Bev's Guide to the Florida Keys: The Square Grouper

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Bev's Guide to the Florida Keys. While I don't consider myself an expert, my husband, Ray and I have been visiting the Keys every year (sometimes more than once a year) for over 20 years. My intention is to tell you of my experiences in the places we've lodged, eaten, boated, endulged in libation, or simply relaxed. You can make up your own mind whether or not to heed my suggestions.

I'll try to provide as much information as I can in regard to contact info, what the bathrooms are like (ladies you know it's important to you), parking, and customer service. So read on all you Conchs and Parrotheads and please leave comments about whether or not one of my posts was helpful or if you have any suggestions.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Square Grouper

Update: January 2016 - Square Grouper now has an upstairs lounge that opens at 4:20 p.m. Why 4:20 you ask. Well, April 20th (4/20) is embraced by pot smokers around the world as Weed Day. Need I say more? Need more info? Feel free to Google it. My New Joint is a cocktail lounge and tapas bar. They offer a raw bar (think fresh shucked oysters), specialty cocktails, wines by the glass and bottle, 15 draft beers, 170 bottled beers, and a full tapas menu including salads and fondues - cheese and chocolate! My New Joint also offers Daily Specials Tuesday - Friday and they always have some mellow performers playing softly in the background. Happy Hour is from 4:20 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 305-745-8880 My New Joint - "because two joints are better than one."

What can I say, The Square Grouper is, hands down, the best restaurant in the lower keys - bar none! If you ever have a chance to go there do so - you won't regret it. Owner-chef Lynn Bell turns out the freshest seafood, finest meats, and the most delicious homemade desserts on the planet.

Don't let the exterior fool you. While the building is simple in architecture and made of sturdy cinder block, the interior is cute and the decor "Keyse." But it's the food, ahhh, the food that will transform you. We went there recently with another couple and were all blown away by the service, the extensive wine list, and the friendly atmosphere. They only have a beer and wine license, so go with that in mind. The bar is small, but if you can find a spot, you can also order the entire menu at the bar.

I ordered the special of the day - Prime Rib - that was done to perfection. It came with perfectly-cooked asparagus (I like it with the slightest crunch) and the most delicious long grain and wild rice that I have ever consumed. Ray was happy as a clam when he saw meatloaf on the menu (he is an aficionado by the way), that was also served with asparagus (that he kindly off-loaded to my plate) and a mound of creamy mashed potatoes smothered with gravy. He was in heaven! One of our friends ordered lobster in a rice bowl and the other friend ordered lobster in a pasta bowl. They said they were simply fabulous. While the prices are a little higher than most restaurants in the lower keys, they really are pretty modest in relation to the amount and quality of food you get.

The Square Grouper Bar and Grill is located at 22658 Overseas Highway, Cudjoe Key, Florida 33042; squaregrouper@aol.com; 305.745-8880; www.squaregrouperbarandgrill.com. Closed Mondays, Lunch 11:30-2:30; Dinner 5:00-10:00. The Square Grouper is an environmentally friendly restaurant. All of their paper products and straws are made from corn. The also have a kids menu so there is something for the whole family. They are always crowded and do not take reservations, so go prepared to wait. You can wait outside or you can go into their adorable backroom and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer.

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Facts and Advice

1. Key Deer are endangered. It is illegal to feed them. They weigh only 75 lbs. when fully grown & stand only 32 inches high.
2. Speeding is a big no-no in the Keys. My advice - don't do it. Passing someone is not only stupid, it's dangerous. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Adding 10 minutes more to your trip isn't that big a deal.
3. The local newspaper is called The Citizen. Inside the front page is a column called Citizens' Voice. It's hysterical. Also check out the paper to find out when cruise ships are in port. You may want to avoid KW on those days.
4. Manatees "sleep." They appear dead b/c they often lay lifeless, drifting in the current. They love lettuce & will suck on a fresh water hose like a baby. While its recommended that you do neither of those things, they sure are cute to watch. Adults on the average are 10 ft. long & weigh about 1,000 pounds. They feed on seagrass & aquatic plants, consuming up to 100 lbs/day. They can hold their breath for 20 minutes. They are on the Florida endangered species list.

5. There are 5 kinds of sea turtles that live in the Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean - Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley & Leatherback. They are found in shallow saltwater & among coral reefs. They dig over 4,000 nests on Florida beaches every year. They live to be 40-60 years old. All species are on the endangered or threatened list. Lights on beaches by boaters & revelers often disorient sea turtles, causing them harm.

6. Key West is the southernmost city in the continental U.S. and is closer to Havana, Cuba than to Miami.

7. There are 42 bridges that connect the islands of the Keys. The longest bridge is the 7-mile bridge.

8. The small green mile marker signs along US 1, start with 126 just south of Florida City & end with MM 0 in Key West.

9.There are over 800 Keys. Key Largo is the longest at 33 miles.

10. The word "key" comes from the Spanish word "cayo" which means "little island."

11. Key West is known as the Conch Republic.

12. US 1 is also called the Overseas Highway.

Welcome

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Square Grouper

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