Reviews of Alternate Grounds Dockside (Fish Shop)

DyyLe YT

We were in Sarnia to watch my son's football game. My husband and I decided to stop in at this restaurant after hearing many very good reviews about their food and atmosphere. We shared the crab cakes, which were actually lobster. Delicious!!!!!! My husband had the lobster mac and cheese, he said it was yummy. I had the fajita quesadilla (I requested to have it served without the tortilla wrap), awesome!!!!! The young lady who sat us at our table was very pleasant and had a very warm welcome for us. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive and ver friendly. We sat out on the patio, it overlooked the marina......it was beautiful. The restaurant is a very relaxed and easy going atmosphere. Nothing overly fancy in terms of decor etc. but the view makes up for that 10 fold as does the service and food. Next time I am in Sarnia, I will definitely come back to visit! I totally recommend this restaurant.

Elizabeth Solley

Ashley was a great waitress. We recently visited for dinner and had a great time. She kept us entertained and happy. I order the cod special and it was great. Two others in my group had the poutine, which they very much enjoyed, and another had the fish and fries and loves it. I would definitely return!

Bernie H

Good food, horrible wasps!

Home Decor Solutions & Garden Inspiration

We were passing through Sarnia and stopped to see the Tall Ships at Centennial Park and were so glad we stayed for dinner at the Alternate Grounds Dockside at the marina. It is a wonderful location right on the water with a beautiful view of Sarnia Bay. We were warmly welcomed and seated at a table outside on the dock, on this night there was a live band playing, the sun was shining, boats sailing into the marina, the atmosphere was fantastic and fortunately the food was great too. The dinner menu was very eclectic, unique fair that screamed out "try me first!" We started with salads that came with our meal, the Summer Berry was awesome and the Traditional Greek was delish. We had our young son with us who is gluten sensitive and they made him the best buttermilk, corn flour chicken tenders and fries he ever had; in a separate fryer. We also had the Cafe Ruben, which was so tangy and flavorful with the sauerkraut, Dijon, and 1000 island dressing, it was stacked thick with corned beef on marble rye, yum. We also sampled the special, it was an amazing lobster roll that was going to be added to the main menu by popular demand and I could taste why. As you could surmise we all loved our food, the scenic ambiance is the best it the city and the service was great. We plan to go back for breakfast, apparently it has a great menu, took a peek at it, lots of cool, tasty options...yes I'm talking about you Crab Cake Benny. 'Til we eat again, and we will!

James Gilmore

The food was excellent and there was several dishes to choose including vegan. We recommend the portabello mushroom dish and the Rubin sandwich. The waitress “ASHLEEEE”. made our entire experience. She was funny, fast and full of life. We went back again for drinks and an appetizer and specifically asked for her. She was awesome again.

Margie Beck

Fish and chips were great. Kids had homeade mac and cheese! Location over the water was nice and very kid friendly!

Eric Pfeifer

Great little restaurant at Sarnia Bay Marina. Been going there for Breakfast for years.

Eldin Mott

Had dinner here with my toddler on the patio. I was nervous about eating out with her due to COVID but the measures this restaurant has taken made me feel better. The food was great, service very friendly, and prices reasonable. When back in Sarnia, will eat here again. Highly recommend.

Nathan Colquhoun

Dockside is a hidden gem in Sarnia. Incredible food with creative twists that puts many restaurants in this area to shame. Their breakfast menu alone deserves five stars but then their "after breakfast" menu is great for lunch and dinner. A great location on the water and friendly staff as well.

Jeff Aikman

I have always enjoyed going to dockside in the summer for good food in a georgious atmosphere. I usually have the meatloaf sandwich but was disappointed to find that it was no longer on the regular menu. They did have a meatloaf sandwich as a special when I was there and it was ok but not nearly as good as the one they had on the menu in the past.

Glen Taylor

Casual dining at picnic tables under the tent. It is a fun place to eat and watch the boat ramp!

Rogue Trippers

Date of Visit: Sunday, July 7th, 2019 We drove to Sarnia for a day trip to meet a friend. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to have dinner at a Waterfront restaurant on a patio for that full summer dining experience. When we arrived, it was not very busy, and we decided to eat on the patio, where there were about 1/2 of the tables occupied. Our hostess seated us in the middle (table #46) which was fine. There were several servers milling about, going to all of the various occupied tables, serving food, getting drinks, clearing plates, etc. While we sat there for over 10 minutes, none of these servers came to our table. One worker cleared a table that left beside us, but she never looked at us. a new group of people came to sit at that table. We were virtually ignored by everyone. We tried to get people's attention, we tried to make eye contact, we put our menus down and to the side, all to try and get someone's attention, but no one even looked at us. A server went to the table that just sat down next to us, and started uttering "Can i get you something to drink?" when one of our party interrupted her and said, "before you take their order, can we get someone to take ours, we have been waiting here for over 15 minutes now without so much as acknowledgment". She was obviously shocked, and genuinely sorry. She got the girl who is 'covering' table 46, and that girl (with dyed pink/purple hair) basically threw shade saying (in an terse voice) "if your taking this table - go ahead." and she walked away to her other table. The girl who took our table (a blonde girl) was very kind after this encounter, and turned the entire negative situation into a more positive experience. That unpleasantness aside..... The location: beautifully situated on the water with views of boats, and birds, etc. The food: We had the tacos (fish & Shrimp), and the chicken tenders. The tacos - you get 3 very LARGE tacos (no sides - but you dont need anything else). They were very good - over full with fillings of fish, coleslaw, pico de galo, etc. These are more like 3 large burritos that just did not get folded. A lot of food. The chicken tenders are not your average chicken tenders - These are huge pieces of chicken that are beautifully battered and fried, served with sauce of your choice and a salad. Meal portions are fantastic. You will not leave hungry. The flavours could be 'amped-up' a little, but still very good. The Prices - very reasonable. No complaints about that. You get a lot of food for the price you pay. They have local craft beer on tap which is nice as well. There is plenty of on site and free parking. They have a nice covering above the outdoor patio that provides a nice mix of sun AND shade so that you are fairly comfortable. Dining on the water can be a bit chilly even on a hot day. This review would have been a 4/5 if it had not been for the unpleasantness of being ignored at the beginning. I would think that instead of fighting over who's table it is, that you would be happy to pick up a table and get the tip that comes with it.

Kerry M Gabriel

Such a great spot to enjoy with your favourite company. We went mid afternoon,so we missed the lunch and supper rush on the deck! Our server was super, very efficient and look after us really well. The vibe was chill, the boats out front of us were gorgeous, just an excellent spot to enjoy the water's edge. The chicken tenders are the best! Enjoy your own experience!

Mélyssa-Jill DiLallo

Lobster Roll!!! AMAZING

Janet Tancrede

Our waitress totally didn't listen to me order Ordered my eggs over hard with the yolks broke and it was over runny Took my eggs back to cook them more and came back the same I think they just went to the kitchen and back (they did take 7$ off the bill) My Latkes came 10 minutes after our breakfast was served Husband got a 2nd cup of coffee but not me I guess I was a trouble maker When I did get a coffee it was sooo bitter I didn't complain about the coffee good grief

Jeff Dowswell

I would have rated 5 stars if it was based on food alone. It's a touch pricey though. We had bacon cheeseburgers and fries with gravy and it was over $40. That being said, we will be back. The food tasted great in the atmosphere is very pleasant

Sean Carson

Top notch service, friendly staff and amazing food. I chose to have the fish tacos, which didn't disappoint. They were fresh, flaky and pleasently seasoned. The toppings were fresh and gave the perfect blend of flavours. Regarding the staff, i have to give the management a big thanks for hiring a wonderful group of servers. They were all friendly, well mannered and professional. I travel with my dog all the time, so it was a pleasant surprise that I could bring him on patio. Every staff member came to say hello and they also brought him water right way. Again the service was the best I have had in many establishments; that says alot since I travel frequently. Next time I am in Sarnia I will definitely stop in for another meal.

Amy Muschik, Imagery by Amy

The location is fantastic. It will be a perfect spot to enjoy drinks and snacks on the patio right on the water at the marina. Will have to return for breakfast the menu looked great and I have to try lobster eggs benny. Fish tacos were great!

David Enns

Good experience overall. Good food great view!

Jennifer Perry

Went Sunday morning on Tall Ships weekend. Line up when we got there st 1030 but moved fast. Great seats outside to watch the boaters taking off for a day on the lake. Great traditional breakfast and some fancies as well aka specialty waffles and pancakes and of course there own version of a Benny.Despite the lineups all weekend the servers could not have been any sweeter. Great place to watch the boats and all the baby ducks.

Karen Fischer

Excellent breakfast in a great atmosphere overlooking the water. The service was excellent, as well.

Zen Yoga

Amazing views, amazing service, awesome food, this restaurant is a must try!

Kim Huynh

Food and service are terrible, I ordered a lobster roll but could not taste a single piece of lobster, it was just chopped crab sticks. And it was bread, not roll!! The whole dish was just so wrong! When we asked our server - Hana, she said the roll supposed to have only fresh lobsters and did not compensate anything for us and just gave us the bill. She treated us differently from other tables for the whole dinner and did not have a single smile on her face. She made the whole experience at this restaurant even worse. We were extremely disappointed about the night and regretted we spent our only night at Sarnia here!

Robin Kirby

Was an amazing meal on 2 days that we attended..food great & the best Caesars I have had! Great staff - service

Kristen Varpe

Love it, usually you go to this kind of place for the view, but... let me tell you the fish and fries, the Cuban and the pad Thai. And the brownie to die for. Life music, great service, food and relaxing place.

Aaron Robb

As always, great food, but being gluten intolerant, there isn't really much on the menu to eat. Had to go with a salad, but my dining partners' meals looked great!

Kim Leong

Very good meal. Fresh ingredients. Great staff and chef's.

Michelle Moniz

Food and drink was fantastic! Service was exceptional. Really enjoy this location.

Lori

If I could rate this place in the negatives I would.. The food was way over priced and the quality was worse then any fast food restaurant I have ever been too. Someone else on here gave a bad review about the lobster roll and she was spot on. This was our one night out in years and was recommended this place to have dinner. What a major disappointment.

Tim Cruickshank

Good beer selection. Great service. A bit noisy in the one dining area beside the kitchen. My lobster mac and cheese was superb.

Pedro Patricio

Unfortunately it’s closed and Google has wrong information

Shawn Gray

On the water in the marina. Great place for drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are some really good breakfast places in town but I think this place is the best.

Samantha Goodacre

This place is so good. Excellent food, good drinks, and very funny and friendly staff 10/10

P H I L I P

Enjoyed breakfast outside on the edge of the deck, overlooking the bay. It was everything you’d want and more in a restaurant experience. Recommended for breakfast: two eggs over-medium, sausage (you get two good-sized ones), hash browns, rye toast, coffee, and a side order of bacon, where you get 4 pieces. Service was fast and friendly. Neither of us had to ask for a refill, servers were on it. Good job and keep up the good work Dockside and staff!

Marty Fraser

Great atmosphere. The bar side had some music and the servers were all very enthusiastic. There were 3 kids in our group and they were entertained the the whole time. My wife loved the lobster mac & cheese.

Keith Jones

Disappointed. With all the great reviews we thought we'd try it out. Needless to say, the food and the service was ho-hum. I can say that the beer was good but you can get good beer anywhere. We arrived early to put our name on the wait list and when we were called we asked if we could wait to get the next table on the dock instead of the tent. We were told that was okay. This was where the communication between the hostesses fell through because we were forgotten and had to watch multiple groups get seated ahead of us. When I asked what happened I was told that my name was called and we missed out. We were only standing a few feet away. In the end, due to waiting even longer, we settled for sitting under the tent and the service really didn't pick up. It is unfortunate. We understand that miscommunication happens but there were no pleasantries at all. It's too bad because my wife and I were thinking of coming back with our children and after this we likely will not be back.

Mark Russell

The place has a nice view, but they have a hair trigger and will close the deck at the slightest hint of poor weather, then all you get a view of is the parking lot. Prices are ridiculous. $17 for a sandwich on par with what you'd get at 7/11. $15 for a pound of tiny wings. $6 for a small can of Coors light or Canadian. At least the wait staff is nice.

Gus Croteau

Always great for and service, love that we can sit out over the water.

Tim Wall

Surprised by how great the food is! The worst thing was trying to figure out what to pick to eat since everything sounded great. With a group of 4, each dish was excellent!!! Chimichanga, chicken fajitas, chicken tenderloins, and veggie quesadillas were all fantastic!!! The patio view is prefect with lost of protection from the sun.

leila bengaran

Unfortunately we had a bad experience recently. We were waiting for our food for more than 45 minutes and when we asked our waitress give us an approximate of how much longer we would have to wait, she said she don't know. She didn't even try to show us some respect by going and checking . We decided to leave when the manager came to talk with us, but he showed us an attitude. They served us our food like a take away when we were waiting for dining there and didn't even apologize. Even the food wasn't great, as the burger was raw in the middle, and the Philly steak was over cooked. They obviously don't care too much about their customer service!!!

Daniel Derkatch

Refreshing drinks

Tracey Walker

Great Food. View of the Marina. Outdoor seating. Little confusing getting there. Signs along the way turn you around a bit but just keep going till you get to the end !

Liana Jennings

Great food! Wonderful outdoor patio! Very attentive staff! Thanks!!

Irene Berdan

Love it here, the service and food are amazing and the patio is to die for!

Marlon Salmon

Great place ..wonderful view they have an awesome menu with very tasty food. Dockside is a truly hidden gem..great management with an awesome staff that service some really unique tasty dishes .. great selection on the menu..breakfast or lunch or dinner .. should be on you got to eat here..because you got to eat here!!

Carol Baker-Crichton

Always a great experience !!! A group of us had lunch and everyone enjoyed their food .The service was excellent . I especially loved the Today's Special ... A MonteChristo sandwich and seafood soup . I wish they were open all year long ????

Darryl De Keyser

Went for breakfast. Had lots of variety and selection, but was a bit pricey. Food was good.

Jordan Sweet

Great atmosphere and setting right in a bay of the water of the St. Clair river just before Lake Huron. Cocktails are crafted well and taste delicious! The food is prepared well and tastes delicious too. Known for their breakfast, but I've never tried it yet, so I'll definitely be back soon!

Mercedes Johnson

We were passing through Sarnia and stopped to see the Tall Ships at Centennial Park and were so glad we stayed for dinner at the Alternate Grounds Dockside at the marina. It is a wonderful location right on the water with a beautiful view of Sarnia Bay. We were warmly welcomed and seated at a table outside on the dock, on this night there was a live band playing, the sun was shining, boats sailing into the marina, the atmosphere was fantastic and fortunately the food was great too. The dinner menu was very eclectic, unique fair that screamed out "try me first!" We started with salads, the Summer Berry was awesome and the Traditional Greek was delish.

Jim McVean

Food was good. Had the Miami Cuban sandwich. Bit expensive, but it's on the water so I was expecting that.

Dominic Scrivener

Really nice location. The patio is right on the water, also the inside windows were over the water. So a lot of nice seating. The food looked fresh cut and handmade. Had the crab cake appetizer, fish tacos and shrimp tacos. Crab cakes were a like over fishy tasting, but I can't wait to go back for the shrimp tacos.

Janet Varsava

Delicious choices especially Eggs Benedict. Very much enjoy their creative meals on the outdoor deck in fine weather.

Gail Walters

My friend and I were there for dinner Friday July5/2019. I used to live in Sarnia years ago and we never had any restaurants on or near the water. Your location was great.! Unfortunately patio was full but inside was fine as we could see the yachts and we were right beside the water. Our meal was good , service good. Our main server Ashlee helped to make it a great dinner. She was interesting, efficient, patient, as I had a walker and don’t get around too fast now. Ashlee could not have done more for us. She helped to make our evening fun. When I visit again I will definitely be back and try breakfast as well.

Patti Allan

Went with a co-worker for lunch. Service was quick and friendly. I had the chicken bites tossed in a honey garlic sauce and deep fried chips. My coworker had the breaded fish and she said it was very good. Price seemed reasonable for both meals

Hilary Ryan

Have loved everything I've tried here. Tried the chips with quac and queso dip for the first time this week and it was fabulous! Wish they were open year round.

Gwen F

We were in Sarnia to watch my son's football game. My husband and I decided to stop in at this restaurant after hearing many very good reviews about their food and atmosphere. We shared the crab cakes, which were actually lobster. Delicious!!!!!! My husband had the lobster mac and cheese, he said it was yummy. I had the fajita quesadilla (I requested to have it served without the tortilla wrap), awesome!!!!! The young lady who sat us at our table was very pleasant and had a very warm welcome for us. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive and ver friendly. We sat out on the patio, it overlooked the marina......it was beautiful. The restaurant is a very relaxed and easy going atmosphere. Nothing overly fancy in terms of decor etc. but the view makes up for that 10 fold as does the service and food. Next time I am in Sarnia, I will definitely come back to visit! I totally recommend this restaurant.

Mark McCarthy

No wait, we sat right away Very clean. Waitress was very good. I had a Philly cheese steak sandwich last time and it was amazing, but it was not on the menu this time which was disappointing. A little bit pricey.

Terry Robinson

Walked to Dockside from the marina on recommendation from locals. The location was beside the Sarnia marina and on the waterfront overlooking some of the marina and downtown area. The patio Atmosphere was similar to dockside bars we visited in the Florida Keys. The food was excellent and there was several dishes to choose including vegan. We recommend the portabello mushroom dish and the Rubin sandwich. The waitress “ASHLEEEE”. made our entire experience. She was funny, fast and full of life. We went back again for drinks and an appetizer and specifically asked for her. She was awesome again. We will be back for the food the atmosphere and the service.

John Noel

Nice views of Marina. The outside seating is nice, with both sunny and shaded areas. The food is good; I would call it elevated comfort food. Really nice place to go for brunch. It is typically fairly busy, which is usually a good sign that they are doing something right. Staff is friendly and service is decent.

Abe Bergen

Good food, good service and very nice outdoor seating arrangements.. Love sitting and watching yacht's and boats pill in..

Daniel I

Enjoyed some live music, a nice view, great service and some of the best damn nachos I've ever had! Will definitely go back when I'm in Sarnia again

Lorie Hook

Nice atmosphere on patio. Good food and service.

Dawn Nguyen

Decent service and wonderful waterfront view. However I have to give a fair warning - the lobster in the mac n cheese was fake (rubbery processed kind) so definitely not worth the high price tag.

Leita Innis

Great food with a great view, the service was a little slow but due to covid thats reasonable, I had the fish and chips and it was very delicious and filling.

Kahlil Roper

Absolutely love it every time I come here. Must get the VIP sandwich it’s out of this world!!! It’s so cozy and calming sitting on the dock looking at the beautiful boats. This is my number one spot to come in the summer!!! Keep up the awesome work. What a fantastic experience, Ashleeee was amazing. Food 10/10. Excited to come back!!!!!!!! Best waterfront restaurant.

Peggy Geromette

Super service, great breakfast, nice views right at the water's edge.

S P

The food is convenient from the marina and from shore. The prices were a little high but in the end that that much higher than anywhere else. The menu is located online which makes it easier to order from the boat. The menu did not list anything specifically gluten free but when called they had several different options for gluten free food. A nice surprise. #localguides #glutenfree #gf

H

We got there hoping to sit on the patio but there was a waitlist so we opted to sit inside (not their fault, of course). Considering how busy the patio was I expected the food to be delicious but was sorely disappointed. My pad Thai had sauce that was kind of interesting but I ordered it with shrimp which did not taste fresh at all and smelled extremely weird. My friend had the bacon mac & cheese and it was essentially like soup... I won’t return again

Tina Larson

Pleasantly surprised by dockside. I honestly didn't thing I would enjoy it as they're known primarily for their seafood, but I will say i tried it, and it's amazing! People call it pricey, but to be fair it's only pricey compared to McDonald's not compared to other restaurants! We had take out so I can't comment on the atmosphere, but I hear it's fun!

Greg Reny

Friendly staff and an awesome casual venue. Perfect stop after an afternoon of kayaking on the bay or wakeboarding at Border Pass

Teresa Oud

Amazing service!! These people go above and beyond, all working open to close. With a family of three littles, the staff was very welcoming and made us feel at home. Beyond the amazing staff is the delicious food! Select anything from the menu, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong! End your search for a place to eat and grab a table at Dockside. Enjoy the beautiful view, welcoming staff, and tasty food while sipping a cold drink. Cheers! Thank you, Dockside staff!

Bruce Madden

Visiting from Edmonton. Great experience. Love the view. My partner didn't want to leave but we have a wedding to get to. Haha :)

Kanagaraj U

Amazing views of waterfront. And the food was so delicious.

James Scalf

The food, staff and prices were above average. The only issue I had was that there was no indoor dining and due to the heat of the day I was very warm and uncomfortable This had nothing to do with the restaurant or staff. It's simply a resultant of things beyond their control. I would highly recommend this location for a great breakfast.

Charlotte Miller

Staff were well prepared for the safety of all guests & staff. Being seated on the over water patio is an excellent reason to eat at Dockside. From there you can enjoy the sunshine (or shade) while watching the boats come & go. The staff were very good. Thank you Sara for the outstanding attention to detail and customer service - you are certainly doing the correct job. Both the Reuben sandwich and summer-berry salad were great. Go the the DockSide when you visit Sarnia.

Ellie S

Absolutely love their chicken tenders!!! The staff were very friendly and informative. You won't have trouble finding parking and it's really nice sitting by the dock. There are ducks that like to swim by to look for food and the waitresses there tell us not to feed us human food so they give us duck food for us to feed. Great friendly+ and keeps us the ducks from being overfed human food. Thank you!!

Alrakos J

Food was so good, best fries ever! Also great service and really nice place to sit both indoor and out on the patio.

MARIA DANIELA LEDEZMA CASTRO

Excellent food, at least especially the Portobello plate. View is beautiful. Great place to go for lunch.

Christina Cain

Good atmosphere a bit chilly with wind but really gorgeous location and nachos were pretty good