Tacky Jacks, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Ft. Morgan

I recently visited with Susan Sizemore in Orange Beach to learn about a Scenic 98 Coastal eatery, bar, and entertainment staple. It turns out they are unsure when Tacky Jacks first came to be. Was it in 1980 or 1979? No official records exist since Orange Beach wasn’t even a city when Tacky Jacks opened.

They do know that Jack Hodges was the original owner, and it was just a little bait and tackle shop before they added a little bar. The name came from Jack, and rumored that Jack’s wife came up with the “tacky” part, but they aren’t sure that’s true. Tacky Jacks celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020, so they’ve been around a while and seen many changes over the years.

In 1987, George Skipper purchased the building situated on Cotton Bayou off Marina Road. I spent a lot of my youth around the  Cotton Bayou area, and the growth is unreal. “We’ve gone up, we’ve grown out, and we just get better,” says Susan, who has served as Marketing Manager since 2008.

The Orange Beach location is the original Tacky Jacks.  They opened on Ft. Morgan Road in the old Oar House and Happy Hooker building in 2005, just down from the Fort. In 2011, they opened in Gulf Shores on the Intercoastal Waterway. “All of our restaurants are on the water, with casual dining inside and out, and are easily accessible by boat,” she says. 

“The BP Oil Spill didn’t hurt our structure, but Cotton Bayou was closed, so there went our boat traffic and a lot of tourists,” says Susan.  “Several celebrities came soon after the oil spill to support our beautiful gulf.  Kenny Chesney held a free concert at the Flora-Bama, Jimmy Buffet had a concert on the beach in Gulf Shores, and the tourists started coming back. President Barack Obama also came to Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach, giving them only a 15-minute notice.  He stayed for at least an hour and a half, talking to our guests who were there, and ordered several things from our menu, including a “virgin” Bushwacker.” 

Covid didn’t hit as hard as Hurricane Sally did.  At the Orange Beach location, Sally took out the downstairs private party room, the decking and cleaned out the Gift Shop.  “It took a few months, but they survived and built back better,” she says. “After 43 years, we have very loyal locals and visitors.”

“You can watch the sunrise at our Orange Beach restaurant, and watching the sunset at the Ft. Morgan location is an experience not to be missed,” she says. “We serve the same menu items at each location, but the buildings are different and unique.”  People have their favorite but say they have gone to all.  Tacky Jacks is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and, of course, all day for boaters wanting to drop by for a beverage with their friends.  

Music lineups are on their Facebook pages and primarily feature local bands.  Karaoke is a staple at Ft.  Morgan every Thursday and Saturday Night.  Wednesday is Open Mic night at Gulf Shores, so go show off your talent. They do host some private parties but not too many in the summer. 

“Business is not as seasonal as it used to be,” says Susan. “It may slow down a bit during winter, but it is wide open from the second week in March until the middle of August. There is more music after spring breaks start.”  The only time they close is Thanksgiving and Christmas. “We do host a big New Year's Eve party in Gulf Shores with a Bushwacker Drop at 8 pm.  It’s packed, and reservations are encouraged.  The party ends at 9 pm so people can go enjoy fireworks shows.”  

Tacky Jacks has won the Sunny 105.7 People's Choice Award for “Locals Favorite Hangout” 12 years in a row, "Best View of the Island for 12 years, and “Best Happy Hour for ten years.  AL.com named Tacky Jacks one of the “11 Awesome Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Alabama.” 

Susan says that Tacky Jacks is heavily involved in the community. “We want to be good corporate citizens.”  They work closely with Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism for sports and events in the area, as well as the local chambers of commerce and schools supporting academics and athletic teams. 

In March 2017, a fire was averted at the Orange Beach location. The floor was hot and smoldering when the staff arrived one morning.  Because of the quick response and skilled work of the Fire Department, the building was saved. Since then, Tacky Jacks has hosted a “First Responders week in which every local fireman, police officer, and lifeguard receives an invitation to “eat free all week” at their restaurants Monday thru Friday. This year, almost 500 invitations were sent.   

In addition to working closely with first responders, Tacky Jacks is passionate about helping Veterans. Donations to their programs are matched. They have purchased Action Track Chairs and Beach Wheelchairs and given them to Veterans. Beach n Buggies is a local company that makes Beach Wheelchairs. Tacky Jacks had them make one that a Veteran can rent at no charge from Beach n Buggies. 

They also help sponsor Operation Reconnect. This is a veteran’s program run by Ryan Charrier, who raises funds to purchase a new vehicle to raffle off and pay for servicemen who have been deployed and their families an all-expenses-paid week-long vacation at the beach. Last year over 200 military families were able to come and spend much-needed time together. Tacky Jacks helps sell tickets and donates funds to support this effort.

Owner George (Buddy) Skipper passed away in December 2021. They held a Celebration of Life service and had the Orange Beach  Fire Department present to receive three infrared thermographic imaging cameras in memory of Buddy and his appreciation of what they did to save his building. The family is still very involved in running the business and maintaining a commitment of service to the community.

Buddy was recognized for his leadership and was named State Retailer of the Year in 2016. The restaurants are big on conservation efforts and use washable cups, plates, utensils, and eco-friendly go-boxes. They are also part of the Oyster Shell Recycling Program.   

The State has included Tacky Jacks Farmers Omelet in the 100 Dishes to eat in Alabama. They have received the Nappie Award for Best Bushwacker on the Beach. Best of Baldwin named Tacky Jacks “Best Crawfish.” In season, they serve all-you-can-eat crawfish starting at 11 am until they run out.  Usually, it’s Gulf Shores on Saturday and Orange Beach on Sunday,  

I asked Susan about living at the beach and the changes she has seen through the years. “Growth, of course, but this is the greatest place to live; everyone is welcome and accepted.  I believe in this area. No one is born here, and living here is easy and fun. I first began coming here in 1975, fell in love with the area, and moved here permanently in 1999!”

Thank you, Susan. And thank you, Tacky Jacks, for being such a fun place to go for great food and entertainment and for supporting our Scenic 98 Coastal community!