Places to eat- PCB...

[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.

 

[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.

 

[Matt J]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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?

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.

 

[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!

 

[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.