Tamara's Downtown, Fairhope

Tamara Wintzell has been a staple in the Fairhope restaurant industry for over four decades. Think about that. From experience, I can tell you that 40 years ago, Fairhope’s restaurant offerings were sparse, to say the least. And yet Tamara has started, sold, and started again more establishments than you can shake a stick at. She’s an institution unto herself!

Tamara was a two-month-old baby, born in New Orleans, before moving with her family to Jacksonville, Florida. After two years of college, Tamara sold insurance for Independent Life and began bartending at night. She says, “Most people don’t know that I’m a full-blooded Puerto Rican.” I can’t begin to tell you her full name, but everyone knows her as Tamara.

From Jacksonville, she moved to Atlanta where her dad was a stock car driver. Tamara worked for 8 years at a Mercedes dealership. She picked up a bartending job at El Chico’s and after one week the regional manager asked her to be a manager. Tamara headed to Dallas to train and was soon transferred to Mobile for her first management job. “All I could think of was rednecks, guns, and dirt roads,” she says. “They told me I could walk everywhere and wouldn’t need a car. Ha!”

After nine months, Tamara left El Chico’s and moved to Fairhope to open the Old Bay Steamer restaurant, one of the first full-service establishments in Fairhope. She expanded Old Bay Steamer to Gulf Shores, Pensacola, and Ft. Walton. She eventually sold the restaurants and began exploring other ideas for Fairhope. The Old Bay Steamer is still operating in Ft. Walton Beach. “They are doing a nice job there,” she says.  

“I had lots of concepts for restaurants including a sports bar, a nightclub, a Mexican restaurant, and a tapas restaurant called Aurora’s where Little Whiskey is now.” After 43 years, Tamara is down to one restaurant, Tamara’s Downtown, and The Venue, a wedding venue on Section Street in Fairhope. Tamara’s Downtown has been open for 15 years and she will lease  The Venue to Jenna Laine Weddings at the beginning of the year.

Tamara says she wants to focus more on Tamara’s now, “Keep the standards high.” Tamara’s has been voted Best Bloody Mary Bar and Best Happy Hour by Best of Baldwin.  The Sunday Jazz Brunch is very popular. “People are lined up outside as soon as we open.” You can still get a drink from the bar while waiting, if necessary. “As long as the atmosphere is inviting, the service and food quality is good, people don’t seem to mind a short wait.”

Tamara doesn’t take reservations.  On Mother's Day, she seated the first 130 people and others waited patiently for tables to open. “I quit taking reservations because people didn’t show up. It just works better this way.” Tamara is still cooking every day. She’s either cooking or on the line, taking food to tables, whatever it takes to ensure things run smoothly. “I do it all,” she says.

Each day, Tamara lines up her staff to be certain they are dressed properly and then reminds them of her high standards and expectations. She gives each new employee a packet with her rules and regulations. If she is short-handed, she pulls a few tables out of the equation to ensure customers have an enjoyable experience. Since Covid, she’s had to focus on controlling prices through smarter purchasing and reduction of waste.

Tamara does whatever she can to help non-profits in the area. She hosts a sponsor party behind The Venue for the Fairhope Witches Ride and helps out Taste of Rotary by purchasing food at a discount for their event each year. She does the food for the Wine Festival that supports the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department and supports the  Police Ball each year. During the holiday season, Tamara has a toy drive for Care House in Bay Minette and Family Promise in Robertsdale. After Hurricane Sally, Tamara emptied her freezer, cooked outside, and gave food to those in need.

“I love Fairhope. Fairhope has been good to me,” she says. She and Pat Risby have been together for 15 years. He’s the behind-the-scenes guy who helps Tamara keep things going. “He can build anything. If he builds it, I will run it.” Her favorite thing about the restaurant industry? “The customers. Every day is a new day. I know that nobody has to walk through that door to dine with us, so I want Tamara’s to meet my standards. Through the years, I’ve experienced a lot of celebrations and happiness as well as sadness when friends lose a loved one.”  

Tamara’s most popular dishes include the Chicken Tamara, the Cowboy Ribeye, and the Jubilee Pasta. For appetizers, the BBQ Shrimp and Escargot are favorites. “I love cheesecake,” she says, "and our Strawberry Cheesecake is the best!” Tamara will go out of her way to accommodate private parties with plenty of advance notice. Several holiday parties are on the books now. Happy Hour is always happening at Tamara’s.

"The restaurant business is very rewarding,” she says. “It’s like the show, Cheers in a way. It’s like you’re entertaining in your own home. But believe me, you’re married to it!” What’s next? “I’m going to focus on Tamara’s. We are changing the menu at the first of the year. I want to do more with the courtyard.” She goes on to say, “My two sons and my three grandchildren are all living in Fairhope now, and my 92-year-old mother is visiting. She loves coming to Fairhope and walks everywhere. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”

Go for it, Tamara. You’ve earned it!