The Owl Tap Room - American restaurant in Apalachicola - 75 Commerce St, USA

So much wasted potential! The atmosphere would have been a 5, if not for the people. If I could, I would have rated my waitress higher. She was the only person that saved the experience. This is a higher price point, which is fine if what is promised is delivered. The two young people working the front were nothing short of rude. We walked in and the one girl walked off, ignoring us. I literally watched her pick up some bussing trays and she was in our lime of sight--didn't try to speak or anything. The other person (assuming that's the hostess) was standing by her having a discussion. Both saw us and after a stare down with me, the hostess asked what we need?! To be seated maybe? So I asked if they were open (I was being sarcastic). She looked at her watch! Now, we did get seated. Now, the GOOD--their cocktails are amazing. We had the Louisa and The waitress was accommodating and kind. FOOD was awful. Terrible. Pan seared chicken was an over cooked deep fried piece of chicken. Veggies had zero seasoning. Crab cakes cooked in old grease. Bread was good. Someone needs to step up the management game.

The casual side of the Owl cafe, I usually come for a snack while drinking across the street at OCB. The duck fries are a must, although they were disappointing this time. Not that there was ever a whole duck breast, I could barely find any this time. The gator tail creole more than made up for this. I wish my dad's version of shrimp creole tasted anything like this and not ketchup with onions and peppers. Nice old school bar with beers and fancy drinks but a chill friendly vibe. I've kind of stuck with the duck fries over the years, but all their food is good. They usually have some good specials to try.

The best Duck Confit fries and crab dip you will ever eat! The key lime dream was very good but the vodka, club soda and cranberry cocktail was VERY GOOD!!

Back again for another fabulous dinner. The service was outstanding. We were seated in the tab room surrounded by beautiful brick walls with sound of Jazz playing gently in the background. We had Erica as our server/ bartender, her service and knowledge of the menu was on point.

Loved the fish and chips! They were lightly battered and crispy. The portion was big. Even the Coleslaw was good, cool and creamy. Get malt vinegar and drizzle on the fish and the fries. So yummy!

Where do I begin with this review…. 1. Duck Fries. Meat is usually somewhat crispy on the fries, but this go-around they were soggy and absolutely “odd” tasting. I guess with the rush of the seafood festival they sacrificed quality of the duck meat and just mixed it in creating a “mush”. Ruined my love for the fries. 2. The bartender who’s name I wish I had got (he did say he lived in Miami at some point) told me that he would take my husbands beer back if I didn’t like they way he talked. He was very rude to myself and my sweet friend. No respect at all for customers/elders. If I get over the fry issue, I wouldn’t come back if I seen him still employed there. 3. We also came for oysters in the half-shell. They had nothing posted that they were out or not serving them for some reason. I think they chose not to sell them based on the response that myself and some others got from various staff. They never once in their responses said they were out, just that they weren’t serving them.

We had dinner in the Owl Cafe, not the tap room. But we had bad experiences at both. I don’t know what has changed, but this is not the Owl I’ve known. Our family eats upstairs every Friday evening after Thanksgiving. It’s always been fantastic. We haven’t been here since last year (11/2022). We noticed immediately that the menu and the staff appeared very different. Our server was prompt and friendly. But it was clear this was no longer a white table cloth restaurant. We had a party of 8. Everyone’s entree was over cooked. Our salads were good but two of us never got the salad ordered. Another one of our party never got her appetizer. At the end of our meal we were told their credit card machine was broken and we would need to pay cash. They told us where an ATM machine was and my husband complied. Our server said this had been happening all week and she was terribly embarrassed? It was simply a miserable dining experience. After so many years of wonderful meals there, we will not be returning.

Came a little after 1 on a Wednesday- happened to be a day a storm was coming in so everyone was out and about shopping. The Owl Tap Room was busy and only had 1 server/ bartender. My sister and I had books and weren’t in a hurry but could see how someone that was could be frustrated. The food was good! Got a half. Tan dip- I typically like a hot crab dip but this was cold and very flavorful with yummy homemade tortilla chips. We had the wings breaded - worth it! And shared a the pasta carbonara with grilled shrimp. It was pretty good - large portion. Also had a side of fries - they were good but we didn’t need them and didn’t really get eaten. Chill, no rush spot. Shared a chocolate mousse cake - I wouldn’t call it a cake- it is chocolate mousse on top of a nut crumble - super rich and drizzled with chocolate and caramel I believe. It was good!