CUISINE
COMFORTABLY CASUAL
Groupers on the Gulf
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
These loaded potato skins and shrimp tacos at Groupers on the Gulf on Indian Rocks Beach
are typical of Groupers’ casual and delicious offerings.
MARCH/APRIL 2021 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 145
Groupers on the Gulf is one
positive that has resulted from
the coronavirus pandemic. When
Michael Alfaro could no longer
travel for his profession, he and his wife,
Betty, and their sons Michael, Marcus and
Matthew, took over this hidden spot on
Indian Rocks Beach. They redecorated,
tweaked the menu and added outside
tables to create the perfect place to have
some great seafood at reasonable prices in
a casual, laid-back environment.
Every item on the small menu is
excellent, such as the awesome fish spread
and amazing guacamole appetizers. The
Alfaros are slowly adding choices to the
menu, as they feel comfortable to do so.
Other appetizers are loaded potato skins,
nachos and wings. They offer clam
chowder and lobster bisque. Caesar and
wedge salads can be ordered plain, or with
hot dog, grilled cheese or chicken bites that
come with juice boxes and chips or fries.
Betty Alfaro and her sons keep the tables
filled with food and drinks and cater to
every diner’s wish while carefully tending
to everyone’s needs. They serve draft
and bottled beers, including premiums,
in addition to wines and their own
homemade white and red sangria, once
again at rock bottom prices – delicious
sangria sells for $5.
Groupers on the Gulf is exactly what
tourists and locals alike are looking for
when they just want to kick back, relax
and enjoy good seafood without the frills
at prices that beat eating at home. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Groupers on the Gulf is
located at 1401 Gulf Blvd. (14th Avenue) on
Indian Rocks Beach, (727) 266-4276.
chicken, shrimp or grouper. Their seafood
offerings include tasty Cajun-style, peeland
eat shrimp, snow crab and mussels.
There is a steamer basket with shrimp,
mussels, crab legs, corn and potatoes with
Cajun seasoning.
You can get grouper here in tacos, as a
sandwich, in bites, or as a Reuben with all
the elements, including a great Thousand
Island dressing. There is also a perfectly
prepared salmon entrée that is one of
the best buys in the Tampa Bay area at
$10, even before you add the garlic bread
and coleslaw that come with it. To fill out
this menu, there are shrimp tacos, cheese
quesadillas to which you can add beef,
chicken, pork, grouper or Cajun shrimp.
Finally, there is a great Cuban sandwich
in two sizes and a hot dog, chili dog, or a
simple grilled cheese.
For the children, there are grouper bites, a
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