This Alabama Seafood Buffet Serves Crab Platters Exactly The Way Gulf Coast Locals Remember

Down in Gulf Shores, Alabama, there’s a place where the crab legs are piled high and the butter flows freely.

Mikee’s Seafood has been feeding hungry locals and tourists since 1987, and they haven’t changed their recipe for success.

When you walk through those doors, you’re not just getting dinner, you’re getting a taste of authentic Gulf Coast tradition that’s been perfected over nearly four decades.

A Family-Owned Seafood Tradition Since 1987

Back when big hair was in style and Walkmans ruled the boardwalk, Mikee Spirides decided to open a seafood joint in Gulf Shores. Nearly four decades later, his family is still running the show, proving that some things actually do get better with age.

Generations of families have made Mikee’s their go-to spot for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and those random Tuesdays when you just need some good crab. The Spirides family understands something important: when you’re serving seafood on the Gulf Coast, you’re not just running a business—you’re becoming part of people’s memories.

Local fisherman-turned-chef Mikee built this place on simple principles: fresh seafood, honest cooking, and treating customers like family.

Crab Platters Done The Old-Fashioned Gulf Coast Way

Forget those fancy restaurants where your crab comes with seventeen different sauces and a side of confusion. At Mikee’s, they keep things refreshingly simple, just like your grandma would’ve done it if she lived by the Gulf.

Snow crab legs arrive at your table steamed to perfection, accompanied by nothing more than melted butter, sweet corn, and perfectly cooked potatoes. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when the wheel is already delicious.

This is how Gulf Coast folks have been eating crab for generations, and Mikee’s refuses to mess with a good thing. Every crack of the shell releases that sweet, briny aroma that reminds locals exactly why they never left this coastline.

Not A Buffet, But It Feels Like One

Here’s the thing: Mikee’s isn’t technically a buffet, but try telling that to your stomach after they bring out your order. The portions here are so ridiculously generous that you’ll wonder if they accidentally gave you someone else’s food too.

Mikee’s occasional all-you-can-eat crab nights have become legendary among locals, who joke that it’s the closest thing to a seafood buffet without actually being one. You get all the abundance without having to leave your seat, which is good because you won’t want to move after eating anyway.

That combination of massive portions and reasonable prices keeps people coming back week after week. It’s the kind of value that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret.

Where Every Catch Tells A Coastal Story

Ever wonder where your dinner was swimming this morning? At Mikee’s, there’s a pretty good chance it was somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, minding its own business before ending up on your plate.

They source their seafood locally whenever Mother Nature cooperates, bringing in Gulf shrimp, oysters, and grouper from nearby docks, and plenty of crab brought in fresh through trusted regional suppliers. Each bite carries the authentic flavor of these waters: salty, sweet, and impossibly fresh.

You can actually taste the difference when seafood hasn’t spent three days traveling cross-country in a freezer truck. Local sourcing isn’t just a trendy buzzword here; it’s how coastal restaurants have operated since forever.

Casual, Coastal, And Full Of Character

Walk into Mikee’s and you’ll immediately know you’re in the right place. The walls practically shout “beach vacation” with their bright colors, and the energy feels like a permanent summer Friday.

There’s zero pretense here, just paper-lined tables that’ll soon be covered in crab shells, friendly staff who remember your face, and the sound of happy diners cracking their way through mountains of seafood. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, you’ll get the same warm welcome.

This is Gulf Shores dining at its finest: unpretentious, fun, and focused entirely on the food and the people sharing it. Laughter echoes from every booth, creating the kind of atmosphere you can’t fake.

A Menu That Celebrates Everything The Gulf Offers

Sure, the crab platters steal the spotlight, but Mikee’s menu reads like a love letter to everything the Gulf Coast does right. Fried shrimp that crunch just so, blackened fish with the perfect spice blend, oysters served however you like them, and gumbo that’ll make you reconsider your life choices if you’ve never tried it.

Their fresh-made hushpuppies deserve their own fan club, and honestly, they probably have one. But here’s the coolest part: the “Hook & Cook” option lets you bring in your own fresh catch and they’ll cook it up Mikee’s-style.

That’s a beloved coastal tradition that connects fishermen with great cooking, no questions asked.

Why Gulf Coast Locals Keep Coming Back

Ask anyone who grew up in Gulf Shores about Mikee’s and watch their face light up. This isn’t just another restaurant, it’s where life happens, where families mark special occasions, where fishermen decompress after long days on the water, and where tourists finally understand what Alabama seafood is all about.

Every crab platter served here carries a little piece of coastal nostalgia, reminding folks of summers past and good times shared. It’s the kind of place where memories stick to your ribs along with the butter.

Locals don’t keep returning because it’s convenient, they come back because Mikee’s feels like home, tastes like tradition, and never disappoints.