Anybody rememer the old wheelhouse restaurant in Seagrove? It served good old southern-friend heart attack breakfasts in the morning, and during lunch they'd serve vegetables out of giant cans and chilean beef-like stuff to the construction workers, and then they'd serve meat-n-3's to the 4pm looney-pinching snowbird diners.
Then it "burned down" as we say here in SOWALMART...and now it's as black inside as a Walton county commissioner's heart (and that is a DAAARK place, children).
Wonder what 18-story "community" JOE might have planned for that location (now that the "MARKET HAS MIRACULOUSLY BOUNCED BACK to BIG SUPER #1 EVERYTHING OK TIME" as the few remaining realtors like to repeat over and over in hopes that if they say it often enough to enough stupid people that it will somehow come true)?
Anyway, the ladies who served the food were great. They were pros ay slinging hash and pouring gallons of coffee---and the coffee was always hot. But the grits, they often could be served cold, though, and the former politician/felon who ran the place could get damn sure get on your nerves, but that was part of the charm of the old Wheelhouse---it truly was a microcosm of SOWALMART: too little parking, too many people wanting in, cold grits at inflated prices, and just when you fall in love with the rancid old shed, it gets 'burned down.'
rickybubblesrickybubblesBeach ComberHardtime, Mississippi16 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
rickybubblesBeach ComberHardtime, Mississippi16 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber10,065 views
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ShallowsNoleShallowsNoleBeach FanaticPt Washington4,279 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ShallowsNoleBeach FanaticPt Washington4,279 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI remember many a lunch buffet at the Wheelhouse.
Prior to that, I remember Emory Elkins' Seagrove Restaurant. Yum.
What a shame...
Prior to that, I remember Emory Elkins' Seagrove Restaurant. Yum.
What a shame...
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideTHE very worst food I've ever had in my entire life was at wheelhouse. I do not miss it. Breakfast was okay. But come lunchtime - it was an entire buffet of barfaroni!!!
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ShallowsNoleShallowsNoleBeach FanaticPt Washington4,279 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ShallowsNoleBeach FanaticPt Washington4,279 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI had heard that from several people. I know there were several management changes. The many lunch buffets I ate there were from when I worked at Seaside, and they were fairly decent. But thinking back, that was 15 - 16 years ago. I had not eaten at the Wheelhouse but maybe three or four times since.
One thing that I do miss from the Wheelhouse was the picture of Woody Flowers. I was still fairly small when he was killed. So tragic -
One thing that I do miss from the Wheelhouse was the picture of Woody Flowers. I was still fairly small when he was killed. So tragic -
TreeFrogTreeFrogBeach FanaticSeagrove1,793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
TreeFrogBeach FanaticSeagrove1,793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticToward the end, the lunch buffet was, ahem, not exactly fine dining. But they still had a good grouper sandwich, and the old-fashioned fishhouse plates at dinner time were fresh, pretty tasty, and $12.
jeffadamshtijeffadamshtiBeach ComberSeaside FL15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
jeffadamshtiBeach ComberSeaside FL15 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberI never did have a bad meal at the wheelhouse whilst Wig had it.
Might be nice to dig into what really happened that got him into trouble, I find that once I know details things are much more clear. He did his best to serve the state and his people, a poor choice led to fed money being spent on local projects from what his politico friends have told me. Sadly it became an excuse to take down an old school guy that tried to take care of his local people. He was a stand up guy that took it, and did his time and has fulfilled his obligations under that situation. He still holds his head up, tries to make things better for everyone, and give a voice to those that are largely being ignored.
I enjoyed his stories, and all the history he had inside his head. So much so I bought his book, the Yellow River Code when it came out. Nothing like having someone that was there, that can tell you "like it Was way back when" Old Florida was really an amazing place, the wold west mixed with laid back beach fun. And always a huge sense of humor. I also enjoyed the mix of people that dropped in there, many more old pols, realtors, construction workers and people working in the area, he made sure they all had a good basic lunch, even sometimes when they couldn't pay for it.
Also, did you know if not for him serving us in the senate, we'd still be waiting to turn right on red?
Jeffrey
Might be nice to dig into what really happened that got him into trouble, I find that once I know details things are much more clear. He did his best to serve the state and his people, a poor choice led to fed money being spent on local projects from what his politico friends have told me. Sadly it became an excuse to take down an old school guy that tried to take care of his local people. He was a stand up guy that took it, and did his time and has fulfilled his obligations under that situation. He still holds his head up, tries to make things better for everyone, and give a voice to those that are largely being ignored.
I enjoyed his stories, and all the history he had inside his head. So much so I bought his book, the Yellow River Code when it came out. Nothing like having someone that was there, that can tell you "like it Was way back when" Old Florida was really an amazing place, the wold west mixed with laid back beach fun. And always a huge sense of humor. I also enjoyed the mix of people that dropped in there, many more old pols, realtors, construction workers and people working in the area, he made sure they all had a good basic lunch, even sometimes when they couldn't pay for it.
Also, did you know if not for him serving us in the senate, we'd still be waiting to turn right on red?
Jeffrey
HopHopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
HopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatici've gotta say that i'm just nasty enough to love the old wheelhouse. bottmless sweet tea and fried chicken at unbeatable prices in sowal. a southern boys dream. dirty food and dirty politicians. was it nasty...yep! was it a rat hole...yep! was it sowal...absolutely!
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI never had the stomach to eat at the Wheelhouse. Often, I would hear my friends mention eating at the Wheelhouse. Many went there religiously, and I always asked the question, "Is it good." Never once, did I hear a reply, "yes." The answers were always regarding mediocre, at best, food, but it was filling and inexpensive.
Screw that! Can't say that I'm missing it either. :cool:
Screw that! Can't say that I'm missing it either. :cool:
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowWe ate there....once.
HopHopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
HopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI never had the stomach to eat at the Wheelhouse. Often, I would hear my friends mention eating at the Wheelhouse. Many went there religiously, and I always asked the question, "Is it good." Never once, did I hear a reply, "yes." The answers were always regarding mediocre, at best, food, but it was filling and inexpensive.
Screw that! Can't say that I'm missing it either. :cool:
yes!
We ate there....once.
see Kitty...that's where you went wrong...you have to "get your grease on" at least twice before you are hooked...
i gotta stand up for the ole' dive. I miss it and there just isn't enough southern beach grunge here for my taste...am I the only one??? i'm ok with that...
a couple more that I love that ya'll will want to avoid are:
Freeport Cafe (fresh fried mullet) and the Sunnyside Diner (Greasy Burger) in PCB...both are classic SoWal in my book.
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guideyes!
see Kitty...that's where you went wrong...you have to "get your grease on" at least twice before you are hooked...
i gotta stand up for the ole' dive. I miss it and there just isn't enough southern beach grunge here for my taste...am I the only one??? i'm ok with that...
a couple more that I love that ya'll will want to avoid are:
Freeport Cafe (fresh fried mullet) and the Sunnyside Diner (Greasy Burger) in PCB...both are classic SoWal in my book.
I can go for a good greasy diner! a trip to Bruce cafe is always funn! IMO - the wheelhouse was just nasty all the way around. but love the real cafe's in the little out of the way places.
I hear Big Daddy's on back beach road has some fine soul food - real down home food. best fried okry. let's go!
RudyjohnRudyjohnSoWal InsiderChicago Area7,736 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
I agree with Hop. The Wheelhouse was always a bustling, vintage greasy spoon and my heart sank when I learned it had burned. We always stopped and had breakfast there on our way to the airport to return home. It was used as a landmark; something was either a couple of miles east or west of the Wheelhouse. It was good, old fashioned Southern food. Yes, my grits were always cold, or worse, runny. The toast was dry, white bread, no sourdough or multi-grain. They had breakfast sausage that I have never had anywhere else but there (& that could be either a good thing or a bad thing!). It was not fine dining and it was never meant to be. It is a part of Americana that is gone.
rickybubblesrickybubblesBeach ComberHardtime, Mississippi16 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberAuthor
rickybubblesBeach ComberHardtime, Mississippi16 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach ComberAuthorI agree with Hop. The Wheelhouse was always a bustling, vintage greasy spoon and my heart sank when I learned it had burned. We always stopped and had breakfast there on our way to the airport to return home. It was used as a landmark; something was either a couple of miles east or west of the Wheelhouse. It was good, old fashioned Southern food. Yes, my grits were always cold, or worse, runny. The toast was dry, white bread, no sourdough or multi-grain. They had breakfast sausage that I have never had anywhere else but there (& that could be either a good thing or a bad thing!). It was not fine dining and it was never meant to be. It is a part of Americana that is gone.
I'm glad that you were there to see it and be it, Johnrudy. Keep the wheel spinning in your memory and never forget those shty grits---keep them pressed close to your heart, no matter how cold and shty they were.
"HERE's to The WHEELHOUSE, her ladies and cooks, to the surly guy at the counter and the befuddled canucks, to her funky sausages and whitebread, long live the WHEELHOUSE, seagrove's queen of cold grits is dead."
😱
HopHopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
HopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic[QUOTE "HERE's to The WHEELHOUSE, her ladies and cooks, to the surly guy at the counter and the befuddled canucks, to her funky sausages and whitebread, long live the WHEELHOUSE, seagrove's queen of cold grits is dead."
[/QUOTE]
amen...
[/QUOTE]
amen...
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideI'm glad that you were there to see it and be it, Johnrudy. Keep the wheel spinning in your memory and never forget those shty grits---keep them pressed close to your heart, no matter how cold and shty they were.
"HERE's to The WHEELHOUSE, her ladies and cooks, to the surly guy at the counter and the befuddled canucks, to her funky sausages and whitebread, long live the WHEELHOUSE, seagrove's queen of cold grits is dead."
😱
:clap_1: :rolling: yes!
JR - please never refer to it as GOOD SOUTHERN FOOD. a sacrilege!
speaking of good southern food. mama is coming this week!!!
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Bobby JBobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bobby JBeach FanaticBlue Mountain beach4,041 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI remember many a lunch buffet at the Wheelhouse.
Prior to that, I remember Emory Elkins' Seagrove Restaurant. Yum.
What a shame...
Emory was one of my first real jobs. I worked for him one day for 12 hours and at the end of the day he handed me $10 bucks!!! I never showed back up. 😱
drunkkenartistdrunkkenartistBeach FanaticSunny Hills, FL1,733 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
drunkkenartistBeach FanaticSunny Hills, FL1,733 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI used to love the Wheelhouse for the simple pleasure that it was. Two things I did avoid however was the buffet and the bathrooms; equally nasty. I used to walk there when I lived 7 houses away on 30A, at least 2-3 times a week. I miss the fried chicken and grouper.
Along these lines, I also miss the OLD Donut Hole, just off the west end of 30A. Back in the day when, was it Jimmy VanZant(?) that ran the place. Boy I haven't thought of that name in ages. I have never been able to get a proper "Fred's Special" since, unless I made it myself.
For those of you that never had the pleasure, a "Fred's Special" consisted of a large opened freshly baked buttermilk biscuit, topped with scrambled eggs and patty sausage, topped with the best white gravy on earth, all served in a bowl. I can just feel my arteries clogging now.
THOSE were the daze.:wub: :drool: :drool: :drool:
Along these lines, I also miss the OLD Donut Hole, just off the west end of 30A. Back in the day when, was it Jimmy VanZant(?) that ran the place. Boy I haven't thought of that name in ages. I have never been able to get a proper "Fred's Special" since, unless I made it myself.
For those of you that never had the pleasure, a "Fred's Special" consisted of a large opened freshly baked buttermilk biscuit, topped with scrambled eggs and patty sausage, topped with the best white gravy on earth, all served in a bowl. I can just feel my arteries clogging now.
THOSE were the daze.:wub: :drool: :drool: :drool:
Edited
southof30Asouthof30ABeach Lover220 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
southof30ABeach Lover220 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Loveryes!I've always wondered about the Freeport Cafe. Drive by, windows steamed up, fresh fried mullet. Tell me more, is it worth the trip? Other than mullet, what's on the menu?
see Kitty...that's where you went wrong...you have to "get your grease on" at least twice before you are hooked...
i gotta stand up for the ole' dive. I miss it and there just isn't enough southern beach grunge here for my taste...am I the only one??? i'm ok with that...
a couple more that I love that ya'll will want to avoid are:
Freeport Cafe (fresh fried mullet) and the Sunnyside Diner (Greasy Burger) in PCB...both are classic SoWal in my book.
Edited
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
For those of you that never had the pleasure, a "Fred's Special" consisted of a large opened freshly baked buttermilk biscuit, topped with scrambled eggs and patty sausage, topped with the best white gravy on earth, all served in a bowl. I can just feel my arteries clogging now.
THOSE were the daze.:wub: :drool: :drool: :drool:
:wub: yum! gotta go to confession after that dish! :lol:
HopHopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
HopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI've always wondered about the Freeport Cafe. Drive by, windows steamed up, fresh fried mullet. Tell me more, is it worth the trip? Other than mullet, what's on the menu?
i don't think i've ever seen a menu at the freeport cafe...i go for the mullet....when you see the guys skinning it out back...that's the best time to go...
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