It's Superbowl Sunday and we are hungry after a midnight arrival at our time share the night before-there was nothing edible in the unit. Familiar with the Palm Harbor/Crystal Beach or Suncoast area of Florida? We weren't either. At 11 am, we stumbled into the Thirsty Marlin-nice looking place but with no customers in sight so we weren't sure if it was an ok place. We lucked out with a friendly smiling host and waiter. The menu had a plethora of sandwiches, fishy and not, pastas, appetizers and soups. We ordered a side of beans and rice which was delicious. Most unusual was a dessert that we couldn't resist - the Marlin Fried Cheesecake. This was a kind of cheese filled pastry shaped like an egg roll, sliced and deep fried. It was presented on a bed of crushed Oreo cookies and topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry.
Prices are reasonable with sandwiches at $5.95-$6.95 and includes chips, slaw and a pickle. Pastas and dinners run from $12.95-$13.95. Most expensive was the New York strip at $16.95. These come with 2 sides and homemade Bahamian Paradise Bread.
The best part of this experience was that all the other people who eventually came into the restaurant appeared to be families and other locals, so we knew that this was a great find. The atmosphere is like a sprawling house. You are seated either outside in front of the house or outside in the back of the house. The weather in this part of Florida is such that air conditioning could just mean that all the windows are opened to the elements. If you're ever in the area north of Tampa on Alternate Highway 19, do drop in.