Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

A friend of ours, Becky Bents, gave us a tip for finding unique and fantastic places to eat; “check out the Food Network’s show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”.  I went on-line and found a restaurant in Long Beach called Darwell’s Cafe that had been featured on the show.  Darwell’s web page has a link to the Food Network segment.  We called Pat and Phip LaVenture (they’re staying near Gulf Port) and met them there for lunch. 

Darwell (the owner) welcomed us at the door of his quirky and unique looking restaurant, with his larger than life personality and southern hospitality.  The motto of the restaurant is “Real Food for Real People” and he is proud that nothing he serves is deep fried like so much of the southern cooking. He gave us the low-down on the daily specials and a sample of his famous crawfish etofee, which Jim ordered for his meal.  I got the Yum Yum, which was the crawfish etofee with crab and shrimp served over angel hair pasta; YUM YUM! 

Darwell told us we could sit anywhere, “but sitting out on the patio is like being in Key West without having to drive there”; we sat outside on the patio.  This was definitely a fun place to eat with over the top great food and service. 

After having a fabulous lunch and visit with the LaVentures, we stopped at the casino down the road from our campground, and walked out with an extra $9.  If Jim would know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em we would have made about $90.  Good thing I know when to cash out and walk away from the machines.  Any day you can walk out of a casino with more money than you walked in with is a good day...even if it's only $9.