Menu

Chiringo

Bloody Mary Festival

Bloody Mary Festival raises $41K for Habitat for Humanity

,

Nov. 20, 2023
Special to 30A Food & Wine


MIRAMAR BEACH – The Market Shops 8th annual Bloody Mary Festival, held Oct. 14, raised $41,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. The shopping center was once again transformed into a bustling festival ground to host and welcome over 1,000 attendees. Festive tomato-themed balloon décor, courtesy of Mingle and the Good Grit Agency, greeted guests as they entered the lively courtyard and grand lawn, each full of restaurants, vendors, and merchants from The Market Shops. Event goers made their way around the tents sampling each Bloody Mary, complete with over-the-top accoutrements, and served in specialty cups sponsored by Compass Builders of Florida.

The sold-out event showcased 15 of the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast, each serving unlimited tastes of their most creative and innovative Bloody Marys, made with Distillery 98’s local Half Shell Vodka. Participating restaurants included Auston’s on 98, The Beach House, Big Bad Breakfast, Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Chanticleer Eatery, Chef’s Bistro 30A, Chiringo, The Henderson, Louis Louis/ The Red Bar, Outcast Bar and Grill, Ovide, Ruby Slipper Café, The Shrimp Basket, and Soleil.

Upon check-in, guests received a token to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the “Best Bloody Mary.” A panel of select food critics and regional media also judged each Bloody Mary and selected the following winner as the most delicious and most creative, along with their pick for the “Best Accoutrement” award. All awards were custom made by local artist, Maxine Orange.

People’s Choice Award

1 – The Shrimp Basket

2 – Ruby Slipper Cafe

3 – Chiringo

Judge’s Choice Award

1 tie – The Red Bar/Louis Louis

1 tie – The Beach House

Best Accoutrement

Ovide

In addition to the Bloody Marys, guests sipped on local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, spiked seltzer from Palm Folly, and champagne from Gulf Water Wines at the Bubbly Bar.

Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy numerous food options throughout the festival from the various restaurants located directly within The Market Shops, including Ben & Jerrys, Chicago Hot Dogs & More, Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Parlor Doughnuts, and Pizza by the Sea. There were also shopping opportunities on the lawn, courtesy of Escapology and Fit2Run, the Runner’s Superstore.

Vacayzen and Shofar Productions transformed the Grand Lawn into the ultimate tailgating experience with lounge seating and a jumbo screen live-streaming college football, sponsored by Abora Insurance Group. Throughout the event, guests sampled cigars from Shore Thing Cigars, took photos in the interactive photobooth sponsored by Legendary Marine, and danced to ’80s rock band, Catalyst, on the main stage, sponsored by The Market Shops.

Since its inception, The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival has raised over $200,000 for local charities. For the past six years, Habitat for Humanity – Walton County has been the beneficiary of the annual event. The money raised through ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship from this year’s festival will go directly toward Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s efforts to build and provide homes for working families in the area.

“This was the best Bloody Mary Festival yet,” said Bob Duncan, managing partner of The Market Shops. “We were proud to host and see the community, participating restaurants, sponsors, and volunteers come together for such a fun event to raise funds to advance Habitat’s mission.”

Shrimp bowl

Chiringo: A global approach to flavor

April 28, 2020
By Michelle Farnham

GRAYTON BEACH – A quick scan of buzzwords on a restaurant’s menu will usually give you a pretty good feel for the vibe there. Glancing at Chiringo’s menu, you’ll see words like poké, snapper, guacamole, cotija cheese, coconut sauce, curry mustard and mojo pork (not all on the same plate, of course). With such a global approach to flavor, this is not a generic Southern fried seafood joint, although they do serve fried shrimp and fish sandwiches, if that’s what you’re craving.

Chicken sandwich
The chicken sandwich at Chiringo is a whopper, filled with fresh veggies and melted cheese, all skewered with pickle slices.

Order up!

The menu is broken down into shareables, salads, bowls, handhelds and the ever-important kids menu. Several options allow you to build your own entree, giving the customer a choice of protein, preparation, grain, and dressing, so the food comes out fresh and exactly as you want it.

“Chiringo will be adding ‘Big Wheels of Pizza’ to its spring and summer menu, available in regular and gluten-free crust.” – Jenny Toney, partner

Chiringo partner Jenny Toney hinted that new options are coming to the spring menu, too.

“In addition to our current menu of coastal-inspired ‘beach food’ items like Cuban sandwiches, fresh fish tacos, and veggie grain bowls, Chiringo will be adding ‘Big Wheels of Pizza’ to its spring and summer menu,” Toney said. “Available in regular and gluten-free crust, Chiringo’s Big Wheel Pizzas will use the same elevated ingredients as our other products to deliver a pure and memorable ride along 30A.”

Chiringo’s sides extend beyond the typical french fries or side salad – though you can order those – to include things like fried plantains, quinoa, feta salad, and Grayton Beach caviar (edamame, corn, red peppers, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro in a Dijon vinaigrette.)

Cocktails
Quench that thirst with any one of the many offerings available at this fun beach bar.

No beach hangout would be complete without a festive bar, and Chiringo is no exception.

“Chiringo means ‘beach bar’ so needless to say our menu offers a variety of local beers, crisp wines, and high-quality spirits,” Toney explained.

The specialty cocktail list is headlined by Chiringo’s signature frozen cocktail, The Billy Ocean, a combination of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, fresh pineapple juice, mango and ginger, which Toney promises delivers a true Caribbean dream!

“If frozen cocktails are not on the beach agenda, try the Ringo Rita!” Toney continued. “100 percent organic tequila mixed with Grand Marnier, agave, and fresh-squeezed juices maintain this beach classic’s status as the must-have drink for any beach vacation.”

Make a day – or night – of it

Chiringo is more than just a beach-view eatery or local watering hole; it’s a gathering place for entertainment, too. Toney calls the vibe there “Gulf views and good times.” 

They maintain an astroturf green space out front where you can lounge in the sunshine or gaze at the stars. Catch the big game on eight high-def TVs, sing your heart out during weekly karaoke nights, rent paddle boards and beach chairs, groove along to live musicians or play some games. Earlier this year, Chiringo hosted its very own Winter Olympics, featuring a different contest each week, like cornhole, Jenga and Twister.

Nestled in the heart of Grayton Beach, just 2.5 miles west of historic Seaside and a short walk from the beach, Chiringo is located at 63 Hotz Ave. The kitchen is serving the full menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, but the party continues with bar menu service until midnight. They do not take reservations but can make arrangements for parties of 10 or more. Visit them online at chiringograyton.com or call 850-534-4449.