Fun place with rustic camp atmosphere and terrific food! We had the pork nachos and they were great! This restaurant makes 4 types of house made barbecue sauces-so of course we had to try them ALL! The nachos are the perfect vehicle for this! The pulled chicken sandwich is delicious! Tender and juicy! It was served on a Kaiser roll that did not fall apart which is an added bonus! We also shared a meat platter-brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Each one was fantastic! The brisket was tender and had a nice, crispy charred edge. The ribs were good too-had a nice dry rub on them-the perfect vehicle for more sauce!! We can't wait to return down the dusty, dirt road to eat here again!! read more

More hype than substance...quaint little backwoods haunt... not enough here when I was here last Saturday to warrant a return. Indoor/ outdoor seating your choice. Limited menu - expensive, I thought - if you dine in I think there are servers... We chose outside under the canopy so we could listen to the live music... So it's order at the window... someone brings your basket of food to your table. I ordered a combo brisket, pulled pork, and smoked-pulled chicken sandwich -(smoky joe). Ample portion of BBQ...but nothing special ( sandwich reminded me of a sloppy joe)- get it? A small portion of homemade chips, small side of slaw and a small draft beer...almost $30.00. The jungle was interesting, dense and beautiful, but "o way" I was walking through it...walked around a little- marina, checked out dining room...walked the grounds close to the restaurant. Okay, 1x visit. We won't be returning... read more

Great old Florida. Get there soon because the county is taking the place and Snook Haven will be gone.

Great little BBQ place on the river. Feels like old Florida when you are there. Places like this are getting fewer and farther between. Foo, ambiance and service is great! read more

Excellent ambience. I recommend sitting on the deck overlooking the river. The food is always consistently good and the service is prompt.

The food was delicious and some tables are waterfront. Even though this place is very rustic it would have easily been a 5 star place for me. HOWEVER, an older male server inside the restaurant told us that they don't seat people and just to go wait on the deck for a table. So we stood right beside the door and patiently waited. Another server (blonde, in her late 40's/early 50's) rudely told us to go stand at the steps and not to "hover" over people. Some other customers witnessed what was going on. When they finished paying, one customer at a table motioned me to sit down after they got up. As soon as I sat down, another server rudely said "Can you wait until I wipe down the table first?" At this point, I wanted to leave but my hubby was hungry and wanted to stay. While we were waiting on our food, we saw another couple get scolded by the older server and told not to "hover". After we got past the annoyance of the seating situation, we both enjoyed our food and our server will be buying us ice cream out of a portion of her tip. LOL read more

This is the second time I've eaten here. The first time was "just OK" so I tried it again today. Ugh. No table service so you order at the counter and they bring the food out to your table later. It's all outdoor seating (today, anyhow) on wooden tables/benches with umbrellas for the sun/rain. A band was setting up as we were leaving. Though some of the meal was OK, it wasn't great. The homemade chips were good but other sides were cold and tasteless. Two big issues that will keep me from returning: An automatic gratuity is applied to counter orders. 10oz of beer (in 12oz) plastic cups are $6. While this place has a decent beer selection, it's not $6 for a small cup good. This place just isn't for me. read more

This is a dive, located in the Myakka State Park on the banks of the Myakka River. This go around we made reservations for Snook Haven's Myakka River Tour. We were advised to arrive 2 hours prior to the tour - HUH? Why? Am I going on a flight? Sounds like there's TSA pre-boarding check. In any case, this booking was for a Thursday. Thursdays are 'Banjo Thursday' as we found out & parking is an issue. Banjo Thursdays are free concerts at Snook Haven performed by the Gulf Coast Banjo Society from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. We arrived 2 hrs prior to our tour (10AM) & the place was already packed. We did manage to find a parking spot & a table. We did not know what to expect. The concert started at about 11:30 or so. WOW! we were impressed, very nice...old time song...Take Me Out to the Ball Game...as we found out there are grammy winning & Hall of Fame we musicians performing... OK, to the food we go, we ordered - Gator Chowder, Gator Bites & Gator Sausage to go. Chowder was good would order again, Gator Bites - where is the gator? Gator Sausage - OK, too wet, it just squirted all over when I bit into it & the casing was tough, should use thiner casing perhaps 1 mm. What we didn't order and everyone else did is the Pork Nachos. They did look good. If I have a chance to go back I will order the nachos If you're into flip flops & alfresco 'dinning' this is the place for ya read more

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TLDR: There's gator on the menu and a skinny raccoon running around outside The sauce with the fried green tomatoes was SO GOOD. I get collards at every BBQ place I go - these collards were BANGIN. So good. Gator sausage was OK, I don't think I've had gator before? Ribs were pretty good. Definitely a great place for the kids- they loved the placemat and crayons and looking around outside after we ate. Only downsides - no fountain soda (just in bottles) and no French fries, just chips. Chips were super delicious, but maybe someone else has a fry-obsessed kid like me. Not a ton of seating inside, so try to get there early. read more

This place was unique. Live music on a Friday at lunch. I got fried green tomato tacos. They were delish! They had 4 kinds of bbq sauce to go with pulled pork, pulled brisket, and pulled chicken. read more

Snook Haven - Fried green tomato tacos. - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

Love FL...then you'll absolutely Njoy this, cut out of Florida scrub, spot! Sandals are just right to relax under the ancient Oaks and palms that hide the sun. Bring some cool water, stay for a while, and walk the prop. So much to say about this site from back to the original Tarzan's Revenge(Glen Morris movie days)...the food/service are sure to make you want SH again and again, local brew and better stories. Njoy read more

Cool place. Outdoor eating and drinking in a shaded area. Food is fast .... Several beer choices on tap and can and a menu with various choices. Various band come in to have a good time. Service is abrupt. Not all.... The beer guy and ladies at the stand are rough. Not pleasant. They need to be replaced for people to have a good time. The rating could be 4 if they were pleasant. read more

My husband and I had the Smokey Joe tacos and they were awesome! We recommended Snook Haven to several other guests at our condo and they also went and had a great meal! read more

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Definitely paying for the vibe which is pretty nice. Best to stop someplace and dine before coming as the food was overpriced for small portions, and quality was ok at best. Bbq pork was tasteless. Gator bites had flavor but mainly due to heavy breading. Beers were small. Lemonade was good. Servers were all very nice. read more

Fun place to spend an afternoon! Good food. Almost always has live music. Great old Florida atmosphere, complete with the occasional peek at an alligator... or 4. Take the river cruise that was fun ! read more

Stopped in to have lunch and two beers with two friends good tasting food but small portions price for 3 with tip $100.00. Definitely will be a stop to have a beer and listen to the elderly band and especially people watch. Not a place to get full but a snack and a couple beers absolutely. 90% gray hairs rocking in out to some good ol' time music. I will spend my dying days being one of the gray hairs right here one day, they were all like they were reborn having one hell of a time. read more

Snook Haven - Bar, kitchen to left, sitting room with band. Get here early this place was completely packed no sitting room by 11:30 am. - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

Two years ago this place was amazing, today it was not worth the drive. Food was not impressive at all. Super greasy and definitely not homemade. Maybe it changed owners?! Super let down... read more

Excellent bbq. I was wrapped up in the ambience that I did not take photos of the food. We ordered the BBQ nachos, split the BBQ tacos and had a side of their baked beans. It was excellent. I can't wait to go back. read more

Snook Haven - Grasshoppers - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

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Snook Haven is back! The staff here put back together this Florida gem, great food local craft beers, live music, if you ever wondered what a Florida Fish Camp is like, this is it! Best BBQ, Wings, even Gator! read more

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The food was absolutely delicious. Our waitress was wonderful, even though we had an unexpected visit from a mama raccoon that hangs out at the restaurant looking for dropping. It was fun. Made a great ambience to the evening. read more

Snook Haven is on of my favorite old Florida style restaurant right on the Myakka River. Beautiful natural scenery. Live music. Lots of outside seating. Food is always delicious,beer is ice cold. Service is great. Only thing I really miss the smoked frog legs! It was my favorite specialty from Snook Haven and it is no longeron the menu,but they still have gator bites and 4 different bbq sauces. Love this hidden gem! read more

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Rapidly evaporating Old Florida ambiance here now ! The word is, that a Tarzan movie was filmed here in the thirties. It is set up against the Myakka River. Dine indoors with three Alligators (Don't worry, they are stuffed like I was after our visit.) or outdoors. A band was playing until the rains came. Pretty good barbecue. Worth a visit SOON before they are disrupted by the County for a while. Service was good. Try their Alligator snack plate. read more

5 Stars for being 100% of what you are. First you drive a half mile on an unpaved road through an oak hammock canopy over the road blotting out the sun. You then arrive at an old Florida fish camp on the Myakka River, surprisingly only a few miles off of I-75. Here you can launch your boat, rent a boat, look for a gator, kayak or canoe, camp, loaf & do nothing on the river or enjoy shrimp, fish or BBQ under yellow umbrellas on the deck overlooking the river. Service was prompt and with a big smile from Taylor or server. There are more bbq options than shrimp or fish. Went for the shrimp & chips with black-eyed pea salad. Did not disappoint. Taylor recommended putting one of their three home-made bbq sauces on the chips - I will try that more often. Then about 10 minutes later you are back on I-75 to your destination. read more

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The first 2 times we visited, it was fine. But the 3rd time? How the heck do you make a bratwurst with no flavor?? read more

After a long day at the beach, we wanted something simple and inexpensive, so we could head home. The service was great, the hospitality was also wonderful, I tried to enjoy a simple cheeseburger however it was not cooked as medium well as I expected, should have gotten the well done, my wife enjoyed her bbq pulled pork sandwich. The location was interesting, along a black river/lagoon, expected the creature to come and visit. If you are looking for the summer camp feel, this definitely is that place, I give this a three star, because of the quality of food, and they had no French fries, they served deep fried potatoes chips. I'm not a fan of those . I would recommend it as a sight to visit, leave the rest to you. If you like those fried Chips and plain burger, meat and bun, maybe cheese, this is your place read more

Snook Haven - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

Drove over and when we saw the dirt road- I was scared yet excited for this adventure! When we pulled up it looks and feels like a legit "camp". We were greeted and sat immediately. Beer was ice cold and they offer local brews which we loved. Fried green tomatoes were perfect, bbq platter was yummy- got the pulled pork. But let me tell you about them baked beans. They are heaven. And the snook chips are to die for. Hubby got a sandwich that had pulled pork, brisket and pulled chicken on it. Oh and also everything is scratch made right there. Down to the bbq sauces! The service was great- very friendly and you can tell they have regulars that frequent. This is truly a hidden gem- real old Florida, right on the Myakka river. They also have canoe rentals onsite. We loved it so much we got to go orders of the beans and chips!! Looking forward to going back. read more

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we went to the restaurant and everything was tasty with good prices, there are 2 taxidermy alligators on the walls and its fun to eat there. We took the pontoon alligator ride what a fun time! There were plenty of alligators to see and the woman that gave the tour was interesting and professional she gave the 3 of us the front seats and let my son hold the big alligator head. I will definitely be going again if not just for the restaurant. read more

Love their gator bites and sweet potato fries. The best around in my opinion. Keep up the great work!

Fun location lots to see. Food is really average and the price has really increased over the years. Tried the new mac n cheese it was bland. Added the brisket. Nothing spectacular to write home about. Husband had chicken tacos. Very watery and not enough toppings. Staff is really nice. Location is unique read more

Beautiful rustic setting. Great chicken wings tonight. Everything is smoked on the premises. Live music. Boat tours. You could easily spend all day here. Right off I75but it's a hidden gem. read more

Food was good, nice outdoor seating and entertainment. Just the drive back to the restaurant was nice.

Great food and friendly staff! Classic ambiance! Had BBQ, Burgers, Tacos, and Mac and Cheese for all. Very good overall and doesn't break the bank. read more

Snook Haven - Solid BBQ and Good Local Beers! - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

Really enjoyed the food especially the brisket. It was a great ratio of meat and fat and just melted in your mouth. Tried all of their bbq sauces and the sweet was the best combination of sweet and savory. Such a relaxed and kicked back vibe. Staff was incredibly friendly. This joint even has live music in the evenings as well. You can rent a canoe as you please to tread along the water. Pretty much everything is excellent except for the road in. Some parts are washed out and it can be a bumpy ride. read more

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Good food great ambiance, banjo band was awesome! Players ranged from 70s to 90s was very cool to hear them all play !

Super glad I stopped in here today! What a amazing find in what I will admit felt like a step back in time. The restaurant sits on the rIver and doubles as a outfitter for canoes,kayaks, and even offers River tours! This was a full immersion for me from the long dusty drive in on dirt roads shaded by tree canopies. This is truly a fuun experience to arrive to the sounds of live banjo music on stage and people dancing. There's so many options to grab and go, to table service; there are picnic tables spread at every angle. The food here is BBQ, Cajun , & seafood in flare. I had a hard time deciding what to have and ended up with a 2 meat option that included spare ribs & brisket with green beans in bacon, and spicy slaw. The Smokey flavors ran throughout and the meats smoked and flavorful just melted in my mouth. I sample all the BBQ sauce options from mild,Smokey, sweet, chipotle, spicy whiskey and a mustardy one. I finished this meal with a BBB Big Bootie Brownie . Which I shared with the table ! Our group of 5 had a amazingly fun time afterwards as well taking pictures on the grounds and at the docks on the river and listening to the banjo and the live singers. Super fun atmosphere!! We most definitely will be back to sample some of the other more rustic choices likE Alligator bites and gator chowder! read more

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Used to have a fun "old florida" vibe. Now it's expensive and just fair quality food/service. OMG, the flies on the deck are horrendous!

Where do I begin? We had all the meats and most of the sides... exceptional! Server was very friendly and attentive. We sat on the back patio close to dusk and it was picturesque. A wonderful place away from all the hustle. Absolutely loved it!! read more

I had to hear about these Pulled pork nachos the entire day from my cousin. It is worth the hype I will say. Chips are homemade kettle chips vs customary tortilla chips. Pulled pork had nice smoke flavor. Atmosphere was great! Went on a Saturday night and there was live music. Very COVID conscious. read more

Snook Haven - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Venice, Florida

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What a fun lunch we had meeting friends from Florida at Snook Haven! We enjoyed arriving there, driving down a lane of jungle trees, and then dining with on a porch, covered but plenty of fresh air. There are also lots of picnic tables outside, so we had no wait at 1pm on a Sunday. We had great service from Josie, smiling and greeting us, and brought us Diet Cokes in bottles (my fave). There is a bar. We chose two yummy appetizers, a basket of hushpuppies with jalapeno pieces, a little kick! And the best Fried Green Tomatoes I ever had! I enjoyed the chicken tacos with a side of mac and cheese, cheesy enough. My husband enjoyed the fried catfish sandwich and homemade chips. Loved the ambience of alligator on the wall! Fun visit and fun lunch!! read more

Great music, friendly staff, beautiful scenery. We rented kayaks and stopped afterward for drinks and alligator bites. read more