Captain Anderson’s: Cheers to Fifty-Plus Years
Now more than five decades old, Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market has become a beloved Panama City Beach landmark
Sitting boldly on Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach, Florida, is an establishment that has grown into a landmark. Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market opened its door in 1967 and has been embraced by residents and Gulf Coast vacationers alike. The restaurant has evolved beyond a basic dining room into a tradition for its loyal guests seeking fresh and local seafood, made-from-scratch cuisine, and an experience like no other on the Southern coast.
Family and Tradition
Capt. Anderson’s opened its doors in 1967. It was owned by the Patronis brothers, who saw the establishment as a means to embolden family tradition by way of fresh cuisine and a great view of the marina. Now, 54 years later, the establishment is owned by their four sons, Yonnie, Jimmy, Theo, and Nick, who have grown the restaurant from 4,000 square feet to a sprawling 40,000 square-foot destination. Three generations now work in-house, as their children have joined in to continue the tradition of memorable meals and Southern hospitality.
The hard work and fine-tuned details made behind the scenes by the staff have accumulated into an award-winning menu. “We have focused our efforts to provide the freshest quality ingredients, and it shows in the meals we serve,” says Yonnie. “The fish are filleted and prepared in-house, steaks are hand-cut, and desserts are scratch-made by our bakery.” Seafood lovers are at home with popular menu items such as grouper, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, and scallops. The featured dish, Scamp Imperial, is one of the favorites. Scamp, a premium selection from the grouper family, is a flaky white fish with a mild, subtle taste that is complemented perfectly with the addition of lemon butter and blue lump crabmeat.
Fresh Is the Only Option
It’s no coincidence that Capt. Anderson’s is located waterfront at an active marina. “The finest seafood is in our backyard, and we have made lasting relationships with the fisherman in our area to be able to serve only the freshest possible,” says Yonnie. While dining, guests can enjoy a meal while watching the boats unload in the marina overlooking Grand Lagoon or visit the on-site Waterfront Market for a catch-of-the-day to take to-go. In addition to seafood, Waterfront Market sells hand-cut meats and scratch-made desserts you can prepare at home, which allows the restaurant to serve as many of those guests as possible who prefer to spend their evenings at home or their vacation settlement. Adds Yonnie, “We have streamlined and adapted our takeout orders to handle the volume and add convenience for local families and vacationers.”
Aside from its award-winning cuisine, Capt. Anderson’s prides itself on cultivating relationships with its patrons. “We have heard from visiting families that they have eaten with us five out of the six nights, and the only reason they missed a night is because we were closed,” says Yonnie. The expansion of the restaurant was also largely due to the desire to accommodate a growing guest list and offer private and event dining space for functions of up to 250 people. “Our customers spend their evenings with us for celebrations, engagements, anniversaries, milestones, and family occasions,” says Yonnie. “This business has made a lot of memories and a lot of traditions, and we are thankful for the commitment our patrons have made to our business.”
Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market
5551 N. Lagoon Dr.
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
captandersons.com
