If you’re looking for a small taste of the beach in Auburn, Stinky’s Fish Camp is a must try. Located at 610 Shug Jordan Parkway, Stinky’s is the newest addition to the growing list of restaurants popping up in the Auburn area.
Mostly known for their Santa Rosa Beach location on the Gulf, Stinky’s offers a wide array of seafood as well as an oyster bar. I was familiar with this location from family dinners while on vacation, so I was excited to see if this new location would bring the laid-back feel of Florida to Auburn.
The first thing I noticed when I walked through the front door was the inviting atmosphere. The staff was friendly, and it seemed like everyone around me was having a great dinner. That being said, it was a little loud at times, and I found myself struggling to hear and talk to my friends. However, I went on a Friday night at the peak of dinner service, and despite the large number of people dining, the service was very quick.
In all fairness, growing up I had an allergy to shellfish and spent many years of my life not eating seafood, and I am still not the world’s biggest seafood fan. Because of my allergy I ordered a non-seafood dish off the menu and a dish suggested by the waiter so I could give Stinky’s an unbiased review.
For the non-seafood dish I ordered the panne chicken fettuccine, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I consider myself a pasta connoisseur, and this dish was among one of the best I’ve had recently. I will say that if you aren’t a huge fan of fish or seafood or if you are dining with picky eaters, it is a little difficult to find items that will please an entire group.
If you do enjoy seafood, I recommend the shrimp and grits. For someone who only eats seafood on rare occasions, I could have eaten this dish every day of the week. Like many Auburn residents, I grew up eating home-cooked comfort food like this, so I take Southern food very seriously. Their take on this Southern staple was so delicious that I had to take some home for my roommate to try.
The atmosphere and food are reason enough to stay, but the prices were one of the few negatives I found. Many will agree that living on a college budget is difficult, and I felt that the prices were a little steep for the average student to afford.
I noticed that there weren’t many students dining in – there were mostly families or middle-aged couples. This made me question if Stinky’s will survive in a community where the University makes up such a large portion of the population.
This is a great place to go to with visiting parents and guests or maybe a large group of friends, but I would not say that it is one of Auburn’s trendiest places at the moment.
All in all, I enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone to try something a little different in town, and in that aspect Stinky’s delivers. If you’re looking for a casual bite or if you’re tired of the same, predictable options in the area, go and give Stinky’s a try.
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