We stopped in for lunch and were very happy to feel welcomed by the entire staff. Sierra was our server and was very attentive and helpful. The great service led to some great food. The Mac and Cheese is awesome and the fish sandwich we tried was equally as stunning. This place is a must try. read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - The card from our server. - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

We stayed in the area with a nearby Airbnb to attend a wedding and found this place was close and wanted to give it a try. We really enjoyed our cocktails, especially the peach spicy margarita. My husband and I both ordered the short ribs over peanut butter noodles. It was OK, they said it was going to be spicy and it was not. After a few bites of the noodles it was very thick, like we were eating a jar of peanut butter. The short ribs were very tender and was super good. Margarita, peach spicy margarita, bourbon, maple, short rib over style peanut butter, marg read more

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All three times that we dined here the service was slow. Maybe because it was weekends and maybe because they often times have huge parties dining here. Our first time that we came here for prime rib day we were told that we couldn't have prime rib that day because they overcooked the prime rib. So they lost money on us because we both ordered items that were three dollars cheaper than the prime rib that we have been expecting. Then the next time we dined here, our waitress took my martini order and 20 minutes later. It still had not arrived, so I went to the bar and there was no one at the bar and when the waitress came back, she told me she would just going to the bar to make it. And she did. Such good reviews made us come back for a third time which was kind of a combination of the first times we had dined here When we come back here to Florida 10 months from now, we'll give it another shot, but this time we're going to try it during the week. read more

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Amazing food. Great service and atmosphere. I would definitely recommend. We will be back!!

Love love love this place. We started off with cocktails and they were delicious. Large martinis served up cold. It was a little strange cuz it was New England night and that's where we come from but we ordered the clams and the asgar go and both were delicious. Cute restaurant even if it is in a strip mall and the waitress was attentive and welcoming. I went with the shrimp and grits and they were the best I've had. I did sample off of a few other plates. The blackened shrimp with pasta and lobster sauce okay was also a big hit. The owner dropped by the table to say hello and make sure everything was okay. We told him it was and they were the best clams we've had and we come from New England. If you're in the area, I strongly suggest going to mean Dean's local kitchen. read more

I stumbled upon this place by chance, and it's a total hidden gem. The interior is incredibly cozy and inviting--perfect for a relaxed meal. A huge shoutout to Sierra, who went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic dining experience. The food was outstanding! I'll definitely be back. read more

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We went to Mean Deans for dinner tonight for a birthday, and overall it was a really good night. Everyone was super friendly and attentive from the start. The restaurant was clean and had a nice, relaxed vibe. The food was good, and the drinks were great -- they even came with an orchid on top, which was such a fun little touch. Since we were celebrating, the birthday girl got a free dessert of her choice & a birthday card, which was a sweet surprise and made her feel special. The only downside was that I had two Visa gift cards I planned to use, and they wouldn't accept them. That was a little frustrating, but other than that, everything was smooth and easy. read more

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My friend wanted to try and after a very bad experience I finally said ok because sometimes you need to give a place a second d chance . This time the waitress was very friendly and the food was good . I had the special "chicken parm" and my friend the burger and both were good so this time I had a good experience I will give it another try and see if the first time was just a bad day for the cook or the staff read more

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Mother's Day Brunch was great! The service was super everyone super attentive and Linda was great! The food was also very nice and huge selection. I had prime rib and ham both done perfect! I forgot about this place and glad we went back! The coconut cake was wow thanks Dean! read more

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The staff is friendly and the restrooms are clean; a good start. For apps the gator bites and calamari were both good. Instead of marinara the calamari had sweet heat drizzled on it; so good. The entrees we ordered: salmon, Cuban sandwich, pork loin, meatloaf, and a filet. Both people were happy with their salmon, but not the side of plain cooked carrots; a little lack luster for the price point of the meal. The salmon was marinated and both people loved it. The pork was good, but it was smothered in large apple pieces, just too thick for the size of the meat- the apple pieces seemed like canned pie filling. The meatloaf had no complaints and with a little extra charge, the side salad matched the meal perfectly. The side salad was quite good. The filet was presented nicely, but alas was overcooked:/ lastly, the Cuban sandwich and black beans over rice was my dish. The sandwich was delicious and shared with the filet and person, who Loved it as well. The black beans only needed just a bit of liquid to make that the perfect side. Although the steak was overcooked, the meal was really solid for the rest of the group. We would probably go back again for sandwiches and the salmon. I'd like to try their fish and chips as well. The menu had a great deal of options. The only part that lagged was the side choices for us. read more

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We visited Mean Deans for the first time last night. They offer a large diverse menu which meant lots of questions for our server. Michael did an excellent job fielding them and making our special evening even more special. The one question I forgot to ask was whether Chef Dean was sometimes mean. What I can say is the entire staff was great, definitely not mean. We were celebrating a birthday and they went above and beyond. It was also Monday Meatloaf Day, so I had their Marsala Meatloaf. This was a nice comfort food meal. I may have missed some of the nuances of the dish but overall, it was a delicious meatloaf with gravy and potatoes and veggies, a meal I grew up enjoying. My nostalgic dinner started with a small Caesar salad, actually called Vintage Caesar on the menu. It was, too. I even got it with anchovies. We finished our meal by sharing a Key Lime Crème Brulee. I like wood, and there was plenty. One wall was made with various colored boards with chalkboards built in. One chalkboard answered some of the questions we had asked Michael. They have a menu where anybody can find something they'd like to try. My wife raved about her Cedar Plank Salmon, I want to try their Gouda Burger. We'll find a way to return someday. read more

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This was such a pleasant surprise. I picked Means Deans because I was meeting a friend for dinner. She was driving from Sarasota and I was driving from St Pete. It was 1/2 way in b/t so I picked it. It is a wonderful restaurant with a large, friendly neighborhood following. The food was comforting and delicious. I picked the meatloaf from a large menu with many great selections. The meatloaf and sides were delicious! The portions were large and reasonably priced. Dean, who is the owner, walked around to each table and introduced himself. He stopped and chatted with us for over 10 minutes. The restaurant and staff echo this personal touch. Service was fast, efficient, and friendly. I will travel across the Skyway again to eat here and say hello to Dean! read more

Adorable upon arrival, the corks and decor of wood was very cute for a fun lunch before the holidays. The place was not busy, 1 person taking care of the 4 booths. Walked by our empty glasses several times, she apologized for the wait, "wanted to make sure the salmon was fully cooked". The blackened salmon Caesar salad arrived with a burnt filet explaining it was what blackened meant. When I asked for dressing she said there was already dressing on. I tossed it on a larger plate and tried it. The lettuce was dry. When the homemade Caesar dressing arrived,it was delicious w the grilled lemon. They ended up crediting us for 1 lunch salad but truthfully, the other salmon was even more burnt than mine. (The burnt char thick casing across each side of the filet is a giveaway!). I will give them another try but be diligent on my order as well as making sure to have more time. read more

We drive 40 minutes from LWR to get here because the food is so good and the staff is so nice. Even Dean. lol. The meatloaf with marsala sauce is great and my wfe loves the curry with tofu. We're not normally tofu fans but it works great in this dish - no meat needed! Of course you have to get the peanut butter pie. If you're too full get one to go. read more

I was visiting the area and looked up this place on yelp and noticed it strong reviews. After going, I had to agree. It seemed fairly busy for a Tuesday night, but not terribly loud and I found it relaxing. I was tempted to get the shrimp and grits, but my friendly and attentive waitress Zoe made another recommendation and I was glad I went with it. I chose the blackened grouper, with chunky pineapple-mango salsa, Caribbean rice and green beans. It was delicious. I added this place to my favorites list. read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Blackened grouper with chunky pineapple-mango salsa, Caribbean rice, and green beans. - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Stopped in a few days after the hurricane. So thankful it was open, because the 3 other places I tried were closed. First time here but had multiple people recommend so glad we finally got to go. They had a limited menu due to the hurricane and losing so much of their products but still the menu had many options. I had the Gouda burger. It was delicious! I loved that it included mushrooms and onions. The fires were nice and crispy too! My friend has the peanut noodles with chicken. Looked delish! The Oreo cake was also a must try! Love that everything is homemade! Can't wait to come back! read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Oreo mouse cake - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Well...this was one of our top go to restaurants. We took some friends there tonight and were actually embarrassed. We spoke so highly of the place. I got the chicken parmesan and it was horrible. Tastes a bit like store bought Ragu on under al dente pasta so a bit crunchy and the chicken was dry and breading not good, almost zero flavor. Honestly was like something i can get out of a fridge. Grouper had zero flavor or seasoning as well, cesar salad was just not good or edible, very greasy which was odd. The buffalo gator bites were pretty good and the artichoke dip was the best of what we had..had i known it would be this had i would have def ordered just that. Sadly i don't think we will be back....especially since our bill was $160 for 4 of us...FOR THAT?! So frustrating. read more

Alex was perfectly attentive. He knew the menu well and made recommendations. We each enjoyed everything we ordered; app, salad, entrees, dessert. Nicely decorated. We had a good impression when we walked in (friendly, local people) and were not disappointed. Big fan of the Tropical Grouper!! Highly recommend. read more

Was on the west side of town visiting loved one at hospital with wife sil and bil when it was getting late and all feeling hungry. With no reservations we were greeted graciously by a member of staff within an hour of closing in this quaint lovely restaurant and the only thing better than the food was the service .Excellent experience 5 stars beautiful cozy atmosphere really well done job by all involved.Had the grouper mountain exceeded expectations as it was my first time couldn't decide on entree to order right away not for lack of interesting dishes Alex our server was attentive and professional throughout really the way dining use to be and apparently still is at Mean Deans local kitchen we will be back . read more

Ambiance is okay , friendly servers, service was good, I'm having the filet mignon, hubby is having fig rosemary chicken, and spinach dip for appetizer, Spinach dip is wonderful , my filet didn't have much flavor, Madison's is much better, I got some A1 that helped. The fig chicken was very tasty, dinner rolls with strawberry butter were ok. My favorite was the spinach dip read more

Service was excellent 10 out of 10 ambience was nice nine out of 10 was greeted when we walked in the door by several of the employees, however I wish I could say the same for the food. It was my birthday and my daughter took me out. I have never been to Mean Deans but heard good reviews so I was excited, needless to say we ordered appetizers we got the deconstructed bruschetta, and the waiter recommended the artichoke dip which was excellent. Best thing on the table that night.! I ordered the steak. My daughter ordered the chicken Caesar salad. I ordered the steak medium. It came out, rare, very tough and hard to chew and my daughter took one bite of the chicken Caesar salad salad and said nope! It was too fishy. She didn't want to complain, so we brought it all home. She gave it to my other daughter, her younger sister who took one bite and said the exact same thing.! so sadly, I have to give the entrées two out of 10, appetizers nine out of 10! I really wanted to like this place and for $125 we should have read more

This is our go to restaurant in Bradenton. There is always something for everyone. We always try the special hush puppies and the grouper ones last night were delicious! The special scallops melted in our mouths. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. We have tried it all! Enjoy! read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Amanda and Linda are SUCH awesome servers. All the food is fresh, delicious, and spectacular in every form. The ambiance and hospitality is something every other restaurant should strive for. read more

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Good was beyond what I thought it was going to be. Delicious in every way with an awesome mix of flavors. Very unique dishes for what I thought was just an American grill. Thank you to Ashley who was attentive to our needs. She's was great. Definitely coming in again read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Daily deals and happy hour - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Memorial Day = bbq and burgers rule so I was initially disappointed when our destination restaurant was closed. Fortunately, we relied on Yelp and Mean Deans pooped up. My boring Burger was cooked perfectly and the fries were tasty and not greasy. The drafts were varied and tasty as well. A nice find off the beaten track. Definitely worth a return trip sometime in the future. Very reasonably priced for the quality of food. read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

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Everything. Food was excellent. Staff was great! Adorable decor. It was my birthday and they gave me a huge slice of peanut butter pie and it was a slice of heaven plus a card signed by the staff. read more

The food was awful. The pork and potatoes were cold and the burgers were badly undercooked. The service was ok but not great and because we were a party of 12 they added 20% automatically. We wont go back. read more

We were sat quickly and the food looked delicious at the other tables. Unfortunately, we were sat with a server who was recently overwhelmed with a table of 6 (his few words to us). He took our drink orders and after waiting for 30 mins... no drinks. No food order taken. We were ready to order our food at drinks with a promise of "be back soon" that didn't happen. I'd say the restaurant was busy, but not swamped. Truly unfortunate experience. read more

We picked this place based on menu selection and prices. It was fantastic. Our server Matt was fun and efficient. Dean the owner came and checked on us twice during dinner. Three of us had the glazed cedar plank salmon and it was cooked to perfection, and very flavorful. One of the group had the pork tenderloin with apples and commented how wonderful it was. The soup of the day was filet mignon. It was tasty with plenty of meat in it, not just broth. The spinach artichoke dip was delightful and flavorful. Matt was quick to bring more tortilla chips when we ran low to finish the dip. Dean does the little things just right, like lavender butter with the dinner rolls instead of just butter. We tried the dessert sampler at Matt's recommendation since we couldn't decide and - Wow. Deans own peanut butter pie, key lime crème brûlée, and raspberry cheesecake. The PB pie rivals some of the best I've eaten, including my own. The key lime crème brûlée is a great twist on key lime pie and the lime glaze made it a little more tart if that is what you are looking for. The cheesecake was good, and I'm not a cheesecake fan. All three desserts were accompanied by a slightly sweet fresh whipped cream. We are only in town a few nights on vacation and are trying to determine which night we are going back. read more

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Great unique homemade food drink, service, and desserts at reasonable prices, with multiple daily specials. Stopped there for lunch while visiting Bradenton and was not disappointed. Favorites included a delicious salmon sandwich, and pineapple Keylime pie. Also a great Pinot Noir. (Full bar) Don't be discouraged by the residential strip mall location. read more

Every time I have come to Mean Deans, the restaurant has been almost totally empty...and I have no idea why!! The menu is unique and always updating, they have great daily specials, and the food is top quality! Some things we've tried and liked: fried pickles, gator bites, gator chowder, salmon tacos, smothered clucker, fig chicken, red fish w/ rice and beans, several salads, prime rib pasta, chicken ravioli, bread pudding, and OF COURSE the peanut butter pie!! Mean Dean's is absolutely making it into the rotation of top spots to visit when I'm in Florida. read more

Mean Deans Local Kitchen - Smothered clucker - Soup Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Lobster lasagna live music amazing. Food, service ambiance amazing. Highly recommend ,

Was excited to try gator for the first time so grabbed a to-go order that included the highly recommended chowder but there was zero in it but potatoes and creamy broth, that's it. Not one piece of gator plus it was bland and without any flavor whatsoever. I would STRONGLY suggest against adding it to your order. Gave it a star because the staff was helpful and the turn time on the order was fairly quick. read more

Needs an up grade, had dinner last night, great waitress food a 4 at best place is a bit seedy.

Omg so delicious! What a creative menu. So glad we found this local chef restaurant. No pics, ate it all too fast lol. All house made. I had the escargot, lobster lasagna and gary had Cajun potato chowder, baby back ribs w cranberry citrus coleslaw. Taking keylime creme Brule and peanut butter chocolate pie back to our hotel. Portions are really large ! Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, gave great recommendations. Oh and they have a pup menu, if you eat outside w your furbaby. Thank you cindy! read more

First let me say we've ordered from here on Doordash several times, and it's been great. This time we ordered for pickup. The ribs were not great, not cooked enough (a long way from falling off the bone tender), and the flavor was only OK, not worth the cost. I ordered a salad with fried chicken; there was no chicken. They are giving us credit, but that sure doesn't help with my daily protein intake... NO IDEA WHERE BRANFORD CT CAME FROM, WE ARE IN SARASOTA FL read more

Great place, I have been there many times. Food has been good to great, service very good. Ambiance may need a little work, but the food and service easily hide it. Prices are reasonable and even Dean will come out of the kitchen and meet he customers. He actually talks to his customers, not a quick "how's the meal?". The only issue I have had was not having 1 item available, this means I will have to come back. read more

I dined there on a Friday night when they have fish/seafood specials. We had been once before and I had enjoyed the "Thai Peanut Pasta" and their spinach dip appetizer. This most recent delightful experience included the spinach dip again (warm with artichokes; served with tostada chips) and my entree was a board special, "Drunken Salmon Pasta," that was delicious. The salmon was seasoned well and cooked perfectly; the vodka sauce included roasted red pepper strips and the fettucine was also perfect. The portion was large and some went home with me. My guy chose a fried grouper sandwich served with fries and he said the grouper was flavorful, flaky and a golden brown. The service was superb, as it was when we last dined there. I highly recommend this restaurant; the menu is very diverse and they offer to modify some entrees to accommodate a vegan diner and offer gluten free pasta, too. I cannot wait to go back! Amanda was our terrific server. read more

Great food and service. we had the special and the salmon. Both perfectly cooked, especially the salmon as usually it is over cooked. Terra was friendly and on point as server. We had a great experience and will be back read more

Some meals were very good while others were not. The Good: The Bayshore Garden salad; Chicken Parmigiana; Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese. The Bad: Fish & Chips (the battered fish was undercooked); Lobster Lasagna (I never came across any noticeable lobster or "sea scallop chunks"; it was almost all cheese. And I encounter lots of shells to spit out) -- very disappointing for $30. Also, the food took way too long to come out -- about 30 minutes -- on a non-busy late Sunday afternoon. The managers just seemed to be walking around doing nothing much; I was thinking they should go help in the kitchen to get our food out earlier. read more