Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
INDIAN PASS RAW BAR
On a desolate stretch of 30A just outside Port St Joe, this old wooden building might look
like an abandoned general store. But look a little closer, and you'll see pickup trucks
parked two deep in the back lot, and note the twang of guitar music coming from the
Pass Rd; mains $10-17; noon-9pm Tue-Sat), a family tradition serving the area for over 100
years and one of the true classics of old Florida Gulf culture. Inside, grab a beer from the
cooler (on the honor system) and take a seat at a share table, if you can find a spot. The
menu, posted above the bar, is simple: oysters three ways (raw, steamed or baked with
Parmesan cheese), crab legs and a handful of shrimp dishes. Please, get the oysters -
even if you think you don't like the salty bivalves, you'll be surprised at the sweetness of
these guys, drawn just this morning from the waters of nearby Apalachicola. Stay for a
slice of Key lime pie and impromptu line dancing on the porch. If you're lucky, Jimmy will
be firing up the drum grill out front with his specialty drunken chicken.
Apalachicola
Slow, mellow and delightfully preserved, Apalachicola is one of the gulf's most appealing
villages and a key Panhandle destination, with a sultry Southern vibe and plenty of excel-
lent accommodation and dining options.
Perched on the edge of a broad bay, the oak-shaded town combines an old-fashioned
fishing-based economy with a new wave of bistros, art galleries, eclectic boutiques, and
B&Bs in renovated old mansions: it's hugely popular as a romantic weekend getaway -
stroll through the Historic District at sunset and you'll understand why.
Don't even think of leaving without trying one of the area's famous oysters - Apalachic-
ola Bay is one of the best known producers. Essentially, the oysters are all the same, but
half the fun is finding out which of the myriad local restaurants serve them freshest or
have the most original and delicious seasonings. (We gave it our all researching it for you.)
Sights
