There are really two ways to approach going out for lunch or dinner, especially if you are visiting the Gulf Coast.

Many people simply jump in their car and ride up and down Alabama 59 or they go east and west along the beach, just hoping something will catch their interest.

Or, there are people like you, who have picked up Beachin’ magazine, looking for just the right out-of-the-way spot, somewhere with great food and a nice atmosphere that they would never find on their own.

Glad I can help.

If you head west on Fort Morgan Road, you are going to find a great little spot called Behind the Pines Restaurant. This is where Harry, Annette and I went for this month’s Adventures in Dining.

Behind the Pines is not a big place, it is not necessarily a “fancy” place, but if you want some really great food, a casual atmosphere and some very friendly people to wait on you, Behind the Pines is worth the drive.

To get things started, we tried an assortment of tasty appetizers such as sizzling bang bang shrimp, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, onion rings, and as a special treat, some sweet potato fries. In addition, Harry ordered a side of shrimp gumbo.

When it came time for the main course, I chose an 8 oz filet, perfectly grilled with a baked potato.

Annette went with the famous Behind the Pines Nookie burger. Folks, if you are looking for one of the best burgers on the Island, this one might be it. Fresh, never frozen beef patty grilled to perfection. The patty is then smothered in the cheese of your choice

Then they add their “Pines Special Sauce” and grilled onions and place it all on buttered buns that are hot off the grill.  It is fantastic. If you really want to make it special, do as Annette did and add some of that delicious Pepper Jack cheese.

Harry ordered shrimp and grits, which were delicious in every way. Keep in mind that if you would like to feast on the shrimp and grits, this dish is only available after 5 p.m.

Rachel Sharp, the front of the house manager, along with owners Chuck Greiner and Randy Selwyn were gracious hosts and are anxious for tourists and well as locals to come out and try this hidden treasure.

“We have a family atmosphere, things for the kids, karaoke on Wednesday nights and live music,” Sharp said. “We have a lot of locals who come in but we do have a lot of families that come in who are on vacation. It’s a good mixture.”

Behind the Pines is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“All of our food is fresh, nothing is frozen. We hand batter everything, we have homemade onion rings, our fries are delicious and the shrimp and grits are probably our most popular item.”

Behind the Pines also offers a hook and cook, where fishermen can clean and fillet their catch, bring them in, and Behind the Pines will cook it any way they want it. You also get two sides and some hushpuppies for $8.95 per person.

In addition to the great burgers, salads, Philly steak sandwiches, BLT’s, fish dinners, seafood platters, chicken finger dinners, hamburger steaks and grilled tuna that you will find at Behind the Pines, you might also be interested to know that the facility helps cultivate up and coming chefs through the Faulkner culinary program.

“Chefs that are trying to go through the program and need to meet their hourly requirements will come here work to help further their learning,” said Greiner. “We want to promote young growth in our industry. I’ve been doing this for many years and have a lot of experience that I want to hand out to people. Some restaurant owners don’t want to share their secrets. Man, I love to.”

Really, you can’t lose with a trip to Behind the Pines. The short 10-mile drive down Fort Morgan Road is some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, the food you will experience will be some of the best along the Gulf Coast, and you will be supporting local establishment that truly gives back to the community.

I came away full and very satisfied. I will go back to Behind the Pines again and again.

Behind the Pines Restaurant, 8818 Alabama 180 W. (Ft. Morgan Road), 251-948-3052 www.behindthepines.com