I had the sea crab soup and a wedge salad, both delicious! Great service under the tiki hut!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luzsianna Valenzuela
We had the best experience tonight! Our waiter, Cam, was absolutely amazing. He was so attentive and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. We were celebrating a birthday, and Cam went above and beyond to make the dinner extra special for the birthday girl. He really made the evening feel fun and memorable!
The service was outstanding, and the food was soooo delicious, every bite was incredible. We can’t wait to come back again, and when we do, we’ll definitely be asking for Cam. Highly recommend both the restaurant and Cam’s service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Caton
We visited Ballyhoo Grill as a family of four — two adults and two kids under six — and overall had a pleasant experience. Our server was absolutely fantastic! She was incredibly friendly, attentive, and went out of her way to engage with our little ones, even playing and keeping them entertained while we waited. That kind of service really made us feel welcome and added a lot to our experience.
There was a small hiccup with one of our food items, but the waitress handled it flawlessly — very professional and accommodating. We really appreciated that level of care.
Now, on to the food. Once it arrived, we were a bit let down by the flavor. The portion sizes were generous, which helped soften the blow, but the food itself lacked seasoning and overall taste. If you're someone who enjoys bold or flavorful dishes, you might want to ask for sauces or consider bringing your own seasoning — seriously!
The pricing also deserves a mention. Appetizers were upwards of $15, almost the size (and price) of a full entrée. Main courses ranged from $20 to $25+ each, which felt a bit steep considering the lack of flavor. That said, the large portions might help justify the cost depending on your expectations.
Despite the blandness of the food, we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was warm, welcoming, and the staff were all very kind. We’d definitely go back — maybe with adjusted expectations on taste — but the great service and vibe make it worth a return visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Alan Hawkins
Still great quality on the food, fresh fried and blackened redfish came out perfect. Grilled avocado is delicious. Also the live band is retired professionals, it’s like a studio session at the only tiki deck in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracie Spoto
Been here before and liked the food. We came back but arrived at 8:40 pm because we just arrived in town. Their posted hours were open until 9 pm. Their kitchen was closed at 8:40. We were disappointed. So if you come, come way early
Neil Lofgren
True treasure in Gainesville, music was great, thanks guys.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
David Seeds
Extremely slow service, waited seven minutes for a draft beer, six more minutes for service waitress to show up, eight minutes for a bowl of soup and had to ask for the check, staff very friendly. Noon Saturday 8/16.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Linda Carroll
Meh...food is way overpriced. Service was okay.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Ronnie Peck
Good meal , great service , will go back and try some different foods next time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Holly Nunyabizness
The bartender on Friday night was top notch!! Most delicious old fashioneds I've had! The food was cooked to perfection and our waitress was top notch! Even though we came in late we were treated very good! 5 stars!
While the food was really good, service great ..the prices has gone up substantially..my guest ordered the salmon was very large portion an cooked nice vegetables were great..as an appetizer the firecracker shrimp..has gone to 16.95 while there menu online shows 11.95 .. An i just ordered wings from starters list.. Used to be 10.95 now 18.95!! How an why??!! I was little shocked when saw the bill .cant justify almost 2.00 a wing.. Only thing cant dispute is the food was good... I know crazy times now days but wow!! Guess if i want wings next ,will visit different establishment..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
J Rollen
Took my elderly mother-in law and the waitress was incredibly sweet with her and made our outing from the near by nursing home fantastic!!! Food was excellent, atmosphere was awesome center around the Florida Gators history in college football!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Deem
So sad! They used to have consistent tasty food but lunch today was not that! The fried calamari was overcooked and clearly had been fried in oil that was old. The server did admit the manager said the same and they were changing the oil. The steak appetizer was inconsistently cooked and under seasoned. The Cuban had roast beef on one half and ham on the other….both were thick sliced and not tasty. Overall a disappointing experience from what used to be a favorite. Don’t think we will go back 😢
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Mike Mchenry
Shoe prints on table. Sticky table and the napkin with silverware was stuck to the table. Tablet menu had all kinds of sticky hand prints on the screen that they expect me to touch. Gross!!! 🤢 Moved to a new table, also extremely sticky. Food came out burnt and just unappetizing. Asked for a manager but they couldn't be bothered to find out what is wrong with their restaurant. Never did talk to anyone except for the waiter who was really working hard to make up for his useless excuse of a manager. They did make sure to bring me a bill before I left to find somewhere to eat that I won't feel like I might get a communicable disease.
I had the sea crab soup and a wedge salad, both delicious! Great service under the tiki hut!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the best experience tonight! Our waiter, Cam, was absolutely amazing. He was so attentive and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. We were celebrating a birthday, and Cam went above and beyond to make the dinner extra special for the birthday girl. He really made the evening feel fun and memorable!
The service was outstanding, and the food was soooo delicious, every bite was incredible. We can’t wait to come back again, and when we do, we’ll definitely be asking for Cam. Highly recommend both the restaurant and Cam’s service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited Ballyhoo Grill as a family of four — two adults and two kids under six — and overall had a pleasant experience. Our server was absolutely fantastic! She was incredibly friendly, attentive, and went out of her way to engage with our little ones, even playing and keeping them entertained while we waited. That kind of service really made us feel welcome and added a lot to our experience.
There was a small hiccup with one of our food items, but the waitress handled it flawlessly — very professional and accommodating. We really appreciated that level of care.
Now, on to the food. Once it arrived, we were a bit let down by the flavor. The portion sizes were generous, which helped soften the blow, but the food itself lacked seasoning and overall taste. If you're someone who enjoys bold or flavorful dishes, you might want to ask for sauces or consider bringing your own seasoning — seriously!
The pricing also deserves a mention. Appetizers were upwards of $15, almost the size (and price) of a full entrée. Main courses ranged from $20 to $25+ each, which felt a bit steep considering the lack of flavor. That said, the large portions might help justify the cost depending on your expectations.
Despite the blandness of the food, we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was warm, welcoming, and the staff were all very kind. We’d definitely go back — maybe with adjusted expectations on taste — but the great service and vibe make it worth a return visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Still great quality on the food, fresh fried and blackened redfish came out perfect. Grilled avocado is delicious. Also the live band is retired professionals, it’s like a studio session at the only tiki deck in town!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been here before and liked the food. We came back but arrived at 8:40 pm because we just arrived in town. Their posted hours were open until 9 pm. Their kitchen was closed at 8:40. We were disappointed. So if you come, come way early
True treasure in Gainesville, music was great, thanks guys.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Extremely slow service, waited seven minutes for a draft beer, six more minutes for service waitress to show up, eight minutes for a bowl of soup and had to ask for the check, staff very friendly. Noon Saturday 8/16.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Meh...food is way overpriced. Service was okay.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Good meal , great service , will go back and try some different foods next time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The bartender on Friday night was top notch!! Most delicious old fashioneds I've had! The food was cooked to perfection and our waitress was top notch! Even though we came in late we were treated very good! 5 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
While the food was really good, service great ..the prices has gone up substantially..my guest ordered the salmon was very large portion an cooked nice vegetables were great..as an appetizer the firecracker shrimp..has gone to 16.95 while there menu online shows 11.95 ..
An i just ordered wings from starters list..
Used to be 10.95 now 18.95!! How an why??!! I was little shocked when saw the bill .cant justify almost 2.00 a wing..
Only thing cant dispute is the food was good... I know crazy times now days but wow!! Guess if i want wings next ,will visit different establishment..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Took my elderly mother-in law and the waitress was incredibly sweet with her and made our outing from the near by nursing home fantastic!!! Food was excellent, atmosphere was awesome center around the Florida Gators history in college football!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So sad! They used to have consistent tasty food but lunch today was not that! The fried calamari was overcooked and clearly had been fried in oil that was old. The server did admit the manager said the same and they were changing the oil. The steak appetizer was inconsistently cooked and under seasoned. The Cuban had roast beef on one half and ham on the other….both were thick sliced and not tasty.
Overall a disappointing experience from what used to be a favorite. Don’t think we will go back 😢
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Shoe prints on table. Sticky table and the napkin with silverware was stuck to the table. Tablet menu had all kinds of sticky hand prints on the screen that they expect me to touch. Gross!!! 🤢 Moved to a new table, also extremely sticky. Food came out burnt and just unappetizing. Asked for a manager but they couldn't be bothered to find out what is wrong with their restaurant. Never did talk to anyone except for the waiter who was really working hard to make up for his useless excuse of a manager. They did make sure to bring me a bill before I left to find somewhere to eat that I won't feel like I might get a communicable disease.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Very good👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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