Southern Cafe in Seaside

Hmmm. I don't know Robert Davis and haven't received an invitation yet, but I am very happy with platonic relationships should one develop (not looking for anything more intimate).

Hate to here that about southern, We went back in June and had a wonderful experience there. Food was very good, and service was outstanding.

My friends in town just had lunch at Southern Cafe. They really enjoyed the food. The service was very bad.

I had a liquid lunch there last week and it was so delicious.

I've been meaning to go there, but after hearing about your experience, Hutch, I'm not too sure. Do you remember the manager's name, by any chance? I'm just curious because I used to work with someone who left to go manage Great Southern Cafe. If it's the same person, I'm not really surprised at quality of service.

We had lunch at Great Southern a few days ago. Service was fine. Food was OK but not great. A little on expensive side.

We had brunch there one day this summer - food was, across the board, disappointing. I looked around and saw that many people still had substantial uneaten portions left on their plates (not a good sign). Service was medicore but most importantly (for me!) coffee was awful. I would probably need to be dragged there again. Hate saying this because I for one would like to support as many places as possible - so for now, am happily spending my hard earned $$$ at places where food is consistently good and service is too! And luckily we still have some choices

We had such a nice lunch there in August. We thought all was well done, including service, except for the fried calamari which we returned. However, consistency is what makes or breaks a business (and I assume especially a food business). So, sounds like Southern Cafe needs to work out the kinks very soon in order to stay in business. I'll probably go again next time I'm SoWal to see if I have another good meal there or not. But I trust the comments from others on this board, so it sure seems like consistency is a problem with Southern Cafe and it has now been in business long enough to know what it needs to do and come through consistently for customers. Especially since word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business will be critical to its success, especially off season.

We had such a nice lunch there in August. We thought all was well done, including service, except for the fried calamari which we returned. However, consistency is what makes or breaks a business (and I assume especially a food business). So, sounds like Southern Cafe needs to work out the kinks very soon in order to stay in business. I'll probably go again next time I'm SoWal to see if I have another good meal there or not. But I trust the comments from others on this board, so it sure seems like consistency is a problem with Southern Cafe and it has now been in business long enough to know what it needs to do and come through consistently for customers. Especially since word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business will be critical to its success, especially off season.

Judging by the empty restaurant everytime I drive or walk by, I would say that being consistant is difficult when you don't have any customers on which to practice. My guess is that it won't be long before you see it replaced with a casual restaurant, or something altogether different.

Judging by the empty restaurant everytime I drive or walk by, I would say that being consistant is difficult when you don't have any customers on which to practice. My guess is that it won't be long before you see it replaced with a casual restaurant, or something altogether different.

Maybe a restaurant like Shades would work in that spot.

Judging by the empty restaurant everytime I drive or walk by, I would say that being consistant is difficult when you don't have any customers on which to practice. My guess is that it won't be long before you see it replaced with a casual restaurant, or something altogether different.

Oh well... I enjoyed our appetizers and grouper sandwich, as well as the presentation, very much. But consistency is critical...

Maybe a restaurant like Shades would work in that spot.

I bet you are right. Shades is very casual, and the food is decent as are the prices. Shades would probably work very well in that spot.

Cafe Rendevouz doesn't seem to have any problem staying busy, and the food is great, as is the service -- very inviting.

Had breakfast (Seaside DSA meeting) and lunch at Great Southern today. The Pensacola Pulled Pork sandwich with gouda cheese grits had outstanding flavor, and there was no extra charge for the side order. Service was prompt, and both the owner (Bob Pride) and his right hand (Maggie) introduced themselves and made sure we were well taken care of. I feel they're moving in the right direction now...

BB

I sort of feel the urge to stand up for Great Southern Cafe in Seaside. It's good. My friends ate there 3 times last week and wanted to go back again. Shades was so tired, and its atmosphere was intimidatingly conservative (Fox News running 24/7 can make you lose your appetite). People who miss Shades should still be able to go there; its owner told me that they were just moving down 30-A, to a bigger space.

I sort of feel the urge to stand up for Great Southern Cafe in Seaside. It's good. My friends ate there 3 times last week and wanted to go back again. Shades was so tired, and its atmosphere was intimidatingly conservative (Fox News running 24/7 can make you lose your appetite). People who miss Shades should still be able to go there; its owner told me that they were just moving down 30-A, to a bigger space.

A lot can happen in two years. I had the grits and grillades there a while back and they were pretty tasty. The dish appeared to have been reheated in the microwave as it had that crusty edge on the sauce like a Stouffer's lasagna when you left it in just a tad too long. I am not complaining as I love that burnt, crusty bit......I wonder if that qualifies as a technique? lol

Glad you miss "old Shades"

I was a bartender at Shades for five years or so , back in the day... Even before the guys from Taco Mac bought it, Seaside never found it to be "hip" enough. No fancy sauces or waiters in black. However, I am sorry to hear not good things about Great Southern. Some of these comments are almost mean. I thought only the positive was welcome on the restaurant forum, I guess it depends on what restaurant is being discussed.

Great Southern has some yummy dishes!

Shades had good crab cakes and french fries, but you went there for a quick meal kids would eat, not cuisine or great service.

I did buy a very tasty, $6 eek Newcastle at Great Southern Cafe, recently.

I think it should be pointed out that the criticisms above are almost 2 years old. I have heard good things about the place as of late, but it certainly had some growing pains.

I did buy a very tasty, $6 eek Newcastle at Great Southern Cafe, recently.

An overpriced beer on 30-A - almost as rare as a tourist w/ a sunburn. ;-)

scooter, you are spot-on. I guess I should expect beer to cost $6 plus tip, when lemonade in Seaside cost $4+. Thank God for the bars with better prices on beer!

Gotta love Hurricane and Sally's prices !

I was a bartender at Shades for five years or so , back in the day... Even before the guys from Taco Mac bought it, Seaside never found it to be "hip" enough. No fancy sauces or waiters in black. However, I am sorry to hear not good things about Great Southern. Some of these comments are almost mean. I thought only the positive was welcome on the restaurant forum, I guess it depends on what restaurant is being discussed.

This thread was dredged up from two years ago and it appears the negative comments were from when it was new. Two years at the rent I am sure Great Southern is paying must mean they are ok at something. If I have a vote - I prefer to hear someone's experience positive or negative if posted in a sensible manner and then read refutations it gives balance. I didn't see any "bashing".

So, who does own it now? Is it Collier Merrell, businessman and major political contributor, of Pensacola? He owned the Florida Fish House on Main in Pensacola and Joe Scarborough even had his office upstairs. Or has he sold it like he and his family did with a lot of their Orange Beach condos at auction that was mentioned on another thread a month or so ago? Are they the majority owners of this Great Southern? Joe Scarborough was at the SoWal July 4th Parade a few years ago and set up in Seaside for his show.

chef/owner of great southern Jim Shirley is a competent and well respected chef, sounds like a service problem,and this deal about letting them have a few months to get their stuff organized is nonsense, they are on their second summer, you know the crowd is coming, be ready, prepared, pay a fair wage, offer great food, be the employer of choice, respect employees. Ollie, Jim Richard, the folks at Borago don't seem to have trouble keeping staff. I agree that it seems Seaside is aware of the monied crowd, and perhaps the rent is commensurate with that vision. I agree that Shades was ok only, but if you go to a place that guarantees lotsa hungry,wealthy diners you ought to take advantage. Look at the merchants in Sandestin, Sandestin brings them in, and they do a great job, or out they go(remember the short lived cajun place and the homestyle food place). It seems the food scene is raising the bar with Stinkys, Fire,the new menu at D&Ks, Tango and you bettr deliver the goods or someone that cares will. Southern may kick during the season, but the test is if us locals support them in jan, feb. Remember - good food, great service-see ya next week. Great food, poor service- see ya in the funny papers!