Uncle Ernie's and the Dewey Destin restaurants

We drove to Panama City to join our condo mates Marida & Warren and her brother Rick for lunch. I was somewhere else shooting fancy cars, [but that's another story], and returned early to find them already waiting for me. Here are Joan, Warren, Jan, Marida and Rick outside Uncle Ernie's Restaurant, in Panama City.

Here we are inside, solving the usual problems of the universe while devouring smoked tuna spread. The restaurant is at the marina and is usually filled to capacity. Here are Rick, Warren and Jan.

Now. Jan, Marida and Joan.

This is Jan's view of the world, and half the reason we come here.

After a full stomach, you need exercise, right? Well, a walk along the docks seemed appropriate and we saw the 'for sale' special that had been sitting there for a few years. I'm sure the dock fees are now more than the scrap value, so it will probably remain there for a while...

This other boat was docked stern-to, which means the only access is the gangplank... You go first, please.

Last night was Mardi Gras, and an occasion to have another party in the backyard. We didn't attend, but the music came to us and it was very nice. Here's the view from our balcony.

I could not resist walking down and shooting a few shots.

Today was supposed to be rainy so it was a good day to 'do' the outlet malls. Jan suggested the Dewey Destin restaurant for lunch, which we did first. She warned us that it was not a girlie designed restaurant, but said that the food is good.

Never in the annals of time has a truer statement ever been made. The place looked like a dump.

You have to agree, decor is not their forte.

The trailer to the right is the kitchen, once again, never designed, just there...

Here's the official menu, interesting but once again, not done by anyone with even a suspicion of artistic talent.

We all chose the Boat Run Shrimp [see the left-most sign above] and from there-on, we knew exactly why Jan suggested this place. First of all, everything is home made. Secondly, every item is very close to being the best ever tasted.

Outside, a storm was brewing. Tornado watches were in effect. The wind was picking up, and the rains were coming down. Here's a view from inside, before the onslaught really materialized. The management had just tied down these umbrellas.

At first, the storm looked peaceful enough, just some wind and waves plus rain. Note that the horizon line is still quite evident in the picture below.

As we waited for our food, the ladies watched the TV warnings about impending tornadoes, violent winds, and other nasties that can ruin your day.

The interior decor is in keeping with the exterior, so all's well.

Our orders came, and we dug in. Since it was becoming obvious that the waterfront restaurant could possibly be in danger from this storm, and seeing as we were almost the only customers, we milled about, checking leaks [of which there were many] and marvelled at the water coming up through the carpet... The restaurant is poised on the dock of course.

You might notice the sign on the wall, [now that I've pointed it out] 'Don't feed the birds'. Naive as I am, I would have expected such a sign outdoors, but no, it was inside at a couple of the tables. It turns out that the birds have found an opening to the feast and roam the restaurant for samples...

As the storm approached, the horizon got somewhat misty...

...and mistier...

So not wanting to drive, we ordered the Key Lime Pie, with three forks. It could have been the rain coming broadside through the cracks, or the carpet getting wet from below, or just the TV warning everyone to go to shelter, but this was a really great pie. Made on the premises, one at a time in a toaster oven! Yes, a toaster oven.

Here are the umbrellas you saw earlier, notice the horizon has vanished: how cool is that?

Mind you, if you focus on the window, you get an entirely different perspective.

I might add that the scene of Jan enveloped in green garbage bags following Joan with an almost blown-out umbrella, running to get in the car from the restaurant was quite a sight; sorry I didn't dare open the car door to shoot the event. Take my word for it: a sight to frighten most children.

After driving through a few very deep puddles here and there, we made it home safely. We did stop at the outlet malls and shopping bags were filled with clothes for little girls, I wonder who?

Now safe and finally dry, Jan and Joan are working on yet another puzzle while I'm at the key board. Hope you're all safe and dry also.