For years, bars and restaurants around the country have tried to
imitate the laid-back, Key West vibe found in southernmost hotspots like
Sloppy Joe’s and the Hog’s Breath Saloon.
But Molly Goodheads Raw Bar & Seafood Restaurant, with its colorful, mermaid logo and eclectic decor, has mastered the Margaritaville motif without being a tourist trap that’s just hopping on a trendy bandwagon.
Perhaps it’s because Molly's, which sits in an old house in the heart of underappreciated Ozona, was Key West-cool long before strip mall bars began displaying conch shells and pumping Jimmy Buffett music through the speakers.
“When the owner bought the place in 1985, there was nothing else here,” general manager Lynn Sans says of the still sleepy downtown area. “The house is a 107-year-old Cracker-style house, so she went with a Key West theme.”
The History of Molly's
Despite the fact that the area was basically deserted save for the old post office next door, owner Laurel Flowers slowly built her restaurant into a destination for locals and visitors alike, thanks to positive word of mouth and a very noticeable sign.
“We used to have a big sign with our logo on it out on U.S. 19,” Sans remembers. “It brought a lot of people over here to check us out, just out of curiosity.”
While the patrons originally may have been drawn in by a desire to see what the place was all about, what has kept them coming back is the fresh food Molly’s is known for, Sans says.
“We became famous for our grouper sandwich because we serve black grouper, not red like most restaurants do," Sans says. "We spend a little more money for it, but you can taste the difference.”
More Than Just Seafood
Sans is quick to point out that Molly's is more than a seafood place; there are 126 items on the menu, with new specials being added regularly.
In addition to the seafood, Molly’s offers pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steak, ribs and chicken. Everything is prepared fresh daily, including the breading used on their original onion rings and fish and chips.
And unlike some seafood restaurants, the food is relatively low priced, keeping with another theme Flowers incorporated into her place in the early days.
“She is very proud that everything is moderately priced, so the average family can keep coming back,” Sans explains. “The average person can come back 3-4 times a week because they can afford it.”
Fun and Friendly
Another big reason behind Molly’s success is the atmosphere.
Aside from the intriguing decorations, which Sans says she still hasn't seen all of, and the relaxed vibe, Molly's prides itself on its customer service.
Much of the staff has been in place for a long time — Sans has been GM for nine years — and they take pride in knowing every regular's name and greeting everyone warmly when they walk through the door.
“You have to have all three things: food, décor and service,” Sans says. “We’ve worked very hard over the years to get to this level, and we’re very proud to be … more than your average seafood restaurant.”
Molly Goodheads Raw Bar & Seafood Restaurant
Address: 400 Orange St., Ozona
Phone: 727-786-6255
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
But Molly Goodheads Raw Bar & Seafood Restaurant, with its colorful, mermaid logo and eclectic decor, has mastered the Margaritaville motif without being a tourist trap that’s just hopping on a trendy bandwagon.
Perhaps it’s because Molly's, which sits in an old house in the heart of underappreciated Ozona, was Key West-cool long before strip mall bars began displaying conch shells and pumping Jimmy Buffett music through the speakers.
“When the owner bought the place in 1985, there was nothing else here,” general manager Lynn Sans says of the still sleepy downtown area. “The house is a 107-year-old Cracker-style house, so she went with a Key West theme.”
The History of Molly's
Despite the fact that the area was basically deserted save for the old post office next door, owner Laurel Flowers slowly built her restaurant into a destination for locals and visitors alike, thanks to positive word of mouth and a very noticeable sign.
“We used to have a big sign with our logo on it out on U.S. 19,” Sans remembers. “It brought a lot of people over here to check us out, just out of curiosity.”
While the patrons originally may have been drawn in by a desire to see what the place was all about, what has kept them coming back is the fresh food Molly’s is known for, Sans says.
“We became famous for our grouper sandwich because we serve black grouper, not red like most restaurants do," Sans says. "We spend a little more money for it, but you can taste the difference.”
More Than Just Seafood
Sans is quick to point out that Molly's is more than a seafood place; there are 126 items on the menu, with new specials being added regularly.
In addition to the seafood, Molly’s offers pasta, burgers, sandwiches, steak, ribs and chicken. Everything is prepared fresh daily, including the breading used on their original onion rings and fish and chips.
And unlike some seafood restaurants, the food is relatively low priced, keeping with another theme Flowers incorporated into her place in the early days.
“She is very proud that everything is moderately priced, so the average family can keep coming back,” Sans explains. “The average person can come back 3-4 times a week because they can afford it.”
Fun and Friendly
Another big reason behind Molly’s success is the atmosphere.
Aside from the intriguing decorations, which Sans says she still hasn't seen all of, and the relaxed vibe, Molly's prides itself on its customer service.
Much of the staff has been in place for a long time — Sans has been GM for nine years — and they take pride in knowing every regular's name and greeting everyone warmly when they walk through the door.
“You have to have all three things: food, décor and service,” Sans says. “We’ve worked very hard over the years to get to this level, and we’re very proud to be … more than your average seafood restaurant.”
Molly Goodheads Raw Bar & Seafood Restaurant
Address: 400 Orange St., Ozona
Phone: 727-786-6255
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
