Alabama · Family Adventures

Shrimp for Breakfast, Giant Burgers, Famous Po’Boys-Bama’s Delicious Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

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An early morning started on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, means the first meal of the day is just around the corner from that beautiful sunrise.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL: Baldwin County (Our First Alabama County)

Think about some of your favorite foods right this second! If you absolutely love seafood, then you have clicked on a blog that is covering the right region. There is no need for any breaks when it comes to this delicate food that I personally adore as well. We knew there would be plenty of this Gulf Coast specialty. Offered three meals a day and it’s what created the tiny tear in my wonderful blue eye as we dove into the menus. Here are some of the best of our family meals in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach while we keep on summering! Don’t think for a moment that the summer ends when the leaves start changing colors up north…..

*We had the great pleasure to be hosted by the awesome folks at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Some of our meals were complimentary and the views expressed are always of our own. Let’s gallivant, Bama!

Ring the Breakfast Bell, Bama!

Orange Beach, Alabama
The Ruby Slipper started the Orange Beach seafood feasting!
Orange Beach, Alabama
This is how you party in the mornings. Shrimp Boogaloo Benedict!

The Ruby Slipper Cafe made history here on The Iowa Gallivant by unloading a great portion of Gulf shrimp over fresh southern biscuits. This is a total Alabama experience in one meal. Along with fresh shrimp and fluffy biscuits, the Boogaloo Benedict is topped with pork Tasso and Creole tomato Coubion. That’s not it! After you cut into the poached eggs you’ll be getting a bite of fried green tomatoes in every bite!

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Time capsule search completed! The Sunliner Diner is a shiny breakfast beacon all day and into the night in Gulf Shores.
Gilf Shores, Alabama
The shrimp filled breakfast quest was in full steam here at the Sunliner. Or full net? Full net ahead! Nah. Full steam ahead!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Those are menus that look like the daily newspaper. I would like to thank the serving staff for pointing that out because I was beyond captivated and is still the most reading I’ve done in years. Probably not a good thing to admit if you’re a travel writer.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Never wonder when your coffee is coming in hot. They constantly keep it refilled.
Sunliner
The Southern theme continues. Fried chicken with those runny eggs, baby!

Sunliner Diner goes back decades with their decor, concept, and stick to your Alabama ribs breakfasts. We’re Benedict fans and it came calling again. Jumbo shrimp with a Creole hollandaise over their beautiful biscuits and a side of grits to make your mom happy with your choices. I just assume that all moms would appreciate that. The trusty sidekick of chicken fried chicken topped with sausage gravy slid into place and was properly annihilated. Dipped into over-easy eggs with every bite with noticeable and delicious crunch from the breading.

Orange Beach
Let’s have French for breakfast! How often are you saying that? Except for all the times you order French toast.
Orange Beach, Alabama
The sweet snowy peaks of Orange Beach, Alabama.
Orange Beach, Alabama
That moment when you challenge your daughter to a sugar face battle. This is the perfect establishment for that.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Who you calling puddin’! (It’s totally fine if you call me puddin’)

Sign me right up for Cafe Beignet! These wonderful delights are served hot out of the fryer and you are welcomed to support the sugar industry all you want here. Have them classic style or filled with pudding and topped with chocolate, so please enjoy all with hot coffee. This is a great fuel booster before taking your first dip of the day on the white-sand beaches!

Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach. I have an idea. Have the “O” be a donut on your welcome sign. Jut a thought.
Orange Beach, Alabama
For all of you that had the sudden craving for Lucky Charms while ordering your box of donuts.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Go ahead and hum the Jaws theme song. My son will just go about his glazed croissant while you do it. But you’ll have fun!

We love getting recommendations from the locals and they nearly had a runway crew setup directing us to City Donut. Their long and fast moving line shuffled us through with the rest of the eager customers. If you get one sweet selection here make it the glazed croissant. Make it two of them. Oh boy. Get a lot, and become the greatest friend to all on the nearby beach since the invention of the towel.

Lunch Break!

Orange Beach, Alabama
Luna’s Eat & Drink is another fantastic Orange Beach restaurant with great lunch specials. You know you’re getting hungry again!
Orange Beach, Alabama
Get ready for this appetizer! Deviled eggs of the day, pimento cheese dip with pork rinds, and house made pickles. That’s like a potluck sampler!
Orange Beach
Stop playing with your food. Actually that’s pretty funny. Let me try!
Orange Beach, Alabama
The fish so nice they named it twice. Boy, do I wish I came up with that one. Blackened Mahi-Mahi with collard greens and amazing corn fritters.
Orange Beach, Alabama
That is a man that is about to take a bite of a thick swordfish sandwich!
Orange Beach, Alabama
Luna’s has one of the area’s best selections of craft beer and your warm Alabama day could use a cold one!
Orange Beach, Alabama
Fried pecan pies aren’t just for dessert anymore! They can be a lunch item too! Or for dessert like we had them.

You have many choices for restaurants in the area and we all love a great special especially when it comes to lunch. Luna’s Eat & Drink has one of the most talented kitchen crews in Baldwin County and we had an amazing meal from these folks. Our server knew the menu inside and out and kept us entertained with her descriptions of meals they so proudly prepare. Obviously the entrees were home runs but let me tell you this. The collard green are the truth here. Slow cooked with Alabama’s famous Conecuh sausage and simply unbelievable. Order whatever you want here, but DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT SOME GREENS!

Orange Beach, Alabama
See that beefy piece of art? You’ll see why this is one of the headliners!
Orange Beach, Alabama
Creole seafood stuffed tater! Which part did I have you at?
Orange Beach, Alabama
One of the best Po’Boys you’ll ever have is here in Orange Beach, Alabama. Change my mind everywhere else!

We love our seafood and we like to beef up our meals as well. Make the Alabama cattle ranchers proud when you order the Roast Beef Debris Po’Boy! This New Orleans original has made it to the Alabama beaches and inside fresh French bread at The Flying Harpoon 2! One of the richest tasting beef sandwiches you’ll ever meet-up with and it soaks right into that Po’Boy bread. Highly recommend paring it with their twice baked potato stuffed with blue crab, gulf shrimp, crawfish, and topped with melted cheese. Better give it a dose of their sour cream remoulade sauce.

Dinner Y’all!

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Let’s start out with apps and great scenery. A white-sands beach view from the patio at Sea-N-Suds in Gulf Shores!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Get the royal treatment with Royal Red Shrimp by the pound after pound after pound.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The Sea-N-Suds is known for their house made gumbo and its packed with hearty flavor. Beach goers have been known to walk up and order this specialty by the quart and after one bite you will see why.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
You’ve seen the Jolly Rodger. Meet the Jolly JayJay!

Another locale the locals said we had to visit! Longtime favorite of Gulf Shores and brilliant place to view the coast is the Sea-N-Suds. Pile in for the apps, fresh salad bar, great drinks, oyster bar, or nightly specials and watch the Gulf Shores universe go by. One Royal Red shrimp at a time.

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Bring your appetite, energy, thirst, and shopping list because Gulf Shores has a world famous place for all that. LuLu’s is the family dinner party you don’t want to pass-up!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Dream of your meal. After you dream of setting sail during the total LuLu’s experience.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Tell the guests about all the wonderful souvenirs and gifts at LuLu’s, Gigi….Said JayJay. Wow, that was fun to write!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Smoked tuna dip is not something you’ll find on every menu. Get it here and step up your tuna salad game.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Shrimp and grits o’clock! Gouda cheese grits served with a Tasso tomato cream sauce that’s packed with shrimp, andouille sausage, and a whole lot of love. Another one of the favorites here and you will want a second helping. Trust me!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
A trifecta of slow smoked pork tacos!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Melt away into the Gulf Shores night with the crab melt! Crab claw meat, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, green onion, and mayo on an open-face piece of French bread. No wonder this is a best seller!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Don’t be bashful about ordering the chicken fingers. They fry’em up right here and don’t turn down the honey mustard.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Po’Boys are a staple in Gulf Shores and you have located another one worth writing home about here at LuLu’s. Or blogging about! Gulf shrimp battered and perfectly fried with a hot bowl of crab bisque. Go ahead and dip that Po’Boy into that creamy bisque. I know you were thinking about it.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
That smile says so much. An Iowa kid on the vacation of a lifetime and all with the help of a plate of tacos from LuLu’s.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Your night has only begun to be entertaining. Great times with great food is served up all day long at this massive facility.

You get taken care of here in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The hospitality is supreme and the community prides itself with this. One of our first stops in Gulf Shores was here at Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s and we couldn’t have asked for a better welcoming to Alabama’s beaches. Fun, food, and music is their motto here and you can add more to that. Friendly and professional service while going the extra mile. More like an extra 10 miles. LuLu’s wants everyone to have a memorable and safe vacation here in Gulf Shores. Which is why they are proud to offer and extensive allergen and vegan menu. The manager takes the time to hear about what your dietary needs are with careful respect. Add this with all the views, tasty food, live music, arcade games, gifts, and sunsets. Make Lulu’s happen, y’all. BTW…A little pelican tells be that Jimmy Buffett’s sister owns this joint. You just started craving a margarita!

Gulf Shores, Alabama
One of the biggest venues for dining in the area and all of it beachfront. The Hangout you’ve been wanting in Gulf Shores!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Mahi-Mahi was back on! The Hangout serves it smothered style with a crawfish andouille sausage cream sauce and topped with blue crab. That did not disappoint!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The Shaka wrap! Grilled shrimp in a warm flour tortilla with lettuce, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, tomato, and their tasty Shaka sauce!
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Somebody get me a lifeguard! That’s what the Hangout calls this towering burger. 2 1/2 pound beef patties, cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, fried green tomatoes, fried egg, bacon, fried pickles, and all on a soft brioche bun. That is a heroic burger!

One of the funnest experiences we had in Alabama was at The Hangout! The entire atmosphere was unforgettable with an open air dining room and a beachfront view. Great food and service that made us feel right at home for like the zillionth time in Alabama. They also got us dancing on the tables and that’s not an embellishment. They asked the diners for August birthdays and that’s when the party really started. Luckily this happened before my enormous burger was served because myself, my daughter, and all others with August birthdays were encouraged to stand on the tables and boogied our way into The Hangout evening.

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Meet some of the amazing crew here at The Hangout. You all know just how to keep a group of Midwesties loaded with wonderful and delicious memories of Gulf Shores.

That was a lot of great meals. Do you think that’s all we had to eat? Nope! We’ve only begun to tell you about the oodles of restaurants here in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You’re going to love what JayJay and Monie had on a couple grownup getaways we were able to accomplish during our time here. Let’s just say we got to tiptoe into Florida for a little while and by tiptoe, I mean getting a chance to see a national treasure on the state line. Let’s get clicking on some sites to start your own Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation!

Check out the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism website

Like VisitALBeaches on Facebook

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Discover the white-sand beaches on Instagram

Watch their Keep On Summering videos on YouTube

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Don’t be sad, JayJay. Like you said, there’s plenty of other great places to eat at. Maybe you should have actually ordered another helping!

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