From the August 1, 2006 Emerald Coast News

The world is learning what the Emerald Coast already knows. Panhandle restaurants, long known to be among the best by locals and returning visitors, have received attention recently from a number of national publications and online magazines.

Saveur, a gourmet food and wine magazine, ranks Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q 18th on its annual listing of “100 Favorites From the World of Food.” The list includes the publication’s “favorite restaurants, food, drink, people, places and things.”

Jim 'N Nick’s is located in the Villages of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin and also offers a take-out kiosk in Niceville on John Sims Parkway. Visitors to EmeraldCoast.com's Dining Guide also consistently rank the restaurant the among their top overall favorites and number one for barbeque.

Louis’ Pink Shell Restaurant on Panama City Beach Parkway has received its own national attention – being named one of the “Top 25 Seafood Dives” by Coastal Living Magazine.

The feature highlights restaurants all along the U.S. coast that put more emphasis on good food, than interior ambiance.

The Beaches of South Walton featured prominently on the Southern Living Magazine’s online picks for the best dining spots in Florida with kudos going to Café Thirty-A and Fish Out of Water both at Seagrove, Criolla’s at Santa Rosa Beach and Nick’s on the Beach in Freeport.

Neighboring Panama City also gets mentions for Angelo’s Steak Pit and Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant, which is consistently voted among the best in the publication’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

McLain’s Family Steak House in DeFuniak Spring, just off Interstate 10, is also included among the Southern Living favorites.

To learn more about the great dining choices available on the Emerald Coast check out Emerald Coast Dining Guide for restaurant reviews, a listing of the top local favorites, and dining features.