JAX WALK By Jimmy Prosser
8 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | APR 2019
By Jimmy Prosser - Photos by Wen McNally
Rock House
Original Bar & Grill
I know for a fact everyone reading this has their favorite restaurant on the
island, and when someone mentions “let’s get food” you always suggest the
same spot. To be honest, Rock House never really crossed my mind for a nice
sit down meal to share with friends. After this Food Spy I can tell you that has
changed. This beautiful Tybee afternoon, I ventured in and met Robby, Manager
extraordinaire, and had no idea what was about to come out of that kitchen. I
was joined for this food spy with the party princess and stellar photographer,
Wen McNally, and my partner in crime - who also cuts my hair, Chelsea Haggerty.
Let’s dig in!
First out the appetizers - Alligator Bites, lightly battered and fried, and served
with Rock House’s Boom Boom Sauce, which I will forever put on everything.
The alligator was crispy and tender, not tough like I would have expected. From
that we moved to the Steamed Mussels, 1lb of beautiful mussels steamed in
beer and covered in crispy bacon bits. This was a heavenly mixture of salty and
wonderful. The bacon added a nice crunch, and some toast points to sop up
the yumminess in the bowl. Following was the Hot & Spicy Shrimp, peeled,
deveined, and sautéed in butter and hot sauce, this was a perfect appetizer to
share (or don’t, get your own).
After the apps we dived in to some craft cocktails. The Energizer - Grey Goose
Cherry & Pear Vodka topped with a Red Bull, adorned with a bright red sugar
rim, and served in what I would call a fish bowl. This drink was two thumbs
up! Wen and I did not get but a quick taste before Chelsea called dibs and
confiscated it for herself. The Blue Hawaiian was a tropical paradise, garnished
with pineapple and cherry. This drink packed a coconutty punch you’re sure to
love. We couldn’t do a Rock House Food Spy without the Bob Marley, and I think
Chelsea said it best, “A perfect mix of Tybee and Jamaica.” You have to grab one
of these to-go if you’re headed to the beach.
For our main course we started with the Shark Tacos - and I love shark!
Marinated and grilled, on a flour tortilla, with cabbage, tomato, and shredded
cheese, topped with a Baja Cilantro Cream, this is my new go-to! And let’s face
it, I think we’d all rather encounter shark (and alligator) at the Rock House than
wading around the island! A meal you could split (but I wouldn’t), The Seafood
Platter. This behemoth was loaded up with shrimp, mussels, clams, snow crab,
sausage, corn, and potatoes, a house made cocktail, and some drawn butter.
Only thing you need to bring is napkins. That was a platter fit for a king! The
only dish to ever stump me on how to share was the Legend Burger, two ½ lb.
patties, covered in melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onions, you
could see this burger from space. It was excellent and I never do this, but I have
to give a shout out to the French fries, crinkle cut, and salted to perfection. Rock
House is now the front runner for best fries in my opinion.
Just when we couldn’t eat anymore, Bobby brought out the Triple Chocolate
Cake. Covered in a luscious chocolate frosting, this cake took me back to when
I was a kid and would drink Hershey’s syrup straight from the can. I didn’t think
I could enjoy another dessert as much as the cake, then there was the Reese’s
Peanut Butter Pie. It was overwhelming. Silky smooth and everything I could
ask for from a dessert.
Late night hunger pains slowing you down? The kitchen is open until 3am!
With that, all in all I will say the next time someone mentions “grabbing a bite to
eat” my recommendation is going to be the Rock House, located on the corner
of Butler Ave. and Tybrisa St., and I highly recommend you all check it out soon.
This is a story about a man, a man with a plan! This man is Jack Huffman,
husband to Meg (my former employer) and father to Jimmy (which made
me Meg’s “Second Favorite Jimmy”). Jack is currently on the adventure
of a life time. His goal is to walk, that’s right, walk across the continental
United States starting in Newport Beach, California and ending at Tybee
Island, Georgia. If that doesn’t seem like enough of a challenge, his goal
is to do it in 100 days. Whether he makes it here by day 100, I think it’s
an incredibly impressive feat to walk from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Be
sure to check out jaxwalk.com to follow Jack on his journey, send him
some love to keep him motivated! Tybee can’t wait to see him get here!
The Beachcomber will be posting updates. We hope you all can come to
the 2nd Street beach access when he arrives to cheer him the last few
hundred yards to the Atlantic Ocean.
/jaxwalk.com