Dining, drinking and entertainment flourish at north Brevard’s new waterfront establishment

“Casual fun” is the term that Jason Reichman uses to describe the vibe of Crackerjacks Seafood & Tiki Bar, an establishment that he, along with his business partner Audrey Hunter, opened in June of this year in an effort to bring a quality waterfront seafood and tiki bar to the community.

“(Crackerjacks) is one of the only locations in north Brevard where one can pull up in their boat and eat and drink,” says Reichman, who also owns the Irish Pub in Titusville. “People come for the casual atmosphere and the view, as well as our creative and extensive menu.”

The laid-back style of Crackerjacks is conveyed at an outdoor, thatched-roof tiki bar, which is situated near the restaurant’s main entrance. Here, bartenders mix up traditional cocktails and house specialty drinks, such as the frozen, fruity and rum-infused Tipsy Jack. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, this area plays host to local talent, allowing patrons to socialize in an easy-going environment while enjoying the sounds of acoustic live music.

Indoors, walls are adorned with a variety sea- life accents and island-style tribal masks. Open windows overlook the water, allowing diners to take in views of sunsets and sailboats, or simply watch fishermen cast lines from the Veterans’ Memorial Fishing Pier. The fairly intimate restaurant also displays wooden plaques that recognize those who donated money to help rebuild the pier, which after five years of closure due to years of weathering and damage caused by Hurricane Wilma re-opened this year.

True to its waterfront form, Crackerjacks’ menu consists of mainly seafood with popular items like fish tacos, the seafood potpie, the seafood boil (which is big enough for two), traditional pastas and various fish specialties. A highlight of the menu is the range of tasty sauces including mango salsa, red curry, teriyaki, and personal favorites, pineapple curry and raspberry chili.

Another favorite is the tuna pizza appetizer, a dish consisting of five crispy tortilla shells topped with tuna, onions, carrots, tomatoes, avocado and spicy sauces. For dessert, the warm homemade fruit cobbler, served alongside a bowl of ice cream, is delectable.

Once construction of the adjacent A. Max Brewer Bridge is complete, the owners plan to infuse a “resort-type feel,” according to Reichman, replete with theater screens for sports viewing, kayak rentals from the pier’s bait shop and more. In the meantime, however, there’s plenty of dining, drinking, dancing and other fun to be had at Crackerjacks.

Crackerjacks Seafood & Tiki Bar

Address: 2A Max Brewer Parkway, Titusville

Phone: (321) 264-5065

Website: CrackerJacksTiki.com

Hours: Restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The tiki bar is open seven days a week — noon to midnight Sundays, opens at 3 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Bait and snack shop and the pier are open 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Other: Indoor and outdoor full-liquor bars; live entertainment; waterfront dining; fishing pier; open late-night