I've been going to Panama City Beach, almost every single year for 33 years now and have never hit any of the big popular restaurants. We planned to last year, but we had a change of plans that kept me from going. This year..my cousin and I decided to finally do it...we were going to go to one of them..we wanted to go somewhere "Panama City"....but how to choose?!?! It finally came down to Schooners and Pineapple Willies. In the end we decided on Schooners and I have got to say we absolutely did not regret it! Its gonna be hard to try any of the other places after that experience. It was crowded but the wait wasn't to long and we had one of the most perfect tables, on the deck right by the rail overlooking the beach. We split the crabcake appetizer which we thought was kinda high, but well worth it taste wise. I got the Schooner Burger..which was a bit to well done(even though they say it only comes medium well...it sure wasn't)...but the flavor made up for it. I got a Bushwhacker which was awesome and we split a piece of key lime pie. Neither one of us had ever tried key lime pie, and it was the best thing we'd ever had...it was so good! The waitress was so nice and friendly which made the evening even more enjoyable. The cannon blast was cool too and the view was just amazing! And a beautiful sunset! I only live two hours away and I'm wondering if two hours is to long a drive just to go to dinner..lol. I can't wait to go back! My Schooners experience was just amazing!

I am glad to hear your experience at schooners was great. With that said, I have NEVER had a good experience at that place. The food is overpriced and our service has never been very good. They even tried to charge us $1 for ONE extra roll the last time we were there.

We always skip schooners and go to montego bay that is right in front of schooners.

Just my .02

Bowhunter, sorry to hear you've never had a good experience at Schooners. That's just crazy. As one of the owners, I'm horrified to hear things like that! And we tried to charge you a dollar for a roll??? That's just downright unfriendly.

I am printing out your review and posting it in the office for all to see, and I promise they will sit up and take notice!

Also, please accept my apologies for any poor service in the past - we really, really ARE locals, and most of our folks have been with us for over a decade. We love the beach, we love our jobs (most of the time), and I usually hear good things from our customers - but, we certainly aren't perfect - we don't have a corporate manual to follow or anything like that - we're just one little beach club perched on the shore.

That said, I hope you will allow me to make it up to you next time you're in our neck of the woods. Maybe we can meet for a beer or lunch, and I can introduce you to a few folks who work there. That way, we can apologize in person, and you'll know who to talk to next time we drop a ball.

Don't give up on us... we're small, but we really do care - and we try hard. Honest. Will ya?

Schooners - Last Local Beach Club & Restaurant - Panama City Beach, Florida

The thing about schooners is the atmosphere. We stay at Regency Towers every year, and I used to have a tradition of walking to schooners as soon as I got finished checking in via the beach. I loved to walk down the beach after my 11 hour drive from Kentucky and sit and have a beer and some food at schooners to really start my vacation off right.

You seem sincere in not wanting a bad name for your place, and I am always willing to give something another chance. I really appreciate your offer, and I promise the next time I am in PCB, I will give schooners another chance. I will also let you know in advance, so maybe you can meet us down there.

Anybody that is willing to apologize publically about something their establishment did and try to make it right is OK in my book. Thanks you so much for your concern, and you WILL see us at schooners next time around, maybe in October.

Thanks, Bowhunter. I appreciate the 2nd chance, and, in the meantime, the crew will be made aware that we need to do some work on our attitudes! I hope I get to meet you in person and buy you that beer, and, again, thanks for giving us the opportunity to make it up to you. It would be a crying shame to waste such a sweet little spot on the beach on a bunch of slackers! (smile) We have to prove ourselves worthy every day!

I find nothing in PCB beats the 1) casual, laid back atmosphere and 2) location of Schooners in PCB -BUT- I've had hit or miss food and odd service. I thought maybe it was just us. I still call it a "favorite" though because of 1) and 2). ;)

Trish, who desperately needs a beach vacation!

Schooner's is the best. It's absolutley my favorite. It has great food, it's laid back, and it has a great beach vibe. I always get a cup of gumbo and have a grouper sandwich and sweet tea!!

Toni, keep up the good work. And please don't ever sell out, PCB needs local hangouts like Schooner's.

Also, please keep the web cams!! I check them out daily, especially during the winter. I sometimes check in on Friday's at 4 pm and have a cold one with the folks in the bar.

Definitely give Schooners another try, Xi Bowhunter. Out of all the times we've eaten there, we did have one bad experience but we chalked that up to Schooners just having an "off night". People have off nights, so I think businesses do, too. The last time we ate there, they were offering winter lunch specials & we got grouper tacos with beans & rice and a salad for $5.99, I think. It was awesome!
As always, their web cams let me visit whenever I need a quick beach fix!

We didn't go there this year. Not because of the food or service but last year we went a couple of times for lunch (I think) and couldn't have a conversation due to the steel drum being LOUD!!! I was in the music business for many years and appreciate a good band but sometimes I like to talk to my friends/family etc and enjoy the view. I would never suggest they change what they do-they are obviously successful at it. We just choose to go elsewhere.