1. Stop By Wintzell’s To Overdose on Oysters
Wintzell's Oyster House605 Dauphin St.(251) 432 – 4605
Yelp: 4 Stars – 115 Reviews
Well okay, I guess you could also order the good old-fashioned fish and chips, too. But Wintzell’s Oyster House is famous for its Oyster Challenge, a feat so ridiculous it was on an episode of "Man v. Food Nation" on the Travel Channel.
They challenge you to consume the previous record-breaker’s number of oysters (it’s 421) in an hour. Good luck.
But Wintzell’s is also pretty renowned for their deep and flavorful menu of other seafood staples, like fried oyster po’boys, blackened snapper, and seafood gumbo, just to name a few.
Their incredible bread pudding doesn’t hurt their rep, either.
2. Eat Outside Your Comfort Zone At Osman’s
Osman’s Restaurant2579 Halls Mill Rd.(251) 479 – 0006
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 11 Reviews
Osman’s Restaurant serves a variety of dishes from steak and veal to escargot and fillet mignon. But the most curious of their French/German/Italian fusion dining experience are the more exotic dishes like the never-gets-old-to-say-when-ordering Wiener Schnitzel, a deep-fried schnitzel made from veal and served on a bowl of angel hair pasta with veggies.
If you’re looking for something a little different from your normal coastal restaurants, but not too far off from your normal taste palate, you’ve just hit the jackpot.
3. Try Some Mediterasian If Italian Gets Too Boring
NoJa6 N Jackson St.(251) 433 – 0377
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 47 Reviews
At NoJa they have perfected the flavorful (and tricky) fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine (self-dubbed “Mediterasian”), with a menu full of tasty entrees to win you over.
Coq Au Vin with Foie Gras, Triple Tail with Mediterranean Relish, Grilled and Panko Crusted Montana Lamb Chops are all top fan favorite dishes. And their daring fusions don’t stop at entrees, the dessert menu includes a Ginger Donut with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Caramel Dipping sauce, among others.
Remember, I said “exotic”, not “dietetic.”
4. Climb A Tower Of Beignets At Panini Pete’s
Panini Pete’s102 Dauphin St.(251) 405 – 0031
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 20 Reviews
The flavorful and powdered fried donuts are no stranger to Southern menus, which is probably due to the fact that it’s nearly impossible to make a bad beignet, but there are those special places that go the extra mile in making them exceptional. Panini Pete’s is one of those places.
They also make paninis, burgers, salads, hot dogs, and even eggs and bacon and other morning staples for brunch. By now it should be no surprise this is yet another Mobile fan favorite that’s been on TV (Food Network’s "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," "Guy’s Big Bite," and others). One visit will make it one of your favorites, too.
5. Save Yourself For The Best Bread Pudding In The Universe
Zea Rotisserie & Grill4671-A Airport Blvd.(251) 344 – 7414
Yelp: 4 Stars – 32 Reviews
Zea Rotisserie & Grill is a Southern staple where the main menu includes seafood-heavy items like Buttermilk Battered Shrimp, Salmon, and Tuna.
But they have more range than that, with delicious hummus, mouth-watering steaks and sides that sometimes take center stage to the actual main meal, like roasted corn grits, steamed broccoli and red beans and rice.
But all of this is just a pre-show, a tease for the final act of desserts that will blow your mind: Cheesecake, a chocolate brownie, and their universe ending bread-pudding.
6. Briquettes Always Has Your Steak Craving Covered
Briquettes Steakhouse720A Schillinger Rd. S, Ste. 2(251) 607 – 7200
Yelp: 4 Stars – 20 Reviews
Sure, lots of restaurants in the Mobile area have steaks—in fact a few places already on this list have them. But I have to include Briquettes Steakhouse because the menu is dedicated to the juicy, mouth-watering entrees you’ve been craving, all grilled over pecan and oak briquettes. Nomnom.
Briquette Steakhouse is a pretty new entry on to the Mobile food scene, but its popularity is bound to stay on the rise. And yes, it’s on the higher end of the spectrum cost-wise, but if you want the best New York Strip in town you're at the right place. And you’ll get what you pay for.
7. Welcome To The Best Bar In America
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club916 Charleston St.(251) 433 – 9374
Yelp: 4 Stars – 52 Reviews
According to a little publication called Esquire Magazine, anyway. Callaghan’s Irish Social Club has all the trappings of the greatest dives: Live music, good beer, a solid menu including burgers (which were also chosen by USA Today as the best burger in Alabama, just by the way), brunch specialties, and even an outdoor space for pet-owning patrons to socialize with their four-legged friends.
What else do I need to say?
8. You Can’t Ever Go Wrong With The Brick Pit BBQ
The Brick Pit5456 Old Shell Rd.(251) 343 – 0001
Yelp: 4 Stars – 92 Reviews
During a meal at The Brick Pit you may start thinking it doesn’t get any better than this.
Ribs, pulled pork, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and even desserts like banana pudding await you at the finish line—and everything is served in heaping Southern portions to make every meal one you won’t be forgetting soon.
That’s one delicious, BBQ sauce-slathered hole-in-the-wall.
9. Feed Your Seafood Habit At The Boiling Pot
Boiling Pot5300 Halls Mill Rd.(251) 602 – 8405
Yelp: 4 Stars – 24 Reviews
One of the absolute best places for seafood like fried shrimp or grilled tilapia is Boiling Pot. It’s a truly authentic Southern spot that serves up every critter from the sea like soft-shelled crabs and grilled whitefish, to seafood wraps and po’boys overflowing with shrimp.
Sometimes when you’re down here so close to the water you just can’t help but crave seafood. Just succumb to your next urge at Boiling Pot next time. You’ll thank me later.
10. Celebrate A Classic Dessert At Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe
Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe2511 Old Shell Rd.(251) 471 – 1710
Yelp: 4 Stars – 13 Reviews
Mobile (like pretty much every other town nowadays) is overflowing with the newly popular quick-stop frozen yogurt shops. So it’s always quietly satisfying to see a decades-old mom-and-pop shop like Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe still chugging along strong.
Since opening in 1969 the little shop has served out milkshakes, sundaes and, of course, ice cream. in more than forty flavors all made onsite using their super-secret Old Dutch recipe.
You’ll be asking “Froyo who?” in no time.
11. Get In On The Dirty Little Secret At 7 Spice Grocery & Grill
7 Spice Grocery & Grill3762 Airport Blvd.(251) 725 – 1177
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 7 Reviews
7 Spice Grocery & Grill is hiding a secret behind its well-stocked and bright little grocery store at the front of the property. It also has a full-menu Mediterranean restaurant in the back.
The reasonably priced menu has favorites like baba ghanoush, hummus, salads, and a deliciously spicy chicken shawarma that would make Tony Stark proud.
You don’t know how much trouble I could get into for sharing that intel. Just kidding.
12. Slurp Up Happiness At Mirko Pasta
Mirko Pasta#9 Du Rhu Legacy Village(251) 340-6611
Yelp: 4.5 Stars– 16 Reviews
Mirko Pasta specializes in fresh pastas served in generous portions at decent prices. Lasagna, chicken parmesan, seafood stews, and of course an entire section of the menu dedicated to creating your own pasta dish with an extensive selection of noodles, proteins, and other goodies.
Most people are so full of the crazy-good carbs don’t even make it to the dessert menu, which is kind of sad considering the perfectly light and fluffy tiramisu. Power through, it’ll be worth it.
13. Gorge Yourself On Some Authentic Mexican Cuisine.
La Cocina4693 Airport Blvd(251) 342 – 5553
Yelp: 4.5 Stars– 17 Reviews
La Cocina is many a local’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Mobile, and it’s easy to see why. Classics like burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and fajitas top the list because they’re done right just the way you want, along with irresistible desserts like deep-fried ice cream.
14. Go A Bit More Upscale At Kitchen On George
Kitchen On George351A George St.(251) 436 – 8890
Yelp: 4 Stars– 29 Reviews
If it’s payday and you can actually eat somewhere that doesn’t have those plaid table covers, splurge at Kitchen On George.
It’s got everything to make you feel fancy from crab cakes and jambalaya shrimp pasta to pork tenderloin, curried tofu and braised short ribs. Not to mention delicious spring rolls and a full brunch menu with French toast and chocolate chip pancakes if you need something to offset a crazy Saturday night.
Uh, I mean, if you want to treat your parents to a lovely Sunday brunch.
15. Stop By Rice Asian Grill For Your Sushi Cravings.
Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar3964 Government Blvd.(251) 378 – 8083
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 8 Reviews
There are plenty of Asian restaurants around town, but Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar’s Asian/Thai Fusion approach makes it something special.
From summer and vegetable spring sushi rolls to crunchy shrimp, fried wontons, Thai beignets for dessert and a laundry list of specialty sushi rolls that’ll make your head spin, you’ve officially got your one-stop shop for that sushi craving.
