★★★★★
Best blackened grouper sandwich in Tampa Bay, hands down. Looks like a bait shack from outside but the seafood is restaurant-quality fresh.
Seafood Restaurants · Ballast Point · Tampa
Big Ray's
Fish Camp
01
The place
Big Ray's Fish Camp is a counter-serve seafood restaurant in the Ballast Point neighborhood of South Tampa at 6116 Interbay Blvd. Chef-owner Raymond 'Nick' Cruz opened the bait-shack-style spot in 2015, drawing on summers spent fishing at Ballast Point Pier with his grandfather. The menu centers on Florida seafood: blackened and fried grouper sandwiches, smoked fish dip, peel-and-eat shrimp, and a signature lobster tail corn dog. It holds a MICHELIN Guide selection for South Tampa. Seating is limited to a few wooden tables inside plus a tent-covered picnic area outside. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday with the kitchen closed Mondays and an abbreviated Tuesday lunch service. Orders are placed at the counter and takeout is standard. The restaurant carries a 4.5-star Google rating across roughly 2,200 reviews.
Tucked into a bait-shop-style building on Interbay Blvd, Big Ray's Fish Camp is the kind of unassuming South Tampa seafood spot locals send out-of-towners to. Chef Raymond 'Nick' Cruz grew up fishing a few blocks away at Ballast Point Pier with his grandfather, and the restaurant he opened in 2015 captures that fishing-shack spirit — counter ordering, mismatched wooden tables inside, and a tent-covered picnic area out back. It has since earned a MICHELIN Guide selection for Tampa.
Start with the smoked fish dip and a basket of peel-and-eat shrimp, then commit to the blackened grouper sandwich — repeatedly cited by Tampa Bay reviewers as one of the best in the region. The fried grouper sandwich is the runner-up, and the lobster tail corn dog is the cult signature. Don't skip the Cuban-style yucca, garlic parmesan fries, or pineapple coleslaw on the side.
The dining room is tiny, so plan around a wait at peak lunch and dinner — or grab a seat under the outdoor tent. Reservations are not accepted; it is order-at-the-counter only. Street parking is available along Interbay Blvd and adjacent side streets. Takeout is standard and a good option when the patio fills up. Closed Mondays.
MICHELIN Guide selected
Signature blackened grouper sandwich
Lobster tail corn dog — cult favorite
Counter-serve, casual fishing-shack vibe
What to expect
Order at the counter, find a wooden table inside or a picnic seat under the outdoor tent, and wait for your number to be called. Expect a casual, fishing-shack vibe with paper plates, generous seafood portions, and limited indoor seating. Cash and card accepted. No reservations. Closed Mondays.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
Lobster tail corn dog is exactly as ridiculous and amazing as it sounds. Sat under the outdoor tent — perfect South Tampa lunch.
★★★★★
Counter service, no fuss, huge portions. Smoked fish dip and peel-and-eat shrimp are must-orders. Worth the wait at peak times.
06
Frequently asked
Does Big Ray's Fish Camp take reservations?
No. Big Ray's Fish Camp is counter-service only and seating is first come, first served. Expect a short wait at peak lunch and dinner hours.
Is Big Ray's Fish Camp dog friendly?
Dogs are generally welcome at the outdoor tent-covered picnic seating, but not inside the dining room. Call ahead at (813) 605-3615 to confirm.
Where do I park near Big Ray's Fish Camp?
Free street parking is available along Interbay Blvd and the adjacent residential side streets in the Ballast Point neighborhood of South Tampa.
What are the most popular dishes at Big Ray's Fish Camp?
The blackened grouper sandwich is the signature, followed by the lobster tail corn dog, fried grouper sandwich, smoked fish dip, and peel-and-eat shrimp.
What are Big Ray's Fish Camp's hours?
Tuesday 11am-4pm, Wednesday through Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 11am-8pm. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
Does Big Ray's Fish Camp offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is standard and can be ordered at the counter or by phone at (813) 605-3615. Third-party delivery is available through major apps.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Big Ray's Fish Camp.
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From Instagram
@bigraysfishcamp