restaurants Archives - Hodnett Cooper

In need of a kid-friendly dinner in St. Simons? We’re here to help! When you’re on a family vacation to St. Simons Island, finding the right places to eat is key to ensuring everyone has a great time! This coastal destination is home to a variety of kid-friendly restaurants that cater to all ages. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite between beach adventures or a relaxed dinner spot where the kids can unwind, there are plenty of options to explore. Check out the list below to see some of our local favorites with more information on recommended dishes!

1. Tramici

Tramici is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of St. Simons with a splendid wine list for mom and dad, plenty of choices for the kids! You will find kid-friendly Italian favorites like mozzarella sticks, spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo and cheese ravioli on the menu- and don’t forget the build your own pizza!

Address: 75 Cinema Ln, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 634-2202

Menu: tramicirestaurant.com

2. Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria

Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria offers a family-friendly atmosphere with American Italian cuisine with recipes that have been passed down from many generations. Kids can enjoy pizza, spaghetti, ravioli or some good old fashion chicken tenders. All for under $11!

Address: 3415 Frederica Rd, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 268-2328

Menu: http://salsneighborhoodpizzeria.com/

3. Southern Soul Barbeque

You can’t come to the deep south without enjoying some South Georgia bbq. Southern Soul offers family-style meals that will surely be kid-approved! Let the kids get a little messy with a slab of ribs or maybe share some chicken wings instead. If you have a craving for soul food, this is the place you will want to go!

Address: 2020 Demere Rd, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 638-7685

Menu: southernsoulbbq.com

4. The Half Shell

The Half Shell is a local seafood restaurant (obviously its seafood given the name!) They offer a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, and entrees for mom and dad and they offer fried shrimp, chicken fingers, and hamburgers for the kids!

Address: 504 Beach view Dr, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 268-4241

Menu: http://thehalfshellssi.com/

5. Iguanas Seafood

Iguana’s is easily an island favorite! Their seafood is some of the best on the island. Kids can enjoy shrimp, fish bites, clam strips, or American classics like chicken fingers, or grilled cheese. The best part about Iguanas though is their complimentary soft-serve ice cream!

Address: 303 Mallery St, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 638-9650

Menu: https://www.iguanasseafood.com/st-simons-island-iguanas-food-menu

6. Barbara Jean’s

This family-run restaurant began in 1998 on St. Simons Island! Known for its comfort food, Barbara Jean’s is a great place to take the family for a hearty meal. The menu features kid-friendly options like chicken fingers and grilled cheese! Don’t forget to try their famous crab cakes and “Chocolate Stuff” dessert.

Address: 214 Mallery St, St Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 634-6500

Menu: https://www.barbarajeans.com/menu/

7. Frosty’s Griddle and Shake

This quirky shake and burger shack has quickly become a culinary staple and homage to all things nostalgic about beach life. Frosty’s offers something for everyone in a complex family structure. From cheeseburgers to chilidogs, crispy onion rings – let an ice cream float take you back to a simpler time with a round of pinball; or go for the high score at Pac man.

Address: 501 Mallery Street, St Simons Island, GA 31522

Phone: (912) 434-9509

Menu: https://www.frostysgriddleandshake.com/

If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check out our St. Simons Island vacation rentals to book your beach getaway with the entire family! For more information about the Island and things to do, check out St. Simons Island Area Guide.

Have you always wanted to know the best spots in town to eat, those spots that only the locals know about? Now you can! We sat down with Chef Dave Synder, owner of Halyards and Tramici, two of St. Simons most popular dining spots! He filled us in on what brought him to St. Simons, what he loves most about the island, and what are his favorite things to eat.

His background includes a degree from New England Culinary Institute, starting Hotel Nikko now the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta, and becoming Executive Chef at Azalea, also in Atlanta. While at Azalea he decided city life wasn’t for him, he wanted to escape the fast past lifestyle Atlanta had to offer and trade it in for warm sunny days in a coastal town where he could follow both of his passions – cooking and fishing. Lucky for Dave St. Simons restaurant J Macs needed someone just like him. Dave accepted the job with J Macs and has been here ever since.

When asking Dave what he loves most about St. Simons the answer was very simple- the people. He goes on to say “we celebrate together, we mourn together, and we help each other when in need”. In addition to the people, of course he loves the fishing, so much so he started his own fishing charter business called Hook & Knife.

There are a few things Dave suggests visitors do while they are here, things he thinks people might not think of but are an absolute must for visitors! Watching the sunrise by boat is at the top of his list, followed by renting a sail boat for the day, and then ending the day with a walk through the beautiful Cannon’s Point Preserve. He also says there is much more to do on the Island than you think, it is an outdoors enthusiast dream. Aside from that he boasts that the food on the island is amazing.

Although the Island offers some great dining options, Dave saw one major gap. The island had so many Mom and Pop type places but no upscale dining experiences could be found. This led him to open Halyards and Tramici.

Dave let us in on a few of his favorite dishes at both restaurants. At Halyards he loves to eat the Tuna Tartare and his favorite dish to make is the Scallops and Foie Gras. The Scallops and Foie Gras is actually no longer on the menu but if you request it he will make it just for you! At Tramici he loves making the house made mozzarella and he loves to eat the antipasto.

In celebration of the new spring season we also asked Dave what his favorite spring recipe was to make, which is Shrimp and Spring Pea Salad. He was also kind enough to share it with us!

Shrimp and Spring Pea Salad

Poaching liquid

1 gal water

1 c White Wine

3 ea Lemons, cut in half

1 ea Yellow Onion, peeled and cut in half

1 ea Celery Stalk

1 ea Carrot, peeled and cut in half

3 T Old Bay

3 T Salt

1 ea Bay Leaf

½ ea Bunch Thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lb Georgia Shrimp, peeled and deveined

Bring to boil and lower to about 175 degrees, steep for 15 minutes.
Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
Add water to seasoned shrimp a bit at a time so water reaches 150-175 degrees. Poach for about 12 minutes depending on size of shrimp and temperature of water.
Pull from water before they are done and cool on a flat rack. Remember, they will continue to cook outside the water.

Salad

1 c Blanched and chilled snow peas

1 c Blanched and chilled sweet peas

1 c Blanched, chilled, and peeled fava beans

1 ea Shallot, peeled and julienned

½ c Diced Tomato

1 c Diced Inner Celery Stalk, the very tender stalks

1T Chopped Thyme

1 ea Lemon, finely grated zest and strained juice

3 oz Georgia Olive Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Tramici

2. Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria

3. Southern Soul Barbeque

4. The Half Shell

5. Iguanas Seafood

6. Barbara Jean’s

7. Frosty’s Griddle and Shake

Rentals

Company

Owners

1. Tramici

2. Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria

3. Southern Soul Barbeque

4. The Half Shell

5. Iguanas Seafood

6. Barbara Jean’s

7. Frosty’s Griddle and Shake

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