I’m always about good food, and especially with a good view. But oftentimes I’m met with either or, especially with restaurants that promise both for appearance’s [popularity’s] sake. Here’s the thing when I’m on vacation: I want to eat, and I want food that satisfies. You feel me? So if you want good food in Key Largo – [shouting from the rooftops] – go for underrated!
When it comes to Florida Keys restaurants, popular isn’t always better. This goes for anywhere, really. And I understand, some people genuinely don’t care about food quality as long as their stomachs are filled and accompanied with spectacular views. So if you want to pay for a view, cool, simply go where waterfront is promoted. But if you want good food then allow me to make some suggestions.
My husband and I have been going down to the Keys (middle and upper) for over 7 years now, and in 2021 we took the plunge and bought our second home in Key Largo. Do we consider ourselves natives? No, clearly not, but a local? Progressively. We come down and stay often enough to really get to know the area, and what’s *actually* the real deal when it comes to good food.
*Now remember, this is strictly Key Largo!
If you want good food in Key Largo, go for underrated
Mike’s BBQ (food truck)
Don’t dog it until you try it, because I know vacationers probably aren’t totally sold on the food truck gang. While I understand, to a degree, we shouldn’t solely limit ourselves to restaurants with table-side service.
And to be fair there aren’t many authentic BBQ places in Key Largo or the Upper Keys – at least, not like this. Mike’s is only open select days (until they’re sold out) so it’s important to schedule your time of when to go. This may just be a food truck, but this little red BBQ speaks for itself. Just make sure you come hungry.
They’ve got brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, and even sausage that is smoked on-site. As featured above (my husband and I got to-go), we got the brisket [on the left], ribs [in the center] and pulled pork [on the right], with their mac-n-cheese [upper right], baked beans [upper left], jalapeno sweet cornbread as well as their smoked green beans. Plus their mild, hot, and tangy-mustard sauces on the side.
They also do several meat platters (that easily feed 2+) as well as sandwiches! We obviously wanted to try a little bit of everything, but holy moly those green beans are to die for. Okay so is the brisket, and those ribs. And the cornbread –ugh, that mac-n-cheeeeeese.
You get the picture.
I know, I know. Just one more for good measure.
Pinecrest Bakery
Stop! Wait!
Okay now that I have your attention, you might be thinking, “A bakery? Um, ok, cool they have sweets…” BUT, that’s not all.
There are clearly multiple Cuban spots around Key Largo, like Denny’s and The Juice House, but Pinecrest Bakery is also a Cuban bakery that offers more than an array of pies (including Key Lime), cakes, and other desserts. I think my husband and I grab more empanadas and guava pastries for breakfast than anything else these days, especially for breakfast (plus a double espresso for *muah*). And, actually, come to think of it…we’ve snagged their cake slices for a late night treat – um, hello, they’re open 24/7 – and those did not disappoint!
Nonetheless, they serve an array of other breakfast, sandwich and meal options. So one day (of many) for lunch we stuffed our faces with their Cuban – stacked THICK, and hands down (so far) the best I’ve ever had in the Keys – as well as the steak sandwich (featured below). And we also got this slice of chocolate cake for good measure. *Their oreo cheesecake was delicious, too!
Pinecrest also has – what I have narrowed down to be – the best Cuban coffee, their espresso in particular. IDK, call me a snob, but if you’re hell-BENT on the dreadful Starbucks you’re truly missing out. If you’re like me and you want coffee that’ll give you a kick in the ass in the morning, go to the Crest.
Shipwrecks
If you’re into dives with a sick Happy Hour, this one’s it. I mean, when it comes to places to eat in Key Largo, sometimes you’re going to have to look past what’s on the outside. This little joint sits on the most northern part of the mainland of Key Largo, and on the canal. It’s a dink, wedged between a crab trap business, charter boats, and residential houses surrounding. You’d almost miss it driving along the Overseas Highway since it’s tucked back from the main road right at the bend near the blue bridge.
Though their sign ‘Good food, cheap beer’ is a pretty good attention grabber. I think many have heard the name, but since it’s located remotely away from the more touristy area of Key Largo as far as restaurants go, Shipwrecks stays under the radar.
You get some pretty nice views of the canal, and from their dock you can see the Atlantic. There’s far more covered outdoor seating than there is inside, so this spot is likely bustling on a weekend night with live music.
My husband and I got there fairly early (for happy hour) and had craft beers for only $4. We shared the happy hour wings (10-piece) and Mahi fingers (Thai-style), which were huge and all was more than enough for two people to share. Relatively starving since it was the day of our arrival with one meal under our belts, I indulged in also getting the buffalo chicken sandwich (very delicious). I do feel this is one of those places where comfort food is the appeal, so if you’re looking to “eat healthy-ier“…this may not be the place. Though, I will say, you’re guaranteed the freshest catch!
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe
This is a really great spot if you’re looking for a view of the water (it’s actually in a marina) with a more laidback, self-serve atmosphere. The Fisheries is considered “cafeteria-style”, but please don’t let that discourage you. By that, I mean, you simply order your food from a window outside, they call your name when it’s ready, and then seat/serve yourself in the covered outdoor area.
It’s also a fish market, so you can purchase fresh seafood as well. That said, be prepared for it to smell a bit *fishy*.
Featured below are the lobster BLT, Mahi tacos, and – duh – Key Lime Pie. Delicious, start to finish, though the only downfall I have to add is that my lobster was a bit over-cooked. I know this because the lobster was chewy, and I know the difference since we’ve fetched and cooked our own lobster at home and the meat should melt like butter in the mouth (ugh, drooling as I’m writing this). But since the Fisheries is a pretty fast-paced cafe, the food does come out fairly quickly.
Nonetheless, everything we had was full of flavor and tasted fresh, which is obviously important when 1. you’re eating in the seafood Capital, and 2. you’re eating seafood that literally comes from a fishery/seafood market.
Taco Jalisco (food truck)
“Another food truck?!”
Yup, we’re revisiting. Their popularity grows simply because their less expensive, and convenient. Even if you’re paying an arm and a leg to stay at one of Key Largo’s resort bungalows, everyone wants 5-Star food regardless. And when I say you won’t find solid Mexican food nearby that isn’t made with Love like Jalisco’s.
Because I know without a doubt their flour tortillas are handmade (i.e., when I make my own).
This place is a must-try if you like authentic tacos and burritos. I actually think they have the best burritos in town, but that’s just me. The Veggie burrito, whether you’re a meat eater or not, is actually superb. The loaded nachos are also a killer, in a good way. Plus, they also have a great deal for two – 6 tacos (3 choices of meat) for $12.
Featured below we got 2 chicken, 2 pork, and 2 steak. Mind you, these are not your “normal” tacos. They’re street taco size, come served in a corn tortilla, with your option of meat(s) topped with onions and cilantro (as featured below). That’s it.
Golly but they are so good, mostly because I am a huge fan of onions and cilantro.
Obviously, they have a variety of other items on their menu, such as quesadillas, campechanas, tortas (Mexican sandwiches – featured below), and sides/starters like chips and salsa or guacamole. Sometimes they even have certain specials depending on the day – one time they had ceviche.
To top it off, they offer house-made fruit water (guava featured in the picture above). The pulp and all, so it’s legit. They’ve had strawberry and pineapple on previous occasions. These are so refreshing to have with your meal – I may even bring my own flask of rum next time to mix. Shhh, don’t spill my genius secret!
[Featured below is Jalisco’s Steak Sandwich]
Buzzard’s Roost
How charming is that entry?! This is Buzzard’s Roost – another tucked-back restaurant in the upper-upper Keys of Key Largo, just down the street from Shipwreck’s.
It’s located on a marina and has that nautical, uppity vibe inside and out with peek-a-boo views of the water. It’s a bit more upscale for your Keys restaurant in a nonchalant way. Yet it was delicious and worth the splurge, especially when you can sit out on the covered, screened-in patio (with a legit bar) and watch the forklift transfer massive boats to and fro.
You come for the atmosphere, and it delivers!
There was plenty to choose from on the menu, including an array of seafood. They even do lobster platters/specials, including a Lobster Reuben I was SO tempted to get but I was skeptical whether it was with Maine lobster and not Florida lobster since we were just a day away from commercial season. Next time, for sure.
Instead, I decided to go for a Buzzard’s Fav, the Fish of the Day (Mahi) Sandwich on Rye with grilled mushrooms, onions and jack cheese. And there was no skimping on the fish, like in some restaurants where they give you the size of a fish finger on your sandwich. Every bite to the crust had a nice 3/4 inch thick piece of meat (as you can see in the pictures it was hanging off the sides). It really was a sandwich fit for a Buzzard, but I’m all about grilled mushrooms, onions, and Rye, sooo. My husband had the Bacon Avocado Burger, which he said was delish and even comparable to his favorite burger spot closer to home in New Smyrna Beach.
Upper Crust Pizza
You know how you can never go wrong with pizza, yet somehow there are still places better than others? That’s where I’m going with this. Now there might be a battle between two places in Key Largo when it comes to pizza (even though the #1 pizza place of choice is technically in Tavernier) – the first being Tower of Pizza (which is an obviously popular choice), and the second is Upper Crust. For me, I chose the latter.
Why? I guess it boils down to that I’ve simply had far too many pizzas resembling the Tower. It’s good, don’t get me wrong – it’s pizza. But Upper Crust, as in the name, has this ammmmazing almost-thin-like crust, yet it’s not thin crust pizza. You might even say the sauce tastes different (a bit sweeter) and the way the pizza is cooked is different (it has that caramelized cheesy goodness from in the oven with just slightly burnt edges), and I prefer it based on my own personal opinion and experience.
And I think if you were to try them both to compare, you’ll understand and appreciate their differences in both good and unique ways!
This pie was customized with pepperonis, fresh basil, and buffalo mozzarella. *Chef’s kiss*
Avenue Subs
Who isn’t all about a good submarine sandwich for a day out on the boat, lounging by your community/resort/rental private beach, or as a hearty to-go meal after a long day of all the things fun in the sun?! I feel like subs are such an underrated food item, to begin with, let alone there are so few actual places to get them anymore. And I can’t believe I’m about to say this…but Avenue (in my humble opinion) blows Pub-subs out of the water.
After hearing about this place from multiple locals, my husband and I decided to bop by this not-so conspicuous little spot on the side of the Overseas Highway after a morning of fishing. We were hungry, and normally this would lead us to simply picking up PubSubs (my Florida and southeast peeps know what’s up), but this is the time to venture from the norm. And we are so glad we did.
Forewarning, there’s no dine-in option, so be prepared to get To-Go or call ahead ordering. But the inside was very clean, air-conditioned, and everyone working was incredibly nice and helpful (they went above and beyond to make sure our order was right and that we had everything we needed). They really care, and it shows from the way they hand you your subs – they carry them to you like a baby!
As for their current menu, they only do submarine sandwiches and salads (not wings as listed on their main sign) – *if this changes I will update this post because we go THAT often. You have cold sub-options like turkey, BLT, Italian, veggie, and hot sub-varieties such as their pizza and pizza deluxe subs (which, tried and true, are also delicious), meatball, roast beef, and sausage parmesan.
They are a bit pricier for a sandwich, but two people could easily split one of these cold or hot subs. But what kind of psychopath would do that…honestly?
[Featured below] I got the Italian Combo (resembling much like the Publix or Jersey Mikes Italian if you get all the fixings, but better, in my personal opinion) and my husband got the meatball hot sub (which, if done right, will NOT look very photogenic – as you can see in the pictures). Since having been way too many times to count now, lately I’ve been on a kick of ordering their Veggie sub [Also featured below!] and IT IS the tea for my veggie lovers, and far from just a boring ole’ vegetarian sandwich, T R U S T M E.
So if you’re spending a day on the boat, at your local sandbar, lounging by your resort, private beach, or just need a quick stop for lunch – Avenue Subs needs to be your go-to on speed dial!
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