Harrison's Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Panama City

Review on Harrison's Kitchen & Bar

The location is a little tricky to get to right now with construction in the area but long term this could be a very big focal point of the Panama City Marina area.

But if St Joe wants to see Harrison’s succeed they’re going to have to work through the challenges they’re already facing.

The atmosphere is welcoming and has a unique by-the-bay meets comfort food but in an almost industrial setting. The building reminds me of a place that used to be something else and was refurbished into a restaurant, which is interesting.

The patio seating is comfortable and the use of large ceiling fans keeps it comfortable even on a 90° sun filled day! The interior was a comfy temperature and for those looking to enjoy some television there were plenty of screens throughout.

All that is great and sets the foundation for what could be a great restaurant!

Service was great with Kristi welcoming us and being very attentive to what we asked for and keeping our drinks full. She was very welcoming to feedback.

On the menu side, this is where Harrison’s has work to do!

First, the online menus don’t match the in store menu. And the place has only been open for a little over a week. I was excited to try their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Curly Fries, only to find out they didn’t even have any curly fries. Bother, at least the fries they had were decent.

Overall, the chef and kitchen have work to do!

For the menu pricing being what it is, I expected to get a sandwich on more than two thin slices of wonderbread! If you want to stick to the sliced bread, great, just make your own or source something thick and higher end.

The chicken itself was good, packing a real punch of spicy that the slaw and pickles unfortunately didn’t balance out at all. A richer slaw would help here.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is a 6/10

We also had the pimento cheese appetizer!

This is one strong point for Harrison’s…. They need to keep this recipe in tact, and just fix the hushpuppies which were over cooked and lacked flavor. The saltines were also very soft, almost like they were left in the cooler and got moist.

Pimento cheese gets a 8/10 which I would expect to go up if the crackers and hushpuppies are fixed.

The rest of my party got the smash burger, the shrimp bangers and the blackstone chicken. Everyone had the same general consensus that the food was good but not great. Perhaps expectations were set too high? But no, you have to expect great food quality when a place is advertised so strong!

I would recommend giving it a try yourself with tempered expectations, but if they make some big improvements quickly I’d be...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Harrison's Kitchen and Bar in sunny Panama City, Florida, and let me tell you, it was an experience to remember! From the fantastic service to the mouthwatering dishes, this place has it all.

Let me start by praising the star of the show, our amazing waitress Vanessa. From the moment we walked in, she greeted us with a warm and welcoming smile, instantly making us feel right at home. Vanessa's friendly and attentive nature truly elevated our dining experience. She was knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations and ensuring that all our needs were met throughout the evening. Her genuine passion for providing top-notch service was evident, and it made our time at Harrison's truly memorable.

Now, let's dive into the culinary delight that I had the pleasure of savoring. I ordered the "Gumbo and Shrimp and Chicken Our Way," and it was nothing short of perfection. The flavors were rich, the spices well-balanced, and every bite was bursting with deliciousness. The combination of shrimp and chicken in the gumbo was a stroke of genius, creating a delightful fusion of flavors that danced on my taste buds. It was a dish that truly showcased the chef's talent and dedication to creating memorable dining experiences.

Of course, no exceptional dining experience is complete without a sip (or two!) of refreshing cocktails. Harrison's Kitchen and Bar did not disappoint in this regard. I had the pleasure of trying a couple of their cocktails, and they were expertly crafted. The bartenders are true mixologists, creating unique and flavorful concoctions that perfectly complemented the meal. It's safe to say that Harrison's is a place where the drinks are just as impressive as the food.

The overall atmosphere at Harrison's was lively and inviting, with a vibrant energy that added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed, creating a cozy and intimate ambiance that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a fun night out with friends, Harrison's Kitchen and Bar hits all the right notes.

In conclusion, if you're in Panama City, Florida, and searching for an outstanding dining experience, look no further than Harrison's Kitchen and Bar. With Vanessa's exceptional service, the delectable "Gumbo and Shrimp and Chicken Our Way," and the expertly crafted cocktails, you're in for a treat. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. So go ahead and indulge your taste buds, and let Harrison's create a dining experience that will leave you wanting more. Cheers to good food, good drinks,...

UPDATE: I actually posted the review below when it was our 3rd visit when Mr. Blackwell was still there and that was in Sept 2022. Not sure why it reposted recently, but I think it was because GOOGLE maps knew I was there again this past Friday, Dec. 2., 2022. My husband and I once again said, let's give Harrisons another try. I ordered the Pecan Crusted Catch Linguini, which was Grouper and my husband ordered the Ribeye medium rare. The linguini itself was good, but my Grouper was bland except for the pecan crust. It tasted as if it didn't have any seasoning on it at all. My husbands ribeye was cooked medium to well. We are not ones to send back food, because we understand the expense and honestly now that this restaurant has been open for several months, it should be much better than it is. I give honest reviews. I would still only give 3 stars and it's sad because again, we truly want this establishment to do well and succeed. I have attached new photos taken last Friday evening of the Steak and the Pecan Crusted Catch Linguini.

This was our 3rd time to visit and each time it's just been "okay", which is a shame because we have such high hopes for it to succeed!!! Each time we have had great servers, so it's not the servers fault. The food is just okay..... our friend today ordered the "Award winning gumbo" so the menu states. He said it was like eating burnt gravy over rice. I ordered the Georgian peach salad with grilled chicken.... I ended up with a house salad. My husband ordered a Cobb with grilled grouper, he too received a house salad. Manager, Mr. Blackwell walked by later in our meal to just check and see how things were, we explained how unfortunately we received wrong food and the Gumbo was really not good at all. He wanted to know how he could make it better. We told him the food just has to be better if they want to keep us locals coming back. We so want it to be great, but unless they improve we will not be frequenting this establishment. (I unfortunately didn't get a photo of the Gumbo before he had started eating it. His wife ordered the fish tacos and said they were a 4 star...