Opinions needed on Nick's and Bayou Bill's

Thanks Andy!

My opinion on Nicks - well, not mine, exactly; I copied this from another poster on another board a few years ago - but it's still true!
We always go there when we are in town, but we've learned to order carefully - ask questions about what you're getting if it isn't obviously local. Love the fried alligator and especially the crabs, but I've had great (and so-so) fin fish. Sides are ok - but you go for the seafood (I'm sorry to hear they aren't using local shrimp).

Thanks Andy!

My opinion on Nicks - well, not mine, exactly; I copied this from another poster on another board a few years ago - but it's still true!

Classic old seafood restaurant and worth the short drive across. 7585 Hwy 20, Basin Bayou, Freeport, 835-2222. Nick's on the Bayou (take the Mid Bay Bridge, go east on Hwy 20 to Basin Bayou) reopens after Christmas. Well worth the drive for the seafood, and it's one of those Old Florida places where the developers gather to plot out New Florida. You can watch the owners' chickens wander around out back while listening to a $500 million land deal plan the next table over. GO EARLY (4:30pm); L, D, closed Monday.

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We always go there when we are in town, but we've learned to order carefully - ask questions about what you're getting if it isn't obviously local. Love the fried alligator and especially the crabs, but I've had great (and so-so) fin fish. Sides are ok - but you go for the seafood (I'm sorry to hear they aren't using local shrimp).

they may use fresh shrimp when available. I know they use a lot of fresh local seafood. all I know is the shrimp is always wonderful. they know enough to serve the best - wherever it may be from.

I happen love the old fashioned type sides: baked potato (yummy with fried seafood) or french fries (good ole crinkle cut diner fries - you cannot beat 'em), and the cole slaw has always been a favorite of many (people have been known to go pick up a big order to serve at home with supper). they also have basic salads. and quite a few appetizers such as fried crab claws.

FYI-Trey Nick is closed on Monday and Tuesday and OPEN on Wednesday-Sunday for rigth now.

My best friend from high school will quite possibly be your server at Nick's, and Bayou Bill's has some handsome busboys. And both have some excellent fried shrimp.

Word - if someone in your party is allergic to eating shrimp, I'd lean toward Nick's for fish. They have awesome mullet at times (the vegetarian fish, not the hairdo).

My best friend from high school will quite possibly be your server at Nick's, and Bayou Bill's has some handsome busboys. And both have some excellent fried shrimp.

Word - if someone in your party is allergic to eating shrimp, I'd lean toward Nick's for fish. They have awesome mullet at times (the vegetarian fish, not the hairdo).

Extremely cool. I am getting so excited. I have been studying all the menus by the time I get there I will already not what I am ordering from where,

Bayou Bills best steamed crab deal in north Florida.

My best friend from high school will quite possibly be your server at Nick's, and Bayou Bill's has some handsome busboys. And both have some excellent fried shrimp.

Word - if someone in your party is allergic to eating shrimp, I'd lean toward Nick's for fish. They have awesome mullet at times (the vegetarian fish, not the hairdo).

Looks like jail bait to me. ;-) You already trying to marry off the squirt to a nice wealthy woman with her own house?

Looks like jail bait to me. ;-) You already trying to marry off the squirt to a nice wealthy woman with her own house?

No, but if one wants to include him in her will, that would be cool.

Correction on openings-----Nick's in Basin is now opened Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday.

Both are fair to bad my opinion. If you want simple gulf coast seafood in a casual setting, I would suggest Capt. Dave's on old 98 as the best option in the Walton/Okaloosa County area. In Bay County, Captain Anderson's of PC is easily tops in that catagory.

@tide12-goes to show you how we can all have different views!our last meal at capt daves was right off the sysco truck. our dinner at bayou bills tuesday night was one of the best so far this year.fresh steamed crab claw app, grilled tuna and blackened grouper entrees were superb, as was service.hopefully, nick's tomorrow - they've never dissapointed.

If Sysco delivered bad goods, don't think one would see them unloading at as many restaurants.The best, freshest food can be ruined from lousy preperation. We ate at Bayou Bill's a couple of times last year ,had no complaints, food was very good.

you do not want to eat fish from

you do not want to eat fish from the sysco truck!btw, l was referring to capt dave's as meh-we were immensely satsfied with bayou bills. and today's lunch at nick's was also fab, even though crabs aren't yet available. shrimp were primo.

I am afraid Capt Dave's has been tried and off the list. We will try Bayou Bills and Nicks.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Boondocks. In PCB, just off 79 at the bridge over West Bay.

Regarding the fish substitution thing - all you have to do is price fresh grouper at one of the local seafood markets, and it will be quite clear why your $8.00 grouper sandwich possibly isn't.

@treefrog - I was amazed that bayou bills served such large portions of very fresh fish for less than $20/pp.

@treefrog - I was amazed that bayou bills served such large portions of very fresh fish for less than $20/pp.

okay, so glad to hear about Bayou Bills - we used to love it but haven't been in so long. Now I gotta go there. also I'm due a trip to Nicks soon!

Bayou Bills, Nicks, Dewey Destin's, Boondocks...

What is...how to shoot ShallowsNole's diet all to hail???

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Boondocks. In PCB, just off 79 at the bridge over West Bay.

Regarding the fish substitution thing - all you have to do is price fresh grouper at one of the local seafood markets, and it will be quite clear why your $8.00 grouper sandwich possibly isn't.

Boondocks let me go check this out.

Bayou Bills, Nicks, Dewey Destin's, Boondocks...

What is...how to shoot ShallowsNole's diet all to hail???

Mrs. SC and I blew through town on Saturday (thank-you, Delta) to pay for SCUBA classes we're going to take in May. Since we were only there for 3-1/2 hours we stuck close to Destin. Ate at Dewey's for the first time on the recommendation of the dive shop. It was great. Can't believe that I hadn't ever eaten there.

Best part of the trip was the rental car agent's confusion about the car. She saw the return time and thought it was a mistake. I told her that we were only using it for a couple hours.
She asked for a contact number.
She asked where we were staying...
Uh..."in the car", I told her.
She said she needed a second phone number so I gave her Mrs. SC's cell which is only two digits off from mine. She said, "that's almost the same number."
I pointed at Mrs. SC and said that it was her cell, that we were only here for a short time, and would be back by 1:30.
I guess she doesn't get many airline employees dropping in for a visit!

Dewey's was great.
I had the lunch shrimp basket. It was a full pound of fried shrimp for $10.95. They gave Nick's a run for their money. Now, I have someplace else I can go!

Boondocks has fried flounder we have not seen that in a couple years. We once had the cooked whole on the bone in a little place in Mobile called Capt Rons and it was really good!

Boondocks is wonderful, get there early and plan on waiting.

Boondocks is wonderful, get there early and plan on waiting.

Oh dear, my list of places I want to eat is getting longer than the days I am there. What to do, what to do?

What I have always liked about Bayou Bills is they can handle large tables and the kids always seem to enjoy going there. They are very consistent and once seated on a busy night they always produce in a timely manner.
The grilled oysters are awesome!