Fla. panhandle - Apalachicola to Mexico Beach?

I just spent a fine week in St. George Island with some good friends - between the grill and some nice places in Apalachicola and the island itself we ate well. But on the drive home, bright and early, I hugged the coast up to Mexico Beach and couldn't find a single place to eat along the way - I had to pull into the Scottish place, the one with the red and yellow color scheme (I think it's bad luck for RF'ers to say its name).
Anyone got an in on, well, anyplace in that area? I'd eaten at a perfectly fine greasy spoon in Port St. Joe once, but that was some two decades ago and it's mysteriously disappeared (how does that happen?)

Vince

Panama City

Chef Imondi - AWESOME BREAKFAST, luunch and dinner, AWESOME BAKERY!!


Mexico Beach

Sharon's Cafe - Perfectly good diner, for breakfast & Lunch

Fishhouse - Open for 3 meals a day, good food at a decent price

Killer Seafood - Open for lunch and dinner - awesome fish tacos, and your choice of seafood in "Killer sauce"

Neon Palm - open lunch & dinner, great burgers and seafood


St Joe Beach

Reagan's Oyster Pub for lunch and dinner, great fresh oysters and cold beer.

St Joe

Sisters - great place for lunch

Peppers Cantina - Great Mexican Food, lunch or dinner

Sunset Coastal Grill - Lunch and Dinner (a little pricey but Patti is awesome in the kitchen)

Here are 2 trip reports that includes some of these

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18100

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14878

If you need more sugestions on my second home let me know, I know of some great other places round there too.

Dude. You were very near me. What was your route? I hope U didn't do 1-75 south thingee & then cut over on US 90 and/or 98... The Island is within a 90 minute drive from my abode. Did you check out the Panacea, FL area? CajunKing seems to have picked out local good eats in surrounding areas. But there are more! Panama City and surrounding areas still have a few good local places that I still know of for fresh seafood & steaks, etc; but most places in Panama City Beach are tourista traps. Let me know next time of your pending arrival in this area!

--JDK--

I wanna go to Port St. Joe!!!!!! I miss taking my kids down and pitching a tent. It's been too long! My son's favorite restaurant in the whole world is on the road from Port St Joe out to Appalachicola - it's on the right hand side on the water. (okay, so it wasn't local fare he loved - but mozzarella sticks - still, it's hard to argue with a happy kid).

I hope you had a great time. That is a great place (but, shhhhhh! don't tell anyone! It's a secret!).

Adj

I was going to post them too, but I didn't know where he wanted me to stop.

Well, I'd indicated ground I'd covered, to see how my powers of observation fared on the road, but by all means I'd like to hear of any good place between Panama City and the Big Bend (I'd rather avoid PCB - too crowded & touristy). I missed Panacea and Carrabelle this time around, but would get back there anytime. Sometime I need to really get away from it all and get to Dog Island - even with the interweb it's hard finding any vacation info (which amazes and intrigues me).

I also missed the Indian Pass Oyster Bar this time around but enjoyed it on an earlier trip.

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

Dude. You were very near me. What was your route? I hope U didn't do 1-75 south thingee & then cut over on US 90 and/or 98... The Island is within a 90 minute drive from my abode. Did you check out the Panacea, FL area? CajunKing seems to have picked out local good eats in surrounding areas. But there are more! Panama City and surrounding areas still have a few good local places that I still know of for fresh seafood & steaks, etc; but most places in Panama City Beach are tourista traps. Let me know next time of your pending arrival in this area!

--JDK--

I got off I-75 south of Macon and onto Hwy 41 - nice rural drive, nearly empty, and commercially looks some 40 years old (just about when the freeway came in). The Langford House south of Perry looks like a nice fancy-eating place (in a big antebellum house). I stopped for lunch at Denham's One-Stop in Sycamore...a cafeteria in a convenience store, where all the locals were filing in, always a good sign. Cut over from Tifton to Tallahassee to Bristol.
My coming and going were both on Sundays, which meant no BBQ places open - timing is everything I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Vince Macek

I missed Panacea and Carrabelle this time around, but would get back there anytime.

Speaking of Panacea--We just got back from our summer trip there and on to St. George and I am happy to say that Angelo's is nearly ready to re-open. I stopped last Sunday to peer in the windows and it looks 99% ready for business. I asked a workman there and he estimated it will be open in a week and a half--that puts it around August 1. I'm very sorry we missed it as it will be some time before we get down there to almost Paradise again.

Meanwhile, in Panacea, be sure to eat at Posey's Up The Creek on US 98. It's the best seafood going there right now.

But the re-birth of the venerable Angelo's and Sons at the bridge will be a real event!

On St. George, The Blue Parrot is still the premier seafood place--it's on the beach. Finni's (now in the location of the old Oyster Cove location on the bay side) was disappointing. Harry A's is still going strong as a watering hole and its hamburgers are still top notch. Didn't try the Mexican place in the location of the old Islander (and several later incarnations) that's right across from the Buccaneer Inn. BJ's Pizza and subs, although we didn't make it there this trip, has had decent pizza for an island location for nayone fuul on seafood.

We had reservations for Avenue Sea in Apalachicola, but bailed as it looked way too expensive. Despite its superior reputation we chose Blue Parrot.

Went to the Mexican restaurant on SGI in the spring. I think it's El Jalisco - one of a growing local semi chain (there's one or two in Tallahassee and one in Crawfordville). Portions were huge and all four in my party enjoyed their meals. I branched out and ordered something I'd never heard of ?pollo crema? a chicken & sour cream dish of some kind. It was good but I've no desire to repeat it as it was a bit bland (imagine that - sour cream & light meat chicken being bland).

If you head south from Tallahassee instead of cutting over on SR 20, just north of Crawfordville on US 319 there's a restaurant I've been wanting to try. The local food writer just visted and sang its praises (I don't always agree with him - he gave the recently reopened Angelos 5 stars and I thought it stunk).

Forgotten Coast Seafood
2302 Crawfordville Road, Crawfordville; 926-9727
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday;
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday;
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Alcohol isn't served here, but brown bagging is welcome (no corkage fee) and setups are available.


Or you might want to check out Seineyard Restaurant, (850)421-9191, 8056 Woodville Hwy -- aka SR 363 -- outside of Tally in unincorporated Woodville. Seinyard moved into a new (bigger) building last year & had some growing pains (really lousy "blackened" food) but the fried seafood is true Forgotten Coast.

Mango Marleys in Mexico Beach is open and the food is good and the prices are right








It is located in the heart of Mexico Beach, just behind Parker Realty on US 98.

Bringing this back up to the top. Any changes? I would need to find places that are good for take-out, and don't look on us take-out folks as unworthy! My wife has FSH muscular dystrophy, and has a hard time walking and does not like to eat in public (whenever she goes to a restaurant with friends, she comes home hungry!).

So - we will be staying in Indian Pass and are looking for places that are take-out friendly between Mexico Beach and Apalachicola. Since I don't want to be doing too much dish-washing on vacation, I'll need at least one night for a low-key, casual, sit-down place.

(CajunKing - I keep missing the cookoff you compete in. I have to go! It looks like so much fun! Can you recommend any places to take my 23 year old and 12 year old son to? I'm totally into low-key touristy things like mini-golf and soft ice cream and museums and nature centers.)

Okay - one other thing. Since I'll be cooking several of the meals - where's the place to get fresh fish, shrimp, scallops and oysters?

quote:

Originally posted by janifer

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If you head south from Tallahassee instead of cutting over on SR 20, just north of Crawfordville on US 319 there's a restaurant I've been wanting to try. The local food writer just visted and sang its praises (I don't always agree with him - he gave the recently reopened Angelos 5 stars and I thought it stunk).

I'll have to respectfully disagree about Angelo's. We ate there in May and it was great--grouper, shrimp and scallops, the hushpuppies and the house salad with the Greek trimmings--all were wonderful. I gotta go with Ashby Stiff on this one--five hats!

Almost as good was the fact that the re-build once again put the restaurant above the bridge, finally restoring the view of Ochlocknee Bay that was compromised when they put the new bridge in about ten years ago.

In Mexico Beach there is

2 Crabs Seafood Market and Steam Bar really good food and prices


Unfortunately that area is not called the forgotten coast for nothing, there is not a lot of kid friendly activities (mini golf etc) unless you get over to PCB

Florida Caverns State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns/

There are several state parks in the area that offer various things to do, but for putt putt, arcades, go karts - You are going to have to go into Panama City Beach which can be a nice day trip to make

callmebruce: for a good takeout meal, try Paul Gant's BBQ in Port St. Joe. They are only open a few days a week (Thurs-Sat?) and close when the BBQ runs out, so get there early on Saturday. It is a roadside trailer a just north of the business section on US 98. Try the ribs and/or boston butt pulled pork. Don't tell too many people about it, though! I don't want them running out when I am down for a visit.

I have bought seafood for years from St. Patrick's on hwy 71 a few blocks north of 98. They have a small selection, but it is always fresh.

I would like to second the recommendation for Seineyard in Woodville, at least for southern fried seafood. I, too, had a so-so meal at Angelo's after they reopened. The Seineyard was my backup while Angelo's was rebuilding and was surprised to find I preferred it when Angelo's reopened. I do need to give Angelo's another chance, though. Maybe I just caught them on a bad night.

I should have brought a camera today!!!!

We came down on Thursday. Nothing fancy. We decided on takeout, so I went on a hunting mission. I ended up at Red Top Cafe in Apalachicola. Not worth stopping for. It was fair. Friday was shopping day. Way too much time at Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe. I stopped at Three Tails and picked up fresh scallops. Made scallops, fettucini, green onions, grape tomatoes, feta cheese (and real butter - shhhh, don't tell anyone!). I made Grouper, rice and fresh green beans on Saturday. My oldest son and I rented scooters and ran all over Cape San Blas. It was great!!!!! Sunday - frankly, I forget. It was a beach day, and nice, relaxing fun.

Today we went back to Apalachicola and visited Papa Joe's. They're in a marina, and the food was great!!! I had an oyster po' boy. My oldest had shrimp. My youngest won't eat sea food to save his life. Anyway - VISIT PAPA JOE'S!!!! They're good!

We also visited the St Vincent Island NWR info office and had a good look around. We'll visit the island tomorrow. We headed over to St. George Island and visited the state park. Dropped off at Papa Joe's to get some food for my wife.

Have no major plans for ther rest of the week. Might rent kayaks and mess around in the bay. Might spend a week on the beach. Anyway, having fun. Will head over to Mexico Beach to do some exploring, and will head back out to Cape San Blas and St. George Island. But having a great time just hanging out at Indian Pass.

quote:

Originally posted by callmebruce

I should have brought a camera today!!!!

We came down on Thursday. Nothing fancy. We decided on takeout, so I went on a hunting mission. I ended up at Red Top Cafe in Apalachicola. Not worth stopping for. It was fair. Friday was shopping day. Way too much time at Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe. I stopped at Three Tails and picked up fresh scallops. Made scallops, fettucini, green onions, grape tomatoes, feta cheese (and real butter - shhhh, don't tell anyone!). I made Grouper, rice and fresh green beans on Saturday. My oldest son and I rented scooters and ran all over Cape San Blas. It was great!!!!! Sunday - frankly, I forget. It was a beach day, and nice, relaxing fun.

Today we went back to Apalachicola and visited Papa Joe's. They're in a marina, and the food was great!!! I had an oyster po' boy. My oldest had shrimp. My youngest won't eat sea food to save his life. Anyway - VISIT PAPA JOE'S!!!! They're good!

We also visited the St Vincent Island NWR info office and had a good look around. We'll visit the island tomorrow. We headed over to St. George Island and visited the state park. Dropped off at Papa Joe's to get some food for my wife.

Have no major plans for ther rest of the week. Might rent kayaks and mess around in the bay. Might spend a week on the beach. Anyway, having fun. Will head over to Mexico Beach to do some exploring, and will head back out to Cape San Blas and St. George Island. But having a great time just hanging out at Indian Pass.

Oh, man, you're killing me. This makes me so homesick for the Forgotten coast. Make sure you eat at the Blue Parrot on St. George.

Good information,  will have to try some of those places.
Over in Carrabelle we love the Fishermans Wife,  this is a take out only place on the river with the family shrimp boats tied up at the pier.  Super nice folks.
 
 

All of you GA folks that  travel South on I 75 should check out Smok'n Pig BBQ at Valdosta, GA.
 
Smok'n Pig BBQ @ 4228 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA. 229 - 245 - 8227. http://www.smoknpig.com/

The Hut Restaurant in Eastpoint, FL just E of Apalachicola, FL has excellent road food for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The Hut Restaurant @ 315 US Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 850 - 670 - 8024.
http://www.facebook.com/p...estaurant/140020252137
 
 

We're were onver on the Forgotten Coast over Labor Day weekend...day tripping.  Killer Seafood in Mexico Beachis still knocking out excellent fish tacos.  In Apalachicola, the owner of the building with the Chocolate Factory, is working to put in a little wine bar, tapas type of place.  Great homemade gelato at teh Chocolate Factory.  The Owl Cafe has a good menu but we were there too late for lunch too early for dinner.  

crew84row
 
You are making me jealous, I havent been to Killer since Feb.  I would love some of Michael's hushpuppies and Kim's Killer Key lime pie.
 
I couldn't make my fall trip this year, so hopefully in Feb again.