City Grocery, Pensacola, FL

Pensacola's Best Place for Outdoor Eating

by Ashley Hardaway | January 18, 2010

Pensacola is full of fabulous food finds in random places (and by random I mean in unmarked buildings, residential neighborhoods and barely converted shacks). This particular one is located in the trendy section of town called East Hill. East Hill is known for its expensive Victorian-era homes (complete with servant’s quarters in back) that now house seven bohemian students or one wealthy investment bankers with two dogs. It’s this eclectic mix that gives this residential area its verve and it’s this place that really seals the deal.

City Grocery is more like a deli than anything else. Resembling a New York delicatessen, its side walls are lined with fridges stocked with cold beers, micro-brewed sodas and chilled white wines. In the back there’s a deli counter where they create amazing sandwiched like The St. Charles (lean slices of turkey breast stacked on a Kaiser roll served with Gouda cheese and a cranberry, pecan honey mayonnaise) and the Badda-Bing (their take on an Italian sub, piled high, and served warm). They also have take-home dinners (pastas, giant salads, steaks with all the sides) and a variety of pates and cheeses ready to go in the deli case. This is terrific weekend lunch spot as guests are welcome to pick a bottle of red or white wine from their large selection to have with their meal on the front patio. Check it out on Fridays from 5-7 and enjoy free wine tastings and live music.

One hint though; on hot summer days leave your car windows rolled up while parked outside. More than once I’ve seen ashes from the giant grill (they smoke their own pork here!) eclipse the parking lot and cause quite a mess in a few cars' interiors. However, since this is in the laid-back part of town, no one ever seems to mind. Ash in your car? Small price to pay for such a relaxing, affordable dining experience.

City Grocery

2050 North 12th Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32503-5303
(850) 469-8100