Joe Patti’s and Joey Patti’s in Pensacola
My son’s wife looked at me thoughtfully, and said “Has anyone ever told you about Joey Patti’s?”
“I’ve seen his ads,” I replied.
“Pensacola people say his seafood is the BEST,” she says. “I’ve eaten there once, and I thought it was pretty good. You might want to give it a try.”
I understand what she means. She knows that wherever I go, I like to look behind the curtains, to know where the locals go, what they talk about, how they think. I like to know what makes peoples tick. We are all more alike than we are different, but the differences are so interesting.
Joe Patti runs his own fishing fleet. He processes and sells some of the freshest seafood in the Gulf. He is a big feature on the Pensacola waterfront, and nearby is Joey Patti’s restaurant. We saw lots of happy seagulls and pelicans around the boats and seafood plant, and the parking lot at the restaurant was totally full.
We followed the signs for Joey Patti’s, connected – we don’t know exactly how – one is a seafood seller, one is a restaurant. We were given the very last available booth in the very large restaurant, which was totally bustling with customers – all of Pensacola seemed to be eating lunch there the same day we were there. We soon learned why – the food was simple Southern seafood at its best – fresh, hot and oh, so good.
Clam chowder
Crab Cake Sandwich
Oyster Po'Boy Sandwich
Hush Puppies (actually, there were more, but we couldn't wait)
If you get to Pensacola, look down on the waterfront for Joey Patti’s. You’ll be in for a treat.
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You had me at the Chowder pic.
LLLOOOLLLL. I was telling AdventureMan last night how I need to keep taking photos of FOOD for YOU, Purg!
love the special-ayn lobsters 🙂 🙂
You made me homesick! I love those kind of hushpuppies and you don’t find the really good ones except in the south.
I crave the seafood in Galveston & Louisiana but I am totally not in love with fried catfish. Ugh.
LLLOOOLLL, Little Diamond. Oh, how we miss you and your jokes!
Momcat, I am desperately looking for someplace in Seattle with hushpuppies that can come anywhere near close . . . might have to learn to make them myself, aaarrrgggghhhh!
DaisyMae – You and AdventureMan. He grew up eating wild catfish and claims the farmed catfish have nothing of the same flavor. While the seafood in Florida is plentiful and good, I find after two weeks that it is hard for me; I’m from the PNW, we grill and maybe saute, but rarely deep fry. We are having a seafood cultural divide, here. 🙂 I really love grouper sandwiches – and I wonder why you don’t find them in Kuwait (hammour is grouper)
We’re from fl. too . I just got back after a extended stay ( installing storm windows on our home, and a fall breaking my foot and leg) DH is sad that we all can’t be there right now. Stone Crab season!!
Dawn – you have my sympathy. We put hurricane shutters on last year, and it cost more than a kitchen remodel. 😦 Hope your foot and leg are all healed up now! (Did you hit Sephora?)