Restaurant Review: The Nautical Inn's Turtle Restaurant in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

When tourists visit Lake Havasu City, Arizona, they often ask where the locals eat. While that might be an excellent way to find great out of the way eateries, a few fine restaurants will be overlooked. Our family has been part of the Havasu community for over forty years, and there is one restaurant we routinely overlook. The restaurant we forget? It is the Turtle, at the Nautical Inn Resort, located on the island.

One reason for the oversight is the restaurant's inconsistent history. Originally it was named the Captain's Table, and was built over twenty years ago, replacing the outdated and smaller Nautical Inn Restaurant. Back in the early 1970's our family frequently boated over from our home at Havasu Palms (located on the California side of the lake) and dined on steak and lobster, priced under $10 a plate. It was a special treat, and we viewed the Nautical Inn as a fine dinner house.

Eventually the original Nautical Inn Restaurant became the Tiki Terrace, a popular night spot, until it was destroyed in a fire a few years ago. The Captain's Table was then the Nautical Resort's new restaurant, yet management didn't seem to know if it wanted to be fine dining or casual. Its popularity with the locals waned.

No one could dispute the fact that the Captain's Table had the best lake view in town, providing spectacular panoramic lake views, visible throughout the dining room. Yet, the food was often mediocre and the dining room and lounge appeared unkempt. All of this accounted for the locals seeking other dining destinations.

But, a few years ago the Nautical Inn Resort replaced the Tiki Terrace with a new and improved lake-side bar. It wasn't in the same location as the original Nautical turned Tiki, it was just a few steps away from the Captain's Table. This new bar was dubbed the Naked Turtle, and its quaint tropical theme was a success. Before long the Captain's Table was changing its name and theme, to reflect the Turtle's.

These days both are called the Turtle, having removed "Naked" from the name. Unlike the former Captain's Table, the Turtle Grill is a casual, lake side appropriate dining establishment that provides an excellent lunch get away for locals. If the locals would just remember!

I can only vouch for the hamburgers, which are very good. Not that the other items aren't equally as tasty, but I keep ordering what I really like. And who wouldn't love a great hamburger, while enjoying a spectacular lake view?