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Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa, FL

Skipper’s Smokehouse

4.1
4.1
131 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Top Tags:
Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa hosts local, national and international musicians and has a full liquor bar and restaurant featuring “Floribbean” cuisine. This iconic venue has been bringing some of the best musical artists and performers since 1980 and has been featured on Man vs. Food, Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America, the Golf Channel, NBC Sports, and more! The vibe is casual and unassuming.

Not bookable

Online reservations at Skipper’s Smokehouse can only be made directly on their website.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Thu, Fri 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (813) 977-6474
  • Website
    http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Owned/operated by
    Veteran, Women
  • Location
    910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613
  • Neighborhood
    Florida
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 131 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Exclusive

    Hot spot

  • Exclusive

    Hot spot

131 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Atlantic City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Kaylee was a doll! Sweet and took care of us right away. Food was amazing.

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  2. TimR

    Greensboro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was good and the music fantastic. Went to see Walter Trout. Premier blues guitarist. Did not disappoint. Parking is an issue on a big name music night. Uber or Lyft if you can on those nights

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  3. DennisT

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, service and ambiance, will definitely be back.

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  4. JulieM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our group had a great time in the bar area by the big tv & the restrooms. Our number increased to 7 and that table worked well. The casual and fun atmosphere was perfect.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall1food5service1ambience5
    I would not use OpenTable to reserve anything.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    It was a Saturday evening and we made reservations for a party of 6. The restaurant was not full at all. 2 large parties that were wrapping up and 2 dueces with couples. We were seated right away, it took quite awhile to get drinks for the 2 of us that arrived early. The rest of our party joined shortly after. We all wanted waters to start with and ordered other beverages as well. There seemed to be difficulty keeping up with our water consumption and understanding we all wanted to keep drinking our water with the other beverages. My daughter-in-law ordered the sangria and didn’t like it, told our waiter it was gross and sent it back. She ordered the mojito flight which took very long to receive, when it did come one of the plastic cups was cracked and spilled all over the table and on her. All the drinks were slow in arriving, the bar inside seemed busy, maybe they are not able to keep up with the bar and an empty dining room. My grandson ordered the wings with sauce yet the were dry not wet. Said it was like fried chicken. Ordered him some sauce on the side that I was charged for, I thought wings had sauce on them? I realize they are a specialty double fried. We were charged for my daughter-in-law’s sangria that she had a sip of. Our server seemed very busy? And every time we could catch him it felt like we were bothering him. I did leave him an 18% tip and hoping he was just having a bad night and was not being intentionally unpleasant with our group.

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  7. LorettaB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    We enjoyed the day. The mullet was excellent. We liked the conch fritters but it wasnt the original sauce like we were told. Miss the old one

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  8. debral

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Arrived on time for my reservation but was seated for 15 minutes without acknowledgment from the server. She chatted it up with one table about personal experiences and moved on to the next table to assist before I asked if she served my table. Her reply “yes” but I need to wait this other table first. At this point I went to the front of the house to report her poor customer service. She never acknowledged me to say I’ll be right with you or sorry for the wait. I was the only black personality in the restaurant and would hate to think her actions were racially motivated. I did let the person. I spoke to at the front that I was taking my business somewhere I Wally’s be appreciated. Restaurant definitely needs to do “sensitivity or inclusion” training! 🤷🏽‍♀️

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  9. GaryW

    Nashville

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Wanted to celebrate Jimmy Buffet and his music after his passing. They had entertainment at brunch that let me do that. This was my first visit and I will be back. Had the grouper sandwich and a Bloody Mary flight. Food and atmosphere were great. Sat outside under a canopy and enjoyed every minute of my visit.

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  10. LanceD

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We had reservations for September 2nd at 8:00 PM and sat down at 8:05 PM. We finally got to order after 8:30 PM and was told that the musical show, which we really wanted to see, would start at 9:30 PM and we would have lots of time to eat and make the show at Skippers. We were finally served about 9:20 PM to 9:25 PM and missed the first 10 minutes of the show. The owner apologized as the reasons were many provided to us, lack of staff....too many people showed up, etc. etc.. We had purchased the three tickets from the website and since we spent 15 minutes for parking and finding now at Skippers, we had to park at the VFW down the street for $5 bucks. It was a bad evening at every turn....

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  11. AmyA

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food,wait staff and atmosphere, and a great music venue too. Love Skippers!

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  12. ArleneL

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very fun quirky place to check out… service was excellent from minute u walk in the door. Our waiter was Damian and couldn’t have been more attentive and helpful! Fish Taco’s, Reuben and Grouper all great choices…okra, coleslaw, wings perfect… the fish dip really stands out… truly best I ever had! Try it all u will love it!

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  13. GloriaT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Terrific staff and old . time Florida vibe. Our server Damien was awesome

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  14. PatrickR

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Flew in from New Jersey for a little fishing and found Skipper's online. The food was amazing, and the service was as good as the food. Bailey was our server and made excellent menu suggestions. This was an exceptional experience that we will not soon forget.

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  15. JaniceT

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience5
    Food was just OK. Grouper sandwiches were good. Hush puppies were very dry and burnt. Wings just average. Great venue for music. Line to get in was very long. Not enough seating for everyone. Can’t get anyone on the phone to ask questions

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  16. ColinK

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience5
    We must have caught Skipper's on an off night. Many of the menu items we asked about were not available, like the peel and eat shrimp. It's a seafood oriented place, on a Friday night and no shrimp? And they were out of the beer the server recommended. And no chargrilled oysters. And some sort of BLT wasn't available because the vegetable deep fryer was down. And, and, and. It just kept going. Obviously this is a fun and lively place, we had a good time but the dinner was a let down.

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  17. SueR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From start to finish was the best experience I have had anywhere in this area. We could make dinner reservations on line, tickets for the show we picked up at will call. Food and prices were the best. Not a bad seat in the house! Will be back! 👍

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  18. JimT

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service was awesome. Only reason I put 3 stars on value is because of inflation. It is getting too expensive to go out and eat. Not Skipper’s fault.

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  19. SITony

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience3
    Good food. Fairly priced. Wait staff competent, cheerful and thoughtful. Busy place as it's really a Music venue with an attached bar and restaurant. Focus on the Music. Waitstaff did an exceptional job given the frenetic pace prior to that night's entertainment. Fun place to visit. Kitschy, eclectic and great place to sample Tampa Bay's up and coming artists

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  20. Yummy

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Delish grouper rueben and awesome onion rings! Bailey gave us excellent service👍

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Came for the Wheeland brothers. Bring them back next year and we will make a trip south to see them again.

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  22. Borris

    Cincinnati

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Small menu but every item was a treat. Very eclectic facility with a lot to take in. The entertainment venue was spot on! If you go, plan to go when there is a show for a real treat.

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  23. MikeP

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just a fun place to go when we are in town. Great food, friendly staff, and good place to catch some music

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    11 reviews

    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience2
    Overcooked, shrimp cold, hard to peel, and no flavor Fish overcooked. Onion rings greasy and over-breaded This restaurant is known for its oysters, and they had NONE.

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  25. MichaelD

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We gathered for dinner with high school friends and to catch the Red Elvises! The whole evening was fabulous!

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  26. JoenDeb

    Tampa

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Attended Sunday 26 March 23 around 5pm the place was not busy at all. Many changes to the place it looks great! Our waitress Bailey was very friendly. We were the only people in the restaurant part. I had gator ribs here before and they were great. I convinced my friend to order them. 2 orders of Gator Ribs, I had okra and hush-puppies sides. My friend had mac and cheese side and fries. My wife had the Crawdaddy Mac and Cheese. While the 4th party had the smash-burger and fries. So Very Disappointed with the food, WHAT HAPPENED it was great and I was embarrassed that I recommended this place to our friends. The gator ribs were un-eatable.. Not chewy not tough, UNEATABLE. The plastic tools they give you could not cut through or cut off the meat or from the bones. I tried chewing on mine and had to spit it out because it would not masticate enough to swallow. Not some of it ALL OF IT. I asked for a normal knife to try and cut it off the bone and the waitress apologized and took it to the kitchen to have the cook staff cut it off the bone. Still didn't help. What did come back I couldn't cut further. I think they many have been leftover from the "Beatles" bash the night before? It was horrible. The Mac and Cheese was warm at best. As soon as my friend took a bite he exclaimed "Oh I Didn't Know It was Cold" I don't think it was supposed to be. Very Very Disappointed. The mac and cheese was cold but tasty, my sides hush-puppies and okra was also very good as was the beer. But sadly the food was horrible. Like I said I was embarrassed that I so highly recommended this to our friends. It was also funny in that it was very quiet there and we could hear the staff nattering and whining about having to work on a Sunday. Maybe that attitude spilled off onto the food? Not sure if I'll go back and give it another try or not, in fairness I think I will hoping that this was a one off. Atmosphere Great, Our Waitress was Great, The Beer Was Great. The FOOD WAS CRAP.. Sorry..

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  27. Peggy

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My friend and I had a great dinner in the dining room before attending a WMNF benefit. I had the fresh, fried grouper sandwich which was excellent and my friend had one of the burgers, which was cooked perfectly. Service was also excellent!

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  28. EileenR

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Skipper’s is rustic but clean and bright; plenty of wait staff and the food was delish!

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  29. DebbieB

    Jacksonville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Skippers, fun as always. Great night with Johnny G Lyons and friends.

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  30. TeriL

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great time great service Check in was easy and very friendly

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  31. FoodDrD

    Tallahassee

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    Would be nice if there were tarpaulins hanging over the two sides of the venue. The fries came out cold twice. Shop be a way to get the entrees with sides and not just pieces and parts of my order. Herb was wonderful at the entrance Maybe people could reserve a table in concert area and get food to enjoy during the show Cash show was fantastic

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  32. JOED

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Positives: Service was real good Atmosphere nice Negative: Most Food was not tasty Took awhile to be brought out

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  33. chillyinphilly

    Philadelphia

    57 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience1
    If you like sitting on uncomfortable tiled bench seats, in what looks like a thrown together building, waiting 10 minutes for the servers to decide who is going to take your table, and then waiting a full hour after you order for your meal to arrive and when it does, the fish you ordered grilled is served barely warm, then this is the place for you!

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  34. DonnaB

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience3
    We went so I could try alligator ribs & were out of them 7:00 on a Saturday night. Considering they were featured on Man VS Food they shouldn’t have run out of them so early. I got hamburger which wasn’t good. My wife got pulled pork & she said was very good.

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  35. JoanC

    Tampa

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Party of 7 friends eating/drinking. Great service & very good food. Attentive & fun server! Sorry I don’t remember her name.

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  36. Ashley

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server was friendly and personable she was very knowledgeable about oysters which was what brought us into Skippers. Try the key lime pie you will not regret it! Very fun atmosphere

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  37. BillM

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    our food was delicious. couldn't ask for better. our waitress was courteous and cheerful. highly recommend Skippers !

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  38. PatriciaG

    Cincinnati

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Food was excellent. Came for the concert but had dinner begun the show. This venue is awesome, love the outdoor venues and best of all NO SMOKING. Will definitely be back. The concert was amazing!!

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  39. JoshuaC

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always lots of fun, good music and cold beer!!!!!!

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  40. mike

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best music venue in Florida . Blackened grouper was great .

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Skipper’s Smokehouse offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (813) 977-6474.

Skipper’s Smokehouse is rated 4.1 stars by 131 OpenTable diners.

Not bookable

Online reservations at Skipper’s Smokehouse can only be made directly on their website.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Skipper’s Smokehouse

910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Florida
  • Hours of operation
    Thu, Fri 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:45 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Veteran, Women
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

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