Going into the 2023 summer season, times looked good for Gulf Shores restaurant Bahama Bob’s: A popular beach spot known for its burgers, it had been picked by Southern Living as one of the best places in town to eat.

Then came the fire. One Sunday evening in July, a blaze apparently started in a dumpster and spread to the restaurant. Customers and staff evacuated as smoke billowed into the dining area.

While the damage was limited, the restaurant was closed. As with many construction and renovation projects in the post-pandemic era, the effort to rebuild and reopen took longer than anyone would have liked, but the restaurant finally opened its doors in May. And Southern Living promptly put it back on the list of the best places to eat in Gulf Shores saying it was a venue where you could find “all the classics you expect from a beachside restaurant.”

A recent visit bears that out.

Founded in 1999, Bahama Bob’s has the funky look of a place that’s seen newer, taller, larger properties rise around it. It’s not exactly on the beach and can’t offer a beach view, though it’s literally only a few steps from sand and is bordered on one side by the parking lot for a public beach access point.

It does, however, have a large seating area on its covered deck and a smaller, cozier inside dining and bar area. I perched myself among the locals at the bar and ordered a bushwacker and a cup of gumbo to start. (Hey, it’s a weird combination, but when you’re trying to take stock of a broad menu, you do what you can.)

Positive sign No. 1: The bartender whipped up the bushwacker ($10 without topper) using an old-fashioned milkshake mixer. It came in a plain Styrofoam cup but had a great balance of chocolate-coconut flavor.

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Positive sign No. 2: The cup of gumbo ($7.99) was, as advertised, “loaded with seafood and fresh veggies.” The stuff was dark and thick with crab meat and had a very full-bodied flavor. It also had a sneaky heat to it that emerged on the back end: I didn’t notice up front, but whenever I put down the spoon after a few bites, I’d realize the pepper had been gradually building.

Good thing I had an adult milkshake handy to cool that down.

I decided to sample two entrees, one of the house specialties and the highly regarded burger.

Positive sign No. 3: My Paradise Island Fried Pecan Flounder ($22.99 with fries and coleslaw, listed as “pecan white fish” on the receipt) caused an immediate case of menu envy from a fellow patron who’d responsibly ordered grilled fish. And it didn’t just look good: the golden brown crust was crisp and flavorful without overwhelming the fish within. It was served with a sweet dipping sauce that wasn’t bad, though I personally would prefer tartar sauce or remoulade. That’s a quibble, though. And what stood out as much as the flavor was the generous portion size. I took home enough for a second meal.

For the burger, I went with another signature item, the Bahama Bob’s Burger ($18.99 with fries) topped with grilled pineapple, bacon and double Swiss cheese.

Yes, Bahama Bob’s will serve you a plain burger, to which you can add cheese and bacon. But don’t be daunted by the pineapple. In this case it turned out to be a fairly small ring of pineapple, enough to add a dash of sweetness without overwhelming a good thing. The pineapple blended better with the pickle slices than one might expect, for a little bit of a sweet-tart touch. Center stage was occupied, as it should be, by a big, fresh, savory, bacon-and-Swiss-topped burger patty.

Small wonder that it’s been winning fans for more than a decade.

Bahama Bob’s like many favorite coastal restaurants, is a small place with a big menu. The appetizers alone range from buffalo wings to coconut fried shrimp. There’s a sizeable slate of grilled options, including fish, steaks and chicken. The venue serves fried seafood plates, sandwiches and salads, as you’d expect, but there’s also a selection of seafood “from the steamer.”

On its website, Bahama Bob’s shares a whimsical story behind its founding, involving a few tropical misadventures and an almost whimsical decision to “build a little slice of Island living right here” on West Beach Boulevard.

As anyone who’s been through an active hurricane season knows, “island living” sometimes means rebuilding and carrying on with the good life. And that appears to be just what they’re doing at Bahama Bob’s.

Bahama Bob’s is at 601 W. Beach Blvd. in Gulf Shores. For menu and other information, visit www.bahamabobs.com.