By Jimmy Prosser - Photos by Wen McNally
The Salty Pelican
It isn’t anything like fast food, but let me tell you, it was food fast! This month we
dived into The Salty Pelican - a snack shack located in the North Beach parking
lot, adjacent to NBG. I was joined by our very favorite Wen McNally and two of my
closest friends from back home, Kim and Jenny. Let’s dig in!
The menu looks small, but don’t let that fool you! We started off with the Cheese
Sticks. Covered in a fine breadcrumb crust, packed with mozzarella and a
marinara sauce for dipping, these were outstanding! One thing I need to mention
is that all of this food is prepared to take on-the-go, so I was satisfied imagining
myself standing waist deep in the Atlantic, eating still hot cheese sticks. This is
a must bring to the beach! Another good wading-in-the ocean snack is the Corn
Dog. A premium dog in a happy corn blanket, it was crispy on the outside and
fluffy on the inside. These were some foot long corn dogs. We devoured them!
Next came the Quesadillas, loaded with chicken, lightly fried, jalapeños, onions,
and lots and lots of cheese. These were delicious, and packed. We couldn’t get
the chicken and not order the steak, and let me tell you this did not disappoint. I
highly recommend an order of each!
Up next came the Tortilla Salad with Steak. This thing was monstrous! Huge! A
flaky, crisp, yet firm tortilla shell - that didn’t get soggy, topped with steak and full
of shredded cheese, tomato, grilled onions, and lots and lots of greens. This dish
was incredible! I need to mention this now, and you’ll realize we never do this,
but the most expensive item on the menu is the Tortilla Salad, and it’s going to
set you back a whole whopping $6. What? I know. This menu is priced to make
everyone happy.
At this point we were stuffed, but we couldn’t leave without trying the Chicken
Wrap, a corn tortilla with chicken, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. A perfect taketo
the-beach snack. But perfect beach food isn’t all they carry! The Salty Pelican
also has bottled water, coke products and beer! Not to mention a freezer packed
with popsicles, ice cream, and other frozen snacks, as demonstrated by our
lovely popsicle models, Peyton & Lilah.
A couple more things that need to be mentioned. The Salty Pelican is cash
only - fear not, there is an ATM nearby. They also carry waterproof phone bags,
sunscreen, OTC sting medication, Tylenol, and lighters. This is my new go-to spot
when I head to the beach for drinks, snacks, and everything I need to spend the
day on the beach!
The Salty Pelican is open Tuesday - Sunday (weather permitting) from 10am -
5/6pm, based on customer demand. Go get you some Salty Pelican next time
you are planning a beach day.
8 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | AUG 2019