4th Street Fillin Station Review

While in Cocoa Beach, Florida, we decided to go to 4th Street Fillin Station for lunch. We had heard great things about the food, and I was excited to go. When we arrived, we requested a table on the patio, and they directed us to choose a table. Chris stopped at the restroom while the rest of us sat at a table. Someone dropped off a stack of menus and silverware.

We quickly realized that we would prefer a table out of the sun, so we picked up the menus and moved to a shady table, not realizing until we sat down that the new table was a hanging table, which swayed when you touched it. We finally settled on a table that didn’t move and was in the shade.

Having worked many years in the restaurant industry, I realize how irritating it can be when customers change tables. You have to reset the table once someone sits there, but these tables were empty. At the most, they would need to wipe the table. We apologized for moving around when the server came to our table and then ordered drinks. I had a Watermelon Basil Smash, a lovely combination of vodka, watermelon vodka, muddled watermelon, and basil, with lemon juice and simple syrup. The drink was delicious, but a little small for the price.

Chris returned from the restroom and mentioned that he heard the servers complaining about us changing tables when he walked by. Our server was not particularly friendly, but she was helpful, answering our questions about the menu. Chris ordered the 4th Street Poutine, intending to take most of it home to eat later.  The fries, topped with cheese curds, smoked pulled pork, brown gravy, crispy onion straws, and green onions, were spectacular. Jenn and I each had a bite, but after that, Chris stuck to his word that he was not sharing. We were most disappointed.

I picked CJ’s Bangin BBLT for my lunch. The smashed burger, topped with pepper jack and cheddar cheese, sauteed onions, bacon, tomato, an over-medium egg, and sriracha maple syrup drizzle, and served on a buttered and grilled ciabatta roll, was delicious. I am generally not a fan of sriracha, but it worked well on the messy, yummy burger. The side of macaroni and cheese was tasty as well.

Chris ordered a Blackened-Blue Burger, a blackened burger patty with blue cheese, applewood smoked bacon, sauteed onions, and balsamic glaze drizzle on a Kaiser roll. He asked to add an egg, tomato, and pickles. He mentioned that he realized that there would be an extra charge for the egg. Our server said there would be a charge for the tomato and pickles as well. Chris told her he was okay with that, and she responded with, “you like what you like.”

Our food came out except for the burger. Our server asked us how our food was and told us the burger would be out shortly. Chris nibbled on the poutine while he waited. When the burger arrived, they had forgotten to add the pickles. We waited for the server to return so we could ask for them.

Finally, after 20 minutes, she came back. She apologized for the mistake and returned shortly with the pickles. Unfortunately, by that time, the rare burger was cold and no longer edible.

Jenn and I ordered dessert milkshakes with a little extra. I chose the Choco-Caramel Brownie milkshake, a fantastic concoction of Chocolate Brownie Butter ice cream, brownie chunks, chocolate syrup, sea salt caramel toffee sauce, whipped cream, half a brownie, a pretzel rod, chocolate shavings, and Kissed Caramel Vodka, with a maraschino cherry. I was shocked when they brought the monstrous creation to the table. It was huge, decadent, and scrumptious. We were happy we could take them home with us, where they ended up in the freezer for later.

We requested boxes for our leftovers, and when our server returned to the table to clear the plates, she asked if we needed a box for Chris’s burger as well. I told her we did not and explained what the problem was. Chris had gone back into the restaurant. When he returned, he said the server had stopped him and said they would give us a discount on the uneaten burger. When the check came, they had discounted the bill by $1.40. It didn’t even cover the extra charge for using a credit card.

While bad service marred an otherwise fabulous lunch, the food was good enough that we would happily return to give them another shot. And the poutine we took home? Chris gave in and shared it with Jenn and me after all.

Cost for two beers, two cocktails, an appetizer, two burgers, additions to the burger, a premium side, and an out-of-this-world milkshake concoction $103.39.

Update November 22, 2021 – We returned to 4th Street Fillin Station for lunch.  While we were not as impressed with the Blackened Mahi Tacos as the poutine, this time we had amazing service.  Cameron was friendly and attentive.  She answered our questions about the beer menu, guiding Chris to a beer, Tripping Animals Feathers and Cream, that he loved.  I mentioned to Chris that it would be nice if the Choco-Caramel Brownie Milkshake came with Jameson Cold Brew instead of vodka.  Cameron overheard it and said it would be no problem to switch the alcohol out.  The milkshake was even more amazing than the last time.