South

Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, MS, AL, AR, LA, KY and TN

1. I cannot recommend anything down there.
   
   Was the Flori-bama rebuilt after Ivan?

   Link: http://www.runninggags.blogspot.com

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   Lance Martin Jun 06, 2006 10:46AM

   1. re: Lance Martin

      Flora-Bama is up and running...it was not all the way destroyed by Ivan...As of resturants...this time of year they will all be packed...The Fish Camp on Canal Road is good...The Oar House in Foley is good, use to be in Gulf Shores pre hurricane...the main tourist spots...Original Oyster House...and anything within sight of condos...but there are LOTS of Fabulous places

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      Amy Jun 06, 2006 05:22PM

2. I'm a big fan of King Neptune's on Highway 59 close to Highway 182. Doesn't look like much from the outside but has better seafood than most of the places in the area that I've tried. Prices are very reasonable. A must stop for me when I'm in Gulf Shores.

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   Febo Jun 12, 2006 04:32PM

3. I recommend the Original Oyster House (I stick to simple fried grouper), the Giggling Grouper (used to be the Back Porch) and Pink Pony Pub (nice burger break from the fried seafood). However, you have to go to Blalocks and get some steamed royal reads -- one of the best things in the world.

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   The Dive Jun 30, 2006 04:49PM

4. I love Original Oyster House. It may be a bit too touristy for your liking but I would go there anyway. Could be a long line up for dinner so be prepared for it.

   http://www.originaloysterhouse.com/in...

   Enjoy
   DT

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   Davwud Jun 30, 2006 06:03PM

5. The original Oyster House will not let you down.

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   northwestnative Jul 04, 2006 08:21PM

6. There was a place where you could get a bucket of Royal Reds (Shrimp) an ear of corn (Some people will call that Frogmore Stew). It was great. It was a bit of a shack and it was on the main drag so it may have suffered at the hands of Ivan.
   If it's still there and someone can tell you the place I'm talking about, got there. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

   DT

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   Davwud Jul 04, 2006 08:25PM

7. Get the West Indies crab salad at King Neptune and a bucket of Royal Reds at the Gulf Shores Steamer. You can get a bucket for two that comes with a pitcher of beer for around $22.
   http://www.gulfshoressteamer.com/

   It did suffer during Ivan and was closed for a bit, but they renovated and added on and it is back, bigger and brighter with more seating than before.

   That's the place Davwud was trying to think of.

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   lolita Jul 05, 2006 09:28PM

   1. re: lolita

      Thanks Lolita.
      That is the place. I forgot, we did order the bucket for two with the pitcher. It's a great deal. I really liked the Royal Reds, my wife thinks they're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

      DT

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      Davwud Jul 06, 2006 11:41AM

      1. re: Davwud

         Gulf Shores Steamer is excellent! The Royal Reds are great and it was one of the most affordable dinners we had.

         We also enjoyed Papa Rocho's - good pizza, they have oysters, and great atmosphere.

         King Neptunes is excellent for good fried seafood!

         There is also a place right off the main drag that has excellent po-boys and a nice patio to eat on. It is right next to one of the 3 surf shops on the corner.

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         butterflydoc Aug 04, 2007 05:37PM

8. I personally think that the thing about this area food-wise is to not expect something that's out of character for the area. It's not a wine area. It's not a "foodie" area. They don't really (in Gulf Shores proper or the Fort Morgan area) do "gourmet". Fried or boiled? Yep.

   My mom lives down there and i almost always enjoy food we buy and cook more than the local restaurants. HOWEVER. There are exceptions. I don't ever fry food at home (lazy, lack of skill, doesn't agree with me, etc.), but if you want tasty fried seafood (not "fancy" food) then the Shrimp Shack (on the stretch of road btw Neptunes and Steamer) has very good corn meal battered fried seafood. Not that really thick battery Carolinas (though not knocking it)kind of thing. I believe it's classified as more of a light corn meal "dredge". If fried food can be classified as light, then this can. If my stomach would allow it, i might eat here more often. The place is loud, the food is served in a plastic basket, children WILL be crying. (during tourist season.)

   I personally do not like the fried seafood from Neptunes. I found it to be more of a thick batter than i like. The small tender raw oysters are delicious as is the aformentioned West Indies Crab Salad. (My sister and I don't have children. We often visit during high season. The place is crammed. If we want a table it will be hours. But sis, her hubby, me and mom are more than happy to sit at the bar. The wait suddenly dwindles from one hour plus to immediately available. FYI. Won't work with kids as they can't sit at the bar. We only do beers, oysters and crab salads for adults so it's never a problem. Major singleton perk!)

   I wish i got a kickback from the Steamer. There's just so so frickin much fried food down here which gives me such a stomach-ache that i can't eat it. Maybe if you have more of a Teflon/Asbestos type stomach, you might have a totally different list.

   Just as you wouldn't expect filet mignon from a hot dog cart, don't expect so called sophisticated gourmet from this area.

   I don't totally disagree with what Lance Martin said about "not recomending anything from this area". Just know what you're getting. Nothing comes with shaved black truffles on top. But if you want fresh super simple tasty seafood, You can have it. This is why i love the Steamer. They let the flavor of the seafood come through rather than frying and battering it to death.

   Tired of seafood? Mellow Mushroom (a chain) has tasty pizza in Foley after outlet shopping. They have a nice selection of imported pints for the Bible Belt. Guiness, Bass, etc.

   And Davwud, i was so happy to see your immediate reply. Sometimes this area feels so remote! To know there are others out there- how comforting! As I say, my mother lives down there, so when I visit mostly i don't venture too far from home so i'm well aware that my anwers don't really cover a vast area. They really do target one zip code only and don't represent every tourist. But i hope that's what everyone (or at least someone) wanted to hear.

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   lolita Jul 07, 2006 07:28AM

9. And i've been to the Flora-Bama. They have the tenacity of the Cockroach. No Roof. Still serving drinks. They'll come back. Let's not worry. they still have their website, mytholoy and mullet-toss. www.florabama.com I'll just say this and move on, The ladies room works just as well as it ever did.

   which is to say "not at all". And the line to get in.... down the street.

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   lolita Jul 07, 2006 07:48AM

   1. re: lolita

      You're right Lolita. As upscale as it gets is probably Original Oyster House. In my mind there's nothing wrong with the type of food there. I think some people get too snooty about food. If it isn't made by so and so or doesn't come piled in the middle of the place with fresh chive sprouts sticking straight up and cost over $30 a plate it isn't good. Food is good because it's good. There is plenty of it down there. You're just not gonna find a New York steak house is all. I think of all the places we ate, Steamers was the best. I didn't get to the Flora-Bama but I told my wife the other day that I'm going next time. Which may be next summer.
      I was in that area a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to go back.
      Is there any good ice cream shops down there?? I'm totally not a fan of dippin' dots.

      Thanks
      DT

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      Davwud Jul 07, 2006 11:30AM
   2. re: lolita

      One other thing Lolita. Do you get over to Dauphin Island very much?? We ate lunch at a place called the Pelican Pub and had a grouper po' boy. It was incomprehensibly good.
      Anyway, is it still there?? I know the area has taken a bit of a beating since last I was there.

      DT

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      Davwud Jul 08, 2006 02:43AM

10. I just returned from Orange Beach. Here are the details:

    Original Oyster House: Arrived at 8:30 and had to wait more than an hour. The gumbo was weak, but liked the fried grouper. The pecan mahi mahi was also good. Good desserts.

    Live Bait: Went for lunch - no wait, but prices are the same as at dinner. Had steamed royal reds -- kind of pricey for $17.99, but very tasty. Gumbo ok.

    Gigglin' Grouper: went for lunch -- again no wait. Cute place on the Back Bay. had the west indies salad and blackened grouper sandwich -- very good. Also liked the rum punch. Much better service than the Back Porch days.

    Pink Pony Pub: My family always goes here and it never disappoints. Loved the crab claws (fried or steamed), grouper, fried mushrooms, sweet raw oysters, great rum drinks. Only drawback is that it is smoky.

    Blalocks (on Canal in OB): Got 3 1/2 pounds of Royal Reds, medium boil. Excellent!!!

    Fish Camp (on Canal in OB): Good lunch choice. Had the fried grouper (very good) and gumbo (decent). Didn't like the sweet potatoes, but otherwise a good find.

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    The Dive Jul 10, 2006 04:44PM

11. It's touristy but if you go off-season, Sea-n-Suds is a treat. It's on a dock that extends out into the water so you'd go for the views (especially sunset). I discovered crab claws there but found out I could get them much cheaper elsewhere. It's basic fried fish and burgers with some kind of gumbo.
    http://coastalalabama.blogspot.com/

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    bevalerie Jan 22, 2008 07:20AM

12. I guess I'm a little late with an answer, but Dos's is what you're looking for. It's a converted take out place. NOTHING is fancy, but if you want good fried seafood. Doc's is it. On the corner of Canel Road, and highway 161, Orange Beach, Al.

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    sparkle101 Sep 15, 2008 08:08AM

    1. re: sparkle101

       Good reco on Doc's. Be sure you go to the one in Orange Beach, though. The one in Gulf Shores is not nearly as good.

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       dd992emo Sep 15, 2008 01:37PM

13. I'm going to agree with those suggested the Original Oyster House. However, at this time, part of the road is still flooded.

    If you are craving pizza, definitely head North on 59 and go to the Mellow Mushroom in Foley. It's fantastic and the beer selection changes to showcase seasonal and regional beers.

    I can't remember the name of the restaurant (or, heck, even the city/town) but it's on the coastal highway (heading East). Sometime before you get to Pensacola, there are some nicer restaurants. We like the adventure of picking a new place so we always try something different.

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    Ima Wurdibitsch Sep 15, 2008 01:34PM