NAS Key West: Good, Bad, & Ugly

[A4sForever]

If it hasn't been already mentioned (not goin' to read ALL the suggestions already posted ) try Mangoes on Duval for lunch -- nice and comfortable and good food -- and The Green Parrot on Whitehead St. for a "real" Conch animal bar .... many "local" animals abound.

 

[A4sForever]

ALSO ... if you wanna dance or just listen to some GREAT salsa musica ... try La Concha on Duval -- used to be a Holiday Inn Hotel (go figure) and now I suppose it's owned by someone else, maybe still Crowne Plaza as it was the last time I checked -- but it's bar is street level, they open the windows/shutters, and the crowd is enthused and the music is outstanding. Go early ...

 

[HuggyU2]

Green Parrot: I've got a friend in Miami who agrees with you. I'll check it out soon.

I walked by the Crowne Plaza yesterday, but had no idea there was much inside. More recon to follow.

 

[A4sForever]

Yeah ... one more time .... Kelly's also on Whitehead St. .... like in TOPGUN actress Kelly McGillis -- true story .... the building was the original offices of the first international airline, Pan American Airways, in 1928.

Kinda a mix of touristas and Conch's ... but it's a good place depending on which late afternoon/night you go ... a "period" motif and good, cold beer the last time I was there ....

...

 

[A4sForever]

...I walked by the Crowne Plaza yesterday, but had no idea there was much inside. More recon to follow.

I think it's the same place ... used to be/still is called "Jack's" .... see pix below -- looking toward Duval St. out the windows .... the dance floor/stage is off camera to the right.

GREAT PLACE when the musica is "hot" and the ladies are up for dancin' ...

 

[Crowbar]

try La Concha on Duval

We went there one evening for something to eat. Ended up staying for a few hours while we (drank and) decided to not risk going back home the next day for weather. Good music, decent food, and the beer was cold. Can't complain about that combo.

I went everywhere on the island on a quest to find the perfect shrimp poboy. I eventually found it but now can't remember the name of the place. Also, apparently some people were abhorred when I tried to order a margarita at 9am on a Sunday. Prudes.

 

[nittany03]

I went everywhere on the island on a quest to find the perfect shrimp poboy. I eventually found it but now can't remember the name of the place. Also, apparently some people were abhorred when I tried to order a margarita at 9am on a Sunday. Prudes.

Sheesh. Then apparently Papa Hemingway wouldn't have had a very good reception these days . . .

 

[egolnick]

I'm from the keys...PM me and I will square you away bud!

 

[FlyinSpy]

Good for Happy Hour (cheap margaritas) and appetizers, but kind of expensive for dinner. Also, I caught a distinct anti-military vibe when we were there last (Dec 06), at least from the bartender.

Yeah ... one more time .... Kelly's also on Whitehead St. .... like in TOPGUN actress Kelly McGillis -- true story .... the building was the original offices of the first international airline, Pan American Airways, in 1928.

Kinda a mix of touristas and Conch's ... but it's a good place depending on which late afternoon/night you go ... a "period" motif and good, cold beer the last time I was there ....

...

 

[FlyinSpy]

For good, cheap, and plentiful (the restaurant trifecta!) Cuban food, try El Siboney. http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/index.htm A little off the beaten path from Duval, but damn good. Doesn't hurt if you habla espanol, but you can do just fine in English. Two of the better meals I had last time I was there.

 

[A4sForever]

Good for Happy Hour (cheap margaritas) and appetizers, but kind of expensive for dinner.....

Sooooooooooooooooooo .... expensive fo' dinner you say??? What do you normally drink for dinner, anyway???

The bartender?? Hired help -- and they are as valued as last week's toilet paper by management. I know, based on personal experience in the restaurant "industry". If you get ANY shit from a bartender or waitstaff, anywhere, anytime -- go to management. Assuming you have spent a lot of $$$$ there and will continue to do so .... :icon_wink

As always, $$$$$ trumps ....

 

[HuggyU2]

A4S, you were right about the Crowne Plaza. I took a look in, and plan on going by tonight. The upstairs pool bar was closed after 2100 hours.
Kelly's wasn't bad on prices: $15-$25 for entrees.
Had a beer at the Green Parrot earlier in the evening.
I've got to learn to pace myself here. Dangerous place.
"Liver is evil and must be punished."

 

[MasterBates]

And people wonder why I try to slime my way into Key West dets...

(Note, I try, to date I have not been successful)

 

[skotc9]

thanks for telling tower you'd give another turn yesterday so we could take off.

no thanks to tower for not letting us.

but it was cool seeing the chase car from the end of the runway.

 

[A4sForever]

A4S, you were right about the Crowne Plaza. I took a look in, and plan on going by tonight. ....
Kelly's.... the Green Parrot....I've got to learn to pace myself here. Dangerous ...

My middle name is Danger.

I came about "that close" to moving to the Conch Republic a few years back -- a former squadron mate of mine did and is running a fishing charter after a ragged multi-airline career -- I did a LOT of "hydraulic study" and fishin' in the Keys prior to making any rash decisions, however.

Another "real" place that's worth goin' to (sometimes) is the Raw Bar on Margaret St. It's another "local, blue-collar Conch" hangout in the early evenings w/ a sprinklin' of touristas in the afternoon and nighttime. No AC, so drink lots of coolant. I remember one or two glorious nights there .... and no, that's not any relative of mine at the bar.

Trust me, it can get "rowdy" in there -- but fun if you mix w/ the crowd -- these pictures notwithstanding.