Gary’s Oyster Shack

This place was fantastic! The owner was the friendliest owner I’ve ever met. The food was delicious! What a great little find. We’ll be back for sure to this best kept secret!

This is my first Unilocal review, so if you are not in the mood to read the paragraphs below, just go ahead and start driving to Gary’s Oyster Shack! It is the best food we’ve had in PCB… ever.
We’ve been coming to PCB since we were kids, and it seems like every year we dread making the «Where to go?» question and the dinner experience is a 4 hour fiasco with traffic, parking, waiting 2 hours, and paying extravagant prices for mediocre food. Also, all of our old beach favorites have scaled back the quality of seafood and service because they know they will have an hour wait every night-​no need to impress anyone. Just buy a $ 25 t-​shirt and remember to take your $ 15 souvenir cup on the way out. Yuck. We are over it!
However, thanks to Unilocal – we will never settle for a two hour wait or eat at Pier Park again! If you think the drive back over the bridge is inconvenient, just remember the 20 minute drive time is 100% better than waiting with 45 other people in muggy weather, standing around and spending the first hour scouting out a bench to even be able to sit to wait for the next hour.
On to Gary’s Oyster Shack – We arrived at 8:15 p.m. and we were immediately seated at a cool picnic style table in the front. I literally walked through the door and our server was already taking our drink orders. They close at 8:30 p.m., but we were warmly welcomed! We had 4 adults and 2 kids (2 and 5). The house salad looked like one I would have prepared myself at a buffet salad bar – heaping portions of lettuce, veggies, and cheese. Appetizer of fried pickles were amazing. The sauce in the penne pasta was delicious. Crab cakes are FULL of crab meat and have a great flavor. The stuffed flounder was simply delectable. We all ordered different dishes and we all literally said to each other, «You have to try this!» We ate for an hour and still had to-​go boxes. I read about the Key Lime Cake on Unilocal,which looked as delicious as everyone has said in the reviews, but we took two slices of Italian Crème Cake with us – I had it the next morning, and it was also the best breakfast I had all week! I ate every bite and I’ve never even heard of Italian Crème Cake-​it just looked so delicious in the cake platter display.
Gary came out and sat down to talk to us, and it was so interesting to hear about how they started out. I love to hear about family owned businesses. Plenty of people could start a restaurant, but it takes good business sense, a dedicated family, and GOOD FOOD to have an establishment like this place! Even though we came in at closing, Gary said, «Folks, take your time eating and enjoy. We are preparing for a big catering job tomorrow, so we’re gonna be here – no rush at all.» Thanks to everyone there for the great night, and we will be back next summer! Almost hate to give the secret away, but hopeful people will realize there is still real seafood in PCB and this place deserves to be at the top of everyone’s «must eat» list!

I had the best time eating dinner with my friend and the food was absolutely delicious! This is a very lovely local family runned place and we met the owner– Gary! He really made us feel welcomed and recommended us the Shack stack which was fantastic! I am not a local here just stopping by Panama City, but if I’d ever had the chance to come back, I will definitely be back!

This place is amazing. Waiting staff was super friendly and wait time was minimal. The owner even came out to greet us. I had the crab cakes, tuna dip, raw oysters, fried oysters, red potatoes and cheese grits. Ended it with an amazing key lime cake. All made fresh and home made. If you live in Panama City you will become a regular. If you’re visiting, you NEED to go.

The best seafood in town. Scallops were amazing. Will drive from Tally just to come and eat here

Saw this place, checked the reviews and stopped in. Well worth it. Had the Shack Stack, shrimp, bay scallops, crab cake, and fish, with Greens and Jalapeño Slaw. Everything was definitely fresh, from the shrimp to the crab cake. The greens were 100% homemade and flavorful. I’ve had better tasting greens but these were the freshest I’ve ever had and it made a difference. My only critique, 1 side of my crab cake was a little over done but it was still very, very good. I didn’t intend on getting a dessert but the owner said his wife just made the Key Lime cake with Cream Cheese icing. I got it to go and I am glad I did, it is really good. I will be back to Gary’s without hesitation and very soon.

Got the shack stack… Everything was delicious. The crab cake was the best I’ve ever had! Good service and fair prices too. Can’t wait to go back!

Garys Oyster Shack is just that. The coolest Shack with the greatest fresh seafood and southern trimmings. You might have to wait or call ahead m, it is worth it!
The people who own and operate it are wonderful as is every server I’ve personally had.
My Dad Loves the fried shrimp. Grouper is my favorite however I have tried upon suggestion other fish and have yet to be disappointed. Desserts oh yes homemade and truly southern
Enjoy!

Love Gary’s! They are always on point with unique spins on old favorites. You can taste the homemade goodness in each bite. My husband and I have loved watching this place grow and become a local favorite. A must stop for a one passing through or anyone from the surrounding areas. Shrimp and grits and the taco’s are my favorite.

Awesome local oyster bar. Oysters kinda small but its delicious. Their home made hot sauce makes it even better love this place

One of the nicest guys in the world. Gary helped my family while we were on vacation, dead battery in the middle of the night. Helped us jump our car. Pay it forward. Thank you Gary.

First time staying in Panama City and all signs Unilocal pointed to this place as the off the beaten path place to eat. It did not disappoint! The service and attitude of everyone working was as friendly and professional as it gets. The prices were excellent and the portions were big. We started out with a ½ pound of cajun boiled shrimp which felt heavy for a ½ pound. I had the Shrimp and Grits which had smoked sausage and an étouffée sauce on top. It was delicious! My wife and daughter split the Livewell platter which had 2 crabcakes, shrimp, flounder, and scallops. It normally includes oysters, but neither of them like oysters so an extra crabcake was subbed in. It included a side of red potatoes and a side of cheese grits. It was a huge platter of fried seafood. My son had the ¼ pound cheeseburger which also very big. In all, it was great food and a great experience!

Look, it’s what it is, a shack. The beauty of it is because they’re not located in a traditional store front like what you see next to a Wal-​Mart or Hibbet Sports, they don’t have to hike the prices up in order to pay the lease. The price for which you pay is reasonable and the food and as well as the service is excellent. I’ve been in a here several times and the owner always makes his way to say hello to everyone. The Po, Boys are the BeezNeez!

A nice lil shack off the main drag but has a menu full of food. I tried their 3 cheese oysters and the pick 2 dinner plate.
YUM!
Added bonus, the owner Gary came out and welcomed me there. Super sweet gentleman!

Amazing food & very friendly people! Had the stuffed grouper with their jalapeño close slaw and cheese grits! Everything was cooked perfect, homemade and absolutely delicious! Everything is cooked fresh when you order it! Only thing missing was a cold beer, which they don’t serve! If you are looking for great local good with a down home feel, Gary’s is the place!

Excellent food, great service, and a very personable owner. We have been eating our way along the gulf coast and this has been one of our best stops. A rainy day was turned sunny with this meal!

Outstanding
We live in Houston and are here for weekend Food is fresh and terrific Service great. A REAL MON and Pop restaurant. We will always go here when visiting our family here.
Oysters great both fried and grilled
Grouper and shrimp fried perfect. Crab cakes were wonderful. Sides terrific too
Abbie a great server

Not much to this place but just outstanding food, great great service and a nice variety of all sorts of seafood. Been coming here for a bit and always goes for the low boil. Has all the seafood you need. If on a diet dont order. Lots of seasoning and butter but you won’t be disappointed for sure. Will be back

Amazing! I’m not even a fan of shrimp but the bacon wrapped shrimp was great. Mahi tacos were delicious also. No complaints except that I ate more than I wanted. Super friendly staff and owner also. Definitely a must try.

Raw oysters are super fresh. The young man on the other side of the counter shucks the oysters before giving them to you. The fried shrimp and scallop were great. I was also impressed with their seafood gumbo!
We came during the lunch rush and almost all the tables were taken. We sat ourselves immediately, were acknowledged by the staff and we didn’t have to wait long for our food after we ordered. Great service and great food.
My 3 year old son enjoyed the raw oysters. It doesn’t surprise me. My husband started eating oysters at 5 years old.