Thursday, February 11, 2010

Day 35 Last Night in Grayton Beach

We've spent the last few days trying to hit all the spots we missed and saying so-long to many of the good people we've met. It really was a good time and we will be back next year. Here are some of our thoughts about the Grayton Beach/Route 30A area. Most of all we really liked the down-home, quirky and friendly people. We felt like locals almost from the first day we arrived. 30A is 20 miles of artsy villages, funky bars, good restaurants, and unbelievable beaches. In case anyone gets down this way, here are some of our favorites, realizing that there are many, many places we never got to:

Fire - It's hard to call it fine dining because it's so casual. Our favorite menu.
Mitchell's Fish House - Best restaurant chain.
Pizza By the Sea and The Pickle Factory - Tie for the best pizza
Santa Rosa Beach Club - Best ocean view. Plus good food.
Shorty's - Best Ceviche, Best local bar and consistently good music.
Red Bar - Best Local color and most fun. Best bands.
Beach House Bar and Grill - Best geezer bar.
Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill - Best oyster bar this side of Apalachicola.
Stinky's Fish Camp - Best Gumbo.
Great Southern Cafe - Best breakfast.
Gravel Road - Best country cooking.
Donny Sundal - Best non-band music.
Dread Clampitt - Best Band.
Redd the Singing Bartender - Best singer.
Sally's Backside - Best "Have to try" place.
There are many more that I'm sure I missed. Tomorrow we're heading to Rayne, Louisana to meet our friends Fred and Mica and spend four days celebrating Mardi Gras in several towns around the area. We were there 13 years ago and it was crazy. We're expecting no less this year.

3 comments:

Fitz said...

Glad you included Double-D on your list.

Anonymous said...

Hope you don't get snowed in while celebrating in the Big Easy. They're calling for 1-3 inches of snow in Hilton Head tonight. I guess "you can run but you can't hide."

The plows are standing by!

Carol and Jack

Carol and Jack said...

Had the privilege of visiting Cooter and Butch in Grayton Beach Feb. 11-16, 2011. We had a ball and were able to hear the bands and visit so many of the places mentioned in the blog. Grayton Beach is completely unpretentious and makes you want to put on a t-shirt, grab a beer and just sit the hell down for awhile. The Red Bar, the Dread Clampitt band, Shorty's, Stinky's and Hurricane Oyster Bar were all great. But nothing can prepare you for Sally's Backside and ReDD the singing bartender. She is "THE BOMB". It's immediately obvious why she spells her name with two Ds, but she is AAA in the talent department... great vocalist and laugh-out-loud funny. Loved every minute of her act and would go back in a heartbeat.
Thanks Coot and Butch for a wonderful five days of laughs, good food, great company, and fabulous music.
Carol and Jack - Feb. 17, 2011