Pops Sunset Grill, a little of old Florida to go with your lunch or dinner.

Pops Sunset Grill - a fun, laid back place to dine on the water..

With bonuses like great views of the water and sunsets!

Pops Sunset Grill from Albee Road Bridge

Pops Sunset Grill is one of those out of the way places that you just have to try when you come to the Sarasota, Florida area. It looks like it was “squeezed in” along the intercoastal waterway in Nokomis, but this Sarasota Dining Guide establishment really predates much of the construction that has gone on around it over the years. It’s really surprising (no, shocking!) that the spot hasn’t yet been taken over by condo developers.

Pops Sunset Grill sits right on the water with a spectacular view of the waterway and if you want to imagine that you’re “sittin on the dock of the bay” or in “Margaritaville,” no one’s going to stop you. This is that kind of place!

It’s a friendly crowd and there’s full bar service from the Tiki Hut Bar along with both indoor and outdoor seating. From any vantage point at Pops Sunset Grill you’ll be able to watch large motor yachts and small boats sailing up and down the waterway. You’ll watch the nearby Albee Road drawbridge raise and lower. You’ll spot Pelicans, Snowy Egrets; occasionally a Great Blue Heron will land on the dock next to the outdoor dining area. A number of birds come by looking for generous and sympathetic diners.

You might also spot “Moochie,” patrolling the waterway, looking for handouts from passing boaters, (which is illegal, by the way). Moochie, or as some call him, Beggar, is a bottle nose dolphin. You can frequently see him and others in the channel alongside Pops.

A dining area at Pops Sunset Grill Nokomis Florida

They don’t charge extra for the sunset at Pops even though it’s called the “Sunset Grill.”

While most of what’s on the menu would not be categorized as “gourmet prepared” food, that’s not what they do at Pops nor why you go. You go for the atmosphere, the scenery, being right on the water and a little bit of what's left of old Florida. It’s one of the few remaining restaurants in Sarasota, and its surrounding area, where you can actually dine on the water and get a good meal at a fair price.

There's a wide menu to select from, including seafood and steam pots, a grouper Reuben, steaks, burgers and much more. The food is good, tasty and filling.

There are menu items in all price ranges, but Pops is not price gouging, which they could easily do because of their great location.

When I go for lunch I usually only have a basic burger basket, which is a standard burger and fries. There are a couple different varieties of burgers on the menu.

There are also chicken fingers and sandwiches, “fresh catch” sandwiches that you can order “blackened,” lots of appetizers to choose from like buffalo wings and peel ‘n eat shrimp. There’s plenty here to choose from.

A view of the dining area at Pops Sunset Grill in Nokomis Florida

For dinner I like to order their version of Shrimp Scampi, or a steak.

The steaks, which I order on occasion, are cooked to order, which is medium, and they are mouth-watering and delicious.

The Shrimp Scampi at Pops Sunset Grill is the best one I’ve had to date out of a number of Sarasota restaurants where I’ve ordered this specialty.

Here’s how it’s served: The done-to-tender-perfection shrimp are laid out over a bed of linguine, in a nice, light white wine sauce that’s very tasty. They don’t over-season the shrimp with chopped garlic so that it becomes overly salty tasting. They use a milder sense of seasoning at Pops. It’s just right, for my taste.

Shrimp Scampi at Pops Sunset Grill in Nokomis Florida

The linguine is almost swimming in shrimp and a small amount of diced tomatoes. They don’t scrimp on the shrimp in this shrimp scampi dish. I’ve counted about 20 or more medium size shrimp in the dish. They also include a cup of shredded cheese, on the side, so you can sprinkle it over the top of the tender, nicely seasoned shrimp and pasta. A couple pieces of garlic toast accompany this meal. It’s really very good and very filling. You may have trouble cleaning up your plate!

Add your favorite glass of white wine or a beer to this dish and, voila’, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy the sunset over the gulf, over a delicious dinner.

Sunset view at Nokomis Beach from Pops Sunset Grill

Pops also has a gift shop where you can purchase Florida and Sarasota mementos and souvenirs and a Tiki Hut bar from where you can usually hear music or watch a game while you have a tropical drink.

One of the few Sarasota Florida Restaurants left on the water; all in all, I always enjoy my time at Pops Sunset Grill.

One note: During peak season it can be extremely busy and the wait can be long for a table as diners come by both land and water.

Pops Sunset Grill patio in Nokomis Florida

Directions: It’s a little tricky finding Pops Sunset Grill. From Sarasota, travel south on U.S. Rt. 41 (Tamiami Trail) to Nokomis.

Turn right onto Albee Road. Follow Albee Road to just before the drawbridge that goes over to Casey Key and Nokomis Beach.

Turn left before the drawbridge at Gulf Harbor Marina and head straight past the boat marina storage building, back into one of the two parking lots that you’ll see in front of you.

You’re now in the parking lots of Pops Sunset Grill. Mind you, parking is not always the best here. You may want to find another nearby parking location, now that you’ve found Pops successfully. (941) 488-3177

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