Driving down the Overseas Highway, we usually only stop for gas, coffee, or a (human or canine) bathroom break. Whether I am driving southbound on a typical weekend, or after a vacation, getting home quickly is the top priority. Sometimes, however, we find ourselves on the road at meal time, and looking for someplace new. We recently stumbled across the S.S. Wreck and Galley on Grassy Key.
The Wreck and Galley is not exactly fine dining, but this laid back sports bar offers friendly service, gigantic drinks, and excellent food. While the outside deck has a view of the not-so-scenic parking lot, several televisions are showing whatever sport happens to be on, distracting from the otherwise ordinary view.
My iced tea came in a small pitcher, which did not prevent me from needing several refills. I like iced tea. I can’t help myself.
We ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer. A good coconut crusted, fried, shrimp is hard to beat, and these were top notch. FKGuy also enjoyed a cup of conch chowder, as the mercury must have dipped slightly below 75 on this slightly windy day, and he will take any excuse to have soup. This is a Keys favorite, and their version is packed with flavor and full of fresh conch.
We also shared a fresh fish sandwich Key West Grilled, which comes in a light marinade of lemon, garlic, thyme and basil. Melted cheese and a heaping pile of fries completed the tasty dish. It is easy to get a fresh fish sandwich in the Florida Keys. It is not easy to find one perfectly cooked and full of flavor like this one. The Wreck and Galley offers an array of fresh fish preparations, including grilled, fried, Key West grilled (highly recommended!), Cajun smoked, Jamaican jerk, and blackened. I am confident they would all be delicious, but frankly, it would be difficult to order anything other than Key West grilled.
S.S. Wreck and Galley is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday is located at 58835 Overseas Highway, in Marathon.
