#45 of 160 Panama City Beach Restaurants

Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint

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Hit Up Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint For PCB's Tastiest Platters
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint might not be the fanciest restaurant in Panama City Beach, but that's exactly what loyal patrons love about this laid-back establishment. Stop in for all your seafood favorites fried or baked to perfection, as well as tasty sandwiches, salads, desserts, and more.

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

There’s a lot to love about the many tourist-oriented seafood establishments along the Emerald Coast, but these restaurants just can’t replicate the down-home appeal of a seafood dive. Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint is the ultimate hole-in-the-wall beloved by locals and vacationers alike. 

Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint earns many of its visitors through word of mouth, with PCB residents, in particular, making a point of recommending the restaurant whenever possible. The appeal isn’t immediately obvious when setting foot in the restaurant — but after interacting with the staff and tasting the mouthwatering seafood, it’s easy to see why so many people hit this joint up on a regular basis.

The vast menu at Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint includes all the favorites you’d expect to find at a seafood shack, such as fried shrimp, baked oysters, po’boys, and more. The wings, ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches also stand out.

With so much available on the menu, ordering can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the restaurant’s staff members are happy to provide suggestions. Otherwise, it’s always safe to opt for the lunch special, which changes on a daily basis.

Options are nearly as plentiful for kids, who can order not only classics such as grilled cheese and chicken strips, but also fried clam strips, fried shrimp, and fish nuggets. All children’s meals are served with fries and unlimited soda or iced tea.

Guests of all ages love Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint laid-back vibes. The restaurant’s humble deli beginnings are still evident in its relaxed approach. Unfortunately, this sometimes means putting up with a long wait. This is to be expected, however, as all meals are made from scratch and cooked to order.

As you look forward to your food, feel free to kick back, enjoy a cold drink, and watch one of Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint’s many TVs. You’ll feel so relaxed, you just might come to enjoy the wait.

A few of our favorite menu items include the following:

Crawfish Sausage Po’ Boy 
A complex array of flavors make this take on the po’ boy especially memorable. It comes packed with a blend of chargrilled crawfish sausage and Cajun smoked pork. All this is served on a Leidenheimer French roll. Other essentials include mayo, lettuce, and tomato. 

Commander Dave’s Shrimp 
Served by the pound and half-pound, these large shrimp are baked in butter and an enticing blend of spices. Enjoy with French bread on the side. 

Fried Buddy’s Platter
Whether you’re feeling ravenous or simply want to try a variety of fried favorites, you’ll love all that this huge platter has to offer. It includes the perfect combination of fried snapper, oysters, clam strips, and shrimp. The fried shrimp can be tossed in several delicious sauces, including buffalo, BBQ, and more.

Sandbar Baked Sampler Oysters 
Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint boasts such a vast array of tasty oysters, it can be difficult to settle on just one option. Thankfully, you don’t have to, as this sampler includes all the different types of oysters you could possibly want. Get ready to try spinach and smoked gouda, horseradish parmesan, garlic parmesan, and cheese-baked oysters. 

Chicken Alfredeaux
Not everybody who visits Sandbar enjoys seafood. No worries — several other dishes are available. This pasta, in particular, is sure to satisfy. Offered with grilled or blackened chicken breast, it includes linguini with an Acadian-inspired Alfredo sauce. A generous serving of garlic bread completes the meal.

Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint serves up heaping seafood and BBQ platters, as well as a friendly atmosphere that makes it a top pick among Panama City Beach locals. 

Insider Tips:
– If you like the idea of live music alongside your meal, keep an eye on the official Sandbar Seafood & BBQ Joint Facebook page. There, you’ll find information about upcoming performances. The Facebook page also offers details on specials for occasions such as Mother’s Day.
– Feel free to grab a memento from your visit at the retail area, where you’ll find shirts, sauces, spices, and several other products.