Vacations are expensive, and the bill you receive after a long one can make your head spin. Gas or air fare, rental cars or taxis, souvenirs, accommodations, activities. The list goes on and on. Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is buy everyone in your crew a meal that ends with a bill the size of your mortgage payment.
On the Alabama Gulf Coast, that’s not a problem. While we have our fair share of fine dining experiences, we’re also home to restaurants that’ll make your wallet happy. Does budget-friendly mean you have to sacrifice good service, fabulous flavors, and (perhaps most importantly) delicious cocktails? It most certainly does not. Which is why we’ve created this "Cheaper By The Dozen" list — 12 of our favorite dishes for $12 or less.
$4 Cinnamon Roll from BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets
Order yours simply done with a cream cheese glaze or go all out and get the candied bacon and caramel glaze. We're not even going to pretend like we're not tempted to get one of each.
$3.85 Beignets at Café Beignets
French donuts served piping hot and delicately topped with Confectioner’s sugar. Pillows of heaven for breakfast? Don’t mind if we do.
$7 L.A. (Lower Alabama, of course) Caviar at LuLu’s
A black-eyed pea mixture with tomatoes, peppers, and onions in balsamic vinaigrette. The other LA has nothin’ on our caviar.
$9 Parmesan Truffle Fries at Picnic Beach
You've never truly experienced happiness until you've tried these truffle fries. Golden fries tossed in deliciousness... I mean, truffle oil and parmesan. Topped with their signature white BBQ sauce, bacon crumbles, and scallions.
$8.99 Kitty's Kristo Sandwich at Kitty’s Kafe
Don't forget breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day, yknow. And if you're craving something sweet and savory, look no further than Kitty's Kafee. The Kristo Sandwich is a hearty serving of egg and cheese on french toast. Add meat and you've got everything you need in one convenient sandwich.
$7.50 S.O.B. Sandwich at Down South BBQ
You're probably wondering what that stands for. It's slaw, onion, BBQ. This is true Southern BBQ — we won't be surprised if you return once or twice during your vacation.
$9.75 Oyster Sandwich at Sea-n-Suds
Fried oysters served up with mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a view so close to the Gulf, the fish are a little jealous.
$8.99 Lunch Specials at Tuscany Pizza and Grill
Any day is a great day for a nice bowl of pasta or a Tuscan Sandwich. What will be your special of choice?
$11.50 Homestyle Lunch Specials at DeSoto's Seafood
Seafood perfection or homestyle country cookin' at this price? And with two sides? Sign us up.
$9 Whisker Nuggets Luna’s Eat & Drink
Don't let the interesting name catch you off guard. These little nuggets of goodness are catfish dusted in cornmeal and fried, served with their signature comeback sauce. Have them as an appetizer of an entry. Either way, it's finger lickin' good.
$10.99 Fried Fish Po-Boy at Bahama Bob's Beach Side Cafe
Fresh, fried fish on New Orleans-style French bread served with a Gulf view and fries, just the way we like it.
$8.99 Bowl of Seafood Gumbo at Acme Oyster House
This restaurant is originally from New Orleans, so when you order the gumbo, you know it's going to be good. Fresh shrimp and crab gumbo served with rice. Why not get two bowls while you're at it? We understand.