Wintzell's Oysters Deliver

Pensacola is jam-packed with seafood restaurants located all over town, including local favorites such as Peg Leg Pete’s on Pensacola Beach and The Shrimp Basket. 

When Copeland’s closed down, the building that they vacated remained empty for quite a while. Then Wintzell’s Oyster House took over the building and on June 1, 2010, opened its 12th location. 

Wintzell’s is an oyster bar that was founded in 1938 by J. Oliver Wintzell. Its menu contains all sorts of seafood, including fried shrimp, fish, crawfish and even chicken fingers for the little ones. 

But what it specializes in are oysters. 

Wintzell’s is famous for its oyster sampler. You get 16 oysters in four different flavors: oyster Monterey, oysters Bienville, oysters Rockefeller and their signature grilled oysters. All are good, but it is obvious why the grilled oysters’ are the signature dish. They come served on a piping-hot plate with cheddar cheese drenching the oyster so much that it oozes off the edges of the shell, and each oyster is topped with a single jalapeno. 

The drinks never reaching the bottom of the glass and the constant smiles and friendly attitude of the waitress accounted for a very nice lunch service. 

The restaurant was packed with hungry customers, but this did not hinder the service one bit. I was seated almost immediately, and within 10 minutes had placed my order and received my drink and a basket of buttered bread. It only took another 10 minutes to receive the oyster sampler. 

The food is fantastic, and the atmosphere is unique. There is a lot going on inside. 

The place is a little loud and cluttered with random quotes pasted all over the walls, along with large fish and neon lights. When you first walk in, there is a very nice black wooden bar to the right, which still had Christmas lights hanging from it. 

Wintzell’s is located at 400 E. Chase St in downtown Pensacola. 

They are currently only in the South but are now franchising and will be extending the restaurant chain all over the United States. 

The hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.mm - 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. They are also open on every holiday except Christmas and New Year’s Day.