Shannon's Seafood Kitchen — Restaurant in Ensley

I recently visited Pensacola from out of town and was looking for a good seafood place. After a quick internet search, I found Shannon's. The reviews were nearly all 5-star, so I gave it a try. I knew from reading the reviews that Shannon's was situated in a sort-of non-descript strip mall, so I knew what to expect on the outside. Believe me, with food THIS flavorful, nothing extra is needed in terms of ambience! On my first trip, I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. The grits were cheesy, creamy, and hot, garnished with green onion and an andouille-type sausage. The shrimp was grilled/blackened, tender, and tasty. A light brown roux gravy was drizzled atop the Shrimp and Grits. Yum! My mother ordered the Mullet & Grits, and the mullet was amazingly flaky, with a wonderfully well-seasoned light breading. I liked my shrimp a LOT . . . but the mullet was surprisingly wonderful; we both loved it! Mom ordered it again when we returned a few days later, and it was just as good. On the second visit, I ordered the fried shrimp platter with two sides, okra and grits. The shrimp were large and dusted in a flavor-filled breading. Deliciously fresh! The grits were just as great as last time, and the okra was so much better than the typical (over-breaded) version so many other places serve. The amount of breading was just right, and a little salt sprinkled on top rounded them out well. Lastly, we had the Lumpia appetizer both times . . . a weird name, but a fabulously tasty Asian spring-roll appetizer of sausage and other fillings. Mmm - mmm, that Lumpia is good! We highly recommend everything we've tried. We also have high praise for Shannon and his friendly front-counter waitstaff who were SO welcoming! We'll tell all of our local relatives about the hidden gem they have in Shannon's -- and we will be back...

First let me say that I first found this place about 4 years ago. Anytime that we are in this area, this is our goto place for great po boys. Not so much on this recent visit. Apparently, the owner has sold the business, as there was a completely different crew here, and it was obvious with the food quality. The cook staff is putting way too much salt in the seasonings. Everything tasted salty, which in the past, the seasonings were perfect. I hate it when a great little cafe changes hands and the quality suffers. We probably won't return, as we are not fans of over salted food.

UPDATE On Review We decided to give this place another try, as with most places with new ownership, it takes a little adjustment period. On this trip the food was much better, with less salty taste. It was much more like the original food with the previous two owners. There is none of the original cook staff left, so the new staff seems to be getting better, and much more like the original staff. My shrimp poboy was almost as good as it was previously, just a little more onion than necessary. My wife had the fried oysters, which she said were as good as the original ones that she had in our past visits. I'm glad to see that they have returned to being almost as good as before, as we love going here. Still the best poboy in the Pensacola area.

Update 2

We went here again after our last positive visit. This time it was our worst experience yet. One of the worst shrimp po boys thar I've had. The shrimp were so overcooked they were like hard rubber. The fries were under cooked and greasy. We've gone here 3 times with the new ownership, and we won't be back. They really need to get a good cook, or they won't last. Too bad, as this was the best po boy in the Pensacola area. Now it's pot luck on what you're...

Our flight from Kansas City to Pensacola had just landed when my husband began to look for a seafood restaurant for lunch. Thanks to outstanding Google reviews, we went to Shannon's.

The first thing you'll notice about Shannon's is the friendly atmosphere. Shannon's wife, Tina, greeted us with a big country smile and a "welcome y'all" as we entered the clean, and obviously new, establishment. Radiant, Tina led us to our table and asked if we'd eaten with them before. Admitting we were from out of town, Tina proceeded to make selection recommendations, while assuring us everything was fresh and made from scratch daily. Even the frying oil is changed daily, she told us. WOW!

I tried the local mullet, my husband the combination platter. The breading was light and flavorful and the seafood moist, flakey, and most certainly fresh. The collard greens were amazing and the hushpuppies like none I've ever had. In short, it was about the best fried seafood I've ever eaten.

I also enjoyed watching so many of the locals arrive to pick up orders while chatting with Tina. Everyone was so friendly and joyful!

I might just plan my next trip to Pensacola just to visit...