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Celebrate Independence Day at the Star-Spangled Food Truck Festival in Destin Commons

Posted on by tatiana@360pmi.com

Prepare to feast in the name of patriotism: Destin Commons’ inaugural Star-Spangled Food Truck Festival is taking center stage on July 3 – and for the first time ever, we’ve upgraded our Independence Day celebration to a culinary extravaganza featuring 25 of the area’s best food trucks. 

From savory to sweet, fiery-hot to frozen and everything in between, this festival’s food truck lineup offers a variety of cuisines to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Classic American comfort dishes, internationally inspired fusion, decadent treats, and refreshing drinks will serve up a delicious start to summertime as guests peruse Destin Commons’ shops and snap photos in front of the colorful murals. 

And, because no proper summer soiree is complete without live music, we’ve got the Duchess and Tobacco Road Band performing the perfect party playlist as guests create memories and celebrate our great nation alongside their family and friends. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a 4th of July celebration without fireworks – and you know we’ve got the grandest fireworks display on the coast! Case in point: this will be an evening you don’t want to miss. 

Here are a few of the local food truck vendors you can expect to see on Monday, as well as a few of their special, must-try Independence Day dishes:

Rise & Swine 

Rise & Swine will be serving up its iconic breakfast-inspired and hearty comfort food favorites, from the Chicken & Waffles and Pork Belly Tacos to its Piggy Burger and Breakfast Bowl (because eggs are appropriate all day long!)

“We are excited to celebrate our Nation’s Independence by gathering small business owners together – people who embody the American Dream – and display the passion and hard work that each of us put in every single day,” says Rise & Swine owner Chris Falgout.

Doughboy Burgers

Doughboy Burgers is bringing a unique twist on mouthwatering hamburgers that carry a meaningful history in Mississippi. Named after the term affectionately given to infantrymen in World War I, Doughboy Burgers strives to bring a slice of American history back through its food. During this era, Mississippians were struggling to find ways to feed their families. These tough and trying times displayed their creativeness along with resilience – a result of which was the dough burger. 

Come hungry for a Sloppy Joe (AKA the “Sloppy Dough”), Double Dough cheeseburger, loaded fries, and more. Bonus: they’ll be offering a $3 Sloppy Dough slider as a small plate exclusively for this event! 

“We are absolutely excited about celebrating our independence in paradise while bringing a bit of Mississippi fare. Come enjoy a slice of history with us this holiday weekend by trying our Dough Burger,” says owner Steven Rogers.

Cheeseus Food Truck FWB

Cheesus Food Truck FWB will melt your mind with “sinful” twists on grilled cheeses (try the “Envy” and “Pride”) and beef dogs (go for “Lust”) – plus, everything they serve is made to order with fresh and unique toppings. Created in 2020, Cheesus is female-owned, as well as local and family-operated, and consistently gives back to its community of “Cheesy” people. 

Sea and Snow Shave Ice

Cool off with Sea and Snow Shaved Ice’s Star Spangled Special: a festive red, white, and blue treat. “As a veteran-owned and Destin-based business, we’re so excited to be at this event,” says owner Kris Penland. 

Additional attending food truck vendors include: 

  • A Real Taste of Philly
  • Cafe Rico
  • Copper Grille 
  • Cousins Maine Lobster
  • Curry in a Hurry
  • Dadgum Good BBQ
  • Dippin Dots
  • Emerald Coast Kettle Corn
  • Frutas Locas
  • Kansas City Wings
  • Lola’s Garden
  • Maria’s Taco Plus
  • My Ohana
  • Plant Based Wellness con Sabor LLC
  • Pressed
  • Repicci’s 
  • Retro Snow Cones
  • Rolling Embers Pizza Oven
  • Say It Hot Dogs and More
  • Sports to Geaux
  • Sunshine Catering
  • Sweet Libations
  • Thai Taste
  • The Thirsty Ranch
  • Waffle Boutique
  • Who Cut the Cheese

Mmm…tastes like freedom. Join us at Destin Commons for the Star-Spangled Food Truck Festival on Monday, July 3 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 

For more information, visit https://destincommons.com/happenings-events/star-spangled-food-truck-festival/. 

Destin Dining Guide

Posted on by tatiana@360pmi.com

Is it just us, or does everyone else constantly look forward to their next meal? Let’s face it: food is more than something we simply consume for survival. It’s a form of art and affection – a gift that’s meant to be savored and is often the centerpiece of celebratory gatherings, date nights, and memories made with family and friends. Since the beginning of time, food has brought people together, and that’s exactly why dining is at the heart of Destin Commons.   

Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, unique brunch experience, internationally inspired menu, decadent desserts, or mouthwatering small plates, you need not search further than Destin Commons and its City Food Hall (the first food hall in the area!)  

With a diverse array of 16+ restaurants, quick-service eateries, confectionary shops, and specialty stores from which to dine, Destin Commons is truly the perfect locale to come hungry and ready to indulge. Who knows…you may just find your new favorite spot or dish in the city. 

Feast your eyes on some of our top dining destinations in Destin– then come and get a taste for yourself.  

Bon Appetit! 

RESTAURANTS

Ideal for celebratory moments both big and small, these restaurants (some of which double as entertainment destinations) are serving up some major flavor. Satisfy your cravings at one (or all – we don’t judge) of these establishments.   

Party Fowl 

Specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken, local beer, and Boozy Slushies, Party Fowl offers diners a one-of-a-kind experience (and wall-to-wall TVs) making it a must-visit for brunch and game days. The menu includes several hot chicken dishes with heat levels ranging from Southern Fried to “Poultrygeist,” as well as creative spins on the classics.  

Another Broken Egg Café ® 

A cozy favorite, Another Broken Egg Café creates exceptional and craveable food with the care of a true artisan. There’s a reason why it remains a leading location for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Towering pancakes, sizzling skillets, and indulgent omelets? Sign us up! 

Yuga Sushi & Sake House 

Offering the best sushi on the Emerald Coast, Yuga Sushi and Sake House features dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients, passion, and creativity. Few things get groups running to a table like “sushi and sake” – the perfect pairing. 

Gulf Coast Burgers Co. 

A local and family-owned restaurant, Gulf Coast Burgers features a gourmet chef-inspired menu filled with mouthwatering burgers and decadent shakes made with only the freshest ingredients. Want to skip the burger? Enjoy fresh seafood or wings, as well as gluten-free and even vegetarian options.  

Redbrick Pizza 

 This fast-casual restaurant specializes in traditional hand-crafted pizza, complete with a dreamy crispy crust that’s cooked to order in a high-temperature stone oven. The menu also features a selection of hand-crafted calzones, sandwiches, freshly tossed salads, locally made gelato, gluten-free pizza, desserts, and more.  

Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill 

With a unique aquatic underwater theme, Bass Pro Shops’ family restaurant is not to be missed! Enjoy seafood and all-American classics, as well as bowling lanes featuring shark and alligator-themed bowling balls. 

World of Beer 

You guessed right: there are brews from all over the planet available at World of Beer! Start sipping one of their 550+ beers that have been carefully chosen from around the globe. Pair your brew with something from their scrumptious menu and rest assured you’ll leave full and happy. 

El Jalisco 

Authentic Mexican food – yes, please! El Jalisco features all your flavorful and fresh favorites.  Give us all the tacos, especially on Tuesdays! 

QUICK BITES

Enjoy great eats on the fly! We’re talking fresh and good-for-you smoothie bowls, juicy cheeseburgers, flaky pastries, and other irresistible bites to fuel your day at Destin Commons! 

Formula Fresh 

From signature cold-pressed juices to superfood smoothies and primal snacks, Formula Fresh makes 100 percent of all menu offerings in-house daily using whole ingredients. The concept uniquely formulates its recipes to give palates (and bodies) a daily dose of healthy bliss. There’s also an extensive list of healthy options for vegans, rawtarians, gluten-free followers, and Paleos alike, without limiting offerings to 100 percent of any traditional dietary labeling. 

Smashburger

It’s in the name: these smashed burgers are always made-to-order, never frozen, and smashed and seared to perfection on the grill. The menu is also kid-friendly and vegetarian-approved, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Starbucks Coffee 

No intro needed, this international coffee and coffeehouse chain features some of your favorite caffeinated drinks, as well as on-the-go friendly salads, sandwiches, pastries, and snacks.  

Pro Tip: City Food Hall offers several other quick-service eateries too! 

SWEET TREATS

Ice cream, donuts, shaved ice, nostalgic candies and much more – your day can only get sweeter from here! 

Kilwins 

Known for its gourmet sweets, the famous Kilwins confectionary is known for its wide array of kitchen-fresh fudge, 24 flavors of scrumptious original recipe ice cream, and a tempting selection of hand-dipped chocolates that will satisfy the neediest sweet tooth. 

Destination Little Donuts 

This local designer donut shop offers fresh, topped-to-order donuts, which are made throughout the day to ensure peak freshness. Better yet, they offer gluten-free donuts (with advanced reservation), as well as other treats and local coffee – because you just can’t have donuts without a good cup of joe. 

SnowBiz by Ray 

Florida days just call for Shaved Ice – a refreshing must-have in the Florida sunshine. Located in Center Plaza, SnowBiz offers 16 flavors of shaved ice ranging from Cherry to Pina Colada, as well as soft drinks, popcorn, and pretzels.  

IT’SUGAR 

This trendy sweets shop doubles as an exciting experience comprised of wonder-inducing sights, smells, and the tastes of all your favorite treats. Consider it a real-life Candyland. 

Pro Tip: Order a decadent shake at Gulf Coast Burgers! 

SPECIALTY

Fresh foods, unique bites, and gifts for the foodie in your life. 

Whole Foods Market  

We could happily get lost at Whole Foods – and trust us when we say this: the hot/cold food bar is not to be missed. Stop in for lunch or box up a helping of fresh food for a nutritious and delicious take-out meal your at-home crew will devour. Pro Tip: Grab some pastries from the bakery to pop in the oven for a sweet post-meal treat. 

The Beef Jerky Outlet 

Destin’s Beef Jerky Outlet offers over 200 varieties of jerky, as well as sausages, seasonings, hot sauces, flavored popcorn, cordials, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and even t-shirts. Don’t miss out on jerky flavors such as crawfish, garlic, Jamaican rum, honey BBQ, cherry maple, or the reaper. Bonus: these make great gifts! 

The Spice & Tea Exchange 

Aromatic from the moment you walk in, The Spice & Tea Exchange® invites foodies, chefs, and tea enthusiasts to shop over 140 fine spices, 75+ hand-mixed seasoning blends, sugars, salts, loose-leaf teas, and accessories. Create your own gourmet gift or choose from a variety of gift boxes and recipe samplers. 

CITY FOOD HALL

Featuring specialty restaurants centered around various international cuisines, City Food Hall is Destin Commons’ premier dining and entertainment destination. Taste your way around the world with health-conscious meals, Japanese-Southern cuisine, Thai street food, Mexican-soul food, poke bowls, fried chicken, island comfort food, and more.  

PB& J Bakery 

Created by husband-and-wife chef duo Phillip and Jess Bauer, PB&J is a health-forward cafe with bold, unique dishes and nostalgic classics. Yes, that includes comforting and gourmet PB&Js, as well as “Fat and Weird Stuffed Cookies,” sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and more. 

Nanbu Too 

Owned and operated by locally acclaimed Executive Chef Nikhil Abuvala, Nanbu Too is a satellite location of one of Grayton’s Beach’s top restaurants. Born from Abuvala’s early love of Asian fare, Nanbu (translated to “Southern” in Japanese) offers Japanese cuisine with a southern flair. 

Tuk Tuk Thai 

A concept by Chef Sonya Thaijaroen, Tuk Tuk Thai brings authentic Thai street food to the shores of Destin with ambitious dishes, bold flavors, and hand-mixed seasoning blends – all showcased by a military veteran-owned team. 

Birdie’s Nourishing Kitchen 

A finalist on Master Chef and former Food Network Star, Chef Katie Dixon’s dining concept offers a range of power foods, from acai bowls and salads to healthy takes on traditional, southern fare. 

Macho Taco 

Known for bringing Mexican-inspired soul food to 30A, Chef Stephen combined his southern roots, California farm-to-table experience, and passion for food to develop the unique, balanced, and delicious Mexican-inspired “soul food” menu at Macho Taco. He describes the dishes as simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, and creative yet controlled. 

Poke Loa 

This New Orleans-based establishment was the first poke restaurant in Louisiana. The locally owned family business serves up the freshest cuts of fish around – all of which are sourced daily. All fish, toppings, and vegetables are chopped and prepared in-house. 

Destin Chicken Co.  

Destin Chicken Co. is serving up the best chicken on the Emerald Coast. From chicken nuggets tossed in a variety of delectable sauces and a range of flavor-packed chicken sandwiches to ranch slaw and house waffles with maple butter, there is a menu item to satisfy all cravings and taste buds. Don’t forget to include a side of truffle parmesan onion rings and a refreshing house lemonade! 

Likkle Jamdung 

Jamaican lingo for ‘Little Jamaica’, Chef Shaun Watson crafts island cuisine with a “down-home” feel. Think traditional Jamaican Beef Patties and unique takes on Caribbean favorites, such as Jerk Chicken and Braised Oxtail. 

Pro Tip: Stop at City Food Hall Bar for craft cocktails, local beer, and an expansive wine list! 

Hungry for more? We bet! Come taste your way around Destin at Destin Commons and City Food Hall. While hours vary for restaurants, City Food Hall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  

For more information, visit DestinCommons.com.  

City Food Hall Is Officially Open at Destin Commons–Here’s A “Taste”

Posted on by tatiana@360pmi.com

Source: Tuk Tuk Thai via Instagram 

Destin foodies, rejoice! There’s a new food hall in town that’s sure to become the go-to dining destination and entertainment gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Enter: City Food Hall at Destin Commons. 

Source: getthecoast.com 

Featuring nine specialty restaurants centered around various international cuisines – a testament to Destin’s expanding food culture scene – and state-of-the-art entertainment, City Food Hall is the ideal place for an exciting date, family outing, ladies’ night, or game day in Destin. 

Founded by Peter Rounce and Kenzie Motai, whose impressive portfolio includes the now MIA Market in Miami Design District, the 14,000 square-foot space is the city of Destin’s first-ever food hall, serving as both a premier culinary and nightlife destination, as well as a unique opportunity to showcase the city’s veteran and up-and-coming chefs. Each of the featured local entrepreneurs were thoughtfully selected for their passion, talent, and contributions to the community. Together, they make City Food Hall one of the best places to eat and drink in Destin, Florida. 

Source: getthecoast.com 

A diverse array of globally inspired foods, craft beers, and cocktails are available, making City Food Hall the ideal place for an enriching and mouthwatering progressive dining experience. Grab a seat at the expansive indoor/outdoor bar to mingle as you sip and savor. Afterward, elevate your outing by heading over to the two, reservable Topgolf Swing Suites for an immersive social experience where you can engage in multi-sport games and Full Swing golf simulator technology – all as you catch the major games on multiple high-definition screens. 

Want to get a “taste” of City Food Hall before your visit? Here are some of the eateries we can’t get enough of: 

Source: PB&J Bakery and Café via Instagram 

PB&J Bakery and Café – Created by husband-and-wife chef duo Phillip and Jess Bauer, PB&J is a health-forward cafe with bold, unique dishes and nostalgic classics. Yes, that includes comforting and gourmet PB&Js, as well as “Fat and Weird Stuffed Cookies,” sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee and more. 

Nanbu Too – Owned and operated by locally acclaimed Executive Chef Nikhil Abuvala, Nanbu Too is a satellite location of one of Grayton’s Beach’s top restaurants. Born from Abuvala’s early love of Asian fare, Nanbu (translated to “Southern” in Japanese) offers Japanese cuisine with southern flair. 

Tuk Tuk Thai – A concept by Chef Sonya Thaijaroen, Tuk Tuk Thai brings authentic Thai street food to the shores of Destin with ambitious dishes, bold flavors, and hand-mixed seasoning blends – all showcased by a military veteran-owned team. 

Source: Birdie’s Nourished Kitchen via Instagram 

Birdie’s Nourished Kitchen by Chef Katie Dixon – A finalist on Master Chef and former Food Network Star, Chef Katie Dixon’s concept offers a range of power foods, from acai bowls and salads to healthy takes on traditional, southern fare.  

Source: Macho Taco via Facebook 

Macho Taco – Known for bringing Mexican-inspired soul food to 30A, Chef Stephen combined his southern roots, California farm-to-table experience, and passion for food to develop the unique, balanced, and delicious Mexican-inspired “soul food” menu at Macho Taco. He describes the dishes as simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, and creative yet controlled.  

Source: Poke Loa via Instagram 

Poke Loa – This New Orleans-based establishment was the first poke restaurant in Louisiana. The locally owned family business serves up the freshest cuts of fish around – all of which are sourced daily. All fish, toppings, and vegetables are chopped and prepared in-house.  

Destin Chicken Co. – Debuting under a new name and with new owners, Destin Chicken Co. is serving up the best chicken on the Emerald Coast. From chicken nuggets tossed in a variety of delectable sauces and a range of flavor-packed chicken sandwiches to ranch slaw and house waffles with maple butter, there is a menu item to satisfy all cravings and taste buds. Don’t forget to include a side of truffle parmesan onion rings and a refreshing house lemonade! 

Likkle Jamdung – Jamaican lingo for ‘Little Jamaica’, Chef Shaun Watson crafts island cuisine with a “down-home” feel. Think traditional Jamaican Beef Patties to unique takes on Caribbean favorites, such as Jerk Chicken and Braised Oxtail. 

Source: Zitoun via Instagram 

Zaitoun – A concept by mother and daughter duo Lina and Haya, Zaitoun brings traditional Middle Eastern dishes to the Destin community. The team behind this eatery prides itself on using signature recipes, spice blends, herbs, and homemade sauces to enhance only the freshest ingredients. 

City Food Hall also plans to feature live music on a regular basis, and the venue and Swing Suites are now available to rent for special events, including birthdays, happy hours, holiday parties, bachelor/bachelorette events, corporate retreats, and more. Event hosts can incorporate an extra creative twist by adding a food passport to the experience.  

We know, we know … your mouth is watering. Luckily, your solution is nearby and now open! Head on over to City Food Hall and join us as we satisfy our cravings. After all, it’s one the best things to do in Destin, Florida. 

Located next to Foot Locker near Uncle Buck’s, City Food Hall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  

For more information, visit www.cityfoodhall.com and follow City Food Hall on Instagram.