The next stop in our Waterfront Dining series is the U.S. Gulf Coast, so you know the menus are heavy with seafood, a smattering of gumbos, and some real ‘Southern specialties.’ Time to get your Monterey prepped, assemble a fun crew, and build up your appetite – you’re in for a great time!

ALABAMA

The Alabama Gulf Coast has some of the freshest seafood in the world. After a day of boating, you will crave a visit to one of their waterfront restaurants, many offering ample portions of the best fish, shrimp, crab and oysters the Gulf of Mexico has to offer. The Perdido Bay-Orange Beach and the Gulf Shores areas are just two that are approachable by water, with boat slips available. Get ready for dishes such as red beans and rice, grilled triggerfish, broiled scallops, corn and crab bisque, smoked Gouda grits, stuffed flounder, Island conch fritters, coconut rum creme brulee, and lots of music with your crab claw dinner and oyster shooters. Check out the extensive selection here:  www.gulfshoreslocal.com/restaurants/seafood or here: gulfscapes.com/magazine/food%E2%80%A2recipes/delicious-dining/alabama-restaurants/.

MISSISSIPPI

Check out Gulfport – by boat and/or car. Search for the crawfish and pickles appetizer, eggplant Napoleon ( a tower of eggplant topped off with seafood), shrimp & crabmeat au gratin, charbroiled oysters, great sushi and fish tacos, shrimp and grits, baked oysters, or a spicy Bloody Mary, poured on top of an oyster with cocktail sauce and a dash of hot sauce. Discover Mississippi restaurants here:  http://gulfscapes.com/magazine/food%E2%80%A2recipes/delicious-dining/mississippi-restaurants/.

LOUISIANA

New Orleans just makes everything sound spicier! Jambalaya, crawfish pie, Spice Special Po-Boy, Boudin Balls and Crawfish Pistolette, Chirashi and Chilean Sea Bass, Big Tuna Roll, Shrimp Rémoulade, seafood salad with blue crab, Louisiana shrimp and avocado, and legendary Mac and cheese that comes with red gravy, which in New Orleans means tomato sauce. Ever try a New Orleans Hurricane? The famous tall, sweet and potent drink was created at Pat O’Brien’s in the French Quarter and is “one of the quintessential moments in every person’s life.” Begin your adventure here: http://gulfscapes.com/magazine/food%E2%80%A2recipes/delicious-dining/louisiana-restaurants/.

TEXAS

In Port Aransas, you’ll find flounder stuffed with crab, vegetarian pastas, lobster enchiladas and coconut shrimp, grilled Mahi-Mahi, cool ceviche, great gumbo, Oysters Rockefeller, peanut butter shrimp and pecan waffles, as well as upscale Latin, Mediterranean and Asian styled cuisine in a bistro setting. Peruse your choices here: http://gulfscapes.com/magazine/food%E2%80%A2recipes/delicious-dining/mississippi-restaurants/.

The Kemah Boardwalk and surrounding area are world renowned for Gulf seafood, so check out Landry’s, Lighthouse Buffet, The Aquarium, The Flying Dutchman, Joe’s Crab Shack, Bayside Grille, or any of their other 30+ dining spots mentioned here: http://www.kemah.net/dining/dining.html.

Many swear that the state’s Seafood Dives are one of the best reasons to visit the Texas Gulf Coast. Explore them here:  http://gulfscapes.com/magazine/2012/01/14/seafood-dives-texas-gulf-coast/.

On the Gulf Coast as with most others, food always tastes better served outdoors, or with a fantastic view, and getting there is half the fun. So explore and enjoy!