While it’s been de rigueur of late for South Tampa bars and restaurants to look to international cities like New York or Los Angeles for inspiration, the team behind the new Salt Shack on the Bay wanted to remind diners why people love living in Florida so much in the first place. “We are locals and we wanted to create a destination that Floridians expect — tropical, beachy and accessible by land and sea,” says Bill Curtis, the restaurant’s owner and managing partner. The rustic yet refined, boat-up waterfront spot is situated on Rattlesnake Point, not far from the future Westshore Marina District. The menu focuses on fresh seafood and Caribbean-inspired cuisine, with local classics like the grouper sandwich and blackened mahi tacos. Curtis says some of Salt Shack’s other signature offerings include an avocado shrimp salad with tequila lime dressing, the Jerk Burger (made with Jamaican spices) and the chimichurri steak. Cocktail options are vast, ranging from tiki drinks and frozen cocktails to margaritas and mojitos. Some of the drinks are even made with Salt Shack’s exclusive barrel-aged tequila made by Patrón just for the restaurant.
WHAT TO KNOW: SALT SHACK ON THE BAY | 5415 W. TYSON AVE. (813) 444-4569
SALT-SHACK.COM | TUES-THURS, 4-11 P.M. FRI-SAT, 11 A.M. TO 2 A.M. | SUN, 11 A.M. TO 11 P.M.
