By Jack Smith
When I was a child growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, we had a special word for shrimp: bait. My first experience with shrimp as a food source was in the ‘60s and it came in the form of a shrimp cocktail. Fried, blackened and steamed were all in my future. Today, shrimp is the most popular seafood dish in the United States. Marco Polo wrote about how important shrimp was to the Chinese diet in 1280 and it only took us another 800 years to discover how tasteful and nutritious this protein really is. According to Forest Gump’s friend Bubba, you can enjoy shrimp fried, steamed, blackened, broiled, raw, stuffed, in gumbo, BBQ, Kabobs, and Jambalaya. Feel free to add to this list.
Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant
5551 N Lagoon Drive, PCB | (850) 234-2225
captandersons.com
Capt. Anderson’s Grilled Bay Shrimp is FAMOUS in the South. Perfectly prepared with our own special seasoning and resting in melted butter… you have to taste to believe! Try it as an appetizer or an entree and don’t forget to sop the seasoned butter with a fresh baked rice roll. Delicious! Dine early and watch the fleet unload.
Schooners
5121 Gulf Drive, PCB | (850) 235-3555
schooners.com
Enjoying fried seafood overlooking the white sand beach and emerald waters is CLASSIC. Schooners serves the tastiest trio of deep-fried Mahi-Mahi, Oysters and Jumbo Shrimp called the “Beach Party.” Add a chilled glass of wine, ice cold local craft beer or a vodka based “Beach Bum,” and you have the perfect makings of a lifelong beach memory!
San Marcos Mexican Grill Pier Park
101 Bluefish Drive, Suite 105, PCB | (850) 708-3097
www.sanmarcosmexicangrillpierpark.com
San Marcos Mexican Grill is a family-owned and -operated Mexican restaurant. The family is committed to serving authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex fare including handmade corn tortillas and homemade, tableside-prepared guacamole! Pair the delicious dishes with a range of margaritas, or a draft or bottled beer. You can even have your furry friends join you on the pet-friendly patio! Any day is a good day to chill at the grill.
The Wicked Wheel
10025 Hutchison Boulevard, PCB | (850) 588-7947
thewickedwheel.com
Savor the bold flavors of The Wicked Wheel’s signature dish, Backfire Shrimp and Grits. These rich, creamy grits are infused with a spicy kick from the backfire butter, and packed with herbs and seasoning. The bowl is then loaded with a dozen succulent grilled Gulf shrimp, adding a touch of freshness to this slightly spicy masterpiece. A true culinary thrill that will leave you craving more!
Señor Frogs
15005 Front Beach Road, PCB
senorfrogs.com/panama-city-beach
Our Cilantro Garlic Shrimp is delelctable. Fresh shrimp sautéed in butter sauce, garlic and cilantro, served with white rice, fresh cut veggies and lime.
Boon Docks
14854 Bay View Circle, PCB | (850) 230-0005
boondocksfl.com
Boon Dock’s grilled shrimp are seasoned to perfection with our proprietary blend of Cajun spices, bell peppers and onions, plus two side dishes and hush puppies. Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for 22 years. We look forward to many more!
The Pancakery
13800 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB | (850) 588-5077
thepancakery.com
The Pancakery started in Destin and opened it’s doors March 2011. After a huge success, The Pancakery expanded down the coast to a second location in Panama City Beach in 2017. Come check out what makes The Pancakery the Florida Panhandle’s FAVORITE breakfast spot!
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
14501 Panama City Beach Pkwy, PCB | (850) 588-1996
rudysbbq.com
Rudy’s has the best sausage for your Low Country Boil! Known for it’s two popuar bbq sauce varieties, folksy decor and a devotion to smoked proteins, Rudy’s was born out of a small Leon Springs, TX gas station just north of San Antonio along I-10. It’s the one with “the worst bar-B-Q in Texas” in big block letters on the sign outside. Every location has a special charm.
