I gave Blow Fly Bar and Grill a try. It’s hidden, but is it a MS Coast hidden gem?
The Blow Fly Bar and Grill in Gulfport underwent an ownership change and renovations before reopening a little over a year ago in its quaint location at 1201 Washington Ave.
As a Gulfport resident for over two years now, it recently struck me that I had not visited the popular seafood destination just down the road from my house. So it was time to give the remodeled restaurant a try.
The Blow Fly Bar and Grill is hidden away and nestled into the trees up against Bayou Bernard. It’s lifted above a summertime bar and boat dock with stairs and an accessibility ramp leading up.
Inside, there are large windows offering a full view of the peaceful bayou that sits unaware and juxtaposed with Gulfport’s major arteries boxing it in. It’s an escapist setting and the restaurant takes advantage of every moment you may want to get away in, offering brunch on the weekends, lunchtime specials throughout the week and a surf ‘n’ turf menu for date night.
The dining room isn’t large, but isn’t cramped, either. It’s nicely lit by tiny table lamps and modest wall fixtures. As a devout opponent of The Big Light at home, this was a nice touch.
There’s an outdoor patio with seating canopied by the limbs of a through-the-floor tree and strung lights, as well.
I began my experience with the bayou nachos — tortilla chips covered in crawfish tails, sausage and Cajun crawfish cheese dip. They were fantastic. I enjoyed them while having a staring contest with a man floating by on his Sun Tracker with a fishing rod in his hand. What a way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
Then it was time for the entree. Those who follow along know I have a simple order strategy: when in doubt, get the pasta.
Pasta has a contested origin story. Some say the ancient Chinese began the art of noodle making. Some point to Italy as the true birth place of pasta. The Mediterranean world also has a strong claim.
Regardless, I’m willing to bet my life’s savings (which is roughly equal to that of a used 2008 Suzuki Reno with a missing engine, according to Kelley Blue Book) that none of them ever created anything that amounted to the medley of bow tie pasta with shrimp and crawfish that occupied my bowl.
The garlic toast served with it was soft, as well. Too many restaurants serve pasta-side bread that requires the bite force of a hippo to crunch through, so that was a nice bonus.
All of this was enjoyed with an energizing watermelon mojito with wings. The food was great, the service friendly, the views gorgeous and the straws eco-friendly.
The new and improved Blow Fly Bar and Grill is worth the revisit. And if you haven’t been, it’s an excellent escape from the noise.
This story was originally published March 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
