UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
                               September 23, 2004

                        Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                        0-28258                  65-0427966
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission file number)        (IRS employer
     of incorporation)                                       identification No.)

                16313 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Ste 100, Tampa, FL 33618
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (813) 961-0944

                                 Not Applicable
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|   Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
      CFR 230.425)

|_|   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)

|_|   Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|   Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 8.01 Other Events

On September 23, 2004, Shells Seafood  Restaurants,  Inc. issued a press release
commenting on the impact of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan.

A copy of the press release follows as Exhibit 99.



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  Report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: September 23, 2004                       SHELLS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, INC.

                                                By: /s/ Leslie J. Christon
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Leslie J. Christon
                                                President and CEO



INDEX TO EXHIBITS

99     Press Release dated September 23, 2004.