“It’s a great QPR” is often a term bandied about by wine geeks in search of something to have with a mid-week pizza. But I think it applies to just about everything in life. QPR stands for quality price ratio. So, let’s say you drink a crappy bottle of wine, but it only cost $10. Nope. Not a good QPR, because the Q (quality) part is missing from the equation. A $50 bottle of wine, however, might be a great QPR because the quality is great. Bonus points if it has increased in value since your purchase.
Even though I buy lottery tickets (because I am convinced that I will win), I really despise wasting money, so I am always looking for the good QPR.
I’m not so much cheap (OK, sometimes I am) as always looking for a good value. I’m always looking for a good QPR. That means the quality has to be good and the price should be relatively low. For example: I ordered some dog treats from Harlo’s Healthy Pets, my go to choice for goodies for Babka. I got an email back saying that if I could wait a few days, all the treats would be on sale next week for Black Friday. I’m not desperate, so I’m happy to wait. The fact that they have everything I need at the same price as other retailers, plus excellent service, makes it a better QPR than going to, say, Petsmart.
A good QPR doesn’t necessarily mean something is cheap. Rather, you are getting a good value for what you are spending. If I get a client a great deal on a luxury cruise, they could certainly be spending less initially to go on a mass market cruise, but when you factor in that liquor, gratuities and more are usually included, along with superior service, suddenly the price paid seems like a good value.
So, where are the best QPRs in Key West? Well, there are many. Happy hour is a time for lots of places to put their best QPR foot forward. Kelly’s offers $2 drafts and $4 orders of chicken wings every day from 4-7 PM. That’s a good value. Half Shell Raw Bar also has cheap drinks and loads of food specials during happy hour. Alonzo’s entire appetizer list is half off at happy hour. The list goes on.
Should you care to dine at other times of the day, try B.O.’s Fish Wagon for a great fish sandwich. It is not cheap, but given the great quality, it gets a high QPR. My favorites, The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. and Azur are not exactly cheap (nor are they terribly expensive) but both have great food and service at comparably good prices, giving both excellent QPRs.
January will bring the third annual Key West Food and Wine Festival, and a good QPR tip: The VIP pass is $335 for the four day event, getting you in to nearly everything for less money than if you buy individual tickets to the events. But, if you buy one (or two, or three) using code fkg, you get 10% off, making the VIP pass an even better value.
What is your best value tip – food or otherwise – something that might not be “cheap” but is always worthwhile and satisfying?
