It seems that the restaurants in Key West get all the attention, but there are several foodie havens tucked away on the lower, middle, and upper Keys that deserve their time in the spotlight. Square Grouper, on Cudjoe Key, is one such restaurant.
This trendy, yet laid-back eatery serves up fresh seafood and American classics, and gets bonus points for being eco-friendly and for the clever name. If you’re scratching your head about it, in South Florida, it used to be common to find bundles of packaged drugs floating up on the beaches or in the ocean. These packages were meant for smugglers, and were often referred to as “Square Groupers.”
Lobster Dinner — Photo courtesy of Square Grouper
However, the grouper on the restaurant’s menu is the real deal: almond-encrusted and topped with pineapple relish, or cooked in a spicy, creamy broth with calamari, scallops, and shrimp. Some unusual “earth” items include veal and pork meatloaf, roasted duck breast with tamarind garlic sauce, and Moroccan rice bowls.
For dessert, try the chocolate fondue with strawberries, bananas, pineapple, Rice Krispy Treats, and churros.
Be sure to check out their special events page for great deals like the “Blue Plate Special” which bundles Philly Cheese Steaks, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, or tuna melts with unlimited Yuengling or soda for $9. There is also plenty of Square Grouper-themed gear available in the store if you’d like a souvenir.
Crab cakes with banana pepper aoli — Photo courtesy of Square Grouper