586049 Wed Jan 07 18:20:40 -0800 2009 16 10 Florida 0 4305950 Im going to embark on my first trip to Key West for a week in Jan. I have no idea where to eat and dont want to just pick from the guide books. Any sugesstions on local , fun and yummy places to chow down? Wed Jan 07 18:20:40 -0800 2009 253920 michyphilly 1 4307228 BO's Fishwagon, Alice's, El Siboney, for a start, are all great. I'm heading back down in couple of weeks myself and look forward to hitting all of these again. Thu Jan 08 08:41:08 -0800 2009 4305950 85007 bostonbroad 2 4308406 Thanks for the list, Ill give one or all of them a try ! Thu Jan 08 13:10:59 -0800 2009 4307228 253920 michyphilly 3 4308845 michy....I visit the keys quite often. I live in Palm Beach county. From the beginning of the keys til Key West is over 100 miles on a mostly two lane rd. US #1. There are many places to stop on the way down. Key Largo to Key West.MM#0. bostonbroad mentioned my favorite in Key West. (BO's Fishwagon.) I am assuming you are flying into Miami airport.At M M94 is Snappers on the oceanside. , sit at the bar, it is great. Great drinks, great view, great locals.Food is soso. You will hear bay side & ocean side. If you are heading towards Key West ocean side is on your left. When you get to Islamorada you will see the big sign for Hog Heaven...Turn there and go to "Island Grill" Waterfront and good food. At MM20 on the bayside is Mangrove Mamas. Looks like a house and it is easy to miss. Ask the locals where to go see the Key deer. You will want to take one home with you. Have a great time and don't forget the Duval crawl. Thu Jan 08 15:03:48 -0800 2009 4308406 151974 HotMelly 4 4309198 Thanks for your suggestions....I will be flying into S. Carolina and then into the Keys. I wish that I was road tripping so that I could try all of your favorites. Mabey next time ! Thu Jan 08 17:22:41 -0800 2009 4308845 253920 michyphilly 1 4308929 A must try......conch fritters. To be honest, some of the best I had was at the Key West Airport while waiting for my wife and kids to fly in. Their assortment of hot sauces (a very necessary additive) was phenomenal Thu Jan 08 15:26:33 -0800 2009 4305950 204342 FriedClamFanatic 2 4309199 Oh , conch fritters sound gooood! Ill keep my eye out for them. Thu Jan 08 17:24:28 -0800 2009 4308929 253920 michyphilly 2 4309281 You're right, actually, the conch fritters at the airport are surprisingly good. I haven't been in a while but other favorite fritters came from BO's Fish Wagon (although I'd rather have the fish sandwich there), the stand outside the Aquarium and the stand in a little alley off Duval Street. Other favorite KW chow: dark chocolate dipped Key Lime pie on a stick from Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe... dinner at Ricky's Blue Heaven, breakfast/lunch at Pepe's, ropa vieja at El Siboney.. Thu Jan 08 17:51:48 -0800 2009 4308929 10027 Chris VR 3 4309323 Key Lime pie dipped in chocolate and on a stick ! Im going to check that out. Thanks Thu Jan 08 18:09:01 -0800 2009 4309281 253920 michyphilly 1 4312422 Snappers in Key Largo, just okay. The joint relies more on the setting than the food. Uncle's in Islamorada was top-notch though I've heard a few complaints, just a few, lately. Don't know from recent experience. In Key West, Pepe's for sure. It's been awhile since I've been to Louie's Backyard but it was a standard a few years ago. Blue Heaven has also been high on the list but haven't been in over a year. I've heard that Kelly's (as in Kelly McGillis) was good now though when I was there awhile back it was just okay. Have fun. And don't do like some do, go on vacation and leave on probation! Fri Jan 09 17:33:51 -0800 2009 4305950 255420 CosmicMiami 1 4317604 BO's is my FAVORITE place! Must visit 1/2 Shell Raw Bar and Grill, The Bull and Sloppy Joes for barcrawl/drinks. Don't forget Mallory Square at Sunset to see the dancing cats! Sun Jan 11 20:58:34 -0800 2009 4305950 256014 Oceanairess 1 4333570 It's been a few years, but Seven Fish and Louie's Backyard, both in Key West, are 2 of the few restaurants whose names I can remember from my travels, and are both in my top ten. (I write food and travel, so I've had a good meal or two.) Enjoy! Fri Jan 16 18:35:55 -0800 2009 4305950 257857 Cyndigo 1 4335813 Louie's Backyard (Waddell) - Cocktail at sunset out on the deck and pretty darn good food for lunch and dinner. Cafe Marquesa (Fleming) - I think THE best restaurant in KW. Innovative, local goods, lovely dining room. Pepe's (Caroline St) - awesome freshly squeezed juice and good breakies. Veggie sandwich that makes me drool thinking of it for lunch. Oldest Restaurant in KW. Eat out on the patio. Don't be put off by the front. El Sibonay (Catherine St.) - Off the beaten track. Not fancy. Authentic Cuban. Locals for lunch. Order ahead for paella. Blue Heaven (Thomas St) - If you are not a sanitary freak, you have to go because it is traditionally keysie. Chickens scratch around your feet. Kids will adore it. Good homemade bread. I have not been to Kelly's in eons - mostly because it was always sucky so I gave up. Maybe things have changed. B.O.'s Fish Wagon (Caroline St.) - fish of course. You might have a go at the fritters there. Cheap. Good fritters are fried in old grease and are light and airy (not like a hush puppy) and have lots of conch and maybe some red pepper running thru them. Should be dark brown. Camille's (Simonton) Breaky. it would be choice three after Blue Heaven and Pepe's. Wear your grubbies in KW and you will fit right in. Only the tourists wear fancy sandals and tucked and starched duds! Dress smarter for C. Marquesa. YUM! Sat Jan 17 22:54:07 -0800 2009 4305950 137755 Sal Vanilla 1 4336833 In Key West, the restaurant next door has better food. In other words, you really are a captive guest in Key West and word gets around fast if you don't serve great food. I wouldn't miss Blue Heaven. My last trip for breakfast was Lobster Benedict w/ a Lime Hollandaise! It was outstanding. Pack your wallet.....things can get very expensive there!! Have a great trip...wish I could join you. Sun Jan 18 12:26:54 -0800 2009 4305950 233000 Brawny 1 4337845 El Siboney...is the best!! Toastones, Snapper...whoo..hoo.. Key West Travel Tips Best Restaurant in Key West: “El Siboney” located at the Corner of Catherine & Margaret http://www.concierge.com/ideas/culinary/tour/detail?id=1275&page=3 http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=280 http://www.foodreference.com/html/kelsiboney.html Rusty Anchor 5510 3rd Ave, Key West, FL (305) 294-5369 Restaurant is located on Stock Island (part of Key West) Excellent Seafood (get the Yellowtail Snapper) Used to be frequented by a photographer from the Key West Citizen and many pictures from the Newspaper are preserved on the walls) BO’s Fish Wagon http://www.foodreference.com/html/kbo_sfishwagon.html http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/florida/florida-keys/key-west/restaurant-detail.html?vid=1154673793653 Hit the Juice Bar in the Waterfront Market: http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/florida/florida-keys/key-west/restaurant-detail.html?vid=1154673793653 Good places for Happy Hour (usually 4 pm to 6:30 pm): Half Shell Raw Bar ▪ Lands End Village at the Historic Seaport ▪ 305-294-7496 Discounted appetizers and $2 domestic bottled beer. If you are a runner they sponsor a very cool half marathon in January. http://www.halfshellrawbar.com/ Conch Republic Seafood Company ▪ 631 Greene Street ▪ 305-294-4403 Two for one bottle beer. http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/ Schooner Wharf Bar ▪ 202 William St. ▪ 305-292-9520 Cool place to sit and listen to the band http://www.schoonerwharf.com/ Great place for a beer and to listen to some good music Green Parrott Bar 601 Whitehead St. Key West, FL 33040 305-294-6133 http://www.greenparrot.com/ Good places for breakfast: Blue Heaven 729 Thomas St. Key West, Florida 33040 (305) 296-8666 Corner of Petronia and Thomas (going north on Whitehead make a left on Petronia) http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Blue_Heaven_Restaurant_Key_West.html http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Key_West-763140/Restaurants-Key_West-Blue_Heaven-BR-1.html Camille’s 1202 Simonton Street Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-4811 http://www.camilleskeywest.com/ Kim’s Kuban’s 2300 N Roosevelt Blvd Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-2878 Great stop for: • Quick Breakfast (or take-out…take to the Bach/garden) • Bollos (Fried Black Eyed Pea Fritters) • Conch Fritters Other: Butterfly Conservatory: http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/ West Martello Garden: http://www.keywestgardenclub.com/ http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Key_West-763140/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Key_West-West_Martello_Tower-BR-1.html http://www.keywestgardenclub.com/History.htm The Key West Museum of Art & History in the Custom House: This is a really cool building and a very nice museum/art gallery. http://www.kwahs.com/customhouse.htm Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden Key West's 36 Most Influential People 36 people have made a major impact and were the first to be chosen to sit in the garden by the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden Selection Committee. There is a sculpture of my Great Great Great Grandmother in the garden Elisabeth Merklin Knight Beiglett Smith 1828-1898 http://www.historictours.com/keywest/SculptureGarden/bust.htm Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Florida's southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. A beautiful beach at the southern end of the park provides opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy a short nature trail and bicycling within the park. A refreshment stand at the beach offers snacks, cold beverages, beach sundries, and souvenirs. Guided tours of the fort are available daily. Located in Key West at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex. http://www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor/ Dry Tortugas http://www.fortjefferson.com/sunnydays/ferry.htm Garden of Eden: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34345-d575431-Reviews-Garden_of_Eden-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html Sun Jan 18 21:02:54 -0800 2009 4305950 258455 Juwan 1 4343043 Thanks to all for your fantastic suggestions , I will be going the week of Jan. 25 and I am ready for some good eats, thanks to you Chow Hounds ! Tue Jan 20 18:37:21 -0800 2009 4305950 253920 michyphilly 1 4343061 Everyone has been so helpful , I cant thankyou enough! Im going on Jan. 25th so I report back.... Thanks again Chowers!!!! Tue Jan 20 18:41:21 -0800 2009 4305950 253920 michyphilly