You know summertime is close by when Milton’s summertime-only restaurant, Gator’s Seafood, sets an opening date.
Fans of the longtime, family-owned restaurant were delighted to learn that it would reopen for the season on June 5.
Last year, Gator’s celebrated its 50th anniversary, and owner Bill Farrington spoke to the News Journal about the feat, in awe that the community has sustained his parents’ “little fish joint” through the decades.
Long-time regulars were quick to comment when the Gator’s social media account posted the opening date, with regulars asking the Farringtons to go ahead and get their table ready or save them a big juicy flounder.
Keeping the restaurant open has been a family affair, as his wife and children were the ones who came to him advocating to keep it open when his father’s health declined and he was no longer able to run it in 2012.
They’re only open two days a week through the summer, which they work in addition to their full-time jobs, and each summer brings no guarantees for the next.
“It’s one of those things that we’ll do it as long as we can do it. It’s got a lot of nostalgia to it,” Farrington told the News Journal. “If you’ve been there when you were younger, it brings back a lot of memories for people.”
The menu isn’t much different than it was when it opened in the spring of ’75 in the best way, with local seafood, cheese grits and other Southern specialties remaining core staples. The recipe for the hot mullet dates back decades, and Farrington has carefully preserved it.
Even today, Farrington is very hands-on with the business, often in the back, frying up fish while his wife, Jennifer Farrington, welcomes customers inside.
The interior décor is not fancy, but it feels like home. Like the recipes, Farrington has also preserved the memories of his youth.
“It has nothing to do with making a profit or anything like that,” Farrington told the News Journal. “It has to do with just the emotion of family and friends that you’ve known all your life.
Gator’s Seafood will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday for the summer starting on June 5. Gator’s typically closes up shop for the season at the end of August. Gator’s Seafood is located at 4025 Farrington Road and accepts cash or check only.
For real-time time updates and information, follow Gator’s Seafood on social media.
Hungry for more? Stay updated on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletters/pensacola-eats/.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gator’s Seafood in Milton set to reopen for summer season
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
