Rotten Ralphs - A Fun Waterside Anna Maria Island Restaurant With A Great View.What could possibly be appealing about an eatery with the name Rotten Ralphs? Well, we decided to find out. Having previously been to Anna Maria Island Florida on Labor Day, I recalled a place we said we would like to come back to and check out on the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The place was Rotten Ralphs!
Waterside Anna Maria Island Restaurants – Rotten Ralphs
After a scenic drive north, up Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key and across the bridge and on to Anna Maria Island we soon came to historic Bridge Street in the community of Bradenton Beach. The street is about 2 blocks long with a couple restaurants and diners, quaint shops and souvenir shops on both sides of the street. There's also a vacant lot that serves as the back drop for an open air market on Saturday mornings. They have everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to crafts and music. After we strolled through the open air market and the Bridge Street shops we walked out the Bridge Street Pier to Rotten Ralphs. Now, this is ‘high season’ in Florida with the confluence of winter snowbirds, regular vacationers and spring breakers. So it can be quite busy when going out to lunch or dinner and waits can be quite long. But my plan was to beat the crowds and the traffic. So I timed our road trip so that we would arrive in Bradenton Beach about 1:30 p.m, and we did. Tack on about another half-hour or more of a walking tour and it was time for lunch.   Anna Maria Island Restaurants - Rotten RalphsWhen we arrived at Rotten Ralphs we pretty much had our choice of prime outdoor, on the deck, “real estate” (seating). We selected a table with a wonderful view of the harbor and, over our shoulder, the Cortez Street Bridge between Bradenton and Bradenton Beach.You really couldn’t ask for a better view. So far Rotten Ralphs wasn’t looking so rotten! Once seated, drink orders were taken for our foursome and menus were handed out. We were here for lunch, but I noticed on the menu that they also serve breakfast here. Nice to know. There were lots of moderately priced choices on the menu on our visit. There also was a high end on the menu with everything from a Fisherman’s Platter for $23.99, plus Grouper, Scampi, and Chicken Dishes to a Rotten Ralph Steak for $20.99, and several pasta choices in the $12 - $14 price range. It was a really well rounded menu with various prices ranges and the bonus: great outdoor views on the water.
Rotten Ralphs in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island Florida
Our friendly waitress brought our lunch order - it seemed like in seconds-flat! And it all looked great as it was being delivered to our table. Ma was having the Seafood Gumbo, home made, a meal in itself and just $7.35. She said it was very good and filling. Dad, I and Cindy went for the all you can eat Fish and Chips for $9.99. They were light, flaky Pollock fillets dipped in batter, golden fried, served with lightly seasoned French fries (Old Bay Seasoning perhaps?) – These were large, tasty fillets.  
The Fish and Chips were filling and came with a side of cole slaw. Add some malt vinegar and tarter sauce along with a couple beers, mix in a beautiful outdoor waterside view, top it off with a clear, bright, not-a-cloud-in-the-sky, sunshine-filled 75 degree Florida afternoon and it just doesn’t get any better. So what did we find “rotten” about Rotten Ralphs? Actually, nothing! We had timed our arrival for after the lunch hour rush, were seated immediately, served promptly by a friendly waitress and we all enjoyed our lunches and the great waterside view. I would say it was time and money well spent. Next time we go, I’ll probably have the Fish & Chips again!
Hours: Daily from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.
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