We have spent considerable time and energy preparing our personal view of the local eatery scene. In keeping with our basic purpose of presenting only a local non-commercial view, we are providing only our opinion. The opinions are based on personal observation, knowing the people who work there and a gathering of on going interactions with people on the beach
All of these locations are exclusively on Indian Rocks Beach or our sister city Indian Shores. So, as a rule, you don't need addresses or phone numbers. WHAT!!!! Well, it's only a 3 mile island. You certainly can't get lost. If you make a right or left off of Gulf Blvd. POOF you're in the water. Also, Please remember Florida's state motto. " Arrive on vacation... Go home on probation ". If you're going to drink! ...WALK... CALL A CAB... 595-RIDE... DO NOT DRIVE. There are 10 cops and 3 miles. THEY WILL GET YOU. This is just a warning. The only one you'll get.
BTW, Do not speed either!.... Lots of tickets given every year. Just drive 35. We move just a little bit slower here.
Shells: About 5 miles south of light. Indian Shores 
Great place to take the family. Right on the intercoastal. Food and drinks are priced with the local in mind. Very crowded on weekends. A commercial chain type eatery, but has a local flare. The servers are not local as a rule. So just go to get a good meal and enjoy the view.
Hungry Fisherman: 4 Miles Indian Shores Happy Harry's:-2 miles JD'S:-1 mile Crabby Bill's: 1/4 mile PJ's Oyster Bar Red Lion-14th Ave. Guppy's: 17th Ave. Awarded a "Minus" Keegan's-16th Ave. Thai Pan :Thai Pan -23rd. Ave. Sandy's: 23rd. Ave Leave your Footprint in the Sand!
Well, it is not one of our favorites. It is extremely popular. Long lines, over cooked processed food, and some of the rudest people you would never want to meet. So, why is it so popular? Low price! Early bird specials for less than $5.00. Would you want to eat at a place that allows crafts people to sell their wares to you while you wait forever to be seated? Whats up with this? At least Crabby's gives you a free drink while you wait. If you want a cheap sit down dinner... go to Shells. Same prices, but much better view, and better food. Remember... this is only our opinion... But, we worked in the industry and we do live here.
Happy Harry's (The Pub), at one time, was THE place to go. Still is late at night. (No one else is open till 2:00AM) Well... the times they do change. Food is still good, yet, the prices have gone up alot. The outdoor bar is packed for happy hour! Sit on the outside deck for a light lunch. Enjoy the water view as you sip your margarita. We would walk there via the beach and grab a cold one for the walk back. The prices went from $1.00 drafts to $2.50. We don't go there anymore. Billy, the bartender, is a really nice guy. (Been there for years)
Definetly a local place. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, all the local seafood you could want. Very popular with the older set. You can always find someone to pick up a game of darts. Most of the people we know go there at least twice a week to play darts and grab a brew at happy hour. We find it a bit too dark for our tastes, but a lot of people enjoy it.
Our favorite place. Lots of noise and very crowded during season. The lines form around 5:30 and don't stop until around 8:30. Crabby Bill even provides beer and soda for free as you wait. Prices are very low, beer is cheap and a full liquor bar. We always sit at the bar. Junior or Anne are some of the best servers/bartenders you will find on the beach. This is the place you want to go first on your visit. You can get a key chain made with your picture in it. It's the thing to do. Crabby Lil is a blast and takes great pictures of you in the stupidest hats around. Crabby's has as much local flavor as you can stand. Put on your flops and shorts, no dressing up allowed. Put your name on a dollar bill and staple it on the wall. They will have everyone sing for you if you have a special occasion. Oysters $1.95 a dozen... Buffalo shrimp is the best I've had. Try the steamed shrimp, stone crab legs and of course their Key Lime Pie.
At the Walsingham Light:
A very popular place. Good food, fast service and reasonable prices. We know of a number of people who patronize PJ's. However, I have a real problem eating in a converted 7-11. We've tried it and it was Ok. Better places around with better local flavor. The servers are very cliquey. The time we were there, the servers were all talking around the bar about how their tips were and how how much they sold at lunch. $6.00 lunch not bad for off season. It sure interested me. (Industrial espionage). Yeah right.... on the beach?
North of Walsingham Light
A local's local place. If you want local flavor.... This is the place. British food and draft ales served here. Local bands play outdoors on the week ends. World soccer is always on the "Telly". A nice place... but, it is really a local hangout. Beware if your not up for it.
The YUPPIE place to been seen. Food has always been overpriced and under portioned. $12.95 for a small piece of salmon with a "special sauce" and some rice. Salmon is one of the cheapest fish you can buy and most places sell a 10oz. portion for $9.95. I guess when you need to be seen, you have to pay the price. This place is over rated, over priced and way to crowded for locals. Mostly visitors and mainland people come to "enjoy the outdoor dining experience". We went there one night to "check it out". After dinner ($40) we drove out hungry and went to Crabby's to get something to eat. Funny thing was we met a local person there, who had had the exact same experience the week before. So... put on your kacki's, button down oxford, boat shoes and momma wear those baubles. We're going to be seen at Guppy's tonight. American Express.... Can't get out of there with out it. GRIN
A local seafood place with character(s?). The sangria is made while you watch. You can get it in white or red. They have a board filled with the daily specials. The prices are good for the beach, service is excellent. Be sure to ask for Karen or Anne. They both have been there for years and they live on the beach. Keegan'e is famous for their Oysters Rockefeller. Give them a try. Also watch out for the wings. They can really be hot.
This is a really nice place. Not what you would expect on the beach. We do carry out from there at least twice a month. Almost everyone in this area does. You see people walking home with a large white plastic bag and smiling. It really is that good. A word of caution... Beware of the Star system. You order your food based on how hot you want it. No stars means no heat (spicey that is). 2 stars is a little hotter and so forth up to 5 stars. Well we order it with 3 stars. Some days it's bland and other times it so hot you can't eat it. Roger,( the owner) claims that he tells the cooks to measure exactly. Well everyone on the beach knows:"You get... what you get". The Siam wings are very good and the combination platers are a lot of food and low priced. Check it out!
Update: Roger no longer owns Thai Pan. Since he has left, the food has gone down hill a bit. Still the same menu...Just not as good as it was.
What would a beach be without a local breakfast joint? Well, this is it. No fooling around, no credit cards and the same servers that have been there since Truman was in office. (Just kidding... But it sure seems that way). Food is good, low prices and sort of quick... (by beach standards) service. Opens at 6:00am and closes at 2:00pm. If your hungry and you need that cup of joe. Then, this is the place to go.
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Footprints in the sand since April 1, 1997.
Background provided by: Maxter and Minnie
Updated 08/02/97