The Big Pine Flea Market

Every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm, people come from all around to the Big Pine Flea Market. Saturday is the most crowded because if weather permits, all of the stands are open. On Sunday, if the weather is slightly iffy, a good majority of the stalls will be closed.

The Flea Market is not your normal flea market of used items and other people's junque .
Most of the stalls offer new and unique items, as well as food and fresh produce. It is more likely that you'll find what you need at the flea market as opposed to the Kmart in Marathon. There is a junk shop that specializes in $1.00 items, boating supplies, fishing stuff, a couple of clothing stalls, lots of different kinds of jewelry sellers, pocketbooks, hand-made items, a hardware store, and old (and some newer) books. You name it, it's there. We often buy our weekly produce there, but have since found a road side stand right across the highway that has better stuff and is less expensive.

So go, have fun and be sure to buy a bag of the infamous donut holes that are sold in the stand at the front entrance to the flea market. They are warm, sugary and the perfect thing to eat as you're wandering through the flea market. Big Pine Key Flea Market 30250 Overseas Hwy Big Pine Key, FL - (305) 872-4103.

No Name Pub

Update: January 14, 2016. No name pub remains the same - no nonsense, delicious food, and very decent bathrooms.

You've probably seen plenty of T-shirts with No Name Pub emblazoned on the back. It seems everyone who goes there buys some sort of Tee. And why wouldn't they, the No Name Pub is a happening place and the oldest bar in Florida. It's unique, friendly and very, very popular so don't be fooled by their slogan, "It's a nice place to visit.....if you can find it." Hey, there was a day when no one knew where it was, but as the years have past, everyone knows where it is.

The first thing that will strike you about the place is that there is always a line waiting to get it. It doesn't matter if it's 11:00 am or 7:00 pm, there is always a wait. Fortunately, they have picnic tables outside under umbrellas where you can sit and drink a couple of brews while you pass the time.

The second thing that will get your attention once you get inside is that the walls and ceiling are covered with dollar bills!  Yep, that's right from floor to ceiling! We've heard that every once in a while, the owners remove some of the money and donate it to a local charity, but that could just be local folk lore. If you opt to sit at the bar you'll notice that one side of the bar has very short bar stools and the other side has very tall bar stools - so tall that they are difficult to climb up on. Like I said, it's a unique place!

We've been there many times over the years, but I personally haven't been there since 2011. All of the food has always been consistently good. They specialize in pizzas (there isn't one on the menu that isn't amazing) - and they are plenty big enough to share. Ray particularly likes the Cuban and I love the white pizza. If I remember correctly they only have a wine and beer license so don't be surprised if you get there and you can't order a mixed drink.

The bathrooms used to god-awful, but they have since improved greatly in the last few years.

No Name Pub is located on North Watson Blvd. (1 1/2 mile north of US 1) on Big Pine Key, Florida, 33043; 305.872-9115; Directions: turn at the traffic light on Big Pine and stay to the right of the vee;  drive past the entrance to the Winn Dixie. Continue to the first street on the left. Follow that street around the curve and continue for a mile of so. No Name Pub is on the left. Keep your eyes peeled for Key Deer when driving there - they are usually around trying to find food, but remember, it's against the law to feed them. Their website leaves a lot to be desired, but its www.nonamepub.com.

The Conch Republic

The Conch Republic is located in the historic seaport district in Key West, overlooking the KW Harbor and Marina. It is a large 80 ft. bar and resteraunt known for their many varieties of rum (quantity-80) - the biggest between Cuba and Miami. Their food is pretty good overall and that's why they're always busy. You might have to wait for a table, but there are usually seats at the bar. They have some outside seating that are high-top tables with large market-style umbrellas overhead. While the expansive garage-style doors are always left open, they are air conditioned. Their happy hour runs from 4:00-6:00 (I think) and it's two-for-one wine, rail drinks and beer, (may not include wine). When we order food it's usually a hamburger or a salad with blackened fish on top so I can't really comment knowledgeably on their food except to say that whatever we've ordered there has been tasty. I can vouch for their Conch Chowder though - it's good! They offer an eccletic Carribean inspired menu. Every afternoon they feature live island-type music. The Conch Republic Seafood Company also boasts an impressive Raw Bar with Oysters, Clams, Stone Crab, chilled Key West Pink Shrimp and succulent Royal Red Shrimp. Of course, they also have certified Black Angus steaks, tender pork chops, mouthwatering chicken entrees, succulent ribs, tempting pasta dishes, and an exciting variety of surf and turf options. We find the adjacent metered parking lot a great place to park because it's central to much of the Key West that we like to visit. If that lot is full, there is parking next door in the dirt lot for an-all-day parking fee.

Conch Republic Seafood Company®
631 Greene Street
Key West, FL 33040
305.294.4403
info@conchrepublicseafood.com

Caroline's

Voted Best Lunch Place by USA Travel, Caroline's on Duval in Key West is a really sweet open-air restaurant with a large offering of salads and sandwiches for lunch and more hearty plates for dinner. Regardless, each meal is prepared well and presented beautifully. Ray and I have eaten there many times and have always enjoyed great service and excellent meals. Our friends, who live on Stock Island, visit Caroline's frequently and always rave about their food. Yes, their burgers really do look like this - plentiful and moist - hard to beat.

The first time we ate there was for lunch. I had a salad with blackened shrimp on top and Ray had a fish sandwich. Both of our choices were plentiful and flavorful. The second time we ate there it was for dinner. Ray ordered a blackened chicken pasta that was extra cheesy and yummy, and I ordered blackened chicken with black beans, rice and plantains. The chicken was moist and cooked to perfection.  The black beans, rice and plantains were authentically pleasing.

The ambiance is purely Key West style. The wait staff are super friendly and the service is fast. We love sitting outside on the shaded patio for lunch or under the stars for dinner watching the passersby on Duval Street. The whole patio is mostly shaded with large market-style umbrellas and is rather large. They also have a small bar that overlooks Duval Street so it's a great place to people-watch. Ladies - the bathroom is not the greatest, but is not the worst I've seen either. Since there is only one women's toilet you might imagine that its not always the tidiest and there is usually a short line of one or two.

Carolines is located in the heart of Key West at 310 Duval Street; 305.294-7511. Their website says they have free delivery within Old Key West. www.carolineskeywest.com.