There have been a lot of changes to Fairhope's food scene recently, including openings, closings, and relocations. Ox Kitchen Fairhope teased the big announcement on Facebook on April 8, and speculation quickly arose in the comments section.
The good news is, there's no need to worry. Ox Kitchen Fairhope is expanding to open his second location at The Garden Pensacola.
Founder, owner and head chef Beau Hamilton opened Ox Kitchen Fairhope seven years ago in what was then known as Windmill Market. The restaurant's menu features burgers, salads, pecan smoked wings, and hand-cut fries, as well as non-hamburger sandwiches such as the Gulf Shrimp Po' Boy and the Ox Chicken Sandwich.
After thriving at The Windmill Market and then The Mill, the restaurant moved to the former Market by the Bay Fairhope location on Hwy. 98. The restaurant has undergone a much-needed interior and exterior renovation. Hamilton is quick to credit his wife Molly for the restaurant's fresh, modern aesthetic.
Expanding to Pensacola is something Hamilton has been looking to do for several years, but was just waiting for the right opportunity. When a food trailer became available at The Garden, he jumped at the opportunity.
“We were just looking for opportunities to grow,” Hamilton said.
The Garden at Palafox and Main is an outdoor food hall. What started as a few Airstream food trailers surrounding a small courtyard has evolved into a fully covered outdoor food hall with four Airstreams, five kiosks, a bar and restaurant.
The Pensacola menu will include items found on Ox Kitchen's main menu, but will be simpler. Hamilton said he's looking forward to reaching a demographic in Pensacola that doesn't exist in Fairhope, such as college students and the military.
Thanks to the dedicated team he's assembled in Fairhope, Hamilton doesn't spend much time in the kitchen, but he knows he needs to spend some time in Pensacola.
“This place (Fairhope) pretty much runs itself. We have some really good people here. We just need to add talent here and find the right people in Pensacola,” Hamilton said. . “We have people over there (in Pensacola) who are willing to spend time and help us get things open and running properly. We hope it doesn't cause too many headaches.”
The Pensacola store has a three-year lease, and Hamilton plans to be there long-term. If all goes well, he has further plans. He said there are a lot of good markets.
Hamilton, his family, and Ox Kitchen Fairhope have been here for seven years by integrating into the community and organically building a customer base.
“We built our customer base organically by doing a good job and connecting with our customers, not by giving things away or advertising here and there. It's more about relationships,” Hamilton said. said. “We donate to the school. We have three kids in school here, but this is our community.”
Ox Kitchen Fairhope is part of the community, and the community will be glad we were the first to eat it. Look at the growth of Hamilton and Ox Kitchen.
Ox Kitchen Fairhope is located at 365 S Greeno Rd, Fairhope. Palafox + Main Gardens is located at 501 S. Palafox St. in Pensacola, Florida.
