DINING
out
Frenchy’s Original Cafe,
41 Baymont St., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-3607. At this quaint location, you’ll
find many of Frenchy’s original menu items,
like the smoked fish spread, seafood gumbo,
boiled shrimp and Greek salad. In fact, their
grouper sandwich made its debut here and
continues to set the standard for all others.
Since its doors first opened in 1981, the
quality, ambience and charm have remained,
making it a continual favorite among the
locals. They also serve fresh stone crabs.
Open daily 11 AM-11 PM. $, X.
Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill,
466 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin,
(727) 286-6139. This open-air Key Weststyle
restaurant on the way to Dunedin’s
Honeymoon Island has a large Tiki Bar
and features live music every day. It is the
newest Frenchy’s and the only one that is
not on Clearwater Beach; but they serve all
the items that have made Frenchy’s famous,
from fresh Grouper Sandwiches to She Crab
Soup. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, E, X.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill On The Beach,
7 Rockaway St., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 446-4844. Live music and fresh sea
breezes make this a popular spot for those
looking for great seafood and a trendy
atmosphere. You can dine in the open air or
indoors in the comfort of air conditioning.
Don’t miss their stone crab claws as you
watch the sunset on the Gulf.
Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM- 12 AM;
Fri-Sat 11 AM-1 AM. $, E, X.
Frenchy’s Salt Water Cafe,
419 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 461-6295. The Grouper Reuben
sandwich originated at this family-friendly
location, which even has a designated
dog-friendly patio. The menu also features
octopus dishes, conch fritters, buffalo
shrimp and specialty salads, which you can
enjoy inside, on the patio or Dockside-to-Go.
Tie up to the floating dock at the south side
of Mandalay Channel, north of Memorial
Causeway, then walk across the street for a
bite to eat. Open daily 11 AM-11 PM. $, X.
Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe,
351 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach,
(727) 441-9991. This addition to the Frenchy’s
restaurant family is right in the heart of
Clearwater Beach. It has the same great food
and prices for which Frenchy’s has become
famous. The Key West bistro atmosphere
offers open-air dining and an unbeatable
view of both the beach and our fabulous
sunsets. There is a full bar and the best
grouper sandwich you will ever have.
Open daily 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, CM, X.
Frenchy’s To Go,
26145 U.S. Highway 19 N., Clearwater,
(727) 444-0831. Frenchy’s brings the taste
of Clearwater Beach and its fresh grouper
sandwiches, she crab soup and other Frenchy
favorites to North Pinellas County with a
“hybrid ghost kitchen,” meaning it caters to
delivery customers. They also offer carryout
orders. Open daily 11 AM-10 PM. $$, CM, X.
Groupers on the Gulf,
1401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach,
(727) 266-4276. Seafood, sandwiches and
reasonable prices is the mantra on the beach.
Enjoy their loaded potato skins, wedge salad,
lobster bisque, grouper Reuben, mussels and
quesadillas, to name a few. You won’t find a
friendlier place to have a delicious bite along
with a beer or glass of wine. Open daily
12 PM-9 PM. $$.
Happy’s Bayou Bites,
431 Skinner Blvd. (S.R. 580), Dunedin,
(727) 240-1102. Happy and Mark Jordan’s
new casual eatery serves homemade and
made-to-order Low Country and Cajun, and
Florida Cracker cuisines from a food trailer
embellished with a cracker-style facade near
the Pinellas Trail. Enjoy Po’Boys, Gumbo, a
Muffaletta, or one of their weekly specials
with beer or wine at a brightly colored
picnic table under the oaks, or take-out.
Open Wed-Thurs 11 AM-4 PM,
Fri-Sat 11 AM-6 PM. $, E, V, MC, D.
Hog Island Fish Camp,
900 Broadway (Alt. 19), Dunedin,
(727) 736-1179. Chef Walt and Jane
Wickman’s new eatery, just northeast of
their popular Olde Bay Café & Dunedin
Fish Market at the Dunedin Marina, has an
inviting, Old Florida vibe with a nostalgic
collection of vintage boats, fresh local
seafood, creative menu selections,
plus a full liquor bar with 21 area beers
on tap. Dine on locally sourced hog fish,
grouper and mullet, Southern fried
chicken served family style, venison, fried
green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and other
favorites. Open Sun-Thurs 11 AM-10 PM
and Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. $-$$, E, X, C.
The Honu,
516 Grant St., Dunedin, (727) 333-7777.
This “lei’d”-back cafe and tiki bar features
island favorites, such as Loco Moco, a
turkey burger poached egg and spinach,
and Kilauea, a mountain of black rice, pork,
red pepper and carrot lava flow on baby
kale. Try the Big Island Salad with citrus,
bacon, chicken and macadamia nuts with
ginger pineapple dressing. Entertainment on
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday
afternoon. Open Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sun
11 AM-10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM. Closed
Mondays. $$, CM, E, V, MC, C.
Hot Dogs on Main,
505 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 408-5103.
Susan Norton and Nick Annenos invite
152 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2021
you to take out or dine alfresco on their
“gourmet fun in a bun!” Offerings include
everything from Chicago, chili, veggie and
organic dogs to Vienna sausages, as well
as Italian beef sandwiches, fresh salads
and Hershey’s ice cream. Open Tues-Fri
11 AM-5 PM; Sat 11 AM-4 PM; and only
on Sundays during special fairs and events.
$, X, C.
Island Way Grill,
20 Island Way, Clearwater, (727) 461-6617.
Whether you make a selection from the sushi
bar, the oak-fired pit or join them for Sunday
brunch, the Island Way Grill will satisfy
every taste. This Clearwater favorite offers
amazing harbor views and an eclectic menu
that blends continental, Pacific Rim and
island cuisines with a pan-Asian twist.
Open Mon-Thurs 4 PM-10 PM;
Fri 4 PM-11 PM; Sat noon to 11 PM,
Sun 10 AM-1:30 PM and 3 PM-9:30 PM.
$$$, RS, X, C.
Julian’s Little Italy,
Dunedin Plaza Shopping Center,
916 Patricia Ave., Dunedin, (727) 734-8989.
Julian Adams’ casual Italian café with a
warm vibe is one of Dunedin’s best kept
secrets. The well-appointed décor is
comfortable and inviting; and the secret
family recipes are made in house from the
heart with love, care and attention. Enjoy
appetizers and salads, baked pastas and
sauté, plus oven-baked pizzas. Julian’s
is gluten-free friendly. Reservations are
suggested for parties of five or more.
Open for lunch and dinner Mon-Thurs
11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM and for
dinner Sun 4-9 PM. $$, CM, X, C.
Kao Thai Kitchen,
7199 66th St., North Pinellas Park,
(727) 350-3722. This Thai restaurant in
Pinellas Park serves lunch and dinner and
features all the standard Thai items along
with sushi and some tasty dishes such as
Beef Massaman Curry and Salmon Ga
Prow. You can choose chicken, pork, beef,
shrimp, squid, tofu or vegetable for any of
their classic preparations. The lunch special
comes with an egg roll and fresh salad. Try
tapioca balls for dessert. Open Tues-Thurs
11:30 AM-3 PM and 4:30 PM-9 PM, Fri
11:30 AM-3 PM and 4:30 PM-10 PM;
Sat 4 PM-10 PM and Sun 4 PM-9 PM.
$$-$$$, X, C.
Marguerite’s Cafe & Catering,
405 Plaza Drive, Dunedin, (727) 734-7040.
This charming eatery next to the Dunedin
Library offers indoor and outdoor
dining with sidewalk seating. Breakfasts,
sandwiches, fresh innovative salads, soups
and entrées make for a delightful experience.
Open Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-5 PM;
Sat-Sun 8 AM-3 PM. $.
North Pinellas continued