travel guide - perdido key

red trumpet sleeve top

If you follow me on Instagram you know my recent trip was to Perdido Key, FL with Blake and his family. If you don't know where that is, it's a small beach in between Gulf Shores and Pensacola. We stayed at a small set of condos called Perdido Towers. Each with 10 floors and a shared private pool & walkway to the beach. We stayed in a penthouse, room 1001 east building. It has three nice sized bedrooms and baths. The penthouse is really spacious with great window and balcony views overlooking Perdido Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We also had our own private elevator which we rarely had to wait for.

restaurants

Cotton's (steak & seafood): Honestly this is an average place to eat. Maybe some of their other food tastes better, but I can only vouch for the prime ribeye. It was either marinated in an au jus or worcestershire sauce (not my cup of tea.) The steak itself was pretty good but I didn't care for the marinade. Everything else, the rolls, salad, cheese sticks, & baked potato, were all good.

Franco's (Italian): The food here was SO delicious! For an appetizer get the mozzarella sticks, even though they aren't actually sticks. They're a rectangular shape, but probably the best mozzarella "sticks" I've ever had. For the entrée I got the cheese manicotti, it's a smaller dish (but after eating the appetizer, salad, & garlic knots... that's all I had room for hahah.) It's basically like lasagna noodles stuffed with cheese and covered in red sauce with mozzarella on top. I also tasted the chicken parmigiana and it was really yummy! (P.S. I wouldn't get the fettuccine alfredo... not the best.)

Cactus Cantina (Mexican): I read a google review before going here and it said their chips & queso are addictive and they were not lying! Their queso is on the runny side, but is still SO good. I also had chicken, beef, and cheese enchiladas, they were delicious as well. Everyone really enjoyed their meal. I would definitely say this was my favorite local restaurant. 

Long Horn (steakhouse): I know this is a restaurant back home but I just have to say their macaroni was SO good (some reason better than the ones I've had in LA) and honestly I had the best steak probably EVER! I enjoyed the filet with parmesan (I think) crested cheese on top. If you like cheese, get it!! Most amazing steak ever.

The Yard (milkshakes/ice cream): I have to start by saying whoever came up with this name is a genius. This is a must go to when visiting OBA. (also it's a short walk away from Long Horn) Basically you walk in, grab a menu, and check off what you'd like. They have so many "specialty milkshakes" to choose from or you can make your own. (these come with a souvenir mason jar - pint or quart) You can also enjoy scoops or cones of ice cream with toppings. There are endless options and something here for everyone. I loved 'the sea turtle'; it was made with praline pecan and butter pecan ice cream & whipped cream on top drizzled with caramel and chocolate & waffle cone pieces around the rim & two chocolate pecan turtles. Blake got the 'cookie dough delicious' which was made with cookie dough ice cream topped with whipped cream & chocolate chips around the rim & a ball of eatable cookie dough, which I also tried and it was delicious. Just a warning: if you go during busy hours (we went around 7pm) be prepared to wait a while to place & receive your order.

shopping

There are mainly souvenir shops around this area, not too many clothing boutiques. There is one specific place that you could go to and grab a cute outfit, Ron Jon. I was kind of surprised when we walked in there because I thought it was just another souvenir shop, but I was wrong. Ron Jon has some really adorable clothes for both guys and girls. A local shop you should go to that has a little bit of everything & you're sure to find a nice gift for someone is St. Charles. (a walk away from Franco's & Cactus Cantina)

All these restaurants & shops are in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. Overall it was an amazing vacation and I can't wait to go back next year. If you have any questions about the condo, Perdido Key, Gulf Shores, etc. don't hesitate to leave a comment or dm me on Instagram.

xoxo steph