Cheap, Easy, and Delicious Eats for Spring Break

You've got a lot planned while you're in Gulf Shores for spring break, and you need to grab some inexpensive food on the go, but you don't necessarily want to stop at McDonald's or another chain that you could visit anywhere in the country. Fortunately, 'delicious local food' and 'quick and cheap' aren't mutually exclusive categories on the Gulf Coast. Here are a few popular local Gulf Shores restaurants that won't siphon your entire vacation budget.

Starting Your Day

If you're having trouble getting moving in the morning (or afternoon), head to Kitty's Kafe at Pelican Place, where you can get breakfast all day. Not only do they have rejuvenating dishes like scattered hash browns, Crab Cake Benedict, custom-made omelets, and some of the best biscuits in town, they also have $2 mimosas, Bloody Mary's, and screwdrivers. Grab a quick meal or stay and collect yourself before heading to the beach?service is quick, but no one's going to rush you out the door at this mom-and-pop place.

Dine in or Delivery

For a filling lunch or dinner under $10, check out sandwich and seafood spot Mojo's. Most of their fish and chicken sandwiches are in the $7-$8 range, and you can add a side and a drink for just $3 more. If you only eat there once on your trip, make sure you try the Mahi Mahi and pineapple sandwich. Don't feel like making the drive to Mojo's? They'll deliver straight to your beach condo.

You can also get delivery from Crico's Pizza and Subs, although with its convenient location near the boardwalk on Gulf Shores Parkway, you may just want to stop in on your way to or from the beach. Get a foot-long meatball sub for $7, or split a specialty pizza with your group. If you go between 11am and 3pm, you can fill up on their lunch buffet for just $6.40.

Beachfront Dining

You shouldn't have to pay a small fortune to eat somewhere with a great view and you don't have to in the Gulf Shores area. Sea-N-Suds is cheap, quick, and right on the beach. Their most popular entrees are well under $10: a bowl of gumbo is $5, steamed shrimp are $6, and even a mouthwatering oyster sandwich is only $8.50. If it's a nice day, you can sit on their raised deck and split a $7.50 pitcher of beer with your friends.

Neighboring Orange Beach has their own inexpensive oceanfront dining option, fittingly called The Gulf. This trendy Orange Beach restaurant is built inside old shipping containers, and guests eat directly on the beach in the outdoor seating area. You'll have to check their Facebook page to find out what they're serving because their menu changes daily based on the availability of ingredients. Most of their entrees are in the $10-$14 range, but their popular Gulf Burger is just $7.50.

Gulf Shores is one of those exceedingly rare spring break locales where you don't have to pay an absurd amount to eat well. If you haven't made up your mind on where to spend spring break, hopefully the idea of enjoying reasonably-priced food and drinks on the beach will sell you on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Book your stay today to join in on the fun! You're sure to have a great time.