Great Southern Cafe: Great Family Dining on 30A

Great Southern Café, located in the luxury vacation town of Seaside, Florida, offers mouthwatering food for the whole family. Seaside Resort is definitely a family vacation hotspot in the panhandle (off HWY 30A) for so many valid reasons. But many of the restaurants in the area are small, seafood niches. That may be great for adults, but convincing a kid to get the salmon is a tough sell. And, there are only so many meals of popcorn shrimp one can take!

Great Southern doesn't just offer a variety for kids, but for adults, too. Though definitely known for their fresh seafood, items such as their salads are hearty and enormous chock full of produce grown locally. And their meat is as good as their seafood! A solid burger can be hard to come by on the coast, but Great Southern does it right offering an organic burger cooked to perfection! There are so many choices all made from crops harvested fresh from local farmers and fisherman. Their menu a very welcome break from a 15 item menu, with more apps than entrees. And that seems to be a common trend on 30A, where a familiar restaurant chain is no where to be found and local joints specializing. So, if you are looking for a variety of fresh, delicious food...this is the pace to go for a seaside meal in the breeze.

The layout of the cafe has great appeal, offering seating both inside and out - in a larger covered porch. There is also an indoor and an outdoor bar, so no one waits for a drink. It's very nice to have a retreat from the sun and eat in the air condition, but some days (or warm nights) a beach guest may be more comfortable outside in their flip flops enjoying the seaside breeze. Whether you are inside or out, the Great Southern Café can accommodate large families or parties (also hard to come by in a smaller joint.)

It's prime location on the town square of Seaside Resort brings constant traffic, but they can support it. A wait time is rare, or short most days and the service is surprisingly fast, for the food they turn out. A menu favorite and a "must have" is the "grits ya-ya," a signature side. It is amazing and has earned it's reputation with locals and revisiting tourists for good reason. Whatever you order, you won't be disappointed and neither will your wallet. Some beachside venues take full advantage of their location in pricing, but Great Southern is comparable in price to what most people expect to pay for a decent dinner. And that, is a retreat worth the trip!

If you are in the area, don't miss the opportunity to check out Seaside, Florida - a great resort...and while your there, hit the Great Southern, Café. For more information and directions, visit thier website at http://www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com/