How far is too far to drive for lunch and/or dinner?

**ItzKatzTime** · 03-07-2009, 04:07 PM

I can remember a time when we drove to Fort Walton to the SummerHouse. But I think that's as far as we drove without staying overnight.

So how far would YOU drive?

**SWGB** · 03-07-2009, 04:43 PM

From South Walton I would drive to Nick's in the sticks or Boondocks. Not much further.

**ShallowsNole** · 03-07-2009, 05:30 PM

If dinner was all we were seeking, I would agree with SWGB. Except for occasionally an anniversary trip to the Bangkok House in Fort Walton, as that is where ShallowsFuzz and I went on our first date.

At the risk of getting waaaaay off topic, there was one anniversary where Fuzz announced that we should go to the Bangkok House. This was when we were living in Freeport, and getting him out of Walton County was an event in itself. I was excited that he wanted to go to Fort Walton. We are cruising down Eglin Parkway, and all is well, until he gets in the left turn lane on Hospital Drive. I look at him quizzically, and he starts laughing. "Remember the death case I worked the other day? They are about to start the autopsy!"

Most wives get dinner and a movie. I got dinner and the morgue.

**Teresa** · 03-07-2009, 05:59 PM

well, we rarely leave santa rosa beach for anything anymore. we don't like to drive further than Stinky's (one way) or Ono in Rosemary Bch (the other way). lunch is usually seaside/watercolor/grayton area, although I'll drive down to Smiling Fish when I've got time.

Dinner - we rarely ever leave SRB but on occasion we'll go as far as Royal Orchid and Fat Clemenza's because its just so worth it. we want to go eat Japanese at the new place on 98 in PC not far past Target - heard good things about it. I love going to Nicks in the sticks but don't get to do it often.

but typically we just do not drive out of SRB for lunch or dinner unless its a special occasion.

once we had to go to a kid's birthday party at Chuckie Cheese in PC up on 23rd. I can safely say that we will never in our lives do that again. ever. end of story.

**Beach Runner** · 03-07-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

I can remember a time when we drove to Fort Walton to the SummerHouse. But I think that's as far as we drove without staying overnight.

So how far would YOU drive?

When we're on 30A, if it's not in the 30A area or on 98 within the boundaries of 30A, we don't go.

In GA we'll drive 75 minutes (times 2) to dine.

**beachmouse** · 03-07-2009, 06:22 PM

On average, it's 35 minutes from our house to the Red Bar or Gravel Road, and that tends to be our limit.

**Miss Critter** · 03-07-2009, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

once we had to go to a kid's birthday party at Chuckie Cheeses in PC up on 23rd. I can safely say that we will never in our lives do that again and we don't care whose birthday it may be. the place was old and gross and scary and really far away. but the kids had a great time.

If Chuck E Cheese were around the corner, it would still be too far. That is the one part of that age that I DO NOT miss.

**CincyBeachGirl** · 03-07-2009, 06:33 PM

We often make road trips, driving in the convertible on a sunny day, then stopping for lunch. Have gone all the way to Pensacola Beach and Appalach the other way...... Those distances aren't the norm. But from the west end of PCB, we will go into Destin if craving something like Royal Orchid or Melting Pot or something.... We'll go anywhere on 30-A

**Teresa** · 03-07-2009, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by MissCritter

If Chuck E Cheese were around the corner, it would still be too far. That is the one part of that age that I DO NOT miss.

amen to that!

**BeachbumAggie** · 03-07-2009, 08:20 PM

Having lived in Texas all of my life, I'm used to long drives!

Hubby and I regularly drive 30 min each way to dine. We don't think much about driving an hour each way, especially if the drive is pretty. We have been known to drive 3 hours each way to eat somewhere that we really wanted to try (several times in fact)!

I drive 30-45 min each way to work 5 days/week so why not do the same for good food!? Of course my commute is only 12.5 miles but that's another story!!

**organicmama** · 03-07-2009, 08:32 PM

We only eat outside of SoWal if we are actually going somewhere in particular. We don't leave particularly to go out to dinner ever. BUT, with Mr. Clean busy at night and 3 kids at home, we don't do a ton of eating out anyway.

I will happily stay far, far away from Chuck E Cheese or anything like it....

Sadly, last week, I had to take the kids to dinner in PCB because Mr. Clean had an MD appt. I won't even name the "restaurant" (but it was a chain & I use the term restaurant lightly). A 8 year old yelled behind an elderly woman's head about something. The woman asked if she would refrain from screaming in her ear. It scared the pee outta the little girl. The worst part was that the mom of the girl told her to "Next time, smack anyone on the back of the head that talks to you like that!" Then she claimed her daughter was raised right. By who?

The 2 elderly couples finally left after a showdown, then the mother kept complaining about them loudly for the rest of the time we were there. I will not use any description for the woman. I felt very sorry for the manager & employees.

**SHELLY** · 03-07-2009, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by organicmama

Sadly, last week, I had to take the kids to dinner in PCB because Mr. Clean had an MD appt. I won't even name the "restaurant" (but it was a chain & I use the term restaurant lightly). A 8 year old yelled behind an elderly woman's head about something. The woman asked if she would refrain from screaming in her ear. It scared the pee outta the little girl. The worst part was that the mom of the girl told her to "Next time, smack anyone on the back of the head that talks to you like that!" Then she claimed her daughter was raised right. By who?

The 2 elderly couples finally left after a showdown, then the mother kept complaining about them loudly for the rest of the time we were there. I will not use any description for the woman. I felt very sorry for the manager & employees.

....Jerry Springer opened a chain of restaurants??

.

**30A Skunkape** · 03-07-2009, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by organicmama

We only eat outside of SoWal if we are actually going somewhere in particular. We don't leave particularly to go out to dinner ever. BUT, with Mr. Clean busy at night and 3 kids at home, we don't do a ton of eating out anyway.

I will happily stay far, far away from Chuck E Cheese or anything like it....

Sadly, last week, I had to take the kids to dinner in PCB because Mr. Clean had an MD appt. I won't even name the "restaurant" (but it was a chain & I use the term restaurant lightly). A 8 year old yelled behind an elderly woman's head about something. The woman asked if she would refrain from screaming in her ear. It scared the pee outta the little girl. The worst part was that the mom of the girl told her to "Next time, smack anyone on the back of the head that talks to you like that!" Then she claimed her daughter was raised right. By who?

The 2 elderly couples finally left after a showdown, then the mother kept complaining about them loudly for the rest of the time we were there. I will not use any description for the woman. I felt very sorry for the manager & employees.

And they say dinner theater is a dying art...

**organicmama** · 03-07-2009, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by SHELLY

....Jerry Springer opened a chain of restaurants??

.

It was about that bad. The mom was definitely straight off of Springer. Our kids got the "You treat others with respect, especially your elders" speech after we left. My "tired of being in the car" toddler looked tame compared to that.

**scooterbug44** · 03-07-2009, 10:18 PM

Dinner for the sake of dinner doesn't take me further than Destin or PCB - but I will drive further for an event - like an alumni dinner etc.

Thanks to being so close to many great places to eat, more and more often people come to 30-A for dinner rather than making me drive somewhere.

OM - scenarios like you describe are why your kids are on my sparse list of 'kids who I will be seen in public with'. Ridonkulous how people let their kids behave!

**SWGB** · 03-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by organicmama

We only eat outside of SoWal if we are actually going somewhere in particular. We don't leave particularly to go out to dinner ever. BUT, with Mr. Clean busy at night and 3 kids at home, we don't do a ton of eating out anyway.

I will happily stay far, far away from Chuck E Cheese or anything like it....

Sadly, last week, I had to take the kids to dinner in PCB because Mr. Clean had an MD appt. I won't even name the "restaurant" (but it was a chain & I use the term restaurant lightly). A 8 year old yelled behind an elderly woman's head about something. The woman asked if she would refrain from screaming in her ear. It scared the pee outta the little girl. The worst part was that the mom of the girl told her to "Next time, smack anyone on the back of the head that talks to you like that!" Then she claimed her daughter was raised right. By who?

The 2 elderly couples finally left after a showdown, then the mother kept complaining about them loudly for the rest of the time we were there. I will not use any description for the woman. I felt very sorry for the manager & employees.

This reminded me of the my "incident" at an Australian themed steak house in PC. We had just been seated with friends of ours when the baby at the other table started screaming. Not a cry, but ear splitting blood curdling screaming. The parents response was to order another round and start speaking over the screaming. I started "crying" and tossed in a few "take me outside" comments. The wife finally took the kid outside. I don't mind people taking kids and even babies out to dinner, but for the love of cod take them outside when they act up.

**SHELLY** · 03-08-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

This reminded me of the my "incident" at an Australian themed steak house in PC. We had just been seated with friends of ours when the baby at the other table started screaming. Not a cry, but ear splitting blood curdling screaming. The parents response was to order another round and start speaking over the screaming. I started "crying" and tossed in a few "take me outside" comments. The wife finally took the kid outside. I don't mind people taking kids and even babies out to dinner, but for the love of cod take them outside when they act up.

If I ruled the world, I would open a restaurant with a special room set aside for cellphone users; loud-annoying laughers; screaming parents, and crying-whining-bratty kids--they all deserve each other.

.

**ItzKatzTime** · 03-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by BeachbumAggie

Having lived in Texas all of my life, I'm used to long drives!

Hubby and I regularly drive 30 min each way to dine. We don't think much about driving an hour each way, especially if the drive is pretty. We have been known to drive 3 hours each way to eat somewhere that we really wanted to try (several times in fact)!

I drive 30-45 min each way to work 5 days/week so why not do the same for good food!? Of course my commute is only 12.5 miles but that's another story!!

I remember these times before I moved to SoWal. Now I'm spoiled!