Points North Recommends-Travel

Point North MagazineWritten By Julie Hostetter Wednesday, 17 December 2008Indian Pass Raw Bar - Port. St. JoeDont Pass Up this Oyster Oasis on Floridas C-30AHidden away in Floridas Forgotten Coast is an oyster oasis not to be missed. In many ways, its like an oyster itself rough on the outside, but darn tasty on the inside. If you went on appearances only, youd probably roll up your windows, lock your doors and whiz right by, looking nervously in your rearview mirror. The building itself looks like a ... well ... uh ... like an abandoned gas station on the brink of collapse that one stiff wind would blow off the map. Actually, it appears Hurricane Dennis tried to do just that, but this place has more grit than John Wayne.At Indian Pass Raw Bar, oysters are their specialty raw, baked, steamed but you can also check out their tasty gumbo and shrimp options, too. Its a well-known local hangout, but has lured supermodels, sports celebrities and the late, great Johnny Cash to its dinner table.But dont be expected to be waited on hand and foot. Theyll give you your food when theyre good and ready you cant rush perfection, ya know? Drinks are pulled out of a cooler while condiments, napkins and sauces are stacked on shelves ready to be snagged at a moments notice. Believe or not, thats all part of the charm. If youre the impatient finicky type, I suggest you leave your pretensions at the door. Indian Pass Raw Bar is an experience all its own, and one thats well worth the trip off the beaten path. Directions: Get to either Port St. Joe or Apalachicola on Highway 98 and drive toward the other town. Turn onto State Road C-30A (look for signs for Rish Park on Cape San Blas) and drive for about 10 minutes. Dont blink, you wont want to miss this former gas station turned oyster heaven. Julie HostetterIndian Pass Raw Bar.