Tony Macaroni and the Conch Experience.

Where’s the best place to enjoy roast conch, Gullywash and live music on Grand Bahama? Why, at Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience of course!

Since starting his business in 1992, Anthony Hanna, better known to all as Tony Macaroni, has been serving his conch and fish specialties to happy customers. With his dazzling smile and exuberant personality, Tony has won legions of fans over the years and they return again and again for the food – and the fun!

Tony first came to Freeport from Nassau in 1970 and quickly fell in love with Taino Beach. He has recalled the Stoned Crab being one of the few things there at the time. By 1978–79, he was helping keep the beach clean with his Boy Scout troop!

The Conch Experience began in February 1992, initially in Port Lucaya. He had been enjoying the food at Billy Joe’s and asked the owner, John Gilbert, for permission to adapt his grilled conch recipe. Tony changed the ingredients and called his version roast conch. Subsequently he moved to Taino Beach where an outing with visitors wanting conch salad helped set the business in motion.

The early beach shack at Taino Beach.

Several hurricanes have threatened to destroy Tony’s business but he is a survivor! With help from Edward St. George, through Fred Smith, he rebuilt his shack into one on stilts, which even survived Hurricane Dorian!

Conch fritters, Gullywash – and music!

Since those early days Tony’s business has gained international recognition. In 2019 he was featured on a list of best Caribbean beach bars! On Sundays, weather permitting you can sit with your Gullywash and conch fritters and listen to live jazz. It’s an unmissable treat!

Tony has even produced his own hot sauce and according to one happy customer, Mark Lopez, “It’s great hot sauce!. Great taste with just enough heat”.

Truly a legend with the biggest smile on Grand Bahama, Tony’s been delighting his customers for 34 years. While his Conch Experience is a very popular tourist attraction, perhaps the biggest draw is Tony himself with his wonderful Bahamian humor and storytelling.

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