PCB

It's that time of year again....the Annual Girl's Trip. We are staying at the Majestic Towers in PCB. We haven't been to this area for about 10 years, so need advice on good places to eat, drink and shop. I've done some research and have a list of eating places, but always like to get opinions of ones who go there regularly. We like nice places, bar food, beach bars....doesn't matter. I know about the shopping at Pier Park, but is there an outlet mall close? Also, we want to do a spa, so suggestions on the ones in the area would be great.

Your names are so close to ours, we are Gary and Sue! We just got back from there this past Friday but we stayed at the Wyndham. We really liked the Saltwater Grill. Good food, good service, and not far from the resort. We also ate at Sharkey's which is beach front. The food is so-so, but it was within walking distance to our resort which is great if you are drinking. The best part about this bar/restaurant is the view, watching the sun set was beautiful. Have a safe trip and I am jealous. I want to go back. Sue

I know of at least 6 different areas that are referred to as "PCB". You may get more responses if you can be more specific. People are dying to help you, but don't know what you are talking about.

So sorry, the only PCB I know of in Florida is Panama City Beach.

Thanks susgar for your response. Saltwater Grill was on my list, so we will definately try it.

Just got back from PCB. Top places in order of must eat IMO.

1. Firefly. Before 7 PM 2 can dine for $39 with 2 appetizers (which both must be the She crab soup which is the best soup I have ever eaten in my life!). 2 main courses, and 2 desserts. Nicest place in PCB. The only Golden Spoon award winner on the panhandle. Pres Obama ate here. Trust me, you must eat here too! Everything is fantastic and this is as close to a 5 star dining experience as you will find in this area. The service, the atmosphere, the food, all are perfection. Go on Wednesdays and enloy live music by a man that plays saxophone and clarinet. It is a soothing relaxing dining experience.

2. Hunts Oyster Bar across the bay in PC, not PCB. It is a dive and it is wonderful. Ate here 2 times this week. This place is the opposite of Fireflyand I love them both. The raw oysters are only $4.99 a dozen and the steamed oyesters wit jalapeno and cheese are fantastic. My wife has never eaten a raw oyster in her life, or a fried oyster on purpose, but she loves the steamed oysters with Jalapeno and cheese. She also had the best grouper sandwich she has possibly ever had here at hunts this week. In addition they have great fried/bolied shrimp, sauteed crab claws, king crab legs, etc, etc, etc. everything is great and the prices are cheap. There will be a line, but it is worth the wait. This is a must eat during a PCB visit!

3. Salt Water grill. Great food and specials for $14.95 brfor 5:30. You must try the firecraker shrimp appetizers. I could make a meal off of them. This place has a huge salt water aquarium full of fish to watch as you dine. Great place.

4. For lunch with a view Schooners can't be beat. The food is very good.

5. Boatyard was a great meal we enjoyed this trip for our first time. Another couple wanted to go there and we all had great seafood. The have a fantastic key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate for dessert. If you are too full get it to go, but get it.

6.Pineapple Willies is a second to Schooners for lunch with a view.

7. Captain Andersons has been around forever and we never had a bad meal there. If you have never eaten here you need to eat here at least once. We used to eat here every trip until we found Firefly, hunts, and Salt water Grill. Now we haven't eaten here in several years, not because we don't like it, but because we like the other places better.

8. Salty Sues has really good food ranging from wings to seafood. I eat here when I am staying at the Landmark because it is good and I can walk to it.

9. Sweet Racks is highly rated so we tried it this trip. The owners are super nice and the food is good but we like spicy BBque and they have a sweet honey or maple syrup based sauce. Most people love this place, we just liked it OK and will not place it on our must eat list. If you like sweet things or want to try something different try their ribs, pork, and/or chicken. Most people love it and you might too.

Other place we like and go on occasion are Dustys, J Michaels Dockside grill, Hammerhead Freds, and Boars Head Rest and Tavern.

Sharky's has pretty good food but a great lunch view. When staying at the Wyndham we eat here at least once to eat out without having to drive. Not as good as Schooners or Pineapple Willies IMO, but still a good meal.

I hated Shuckums and will never go there again. I also did not like Captain Jack's buffet and advise to avoid this too.

At night many places have bands (Schooners, Sharkys, Spinnakers, etc, etc,etc). Not much help on this as I am in my room after I eat and we often eat the early bird specials for the bargain prices. In my younger days I would stay out all night, now I can't stand the loud music you have to yell over to have a conversation. Maybe others can offer insight on nightlife in PCB.

Pier Park has a lot of shopping which I love as much as loud music. About 40 miles away in Destin is an outlet mall which I also avoid whenever I can. There is a very nice but very expensive spa in Destin at the Sandestin Hilton. Not a fan of spas either but this one is supposed to be top notch.

Have fun.

Thanks for asking what PCB stood for Seasix....I did not know either.

tombo....thanks for your reponse, I was hoping you would respond as I enjoy reading your opinions....however, it was too late , we returned yesterday and I just now got online. But, to let you know, we did go to Hunt's Oyster Bar...loved it. We also went to Pineapple Willie's, Hammerhead Fred's, Sharkey's, Shuckem's, Boatyard and Angelo's Steak Pit. Loved them all, although we probably would skip Sharkey's and Shuckem's the next time. We usually don't do steak places, as when in Florida we love to do the seafood route, BUT Angelo's was a very nice surprise. I had THE BEST filet and jumbo shrimp there, could not have asked for better. We have one in our group that is not a seafood lover, so went there to appease her and we were all very glad that we did. Too many places to try, so didn't make it to Firefly or Saltwater Grill, will do these next trip. Tried Schooner's one evening, but they were having their Lobster Festival and no where to park within 2 miles and the wait to eat was 2 hours....

Made it to Pier Park one afternoon...typical outdoor mall, although very nice and if spending the whole day, there were several good joices for lunch. We did go to Destin to the outlet mall, I can understand a guy not finding that to their pleasure, but we loved it.

We can't wait to go back!!

Next time you are in that area check out Seaside Florida. They have a very nice spa there. The town is amazingly weird but cool and fun. It was the town used in the movie "the Truman show". Cute shops, galleries.

GeraldineT...I guess I forgot to mention that, we did take a drive and ended up in Seaside. I had been there about 12 years ago and wanted the other girls to experience it. Lovely, quaint town and you are right, many nice shops. Rosemary Beach was also lovely, although we just drove through and did not stop there.