Casual dining along 30a?

[Chloe]

My large family (consisting of several teen-agers, their parents, and grandmother) will be vacationing on 30a (Seacrest Beach area) the first week in July. I would really appreciate suggestions for casual, reasonably priced, and delicious restaurants along 30a. Thanks so much for your suggestions! Looking forward to a wonderful time!

[JB]

My large family (consisting of several teen-agers, their parents, and grandmother) will be vacationing on 30a (Seacrest Beach area) the first week in July. I would really appreciate suggestions for casual, reasonably priced, and delicious restaurants along 30a. Thanks so much for your suggestions! Looking forward to a wonderful time!

There are multiple threads about this subject if you'll do a quick search. But places like you mention are disappearing faster than the beach at Blue Mountain.

Off the top of my head, you might check out Snapperheads, Seagrove Market, Shades at the Loop, etc. There are quite a few others, but only about half of what existed five years ago.

[TooFarTampa]

Angelina's Pizza is pretty tasty, but go early -- it gets crowded! Shades at the Loop, near Rosemary Beach, has good food and plenty of room but service is spotty. If you head off 30-A, east on 98, you will find the Spicy Noodle on the left about three miles down. Very good pizza and such I am told and worth getting out of the "comfort zone" for. The Seacrest Cafe in the Villages of South Walton is yummy for lunch and breakfast.

But JB is right -- there's definitely less to choose from.

[lindatat]

Chloe, we enjoyed Shades at the Loop and Seacrest Cafe on our visit a few weeks ago. We had late lunches at both places and most menu items were $10 or less (with a few exceptions.) I had a very yummy grouper salad at Shades - never would have imagined grouper on a salad but it was simple and quite good (just field greens, chopped tomatoes and a piece of grilled fish, with a sweet pepper vinaigrette.) What I liked most about Seacrest Cafe was how spacious it was - and the food was good, too and very reasonably priced - kids menu items were huge and I think only $6. I've also heard good things about Angelina's and Seagrove Village Market. We probably would have tried Seagrove Market if I had realized the restaurant was BEHIND the market - drove by there several times and couldn't imagine there was much of a seating area! And if you feel like venturing a bit further west on 30A, I highly recommend Amore in Santa Rosa Beach for pizza, and Another Broken Egg in Grayton Beach for great breakfast (which is served until they close, at 2PM, I think.) I never get out early enough to get breakfast at places that only serve it til 10:30 or 11AM.

[goin' coastal]

My husband and I were just at our house near Seacrest for the week. I highly recommend the Fonville Press at ALYS Beach. It look snooty but everyone is sooo nice and friendly. The food and service for breakfast or lunch is excellent. Prices are reasonable for the area. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain. Sweet story about John Fonville--he was our neighbor in Old Seagrove. He has moved to South FL.
The Wild Olive at Rosemary was reasonable and delicious too. Best grouper sandwich on 30A has got to be the Smiling Fish cafe at Gulf Place. The Publix at Carillon is not nearly as wild and busy as the Watercolor one. Have a great trip.

[kurt]

There are lots . . . Red Bar, Blue Orleans, Bayou Bill's, Yianni's, Summer Kitchen, 331, Sea Bar, Elmo's Grill, Cafe Spiazza, Smiling Fish, Snapperhead's, Sally's, Panhandler's, Subway, Publix Deli, Summer Kitchen, Cocoon's, Seagrove Market, Pickles, Roly Poly, Grayton General Store, Coco's . . . .

I'm sure I'm missing some. Some wouldn't say they're all cheap but for SoWal they are. There are plenty more that are casual but more expensive.

I think we need a new thread. . . look for "most casual, more cheaper".

[InletBchDweller]

Spicy Noodle is a good value and the portions of pasta are HUGE! They can accomodate a large party although there may be a wait (like anywhere else)

We also eat at Calypso in PCB on front beach road in front of Pier Park. Good and good prices.

There are sooooooooooo many places in SoWal it is just what you want to eat, spend, and how long you want to wait...

[30A Skunkape]

AMORE' PIZZA!

[lindatat]

My husband and I were just at our house near Seacrest for the week. I highly recommend the Fonville Press at ALYS Beach. It look snooty but everyone is sooo nice and friendly. The food and service for breakfast or lunch is excellent. Prices are reasonable for the area. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain.

So true about Fonville Press - delightful place - staff was so attentive. I was waiting for a some friends (Cork & Sunshine) and they really made me feel welcome. Had a great cup of coffee and a wonderful HUGE fresh fruit plate for about $8. Better than Starbucks if you ask me! Never met any Sowallers at a Starbucks! (I also met Olive while visiting with Cork and Sunshine!)

[bsmart]

So true about Fonville Press - delightful place - staff was so attentive. I was waiting for a some friends (Cork & Sunshine) and they really made me feel welcome. Had a great cup of coffee and a wonderful HUGE fresh fruit plate for about $8. Better than Starbucks if you ask me! Never met any Sowallers at a Starbucks! (I also met Olive while visiting with Cork and Sunshine!)

I was highly impressed with the Fonville Press. I had the Dark Chocolate Mocha and it was awesome. I usually get a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks and I must say that the Fonville Press puts Starbucks to shame.

[lindatat]

I was highly impressed with the Fonville Press. I had the Dark Chocolate Mocha and it was awesome. I usually get a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks and I must say that the Fonville Press puts Starbucks to shame.

I just drink plain old coffee with Sweet & Low (and a very occasional Lowfat Latte.) Starbucks is just way too strong and bitter for me. Here at home I like Dunkin Donuts' coffee. But Fonville made a great cup of coffee too (and the service was MUCH better than the local DD.) My only regret was waiting until the day before I left to check it out (especially since it was within walking distance of our cottage!) Next time I'll take my coffee up to the outdoor great room on the second floor of the model home across the way (it was about 15 degrees cooler up there and what a view!!)

[MKH]

My husband and I were just at our house near Seacrest for the week. I highly recommend the Fonville Press at ALYS Beach. It look snooty but everyone is sooo nice and friendly. The food and service for breakfast or lunch is excellent. Prices are reasonable for the area. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain. Sweet story about John Fonville--he was our neighbor in Old Seagrove. He has moved to South FL.
The Wild Olive at Rosemary was reasonable and delicious too. Best grouper sandwich on 30A has got to be the Smiling Fish cafe at Gulf Place. The Publix at Carillon is not nearly as wild and busy as the Watercolor one. Have a great trip.

I have heard great things about the Smiling Fish Cafe. But when are they open? When I was there in May, it seems like it was only open one night a week or something? Is it just lunch now?

[kimbug]

I have heard great things about the Smiling Fish Cafe. But when are they open? When I was there in May, it seems like it was only open one night a week or something? Is it just lunch now?

I just called them since it seems you all have good things to say. They are open for lunch 11:30-3 everyday except Sunday and only on Tuesday for dinner. For the 4th of July week they are open on Monday the 3rd. We don't usually go out for lunch; I can't get anyone off the beach. But since everyone says the grouper sandwiches are great maybe I'll whine enough about it and they'll go to lunch with me.

[kimbug]

My husband and I were just at our house near Seacrest for the week. I highly recommend the Fonville Press at ALYS Beach. It look snooty but everyone is sooo nice and friendly. The food and service for breakfast or lunch is excellent. Prices are reasonable for the area. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain. Sweet story about John Fonville--he was our neighbor in Old Seagrove. He has moved to South FL.
The Wild Olive at Rosemary was reasonable and delicious too. Best grouper sandwich on 30A has got to be the Smiling Fish cafe at Gulf Place. The Publix at Carillon is not nearly as wild and busy as the Watercolor one. Have a great trip.

What kind of food at Fonville Press? Do they have dinner? I know you said Alys Beach but where?

[jtnkelly]

Casual lunch dining: Elmo's Grill on the west end, and Seagrove Village Market in the 'middle'. For dinner, can't beat Yianni's in Seagrove. We were down last week and had good/very good meals at all the above; Yianni's was exceptional and stood out. Was a little disappointed with Angelinas this time. We bit the bullet and drove in to Destin one evening and ate at Harbor Docks. Very good meal as usual there too.

[TooFarTampa]

What kind of food at Fonville Press? Do they have dinner? I know you said Alys Beach but where?

Well, let's just say you can't miss it. Not much in Alys yet. By the flagpole if that helps.

[MKH]

Well, let's just say you can't miss it. Not much in Alys yet. By the flagpole if that helps.

Fonville Press is a coffee shop/bookstore/sandwich place. It's small, but they have a great courtyard outside. It's right on 30A-as you are driving to Rosemary Beach, it's on your left. A small white building, by itself. If you can't find it, probably anyone in Rosemary can show you...

[goin' coastal]

You cannot miss Alys Beach--just look for all the Palms Trees along 30A and all white buildings. No, the Fonville Press is not open for dinner, but there is a wine tasting on Friday nights.
Breakfast has bagles, pasteries, rolls and specialty coffee and teas drinks. Lunch is salads,sandwiches, and sides(fresh fruit, potato and pasta salad). Excellent dessert--I think it is from the owners favorite restaurant in B'ham.

[sunshine]

I had a great chicken salad on croissant sandwich with an 8 oz. coke in a glass bottle at Fonville Press today. Not cheap - $8.75 for the sandwich and a side of pasta, but the sandwich was huge and easily big enough to share. Didn't see that I could have gotten fruit salad instead of pasta salad until it was too late.
Fonville Press is now on my list of east end lunch spots (and Friday night apres beach).

[kimbug]

I saw some earlier comments on Yianni's Seafood Grille...anyone else care to comment. I know we plan on cooking in some nights but would be open to trying something different than what I had down there on spring break. Also, if we were planning an adult dinner out and had to choose between Cafe Tango and Borago what are the recommendations?

[Smiling JOe]

I saw some earlier comments on Yianni's Seafood Grille...anyone else care to comment. I know we plan on cooking in some nights but would be open to trying something different than what I had down there on spring break. Also, if we were planning an adult dinner out and had to choose between Cafe Tango and Borago what are the recommendations?

Yianni's is often overlooked, but they have good prices and pretty good food, including pizzas and burgers. The atmosphere is far from "beachy" but it is fairly casual (not swimsuit casual).

I recommend dining at both Borago and Cafe Tango. They are both excellent. Food and service are top notch at both. If you go to Borago, ask if you can be served by Joy, Em, or Matt, my favorite three in the dining room. If you go to Cafe Tango, ask to sit in Rob and Darcy's section. They are awesome, too. If you go to Borago, be sure to try the Sea Scallop and Roasted Tomatoes over Polenta and at Cafe Tango, one of you has to get the Pisatachio encrusted Grouper.

Borago can be a bit loud, but still very nice, while Cafe Tango is much more quaint and quiet. Both are very enjoyable and you will need reservations.

[SGB]

We also like both Cafe Tango and Borago, but Cafe Tango edges out Borago for us. We like to go to Borago with a larger group, and Cafe Tango if it's just 2-4 of us. As SJ said, get the pecan encrusted grouper if you go to Cafe Tango. Oh, and don't forget the chocolate dessert thing!

[Beach Runner]

We really, really like Borago, but I don't consider spending over $100 for dinner for two a "casual dining" experience. However, the food and service are excellent there. Veal meatballs, arugula salad, Caesar salad, angel hair with shrimp, shrimp and scallops with eggplant risotto - yum - I'm in food heaven.

We've recently had a great casual dining experience at Shades on the Loop. The grouper in the grouper sandwiches is back to its old self (large and juicy), and I've gotten used to not having control of the salad dressing.

[kimbug]

We really, really like Borago, but I don't consider spending over $100 for dinner for two a "casual dining" experience. However, the food and service are excellent there. Veal meatballs, arugula salad, Caesar salad, angel hair with shrimp, shrimp and scallops with eggplant risotto - yum - I'm in food heaven.

We've recently had a great casual dining experience at Shades on the Loop. The grouper in the grouper sandwiches is back to its old self (large and juicy), and I've gotten used to not having control of the salad dressing.

I know neither of the 2 places I asked about are casual. I just kinda threw the question out there when asking about Yianni's. I should've posted TANGENT ALERT first. :oops: But thanks for the advice. My brother-in-law and his longtime girl just got engaged and we're going to take them out to celebrate while we're down there.

[kurt]

Snapperheads, of course......................

I did mention you and I meant to get bu there this Am to shoot some photos but i can't seem to get out of the studio before 11 AM for some reason.

[30A Skunkape]

I saw some earlier comments on Yianni's Seafood Grille...anyone else care to comment. I know we plan on cooking in some nights but would be open to trying something different than what I had down there on spring break. Also, if we were planning an adult dinner out and had to choose between Cafe Tango and Borago what are the recommendations?

Yianni's gets little mention in my opinion because it is not 'sleek and sexy' like some of the other eateries on 30A. We went once and the food was fantastic, but it has about as much atmosphere as a Shoney's on Italian Buffet night, but hey, food is more important than atmosphere anytime.

[Rita]

My husband and I were just at our house near Seacrest for the week. I highly recommend the Fonville Press at ALYS Beach. It look snooty but everyone is sooo nice and friendly. The food and service for breakfast or lunch is excellent. Prices are reasonable for the area. Nice outdoor seating area with a fountain. Sweet story about John Fonville--he was our neighbor in Old Seagrove. He has moved to South FL.
The Wild Olive at Rosemary was reasonable and delicious too. Best grouper sandwich on 30A has got to be the Smiling Fish cafe at Gulf Place. The Publix at Carillon is not nearly as wild and busy as the Watercolor one. Have a great trip.

We had lunch at Wild Olives and everything was excellent. Tried the Grilled Yellowfin Tuna w/ginger mustard glaze and Wasabi mayo -mmmmm and Grilled Chicken breast marinated in Asian sauce w/bacon, Swiss and honey mustard.

The girls had yummy pizza (they got cheese , but there were some great choices on the menu.)

I loved the cranberry scones. And there was a wall full of wines!

They even offered our dog water. (Mostly outdoor seating.)


.

[goin' coastal]

You are making me hungry!!

[Mango]

We also like both Cafe Tango and Borago, but Cafe Tango edges out Borago for us. We like to go to Borago with a larger group, and Cafe Tango if it's just 2-4 of us. As SJ said, get the pecan encrusted grouper if you go to Cafe Tango. Oh, and don't forget the chocolate dessert thing!

or the Pecan Pie (it has coconut in it- never saw it done that way) Best pie I ever had in my life!

[Paula]

One way to feed a lot of people without cooking and without spending a lot of money is to get take-out. You can get take-out meals at Publix (including sandwiches and sushi, they'll steam shrimp for you I think, and you can get ready cooked chicken. Add a vegetable, potato salad and a watermelon and you've got dinner). We also get take-out from Angelinas -- we order from the cottage then go pick it up. The meals are large so two adults usually can split one -- we split the linguini and seafood very easily and often have left-overs too. They also have take out pizza. I haven't tried Cowgirl Kitchen or Cocoons take-out, but I think they make family size meals. We've also bought shrimp in sauce at the seafood markets and just put it on top of pasta.

Especially for lunch, we have pate, cheese, olives, fruit, dips, good bread, watermelon. Publix has an amazing red pepper hummus dip that we bought 3 times and had it with little pita breads! We can just put the stuff out on the table or counter and people make their own plates. Add ice tea or a smoothie and it's a great lunch. You can get good muffins as well and have them for breakfast. We also buy brownie mix and the kids make the brownies.

I agree that Shades at the Loop, Seacrest Cafe (very spacious and can eat outside and watch the fountain -- probably the best set-up for lots of people eating together), Wild Olive, and Fonville Press are worth the trip. But, you can assume that just about anywhere it would be about $10/person for a sandwich and drink. I heard that you can get inexpensive hot dogs at Grayton Corners in one of the shops there. Speaking of hot dogs, we like to fry onions in butter very slowly and put them on hot dogs with good mustard. Add a watermelon and marshmallows over the grill and that's all you need for a good meal.

I'm now drooling with all this talk of food...

[Cork On the Ocean]

I saw some earlier comments on Yianni's Seafood Grille...anyone else care to comment. I know we plan on cooking in some nights but would be open to trying something different than what I had down there on spring break. Also, if we were planning an adult dinner out and had to choose between Cafe Tango and Borago what are the recommendations?

Double love Yianni's and I heard that it's still BYOB even though they have their license. Spanikopita is great mmmmmmm . Can't go wrong. Never been to Tango but Borago very good and could get in when nobody else could accomodate busy time.

[Beach Goddess]

The Spicy Noodle rocks! It is not a touristy beach restaurant. It's just a really good pizza place that I will willingly go out of my way for any time!

[Allifunn]

The Spicy Noodle rocks! It is not a touristy beach restaurant. It's just a really good pizza place that I will willingly go out of my way for any time!

BG!! I have not been there....I will have to remedy that!

[InletBchDweller]

Allifun the Noodle is right around the corner from me....when you are in town again we will make it a date...I promise...
((((do you have any room in your suitcase?))))))