Well Fed On the Town

In an era when new restaurants try to conjure personality and PR firms are employed to develop originality, Wintzell’s Oyster House is an icon.

J. Oliver Wintzell first opened his six seat oyster bar in downtown Mobile, Alabama in 1938. Other than the raw oysters he shucked, Wintzell’s other commodity was his personality. Wintzell was famous for his sayings. Everyday the oysterman would have a bit of wisdom for his customers. Eventually someone suggested that he write his thoughts down and post them for folks to read. Today the walls of Wintzell’s Oyster House are plastered with the thought processes of its late founder. Employees and regulars alike say that after all these years they still find things on the wall they have never read before.

J. Oliver was a wannabe politician as well. He ran for public office many times yet failed to ever seriously contend for a seat. After one unsuccessful political attempt he took out an ad in the local paper thanking the 200 or so people who voted for him and offering them a special at his restaurant. The ad also went on to invite the 40,000 or so who voted against him as well.

Dignitaries and celebrities who visit Alabama’s port city make sure to have their mugs photographed for the wall at Wintzell’s although it is hard to squeeze them in amid the nuggets of J. Oliver’s peculiar musings. For example:

• Ideas are funny little things that won’t work unless you do.
• People who are too sharp cut their own fingers.
• Chiseler is a guy who gets into a revolving door behind you and comes out first.
• A nickel isn’t supposed to be as good as a dollar, but it goes to church more often.
• He who spends time on his knees has no trouble standing on his feet.
• A woman will always make up her face when you are waiting for her parking space.
• Before our highways became choked it was good to be alive; today it is a surprise.

Although Wintzell’s currently has four locations in the Mobile area with more on the way, the original downtown location is still going strong. In addition to the signature “oysters - fried, stewed, or nude,” they have great seafood of all kinds including shrimp, catfish, crab claws, and West Indies salad. They make a pretty mean steak, too, which is even better topped with a half dozen fried oysters.  Their happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and features $1 draft and raw oysters for a quarter a piece.  For dessert, make sure you try their one-of-a-kind bread pudding, which has taken the award for best dessert in Mobile many times.