At the Hub of it all

By Liesel Schmidt

July 1, 2019

Taking a look around this open-air space, where unique bars and eateries take the simple
idea of a food court and crank it up to 11, it’s evident that calling it The Hub is extremely
apropos, given its air, its atmosphere, and – perhaps most of all – its concept.

Really, the concept here is simple, practically a mission statement: “Families. Friends.
Festivals.” And the hub of all that, at The Hub, is one very important thing that brings it
all together: food. Food brings together families. It brings together friends. And it’s an
indisputable fact that no festival – or any type of festivities, really – is complete without
food. It’s the lifeblood of it all, no matter where you are in the world, and The Hub is one
place that really focuses on that and seems to celebrate it.

One of the best things about The Hub, aside from its prime location in the center of
Watersound, is the sheer variety of cuisine. No matter the type of food you prefer, there’s
something for everyone, all within a mere matter of steps from each other. Each spot
seems to feed off the energy of the other, making it ideal not only for the people who
flock to The Hub to satisfy their hunger, but also for the restaurants themselves, all of
which are independent businesses, rather than national chains. That in itself is one of the
things that truly makes The Hub unique and serves as one of its biggest draws, adding to
its sustainability as a food destination.

“Our focus is on featuring local businesses. Our food vendors are all locally-owned and
operated, making them an integral part of our Hub family, and a few have other long-
standing establishments in the local area,” said Director of Marketing & Events Nicki
Thompson.

The offerings

For those who love the idea of classic American fare with a twist, Mile Marker 15 offers
unique spins on the expected, loading burgers and hot dogs with a quirky assortment of
toppings that make them everything but run-of-the mill. Rounding out the menu with
tacos, hot sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates, they’ve got everything you could
want from an “all American” eatery.

If you love full-on flavor that’s fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy, let the smells wafting
from the smokers at Local Smoke guide you in the door, where slow-smoked meats like
pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey, ribs, and sausage are paired up with traditional barbecue
sides.

Macho Taco’s Mexican-inspired soul food will take your taste buds south of the border
and past the Rio Grande, while Crust at The Hub transports your senses to Italy with their Napoli-style crispy crust pizza, layered with classic toppings and served al fresco from their wood-fired grill. Welcome the morning with breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries, and coffee at sister restaurant Crust Po’ Boy Shop, or hit them up later in the day for some good ol’ po’ boy sandwiches packed Big Easy flair.

For a taste of more local cuisine, Buddy’s Seafood Market at The Hub specializes in
fresh, locally caught seafood and fish and certified wild American Gulf caught shrimp,
offering a menu of take-out eats perfect for spreading out on the table and digging into
family-style.

Whether you crave a mid-day snack, are finishing off your meal with a little sweetness,
or simply want to break convention and eat dessert first, Mr. Freeze has the perfect way
to indulge, offering both scoop-style and soft-serve ice creams and sorbets. Add to that a
wide assortment of toppings as well as shakes and even “penny” candy.

Pineapple at The Hub offers fresh pineapple drinks and fruit smoothies, while Jack &
Diane’s New Orleans Style Snowballs serve up sweet, icy treats that’ll make you want to
dance a Second Line.

For more grown-up indulgences, hit up MM15 Bar or Dion’s, where their mixologists are
shaking up signature cocktails that’ll keep your spirits running high, and their wine lists
and beer selections offer the perfect pairing for your perfect meal.

The party continues

Every day is a party at The Hub, not only in terms of the food, but also when it comes to
their events. From family movies and major sporting events shown on the Jumbotron, to
live music and dance parties, there’s something to keep everyone entertained and
engaged in the fun.

“The Hub is pretty much the greatest backyard party of all time, and we have a casual,
fun, family-oriented atmosphere where guests can relax and spend the day,” said
Thompson. “No other place in our area has entertainment, chef-driven food, cocktails,
entertainment and shopping all in the same spot, and that’s why The Hub has such a huge
appeal.”

As Thompson points out, it truly is a “one-stop” for all, regardless of age. It is that place
where everything comes together to become one big party, one big group of family and
friends.

The Hub is located at 24 Hub Lane, Watersound Beach. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 850-213-0782 or visit www.hub30a.com.