Greetings Friends,
Debbie and I have made the decision to close Criolla's making way for our growing 30A Resorts, effective today.
Over the years we have been blessed and Debbie and I want to sincerely thank everyone for supporting us and being a part of Criolla?s success.
We also want to thank everyone for supporting 30A Resorts and with our new firm we hope to add even more to our ever changing community. We will begin the final renovation later this fall and look forward to showing the new offices to the community.
Criolla's Catering is the special events arm of 30A Resorts and we will continue to cater events throughout the Panhandle. Weddings, family reunions, private chef events and just about any special event you can imagine will continue to be a part of Criolla's Catering and 30A Resorts Special Events.
Many of our beloved Criolla's staff will continue on with 30A Resorts through our special events division.
Of course any of our friends who have purchased gift certificates at Criolla's can either redeem them through our catering services, or for cash, or let us deliver you our 2008 Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner.
Drop by when you can and we look forward to a bright future for all of SoWal.
Blessings to you all,
Johnny and Debbie Earles
Replies
19Admin
A bittersweet day. Thanks for all the memories and fantastic food, community support and great care! We wish you the best of luck in all that you do.
Beach Lover
Your restaurant set a high standard of excellence in our area and we are sad to see it go. We will miss the beignets most of all. Criolla's was our favorite spot for dessert.
Best of luck to you in your new venture!!!
Best of luck to you in your new venture!!!
Beach Comber
You are the Best !!!!
Johnny:
You will be missed. I consider you and your family some of the finest people on the planet. You've made the world a better place....We wish you only the best.....
Rock on.....
Rocketman
Johnny:
You will be missed. I consider you and your family some of the finest people on the planet. You've made the world a better place....We wish you only the best.....
Rock on.....
Rocketman
Beach Fanatic
John and Deb,
Here is to a new chapter and thank you both for many, many memories! Criollas was and always will be one of the finest Restaurants on 30A! I wish you much success in your new venture!
Here is to a new chapter and thank you both for many, many memories! Criollas was and always will be one of the finest Restaurants on 30A! I wish you much success in your new venture!
Beach Fanatic
Best of luck and continued success with your new venture.
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
It was a pleasure and an honor to have worked with this amazing establishment! You are, and always will be, TOP Notch!
I recommend 30-A Resorts and the whole catering group....HIGHLY!!!!
Excellence to detail.
I recommend 30-A Resorts and the whole catering group....HIGHLY!!!!
Excellence to detail.Beach Lover
my first job
My first "real" job was at Criollas 11 years ago. I was a busser at a mere 14 years old! I LOVED LOVED LOVED the bread, didnt love polishing silverware so much!
So sad to hear this but, glad a piece of it remains in someway through bigger and better things!
My first "real" job was at Criollas 11 years ago. I was a busser at a mere 14 years old! I LOVED LOVED LOVED the bread, didnt love polishing silverware so much!
So sad to hear this but, glad a piece of it remains in someway through bigger and better things!
Beach Lover
Johnny
I wish you nothing but the best with 30 A Resort. You will be missed in the restaurant world. Thanks for paving the way for the rest of us. All of us at Fire say Thank You for all your years in our world. We raise our glass to you, and your family.
Good Luck and come see us
Brenda
I wish you nothing but the best with 30 A Resort. You will be missed in the restaurant world. Thanks for paving the way for the rest of us. All of us at Fire say Thank You for all your years in our world. We raise our glass to you, and your family.
Good Luck and come see us
Brenda
SWGB
Sorry to see you go. Criolla's was a place for special occassions, casual cocktails with friends at the bar, and overall some of the best food on 30A. Good luck with the new venture.
Beach Fanatic
changes
Changes are a good thing, allowing us to reach for new levels of excellence.
Best of the Best to you and Debbie and your new venture!
Changes are a good thing, allowing us to reach for new levels of excellence.
Best of the Best to you and Debbie and your new venture!

Beach Fanatic
Johnny, congratulations to you and Debbie. I personally believe you set a bar with Criolla's that will never be reached by another restaurant in our beautiful area. Doug and I wish ya'll even greater success for the future. We applaud your vision and courage....for it takes that to embrace change! 
Doug and Kathy

Doug and Kathy
Beach Fanatic
You guys were and still are the Pioneers of this area. While your restaurant will be missed, you new endeavor will be a huge success because you will bring the same energy to it. Thanks for opening the doors for many of us local business owners. We remember your words of wisdom with the 30A business association many years ago and always appreciate your kind hearts and advice throughout our run as a fellow business on the 30A.
Peace, Love and Health to you all.
Rachel and Ed
Peace, Love and Health to you all.
Rachel and Ed
Beach Fanatic
Wow...Criolla's will definitely be missed. But I KNOW 30A Resorts is already carving out a notch in our community, and Criolla's catering is sure to as well.
Plus, restaurant hours are grueling, especially when dealing with other things. Best wishes to you, Johnny, and to your family. Take care!
Plus, restaurant hours are grueling, especially when dealing with other things. Best wishes to you, Johnny, and to your family. Take care!

Beach Lover
Johnny and Deb,
You have established a standard and have enjoyed many a fine meal and evening with you and our Criollas family.
We will miss this aspect of 30A and yet wish you the best in your other ventures, my friend!
You have established a standard and have enjoyed many a fine meal and evening with you and our Criollas family.
We will miss this aspect of 30A and yet wish you the best in your other ventures, my friend!
Beach Fanatic
best of luck on the new adventure! I'll sure miss your creative vision behind the grill! and what will you do with all those golden spoons?;-)
Beach Fanatic
Fond Memories
I enjoyed working for y'all. Time does fly. Saw Bonnie Leigh the other day, she is in school to be a counselor. Wonder where Clark went? We were all so young and good-looking. I have the photos to prove it! Much Love.
I enjoyed working for y'all. Time does fly. Saw Bonnie Leigh the other day, she is in school to be a counselor. Wonder where Clark went? We were all so young and good-looking. I have the photos to prove it! Much Love.
Beach Comber
Johnny you mention in your post that Criolla gift certificates can be redeemed. Where can we go to do this? I have one that we apparently will not be able to use. We had hoped to use it this weekend. Best of luck with your new venture.
Beach ComberAuthor
Just contact Nada Chastain at 267-1267 and she will take good care of you.
You can also email her at staff@30Aresorts.com
Y'all come by to see us at the new offices, we are planning some very cool things for the fall on the special events side.
Our sales team can help if you are looking for advice for your real estate. Our vacation rental team can handle your every need. Either team can be reached at 877.231.2880
Thanks again for all the past years of fun at Criolla's. Lets all work together for the next 20 years along 30A. It may seem a little tough right now, but we all have a very bright future ahead.
Keep smilin'
Johnny
You can also email her at staff@30Aresorts.com
Y'all come by to see us at the new offices, we are planning some very cool things for the fall on the special events side.
Our sales team can help if you are looking for advice for your real estate. Our vacation rental team can handle your every need. Either team can be reached at 877.231.2880
Thanks again for all the past years of fun at Criolla's. Lets all work together for the next 20 years along 30A. It may seem a little tough right now, but we all have a very bright future ahead.
Keep smilin'
Johnny
Beach Lover
My wife and I ate there several times and loved it, food, service, location. Thank you so much for your care and devotion to the cuisine and excellent service. Best of luck in your new adventure.
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