Key West French Toast

Hoping someone knows the secret to the AMAZING French Toast that was made at Shorty's in Key West until it closed ( sob) and became a convenience store. We used to drive four hours each way from Ft. Lauderdale just to have it. They appeared to soak the thick sliced bread in some sort of thick sourdough style batter that had some sort of unique flavor ( maybe brandy?). It was so unusual and I'd love to have it again. Someone told me that back in the 60's the recipe was in Gourmet Magazine, but I have searched to no avail. It was a counter only kind of joint- one day my boyfriend thought the guy on the next stool looked "kinda familiar" and it turned out to be Roy Scheider from Jaws!