It is surprising that Southport actually has a lot of decent beaches. For the east coast, its not bad. It's not great. To be fair, in the last 2 years, I was on beaches in Spain and Jamaica, so I'm spoiled. The only issue with this beach was the jelly fish that washed up on the beach. Everything was better, though, with the amazing weather we are getting, and hopefully it holds up for Palmito and Ashely's wedding on Sunday.
The REALLY surprising thing is the food. 2 our of 3 places I've been have REALLY good. So the first place we went, Provisions, was pretty cool. It had a dock on the back, all seating is outdoors and had a really good feel. The only good thing about that place was that beer was on an honor system, you grabbed what you wanted out of the fridge. Not to say I would steal anything, but the convenience is just well worth. It also had Red Stripe, and after drinking that for a whole week in Jamaica, it has grown on me. The food was sub-par to say the least. I had the crab cake sandwich, and since I've lived in Maryland for such a long time, I have great expectations. Needless to say, it failed. Too much filler, no lump crab, made from this blended and chopped crab, and deep-fried (no, no). We also shared a 1/2 of steamed shrimp, and its really hard to fuck that up, which they didn't, but it wasn't exceptional either.
Now, the 2nd place was great for lunch. Bob's Dogs has some great ideas for hot dogs that works. Jamaican relish, mango salsa and mayo, are things I usually wouldn't associate with hot dogs, but they make it work really well. Its also REALLY cheap, which is always a plus.
This last place is almost worth coming here for. Loco Jo's has some of the most amazing grouper tacos. It's a fresh seafood/Viet place, but I really don't trust Asian food unless its made by Asians or places ran by Asians. The grouper tacos come grilled and blackened, I went with the grilled. I love fish tacos and the best EVER are this tiny shack on the boardwalk in Santa Barbara, but this place SERIOUSLY challenges that. The fish is fresh, the owner's friend speared, them 3 days ago, and the salsa they use is GREAT. They let the fish do the work, nothing fancy, no crazy spices, no "aioli" which SO MANY PLACES love doing now. Tackle Box, in Georgetown, is good, don't get me wrong, but the fish is a little bland and instead of cubing it, its one piece of dead, slightly overcooked fish. These are large chunks of PERFECTLY grilled grouper.
On a complete side note: Friends, Romans, Countrymen, please realize aioli is NOT spiced mayo. Its not made like mayo, it doesn't have the consistency of mayo. It is a very traditional, if not THE quintessential, Provence side dish/sauce. It is VERY difficult to make well, its one of those things that I will NOT attempt.
Anyways, Loco Jo's is owned by a women, Jo, of Vietnamese decent (she's a older women, and is beautiful, looks like a halfsy, so I'm immediately interested and has this cute southern accent, sadly married though) and her husband. 80% of the patrons are local, so that says something. They also have a GREAT beer and wine selection. Oh yeah, they also have a chocolate dipped key lime pie, flown in from Key West, for dessert. Yes it is as good, if not better, than it sounds.
If I were to ever drive/stay in the south, I might go out of the way to come here JUST for those fish tacos. Sadly, they are closed Sunday and I'm heading back to RDU on Monday, so no more Loco Jo's.
Finally, I want to give my congratulations to Palmito (aka Brian) and Ashley. You guys make a great couple and I, in person as well as cyberspace, wish you the great happiness for the rest of your lives.
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