"The fish dip alone is worth the stop. Order the blackened grouper, get the waffle fries, sit at the bar if you want to eat well and talk to people who know what they're doing. This is exactly what a beach town seafood spot should be — honest food, honest prices, no performance. The fact that the catch changes daily based on what North Florida fishermen are bringing in is not a marketing line. It's how this place actually works."
Grouper Shack opened at 1700 3rd Street S in Jacksonville Beach on December 20, 2025 — the second location for owners Nathan and Margo Klar Stuart, who operate the original Grouper Shack at Cat's Paw Marina in St. Augustine along with several other Northeast Florida restaurants. The Jacksonville Beach location occupies the former Bearded Pig building on 3rd Street, completely renovated at a cost of $1 million. It is fast-casual — you order at the counter, they bring it to you — with a full bar, most items under $20, and a menu built around whatever local commercial fishermen deliver each morning.
The Fish Is the Point
The concept is simple and the owner states it plainly: the seafood is sourced fresh from North Florida fishermen, and the menu reflects what is actually running. When sheepshead are being caught, sheepshead is on the menu. When wahoo is coming in, you are eating wahoo. The kitchen is not working from a frozen supply chain dressed up with a coastal aesthetic. The fish that arrived this morning is the fish you are ordering tonight.
The baskets — a half pound of fish with waffle fries and slaw — are the backbone of the menu and run $16 to $19 depending on species. Grouper, mahi, trigger, shrimp, crab cakes, fried clams, scallops, and fried oysters all rotate through. The whole fried lionfish, when available, is worth ordering — lionfish is an invasive species in Florida waters and a genuinely good eat that most restaurants do not bother with. When Grouper Shack has it, get it.
The grilled fish sandwich with waffle fries. Reviewers consistently single out the fries — crispy, not soft, which is harder to pull off than it sounds with a waffle cut.
What to Order
How It Works
Grouper Shack is fast-casual. You walk in, order and pay at the main counter, and staff bring your food to the table. If you sit at the bar — which runs between the indoor and outdoor sections — you can order directly from your seat. The bar setup is casual and open, connecting the inside dining area to the outdoor patio, which works well for the beach town atmosphere. This is a new location still finding its full stride, and the ownership has said as much — expect it to keep improving as the team settles in.
The vibe is genuinely relaxed: family-friendly, pet-friendly per reviewers, and the kind of place where the people behind the bar are happy to talk about what's fresh that day.
The 3rd Street exterior. The former Bearded Pig building was fully renovated — new kitchen, surfaces, lighting, bar equipment, and outdoor patio.
Full bar with craft cocktails, draft beers, seltzers, and wine. You can order drinks from your table or directly at the bar.
Insider Tips
- Ask what came in today before you order. The staff knows what's fresh and what the kitchen is running well. The daily catch changes the answer, and the answer changes what you should eat.
- The fish dip is not optional. Order it first, every time, until you've had it enough times to decide otherwise. You won't.
- Sit at the bar if you're eating alone or want to move faster. The bar connects inside to outside and you can order drinks from your seat without going back to the counter.
- The parking lot is self-contained and free — one of the reasons this location works. You do not have to circle 3rd Street looking for street parking.
- This is a new location as of December 2025. The ownership has been upfront that they're still working out the kinks with 50 new staff. Early reviewers found the food excellent — the experience will only get more polished from here.
- Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio. If you're bringing a four-legged dining companion, the outdoor bar and patio area is your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250