Pensacola may have already secured its reputation as a foodie city by the locals, but now it has captured the attention of national freelance food and travel writer Matt Kirouac.
Work from Kirouac has appeared in well-known publications such as Travel + Leisure; thriller; Eat This, Not That!; Zagat; CultureTrip; Trip Savvy and Plate Magazine. One of his most current projects of his will be focused on exploring and eating his way through Pensacola.
For each city Kirouac visits, he carves out several days to seek out the history and culinary experiences that make up the composition of the city. He then compiles the information from the documents to create authentic, fun visitor guides filled with must-see places and must-taste restaurants.
“For me, it’s probably the main thing,” Kirouac said of sampling new restaurants when traveling. “I’m willing to invest more (in eating out) than other things.”
This week, Kirouac will be compiling an all-encompassing travel guide to Pensacola for Thrillist, capturing some of the best restaurants, bars, parks and theaters based on his experiences in the city. The article is set to be published within the next month.
Kirouac said he was pleasantly surprised to see the quality of the restaurants he visited for a city of Pensacola’s size, in addition to their affordability.
“The were fantastic and just really high caliber for a city of that size. To have restaurants and food restaurants that you would expect in a Chicago or a New York or something … but just in a more accessible setting for more affordable prices, Kirouac said. “Pensacola just felt so warm and inviting and accessible and to have such high quality food in such abundance, too. … I was really impressed with what I experienced.”
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During his stay in Pensacola, Kirouac linked up with Lindsey Steck of Visit Pensacola to show him around. Steck suggested the two take in Pensacola’s downtown food scene by foot through Pensacola’s walking food tour service, Seville Savories Food Tour.
Steck said from a visitor’s perspective, the tour is a great way to get a taste of the city’s culture.
“Pensacola is a destination with a diverse history and a vast amount of culinary options,” Steck said. “When hosting media from out of the area, a food tour allows us to share a well-rounded view of the area’s flavors, history and downtown scene.”
The “Seville Stroll” dinnertime tour, led by Pensacola foodie and historian Duel Christian, led Kirouac to five different restaurants throughout Old Seville.
When traveling to a new city, Kirouac said he is always looking for an experience unlike anything he can find at home, which he said was ultimately a success in Pensacola.
At the first stop on the tour, 86 Forks Bar + Table, Kirouac sampled an egg roll made with wine-braised pot roast, as an ode to the business’ roots of former restaurant Pot Roast and Pinot. In addition to the flavors of the food itself, Kirouac took a liking to the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere and contemporary design.
“Everything looks so unique, fun and playful,” Kirouac said of 86 Forks. “It just feels so organic to write about when I’m so enthused by it.”
The décor of the second stop on the tour, The District: Seville Steak and Seafood, helped give Kirouac more appreciation for Pensacola’s past.
Kirouac described how history lined the walls through old photographs, noting how “preserved” the upscale steakhouse felt in telling the story of Pensacola.
Nibbling on a steak skewer, Kirouac noted how tender and “luscious” the meat was, in addition to the restaurants ability to use a good sauce and a marinade.
As Christian guided Kirouac through Pensacola’s historic district, stopping to point out local landmarks dating back centuries, he worked his way to South Market.
“I feel like I’m in Salem, Massachusetts,” Kirouac said, revealing in the high ceilings and cabin-like interior. “The unique architecture — it feels very New England … it feels very compelling to spend more time here.”
After enjoying a meal built off a family recipe of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, Kirouac headed to Calavera Tacos, an airstream vendor inside of The Garden food court.
Not only was Kirouac able to sample a top-notch taco along with chips and salsa, but he also took in the outdoor food court built into Pensacola’s downtown.
“I love the diversity. Each place has been super different,” Kirouac said.
The final stop at the new location of Bubba’s Sweet Spot was the cherry on top of the evening, with Kirouac sampling a bag of mixed house-made chocolates and fudge.
Christian said the tour is a way to help cover ground in an area densely populated by restaurants — with 45 eateries all in the one-mile stretch between Polanza Bistro and Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille.
“Look at all the foods you’ve had in a six-block radius,” Christian said.
For those wanting to explore some of Pensacola’s most unique restaurants in a new way, food tours can be scheduled on the Seville Savories Food Tour website. Tours are offered Wednesdays and Thursdays and cost $65. To view Kirouac’s latest articles, you can visit his Instagram page of him.