trip report so far

[ls2006vacay]

I love june grass.

[SHELLY]

I find myself wondering how people end up living in sowal full time and what it is like to be a local. Do you guys have names for us tourists? Up in ocean city NJ they call us shoebies

Yeah, but Kurt deletes them as soon as we put them up

Seriously, welcome...have fun.

[RiverOtter]

Just a few thoughts:

Had a sort of disappointing trip to cafe 30a- think we're done with it

We ate there last night and it was top notch . Expensive ! But Top Notch .

[seagrovelover]

Otter Go To The Beach And Have A Moonlight Drinkypoo!!!!!

[ls2006vacay]

[Smiling JOe]

Check out these cool Otter pics.

[shakennotstirred]

Cute little Otters! And very cool pics.

[Paula]

Great photos, SJ. I also liked the ones posted on the other thread -- especially the kids with the shower spray. You caught some great kid moments.

[Smiling JOe]

Great photos, SJ. I also liked the ones posted on the other thread -- especially the kids with the shower spray. You caught some great kid moments.

sorry for the confusion. The underwater shots were taken by RiverOtter or Grayton Bound. They were having difficulties uploading them so I did it for them. They are really cool pics. RO was bragging about the underwater camera a while back, and I called BS about it being "WATERPROOF." Boy was I wrong. I would have never had the guts to try that. It is a nice camera.

Glad you like my other pics too.

[Paula]

sorry for the confusion. The underwater shots were taken by RiverOtter or Grayton Bound. They were having difficulties uploading them so I did it for them. They are really cool pics. RO was bragging about the underwater camera a while back, and I called BS about it being "WATERPROOF." Boy was I wrong. I would have never had the guts to try that. It is a nice camera.

Glad you like my other pics too.

Still -- nice photos RO or GB. Inspired me to get one of those inexpensive underwater cameras for our upcoming trip (won't be as nice as a higher end underwater camera, but ideally good enough to get some good enough photos).

[JB]

Just a few thoughts:

Red bar is better for lunch. Key lime pie is good, crabcakes are not (but we're from MD)

Grayton beach state park's beach is worth more than 4 bucks admission

We've learned to live with the june grass

We found a photographer to take our beach pictures. Was fun

Went on swoop party boat today. Was fun, but we weren't very lucky. Others fared better. Still we had fun and were glad to get the rec from this board because we could not afford a charter - maybe next time

Had a sort of disappointing trip to cafe 30a- think we're done with it

I love the concept of 30aradio - wish it came in better

This is more than a few thoughts isn't it

I find myself wondering how people end up living in sowal full time and what it is like to be a local. Do you guys have names for us tourists? Up in ocean city NJ they call us shoebies

That's it for now... Going home to eat angelinas takeout

The non-june grass loving tourist

Sounds like you would just be better off vacationing in Ocean City.

[aquaticbiology]

Sounds like you would just be better off vacationing in Ocean City.

one bad day having fish in sowal is still better than a month of having fish at home - june sucks

[kathydwells]

LOVED the Otter pictures GB or RO!!! cute, cute, cute!!!

[SBilliter]

What is June Grass...I have bluegrass here...but do not know what June grass is...

[aquaticbiology]

What is June Grass...I have bluegrass here...but do not know what June grass is...

not nearly as bad now, and the storm will probably make it mostly go away, but the snot-green junk is 'june grass' - photo by sj at rosemary beach back on june 3 when it was really bad - from the thread 'june grass at seaside' [ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5697"]June Grass in Seaside - SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

[steele mama]

Just a few thoughts:

I find myself wondering how people end up living in sowal full time and what it is like to be a local. Do you guys have names for us tourists? Up in ocean city NJ they call us shoebies

When we were young we called you DDTs. Dumb Damn Tourists marked by hawaiin shirts, straw hats and cameras around the neck. Now there are too many people to even know who the DDTs are.

[ls2006vacay]

[Miss Kitty]

When we were young we called you DDTs. Dumb Damn Tourists marked by hawaiin shirts, straw hats and cameras around the neck. Now there are too many people to even know who the DDTs are.

...I don't like it, I love it! DDTs!!!!

[gilesdad]

What is your problem? That was a very rude thing to say.

Grayton beach state park's beach is worth more than 4 bucks admission
+ We've learned to live with the june grass
= Sounds like you would just be better off vacationing in Ocean City. ???

I don't get it. Sounded to me like Is2006vacay enjoyed her Sowal trip.

[ls2006vacay]

[dbuck]

Didn't understand the reasoning behind JB's reply either.

[JB]

What is your problem? That was a very rude thing to say.

I'm from Alabama and grew up vacationing near Destin. That area means a lot to me. So what if I don't like the June Grass. That means I should just go to Ocean City MD? People aren't allowed to say ANYTHING negative about SoWal? Is that it?

You disapproved of how I spent my vacation time? What is your problem with my post?

Some of the attitudes I've encountered on this board make me feel like I'm very unwelcome in the SoWal area.

If tourists really are that unwelcome, maybe we will start going somewhere else.

No rudeness intended. You just seemed unhappy with just about everything you encountered. Forgive me if I misinterpreted your post.

Personally, I don't care where you vacation.

Have a great day.

[Sheila]

What is your problem? That was a very rude thing to say.

I'm from Alabama and grew up vacationing near Destin. That area means a lot to me. So what if I don't like the June Grass. That means I should just go to Ocean City MD? People aren't allowed to say ANYTHING negative about SoWal? Is that it?

You disapproved of how I spent my vacation time? What is your problem with my post?

Some of the attitudes I've encountered on this board make me feel like I'm very unwelcome in the SoWal area.

If tourists really are that unwelcome, maybe we will start going somewhere else.

ls2006vacay you and your family are always in SoWal. I enjoyed reading your post. I love the Red Bar crab cakes, but I may not if I lived in Maryland. Variety, after all is the spice of life! Come back again soon.

[ls2006vacay]

I'm sorry you found my post overwhelmingly negative.

[luvthebeach]

When we were young we called you DDTs. Dumb Damn Tourists marked by hawaiin shirts, straw hats and cameras around the neck. Now there are too many people to even know who the DDTs are.

We have friends in Santa Rosa Beach who refer to non-locals as "publicans" (referring to those who use the public beach accesses).

[JB]

I'm sorry you found my post overwhelmingly negative.

I didn't say it was overwhelmingly negative. You did. You seem rather easily offended. I have a few minutes here, so let me try to address some of the comments in your original post.

I think what I took exception to was the fact you had pretty lousy things to say about two restaurants that most on this board hold pretty sacred - probably moreso than any two given places in the area.

On Cafe 30-A, a few questions: Was it your first visit there? If not, have all your experiences been bad? I'd love some more details as to why you're "done with it." I have dined there probably three dozen times since they opened for business and have NEVER had a bad meal. It's the most consistent fine-dining establishment in Walton County. Yet, you're "done with it."

On the Red Bar. No, they are not Maryland-style crab cakes. But they are made with lump crabmeat, not the mushy, deviled crab-type stuff that dozens of other places serve and charge twice what they do.

I guess I am a little perplexed as to exactly what you are looking for. Do you want to deep sea fish? Do you want to enjoy the beach? Budget seems to be an issue with you (absolutely nothing wrong with that).

So why not come in say, April? No June grass and you would be paying the spring rate for accommodations (almost half of what summer rates are). Heck, you could do a private billfishing charter with your savings.

[Cheering472]

and thanks for the post on your trip.

[ls2006vacay]

JB,

In my humble opinion, you are a jerk for saying that budget seems to be an issue with me.

You're right. It is. The amount we spent to visit Grayton is a lot of money to people like us.

We spent about the same amount to visit last year. We stayed at Blue Mountain.

It was our 2nd trip to cafe 30-a, and it was the 2nd time that it underwhelmed us. The service was excellent. The FOOD was not.

And yes, Red Bar's crab cakes are bad. Maybe they're good for that area, just like Cocoon's BBQ might be good for that area but not stand up in Memphis. (For the record, I did not make it to Cocoon's, so I am not saying anything negative about it, just repeating what I read on this board).

I'm sorry I said bad things about your "sacred" restaurants. We enjoyed GREATLY everything about Red Bar exCEPT for the crabcakes. We ate there AGAIN after having bad crabcakes there. We just didn't order crabcakes.

I think the regular posters and locals on this board should be more careful about antagonizing the tourists, especially if you own rental properties.

Then again, if you own a million dollar house in Grayton, you don't need my weekly rental fee, do you.

[gilesdad]

[MKH]

Yes, welcome to the Board, and I'm glad you like to vacation in Sowal. Personally I wouldn't be on these boards if I didn't care about other people's opinions and where they vacation. That's the purpose of these boards-to communicate and exchange opinions and suggestions. So feel free to share.

And I completely understand why you weren't impressed with the crabcakes at the RedBar. I had crabcakes in Baltimore recently, and they came out the size of softballs! And they were lump crabmeat, the best I've ever had.

[JB]

JB,

In my humble opinion, you are a jerk for saying that budget seems to be an issue with me.

You're right. It is. The amount we spent to visit Grayton is a lot of money to people like us.

We spent about the same amount to visit last year. We stayed at Blue Mountain.

It was our 2nd trip to cafe 30-a, and it was the 2nd time that it underwhelmed us. The service was excellent. The FOOD was not.

And yes, Red Bar's crab cakes are bad. Maybe they're good for that area, just like Cocoon's BBQ might be good for that area but not stand up in Memphis. (For the record, I did not make it to Cocoon's, so I am not saying anything negative about it, just repeating what I read on this board).

I'm sorry I said bad things about your "sacred" restaurants. We enjoyed GREATLY everything about Red Bar exCEPT for the crabcakes. We ate there AGAIN after having bad crabcakes there. We just didn't order crabcakes.

I think the regular posters and locals on this board should be more careful about antagonizing the tourists, especially if you own rental properties.

Then again, if you own a million dollar house in Grayton, you don't need my weekly rental fee, do you.

Good God. Have you missed your meds today? I don't see how my last post could have been any more polite. Heck, I am on a budget when I visit as well. That's why we visit during the spring and fall when the rates are reasonable. How could you possibly take offense to that? No one is "antagonizing" you. Sheesh. Just asking a few questions and to be honest, trying to give some advice.

[steele mama]

And I was just kidding about the DDTs (although you did ask). Now we are all DDTs that is why they are widening 331.

Love, Love, Love

[Beachbummett]

to SoWal. I for one am glad you and your family came to visit us. Ignore the negative posters. Some people are just cranky!

I did not take your comments as negative. Food is very subjective. There are some restaurants in our area that some people love and I just don't get it.
I hope you have had a wonderful experience. It is one of my favorite places on earth and I hope you come back again.

What kind of food are you looking for? Maybe I can suggest some other places.

[JB]

Some people are just cranky!

Yes, they are. Especially ones who refer to long-time posters as "rude" and "a jerk" and accuse them of being elitist because they have the chutzpah to get away from the perpetual group hug around here and call someone out when it is necessary.

For the record, there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving a less-than-glowing report of a restaurant - any restaurant. Just do it in the proper way.

But you don't just come on here say something like "[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back." That's not fair to the members of this board, and it's not fair to the restaurant. I'm sure the poster thought this was completely innocent. His/her subsequent replies, however, have precipitated this post.

Restaurants are dropping like flies in SoWal. We don't need someone who visits a few days a year giving them another nudge toward non-existance.

Sorry to make an example of a newbie, but what's right is right.

[kathydwells]

Yes, they are. Especially ones who refer to long-time posters as "rude" and "a jerk" and accuse them of being elitist because they have the chutzpah to get away from the perpetual group hug around here and call someone out when it is necessary.

For the record, there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving a less-than-glowing report of a restaurant - any restaurant. Just do it in the proper way.

But you don't just come on here say something like "[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back." That's not fair to the members of this board, and it's not fair to the restaurant. I'm sure the poster thought this was completely innocent. His/her subsequent replies, however, have precipitated this post.

Restaurants are dropping like flies in SoWal. We don't need someone who visits a few days a year giving them another nudge toward non-existance.

Sorry to make an example of a newbie, but what's right is right.

JB, I have respectfully agree to disagree with you on this. I took her post as what it was, and honest critique. HER feelings about HER vacation. We will not all alway's love the same things and we should feel like we can give honest reports of our vacations without getting slammed for them. That is just my honest opinion.

[JB]

Kathy, there is nothing wrong with honesty. But don't slam a restaurant and say you are never going there again without giving any details whatsoever, then get defensive when someone calls you on it.

It's just not the right thing to do.

Rant complete.

[MKH]

But you don't just come on here say something like "[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back."

I saw absolutely nothing even close to this verbiage in her post. If you are going to disagree with something she says in her post, then disagree with something that she ACTUALLY said.

[JB]

I said "something like." It's called paraphrasing. I think the poster deleted her original post, but it said this regarding Cafe 30-A "Had a sort of disappointing trip to cafe 30a- think we're done with it." Nothing more.

Now, is that fair to those who may be planning to go there, or to the owners and employees of that establishment?"

It's a hit-and-run slam of a restaurant that we NEED in this area - regardless of the "verbiage."

[RiverOtter]

sorry for the confusion. The underwater shots were taken by RiverOtter or Grayton Bound. They were having difficulties uploading them so I did it for them. They are really cool pics. RO was bragging about the underwater camera a while back, and I called BS about it being "WATERPROOF." Boy was I wrong. I would have never had the guts to try that. It is a nice camera.

Glad you like my other pics too.

How did those pics end up in this thread

[Smiling JOe]

JB,

In my humble opinion, you are a jerk for saying that budget seems to be an issue with me.

You're right. It is. The amount we spent to visit Grayton is a lot of money to people like us.

We spent about the same amount to visit last year. We stayed at Blue Mountain.

It was our 2nd trip to cafe 30-a, and it was the 2nd time that it underwhelmed us. The service was excellent. The FOOD was not.

And yes, Red Bar's crab cakes are bad. Maybe they're good for that area, just like Cocoon's BBQ might be good for that area but not stand up in Memphis. (For the record, I did not make it to Cocoon's, so I am not saying anything negative about it, just repeating what I read on this board).

I'm sorry I said bad things about your "sacred" restaurants. We enjoyed GREATLY everything about Red Bar exCEPT for the crabcakes. We ate there AGAIN after having bad crabcakes there. We just didn't order crabcakes.

I think the regular posters and locals on this board should be more careful about antagonizing the tourists, especially if you own rental properties.

Then again, if you own a million dollar house in Grayton, you don't need my weekly rental fee, do you.

Sorry, but I cannot help but to jump in. Way too many posts below this one which I have not read (I feel another sand box fight behind them). Anywho, I don't think that ls2006... is over the edge. Perhaps presenting a little more info in the original post stating why ... would have satisfied everyone. IMHO, Cafe 30A is okay. Food and service is good, but I would rather cook a nice dinner at home. RedBar - I rarely eat there -- avg service and mediocre food (yes, I have eaten the crab cakes). I enjoy the atmosphere, music and drinks at the Red Bar at least once a week. I would never dream of waiting to be seated at the RedBar and this would add to my reasons for not eating there.

I don't remember the other points I was going to make, but do note some general tips:

If you live in Memphis or Chicago, do not eat bbq elsewhere.
If you live in SoWal, do not go on vacation at another beach.
If you live near the sea with fresh seafood available, do not eat seafood in a landlocked state.
If you grew up on a farm, avoid eating canned foods which you did not can.
If you go to a steakhouse, don't order chicken or fish.

Just a few tips on life.

[Smiling JOe]

How did those pics end up in this thread

That is where I posted. They didn't seem to fit elsewhere. Later, I posted them to the general photo album.

[30A Skunkape]

Well put SJ!

[DD]

Sorry, but I cannot help but to jump in. Way too many posts below this one which I have not read (I feel another sand box fight behind them). Anywho, I don't think that ls2006... is over the edge. Perhaps presenting a little more info in the original post stating why ... would have satisfied everyone. IMHO, Cafe 30A is okay. Food and service is good, but I would rather cook a nice dinner at home. RedBar - I rarely eat there -- avg service and mediocre food (yes, I have eaten the crab cakes). I enjoy the atmosphere, music and drinks at the Red Bar at least once a week. I would never dream of waiting to be seated at the RedBar and this would add to my reasons for not eating there.

I don't remember the other points I was going to make, but do note some general tips:

If you live in Memphis or Chicago, do not eat bbq elsewhere.
If you live in SoWal, do not go on vacation at another beach.
If you live near the sea with fresh seafood available, do not eat seafood in a landlocked state.
If you grew up on a farm, avoid eating canned foods which you did not can.
If you go to a steakhouse, don't order chicken or fish.

Just a few tips on life.

Right on, dude!

[Smiling JOe]

... and one more life tip which I recently learned (thankfully not through first-hand experience) is ... don't eat the rock candy in the urinal!

[DD]

... and one more life tip which I recently learned (thankfully not through first-hand experience) is ... don't eat the rock candy in the urinal!

[aquaticbiology]

[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back!

sums up my feelings exactly! no wonder we are all losing resturants all over, not just in sowal.

i hope it has something to do with memories being sweeter with time, cause i know the last 3 i went to (here and there) were way better before - dust in the corners, cold bread and warm salad whereas the memory was of succulence and admirability

cutting costs to make bigger profits or more production i suspect, or they just don't care anymore

you can always look up the recipes on the internet and make the same meals at home for half the price or less

10 steps to happiness in the home:

1) start the grill and put on the goodies, including the bread on the high rack, and start the salads chilling!

2) a glass of homebrewed each for starters

3) then one whole strawberry each to cleanse the palette - from the garden

4) salads of field greens, superb croutons and a bottle of fancy dressing - $10.00 freezer chilled plates AND salad fork! are free

5) hot crusty oven gold bread and flavored spread - $5.00 while waiting for the appetizer - real butter knife is free

6) flip the food on the grill and pull off the appetizer

7) grilled bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer - $5.00 toothpicks are free

8) by the time you're done with the appetizer, the food on the grills ready!

9) whole florida pompano, red snapper and pan-seared grouper (free)

10) drop the dishes in the dishwasher, set for potscrubber and out to the deck with a bottle of wine to watch the stars - PRICELESS (no driving, no duis, no idiots, no bad service, no bad food, no dirty bathrooms or dirty silverware or dirty napkins)

[30ARules]

... and one more life tip which I recently learned (thankfully not through first-hand experience) is ... don't eat the rock candy in the urinal!

Where were ya last week Nearly chipped a tooth

[gilesdad]

[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back!

sums up my feelings exactly! no wonder we are all losing resturants all over, not just in sowal.

i hope it has something to do with memories being sweeter with time, cause i know the last 3 i went to (here and there) were way better before - dust in the corners, cold bread and warm salad whereas the memory was of succulence and admirability

cutting costs to make bigger profits or more production i suspect, or they just don't care anymore

We're coming down in August. We've always made a Brunos pizza a "must". We've always had way too much food at Capo's. The stromboli was really good.
This year we had planned to FINALLY remember to go to Pandora's at G.B. for the prime rib. Had heard lots of good things about it.

But alas, Brunos has changed their pizza, resulting in many less than favorable reviews.
The last I heard, Capo's was a crater awaiting condo construction.
And Pandora's had changed management, also resulting in less than favorable reviews as far as management itself was concerned. (the staff at last report was still excellent)

So what's a 1 week visitor on a tight budget (for us this means maybe $250 to spend during the week, not 1 night) to do?
Looks like carryout chicken from Publix. Anything from The Donut Hole. Pizza from Amore. And the assorted grilled foods cooked myself. I can live with that.
But I sure will miss my Brunos pizza.

[JB]

[insert restarurant name] really sucks. We'll never go back!

sums up my feelings exactly! no wonder we are all losing resturants all over, not just in sowal.

I think many of them are just plain scared they will end up like Sandor's or the plethora of other restaurants in the area that have been gobbled up by developers or are unable to maintain managable operating costs. Still, that is not an excuse for half-assing it with regard to food and service.

Even if you don't like a particular place, it still promotes the overall good of other restaurants when there is more competition. We are reaching a point where there simply won't be any more restaurants on 30-A (save the places at existing developments like Fish out of Water and Onano).

Therefore, if there is anything we, as board members, can do (or not do), to help keep these places going, then we need to do just that. It's a public board. Be careful what you say. People's livlihoods may be at stake.

I don't want to see the day when the section of 98 that runs north of 30-A looks like freaking PCB with Taco Bells, Wendy's, O'Charley's, etc dotting the landscape.

[luvthebeach]

We're coming down in August. We've always made a Brunos pizza a "must". We've always had way too much food at Capo's. The stromboli was really good.
This year we had planned to FINALLY remember to go to Pandora's at G.B. for the prime rib. Had heard lots of good things about it.

But alas, Brunos has changed their pizza, resulting in many less than favorable reviews.
The last I heard, Capo's was a crater awaiting condo construction.
And Pandora's had changed management, also resulting in less than favorable reviews as far as management itself was concerned. (the staff at last report was still excellent)

So what's a 1 week visitor on a tight budget (for us this means maybe $250 to spend during the week, not 1 night) to do?
Looks like carryout chicken from Publix. Anything from The Donut Hole. Pizza from Amore. And the assorted grilled foods cooked myself. I can live with that.
But I sure will miss my Brunos pizza.

Don't forget about yummy Cocoons! Oops....just heard his place is up for sale too!