!#8# Places to Eat in Cape San Blas and Port St Joe During Your Summer 2009 Florida Beach Vacation

!±8± Places to Eat in Cape San Blas and Port St Joe During Your Summer 2009 Florida Beach Vacation

If you've never been to Cape San Blas before, you'll notice there aren't as many restaurants as in more developed beach vacation destinations like Panama City. Those of us who are residents or frequent visitors to the Cape actually think that's a good thing, but it makes figuring out dining choices a little more challenging to newcomers. Also, if you haven't been to the Cape in a while, there's been some changes. I hope this information helps as you plan your Escape to the Cape!

ON THE CAPE:

1. Coneheads, 8080 Cape San Blas Road, 850-229-5252. Just outside the entrance to the State Park, Coneheads has indoor and outdoor seating and as of the last time I was there, you could bring your dog to the outdoor seating areas. As of now they're open 8 to 8 and closed on Sundays. I did confirm they plan to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner this summer. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, and ice cream. They have good hamburgers, grouper sandwiches and fries. Best to call ahead and be sure they're open before you head down for a meal.

2. Scallop Cove BP, 4310 Cape San Blas Road, 850-227-1573. An unlikely entrant in a restaurant article, the BP actually has a lot of choices for quick meals without leaving the Cape. You'll find everything from breakfast sandwiches to burgers, hot dogs, chili and gumbo. Jill's just added pizza to her menu, and the oven is turned off at 8 pm. You can also grab the things to make your own quick dinner of wine, cheese and crackers or something else light. The BP is open seven days a week until 10 pm. and their hours are reliable.

3. The Cape Trading Post, 4975 Cape San Blas Road, 850-229-8775. Features breakfast pizzas, hot dogs, pizzas, soups, extreme ice and more. Hours vary so call ahead.

4. Shaved Ice from Salty's Beach Shack, next door to the Trading Post. 850-229-6611 Not a restaurant, but a nice treat on a hot summer day. They offer 70 different flavors.

5. Loggerhead Grill CLOSED AS OF THIS ARTICLE. No word on when it will reopen.

6. Indian Pass Raw Bar, 8391 Indian Pass Road, 850-227-1670. The Raw Bar is a Cape institution and we love it. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 12 pm to 9 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 9 pm. Popular with the locals and tourists alike. Great oysters, crab legs and shrimp. Casual atmosphere and lots of fun.

PORT ST JOE OR ON THE WAY:

7. St. Josephs Bay Country Club, 700 Country Club Road, 850-227-1757. Open 7 days a week, 8 am to 6:30 pm. Full menu until 3 pm and then snack bar, beverage and bar only until close. Offers a breakfast menu, a variety of sandwiches and baskets and a hot dog bar. Also a kids' menu.

8. Gracie O'Malley Pub and Eatery, Simmons Bayou, 850-229-1779. Just verified their summer hours will be 5 pm to 10 pm seven days a week.

9. Sunset Coastal Grill, 602 Monument Avenue, 850-227-7900. Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day (otherwise closed Mondays). Lunch 11am to 3 pm, dinner 5 pm to 10 pm. Patti Blaylock, the proprietor, is a dear friend of mine, so there's my conflict of interest disclosure. But the truth is, we've always eaten at the Grill for as long as we've been coming to the Cape, even before we met Patti. A diverse menu with lots of choices and a kids menu. Great paninis, salads, and other sandwiches at lunch. Steaks and seafood and pasta for dinner. The view of the bay is spectacular and even better when we get a good sunset!

10. Sea Blue Iguana, 108 E. 1st Street, 850-229-5455. Hours are 5:30 am to 9 pm. Raw and Steam Bar, breakfast and lunch specials. This is a relatively new restaurant. I've not eaten there yet so I can't give any feedback. If you go, let me know what you think!

11. Sisters', 236 Reid Avenue, 850-229-7121, family style "meat and 3" kind of a restaurant. I was unable to confirm summer days and hours so just call and find out before you go.

12. Provision's Catering and 3rd Street Grill, 301 Williams Avenue, 850-229-9200. Lunch, 11 to 3 Monday through Friday. Dinner, 6 to 9:30, Wednesday through Friday. Tapas every Thursday at twilight. Excellent menu with lots of variety. Jodi is a very popular caterer as well. If you're coming to the Cape for a special event and need her services, be sure and give her a call.

12. Dockside Cafe and Raw Bar, 342 Marina Drive, 850-229-5200 Hours: 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday. Friday 11 to 10, Saturday 10 to 10, Sunday 10 to 9. Appetizers, Sandwiches, Salads, Baskets, Raw Bar and Platters. Sometimes serving breakfast with a bloody mary bar. Indoor and outdoor seating, live entertainment weekend evenings in the summer.

13. Peppers Mexican Restaurant, 224 Reid Avenue, 850-229-8540, Open 7 days a week, 11-10 except Sunday, 11 to 9. Great service, margaritas and food. We go to Peppers every time we're at the Cape. Reasonably priced and casual atmosphere.

14. Paul Gant's Barbecue, 470 W. Highway 90, 850-227-9311. Not a restaurant, but a Port St. Joe institution. Fabulous barbecue. Open 10 am to 8 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday only. Just before the big bridge heading toward Mexico Beach. Get takeout ribs, chicken or Boston butt and all the fixings and sides. It's amazing!

15. Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, 412 Reid Avenue, 850-227-9999. Sunday through Friday, 10:30 am to 10 pm. Saturday, 3:30 to 10 pm. Chinese fare available 7 days a week. They have a buffet, regular menu, and of course take out!

16. The No Name Cafe inside Palm Tree Books, 306 Reid Avenue, 850-229-9277. One of the newest eateries in the area, The No Name offers a continental breakfast and a light lunch menu in a coffee shop atmosphere. Free WiFi! Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 6 pm and Saturday 10 to 5 pm.

17. Joe Mama's Woodfired Pizzeria, 406 Reid Avenue, 850-229-6262. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 to 2:30 for lunch and 5:00 to 10:00 for dinner. Closed Mondays. Joe Mama's is the newest restaurant in Port St. Joe, opening its doors around Easter. We haven't been there yet, but it's on my list of stops next time I'm back, and the previews I have heard are great. Features woodfired pizzas, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Beer and wine available. Everything made on premises.

We have several fast food restaurants available as well:

Burger King, 601 Highway 98, 850-229-7060
Hungry Howie's, 418 Highway 98, 850-229-9222
McDonalds, 115 W. Highway 98, 850-227-9075
Subway, 101 Highway 98, 850-229-8883

That's it for Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe Restaurants that I'm aware of. All these restaurants are also listed on my website Cape San Blas Local Information page with hyperlinks, if available. There's a lot more offerings in Mexico Beach and Apalachicola, but I'll save those for other articles!