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Favorite restaurants

taterbabyBeach LoverLocked
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Hey Guys-My family and I are going to be in the area July 9-16. We are very excited about it but one of my downfalls is that I am a major planner!!!!!! I guess it is the school teacher in me-haheha Anyway, I have always found a board to check things out in whatever area we are visiting-One of my favorites has always been about FOOD!!!! Where the best is-what restaurants are famous for what? Price ranges and so on..... Is there anyone else who frequents this board interested in this kind of information-I am new-maybe there is already something like that here and I don't know about it. Anyway-thanks for all the great information so far!!!

Replies

574
drsvelte avatar
drsvelteBeach Fanatic
#152
In Destin itself (or Holiday isle) what are the best Non-Chain places to eat?

WE've tried the Back Porch(mostly fried) and a few others that were just 'ok". Of course I'm from Louisisana, so we have great food here & I'm picky. :lol:

We have been going to Marina Cafe for years - it is an excellent fine-dining restaurant. No fried food here.

From Louisiana too, so I know what your saying ;-)

edit: Flamingo Cafe closed up last year and Destin Chops moved in (same ownership as Marina Cafe). Louisiana Lagniappe was originally started by a Louisiana transplant and the food was great. He sold the restaurant a few years ago, moved back to Baton Rouge and re-opened an LL there.

Edited

beachma avatar
beachmaBeach Lover
#153
Does anyone in the Seagrove/Grayton/Blue Mt. Beach area have fried shrimp that comes close to what Nicks used to have? Their shrimp was the best...we miss it!
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?
#154
Does anyone in the Seagrove/Grayton/Blue Mt. Beach area have fried shrimp that comes close to what Nicks used to have? Their shrimp was the best...we miss it!

In an eariler post someone said Smiling Fish had good fried shrimps (Bubba Gump)
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#155
Does anyone in the Seagrove/Grayton/Blue Mt. Beach area have fried shrimp that comes close to what Nicks used to have? Their shrimp was the best...we miss it!


we don't really have your basic fried seafood in SW, except Seagrove Market. I do miss Nick's. :(
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#156
To drsvelte: Thanks for the update regarding Flamingo Cafe.

To others: I forgot about La Paz. It's good, but it's a chain - I've been to one in Atlanta. Check out http://www.lapaz.com. I think CajunGal was looking for non-chain restaurants in Destin. But then there are some chains that I like, such as Houston's and Pappasito's.
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#157
In Destin, I'm very fond of Landry's. I'm even fonder in the off-season, when you don't have to wait 45 minutes.

I do appreciate this thread too - it's very useful even when you are local, especially if you spend most of your time on or north of 98. You guys have talked me into forcing a family outing to the Smiling Fish Cafe and probably Yianni's too!
OhioBeachBum avatar
OhioBeachBumBeach Fanatic
#158
I do appreciate this thread too - it's very useful even when you are local, especially if you spend most of your time on or north of 98. You guys have talked me into forcing a family outing to the Smiling Fish Cafe and probably Yianni's too!
Ditto that! I'm dumping the whole thread to a tree to take along for next week! (beach is one week out of the year the electronics & I part company 😀)
wilsonlcBeach Comber
#159
Bayou Bills on 98 between Grayton - Destin has the basic fried whatever-you-want seafood.
SGB avatar
SGBBeach Fanatic
#160
Does Blue Orleans serve dinner? Reservations necessary? What kind of menu , atmosphere and attire? Good wine selection?

Went to Blue Orleans yesterday for lunch. Their lunch specials were the dinners that they will be serving starting next Thursday. Had the crawfish cakes and they were delicious! Cajun type food. Lunches were about $8-$11. THey serve breakfast until 2pm, so that works well to feed the kids. Casual atmosphere for lunch. Not sure about the wine. Met the owner and he seems to be fun guy.
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?
#161
You guys have talked me into forcing a family outing to the Smiling Fish Cafe and probably Yianni's too!

You'll be glad you tried Smiling Fish and just got comfirmation from my brother that Yianni's is very good too.

River<---still hasn't been to Yianni's--->Otter 😀
Sheila avatar
SheilaSoWal Insider
#162
You'll be glad you tried Smiling Fish and just got comfirmation from my brother that Yianni's is very good too.

River<---still hasn't been to Yianni's--->Otter 😀

You're missing out! Yanni's is excellent.
beachluvrBeach Comber
#163
Does anyone know if Pancakes & Crepes(not sure if correct name-located west of Outlet Mall) is still there? We've eaten there several times-love the French Toast.
Mystic BeachBeach Comber
#164
Went to Blue Orleans yesterday for lunch. Their lunch specials were the dinners that they will be serving starting next Thursday. Had the crawfish cakes and they were delicious! Cajun type food. Lunches were about $8-$11. THey serve breakfast until 2pm, so that works well to feed the kids. Casual atmosphere for lunch. Not sure about the wine. Met the owner and he seems to be fun guy.
Tell Gator that a lady named Joan from MI says to give a shout out to her. I just love his breakfast.
Mystic BeachBeach Comber
#165
Does anyone know if Pancakes & Crepes(not sure if correct name-located west of Outlet Mall) is still there? We've eaten there several times-love the French Toast.
Yes, it is still there.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#166
You'll be glad you tried Smiling Fish and just got comfirmation from my brother that Yianni's is very good too.

River<---still hasn't been to Yianni's--->Otter 😀


Smiling Fish is the best. 😀

Yianni's - just okay / not great IMO
beachma avatar
beachmaBeach Lover
#167
I don't do much fried of any seafood except shrimp & calamari...Nicks just did fried shrimp right...Shades does a calamari that's hard to beat...My daughter-in-law has given rave reviews for the coconut shrimp at Seagove Village Market....I'm compiling a list for our upcoming trip August 13 -21...Crab Cakes 331/Red Bar...coconut shrimp at Seagrove Village Market...Calamari and grilled Mahi Mahi at Shades...Brunos Veggie Pizza...Fish special of the day at D&K's...Can't wait..... :wub:



we don't really have your basic fried seafood in SW, except Seagrove Market. I do miss Nick's. :(
OnMackBayou avatar
OnMackBayouBeach Lover
#168
It has quite a different ambience than 30-A, but Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin has several good seafood spots. There, my favorite place for fried shrimp and oysters is Poppy's Seafood Factory. They do a version of it several different ways, including Caribbean panne. Very, very good.
Miss Kitty avatar
Miss KittyMeow
#169
Oh Tootsie...I feel your pain! We miss Nick's so much! It was my son's favorite and he still wears his Nick's on the Beach T-shirt!
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?
#170
Oh Tootsie...I feel your pain! We miss Nick's so much! It was my son's favorite and he still wears his Nick's on the Beach T-shirt!

There is a Nicks on the Bay in Freeport. It's on Hwy 20 after the 331 intersection about 6 or 7 miles. Man it's a dive! But a very clean dive! Awesome view, super nice people, same good food. We ate there leaving the beach last Sunday. It was a great experience and we had never seen that view before. Also the breeze off the bay was awesome :cool:

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