Love Shack...YAY!

I got me a Crysler it's as big as a whale and it's about to set sail!!!!!!!!!!

FYI: License check at the door...you must be a Sowal resident or the cover is $20.00. PP.

20 cover for what/who? are the b-52's going to be there?

We went to the Love Shack tonight for dinner. Very nice casual place. The food got mixed reviews. My fish sandwich was very good. A friend's grilled fish platter had fish that was cold. It was sent back, but the fish was still not hot and most of it didn't get eaten. Gumbo was good. Fish tacos were good. The kids seemed happy because they were welcomed and they were able to roam around outside by the pool. The outside bar was hopping! It was packed and everyone was having a good time. The public is allowed in the pool between 4 and 11pm. Our kids opted not to go swimming this time because we had hauled them out of the pool at home to go to dinner, but it would be a great way to keep them occupied while finishing dinner at a poolside table.

Everyone decided it was worth coming back to (even the diner that had the cold fish) and it was a great casual alternative to some of the pricier restaurants in town. Will probably attract a lot of the locals. Tourists would have to go out of their way to find it.

A previous poster said that there is a $20 cover charge for non-locals. I'm not sure what the cover would be for, but no one checked our IDs, nor was a $20 cover ever mentioned. As a previous poster mentioned, the owner of the Crab Trap also owns the Love Shack. I don't think of fresh seafood when I think of the Crab Trap.

I did find out the owner is the same person/group as the Crab Trap. I asked a waiter when I was in there.

I hope this person or management sees this thread...

We went to Love Shack tonight. The venue gets an A+. Love love love the decor, the poolside bar and the fact that kids can swim while you are there. All staff we talked to (server, hostess) were very friendly...

That's where my positive review ends...


We walked in and were greeted promptly by a hostess. She led us to our table. Then we waited. And waited and waited. No biggie, though- we were excited to be there and we knew that the place is relatively new and probably still getting the kinks out...

Someone finally came over and explained that our server was extremely busy and took our drink order. The place wasn't on a wait or even near full so my only guess is that they were a little short staffed and spread thin...

Our server showed up with the drinks we ordered except my wife's margarita. She said she was just waiting on the bartender. We could see the bar from our table and no one was in the well and there was a young male bartender chatting up with some girls seated at the bar. So we waited. And we waited. No biggie, though- we were excited to be there and we knew that the place is relatively new and probably still getting the kinks out...

Margarita came. It tasted fine and was nice and strong. We ordered...

Wife and son split the fish tacos and ordered a side salad. I ordered a bowl of seafood gumbo and a shrimp caesar salad...

Server was great on refilling soft drinks and water and I appreciated this...

Just when I started to get the "the food is really taking a long time" itch- it showed up. Er, um- some of it...

The fish tacos came and my caesar salad came (without the shrimp). The server said politely, "I'm just waiting on your shrimp"...

I reminded her that I also had a gumbo and wifey reminded her that she also had a side salad. Server kindly acknowledged...

My one year old daughter was fussing so I took her outside for a quick lap around the pool- walking around it, I mean. When I came back inside my gumbo was there and my shrimp were in a side basket on a skewer. But no sign of wifey's side salad. No biggie, though- we were excited to be there and we knew that the place is relatively new and probably still getting the kinks out...

I took the shrimp from the skewer and added them to my caesar. They were slightly undercooked- a little clear in color. I didn't bother saying anything though and by the time I'd forgotten about the undercooked shrimp (we were just about done with everything) is when my wife's side salad showed up...

We let our son swim for about 15 minutes after dinner and then we left...

On the way home we discussed Love Shack and agreed that dinner was at best tragically mediocre- that is being very gracious (IMHO).

Here it comes (last one)-

No biggie, though- we were excited to be there and we knew that the place is relatively new and probably still getting the kinks out...

I will go back just for the venue. And next time I will try ordering a sandwich...

Please please please Love Shack Management:

You have SO much potential. You have been given the benefit of the doubt. Get it together because I really want to love your place and really expect to-next time...

2 cents,
G

i thought the place was great, i was shocked at how nice the place was given its name and location.
i sat out at the tiki bar and had dinner with a friend, we had a great time, met a couple of people around the bar, very social. the 2 bartenders were not very social, and it was hard to get beers even though the bar was not even half full. half hearted checking back on how our dinners were. a really nice girl up front when we were leaving did a better job of genuinely wanting feedback, i told her that the catfish was great but the crab stuffed flounder was terrible, i ate it anyways because i hadn't eaten all day, but the crab stuffing was so unpleasant smelling i actually wondered if i might get sick later. i was told by one of the staff members who was listening say that another lady had the same dish earlier that night and took one bite and spit it out. i appreciated the honesty, and it didn't leave a bad impression telling me that, as i already knew. but i wondered why they wouldn't take a look into it before serving it again.
so, will i be back? yes, i will. but i will be leery of what i order, and i hope that management can maybe step it up, they need to be out talking to the guests and finding these things out first hand, not second.
i definitely hope this will be the place to be this summer, everyone should check it out.

we are still excited about the opening of the LOVE SHACK. we have had a blast meeting all of our neighbors from SRB. the bar has a great atmosphere, and amstel light was just added to the menu. the staff is so cool about everyones opinions, and suggestions, it just keeps getting better.

they are having another grand opening night thing, with a band and everything in a few weeks. im not sure the date, ill find out and re-post.

im excited to have a place i can take my family to eat, without the beeper thingy, in the summer. i look forward to seeing all the locals there.

i added a picture of the bar on my profile.

The owner of the love shack is not the true owner of the crab trap in destin. In fort walton yes......I think he is a managing "partner" of the one in destin.

I work at the Crab Trap in Destin. I have worked with the GM at the Love Shack and he is a great guy. They will make this place work but gang, it has only been open for maybe 3 weeks. Give them a chance and I think all locals will learn to love this place. the food prices alone will have me eating there very often.

I am sure Frank (the GM) isn't reading the forum but I might point him this way.

oh yeah, if you come into the crab trap, ask for Nathan......sowal'ers got to stick together......locals get 15% off at "the trap"

If you want to buy a home or townhome in that development with the Love Shack, let me know, they start at around $200,000 and include Shelly's favorite, granite counter-tops. I just hope they get enough positive word of mouth to survive, being in an off-the-beaten-path location.

I just hope they get enough positive word of mouth to survive, being in an off-the-beaten-path location.

SJ,
We talked about this before. I like those funky off-the-beaten path locations. They can work if you are really good at what you do! The location can become the marketing tool.

They're in a great location - less than 15 minutes from most of 30-A and SanDestin and kid friendly. If they can just start serving some decent food, they are golden!

I hear you, but you know what they say about restaurants -- Out of sight, out of mind.

I had a great dinner Saturday night! I have always enjoyed going to the places that are out of sight. They seem to stay in my mind.;-)

That's good, because that will be the saving grace for out of the way places. So far, I've heard nothing but good things, mostly from locals. Take care of the locals and they will send you customers. It has a chance, and I hope it does stay around for a while.

I did find out the owner is the same person/group as the Crab Trap. I asked a waiter when I was in there.

I was so hoping that this was going to be a real true seafood joint. then someone mentioned the association with crab trap. which is liked by many, mostly tourists, if you get my meaning (tourist trap).

I do want to visit and check it out for myself and I shall!

I was so hoping that this was going to be a real true seafood joint. then someone mentioned the association with crab trap. which is liked by many, mostly tourists, if you get my meaning (tourist trap).

I do want to visit and check it out for myself and I shall!

i think the whole idea of being "off the beaten path" is to encourage people like myself that likes to go out to eat, to actually attempt going out to eat in the summer. like i said before, i dont like those beeper things...or the tourists, and their table of 20.

i am a homeowner in the neighborhood. i love it. i have the best neighbors. if anyone has any questions, contact me. the model homes are open daily, with an agent (jerry) who can walk you around. my husband and i looked at houses for months, we accidently stumbled upon eagle bay, and we could not have made a better choice and investment. these homes are brand new, and very well priced with a fab-u-lous location. they are not ugly either, like most stucco/brick adam's homes. worth checking out before happy hour at 4.

c-ya there.

Well we finally made it to the Love Shack (love the name) last night and it was great!! The food was great, all you can eat fried flounder and clam strips every Friday night for...drum roll.... $10!! And let me tell you, the place has been found by tourist and locals, it was crowded inside the restaurant, outside seating, the tiki bar and the pool. Service for outside seating was good, especially for the number of people they had to serve. As we were leaving a gentleman asked if we enjoyed our dinner and he had a 'Calypso' embroider on his shirt, just like the Calypso Restaurant in PCB... Anyhoo well worth checking out and the prices are very fair.

Thanks for the report Franny.

I haven't made it in yet, but it is within bicycle riding distance for me so I definitely plan to. It sounds like they are getting all the opening kinks worked out!

Thanks for the report Franny.

I haven't made it in yet, but it is within bicycle riding distance for me so I definitely plan to. It sounds like they are getting all the opening kinks worked out!

Worth the bike ride.;-) Someone at dinner last night said they were open for lunch, but that isn't what I have read on here and I forgot to ask...

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised that these were Adam Homes, very nice houses and a major improvement over the brick/stucco Adam Homes to say the least. And I really like the surrounding neighborhood, very close to the bay.

i think the whole idea of being "off the beaten path" is to encourage people like myself that likes to go out to eat, to actually attempt going out to eat in the summer. like i said before, i dont like those beeper things...or the tourists, and their table of 20.

i am a homeowner in the neighborhood. i love it. i have the best neighbors. if anyone has any questions, contact me. the model homes are open daily, with an agent (jerry) who can walk you around. my husband and i looked at houses for months, we accidently stumbled upon eagle bay, and we could not have made a better choice and investment. these homes are brand new, and very well priced with a fab-u-lous location. they are not ugly either, like most stucco/brick adam's homes. worth checking out before happy hour at 4.

c-ya there.

Worth the bike ride.;-) Someone at dinner last night said they were open for lunch, but that isn't what I have read on here and I forgot to ask...

I heard they open at 4 pm. Maybe the deck/bar opens at 3 and dining at 4. Something like that. Luckily it is still somewhat light until about 8pm. I'd have to ride Hwy 98 about 2 miles.

I heard they open at 4 pm. Maybe the deck/bar opens at 3 and dining at 4. Something like that. Luckily it is still somewhat light until about 8pm. I'd have to ride Hwy 98 about 2 miles.

Scarey thought of being on 98 any time close to darkness.

Beachy and I love this place!!! It's a great place to take the kids.

Thanks Geo, I guess I won't rush up there just yet.

Love Shack...more like hate shack

So I love in SRB and was thrilled that we had another place opening up close that we could dine. We frequent Jambone ( hooray! Great place) and the donut hole for breakfast. It's nice to have a local hang out to meet with friends and eat and drink.
My husband and I both went on a Fri night to check out the Love Shack. Had heard it was a little surprise hidden down E. Hewitt and was excited to try it out. When we found it...I was surprised...in a good way. It was much nicer looking than I had expected. We walked in and a young lady was at the door greeting us quickly. We decided to dine outside. We were sat at a table that the sun was beating down on and the hostess ran away so quickly that I didn't have a chance to ask her if we could move. SO, we took it upon ourselves to do so. The server came to our table after a few minutes and asked what we wanted to drink. My husband ordered a corona ($3.50/can....a can...that's not cheap) and I had to ask if they served mixed drinks...I saw no bottles at the bar. I ordered a vodka drink ( that was only $5.50...that price made up for the can of beer) She took awhile for the drinks and then asked what we wanted to eat. We started out with the smoked tuna dip. Not bad....a bit on the mayo side but overall...tasty. It arrived pretty fast, but it doesn't take long to scoop it on a plate. No worries. We decided on the fish tacos and the grilled mahi with mash potatoes and roasted veggies. After we ordered I think it was no more that 5 minutes before our food arrived. How can you grill a piece of Mahi in 5 min? No pun intended...but it was fishy.
Well, I took one bite of my tacos and had to open them up to see what was inside. It resembled canned cat food. The fish was so mashed up that you could hardly tell what it was. And the taste...it was lucky it didn't get spit back out. The black beans and rice on the plate wasn't too bad but the salsa and guac that came with it we obvious out of a jar. My husband's Mahi tasted like it had been frozen, cooked and held in a steamtable for several hours. The mash tasted o.k....they looked homemade. The lemon sauce on it also tasted pre-made. I would have probably sent it back if I had ordered it. OUr bill was adjusted for the tacos and I spoke to the server about them. She said that she had not tried them. No manager ever came over to acknowledge the situation.
Our dining experience outside was on the stinky side. It was really out of the control of the restaurant but I bet there were 3 cigars being smoked around us. I chose not to move because I like the outdoors so much. I can handle cigarette smoke but cigar smoke it sooo overwhelming.
I am a local as I mentioned. This place is supposed to be for the locals. Many of the locals here are in the hospitality industry whether it be a restaurant or a hotel. Last time I checked the locals are not intrested in the same fried food menu that you can get...oh let's say at the crab trap. We want something fresh and different. Cheap....yes, but quality can not be compromised. If they want to attract and keep the locals year round, I think they need to step it up.

The ad says open at 4PM. 850-267-0399

If the tin roof is not rusted I will be disappointed.

what about glitter on the front porch