LOOKING BACK: New restaurants built in 2019

CRESTVIEW — As 2019 comes to end, let’s take a look at what new restaurants came to town this year.

Panda Express

Panda Express opened on Nov. 23. It was built next to Zaxby’s at the intersection of Hugo Lane and South Ferdon Boulevard.

The restaurant features American-Chinese dishes including orange chicken, chow mein, vegetable spring rolls and chicken pot stickers. Patrons can dine in or get their meals to-go through the drive-thru.

Yardbirds

Yardbirds joined the city in late September. It took over the building formerly housing Krystal.

It is located on South Ferdon Boulevard next to Regions Bank. The opening marked the second location for the company, joining the Fort Walton Beach restaurant.

The restaurant serves mainly chicken tenders and wings, but also offers fish, shrimp, pork chops and a variety of sides including homemade macaroni and cheese and baked beans.

VooDoo BBQ & Grill

VooDoo BBQ & Grill opened on August 7.

The New Orleans inspired restaurant opened at 2493 South Ferdon Boulevard, marking its second Northwest Florida location.

The restaurant offers barbecue and chicken made with Caribbean and Cajun spices, as well as New Orleans favorites such as gumbo and jambalaya. The legendary sides offered with each meal include signature items such as corn pudding, red beans and rice, mojo barbecue beans and gris-gris greens.

Back Home Bakery Cafe

Back Home Bakery Cafe opened in June on Main Street.

The bakery cafe is a family owned and operated establishment run by Dorene Howard and her daughter Kimberly.

The establishment offers pastries such as layered cakes, pies and cookies, along with sandwiches, salads and a full espresso bar.

Juicy Crab House

Juicy Crab House opened in late August in the old Hooters building.

The restaurant offers a variety of seafood, including shrimp, lobster, and crawfish. The food comes three different ways: boiled, steamed or fried. The fried seafood comes with a side of Cajun fries, while the boiled and steamed options are paired with corn and potatoes.

Customers can choose to have their food tossed in a Cajun, lemon pepper or garlic butter sauce. There is also an option to have the food tossed in all three sauces. Customers can also choose how spicy they would like their food, ranging from no spice to extra hot.

Popeyes

Popeyes opened in March, located off Ferdon Boulevard just south of the Interstate 10 overpass.

Rumors about a new Popeyes began circulating two years ago. The original opening date was set for July 24 of last year, but was delayed pending approval by the Florida Department of Transportation

The New Orleans-style menu features signature bonafide chicken and handcrafted tenders as well as jambalaya, red beans and rice and buttermilk biscuits.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LOOKING BACK: New restaurants built in 2019