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Best Cheap, Local Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

Best Cheap, Local Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

It’s smart to look around and compare prices when you’re looking for restaurants. After all, even though we offer very affordable rentals, it’s good to make a practice of being thrifty elsewhere—especially when you don’t need to sacrifice quality!

The best cheap restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to eat at on vacation are local mom n’ pop shops—what’s the point of going to explore a new place if you’re just going to eat at the same place you always do? Instead, you should be looking for places where you can experience the local cuisine—and in a southern gulf town, it’s cooking you can’t get anywhere else! Here are a few ideas to get your mouth watering:

Sea-n-Suds

This cheap restaurants in Orange Beach is a great spot to visit while you’re on the beach. It’s not hard to understand why Sea-N-Suds has been around so long. You can get a delicious sandwich and a side here for $9 and enjoy it right by the Gulf! Their seafood is reasonably priced too, and fresh from the source. It’s the perfect place to grab “beach food!” You’ll find it by E. 3rd Street and E. Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores.

Flip Flop Deli Shop

Despite the name, this restaurant is anything but a flop! The prices are quite the bargain given this restaurant’s combination of location, portion size, and service. They have a whole smorgasbord of different options— and each one is spectacularly delicious! Their offerings all make a great beach-outing bite: they offer pizza, snow cones, sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee! You’ll always get your money’s worth here. It’s on Beach Boulevard, west of 4th Street.

The Cove Bar and Grill

If you crave the bar scene but are worried about food prices, check out this spot! This casual spot is great for a good meal, with classic bar food like mozzarella sticks as well as southern staples like fried green tomatoes. For main courses, they feature sandwiches, salads, and wraps, with almost all offerings under $10—enjoy a meal while playing some billiards! It’s on (quite fittingly) Cove Avenue between Gulf Shores Parkway and W 2nd Street.

China King

Ranging from $6 lunch specials to the $12 chef specials and assortments of appetizers to add in for just $4 or less each, China King gives quite a lot of value! There’s an immense menu, too, so even people not fond of Chinese food are likely to find something that sounds delicious. Chinese restaurants may be hard to find in Baldwin County, but China King delivers! China King is in a strip mall on the north side of Alabama’s Coastal Connection in Orange Beach, but if you’re nearby you can even order online—perfect if you can’t stand leaving your vacation rental!

Stay with Harris Vacation Rentals

And if you’re interested in more nooks and crannies in Gulf Shores, book a vacation rental with Harris Vacation Rentals! Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you discover our delightful town. Call us at 1-877-446-4853 to book today!

Five Healthy Restaurants in Gulf Shores to Eat at Post Fourth of July

We all know the over-indulgences of sweets that happens each Halloween and Christmas, but the Fourth of July is just as bad for throwing some of us off our diets. You may be tired of fried shrimp and deep-fried food at the various restaurants in Gulf Shores. If you want to go somewhere with some more wholesome options, then check out these healthy restaurants in Gulf Shores. Keep in mind though, we love our food hearty in Gulf Shores, so you’ll have to keep your eyes off certain areas of the menus!

DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen

Are you tired of seafood places that think everything is made better with gravy or heavy cream sauces? Try DeSoto’s then—they really emphasize the natural flavor of the food, with dishes like steamed snow crab legs and flounder almodine keeping things simple and wholesome. Keep in mind that a meal here will cost $20 or more—even so, the reviewers keep coming back to this gem. This restaurants in Gulf Shores a little off the beaten path near the southern end of Gulf Shores Parkway.

The Steamer Baked Oyster Bar

Right nearby DeSoto’s is another great option: The Steamer! Their website proudly boasts that there isn’t a crumb of fried food in their restaurant. If you’re looking to get away from the trans and saturated fats that clog your arteries, then have a hearty yet healthy meal at the Steamer!

Restaurants in Gulf Shores: Sunset Cork Room

Okay, we may be stretching what counts as “healthy,” but red wine is supposed to be good for your heart right? Really, we couldn’t fail to mention this gem. Their starters are easy on the palette, from the cheese plate to the salads. This is an upscale restaurant a little higher on the price, but everything they make is packed with flavor from skill and spice, not from fats and sugars. This great spot is tucked away on 16th Ave just east of Gulf Shores Parkway.

Brick and Spoon

If you’re new to the region and haven’t tried this Southern breakfast/lunch chain before, you’re in for a treat! Their portions are huge, but the prices reasonable for the quality and fantastic service. If you’re trying to eat light, go for the grilled veggie sandwich and farmer’s market benedict. But make room for their signature bloody mary. It has veggies so its healthy right? It’s on Canal Rd just a few blocks east of The Wharf on the way to Orange Beach.

Portabella’s

Okay, so this is a little bit of a drive up into Foley, but its worth it. Portabella’s is a lovely Italian restaurant that features the staples: pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and most importantly, salads! A good salad can be hard to find in Gulf Shores, so if you want a plate of leafy greens that’ll still leave you full, you should try Portabella’s. It’s located in Foley on N. Mackenzie Street.

Cook It Up in Your Harris Vacation Rentals Vacation Home!

And if none of these options are up to your standards, then use your rental home’s kitchen to make your own healthy dishes! Call us at 1-877-446-4853 to book a fabulous Gulf Shores rental today!

Our Guide to Waterville USA

Since opening, Waterville USA in the heart of Gulf Shores has become one of the premier entertainment destinations for families vacationing along the Alabama Gulf Coast. From the start of the season in late May to the end of the season in mid-August, Waterville is a favorite for those looking to break from the pristine beaches for a change. So, what’s there to do at Waterville? Well, there’s the water—bucket loads of it! This may be the best place to spend a day when you cannot get into the Gulf water.

Attractions & Things to Do at Waterville USA

One of the coolest attractions is the Flowrider, especially if you like hanging ten. The Flowrider creates a continuous wave over a base of soft foam. You will be able to practice all your tricks on a perfect wave with no fear of falling or injury.

If you’re a thrill seeker, then you’ll want to get in line for Great White, a world-class one, two, and three passenger tubing adventure through the jaws of the Great White Shark, a tunnel, a waterfall, and then a quick drop to the lagoon below. This ride is the Gulf Coast’s most awesome tube ride.

And if that isn’t fun enough, then really get your heart going on the Screamin’ Demon. Yeah, it’s that scary—and thrilling! What is it? It’s a water slide not for the faint of heart! Drop almost 60 feet in a flash on Waterville’s white-knuckle scream machine. This high-speed body slide is a must for thrill seekers.

But not all the attractions at Waterville USA might make you skip lunch; there’s plenty of relaxing water-centric attractions like Shrimp Boat Village—a waterworks attraction and the ultimate water playground. This water wonderland has something around every corner. Three stories of sprays, geysers, net crawls, slides, water cannons, and dumping buckets abound on this amazing attraction. Turn the handles and soak a friend or family member on Waterville’s interactive water playground. Shrimp Boat Village is fun for the whole family and must be experienced firsthand, but beware of the giant shrimp bucket dump!

There’s also Rainbow Falls, Crystal Waters River, North Shore Wave Pool, Gold Rush, and much more, with plenty of things to do for the really little ones. And when it comes time for some grub, Waterville’s got a great snack and lunch bar. Want to just get some rays? Then relax on a lounge chair and let your troubles float away!

Last but not least, Waterville USA is home to the Cannonball Run, a wooden rollercoaster that hits 50 MPH. Feel the thrill of zero-gravity and pure speed with family and friends on the Gulf Coast’s fastest wooden coaster, day or night. This is definitely one of the Gulf Coast’s coolest attractions and a must ride for sure.

Plan Your Waterville USA Getaway with Harris Vacation Rentals

Looking for the most family-friendly attraction in Gulf Shores? It’s Waterville USA, and it’s nearby your very own Gulf Shores vacation rental from Harris Vacation Rentals. Book today and take your family on a wet and wild vacation! Browse through our condo rentals as well as our deals.

Enjoy Fantastic Gulf Shores Live Music in a Beautiful Tropical Locale

Nothing pairs better with a relaxing getaway in a gorgeous Gulf Coast setting than awesome Gulf Shores live music music played by talented local artists. One of the best parts of visiting Gulf Shores is the city’s abundance of laid-back bars and music hotspots. See some of the greatest up-and-coming musicians around for yourself firsthand at the neat places we’ve listed out below!

The Wharf Amphitheater

Perhaps the most obvious choice to start off this list would be the Wharf Amphitheater. As the number one destination for live concerts performed by the biggest names in music, the Wharf Amphitheater is a popular choice for concert-goers who love that arena-style musical experience, housing just under ten thousand seats.

Flora-Bama

Even though Flora-Bama straddles the state line between Florida and Alabama and is technically situated across the state line, this carefree and fun bar is the area’s classic roadhouse and home to a number of small stages that are frequented by local musicians on nearly a nightly basis.

Live Bait

A two-part restaurant and club, Live Bait offers a good selection of live music that samples from older music to newer top-40 radio hits. The schedule for live music is seasonal, so you’ll want to call ahead and make sure that they’ve got someone lined up to play before heading over if you’re visiting during the off-season.

Gulf Shores Live Music At Lulu’s

No list of Gulf Shores live music would be complete without mentioning Lulu’s! A popular spot for both visiting and local musicians, Lulu’s is dedicated to its favorite performers, such as Alabama native and past winner of the reality singing competition show American Idol Taylor Hicks. Lulu’s is also known for having delicious food, so be sure to grab a bite while you’re here!

The Hangout

Rounding off our list is The Hangout. A cool bar with inside and outdoor seating and a perfect location right on the beach, The Hangout literally built its reputation on its live music offerings. In fact, they’re so well-known for it, they even host an annual music festival each May! Kick back and unwind with some great tunes, good beer, and a sunset view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Harris Vacation Rentals – Your Guides to the Best of Gulf Shores

Contact our reservations team to learn more about these live music hotspots and other cool attractions and activities that you’ll find in Gulf Shores when you reserve your stay in one of the luxurious vacation rental properties that Harris Vacation Rentals has to offer today! Check out our cottage and condo rentals too and our special deals!

Welcome to Paradise – Gulf Shores Beach Things To Do

Spring officially ushers in the high tourist season along the Alabama Gulf Coast – and Alabama’s very own Pleasure Island. By early May, the island will be teeming with vacationers. It’s likely you’ll require more than a week to see all the attractions, eateries, bars, and things to do and events in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, but if a week is all you have, that’s ample time to hit all the Gulf Shores beach things to do.

Eat and Drink – Gulf Shores Beach Things To Do

When it comes to beach grub, there’s the iconic establishments like Bubba’s, Lulu’s at Homeport, Tin Top, Tacky Jacks, The Hangout, Mikee’s, Sea ‘N Suds, DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen, Doc’s Seafood Shack, and of course, the infamous Flora-Bama. But there are some off-the-beaten path restaurants like Anchor, Flippers, Our Cigar Bar, Coastal Kitchen, O’Choppers, Snappers Lounge, Barefoot Island, and Our Cigar Bar, just to name a few. When it comes to imbibing in a bushwhacker or cocktail with an umbrella, there are dozens of juke joints, honky-tonks, and thatched, pool-side tiki bars to get your drink on. Cheers!

Family Fun On the Cheap

Got a condominium full of little ones? Pleasure Island offers things to do away from the beach like Waterville U.S.A., The Track, Adventure Island, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, The Hangout and much more. If you’re on a budget, there’s plenty to do on the cheap with the kids like Waterfront Park, Gulf State Park Pier, Fountain of Youth at Lulu’s and, naturally, the beach! Yeah, we got beaches—dozens of miles of powdery, snow-white sand. From West Beach to Gulf Shores to Cotton Bayou and Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, it’s endless beach as far as the eye can see.

Events and Festivals

April and May also means the shoulder season, which means festivals like the Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party. What’s that? Glad you asked. It’s an intimate beach bash for three days at the Flora-Bama Lounge and Package along with tens of thousands of folks from across the country gathered for one of the most popular Gulf Shores beach things to do: to toss a lifeless mullet from Florida into Alabama and to party in paradise.

Like classic Southern muscle cars? In late April, The Wharf holds its annual Bama Coast Cruise. In May is The Hangout Fest, a three-day music fest held right on Gulf Shores Public Beach, featuring a variety of live music from Friday to Sunday night. Got wine? The Orange Beach Wine Fest in mid-May offers a plethora of crushed grapes at Caribe the Resort, while the Hot Air Balloon Festival in neighboring Foley in early May gives tourists a bird’s-eye-view of Baldwin County.

Where Do I Stay?

Lodging options run the gamut from small beach cottages to plush beachfront homes to cozy condos and swanky penthouses. Depending on your lodging budget and needs, the Alabama Gulf Coast offers all kinds of price points. Whether you’re looking for lodging for a romantic getaway for two or a large home for a family reunion or a baseball team, the area can accommodate your needs. But keep in mind, rates don’t dip in the high season.

Your Perfect Spot in the Sand

The beautiful beach communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are no longer a secret, and with good reason. The beaches are some of the most pristine and stunning in the country, while the culinary and entertainment landscape captures the best of the Deep South. So, come on down, y’all.  What are you waiting for? The Alabama Gulf Coast is waiting for you.

 

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