Fresh Food at The Reef

We all know Fresh Food tastes better and is better for us. But what do those words really mean?
Many restaurants advertise “Fresh Seafood,” but in too many instances that seafood comes right out of their walk-in freezer. It may have been delivered “fresh,” but if they store it in the freezer, it’s not fresh anymore!
We start with fresh, unfrozen, products, and we hand cut and prepare them and produce some of the finest, truly fresh, dishes on Madeira Beach.

We’re committed to offering the best casual dining on Madeira Beach, and we’re working to do that consistently every day.
Did you know our dressings and sauces are prepared by hand, in-house to our own unique recipes, every morning? It’s true! Pico de Gallo? Hand-made. Cheeses? Sliced or grated by hand. Onion rings? Sure, cut from fresh onions and battered by hand. Tropical Slaw? Yes, yes, our own recipe.

Our burger is an 8 oz. patty, hand formed from fresh ground beef. There are a number of cheese options and other topping choices, all fresh and hand cut. Served on a locally baked bun, with your choice of Fries or Tropical Slaw, it’s a tasty mouthful!
And before you leave, be sure to have a slice of Key Lime Pie. We make it here, to a traditional recipe. A little tart, a little sweet, and oh so tropical.
If you are looking for Fresh Food here on Madeira Beach, come to The Reef.

Spring Break 2020 Headquarters St. Pete

Rick’s Reef is your headquarters for the best Spring Break 2020 on St. Pete Beach! We’ve got everything you need to make a fun and memorable Spring Break visit to the Tampa Bay Area in Florida.

Your favorite Spring Break 2020 Drinks!

Spring Break 2018 DrinksRick’s Reef has a full liquor bar and the best bartenders on all the Tampa Bay Beaches! Maybe the best in the world!! We have all your specialty drinks and a cool beach vibe to enjoy them in.

Your favorite Spring Break 2020 Games!

Spring Break 2018 GamesRick’s Reef has a fabulous collection of your favorite Spring Break activities. If you are looking for a bar with fun & games, look no further than Rick’s Reef on St. Pete Beach. We have Wallhooky®, Corn Toss, Giant Jenga and Beer Pong.

Your favorite Spring Break 2020 staff!

Wonderful people make Rick’s Reef the perfect place to have some fun in the sun. Over the years it has become THE gathering place for people with an upbeat personality and a zest for life. New friends are made every day, and often the friendships span the country and last forever. And a great way to start new friendships is in the competition of a fabulous bar game!

Wedding Party Venue or Location

Wedding party venues, or locations, can range from super fancy to casual and fun. If you are looking for casual and fun on St. Pete Beach, Rick’s Reef may be a perfect choice.  They have a full bar, an extensive menu, and a cool indoor/outdoor space. They can accommodate large groups, and have the staff to provide great service and keep it fun. If you are considering a casual wedding on St. Pete Beach, make a plan to bring it back to Rick’s Reef for the party.

Rick’s Reef has years of experience with large groups of all ages. We can accommodate a band or a DJ, or use our jukebox to dial up the music you want. Your Wedding Party will be laid-back, fun and memorable. And we are just a quick walk from the beach.

Beach-themed wedding? Try a beach-themed wedding party at Rick’s Reef on St. Pete Beach!

Best Casual Dining on St. Pete Beach

Best Casual Dining on St. Pete Beach

Finely prepared foods from simple recipes create the best casual dining experience. On St. Pete Beach, that is exactly what you’ll find at Rick’s Reef restaurant. With an extensive menu of “home cooking” and Old Florida inspired items, there is something for everyone, whether they prefer simple or adventurous.

Home-style cooking and fresh ingredients make for  the best casual dining experience.

Laid-Back Place

St. Pete Beach has a rich history of notable dining establishments, but the beach has always dictated a casual dining experience. The restaurants, no matter how good the food, had to accommodate casual attire and a laid-back mood. Rick’s Reef on St. Pete Beach has embraced that long tradition.

Locally sourced foods and simple recipes are a crucial part of the experience.

Fresh Ingredients

For the best casual dining experience you want fresh ingredients sourced locally, and everything made by hand. But you also need a casual environment to enjoy it in. Rick’s Reef in St. Pete Beach offers everything you need! Fast friendly service, awesome food, a fun place to enjoy it, those are the keys! The rest is up to you. Bring your friends and family. Allow plenty of time. Come in shorts, T’s and flip-flops. But be prepared to experience some of the best casual dining you can imagine.

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner in St. Pete Beach? Rick’s Reef his your answer!

Here’s a recent Trip Advisor 5 bubble review! September 13, 2018

“Unexpected Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venue with Chill Vibes”

“Rick’s Reef did a great job of hosting our July Wedding Rehearsal Dinner before our big day up the road at Post Card Inn. Our group had roughly 50 folks ranging in age from newborn to 80-somethings and there were options for everyone. We came on a busy late afternoon in July on a holiday weekend and it was blazing hot with the sun beating down the entire time, but Tyler and his crew worked hard to accommodate everyone and make us all feel comfortable. Their food was fantastic, and he even created a custom short menu just for our party and printed them, too! We had the entire outdoor seating area and dedicated servers and waitresses who made sure everyone was well taken care of. Their smaller scratch kitchen did wonders by cooking our huge group’s meals and those for the patrons in the interior section, too, which filled up quickly. Neighboring dining options for a rehearsal dinner didn’t fit us – they were stuffy, uptight or dark indoors, not to mention, they required meal minimums at $20pp each and considerably higher. Too much “corporatey” types and red tape. No thank you! Tyler and his awesome staff provided a laid back, fun atmosphere for us thirty-something love birds who wanted some good food, awesome drinks, fun with corn hole and ring toss, and an overall good vibe and time that wouldn’t overshadow our beach wedding the next day. Tyler communicated well the entire time by phone/email and we had a very reasonable agreement and deposit amount. We were worried about rain and did not have one drop, but there are roll down walls if that would have been the case. Also, most of our large group just decided to take the short walk from Post Card Inn so that parking at both places didn’t become an issue since it is limited at each. Note: diners can smoke at the bar which follows the L shaped outdoor area – ask for interior seating if this might bother you. We didn’t take this into consideration and there was no wind, so clouds of cigarette smoke from one chain-smoker lingered around our tables (and grandparents and infant children – yuck!) But of all of the other times I had been there, this was not an issue and is not the fault of the restaurant. Thank you so much for being a part of our big day and our wedding celebration. We also eat here often when in St. Pete – stop by any time for any type of meal or just drinks – it’s a great local spot.”

Chandon G.

Contact us to book your Wedding Rehearsal Party in St. Pete Beach

No Straws in St. Pete Beach

No Straws in St. Pete BeachNo straws in St. Pete Beach!

Plastic straws are really bad for the ocean. We use over 500 million every day in America, and most of those end up in our oceans, polluting the water and killing marine life. We want to encourage people to stop using plastic straws for good. If we don’t act now, by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

No straws in St. Pete Beach!

So, as a beach community restaurant, we are joining many, many other local restaurants in an effort to save our beaches, our oceans, and the turtles, fish and other marine life that are affected daily by this type of pollution. While we know that you are used to receiving your drink with a staw in it, we hope you will join us in this effort to keep our world a more beautiful and vibrant place to live.

Learn more at the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

No Straws in St. Pete Beach!

Best Restaurants near Downtown St. Petersburg

Best Restaurants near Downtown St. PetersburgJust 15 minutes from the heart of downtown you can find a fun, casual beach style restaurant with great food and service. It’s one of the best restaurants near downtown St. Petersburg and has a true “Old Florida” style. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place for family gatherings or a party with friends. You won’t find a better stop to enjoy your visit to the downtown St. Petersburg area.

Rick’s Reef serves food made entirely from fresh ingredients. They use unique recipes and prepare everything by hand. They specialize in local seafood and home-style preparations. The dressings and sauces are all made daily in-house. And the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.

Rick’s Reef in St. Pete Beach, FL has long been a gathering place for friends and family in groups both large and small. The atmosphere is fun and casual, and the space inviting. With a varied menu and a full bar, Rick’s Reef is good for groups and large parties!

There’s more to St. Pete than just downtown

The Downtown area of St. Petersburg keeps growing and becoming more vibrant with each passing day. The city is expanding and changing and has so very much to offer to visitors and full-time residents alike, and St. Pete Beach is just a few short minutes away. A visit to the area wouldn’t be complete without a little time spent at the beach.

So, when you are looking for the best restaurants near downtown St. Petersburg, be sure to check out Rick’s Reef. With its laid-back atmosphere, funky decorations and all around cool beach vibe you won’t find a better place to chill out. While it’s not right on the sand, it is just a couple of blocks from the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast. There is a full bar, fabulous food, bar games, indoor and outdoor seating and a very friendly staff!

Best Chicken Wings in St. Pete Beach

Best Chicken Wings, St. Pete Beach? Right here at Rick’s Reef!

Whether you are visiting St. Pete Beach on vacation, or are a local here in the 33706 area code, we know you want the 411 on Chicken Wings at the beach.


We start with fresh, never frozen, chicken and we prepare a full pound of Chicken Wings with your favorite sauce.  We have a wide variety of sauce choices, which include mild, medium and hot Buffalo Sauce, Garlic Parmesan, Teriyaki, Jamaican Jerk or Blackened.


As a matter of fact, all the food at Rick’s Reef is fresh. They don’t even have a walk-in freezer! So all the food is brought in unfrozen and is cut and prepared on-site. The sauces are made by hand in the kitchen every morning, and the smoked items are done in our very own smoker here on the premises.  Fresh is flavorful and better for you! It’s a big part of what makes us “best.”


Best Chicken Wings, St. Pete Beach!


So if you are looking for the best chicken wings, St. Pete Beach, your search is over! But that’s not the whole story. Rick’s Reef will serve your Chicken Wings with a great big smile in one of the neatest casual dining spots on St. Pete Beach. We have a big, outdoor patio, and plenty of indoor seating with cool, funky beach decor. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the place is always clean.


But it’s about a lot more than the Best Chicken Wings! You want a place you can take you family and friends where you’ll feel comfortable and relaxed. You want a place that feels beach-y, but one that’s clean and inviting. And Rick’s Reef, on St. Pete Beach is that place.


Now you know! When you are ready for the Best Chicken Wings in St. Pete Beach, head straight to Rick’s Reef at 6712 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.

 

Rick’s Reef Continues Old Florida Traditions

Rick’s Reef is a unique location steeped in history and the staff take pride in being a place where Old World Florida meets New World taste. Since Larry’s Luncheonette opened on this very spot in 1939 things have changed as the restaurant evolved but the area’s colorful past is always celebrated.


One nod to the past that has an interesting story starts with Rick’s Reef smoker. The Smoked Salmon served on Saturday’s has a direct link to the beginnings of the island and the original inhabitants that gave a beloved little beach town its famous name.


While there is still some debate about how Pass-A-Grille got its name it is generally accepted as being French origin. The phrase “La passe aux grilleurs” is literally translated as “passageway of the grillers” and legend has it that French speaking fishermen would grill their meals on the southern tip of Long Key. In 1841 the name appeared on a map as Passe aux Grilleurs and over time became anglicized to Pass-A-Grille.


As the air around Rick’s Reef is filled with the aroma of smoke it hearkens back to a time when the fishermen on the island were called grillers. It was common practice for the grillers t0 dry their salted catch on wooden frames in the hot Florida sun. More than likely the name sprung from the fishermen who preserved their daily haul by smoking it over a slow burning fire.


Carib Indians are said to have taught French pirates the practice of grilling fish over an open fire. The word buccaneers likely came from this method as well. The French called fish cooked in this manner “boucan” and anyone who cooked it was referred to as “boucaniers.”


Whether you are a griller or a buccaneer the tradition of fresh fish, slow-smoked, has been a part of the islands from the very beginning. Rick’s Reef pledges to deliver the best seafood on the beach and you know you are in for a treat when you smell that smoker burning.


T0 be fair there are other theories about how Pass-A-Grille got its name, like it is Spanish for “over the bar.” This is said to refer to long shoal near the entrance of the pass but there is little basis for it. Another is it could have originally been Paso de Grillo or “Pass of the Cricket” but again, there is no history of the island every being overrun by crickets.


The St. Petersburg 1909 city directory claimed the name came from a “French explorer in the earliest day” and it means “grilled passage way” because of a “grill shape.” But there are no recorded visits of French explorers to the area so that one is unlikely also.


In an 1840’s survey a French guide was hired and supposedly told the government survey crew that the name was “Passe aux Grillard” which meant “pass where men grilled something.”


Thankfully the grilling, and the smoking, of fresh fish continue to this day at Rick’s Reef where it is truly a traditional island restaurant where Old World Florida meets New World taste.

Best Fish Spread in St. Pete Beach

Looking for the best Fish Spread on St. Pete Beach?

Best Fish Spread, St. Pete Beach? Right here at Rick’s Reef! Whether you are visiting St. Pete Beach on vacation, or are a local here in the 33706 area code, we know you are interested in the Best Fish Spread at the beach.


We start with fresh, never frozen, Salmon, or Mahi Mahi, from a local fish house. (Whichever is available fresh) We have our own smoker in-house, and we slowly smoke the fish for 6 to 8 hours before hand crumbling it in preparation for mixing. Fresh vegetables are delivered daily, and hand cut.
You may not know this, but all the food at Rick’s Reef is fresh. They don’t even have a walk-in freezer! All the food is brought in unfrozen, and is hand cut and prepared on-site. The sauces are made by hand in the kitchen every morning, and all the smoked items are done in our very own smoker here on the premises.  Fresh is flavorful, and better for you! It’s a big part of what makes us “best.”


Classic Fish Spread on St. Pete Beach!


Prepared with fresh ingredients to a classic Fish Spread recipe  right here on St. Pete Beach, your search for the best Fish Spread, St. Pete Beach is over! But that’s not the whole story. Rick’s Reef superb staff will serve your Fish Spread with a great big smile in one of the neatest casual dining spots on St. Pete Beach. We have a big, outdoor patio, and plenty of indoor seating with cool, funky beach decor. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the place is always clean.


But it’s about a lot more than the Best Fish Spread! You’re looking for a place you can take your family and friends where you’ll feel comfortable and relaxed. You want a place that feels like an old beach shack, but one that’s clean and inviting. And Rick’s Reef, on St. Pete Beach is that place.
Now you know! When you are ready for the Best Fish Spread, St. Pete Beach, head straight to Rick’s Reef at 6712 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.


Your search for the Best Fish Spread in St. Pete Beach is over!