I'm visiting Pensacola Beach next month and look forward to enjoying some of the local seafood.

What types of fish & crustaceans make up the local catch and which of the area restaurants do the best job of preparing and serving it?

Dave,

For crustaceans we have shrimp (both Bay and Gulf) and Blue Crabs. At least that's pretty much it if you want the true locally caught stuff.

As for fish there's red snapper (season just re-opened in State waters), grouper (be sure to ask if it is grouper - there have be some problems with substitutions), cobia (good chance the run will still be on), mahi-mahi, trigger fish (if you're lucky enough to find it on the menu), amberjack, scamp (not to be confused with scampi and also hard to find) and redfish (of "blackened" fame).

Where to eat is harder for me because if we want seafood we drive across 2 bridges to Joe Patti's, bring it home, and cook it. However, having said that, if we go out with company and we want seafood these are my favorites.

If you don't want to (or for some reason can't) leave the beach, your best bet (IMHO) for good, fresh-caught seafood is Peg Leg Pete's. The guy who owns Pegs also owns Maria's Seafood. Pegs is about a mile west of the core beach area. This same guy also owns Sidelines Sports in the core area but they don't have as much seafood on the menu but what they have is fresh. At Pegs you can get oysters from raw to baked to steamed, etc. Sidelines doesn't serve them raw.

Flounder's (in the core area) is good and the portions are huge. Crabs We Got 'Em (also in the core)is right on the Gulf but I prefer to get only drinks and appetizers there although some people say that they really like their blue crab. But the view at sunset is worth the price of a drink if you don't have a better place to watch from.

If you have a car your possibilities open up tremendously. Just across the bridge in Gulf Breeze (you'll pass through it on the way to the beach) is Aegean Breeze. I know the owner and he buys locally caught, fresh stuff daily and you can see it in the refrigerated case in front of the kitchen area. One of the few places where I've been able to find and eat trigger fish and scamp that I didn't catch - or buy at Joe Patti's - and cook myself. Stavros is a fantastic cook. Hands down some of the best seafood around.

Across the 3-Mile bridge (the long one you cross coming from the airport) are several really good places. The closest and best one, in my opinion, is the Fish House which is next door to Atlas Oyster (same owner of both). Again really fresh, locally caught, and lovingly prepared.

Hope this helps a bit. If you'll have a car and want to venture farther I can give you some other suggestions. And if you're staying in a condo and have a car I can tell you how to get to Joe Patti's. The only way I know to get to taste Royal Reds (shrimp) is to buy them there and cook them yourself. If that's a possibility for you let me know and I'll share some recipes.

Hope you have a great visit and that the weather is like it is today. Sunny, warm, and the Gulf looks a blue-green lake.

If I can answer anything else, let me know.

Fran

WOW! Thanks Fran for your thoughtful & detailed response - more local info in one "cast of the net" than I could ever have expected!

Yes, I will have a car and I plan to visit some of the venues you mentioned, both at the beach and inland.

Hope the good weather holds out - I LOVE the Panhandle in May - and will let you know my impressions of your local purveyors of Fine Seafood!

Dave,

Hope you have a fabulous week. If you think you might tire of seafood I can give you the names of some other restaurants that specialize in various types of ethnic foods.

Fran

The seafood at Flounders is pretty good, but if you want a great steak, check out McGuire's Irish Pub. Their prime ribs of beef is from "prime" beef, and I believe only served on Fri & Sat. It's really the best in the area, as is their home brewed beer.

Fran, you're the bomb! What knowledge!

Also, have to agree about McGuires. I haven't eaten at the Pensacola McGuires but the Destin MeGuires is fabulous. I prefer the filet over the prime rib. But don't miss the creamed spinach!

P.S. You will love the wallpaper!

Yes, McGuire's is on my hit list, probably for lunch while sightseeing on the mainland.

I love beer as much as I love seafood, and I collect brewpubs when I'm traveling!