I’ll Have a Dozen Raw, Please…
We’re so lucky on the Alabama Gulf Coast to have a fresh, local supply of seafood. Purists know there’s nothing quite like a raw oyster. From the Gulf to your plate, it doesn’t get much fresher than that. At many restaurants on the Gulf Coast, you can watch your oysters shucked at the bar and promptly delivered to your table. Whether you top it with hot sauce, cocktail sauce, horseradish, put it on a cracker, or squirt it with lemon, you simply can’t go wrong enjoying a plate of fresh, raw oysters straight out of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores
Here’s a list of a few of our favorite joints who serve up these succulent bivalves in the nude:
- The Crab Trap Seafood & Oyster Bar
- Flipper’s Seafood & Oyster Bar at Bear Point Marina
- Sea-n-Suds Restaurant & Oyster Bar
- Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
- CoastAL
- Cobalt The Restaurant
- Pink Pony Pub
- Sassy Bass Caribbean Grill
- The Gulf (seasonal)
- DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen
- The Original Oyster House
Everything’s Better with Butter
Of course, raw oysters aren’t everyone’s thing. And although we think you’re missing out, we’re ok with it because that just means more for us! But seriously,we don’t judge you for it because truthfully, cooked oysters are just as delicious.
Here are a few of our faves:
Oysters Earle at Fisher’s Upstairs – Orange Beach
Bon Secour Oysters, Garlic Leek Butter
Chargrilled Oysters at the The Flora-Bama Yacht Club – Perdido Key
Topped with Romano, Parmesan, & Garlic Butter
Oyster Rockefeller Soup at Acme Oyster House – Gulf Shores
Oysters, Spinach, Parmesan Cheese, and a hint of Herbsaint
Wood Fired Sampler at Villagio Grill – Orange Beach
Oysters served with Garlic & Butter, Proscuitto Rockefeller, Gorgonzola & Shallot, and Fontina & Jalapeno
Fried Oyster Platter at CoastAL – Gulf Shores
Cornmeal dusted plump gulf oysters with fries, hush puppies and slaw.
Surfin’ Oysters at Shipp’s Harbour Grill – Orange Beach
Editor's Note: Shipp's Harbour Grill has closed since the publication of this article)
Fried Oysters, Roasted Poblano, Brie Cheese, & Pepper Glaze
If you’ve got a craving for some happiness on the halfshell, head to one of these local spots immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 – if you’re lucky, you’ll find a pearl and won’t need the cash anyway. Not into oysters but still want some of the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico? We think you’re missing out (but more for us), don't worry -- we've got plenty of other seafood on our menus!