My 2010 oyster eating, fried shrimp sampling, grouper gobbling and gumbo tasting tour stretched from Apalachicola to Perdido at the Alabama border. Road trip stats: One week; 175 miles; 15 establishments. Consumed: 117 oysters—raw, baked and char-broiled—plus fish tacos, shrimp poboys, grilled grouper, fried shrimp, grilled shrimp, and five varieties of gumbo.
Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House has five locations, but don’t call them a chain. Founded in 1910, Acme specializes in traditional New Orleans food such as seafood gumbo, jambalaya, oyster Rockefeller soup, grilled marinated shrimp, and fried oyster, catfish, shrimp and crawfish tail poboys.
Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House has five locations, but don’t call them a chain. Founded in 1910, Acme specializes in traditional New Orleans food such as seafood gumbo, jambalaya, oyster Rockefeller soup, grilled marinated shrimp, and fried oyster, catfish, shrimp and crawfish tail poboys.
This is the only location outside of Louisiana, and it isn’t easy to find. The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a private enclave in Sandestin, is a gated community where you must stop for a visitors pass. Don’t let this deter you from tasting the best buttery and garlicky oysters charbroiled on an open flame—topped with Romano cheese—outside of NoLa.
Make sure you don't miss the framed photos where award-winning oyster shucker Robert Daffin is immortalized as the Leader of the House in the "15 Dozen Club." Yep. He actually ate 42 dozen oysters in one sitting. Think you can top him? (I can't!)
(The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 140 Fisherman’s Cove, Sandestin)
(The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 140 Fisherman’s Cove, Sandestin)
Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill
It’s worth the detour off the main drag, Rte 98, to find Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill, located off Rte 30A in Grayton Beach. No ordinary oyster bar, Hurricane steps things up a notch with chef-inspired offerings such as tangy and slightly spicy fish tacos served with homemade garlic red pepper sauce and tangy pico de gallo.
It’s worth the detour off the main drag, Rte 98, to find Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill, located off Rte 30A in Grayton Beach. No ordinary oyster bar, Hurricane steps things up a notch with chef-inspired offerings such as tangy and slightly spicy fish tacos served with homemade garlic red pepper sauce and tangy pico de gallo.
(I'm not sure why I don't have a photo of the oysters here, but the fish tacos were awesome.) Other menu offerings include grilled lobster tacos, grilled crab claws, crab cake poboys, coconut shrimp, peel-and-eat shrimp, pan-seared fresh fish, gumbo, salads, sandwiches, and—oh yes—oysters served raw, grilled, steamed or baked. Wash it all down with one of 13 beers on tap, or choose from an extensive international wine list.
(37 Logan Lane, Grayton Beach, 850-231-0787)
NEXT UP: DUSTY'S OYSTER BAR, AND HUNT'S OYSTER BAR AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
(37 Logan Lane, Grayton Beach, 850-231-0787)
NEXT UP: DUSTY'S OYSTER BAR, AND HUNT'S OYSTER BAR AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
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