A heartwarming journey through food, friendship, and the Gulf Coast life

Arrival on Orange Beach: Paradise Found

Their video begins as they step onto Orange Beach, amazed by the sight before them.

“Ninety-nine percent of people in the world wouldn’t believe this is Alabama,” Jack says, his camera panning over miles of soft white sand and emerald surf.

The couple checked into The Tides Hotel (Best Western) for just $100 a night — a beachfront stay that let them wake up to the sound of waves right outside their window. They described the sand as “as white as salt” and soft with every step.

Nearby, a couple had just been married on the beach, and strangers chatted like old friends across accents and hometowns — New Yorkers, Southerners, and Brits all enjoying the same sunset. Jack summed it up perfectly: “It doesn’t matter where you’re from. Everyone’s welcome here. This is what Alabama is about.”

Where They Ate: Tacky Jacks on the Bayou

No stop in Orange Beach would be complete without a meal at Tacky Jacks, one of Alabama’s most colorful and iconic coastal restaurants — and for this traveling couple, it became a full sensory experience.

As soon as they arrived, they were met with exactly the kind of scene locals love: cheerful chaos, vivid colors, hanging fish décor, and the sound of laughter drifting across the bayou. Jack called it “absolutely bananas” — the good kind.

They settled onto the deck overlooking the tranquil water, surrounded by locals in fishing shirts and visitors fresh from the beach.

“You can tell this place is the heart of the bayou. It’s got character in every corner,” Jack said.

Their server, Bree, made an immediate impression — warm, funny, and quick with a “holler if y’all need anything.” They praised her in the video, calling her “an absolute credit to the restaurant.”

Their order:

• Jack: A blackened fish po’ boy made with locally loved sway fish, served on crisp Louisiana French bread with golden fries.
• Paige: The Firecracker Shrimp, tossed in a sweet glaze that paired perfectly with the coastal air.
• Drinks: An Arnold Palmer mixed with Texas-made vodka — described as “a giant southern sunshine drink” — and an assortment of local favorites.

Jack dove into his po’ boy with pure enthusiasm: “It’s the perfect balance — crispy baguette, tender fish, light Cajun kick. Everything you want in a southern sandwich.”

They compared the bread to both Louisiana and even Vietnamese-style baguettes — “the French influence found on both sides of the world,” as they noted.

Paige’s shrimp dish earned equal praise: “It’s a little sweet, a little warm. Add some Tabasco and it’s perfection.” Between bites, they admired the view of fishing boats, bayfront homes on stilts, and families docking for lunch. “It’s such a unique side of Alabama — people living their dream lives on the water, sailing in for lunch, then cruising back home,” Jack said.

Before leaving, they made sure to shout out Tacky Jacks’ hospitality: “Good food, good people, nice views — this is the Orange Beach vibe we came for.”

Through Alabama: From the Mountains to the Gulf

The couple’s journey didn’t begin on the coast. They’ve made their way through Huntsville, Jasper, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile, experiencing nearly every shade of Alabama life — from college-town energy to mountain ranches and music halls.

Arriving on the Gulf was a full-circle moment. “We’ve said it a trillion times,” Jack smiles into the camera. “Alabama is our favorite state. It’s so beautiful and full of heart.”

Crossing the State Line: The Famous Flora-Bama

Their next stop took them to the Florida-Alabama state line — and straight into the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, where the state border runs right through the bar.

Before heading inside, they explored the Flora-Bama Liquor Store, chatting with friendly locals offering tastings of holiday eggnog and swapping stories about life on the Gulf. One gentleman named Buster, a longtime Tuscaloosa resident turned Orange Beach local, told them why people stay despite hurricanes:

“This place is like a bubble. Everyone’s got a smile, nobody’s in a rush — it’s the best life there is.”

They even bought their first Florida lottery tickets (“we lost, but had a great time doing it”) and spotted their first wild dolphins playing just off the docks at the Flora-Bama Marina— a magical first for both of them.

Inside Flora-Bama: Music, Laughter, and a Southern Toast

Once inside, they experienced why Flora-Bama has a national reputation: three stories of music, tiki bars, friendly locals, and pure revelry.

They ordered the local legend — the Bushwacker — a frozen cocktail made with five different spirits, milk, and chocolate flavoring. “It tastes like a chocolate milkshake,” Jack said with a grin. “You’d never guess it’s hiding that much power.”

As live blues music played, the couple met locals from Fairhope, Atmore, and Mobile, toasted with LSU fans, and soaked up the joy that defines Gulf Coast nights.

Their evening ended with cheers to new friends and to the Deep South, where every conversation feels like home.

Why Alabama Has Their Hearts

From mountains to marinas, barbecues to beach bars, Jack and Paige have discovered that Alabama offers every kind of beauty imaginable — and some of the friendliest people on earth.

“Alabama truly has it all,” Jack says at the end of the video. “It’s our favorite state, hands down.”

Their Orange Beach adventure — from seafood on the bayou to sunsets at Flora-Bama — shows exactly why visitors fall in love with this stretch of coast. It’s the perfect blend of Southern soul, seaside leisure, and heartfelt hospitality.

Welcome to Orange Beach

Here on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, locals know the truth that travelers like Jack and Paige are just discovering — the beaches, the food, and the people make this more than just a destination.

It’s a feeling.

It’s the people.

It’s Alabama at its finest.

It’s home on the water.