seriously spot on. My only complaint on this was
we really did need a bigger spoon.
The Lobster Bisque was right there and there
is no expense spared in this creation! The lobster
is brought in from Maine and is fresh fresh fresh
and plentiful. Gordon adds some coconut to the
bisque, but it’s not so coconutty that it takes away
from the dish. Just enough to make you know it’s
there. Super creamy and a table favorite.
Our last soup was a tough one because we
were fading fast, but unwilling to walk away from
a fight! The Fishermen’s Stew hit the deck and
there was so much going on in this bowl that
literally every single bite was different: Shrimp,
Crab, Scallops, Monk Fish, Clams and Mussels
combine with roasted corn, potatoes, peppers
and onions in a cream based loaded spoon
explosion! Hands down, my personal fave!
All of the soups are served with toast points
(ah, bread) and always fresh seafood. There is Gumbo every day, but the soups
vary depending on what the sea is offering that morning. Bubba Gumbo’s can be
found at 1 Old US Hwy 80. 912-786-4445.
The Crab Shack - We were staggering at this point, but The Crab Shack was
calling and that Big Kahuna Rum drink they offer made us very excited! When
we got there our server, Jill, who is awesome by the way, totally got us set up
on the deck. It was a beautiful day and the sun
was shining and the drinks arrived and we kind
of forgot what we were supposed to be doing.
Again, this gig is a tough one! But onward we had
to go and Jill started us out with The Crab Shack’s
legendary Brunswick Stew. There is meat on
top of meat, seriously like your momma makes it
(Belinda’s personal homemade recipe, y’all) and
it is just good! Tomato broth based (natch) and
just all Brunswickie with a comfortable kick to
the palate that won’t make you scream, but will
make your spoon dip back in for more!
The Crab Shack broke out their Crab Stew next
and there are seriously large chunks of local Blue
Crab meat that will make you happy. I’m stealing
Kim Trammel’s words, “a crab rich environment,”
and it’s true! They throw in some celery and
seasonings for fun and flavor and off you go!
Now I know why the elite eat here in their bare
feet! They also offer Chili, as well as Clam Chowder. There are combinations
available, so check the menu for all the details. You can find the Shack at 40 Estill
Hammock Road. 912-786-9857.
Wind Rose - Now, this soup was the funnest
to participate in because I got to taste every
variation of it, but it was also the biggest pain in
my ass. C.J. Markey cooked up this concoction
based off of Nell Klein’s famous Turkey Tuesday
Turkey and added his own stuff that C.J. is calling
Turkey Leftover Soup. It’s everything you want
in your leftover turkey with a dollop of cranberry
on top and toast points. Just add nothing and get
your turkey face on. Perfectly peppered with a
pinch of garlic salt and off you go! Get your bowl on Wednesdays.
Wind Rose also offers a variety of soups on the weekends and you can
By Alaina Loughridge & Mike Manitta - Photos by Mac McLellan & Wen McNally
Souperary 2020
This gig really is a tough job and occasionally, due to schedules, holidays and
life going on, we have to split up to get the job done. In one corner with 11 soups
to go are Alaina and Mac, while in the other corner with 6 soups to go are Mike
and Wen. Off we go with Souperary 2020 and may all the soups win!
Alaina and Mac:
Spanky’s - Mac and I started out on a beautiful Thursday morning at Spanky’s.
They offered up two soups and we were excited to get started with their White
Chicken Chili served with garlic toast. One cannot fail with garlic toast and
the smell was yum! Swimming with plenty of
chicken, corn, white beans, green beans and
other good stuff, I hate to say the word, but the
chicken was moist and the whole situation was a
great belly warmer.
The Cream of Broccoli & Cheddar was next
and it was super creamy with lots of broccoli
done perfect, not overcooked and hard or
squishy. Definitely a necessity for that comfort
food moment if the wind outside is blowing
harder than 15 mph.
Spanky’s has a revolving soup scene ranging
from Cream of Potato to Seafood Chowder, as
well as their Crab Stew they have been serving
up since 1976, and more. It really depends on the
mood of the chef that day. Shout out to Tony and
Jeremy in the kitchen, as well as Chrissy at the
bar. Find Spanky’s at 1605 Strand Avenue. 912-
786-5520.
Bubba Gumbo’s - Shucking and jiving on
down the road to Bubba Gumbo’s, we were in
for a treat. Chef Gordon was waiting with four
soups! Well, let’s get it on… The Signature
Gumbo was served first and it’s just awesome.
Steamed Shrimp over a bed of Cajun rice lay on
top of a Creole based roux that was mixed with
caramelized onions, tomatoes and peppers, with
an Andouille Sausage that is cooked separately
to release the oils. There is definitely a bite to it
that kicks, but that’s the point with a Gumbo. The
sausage was the winner for me in this bowl!
The Oyster Casino French Onion Soup was
after that and I’m gonna confess, I’m not a
huge fan of raw oysters unless horseradish
and Tabasco are involved, but this big beautiful
bowl of cheese town, croutons and caramelized
onions, stirred into a house-made beef broth was
8 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JAN 2020