Expectations are everything. Are you looking for fancy food? Don't come here. Are you looking for cutting edge cuisine? Don't come here. Are you looking for reasonably priced, fresh seafood, with competent service served in a "Red Lobster" style establishment that appeals to locals and older snowbirds? Then you've hit the jackpot, baby! I say that with all seriousness. Personally, if I'm trekking out to Stock Island, I would probably prefer Hogfish. But this is a solid choice. They have a kid's menu with the usual burgers, fish finger, etc. The prices are reasonable (a dozen conch fritters are under $10). The fish is amazingly fresh. The decor is dated- if you think back to the type of place *your* parents would go to for seafood, that about explains it. But I enjoyed the food. The conch fritters weren't the best I've had, but they were very good, and had a decent amount of conch in them, and definitely a good value. We tried the buffalo Key West Shrimp - and I thoroughly enjoyed them (although the side salad was kind of meh- you know, iceberg lettuce, wedge of tomato kind of thing). The table also tried a fresh catch fish sandwich on Cuban Bread (porgy) that was excellent. Our service was impeccable when we came (it wasn't that busy, though), and the Key Lime pie was quite good- the adults thought it was great, but it wasn't as big of a hit for the child (it's on the tarter side).
(4)
Mani B.
Don't know why it's a 4.5 star,... I've never seen it recover since the last head chef left this place and retired. Sure it's still better than most places in key west, but will never be the same as before. I think this trip to key west will be the last time I recommend this place to friends for dinner. Parking lot is always a good sign, ... Yes, it only had a couple cars outside on a weekday at 6pm. To make matters worse, i got sick from my food.
(2)
Bonnie A.
Overrated. So overrated. And overpriced. I order the conch fritters... I have no clue what all the fuss is about. Just some fried balls of mush. There was not outstanding flavour. I also had the crab cakes, and they were fresh and tasted great. However, you lost me at $21 for a plate with 7 measly shrimp, a garden salad, and baked potato with nothing but butter on it. And again, no remarkable flavours. Yes, the seafood was fresh, and you could taste that... But fresh seafood is available at numerous locations in the Keys, for a much better price point. The servers were very unfriendly, and there was nothing great about the atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who overrated this place to waste my time and money.
(1)
Michael L.
Best / freshest fish in the lower keys & great conch fritters. Having been down to Key West over the last 25 yrs, Rusty Anchor is our go-to spot (unless you just caught it yourself). Great flavors (due to the freshness) and all their sauces/dressings have a flavor you normally dont see.. again because it's super fresh and homemade. If you're in town and can make it over from Key West where it's a bit overpriced, this is where the locals go for great food/drinks all for reasonable prices. The only downside... with higher standards set, you'll be disappointed with any other seafood dish when you head back up north. ps: we love Jules- she's great!
(5)
Steve A.
its a very big bar style restaurant we had grilled grouper: slightly overcooked and near flavorless prime rib kings cut again slightly overcooked but very flavorful, a little tough the salad dressing, ranch, very good the mashed sweet potatoes excellent service was ok bussing was terrible overall probably not going to eat here again
(2)
Teisha C.
Upon entering, everyone was welcoming. Wendy was our server, sweet gal. I'm stuffed. Fish so fresh it was flapping on the table lol. Fast and friendly service. Would come back. Simple menu, but THREE CATCH OF THE DAY OPTIONS???? SHUT the front door.
(4)
Kate F.
Call me a food snob. I've eaten at the top of the Burj Khlifa in Dubai - to Sushi Yasuda (pre Tokyo) - and I can't say enough good things about this restaurant! The FRESHEST fish, to the homemade sauces, to the Pain Killer drinks - I can't get enough. If I lived in the keys, I might live HERE!
(5)
Judy W.
We have eaten here many times. Today my husband bought what he thought were 20 lobsters - 2 bags of 10 - and when he got back to the condo to rebag and freeze, there were only 17. He drove all the way back and they wouldn't make it right. Beware! Won't be back.
(1)
Jennifer K.
A hidden gem! This is a restaurant known by boaters who visit Key West, but not generally by other tourists as it is close to stock island marina. If you want some great food at reasonable prices that is also fresh, fresh, fresh, you can not beat the rusty anchor. Literally accross street from fishng boats! Everyday, they have a choice of 5-8 fresh catches prepared anyway you want along with traditional meat and potatoes. Wednesdays are prime rib night....yummy! In season, they have a stone crab claw station. Pick you own claws, weigh them, tell chef how you want them prepared then sit back and enjoy. Very friendly staff and very clean restaurant.
(4)
Maria L.
Really love this place for the freshest seafood in the Florida Keys, fresh from the boats
(5)
Chet H.
One of my favorite Places to dine without the grief of downtown!! Very fresh local seafood cooked to perfection. Cozy and wonderfully decorated dining room and huge bar.
(5)
Kris S.
Had the grouper basket blackened, sort of. Would consider it char grilled at best. Flavor was ok and it did appear to be fresh, portion very small. The pound of shrimp was really a half pound at best. Menu doesnt tell you it is weighed with head on. Seemed quite pricy for the type restaurant it claims to be. Coleslaw small and very runny. Service was ok with a hint of being bothered. I was really anticipating a delecious dining experience do to all the great reviews, however the rusty anchor just turned out to be another Key West seafood restaurant disappointment.
(2)
Kathleen D.
Nice off the beaten path, mid range restaurant. Friendly service, local fish, reasonably priced. 3 out of 4 meals were excellent. One person thought the fish was slightly overcooked but not bad at all. Excellent Key Lime pie too.
(4)
Steve B.
Venue: Rusty Anchor Decor: Dive spot, lots of pictures, wood fishes, wood tables. Service: Was attentive. The server was alright. Not great, not bad. The cleanup lady that trailed the server was actually better IMO Environment: Cool Dive Seafood spot to bring the family, a buddy from work just to chill out. Kind of like the Key West's version of Cheers. And that's a good thing. Not too quiet, not to loud but good atmosphere. Food: SEAFOOD, SEAFOOD, SEAFOOD. Among other things like ribs, steak, soup. Prices: Reasonably fair. Average about $18-22 for a main entree Huge Pros: Ordered the Seafood Platter. It ran about $24. It was amazing. The Conch Fritters was very delicious. The Calamari was delicious as well. I am a huge fan of their buffalo jumbo shrimp. The jumbo shrimp was absolutely huge! Good God! And it was very good. That is a must have if you go there. Debbie Downers: The Key Lime Pie for dessert kind of sucked. Conclusion: If you are a seafood lover, this is the go to spot in Key West. I promise you it will not leave you hungry until Noon the following day. It is in a local neighborhood AWAYYYYYYYYYYYY from everything but was a total gem. Definitely must see before you leave the island. Overall: A+ (You can't come here without having the taste of local food like this)
(5)
Jesse H.
One of my favorite places to eat. Everything is amazing. I usually order the stone crab claws, the only place on the island I order them. Also best conch chowder and fritters. Highly recommend! Service has always been great, even with large parties.
(5)
Sara E.
I don't just throw around 5 stars, but omg this place completely deserves it! It was definitely a locals place and when my boy friend and I walked in it was obvious we were visiting. As soon as we sat down we felt instantly welcomed. The yellow fish tale was so soft, no fish taste, perfect warm temperate and it just melts in your mouth! Not a seafood person. Their ribs... Were also to die for. The meat was literally falling off the bone. If you're in key west, go to this place! Our waitress was also very sweet and knew her fish. But I don't recall her name. So sweet.
(5)
Chantal G.
Nothing fancy. Just standard and solid seafood basics, done simply and very well. Always very very fresh. And you can get it Cooked any way you want. Ask a local. Don't get conch fritters anywhere else!!!! Ps-parking was ample.
(4)
Jacqueline P.
Honestly, I would not come back to this restaurant. The food here wasn't thaaaat bad but it wasn't exactly tasteful either. They gave tiny portions and the so called "fresh lobster" tasted dry. Not to mention, the prices were really high too. I definitely would not recommend this place.
(2)
Catherine H.
Food and service was good. Good alternative to the Hog Fish Bar & Grill. No wait & they have A/C.
(4)
Nancy B.
Had a delicious meal. We enjoyed the fresh catch of porgy. Excellent. The tuna was wonderful, too. Finished the meal with key lime pie that was very good. Service was great. Good value.
(4)
Chris W.
Not bad. Not great either. Service is non-existent. A "should be cheaper " meal out of downtown Key West.
(3)
Melanie H.
Lackluster ambience, too much fried food and limited healthy options. Don't agree with local reviews.
(1)
Terry M.
Best fish in Key West. This is a restaurant for people who love fish prepared in a simple, straight-forward way. The sides are delicious - don't over-look the fries. Rusty Anchor also has the best conch fritters in town. This is a great place for a large group.
(5)
Jessica R.
If you are looking for a great, local place go here!!!!! Fresh fish, good prices! Everything was amazing. Can't wait to go back! Service and staff are attentive and friendly.
(5)
Jaye J.
Ridiculously good dark chocolate fudge pie..OMG. It doesn't know if it's pie....cake...chocolate candy...yummmmm. Our waitress Buffy was great. Suggests great choices. Knows her town..
(5)
Elizabeth Y.
Great place to go with a large group of your classmates. Service was great! Their conch fritters were so good! I got the Fish Reuben sandwich, and our server told me that the fish actually does not taste great Blackened, and so i got it grilled. It was so delicious! My bf kept eying my plate. He got the rusty anchor sandwich, and it was so so. I gave him half of mine. They give you a lot of fries with it as well as the cole slaw, which is probably the best cole slaw I've ever eaten. But the finishing touch is the Key Lime Pie! I'm very picky when it comes to Key Lime Pie. I don't like the really sour or tart ones like they sell at Kermit's, but prefer the more buttery and smooth finish kinds. And that is why I loved the Key Lime Pie at Rusty Anchor! I spoke with the owner, and she said that they used to make their own key lime pie, but they gave the recipe to a baker who now makes the pies for them and also in Marathon. Wish I got the name of that place! This place is not so touristy and also a lil hard to find, but once you find it, you know you discovered a local gem.
(5)
Abigail E.
Love this place. The fish Reuben is awesome and my boyfriend always gets the fried shrimp. Dinners are delicious too.
(5)
Veronica G.
The last time I ate here about 8 years ago. Try the Rusty's Rum Punch it's fruity and strong. I ordered a blackened yellow tail sandwich and the server brought me mahi mahi. I did not discover it was mahi until the end of my meal. I was perturbed by this hence the low rating.
(2)
Sunny G.
Food was good but service was lacking to say the least. Do not order the scallops!!! Well prepared but only 4 ea. quarter sized scallops. Not worth $25. Shrimp, Stone Crab, & black beans were excellent. Our experience would have been better with a decent wait staff. Inside could have used a good cleaning.
I was with locals, but am not a local myself. The restaurant is still largely a hole-in-the-wall, unvisited by tourists. Nevertheless, it had the most touristy decor of any restaurant I visited in the Keys. I was not a fan of the "I'm in a pirate ship" theme, but the food was really excellent. Everything here is guaranteed fresh, and if they don't have something it's because it wasn't caught that morning.
(4)
Dexter M.
Not the same place it used to be when I was growing up. You'll still mostly find locals dining at Rusty Anchor, but the quality of the food has continued to decline. The portions have shrunk and you'll need to ask for Grouper rather than Mahi-Mahi in your fish and chips basket.
(3)
Jenn A.
If you have a way to get off the main island of Key West, venture over to Stock Island and give this place a try. They have amazing fish entries at a great value. I had the Mahi Maji and I absolutely loved it. This place is a hidden gem for sure.
(5)
Sumayya S.
Conch fritters and key lime pie were delicious. Service, ambiance and meal were not so much. We wont be back, especially due to the rude and rushed service (which I really felt like was because I am Muslim and wear a headscarf)
(2)
Vettecollector R.
The food is great, price a little high. Service was also excellent.
(5)
Louis W.
Tried this hidden secret and had an excellent meal. Great service and no Old town Key West crowds or prices. Will definitely visit again.
(5)
Michon P.
The service and staff are super friendly, but the food is ho-hum at best. We had the conch fritters and stuffed lobster. I really wanted this to be one of those local dives that has great service and food. Sadly, an earlier reviewer was accurate when he described the lobster as dry. Oh well.
(1)
Max B.
This place kills it. Try the buffalo shrimp. Not on the menu but they are amazing.
(5)
Melissa B.
It is a very locals type of fish place where you really spend the time getting to know your servers. We had the prime rib which was really good and the broiled Florida lobster. I liked the fact that they bring you out a pitcher of your drink so you aren't waiting for a refill. We had been here before and had the stoned crabs when they were in season and they were the best tasting and not cost prohibited.
(4)
Chris H.
Very local joint off the beaten path. Friendly service, great for kids, and lots of seating. Food was very good, not great. But big menu and fair pricing
(4)
Holly C.
This just happened to be our first stop when we got to Key West. The restaurant reminded me of fish places back home in TN. Not only was the food great, but the service was exceptional. It was very much like we were sitting at your Aunt's house being sure you had enough to eat. We had 4 people at the table and our wonderful waiter brought us 2 entire pitches, one water and the other tea. The baskets, under $10, were great and a such a big portion that I couldn't eat it all. The conch fritters were fantastic and now what I will always compare all others to. Go now.
(5)
Bryan V.
Great place that isn't the normal tourist trap in the keys. Good place at fair price.. Danky conch chowder
(4)
Robert M.
I have been coming here for greater than a decade. This was the hole in the wall that you came to for unbelievable food. I go back so far that I remember the dog track across the street!! I do say that while the memories are fond, every time I come back, I am finding that the memories are much better than the reality. Sorry, I do not think I will be coming back. Mediocre food served cheaply is how I now describe it. Service has never been a strong part of this place, not a detraction buy by no means great.
(2)
Amy M.
What wonderful grouper and conch fritters! Super service and good prices too. This is a must do when in the area. Grear for large parties and kids.
(5)
Carlie V.
Was in Key West for my wifes' class reunion over Memorial Weekend. We ate at the Rusty Anchor not once, not twice, but THREE times. If you are in Key West and want to eat where the locals eat. GO TO THE RUSTY ANCHOR. Best Conch Fritters, Fried Conch Steaks, and Fried Lobster Tail in Town.
(4)
Lori P.
This is sort of hidden gem just outside of Key West. We had great Stone Crab claws served with a salad. Friendly wait staff - brought a pitcher of soft drinks and water to the table. Clientel is locals.
(4)
Arnold N.
We gave this place a try based on recommendations by a couple of locals, while visiting on vacation. This is NOT a tourist restaurant. It is a place that caters to the locals. It is not in the main stream, so it take a little work to find it, but it is worth the effort. The food was the best that we had while in the Key West area. Since most of the rest of the food we had was pretty mediocre, that is not saying a whole lot, but it was pretty good. If you don't mind going a little out of the way, you will get a good meal here.
(3)
Nick M.
A couple locals recommended this place to us. It is very much a "locals" restaurant. The service was not very good. Our waiter seemed like he didn't want to serve tourists and the rest of the staff cut you off on the way to the bathroom. The food was pretty good. The seafood was not as fresh as I expected, but it was still good.
(3)
Carlos L.
We came in around 15 before closing and the restaurant was empty, and the staff was about ready to start closing down. They came to us very quickly and sat us down with the menus in hand. Once we knew what we wanted we ordered and got the food within 10 minutes. I had the dolphin sandwich and was very satisfied with it. I was also satisfied with how clean the place was (and then cool saltwater fish tank). Whenever I come back down I'll make sure to visit here!
(5)
Rick S.
I am from Ohio and this is the first place I stop when I come into town. BEST conch steak on the island by far!!!!!!
(5)
Zach S.
Recommended to us by a local, and the reviews on yelp looked good so figured we'd give it a shot. The wait staff was incredibly friendly there is no denying that. We ordered the Chef's sampler, fried fritters, shrimp, conch, and fish. It was awful and we could not finish it. Everything was over fried and way too much batter. The seafood underneath this was super dry, rubbery, and chewing. It was also very expensive. Not sure if they were having a bad day, if it was a new fry cook, or if they were just using not fresh ingredients but based off my experience I will probably never go back.
(2)
Michele O.
The best thing about this place r the 2 for 1 drinks cause u need it 2 wash the food down! The lobster I had was the driest piece of fish I have ever had in my life. I feel bad because the staff was incredibly friendly but I hate 2 say the food was almost inedible. My husband's favorite thing about the place was the tee-shirt. Our respects 2 those who gave high ratings but I have 2 agree 2 disagree.
(2)
Evan E.
Umm....go there immediately. This is kind of a dive restaurant but the food and service was impeccable. You have to try the conch fritters. Everyone in Key West makes them, but not like the Anchor. It is a lot of great fried food that you can't eat all the time. We had clams, shrimp, Mahi Mahi, and a fish reuben that were all so good I wanted to slap your mama. These were all lunch specials under $10. Their entrees range form up from there, but nothing's overpriced. The thing that topped it off was Terry. She made us feel like we were her family. I can't wait to go back! Thanks Rusty Anchor.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Chris D.
Expectations are everything. Are you looking for fancy food? Don't come here. Are you looking for cutting edge cuisine? Don't come here. Are you looking for reasonably priced, fresh seafood, with competent service served in a "Red Lobster" style establishment that appeals to locals and older snowbirds? Then you've hit the jackpot, baby! I say that with all seriousness. Personally, if I'm trekking out to Stock Island, I would probably prefer Hogfish. But this is a solid choice. They have a kid's menu with the usual burgers, fish finger, etc. The prices are reasonable (a dozen conch fritters are under $10). The fish is amazingly fresh. The decor is dated- if you think back to the type of place *your* parents would go to for seafood, that about explains it. But I enjoyed the food. The conch fritters weren't the best I've had, but they were very good, and had a decent amount of conch in them, and definitely a good value. We tried the buffalo Key West Shrimp - and I thoroughly enjoyed them (although the side salad was kind of meh- you know, iceberg lettuce, wedge of tomato kind of thing). The table also tried a fresh catch fish sandwich on Cuban Bread (porgy) that was excellent. Our service was impeccable when we came (it wasn't that busy, though), and the Key Lime pie was quite good- the adults thought it was great, but it wasn't as big of a hit for the child (it's on the tarter side).
(4)Mani B.
Don't know why it's a 4.5 star,... I've never seen it recover since the last head chef left this place and retired. Sure it's still better than most places in key west, but will never be the same as before. I think this trip to key west will be the last time I recommend this place to friends for dinner. Parking lot is always a good sign, ... Yes, it only had a couple cars outside on a weekday at 6pm. To make matters worse, i got sick from my food.
(2)Bonnie A.
Overrated. So overrated. And overpriced. I order the conch fritters... I have no clue what all the fuss is about. Just some fried balls of mush. There was not outstanding flavour. I also had the crab cakes, and they were fresh and tasted great. However, you lost me at $21 for a plate with 7 measly shrimp, a garden salad, and baked potato with nothing but butter on it. And again, no remarkable flavours. Yes, the seafood was fresh, and you could taste that... But fresh seafood is available at numerous locations in the Keys, for a much better price point. The servers were very unfriendly, and there was nothing great about the atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who overrated this place to waste my time and money.
(1)Michael L.
Best / freshest fish in the lower keys & great conch fritters. Having been down to Key West over the last 25 yrs, Rusty Anchor is our go-to spot (unless you just caught it yourself). Great flavors (due to the freshness) and all their sauces/dressings have a flavor you normally dont see.. again because it's super fresh and homemade. If you're in town and can make it over from Key West where it's a bit overpriced, this is where the locals go for great food/drinks all for reasonable prices. The only downside... with higher standards set, you'll be disappointed with any other seafood dish when you head back up north. ps: we love Jules- she's great!
(5)Steve A.
its a very big bar style restaurant we had grilled grouper: slightly overcooked and near flavorless prime rib kings cut again slightly overcooked but very flavorful, a little tough the salad dressing, ranch, very good the mashed sweet potatoes excellent service was ok bussing was terrible overall probably not going to eat here again
(2)Teisha C.
Upon entering, everyone was welcoming. Wendy was our server, sweet gal. I'm stuffed. Fish so fresh it was flapping on the table lol. Fast and friendly service. Would come back. Simple menu, but THREE CATCH OF THE DAY OPTIONS???? SHUT the front door.
(4)Kate F.
Call me a food snob. I've eaten at the top of the Burj Khlifa in Dubai - to Sushi Yasuda (pre Tokyo) - and I can't say enough good things about this restaurant! The FRESHEST fish, to the homemade sauces, to the Pain Killer drinks - I can't get enough. If I lived in the keys, I might live HERE!
(5)Judy W.
We have eaten here many times. Today my husband bought what he thought were 20 lobsters - 2 bags of 10 - and when he got back to the condo to rebag and freeze, there were only 17. He drove all the way back and they wouldn't make it right. Beware! Won't be back.
(1)Jennifer K.
A hidden gem! This is a restaurant known by boaters who visit Key West, but not generally by other tourists as it is close to stock island marina. If you want some great food at reasonable prices that is also fresh, fresh, fresh, you can not beat the rusty anchor. Literally accross street from fishng boats! Everyday, they have a choice of 5-8 fresh catches prepared anyway you want along with traditional meat and potatoes. Wednesdays are prime rib night....yummy! In season, they have a stone crab claw station. Pick you own claws, weigh them, tell chef how you want them prepared then sit back and enjoy. Very friendly staff and very clean restaurant.
(4)Maria L.
Really love this place for the freshest seafood in the Florida Keys, fresh from the boats
(5)Chet H.
One of my favorite Places to dine without the grief of downtown!! Very fresh local seafood cooked to perfection. Cozy and wonderfully decorated dining room and huge bar.
(5)Kris S.
Had the grouper basket blackened, sort of. Would consider it char grilled at best. Flavor was ok and it did appear to be fresh, portion very small. The pound of shrimp was really a half pound at best. Menu doesnt tell you it is weighed with head on. Seemed quite pricy for the type restaurant it claims to be. Coleslaw small and very runny. Service was ok with a hint of being bothered. I was really anticipating a delecious dining experience do to all the great reviews, however the rusty anchor just turned out to be another Key West seafood restaurant disappointment.
(2)Kathleen D.
Nice off the beaten path, mid range restaurant. Friendly service, local fish, reasonably priced. 3 out of 4 meals were excellent. One person thought the fish was slightly overcooked but not bad at all. Excellent Key Lime pie too.
(4)Steve B.
Venue: Rusty Anchor Decor: Dive spot, lots of pictures, wood fishes, wood tables. Service: Was attentive. The server was alright. Not great, not bad. The cleanup lady that trailed the server was actually better IMO Environment: Cool Dive Seafood spot to bring the family, a buddy from work just to chill out. Kind of like the Key West's version of Cheers. And that's a good thing. Not too quiet, not to loud but good atmosphere. Food: SEAFOOD, SEAFOOD, SEAFOOD. Among other things like ribs, steak, soup. Prices: Reasonably fair. Average about $18-22 for a main entree Huge Pros: Ordered the Seafood Platter. It ran about $24. It was amazing. The Conch Fritters was very delicious. The Calamari was delicious as well. I am a huge fan of their buffalo jumbo shrimp. The jumbo shrimp was absolutely huge! Good God! And it was very good. That is a must have if you go there. Debbie Downers: The Key Lime Pie for dessert kind of sucked. Conclusion: If you are a seafood lover, this is the go to spot in Key West. I promise you it will not leave you hungry until Noon the following day. It is in a local neighborhood AWAYYYYYYYYYYYY from everything but was a total gem. Definitely must see before you leave the island. Overall: A+ (You can't come here without having the taste of local food like this)
(5)Jesse H.
One of my favorite places to eat. Everything is amazing. I usually order the stone crab claws, the only place on the island I order them. Also best conch chowder and fritters. Highly recommend! Service has always been great, even with large parties.
(5)Sara E.
I don't just throw around 5 stars, but omg this place completely deserves it! It was definitely a locals place and when my boy friend and I walked in it was obvious we were visiting. As soon as we sat down we felt instantly welcomed. The yellow fish tale was so soft, no fish taste, perfect warm temperate and it just melts in your mouth! Not a seafood person. Their ribs... Were also to die for. The meat was literally falling off the bone. If you're in key west, go to this place! Our waitress was also very sweet and knew her fish. But I don't recall her name. So sweet.
(5)Chantal G.
Nothing fancy. Just standard and solid seafood basics, done simply and very well. Always very very fresh. And you can get it Cooked any way you want. Ask a local. Don't get conch fritters anywhere else!!!! Ps-parking was ample.
(4)Jacqueline P.
Honestly, I would not come back to this restaurant. The food here wasn't thaaaat bad but it wasn't exactly tasteful either. They gave tiny portions and the so called "fresh lobster" tasted dry. Not to mention, the prices were really high too. I definitely would not recommend this place.
(2)Catherine H.
Food and service was good. Good alternative to the Hog Fish Bar & Grill. No wait & they have A/C.
(4)Nancy B.
Had a delicious meal. We enjoyed the fresh catch of porgy. Excellent. The tuna was wonderful, too. Finished the meal with key lime pie that was very good. Service was great. Good value.
(4)Chris W.
Not bad. Not great either. Service is non-existent. A "should be cheaper " meal out of downtown Key West.
(3)Melanie H.
Lackluster ambience, too much fried food and limited healthy options. Don't agree with local reviews.
(1)Terry M.
Best fish in Key West. This is a restaurant for people who love fish prepared in a simple, straight-forward way. The sides are delicious - don't over-look the fries. Rusty Anchor also has the best conch fritters in town. This is a great place for a large group.
(5)Jessica R.
If you are looking for a great, local place go here!!!!! Fresh fish, good prices! Everything was amazing. Can't wait to go back! Service and staff are attentive and friendly.
(5)Jaye J.
Ridiculously good dark chocolate fudge pie..OMG. It doesn't know if it's pie....cake...chocolate candy...yummmmm. Our waitress Buffy was great. Suggests great choices. Knows her town..
(5)Elizabeth Y.
Great place to go with a large group of your classmates. Service was great! Their conch fritters were so good! I got the Fish Reuben sandwich, and our server told me that the fish actually does not taste great Blackened, and so i got it grilled. It was so delicious! My bf kept eying my plate. He got the rusty anchor sandwich, and it was so so. I gave him half of mine. They give you a lot of fries with it as well as the cole slaw, which is probably the best cole slaw I've ever eaten. But the finishing touch is the Key Lime Pie! I'm very picky when it comes to Key Lime Pie. I don't like the really sour or tart ones like they sell at Kermit's, but prefer the more buttery and smooth finish kinds. And that is why I loved the Key Lime Pie at Rusty Anchor! I spoke with the owner, and she said that they used to make their own key lime pie, but they gave the recipe to a baker who now makes the pies for them and also in Marathon. Wish I got the name of that place! This place is not so touristy and also a lil hard to find, but once you find it, you know you discovered a local gem.
(5)Abigail E.
Love this place. The fish Reuben is awesome and my boyfriend always gets the fried shrimp. Dinners are delicious too.
(5)Veronica G.
The last time I ate here about 8 years ago. Try the Rusty's Rum Punch it's fruity and strong. I ordered a blackened yellow tail sandwich and the server brought me mahi mahi. I did not discover it was mahi until the end of my meal. I was perturbed by this hence the low rating.
(2)Sunny G.
Food was good but service was lacking to say the least. Do not order the scallops!!! Well prepared but only 4 ea. quarter sized scallops. Not worth $25. Shrimp, Stone Crab, & black beans were excellent. Our experience would have been better with a decent wait staff. Inside could have used a good cleaning.
(3)Jo R.
We had Conch fritters that were very good (7 out of 10) the lobster bites were tasty. The KeyWest shrimp was sautéed perfectly. I would recommend this place!
(4)Rachel G.
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(2)Shelby S.
I was with locals, but am not a local myself. The restaurant is still largely a hole-in-the-wall, unvisited by tourists. Nevertheless, it had the most touristy decor of any restaurant I visited in the Keys. I was not a fan of the "I'm in a pirate ship" theme, but the food was really excellent. Everything here is guaranteed fresh, and if they don't have something it's because it wasn't caught that morning.
(4)Dexter M.
Not the same place it used to be when I was growing up. You'll still mostly find locals dining at Rusty Anchor, but the quality of the food has continued to decline. The portions have shrunk and you'll need to ask for Grouper rather than Mahi-Mahi in your fish and chips basket.
(3)Jenn A.
If you have a way to get off the main island of Key West, venture over to Stock Island and give this place a try. They have amazing fish entries at a great value. I had the Mahi Maji and I absolutely loved it. This place is a hidden gem for sure.
(5)Sumayya S.
Conch fritters and key lime pie were delicious. Service, ambiance and meal were not so much. We wont be back, especially due to the rude and rushed service (which I really felt like was because I am Muslim and wear a headscarf)
(2)Vettecollector R.
The food is great, price a little high. Service was also excellent.
(5)Louis W.
Tried this hidden secret and had an excellent meal. Great service and no Old town Key West crowds or prices. Will definitely visit again.
(5)Michon P.
The service and staff are super friendly, but the food is ho-hum at best. We had the conch fritters and stuffed lobster. I really wanted this to be one of those local dives that has great service and food. Sadly, an earlier reviewer was accurate when he described the lobster as dry. Oh well.
(1)Max B.
This place kills it. Try the buffalo shrimp. Not on the menu but they are amazing.
(5)Melissa B.
It is a very locals type of fish place where you really spend the time getting to know your servers. We had the prime rib which was really good and the broiled Florida lobster. I liked the fact that they bring you out a pitcher of your drink so you aren't waiting for a refill. We had been here before and had the stoned crabs when they were in season and they were the best tasting and not cost prohibited.
(4)Chris H.
Very local joint off the beaten path. Friendly service, great for kids, and lots of seating. Food was very good, not great. But big menu and fair pricing
(4)Holly C.
This just happened to be our first stop when we got to Key West. The restaurant reminded me of fish places back home in TN. Not only was the food great, but the service was exceptional. It was very much like we were sitting at your Aunt's house being sure you had enough to eat. We had 4 people at the table and our wonderful waiter brought us 2 entire pitches, one water and the other tea. The baskets, under $10, were great and a such a big portion that I couldn't eat it all. The conch fritters were fantastic and now what I will always compare all others to. Go now.
(5)Bryan V.
Great place that isn't the normal tourist trap in the keys. Good place at fair price.. Danky conch chowder
(4)Robert M.
I have been coming here for greater than a decade. This was the hole in the wall that you came to for unbelievable food. I go back so far that I remember the dog track across the street!! I do say that while the memories are fond, every time I come back, I am finding that the memories are much better than the reality. Sorry, I do not think I will be coming back. Mediocre food served cheaply is how I now describe it. Service has never been a strong part of this place, not a detraction buy by no means great.
(2)Amy M.
What wonderful grouper and conch fritters! Super service and good prices too. This is a must do when in the area. Grear for large parties and kids.
(5)Carlie V.
Was in Key West for my wifes' class reunion over Memorial Weekend. We ate at the Rusty Anchor not once, not twice, but THREE times. If you are in Key West and want to eat where the locals eat. GO TO THE RUSTY ANCHOR. Best Conch Fritters, Fried Conch Steaks, and Fried Lobster Tail in Town.
(4)Lori P.
This is sort of hidden gem just outside of Key West. We had great Stone Crab claws served with a salad. Friendly wait staff - brought a pitcher of soft drinks and water to the table. Clientel is locals.
(4)Arnold N.
We gave this place a try based on recommendations by a couple of locals, while visiting on vacation. This is NOT a tourist restaurant. It is a place that caters to the locals. It is not in the main stream, so it take a little work to find it, but it is worth the effort. The food was the best that we had while in the Key West area. Since most of the rest of the food we had was pretty mediocre, that is not saying a whole lot, but it was pretty good. If you don't mind going a little out of the way, you will get a good meal here.
(3)Nick M.
A couple locals recommended this place to us. It is very much a "locals" restaurant. The service was not very good. Our waiter seemed like he didn't want to serve tourists and the rest of the staff cut you off on the way to the bathroom. The food was pretty good. The seafood was not as fresh as I expected, but it was still good.
(3)Carlos L.
We came in around 15 before closing and the restaurant was empty, and the staff was about ready to start closing down. They came to us very quickly and sat us down with the menus in hand. Once we knew what we wanted we ordered and got the food within 10 minutes. I had the dolphin sandwich and was very satisfied with it. I was also satisfied with how clean the place was (and then cool saltwater fish tank). Whenever I come back down I'll make sure to visit here!
(5)Rick S.
I am from Ohio and this is the first place I stop when I come into town. BEST conch steak on the island by far!!!!!!
(5)Zach S.
Recommended to us by a local, and the reviews on yelp looked good so figured we'd give it a shot. The wait staff was incredibly friendly there is no denying that. We ordered the Chef's sampler, fried fritters, shrimp, conch, and fish. It was awful and we could not finish it. Everything was over fried and way too much batter. The seafood underneath this was super dry, rubbery, and chewing. It was also very expensive. Not sure if they were having a bad day, if it was a new fry cook, or if they were just using not fresh ingredients but based off my experience I will probably never go back.
(2)Michele O.
The best thing about this place r the 2 for 1 drinks cause u need it 2 wash the food down! The lobster I had was the driest piece of fish I have ever had in my life. I feel bad because the staff was incredibly friendly but I hate 2 say the food was almost inedible. My husband's favorite thing about the place was the tee-shirt. Our respects 2 those who gave high ratings but I have 2 agree 2 disagree.
(2)Evan E.
Umm....go there immediately. This is kind of a dive restaurant but the food and service was impeccable. You have to try the conch fritters. Everyone in Key West makes them, but not like the Anchor. It is a lot of great fried food that you can't eat all the time. We had clams, shrimp, Mahi Mahi, and a fish reuben that were all so good I wanted to slap your mama. These were all lunch specials under $10. Their entrees range form up from there, but nothing's overpriced. The thing that topped it off was Terry. She made us feel like we were her family. I can't wait to go back! Thanks Rusty Anchor.
(5)