Barnacles Restaurant

Despite the mixed reviews on every site about this place, our family decided to try the restaurant. Our server was excellent with patience and a thorough knowledge of the menu and explanations. It was good food, at a good pace. We all had the soup and salad bar. The clam chowder and tomato bisque were excellent. They also had three different types of crackers available, saltines, oyster and club. Both soups were hot, fresh and tasty. The fresh greens for a salad were that - fresh greens with a nice assortment of items for a salad. Everything you needed but not an abundance of different toppings. The right amount. On the other side was a prepared salad area with a variety of different "salads". This had fresh made, delivious foods on it. Next for entrees, the seafood was fresh and good portions, cooked properly. The steaks had too much fat for our iking, but was still good overall. You can't help what amount is on te cut of meat delivered, but you can ensure that the flavor is there, it is cooked properly and in a perfect setting, trim off the fat. The rice, the potatoes and fries were all hot and tasted good. They had a nice house wine, and good beer selection also. It is not the fanciest and I would recommend staying with the seafood and their sopecial the crab legs - all - U - can - eat. This was the higlight of the menu. Would we return, YES. I have eaten at fancier, pricer, places and had lousy food,. They seem to be wokring hard to "re-vamp the place." Everyone has a different take on things, we had a great server and good food at resonable pricing. We however, enjoyed the food, ambiance, and overall experience. I would recommend.

In spite of the construction happening at the front door, Barnacles was a great choice for dinner. The service was prompt, the portions were large, and the New England Clam Chowder was the best that I have ever tasted...ever.

We will be going back on our next trip to Ormond Beach.

Cannot cook a steak: Two of us asked for the steaks to be cooked medium-well and they came out charred. Another asked for medium-rare and she ended up sick all night. Keep driving!