Introduction: Spring Break in Florida
Review: American Airlines (ERJ-140) Economy Class – Wichita Falls to Dallas
Review: The Club – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Review: American Airlines (A321) Economy Class – Dallas to Tampa
Review: The Café by Mise en Place – Tampa International Airport
Review: The Lure – South Tampa
Review: Delta Airlines (A321) Economy Class – Tampa to Atlanta
Review: The Club – Hartsfield Jackson/Atlanta International Airport
Review: Delta Sky Club – Hartsfield Jackson/Atlanta International Airport
Review: Delta Airlines (737-700) Economy Class – Atlanta to Fort Walton Beach
Review: The Crab Shack – Fort Walton Beach
Review: Mama Nu’s Kitchen – Fort Walton Beach
Review: American Airlines (CRJ-900) Economy Class – Fort Walton Beach to Charlotte
Review: Admirals Club – Charlotte International Airport
Review: Admirals Club – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
As we searched for other places to eat, Old Bay Restaurant seemed like a good option because I could always go for more seafood. We talked it over and ultimately decided on Mama Nu’s Thai Restaurant which was minutes from our hotel. It was across the down the street from Red Lobster and across the highway from Olive Garden. Great location, right?
We pulled into the lot and got a up close view of Mama Nu’s. Wow, it almost made me not want to go inside. But, what kind of blogger would I be if I did not chance it???
Um, I do not know how to begin to explain the decor inside the restaurant so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. It was definitely a bit gaudy, but not as much as Sebastian’s Schnitzel Haus.
We quickly grabbed a seat at the bar where we were welcomed by the friendly bartender, Bobbie. She welcomed us to her family’s restaurant and provided menus.
I ordered a Sapporo beer and pork and shrimp steamed dumplings, while my friend order fried dumplings. Bobbie quickly shouted the order to “Bill” who was working in the kitchen. After a couple of minutes, she was back to take our entree order. I ordered the chicken laarb with American hot level of spice (which was actually quite spicy). My friend ordered the sweet pork special.
As soon as we placed these orders, the appetizers were arriving. My steamed dumplings were delivered with a homemade, sweet teriyaki sauce (it is the same as on the sweet pork). The dumplings were hot and delicious.
The chicken laarb was delivered before I could finish my appetizer. Let me tell you, this was one of my all time favorite laarb dishes. The chicken was cooked great, while the “American hot” spice level was just right. The thing that pushed the dish over the top was the fresh quartered cabbage.
I finished my meal and Bobbie offered a small to go box for the leftovers. This was not a big deal, but when she placed my food in the container, I knew something was different. This has rarely happened to me outside of Japan. This was when my coworker suggested she had an Asian background. I did not see it, I merely thought she was being really nice. When she returned, I asked the question. She was indeed of Thai descent and her uncle owned the restaurant.
As we discussed the restaurant possibly being sold, an older Asian gentleman appeared from the back. He chatted with and gave a shot of Fireball to a gentleman at the end of the bar. I then, jokingly, asked for one. This is when “Bill” introduces himself and happily poured my friend and I a shot as well. 🤯
Final Word
Thank you Bobbie and Bill at Mama Nu’s. My initial impressions of the restaurant was wrong. The food was great but the service and attention to detail were unmatched. I will definitely visit Mama Nu’s when I return to Fort Walton Beach, if the family still owns it.
