flagler beach, florida: flagler fish company
While the kids played in the sand and surf at the beach on our recent vacation, I sat in my flimsy little $12 beach chair with my Kindle
And I started craving shrimp. Imagine that. Luckily, the eastern coast of Florida is a happening spot for seafood restaurants, like the one I wrote about earlier in the week. Some friends had mentioned that we should try the Flagler Fish Company in Flagler Beach, just a 15 minute drive or so from our beach condo. I am so glad that we did. It was such a great place that we actually went back a second time the very next night.
Flagler Fish Company is a combination fish market and restaurant. We were there on a Friday and Saturday night, and it was understandably crowded. The wait was a bit longer on Saturday than Friday, but the young guy in charge of seating guests was fabulous and brought us out some drinks for the kids — and a lovely glass of wine for me and beer for my husband. The drinks, along with some delicious clam dip, made the 30 minute wait much more bearable.
The restaurant offers to cook anything that’s in their display cases, and there was a lot of fresh fish to choose from. The prices are very similar to those that we find in our local fish market. Of course, that’s not terribly surprising since we live less than two hours from the beach.
I know I’ve said this before, but I am a huge fan of grits. And shrimp and grits? Well, now you’re talking. On the menu at Flagler Fish Company, the shrimp and grits is called “redneck scampi.” And, oh my. This was one incredible dish. The grits were nothing fancy – Quaker (I asked) – but they were creamy and had bits of corn and tomatoes blended in. The shrimp were perfectly sauteed.
The second night I ordered one of the other items that caught my eye on their menu – the fish tacos. At $5 each, I ordered one of the “North Side” tacos and one of the “Red Light” tacos. The North Side was filled with tomato, avocado, shredded cabbage, and a spicy chipotle salsa. And, it was indeed spicy. I was thankful for my glass of water. The Red Light taco was milder, with a similar filling but with a mild salsa verde and sour cream instead of the spicy chipotle salsa. The fish was cooked just right in both tacos. And, of course, I ordered a side of grits. Because – have I mentioned this? – I love grits.
We’ve officially added Flagler Fish Company to our Favorite Places To Eat At The Beach list. Hmm….it might be time to plan another beach vacation…
You are making my mouth water with all these wonderful pictures. *drool*
I’m waiting for Jennifer Perillo’s ricotta to finish draining so I can have it for breakfast. In the meantime, I now want fish tacos. Or shrimp & grits. Great travelogue, MJ!
Wow! We’re blessed with a lot of great places to eat seafood in Seattle, but I don’t think we have anything like Flager Fish Company. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
YUM! I really need to try to make that–love shrimp, love grits, combo sounds like heaven! I am also a huge fan of fish tacos after thinking they were gross for far too many years. I finally tried them once and was hooked. Pretty popular out here on the west coast.
Florida really does have wonderful seafood… My folks spend their winters on the West Coast and when we go down to visit I always look forward to it!
Your vacation stories have me yearning to visit the Southeast coast; I’ve not missed NC and SC quite as much til I’ve followed them. I recall so fondly the shrimp fisherman who would cook up a big bunch of their catch on the dock and offer them to anyone nearby, the low country restaurants with all of the latest catch and yes, the grits.
We moved from a suburb of St Louis to NC and though our household goods were moved, we drove our cars and pets and it was a rainy, stressful and exhausting trip.
Our first warm breakfast in three days was just in a Holiday Inn, but I’ll never forget wondering, “What are these?” and these were grits. Reminded me a bit of cream of wheat but I came to love them too; good thing, I do believe they were served on the side of every breakfast I ever ate out; whether ordered or not; it was a staple like toast.
And now I’m craving the beach, the shrimp and the grits! Lovely memories, thanks.
This place looks incredible! I can’t get enough fresh fish, and their variety is just remarkable.
I absolutely love St Augustine area, and the resturants are fabulous, your foods are making me want to drive there now love that area…not too far here in Melbourne~ Need to take a road trip to this wonderful resturant!
I grew up in Flagler and being such a small town was so happy to see a post on it! I have yet to try Flagler Fish Co but have heard great things. My parent’s have a pizza place within walking distance from there…will have to bring home some seafood with me next time I visit! 🙂
Great post! Found it on Foodbuzz!
I am a very big fan of Flagler Beach. Love visiting from Sarasota every chance I get. I shoot marketing and travel videos for myself and business websites all over Florida. And Flagler Pier will be featured in my next video very soon. Just an excellent blog with lots of great photos of the food. I will definitely be stopping at Flagler Fish Company for the shrimp and grits on my next visit. The food looks fantastic. All the best.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’ve never eaten there, and I live 10 minutes away..was just at Flagler Beach today! Will have to give it a try sometime..