Felix's Fish Camp
Felix's is one of the area's best-loved seafood restaurants. Set on the causeway that connects Mobile with Baldwin County, Alabama, the restaurant offers a wide selection of seafood that's fresh off the dock. Gulf shrimp are always popular and have a more tender taste than shrimp from other waters, and you'll find plenty of dishes featuring shrimp and pasta or shrimp with grits. Oysters are also a local specialty, offered fried or baked. Other unusual dishes such as crawfish quesadillas are sprinkled throughout the menu. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor tables and offers a spectacular view of Mobile Bay; nature lovers will enjoy the frequent visits by pelicans and the occasional alligator. Felix's has been featured in airline magazines as one of the best seafood restaurants in the country.
Felix's Fish Camp
1530 Battleship Parkway
Spanish Fort, AL 36526
(251) 626-6710
felixsfishcamp.com/
Pink Pony Pub
This hard-to-miss restaurant (it's painted pink) sits right on the beach of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and is known for its good times and good food. There's plenty of seafood on the menu, with everything from oysters Rockefeller to coconut shrimp and crab claws. There's also a steamer that turns out fresh gulf shrimp; try the "royal reds," which are very delicate and sweeter than regular gulf shrimp. You'll also find plenty of traditional pub foods such as stuffed jalapenos and fried mozzarella sticks. The Pink Pony offers a wide variety of beers along with plenty of beachy drinks that come with an umbrella.
Pink Pony Pub
137 E. Gulf Place
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-6371
pinkponypub.net
Louisiana Lagniappe
If you're looking for Cajun cooking on the beach, Louisiana Lagniappe offers traditional dishes from the Big Easy such as shrimp etouffee, gumbo and blackened redfish. Spices are the rule of the day, as many of the dishes use traditional cajun seasonings. Beef lovers searching for an unusual kind of surf 'n' turf might try the tournadoes of beef, which features filet mignon with sauteed crab and shrimp.
Louisiana Lagniappe
27267 Perdido Beach Blvd., Suite 102
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-2258
thelouisianalagniappe.com
Lulu's at Homeport Marina
Founded by Jimmy Buffett's sister, Lulu's offers a "cheeseburger in paradise" named after her brother's hit song. This casual restaurant has a wide array of sandwiches, salads and baskets of fresh fried seafood. Try some of the more unusual items, such as the lower Alabama caviar (black-eyed peas in a vinaigrette dressing) or mahi mahi tacos. Top it all off with key lime pie or a "brownie in paradise."
Lulu's at Homeport Marina
200 E. 25th Ave.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 967-5858
lulusathomeport.com
Cobalt
If you're looking for something a bit upscale while dining on the water, check out Cobalt in Orange Beach. You'll find unusual items such as West Indies salad (crab meat with sweet onions and vinegar), lobster rangoons (wontons stuffed with lobster meat), pistachio-encrusted tuna and zydeco chicken, featuring a Cajun alfredo sauce. The menu is filled with plenty of steaks, and you'll also be tempted to try an unusual pizza such as the one topped with roasted duck. You can even dock your boat at the restaurant.
Cobalt
28099 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 923-5300
cobaltorangebeach.com
About The Author
Nicholas Salvatore is a twenty-five year veteran of the television broadcast industry who has extensive experience as a reporter, anchor and network field producer. He's also done play-by-play for college basketball and minor league baseball. He has received awards for reporting from Associated Press and United Press International.
