What new restaurants do you want?

[seagrovechick]

Thinking of opening a fast-casual restaurant by the Publix in Watercolor with counter service vs. waitstaff and reasonable prices (at least for this area!). Would love your opinion on what you think the area needs. Examples are Pizza, Mexican, Burgers, Chinese, etc. Thanks!

[Smiling JOe]

Thinking of opening a fast-casual restaurant by the Publix in Watercolor with counter service vs. waitstaff and reasonable prices (at least for this area!). Would love your opinion on what you think the area needs. Examples are Pizza, Mexican, Burgers, Chinese, etc. Thanks!

Seems like there is a great desire for a grilled cheese stand. Personally, I think the type of restaurant depends on the quality of the food. A great Chinese Chef does not necessarily make great pizzas.

[kurt]

Grilled cheese.

It looks like the Thai Cafe won't be re-opening, so Thai food is what I want. Finding a chef is the difficult part. Probably easier to do chinese.

Really good fried box takeouts would be a huge hit with the local work crowd and vacationers - seafood and chicken boxes, with one or two sandwhich offers. You'd be competing with Publix so yours would have to be better at not too much higher price.

[katie blue]

GUARANTEED: if you open a California-style make-your-own burrito type place, it's a no-brainer. Everyone likes it, and there's no competition here for this. Chains such as Chipotle, Moe's Southwest Grill, etc. are the example, and they do incredible business wherever they open. You get to choose your meat (beef, chicken, etc), add any veggies you want (grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, olives, whatever) and cheese, then have it wrapped up in tortillas and grilled. Low overhead for you, and easy to take out for us---which would be excellent, being right next to the Publix.

Thai would be great too, but the burrito idea requires less money to get underway, because the decor can be basic and you don't need gourmet chefs to make it. Of course, if you can find a *good* Thai cook, go for that too!

Hope this sparks an idea for you....;) Kt

[Camp Creek Kid]

There is already a Moe's next to the Sandestin Publix. The same family owns a second Moe's next to Big Kahuna's in Destin. I believe they have the franchise rites for this area.

A place that sells great burgers and chicken sandwiches has my vote--something to take the place of the Seagrove Village Market because they are closing. You could also offer grilled cheese.

Chinese would be great too.

[Smiling JOe]

There is already a Moe's next to the Sandestin Pulix. The same family owns a second Moe's next to Big Kahuna's in Destin. I believe they have the franchise rites for this area.

They also have one in Ft Walton. Funny thing is that Moe's had originally decided to go in next to Publix in WaterColor, but got scared, and backed out, before later deciding to go into Sandestin.

[kurt]

There is already a Moe's next to the Sandestin Publix. The same family owns a second Moe's next to Big Kahuna's in Destin. I believe they have the franchise rites for this area.

A place that sells great burgers and chicken sandwiches has my vote--something to take the place of the Seagrove Village Market because they are closing. You could also offer grilled cheese.

Chinese would be great too.

Seagrove Market is not closing.

[Camp Creek Kid]

That is good to know! I thought with the proposed redeveopment of that block that it was going to close for awhile, but eventually reopen???

[lenzoe]

1) McDonalds
2) Burger King
3) Wendys

(Just kidding).

The area definitely needs a good, reasonably priced burrito place.

[RiverOtter]

1) McDonalds
2) Burger King
3) Wendys

(Just kidding).

The area definitely needs a good, reasonably priced burrito place.

You forgot Red Lobster

[Philip_Atlanta]

Burrito place would be great!

[mystikwarrior]

1) McDonalds
2) Burger King
3) Wendys

NOT kidding. What's wrong with fast food? It's fast, and it's food. To heck with trendy and hoity-toity tourist traps, we have plenty of those already. Sometimes I just want to grab a quick meal at the drive-thru for the kids. I just don't want to have to drive to Destin to do it. Nothing 'quick' about that.

[Smiling JOe]

NOT kidding. What's wrong with fast food? It's fast, and it's food. To heck with trendy and hoity-toity tourist traps, we have plenty of those already. Sometimes I just want to grab a quick meal at the drive-thru for the kids. I just don't want to have to drive to Destin to do it. Nothing 'quick' about that.

I dont want a trendy and hoity-toity tourist trap either, but we definitely do not need another place that sells overly processed crap, like the franchises you mention. If you are in such a hurry to feed the kids, go back to Atlanta or wherever. My philosophy is, "relax, you're at the Beach."
I guess you also think that we need a Super Wal-ly-World conveniently located north of Grayton Beach, so that you can have cheap crapola in close proximity to your place.

Sure there are some conveniences sacrificed by not having the big franchises, but they exisit elsewhere, and unfortunately, they will be here too in the near future. I think it is a shame that we cannot try to escape from our comfort zone, even for a week or two at a time. Why not try something different for a change. Maybe you will open your child's eyes to a new world.

[RiverOtter]

I dont want a trendy and hoity-toity tourist trap either, but we definitely do not need another place that sells overly processed crap, like the franchises you mention. If you are in such a hurry to feed the kids, go back to Atlanta or wherever. My philosophy is, "relax, you're at the Beach."
I guess you also think that we need a Super Wal-ly-World conveniently located north of Grayton Beach, so that you can have cheap crapola in close proximity to your place.

Sure there are some conveniences sacrificed by not having the big franchises, but they exisit elsewhere, and unfortunately, they will be here too in the near future. I think it is a shame that we cannot try to escape from our comfort zone, even for a week or two at a time. Why not try something different for a change. Maybe you will open your child's eyes to a new world.

Preach on Brother!! :mad: Harumph!!!! :mad: Has anybody seen the move Super Size Me ? McD's laces their food with sugar and other chemicals (much like the tobacco companies) to keep you coming back, actually they keep you addicted :mad: (I'm just sure I spelt some of this rant wrong :oops: ) We live within 8 minutes of all the chains in the Nooga and I won't let my kids eat that crap either. I say keep the crap out of South Walton! Have you ever been to a Walmart? The minute you leave you get the urge to go to the trough at Ryans and eat the crap they serve ! The same stuff everybody is sneezing and burping all over ! No thank you :mad: ! Sorry if I ofended anyone :oops:

P.S. Sorry still on the Rant!! Heck! That's why we come to 30A is to get away form the stupid chain restaurants! :mad:

[Smiling JOe]

No need to applogize for the things you believe to be true. So many people need the instant fix to keep the kids from yelling and screaming. Reminder-- They are just kids! Kids are supposed to do that stuff. No need to shove a DVD in the player, or a Cheeseburger, Fries, and Sundae in their mouths.

I have not seen the movie, but here that it is an interesting documentary. I will put it on my list of things to view one day.

[RiverOtter]

No need to applogize for the things you believe to be true. So many people need the instant fix to keep the kids from yelling and screaming. Reminder-- They are just kids! Kids are supposed to do that stuff. No need to shove a DVD in the player, or a Cheeseburger, Fries, and Sundae in their mouths.

:oops: :oops: We do have a DVD player in the truck :oops: :oops: Hey sue me! It's a 6 hour drive

[Smiling JOe]

:oops: :oops: We do have a DVD player in the truck :oops: :oops: Hey sue me! It's a 6 hour drive

[Waterman]

Preach on Brother!! :mad: Harumph!!!! :mad: Has anybody seen the move Super Size Me ? McD's laces their food with sugar and other chemicals (much like the tobacco companies) to keep you coming back, actually they keep you addicted :mad: (I'm just sure I spelt some of this rant wrong :oops: ) We live within 8 minutes of all the chains in the Nooga and I won't let my kids eat that crap either. I say keep the crap out of South Walton! Have you ever been to a Walmart? The minute you leave you get the urge to go to the trough at Ryans and eat the crap they serve ! The same stuff everybody is sneezing and burping all over ! No thank you :mad: ! Sorry if I ofended anyone :oops:

P.S. Sorry still on the Rant!! Heck! That's why we come to 30A is to get away form the stupid chain restaurants! :mad:

Anger management......

[SoWalSally]

I vote for fast food that's healthy. Rice dishes, wraps, salads, sandwiches. Market good food as a healthy alternative and you'll have a built-in market. Like the Organic Cafe was in Blue Mountain. Make picnic specials for families going on or coming off the beach.

[hutch]

Not just a restaurants but a great market for prepared take out foods. Great pies, ribs, and honey ham to die for. Whole Food Market. www.wholefoods.com. Think of Whole Foods as a super deli with prepared foods. At least you could enjoy the beach and not have to cook. Then at least my Lab would have a little room in the SUV on the return trips from Atlanta. My wife packs so much from this market there is not enough room in the SUV for me or the poor dog. At least it would give Publix some competition. Go to their web site and request a store in our location along 30A. And my dogs says thanks.

The Hutch

[Lisa_at_the_beach]

We need a restaurant that, in addition to usual stuff, has a great vegetarian menu. We have MANY vegetarians and vegans in this area and there are FEW choice or places to eat. Think HEALTHY! You'd be surprised at your following.

L

[katie blue]

Yes, healthy and simple would be refreshing. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[seagrovechick]

For the record, that movie changed my life and I haven't eaten at McDonald's or similar fast food chains since. I got it at Movies by the Sea by Publix. Great flick. Check it out!

[Paula]

I definitely think that whatever you do, it should be easy to eat on the beach and you could have distinctive boxes to put the meals in and carry to the beach (great for marketing -- e.g., red and white checked, green and white checked, etc.). Ideally food you can easily eat at the beach but wouldn't bother cooking yourself. Something people who visit would consider a tradition to get (e.g. we've only been visiting the area for 2 years and we already have the traditions of going to Seagrove village market for fried oysters, going to Angelina's for their lunchtime weekday special, going to the Red Bar -- they are must do's on every trip because we enjoy them and the kids see them as must-do traditions -- they take pride in showing friends who travel with us these places that are special traditions to them).

I could see families enjoying a take-out or eat-in fried chicken tradition with corn muffins, and other things that are special, hard to make, homey, easy to eat in or eat at the beach, and could be made with special recipes and packaging that stand out.

I'm getting hungry...

[Smiling JOe]

Something people who visit would consider a tradition to get (e.g. we've only been visiting the area for 2 years and we already have the traditions of going to Seagrove village market for fried oysters, going to Angelina's for their lunchtime weekday special, going to the Red Bar -- they are must do's on every trip because we enjoy them and the kids see them as must-do traditions -- they take pride in showing friends who travel with us these places that are special traditions to them).

Great point, Paula. People do establish traditions here. Imagine if people set the tradition of going to McDonald's when they come to the Beach. (Bad Habits are hard to break). I must have a super-size french fry, Coke, and a 1/4 #er with plastic cheese. They just are not the same back in Atlanta.

[kurt]

Great point, Paula. People do establish traditions here. Imagine if people set the tradition of going to McDonald's when they come to the Beach. (Bad Habits are hard to break). I must have a super-size french fry, Coke, and a 1/4 #er with plastic cheese. They just are not the same back in Atlanta.

[RiverOtter]

Great point, Paula. People do establish traditions here. Imagine if people set the tradition of going to McDonald's when they come to the Beach. (Bad Habits are hard to break). I must have a super-size french fry, Coke, and a 1/4 #er with plastic cheese. They just are not the same back in Atlanta.

Don't forget the Diet Coke

[Paula]

For me, the thing about good traditions is that they are different from what we can do often (if we do it often, I think it's a routine or habit), and there's usually a nostalgia and romance about traditions (which McDonald's lacks).

Hey, I'm Italian and am romantic about traditions. The fried oysters at Seagrove market can bring tears to my eyes in part because they're so good and in part because it's a tradition to be shared only when we're at the beach with good friends and family. I think I'd feel the same way about really good fried chicken (which I wouldn't eat at home on a regular basis because it's hard to cook) and a simple and pretty picnic box that my family, friends, and I could take to the beach.

[Smiling JOe]

For me, the thing about good traditions is that they are different from what we can do often (if we do it often, I think it's a routine or habit), and there's usually a nostalgia and romance about traditions (which McDonald's lacks).

Hey, I'm Italian and am romantic about traditions. The fried oysters at Seagrove market can bring tears to my eyes in part because they're so good and in part because it's a tradition to be shared only when we're at the beach with good friends and family. I think I'd feel the same way about really good fried chicken (which I wouldn't eat at home on a regular basis because it's hard to cook) and a simple and pretty picnic box that my family, friends, and I could take to the beach.

Sally's by the Sea, located in Blue Mtn Bch, has the best fried chicken in the area, possibly the SouthEast.

[RiverOtter]

Sally's by the Sea, located in Blue Mtn Bch, has the best fried chicken in the area, possibly the SouthEast.

Should this be added to the master list in the Stickey?

[kurt]

Sally's by the Sea, located in Blue Mtn Bch, has the best fried chicken in the area, possibly the SouthEast.

I just swallowed a bite.

[Smiling JOe]

Should this be added to the master list in the Stickey?

Perhaps, if you like fried chicken to go. I think you are going to have to stay longer or visit more frequently if your list keeps growing.

[RiverOtter]

Perhaps, if you like fried chicken to go. I think you are going to have to stay longer or visit more frequently if your list keeps growing.

I'll be so buy trying to do and go to all the new places I've learned about from the boards I'm not sure I'll get to go to the beach

[Paula]

Thanks. Sounds great. I'll put it on my list of places to go when I'm there next. I hope it's good enough to bring tears to my eyes (although it does embarrass my children...).

[Mike B.]

River Otter...

I know what you mean about living within 5 minutes of all the fast food joints. I live in Nashville, 3 miles from downtown. I cant blink without seeing all of the crappy grease pits and overpriced "status stores" catering to the rich (that was a bit off topic!). Thank God there are a million little hole in the wall places that actually cook good food for you at a cheap price or I'd weigh 500 lbs.

I love the idea of a choose your own adventure burrito! Burrito's are a staple of my house. Whenever me and the housemates run out someone has to run to the store and buy a 10 pack of frozen burritos. (had 2 for dinner last night)

Im a big fan of the fresh made sandwich or burger served to you by someone who enjoys working there who knows your name and makes the sandwich just right, not thrown together. You gotta have a porch to sit on and a decent bottled beer menu also. ;) Ok... I guess I should get some of this paperwork off my desk. Gotta love being at work!

[Sheila]

Things will be diffrent when we open our "Irish-Mexican" Pub there. Just imagine all the interesting combo burritos we sould serve. What will we name it?

[RiverOtter]

Things will be diffrent when we open our "Irish-Mexican" Pub there. Just imagine all the interesting combo burritos we sould serve. What will we name it?

Jose McGuires :laughing1

[Sheila]

I like it!

[kathydwells]

OH, Thank goodness Kurt....Seagrove Village Market is one of our favorite places to eat when we come down every June. I was getting ready to call them to find out for sure if they were really closing !!!!!!!

[RiverOtter]

I like it!

Mexican-Irish Pub serving Tequilla, Irish Whiskey, and Jagermeister. Just imagine the stories that would be told

[kurt]

Mexican-Irish Pub serving Tequilla, Irish Whiskey, and Jagermeister. Just imagine the stories that would be told

Or FORGOTTEN.

[RiverOtter]

I like it!

How about Ian Lopez'

[Mike B.]

As funny as the Irish-Mexican pub names are, if I ever have a pub it will be called Breen's Pub. I really like the idea of being known for the best burrito in northwest Florida though!

[beachmouse]

Up in Michigan, there's a Carlos O'Kelley's.

[Sheila]

Up in Michigan, there's a Carlos O'Kelley's.

There used to be a Carlos McGee's in Atlanta (back in the day!) That may be the reason tequila is not my drink of choice any longer. Long story......I'm still fuzzy on all the details. I get flashes of big tennis or clown shoes, sunglasses being worn at night, trenchcoats, sombreros, and either alot of people in a little car, or a whole lot of people in a big car?!?

Maybe I was at the circus??? Mike I am not sure this Mexican Irish thing is such a good idea after all!

[RiverOtter]

There used to be a Carlos McGee's in Atlanta (back in the day!) That may be the reason tequila is not my drink of choice any longer. Long story......I'm still fuzzy on all the details. I get flashes of big tennis or clown shoes, sunglasses being worn at night, trenchcoats, sombreros, and either alot of people in a little car, or a whole lot of people in a big car?!?

Maybe I was at the circus??? Mike I am not sure this Mexican Irish thing is such a good idea after all!

LOL!

[Mike B.]

Ok... Ill do an Irish pub and only serve burritos and grilled cheese to locals who are in the know. How's that sound?

Speaking of pubs, its been a hell of a day here at the office. 1 hour and 40 minutes till I enjoy some home brew on the back porch or maybe hit one of the east Nashville bars. It's expensive being a single man on the hunt! :)

[RiverOtter]

Ok... Ill do an Irish pub and only serve burritos and grilled cheese to locals who are in the know. How's that sound?

Speaking of pubs, its been a hell of a day here at the office. 1 hour and 40 minutes till I enjoy some home brew on the back porch or maybe hit one of the east Nashville bars. It's expensive being a single man on the hunt! :)

Ahhhhh.... The single days.....:oops: Oh Crap!!! Hope Graytonbound doesn't see this

[Mike B.]

Yes, the single days are good. But they are long days and require cash... I need to find a hot, mid 20's surfer girl. Can anyone help? It will garauntee you your own personal stool at Breen's Pub!!! :)

[RiverOtter]

Yes, the single days are good. But they are long days and require cash... I need to find a hot, mid 20's surfer girl. Can anyone help? It will garauntee you your own personal stool at Breen's Pub!!! :)

I must warn you about some misinformation you have. As a single man you have way, way, (excuse me while I clear my throat as to drive this point home) WAY more money than you will have with a family. Unless of course you marry some hot, mid 20's surfer girl chick that is has a trust fund