Seems like our cuisine is increasingly getting drizzled, pan-seared and prepared in increasingly exotic ways by wonderfully talented chefs. That’s all fine and good, but we are, after all, in the heart of the South. And around these parts, we love our food fried.
Pensacola is a seafood haven with a crispy twist—each bite of fried perfection a reminder of our Southern roots and coastal charm. So here is a quick-and-dirty guide to some of our favorite places to serve you something Southern fried.
Enjoy, and let’s not count calories. It’s a cheat day.
Live music, Gulf breezes and family fun with beach volleyball courts are the hallmarks of this sprawling restaurant along the Santa Rosa Sound on Pensacola Beach — a visitor and local’s favorite. There’s a whole section on the menu for the flash-fried favorites at Flounder’s — all golden fried in pure cholesterol-free oil with hushpuppies.
Flounder's flash fried features include Deep Water Shrimp, Fish, Coconut Shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp and Clam Strips. Or a must, the Flounder’s Fried Flounder — an entire Flounder - from head to tail.
One of the few Pensacola Beach restaurants located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Crabs on the Beach offers gorgeous Pensacola Beach views from the open-air Gulf-side deck, so you can take in the fresh salt air breezes as you dine and chill. Crabs is in the name, so naturally the specialty of a half-pound of fried crab claws is a go-to when it’s available.
But the real prize is the Southern-Fried Platter, which packs fried oysters, wild shrimp, coconut shrimp, Gulf fish and a stuffed crab. It’s served with french fries or red jackets, pineapple coleslaw and hushpuppies.
It’s hard to have Sunday Fun-Day without the Paradise — a locals’ favorite open-air bar perched on Santa Rosa Sound. A popular stop for boaters and paddlers, you can get there by water and check out the live music and libations — and the food is simple and divine. For fried delights, try the deep-fried crab cake bites and the fried green beans. Bigger eats? Indulge in the fried fish or shrimp baskets or the fried fish Po’Boy!
A few minutes from the heart of Downtown Pensacola, the Oar House is tucked under a tiki roof and open deck along beautiful Bayou Chico. Watch the boats and dolphins cruise as you dine, drink and soak in the sunshine and live music. Great food, too! Grilled and blackened seafood, and of course, fried. Try the St. Thomas Hot Pops — shrimp breaded in their special blend of seasoned flour, flash fried and topped with St. Thomas Boom-Boom sauce. Or try some hand-heads: the grouper, shrimp, oyster or fish Po’ Boys.
Tucked into the strip in the heart of Downtown Palafox, the Dog House is a must for casual eats and libations. Smash burgers and dozens of hot dog variations — including foot long, vegan, Italian, the iconic Coney’s and Kobe beef dogs — are the main fare, but there’s plenty of fried goodness! Try the Mullet Basket with Southern-fried mullet filets, or the Fried Oyster or Southern Fried Shrimp baskets. These also come in po’ boys (of course!). Match it with the crispy fried House Brussels. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Taste the history! For more than 85 years, Jerry’s Drive In has been serving up fried goodness for generations of Pensacola locals. Great food, great prices, and a familiar friendly environment. This longtime neighborhood joint dishes up burgers, fried fish & more in a laid-back setting. The menu has a nice mix of Southern comfort food favorites — including fried seafood dinner with fixings. Cash only, of course!
Located along the beach on Perdido Key, The Crab Trap is a waterfront fish-house with a boardwalk leading directly down to the white sandy beaches. The traditional fare is popular too. Easy parking, a huge playground, and a special menu designed just for kids make The Crab Trap the perfect spot for the whole family. Daily specials like local Mahi Mahi and favorites such as the Fried Calamari, the 1/3-pound fried local Blue Crab Claws and Fried Snapper ‘N Shrimp will have you coming back for more.
We told you. There’s no shortage of fried favorites in Pensacola. Whether you’re in the mood for flaky fish, crunchy shrimp, or good old-fashioned fried chicken and okra, Pensacola’s culinary scene has you covered. So, grab some hushpuppies, embrace the cheat day, and savor the flavor of fried food done just right. After all, as we like to say down here—everything’s better fried.
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