Pensacola’s Guide to Fried

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.

Flounder’s Chowder House

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.

Crabs on the Beach

One of the few Pensacola Beach restaurants located directly on the Gulf, 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.

Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach

Perched on the marina with a gorgeous view of Little Sabine Lagoon, Shaggy's Pensacola Beach is a family and dog-friendly restaurant serving up heaps of quality cuisine and family fun. Shaggy’s has an extensive craft beer menu and water views throughout the indoor and outside deck.

Oysters and blackened flounder are among Shaggy’s secret sauce, but the southern fried platters are a must if you’re seeking fried. All the platters are hand-battered to order using Shaggy’s signature fish fry. Try the Flounder Platter or for the big appetite, the Captain’s Seafood Platter, which features flounder, jumbo shrimp and mini crab cakes.

Paradise Bar & Grill

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!

The Oar House

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.

The Fish House

Located where Pensacola’s downtown meets the bay, the Fish House is a long-time upscale favorite featuring inside and open-air dining on Seville Harbor.

Home of the world-famous Grits a Ya Ya: a Southern specialty of smoked Gouda cheese grits smothered with a sauce of fresh cream, sauteed Gulf shrimp, spinach, portobello mushrooms, applewood-smoked bacon, garlic, and shallots.

Fried? Oh yes. Get the Fried Grouper Bites appetizer — the dusted grouper nuggets come with a tangy Creole remoulade.

Five Sisters Blues Cafe

Located on the corner of Belmont & DeVilliers and built on some of Pensacola's deepest history, the Five Sisters Blues Cafe artists share top billing with Creole-style Southern fare in this energetic, historic space.

Aunt Sara’s Fried Chicken Dinner with mac n’ cheese and collard greens, fried green tomatoes and other great Southern fare light up the menu. The fried okra basket? Oh, yes — and don’t miss the Bloody Mary.

The Dog House

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!

Jerry’s Drive In

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!

Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar

Straddling the state line along our gorgeous Gulf Coast, the Flora-Bama is world famous for the music, libations and revelry. But the honky-tonk is sneaky good with its food offerings in the Oyster Bar. Enjoy everything from burgers, wraps and lots of oysters done in many delicious ways. No trip to the beach is complete without fried shrimp or oysters, served with a Bushwacker.

The Crab Trap on Perdido Key

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.

Author

Sean Smith

Sean Smith is a native of Liverpool, England, but has been Gulf Coastified since he moved to Pensacola in 1992 after serving as a weather specialist in the Air Force. A journalist and writer for more than 20 years, he loves to share his affection for the natural beauty of Pensacola and the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast.