While you have probably never met Jack Bishop, you have most likely eaten at one of his restaurants. Over his more than three decades of restaurant ownership he has probably served more than a million meals from locations in the now historic St. Andrews to all along Panama City Beach.

From his first job in the food service business that began on July 3, 1961, in Minocqua, Wisconsin, where he washed pots and pans, and eventually worked his way up to restaurant manager, Jack Bishop was destined for big things. In 1967 he went into the Air Force and by chance was stationed at Tyndall Air Force base (just east of PC Beach). During that time he had an opportunity to become a part owner of a little place called Al & Glenn’s Restaurant on Panama City Beach. The partnership quickly went south which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the now even more determined Bishop bought into a place called Breakers and opened it on April 14, 1971. The rest is as they say, is “his-story”.

The Breakers was originally a drive-in, then later a seafood restaurant, owned and operated by Mr. Charles Funk. Bishop and his original partners, Paul Mills, a developer from Panama City, and Rocco Lungarella, an Army pilot, stationed at Fort Rucker had many ideas including being known for entertainment. In the 70’s a format that included dining and entertainment was called a Supper Club (not to be confused with the Super Clubs of today!). In their humble beginning the entertainment line-up included road groups: The Van Dells, Cross, Music Machine, and some names you might be a little more familiar with like Chubby Checker, The Tams, B.J. Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, Sonny Turner, Wayne Cochran, and many more.

n 1975 a little known band named “Clutch” played for a two week engagement just before Hurricane Eloise struck in September 1975. This would be the first of many tests that Bishop would face from the forces of mother nature that included two hurricanes and a fire. As time would prove, mother nature was no match for the determination Bishop had and he rebuilt bigger and better every time.

In 1978, Breakers was in need of more parking so Jack had an idea - buy the Gulf Cafeteria across the street. It was well established, easy to run, and he felt he could take it to the next level. After years of hard work and even a name and format change, in 1989, Bishop's Buffet was born. The beaches’ original all you can eat seafood buffet has been a hit with families ever since. Jack took a break from the operations of Bishops from 1999 to 2005, but he’s back assuring guests the quality in food and service for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Bishops is open March-Oct.

In 1992, Bishop decided to create a place that would handle the overflow of guests at Breakers and especially those who preferred to eat outside. So right next door he built what is now known as Harpoon Harry's, complete with a huge palapa hut. It turned out to be a perfect timing as it was the early to mid 1980’s Panama City Beach became the Spring Break Capital of the World. The 1990’s were on their way to being record breaking when the gulf coast recieved another nasty visitor, a hurricane known as Opal. The storm hit the day after O.J. Simpson was found not guilty, October 4th, 1995. Rebuilding this time was much harder, took longer and to add insult to injury the restaurants missed nearly the entire ‘96 season, not reopening until October. Jack and his staff reopened by hosting a very large wedding reception. It went well considering that just minutes before guests arrived the carpet layers were still tacking down the newly installed carpet.

Never taking too much time to rest, in 1999 Jack gets to thinking about another idea for an all you can eat buffet on the east end of the beach. Bishop and his new partner, local restauranteur, Bob Robbins, purchased the old House of Beef, with a very unique round building that still exists today. While “Happy Jacks” and “Fat Jacks” were considered for names, “Capt. Jack’s” seemed to fit just right for this upscale seafood buffet with beautiful giant fish wall art and a one-of-a-kind domed ceiling painted to look like a sunny blue sky. In the past 36 years many things have changed, but one constant is Bishop’s commitment to the city of Panama City Beach and the visitor’s who come here every year.

8208 Thomas Dr - Panama City Beach, Florida
(850) 236-8555