History of the Hurricane

In 1977, the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant opened its doors at the site of the old Casa Bonita Hotel in Pass-A-Grille Beach. The hotel had previously served as the site of a bath house called Page's Pavilion, built in 1912. The hotel was torn down in the 1960s, with just one remnant standing. The Falkenstein family from Baltimore purchased the site and decided to build a restaurant off the lone remnant, which the family now calls the "South Deck Bar and Grille."

Humble Beginnings

The Falkensteins created a small kitchen and bar, offering a modest ten-item menu of favorites from back home, including fresh wild grouper, bisque, and clam chowder. A ground floor was expanded in 1986 to offer outdoor seating. Then in 1989, the Falkensteins decided to add an additional level to the Hurricane, allowing patrons to enjoy the breath-taking sunsets of St. Pete Beach from a whole new perspective. The new addition was completed in 1991 and featured a nightclub called "Stormy's."

A Grand Opening

The family planned a "Grand Opening" celebration to commemorate the new addition. They invited all of their family and friends, including the Chamber of Commerce. Due to an overwhelming response of RSVPs from Chamber members, the celebration lasted FIVE DAYS. The celebration also included the unveiling of the "Hurricane Watch Roof-Top," a third-level featuring 360-degree views of Pass-A-Grille and St. Pete Beach.

Forty Years and Counting...

More than 43 years later, the Hurricane continues to be a popular destination for both locals of St. Pete Beach and vacationers from around the world. The Falkenstein family still operates the restaurant, which features original menu items such as "Mom's 1945 Crab Cake Melt," a third-generation family recipe. The Hurricane is open for lunch and dinner, and features a different menu for all three levels. Patrons can still enjoy epic roof-top sunsets, or enjoy an upscale dinner on Level Two.

The "Original Hurricane," at ground level, continues to be a popular spot among families who come to enjoy a night of casual dining and gulf fresh seafood – delicious salmon, Old Bay peel 'n' eat shrimp, and calamari strips. Salads are served cool and crisp, and the kitchen's spices remain a secret to all but a select few.

Come to the Hurricane to enjoy the freshest seafood, mesmerizing sunsets, thirst-quenching drinks, and most of all – a slice of history found nowhere else.