Laidback Casey Key Fish House

By: Gillian Birch

Casey Key Fish House is the epitome of Old Florida with its waterfront location and laidback atmosphere. This convivial restaurant and tiki bar with palm-thatch roof and open sided dining room allows everyone to have a water view as they sip an icy beer, cool margarita, or glass of wine.

Located in Osprey, about 10 miles south of Sarasota, Casey Key Fish House is right on the causeway on Blackburn Point Road. Look for Marker 32 at the Blackburn Point Marina if you’re arriving by boat. It’s a popular laid-back spot on the water.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

Great Food at Casey Key Fish House

The menu is exactly what a fish house menu should be – unpretentious, freshly cooked and competitively priced. As well as a lunch menu and the dinner menu, there are daily specials highlighting the local catch or dish of the day. Specialties include peel-and-eat shrimp, calamari, sautéed mussels, and crab cakes. Battered shrimp, clam strips, fish and chips, sea scallops Provençal, grouper sandwiches, and grilled mahi mahi take care of the fish eaters.

Those who prefer their protein red and juicy can deliberate between a handcut steak, grilled to your liking, or how about some tasty Buffalo Wings? The burger basket is always a good choice –stacked with freshly cooked fries, dill pickle, and a side of coleslaw with tiny surprises of pineapple tidbits. The chicken wrap is another Casey Key Fish House specialty with white breast meat, shredded iceberg lettuce, and a zing of pico de guillo sauce held together in a flour tortilla.

Those looking for something out of the ordinary will love the pan seared almond snapper or the fresh grilled salmon with cucumber dill sauce, rice, and veggies. The menu goes on with Old Florida favorites and new dishes to try, and there’s a kid’s menu too.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

The Secret of a Casual Atmosphere

Like all successful businesses, Casey Key Fish House is owner-run. Say “Hi” to Jimmy (James Peter von Hubertz) who will be around somewhere making sure everyone is made to feel welcome, has a great meal, and a fun time.

Photo credit Nita Ettinger

The separate Tiki Bar is where you’ll find live music from late afternoon through early evening on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. It enhances the setting and laid-back atmosphere as you sit back, people-watch, and listen to the surrounding chatter and laughter.

As well as ample car parking, Casey Key Fish House has plenty of dockage for diners and fishing enthusiasts to arrive by water. The outdoor patio has tables right on the water so you can cast an envious eye over the passing yachts and fishing boats heading up the Intracoastal Waterway.