Cowgirl Kitchen caters to hungry beachgoers

ROSEMARY BEACH, FL - Nestled among the tiny shops in Rosemary Beach is a small restaurant with lots of choices for any size appetite. The restaurant started out in Seagrove Beach and moved to its current location in 2007 under owner Nikki Nickerson.

Nickerson, also a Realtor, decided to take over the business as an outlet for her passion for food, according to the restaurant's Web site. With the laid back atmostphere of the beach, Cowgirl Kitchen will prepare you a meal to take to the beach, heat up at home or enjoy in the restaurant.

The food
When you first enter Cowgirl Kitchen, you can pick up a menu and place an order at the counter. Menu items include soups, salads, dips, sandwiches, pizza, tacos and enchiladas.

We started with some hot queso dip, much like you might find at a Mexican restaurant. It was fresh and hot with plenty to go around.

I had a hard time deciding what to eat. It was between a pizza and the meatloaf sandwich. I love meatloaf, but, in the end, the pizza won. I ordered the Drunken Cowgirl Pizza, which had an almost wafer-like thin crust topped with a sauce made of vodka, cream, garlic, tomato, green olives and bacon. I added some heat with jalepenos.

I have to say, the pizza was delicious. The thin crust made the toppings even more tasty. My friend ordered chicken enchiladas, which came paired with a Caesar salad.
   
Some entrees can be picked up straight from the fridge just across from the front counter. Chicken enchiladas were one of them. Other to-go entrees are Mexican lasagna, chicken ziti, macaroni and cheese and French toast casserole.
   
The Kitchen serves a variety of beers, with six on tap at the bar. They also serve wine, frozen margaritas and Bloody Mary's.
   
The atmosphere
There might not be any straw or peanuts on the floor of Cowgirl Kitchen, but it's definitely clear there is an urban, western influence in the décor of this establishment, right down to the steer horns hanging on the wall.
   
It's a casual restaurant with most patrons walking in off the beach in their cover-ups and flip flops.
   
The restaurant is small, but outdoor and bar seating are available.

The service
I wouldn't say the service was extraordinary. At first, we had trouble figuring out how to order. We did see the "Place Order Sign," but a waiter said he'd "be right with us" so we sat down at a table. After he never reappeared, we got up and ordered. By the time our food arrived, several waitresses had stopped by to make sure everything was OK.

A final taste
I'd definitely give Cowgirl Kitchen another try. The food choices were different and vast enough - and I still want to try the meatloaf sandwich.

QuickBITES

Cowgirl Kitchen

Location
54 Main Street
Rosemary Beach
850-303-0708

Hours
8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday
8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday

Reservations
Not necessary

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children's menu
Yes

Price range
Appetizers
$4.99 and up
Pizzas
$7.99-$13.99

Payment
Major credit cards accepted