Blue Dog Bar & Grill

"We had to wait 28 minutes for a table but had a website to tell you where you were on the waiting list which I think was super helpful in planning. The waitress (Lisa) was super amazing, and helpful. Drinks were amazing, food was amazing!"

"We rode our bikes up at about 1:30pm on a Tuesday. It was very busy with several groups of people waiting. We were told it would be about 25 min but because we were just two people, we only waited about 6 min. Can’t beat that! Service was fast and very friendly. We had the smoked fish appetizer, which comes with homemade picked jalapeños. I had a Caesar salad and added on sesame seared ahi tuna - not sushi grade tuna but it was cooked to perfection. Hubby had the Megan salad with a side of one crab cake. Atmosphere here is fun and lively. You can sit inside, outside, or at the bar. Cute, popular place to eat on Matlacha!"

"In my book, to get a 5 star rating, the food, service and atmosphere must all be top notch. Blue passes with flying colors. Michele was one of the best servers we have encountered in Florida. If I was opening a classy restaurant, I’d double her pay and hire her to direct customer service. The clam chowder was some of the best I’ve ever had. Perfect temperature, great flavor and not loaded with potatoes like most. The cup is the size of most bowls. We both took our server’s recommendation and had the triple tail (fish). Mine was fried with blackened seasoning added. My wife had it grilled with a lemon sauce with a side of rice/beans. I loved the B branded on my bun. Slaw and tartar sauce were both homemade. Fish sandwich was excellent. Very light and tasty fish. Even though we were full, we finished with the homemade key lime pie. Great crust and flavorful pie without being too tart. Don’t pass this place up and don’t pronounce the name of the town wrong. Matlacha. It’s like Matt LaShay."

"This doesn't happen often, five stars across the board. Courtney was our waitress, she did a great job explaining different menu options. We had everything from peel and eat shrimp, steak, mozzarella sticks, key lime pie, Caesar salad, 3 stripe and foofoo drinks. Everything was so delicious. The restaurant itself is clean and tidy. This is one of the few businesses in the Island that is running full steam ahead after Ian. I will definitely be back and will be asking for Courtney as our server."

"We strolled into this place around 5 pm on a Saturday which was very busy and A small line outside the door. We gave them our name and phone number inside as they will call on your cell u when a table is available. We managed to find 4 empty seats at the bar and were handed a drink menu immediately. The bartender was very busy but friendly and helpful with the drink menu as we did ask a couple questions. She served us fast and my beer was very cold which I loved and very seldom get down here. Within 15 minutes they seated us and Phyllis our waitress took our drinks and food items we wanted. I ordered the seafood shepherd’s pie, and my wife ordered the Shrimp with a bowl of clam chowder as the appetizer. Our appetizers came out fast for a place that was that busy and boy was I surprised that our clam chowder was that good in fact it was the best clam chowder we had since moving down here. Our main courses came out in reasonable time and once again the seafood shepherd’s pie was hot, filled with seafood and very flavorful. To tell you the truth I was shocked at how good everything was. Phyllis brought us the warm brownie with ice cream which we ordered for dessert and let me tell you it was enough for two and very good. I can’t tell you the last time we went out to a restaurant, and they hit it out of the ballpark on all courses of the dinner menu, but this place sure did. We will be back and now are telling all our friends about this place. Hats off to our waitress Phyllis and all the questions we had about the menu being it was our first time there she was the best. We can’t wait to get back."