I visit Key West often and have been into Bobalu's from time to time going on several years now. Their fish sandwiches are always so delish especially the grouper sandwich. They're also great for a tasty and quick neighborhood pizza. Had a great experience there a few days ago with a pleasant and cheery waitress Marissa who was quick to put in our order and get it out to us so that we could keep heading down US1 south. Will definitely continue to dine with them when we visit the Keys in the future!
My wife and I were very happy with are recent meals at Babalu's! We first ordered Pepperoni Pizza with Extra Cheese, it was Fantastic. On our next visit we ordered Cheeseburgers, again fantastic. We ate here in the early 2000's and it was nothing special, but the new Chef Owner is really cooking, excellent food, I normally don't write reviews unless the food is bad to warn others, but we enjoyed everything about this restaurant, excellent service & excellent food.
(5)
Bryan P.
We ate here 3 times on our 5 day stay in key west, little hole in the wall place with a laid back atmosphere, very friendly waitresses, the food was amazing, jerk chicken, fish tacos, fudgy pecan pie, fish of the day and pizza was all freaking awesome, also had a few cold beers to top it off. Well worth the trip to eat there
(5)
J B.
Tasty comfort food - I like the blackened mahi sandwich, Mac-n-cheese, Lima beans, sweet potato casserole!
(4)
Sunny B.
Excellent food and service. Doug's shrimp, garlic and bacon pizza is THE BEST! Great home cooking and large portions. Everything is made from scratch and it's always fresh. My family eats here often and it's always great.
(5)
Jill H.
I have been coming here for years and years! My family always orders the same thing--two well done sausage and onion pizzas and the fried chicken livers with gravy. The pizzas served are New Haven Conneticut style, so the crust is naturally crispy, but we like our crust kind of tooth cracking and burnt-y...if you do too, order it well done. Quality sauce, cheese and toppings. The chicken livers are plump and crunchy. Everything here is consistently delicious, from the hog snapper special to the seared ahi tuna app to the collard greens and macaroni and cheese! The atmosphere is come as you are island cafe. Don't forget to order a pitchers of Yuengling and finish the evening off with a slice of rich key lime pie.
(4)
Ted L.
Ever since my last interaction with Bobalu's downtown over a pizza that resembled a charcoal briquette, I swore I would never eat there ever again as long as Doug Meeker owned either location. During a call the other day I learned that the original location had and Bobalu's on US1 in Big Coppitt was under new management. Having been a fan of Bobalu's since Bobby and Lucy Mayo opened it until the Meeker's bought it and changed everything and the food, service and hospitality took on all the warmth of the Jersey freeway -- I was looking forward to giving it a try. First Impression: They did a very nice job of cleaning the place up. The colors are bright and tropical and the place hasn't looked that good since Bobby and Lucy opened and introduced real southern cooking to the Lower Keys. The new owners still have the prototype chair that my father had made by my uncle (oh, the irony abounds) with an airbrushed queen triggerfish as the seat back. I was feeling pretty good. I ordered the chicken parm sandwich with potato chips and my friend ordered the pulled BBQ sandwich. The food was decent. It wasn't the CISCO-esque (at least what we ordered) type food that Meeker was known for. The BBQ was tender, generous and fries were crispy and well seasoned. The chicken parm was ok, but a little overdone. The chips appeared to be homemade ruffles, but were a little on the overdone side. The real problem was service. We waited about 10 minutes before the one waitress that was working came by and said she'd be right with us. At the sametime, I noticed a woman wearing a Bobalu's shirt sitting eating what appeared to be a shift meal the whole time. Our waitress finally came and took our order. I hadn't seen my friend in a while and we had PLENTY of time to catch up on what had been happening in both our lives -- it took about 30 minutes for our order to come up. There were only two other tables in the place. Then, low and behold, the woman eating at the counter got up and walked back in the kitchen and started working... I'm not against anybody having a lunch a break... but (as it turns out) if it is your restaurant, if your only server is in the weeds, maybe you should put the fork down and help out. Over all ok. I still think Geiger Key is a better choice if you are on Big Coppitt, and I'd give Bobalu's a little while to get their act together. But it is nice to have a breath of fresh air up the keys.
(3)
Tom A.
Our family loved this place. Great local food done right. Nice service and a fun island interior made this a great stop.
(4)
Michael B.
I have been eating at Bobalu's for over 20 years. Under the founders, Bob and Lucy, it was great. Under the second owner, Doug and his clan, they kept up the food quality, expanded the space and generally kept up the ambiance. They then added what I, as a real pizza snob, found to be the main reason to eat there. And over the their time there, I ate plenty of them. Crisp crust, well seasoned and portioned sauce, right amount of cheese and my favorite toppings. It was enough to get me head up the keys and drive 10 miles to eat. Went last night under the new owners. The interior has been updated but it's more faux than anything. It's now better air conditioned, which is a plus. The food was really mediocre. The pizza was an utter disappointment. Cardboard crust and over sauced. My tablemates were equally uninspired enough to not take the leftovers home, something unheard of. I wish the new owners good luck, but if this is how it is, I'll wait for the next owner to go back
(2)
Dan B.
maybe because it's the only place serving food on this part of the Overseas Hwy that it keeps getting rated high. The food is blah, the pizza is almost always undercooked, and the seafood is clearly frozen from Sysco. Then to top things off, the wait staff are grumpy and inefficient. But if you are hungry and on Big Coppitt, the place will fill you up and won't poison you.
(3)
Maritza M.
Great home cooking with delicious vegetables. Good family place.
(4)
Agustina P.
This adorable little place serves the most cheese-infused grilled cheese I've ever had!! It has more cheese than you can handle! :)
(4)
Michelle B.
I have always wanted to eat at one of those beach house establishments along highway 1 so I decided to stop in and give this one a shot while on vacation. I was greeted by a waitress and a pretty much empty restaurant with all kinds of interesting beer coaster, photos of storm tracker hurricane information, and even the bones of one of those scary looking fish with the prehistoric teeth! Our waitress was a bit strange she seemed kind of on edge. She had a bit of a attitude with my friend in a (I hate men kind of way) but we didn't let it ruin our visit. We tried the Conch and Tilapia sandwich which came with homemade chips. I have to admit I scarfed it down in what seemed like 3 bites...the sandwich was not big...but very good! This place had a extreme nostalgic feel which I loved. Their tee shirts seemed kind of vintage so I bought one! Great place if your heading down to Key West stop in! :)
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Specialities
Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Alissa A.
I visit Key West often and have been into Bobalu's from time to time going on several years now. Their fish sandwiches are always so delish especially the grouper sandwich. They're also great for a tasty and quick neighborhood pizza. Had a great experience there a few days ago with a pleasant and cheery waitress Marissa who was quick to put in our order and get it out to us so that we could keep heading down US1 south. Will definitely continue to dine with them when we visit the Keys in the future!
(5)J C.
I never take time to write reviews I hate to say, but often use them! Bobalu's definitely needs more glorious feedback on their superb meals and inexpensive prices. This is a bottle beer/wine cooler café and the food is fabulous. I have eaten here 5 times and have always been happy. From pizza to seafood, salads to burgers (the best burgers in the area by the way). An early bird special from 3 - 6 pm with 4 meals to choose from. It is far superior to all other eateries in the area, even my favorite drinking spots. Give it a try and welcome the new owners!
(5)CHARLES G.
My wife and I were very happy with are recent meals at Babalu's! We first ordered Pepperoni Pizza with Extra Cheese, it was Fantastic. On our next visit we ordered Cheeseburgers, again fantastic. We ate here in the early 2000's and it was nothing special, but the new Chef Owner is really cooking, excellent food, I normally don't write reviews unless the food is bad to warn others, but we enjoyed everything about this restaurant, excellent service & excellent food.
(5)Bryan P.
We ate here 3 times on our 5 day stay in key west, little hole in the wall place with a laid back atmosphere, very friendly waitresses, the food was amazing, jerk chicken, fish tacos, fudgy pecan pie, fish of the day and pizza was all freaking awesome, also had a few cold beers to top it off. Well worth the trip to eat there
(5)J B.
Tasty comfort food - I like the blackened mahi sandwich, Mac-n-cheese, Lima beans, sweet potato casserole!
(4)Sunny B.
Excellent food and service. Doug's shrimp, garlic and bacon pizza is THE BEST! Great home cooking and large portions. Everything is made from scratch and it's always fresh. My family eats here often and it's always great.
(5)Jill H.
I have been coming here for years and years! My family always orders the same thing--two well done sausage and onion pizzas and the fried chicken livers with gravy. The pizzas served are New Haven Conneticut style, so the crust is naturally crispy, but we like our crust kind of tooth cracking and burnt-y...if you do too, order it well done. Quality sauce, cheese and toppings. The chicken livers are plump and crunchy. Everything here is consistently delicious, from the hog snapper special to the seared ahi tuna app to the collard greens and macaroni and cheese! The atmosphere is come as you are island cafe. Don't forget to order a pitchers of Yuengling and finish the evening off with a slice of rich key lime pie.
(4)Ted L.
Ever since my last interaction with Bobalu's downtown over a pizza that resembled a charcoal briquette, I swore I would never eat there ever again as long as Doug Meeker owned either location. During a call the other day I learned that the original location had and Bobalu's on US1 in Big Coppitt was under new management. Having been a fan of Bobalu's since Bobby and Lucy Mayo opened it until the Meeker's bought it and changed everything and the food, service and hospitality took on all the warmth of the Jersey freeway -- I was looking forward to giving it a try. First Impression: They did a very nice job of cleaning the place up. The colors are bright and tropical and the place hasn't looked that good since Bobby and Lucy opened and introduced real southern cooking to the Lower Keys. The new owners still have the prototype chair that my father had made by my uncle (oh, the irony abounds) with an airbrushed queen triggerfish as the seat back. I was feeling pretty good. I ordered the chicken parm sandwich with potato chips and my friend ordered the pulled BBQ sandwich. The food was decent. It wasn't the CISCO-esque (at least what we ordered) type food that Meeker was known for. The BBQ was tender, generous and fries were crispy and well seasoned. The chicken parm was ok, but a little overdone. The chips appeared to be homemade ruffles, but were a little on the overdone side. The real problem was service. We waited about 10 minutes before the one waitress that was working came by and said she'd be right with us. At the sametime, I noticed a woman wearing a Bobalu's shirt sitting eating what appeared to be a shift meal the whole time. Our waitress finally came and took our order. I hadn't seen my friend in a while and we had PLENTY of time to catch up on what had been happening in both our lives -- it took about 30 minutes for our order to come up. There were only two other tables in the place. Then, low and behold, the woman eating at the counter got up and walked back in the kitchen and started working... I'm not against anybody having a lunch a break... but (as it turns out) if it is your restaurant, if your only server is in the weeds, maybe you should put the fork down and help out. Over all ok. I still think Geiger Key is a better choice if you are on Big Coppitt, and I'd give Bobalu's a little while to get their act together. But it is nice to have a breath of fresh air up the keys.
(3)Tom A.
Our family loved this place. Great local food done right. Nice service and a fun island interior made this a great stop.
(4)Michael B.
I have been eating at Bobalu's for over 20 years. Under the founders, Bob and Lucy, it was great. Under the second owner, Doug and his clan, they kept up the food quality, expanded the space and generally kept up the ambiance. They then added what I, as a real pizza snob, found to be the main reason to eat there. And over the their time there, I ate plenty of them. Crisp crust, well seasoned and portioned sauce, right amount of cheese and my favorite toppings. It was enough to get me head up the keys and drive 10 miles to eat. Went last night under the new owners. The interior has been updated but it's more faux than anything. It's now better air conditioned, which is a plus. The food was really mediocre. The pizza was an utter disappointment. Cardboard crust and over sauced. My tablemates were equally uninspired enough to not take the leftovers home, something unheard of. I wish the new owners good luck, but if this is how it is, I'll wait for the next owner to go back
(2)Dan B.
maybe because it's the only place serving food on this part of the Overseas Hwy that it keeps getting rated high. The food is blah, the pizza is almost always undercooked, and the seafood is clearly frozen from Sysco. Then to top things off, the wait staff are grumpy and inefficient. But if you are hungry and on Big Coppitt, the place will fill you up and won't poison you.
(3)Maritza M.
Great home cooking with delicious vegetables. Good family place.
(4)Agustina P.
This adorable little place serves the most cheese-infused grilled cheese I've ever had!! It has more cheese than you can handle! :)
(4)Michelle B.
I have always wanted to eat at one of those beach house establishments along highway 1 so I decided to stop in and give this one a shot while on vacation. I was greeted by a waitress and a pretty much empty restaurant with all kinds of interesting beer coaster, photos of storm tracker hurricane information, and even the bones of one of those scary looking fish with the prehistoric teeth! Our waitress was a bit strange she seemed kind of on edge. She had a bit of a attitude with my friend in a (I hate men kind of way) but we didn't let it ruin our visit. We tried the Conch and Tilapia sandwich which came with homemade chips. I have to admit I scarfed it down in what seemed like 3 bites...the sandwich was not big...but very good! This place had a extreme nostalgic feel which I loved. Their tee shirts seemed kind of vintage so I bought one! Great place if your heading down to Key West stop in! :)
(4)