North Beach Tortilla Co. On The Bay Features Tacos, Tequila, and Good Times

North Beach Tortilla Co. is our SoWal hangout "with a beach" on the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay, where “Tacos Grow on Trees and Tequila Always Wins.” Spoken like somebody who’s enjoyed a few good margaritas.

And NBTC is the place to do it. They have over 100 Tequilas to choose from, and bartenders to help you choose. And choose. And choose. The open-air beach bar overlooks the mesmerizing bay where you could spend all afternoon solving the problems of the world. Or at least giving a good try.

The bar features drink specials all day every day, and they add more during happy hour daily from 4-6. The drink menu makes good use of all the tequila on hand, even concocting drinks with no alcohol taste whatsoever.

Somebody had too much fun coming up with this one… the Joe Beane 2 aka Mike’s "something that doesn't taste like tequila”. It comes with Zignum Steamed Mezcal, Grand Marnier, Muddled Orange, Fresh Lime and a story.

Draft beer, wine and a full bar are available if you can’t handle your tequila.

The menu features a fusion of Spanish, Southwestern, and Florida cuisines — with a strong emphasis on fresh, made from scratch food using carefully sourced ingredients and authentic cooking methods.

For starters, Shishito Nachos come piled high with Chorizo, Blistered Shishitos, Cheddar Cheese Curds, Pickled Onion and Roasted Ranchero. While Street Corn gets the royal treatment with Chili Rub, Pork Crackling, Creme Fraiche, and Pickled Onions.

Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas are kept simple and delicious with roasted peppers and onions, fresh pico and house made tortillas.

“We use free range organic chickens from a friend’s local farm in our quesadillas and tacos. I wanted delicious ingredients that would be good for our kids,” says owner Chef Jim Shirley.  

The location works beautifully for families, as kids love playing on the beach. It’s a lot of fun when the dolphins show up and herd fish into the shallows to circle around them and feed.

Tuesday nights feature live local music, and NBTC has an upcoming paddleboard race – dubbed Paddle Palooza - with legs for adults and kids. Visit their Facebook page for details and registration info.

The building itself has a story to tell as well. NBTC sits right across the street from its sister restaurant The Bay – on the banks of Choctawhatchee Bay at the foot of the 331 bridge. Where the modern bridge is now, there used to be a drawbridge that was built in 1930.

“When they built the new bridge, they just drove the creosote posts into the ground,” says Chef. “If you went into the heart of what The Bay across the street is – it’s those posts with the building on top. At NBTC it’s the same thing. They’re hundred-year-old posts so we thought it would be fun to expose them. There are no straight walls…don’t look for them."

North Beach Tortilla Co. is located across from their sister establishment, The Bay, at the foot of the 331 Bridge on the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. NBTC is open daily for dinner and happy hour. Visit NBTC online at www.northbeachtortillaco.com for menus and more. Stay social on Facebook for the latest updates.

Other Jim Shirley Enterprises include South Walton establishments Baytowne Provisions, The Bay, The Meltdown on 30A,  Ji•Shi Ki•chn, and Great Southern Café – all delicious.