My friend Gabby and I had just left the pass on our way towards my aunt’s beach shack to change for dinner. We had no idea where to go to dinner. Gabby and I wanted to go somewhere local, somewhere we could eat right on the beach, and somewhere with great food. When my aunt chimed in she recommended we go to this restaurant on the beach called The Gulf. She gave us directions and ultimately said: “when you see it, you’ll know it.”

As we drove past the endless streams of hotels and restaurant chains, we finally saw the bridge in the distance.

My aunt told us it was the right just before the bridge. When I looked to my right I saw a building made out of storage units. The palm trees were lined with lights and the music drifted into the street to call us in.

When we walk in a drink menu greets us on the left, accompanied by a small bar to our right. Venturing further into The Gulf I was taken back by the scenery. A boardwalk spans the length of the restaurant, followed by a spread of different types of tables and seats, and finally a bay of sand leading down to a lone concrete barrier that separates the restaurant from the Gulf itself.

After we stopped photographing the view, Gabby and I found our way over to the first line for food where we found a chalk board menu boasting different kinds of tacos and sides of guacamole and salsa. Making our way over towards the other line we just notice how busy the place was. Don’t get me wrong we did have to drive around the parking lot for a bit before finding a spot, and yes we noticed that there were plenty of people seated around the seats; but the way people were dispersed throughout the restaurant there wasn’t exactly a crowd.

We waited in line for about thirty minutes, all the while being bombarded with the smell of fresh cut fries, burgers, and grilled fish.

By the time we approached the menu Gabby and I had no idea what to order. Everything that we saw coming through the window looked divine. The sandwiches looked as if they were hand made from the gods above. The fries were a perfect golden brown, and the plates of hummus were plentiful. As we picked our jaws off the floor and attempted to stop drooling we had to come to a decision.

Gabby and I agreed to get two different entrees, two different sides, and then split them equally so we could each have a taste. Gabby got the Gulf Burger with added cheese and bacon and a side of house made hummus. I ordered the Grouper Sandwich with a side of french fries. We paired our orders with the “fresh squeezed lemonade”. Madonna sounded over the speakers as we found our way to a picnic table in the sand. Kicking off our sandals we dug our toes into the sand and just took it all in. I believe it’s one of life’s great pleasures to take a seat on the beach while digging your toes in the sand, sip on fresh lemonade, and just take in your surroundings. As the kids run around the beach tossing a football in the sand, the adults laughing over libations, and the 80's music lofting over the palm trees our food came.

Let’s talk about this food. I believe both of our reactions were something like: “Oh my god. Get in my body.” We cut everything in half, made our plates, and began to dig in.

The Gulf Burger

Gabby ordered her burger with bacon, cheese, and she wanted it cooked “medium”. This burger was perfection. Topped with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and smoked bacon. Do you see that perfect pink center? Oh yeah, this baby was cooked to perfection.

The Grouper Sandwich

I ordered the Grouper Sandwich. This sandwich was perfectly battered, fresh Grouper topped with house slaw, pickles, and tomato. This fish flaked perfectly, almost melted in your mouth. The batter had such an amazing flavor, I can’t even describe. When eating seafood many people like using the term “fishy” as a bad thing, which is why I err away from it. This fish didn’t just taste fresh. It tasted “caught this morning in the bay across the way” fresh.

Gabby and I both agree that the hummus was something we would never order again. I have to say I was greatly disappointed not only had my aunt raved about their hummus but this was one of the most popular sides we saw ordered. The hummus tasted “smokey” as if the chick peas had been roasted before they were ground into hummus. Gabby won’t even label it as smokey, just “dirty”. The hummus was topped with siracha and was served with warm pita chips.

After gorging ourselves on the delicious food Gabby and I sat back and listened to the waves (and David Bowie). Eventually we felt the need to get up and go back to the beach shack. As we wandered back I couldn’t help but think about how great this place is. The atmosphere and great food allowed people to just be, and that was something I really loved.