Bill Fritts' Browns

I've never been to Harsens Island before and my family and I ventured out on a Sunday afternoon drive.

My Mom always raved how great Browns is so I had high expectations. I was quickly disappointed the second I walked through the wooden screen door.

My family and I walked in and we were told their would be a 15 minute wait. I couldn't understand why. The place was dead and their was at least 10 waitresses standing around texting on their iPhones.

When we were finally seated it took out waitress over 20 minutes to get drink orders and introduce herself. She then told us they were out of about 10 common menu items (fries, rings, chicken, etc)

My family and I ordered cheese sticks as an   Appetizer. Very tasteless. Then again they were out of ranch to dip them in!

I ordered a fish sandwich as my meal. I assumed that since the restaurant was on the water that the fish would be fresh. The bun was way too large and hard for the tiny over fried piece of fish. I would have been more satisfied getting a fish filet sandwich from McDonalds.

I wouldn't suggest this for a family get together, especially with younger children. I felt like I got an STD just walking into the bathroom with all the half naked men and women around.

Pulled up the boat to the dock and enjoyed this place - kinda the same ambience as being at an oyster bar / seafood restaurant on the beach in Florida. Lots of families enjoying their Sunday breakfast/brunch in the open area.

At the bar, my group enjoyed the build your own Bloody Mary bar with good mixers and good ingredients. Even brought me out the celery salt when I requested. I had the fresh local fish sandwich and it was tasty as were the fries. Plenty of beer choices to whet our whistle.

Bartender was friendly, snapping a group photo for us. And when we told her we were on our way to Muscamoot Bay - she showed us aerials taken the weekend before. Nice that someone takes the time to "mingle" with the guests while still able to attend to everyone's needs.

Looking forward to my next trip and a stop here!

Nothing screams summertime like having beer in a plastic cup while having a burger in an open air bar on the water. This was the case at Browns Bar on Harsen's Island.Browns is nothing fancy pretty much waht you see is what you et type of place. There were folks in overalls, camo, and the latest trends having drinks and eats. A plastic cup of Miller Lite here was a mere $2.50 and the burger is $7.50. This is very reasonable until you tack on the $6 for the ferry ride. It is a rockin place and the food was even better so in my mind it is just all worthwhile.
We both sampled the Madison burger. The madison came on Texas toast and was loaded with bacon, sauteed onions, swiss, and 1000 Island Dressing. Clean this was not. It was sloopy like it owned me!
Burger- 4
Price- 3.5
Service- 4
Overall- 4.75 (hands down due the the overalls, camo, and patriotic signs on the wall)
Burger- 4
Price- 3
Service- 4
Overall- 3.5
On Mondays this palce deals a two for one Madison Burger deal. There is also a HUGE Halloween party at the bar in October that sounds like a worthwhile trip. But this is all probably expected from a bar that has been in operation since 1946!