WAIT! Before you read on, please know that these are MY personal Top 3. I know three doesn’t seem like many, since its nearly impossible for any key lime pie to be bad. I mean even the one’s frozen on a stick are hard to beat. But I’m narrowing down the best key lime pie in Key Largo on purpose.
For key lime pie lovers, and even those who’ve yet to try, I’m slightly *extra* biased when it comes to key lime pie because I’m tired of seeing the same old *popular* places seemingly automatically getting the pick (when, truthfully, there’s *more/*better yonder).
What I mean is…you’ll notice that you will almost always see Ms. Mac’s be one of Key Largo’s top restaurants, which means she’ll also be rated one of the best key lime pies. And, look, listen: if you’re one of those who thinks key lime pie is just key lime pie – doesn’t matter where you get it – then have at it. And I’m not even discrediting Ms. Mac’s…or her key lime pie (better yet, the key lime freeze)…but she’s already established! Newcomers are already likely to go there because it’s so popular.
This post on key lime pie, specifically, explores a more beaten path…or the path less traveled, if you will. Frankly, this is what the travel AND tourist industry needs. We need more bloggers (food and travel bloggers) to stop the click bait by utilizing popular key word places and names that ensure a post to go viral. People want something NEW, at some point!
Upon a quick research on key lime pie in the Florida Keys, I’m constantly force fed the Been There Done That…as if nothing else exists. New places (small businesses) already have a tough time sticking their neck out against their Big Brother establishments, like Caribbean Club, Lazy Lobster, and The Blond Giraffe (Key Lime Pie Factory). Therefore, I’m bringing the *new* and even the underrated into the well-deserved spotlight!
Let’s gooooo! OH, and these really aren’t in any particular pecking order (because they’re ALL good in their own unique way that I can’t rank them).
The BEST key lime pie in Key Largo [My top 3]
Doc’s Diner
Certainly, Doc’s has gained some fair traction in terms of breakfast and brunch spots in Key Largo, alongside the well-known Harriettes. If you like Harriettes for her muffins, then you ought to try Doc’s for her cinnamon roll. Mm-hmm.
Anyway, there was one morning my husband and I were having breakfast at Doc’s when I watched the owner’s daughter (who works there) hand a couple a whole Key Lime Pie as they left. Throughout some mumbling, I heard the daughter pitch in a few words like, “..I made it last night“, “..It’s my last one of the day!” So, obviously, at 10am I was bewildered by this and, nonetheless, planned a piece of breakfast pie the next time we came in.
First off, it’s definitely homemade (by the owner’s daughter, I’m assuming). And the taste and texture is fairly unique – a mixture between custard and cheesecake! Whatever the case, it’s a dang good pie since she only makes a limited amount, and it’s truly unlike other key lime pies I’ve had in Key Largo so it really is fighting to be my #1.
Krust
Okkkkkk, so *technically* this is in Tavernier…like a mile outside of Key Largo. Close enough, I say, because it’s closer to Key Largo than it is Islamorada. ANYWHO, I really can’t say enough about Krust with it being brand spanking new AND YET having hands down the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life. Seriously. And this is not your typical Za, to say the least.
But we’re not here to relish over pizza, it’s about pie! Oh, wait, but pizza is pie…
Krust is a husband and wife duo from Miami – he makes the pizza and his wife makes the pies. Hence the name…Krust. Aside from the fact her Key Lime Pie so closely resembles that classic take (custard-like), it’s still very light and tangy! And I’m a big fan of tangy. Many Key Lime Pies, you can usually tell, use either fake lime “flavor” or you hardly get any at all. This pie really is the perfect balance and, like I said, strongly resembles the classic (that you would get from the popular Blond Giraffe, literally across the way, actually) but I KNOW this one’s homemade so it’s got some competition.
FYI, she doesn’t just make key lime pie but also an array of others such as a coconut (to die for), burnt cheesecake (again, to die for), Nutella, cookies and creme, as well as banana pudding. We’ve had them all, and they’re all approved! There’s not one we don’t like.
Besides, I’m all about supporting small biz at this point so if I have to choose Krust is where I’m goin’.
Fernandez The Bull
GOTCHA THERE, didn’t I?! Not expecting a Cuban joint to be on the list but here. we. are! And we’re going there because while, yes, I understand this may not be a PIE, per say, but hold up, hold up….
…Key Lime Pie EMPANADA. Do I need to repeat myself? Nah, honestly, the pictures speak for themselves.
If you haven’t made it here because you likely drive on by on US 1 without even seeing it or because ultimately you were only there for a trip to Publix, you’re missing out.
I think my husband and I have dined here roughly…10-12 times now? Too many times where we have made the mistake of not ordering this dessert first, because it easily feeds two, and because, um…the price is just TOO GOOD to beat!
Does it taste anything like Key Lime Pie, though? YES! And truthfully the ice cream is what makes this dessert elite, because the empanadas are served warm. *Mouth drooling* as I speak! Also, yes, warm key lime pie works. So do yourself a favor and step outside the box on this one because it’s key lime pie goodness wrapped in empanada pastry.
I meannnn LOOK AT IT.
Tell me! If you’ve visited the Florida Keys, or Key Largo, where’s your favorite key lime pie??
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