What to eat while dining dockside in the historic fishing village on north Sarasota Bay.
Wade Tatangelo|Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Few things are more satisfying, or relaxing,than dining on fresh seafooddockside, in a historic setting that also happens to be a real dealfishing village.
After recommendingwaterfront restaurants for outdoor dining in Sarasota and South Sarasota County, as well as around Anna Maria Island, we headback to Manatee County, to the working waterfront of Cortez Village, easily one of myfavorite places in Florida.
For those not familiar, Cortez can be foundnestled alongnorth Sarasota Bay, just east of Anna Maria Island andnine miles west of downtown Bradenton. Founded in the 1880s, it’s one of the last commercial fishing villages in Florida. Mullet, grouper, stone crab claws (in season) and shrimp are among the freshly caught sea creatures offloaded at the docks. Large quantities are shipped around the world while the rest stays in town. Not in the mood for seafood? That’s OK. Cortez offers lots of other tasty dishes, too.
For this list, I included all six restaurants in Cortez offering outdoor dining on the water. My wife and I have been frequenting all of them regularly for years and routinely have wonderful experiences at each.Also, for thislist,it should be notedall the restaurants are locally owned and operated, often by folks living right in Cortez Village with Cortezian parents and perhaps even Cortezian grandparents and great-grandparents. These are all fun, casual places where T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops are the standard dress code.
To determine the popular menu items, I consulted with the restaurants and also offer many personal picks. And keep in mind, that withmasks required in Manatee County,you will need to wear a face covering to each of these places.
Finally, Ihave notforgotten about all the great restaurants offering outdoor diningalong the Manatee River in Bradenton, Palmetto and Ellenton. There are also a bunch of outstandingbeachfront places in Englewood. I’mhoping to feature all ofthem inthe future.
Annie’s Bait and Tackle
4334 127th St. W., Cortez; 941-794-3580
A bait shop since the 1950s that still provides boaters and fishermen with fuel and supplies, Annie’s Bait and Tackle is also a great place to dine on fresh seafood and more dockside bythe eastern base of the Cortez Bridge, just a few stepsnorth of Cortez Road, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Owned and operated by Bruce Shearer for over 25 years, Annie’s is currently open 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, usually staying open until 6:30 p.m. or so on Fridayand Saturday.
Popular menu items include “Our Famous Grouper”sandwichand the fresh ground half-pound burgers with toppingoptions that includecheese, bacon andgrilled onions,or mushroom andSwiss. Another popular handheld is the “Almost Authentic Cuban”sandwich served regular or spicy, with black beans andrice and chips. The shrimp and scallops dish is a favorite amongthe entrees.
Cortez Kitchen
4528 119th St. W., Cortez; 941-798-9404; thecortezkitchen.com
Located in the heart of the historic fishing village, Cortez Kitchen is a delightfully funky open-air wood structure found right on the water with easy access toSarasota Bay. A favorite among locals and tourist alike now for about two decades,the Kitchen has been owned by Joe Oelker for the majority of those years and he can often be found there overseeing everything. Cortez Kitchen is currently open 3-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 1-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-8 p.m. Sunday.
Popular dishes include theBuffalo grouper bites (fresh grouper deep fried anddipped in Buffalo sauce) andseafood platter containingshrimp, scallops, grouper and stuffed crab as well as delicious sides like the cheese grits and hush puppies. Oh, and you can’t ever go wrong with the blackened mahi sandwich.
Seafood Shack
4110 127th St. W., Cortez; 941-794-1235; seafoodshack.com
Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway just north of theCortez Bridge, Seafood Shack has been a Cortez landmark since opening in 1971. Following new ownership about five years ago, the restaurant with a second floor banquet hall and full-service marina enjoyed an exciting makeover while retaining all of its Cortezcharm. Seafood Shack is open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
In addition to Chef Gerard Jesse’s specials, popular menu items include the fish tacos featuring blackenedfresh local catch (it’s been mahi-mahi during my recent visits) with aged cheddar, cabbage, Baja sauce andpico de gallo in a soft flour taco shell. Highly recommended handhelds also include the Shack Burger (an eight-ounce Angus beef patty served with hickory smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, fried onions, bibb lettuce, tomato, house-made pickle on a swirl bun); and the Gulf Shrimp Dinner is popular, too. Also,it’salways niceto start with the ShackSpicy Clam Chowder and/or the ShackOnion Rings.
Star Fish Company
12306 46th Ave. W., Cortez; 941-794-1243; starfishcompany.com
One of the most famous restaurants in Manatee County, Star Fish Co. places diners right on the docks where you can enjoy an amazing meal while watching commercial fishing boats return toA.P. Bell seafood distributor next door.Established in 1940, A.P. Bellsupplies fresh seafood to Star Fish and various other local, as well as international, restaurants and businesses. It’srun by Karen Bell, who opened Star Fish in the ’90s and and is also co-owner of Tide Tables (see below). Star Fish, which is cash only, isopen 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday and Monday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Probably the best way to experience Star Fishfor the first time is to order the combination platter “highliner” containing shrimp, oysters, sea scallopsand grouper;and itcomes withtheir outstanding Southern sides: cheese grits, slaw and hush puppies. For my wife and me, though, it’s typically the Cortez Special (choice of two) highliner with scallops and grouper plus an additional highliner containing blackened mullet. Cortez has been called “the town that mullet built” and I have yet to find a restaurant anywhere that cooks and prepares that delightfully fatty fish better than the folks at Star Fish.
Swordfish Grill
4628 119th St. W., Cortez, 941-798-2035; swordfishgrillcortez.com
Featuring a handsome indoor dining area and bar, Swordfish Grill also has a wonderful waterfront patio with tables, a tiki bar and covered stage right there on Sarasota Bay. Opened in 2011, the restaurant is owned by John Banyas– who also owns the neighboring Cortez Kitchen property andN.E. Taylor Boatworks as well as Cortez Bait and Seafood –withBob Slicker as general manager. Swordfish is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Popular menu items include the seafood platter containing grilled market fresh fish, shrimp, scallops and a fresh fish cake;as well asthe comfort food fave, lobster mac and cheese, made with smoked gouda and authenticAtlantic lobster. The shrimp and grits – large shrimp over a bed of cheese grits, topped with a creamy sauce, bacon, and chopped fresh tomatoes andscallions –is another popular dish. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the daily fish specials, which often include the namesake swordfish.
Tide Tables
12507 Cortez Road, Cortez; 941-567-6206;tidetablescortez.com
Featuring lots of outdoor dining and bar seating, along with anindoor dining and bar area, Tide Tables put its patrons right on theIntracoastal Waterwaybythe eastern base of the Cortez Bridge, just a few stepssouth of Cortez Road. Opened in 2014, it’s owned and operated by Bobby andGwen Woodson, along with Karen Bell (see Star Fish). Tide Tables is open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
Popular menu items include the must-try fish tacos made with choice of blackened corvina, mahi-mahi or grouper, toppedwith coleslaw, cheddar jack cheese and an awesomely flavorful sesame ginger sauce, in soft flour tacos. You also can’t go wrong with the fresh Gulf shrimp and another one of my personal favorites, grouper bites. Lightly breaded and fried in a specialseasoned breading and served with tartar and remoulade sauce (dip with a bit of both), they are highly addictive!
More: 10 best waterfront restaurants and tiki bars for outdoor dining in Sarasota
More: 10 best waterfront restaurants for outdoor dining around Anna Maria Island
More: 10 best waterfront restaurants for outdoor dining in South Sarasota County
Wade Tatangelo isthe Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s entertainment editor overseeing the weekly Ticket publication. Email him at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com.
