Here are some suggestions for a tourist coming to destin/fort walton beach, fl

my spelling isn't great on these names so bear with me :)

stay away from:

1) Communserry (SP?) this is by Regatta bay next to Resort Video. some friends of mine got sick 4 days after eating there (two groups did twice in a row)

2)Barnhills Family Buffet across from Santa Rosa Mall (unless you like high school food or food that is crap) $9.00 to get it and its not worth it want a REAL buffet... go to Golden Carell.

3)Flimango Cafe, Destin Chops & Marina Cafe

Flimango and Marina overprices there food there food tastes awful (at least the dishes I tried) and you get hardly any. DONT GO THERE IF YOUR HUNGRY! Chops is ok but again overpriced professional staff gives it a half thumbs up. But I can go to the supermarket and get a steak grill it and have a simular experience 99.9 percent cheaper

Please note all restraunts serve drinks. some have happy hour (call ahead and ask) these are good hang out places where you can socialize and decide where you can really go out to dinner after a hard day at the beach :)


4) Captain Kidds (dont ask me why but that's what it's called) in Destin - this is a Buffet with greasy food. 4 friends of mine reported this and i'm not spending my $$$$ (or lack there of) $20 to get in to eat seafood your better off going to Anglers or Eat At Joes.

Stuff to go to:

1) Anglers (on Oak Island) - YUM YUM and.. YUM!! (hint go there during the sun set and bring your camera - just be prepaired to walk since the bar packs them in - next to Howl At the Moon)

2) Maguires in Destin - WARNING THIS IS PRICY!! but worth every penny. there ribs are so good - request a seat outside the view is awesome

3) Taco Town (in FWB and Florosa - outside Hurlburt Field) cheap and good. not open on weekends though.

4)Crackle Barrel - VERY GOOD MEAT LOAF!! This is outside Crystal Beach in Destin next to Outback and O'Charlies (also very good restraunts)

5)Harbor Docks This is a GREAT restraunt open 7 days a week even XMAS! Charles Morgan really did a knock out job with this and his other restraunt that he sorta owns - La Paz (to be reviewed in the future)

This is the list so far. I'll bring you more as I try em.

TDTVRO - http://www.dishnuts.net (note don't send me email there since the owner of that site hasn't set foot in this area. if you wish for me to review a restraunt please feel free to reply to this)

Those are some good suggestions. I'll definitely agree about Anglers and Harbour Docks, two great restaurants. And I'll say that Captain Kidd's isn't that bad, except the price is pretty steep for a buffet. Probably because of the snow crab legs. Anyways, a good list of do's and dont's for Destin area restaurants.

i'm currently working on a second list. i'm doing this since i'm one person not a company :)

again this all takes time and $$$ any feedback from any of you would be welcome. i'm dying to try pandoras and any italian restraunt (please note i don't include pizza joints & olive garden since there nationwide and not worthy for a review) theres this place by the landing there food looks wonderful i keep seeing there ad but can't remember there name that pizza looks good to eat at one sitting.


TDTVRO

You are definately right about McGuire's. It is very worth the price and the ribs are the best I've ever had. Be careful though, the bathrooms are sort of tricky!! Anyone who has been there will know what I'm talking about. Another restaurant that I discovered is really good is the Lousiana Lagniap (sp?). Not sure how to spell it, but it's really good cajun food and the prices aren't that bad. Of course there are the regulars that are always good to try like Pompano Joe's, the Lucky Snapper, Fuddpuckers, AJ's, etc. I've already been to Destin this year and it was great. The water wasn't as nice as it has been the past two years, but I can't complain. The whole week the algae was very thick and all over the beaches. Can't wait till next year!!!!!!!!1

I've enjoyed two out of these three (not Destin Chops yet) and I had no complaints. These are not "all you can eat" places. They are fine dining establishments where you pay for a quality level of food and service, plus the view each place has.

I've dined in many great restaurants in many different cities and didn't find the prices out of line for the quality of the food, the presentation, view, and attentive service. Plus, that harbor view that locals take for granted is an added attraction for tourists.

You noted that you could go to the store and get a steak and grill it for a fraction of the price of Chops. DUH!!! I eat steak and other fine foods at home on a regular basis (and have the waistline to prove it) and I'm a pretty damn good cook. BUT ... you can't compare the price of a meal cooked at home to the pleasure of fine dining.

I do agree that Anglers is a fun place to go, as is Harbor Docks. And if hungry on the cheap, some of the other places you suggested aren't bad.

But don't put fine dining establishments up against chain restaurants like Outback, nor compare food quantity. When you pay good money for quality and preparation of food, plus service and atmosphere, you are enjoying a dining experience where every small bite is to be savored.

Well for the budget minded traveler who comes here Chops, Marina and Flamingo is very pricy. Out of the 3 I'd suggest stick with Flimingo. There's also The Grille @ Silver Sands which is ok and the Pancake Graprie (sp?) has a steak restraunt which looks good of course the breakfast part of that is wonderful.

It takes me almost an hour just to go to that part of destin so it's rare. People on highway 98 don't know how to drive since a lot of accidents happen here. moving from one lane to another (saves that for another rant)

TDTVRO - http://www.tvro.us & http://www.cband.info

For Italian try Capos on 30A or my new favorite Cafe Italia, just before the Oakalusia bridge in FWB.

I've tried Gugliamaioasioasa (however its spelled) did'nt like it, seemed like a poser. Also La Roccos, food was good, but was like eating in a arena, and the portioning was wierd, everything was for 3 or more.

i see your from long island. i was raised in oneida (near utica - about 2 hours from albany) and if it wasnt for NIMO jerking us around i'd still be there :)

any how i'll review them in the future as $$ allows it.

tdtvro

I'll agree with Recceman's assestment of Capos on 30-A. Great Italian. The place also offers some great live bands at night and has the best late night pizza on the beach( A great thing for us locals getting off work who want to kick back and relax).

A great pizza place in the area is Gugilmo's (sp?) Ciao Bella Pizza. They have a location at the foot of the Marler Bridge and in the Silver Sands outlets. These are some of the best gourmet pizzas I have ever eaten! Homemade Italian sausage and a flavorful crust that is perfectly thin and perfectly cooked. The original restaurant was pricey but this is affordable.

Enjoy!