We weren't super impressed. The food was average and that hurts when you're paying so much. One of us ordered the market catch and - again - it was just okay. It was fish and not overdone, but it wasn't in any way special. I ordered the soup of the day and it was very salty. I added a squeeze of lemon and that made it better. The crab cakes didn't look pretty. They tasted good, however. All in all the food, at least what we tried, was disappointing for the price. Servers were very nice and restaurant had great atmosphere, except for the TV above the bar. read more

BACKGROUND We heard from a co-worker that her German boyfriend, Dirk, loves this restaurant. Apparently, he is quite picky. So since he recommended it, we had high expectations. THE ROYAL SCAM The Royal Scam is the fifth album by Steely Dan, originally released by ABC Records in 1976. But is that what David Rasp was referring to when he opened The Royal Scam in late 2006? The Royal Scam started as just an upscale bar with a small tapas menu but soon grew into a full service downtown restaurant for lunch and dinner. David Rasp, who also owns Heroes Sports Bar and Grille, appears to know what he is doing and has wonderful staff to assist. THE STORY & SERVICE EXPERIENCE Our reservations were at 7pm. The Uber dropped us off out front at 7:15. We called ahead to say we were going to be late. They said, "No problem!" Which we appreciated. There were a couple empty metal tables out front. We walked in and the place was basically full, except for a table in the front by the window, overlooking Royal Street, directly across from the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza, in downtown Mobile, Alabama. We were seated immediately and our server, Chris, brought the menus and took our drink order. I ordered the Flirtini, which is Tito's, Raspberry Liqueur, Triple Sec, Sweet and Sour, Pineapple Juice, and Champagne. For the appetizer, I had the Seared Ahi Tuna and Lemon Ginger Gastrique with a Spicy Mango Salad and the Baby Greens salad (Baby Field Greens, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Red Onion, Apple, Toasted Almonds and Orange Basil Vinaigrette, with Bleu Cheese Crumbles). For the entrée, I had the Petite Filet, which was a 6 oz Filet with Veal Demi-Glace. Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus. For dessert, I had Tiramisu (Ladyfingers Laced With Coffee, Layered With Sweet Cream & Dusted With Cocoa Powder). CONCLUSION Everything was DELICIOUS and served quickly and correctly by our server, Chris, the first time. The environment was extremely casual, which makes sense, because that's exactly what they claim: "The Royal Scam is the epitome of casual fine dining." Would we come back? No reason not to. 4/5 RECOMMEND OF NOTE *Drop Off Preferred *Gift Cards Are Available *For more information: royalscammobile.com read more

SO GOOD. This is one of those times that Yelp just pays off.. In town for work.. Hungry.. Want a good meal, but nothing so "out of the box" that I leave more hungry then when I came, but don't want something crappy either!! My waiter was attentive and friendly but wasn't annoying.. The place is simple, easy to miss.. And nothing super special to look at.. But my food was amazing. I over-ordered for sure.. Started with the spicy crab cakes and then got the Royale w Jack.. (And 2 beers..) The crab cakes were spectacular.. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary but they were really good and hot and I would have them again tomorrow if I was still in town!! The burger was insane good. Fresh bun, fresh cool Roma tomatoes, fresh crispy lettuce and red onion, cooked EXACTLY how I ordered.. Served with 2 sides, a salad and fries )I barely touched either I was so stuffed!! But this place was great.. I wish I could try the duck panini and so many other things, but I was in the mood for a burger today and man, I am glad I chose to try this place! read more

The Royal Scam - The spicy crab cakes... Mmmmm - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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"I was in spicy mango salad heaven!" This cozy little spot was affordable and a perfect late night dinner option. Some friends and I were staying at the Renaissance Hotel across the street and wanted to grab some grub before bed after being at the beach all day. Its on a quiet strip with a few other bars. It was the last hour of service so it was slow and quiet. We were immediately seated and looked over the menu. Both of us got the Royal Scam steak sandwich that came with two sides all for $11! You can't beat that with a baseball bat. In addition we ordered a glasses of wine that was damn near the price of our meal. Now that I think about it...that wasn't very smart. lol. but whatever. The beef tenderloin was really tender and seasoned very well...which was a surprise because it wasn't very rare in temperature. The star of the evening was the spicy mango salad side. Chunks and chunks of fresh sweet mango and a spicy red pepper flake dressing. If you're ever in the Mobile area you gotta check it out. read more

The Royal Scam - Steak Sandwich Scam - Beef tenderloin with spicy mango salad and baby field greens - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

I never asked, but I'm guessing that this place was inspired by Steely Dan. Start, start, start your visit with a Raspberry Jalapeno Margarita, and then order a second one. The interior is a throwback to the restaurants of yesteryear. Because I'm a sucker for sandwiches and wings I went with the Steak Sandwich Scam - Beef Tenderloin, Mushrooms, Onions, Havarti Cheese & Spinach Served on a Toasted Brioche Roll. Horseradish Sour Cream on the Side.... and now you see why! Amazing taste, packed into a bun. The sides were fries and Asian slaw, both packed with floavor. read more

Hubby and I stopped in for dinner and we were pleasantly surprised at just how great the food was! I had the Seared Ahi Tuna wrap with home fries and mango salad as my side. The wrap was delicious and huge! I ended up taking the second half apart and ate the mango salad topping and tuna. The fries were awesome and the mango salad, left me wanting more! ( I am a mango fan.) Tall, dark and handsome ordered the Salmon Sandwich and wow he loved it. Fortunately he shared a bite of salmon along with the aioli sauce and I had to second his favorable review! I know what I am getting next time! He enjoyed the asian cold slaw and fries. The menu ranges from gumbo to filet mignon, so there is something for everyone. I doubt I would take kids here, because of the full bar that occupies a great deal of room in the dining area. You could eat in the back or outside. Atmosphere is dark and cozy with the front part of the place seating around 40. The noise level is what you would expect with so many patrons. It offers a full bar. Additional seating is available in the back and there were a couple of outdoor tables in front of the joint. The only reason that I am not giving the place a 5 star rating was slow service. Our waitress was friendly, and she did tell us that several people called in sick and they were short staffed. Nonetheless, even as things cleared out substantially, service did not pick up. I can't recall ever waiting quite so long for the bill. We plan to go back again, perhaps for a late lunch and see how thing go. We will do it on a day when we don't have pressing plans! read more

The prices didn't seem to match the quality of the food. I had chicken with a diced tomato topping which I could tell came out of a can. Chicken was good though. The salmon you could tell was frozen because it took on the taste of the plastic wrapper and tasted extra fishy. I can understand it's expensive to run an establishment in such a hot spot, but a fresh tomato and salmon from the nearby ocean shouldn't cost too much. read more

The Royal Scam - Salmon with bourbon glaze - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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3 stars is a solid review and quiet frankly this is probably a 4 star place but my experience (albeit partially my own fault) was 3 stars. I did a little Yelping prior to picking this place and thought I had recognized it as a casual restaurant. The décor from the pics and the menu full of sammiches and burgers seemed right up my jeans, tshirt and ballcap attire. WRONG. The ladyfriend and I walked in and everyone was dressed in at least business casual. The worst dressed dude had a Polo tucked into his jeans. The host asked if we had a reservation (which we did not) despite the place being half empty. He then went to go check with someone to see if we could be seated. It almost felt like a " we don't want your kind" kind of statement. When the host came back, I told him we could sit outside in front in one of the rod iron tables. He suggested the back patio area instead. Cool I thought, until we were seated next to the trash can lol. I really didn't hold this too much against them except the smell wasn't appetizing. Luckily somebody eventually emptied it. Anyway, we started off with drinks and I got a perfectly made Sazerac and the ladyfriend got a dirty martini. The martini was extra dirty...aka it was like drinking olive juice. She ordered a seafood gumbo to eat that was a dark roux with tomato and okra (which in Nola is reserved for non-seafood gumbos). She really enjoyed it though. I ordered the special of the day which was a Sheepshead on top of corn grits and a side of Brussel sprounts. The Sheepshead came with a sour cream like sauce that was overpowering. The fish was actually flavored perfectly without it. Once It scrapped off the sauce, the meal was phenomenally good. The service was solid, the food was good, the atmosphere inside seemed nice just make sure to dress appropriately lol. There are a few holes but overall I'd definitely come back if I was in the area. read more

My boyfriend and I stopped into the Royal Scam on a co-worker's suggestion and was really pleasantly surprised. Brenden our waiter was very friendly and helpful, and his recommendations were honest and great. The atmosphere is intimate and laid back, if not a little bit dark, and the drink selection is decent with some nice bottle beer options. The food is really amazing for the price, very flavorful, tastefully arranged and eclectic. You're hard-pressed to find decent not-fried food in Alabama within this price range so I was really excited to find the Scam. I'm particularly a fan of their Chicken Panini and Spicy Mango Salad. Kinda wish they were open Sundays, but other than that big kudos to Royal Scam for a friendly staff, an atmosphere that is chic but still laid back, and food that is both deliciously delectable and deliciously priced. A total gem. read more

The Royal Scam - Roast duck panini with field green and spicy mango salad - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Stopped in for dinner with a group of friends and I have to say this place was excellent. Top notch service matched with unforgettable cuisine and expertly prepared cocktails. We will definitely be back. I Highly recommend the Land and Sea if you want a perfectly cooked steak and amazing crab cakes. read more

We have been here a lot but not for a while. It was really good. We ordered the crab cakes which were so yummy as well as the pimento cheese burger and gumbo. They were on a limited menu for Mardi Gras but still great. read more

The Royal Scam - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

This place is delicious!! The fish tacos were spicy yet cool with the sauce. The scallops melted in your mouth but had a bit of spice due to the red pepper sauce they were in. The filet was cooked to perfection! I highly recommend this place. Great atmosphere and friendly staff! read more

The Royal Scam - Fish tacos (well one was already devoured) - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Another great visit at "the Scam". Our server, service and the food were all top drawer as usual. Just one note to add. .. The restaurant's phone system and voicemail were on the blink and after calling a few times during the afternoon without success decided to message the location. (Provided by Yelp site) The owner responded and confirmed they were open and provided guidance to complete our reservation. read more

One of our favorite restaurants! I recently had a baby and decided to go out on a Friday night, there, dress with a great table for a stroller and an early reservation at the last minute. I'm also dealing with some food allergies that day beautifully accommodated with a delicious meal and made me feel really comfortable about the whole experience! This is the kind of place that truly looks out for their customers! read more

Just ok...I was hoping for so much better after reading reviews! I am in from out of State and I love Food and unique places. I had the Duck Panini with the Asian slaw and mango salad. Duck Panini was very "chewy" and had lots of the veins in my cuts of meat :-( Mango salad was mushy mango but loves the Asian slaw! Between the two servers who came over I finally got my drink by the time I was almost finished worth my meal! Overall just okay nothing I would right home about! **update** I was dining alone, went to the restroom and my table was cleared with my 1/2 drank $10 drink gone :-( Super tiny place, and bathroom was about 10 ft from my table and the servers were all standing around in the hallway so how did you not see me! Really irritated! :-( read more

Incredible staff. Great food. If your at the Hampton or Riverside don't go to a chain restaurant. Support local business. I had the bacon cheese burger with Asian slaw and fries. The slaw was so refreshing and unique. Just awesome. I'm planning on eating here every night I'm here. Great job guys. read more

I went to The Royal Scam on Fat Tuesday and although it was packed the service was really friendly. I came for drinks and the bartender made me a hurricane even though it wasn't on the menu and I also had a flirtini . Visually, the flirtini does not look appealing as it is a muddy brown color but it was really sweet and delicious. The hurricane was also really sugary (as you would expect) but good. The bar/restaurant is centrally located downtown and the food items the servers were bringing out looked great. Worth a stop in if you haven't been here before! read more

The Royal Scam - Outside of The Royal Scam - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Don't mistake the Royal Scam for a mere sandwich shop. The food is amazing. We loved the tuna appetizers, and our salmon sandwich was stellar. All the sides are also great. Friendly service and a cool soundtrack. Highly recommended. read more

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My favorite place to eat in Downtown Mobile. Everything I have ever had here has been great. Love the seafood choices and the spicy mango salad. Staff is always friendly and food is fresh. Tonight I had grilled salmon sandwich with spicy mango salad and mixed greens salad. read more

The Royal Scam - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Great Mobile hot spot a quick walk from our hotel. When we arrived, the place was packed. But they were nice enough to squeeze us in. After all, we were here on V-day 2013. BJ had drafts, I had a creme brulee martini, a absolutely perfect drink! I got southwest shrimp, BJ got the seared tuna wrap with mango salad and fries. So good! This is really a fun place to eat. read more

The Royal Scam - The perfect Vday beverage! - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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Everything was perfect! April, our server, made us feel like we were at her house for dinner. Her recommendations were spot on (not that anything in the menu is bad) and the "Alabama Penicillin" cocktail was so good, I wound up drinking two, when I initially was going to go dry. The specials were unbelievable and the broccoli and goat cheese soup should be a staple! I cleaned my short ribs, polenta and asparagus plate and my wife had the barrel fish special that was really delicious. This is my new go to place when I am in Mobile! read more

Great spot for a nice dinner. Good wine selection and a few good beers on tap. The service was friendly and quick. I ordered the Spicy Crab Cakes as an appetizer and they were quite good! Although, I would have liked a tad bit more crab in them. For my main course, I ordered the Roasted Duck Panini with a side of fries and Mango Salad. The Panini and the Mango Salad were both delicious, however, I would not pair them together again. The flavor contrast is too extreme. I felt like I was switching between two very different meals with every bite. The Mango Salad has a bit of an Asian feel to it and that didn't blend well with the bacon and cheese on my Duck Panini. Otherwise, I give it a thumbs up! read more

The Royal Scam - The Spicy Crab Cakes are quite yummy! - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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We tried this restaurant on an impulse having not heard about it until last night. It was fantastic!! I got the mango jalapeño margarita and noodle salad. The cocktail was delightful. The noodle salad was inexpensive, large, and the flavors were just exquisite. My husband got a draft beer and bowl of gumbo which he said was really tasty. Two drinks and two very small meals with tip cost us $48 which is steep. Butttt, the space was beautiful and intimate. The staff was kind and relatable, restaurant was clean and the fresh linens on each table softened under the warm glow of good lighting. We will definitely go again!! Special thanks to Britany the bartender who made our evening even better. read more

Fellow Yelper Fran E. R. Was giving my coworkers and I a crash course in Downtown Mobile. She led us to this spot to get a bite to eat and we were not disappointed! I ordered the Shrimp and Grits along with one of my coworkers and the other had the Gumbo. Fran E. R. Is Yelping her dish out so I'm not sure what she had. Another great location on downtown Mobile!! read more

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Food was good but they undercooked my moms burger and over cooked my wife's ! Not a huge deal but. Parking was a bit difficult to find . read more

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At home in Mobile visiting and my sister and I decided to hit this place up. The food was great. My sister had the fish tacos and said they were seasoned perfectly. I had the steak sandwich scam. The meat was tender and juicy, fries cooked to perfection. We both got flirtini's and they were delicious. Garret, our waiter, was awesome read more

The Royal Scam - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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Went to The Royal Scam on Saturday night 1/25. Very busy but was seated quickly. Mariah was our server and she did a outstanding job. Great personality also. We had the blackend redfish and filet. Food was fantastic. Perfect temp on the steak and the redfish was cooked perfectly. Very impressed with this place. Looking forward to going back. read more

Great spot to grab a delicious quick lunch! Had the Steak sandwich and it was the best one I've had. The mango salad was amazing and surprisingly had a small heat to it. Service was friendly and efficient and I'll definitely be returning when in town! read more

Had dinner at the Royal Scam on a Saturday night. There was a good sized crowd and the servers were attentive. Went with the seafood gumbo and the filet with crab cakes. Everything was good. I made the mistake of not asking what the potatoes were that night. It was sweet potatoe purée. Not a fan of that but everything else was delicious. That is on me,Not the restaurant. read more

Ordered the Grilled Salmon sandwich for the first time. It was grilled medium rare, delicious and perfect with the Asian slaw and spicy mango salad. It's priced at $11 and I believe it'll be my staple for lunch from hereon. read more

The Royal Scam - Grilled Salmon Sandwich with Asian Slaw and Spicy Mango Salad - Seafood Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Fast and very friendly service. We always seem to get the same waiter and he remembers what we like to drink. Food is HOT, and the quest is great read more

So good! The entire staff was polite and helpful. The food was delicious. The kids had hamburgers and chicken tenders. I had a chicken panini and my husband, the photographer, had the red fish special. Great wine selection. Happy plates for the entire family! read more

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Was in mobile and went here because it was listed as top 10 restaurants in mobile. It's located on the corner downtown. Very limited street parking. Small interior. Was greeted and seated immediately. The serving situation was a little confusing, we had 3 people serving us at different times. Bar and mounted TVs behind the bar. For appetizer we got the crab cakes - they were ok. For entrees the hubby got duck panini meal with fries and salad. I got burger and fries. Kiddo got grilled cheese and fries. Food was delicous and hot. My burger was nicely flavored and well cooked. No military discount but food was reasonably priced. read more

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Ain't no scam... 72 South Royal Street's Royal Scam is pretty outstanding. Was in/out of town pretty quickly for work. Had a burger and a few brews. Outstanding burger, wish I could have poked around so I could compare it to the rest of the local American New kinda' joints. Cooked properly, didn't strike me as off the Sysco truck, bun was fresh, fries were crispy, and if you like slaw ... they server up half a plate of it. Next time I will ask them to forego the slaw. Great American food in the South can be hard to come by... this place delivered! Highly recommended! read more

Ok so checking into our hotel next door (Hampton Inn and Suites) I asked about a good place to eat dinner...HOLY COW why an amazing meal we had...Service was Amazing, (Will, you rock my friend) all of his suggestions we taken and were delivered with perfection. My wife had the special which was trigger fish over rice pilaf. I had the steak sandwich and the crab cakes and my mother in law had the steak that was cooked to perfection. Please if you eat here ask for Will and make sure you have the bread pudding for dessert...We will be back read more

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Mixed drinks were expensive but very well balanced and delightful. Food was pricey as well and they let us order from the dinner menu early which was great. read more

First time here and the food was delicious! Melissa our server was great and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is very laid back and makes for a great date night place. I had the bacon and cheese royal and I suggest you get it medium well for a more juicy burger. read more

Food was 1st rate and the service was outstanding! April and Kelley were great! Thanks for a great evening!

Small restaurant but great service & amazing food! Traveling through and Yelped to find a good meal, found this spot! Fried green tomatoes were amazing! Also had the steak & mushroom sandwich, the ahi tuna tacos & the grilled salmon sandwich and all were amazing! read more

My family is totally blown away by how good Royal Scam is. This our first time to spend any time in Mobile, so we didn't have any idea what to expect. The ambience was welcoming and the service was exemplary. The burgers were flavorful and juicy. My daughter is in love with the honey chipotle wings. They had just the right amount of spice. Finally, i had the duck panini which was perfection. I highly recommend eating here if you ever go to Mobile. read more