On a recent drive, sans dogs, from Key West to the mainland, I was in search of someplace for lunch. I wanted to go somewhere new and interesting. New to me, anyway. I found Buzzards Roost, and decided that would be the choice. It was a good one. Buzzards Roost is situated at a full service marina, and right on a beautiful canal. It did not hurt that the weather that day was perfect.
The restaurant has indoor seating, an outdoor patio and another outdoor section right on the water. Service is friendly, and although it was
not perfect, it was very good. Friendly goes a long way. As it turns out, they do allow dogs in the outdoor section, so Babka and Latke may be making a trip here soon.
Food is very typically Keys-y with loads of fresh fish and seafood, as well as sandwiches, burgers, wings and more. They even have chili without beans, which in my current bean-free life seemed rather appealing. I did not end up having it, though, as we made other choices. We ordered the smoked fish dip to start, which our server promptly forgot. Not to worry, when we mentioned it to her, and that we did not need it once we had our entrees, she insisted that we try it, and brought out a “taste” gratis. Well that “taste” was a whole scoop and it was so good we devoured the entire thing. This is clearly in the top 3 fish dips I have had (#1 and #2 being Eaton Street Seafood in Key West and Calypso Caribbean Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale) and I would go back just for the fish dip. Of course, everything else was really good, too.
We also had a fish basket, with grilled mahi mahi, fries and hush puppies, as well as a shrimp basket with buffalo style fried shrimp, homemade potato chips and hush puppies. It was all delicious. Simple food, but perfectly cooked, in a gorgeous setting with friendly service. Oh, and it is not expensive. You can’t ask for more than that.
Next time you are in Key Largo, give Buzzards Roost a shot. You won’t be disappointed. They are located at mile marker 106.5, oceanside, at 21 Garden Cove Drive, and are open daily for lunch and dinner, and on Sundays for brunch, too.
