Capt. Jack’s Family Buffet caters to all sorts of tastes with bountiful buffets that feature an array of popular foods. Panama City Beach’s original all-you-can-eat buffet, Captain Jack and crew have been serving hungry diners since 1971.
The headline buffet at Capt. Jack’s Family Buffet is the Dinner Buffet, which boasts a wonderful variety of seafood options. Diners are welcome to all the crab legs, oysters, shrimp, fish, scallops, and crawfish (if in season) they want. Of course, there are also non-seafood options, like steak, chicken, veal parmesan, and spaghetti for anyone who’d prefer something, not from the deep sea. A 38-item salad bar, vegetables, sides, and desserts round out the dinner selections.
In addition to the Dinner Buffet, Capt. Jack’s Family Buffet also hosts a breakfast and lunch buffets. These are a little more like a traditional family buffet and don’t have seafood offerings. The Breakfast Buffet is full of morning favorites like eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, pancakes, and fresh fruit. The Lunch Buffet is similar to the dinnertime version, except without all of the seafood.
Drinks at Capt. Jack’s run the typical list of non-alcoholic offerings, including soda, lemonade and water.
As you’d expect from a family buffet that’s been in business for more than 45 years, all of the buffets are affordably priced for both parents and children. The breakfast and lunch buffets cost $9.95 per adult and $5.95 or $6.95 depending on the child. The dinner buffet is priced substantially higher, charging $39.95 per adult and $15.95 or $8.95 per child, but this is hardly outrageous considering the buffet comes with all-you-can-eat seafood. In all cases, children three years old and younger eat free.
Of course, the atmosphere here is appropriately relaxed for families and all sorts of groups. The spacious seating and buffet-style service make it easy to bring children here.
If you’re a fan of buffets, Capt Jack’s Family Buffet isn’t to be missed. No matter what people in your group like to eat, they’ll find something here that they’ll want more of — and they’re welcome to go get a second (or third) helping of the dish.
A few of our buffet favorites at Capt. Jack’s Family Buffet include:
Alaskan Crab Legs
With all-you-can-eat Alaskan Crab Legs, is there even a reason to look at the other dishes? Pile them high, and go get more when you’re done.
Crawfish
Crawfish are a southern favorite when they’re in season, and there’s good reason why these crustaceans are so popular. Pull the tail, suck the meat and eat.
Bacon
Every restaurant offers bacon with their breakfast foods, but few places give you as much as you want. You don’t need to limit yourself to only two, or even just four, slices here.
Salad Bar
As basic as a salad might seem, the salad bar isn’t to be skipped over (unless you want more room for crab legs, that is). There are 38 different ingredients on the bar, and you’re encouraged to make your own salad creation.
Daily Chef Special
A different special each day, you never know what the Daily Chef Special will be until you’re at the buffet. The special is often quite good, though, and it definitely deserves to be checked out.
Insider Tip:
Even after 45-plus years, this remains a highly popular buffet. If you’re coming for a crab leg dinner, arrive early so that the line to enter isn’t too long. They’ll keep the crab legs coming even when the place fills up, but getting in can take a little while soon after the Dinner Buffet opens.