Key West - Jack Flats

They allow smoking in restaurants in the Keys (and dogs as well, which I don't get, will horses be next?). It is not a big problem for us nonsmokers because most places are mostly outdoors and only macho cigar smokers showing off for their girlfriends blowing out foul smelling clouds of smoke cause any real irritation.

(They will be not so cool later on barfing in an ally from that strong Cuban tobacco.)

It is really nice to see no smoking signs in an indoor bar and grill. The place is called Jack Flats and it is always full of happy folks.

Jack Flats is another place that the locals think is their own secret, but anymore there are as many tourist as Conchs in the place at lunchtime. I learned about it from Conchscooter's Key West Diary blog. He praises the lunch sandwiches there. I ordered the bacon and shrimp club.

Nancy wanted something that didn't swim for a living. She wanted some cow. She ordered hamburger sliders.

We were supposed to share, but she only allowed me one. They were quite good, but you can't beat bacon and shrimp. It wasn't a super cheap lunch. It came to $30 with the tip. Again the locals were right. That old web surfing came through once more.


Bon  Ton Roulett  Y'All    
Gene and Nancy

“Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call,
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall.” ---- JB

Key West - Breakfast

We stayed in Key West in the Old Town area. That meant you could walk just a few blocks to finds lots of food. Two blocks away was Caroline street where BO's and a half dozen other restaurants can be found in a block or two area.

We did take advantage of the free breakfasts at the Albury Court cottages where we were staying. Nancy liked the cereals and I ate bagels. It was just your usual continental  breakfast served at most motels these days. But, I think it tasted better by the pool surrounded by tropical vegetation. It also taste good because it was free.

A half block away was the Old Town Bakery. With fresh Cuban bread a simple egg and cheese sandwich can be a real treat. And, at $9 for two (with tip) the price is as good or better than fast food. Pictured are cheese danishes that we had another day with a split ham and cheese croissant.

All that and a couple of drinks cost $12. It is a good thing we don't live that close to a good bakery back home. Sooner or later we would have trouble fitting out the door.

Almost hidden between the trolley stop and the sea shell and sponge gift shop on Margaret street near the harbor is the Cuban Coffee Queen cafe. It is another place that you can easily miss because it is so small and kinda hidden.

There is a city police dispatcher who has a blog that I read. It is called Key West Diary. He has mentioned that police officers often grab breakfast at this cafe. As you can see in the photo, they even do motor bike deliveries.

Again the Cuban bread really makes this breakfast sandwich something special. It is really cool the way they smash the bread flat to make it easier to eat. Two of these with drinks and tip cost $12, another goooood deal.

And oh man, seafood for breakfast!!!!! Hey Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore. Harpoon Harry's is another place locals hang out, but I don't know how they can afford it. Breakfast for two cost us $43 with tip.  Nancy had a lobster Po Boy with sausage gravy and I had a seafood omelet stuffed with lobster and crab meat and covered with hollandaise sauce. And, nice brown home fries with both.

Then we went and took a nap.

Bon  Ton  Roulett Y'All  
Gene and Nancy

“Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same” --- JB