SoWal is "In a Relationship" with Tacos

If there's one thing SoWal knows, it's TACOS!

From traditional to street to coastal and everywhere in between we have you covered on old favorites and new eateries serving up your best savory treat in a tortilla. Everybody loves tacos at the beach! Maybe the sunshine, surf, and sand are setting off a whole vibe…one thing’s for sure, South Walton restaurants have caught on. Our latest SoWal List brings you all things tacos, from the totally obvious Mexican restaurant, to the pleasantly surprising seafood joint. Hit up these SoWal taco spots to get your fix.

Bud & Alley's Taco Bar
Tacos and beer go together like sun and sand. Luckily, you can get your taco and beach fix at Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar in Seaside, Florida. It’s the perfect place to grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the scene. The fish tacos were an immediate hit, not to mention the bar’s offering of close to 50 tequilas and signature margaritas. “Knock the sand off your feet and wash down a spicy taco with a cold cervaza. What’s better than that?” asks Dave Rauschkolb, Bud & Alley's owner. Staying true to the Bud & Alley’s tradition, the entire menu is made fresh in house. Stop by and see what everyone's Taco-bout. 

FOOW (Fish Out Of Water) at Watercolor Inn sets a tranquil vibe with panoramic views of the Gulf. The menu reflects a Southern influence with Indian inspiration peppered in. But this close to the water, fish tacos are always a good idea. Their Blackened Gulf Grouper taco comes on a single white corn tortilla with red and green cabbage, avocado-tomato salsa, queso fresco, and a chipotle lime aioli. Their full bar features fine tequilas, too.

Just steps from the shore at Red Fish Village in Blue Mountain Beach, Red Fish Taco features chef-driven eats, Tecate in the can, and delicious margaritas. Most importantly, they have happy hour, every hour! The signature Grilled Fish Tacos come street style, topped with marinated cabbage, chili lime aioli, and cilantro. The Grilled Avocado side is to die for!

Local Catch Bar & Grill is a beloved SoWal bar and grill started by two college buddies featuring a wide-ranging menu that spans seafood, burgers, and wings, to name a few. The Caribbean Shrimp tacos come with a choice of a side (we recommend homemade chips and pico) and they’re topped with grilled coconut rum marinated shrimp, pineapple salsa, cabbage, house white sauce, and roasted red peppers. You could wash it down with a cold draft beer or a specialty margarita…but I’m a sucker for a good Cucumber Collins. Gin, ginger, lemon, and cucumber pair perfectly with the fresh Caribbean flavors.

Mi Casita is a low-key Seagrove Beach gem has just what you need after a day on the beach. Fast, affordable, and fresh, you can’t go wrong with the chicken street tacos. Spice up your palate with slow cooked pork carnitas and cool down with authentic Mexican sodas in glass bottles. Order at the counter and have a seat…folks are friendly here and will bring the goods right out to your table.  

Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House is a charming seafood joint in the heart of Baytowne Wharf is the last place you would expect to find delicious tacos – until you find out they serve only fresh, locally sourced seafood fresh off the docks in Destin. This is best demonstrated in the form of glorious Fish or Shrimp Tacos. Get ‘em grilled, fried, or blackened and topped with citrus slaw, mango-papaya salsa, cheddar-jack cheese, and habanero citrus aioli.

La Cocina
La Cocina Mexican Grill & Bar is one of our all-time favorite SoWal taco joints. (We’ve even been known to pick up salsa and cheese dip by the quart for weekend snacking.) The colorful grill and bar features Latin inspired cuisine with a coastal twist. Authentic sides like Blistered Shishito Peppers set the bar high, but it’s the street tacos that keep us coming back for more. Arrachera tacos are stuffed with grilled skirt steak, grilled peppers and onions, salsa macha, cotija cheese, and cilantro. La Cocina is also known for its raw bar - savory shrimp ceviche and Gulf Snapper crudo are worthy of a taste. Sip on a mango infused margarita with a tajin rim for maximum flavor.

With the best seat in the house for bay views, Marina Bar & Grill is situated on the Baytowne Marina and Choctawhatchee Bay. With menu items featuring locally caught seafood and Southern classics with a Bayou twist, you can enjoy coastal favorites inside or outside in the casual, rustic dining area and soak in a 180-degree sunset view over the marina. Their Signature Fish Tacos feature the grilled catch of the day with pico de gallo, queso fresco cilantro creme and house salsa in a warm flour tortilla. If you’ve had a lucky day on the water, they’ll provide “you catch ‘em, we cook ‘em” service, and serve your catch grilled, fried or blackened to your liking.

Check out the SoWal Dining Guide for more food stories and lists. Head over to the SoWal Dining Forum for more food news. You can even leave your own reviews and tell us about your favorite tacos. We love to hear from you! Be sure to follow the SoWal Facebook page for updates from the beach while you’re at it. Hasta luego!