Heading home after a gorgeous two weeks in SOWAL . Thought I'd provide some info as so many others have aided in my research.
Bud & Alley's--- one of our first stops. A friend and I shared the crab cakes and the grouper. I have to say I had three or so different crab cakes over the two weeks and these were my favorite. The lemon buerre blanc sauce and light breading not overly fried were the reasons why. Service and view were top notch . No wait as well for our party of 9--good timing.
The Great Southern Cafe-
The wait for this restaurant wax 1:45 minutes. This seemed okay to us because we had a pager and were able to shop while we waited. We knew what we were coming for and the food was as good as we remember. The grits a ya ya is one of our favorite dishes. And the men enjoyed the beef dish, three meats I think it's called was served in an iron pot and was delicious. The key lime pie is superb. I wish I knew how they make the meringue so sweet, light and fluffy. Our party of t nine usually meant that a 20% gratuity was automatically added. This was extremely frustrating at great southern. The service was horrible. We actually could see our waitress sitting on a stool as we were all waiting for drink refills. We should have asked for a manager and complained.
Borago's
My friend and I had the chocolate creme brûlée after dinner elsewhere. The server was polite, witty even though we were just there for dessert. Delicious!
Shrimp shack-
Over priced- I had the peel and eat shrimp. I prefer goat feathers but the dining with a view is great. My friends lobster roll was bland and overpriced.
Fat daddy's pizza-
Thick. Yummy and they deliver . I ordered from them twice. Second time for the kids as hubs and I were headed out alone. Kids cinnamon stocks delivered with garlic sauce not typical icing.
Louis Louis
Again, perfect timing. No wait and a table waiting since we called ahead. We had a quiet room for just our party and the service was the best of our trip. A very nice feature here is the kids meals are the same entrées as adults at half price.
The sizes were huge and filling. Everything our table had was delicious. I seriously don't think you could go wrong at Louis Louis. Also, this is the only location that did not automatically add our 20% mandated tip.
Beach Walk Cafe
The hubby and I celebrated our 18th anniversary here with the dinner. It was our first time here and it was delightful. It was uncrowded. The view was incredible. The service attentive. And the food delicious. We had the eggplant appetizer and it was divine. I chose the grouper on a bed of potato leek hash with sautéed spinach. This will become a retuning location for us. Although outside of SOWAL it is really worth the drive. Ladies are given a rosé and gentlemen the bill .
Donut Hole-
Not sure I would wait here, but again late morning timing with a grocery trip and I enjoyed oat banana pancakes that were delicious! I had half the plate left they were so big! Donuts are good too, but so are Krispy Kreme from Tom Thumb. Lol
Miss Lucille's
You can beat a muffin and a mocha from here. My friend loves the feta Danish. Kids and hubs love the ice cream.
Elmo's
My kids would say they had their favorite burger from here. I would say its a good fish and fry place if you want fried fish. We enjoyed the atmosphere and laid back style for an arrival night. In the past we have brought our own fish and they have cooked to our delight and style. One of our group even joined the musician for a few songs. Fun a the way around.
Donut hut-
Over priced, I predict they wi be out of business by our next trip. Weird, donuts. Cinnamon twists need icing or something. Taste like cinnamon toast with grit.
Pandora's
Some of our group just want a wildfire grilled steak every trip. This place always delivers that. Personally, I love the crabmeat topped filet with bernaise sauce . Delicious . 5 steaks and only one cooked wrong. Overcooked . Service was fabulous and rest actions accepted. Interior had been updated. They must have responded to negative reviews which personally I don't understand .
Goat feathers
Always get fresh shrimp from here--- first stop. Never dissapointed . They will steam for you.
Whales tail-destin
Childhood memory here. We used to eat when much smaller and we stayed at seascape over 30 years ago. View is great as right on beach. Kids can play on beach as they wait for food. Overpriced, slow service and servers that are foreign and hard to understand . Last trip here for a meal if burgers that tops 100 for 5.
Hope that helps someone enjoy some delicious dinners.
Bud & Alley's--- one of our first stops. A friend and I shared the crab cakes and the grouper. I have to say I had three or so different crab cakes over the two weeks and these were my favorite. The lemon buerre blanc sauce and light breading not overly fried were the reasons why. Service and view were top notch . No wait as well for our party of 9--good timing.
The Great Southern Cafe-
The wait for this restaurant wax 1:45 minutes. This seemed okay to us because we had a pager and were able to shop while we waited. We knew what we were coming for and the food was as good as we remember. The grits a ya ya is one of our favorite dishes. And the men enjoyed the beef dish, three meats I think it's called was served in an iron pot and was delicious. The key lime pie is superb. I wish I knew how they make the meringue so sweet, light and fluffy. Our party of t nine usually meant that a 20% gratuity was automatically added. This was extremely frustrating at great southern. The service was horrible. We actually could see our waitress sitting on a stool as we were all waiting for drink refills. We should have asked for a manager and complained.
Borago's
My friend and I had the chocolate creme brûlée after dinner elsewhere. The server was polite, witty even though we were just there for dessert. Delicious!
Shrimp shack-
Over priced- I had the peel and eat shrimp. I prefer goat feathers but the dining with a view is great. My friends lobster roll was bland and overpriced.
Fat daddy's pizza-
Thick. Yummy and they deliver . I ordered from them twice. Second time for the kids as hubs and I were headed out alone. Kids cinnamon stocks delivered with garlic sauce not typical icing.
Louis Louis
Again, perfect timing. No wait and a table waiting since we called ahead. We had a quiet room for just our party and the service was the best of our trip. A very nice feature here is the kids meals are the same entrées as adults at half price.
The sizes were huge and filling. Everything our table had was delicious. I seriously don't think you could go wrong at Louis Louis. Also, this is the only location that did not automatically add our 20% mandated tip.
Beach Walk Cafe
The hubby and I celebrated our 18th anniversary here with the dinner. It was our first time here and it was delightful. It was uncrowded. The view was incredible. The service attentive. And the food delicious. We had the eggplant appetizer and it was divine. I chose the grouper on a bed of potato leek hash with sautéed spinach. This will become a retuning location for us. Although outside of SOWAL it is really worth the drive. Ladies are given a rosé and gentlemen the bill .
Donut Hole-
Not sure I would wait here, but again late morning timing with a grocery trip and I enjoyed oat banana pancakes that were delicious! I had half the plate left they were so big! Donuts are good too, but so are Krispy Kreme from Tom Thumb. Lol
Miss Lucille's
You can beat a muffin and a mocha from here. My friend loves the feta Danish. Kids and hubs love the ice cream.
Elmo's
My kids would say they had their favorite burger from here. I would say its a good fish and fry place if you want fried fish. We enjoyed the atmosphere and laid back style for an arrival night. In the past we have brought our own fish and they have cooked to our delight and style. One of our group even joined the musician for a few songs. Fun a the way around.
Donut hut-
Over priced, I predict they wi be out of business by our next trip. Weird, donuts. Cinnamon twists need icing or something. Taste like cinnamon toast with grit.
Pandora's
Some of our group just want a wildfire grilled steak every trip. This place always delivers that. Personally, I love the crabmeat topped filet with bernaise sauce . Delicious . 5 steaks and only one cooked wrong. Overcooked . Service was fabulous and rest actions accepted. Interior had been updated. They must have responded to negative reviews which personally I don't understand .
Goat feathers
Always get fresh shrimp from here--- first stop. Never dissapointed . They will steam for you.
Whales tail-destin
Childhood memory here. We used to eat when much smaller and we stayed at seascape over 30 years ago. View is great as right on beach. Kids can play on beach as they wait for food. Overpriced, slow service and servers that are foreign and hard to understand . Last trip here for a meal if burgers that tops 100 for 5.
Hope that helps someone enjoy some delicious dinners.
