Seafood Po'boy at The Shrimp Basket

Yesterday my uncle called midmorning and said he was on his way down to make some sales calls and had a hankering for a po'boy. So I put on my thinking cap and came up with The Shrimp Basket.

He picked me up at about 11:30 and we headed toward the beach, pulled in, plopped down in plastic chairs, and ordered our sandwiches. Mine was fried shrimp; his was fried crawfish. We shared an order of crispy onion rings. And though the view from the patio isn't much, the spring air felt nice and our sandwiches were stuffed to perfection and overflowing with goodness.

Sometimes it's the simple things.

The Shrimp Basket
Second Avenue @ Highway 59
Gulf Shores, Alabama
251-948-7687

Panini at The Coffee Merchant

This photo really doesn't do the goodness justice: the panini at The Coffee Merchant always hit the spot. The bread is light on the inside, crispy on the outside. It's also locally made. Fillings are generous and basically you pick from one of three choices on the menu each day, though the cook will customize if you ask. Today, for example, I got the roast beef with spinach, artichokes, and colby but asked for turkey instead of beef. Not a problem. The salad dressing (mine was lemon dill) is homemade. Each panino (that's the singular; panini is plural) is made to order and served hot. Try not to drool while it's on the grill.

The Coffee Merchant
229e East 20th Avenue
Gulf Shores, Alabama
251-968-2233

Tuesdays at The Cork Room

Only recently was I introduced to Two Dollar Tuesdays at The Cork Room, but I now try to make this a weekly outing. The $2 wine night was recession proof before recession proof was cool, and it draws a healthy crowd of locals. Yes, you can totally get drunk for about the same as it would cost to just stay home. But here's the real joy: dinner for less than $20. It's hard to believe, but it's true. Two glasses of house white or red and a 4-ounce steak and one side (plus a basket of bread) will set you back just 19 bucks. Or go for the Schezuan shrimp and grits with a couple of glasses and spend just $15. It's not a lot of food, but it's consistently happy-making — and quite right for a Tuesday night.

The Cork Room
225 East 16th Avenue
Gulf Shores, Alabama
251-967-4773

Bushwackers at Lulu's

There's really not a whole lot I care to eat at Lulu's. Mostly things are fried, and I've never walked way from a meal there feeling really happy about the food. I absolutely marvel at the summer crowds who wait for hours for a table. Sure, the place has its charms — the live music and chance to dump your kids in the sand while you get sauced — but I wouldn't wait five minutes for a table. Instead, make your way to the bar and order a Bushwacker. Lulu's version is the champagne of Bushwackers (and Florabama's is the PBR). It's thick and ice creamy and made extra special with a generous squirt of chocolate syrup and a swirl of whipped cream on top. Might as well call it dessert.

Maltese Cake at Bruno's

Let's start this puppy off with, well, a puppy! I just love these little Maltese cakes from Bruno's on 59. This guy's got his Easter bonnet on, but the baker accessorizes them for all occasions (Christmas, Mardi Gras, Fourth of July). So cute! Now granted, these are grocery store cakes and probably full of trans fat (not cute), but the fun factor can't be beat.