Where can you eat in a 1 mile radius of Sunchase Unit 307 you ask?

Planning a beach trip can be fun and stressful at the same time, especially during the summertime peak season. What do I pack? Are there nearby restaurants? Do I need to pack beach accessories? How far is the nearest grocery? Will parking be an issue? All the planning questions come into play, especially when it’s your first time staying in a condo or new location. 

To help ease your concerns, I put together this helpful guide as to where you can eat in a 1-mile radius of our condo rental in Gulf Shores, Sunchase Unit 307.  To start, not only do you get a great view of the beach to the left when you open the front door, but when you look straight out front there is a convenience store, restaurant, ice cream parlor, fresh seafood market and for those who like to create those beach cocktails, a liquor store. Yes, that’s right, just a couple of hundred yards and you have just what you need.  Not to mention, the complex has two brand new charcoal grills for your convenience if grilling is on the list for dinner or lunch. 

It’s peak season and we all know parking is tight with every parking lot full of beach goers, souvenir hunters, and restaurants trying to accommodate what seems like a gazillion people all at one time. Cars are everywhere, traffic is bumper to bumper, people are crossing the street  and all you and the family or friends want to do is eat! No need to worry, because I have compiled a list of a few restaurants within walking distance or bicycle ride of the condo. 

What’s that across the street in case you hadn’t noticed……….

• The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails. http://beachhousegs.com/  Remember when you looked out the front door and saw the convenience store Waves on the sign? Well behind Waves is The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails. Yummy Shrimp Taco’s and Burgers are two of our favorite choices.  Great Happy Hour specials from 2pm – 5pm make the walk across the street worth it! 
• S&S Seafood Market.  https://www.obawebsite.com/ss-seafood-market S&S Seafood Market is your fresh catch buys for those stay at the condo and cook nights. So many decisions on what to choose, I have no idea where to start. Fresh Shrimp, Fish, and Oysters name a few items on this list, If you want it cooked or fresh this is the place to go because  YES THAT’S RIGHT, it is conveniently located across the street from the condo and is perfect for those spontaneous cooking moments!
• Waves Convenient Store. Waves is the perfect spot for picking up grilling needs when chillin’ and grillin’ at the condo is what’s for dinner or lunch.  I recommended stopping at one of the many grocery store options off of Hwy 59 as you make your way into Gulf Shores for cooking items but should you forget the lighter, charcoal, aluminum foil, condiments, bread, or paper plates, Waves has you covered.  OH! and it can also get you those beach necessities too, like skim boards, sand buckets, chairs, suntan lotion, etc.
• Island Ice Cream & Treats. http://www.islandicecreamandtreats.com/   Looking for those AMAZING Specialty Milkshakes with all the ooey, gooey, yumminess? This is the spot! You will have to check the menu to see all the choices, so many options I am craving one as I type this sentence!   

You are now the master of convenience and the car has not left the parking spot yet! Beach walks have been the best so far but what are those places on the road that you could not grasp as you drove to the condo your first day here? Well let’s take a right out of the complex onto to the road and find out. With THREE options in this one mile track, why take the car and waste vacation time in stop-n-go traffic when you can walk, ride the bicycle (if you packed it for the trip) or take a 2 min car drive (if your legs are exhausted from too much beach time)?

• West Beach Coffee Shop.  Located above Pier 33 this coffee shop is your morning fix for that coffee need. The condo has a coffee maker but yes, we understand the need for vente, skinny, iced, espresso lattes. Only open 7am-12pm so if you are an early bird and want to get some steps in before the day starts, this is a perfect reason to get to steppin! 
• Janino’s Pizza. http://janinospizza.com/  For the pizza lovers or when you know the kids will be happy with just pizza for dinner. Janino’s is located just 0.4 miles down the road. If you are in the mood for dining in, Janino’s is a short walk away or a quick car trip down the street. Delivery option to the condo is available as well. Oh! And if you have gluten issues, no worries, Janino’s has gluten-free options!
• Bahama Bob’s Beachside Café.  http://www.bahamabobs.com/  Looking for a well-rounded menu of grilled, blackened, steamed and fried seafood along with yummy burgers and chicken wings that are finger lickin’ good? This is the place. Located on West Beach Blvd just 1 mile down the road from the condo.  The blackened Trigger Fish is a MUST try and be ready to share the popcorn shrimp platter or po-boy with mounds of shrimp flowing off the plate. You will literally look for the po-boy bread! Parking is tight and I mean tight, 5 total spaces and the side lot is shared with the public beach access parking.  No need to worry though, with beach access, this visit makes for a great walk on the beach there and back so why take the car. Did you bring your bicycle? If so, the bicycle path on the roadside makes for a fun evening ride.

The belly is full, but there’s always time for dessert! Besides, it’s summertime and what goes hand in hand with the summertime heat? ICE CREAM and SNO CONES!

• Tropical Sno. Get your sno-cone fix at this sweet spot! Located near Bahama  Bob’s, Tropical Sno brings the ordinary sno-cone to the next level. I recommend dining in for a bit because I promise you, it will make a mess should you walk in the heat with it in hand. Check them out on Facebook @TropicalSnoGulfshores and see for yourself!
• Beach  Zone Ice Cream.  Located across the street from Bahama Bob’s, Beach Zone is the place to get a quick ice cream fix after having dinner at Bahama Bob’s or just wanting to take a walk and explore. Good ole fashion ice cream sandwiches and banana splits are sometimes just what you need to end the night. Oh, and cross back over to the other side of the street and take the beach route back and capture a beautiful sunset!

Well there you go, I just named NINE options for you and the family or friends to choose from.  I hope I helped ease your concerns and got you craving some beach time. 

Ok so I cannot forget to include Pier 33. If Waves does not have what you need or you are on your way back to the condo, Pier 33 is a second convenient store just 0.4 miles down the road, not far from Janino’s Pizza. Full of beach necessities, forgotten food necessities and fun souvenirs to bring home or share with others. This place will meet those needs just fine.

Not a fan of crowds, no need to worry, Waves is open year-round, as is most of the places listed. The season does get slow November through February so if you are in town during this time, some of the locations may or may not be open.  But I’m certain Bahama Bob’s will be and The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails. Just remember to double check by calling first, just in case it’s renovation time or holiday break.