Driving to Key West - Where should I stop?

calypsopoet · Post by **calypsopoet** » September 8, 2005 12:06 am

I'm doing the drive from Miami to Key West next month with some friends. Where are the best places to stop on the way for a cool beverage? How about lunch? Thanks for the help!!

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » September 8, 2005 12:41 am

Here's a link to a site with some good info
http://members.aol.com/cafemojo/conch.html

Alabama Jacks on Card Sound Rd. just north of Key Largo is a must!!!

I'd definitely put the No Name Pub on the list.
It's on Big Pine Key and it's a great place. Really rustic with thousands of dollar bills hanging all over the walls and ceiling. Great pizza too.

Mangrove Mama's on Sugarloaf was also good as well as Porkys on Marathon

Also in Key Largo there's The Caribbean Club where parts of the Bogey classic movie "Key Largo" was filmed.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » September 8, 2005 6:06 am

Denny's Latin Diner at MM 100. Good Cuban sammiches. good coffee.
Baby's Coffee Roasters MM 15 (I believe). Heading down to KW, it's on the left side of the road.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » September 8, 2005 8:13 am

Alabama Jacks off Cardsound Road is a MUST!

CrznDnUS1 · Post by **CrznDnUS1** » September 8, 2005 12:17 pm

heading towards Key West right before the 7 mile bridge is the 7 mile grill. Good for a cold one and sandwich at lunch.

citcat · Post by **citcat** » September 8, 2005 12:40 pm

I was at Alabama Jack's leaning on the railing over the water, drinking a beer, and a manatee slllllooooowwwllly swam by. You gotta eat lunch/drink there. Coldest beer on the planet.

carolinagirl · Post by **carolinagirl** » September 8, 2005 12:48 pm

Mangrove Mama's, MM 21 or 22. Where the locals go.

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » September 8, 2005 1:17 pm

When I read the subject line of the first post, my first thought was that you should stop at the end of the road!

My suggestion is that you take your time on the drive and explore along the way. You never know what wonderful surprise you will discover in the Keys.

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » September 8, 2005 5:04 pm

carolinagirl wrote:Mangrove Mama's, MM 21 or 22. Where the locals go.

Yes it is...tremendous conch fritters, too.

CrznDnUS1 · Post by **CrznDnUS1** » September 8, 2005 7:58 pm

ColdWaterConch wrote:
carolinagirl wrote:Mangrove Mama's, MM 21 or 22. Where the locals go.
Yes it is...tremendous conch fritters, too.

thats what we heard but passing by at 10 am was a bit early for fritters. We really need to check this place out next time.

Westway001 · Post by **Westway001** » September 9, 2005 5:26 am

You have to try this place in Islamorada - out on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Stunning!
http://keysdining.com/lazydays/reviews.htm
Dave from England

chalksoperations · Post by **chalksoperations** » September 9, 2005 6:20 pm

The list goes on....

Just yesterday, they finished repaving the entire Card Sound Rd. It's nice to be able to drive it and not get my fillings bounced out. However, keep in mind the new paved road does NOT have anything of a shoulder, and it's a pretty good drop for now off the new layer of asphalt. Keep an eye off the bow for anyone overcorrecting and coming into the opposite lane if they vere off. I expect a few nasty crashes on Card Sound now. If you head down for MOTM or anytime in the next 6-10 months or so, I recommend this route. Not just for the stop at AJ's, but on account the bridge work has begun at Jewfish Creek causing frequent traffic headaches on the Rt 1 stretch.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » September 9, 2005 6:55 pm

chalksoperations wrote:The list goes on....

Just yesterday, they finished repaving the entire Card Sound Rd. It's nice to be able to drive it and not get my fillings bounced out. However, keep in mind the new paved road does NOT have anything of a shoulder, and it's a pretty good drop for now off the new layer of asphalt. Keep an eye off the bow for anyone overcorrecting and coming into the opposite lane if they vere off. I expect a few nasty crashes on Card Sound now. If you head down for MOTM or anytime in the next 6-10 months or so, I recommend this route. Not just for the stop at AJ's, but on account the bridge work has begun at Jewfish Creek causing frequent traffic headaches on the Rt 1 stretch.

You wouldn't still have your mile-by-mile restaurant guide would you?

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » September 9, 2005 7:06 pm

chalksoperations wrote:Just yesterday, they finished repaving the entire Card Sound Rd. It's nice to be able to drive it and not get my fillings bounced out.

Thank god

And I have to agree with everyone else, Alabama Jacks is the MUST stop on the drive

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » September 9, 2005 7:41 pm

The Island Grill on Islamorada was great.. A great ocean view too.
The only time I've ever had a cracked conch sandwich. It was FINtastic!!!

CaptainP · Post by **CaptainP** » September 9, 2005 7:42 pm

From my experience, you'll be stopped on Hwy. 1 numerous times.....stuck in traffic....

PARROT HEAD MIKE · Post by **PARROT HEAD MIKE** » September 10, 2005 12:53 am

Stay in Miami for atleast 1 night, South Beach is a whole nother world even the ugly girls are good lookin. Go to the beach!!!!
If you get tired of driving around Marathon there is a place called Faro Blanco we rented a house boat for a couple days last time it's better than living on island time..

Faro Blanco Marine Resort
1996 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » September 10, 2005 1:32 pm

PARROT HEAD MIKE wrote:Stay in Miami for atleast 1 night, South Beach is a whole nother world even the ugly girls are good lookin. Go to the beach!!!

I know what you mean Mike
I saw so many hot Cuban babes there!!!

krusin1 · Post by **krusin1** » September 10, 2005 3:33 pm

Hey, me and dear wife just did the drive over Labor Day weekend! Great weekend, btw...

I'd have to agree with all the earlier posts, but would also add that for a great cheeseburger and a little US 1 flavor, try "Herbie's" in Marathon. It's a little joint on the west side of US 1. Good food, good prices and it's where the locals seem to eat.

Enjoy the trip. PM me if you want more info or I can be of help otherwise.

chalksoperations · Post by **chalksoperations** » September 10, 2005 6:41 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:
chalksoperations wrote:The list goes on....

Just yesterday, they finished repaving the entire Card Sound Rd. It's nice to be able to drive it and not get my fillings bounced out. However, keep in mind the new paved road does NOT have anything of a shoulder, and it's a pretty good drop for now off the new layer of asphalt. Keep an eye off the bow for anyone overcorrecting and coming into the opposite lane if they vere off. I expect a few nasty crashes on Card Sound now. If you head down for MOTM or anytime in the next 6-10 months or so, I recommend this route. Not just for the stop at AJ's, but on account the bridge work has begun at Jewfish Creek causing frequent traffic headaches on the Rt 1 stretch.
You wouldn't still have your mile-by-mile restaurant guide would you?

It's around, but needs another year of updating. As usual, places change, cooks move around...etc. Green Turtle is still closed however...that hasn't changed since last year. Paradise Pub changed owners about 3 months ago, haven't been in yet to see if it needs upgrading or downgrading.

I'll look around for the list on the hard drive and email it your way if I can find it.

BuffettNews.com

Driving to Key West - Where should I stop?

Driving to Key West - Where should I stop?

Keys restaurants