Kenny Griner

May 5, 2022

Grayton Seafood Company: That neighborhood gathering spot

By Laura Holloway
May 4, 2022

GRAYTON BEACH – Grayton Beach has a special place in the hearts of many. This funky, eclectic neighborhood in the middle of 30A has retained its simple beach town way of life. Feet are sandy, bicycles have baskets, and seafood should be fresh and fried. This beloved part of 30A feels perhaps more local than any other, and that notion inspires unique shops and restaurants within its community. And if Grayton Beach was its own town, Grayton Seafood Company could very well be the mayor, offering a friendly, inviting place to gather, and retaining the old 30A feel that so many come here to experience.

Described as a “neighborhood gathering spot,” Grayton Seafood Company offers the best aspects of 30A: simplicity, flavor, and casual tones. It’s the cold-beer-fried-shrimp-basket-fisherman-tales kind of place that you’ve been hoping for, and located in Uptown Grayton Beach, it’s just down the road from all of your favorite 30A neighborhoods.

“Grayt Food and Tall Tales?” Yes, please. But it’s more than a sign on the wall. It’s the kind of down-the-street place you love to stop in after work, or meet friends on the weekends, or bring your family on vacation. A place that feels as good as it tastes, that wraps its arms around your appetite and makes it stay for a while.

Grayton crab cakes — Crab cakes are a menu staple.

A deep dive in the menu

Owner Tabitha Miller (who co-owns alongside Kenny Griner) describes it as a “friendly, under-the-radar locals spot,” one that brings people together in the name of good food. Miller said, “[There are] no strangers here. Not everyone who comes in is a local, but everyone is a local when they leave.”

And who wouldn’t want to be a local here? The Seafood Gumbo – the very first item on the menu for a reason – is competitive with gumbos cooked in native Cajun kitchens. Miller said the best compliment she’s ever paid is “when Louisiana folks say our gumbo is the best they have ever had.” Tack on a few other delicious starters, like Smoked Tuna Dip, Fried Green Tomatoes (with shrimp remoulade), and a pound of Blue Crab Claws (sautéed in white wine garlic, and butter sauce), and you may not even need to venture further into the menu. But you should, given the savory entrée choices, such as Pan Seared Blue Crab Cakes over garlic mash with sautéed vegetables and lemon butter cream sauce, the Creole Linguine Alfredo (made with sautéed shrimp, crawfish, bell peppers and onions in made-to-order Alfredo sauce), or the 16-ounce ribeye, served with garlic mash and the vegetable of the day (dress your steak up further with a row of blackened shrimp.)

“Little Skippers” are not forgotten, with a robust kids menu that goes beyond traditional kiddie choices to include catfish and shrimp, along with the ever-popular chicken tenders, burger, or kids pasta. If you can, save room for New Orleans Praline Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce, or the Cheesecake of the Day.

Grayton Seafood Company features outdoor seating options (bring your dog!), and live music and brunch during season. Hours may vary, and current menu offerings and reservations request information can be found by visiting www.graytonseafood.com or calling 850-714-2155.

May 23, 2021

Grayton Seafood Co.: Local loyalty is no tall tale.

Blog, Home Page Blog

May 23, 2021
By Sarah Murphy Robertson

GRAYTON BEACH – When reading about a restaurant established in the fall of 2015, you might not expect extreme customer and community loyalty and a well-cultivated, committed staff culture. But in five short years, owner Kenny Griner has created exactly that at Grayton Seafood Co.

Griner spent 25 years in the restaurant business in Pensacola and could set his watch to his customers. So transitioning to our resort economy on 30A was a leap of faith. “My goal from the very start was not to be the biggest, but to be everyone’s favorite,” he shared. Kenny is quick to credit many factors in their success including his partner, Tabitha Miller. “She’s taken to this business like a duck to water and I credit a tremendous amount to her – especially over this last year,” he emphasized.

The rest of the team is, in Griner’s words, “the best staff on 30-A.” The entire group takes pride in a job well done and Griner and Miller want them to learn and grow in their roles. Often appreciative guests will ask to come back and thank the kitchen for their meal. “I can’t tell you how much satisfaction they get after working so hard on a dish to hear it was enjoyed, Griner revealed.

Supporting the local economy through trusted long-held relationships with local fishermen and purveyors has also been a big part of running this restaurant. But it goes even deeper than that. Griner firmly enjoys being an ambassador of local species and educating his guests about lesser-know fish.

“I am very proud that customers who only visit 30A a few times a year, come here for the Sheepshead for example,” he mused.

By creating a menu around what is running, they can ensure they offer the freshest and best dishes.

“Every morning I wake up and find out what is available based on the season, the weather, and the regulations,” Griner explained.

Grayton Seafood built down their current menu on customers’ favorites. They center regular offerings around the most popular dishes, but daily specials are well-crafted and often sell out. If you want to hear the favorites of the owner himself, Griner says it changes day-to-day. Sometimes he craves the comforting Creole Linguine Alfredo and sometimes the mood just calls for fresh oysters, ice cold and straight from the half shell.

Griner shares there is nothing romantic about a restaurant business – lots of hard work and prep goes into each service. The loyalty this spot has created comes from the service they provide, but also from the quality of their food and attention to detail. When asked about the prep work involved, Griner commented on the 21-ingredient homemade remoulade. It took him years to perfect their version of this punchy sauce.

“There’s nothing that annoys me more than being served ketchup and mayonnaise as remoulade,” he disclosed.

With all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a restaurant, it is opening time Griner enjoys most. “When I ring the bell I know we have worked hard all day and are more than ready to serve some good food,” he explained.

In a small town you’ll hear a lot about shopping local, loving locals, or sourcing local. But ask any year-round South Walton local, Grayton Seafood Co. is absolutely “Serving Grayt Food” and that is no tall tale.

Grayton Seafood Co. is located at 50 Uptown Grayton Circle, Grayton Beach. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. Reservations only. Text 850-714-2155 to get on the reservation list, or check out www.graytonseafood.com for more information.