Florida Locals Say The Fried Seafood Platters At This Riverfront Restaurant Never Disappoint
A platter built for two arrives with shrimp, oysters, scallops, fish, fresh clam strips, and not one but two deviled crabs. That lineup alone deserves a moment of respect.
The restaurant serving it sits on a bend of the St. Johns River called The Devil’s Elbow. For 57 years before that, the same shoreline was a busy marine repair and supply yard.
I like how a place this rooted in Florida river life still lets you pull up by boat. I believe crispy hushpuppies taste better with water views, and I’m not open to debate on that.
The man behind the name has been serving seafood to hungry North Floridians since 1979. So what keeps a riverside fish house like this going strong decade after decade?
Order The Platter For Two And Clear Some Table Space
Two people, one platter, and enough fried seafood to make the table creak a little. Corky’s Platter For Two is the headliner at Corky Bell’s Seafood at Gator Landing, and it earns the spotlight.
The lineup reads like a greatest hits album from the sea. You get shrimp, oysters, scallops, filet of fish, fresh clam strips, and two deviled crabs.
That variety is the real magic here. Nobody has to fight over who ordered better, because everyone gets a taste of everything.
Sharing also turns dinner into a little adventure. One bite of scallop, then an oyster, then a clam strip, and suddenly you’re ranking favorites out loud.
Like the other dinners, it comes with crispy hushpuppies and your choice of sides. Those extras matter, so pick sides that balance all that golden crunch.
Cheese grits or collard greens make a smart partner for fried seafood. Crunchy Corky Slaw adds a cool, crisp break between bites.
My advice is simple and very practical. Bring someone you actually like sharing food with, because this platter tests friendships in the best way.
Flying Solo? The Big Mate Has Your Back
Not every seafood craving needs a co-pilot. The Big Mate Platter handles the job alone, piling shrimp, oysters, scallops, filet of fish, and a deviled crab onto one plate.
It’s basically a sampler with confidence. You still get variety without negotiating with anyone across the table.
Prefer to keep things simpler? The Your Choice Platter lets you build a combo from shrimp, scallops, and fish.
Oysters can step in as a substitute on that one. It’s a nice option for folks who know exactly what they love and want more of it.
Here’s a bonus that changes things for mixed groups. Most seafood items at Corky Bell’s can be prepared fried, broiled, grilled, or blackened.
That means the person who loves crunch and the person craving lighter fare can both leave happy. Blackened scallops next to fried shrimp?
Totally fair game.
Still, the fried version is the classic Florida fish camp move. Golden, crispy seafood by the river just fits the setting, like flip-flops at a dock.
Try fried first, then come back for blackened. Consider it research.
Save Room For The Hushpuppies And Southern Sides
Hushpuppies don’t get top billing on the menu, but they might steal the show anyway. Crispy hushpuppies come with dinners here, and they’re the kind of side that disappears fast.
Then comes the fun part. You pick two sides, and the list leans proudly Southern.
Cheese grits, collard greens, and green beans all make an appearance. Stewed Tomatoes and Okra over Rice is the one that feels most like a home kitchen in North Florida.
Baked potato and French fries cover the classic route. There’s also a Veggie of the Day, Crunchy Corky Slaw, and applesauce for anyone keeping it mild.
Want greens on the plate instead? A side salad can be swapped in for an extra charge.
Choosing sides is honestly a strategy game. Fried seafood loves something tangy or tender beside it, so slaw or stewed tomatoes make a smart pick.
Picky eaters at the table have plenty of safe choices too. Fries and applesauce can rescue almost any kid’s dinner.
Just don’t fill up on hushpuppies before the main event arrives. Easier said than done, I know.
Gator Tail And Frog Legs Are Calling Your Name
Swamp Treats. That’s the actual name of this section of the menu, and it delivers exactly what it promises.
Gator Tail leads the pack, which feels right at a place called Gator Landing. Frog Legs, Crawfish, and Whole Catfish round out the group.
For visitors from out of state, this is the bragging-rights order. Telling friends back home you ate gator on the St. Johns River makes a pretty great story.
Locals know these dishes as classic Florida fish camp fare. They connect the menu to the rivers, creeks, and marshes all around this part of the state.
Nervous about trying gator for the first time? Order it as something to share, so everyone gets a bite without committing to a whole plate.
Whole Catfish is a smart pick for anyone who wants a true Southern river supper. It pairs naturally with collard greens and a pile of hushpuppies.
Crawfish brings a little Gulf Coast flavor to the table as well. Mixing a swamp treat with a regular platter gives you the full Corky Bell’s experience.
Be brave once. Your taste buds might thank you.
Start Strong With An Appetizer Lineup That Goes On Forever
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab Fingers, Conch Fritters, Fried Pickles. Reading the appetizer list at Corky Bell’s Seafood at Gator Landing feels like scrolling through a menu with no bottom.
Seafood starters lead the way. Shrimp Cocktail, Grilled Shrimp, Stuffed Shrimp, Crawfish, and Corky’s Cod Bites all compete for attention.
The fried side of the list is just as busy. Mushrooms, Cheese Sticks, Squash, Pickles, Crab Cakes, and Calamari are all on deck.
Fried squash deserves a special shout-out. It’s a Southern favorite that doesn’t show up on enough menus anymore.
Here’s a practical tip for groups. Order two or three starters for the table while everyone studies the dinner menu.
That keeps hungry kids, and hungry adults, from getting grumpy. It also lets you sample flavors you might skip as a full meal.
Cod Bites and Conch Fritters make a fun pairing for seafood fans. Cheese Sticks keep the non-seafood folks perfectly content.
Just remember a big platter is likely heading your way soon. Pace yourself, champion, because the main course is the reason you came.
Grab A Deck Seat Facing The Devil’s Elbow
The Devil’s Elbow sounds like a pirate hideout. In reality, it’s the name of the bend in the St. Johns River where this restaurant sits.
That location is a big part of the appeal. The river stretches wide here, giving diners real water views instead of a parking lot.
You’ll find the restaurant at 185 S US Highway 17, East Palatka, FL 32131. It’s right along the highway, so it’s an easy stop on a Florida road trip.
Seating comes both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor tables put you closest to the river breeze and the scenery.
Inside, the decor leans into fishing themes. It matches the laid-back, dockside personality of the whole place.
On a pleasant day, the deck feels like the obvious choice. A plate of fried shrimp just tastes more vacation-y with water in view.
Hot summer afternoon? Indoor seating offers a cooler escape without losing that relaxed river-town mood.
Either way, the setting does a lot of heavy lifting. Good seafood plus a big river view is a combo that rarely needs improvement.
Skip The Car And Show Up By Boat
Parking spot? Optional.
Corky Bell’s Seafood at Gator Landing has a boat dock for guests arriving by water.
That one detail tells you a lot about the place. It’s built for river people as much as road trippers.
Boaters cruising the St. Johns can tie up and walk straight to lunch. Few dinner plans feel cooler than that.
The dock also has a fun side job. Bass fishing tournaments occasionally use it for unloading catches.
Think about that for a second. Anglers bring in their haul right next to a restaurant serving a fried fish feast.
That mix of working river and dinner table goes way back on this spot. The site spent decades as a marine repair and supply yard before becoming a restaurant.
No boat? No problem at all.
Walking out to the dock before or after your meal is a pleasant way to stretch your legs and soak up the river.
Families with kids might enjoy watching boats come and go. It’s free entertainment while you wait for those hushpuppies to arrive.
Meet The Story Behind The Name On The Sign
Back in 1979, Charles “Corky” Bell opened his first seafood restaurant at Pacetti’s on Trout Creek. That launched a career feeding North Floridians fried, broiled, blackened, and grilled fish and shellfish.
Later, Corky and his wife, Betty, established Corky Bell’s at Gator Landing. The spot has since grown into a local landmark.
The land itself carries a story too. From 1938 to 1995, this shoreline was a marine repair and supply yard.
Former owner Frank Oliver built a restaurant here to show off the river view. Corky Bell’s carries that tradition forward today.
I love when a restaurant honors the place it stands on. Instead of hiding the river, the whole operation celebrates it.
Decades in the seafood business also say something. Restaurants don’t stick around that long by accident, especially in Florida where fried fish competition is fierce.
So when you crunch into a deviled crab here, you’re tasting a long tradition. That history adds a little extra flavor to every bite.
Not many dinners come with a backstory this good.
End On Key Lime Pie And Plan Your Visit Right
Key lime pie after a fried seafood platter is about as Florida as dessert gets. Corky Bell’s also offers chocolate cake, cheesecake, and carrot cake.
During the holidays, fruitcake joins the lineup. Yes, fruitcake, and somebody out there is thrilled about it.
Doors open at 11 AM every day. The restaurant closes at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
That schedule makes both lunch and dinner easy to plan. A midday visit is a great way to enjoy the river in full daylight.
Families fit right in here. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the menu includes Certified Angus Beef and hamburgers for anyone skipping seafood.
Accessibility is covered too. The parking lot, entrance, restroom, and seating are all wheelchair accessible.
Live entertainment sometimes shows up as well, including reggae on some Thursday nights. Check ahead if music is part of your plan.
Credit cards are accepted, so no scrambling for cash. Now all that’s left is picking a platter and saving room for pie.