphere, decor, vibe, music, were all 5 stars. the apps outside whole waiting were 5 stars as well. Dinner included fried oysters and a steak. Dinner was very good but would give it 4stars. Overall great evening but expect to wait we got there at 6:15 and waited until 8 for a table on a Friday night.

    (4)
  • C K.

    What a gem! Great food and fun atmosphere. New area at back is so comfortable- like a backyard BBQ with friends. Loved the guy grilling oysters (they were great- hint of smoky taste plus small bacon strip and thin jalapeno). Fun, quirky decor everywhere. Waitresses had good attitude despite the crowds. Two bits of advice: 1- This place is super popular and always packed. Do not go hungry or in a hurry- you will be frustrated. Go early with some patience and plan to have a drink and perhaps appetizer before being seated. 2- Plan ahead for parking-- apparently the restaurant has about 5 spaces... while the immediate street area and nearby parking lots are filled with signs warning you will be towed if you park there.

    (5)
  • Meghan H.

    Where to start? Everything was so amazing. This is the place your friends will be sick off hearing about... the best restaurant you ate at on vacation. Outstanding food in large portions. Cute cozy house. Beautiful backyard with a tire swing (!), couches and a live band while we waited for a table. Started with the fried green tomato and goat cheese salad (large size to spilt between 2 of us) that was so fresh and delicious. Ordered deviled eggs as an app but they were out so we ordered mini Maine lobster rolls - 2 little sweet Hawaiian rolls stuffed with lobster meat and served with a drizzle of pesto. If they were on the menu as a full size portion, I would have canceled my entree and ordered full size lobster rolls. They were amazing! I ordered the cornmeal crusted catfish - perfectly cooked and buttery. Just squeezed a little lemon over it, no tartar sauce needed. Catfish was served with collard greens with bacon and their famous cheesy grits. Both outstanding. My husband ordered the jambalaya. It was very tasty if a little bit mild for his taste. However, had ample portion of chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, crawfish, and fish that were each cooked perfectly. Wish we had room for dessert but we were stuffed! We enjoyed the local beer on tap (and did not look at wine list).

    (5)
  • Nancy B.

    Owens changed their fish sandwich! Be prepared for brown mushy greasy fish now! So disappointed after many years of highly recommending Owens. Don't fix what isn't broken...The haddock sandwich was far superior. Nothing worse than two bad fish sandwiches.

    (1)
  • Melissa B.

    Great food! Fun atmosphere! Good service! Need a res on weekends, without fail!

    (4)
  • John B.

    There are a lot of great seafood options in Sarasota, but none offer the mix of atmosphere and great food like Owens Fish Camp. We travel down to our place on Siesta Key as often as possible, and always make it a point to head to Owens for a great meal. On a nice night, try to sit outside.. it makes a fantastic experience even better. enjoy!!

    (5)
  • David M.

    The menu is very unusual and everything is well prepared. I have been to Owen's Fish Camp 12-15 times and consider it one of my favorites in Sarasota. It is a somewhat loud busy place so if your looking for intimate conversation this is not your place. The blueberry dessert is not to be missed. I can taste it now as I write. The one short coming is probably the wait staff which tends to by young and average for a restaurant in this price range. Try to get a seat away from the bar if possible because it is often loud and busy. Also plan to wait 30-40 minutes. This is one place, though, that is worth waiting for!

    (4)
  • Jason B.

    The family and I stopped in on Sunday night to give Owen's Fish Camp a try. Hidden down-town, this little gem should be in any seafood lover's "little black book." Well spiced Peel-n-Eat shrimp washed down with selections from an impressive beer and wine list. Raw oysters, grouper and red snapper seasoned and grilled to perfection paired perfectly with our drinks. Service was fantastic. Not necessarily a place to bring the kids, but certainly a destination spot for anyone visiting Sarasota or just in the mood to enjoy some good food and drink.

    (4)
  • Melissa D.

    Everything was delicious! We started with hot boiled peanuts that reminded me of childhood rides along the North Florida back roads and snails that would make you slap your mama. Seriously, snails paired with red wine, chorizo and creamy grits - What?!? No words. For our main courses we dove head first into the perfectly breaded fried green tomatoes (salad) and the oyster po'boy. Only complaint is my eyes were bigger than my stomach...as usual. You won't be disappointed.

    (4)
  • carol b.

    Part bluegrass venue, part playground, part down-home restaurant, this place was a great find. We had to wait 1 1/2 hours for our table, but we had oysters and a luscious smoked fish spread on crackers with our beers while we waited. The dinners for four of us were ample and totally tasty. The service was great. Too bad we don't live close enough to go again tonight.

    (5)
  • Jann W.

    The seafood and fish are expertly prepared here, but you should plan on enjoying them with a southern influence, They offer jambalaya, cajun seafood, cheesy grits, collard greens, succotash, fried green tomato salad, etc. The unique menu and amazing historic setting will make this a memorable meal rather than ordinary fare.

    (4)
  • Paul B.

    Great seafood spot in Sarasota area. Low country boil was delicious. My friend had the seafood basket with fried shrimp, soft shell crab, fish, and oysters...we Also had blue point oysters on the half shell...this place will not let you down. Live music on Saturdays .Very fresh and great service! Would absolutely be back.....Go Hawks!

    (5)
  • Todd B.

    I am having trouble with 4 or 5 stars, and I don't think you should give 5 stars if you're not sure it is five stars. Seems to negate the point of the 5th star. Maybe if I had a 1/2 star, then I'd go to 4.5, but you know if we were given a half star, then we'd start complaining for a 1/4 star, and then it'll be anarchy. So why am I having trouble with the 5th star? Honestly, I don't know. It just didn't feel like a 5 star experience to me. Maybe because it is extremely loud in there. Maybe because the music choices in the background were really odd (Bangles to Neil Young to U2 to songs from the 30s and 40s). Or, maybe it was because the whole call ahead seating is strange. Whatever it was, let me be clear, this is a definite 4 star restaurant and I don't condemn anyone for giving the 5th star. For me, it didn't quite make it though. So, Mother's Day, party of 3. I called ahead almost exactly 30 minutes before I opened the door. Was told they were on a 30-40 minute wait when I called. Therefore, when I arrived, it should have been no more than a 10 minute wait, but it was 20-30. When I asked, I was told calling in doesn't mean you'll be next when you get there, it just shaves 10 minutes or so off the wait. I don't get that. Shouldn't it have shaved 30 minutes off my wait? Anyway, once we were sat, it was excellent. Our server was terrific. Kory, I think. Every thing she suggested was terrific. She highly recommended the jambalaya pasta - chicken, sausage, crawfish and shrimp in an angel hair pasta in a spicy tomato sauce. Really good. Obviously, not traditional jambalaya, but a very good spin on it. My brother and mother both got one of their fresh catches - I wasn't paying attention how they ordered it or what they got with it, but they both loved their meals, too. Then to top the night off, the waitress called my brother fat, and really, I should have given the extra star just for that. Kudos - this deserves one of the highest seafood rankings in Sarasota

    (4)
  • Kevin F.

    Recommended by our hotel room neighbor. A little hard to find, but worth it. Waited an hour (longer wait than any of the other 4 places we ate while here in Sarasota/Lido Beach). Pecan crusted trout with crawfish butter, fish and chips, burger, and lobster Cobb salad. All meals were delicious. Highly recommend. This is the last night here, and we honestly didn't have a bad meal. Sarasota/Lido Beach represented!

    (4)
  • R W.

    Owen's very well may be the best restaurant I've ever been to for so many reasons. The food is just fabulous, the service is exceptional, the prices are super reasonable (especially for Sarasota), and the feel of the restaurant is so casual and eclectic. Whoever decorated this joint deserves some kind of praise. Their back yard is amazing while waiting for a table! Word of warning though: get there early or you'll be waiting hours for a table.

    (5)
  • Jon S.

    Great bar, great food, terrific people working there and a great vibe except for the obnoxious general manager. It seems someone felt sorry for the self important manager and gave him his own little kingdom to rule. As Tom Petty wrote, Even the Losers, Get Lucky Sometimes .... Best of luck Owen's - I've got plenty of other places that will take my money without attitude from small minded managers who can't leave their attitude at home.

    (5)
  • Gigi L.

    A true neighborhood gem. A server at another local establishment recommended this spot for dinner. It's wonderful. Try the fried green tomatoes - they're fabulous. Have a bloody mary oyster shooter! Enjoy the scallops with pork. Everything we tried - we went twice in one week - was wonderful. Things to keep in mind: No reservations - just walk in. You may be given a window of 30 minutes to an hour wait; but, twice we were seated in considerably less time. Have a glass of wine at the small bar. The 'cheap' and 'decent' selections are very good! Take a date/friend and plan on a movie before or afterward - it's next door. If it's warm outside, try to sit on the deck - it's lovely. This place is worth returning to Sarasota.

    (5)
  • Ed G.

    I was amazed about the place, a very interesting place, when we went here, I find it through yelp with good reviews. We found this place in the middle of historic downtown area. However parking is difficult, the people eating and the people outside seems to be surprise of having an Asian guest, although we felt uninvited, with the way the people stare, I still went in, it was full house, I was told to wait for 1 hr, and told me to check the back side of the restaurant that they have performers. I find it creepy, and felt people are unwelcome. I asked the hostess to cancel my request and we left.

    (1)
  • Bruce G.

    Had dinner on Sunday. We had the grouper and the snapper with collared greens, succotash, black eyed peas and cole slaw. The sides were excellent. The fish was grilled and was tender. My wife was suspect on the fish being fresh versus fresh frozen. Maybe their fish prep person is a master knife ninja because the portions were almost identical in size and the grill marks looked too perfect, if that makes sense. I couldn't tell until my wife pointed it out. She has worked for a large food corporation and she was suspicious but it was a very good meal and the place was hoppin at 5pm. I'll definitely return.

    (4)
  • Scott L.

    Spent the weekend in Sarasota with the wife and tried this place based on friend's recommendations. We were blown away. The wife had grouper and I had the seafood boil for 2. It was absolutely a work of art with king crab, oysters/clams, shrimp and 3 ears of corn - I left a trail of potatoes. The only drawback was the crappy coffee but the pineapple creme bulee was very good.

    (4)
  • Cesar A.

    I ran into this place by accident while driving around kinda touring Sarasota since I just moved here and I may have found my favorite restaurant. Really cool atmosphere, good for drinks and dinner or a family dinner. Either way you can't go wrong. Service was great (the bartender was beautiful :). The fish spread appetizer was delicious, Narragansett craft beer was awesome and then one of the bartenders recommended the Scallops and Pulled Pork over cheesy grits. I told him I'm not a big fan of grits and he said trust me, just try it. So I did. One of the best meals I've ever had!!! I left the plate bare and contemplated licking the bottom. It was absolutely delicious. Prices were fare a little on the pricey side but worth it. I'll definitely be going back soon and bring friends and family and you should too!!

    (5)
  • Douglas W.

    I still haven't found a really great restaurant in Sarasota. This one was just ok. I thought with all the really great reviews this would be the one but alas fell short of special. I love the menu, the look and feel of the place and I thought the service was good. It's a little noisy for my taste but if you get the tables outside I think it would be quieter. We took a couple seats in the bar area as we didn't have a reservation. I ordered blackened grouper with their green tomato salsa. You get 2 sides with the fish of the day and I chose collard greens and black eyed peas with andouille sausage. The small portion of grouper was a little overcooked and the salsa needlessly spicy and tasted a little like it was sitting around. Maybe it just wasn't really all that good. The fish tasted ok. The collards were undercooked and they weren't bad but I have had dozens of better examples in my travels. I expected the black eyed peas to be simply cooked with andouille. This seemed as if they wanted to make it into a stew with tomatoes, like a chili or something and I didn't love the dish but it wasn't really bad. Everthing just left me short of happy. I tried Miriam's food and liked her cornmeal catfish so I would go back and try some other dishes. There's a lot I would try on the menu so I guess I will be back.

    (3)
  • Gary B.

    Wow the triple tail with butter and capers was the fantistic. Also tried the fried oyster app and the breading was salty. Same breading used on the soft she'll crab. All and all good food and from me for those that know me that is saying a lot. This is the first time in a long time wife sent back her meal and not me. I see they also have Mississippi Mud Pie. That is going to finish me off. 2 thumbs up from me. Wife's second choice was the Scottish Salmon came over cooked. Sorry Honey but mine was great.

    (4)
  • Mark P.

    Since we moved here to Sarasota two month's ago, we have been to Owen's Fish Camp Three times. We love it! Friendly staff, eclectic menu and awesome atmosphere. We have had three visitors in town already and took them all there. Never disappointed. The live music outside is always fun and the vibe is very relaxed.

    (4)
  • JP H.

    Parking here is very tricky so come early. So this place knocked our socks off. it's really small and looks like it's someone house to tell you the truth but outside of that it's so awesome looking. This place looks like it belongs on a beach somewhere in Florida. The food was amazing. Period. Portions were right on the money and the price was just right. Here is a tip. If you aren't a fan of shellfish then don't order it. We had an older couple next to us order some clams and crab legs and they could only get through few of them. I then heard them complain that it was their first time eating that and that they thought it would taste more like meat. REALLY?!? Anyway if your ever in Sarasota check these guys out. We are fans and will continue to come here whenever we are in town. Own a place in Orlando and live in NYC.

    (5)
  • Roger W.

    Wonderful meal! The cheesy grits and collard greens were worth the visit. The fish was spot on. Fresh and delicious. Service was just right, there when we needed them, not when we didn't. A definite five star candidate, I'd just need to go back a couple times (which I'd cheerfully do) to see about consistency. Could be improved by a wider selection of draft beer.

    (4)
  • Justin S.

    My friends who live in Sarasota couldn't stop raving about Owen's Fish Camp. With all the positive things I heard about it, I insisted we go on a recent visit to the area and was impressed and pleased with everything. Tucked away on a small lane in the Burns Square area, it's not something you just come across, but it's worth finding. The menu is all about seafood (obviously) with a Southern twist. You can look forward to a number of simple but well-prepared items, all of which come in generous portions and are presented nicely. We started with boiled peanuts (a first for me!) but that was really more based on the novelty of the whole thing. Another first were fried green tomatoes in a salad with goat cheese and bits of ham. For my main, I had cornmeal-crusted catfish which was extremely fresh and flavorful. So you can see that there is definitely a "Southern" influence in the menu here, but everything is done with a touch of class and deference of the seafood itself. We also ordered a few pints of beer from their varied and affordable beer menu which went nicely with the meal. I spilled one of my pints and the attentive wait staff ran over to clean it up before bringing a fresh new one without blinking an eye. In that regard, service is very good here as well. The staff is friendly and accommodating. We encountered a bit of a wait when we went (on a Saturday night), but it was worth it and there's a small bar area where you can have a drink before dinner. The restaurant itself more-or-less resembles a coastal fishing shack with nautical-themed decorations and a large front porch area where you can dine in good weather. Overall, a great choice for excellent seafood at good prices in the Sarasota area.

    (4)
  • Betsy N.

    This is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Sarasota. I'm a foody & I owned a restaurant. I love that it is casual & the food is consistent. Favorites: fried green tomato salad, deviled eggs, camp salad; catfish (yup, i love it there!), scallops w/ BBQ pulled pork - amazing!, the oyster basket. As to the wait - since you've bothered to read this, I'll tell you a secret. You can call them & get on the list. Ask the wait time, put your name on the list, show up on time, plan to wait some (relax - that's the concept!) - & enjoy consistently good food.

    (5)
  • Maj A.

    I like this place it's clean and the food is great . I highly recommend it and should try shrimp basket.

    (5)
  • Graeme J.

    Weird name. Cool place. Great food. That's it.

    (5)
  • Sean M.

    Best meal I've had in Sarasota. Awesome service - check Our waitress was very cool. Great Atmosphere - check Everyone there is happy, good music but you can carry a conversation. Wonderful drink menu - check They had one of my favorite beers: Xingu Amazing food - check Mako shark cooked to perfection. Plus that succotash on the side was delicious. Thank you Owen's Fish Camp, next time I'm thru Sarasota I'll be back.

    (5)
  • David Q.

    Awesome dinner. Fried green tomato salad, scallops with pulled pork. Delightful and great atmosphere. If you are visiting, this is a must!

    (4)
  • Broc S.

    It's probably worth 5 stars if I adjust the scale to fit Sarasota. The location, next to Burns Court Cinema, and the decor got the experience off to a great start. The bartender, Caroline, took excellent care of us while we waited for our table. She interacted with my mom while serving us the bloody mary shooters and clearing off bar space. The wait was less than we were quoted. The entrees at the table we Blackened Grouper, Red Snapper, Lobster Rolls and the Fish Sandwich. All were very happy with our choices. The sides were all so good that we had to share them to get a taste of everything. Our server recommended the Succotash, which was a standout! The Garlicky Green Beans were outstanding as well. I like my cheese grits with more moisture, but that could just be my personal preference. Out server had A+ personality, but he was a little flaky on the attention to detail. He kind of forgot about us at the end. He didn't offer dessert when he finally came back around. I was kind of looking forward to the Key Lime Bar after the table next to us made a point to tell us we had to try it. I guess that just calls for a return visit!

    (4)
  • Lisa H.

    I've eaten here numerous times. It's a fun, trendy, local spot and the food is consistently good. I prefer the appetizers and can easily make a meal out of them by adding a salad. This is a very popular restaurant and often times there is a wait of 30 min. or more. I would rate this restaurant a lot higher if their wine pours weren't so poor. In fact, they are pathetic. They are served in tiny juice glasses and are expensive. This just irks me!

    (3)
  • Craig A.

    I eat here all the time and its always excellent. My favorite is the naked grouper, grilled. Also recommend the pecan pie.

    (5)
  • Andrew H.

    Came after seeing Owen's is the highest rated seafood place in Sarasota. Great ambiance and decor for a "fish camp", from the sitting statue outside with a beer can to the outdoor seating covered with fish net and other paraphernalia. Not fancy but just good food. The menu is certainly highlighted by seafood with southern options such as shrimp and grits or jambalaya. We had the fried oyster basket to start as an appetizer. I could have done without the fries but the oysters were perfect -- not overly breaded. Their "yesterday's soup" was something I've never had -- a tomato based soup, it was laden with chunks of white fish, absolutely fantastic. For the main course, if you are a seafood lover, how can you not order the low country boil? Crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, andouille sausage, potatoes, and corn. All were great, the crab legs the best as they were very meaty and cooked to perfection. The red skin potatoes were a bit underdone but I'd prefer underdone potatoes to overcooked seafood. Solid key lime pie to end the meal. Pricing is about $20 and under per entree. About standard pricing for comparable seafood places. Great service from start to end. Didn't see one male server, host, waiter, or manager but am not complaining. I suspect Owen's requires a picture in their job applications.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth H.

    Although, I want to review this restaurant higher; a couple of reasons prevent me. The restaurant although, in a remote location is extremely popular; and, the wait time is unreasonable. The food although, good (and what you would expect) is on the pricier side. The noise level between the people and the music can be too loud to carry on a conversation. I am giving the restaurant a good rating because despite all these things they do manage to do some things quite well. Our service (once, we were seated) was excellent. My dining companion wanted (and, needed) healthier options. The waitress was kind enough to suggest and provide the items that could be grilled and not fried. The food was good (assuming you're in the mood to include all your daily calories in one meal) . I can see the appeal of this place. However, it was not a perfect dining experience for me preventing it from receiving a higher rating.

    (3)
  • Cheri P.

    The decor is cute and rustic while the historic wood frame building makes a lovely backdrop for the nautical theme. The open, airy feeling is especially pleasant for such a small building. It gives the illusion of a much larger space; however, this also seems to create a rather loud atmosphere that may be unpleasant for some when the restaurant meets its capacity of patrons. The staff is pleasant and attractive though their "uniforms" leave a bit to be desired; the extremely short and tight shorts being worn by most of the servers brings to mind more of a sports bar and less a Southern restaurant. The low lights and close seating make for a cozy and intimate dinner setting. Menus await patrons at the tables (and serve as placemats) giving an opportunity to review the selections while waiting to meet the server. I started with a small Fried Green Tomato Salad. If you have ever had a southern fried green tomato then you know that they have a firm texture with a slightly sweet acidic taste and only need a light dredging (to hold in the moisture) with a short frying time. These were perfect! And the chef made an interesting adaptation by adding goat cheese and bacon to the top of the tomatoes and then placing them on a bed of dressed greens, onions, cucumbers, and red tomatoes. What an indulgent way to start a meal! I would suggest maybe getting the light vinaigrette dressing on the side as there was a little too much for my taste. Lump Crab Cake, Owen's Fish Camp, Sarasota, FLThe Pan Fried Lump Crab Cake appetizer was simply plated with a mound of cole slaw on one side, and the lemony mayo covered crab cake on the other with a lemon wedge. All too frequently cole slaw tends to taste more like mayo than the vegetables it's made of, but not in this case. It was possible to taste the subtle cabbage and sweet carrots with just a hint of something almost acidic throughout. With such a light "dressing" the veggies stayed crisp making this an excellent counterpoint to the savory, robust crab cake. The crab cake was a little on the small side at first glance, but when cut in half I learned it was a lot more crab than cake. Comprised primarily of large crab chunks, the cake simply filled in the gaps. It was pan fried to perfection with a crunchy exterior and the crab heated to perfection inside. The lemony mayo complimented the crab cake perfectly, adding a sweet citrus accent, but there was just so much of it. After scraping the excess off the top, it was easier to dip each forkful to my liking. Cheap Malbec, Owen's Fish Camp, Sarasota, FLI ordered a glass of "Cheap" Malbec to go with my main courses. The wine menu is divided into Cheap, Decent and Good, and based on my own pallet that would complement the varied selections I would be tasting. The malbec was exactly what I had hoped, medium bodied, fruit forward, but the presentation in a short cocktail glass was, for lack of a better word, odd and didn't serve the purpose by design to create a large surface area to focus the aroma to the nose. The beer selection ranged widely, from domestic lagers to dark imports to the now ubiquitous IPA. Any kind of beer drinker should have no problem finding something to enjoy. The first entree was Naked Fish, I ordered the fresh Red Snapper grilled, with sides of Parsley Potatoes and the My Way or The Highway Cheesy 'Grits'. Naked Fish comes with your choice of sauces and my first inclination was Lemon-Caper Butter, but I was informed they were out. When you consider there are only three ingredients, it leads one to believe sauces aren't made for each order, but in advance. I picked the green tomato salsa as a replacement, but got it on the side so as to ensure it would not over power such a delicate fish. I tried it with the fish a couple of times, but it didn't add anything. Not to say it was bad, but the snapper was grilled to perfection, with the inside still moist and flaky. The parsley potatoes were undercooked by a few minutes, but had good flavor, lightly buttered and seasoned. The grits were very light and creamy, like they were made with milk or cream instead of water, and then whipped with a mild bodied cheese that was completely incorporated rather than spread on top. I then moved on to a plate FULL of Fish Tacos, three to be exact, and shoestring fries. The fries were perfectly crispy, as if they had been double fried or even with a light coating or batter. A perfect accompaniment to the firm, white fish topped with slaw and a robust, spicy, green salsa. There was a spicy baja sauce that was completely lost on me. Essentially sour cream, I didn't get any real flavor from it. The flour tortillas were a bit soggy so I suggest using a knife and fork to enjoy this dish, otherwise ask for extra napkins. And last but certainly not least: coffee and dessert. It seems strange to review coffee, but for a cup of black coffee, it was noteworthy. No burnt flavor, not bitter, just a smooth, dark roast accompanied by a small

    (4)
  • Kevin M.

    The place (building, grounds) is pretty cool; old house, rambles about like a drunk old man. The service was decent )we ate in the bar area and the bartender did an admirable job handling the drinkers, servers and diners in her area). The food was OK, but nothing better. And the prices were for better. Too bad the food and price point didn't meet somewhere... Be prepared to wait for a table.

    (3)
  • Sharon S.

    A Fantasy Fish Camp with delicious food. Is it disneyesque? sure! Is it touristy? It certainly appeals to the vacationer. But I am a Floridian and this restaurant was a great deal of fun and amazingly crowded for this time of year. Here's my review from Chowhound: We were a table of 5 Friday night and had an excellent meal. The place was packed with a wide range of people, young and old, beach clothes and dressy, etc. I'll call it Fantasy Island Fish Camp decor. The bar was insanely packed but we got our beer and wine quickly. Dismal wine selection. They aren't stepping on the price anymore than most restaurants. Price per glass generally equals retail price per bottle so at $5 one should expect swill and Owen's delivers. We ordered oysters rockefeller and they were properly done, very tender. We had Blue Point oysters as well and they were icy cold and served with mignonette. I don't get the complaint about fried food. I didn't notice too much of that. Everyone at our table had some sort of fish...black grouper grilled, red fish blackened, cobia grilled. Sides were excellent and not your normal selection. Spicy collards, house succotash (corn, limas and edamame) , cheesy grits were all delicious. Deviled eggs! We would go back again in a heartbeat.

    (4)
  • Ryssby R.

    This is a hidden gem! Love the style of the restaurant! If we go back to Sarasota we will stop here again for sure! The food was tasty and the atmosphere was great. We were there in May and i am writing this in November so clearly it was memorable and delicious!

    (5)
  • Carey Y.

    I would like to suggest to all of my fellow cohabitating couples, go on dates. It's lovely. It's important. It's a few hours that remind you of the beginning of your relationship when dates were still super romantic and before bills and cleaning and cooking dinner took some of that newness away. Sometimes a little bickering will bring these dates on, and that is just fine. Whatever the reason, do it. Gabriel took me on a date to Owen's a few nights ago and it was a wonderful night out. We sat outside under the fans, and even though it was a little too hot to eat out there, it was a better option that inside which was kind of on the noisy/crowded side. We had a very friendly and patient waitress who had no issues with the fact that we turned her away about 5 times before we finally stopped talking and looked at our menus. We started with some garlic/cheese bread (which later proved to be redundant since many of the dishes we ordered came with the same thing) and I ordered a southern sangria (fresh fruit, sprite and peach juice if I remember right) that was incredibly light and refreshing. It was a bit odd that the only drink choices were sangria, wine or beer as I really woud have enjoyed a cocktail. A mojito perhaps, or something else summery- and outdoor friendly. We decided that rather than get entrees, we'd share a bunch of smaller plates. There were many appealing options on the menu so that enabled us to try more of them. We started with a dozen Texas oysters (HUGE and seriously delicious. My first experience with oysters from Texas in fact, and certainly not my last) and a couple of salads. One was served with awesome fried green tomatoes topped with goat cheese (YUM) and the other with pecans (good, but nothing particularly exciting about it- and if we'd known it was the same as the other one minus the tomatoes and plus the pecans, we wouldn't haven't bothered with it..I guess we should have asked.) We then ordered the grilled shrimp and the escargot. The shrimp were enormous and grilled perfectly. Seasoned with a little kick to them, but nothing over powering. Just fresh, hot, wonderful seafood simplicity. The escargot were served over cheesy grits in a dark, woodsy, rich gravy. I'd never had escargot prepared anyway except the traditional parsley/butter combo, and this proved to take them to a different level. The gravy was very sop-up-able and I was glad we had all of the extra bread that came with it, with our salads, and in our basket. Suddenly the redundancy of the same bread wasn't such an issue anymore. Even though we were pretty stuffed after all of those apps, we found the dessert option of fresh, homemade mini blackberry pies (which were really little empanadas) with homemade vanilla ice cream to be totally irresistible. Resist we did not. When it came out, I am pretty sure a little pie gnome came out from under the table because everything was gone in nanoseconds. Hm. We better come back for more of that soon. GREAT meal overall. Sweet, low-key, casual atmosphere. Very friendly waitstaff. Fair prices. Awesome menu choices. Bravo Owen's, we'll be back soon!

    (4)
  • Kristi P.

    I have some mixed emotions on this place. I love the location however their hours are too limited. What I really want from this place is the great menu and GREAT food but what they have is a good menu with decent food. The service is just ok and I wanted a lot more from what I had heard from the local. HUGE potential though, perhaps just a bit more quality. I'll be back with hopes it improves.

    (3)
  • Max M.

    Nov. 21, 2012 We ate at Owen's Fish Camp twice in the past week, and found the food delicious each time. For appetizers, we twice chose the excellent Oysters Rockefeller with crab, spinach and hollandaise sauce. Rich, flavorful and very satisfying. There are six oysters to an order , so plan on sharing. For entrees, we chose cornmeal crusted catfish with spicy collard greens, bacon and grits, all of which were very tasty, including the grits. The fish camp basket, consisting of fried oysters, fish, shrimp, soft shell crab, fries and cole slaw was also quite good. But it's the scallops preparation that has us coming back for more. You can order the scallops from two categories of entrees. The first time around, from the category 'Plates,' I ordered Seared sea scallops with braised pork and Owen's succotash. I chose to set aside the pork and focus on the subtle taste of the perfectly seared scallops. On the following visit, from the category 'Naked,'I chose Seared scallops with lemon-caper butter, green tomato salsa and fish camp tartar. Perfection! (Or you can choose a brown butter hollandaise sauce preparation). When ordering from the 'Naked' category, you also get to choose two out of ten sides. I chose spicy local collard greens and garlicky green beans. Healthy and delicious. (But if you choose the shoestring fries, you won't be sorry). We shared a dessert called Fried blackberry pies (two small berry-filled pastries) with vanilla ice cream. Nice, but not memorable. The only negative in our two visits was the sangria: not very good. Get a beer or wine instead. Re: the long wait for a table. There's a reason why people are willing to wait in line for this food: It's delicious! One way to avoid the crush: don't arrive between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m., which seems to be their busiest time.

    (4)
  • Chuck W.

    I am always surprised when I see a negative review for the Fish Camp. I think it's marvelous. Sure, it's busy and you have to wait. For sure, it's not fancy fine dining. But we've had several lunches and a few dinners here -- we like it. Staff has been good. Decor is what it is. Food is always great. I always start with the fried green tomatoes salad. Last night, we were in a hurry -- going to the great theater next door -- so we ate light. Deb had lobster roll and I had the oyster sandwich. Plus, of course, the fried green tomatoes. Everything was great. Staff got us in and out. Food was delicious. Ambiance was, as always, what the Fish Camp was meant to be.

    (4)
  • Brittany B.

    Number one place for seafood and southern comfort food! The atmosphere is amazing we love the backyard area!

    (5)
  • marcie r.

    Really 3.5. Had a party of 9 for dinner on a Thursday night. It was 5 kids and 4 adults. No reservations accepted we were told, but oddly enough a table big enough for all of us was reserved for 2! Musta been regulars. They sat our 5 kids at the table in the bar and us in the next room. Wouldnt/coulndt combine our tickets, Nothing was easy to even get seated. Finally time to order, the escargot were amazing. Not typical escargot- served over grits. Their grits are soo smooth and creamy almost look like creamed potatoes. We had the fried basket ( huge), shrimp and grits (tons of shrimp). Not the best shrimp and grits, but not the worst. Oyster po-boy and the pan- fried soft shell crab. Food overall was good enough to want to return on a Friday night. We did return, but the wait was 1.5 hours. See ya!

    (3)
  • Catherine B.

    Wonderful haddock. Excellent Long Island Oysters (pricey, of course). Soft shell crabs were good. The atmosphere was comfortable and cozy without feeling crammed in. At the height of dinner hour the wait was 45 minutes but it passed quickly with conversation and a drink from the bar. Friendly bar tender. Food came to the table at the proper temperature and timely.

    (4)
  • Robert M.

    Not the most interesting menu..it's all about the fish that is REALLY well prepared. Deviled Eggs for apps? Never would have thought I would be raving about devilled eggs. My top 2 restaurants in the area of Sarasota which says a lot about this treasure trove of great places to eat.

    (5)
  • Sugar G.

    Been wanting to come to this place for a few years and finally made it this summer. Once you walk in the door, you're transported to an old Florida quaint seaport village atmosphere - the place has a great vibe about it. The food is amazing. We had some baked oysters that were to die for. Service was excellent. Can't wait till next summer!

    (5)
  • Stephen C.

    A very well done concept. The food is great- think fresh, honest seafood that isn't overblown. They do wine in 3 categories - Cheap, Decent, and Good. All of the sides are fantastic, and the naked fish is top notch. I love Casey Key Fish House, but the fish here is just as good with better ambiance. Great date place...

    (5)
  • Aaron M.

    Stopped in to the Fish Camp for dinner while on business travel based on Yelp reviews -- wanted something a bit more casual than some of the other highly rated places. I was immediately impressed with the vibe and atmosphere. I sat at the bar and was served by Megan. They have 4 beers on draft and a dozen or so in bottles -- mostly craft(ish) beers -- and a small but decent wine list. Service was top notch. I wasn't that hungry so I skipped the excellent sounding fresh catches and went for the fish tacos. They came out lickity split and were among the best I've ever had. Perfect amount of heat tempered with great fixins. I had the coleslaw as the side and added a side of cheesy grits (when in the South...) and both were very good. The portion sizes are extremely generaou -- especially for the price. All-in-all a truly enjoyable meal -- which is rare on business trips! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Steve F.

    Seafood restaurants are a dime a dozen, especially in Florida. Few are horrible, but many are average or below average. They usually offer a good selection but seafood lovers can often tell their seafood is frozen or isn't fresh caught. Owen's Fish Camp isn't a beautiful eatery but it offers some of the best fresh seafood in a city filled with such restaurants. You will love the selection and will probably go there again and again whenever you visit greater Sarasota. It's so popular, though, you might want to go late afternoon to avoid the wait.

    (5)
  • Rodney H.

    Loved this place in April 2012! Looking forward to a return trip in March 2013!

    (5)
  • Ryan S.

    Came here based on the reviews. The restaurant is in a quiet neighborhood. I loved the atmosphere in side. The fish is caught fresh daily and they have oyster shot which they gave me for free. I got the snapper. It was good. My only knock was the price was the check was a little higher than expected.

    (4)
  • jesica s.

    This place has it totally right. It has a mix of down to earth tasty food with an atmosphere that is diverse and classy. The service was outstanding, there was always someone there to refill drinks and make sure we were pleased. I felt like I was in a big city. Owen's FC is exactly what Sarasota needed. Favorites: the cheese grits, oysters, and fried blackberry pie w/ ice cream.

    (5)
  • MaryAnn C.

    Owen's manager needs to teach his teenage help some manners. I came in with a party of 8, and was spoken to snotty and told I couldn't be seated for drinks and appetizers unless my whole party was there. I was told to go to the mosquito infested back patio if I wanted a drink. My son went out there and said the mosquitos were bad and the bug zapper didn't help. In 5 minutes my whole party was present and ready to be seated and we were told our table wouldn't be ready for 20 minutes-there was hardly any patrons there! I said why didn't you say the wait would be 30 minutes instead of saying we couldn't be served until our whole party arrived? Then, I was told they could "split" up our seating, and we could be seated right away. I said we all met for dinner so we could be together and socialize. The snotty blonde hostess said, well, all restaurants have their own rules. I told her I didn't care to hear her rambling on about other restaurant rules. Sorry, Mr. Manager, you lost a $300 tab tonight because your teenage help wasn't taught what it means to be in the service industry. A smile, a nice attitude, letting the customer know how long the wait will be-before you tell them they can't be seated because its "policy" would have made me stay. But, now, social media is burning with how Owen's Fish Camp has snotty little kids working there. Also, Mr. Manager, keep your kitchen help behind closed doors since you think it's ok he looks he hasn't bathed.

    (1)
  • Floyd P.

    Waited about 20 minutes to get a table inside. Tate is still there looking very sunburned. After our order was taken it was less than five minutes and our food was on the table. Crab cake a little too much filler. Fried green tomato salad delicious. Seared scalloped with braised pork and succotash was delicious. Scallops perfectly prepared. Braised pork with nice smokey flavor that was imparted to the scallops. Fried blackberry pie and apple pie both with vanilla ice cream was a perfect ending to the meal. Nice find for this out of towner.

    (4)
  • Art J.

    Like a trip back in time to old Florida. Great food, service and decorations. Really enjoyed the grilled grouper. Side dishes were also quite good. A little difficult to find. Only a few parking places so you may have to park on the street and walk.

    (5)
  • Ashley R.

    Best catfish, sweet tea, and pecan pie I've had in Florida. My boyfriend also enjoyed his Alaskan Halibut. The atmosphere was also nice.

    (5)
  • Ann D.

    Walked in off a recommendation. Located in a cool neighborhood in Sarasota. Loved it right away. The ambience is casual, charming and very Southern. Seeing all the folks waiting to get in was a good sign. They do take reservations. Food was fabulous, from the fried green tomato salad, to the cheesy grits and succotash. They also serve great fish of the day. This place is special. We all agreed, it's two thumbs up! Truly one of a kind!

    (5)
  • Shayne I.

    These people don't mind if you wait, and don't tell you that they have a huge courtyard for visitors to relax in while they wait. They let you figure it out. The lack of customer service is entirely removed from the experience at this restaurant. You are treated as though you should thank them for allowing you to eat there. Oh, and don't move your tables together if you have a large party! The manager will come out and will have a complete meltdown and storm off. We would have spent $400 there, and because of the meltdown the manager had, we opted to dine somewhere else where the staff actually cared about the customer experience. It's too bad, because other than the big TUDE that was demonstrated by the hostess and surprisingly, the manager (I assume because they were busy, still no excuse), this environment would be so fun, especially on a vacation where it's all about good times, not bad times as the staff at the "fish camp" would like you to think.

    (1)
  • Janice j.

    I am so glad we all tried here again this year on vacation. Everyone had grilled fish, and we all thought the food was delicious. The side dishes were very good. The portions are large, and the prices are appropriate for the quality and size. I think the old Florida ambience is my favorite thing.

    (5)
  • Dayna G.

    ...Just dreaming until I can go back. Go. Eat and drink anything (except the cheap wine, obviously), you won't regret it.

    (5)
  • Sean C.

    Great food and atmosphere. Small place so call ahead to get your name on the list.

    (5)
  • Nilo K.

    Wonderful local gem! Fresh seafood delivered daily..fresh ingredients and simple tasty preparations. I ate here tonight after wanting to try this place for several months and was NOT disappointed. I had the cobia fish blackened with the green tomato salsa, cheese grits (do not miss these they are fabulous), and the succotash (also excellent). My fish was well prepared and all the portions were generous. I think I was more amazed by the sides than the entree! Great local find! Casual, hip and fun. I will def return.

    (4)
  • Guy P.

    Great food. The prawn appetizer was definitely a highlight. Food is freshly prepared, and flavorful. Don't miss out on the collared greens! The grouper was also fantastic. Wish the portions were just slightly bigger though. All in all a very good experience.

    (4)
  • Sonia T.

    To set the record straight, I've been to Owen's before twice and have loved everything, the food as well as the atmosphere, and so did my company. So, for those previous times, I'll give them 5 stars, as every one of my friends and I were happy with spending our money at Owen's. Last night, while finishing up dinner, my friend disappointedly uttered: "I thought Owen's was perfect!" What exactly went so wrong last night? Went to Owen's, got a cute little table inside for two, a glass of cheap red wine and a water, a fried tomato salad, a potato leek soup, and 2 burgers. I know, I know, should have had some seafood, right? But what is a girl to do when she craves a mean burger? The menu said very good burger with pimiento cheese, so I went for it and so did my friend, even though he was contemplating the fish & chips... So, first thing first. The salad was delicious, the dressing on it quite tart, but in a good way, well rounded up by the crispy yumminess of the fried tomatoes. Tasty indeed! Then my friend's soup was another hit. It had a bit of smokiness about it, very nice flavor, and I'm not one who goes for creamy soups much, so well done, I wanted more! Well, you can imagine what was going on through my head after all these goodies... the burger must be amazing! I hope it's amazing! It'd better be!!! Both burgers were ordered medium rare, by the way, no additions or omissions, pimiento cheese, lettuce, tomato, bun, pickle, and fries. Visually, the burger looked great, it smelled like heaven, and was so hot to the touch, I was impressed! I couldn't wait to take a bite, and sure enough once I tasted it, well... it was well done. I mean as well as one can get a burger, so I thought what the hell, I'll eat it, it can still be good, right? Nope, it can't! They were both cooked well!!! As enthusiastic as I tried to stay about the whole burger experience, it was difficult to keep a happy face. Other than the meat being overcooked, the char on it was so strong that after a few bites it all tasted plain bitter no matter what. I mean really bitter. Sorry, I like some char on my burger, but you just killed it! I liked the fries, of course, they were crispy and seasoned well. The pickle was great, a good pickle is always welcome, but the main attraction on my plate was definitely lacking. The cheese was interesting, maybe a cheddar with peppers in it, not sure, though. Overall, I think the burger has potential. As long as it's not over charred and overcooked, it could be quite good. But it wasn't, and maybe it was an off night for the guy at the grill, maybe not. But, for future reference, don't neglect the burger, Owen's. It's on the menu, so it should be as good as anything else you're serving. Actually, I dare you to try one like the one I had and you tell me how it was, ok? I still like Owen's and will go back. The menu is inviting and have had great food so far. Maybe I will even give the burger another chance, if I find the guts to. But, I was in a food coma 4 hours later, still, and went to bed feeling like I had ingested a rock. Oh, and I should mention my friend who so, so wished he had the fish&chips, and was not too crazy about the apple pie; the ice cream on it, yeah, but the pie itself, meh! The waitress was great, a little nervous, but nice. Three stars for half the food being good and the other half, ouch! ...and the search for a great burger continues...

    (3)
  • Tricia F.

    Who knew succotash could taste so good?? Owen's Fish Camp is a truly wonderful combination of old florida charm, kitsch, locals and a menu with focus on the local fresh seafood .Very interesting choice of side items (fried green tomatoes, collard greens, etc) but a stand out choice is the succotash - and I don't like succotash - (hmmm, I guess that's not true any more since this version is a solid 5 out 5 stars!) Great place to grab a bite (before or after catching a movie at Burns Court although since the restaurant does not take reservations factor in a possible wait). Very friendly environment and fabulous service. Lots of things to like about this place....worth checking out. As Always, Tricia

    (4)
  • Jim M.

    Owen's Fish Camp is a regular for us. Atmosphere is great (casual) and I have no problem saying that overall they have the best seafood in Sarasota. Don't forget to try the succotash.

    (5)
  • Chris V.

    Unique setting. Good food. Friendly service.

    (5)
  • Lee M.

    We really enjoyed our dinner here. It was packed on a Thursday night but they actually overestimated the wait which was good. Our service was first rate and everyone enjoyed their meals. I guess you would classify this as southern cooking (I had shrimp and grits) but it was tasty and the portions were generous. Would definitely go back.

    (4)
  • Richard C.

    We enjoy good food and have visited many of the more upscale restaurants in the area. We were looking for a casual local place with great seafood and were enticed by the good reviews here and elsewhere. We were not disappointed! The fish was cooked perfectly and the sides are fantastic (soul food). Service was very friendly and the atmosphere is great. Be prepared for a long wait...but feel free to get a drink and browse the gallery next door while you wait. We have put this on our list of places to return to.

    (4)
  • Julio V.

    Nice little house with banyan tree. Very busy with 45 minute wait on Wednesday night, growing to hour and a half by the time we left. Nice location to walk around while waiting on Burns Court. Smoked fish spread appetizer was good, bit saltine crackers seemed excessively Campy. My shrimp with grits and smoked sausage was really good and generous. They split my friends plate with no hassle, and they enjoyed the succotash. My wife loved her collard greens with fresh local grouper. Good place, topped off by niche movie next door.

    (4)
  • Dan F.

    This place is just another gem in the Sarasota restaurant scene. Beer selection is decent and salads are great. Steamed clams have a girlled taste to them which I have never experienced before, well done. Best soft shell crabs I've had in a long time. Fish was cooked perfectly, but sides stole the show. Delicious collard greens, spicy beans with chunks of spicy sausage, and some great grits. Best southern style of food in Sarasota, hands down.

    (5)
  • Bigboss A.

    Best food in Sarasota by a long shot!!

    (5)
  • Holly D.

    This place is a cute as an antique button but not overly kitschy. I've only been once and I intend to go back again very soon. On my first visit, I went with my 9 year old son. Even though he has an excellent palate for a youngster (usually ordering from the adult menu), there wasn't a kid's menu, which seemed odd for a seemingly family friendly restaurant. We shared an order of the Clam Chowder and my son ordered the Crab Cake appetizer for his dinner. Because my son ordered the crab cake, I didn't ask our waitress if the chef would prepare a child's meal. The clam chowder was very good and had a nice bacony flavor profile as well as it was loaded with tender clams. I tried a small bite of the crab cake which was pretty good. I'm very finicky with crab cakes because I lived in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area for 20 years where one can find some of the best crab cakes ever. The crab cake had a lot of crab and just enough filler to hold it together. The crab cake had about 2 pinches too much seasoning, so it was over salted, but overall good and the lemony mayo sauce it came with rounded out the crab cake. With some minor tweaking, I think the crab cake could one of the best this side of Maryland. The crab cake also came with a side of slaw and I thought the slaw was very good. Being from Virginia, we like our slaws somewhat simple. This slaw was fresh and crisp and didn't have a lot of complicated flavors. I had the "Naked" Sea Scallop dinner. My scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned just right. "Naked" dinners come with a choice of sauce and two sides. I chose the lemon caper sauce, which was like a buerre blanc with capers and for the sides I selected the cheese grits and collard greens. The cheese grits were sublime. The collard greens already have a lot of vinegar, which was almost too much for my taste and I cook my greens with a ham hock. I didn't detect any smoked meat cooked with the greens, however, this could have been masked by the vinegar. The greens were fairly good and I'd probably order them again. However, I will be more willing to try some of the other sides before I order the greens again. The wine and beer list was great. I had the Vinho Verde (hard to find on a lot of menus but an excellent seafood wine) and my son had sweet tea. If they didn't offer sweet tea, that automatically would make this Southern inspired restaurant an epic fail. The service was friendly and casual and overall, I felt it was a good value, an excellent meal, and great dining experience. I read one of the other Yelp reviews for Owen's Fish Camp, and it is true that you must be prepared for a good array of Sarasota dorks, but don't let it keep you from coming out and enjoying this little spot in Burns Court.

    (4)
  • B. B.

    So glad we discovered this restaurant thanks to Yelp! We had a party of 6 and were sat immediately by the friendly hostess. The service and food were fantastic! Everyone in our party really loved their dishes. I opted for the shrimp and grits (some of the best I've ever had), my husband enjoyed his scallops and raved about the side of cheesy grits! We even considered going again before heading home from vacation!!! Will make dinner at Owen's Fish Camp part of every vacation to Sarasota/Siesta Key in the future!

    (5)
  • Holly M.

    I work a block away from this wonderful place and I can't believe it took me a whole year to finally walk over and enjoy a meal! I LOVE this place! I am so glad they are not open for lunch as it could be a real problem for my pocket book if it was, a happy problem but a problem none the less! I take all out of town guest here and recommend it to all my clients, So far my favorite is the oyster po' boy! My Sister and I went for dinner and I ordered the fish spread to start us off, she thought the idea of fish spread was nasty till she tasted it! She is a HUGE fan now as well.

    (5)
  • Mike M.

    Would possibly post a more detailed and perhaps better review IF I COULD ACTUALLY GET IN TO EAT THERE. We have tried to go about 5 different times and have yet to be successful thus far. Needs some sort of reservation system. This has become a running joke between my wife and I about where we are REALLY going to eat after trying to get into Owen's for the umpteenth time and not succceeding. At some point in the near future we will probably grow tired of this charade and just skip it altogether. Sorry but I refuse to wait 45 minutes or more on the street after arriving at 6 PM on a weekday night in the off season and then jockeying to get a tiny parking spot as well. Too many other good places to eat in Sarasota....Just my observation....

    (1)
  • Rob B.

    For the price, I was expecting higher quality seafood. Since they specialize in southern seafood style, I thought the Catfish was a safe bet. It was ok. I was expecting Pappadeaux Seafood like quality, but it didn't measure up. Other's had the shrimp, they were ok as well. The best thing we ate was the smoked fish spread appetizer. Overall, it's a bit overrated. Decor is a bit contrived.

    (3)
  • Pei L.

    We come to Sarasota every year and are faced with seasonal places that close from one year to the next. While I am a Northerner, and have little appreciation for fried pickles, I can safely say I have enjoyed both my meals here. The snails are served over the yummiest grits, the seafood cobb is fresh and light. The fried basket is VERY good. Try IT! Casual good eats and a fun atmosphere.

    (5)
  • K Z.

    Amazing!!!! Tried the tacos, oysters, fried pickles, fried green tomato salad, naked fish. All great and atmosphere was outstanding!!! Starters are better than main dishes. A must visit when in Sarasota!!!

    (4)
  • Deb T.

    Four of us went for dinner on Wednesday nite. The place was packed. Arrived at 6:30 and had a 45 minute wait. It was worth it. Red snapper with succotash and skinny fries was out of this world. The seafood cobb salad got rave reviews and the fish baskets disappeared quickly. I hope we don't wait too long for a return visit. The restaurant is casual and comfortable and Burn's Court is just a fun place to go.

    (4)
  • Nicki M.

    Love this place, Super cute and really fun. Fish camp had really creative delicious specials. I, however, tried to get out cheap by ordering fish tacos which were mediocre. My husband got something awesome and expensive and I was jealous the whole meal. I love the atmosphere of this place, we sat outside even though it was raining and it was surprisingly pleasant. No matter how much fun you think it will be to take a shot with an oyster at the bottom resist the urge...Tequila usually makes me wanna puke but add a slimy oyster at the bottom and that will usually tip the scales This place is a must try, I can't wait to go back!!!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 9:3

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    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 : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Owens Fish Camp

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