In my column in the July/August issue of Houseboat magazine I listed my top five lakeside stops. I love to travel to food hotspots by boat. I'm always in search of a great place to eat, so for fun I created my top five list of places that I've eaten after traveling by boat to get there.

5. Green Turtle Bay Marina. One of the first trips I ever took for this job was to Green Turtle Bay Marina on Lake Barkley in Kentucky. I remember how great the Turtle Burger was and when I returned to the area this past summer I just had to look the place up again. After all of these years, it's still one of the best marinas to grab a burger.

4. The Country Line Bar-B-Q. Just north of Houston, Texas, is a great houseboating lake that has it figured out. Those who boat on Lake Conroe have access to several great restaurants including this barbeque hot spot. What's better than eating ribs? Picking them up at the dock and eating them while on your boat!

3. Sunset Bar & Grill Restaurant. There are a lot of great stops on the California Deltas for food. From great burger places to Taco Tuesdays, you have plenty to choose from. But the deep fried asparagus at the Sunset Bar at Tower Park is worth the trip

2. FISHLIPZ GRILL. The next time you're on Center Hill Lake in Tennessee, boat over to the quieter end of the lake for a lunch that is well worth your time. The owners of the Pates Ford Marina happen to also own Tootsie's in downtown Nashville so they know a thing or two about the business. Great food, a fun atmosphere and worthy of a spot on this list.

1. Naked Pirate Grill. This is my new favorite spot that I just discovered this spring when I was visiting Lake Havasu City in Arizona at the Pirate Cove Resort on the Colorado River. Yeah, it's a little ways up the river from Havasu, but it was well worth the boat trip. At this first-class facility I had maybe the best lunch I've ever tasted. It was refreshing to know that establishments like this do exist in other places than just the movies. The food, atmosphere and the paradise feeling to this restaurant are simply amazing. It's a new resort and I'm guessing not too many people know about it just yet. Well, besides the locals who boat on this lake every year.

Now you've seen my top five list, what places are on your list?

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Brady L. Kay
Executive Editor
Houseboat Magazine
blk@harrispublishing.com

You must have been on a slow day for the Naked Pirate Grill. Sexy sells in this place with the food being just as good. Me thinks a full color editorial is needed for your East Coast Readers.

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• 1978 57' Carlcraft w/twin 454 350hp Crusaders V-drives
  
  
• 1984 26' Sleekcraft, 502 BBC, 525hp
  
  
• Realtime Weather Aboard The Bama Breeze

My favorite places to travel to eat by boat are in South Florida.
1. Sailors Return - Downtown Stuart, Fl. Owned by former Miami Dolphins and Blockbuster owner Heizenga.
2. Shrimpers-Downtown Salerno, Fl.
3. Southport Raw Bar-17th street and Cordova Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. We always stop here when going to the annual Dania Marine Market or the Miami Boat Show.

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joetil
50x15 Burns-Craft in South Fla

Try the Blackwater Inn on the St Johns river in Astor Florida. Great place.