History of Uncle Ernie's
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill and Brewhouse is the home of Ernest (Uncle Ernie) and Jesse Morris. It was originally located at 1608 Louise Avenue in St. Andrews. The original home was built in the late 1800s by Mr. Knowles, making it one of the oldest in St. Andrews.
Uncle Ernie was born May 19, 1898, in Point Washington, Florida, to James and Theodosia Morris. He had two brothers, Ed and Chris, and two sisters, Esther and Netia. Uncle Ernie married Aunt Jessie on May 7, 1925. They had four children: Ernest Isadoro, Gaynell, Ezelle and Donald. His oldest son, Ernest Isadora “Bubba” Morris and sister Gaynell were raised in this home and Ezelle and Donald were born in this home.
Isadora and his Eunice gave us this home to preserve and convert into a restaurant so that it would serve as a landmark near the St. Andrews Marina where Uncle Ernie was known to many and where he made his livelihood.
Jim’s wife, Doris, is Uncle Ernie’s great niece and her mother, Ernestine, Uncle Ernie’s namesake, was in the restaurant business in Bay Minette, Alabama, for 28 years. All photographs and memorabilia shown in restaurant are here to share and serve the memories of Ernest and Ernestine.