As a long-time Gulf Coast family favorite, DeSoto’s is well-known for their friendly service, great management and amazing food. Conveniently located two blocks from Gulf Shores Public Beach, locals and visitors alike dine for lunch and dinner throughout the year here. It is also not uncommon for some loyal customers to drive hours for their favorite lunch and make the drive back home within the same day! Here are just a handful of reasons this locally owned restaurant has such a loyal following.
The Famous Bread Basket
Many restaurants offer bread as a starter so what makes this basket so special? The basket is full of freshly baked pumpernickel and honey wheat rolls served with a side of honey butter. There are many people who go to DeSoto’s specifically for their homemade bread rolls. This basket definitely sets the expectations high as a starter for your main course!
Pecan Encrusted Style
Locals and visitors rave over DeSoto’s house pecan encrusted options! You can order flounder, grouper and other fresh catches of the day to be prepared with this technique. Why is it special? It is dipped in crushed pecan flour, flash fried then topped off with a Bearnaise sauce. Yumm-y!
Coconut Shrimp
Shrimp lovers flock to DeSoto’s because you can order it any way imaginable. Whether you like it fried, grilled or added to a salad, they have it on the menu. A local and visitor favorite is their coconut shrimp! Served with your choice of two sides, this coastal favorite is dipped in beer batter, rolled in coconut flakes, flash fried and served to look like something out of a magazine. Almost too pretty to eat…almost. To top it off, they add a house specialty sauce that makes it that much more unforgettable!
Land Lovers Fare
Yes, they are a seafood restaurant but the menu includes a special “Land Lovers Fare” section on the menu for those craving something else! With choices like bacon cheeseburgers, Jamaica-jerk chicken made with island spices, fried chicken tenders, pastas and Hawaiian ribeye alongside many others, you’re sure to find something for even the pickiest eaters at your table!
Homemade Sides
No meal is complete without the sides and DeSoto’s knows how to make you feel at home! Their homemade side choices include options like mac + cheese, au gratin potatoes, fresh fried okra, sweet potato casserole, steamed veggies, corn fritters and a lot more! Some say they’ll order double the side dishes with their seafood platters because they just can’t get enough. We love this idea!
Lighter Lunch Choices & Home-Style Specials
Locals go to DeSoto’s on their lunch breaks and many visitors like to take a break from the beach for lunch. Along with the many fulfilling entrée options comes the lighter side of the menu, which includes a long list of salads, sandwiches, appetizer favorites and your choice of oysters on the half-shell by half or full pound! Did we mention the Home-Style Lunch Specials? They offer a variety of options that are so tasty and budget friendly. Plus they come with the sides mentioned above and the bread basket. (oh the melt in your mouth sweet potato casserole and bread basket . . .)
We’re thinking early lunch and then return for a full platter from the dinner menu sounds like a great plan.
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