Why Locals Love The Wicked Wheel
Nestled in the heart of Panama City Beach, The Wicked Wheel offers an authentic Southern dining experience that masterfully blends comfort food with a lively bar & grill atmosphere. Revered by locals and visitors alike, this vibrant spot brings the tastes of the South front and center, from succulent chicken dishes to mouthwatering seafood and classic bar favorites.
The menu reads like a love letter to hearty, flavorful Southern cuisine. If you're craving bold and satisfying flavors, start with their celebrated Burnout Burgers. The Candied Bacon BBQ Burger is a standout – imagine a perfectly grilled patty smothered in bubbling Cheddar cheese, layered with caramelized sweet onions, tangy barbecue sauce, and topped with homemade candied bacon. Each bite is a decadent mix of smoky sweetness and savory richness that simply lingers with delight. For a classic option, the Classic Burnout Burger offers a fresh balance with shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles that complement the juicy beef patty beautifully.
Chicken lovers will feel right at home with the Wicked Chicken Sandwich, a premium, hand-battered chicken breast deep-fried to golden perfection. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese, creamy homemade coleslaw, signature wicked sauce, and crisp pickles, it's a messy, indulgent treat that guests rave about. Barbecue aficionados won’t be disappointed by the Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, boasting tender applewood-smoked pork paired with tangy sauce and pickles served on the side – a quintessential Southern delight.
Families are catered to thoughtfully with a tempting kids menu that includes classics like Chicken Tenders, Mini Corndogs, and Popcorn Shrimp, as well as comforting sides like Mac & Cheese. Even the little diners can savor the sharp, crispy Southern flavors made just for them.
Step inside The Wicked Wheel, and you’re greeted by an atmosphere that’s as rich in character as the food. The space is infused with a cool automotive and motorcycle theme that creates a playful, energetic vibe. It’s the kind of place where the decor sparks conversation and the bar buzzes with the friendly chatter of patrons unwinding after a day in the sun. As one regular, Michael Alexander, noted, the vibe at the bar, especially with bartenders like Dave, walks the perfect line of professional charm and welcoming warmth.
Service at The Wicked Wheel consistently earns high marks for attentiveness and genuine care. Customers frequently highlight staff kindness and engaging hospitality, like Christy Kirtlan, who appreciated the helpful and friendly servers that made her dining experience even more memorable. And it’s not just the food and service – the atmosphere truly makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a warm Southern hug, as Brenda W beautifully described when praising the fried chicken and sides.
For those who enjoy a bit of fun with their feast, the restaurant offers an on-site gift shop stocked with unique items reflecting the venue’s distinctive character – a perfect way to bring a piece of The Wicked Wheel’s charm home or share it with friends.
Whether you’re craving the crisp, fiery kick of fried green tomatoes drenched in wicked sauce, the delightful richness of cheese curds, or succulent fried bay scallops that you can spice up to your liking, The Wicked Wheel delivers an unforgettable experience that celebrates Southern comfort cuisine with heart and soul.
In a bustling tourist hotspot like Panama City Beach, The Wicked Wheel stands out not only for its mouthwatering menu but for cultivating a loyal community of diners who return year after year, eager to immerse themselves in its warm, spirited ambiance and wholesome Southern flavors.
For deliciously bold flavors, great company, and a lively atmosphere that makes every visit feel special, The Wicked Wheel is a must-visit destination for food lovers exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Outdoor seating
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Serves local specialty
- Sport
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy-hour drinks
- Happy-hour food
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
- University students
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
- Dogs allowed
Real Reviews from the Community
- Apr 7, 2026
I've been coming to PCB for decades, and the only "bad" thing I have to say is that this is the only time I've ever been able to get into Wicked Wheel. Usually, we come in the height of summer and there's like a 3 hour wait just to get to the hostess... Anyway, no wait tonight in September. We sat at the bar. Dave our bartender was awesome. Seemed a little too polite and professional for the atmosphere of the place, almost like he used to work at a high end hotel. But great service throughout the entire meal. For the meal, we started off with the garlic cheese curds which were a solid 7.5 out of 10. My wife got the candied bacon bbq burger, and I got the wicked hot chicken sandwich. Both were good. The chicken on mine was MASSIVE. We got a key lime pie for dessert, which if you like key lime pie, sorry to say, you might want to skip it here. The crust was pretty awful, but the filling was OK. For drinks, my wife got the bloody Mary which was good, and I got one of their signature concoctions in a souvenir mug because Panama City. After one and a half, the grain alcohol started to kick in. All in all, not a bad experience at all. Would definitely come again if there is no line.
- Mar 28, 2026
We had a weekend in Panama City, and we stopped at The Wicked Wheel for our last dinner. First of all, the food was wonderful, and the waiters were very kind. But there's more I want to share here. I left my bag, along with my wallet, credit cards, and ID, at The Wicked Wheel. We then set off for Tennessee. However, when I arrived in Tennessee, I realized I'd forgotten my bag. I reached this restaurant, and they told me I'd left it there. They kept it safe and even shipped it to me. They even included a t-shirt and a sticker as a gift. I was incredibly panicked and heartbroken when I thought I'd lost my bag, but they turned this bad experience into an incredibly beautiful one. I'd like to thank the entire team here; it meant so much to me. I hope you always come across very nice people too!
- Mar 18, 2026
My son said it tastes like a hug from the south Food was excellent! Best fried chicken and sides. The bread pudding outstanding! Fun atmosphere and amazing service!
- Mar 8, 2026
Visited last night and loved everything about it. Food was excellent, served hot and presented beautifully. Our server, though we can't recall her name, was engaging and helpful. She's from Cincinnati and we're from Ohio so maybe that will help I had the amazing chicken sandwich, hubby had the catfish and fried okra. Atmosphere of motorcycles was fun! Only recommendation is that they make an appetizer platter because we wanted to try all of them! All was great! Highly recommend!
- Mar 5, 2026
This place is decorated with a fun and cool automotive theme. They even have a gift shop! My friends and I really enjoyed the food. We had the fried green tomatoes (loved them with the wicked sauce!), the cheese curds (DELICIOUS!), the fried bay scallops plate (I made them spicy with pepper sauce - so good!), the fried green tomato BLT (home run!), the grilled chicken breast plate (great!), and the mandarin walnut salad (bursting with flavor!). Pablo was our server, and he was awesome - patient, friendly, personable, and attentive. If you live in or are visiting Panama City Beach, I recommend!
- Jan 26, 2026
I had such a great experience at The Wicked Wheel! The food came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The staff was friendly and checked on us the perfect amount without hovering. The vibe inside is fun, clean, and very family-friendly. I definitely see why this place stays busy — everything from the service to the portions was on point. I’d absolutely come back again!
- Jan 6, 2026
After seeing the reviews for this place I decided to check it out for Friday night dinner. It was well packed, service was good from beginning to end and the food was delicious. We spent about $80. Got two cocktails, Chicken fried chicken, fish platter and the buffalo chicken dip. Portions were a nice size, quality was hot, fresh and seasoned to perfection. I will keep this place in mind when visiting PCB.
- Dec 25, 2025
Great place for some comfort food and a good vibe‼ Panama city beach is no doubt a town full of your typical tourist traps. yet, this is a locally owned establishment that can definitely scratch the itch of an empty stomach. Of course went off the bartenders recommendation and grabbed their highly reputable fried chicken and I opted for the red beans and rice as a side. Man, the chicken was definitely good. the red beans and rice tho..... phenomenal had a pour of E H Taylor for desert, so bourbon selection was there Dave the bartender was a great host! and lemme tell you. A regular came in and bought everyone at the bar a drink of choice, so the southern hospitality .... is all I can say. Great place, check it out if your in PCB ‼
