Cheap Eats on 30A

[Paula]

People on this board have noted that it's hard to find cheap and good food along 30A. So, let's get some recommendations going. We should be thinking both places to dine in and get take-out. What do you do when you don't want to cook but want something good to eat along 30A? Can a family of 4 eat for about $25-30 anywhere on 30A? Recommendations for good picnic food on the beach?

As I mentioned on other threads, we:

Get take-out from Angelinas (we like the seafood linquini -- and one serving is enough for two people or plenty of left-overs)

Get very good oyster po'boys at Shades by the Loop for about $7.00. Their menu is very good and reasonably priced.

We've bought prepared but uncooked crab cake "mix" from seafood places (the one we used at Seagrove was excellent but is now out of business) and cooked the crab cakes at the cottage.

We also buy steamed shrimp and put it on home-cooked past for an easy meal.

Someone once mentioned on this board that there's a place in Grayton that has inexpensive hot dogs. Anyone know where it is?

Publix has a lot of food for take-out. What are your favorites from Publix? We haven't taken advantage of Publix take-out yet.

Other ideas?

[Jdarg]

D&K's- on same side of street as Zoo Gallery, close to the corner (well I guess on the corner). There is a nice view.

[Smiling JOe]

" Someone once mentioned on this board that there's a place in Grayton that has inexpensive hot dogs. Anyone know where it is?"

******************

Grayton Corners General Store has 1/4 # hot dogs that are tasty and cost <$2 each. You must go during prime lunch time to get a dog cooked just right. After 1:30pm any dogs remaining on the burner tend to be overcooked.

Another cheap eats is Snapperheads, but it is for locals only, no Prada allowed. Seriously, Snapperheads is a local dive and anyone is welcome, but wear a ragged tee shirt, shorts and flip flops to feel at home. They have the best bacon cheeseburger (aka - walking heart attack) on 30A. Wait a minute, is a Bacon White Cheddar Kobe burger the considered a bacon cheeseburger? Well, Snapperheads has one of the best burgers on 30A. Shrimp and oyster baskets are good and the Grouper sandwiches are tasty too. Beer is cheap, and the scene is mostly locals with a slight mix of tourist.

Cacoons is a cheap eat if you get the right food. Their barbecue sandwich is huge and comes with chips for under $6.

[Unplugged]

On another thread, someone suggested Publix fried chicken for an economical meal - it's very good.

[seagrover]

Snapperheads is great!! They have a great Rubin sandwich.

[Kimmifunn]

Snapperheads is great!! They have a great Rubin sandwich.

There is a place on Andalusia...I think it's called BB's Dip Factory. Ever been?

[beachmouse]

Publix also does a good rotisserie chicken, and their subs have Boar's Head meats and cheeses on them.

[Chickpea]

People on this board have noted that it's hard to find cheap and good food along 30A. So, let's get some recommendations going. We should be thinking both places to dine in and get take-out. What do you do when you don't want to cook but want something good to eat along 30A? Can a family of 4 eat for about $25-30 anywhere on 30A? Recommendations for good picnic food on the beach?

As I mentioned on other threads, we:

Get take-out from Angelinas (we like the seafood linquini -- and one serving is enough for two people or plenty of left-overs)

Get very good oyster po'boys at Shades by the Loop for about $7.00. Their menu is very good and reasonably priced.

We've bought prepared but uncooked crab cake "mix" from seafood places (the one we used at Seagrove was excellent but is now out of business) and cooked the crab cakes at the cottage.

We also buy steamed shrimp and put it on home-cooked past for an easy meal.

Someone once mentioned on this board that there's a place in Grayton that has inexpensive hot dogs. Anyone know where it is?

Publix has a lot of food for take-out. What are your favorites from Publix? We haven't taken advantage of Publix take-out yet.

Other ideas?

Paula,
We like Summer Kitchen a lot - tasty and good variety and a break from fish sandwiches.
Shades by the Loop is also pretty good although closer to $10 for lunch with drink.
If you drive about 1 mile east of 30A you can eat at Spicy Noodle (sadly NOT thai or asian food like I had hoped) but they make good pizza and a good cesar salad.
Yannis is also quite good - they make a pretty good gyro
Fonville Press also is serving lunch - paninis, soups and salads

[tylerT]

D&K's- on same side of street as Zoo Gallery, close to the corner (well I guess on the corner). There is a nice view.

D&K's is closing - going to find dining. Got the scoop from an employee.

[Smiling JOe]

D&K's is closing - going to find dining. Got the scoop from an employee.

That should be interesting.

[Paula]

Thanks for all the good information. Too bad about D&Ks. I like it there. Nice view, very good food. I guess I'll go to D&Ks and Seagrove market next trip and take some photos so we remember them.

[JB]

That should be interesting.

Another one bites the dust. IMO, they always had the best Mahi sandwich on the coast. HUGE, messy and good. If they are going the fine dining route, they will have to enclose the open-air deck (which would be a tragedy in and of itself). Can't do the white tablecloth thing with 40 MPH winds whipping through there.

Someone above mentione the new Shades. Where exactly is it located?

I have always said Harbor Docks needs to open a location on 30-A. While Shades comes *somewhat* close to what Harbor Docks serves, it's no where near as extensive a menu.

[Jdarg]

D&K's is closing - going to find dining. Got the scoop from an employee.

why??? When there is such an obvious need of kick back places? I would probably eat out more at the beach if I could go straight from the beach. With kids, we don't want to eat at 9 pm. But if we stay at the beach until the evening, then everyone showers and cleans up, it's late. Won't sacrifice my beach time to look nice enough for "fine dining". Those days will come when the kids are out of the house!

[Miss Kitty]

NO NO NO!!! I can't take much more!

[tylerT]

I know, shades at seaside is going to fine dining, D&K's, Seagrove Market will be gone with the new development.

who's going to start up an oyster and sandwich place when you have to spend thousands a month on rent or buy property for millions.

better start leaving your flip flops at home.

[JB]

Hell, when I'm down there, I would rather eat at the house or get takeout anyway. Much less stressful. A trip to Goatfeathers of Shrimpers solves everything. You don't have to rush to come off the beach, shower, and get somewhere just to wait for an hour (or three hours if you are talking Red Bar)

What's the latest on the Bait House at Watercolor? I love the space, but the last time we went, it was subpar - both in service and quality of food.

[dbuck]

I admire all of you that cook at home on your vacation but I cook almost every night of the week (I hate to cook) so when I'm on vacation, I want a vacation away from cooking. Plus, my family thinks they have to eat by 6:00 or they might just die of hunger. The advantage of this is we can make it to the early bird special at Pandoras.

[seagrover]

There is a place on Andalusia...I think it's called BB's Dip Factory. Ever been?

Oh, gurl STOP - but that is all I know how to cook - dip!!!

[Donna]

The D&K Cafe closing is a rumor that has been going around for at least three years now. The same employee told us two summers ago, but said it was "hush, hush." I did notice they had not replenished their tee-shirt and baseball cap supply this past summer and fall, however. The employee mentioned the impendingn closing again at Christmas. I think they are just anticipating a big increase in rent when the lease comes up and know they won't be able to foot it. This is a real shame, because that is one of the best places to eat in the area and it is one of the few reminders of what "Old Grayton" was like. I will shed tears if it does close. We had my husband's 60th birthday bash there and everyone loved The D&K.

Publix Market does, indeed have excellent take-out, including a fried chicken that is unequalled and a banana pudding that is delish. Another good and reasonably priced place is The Donut Hole, located at the south corner of Highway 98 where it intersects with 30A. Their breakfasts are yummy and they also have a very good bakery for donuts, breads, cakes and pies for pick-up.

The place my husband gets the biggest kick out of is the Corner Cafe in Freeport, located at the intersection where Highway 331 ends at the signal. It is in a shopette with a hairdresser, an oyster house, and a well driller. The well drilling crew comes in at noon for a big lunch of mullet and veggies. The walls are hung with strange paraphanalia, such as plastic laundry baskets from the 1960s (which I had to explain to Yankee husband is the shrimp and crab trap of choice for us local "Fishheads"). Husband ordered a 1/4 lb. of boiled shrimp and received a huge platter that was close to a pound and they were wonderful. The cost was $3.49 for his plate. They also have a very good hamburger. Do not order the coleslaw...I think it is made from swampweeds.

[Paula]

JB:

Shades by the Loop is on the corner of 30A and Rosemary Beach. It opens at 11:00 and stays open late at night. It has wireless Internet access and has a sports bar atmosphere (lots of TVs around). I'd rate it as very good food at moderate prices.

I, too, would rather not cook much when on vacation. But I also don't want to spend a lot of money when we go out as a family. However, when I go out by myself or with other adults and no children, I'm very happy to go to the more expensive places on 30A.

I agree that take-out and eating on the porch/at the cottage is the best way to go for a low-effort, good, leisurely, affordable meal (and sometimes with left-overs). One strategy we use is to go out for lunch as a family when the prices are less expensive but get take out and eat at home in the evening.

[Smiling JOe]

...
The place my husband gets the biggest kick out of is the Corner Cafe in Freeport, located at the intersection where Highway 331 ends at the signal. It is in a shopette with a hairdresser, an oyster house, and a well driller. The well drilling crew comes in at noon for a big lunch of mullet and veggies. The walls are hung with strange paraphanalia, such as plastic laundry baskets from the 1960s (which I had to explain to Yankee husband is the shrimp and crab trap of choice for us local "Fishheads"). Husband ordered a 1/4 lb. of boiled shrimp and received a huge platter that was close to a pound and they were wonderful. The cost was $3.49 for his plate. They also have a very good hamburger. Do not order the coleslaw...I think it is made from swampweeds.

You should try the full breakfast plates for under $3.50. Don't try the pancakes though.

[Donna]

SJ, I have had that breakfast platter and yes, the pancakes there had a sour milk taste when we had them. We figured the milk had soured, but there might be something more enduring going on in the pantry. Bad pancake batter can give a soul powerful stomach gases... The worst we ever had was a "batter-gone-sour" batch up at the El Tovar Lodge, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I will not tell the story of sophomore humor husband's ode to the Canyon on that trip.

[SHELLY]

" Wait a minute, is a Bacon White Cheddar Kobe burger considered a bacon cheeseburger?

Not if the customer is swinging a Prada bag!

[GVM]

why??? When there is such an obvious need of kick back places?

At least 5 reasons: November, December, January, February and March

[tylerT]

wow, all these great inexpensive places to eat. mmmmmmm. can't wait to try them. thanks everyone for the info!!

[Beach Runner]

We dropped by Pandora's one night and looked at the menu. Didn't look cheap to us, so we left and went to the old Shades. To me, cheap at SoWal is a meal in which the entree is under $10 per person, like a burger or a mahi-mahi sandwich with fries like at the old Shades. I wonder if you can get those sandwiches at Shades on the Loop for under $10.

[beach lover]

Shades at the Loop is awful!! I have given that place many tries, no more. I've spoken with the owner, but still poor service, cold food, been insulted by wait staff( been told many are on drugs).I'm a person who RARELY says anything. I really wanted it to be a good place to go as I live here and want to support our businesses. The design is nice with outdoor space, TV's and many beer choices on tap,but enough is enough.

[Beach Runner]

Shades at the Loop is awful!! I have given that place many tries, no more. I've spoken with the owner, but still poor service, cold food, been insulted by wait staff( been told many are on drugs).I'm a person who RARELY says anything. I really wanted it to be a good place to go as I live here and want to support our businesses. The design is nice with outdoor space, TV's and many beer choices on tap,but enough is enough.

Boo! How disappointing! I still want to try it for myself, though, before I give up on it.

[SHELLY]

Shades at the Loop is awful!! I have given that place many tries, no more. I've spoken with the owner, but still poor service, cold food, been insulted by wait staff( been told many are on drugs).

Doesn't surprise me in the least...staffing is going to be a major concern going into the summer season.

[Paula]

For now, I'll stand by my apprecation of Shades by the Loop. There's a guy who acts as "host" there and I think he's excellent. I agree that the service is uneven and some of the service staff are not as welcoming as one would hope (basic service). I've never had a bad meal there, and we went there as 4 adults and 3 children in early January and all of us enjoyed our meal very much.

We joked, however, about how the waiters take your order and then slide the little pad into the back of their pants and walk around with these little pads sticking up out of their pants. I've seen that done in other restaurants, too. I wish waiters would use those little aprons with front pocket. I don't want my receipt coming out of the back of their pants. The service was considerably slower when we went as a group as well.

That said, I'm happy with the quality of the food and the prices.

[kathydwells]

I know where a cheap eat will be July 8-15! It will be at Seagrove Villas and Motel. The group of us that vacation together every summer, plan our meals for potlucks everynight. Well, except for one night when we all go out to eat. We all just cook something, each night and have a big potluck outside. Some of us grill fish, chicken, burgers, steaks, etc,. We all plan a side dish. We have one of the guy's with us, play cabana boy and he is usually whipping us up something good to drink. It is alot of fun. SO, mark your calendar and come join us for dinner!!!!

[dbuck]

I know where a cheap eat will be July 8-15! It will be at Seagrove Villas and Motel. The group of us that vacation together every summer, plan our meals for potlucks everynight. Well, except for one night when we all go out to eat. We all just cook something, each night and have a big potluck outside. Some of us grill fish, chicken, burgers, steaks, etc,. We all plan a side dish. We have one of the guy's with us, play cabana boy and he is usually whipping us up something good to drink. It is alot of fun. SO, mark your calendar and come join us for dinner!!!!

I have to agree, that does sound like alot of FUNN.

[ShallowsNole]

I know where a cheap eat will be July 8-15! It will be at Seagrove Villas and Motel. The group of us that vacation together every summer, plan our meals for potlucks everynight. Well, except for one night when we all go out to eat. We all just cook something, each night and have a big potluck outside. Some of us grill fish, chicken, burgers, steaks, etc,. We all plan a side dish. We have one of the guy's with us, play cabana boy and he is usually whipping us up something good to drink. It is alot of fun. SO, mark your calendar and come join us for dinner!!!!

KD, did you know that Al Flowers (proprietor of the Seagrove Villas) passed away a couple of weeks ago?

He will be missed. Another local legend gone.

[kathydwells]

KD, did you know that Al Flowers (proprietor of the Seagrove Villas) passed away a couple of weeks ago?

He will be missed. Another local legend gone.

No! I did not know this. Thank you for letting me know. How sad.

[Lois]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Blue Orleans over in Blue Mountain Beach. They have $8.95 blue plate lunch specials. Their dinners can be pricey ($22 for two crawfish cakes, but to die for!). They also do breakfast (from 7:00 - 2:00!), which includes beignets, french toast, BLTs, omelets, and build your own breakfast sandwiches.

The owners are VERY friendly and they have live-music Thursdays and through the weekend.

[Franny]

Another one bites the dust. IMO, they always had the best Mahi sandwich on the coast. HUGE, messy and good. If they are going the fine dining route, they will have to enclose the open-air deck (which would be a tragedy in and of itself). Can't do the white tablecloth thing with 40 MPH winds whipping through there.

Someone above mentione the new Shades. Where exactly is it located?

I have always said Harbor Docks needs to open a location on 30-A. While Shades comes *somewhat* close to what Harbor Docks serves, it's no where near as extensive a menu.

Actually Harbor Docks is on 30-A and called The Fish House. Heard good and bad things. Plan to go back to see for ourselves. The old Shades is being replaced by Fish something from Pensacola. We ate there Sunday and it was great..Bloody Mary was $2, probably be $8 when they come to Seaside!

[TreeFrog]

Not to knock Shades at the Loop, I eat there quite a bit, but it's only cheap by 30A standards. I had a grouper sandwich and a beer for dinner there night before last and it was $18 before tip.

Nobody's mentioned Spicy Noodle. Not on 30A but close...

[Paula]

Not to knock Shades at the Loop, I eat there quite a bit, but it's only cheap by 30A standards. I had a grouper sandwich and a beer for dinner there night before last and it was $18 before tip.

Nobody's mentioned Spicy Noodle. Not on 30A but close...

Like many places, it may be more expensive at night than during the day. And I'll usually drink water or a coke/pepsi during the day which is less expensive than beer. So, my lunch probably costs me about $12.00, tip included. With a family of 4, though, that wouldn't be cheap for sure. I don't know if they have kids meals.

[Beach Runner]

cheap by 30A standards

You've got that right! What I consider cheap on 30-A is not what I consider cheap at home.

Cheap at home is like two $1.95 tacos at Taqueria Del Sol in Atlanta or a taco and turnip greens. If you drink water, you can have a gourmet meal for about $4 plus tax and tip. I adore that restaurant. Two weeks ago I had a pork taco with guacamole salsa with turnip greens for about $3.50 plus tax and tip, and it was the best thing I've eaten in a restaurant in a few months. Actually I enjoyed it more than Bacchanalia that same week which cost us over $500 for 4 people (included a modest bottle of wine and 4 cocktails). That's insane. Not doing that again, but it was a 21st birthday celebration. :)

[southof30A]

Not to knock Shades at the Loop, I eat there quite a bit, but it's only cheap by 30A standards. I had a grouper sandwich and a beer for dinner there night before last and it was $18 before tip.

Nobody's mentioned Spicy Noodle. Not on 30A but close...

Spunky Noodle has always been a consistent favorite of ours. Located less than 1/2 mile from the eastern end of 30A, they pull a full Italian menu. A great place to call ahead and order takeout, although they get pretty busy during peak hours.

[SGB]

We had lunch at Angelinas this week and had a $4.99 lunch special of spaghetti and meatballs with salad and breadsticks. The place was packed on this particular day.

[Santiago]

Cowgirl Kitchen in Seagrove has great soups and sandwiches. We usually eat lunch for about $7.50 each. Try the Hot One which is a warm roast beef sandwich with horsradish sauce. Yummy. Their tortilla soup is also very good.

[Smiling JOe]

Catering more to construction workers than beach tourists, the Chevron at Hwy 98/ Hwy 393 intersection has very inexpensive breakfast and lunch buffets. A guy rents space from Chevron and has a full kitchen and dining room.

Upside: food is cheap and often involves frying.

Downside: it is a gas station and the food often involves frying.

[peapod1980]

Cowgirl Kitchen in Seagrove has great soups and sandwiches. We usually eat lunch for about $7.50 each. Try the Hot One which is a warm roast beef sandwich with horsradish sauce. Yummy. Their tortilla soup is also very good.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I am forever indebted to those girls for making things so much easier on us the year we were there with Li'l Pea #4 in a body cast. For all the nights we wanted to go out to eat but didn't feel like dealing with the logistics of transporting the plaster-encased baby, their yummy dishes saved us from having to really cook but let us feel like we were eating "out" in our rental. They're such great, friendly girls; they were really a bright spot during what was a pretty stressful "vacation"!

[kurt]

I know I've mentioned this before, but I am forever indebted to those girls for making things so much easier on us the year we were there with Li'l Pea #4 in a body cast. For all the nights we wanted to go out to eat but didn't feel like dealing with the logistics of transporting the plaster-encased baby, their yummy dishes saved us from having to really cook but let us feel like we were eating "out" in our rental. They're such great, friendly girls; they were really a bright spot during what was a pretty stressful "vacation"!

They have sold and there are now new owners. Although one of the old owners' daughter is still working there and providing continuity.

[Paula]

Is it still called Cowgirl Kitchen and where exactly is it? We may stop there next trip as we may our way through "cheap eats" on 30A during lunch to do our own tastings.

[kurt]

Is it still called Cowgirl Kitchen and where exactly is it? We may stop there next trip as we may our way through "cheap eats" on 30A during lunch to do our own tastings.

Yes - it is in the shops at Grand Isle, which is on the north side of the curve in Seagrove. Also housing Simple, Beach Java, and Design.

[peapod1980]

They have sold and there are now new owners. Although one of the old owners' daughter is still working there and providing continuity.

Kurt, thanks for the info. I was wondering if the original cowgirls were still there. We stopped by in December, but they were closed for a few weeks.

[Paula]

Thanks. Sounds like we'll be getting sandwiches there soon and ideally taking them to the beach for a picnic if it's warm enough.