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    The Bayou Kitchen

    4.4 (60 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
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    Bayou Punch
    Richard R.

    Stopped in for a different Sanford experience from my usual haunts. The food was excellent as was the service. The ambiance was definitely lunch time spot in New Orleans, which was fine. 10/10 I recommend.

    Looked good on top...
    Ashley O.

    This was a truly unfortunate meal. We were in Sanford for the seafood fest when a lovely gent mentioned the redfish at The Bayou being to die for. After exploring the fun options, we decided to follow this fun guy's rave review. Boy... that was a giant mistake. We arrived around 2:30 pm so we didn't expect a vibrant crowd but it was pretty dead. We asked about beverages and the lovely server informed us that they were out of almost everything, the drink menu wasn't accurate, and she could just tell us what was on tap. Okay.. that's fine and we picked some reasonable beers. Then it all fell to hell. Hubby asked for the dinner with redfish only to have the server look at him dumbfounded and say she didn't know if they had it. Okay.. I asked for the crab cake appetizer with a side of fries. They have multiple loaded fry options on the menu. They had no fries. None. No redfish either. Hell, pretty sure they didn't have catfish either. We opted out of any entrees and just got the crab cakes (sans fries). Stopped by the ladies potty and it was super stinky, though still manageable. What wasnt manageable were the doors with broken locks and the toilet seats that slid across the bowls when you tried to tinkle. It's pretty when you look toward the sinks. It's vile when you sniff toward the pots. The crab cakes finally arrived and smelled/looked delicious. Alas, looks are wildly deceiving when the chef flips the BLACKened cakes so that you don't see it, but you sure as heck tasted the epic char of loneliness. I don't know what to make of this experience because many have had a lovely meal. They were understaffed (the server was a lovely darling), they were severely under-prepared, and the chef tried to hide an epic fail of a dish by flipping it over. Do I think I others should try it? I actually do. They have had good reviews and this was weird. Will I be back? No, that's very unlikely. I wish them the best but this was a fairly epic fail.

    Beignets
    Joe W.

    Nothing like great Cajun food at an affordable price. Everything was delicious, and especially wonderful place to visit because of the excellent service by our server Alea. Will be going back again soon and I recommend you try this joint as well if you haven't.

    Catfish shrimp and lobster collard greens

    From the moment we walked into Bayou Kitchen & Lounge, we had an amazing experience. The food was absolutely incredible fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Every dish was packed with authentic flavor, and you could tell everything was prepared with care. What truly made our visit stand out was the exceptional customer service from Lex. Lex was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely made us feel like valued guests. She checked on us regularly, made excellent recommendations, and ensured our drinks and food arrived promptly. Their positive attitude and professionalism elevated an already fantastic meal. If you're looking for outstanding food and top tier service, The Bayou Kitchen & Lounge is the place to go. Be sure to ask for Lex they'll make sure your dining experience is nothing short of five stars. We'll definitely be back!

    Shrimp Bowl
    Christina C.

    I enjoyed some food from The Bayou at the food trucks in downtown Sanford and let me tell you that the shrimp bowl did not disappoint! It was refreshing but also had a little bit of kick to it. The team working the tent was very friendly and they brought my order over to me once it was ready. I've heard many mixed things about The Bayou but now I'm excited to try out their Sanford location next time I am in the area and enjoy the vibe!

    Gumbo
    Virginie L.

    I've been trying to make time to come in for dinner since the grand opening in Sanford...finally made it! We were seated right away on a Saturday evening which was great, was about half way full, asked to sit at another table and they said they were reserved, by the way they were empty the entire time we were there...but I digress. Ordered the Gumbo, crab cakes, Salmon and a Margarita. The Gumbo was said to be seafood but it had no seafood flavor, despite that it was good. Crab cakes were my favorite, they were delicious very little filling just the way I like it! The Salmon was really good also, lots of flavor even without the toppings that they had on there. Margarita was not that good, wish they used fresh ingredients rather than the artificial flavors. Service was not the best, felt rushed in ordering even though they weren't busy. Also, the waiter kept getting interrupted by other staff members. Ambiance was ok not what I expected, but the food was good!

    Front Entrance
    Monique K.

    Food was excellent. Service was grand! Had the Bayou Fried Rice and collard greens. The others had the red fish and catfish. Got to sample them all. Fried Okra too, the bomb!!!!

    Sasha t.

    Heyyyyyyyyy you guyyyyyyyys!!! Let's get right into it, I've been hearing about a New Orleans cuisine coming to the area and this is it. They've been around about 7 month now, seems they have another location in Longwood. We opted for a cocktail of Hennessy with lemonade. We paired that with the Nola baby chargrilled oysters which were delicious. Apparently Thursdays you can get a dozen oysters for $21 so we'll def be back on a Thursday. The decor is casual, this could easily be a place to go with family. Staff was limited but friendly and welcoming. Let's eat!!

    Great service
    Agnes D.

    lobster mac, big easy shrimp, lake pontchartrain red fish. all amazing bread pudding double amazing

    Marshaye B.

    Located in the heart of downtown Sanford with free parking near by. The restaurant has traditional tables and bar seating. Visited for a pre-fixed special, the price was great which included an appetizer, entree, desert and a free daiquiri. Everyone was nice but the service was a bit slow. The night I went the restaurant was full so that may have impact. Recommend making a reservation for popular days. In terms of the food it was a hit and miss for me personally. I enjoyed the salmon pasta but didn't love the crab cake appetizer. The daiquiris were very strong, so 1 or 2 will get the job done if that's what you are looking for. This place has alot of potential

    Cajun Spinach dip
    Deanna A.

    All the dishes we ordered were delicious! Crab cakes were bomb! Chef didnt skimp on the crab meat! Thats how it should be! The cajun fried rice definitely had a little kick to it. Sloppy nola was huge and full of meat. My daughter ordered 3 appetizers: hush puppies, lobster bites and cajun spinach dip. She was happy she ordered all appetizers for different variations. My son ordered the lobster mac n cheese and he killed it eventhough the serving was huge! Service was good, Jaclyn was friendly and fast. Will definitely come back! So glad they opened im sanford.

    $10 Lunch Special, Bayou Southern and Jammin on the Bayou

    Came in for their $10 Lunch Special. Much better than what $10 can buy at any fast food joint. Awesome service and even better food, everything was absolutely delicious. This will be our new lunch spot, for sure!!

    SHRIMP & GRITS /  Shrimp over creamy grits, andouille sausage, and tasso cream sauce. Topped with mixed cheese and bacon bits.
    Emmanuel D.

    Well, well, well, after visiting their Longwood location for the first time, I was a bit disappointed in my expectations. It seemed like they weren't quite ready to open for business. I was quite saddened to witness how another customer was treated when he was asked to move to another table simply because he was dining alone. The restaurant didn't seem very busy at the time, making it seem unnecessary to ask him to relocate. The way the situation was handled didn't quite reflect the warm and welcoming atmosphere I believe the staff strives to create. There are gentle and more understanding ways to explain why a table that seats six needs to be kept available for larger groups. Additionally, it would have been better if the communication had been more discreet and considerate, rather than spoken aloud across the restaurant from behind the bar. We ordered, ate our meal and desert, and no large group came ever came in. Now, let us discuss our dining experience. The menu was consistent with that of the Longwood location; however, they did not offer a cocktail menu because they haven't had the chance to print it. If we were unfamiliar with the beverages, we would have had no idea what to order. Regarding ordering time, the food at Bayou Kitchen was good, but I was a bit put off by the service. When I asked to keep a menu in case I wanted to order more later, the waiter told me they had to collect them after the initial order because the menus are new and they don't want them to get dirty. I understand wanting to keep things nice, but it felt a little unfriendly. It would have been more enjoyable to be able to look back at the menu during the meal. Hopefully, this is something they reconsider, because the food itself made me want to try more. Our meal was pretty good. We ordered some Hushpuppies, a Shrimp Po'Boy with fries and Shrimp with Grits, which was nice and creamy, though the portion was small. Both dishes deserved 5 stars overall for taste. We wished we had the cocktail menu to see what other options were available, but we ordered what we knew. Lemonade on the Bayou was great as usual. Swamp Water was also good, and tell them to add a splash of pineapple instead of orange juice.

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    9 months ago

    Shrimp basket is a must and the service is great I love it for lunch the special is half price between 11am and 2pm

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    Great atmosphere and food. Great Louisiana style restaurant. We will be back. Customer Service is wonderful.

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    Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen - Sunday Brunch on Bourbon at Tibby's brings live music, bottomless mimosas, and menu items like chicken and waffles.

    Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen

    4.4(1k reviews)
    13.2 mi
    •$$

    New Orleans style food was excellent. Typical spicy dishes, but not too "hot". More flavor than…read moreheat! Service was also more than excellent! Our birthday party was celebrated to perfection. We, and the birthday boys, were happy with the wait staff. I will definitely return.

    I ordered Tibby's through DoorDash this time around, so this review is specifically based on my…read moretakeout/delivery experience. I ordered the Muffuletta because I frequent New Orleans and was craving some of that local NOLA flavor close to home. Needless to say, I was STOKED for this sandwich! Unfortunately, what arrived was pretty disappointing. The sandwich looked thrown together and was missing one of the most important parts--CHEESE! There was also barely any olive tapenade. If you've had a traditional Muffuletta in New Orleans, you know this is supposed to be a big, stacked sandwich loaded with meats, cheese, and that delicious olive mixture. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but the sandwich I received initially just wasn't it. I called the restaurant, and I do want to give management credit. They were very apologetic and immediately offered to correct the issue. They remade my sandwich, and the second one was MUCH better--better presentation, properly prepared, and much closer to what I was expecting. My biggest frustration was that I had to drive to the restaurant to pick up the replacement, which defeated the purpose of ordering through DoorDash. Between the higher menu prices, delivery fees, and tipping your driver, you're paying a premium for the convenience of having your food brought to you. I wish the original order had been checked before it left the restaurant because, had I not called, that would have simply been the meal I received. That said, I appreciate how management handled the situation and that they were willing to make it right. I've also eaten at Tibby's in the past and remember really enjoying the Ritas Chicken years ago, so I'm not writing them off! I'd visit again, but next time I'll probably dine in rather than order delivery. And now I feel like I need to revisit that Ritas Chicken after nearly 10 years and see if it's still as good as I remember. I'll update my review when I do!

    Photos
    Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen - Napoleon Room private dining room at Tibby's.

    Napoleon Room private dining room at Tibby's.

    Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen - 12 NAPKIN ROAST BEEF PO BOY

    12 NAPKIN ROAST BEEF PO BOY

    Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen - Sunday Brunch on Bourbon at Tibby's brings a fun, festive brunch scene with live music.

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    Sunday Brunch on Bourbon at Tibby's brings a fun, festive brunch scene with live music.

    St Johns River Steak & Seafood - Pet-friendly outdoor seating area, (weather permitting).

    St Johns River Steak & Seafood

    3.7(556 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$$

    One of my favorite things about St. Johns River Steak & Seafood is that you're not just going there…read morefor dinner -- the location makes the whole experience. Sitting right on Lake Monroe with that view of the water, especially around sunset, is hard to beat in Sanford. The food is excellent too. They have a huge selection, so whether you're in the mood for seafood or a steak, there's something for everybody. The seafood always seems fresh, the portions are generous, and they don't skimp on the good stuff. The blackened fish with shrimp and crab risotto is a standout, and you hear people constantly talking about the grouper, shrimp and grits, conch fritters, gator bites and seafood combinations. Their steaks are also legitimately good, so you don't feel like you have to order seafood just because it's on the water. The atmosphere is probably what keeps me coming back. It's casual enough that you can bring the family, but the view makes it nice enough for a date night or special occasion. There's just something relaxing about eating dinner and looking out over the lake. Service has always been another big positive. The staff is friendly and attentive without hovering over you, and even when the restaurant is busy, they do a good job taking care of everyone. That seems to be something a lot of other people mention in their reviews as well. Good food, cold drinks, great service and one of the best restaurant views in Sanford. If somebody was visiting town and asked me where they could get some seafood and actually feel like they were in Florida, this would definitely be on my list.

    This is one of my favorite seafood/steak restaurants in Sanford right on the water! Getting to the…read morerestaurant is super easy. It's a straight shot right by the water. The parking lot is spacious and they have free parking. I really like coming to this restaurant and asking to be seated by the windows. Around 4 to 6 PM on a summer night while you're eating you can look at the view and if you happen to get done early with dinner then you can walk right along the pier and even catch a nice sunset ! The food is really good too. I've been here twice and the two times that I've been here, I've gotten different meals but the waiters are really helpful with helping you decide what is best on the menu! When the waiters really know the menu and suggest items to help you narrow down your selection for me I enjoy that because I am indecisive lol. Anyways, check this place out if you're around, enjoy my pictures attached to this review the 2 separate occasions I've been here and I can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    St Johns River Steak & Seafood - This is the crab boil with Cajun sauce. Market price. Love it

    This is the crab boil with Cajun sauce. Market price. Love it

    St Johns River Steak & Seafood - St St. John's Classic with Grouper

    St St. John's Classic with Grouper

    St Johns River Steak & Seafood

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    The Bayou Kitchen - cajun - Updated October 2026

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