It's spring break! These seasonal restaurants on Panama City Beach are opening their doors

Ebonee Burrell, The News Herald
·3 min read

PANAMA CITY — Just in time for the wave of spring breakers headed our way this month, Panama City Beach seasonally opened restaurants have started welcoming back diners.

Popularly known for its all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, Capt. Jack's Family Buffet has opened both of its locations, 8208 Thomas Drive and 12628 Front Beach Road – the latter being the most recent.

Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000. Any Richmond, from Indianapolis, gets a plate full of crab legs from server Julette Richards.
Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000. Any Richmond, from Indianapolis, gets a plate full of crab legs from server Julette Richards.

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"Today is the day," reads a mid-February social media post, referring to the Thomas Drive location. "We are excited to reopen today for our 23rd season here on Panama City Beach."

The post of the awaited spring time occasion sparked 104 responses, 116 shares and more than 390 reactions – everyone prepared to bib-up and sit down for the endless coast dishes, particularly, snow crab legs.

Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000. Employee Gasbar Williams, pictured, restocks the buffet with a fresh tray of crab legs.
Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000. Employee Gasbar Williams, pictured, restocks the buffet with a fresh tray of crab legs.

"This is my most favorite place to eat at. That's where I want to go for my anniversary dinner," wrote Facebook user Joyce Kelly. "Great food."

"Their food is so delicious," wrote user Tina Jackson, ending the line with a purple heart emoji. "They have food for everyone. Upscale buffet for sure."

Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000.
Crab legs are the main attraction, all you can eat, at Captain Jack's Family Buffet in Panama City Beach. Captain Jack's has been family owned and operated on the beach since 2000.

Capt. Jack’s on Front Beach Road is open for dinner daily from 3:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Capt. Jack’s on Thomas Drive offers lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Capt. Jack's Family Buffet is one of several other restaurants that are gearing up for a busy Spring Break season and summer.

Popular seasonal Panama City Beach restaurants

Big Gus, the 20,000-pound steer, greets visitors and serves as a photo opp location outside Angelo's Steak Pit in Panama City Beach. The restaurant opened in 1958 and seats over 700 diners.
Big Gus, the 20,000-pound steer, greets visitors and serves as a photo opp location outside Angelo's Steak Pit in Panama City Beach. The restaurant opened in 1958 and seats over 700 diners.

Angelo’s Steak Pit

Angelo's Steak Pit, 9527 Front Beach Road, is scheduled to reopen 5 p.m. March 21. Angelo's typically remains open until late October each year. Details: (850) 234-2531; angelos-steakpit.com.

Sharky's Beachfront  Restaurant, 15201 Front Beach Road, is anticipating reopening later in the season while it undergoes renovations.
Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant, 15201 Front Beach Road, is anticipating reopening later in the season while it undergoes renovations.

Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant

Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant, 15201 Front Beach Road, is anticipating reopening later in the season while it undergoes renovations. Details: (850) 235-2420; sharkysbeach.com.

Pineapple Willy's Restaurant

Pineapple Willy's, 9875 S. Thomas Drive, reopened Feb. 11 and will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Details: (850) 235-0928; pwillys.com.

Boon Docks Restaurant recently opened for the season.
Boon Docks Restaurant recently opened for the season.

Boon Docks Restaurant

Boon Docks Restaurant, 14854 Lake View Circle, reopened Feb. 9 and operates for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; and only dinner on Wednesday from 4:30-8:30 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday. Details: (850) 230-0005; places.singleplatform.com.

Capt. Anderson's is located at 5551 North Lagoon Drive in Panama City Beach
Capt. Anderson's is located at 5551 North Lagoon Drive in Panama City Beach

Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market

Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market, 5551 N. Lagoon Drive, reopened on Feb. 3 and operates from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Details: (850) 234-2225; captandersons.com.

Most restaurants in the local area will remain open until the season's end beginning after Labor Day.

The News Herald reporter Jacqueline Bostick contributed to this story. If your restaurant has recently reopened or reopening soon for the season,email eburrell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach restaurants open in time for Spring Break