Gulf-themed girl dinner: A virtual visit to the beach right here in Birmingham

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There’s nothing like that feeling after a long day at the beach—throwing on a sundress, meeting your girlfriends and heading to a seaside dinner spot. But if a beach trip isn’t in the plans this year (PTO’s a little tight, we get it), don’t worry: You can still capture that fresh-from-the-Gulf energy without ever leaving Birmingham.

To get a taste of the beach right here in central Alabama, my friend Abby and I decided to grab a meal at Shrimp Basket in Gardendale—here’s what we thought, what we would order again and why it’s a worthwhile venue for your next culinary staycation.

Why we chose Shrimp Basket

Shrimp Basket has always been one of my favorite places to eat at the beach, and fortunately for me there’s a convenient location right here in Gardendale.

My favorite part? The opportunity to get great-tasting seafood that feels more local because it is more local: They’ve expanded their options of wild-caught Gulf shrimp.

For just a few dollars more, you can now upgrade to wild-caught Gulf shrimp on select menu items, which gives it that beach-side taste while supporting the local shrimpers and coastal communities who help make it all happen.

First course: cocktails

You don’t need a beach chair to kick back with a tropical cocktail—we dove into their drink menu and couldn’t resist the frozen Bushwhacker. Our server suggested the banana pudding Bushwacker, and it was like a southern dessert and beach vacation all in one glass. Stop by anytime of the year and check out their rotating selection of seasonally-themed flavors + more! 

Second course: snacks + starters

When it comes to kicking off your meal, Shrimp Basket knows how to get things started right, and there’s something for every taste and budget.

We dug into the Firecracker Fries—a loaded pile of crispy fries topped with “boom boom” Gulf popcorn shrimp, cheeses, green onions and a drizzle of ranch.

It’s bold, cheesy and just the right amount of messy (in the best way). We also couldn’t resist the hand-breaded fried dill pickles—golden, crispy and perfect for sharing…if you’re feeling generous.

Main course: From the Gulf to our table

We’re big fans of a good “girl dinner,” which basically means ordering anything that sounds delicious and sharing all the goodies.

My top pick was the tail-on shrimp basket: it comes with all the Southern fixins.

Our friend Cindy loved that there was a salad option topped with Gulf shrimp—it’s all about balance for her, as she may have enjoyed a Bushwacker as well…

Of course, we had to end on a sweet note (as all meals should) with a piece of Key lime pie—tangy with a sweet caramel drizzle. The perfect tropical finishing note to our virtual vacay.

Plan your visit to the Shrimp Basket in Gardendale

With 18 locations—nine in Alabama—Shrimp Basket is well-versed in that laid-back and coastal vibe with exceptional service that values Southern hospitality. Stop by the Gardendale location and tell them Bham Now sent you! 

• Gardendale
  • 550 Fieldstown Road, Suite 100 Gardendale, AL 35071
  • Sunday – Saturday | 11AM – 9PM

Check out Shrimp Basket’s full menu here + see how a small upgrade can support the local shrimpers and coastal communities of Alabama.

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