OKALOOSA ISLAND — The newest restaurant to open at the Fudpucker’s complex is a call back to older, simpler times along the Emerald Coast.
Fudshucker’s, a steam shack and raw bar located outdoors on the back side of the new Fudpucker’s, is the third and final restaurant to open in the 18,000-square-foot building.
“I wanted to sort of take a step back in time,” said Chester Kroeger, co-owner and founder of Fudpucker’s. “I felt like we needed to do something in Fort Walton Beach that was geared more toward the locals, and this was my opportunity to do it. It’s a waterfront location; you can get there by boat. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
“We’ve got Fudpucker’s upstairs. We’ve got the pizza place, Fudpuckeroni’s, downstairs next to the arcade which works great for families,” Kroeger added. “This was just a way to do something completely different. So there are three different restaurants with three different concepts on the property.”
The menu at Fudshucker’s typically is oysters — which come raw, steamed, char-grilled and baked — along with other steamed seafood and sandwiches.
Fudshucker’s opened Wednesday but will have its grand opening events next weekend. A crawfish boil is scheduled for May 18 and a pig roast will be May 19. Both start at 2 p.m.
The new location is also launching its Fudpucker’s Water Sports line. It includes pontoon, kayak and paddle board rentals, parasailing, charter boat fishing and a 42-passenger catamaran boat.
The Okaloosa Island location also features a traditional Fudpucker’s restaurant on the top floor and sports bar specializing in pizza on the ground floor, as well as an arcade.
The location is expected to have 180 employees by Memorial Day.
The old island location on Santa Rosa Boulevard topped out at about 50 employees during the summer.
“It’s just a much, much bigger operation,” Kroeger said. “So much more to do and see.”
Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.