Rico

Greetings,

We finally were able to get our act together to come down to the area. Normally we camp, either at Grayton or St. Andrews. This year we are renting a condo with some friends. We thought it was on the west side of PCB, but after studying the map more closely, I think we might be in the center of stuff. The condo appears to be on the eastern part of Front Beach Road just before it runs in to Thomas Drive.

So...are there any places close by that we need to check out? We love good food, and prefer dives to highbrow places, but can pretty much manage anything. Places that serve good breakfasts are a must too. I know that we will be cooking at home some also, so any good markets nearby would be great too...

Thanks in advance for any info!

Smiling JOe

Mike's Diner for breakfast and meat and three lunch. Mike's is on front beach road, less than one mile past Pier Park, on the right. A little farther down is Mike's other place, Thomas Donuts, and they have tasty milkshakes and donuts. yummy.

Billy's Crab House on Thomas has good crabs, but don't waste your time unless you call ahead and to ensure that they have "select" crabs, which are the larger ones. It's a locals' dive. The other food there is just so-so. It is a little closer to 98 just past Capt Andersons, on the left side if going toward 98.

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rapunzel

The best breakfast in the area is to be found at Andy's Flour Power on Thomas Drive. They also do a very good lunch. Andy comes to the table to make sure you're enjoying your meal without fail. They serve Community Coffee. The food is fresh and well prepared, not greasy. The bread is baked in house. Omelets -- fabulous. The Cuban sandwich is the best outside of Miami/Tampa.

SWGB

For breakfast there is a kosher deli in the Edgewater Shopping center. It is wonderful.

For a quick lunch hit Spinnaker's Beach club. You can sit Gulf front and enjoy basic lunch stuffs.

The Boat Yard next to Capt. Anderson's is wonderful as well and usually has live bands.

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Rico

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! We are very familiar with Billy's- it had the distinction of being the only place in the area where we ate twice last year! It was already on our list!

Another place that looked interesting- we drove into the city of Panama City to see the Titanic exhibit last year. We turned off 98 and went through some pretty neighborhoods and stuff and at some point came across a small, older commercial area (not downtown, but not too far from it), and saw an older seafood place- I can't remember the name, or exactly where it was, but they looked to be doing a pretty good business. Any idea what the place is I'm talking about, and if so, is it any good?

Smiling JOe

Oh, and let's not forget Schooners, if you are on that end. It is the last remaining beach club. Open air right out to the beach. Good food and drinks, and the atmosphere cannot be beat. Ask around and you will get directions, but it is on the beach, about one block off Front Beach Rd, near the turn to get back on Thomas Dr.

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Smiling JOe

You were in St Andrews, which is on the water, about 2 miles from Downtown PC. There are two seafood places down there on Beck Ave, both are great -- Captain's Table and Hunt's Oyster Bar. My fav is Hunt's, and it is one of only a few places where I will eat raw oysters. Hunt's is tiny, so there is often a wait. It has a very local crowd. Uncle Earnie's is on the water a block away from Hunt's and Capt's Table. I think it is highly over-rated, but I hear people who love it. If you like raw oysters, Hunt's is definitely worth the stop. I sometimes drive over there, just to eat a few dz raw for lunch. yummy! To get there, take 98 over the bridge from PCB, and stay straight. It will turn into 15th Ave. Where the road makes a big curve back to the left, look for Beck Ave on the right, and take it to almost the end and Hunt's and Capt Table is on the left, Uncle Earnies is on the right, one block off the road, right behind a three story building under construction, on the water.

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NotnKansas

Yes - the Boat Yard off of Thomas Drive by Captian Anderson's is excellent. So is Andy's Flower Power! I would just suggest to go to the 'local' places and stay away from the chains :) You can get that stuff anywhere! But I heard there is an EXCELLENT burger place in Pier Park called 'Brothers Burgers' or something like that. Have fun!

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Rico

Actually, I travel quite a bit for my job, and I gave up on chains a looong time ago. The food can be decent enough (sometimes), but it just seems like it would be boring to look at the same decor and color scheme and eat the exact same thing no matter where you are. I'm lucky enough to be able to be in both Memphis and New Orleans on a monthly basis and I *always* eat well- you can tell by my ever-expanding waist line!

sunspotbaby

Sunnyside Cafe ?? I think that's the name of it. "Local Dive" on the West end of Front Beach Rd. Old pink? block building with a bird cage out front. It's not much to look at, but awesome food cheap! We've ridden the bike down 30 A and over to PC Beach just to eat breakfast there.

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tsutcli

Sounds like you may be very near the super WalMart, intersection of Front Beach/ Middle Beach and Thomas Dr. They have a grocery section so shopping for food shouldn"t be a problem.
That is Sunnyside by the way and is real locals dive. Go there for breakfast with buds from time to time.

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Mermaid

Last week we ate at Big Daddy's Bar-b-que and Soul Food. It's on 98 not too far from Home Depot and Lowe's. I wasn't terribly impressed with the pulled pork but the fried chicken and soul food veggies (butter beans, cabbage, broad beans and more) were excellent. My mama would have been proud of all the vegetables I ate! The restaurant is spotlessly clean and the decor is very cheerful. Not a bad place for lunch atall.

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Tootsie

best fried okra ever served in a restaurant.

carmen

How big is Big Daddy's and how long has it been there? Is it the really colorful place on the south side of 98?

ShallowsNole

I know where Big Daddy's is, but haven't eaten there. Will have to make a note to do so.

I HAVE eaten at a place in Edgewater Shopping Center named Sweet Basil's. I hope it is still there. It is primarily Italian but I distinctly remember having shrimp, and it was grayt. Local PC folks love it.

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SWGB

Big Daddy's was over near Home Depot, but burned down. They relocated to there current location. It is family owned and really good.

Sweet Basil's is still there, but if I remember correctly it was way down on my list of recommendations for Italian.

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ShallowsNole

Oh well. Like I said, I ate shrimp...

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SWGB

I know sorry if I sounded harse.

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Tootsie

shallows: have you been to the Pasta Grill on front beach rd? it is really really really good and wonderful italiano food. and the bakery next door is incredible.

InletBchDweller

Sunnyside is very good. Breakfast and lunch is yummy and afordable....

mmmmm, pasta grill (lasagna, alfredo, vodka sauce)

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Lady D

I have to second Thomas Donuts. They are a little white shack dive but have good food. But they are closed on Wednesdays. We ate last year at the Corams Steak and Egg at 2016 Thomas Drive. I don't recommend their pancakes, we just don't care for Buckwheat pancakes ourselves. And boy are they huge. We ordered three each as they were selling them per each. We had no idea they were as big as they were. The waitress said she thought we were really hungry. You can imagine the looks on our faces when she brought out our breakfast.

We like Salvatores pasta also. They have good looking pizza and calzone also. But we always get spaghetti. They are at 11206 Hutchison Blvd. Small family run place. And of course the Waffle Houses are good.

Prissy

The place at Pier Park is "Five Brothers" I think. We ate there a few weeks ago and it's just a burger joint - nothing special. They have burgers, soft drinks, dogs and fries. The couple with us is from Georgia and they've eaten at one in or near Peachtree City and ranted and raved about it but I think they were even disappointed with the one in PC.

Lady D

Probably the area of Panama City called St. Andrews.

Eating Out… Capt's Table 1110 Beck Ave. 767-9933
Hunt's Oyster Bar 1150 Beck Avenue 763-9645
Shane's Seafood Hangout 1322 Beck Avenue 763-1551
Uncle Ernie's Bayfront Grill & Brewhouse 1151 Bayview Avenue 763-8427

SWGB

I love Coram's, beats Waffle House every time. They have fries!!!

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tsutcli

We always like Bonefish in the Grand Panama shopping area on Middle Beach Rd. near the intersection with Alf Coleman I think.
The Saltwater Grill on Middle Beach not far from WalMarts has good food and a 5000 gal. salt water fish tank with amazing variety of fish. Can sit right uup next to the tank if your lucky.

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BEACH LOCAL

Lady D

If you are referring to Bonefish Grill there are several here in Memphis. Very popular restaurant.

ShallowsNole

No! I'll have to drag Fuzz or one of my escorts over there! Thanks!

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gotothebeachmom

It's worth the trip.

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InletBchOwnr

Coram's is a favorite of ours on W. 98 for breakfast....close to our digs in Inlet Beach, and I like Dusty's on Beach Front Road about .5 miles west of Pier Park for oysters and sandwiches and colorful (yep, I said it here) night life characters. Champion oyster shucker, too. Other than that we eat many places and have many favorites in PC. Since we live in Memphis, we cannot in good conscience ever recommend anyone eat bbq anywhere but Memphis. It's just a thing. True dat!

Lady D

InletbchOwnr, we were down last August and went by the Corams on West 98 as we stay at Inlet Beach, that is where we rent, and it was closed that entire week we were down. We assumed it was out of business. So we ended up at the one on Thomas Drive. We live in Memphis also and I hear you about the BBQ. You haven't had BBQ unless you have had Memphis BBQ. There is none that compares.

30A Skunkape

Yeah you right. I see they now stay open until 8 or 10pm. I love their fluffy omelettes.

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SWGB

They used to be 24 hours, or that might only be the 23rd, Callaway, and Thomas Dr locations. I prefer a flat omelet.

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flspearit

I seen on the sign just yesterday..
24/7
I do love me some Coram's
(guilty pleasure...or hangover cure) either way....yum and the fries are crinkle cut if I remember correctly..

damn, may have to go get me some!

DuneLaker

We enjoyed Uncle Ernie's at St. Andrews. It has been awhile though. The Governor Stone was anchored right out the window. It was nice to see since Uncle Ernie was from the Pt. Washington area and the Governor Stone has Pt. Washington/Eden State Garden ties in getting to Walton County.

jamnolfin

Its called 5 Guys Burgers. Voted by many as the best burger joint chain in the country. I think its excellent ,you can make your burger anyway you want for no extra (except for cheese). Grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, all free. Dustys is great, Shuckums is good, Spinnaker is right on the beach and pretty good. Try Scampis on Thomas Drive, the best stuffed shrimp Ive ever eaten, Hooks under the Treasure Ship, Montego Bay, Firefly (upscale), Captain Andersons is the most popular restaurant in a 100 miles (grilled shrimp) yum. I eat out alot.

georgiafan

Haven't been in lately, but my husband always had to go to Montego Bay I think there are 2 now. One is in the shoppes at edgewater center. Good prices great food. My hubbys pick.. raw oysters for appetizers and shrimp or catch of day.
I'm not a big seafood person but I like their land choices and their grouper sandwich is delicious not too fishy choice for me.
Prices used to be great, restaurant has been around since I was a child, they rebuilt in new this newer location several..? years ago.
Have fun.

Rico

Just wanted to say thanks for all the tips and suggestions- we just returned from PCB and tried many of them!

The best that we found was Hunt's Oyster Bar in Panama City- I thought oysters were out of season, but everyone at our table agreed that these were by far the best that any of us had ever had. We even returned a second time! I'm pretty sure that the oyster population in the area was *severely* affected... This place is truly a gem!

We did find another breakfast place that some of you may wish to try- it is called Jeannie’s Diner and it is across the street from the beach in western PCB- good food at reasonable prices!

Thanks again for all the tips!

wrobert

I was always told to only eat raw in month's with a 'R' in them. But nowadays so many oyster farms I guess they are good year around.

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Smiling JOe

Before the days of refrigeration and ice machines, eating oysters during the R-months was good advice. The R months don't matter any more.

Glad you liked Hunt's. They are tied with Gene's Oyster Bar, as my favorite oyster bar, this side of Apalachicola.

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Rico

Well if Gene's is anywhere near as good, we have to try it- my wife told me tonight that she didn't even like raw oysters before trying Hunt's- but I saw her down two dozen by herself!

Where is Gene's, and also if you wouldn't mind sharing, where are some good places in Appalachacola (SP)?

Smiling JOe

I don't mind sharing the location of Hunt's, but Gene's has only 11 seats in the entire place. You are doing just fine at Hunt's. Gene's just has a slightly different character. I forget the name of the oyster bar in Apalach, but it is right on the river -- you cannot miss it.

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InletBchOwnr

We love Dusty'sWe enjoy Dusty's on Beach Front Rd. I know, I know...it can be noisy and packed and kinda funky, but that's OK when the oysters are that fine, the shuckers are world class, the food is terriufic, the jukebox roks, the clientele can vary just as the traffic does, so that's where I head when I'm close.

goodwitch58

Boss Oyster, maybe?

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Tootsie

If you love a good old bar, raw oysters, fried shrimp, ACDC/Metallica/Aerosmith blaring from a very loud and very bad stereo, cheap perfume, and really great servers, go to Dusty's on a Friday night. front beach road. terrific change of pace and wonderful seafood.

Rico

Someone had mentioned Dusty's earlier, but we had already done the oyster thing 3 times in 5 nights (twice at Hunt's and once at Billy's), so I couldn't get anyone to go there with me. We did pass it on the way out of town though, and will certainly check it out when we return late this summer...

wrobert

I ate my first oysters in a dive called Lucy's in Panama City. We stopped there almost every Friday night on the way to Wewa from Pensacola during hunting season. A buck a dozen on the half shell. Those were the days.

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Smiling JOe

Yes, that's it. Thanks.

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SWGB

While the old, month with an R in it, is no longer true. I would never eat raw oysters about a week after any major rainfall (tropical in nature) due to the crude that gets flushed into the bay. Remember oysters are the filter of the sea.

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