Bill McGinnes
The Gulf’s very own Papa Rocco
You would think that – for a local
restaurant - “Warm Beer and Lousy
Pizza” sounds like harsh criticism
from an unhappy customer. Not in
the case of Papa Rocco’s – Gulf
Shores’ landmark for over a quartercentury.
The slogan for the restaurant is a
the character and ownership of the
bar/restaurant.
Owned and operated for the past 30
years by William “Papa” McGinnes,
Papa Rocco’s is a welcoming
establishment where on any given
dressed to the “nines” and every
type of clientele in-between.
singing a tune with one of the local
bands or join with his wife Rose in
leading the crowd in a drinking toast
a time or two over the course of an
evening. “Satisfying and meeting
new people” is the part of his job he
enjoys most, and his short-term goal
is very simple: “Stay alive and keep
enhancing the business.”
Originally drawn to the Gulf Coast
by “the area and its opportunities”,
McGinnes has steadily built the
“Papa Rocco’s” brand over three
decades of change. “I’ve always
had a passion for it,” he says.
McGinnes also boast a passion for
Corvettes and admits that staying
on top of a thriving business that
operates seven days a week – and
late into the night – leaves little time
for anything else.
“I don’t have any hobbies,” claims
“Papa” – “Working is my hobby.”
Things To Do on the Gulf Coast 29