Bait House

There is nothing better than waking up to the sound of waves rolling in. As much as I try to sleep in, my eyes pop open no later than 7:30 am every day. When you’re awake that early in beach time, you get to watch the beach groomers come up and fluff the sand for another day of fun. After being mesmerized by the calmness of the beach, a sleepy-eyed Brad stumbled out onto the balcony.

He was desperately seeking coffee after our late night which I happily obliged. We grabbed some cash, flip flops in hand and headed for the beach. We strolled south on the island until we passed Sand Pearl hotel and cut into Mandalay where our favorite coffee shop is a few storefronts down. We always grab an iced coffee to go and head back the beach. We stroll back to our condo basking in the beauty around us knowing the beach will be filled with gossiping girls, laughing children and people enjoying themselves in just a few hours. We enjoy the calm and sip on our delightful coffee.

In a blink of an eye, it is 11:30 and it is lunch time! Our first lunch is always at the same place, Bait House. Bait House is a taste of old Florida as it is a bait shop that was expanded into an outdoor restaurant in 2009. The restaurant is a dock with 11 2×4 crafted tables, plastic chairs and stapled dollar bills on the wall. Bait House puts you right on the inner coastal to watch boats go by and stop at Bait House to grab lunch and more bait. The menu changes a bit every day as it all depends on what fresh fish was caught that day.

No matter what was caught, you will not be disappointed! While you wait for lunch, grab a bucket of beer and doodle on a dollar bill which is their signature look. Throughout the years, Brad and I have put a few bills of Bait House walls to celebrate Cardinal’s post season, engagement, first anniversaries and more!

Yesterday, Brad an I started with a bucket of beer which then resulted in hasty photos of food. For a moment, I forgot that I was a food blogger and did what normal humans do…dig into their meal. While the chips are no longer homemade, the blue cheese dipping sauce still makes this dish worth munching down on while drinking a cold beer. The south beach blackened shrimp quesadilla isn’t fancy, but full of fresh seafood flavor.

Bait House gives you the old Florida feel! From simple meals to a unique spot to watch boats go by, it is a slower pace that makes any vacation afternoon delightful, sun-filled experience. Check it out!

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