With magnificent views and food to match, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is quickly becoming one of the Gulf Coast’s premier casual restaurants.
Opening this past April after a complete facility overhaul, Lucy’s is an open-air, family- and dog-friendly venue with a laid-back vibe. Located directly on Biloxi Beach, the multi-story building filled with surfboards is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy great food while taking in picturesque waterfront views.
The original version of Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar got its start in 1985, in New York of all places, and has since expanded to New Orleans, Key West, Costa Rica, Aruba, Biloxi and, its newest location, Foley, Alabama. There are plans to open 20 more locations in the next five years.
Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, Lucy’s provides creative cocktails and live music and features menus loaded with coastal-inspired favorites and contemporary dishes, all made with the freshest local ingredients.
You will want to start with an appetizer or two from the starters section of the menu, where you can choose from homemade dips, oysters, wings and more. If you want something to share, go with the “serious” nachos, which are piled high and easily enough for two or three. The avocado fritas are absolutely phenomenal — fried avocados tossed in a light beer batter served with a black bean salad and fresh chipotle ranch made in house. They literally melt in your mouth.
The Taco Shack section of the menu offers classic, shrimp, pork and blackened fish varieties, all garnished with black bean salsa and house-made slaw.
If you’re in the mood for a special treat, order the Ohana whole fish tacos. The beautifully presented fish is marked on the grill, then oven baked and served whole with an array of accompaniments to build your own tacos. The fish is whatever’s fresh that day, such as flounder, trigger fish, triple tail or (like the day of my visit) red snapper. Unsure how to dig into this impressive dish, I asked chef Jessica Richardson for advice.
“Just take the knife underneath, go against the bone and lift it up,” she said. “That’s it!”
Besides tacos, you can get burgers, sandwiches, baskets or an entrée from the favorites section of the menu. The bacon-brie chicken sandwich definitely caught my eye, and it didn’t disappoint — grilled, marinated chicken breast topped with crispy bacon, brie, tomato and spinach and served on a brioche bun with creole honey mustard. It blended together perfectly and definitely will make me return.
Lucy’s also is known for its cocktails and serves fun concoctions like the shark attack, which comes with an 11-inch plastic shark and the “blood” of its victims. If you are feeling adventurous, try shots of tequila served with either a “potentially hallucinogenic” worm or “possibly venomous” scorpion. Those brave enough to consume them get a cool T-shirt to take home as a badge of honor for bragging rights.
When I asked Catherine “Cat” Ryan, general manager and creator of the official cocktail of the Mississippi Gulf Coast called the Cat Island cruiser, why someone should visit Lucy’s, she said, “It’s Biloxi’s first destination, beach bar location. We’re family friendly (and) pet friendly, with plenty of fun and lots of excitement. It is a summer destination spot whether you’re on vacation or you’re a local.”
Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is open seven days a week, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on weekends. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. and features $5 surf snacks and drink specials. There is a late night menu starting at 10 p.m., and a brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday featuring bloody mary and mimosa specials. You can order drinks to bring to the beach or take on boardwalk strolls. Most weekends feature live entertainment and oyster shucking.
IF YOU GO
Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant 1775 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS
(228) 207-4369