Where Locals Go in Navarre, Florida

Navarre, Florida

We decided on a local restaurant for lunch - Johnny Huston’s Grille and Bar. It is a cute place - lots of traffic and advertising signs on the walls and a TV screen everywhere you turned. If you like to watch sports during lunch, this is a great option. Their claim to fame is the best hamburger in North Florida. And it was pretty good. We chose the standard, though they had quite a few specialty burgers including a "50-50" made up of hamburger and pulled pork. Every burger comes with fried pickles and spicy dressing on the side for dipping fries. I asked the waitress about the "secret sauce" and she told me it was jalapeno ranch dressing with ketchup. Secret no more, but it was very tasty on the fries.

For breakfast, we found another local place named Alphy's. Just a few minutes drive from the RV Park, Alphy's is actually a well-known local catfish restaurant, but they have a solid local following for breakfast too. Plan on a wait - it is a decent-sized dining room, but very popular. The staff is friendly and the food is good. Breakfast standards like buttermilk pancakes, eggs, and grits are all done simply and perfect with a cup of strong coffee. The decor is fishing and marine items, including fishnets, hung on the walls and doorways. A large carved Catfish hangs in the lobby as does a mounted fish - in case you didn't "catch" their main claim to fame (pun intended!).

Pensacola Beach, FL

We also tried Peg Leg Pete's in Pensacola Beach. It is a very large restaurant that is frequented by locals and tourists alike. A bit kitschy in decor but the food is good and the service friendly. I had the scallops and Jim had the grouper - both excellent and simply prepared. They also have an outdoor dining area that is heated, a gift shop (pirate tee shirt anyone?), and a well-stocked bar.