The Keys are known for a lot of things, not the least of which is the food and drink. If you've been here before, there's a good chance you've tried some (or all) of these things. If this is your first trip down, here are the things you absolutely MUST try while you're here.
Conch Fritters at Alabama Jack's
There are plenty of places in the Keys to get conch fritters. If you're new to the Keys, conch is a giant sea snail native to the warm waters of the Caribbean, whose sweet meat is a local delicacy. Conch is available in a lot of different forms, but the most common is in conch chowder, cracked conch (a steak-like filet), and conch fritters. Conch fritters are a deep-fried fritter of flour, cornmeal, peppers and conch meat - and there are none better than the ones at Alabama Jack's. While most fritters have tiny little bits of meat, Alabama Jack's fritters are chock full of HUGE pieces of deliciously sweet conch meat. Served in the outdoor setting on Card Sound, there's no better place to stop for lunch on the way down from the mainland to the Keys. Honorable mention to the grouper fingers and the conch salad - a marinated, ceviche-like blend of tomatoes, peppers and tons of conch meat.
Smoked Fish Dip at the No Name Pub
Like conch fritters, there are plenty of places to get smoked fish dip in the Keys. At the No Name Pub, you'll get a huge portion of dip full of great big pieces of smoked Yellowfin Tuna. Best known for its eccentric decor and odd location, most people rave about the pizza at the No Name, but if you're passing through on your way to Key West and looking for a "different" snack and a cold drink, don't miss the fish dip at the No Name Pub. Don't forget to cross the bridge to No Name Key and check out the tiny Key Deer while you're here!
Liquid Breakfast at Pepe's
Caroline Street across from Land's End Village. It's a toss-up between Pepe's and Camille's (below) for the best bloody mary in Key West, and the mimosas made with fresh squeezed oranges are outstanding. No better place for a hair-of-the-dog liquid breakfast!
Breakfast at Camille's
On Simonton Street at the corner of Catherine. Camille's is not cheap - bring plenty of money. But it's worth every cent. They have a selection of eggs benedict and omelets that is nothing short of decadent. Crab meat, lobster, shrimp and stone crab piled high on eggs. No matter what you order, make sure you get the CUBAN toast and forget the grits and hashbrowns and go with the fresh sliced tomatoes. Wash it all down with bloody marys that rival the ones at Pepe's.
Richard's Very Good Pancakes at Blue Heaven
Choose plain or your choice of pecan, pineapple or banana - the banana are to die for. You'll get a stack of three of the best pancakes you'll ever taste. You'll dine outside with chickens running amok around you (don't feed them) and an occasional cat or two (don't feed them, either) in this funky little place on the corner of Thomas and Petronia in Bahama Village. The wait here can sometimes be as long as two hours. And don't even THINK about parking around here.
Grouper Sandwich at B.O.'s Fish Wagon
The B.O. here is Buddy Owen, the owner. Located almost right across the street from Pepe's on the corner of Caroline and William Streets, this is another funky "wooden table and license plates nailed to the wall" kind of outdoor place that sort of looks like a junk heap. Get the fried grouper sandwich, and be hungry - it's quite a handful. A great big hunk of fish on a sub roll. Used to be if you asked for "the special" you'd get free fries on the side, but I don't think they're free anymore since word got out to the tourists about this one. They serve beer here in bottles, but if you're not in the mood for one or want something lighter, try the fresh-squeezed limeade.
Cuban Mix at Sandy's Cafe
The island is dotted with lots of Cuban cafes in all sorts of odd places. Sandy's is adjacent to a laundromat (M&M) on the corner of White and Virginia. Like many of the Cuban places, it's a walk-up window with a handful of stools scattered around outside. Get the Cuban Mix - a genuine Cuban sandwich with roast pork, ham, cheese, lettuce, and pickles all pressed panini-style on a half-loaf of Cuban bread. It's definitely big enough to share. Wash it down with a con Leche.
Almost Anything at El Siboney
El Siboney is off the beaten path and perhaps the best Cuban food on the island. It's a small, unassuming place in the middle of a residential neighborhood, at the corner of Catherine and Margaret. The sides here are excellent - no matter what you order, forget the french fries and salad and make sure you get the black beans and YELLOW rice and the fried plantains. The main courses are the usual assortment of Cuban beef, pork and seafood dishes. I recommend either the garlic shrimp or the Siboney Steak. Whatever you do, definitely wash it all down with a glass (or a pitcher) of homemade Sangria.
Key Lime Pie on a Stick
What more can I say about this? A piece of key lime pie. A stick in the back end of it. Dipped in chocolate. Frozen solid and eaten like a popsicle. It doesn't get any better than this on a hot day. You can get them all over the island, but for some reason they always taste best on the waterfront at the
Key West Ice Cream Factory.
Key Lime Shooters at Hog's Breath Saloon
Creamy and delicious, it's like drinking a key lime pie. Order the shooter to try it, or order the drink to get a giant one in a big cup. Either way it's ridiculously good and is a dessert in and of itself.
The Late Night Pizza Debate
Angelina's or Mr. Z's? The battle rages on over the best late night drunk food. Face it, both have good pizza, especially when it's 3:00 in the morning. Mr. Z's has great cheesesteaks too, but it's way down on Southard. Angelina's, on the other hand, is closer to the big bars on Duval, right across from Sloppy's and next to Rick's - and they have beer. And the rowdy kids working there will likely give it to ladies free if you're willing to "show off" ;)
