There are many choices of places to eat when you’re in Destin, Florida and there are some great options for families with small kids. But the best all-around place to eat for families with kids is Fudpuckers Beachside Bar & Grill.
There is so much to do while you are waiting for your table that the time just flies by and when it’s time to eat you can be sure that your meal will be delicious.
Things to Do at Fudpuckers
Eat Delicious Food: Fudpuckers offers a diverse menu of mouthwatering dishes, ranging from classic Southern comfort food to seafood specialties. Whether you’re craving a juicy burger, fresh seafood platter, or savory appetizers, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.
Watch the Free Alligator Show at Gator Beach: Witness the awe-inspiring beauty and power of alligators in a captivating live show at Gator Beach. Expert handlers showcase these incredible creatures’ natural behaviors, providing both entertainment and education for visitors of all ages.
Feed the Alligators with the Provided Poles: Experience a thrill like no other as you interact with alligators up close and personal. Using specially designed poles, guests can safely feed these fascinating reptiles while learning about their habits and habitats from knowledgeable staff members.
Walk Through the Gator Museum: Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the Florida Everglades at the Gator Museum. Featuring informative exhibits and displays, this museum offers insight into the world of alligators and their importance to the ecosystem.
Take Pictures with Gator statues and props: Capture memories that will last a lifetime with fun photo opportunities featuring lifelike gator statues and props. Strike a pose alongside these iconic symbols of the South for unique and memorable snapshots.
Get Your Picture Taken Holding a Real Alligator: For the ultimate souvenir photo, dare to hold a real alligator under the guidance of trained professionals. This thrilling experience allows you to get up close and personal with these remarkable creatures while ensuring safety for both guests and gators.
Visit the Arcade and Win Prizes: Test your skills and luck at the arcade, where a wide selection of games awaits. From classic favorites to modern attractions, guests can compete for prizes and bragging rights in a fun and lively atmosphere.
Sign the Walls: Leave your mark on Fudpuckers by adding your signature to the walls of this iconic establishment. Join countless others in commemorating your visit and becoming part of the restaurant’s rich tapestry of memories.
Enjoy a Drink at the Bar: Unwind and relax with a refreshing beverage from the fully stocked bar. Whether you prefer a tropical cocktail, ice-cold beer, or fine wine, the bar offers a wide range of options to suit every taste and occasion.
Join the Dance Party at the Mid Level: Let loose and dance the night away at the lively mid-level dance party. Featuring energetic music and a vibrant atmosphere, this is the perfect place to shake off your inhibitions and have a blast with friends and fellow guests.
Listen to Some Live Singing: Immerse yourself in the sounds of talented performers as they take the stage to entertain audiences with live music. From soulful ballads to upbeat tunes, the live singing adds an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment to your Fudpuckers experience.
Get Your Hair Braided: Embrace the spirit of adventure with a stylish hair braiding session. Choose from an array of colorful and intricate designs to add a touch of flair to your look, perfect for beach days or casual outings.
Get a Temporary Tattoo: Express your individuality with a temporary tattoo from the onsite tattoo station. With a variety of designs to choose from, you can sport your favorite artwork without the commitment of a permanent ink.
Get a Balloon Animal: Delight in the whimsical artistry of balloon animals crafted by skilled artisans. From classic dogs and cats to more elaborate creations, these playful sculptures are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Visit the Awesome Souvenir Shop: Take home a piece of Fudpuckers with a visit to the souvenir shop, where you’ll find an assortment of unique gifts and memorabilia. From branded merchandise to locally crafted goods, there’s something for everyone to remember their time at this iconic destination.
Fudpuckers is a Fun Place to Eat
Not many restaurants will allow you to take a sharpie and sign your name all over the place, but Fudpuckers does! We love to sign the walls, rails, ceiling, and anything else we can find and then try to find our own names when we come back the next time.
The kids love feeding the alligators at Fudpuckers Gator Beach. You can buy some gator bait for about $5 and it’s enough food to feed about 4 gators. If you’d like to get a little closer you can hold an alligator and get your picture taken for $15. It makes a great memory and looks good in your vacation photo album.
Older kids love taking selfies with all the random gator statues throughout the restaurant. They also enjoy the gator museum, especially the big tank with about 30 baby alligators. The large arcade in the back of Fudpuckers is a huge hit for kids of all ages.
Is the Food Good at Fudpuckers?
The food at Fudpuckers is delicious. The portions are huge and it’s very easy to share meals. They have great appetizers, lots of seafood choices, and a wide variety menu so you’ll be sure to find somehting each member of your family will like.
I recommend the hot crab dip for an appetizer. Here’s a link to the full Fudpuckers menu.
We have eaten there about a half dozen times, and every time it has been good, no matter what we have ordered.
Kids meals come with little plastic alligators, and as an added bonus, most of the times we’ve been there a person making really cool balloon animals has come around and dazzled our kids with really neat creations.
Fudpuckers Also Has an Awesome Gift Shop
Fudpuckers has one of the larger and most unique gift shops you’ll find at any restaurant in Destin. Be advised that some of the t-shirts are geared toward adults and some of the sayings aren’t really appropriate for kids.
But if you’re looking for some cute souvenirs, stuffed animals, keepsakes, funny shirts, or unique items you won’t be disappointed when you visit their gift shop.
Fudpuckers is also very conveniently located next to a huge gift shop that has beach wear, beach supplies, live hermit crabs, etc. So you can easily walk over there and look around after you leave Fudpuckers.
Tips for Eating at Fudpuckers
- The best time to go to Fudpuckers for dinner is 5:00 or earlier. It starts getting busy after that and your wait time will get longer. If you wait until 7:00 – 8:00 you will probably have to wait an hour or longer to be seated. As mentioned before, there are plenty of things to do while you’re waiting for a table, so it will still be fine.
- Bring extra money for the arcade. If your kids are anything like mine they will beg to go over to the arcade. The games are great but it can get expensive pretty quickly.
- Buy some alligator bait and feed the gators. Then you can tell everybody you went gator fishing!
- Bring a black sharpie with you. It’s fun to sign your names and the year throughout FudPuckers and then try to find it the next time you come back.
- Stick around and get a balloon animal. Most of the time someone will come around making balloon animals. They work for tips. For a $5 tip your child will be thrilled by the balloon animals they make. They are a lot better than your average balloon animal elsewhere.
Recommendations for What to Eat at Fudpuckers
Here are my recommendations for what to order at Fudpuckers. For the appetizers, try the Hot Crab Dip and the Fried Dill Pickles. If you’re sharing with others get the Crunch & Munch combo. The hot crab dip is a creamy dip made with real crab meat and is served with warm tortilla chips.
The fried pickles are tangy pickles breaded and fried with a tasty zesty sauce. The Crunch & Munch Combo has cheese curds, boneless wings, fried dill pickles, potato teasers, and crispy hushpuppies.
For your entree I recommend the Fudgator or the Seafood Nacho Grande. The Fudgator is a massive burger made of one and a half pounds of beef and topped with American cheese, bacon, chili, fried onion straws, and lots of fixings.
The Seafood Nacho Grande is a ridiculously large portion of homemade tortilla chips topped with hot crab dip, popcorn shrimp, lettuce, pico de gallo, and black olives. If you are feeling adventurous and want something with alligator in it since you’re at an alligator themed restaurant, you should try the Gator Tail A La Fud. It’s probably the best of the gator options.
For Your dessert, I recommend the Worms & Dirt Milkshake and the Key Lime Pie. The Worms & Dirt Milkshake is made with chocolate ice cream, Oreo cookies, and gummy worms. The Fudpuckers Key Lime Pie is one of the better key lime desserts you’ll find in Destin.
No matter what you choose to order at Fudpuckers, you’re sure to get a good portion and it will be delicious. Here’s a link to the full Fudpuckers menu.
The menu you’ll receive in person at Fudpuckers is more like a newspaper. It has stories, articles, a menu, and info on current events going on around Destin. It’s a keepsake you can take home with you if you want. That’s just one more thing that makes Fudpuckers one of the most unique restaurants you’ll ever eat at.
