New seafood restaurant set to open in Macon County

Last updated on July 21, 2022

A beachfront steak & seafood restaurant opens its doors in Franklin on Friday, July 15 — offering a beach paradise with affordable, fresh meal options. 

Co-owners Kenneth Ray Fleenor Jr and Chef Rusty McNinch bring 25 years of restaurant experience working in the panhandle of Florida to Macon County.

The Net is located at 1505 Highlands Road, the same space that housed Chris & Charlie’s Restaurant for years. The menu is curated to bring quality food at comparable prices for Macon County residents and tourists alike. 

Appetizers range from $8.95 for Friend green ‘maters or tater skins topped with melted cheese, bacon & fresh sliced green onion to $15.95 for hot seafood dip which features a delicious combination of shrimp, minced scallops, and crabmeat baked in an original house alfredo, topped with green onions. 

The shrimp and fish menu is extensive with choices of calabash shrimp, jumbo shrimp, or cold-boiled shrimp. For fish options, the menu features Alaskan Whitefish, flounder filet, whole flounder, catfish filet, or bone-in catfish. 

For shellfish lovers, The Net features a mix of clam strips, fried oysters, crab cakes, or scallops with individual orders or the option to build combinations. 

Broiled entrees combine all the menu favorites for options for broiled scampi, shrimp, whitefish, flounder, or Cherry Balsamic Whitefish. 

All the entrees are served with hushpuppies, a seafood staple, and a variety of side options like fresh fries, baked potatoes, onion rings, cheesy grits, collard greens, creamed corn or cole slaw. 

While seafood is their specialty, The Net also features cooked-to-order New York Strip in either 8 or 14 ounces for $19.95/$26.50 or ribeye marinated and grilled until charred fat appears for either 8 or 14 ounces for $18.95 to $25.95. 

McNinch said when curating the menu, it was important for him to create a kid’s menu so local families could enjoy the restaurant together.

The menu The Net will open with will serve as a base menu, with items changing with the seasons and specials and featured items being offered. 

The restaurant will also have a variety of beer and wine options, completing the beachfront cafe vibe. The Net opens July 15 and will be open Wednesdays-Saturday 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.