Chef Doug Kerr has certainly made a name for himself with his eclectic combinations of  fresh ingredients that both surprise and delight at the same time. This local Fairhope Foodie started challenging his patrons years ago when he owned and operated the Dragonfly Cafe in the Fairhope French Quarter while he was completing his coursework to graduate as part of the first graduating class of Faulkner State University’s Culinary Arts Program. He acquired corporate experience when he went to work for a restaurant group headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama that specialized in fine dining. He seized the opportunity to travel, heading north to Chicago to work in private clubs and boutique style restaurants and then west to New Mexico and Dallas before his homecoming in 2007. Both Doug and Brie were working at in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area when the Deepwater Horizon occurred.  When Doug was laid off he immediately began planning the menu for to revisit “dragonfly” with his taco concept for Dragonfly Foodbar. The first Dragonfly Foodbar location opened on Fairhope Avenue in 2010 and the Kerr’s daughter, Cirra, was born just 2 week later. For four years the couple and their staff worked out of a very small kitchen where at times, seating hungry patrons was a challenge. Their business grew exponentially and after much thought, they decided that they needed more room. This past December, Dragonfly Foodbar relocated to a larger location just around the corner on Church Street. The transition to their new location  went seamlessly and the reception to their new home has been everything they could have hoped for.  The menu at Dragonfly Foodbar offers “smalls” that include crispy calamari, blue crab corn fritters, crispy oyster blue cheese french toast and firecracker langostino nachos.
The tacos are available a la carte and the flavor combinations don’t disappoint. Choose from Braised Pork with apple, habanero, lime and avocado, a Blackened Ribeye with greens, blue cheese, garlic and tomato, a Firecracker shrimp with asian slaw, Five Spice Duck with figs, cranberry, radish and green chili, Crispy Oyster with pickled cabbage, Seared Tuna with edamame, wasabi and jalapeno and several other scrumptious options.
“Bowls” are also an option – Roast Pork with Udon Noodles, Spicy Red Curry Coconut Chicken, Pan Fried Udon Noodles, Kung Pao Chicken fried basmati rice, Firecracker Langostino Fried Rice, and Five Spice Duck Fried Rice.
“Sides” available are Tempura Turnip Fries, Edamame and Miso Coconut Braised Cabbage. Chef Kerr is currently working on some bold and spicy menu changes for the near future. Monday are host to Not-Yo average Monday with a different nacho special each week. Check out their $2 taco specials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday accompanied by beer and wine specials on those evenings and stay tuned on Saturdays for “Slider” specials.
Dragonfly Foodbar, 7 South Church Street, Fairhope  (251) 990-5722 • Facebook “Dragonfly Foodbar”