Restaurant Roundup: New on the Scene
By Michelle Farnham
April 9, 2023
SOUTH WALTON – The South Walton dining scene, dubbed “America’s Next Great Culinary Destination,” has seen tremendous growth over the past year. Never before have visitors and locals alike had so many options to wine and dine here along the Emerald Coast. Let’s take a look at some of the new kids on the block.
Hunter’s Chicken & Burgers
Longtime fans of the former Baytowne Wharf eatery Hartell’s Diner will be happy to see it re-imagined as Hunter’s Chicken & Burgers. Home to the famous Krispy Krunchy Chicken (exclusive to this area), this diner recently opened its doors at The Market Shops at the South entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Hunter’s bills itself as “A modern take on old-fashioned diners,” with all the classics: onion rings, shoestring fries (with or without gravy), hand-pressed burgers, fried chicken, and even seafood. The kids menu offers mac and cheese, mini corn dogs, and grilled cheese, too. Grab a salad, soda, beer, or wine, and don’t forget take-out options for those beach picnics! Barn Boxes with bone-in chicken are to-go only, available as an 8-piece or 16-piece.
Hunter’s Chicken & Burgers is located at 9375 Emerald Coast Parkway W, Miramar Beach. Reach them at 850-654-9453 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HuntersDiner/. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Grace Pizza and Shakes 30A
With two locations in Texas, Grace Pizza and Shakes recently expanded to the 30A market, offering coal-fired pizzas and over-the-top milkshakes.
Whether you’re looking to dine-in or get your meal to go, Grace offers a selection of starters (spinach dip, meatballs or the famous “Illegal Cheese Bread,” to name a few), 12-inch pizzas, salads, hot sandwiches and draft beer.
Create your own pizza or pick one of 14 specialty combinations, like the spicy Heat Wave with its selection of zesty Italian meats and local hot honey, the La Grande Vita with Wagyu meatballs and ricotta cheese, or the gluten-free Ashlyn’s Art on cauliflower crust and roasted vegetables.
For something sweet, the What’s Shakin’ menu includes such monster treats as the 30A Cake Explosion milkshake (served with a slice of cake and a sparkler) or Kane’s Cookie Shake, topped with an entire cookie sandwich. Classic vanilla and chocolate shakes are available, too.
Grace Pizza and Shakes 30A is at 38 Clayton Lane in the Grayton Beach area of Santa Rosa Beach. Visit them online at gracepizzaandshakes.com or call 850-399-4051.
Canopy Road Cafe
New to the 30Avenue complex in Inlet Beach, Canopy Road Cafe added another brunch spot to the East End.
In additional to seasonal specials, Canopy’s menu includes healthy eats and morning toasts, like the Italian Avocado Toast; house favorites include country fried steak and eggs; Benedicts served with potatoes or grits; handhelds and sandwiches like the breakfast quesadilla; and entire menus of pancakes, waffles, French toast and omelets.
Breakfast skillets are fried up with your choice of ingredients, like the Roger with its corned beef hash and grilled peppers; or an 8-ounce black Angus burger, including the Black N’ Bleu Burger, served blackened with caramelized onions, grilled mushrooms and bacon.
Open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, visit them at 12805 U.S. Highway 98E, Inlet Beach, or order online at www.canopyroadcafe.com. Phone is 850-909-0104.
Outcast Seafood
Outcast Seafood and its motley crew opened its doors near the outlet mall last year, serving up seafood at market price. A second location, Outcast Bar & Grill, just opened in Santa Rosa Beach.
“The Outcast” meal is your choice of shrimp (head on or head off) or snow crab legs prepared in their signature seafood boil spice blend – either “Hot” or “Not.” You can add sausage, corn, portobellos or a potato to make the seafood boil of your dreams – bibs and gloves recommended!
The “Others” menu includes such treats as catfish bites, double Old Bay wings or their signature slow-cooked red beans and rice. Sip on beers, wine or soft drinks, and don’t miss the happy hour food and beverage deals from 1 to 4 p.m. daily.
Outcast Seafood’s flagship location is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner at 10859 Emerald Coast Parkway, Suite 404, in Miramar Beach (phone 850-424-7214), with a second location, Outcast Bar & Grill, at 4942 US Highway 98W in Santa Rosa Beach. Visit them online at www.outcastseafood.com.