FLORIDA’S FORGOTTON COAST: LIFE ON THE APALACHICOLA BAY
WORKING THE BAY
Melaine Cooper Covell
James Hicks
Monette Hicks
Monica Lemieux
Carl McCaplan
James & Betty McNeill
Charles & Rex Pennycuff
A. L. Quick
Henry Tindell

TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Wes Birdsong
Corky Richards
Bobby Shiver
Charles Thompson
Genaro “Jiggs” Zingarelli

PROCESSING THE CATCH
Terry Dean
Grady Leavins
Lynn Martina
Fred Millender
Janice Richards
Anthony Taranto
Tommy Ward

THE SWEET SIDE
Donald Smiley
George Watkins

VINTAGE APALACH
Seafood & Honey

WHERE TO EAT
Apalach Eateries

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Interviews & photographs by Amy Evans

This project sponsored by the St. Joe Company.

Avenue Sea at The Gibson Inn
Chefs David and Ryanne Carrier have brought innovative contemporary American cuisine to small-town Apalachicola. Located inside the historic Gibson Inn.
51 Avenue C, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-2191 
www.gibsoninn.com

Apalachicola Seafood Grill
Since 1903. Located under the only traffic signal in downtown Apalachicola. Serving a perfect fried grouper sandwich.
100 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-9510

Bay City Lodge
They call themselves “Florida’s last fishing frontier.” Part fish camp, part motel, part restaurant – the latter serving simply prepared and impeccably fresh seafood.
Drive north on 12th St to Bay City Rd., Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-9294
www.baycitylodge.com

Boss Oyster
A great little joint dishing Apalachicola Bay oysters, gussied up 17 different ways. Hopping bar scene, too.
123 Water Street, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-9364
www.apalachicolariverinn.com/dining.html

Dolores’ Sweet Shoppe
Open for breakfast and lunch, this is where locals get their fill of homemade goodness. Don’t miss the desserts. Weekdays only.
29 Avenue E, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-9081

Indian Pass Raw Bar
The oysters you eat here today slept in the bay last night. Served baked, gratineed, or nude. Never fried. Cold beer. (Call ahead; undergoing renovations at press time.)
16 miles west of Apalachicola on C-30A. at Indian Pass Rd., (850) 227-1670
www.indianpassrawbar.com
*Read the Indian Pass Raw Bar interview here.

Magnolia Grill
Butter pecan snapper. Dolphin with artichokes. Oak grilled steaks and seafood. And a good wine list. 
99 11th Street, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-8000
www.chefeddiesmagnoliagrill.com

Owl Café
Apalach oysters dunked in cream, breaded with the crumbs from house-baked Italian bread, and fried to a turn. Great bar, the Night Owl, upstairs.
15 Avenue D, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-9888

Papa Joe's Oyster Bar
A cinderblock time-warp offering waterfront dining on the Apalachicola River. Full oyster bar. Great fried fish and shrimp.
301- B Market Street, Scipio Creek Marina, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-1189
*Read oyster opener James Hicks’ interview here.

Red Top Café
Dig into country cooking of the casserole sort or a behemoth of a breakfast.
238 US Hwy 98, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-8612

Tamara's Cafe Floridita
Florida food by way of Venezuela. Great tapas. Wonderful oyster stew. Pan-fried bay snapper in a ginger sauce.
17 Avenue E, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-4111
www.tamarascafe.com

Vernada’s
Thai touches in Apalach. Sautéed grouper with shrimp in a spicy red pepper sauce. Wine bar with large selection of vino by the glass and premium beers. Retail wine by the bottle.
76 Market St, upstairs River Mark Building, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-3210 

The Wheelhouse Oyster Bar
On the Scipio Creek waterfront. A great get-away, hanging onto the dockside for dear life. Oysters on the half-shell. Smoked mullet and saltines. Cold beer.
317 Water Street, Apalachicola, FL (850) 653-8860
www.b9marine.com
*Read owner Melanie Cooper Covell’s interview here.