Marathon Florida

Hi I posted this in the Miscellaneous section but did not get any responses maybe I should have posted it here instead. Staying in Marathon at Tranquility Bay this August and would love some suggestions on where to eat.

Looks like I am not doing very well in this post either.....

Patience!  Some folks only come around once a week or so.

How far are you willing to drive to eat?  What meals are you looking for?

Hi MiamiDon.....I was hoping to hear from you!  Well seafood especially and we are willing to drive a couple hours or so.  We are driving from Deerfield Beach and are planning to go to Key West a couple time for the day to do some shopping.

I've gotten several good reports about this place:

http://www.keysfisheries.com/restaurant.html

http://roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/6307/keys-fisheries
 
It's very casual, but looks like a winner for lunch or dinner.
 
I see that you are going to Key West.  I'm a little out of date down there, but Louie's Back Yard was very good, with a lot of Floribbean dishes.
 
http://www.louiesbackyard.com/
 
http://roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/1301/louies-back-yard
 
 
 
 

Wow that looks like a winner....big menu too.  Have you ever heard of a place called squid row??  It is in the upper keys I think.

I also would consider stopping at the Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory.  If you are full, grab a whole one to take back to Marathon.

http://www.blondgiraffe.com/

We love Blonde Giraffe!  We only had drinks at Louie's but we might try lunch there this time.  We can't wait to post pictures on roadfood this trip....we have never done it before.  Are the pictures hard to upload or download??

I'm not familiar with using the off-Roadfood.com free picture posting sites, but there's a thread around somewhere giving pictorial instructions.

OK, one more suggestion in Key West.  I've not been there in a few years, but the white conch chowder at the Harbor View Cafe was outstanding.  It's in the Pier House resort at the foot of Duval street.  The resort is sort of upscale, but the cafe was pretty casual when I was there.  I see that the white conch chowder is still on the menu.

http://www.pierhouse.com/dining/harbourview-cafe.php

While at the Pier House check to see if Scott Kirby is playing in the lounge. He is worth the visit. A laid back "buffet" type singer-songwriter. He also plays at the Hogs Breath......bkk

MiamiDon who knew I have never heard of Harbour View Cafe!  Thanks for the tip...you to Big K we will check it out and send pictures...

As strange as it sounds--- because it is such a tourist trap---Sloppy Joe's in KW has got to have one of the best Cuban sandwiches --kudos from my wife who is Cuban are hard to come by--- but she rates it 4 stars--stay away from Margaritaville---it is a costly rip-off and food is terrible---in any way shape or form Louie's Backyard is a winner! Enjoy!
 
Russ
 
 

Thanks Russ....I have never even seen the cuban on Sloppy Joe's menu....that's cool will give it a try.  I agree with you about Margaritaville even the drinks were terrible, they used syrup instead of real fruit juices.

Mile Marker 88...$$$....Good

Hi Ben....is that the name of the restaurant mm 88?

Ben just googled MM 88 that looks right up my ally!

I second the recommendation of Keys Fisheries in Marathon. My wife and I have eaten there several times.

Isn't there a Blond Giraffe pie store in Marathon?

If you are looking for a white-tablecloth place in the upper keys, I recommend Ziggy and Mad Dog's at mile marker 83.

http://www.ziggieandmaddogs.com/

If you browse through the photo gallery, keep in mind that the beginning photos are historical, from before the remodel the other year.

Big Frank


I second the recommendation of Keys Fisheries in Marathon. My wife and I have eaten there several times.

Isn't there a Blond Giraffe pie store in Marathon?

You're right, there is!
 
5187 Overseas Hwy.
Marathon, FL - 33050
 
According to the guy in the one in the city of South Miami, all the pies are made at the "factory" store in Key West, and trucked to the others daily.
 
 

Blue Heaven - If they still have red snapper with bananas...It use to be their most famous dish.  

Hi there,
I'm a Keys local and heartily recommend Keys Fisheries. Other Marathon favorites are Frank's Grill (Italian), Barracuda Grill, Stout's Diner (breakfast and lunch) and El Taino for Cuban soulfood.
 
In the Islamorada area, I love the Islamorada Bakery's grouper reuben. The Hungry Tarpon has great diner food with an island touch.
 
Make the trip south to the No Name Pub ("Nice place if you can find it") but avoid seating in the new upstairs area.
 
Safe travels!
Anne

Thanks Ann I think I have heard of the Hungary Tarpon....that is in Key West right??  How do you get so lucky to live in Key West??

MiamiDon I wanted to thank you for all your suggestions.....you really did your homework for me!

Nah, The Hungry Tarpon is just south of Islamorada at MM 77.5 on the bay side. But wait, there's a roadside attraction there, too! For a few bucks you feed bait fish to the hungry, huge tarpon.
 
I have plenty of Key West recommendations, so keep checking.
Best,
Anne
 
 

Oh Ann I think I am thinking of Harpoon Harry's in Key West.  I will be checking back with you for some other local recomendations.....

Does anyone know who makes the best Margarita....the real thing not a mix!

Greetings from Key Colony Beach and the fabulous Florida Keys!!!

Places to eat in Marathon? We've got a few suggestions for you.


Breakfast - Try the Stuffed Pig at 35th Street, or Stout's at about 94th.

Lunches:
Key's Fisheries as you've heard before is a place not ot be missed.

Lunch at Burdines Marina .... You sit above the marina store and overlook Boot Key Harbor. Cold beer, fish sandwiches and great burgers.

Lunch (again) or dinner at Dockside... Keys'y bar /grill on Sombrero Blvd. beside the country club. Local's hang out there, usually live music in the PM.
Try Castaway, a restaurant on 15th St Ocean side. It sits in back where the old shrimp fleet used to run out of. Food has been great!!!


Dinner

Try Frank's Grill in the Old Town Center (114th St on Rte 1). Basic  Italian with Keys variations.

Barracuda Grill on Rt 1 at about 49th St, Excellent up-scale (Marathon's version) wine-bar and restaurant. Really top-notch.

There is the Butterfly Cafe there at Tranquility Bay. I ate there about a year ago, and wasn't that impressed. Might have had to do with the fact both my wide & I were coming down with the flu.

Come on out to Key Colony Beach (we're a whole 5 miles up the road) and try Sparky's Landing, Key Colony Inn,  or the Cabana Breeze's. Sparky's is at the Marina on the Causeway next to the charter fishing fleet. Stop in for a cold one about 3:30 and see what the fisher-people caught. Good bar food, fresh fish, etc. Cabana Breeze's in directly on the Ocean (follow the road around to the left - go about 100 yards - it's in the right you can't miss it). Working on being upscale; the menu is settling out.  A little pricey for my taste, this isn't South Beach ... Eat at the bar off the bar menu - same food, same kitchen, better prices. The Key Colony Inn is an institution down here. Italian/continental/seafood (but not on the water). There have been a couple of changes of owners and kitchens over the past 10 years, but the menu and (overall) the quality remain the same.

Need more???  Which direction to you want to go up the keys or down... Be happy to help.

IF you like your tequila, Best margarita in the area is at Agave in Islamorada.... Not premixed and they aren't afraid to pour you a drink.  Great Mexican food and margaritas to die for .... 3 sizes to choose from.  Overall worth the drive (and the cost of the drink)

Well Greetings to you kcbbill.....thank you so much for the suggestions.  I have got to try Agave for sure! 

Try Taino's in Marathon for Cuban food, and for all around great food try the Square Grouper at MM 22 +/-. The fish stew is to die for.

I would add a thumbs up for Barracuda Grill as well. Even though it is a wine-beer bar, I would highly suggest ordering the "marinated olives" and the "Marinated cherries" appetizer, ie: Martini and Manhattan