The food was good with a typical island atmosphere. It wasn't amazing but good. We had blackened mahi sandwich, conch sandwich and conch stew. Service was good. The key lime pie was good but expensive at nearly 6 bucks a slice
(3)
Caroline A.
On the way back from a Key West wedding, my wife and I stopped for brunch. And oh what a brunch it was. Starting off with the "Bloody Bar" to benefit Save the Reef and then moving on to the "Steak Benedict", everything was fresh and tasty. I have *already* recommended Mangrove Mamma's to the bride and groom, and will be recommending MM to anyone I hear is going south to the Keys. Do yourself a favor and stop and at mile marker 20 for all kind of good eats.
(5)
Nicole S.
So glad this place was by where we stayed! Stayed 4 nights, went here twice. Their food is some of the best we had in the Keys. The key lime martini was great, seafood quesadilla was great, they caught our fresh catch. The owner actually hangs around so that's cool. Live music every night is really cool, helps the locals out. The rum drink with 4 runs, can't even remember the name, but didn't taste like it had much rum at all. Overall, great place.
(5)
Susan J.
On our way home from Key West, heading to airport. Looking for a breakfast place where my Grand-baby could get pancakes. Looked on Yelp- found this place, great reviews. We stopped- looks a little like a dive from outside, inside, so nice! Great big place. Lots of seating but very homey. A band playing on back deck Sunday morning- very nice!!!! Food was excellent! Service was excellent! Just moved to Miami, will definitely make this a regular stop on way to Key West! I love this place!!!
(5)
Jon W.
I was looking for a breakfast place on my way to key west which ia a lot harder to find than you would think. Fortunately, this place serves breakfast until 1130am...which was about an hour after i got there :p I ended up getting the blacken mahi tacos and they did a pretty decent job. Mahi was still moist, topped w a little coleslaw and a side of salsa. The coleslaw had too much mayo and was too watery for my taste. The rice pilaf was passible. Seemed like some rice and pilaf mix that they left in a steamer for and hour and got a little soggy. My buddies got a fried shrimp platter and fried mahi mahi that were both also very good. Not over fried and nice hug shimp and flanks of mahi with a panko breading. Their side items (shoe string fries) where meh Also they had a good music selection. The server was very nice. The atmosphere was cool, clean, and relaxing. Long and short all the seafood was good, but the sides were lacking.
(4)
Jeff F.
Day Four of our vacation and another treasure trove. A wonderful, laid back atmosphere. Nice menu with good selection of appetizers, salads and entrees. Daily specials on the board near the entryway. We started with the conch fritters - not knowing what to expect. Slightly spicy with a little conch and a LOT of corn breading. Not offensive - again we wouldn't know good from bad. Wife had a small dinner salad. I had the Blue Calzone - described as.shrimp, bacon, spinach and cheese. Absolutely amazing - nearly nine inches across. Beautiful artisan bread top with crafted folded rim and egg wash. Top sprinkled with garlic bits. Definitely more breading than insides, however, what was there was gooey, well seasoned and very tasty. Not sure what the blue referred to, Service was relatively attentive, but hey, this is island island time! I'm not sure what would distinguish a four from a five star rating here, but truly excellent.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Fish sandwich and lobster Reuben were bland. My friend's scallops were pretty small and only 4. Those tasted ok. The conch fritters were pretty good. The conch chowder is decent. The Key Lime pie was prob my favorite of what we had. Service was excellent though. Don't need to come back. It wasn't cool that they offered fries, salad and onion rings as sides but then the bill showed $2.50 extra for the onion rings (which wasn't mentioned). Disclaimer: I'm not a huge fan of fried seafood so maybe not the most reliable review if you're a super fan!
(3)
Raafia L.
Easily the best meal I had in the Keys. Echoing other reviewers, the lobster Reuben is delicious! The lobster is battered and fried I believe, and served Reuben style with Swiss cheese, and that thousand island type dressing. Comes with a side of potato salad and a pickle. If you're not too hungry, one order is filling enough for two people. I was famished, but couldn't finish the sandwich. Decently priced for the amount of lobster, especially relative to island pricing. Ordered to go, came out quickly, service was okay (not as friendly or attentive as some other places). The key lime pie was less thrilling, probably the least favorite slice I had on my trip. Still, highly recommend stopping by for the sandwich. Also I believe they are open later than other restaurants in the neighborhood, and have live music at night!
(4)
Amanda C.
Quaint little place off the side of the highway. We ordered conch fritters for our appetizer - a little pricey but you're in the keys. Wished it had more conch in it but it had phenomenal flavor with a nice spicy curry note. We had Mahi Tacos which might have been the best damn fish tacos I've had... big chunk of blackened fish paired with coleslaw and salsa = perfection. It's a good stop. Will come again
(4)
Steve D.
Great atmosphere! Sit outside and enjoy the Key's ! Food is good, staff is friendly. We were passing by on our way from Key West to Ft Lauderdale. We will be back here for sure
(4)
Laurie S.
The seafood Quesadilla are amazing. I also love the Dragon fruit Mojito. The servers are are always great and love the atmosphere. My friends had the lobster sandwich and it was great.
(4)
Tom B.
Great job by mango mamas. We surprised them with a group of 12. Dane the owner met us with friendly conversation while they set us up Peter was a great server. He chose appetizers for the table all of which were great. They and the beers can quick. From there we had a variety of lobster Reuben's, gumbo specials, conch chowder, grilled mahi and buffalo shrimp. All were great. Unfortunately no room for pie but 5 different kinds of key lime for next time. Chef came by and asked about everything before we left. Thanks gang for a great experience.
(5)
L K.
On my way to KW. Stopped in for breakfast had the biscuits and gravy. It was EXCELLENT!! Biscuits were moist and gravy was the right consistency not too heavy and not too thin big chunks of sausage. Service was great!! I will be back!
(5)
Gwen H.
Great food, great service, reasonable prices, family friendly. Check out the bathrooms! Very clean and cute. Had the lobster Reuben, mahi tacos and the shrimp st. Jacques - all excellent flavor and hot! Would go again.
(5)
Norris B.
With a party of six and we had a great time at Mangrove Momma's. Very good food, great service and the entertainment in the deck was superb with Myles on the guitar and the band. Personal, personable service by the waitress and owner brought you back to the good ole' days in the Keys.
(5)
Richie R.
We dined at this restaurant for lunch while visiting the keys, and even tough it's up at mm 20 it is totally worth the drive. The conch chowder was the best out of all the restaurants we ate at on the keys and I'd highly recommend getting the bowl because the cup just won't satisfy. I had the quesadilla which was stuffed with fresh shrimp, scallops, and lobster. I have never had a seafood quesadilla before, and I know for a fact that if the next one I have is as good as the one I had here, it will probably become my new favorite meal. The staff was friendly and attentive to our needs and the food came out fairly fast. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the keys.
(5)
Jeffrey H.
Very very average food. Not very impressive. The restaurant has character and history but I was not impressed at all with the food. Diner food thrown together on a plate for above average pricing. Our server was friendly but didn't seem like she was all there. For such a historical spot I would expect a little more effort and professionalism.
(2)
Irene A.
The lobster Reuben and Mahi tacos were excellent. Homemade potato salad was the best. Oh and don't forget their award winning Key Lime Pie! The triple chocolate cake was also delicious. Will definitely stop here again.
(5)
Danielle N.
AMAZING! A must stop. We had, sesame Tuna peel and Eat shrimp cracked Conch lobster Bites shrimp St Jacques Little Claims Fritters. OMG wonderful
(5)
Nami D.
We sat at the bar and loved it. Bartender was friendly, and she recommended us a great dish, Lobster Reuben. We also ordered seafood quesadilla, and both of them were delicious. Lobster was tasty and plump. Quesadilla was stuffed with shrimp and scallop and etc. Great food and people. We will go back.
(4)
Sarah G.
Very relaxing. Come have breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks.. Great music. Bring dogs out in the patio - they provide dog bowls of water and got my boys burgers w no buns for discount thanks to fav fabulous beautiful waitress/bartender
(4)
Shari M.
Breakfast was great and key lime pie was delicious. Very nice atmosphere and cool decor. Definitely would visit again
(5)
Erika P.
The restaurant was really cute and tropical, the food was good but the service was very very slow. I had to ask the front door hostess for a straw and they do not split checks.
(3)
Bill N Rosalie B.
It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is quaint and clean. The food is home made with their own recipes. All is good. Friendly people.
(4)
Bethany A.
I came here the day after Christmas to try this place with my family and found the experience to be just average. THE ENVIRONMENT: live music was a nice touch, and the decor was definitely quirky and interesting. Typical Keys kind of feel, for sure. THE SERVICE: we loved our waitress! She was super nice and funny - made our dining experience a very pleasant one. THE FOOD: It really bothers me when I eat at a restaurant and it's just meh but I KNOW that they can improve their dishes. I had the lobster Reuben and while the lobster was fried perfectly, I just found it to be a little too much. But I really liked the potato salad and it was a great deal at 14-15 bucks. Unfortunately, not all of the dishes are such great deals... The entrees were not enjoyed highly and costed 30 bucks each on average. My advice? Get your seafood here if you have no other option, but I assure you there are better seafood places in the Keys.
(3)
Kimberly E.
Food was good, the place has cute decorations and a cool vibe, but bring a mosquito repellent.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
Overrated. Too expensive for what you get. We've been eating in area for 10 nights. This was biggest disappointment.
(2)
Rob W.
I think the food is average here, but I really like the place and the staff is very friendly. On our first visit, I had breakfast here, which was just OK. The next time over, I tried the Mahi tacos, I did not really care for them, just a piece of Mahi with some runny coleslaw in the taco shell, not really good. The seafood quesadilla was also lacking to me, no real redeeming qualities to it. The Key lime pie here was very good, and a pleasant surprise. It is a nice place to stop but don't expect too much.
(3)
Gena A.
Slow service, mediocre food. I had raisin bread with breakfast, which I had to ask for after I was half way through my meal, and I would have been embarrassed serving such a small serving. It looked like something for a child's dollhouse, it was so small. And ONE slice.
(2)
Ashley F.
Stopped here by chance on our way from key west to Isla morada. Cute and corky key like bar and restaurant. Our bartender was super friendly! The bloodmary was ok. Wish it was a but spicer but the shrimp meal was huge and DELICIOUS!!!! Great place to stop and grab a bit!
(4)
Rose R.
We sat outside and listened to the live music, great food, I would go back
(4)
Shane M.
Good food, but kinda pricy for the atmosphere and quality of service. It's not bad service, it's just "ma' and pa' diner" quality of service. Very nice people though! We had both an expensive dinner and a mother's day breakfast and both had great food! Would certainly go back!
(4)
Laura R.
The black and blue Mahi is unbelievably good!! The food is so fresh!! This is a must stop for a real Florida Keys meal!!!
(5)
Shannon L.
Great little seafood place at MM 19 We spent 5 days on Sugarloaf Key and I ate 3 meals here. Fantastic food! Our favorites included fried shrimp and cracked conch.... both were freshly breaded and prepared. My son LOVED the awesome chicken wings and Key Lime Pie. Give them a try! Note.... The only meal we didn't love was the fish tacos.... fish was fresh and tasty but the cole slaw they put on top was too runny and made them soggy. Hence, the 4 star rating instead of 5. Ask for the slaw on the side and you should be fine. Oh, and by the way...... They deliver!!! BONUS!
(4)
Marie A.
Great spot for a quick bite right off the road-South side. Great conch fritters and excellent mahi-mahi tacos - got them grilled and light on the slaw. We stopped for breakfast but were too late - not disappointed in their lunch. Great waitstaff too ... we had Amanda.
(4)
Dawn S.
Funky decor and friendly service w/ a neighborhood feel. The conch chowder was a little bland, but the key lime pie was the best I've had in the keys -- both were made in-house (the veggie burger was NOT). Bring a cigar to enjoy in their outdoor seating area.
We are staying nearby so went for dinner. Staff was friendly. We preferred indoor seating and we were seated promptly. We ordered drinks and they came quickly and were good. My wife ordered baby back ribs and since I had never had it I ordered the fried conch. The ribs were excellent. Since I had never had conch, I don't know if it was "good" or not but I found it a bit "chewy" but very mild. Don't think I will go out of my way to have it again!! We did have key lime pie and that was great.
(4)
Daniel B.
Super groovy place. Had the Mahi Benedict yum! Service the best I've had in the keys, nice interior and patio. Good food. Good service.
As a local and regular, I can't say enough good about Mangrove Mama's. The food is delicious, original, creative, and yummy, yummy, yummy. The staff is friendly and attentive and it's nice to be welcomed back and recognized, considering the clientele includes a lot of travelers and snow birds. The parking can be a little iffy, but just pull around back, fit your car in, and walk a bit, if needed. It's worth it. They have ample bathrooms and the bar has a full selection at reasonable rices. I adore the plantain encrusted hogfish with rum sauce so much that I tried to recreate it at home. The burgers are huge and delicious, as is the fried and grilled grouper sandwiches. My hubby and I often half a sandwich for lunch and get it to go. There are usually local bands and/or musicians entertaining. All around a great place!
(5)
Chet H.
Great place any time of the day!! Awesome bar and beautiful indoor/outdoor areas. Full menu and a full bar. Live music regularly. I've been going over the past year and haven't been disappointed yet :-) A must see if your hungry and nearby.
(4)
Paul D.
I had the Mahi tacos which were very good. Also tried the strawberry key lime pie which was also very good. Deb was our server and took very good care of us. I would go back.
(4)
Erin K.
Went for dinner and had a great meal! Loved the ambiance and authentic keys feel! Drinks were good, food was nicely priced, servers were super friendly and food came out timely! Must stop here. Bummed we missed the live music night, make sure to go Fri-Sun night for some tunes!
(5)
Sheldon W.
The drinks are very tasty but the potato salad is the best i have had, sorry Grandma.
(4)
Jennifer M.
They cooked up our BYOC and it was delicious!! Great service and they were very busy!!
(5)
Christine C.
While visiting the keys on vacation my family went to try this place. One night we got take out and then today we had lunch there. The pizza was okay. Today for lunch I had a key west sunrise which I didn't like...it didn't taste like anything .And then I had the fish tacos which I didn't really like either.the coleslaw was just piled on the taco which made it messy and overpowering to the fish which wasn't so good on its own anyways. The service was incredibly slow.
(2)
James H.
some courses are good, but the steak is cold and disgusting. the worst part is that the waitress is very rude. She took about 20 mins to charge the card, and throw the check book on the table with a huge attitude. Some food is good, but we will never come for the service again.
(1)
Tracy R.
Lobster Ruben sandwich was to die for. We were also impressed by the variety of food. Wish that we were there one more day to try dinner.
(4)
Scott C.
I was underwhelmed by the food at mangrove mamas. Our lobster bites were 98% breading. The coconut shrimp was good. My steak was good but the vegetables - green beans - were quite undercooked. My wife also got green beans with her coconut shrimp. They were also undercooked but her coconut shrimp was good. My kids enjoyed their meals but I took a taste of some of the chicken and I thought it was dry. The Keylime pie was delicious. We were overcharged on our wine. We were initially seated in a high-traffic area but were allowed to move to a less busy area. Still, it was high traffic.so I would say the atmosphere inside was not great. 160 bucks for five people with underwhelming food is not a great deal.
(2)
Matt N.
Just what we needed. Quaint, great service and good food. Lobster rueben seemed to be what stuck out the most when reading other reviews and it didn't disappoint. I'm a fan of lobster and I consider myself a rueben connoisseur but I never would've paired the 2. Definitely worth a try. Key lime pie was great as well. Not sure if I've had it enough to say what's the best or not but this was on point.
(5)
Heather P.
If you are a visitor or even better a fisherman Mangrove Mama's is truly a must go kinda place. They have the best fried fish batter in the keys! Bring your catch and you will never have a better meal. We love heathy eating but go for "full on fried" at this place! They also know how to broil a lobster after a long day on the boat! The service is keys casual, but attentive. You can always get an ice cold corona or also have a wonderful tropical drink or margarita! Many nights they have some of the best entertainment in the keys! Mangrove Mama's is truly one of the best!! spots in the keys! Almost hate to write a review cuz it's gonna make it more crowded when we come!!! Enjoy!!!!!
(5)
Lauren G.
We we leaving Key West heading up towards Miami and needed a place to eat breakfast. We stumbled upon this place and decided to give it a try. What a nice delicious place it was. The portions of all of our dishes were terrific and very reasonably priced as well. Mangrove Mama's is worth the stop!!
(4)
Sherry J.
RJ brought me here for dinner on Friday 10/24. I made the mistake of not listening to him and ordered scallops, and he ordered the grilled grouper. His grouper was fantastic, and the first time I have ever had it. It was thick and juicy and delicious and melted in my mouth. My scallops were weird!! The menu said seared in a cream sauce. I pictured sitting on top of a cream sauce. They came out IN a boat of cheese sauce. Totally ruined them, did not taste seared at all and I liked the sauce but cheese sauce does not belong with scallops. EVER. Not what I expected at all at a fresh seafood restaurant in the Keys. I was also not a fan of the rice as it was very dry, so I dumped it in the cheese sauce. The vegetables were fantastic. There was a live band playing, and the music didnt seem to fit in with that location. We didn't go to Mangrove Mama's to party, we went to enjoy good fresh seafood!! And only RJ got to enjoy that, although he did share some of his grouper with me!! It was still a good time, and the grouper was a straight up 5 even though my scallops were a 2, but when it came time for me to pick repeat restaurants during our trip, I picked 2 other places instead.
(3)
Pam B.
We are full-time RV travelers and have been all over the United States - and we have never tasted a pizza that was better than "Mama's Special" at Mangrove Mama's. They delivered it right to the door of our RV in 45 minutes. Next time we come to the Keys we'll go to the restaurant for dinner. If the rest of the food is as delicious as the pizza, we'll be loyal customers for years to come!
(5)
Gary G.
Had the lobster Reuben and fish tacos, both of which were phenomenal. The lobster in the Reuben was slightly overcooked, leaving it a bit stringy however. The best part was the key lime pie. Having never enjoyed this delicacy before, I don't have much to compare to, but it was the best desert I have had in some time. Looks like a hole in the wall, but definitely worth the stopover on your way South or North.
(5)
Erica B.
We went for breakfast- The food was okay. Staff openly complained to each other about their job, having to wait tables and being at work. Made the experience not very fun- I don't mind waiting in the Keys for food- but hearing the staff complained the whole time made the wait unbearable...
(2)
Alexa C.
So worth the drive! The lobster Reuben is phenomenal & the Key Lime Pie is delicious! I like how it's got a touch of the "Boojy" decor that sets it apart from the run down touristy look you'll find in restaurants everywhere in the keys. The big table outside sat our entire party & we literally did not stop eating forever. I never needed a napkin, my drink was always fresh, orders came out on time & properly prepared, sauces were there too (because there's nothing more annoying than having to wait for melted butter) I like this place aloott aloott allot. I always bring crazy leftovers back home even if it stinks up my car, it's like so worth it.
(5)
Rick D.
Sorry to say that, but it was terrible. Bad quality for too much money. We had salad and a burger. The salad was brown and not fresh. The Parmesan on it was like grated callus. The burger was without any taste. Furthermore we sat outside and there were no-see-um. Too bad! Lost nearly 40 $ for nothing.
(1)
AL P.
Gave this place another shot and came back for dinner. Service was great and fast, food was good had the conch and it was well prepared although the batter was a little thick. Will come back again to try some of there other fish specialties....
(3)
Michelle S.
Have stopped before for a drink and it was nice and everyone was friendly. Wish I had read Al P's review before deciding to stop for breakfast. The ABSOLUTE worst breakfast ever with a waitress to match. Hollandaise was straight out of the envelope package accompanied by the dehydrated hash brown potatoes. GROSS!!! You would think the waitress might have at least remotely got my order right after repeating it 3 different times to me in a condescending attitude. Wow, big deal I want over medium eggs instead of poached and a SIDE of toast. If you want over priced industrial food served with a side of attitude, this is the place for you!
(1)
Laura P.
Amanda was the perfect server for this ideal "fish shack" experience just off the Overseas Highway. The margarita was really good and the fish tacos were resh and tasty. If I lived here, I would hang here every day.
(4)
Dianna B.
Nice atmosphere, pricey menu and good food. We were enjoying our meal until the waitress offered the table next to us a discount for being local. As tourist we were more than incensed by this and won't be back.
(3)
Erin Z.
Went for breakfast. Got there at 9 when they opened. They seem irritated we were there already. Nothing was prepared. Half the menu was un-orderable. Silverware was thrown on the table. Server threw something across the restaurant when the water machine malfunctioned. We found humor in it and it's a funny story to tell... But if you're looking for good service you won't get it here.
(3)
Dara L.
Ok, cute keysy place. But the food is just kind of like bar food. Not bad, just nothing interesting, unique or especially tasty. $40 for a mediocre lunch. We already knew this, but apparently forgot....in the keys either go out for a really nice meal or eat at home. We have found there is not really an in between.
(3)
Nicole M.
Breakfast is AH-MAZING!!! Fabulous bloody Mary's & mimosas. French toast, eggs & bacon was the best down here so far!! Wait staff is super nice, very homey feel.
(5)
Erin E.
Great key lime pie and carrot cake! Food was just ok.. Philly cheese steak looked like it was frozen and then microwaved because of how soggy and wrinkly the bread was and how hot the plate was. Poppers and cheese sticks were over cooked. Chicken sandwich was also over cooked. Their special was a turkey sandwich with fries that was good.
(3)
Frank P.
As always, never fails to impress. Lobster reuben was very good and key lime pie knocks the socks off of all others I've ever had (although expect to pay a pretty penny for a pie to take home). They have an amazing conch chowder, which I've had before, but I took off a star for not having it available when I was there this time around. How could you have such an amazing product and not always have it available to capitalize on it? Anyway, this place is fantastic, I always make it a habit to stop on the way out and into key west. I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant, BUT call ahead and make sure they have chowder!
(4)
Vicki S.
Love the pizza key lime pie even better this could not be better great style service great everything was fab the drinks greats deserts were awesome I love this place it put a smilie the seating arrangements every body should try it it's the best place in ten world to eat it's just great place it could not be better my brother did not I brought back left overs he loved them !
(5)
michael r.
Owner was very friendly. Seemed like a mostly locals kind of place, but the food was pretty good. We had the mahi tacos and Philly cheesesteak, along with potato salad and bloody Mary's. The potato salad is verrrrry good!
(4)
Louise R.
Every year when I visit the keys, I dine here. The plantain-encrusted hogfish is divine as is the key lime pie martini. The grouper cheeks were a nice appetizer. Casual with a fun patio, this is a great place to eat.
(5)
Jackie D.
This place was unclean and smelt of sewer when we entered. The food was over fried and no taste. The waitress was sweaty and would not split check for party of 8.
(1)
Lucia S.
Excellent foood! Cool ambiance! Super nice staff! Be prepared not to split the bill and include an 18% tip, but it's well worth it. Close to KOA campsite and it's 20 miles away from Key West. I would definitely recommend it and come back soon!
(5)
Torri W.
When we got on US1 for our annual trip, I started checking in on our "favorite Keys haunts." I was actually pretty bummed to see the reviews here on Mangrove Mama's. We went to Mangrove Mama's on our honeymoon 15 years ago, and have been returning every year. Our favorites are the cracked conch and grouper sandwiches...and the lobster reuben is great too. Despite the reviews, we decided to take our chances at a restaurant that consistently makes our "Keys Top 5". WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED! Our table of five ordered our faves, plus the fried fish tacos and everything was AWESOME. Make sure you ask for "island tartar sauce," whether or not it comes with your meal. It's great! Amy, the wandering Brit, was our waitress...and she was fabulous. Friendly and fun, plus incredibly attentive. One member of our party had been a few weeks back and had Ally as a server...said she was great too. Not sure what everyone is talking about. The food is as amazing, and the service as good as always. Maybe they came for dinner? We went (as we always do) for lunch...preferring to hang near the house to watch the sunset around dinnertime... So, please...decide for yourself on this one. And give Amy and Ally the chance to earn your business! I bet Mangrove Mama's will make your "Keys Top 5" too. P.S. Only 4 instead of 5 stars because I thought the conch fritters could've been better.
(4)
Thom H.
Have been twice, cute ambiance and decent food. Also, full bar, which is sort of uncommon in the lower Keys. Pretty pricey, which keeps it from five stars. Also, avoid the lobster - Maine lobster this is not. If you've never had any sort of lobster, then forget what I said, and go for it. Nowhere near as pretentious as the Square Grouper.
(4)
Amy K.
I absolutely loved this place. The owner was a blast, all the waitstaff is super friendly. We went on a night when The Josh Garrett band played and it was such a blast, great music and great drinks. I only ate peel and eat shrimp which was good and my boyfriend had the prime rib dinner special which was very tasty. If you're in the mood for a coconut island drink then try the Painkiller, very yummy! This is a very chill place, I recommend it for drinks and music but cannot speak to much about the food. I don't like the overcrowded touristy spots in Key West so this was more my speed.
(5)
Tom M.
We were pleased to see the place seemed to appeal to locals - families enjoying the pizza and fish, not all touristed up. We loved the mahi tacos, and a nice but not interesting Caesar Salad with Mahi on top. One of the hallmarks of great places in the Keys is that people go the extra step to take care of you. This wasn't quite what was on this particular evening here. The waitress seemed super busy, gave us two beers (my kid is 11) that were destined for another table. I wouldn't be surprised if we enjoyed the place more on another evening, and might go back when in the area.
(3)
Chris C.
The meal started off with lobster bites. The bites were lightly fried and filled with chunks of lobster. We had the seafood Quesadilla and the Black and Bleu Mahi Mahi Sandwich. Both were very good. We also ordered the key lime pie for dessert. It was creamy and not tart. If you like a tart pie, skip this one. We went on a Friday and there was a good blues band playing. There is local entertainment playing Sun -Thur and the owner is a blues fan so there are good bands playing F-Sat. A delightful place for an evening out. Servers were friendly and the service was fast.
(4)
Jiggly B.
The blackened mahi mahi tacos were delicious. The waitress may have been tipsy.
(3)
Robert R.
What a little gem here. 4 stars is Great and 5 stars in Unbelievable. Really a 4.5 stars. Staying at the KOA and biked over here on a suggestion from the staff. Wife and 4 kids were Very Happy with everything. Prompt attentive service, good suggestions and great food. We own restaurants in Raleigh and know a lot about things should be run. Mangrove did an outstanding job on all accounts. The conch chowder was a bit hit. The kids even requested to go back the next night for the soup. That's a big plus in our book. The shrimp app was also great and nice size shrimp. Had the fish tacos the next night and also outstanding flavor. Wife had the salad with homemade dressings and all kids were fans. Had the owner, Kayla, as our server the next night and never knew it till we asked about the owner at the end of the meal. Very nice and accommodating. You don't see very many restaurants that hands on. Definitely put this on your stop list if you are in the area.
(4)
William I.
On our way back to Miami from Key West when the rain started pouring to the point where we couldn't see more than 15 feet in front of us. We decided to stop at Mangrove Mama's for both food and shelter. Little did we know what we were going to experience! We were greeted and served by Annmarie who was awesome as she was patient. We changed our minds on seats 3 times (once outside, once in the bar, once in the back. In our defense we had a pregnant woman with us) and she was so cool and accommodating the entire time. We were walked through the menu and she hi lighted their signature dishes and spoke highly of them. Started with the Conch Chowder. A bit spicy but chalked full of conch and delicious. My wife (preggers) had the clam chowder and said it had a buttery / spicy flavor and loved it. Entrees were overall good... Grouper basket- huge Fish tacos - good fish, lacking toppings Mamas black and bleu- delicious but powerful bleu cheese flavors. Lobster Ruben- amazing!!!
(4)
Aishwarya B.
My boyfriend got the coconut encrusted fish and said he loved it. And I believe him too (since he would hardly let me touch it :-P ). I got a veggie sandwich with potato salad, and it was great! The flavored key lime pies get a special mention. The chocolate chip as well as blueberry key lime pies were delicious! MUST TRY!
(5)
Junebug J.
The food here was terrible, we had the tasteless fish tacos and the fish less seafood quesadillas. The quesadillas were soggy on the bottom, probably from sittings dear a heat lamp. They were filled with gobs of range cheese that hit your gut like a ton of bricks, oh and let's not forget the "Parmesan" cheese on top...just horrible. The tacos were a little better, thankfully there was no cheese on them. The fish was bland, I could taste the searing marks above anything else, they come with some slaw that is halfway decent but causes them to drip all over. The bloody mary was decent.
(2)
Kaffer D.
The first out of two times we were here was great. Service was wonderful, lobster reuben was a hit with friends who had it, and Joey Gilmore was off the chain. The second time...eh. After being seated front and center to a disaster of a guitar player and waiting for 20 minutes without being greeted by a waitress, the hell became too much and we left.
(2)
Kay V.
Seriously the best mahi mahi (both in taco form and sandwich) my bf and i have ever had! And the key lime pie, while it was delicious...we would have liked more crust. Good stop before going to key west :)
(4)
Jim H.
Best conch Fritters EVER.. I always stop here on my way to Key West
(5)
Magnus S.
Stopped by this joint while on the road with my family. Looked decent enough, turns out we were oh so wrong. Not only did we suffer through the live country music, and the mediocre, heavy food, but one member of my party came down with severe nausea after eating a very expensive pasta alfredo and was on the verge of vomiting the remainder of the evening. The service was also very poor as we recieved the incorrect check and credit card upon paying for the meal. Over priced food, bad service, a cringe-worthy atmosphere, and food poisoning = 1 Star.
(1)
Kenneth F.
Count us in! We really enjoyed the wide variety and well cooked food! Little out house built in the early 1900s but the food was great as was the service! Everyone there is happy! True it is a bit pricey and hence 4-stars... but we'll go back... Drove right past the Square Grouper to get there and will again... liked the SG but like this mo bettah!
(4)
Kevin M.
Great little place with one of the best outdoor seating set ups. They make some nice cocktails and the service was great.
(4)
Neil R.
We've been coming to Mangrove Mama's for years and have never been disappointed. We have tried numerous places searching for the best Fried grouper and decided this was it. Lobster Reubin is also excellent. We ate breakfast for the first time this morning and the Mama's omelette was excellent. Ali, Amy and the owners Dane and Carol treated us like family, they are the best.
(5)
Julie O.
Great food, always is! But we went on 6/10 and while the waiter was good (took our order, brought our food, etc), he seemed absolutely bothered that he had too. We felt completely unwelcome. Not sure I'd go back.
(3)
Jess K.
Feels like the Keys. Laid back and funky. Conch Fritters were exceptionally delish and the Lobster Ruben was a fun twist. Thankful that we found this place on Yelp. Made for an excellent stop along our journey.
(5)
Julio R.
Been coming to the Keys for many, many years, been to this place several times. All of a sudden, everyplace and his brother has hogfish on the menu. Used to, you had to call ahead and they would have a diver shoot one with a speargun for your dinner and have it waiting for you to order. (Or go to the Hogfish grill on Stock Island) But now, you order hogfish, and they get a couple of Old MacDonalds filet of fish patties out of the freezer, toss'em in the grease, and sonnnnnn, you are lookin at a genuine $19.95 hawgfish samich, or a $29.95 hawgfish dinner. Drinks okay, other food here pretty good. If they had DNA testing for fish in the keys, some of these restaurants would be embarrassed. Go to a real fish market, look at the real hog fish, see how it is all white meat, no red, no blood line, and when someone cooks it, it will stay that way. If however, the fish you are served is loaded with grey colored meat(cooked blood), it is not a hog fish, and if you ordered hog fish, you just been had son. Bone-appetite.
(3)
Angie F.
We were on vacation to the Keys for Labor Day weekend and craving fried seafood. Stopped by this little restaurant on our way from the beach and had the best food ever!!! The fried calamari was amazing, the fried mahi mahi was delicious!!! Highly recommend!!!
(4)
Amanda E.
Don't waste your time. We were sitting at a table for 10 minutes and the bartender and server were chatting at the bar purposely ignoring us.
(1)
Ashley W.
Cool place for a drink and appetizers!
(4)
Amanda S.
My husband and I were excited to try this place because the menu looked great and it was always packed however we left disappointed. We sat down and no one came to our table after 10 minutes so my husband proceeded to ask for a waiter. The waiter came to the table and said I'm busy I have 4 tables so what do you want to drink. After that comment we got up from our table and wanted to speak to the owner. We told the owner what our experience had been thus far and he told us it was hard to find good help in the Keys and that they had some issues with our server in the past because he couldn't handle too many tables. The owner then asked us where we were from and what we did for a living. He stated he has other customers and they were always busy and 2 people complaining to him didn't matter. Needless to say we won't be back and highly encourage others to look elsewhere for good food and better service.
(1)
Caryl B.
Breakfast was good. Blueberry pancakes yummy. It was a very cute place. Like to go back for the music at night
(4)
Rick D.
Cool, funky spot to grab a drink or sit down for a meal. Lobster reuben was awesome. Mm20 great place to get away from the keywest crowds
(5)
Alan B.
We've only stopped here for the pie, but they have the best key lime pie you will find anywhere in the Keys. Hard to see their sign if you're driving north so keep your eyes open.
(4)
Aaron M.
I found the food here to be very good. Although the service has a lot to be desired. It took me twenty minutes to order and that was even the waitress walking back and fourth to the table. I would also not pay the 18% tip they force you to give. Would not come here again.
(3)
Dee N.
Excellent breakfast - delicious!!! Highly recommend. Really fun inside decor. Best seating is outside.
(5)
Larry L.
Finally -- Michelle P, thanks! Can't believe all these people eating there, and never trying the key lime pie. Mangrove Mama's has (or had, a few years ago) the best key lime pie I've ever tasted. And best of all, my wife wrangled the recipe from them, and now makes it at home. Superb!
(4)
Belinda P.
My husband and I took a friend who was visiting us to Mangrove Mama's. Another friend who had lived in the area for about a year recommended it to us. He said it was kind of dumpy but, the food was good. Well, he was right on one account. It is dumpy but, the food is BAD! First of all, our waitress was pretty rough looking and acting. My friend and I ordered sodas which were both flat. I ordered the Maryland blue crab sandwich which came with potato salad and a spread of some type for the sandwich. Our waitress set my plate in front of me and the first thing I spotted was a long hair in the sandwich spread!!! I immediately handed it back to her thinking that she too would see it immediately but, had to point blank tell her there was a hair in it. I don't know why she couldn't see it. It was huge! My husband and my friend ordered chicken wings and they were fatty. So, when you pass by and think that Mangrove Mama's looks like a dump...you will be right. I will never return and certainly will not recommend it to anyone.
(1)
ConManBuster C.
Great place, fabulous local fare.
(5)
Rob L.
Tasty breakfast in a tropical feeling, open-air restaurant. Good bloody marys (a staple of breakfast in the keys), reasonable prices. If we had any complaint, it was that service may have been a little TOO casual, as we waited a long time for our check. Indications were that a small kitchen got backed up when a couple of large parties came in right after us and the couple at the next table got into it with the owner. You're on vacation, folks, what's your hurry? If you want your food faster, go to the drive-thru.
(3)
Lisa M.
Great food.Great service.Nice outdoor seating.
(4)
Ron C.
Conch Fritter apps = Good Ahi Tuna with Plum Tomatoes = Excellent Fried Shrip Platter = Good Service = Slow to come around and they weren't too busy = Marginal Drinks = Good I tend to base the service on how often they come around and check on you or your glass. The server we had wasn't too impressive.
(4)
K L.
Had the key lime pie and chocolate key lime pie. Both were very sweet and quite tart for my tastes. I preferred the taste and texture of the key lime pie from the Fish House in Key Largo.
(3)
Jackie N.
I absolutely adore this place. My family and I vacation in the Florida Keys once a year and always stop by at least a few times. This spot is very close to our vacation destination and after the 5+ we have dined here, we have never been disappointed. While the atmosphere is casual, the food is not your standard fare. The lobster reuben sandwich is highly preferred by my parents and the blackened fish has also received praise. Personally, I prefer the portabella mushroom sandwich, which is the best I have had in the Keys (including Key West). The drinks are pretty strong but are not overpriced. The servers and bartenders are very friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this place to people looking for a tasty bite without the pretense or the price.
(5)
Fred G.
LOVED IT!! We have been less that impressed with the food in Key West. Turtle Kraals sucked, Red Fish Blue Fish sucked, Alonzo's Oyster bar was ok. So we are on the way up to Key Largo and on a suggestion from a transplanted fellow Chicagoan we go to Mangrove Mamas. I had the Lobster Reuben and my wife had the Conch Chowder. EXCELLENT. Had good non alc smoothies too. Service was wonderful and the price was right. Cool funky Keys atmosphere and decor. HIGHLY recommend Mongrove Mamas!!
(5)
Willy L.
While just driving around one day stumbled across this place via my GPS. Place was pretty empty for lunch, but being a weekday that didn't phase me. Had a couple friends with me and we decided to go in and get some seafood. I had a blackened mahi sandwhich which I enjoyed but everyone else didn't like there food. I believe the friend that had the lobster reuben didn't even eat half and didn't want to take it home, the other had a salad with grilled scallops. I would give it another chance if I happen to be on this key again. On another note,The bar area looked pretty cool and the staff and people we encountered were very friendly as well. Looked like a good place for a happy hour or a quick drink after the beach.
(3)
Dee D.
Local atmosphere, very good food. Prices were modest for the portions, very good for the quality. We stopped here on a whim and loved it. We're fairly choosey about what constitutes a good meal (versus just OK). Get a photo with the stuffed bear! They weren't busy in the middle of the day, so service was prompt, but it was also friendly and helpful. So why not 5 stars? In my view, that means there's nothing I would pick on about either the food or the facility, and that's pretty rare. I'd definitely eat here again.
(4)
Kerry S.
Definitely a place frequented by locals as Much as the tourists. Inside it looks like a place that's been there forever but not in a bad way. Good place for a beer and a simple meal.
(3)
Tulani K.
Delicious conch fritters and light shrimp salad in a tomato. Kids menu has lightly panko crusted chicken, which is a nice switch from the deep fried, heavily breaded stuff. Decent selection in an authentic environment. Loved Ashley, who made us feel welcome and took great care in making sure we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)
Drea H.
We made a special trip based on some local recommendations while on vacation - overall the food was ok but not really worth the detour. Service was good though. I had a grouper special that had a plantain crust. The crust was extra thick, super hard on the outside and gummy on the inside. They may want to rethink that one, ended up pulling most of it off to get to the fish. Definitely not worth the $29 price. My husband had a grilled chicken dish which he said was fine. Also, this is really nit-picky but they didn't pull the strings off the green beans that came as a side to both of our dishes which made them really unpleasant to eat. Seemed like a better place to grab a beer than a meal.
(2)
C. D.
Nice outdoor dining patio with casual vibe. Potato soup was good, and Mahi tacos were fresh and tasty. Seafood quesadilla was okay, and the Key Lime pie needed a bit more lime.
(4)
David S.
Ashley was super awesome tending to my every need, had a black and blue with potatoe salad. Flavors perfectly balanced with no usual over seasoned fish that i run into..price was very reasnable also. Im making this a regular stop to the keys..loved the layout of the space ;very aestically pleasing not to mention the beautiful waitress. Call me! Lol
(5)
Tim F.
Great atmosphere great conch fritters and Lobster Reuben. Best potato salad in the keys and a great view right off highway 1!
(5)
Michele P.
We loved this place! The service was knowledgeable and very friendly. The food was amazing. Perfectly cooked, and delicious. Our drinks were delicious also. The atmosphere was my favorite so far here in the keys! Bright and colorful, very tropical. It is a bit pricey for the keys, but the food is so good it's worth it. Best Key Lime pie we have EVER had!
(4)
Derek G.
This historic little dinner offers a good but bit pricey meal. The fish is fresh and well cooked. However, at $30, I'm not sure how certain meals are the "special of the day." Worth a visit, just be prepared for the prices.
(3)
Meridith F.
Great restaurant, some menu items are a little pricey. I have never had a bad dish here, and I have been several times over the last 4 years. The food is great and the staff is very friendly and personable.
(4)
Penny C.
Great food and staff. House dressing is cucumber dill and it's delicious so was the chibatta brushetta. Panko encrusted yellowtail with tropical sauce was really good.
(4)
Doug B.
I dont mind paying extremely high prices for food if the food is good and the service is at least adequate, unfortunately the good parts of this restaurant are only a fond memory. This place was legendary years ago then it changed hands and is now living off its former reputation. The service is ABYSMAL if you can call it service at all, smug and inattentive to the point of insulting. I remember how it used to be a quant neighborhood place with great food and unique atmosphere and that has got me to go back several times but I have always been disappointed. This is the kind of place that gets so well known they stop caring about the customers. No thanks Ill go somewhere else. If I had a time machine and could go back to the 1990's I would recommend this place, but alas its a tourist trap now.
(1)
Concerned Consumer s.
Coming from a seafoody, this place is tops in the Keys. Excellent chef who shows off in the regular menu and dazzles with the weekly specials. The hype about this restaurant is all true.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : 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 : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Justin R.
The food was good with a typical island atmosphere. It wasn't amazing but good. We had blackened mahi sandwich, conch sandwich and conch stew. Service was good. The key lime pie was good but expensive at nearly 6 bucks a slice
(3)Caroline A.
On the way back from a Key West wedding, my wife and I stopped for brunch. And oh what a brunch it was. Starting off with the "Bloody Bar" to benefit Save the Reef and then moving on to the "Steak Benedict", everything was fresh and tasty. I have *already* recommended Mangrove Mamma's to the bride and groom, and will be recommending MM to anyone I hear is going south to the Keys. Do yourself a favor and stop and at mile marker 20 for all kind of good eats.
(5)Nicole S.
So glad this place was by where we stayed! Stayed 4 nights, went here twice. Their food is some of the best we had in the Keys. The key lime martini was great, seafood quesadilla was great, they caught our fresh catch. The owner actually hangs around so that's cool. Live music every night is really cool, helps the locals out. The rum drink with 4 runs, can't even remember the name, but didn't taste like it had much rum at all. Overall, great place.
(5)Susan J.
On our way home from Key West, heading to airport. Looking for a breakfast place where my Grand-baby could get pancakes. Looked on Yelp- found this place, great reviews. We stopped- looks a little like a dive from outside, inside, so nice! Great big place. Lots of seating but very homey. A band playing on back deck Sunday morning- very nice!!!! Food was excellent! Service was excellent! Just moved to Miami, will definitely make this a regular stop on way to Key West! I love this place!!!
(5)Jon W.
I was looking for a breakfast place on my way to key west which ia a lot harder to find than you would think. Fortunately, this place serves breakfast until 1130am...which was about an hour after i got there :p I ended up getting the blacken mahi tacos and they did a pretty decent job. Mahi was still moist, topped w a little coleslaw and a side of salsa. The coleslaw had too much mayo and was too watery for my taste. The rice pilaf was passible. Seemed like some rice and pilaf mix that they left in a steamer for and hour and got a little soggy. My buddies got a fried shrimp platter and fried mahi mahi that were both also very good. Not over fried and nice hug shimp and flanks of mahi with a panko breading. Their side items (shoe string fries) where meh Also they had a good music selection. The server was very nice. The atmosphere was cool, clean, and relaxing. Long and short all the seafood was good, but the sides were lacking.
(4)Jeff F.
Day Four of our vacation and another treasure trove. A wonderful, laid back atmosphere. Nice menu with good selection of appetizers, salads and entrees. Daily specials on the board near the entryway. We started with the conch fritters - not knowing what to expect. Slightly spicy with a little conch and a LOT of corn breading. Not offensive - again we wouldn't know good from bad. Wife had a small dinner salad. I had the Blue Calzone - described as.shrimp, bacon, spinach and cheese. Absolutely amazing - nearly nine inches across. Beautiful artisan bread top with crafted folded rim and egg wash. Top sprinkled with garlic bits. Definitely more breading than insides, however, what was there was gooey, well seasoned and very tasty. Not sure what the blue referred to, Service was relatively attentive, but hey, this is island island time! I'm not sure what would distinguish a four from a five star rating here, but truly excellent.
(4)Jennifer S.
Fish sandwich and lobster Reuben were bland. My friend's scallops were pretty small and only 4. Those tasted ok. The conch fritters were pretty good. The conch chowder is decent. The Key Lime pie was prob my favorite of what we had. Service was excellent though. Don't need to come back. It wasn't cool that they offered fries, salad and onion rings as sides but then the bill showed $2.50 extra for the onion rings (which wasn't mentioned). Disclaimer: I'm not a huge fan of fried seafood so maybe not the most reliable review if you're a super fan!
(3)Raafia L.
Easily the best meal I had in the Keys. Echoing other reviewers, the lobster Reuben is delicious! The lobster is battered and fried I believe, and served Reuben style with Swiss cheese, and that thousand island type dressing. Comes with a side of potato salad and a pickle. If you're not too hungry, one order is filling enough for two people. I was famished, but couldn't finish the sandwich. Decently priced for the amount of lobster, especially relative to island pricing. Ordered to go, came out quickly, service was okay (not as friendly or attentive as some other places). The key lime pie was less thrilling, probably the least favorite slice I had on my trip. Still, highly recommend stopping by for the sandwich. Also I believe they are open later than other restaurants in the neighborhood, and have live music at night!
(4)Amanda C.
Quaint little place off the side of the highway. We ordered conch fritters for our appetizer - a little pricey but you're in the keys. Wished it had more conch in it but it had phenomenal flavor with a nice spicy curry note. We had Mahi Tacos which might have been the best damn fish tacos I've had... big chunk of blackened fish paired with coleslaw and salsa = perfection. It's a good stop. Will come again
(4)Steve D.
Great atmosphere! Sit outside and enjoy the Key's ! Food is good, staff is friendly. We were passing by on our way from Key West to Ft Lauderdale. We will be back here for sure
(4)Laurie S.
The seafood Quesadilla are amazing. I also love the Dragon fruit Mojito. The servers are are always great and love the atmosphere. My friends had the lobster sandwich and it was great.
(4)Tom B.
Great job by mango mamas. We surprised them with a group of 12. Dane the owner met us with friendly conversation while they set us up Peter was a great server. He chose appetizers for the table all of which were great. They and the beers can quick. From there we had a variety of lobster Reuben's, gumbo specials, conch chowder, grilled mahi and buffalo shrimp. All were great. Unfortunately no room for pie but 5 different kinds of key lime for next time. Chef came by and asked about everything before we left. Thanks gang for a great experience.
(5)L K.
On my way to KW. Stopped in for breakfast had the biscuits and gravy. It was EXCELLENT!! Biscuits were moist and gravy was the right consistency not too heavy and not too thin big chunks of sausage. Service was great!! I will be back!
(5)Gwen H.
Great food, great service, reasonable prices, family friendly. Check out the bathrooms! Very clean and cute. Had the lobster Reuben, mahi tacos and the shrimp st. Jacques - all excellent flavor and hot! Would go again.
(5)Norris B.
With a party of six and we had a great time at Mangrove Momma's. Very good food, great service and the entertainment in the deck was superb with Myles on the guitar and the band. Personal, personable service by the waitress and owner brought you back to the good ole' days in the Keys.
(5)Richie R.
We dined at this restaurant for lunch while visiting the keys, and even tough it's up at mm 20 it is totally worth the drive. The conch chowder was the best out of all the restaurants we ate at on the keys and I'd highly recommend getting the bowl because the cup just won't satisfy. I had the quesadilla which was stuffed with fresh shrimp, scallops, and lobster. I have never had a seafood quesadilla before, and I know for a fact that if the next one I have is as good as the one I had here, it will probably become my new favorite meal. The staff was friendly and attentive to our needs and the food came out fairly fast. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the keys.
(5)Jeffrey H.
Very very average food. Not very impressive. The restaurant has character and history but I was not impressed at all with the food. Diner food thrown together on a plate for above average pricing. Our server was friendly but didn't seem like she was all there. For such a historical spot I would expect a little more effort and professionalism.
(2)Irene A.
The lobster Reuben and Mahi tacos were excellent. Homemade potato salad was the best. Oh and don't forget their award winning Key Lime Pie! The triple chocolate cake was also delicious. Will definitely stop here again.
(5)Danielle N.
AMAZING! A must stop. We had, sesame Tuna peel and Eat shrimp cracked Conch lobster Bites shrimp St Jacques Little Claims Fritters. OMG wonderful
(5)Nami D.
We sat at the bar and loved it. Bartender was friendly, and she recommended us a great dish, Lobster Reuben. We also ordered seafood quesadilla, and both of them were delicious. Lobster was tasty and plump. Quesadilla was stuffed with shrimp and scallop and etc. Great food and people. We will go back.
(4)Sarah G.
Very relaxing. Come have breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks.. Great music. Bring dogs out in the patio - they provide dog bowls of water and got my boys burgers w no buns for discount thanks to fav fabulous beautiful waitress/bartender
(4)Shari M.
Breakfast was great and key lime pie was delicious. Very nice atmosphere and cool decor. Definitely would visit again
(5)Erika P.
The restaurant was really cute and tropical, the food was good but the service was very very slow. I had to ask the front door hostess for a straw and they do not split checks.
(3)Bill N Rosalie B.
It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is quaint and clean. The food is home made with their own recipes. All is good. Friendly people.
(4)Bethany A.
I came here the day after Christmas to try this place with my family and found the experience to be just average. THE ENVIRONMENT: live music was a nice touch, and the decor was definitely quirky and interesting. Typical Keys kind of feel, for sure. THE SERVICE: we loved our waitress! She was super nice and funny - made our dining experience a very pleasant one. THE FOOD: It really bothers me when I eat at a restaurant and it's just meh but I KNOW that they can improve their dishes. I had the lobster Reuben and while the lobster was fried perfectly, I just found it to be a little too much. But I really liked the potato salad and it was a great deal at 14-15 bucks. Unfortunately, not all of the dishes are such great deals... The entrees were not enjoyed highly and costed 30 bucks each on average. My advice? Get your seafood here if you have no other option, but I assure you there are better seafood places in the Keys.
(3)Kimberly E.
Food was good, the place has cute decorations and a cool vibe, but bring a mosquito repellent.
(4)Elizabeth B.
Overrated. Too expensive for what you get. We've been eating in area for 10 nights. This was biggest disappointment.
(2)Rob W.
I think the food is average here, but I really like the place and the staff is very friendly. On our first visit, I had breakfast here, which was just OK. The next time over, I tried the Mahi tacos, I did not really care for them, just a piece of Mahi with some runny coleslaw in the taco shell, not really good. The seafood quesadilla was also lacking to me, no real redeeming qualities to it. The Key lime pie here was very good, and a pleasant surprise. It is a nice place to stop but don't expect too much.
(3)Gena A.
Slow service, mediocre food. I had raisin bread with breakfast, which I had to ask for after I was half way through my meal, and I would have been embarrassed serving such a small serving. It looked like something for a child's dollhouse, it was so small. And ONE slice.
(2)Ashley F.
Stopped here by chance on our way from key west to Isla morada. Cute and corky key like bar and restaurant. Our bartender was super friendly! The bloodmary was ok. Wish it was a but spicer but the shrimp meal was huge and DELICIOUS!!!! Great place to stop and grab a bit!
(4)Rose R.
We sat outside and listened to the live music, great food, I would go back
(4)Shane M.
Good food, but kinda pricy for the atmosphere and quality of service. It's not bad service, it's just "ma' and pa' diner" quality of service. Very nice people though! We had both an expensive dinner and a mother's day breakfast and both had great food! Would certainly go back!
(4)Laura R.
The black and blue Mahi is unbelievably good!! The food is so fresh!! This is a must stop for a real Florida Keys meal!!!
(5)Shannon L.
Great little seafood place at MM 19 We spent 5 days on Sugarloaf Key and I ate 3 meals here. Fantastic food! Our favorites included fried shrimp and cracked conch.... both were freshly breaded and prepared. My son LOVED the awesome chicken wings and Key Lime Pie. Give them a try! Note.... The only meal we didn't love was the fish tacos.... fish was fresh and tasty but the cole slaw they put on top was too runny and made them soggy. Hence, the 4 star rating instead of 5. Ask for the slaw on the side and you should be fine. Oh, and by the way...... They deliver!!! BONUS!
(4)Marie A.
Great spot for a quick bite right off the road-South side. Great conch fritters and excellent mahi-mahi tacos - got them grilled and light on the slaw. We stopped for breakfast but were too late - not disappointed in their lunch. Great waitstaff too ... we had Amanda.
(4)Dawn S.
Funky decor and friendly service w/ a neighborhood feel. The conch chowder was a little bland, but the key lime pie was the best I've had in the keys -- both were made in-house (the veggie burger was NOT). Bring a cigar to enjoy in their outdoor seating area.
(4)Claudia A.
The best keylime pie by far! The keys says Kermit's is is number one place for keylime pie but wow this place blows them out of the key! :) my fiancée was a bit disappointed because they didn't have conch chowder but he did have the lobster Reuben which he described as being pretty good and I had the crab cake sandwich (hold the bun and sauce) and it's was okay. The key here is in their pie. Pretty expensive though, $30 per pie! Wow, but worth it. It's scrumptious.
(4)Leslie M.
We are staying nearby so went for dinner. Staff was friendly. We preferred indoor seating and we were seated promptly. We ordered drinks and they came quickly and were good. My wife ordered baby back ribs and since I had never had it I ordered the fried conch. The ribs were excellent. Since I had never had conch, I don't know if it was "good" or not but I found it a bit "chewy" but very mild. Don't think I will go out of my way to have it again!! We did have key lime pie and that was great.
(4)Daniel B.
Super groovy place. Had the Mahi Benedict yum! Service the best I've had in the keys, nice interior and patio. Good food. Good service.
(4)Angela J.
Gonna miss this place!! Went on a Saturday afternoon, not crowded and was getting rainy outside. We were driving to Key West and needed to stop for a bite after departing Bahia Honda and we stopped by this little gem. We were a little antsy about the outside décor (a little run-down looking) and had to Tarzan-leap over a giant puddle, but we stumbled into a homey place that didn't disappoint! We ordered the Conch Chowder, Spicy Mahi Mahi tacos, Seafood Quesadilla, and Crab Cake sandwich. None were misses - I would especially recommend the Spicy Mahi Mahi tacos. The fish was cooked and blackened (not burnt, mind you) to perfection, and we were sorry when we finished it! Devoured the chowder in record speed! Savored the crab cake sandwich! And the quesadilla impressed us as it was generously cheesy and full of seafood (scallops, shrimp, etc.). And the décor was so cute. There is a little bar outside where I could hear people laughing and having a good time. The chairs were wooden and painted with Mangrove Mama-related pictures, the signs were beachy-related and funny on the walls, and you truly felt like you were in a safe haven in the middle of a mangrove forest! I don't know what the yapping about service is all about since our waiter fished out a record-high tip from us. Fast, chatty, very friendly, and very cheery. You can tell he really cares about his job, the food, and the establishment in general. Wish we could've caught his name because we'd outsource him to be our personal butler in a flash. Check it out guys, and lots of cheers!
(5)Marley G.
As a local and regular, I can't say enough good about Mangrove Mama's. The food is delicious, original, creative, and yummy, yummy, yummy. The staff is friendly and attentive and it's nice to be welcomed back and recognized, considering the clientele includes a lot of travelers and snow birds. The parking can be a little iffy, but just pull around back, fit your car in, and walk a bit, if needed. It's worth it. They have ample bathrooms and the bar has a full selection at reasonable rices. I adore the plantain encrusted hogfish with rum sauce so much that I tried to recreate it at home. The burgers are huge and delicious, as is the fried and grilled grouper sandwiches. My hubby and I often half a sandwich for lunch and get it to go. There are usually local bands and/or musicians entertaining. All around a great place!
(5)Chet H.
Great place any time of the day!! Awesome bar and beautiful indoor/outdoor areas. Full menu and a full bar. Live music regularly. I've been going over the past year and haven't been disappointed yet :-) A must see if your hungry and nearby.
(4)Paul D.
I had the Mahi tacos which were very good. Also tried the strawberry key lime pie which was also very good. Deb was our server and took very good care of us. I would go back.
(4)Erin K.
Went for dinner and had a great meal! Loved the ambiance and authentic keys feel! Drinks were good, food was nicely priced, servers were super friendly and food came out timely! Must stop here. Bummed we missed the live music night, make sure to go Fri-Sun night for some tunes!
(5)Sheldon W.
The drinks are very tasty but the potato salad is the best i have had, sorry Grandma.
(4)Jennifer M.
They cooked up our BYOC and it was delicious!! Great service and they were very busy!!
(5)Christine C.
While visiting the keys on vacation my family went to try this place. One night we got take out and then today we had lunch there. The pizza was okay. Today for lunch I had a key west sunrise which I didn't like...it didn't taste like anything .And then I had the fish tacos which I didn't really like either.the coleslaw was just piled on the taco which made it messy and overpowering to the fish which wasn't so good on its own anyways. The service was incredibly slow.
(2)James H.
some courses are good, but the steak is cold and disgusting. the worst part is that the waitress is very rude. She took about 20 mins to charge the card, and throw the check book on the table with a huge attitude. Some food is good, but we will never come for the service again.
(1)Tracy R.
Lobster Ruben sandwich was to die for. We were also impressed by the variety of food. Wish that we were there one more day to try dinner.
(4)Scott C.
I was underwhelmed by the food at mangrove mamas. Our lobster bites were 98% breading. The coconut shrimp was good. My steak was good but the vegetables - green beans - were quite undercooked. My wife also got green beans with her coconut shrimp. They were also undercooked but her coconut shrimp was good. My kids enjoyed their meals but I took a taste of some of the chicken and I thought it was dry. The Keylime pie was delicious. We were overcharged on our wine. We were initially seated in a high-traffic area but were allowed to move to a less busy area. Still, it was high traffic.so I would say the atmosphere inside was not great. 160 bucks for five people with underwhelming food is not a great deal.
(2)Matt N.
Just what we needed. Quaint, great service and good food. Lobster rueben seemed to be what stuck out the most when reading other reviews and it didn't disappoint. I'm a fan of lobster and I consider myself a rueben connoisseur but I never would've paired the 2. Definitely worth a try. Key lime pie was great as well. Not sure if I've had it enough to say what's the best or not but this was on point.
(5)Heather P.
If you are a visitor or even better a fisherman Mangrove Mama's is truly a must go kinda place. They have the best fried fish batter in the keys! Bring your catch and you will never have a better meal. We love heathy eating but go for "full on fried" at this place! They also know how to broil a lobster after a long day on the boat! The service is keys casual, but attentive. You can always get an ice cold corona or also have a wonderful tropical drink or margarita! Many nights they have some of the best entertainment in the keys! Mangrove Mama's is truly one of the best!! spots in the keys! Almost hate to write a review cuz it's gonna make it more crowded when we come!!! Enjoy!!!!!
(5)Lauren G.
We we leaving Key West heading up towards Miami and needed a place to eat breakfast. We stumbled upon this place and decided to give it a try. What a nice delicious place it was. The portions of all of our dishes were terrific and very reasonably priced as well. Mangrove Mama's is worth the stop!!
(4)Sherry J.
RJ brought me here for dinner on Friday 10/24. I made the mistake of not listening to him and ordered scallops, and he ordered the grilled grouper. His grouper was fantastic, and the first time I have ever had it. It was thick and juicy and delicious and melted in my mouth. My scallops were weird!! The menu said seared in a cream sauce. I pictured sitting on top of a cream sauce. They came out IN a boat of cheese sauce. Totally ruined them, did not taste seared at all and I liked the sauce but cheese sauce does not belong with scallops. EVER. Not what I expected at all at a fresh seafood restaurant in the Keys. I was also not a fan of the rice as it was very dry, so I dumped it in the cheese sauce. The vegetables were fantastic. There was a live band playing, and the music didnt seem to fit in with that location. We didn't go to Mangrove Mama's to party, we went to enjoy good fresh seafood!! And only RJ got to enjoy that, although he did share some of his grouper with me!! It was still a good time, and the grouper was a straight up 5 even though my scallops were a 2, but when it came time for me to pick repeat restaurants during our trip, I picked 2 other places instead.
(3)Pam B.
We are full-time RV travelers and have been all over the United States - and we have never tasted a pizza that was better than "Mama's Special" at Mangrove Mama's. They delivered it right to the door of our RV in 45 minutes. Next time we come to the Keys we'll go to the restaurant for dinner. If the rest of the food is as delicious as the pizza, we'll be loyal customers for years to come!
(5)Gary G.
Had the lobster Reuben and fish tacos, both of which were phenomenal. The lobster in the Reuben was slightly overcooked, leaving it a bit stringy however. The best part was the key lime pie. Having never enjoyed this delicacy before, I don't have much to compare to, but it was the best desert I have had in some time. Looks like a hole in the wall, but definitely worth the stopover on your way South or North.
(5)Erica B.
We went for breakfast- The food was okay. Staff openly complained to each other about their job, having to wait tables and being at work. Made the experience not very fun- I don't mind waiting in the Keys for food- but hearing the staff complained the whole time made the wait unbearable...
(2)Alexa C.
So worth the drive! The lobster Reuben is phenomenal & the Key Lime Pie is delicious! I like how it's got a touch of the "Boojy" decor that sets it apart from the run down touristy look you'll find in restaurants everywhere in the keys. The big table outside sat our entire party & we literally did not stop eating forever. I never needed a napkin, my drink was always fresh, orders came out on time & properly prepared, sauces were there too (because there's nothing more annoying than having to wait for melted butter) I like this place aloott aloott allot. I always bring crazy leftovers back home even if it stinks up my car, it's like so worth it.
(5)Rick D.
Sorry to say that, but it was terrible. Bad quality for too much money. We had salad and a burger. The salad was brown and not fresh. The Parmesan on it was like grated callus. The burger was without any taste. Furthermore we sat outside and there were no-see-um. Too bad! Lost nearly 40 $ for nothing.
(1)AL P.
Gave this place another shot and came back for dinner. Service was great and fast, food was good had the conch and it was well prepared although the batter was a little thick. Will come back again to try some of there other fish specialties....
(3)Michelle S.
Have stopped before for a drink and it was nice and everyone was friendly. Wish I had read Al P's review before deciding to stop for breakfast. The ABSOLUTE worst breakfast ever with a waitress to match. Hollandaise was straight out of the envelope package accompanied by the dehydrated hash brown potatoes. GROSS!!! You would think the waitress might have at least remotely got my order right after repeating it 3 different times to me in a condescending attitude. Wow, big deal I want over medium eggs instead of poached and a SIDE of toast. If you want over priced industrial food served with a side of attitude, this is the place for you!
(1)Laura P.
Amanda was the perfect server for this ideal "fish shack" experience just off the Overseas Highway. The margarita was really good and the fish tacos were resh and tasty. If I lived here, I would hang here every day.
(4)Dianna B.
Nice atmosphere, pricey menu and good food. We were enjoying our meal until the waitress offered the table next to us a discount for being local. As tourist we were more than incensed by this and won't be back.
(3)Erin Z.
Went for breakfast. Got there at 9 when they opened. They seem irritated we were there already. Nothing was prepared. Half the menu was un-orderable. Silverware was thrown on the table. Server threw something across the restaurant when the water machine malfunctioned. We found humor in it and it's a funny story to tell... But if you're looking for good service you won't get it here.
(3)Dara L.
Ok, cute keysy place. But the food is just kind of like bar food. Not bad, just nothing interesting, unique or especially tasty. $40 for a mediocre lunch. We already knew this, but apparently forgot....in the keys either go out for a really nice meal or eat at home. We have found there is not really an in between.
(3)Nicole M.
Breakfast is AH-MAZING!!! Fabulous bloody Mary's & mimosas. French toast, eggs & bacon was the best down here so far!! Wait staff is super nice, very homey feel.
(5)Erin E.
Great key lime pie and carrot cake! Food was just ok.. Philly cheese steak looked like it was frozen and then microwaved because of how soggy and wrinkly the bread was and how hot the plate was. Poppers and cheese sticks were over cooked. Chicken sandwich was also over cooked. Their special was a turkey sandwich with fries that was good.
(3)Frank P.
As always, never fails to impress. Lobster reuben was very good and key lime pie knocks the socks off of all others I've ever had (although expect to pay a pretty penny for a pie to take home). They have an amazing conch chowder, which I've had before, but I took off a star for not having it available when I was there this time around. How could you have such an amazing product and not always have it available to capitalize on it? Anyway, this place is fantastic, I always make it a habit to stop on the way out and into key west. I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant, BUT call ahead and make sure they have chowder!
(4)Vicki S.
Love the pizza key lime pie even better this could not be better great style service great everything was fab the drinks greats deserts were awesome I love this place it put a smilie the seating arrangements every body should try it it's the best place in ten world to eat it's just great place it could not be better my brother did not I brought back left overs he loved them !
(5)michael r.
Owner was very friendly. Seemed like a mostly locals kind of place, but the food was pretty good. We had the mahi tacos and Philly cheesesteak, along with potato salad and bloody Mary's. The potato salad is verrrrry good!
(4)Louise R.
Every year when I visit the keys, I dine here. The plantain-encrusted hogfish is divine as is the key lime pie martini. The grouper cheeks were a nice appetizer. Casual with a fun patio, this is a great place to eat.
(5)Jackie D.
This place was unclean and smelt of sewer when we entered. The food was over fried and no taste. The waitress was sweaty and would not split check for party of 8.
(1)Lucia S.
Excellent foood! Cool ambiance! Super nice staff! Be prepared not to split the bill and include an 18% tip, but it's well worth it. Close to KOA campsite and it's 20 miles away from Key West. I would definitely recommend it and come back soon!
(5)Torri W.
When we got on US1 for our annual trip, I started checking in on our "favorite Keys haunts." I was actually pretty bummed to see the reviews here on Mangrove Mama's. We went to Mangrove Mama's on our honeymoon 15 years ago, and have been returning every year. Our favorites are the cracked conch and grouper sandwiches...and the lobster reuben is great too. Despite the reviews, we decided to take our chances at a restaurant that consistently makes our "Keys Top 5". WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED! Our table of five ordered our faves, plus the fried fish tacos and everything was AWESOME. Make sure you ask for "island tartar sauce," whether or not it comes with your meal. It's great! Amy, the wandering Brit, was our waitress...and she was fabulous. Friendly and fun, plus incredibly attentive. One member of our party had been a few weeks back and had Ally as a server...said she was great too. Not sure what everyone is talking about. The food is as amazing, and the service as good as always. Maybe they came for dinner? We went (as we always do) for lunch...preferring to hang near the house to watch the sunset around dinnertime... So, please...decide for yourself on this one. And give Amy and Ally the chance to earn your business! I bet Mangrove Mama's will make your "Keys Top 5" too. P.S. Only 4 instead of 5 stars because I thought the conch fritters could've been better.
(4)Thom H.
Have been twice, cute ambiance and decent food. Also, full bar, which is sort of uncommon in the lower Keys. Pretty pricey, which keeps it from five stars. Also, avoid the lobster - Maine lobster this is not. If you've never had any sort of lobster, then forget what I said, and go for it. Nowhere near as pretentious as the Square Grouper.
(4)Amy K.
I absolutely loved this place. The owner was a blast, all the waitstaff is super friendly. We went on a night when The Josh Garrett band played and it was such a blast, great music and great drinks. I only ate peel and eat shrimp which was good and my boyfriend had the prime rib dinner special which was very tasty. If you're in the mood for a coconut island drink then try the Painkiller, very yummy! This is a very chill place, I recommend it for drinks and music but cannot speak to much about the food. I don't like the overcrowded touristy spots in Key West so this was more my speed.
(5)Tom M.
We were pleased to see the place seemed to appeal to locals - families enjoying the pizza and fish, not all touristed up. We loved the mahi tacos, and a nice but not interesting Caesar Salad with Mahi on top. One of the hallmarks of great places in the Keys is that people go the extra step to take care of you. This wasn't quite what was on this particular evening here. The waitress seemed super busy, gave us two beers (my kid is 11) that were destined for another table. I wouldn't be surprised if we enjoyed the place more on another evening, and might go back when in the area.
(3)Chris C.
The meal started off with lobster bites. The bites were lightly fried and filled with chunks of lobster. We had the seafood Quesadilla and the Black and Bleu Mahi Mahi Sandwich. Both were very good. We also ordered the key lime pie for dessert. It was creamy and not tart. If you like a tart pie, skip this one. We went on a Friday and there was a good blues band playing. There is local entertainment playing Sun -Thur and the owner is a blues fan so there are good bands playing F-Sat. A delightful place for an evening out. Servers were friendly and the service was fast.
(4)Jiggly B.
The blackened mahi mahi tacos were delicious. The waitress may have been tipsy.
(3)Robert R.
What a little gem here. 4 stars is Great and 5 stars in Unbelievable. Really a 4.5 stars. Staying at the KOA and biked over here on a suggestion from the staff. Wife and 4 kids were Very Happy with everything. Prompt attentive service, good suggestions and great food. We own restaurants in Raleigh and know a lot about things should be run. Mangrove did an outstanding job on all accounts. The conch chowder was a bit hit. The kids even requested to go back the next night for the soup. That's a big plus in our book. The shrimp app was also great and nice size shrimp. Had the fish tacos the next night and also outstanding flavor. Wife had the salad with homemade dressings and all kids were fans. Had the owner, Kayla, as our server the next night and never knew it till we asked about the owner at the end of the meal. Very nice and accommodating. You don't see very many restaurants that hands on. Definitely put this on your stop list if you are in the area.
(4)William I.
On our way back to Miami from Key West when the rain started pouring to the point where we couldn't see more than 15 feet in front of us. We decided to stop at Mangrove Mama's for both food and shelter. Little did we know what we were going to experience! We were greeted and served by Annmarie who was awesome as she was patient. We changed our minds on seats 3 times (once outside, once in the bar, once in the back. In our defense we had a pregnant woman with us) and she was so cool and accommodating the entire time. We were walked through the menu and she hi lighted their signature dishes and spoke highly of them. Started with the Conch Chowder. A bit spicy but chalked full of conch and delicious. My wife (preggers) had the clam chowder and said it had a buttery / spicy flavor and loved it. Entrees were overall good... Grouper basket- huge Fish tacos - good fish, lacking toppings Mamas black and bleu- delicious but powerful bleu cheese flavors. Lobster Ruben- amazing!!!
(4)Aishwarya B.
My boyfriend got the coconut encrusted fish and said he loved it. And I believe him too (since he would hardly let me touch it :-P ). I got a veggie sandwich with potato salad, and it was great! The flavored key lime pies get a special mention. The chocolate chip as well as blueberry key lime pies were delicious! MUST TRY!
(5)Junebug J.
The food here was terrible, we had the tasteless fish tacos and the fish less seafood quesadillas. The quesadillas were soggy on the bottom, probably from sittings dear a heat lamp. They were filled with gobs of range cheese that hit your gut like a ton of bricks, oh and let's not forget the "Parmesan" cheese on top...just horrible. The tacos were a little better, thankfully there was no cheese on them. The fish was bland, I could taste the searing marks above anything else, they come with some slaw that is halfway decent but causes them to drip all over. The bloody mary was decent.
(2)Kaffer D.
The first out of two times we were here was great. Service was wonderful, lobster reuben was a hit with friends who had it, and Joey Gilmore was off the chain. The second time...eh. After being seated front and center to a disaster of a guitar player and waiting for 20 minutes without being greeted by a waitress, the hell became too much and we left.
(2)Kay V.
Seriously the best mahi mahi (both in taco form and sandwich) my bf and i have ever had! And the key lime pie, while it was delicious...we would have liked more crust. Good stop before going to key west :)
(4)Jim H.
Best conch Fritters EVER.. I always stop here on my way to Key West
(5)Magnus S.
Stopped by this joint while on the road with my family. Looked decent enough, turns out we were oh so wrong. Not only did we suffer through the live country music, and the mediocre, heavy food, but one member of my party came down with severe nausea after eating a very expensive pasta alfredo and was on the verge of vomiting the remainder of the evening. The service was also very poor as we recieved the incorrect check and credit card upon paying for the meal. Over priced food, bad service, a cringe-worthy atmosphere, and food poisoning = 1 Star.
(1)Kenneth F.
Count us in! We really enjoyed the wide variety and well cooked food! Little out house built in the early 1900s but the food was great as was the service! Everyone there is happy! True it is a bit pricey and hence 4-stars... but we'll go back... Drove right past the Square Grouper to get there and will again... liked the SG but like this mo bettah!
(4)Kevin M.
Great little place with one of the best outdoor seating set ups. They make some nice cocktails and the service was great.
(4)Neil R.
We've been coming to Mangrove Mama's for years and have never been disappointed. We have tried numerous places searching for the best Fried grouper and decided this was it. Lobster Reubin is also excellent. We ate breakfast for the first time this morning and the Mama's omelette was excellent. Ali, Amy and the owners Dane and Carol treated us like family, they are the best.
(5)Julie O.
Great food, always is! But we went on 6/10 and while the waiter was good (took our order, brought our food, etc), he seemed absolutely bothered that he had too. We felt completely unwelcome. Not sure I'd go back.
(3)Jess K.
Feels like the Keys. Laid back and funky. Conch Fritters were exceptionally delish and the Lobster Ruben was a fun twist. Thankful that we found this place on Yelp. Made for an excellent stop along our journey.
(5)Julio R.
Been coming to the Keys for many, many years, been to this place several times. All of a sudden, everyplace and his brother has hogfish on the menu. Used to, you had to call ahead and they would have a diver shoot one with a speargun for your dinner and have it waiting for you to order. (Or go to the Hogfish grill on Stock Island) But now, you order hogfish, and they get a couple of Old MacDonalds filet of fish patties out of the freezer, toss'em in the grease, and sonnnnnn, you are lookin at a genuine $19.95 hawgfish samich, or a $29.95 hawgfish dinner. Drinks okay, other food here pretty good. If they had DNA testing for fish in the keys, some of these restaurants would be embarrassed. Go to a real fish market, look at the real hog fish, see how it is all white meat, no red, no blood line, and when someone cooks it, it will stay that way. If however, the fish you are served is loaded with grey colored meat(cooked blood), it is not a hog fish, and if you ordered hog fish, you just been had son. Bone-appetite.
(3)Angie F.
We were on vacation to the Keys for Labor Day weekend and craving fried seafood. Stopped by this little restaurant on our way from the beach and had the best food ever!!! The fried calamari was amazing, the fried mahi mahi was delicious!!! Highly recommend!!!
(4)Amanda E.
Don't waste your time. We were sitting at a table for 10 minutes and the bartender and server were chatting at the bar purposely ignoring us.
(1)Ashley W.
Cool place for a drink and appetizers!
(4)Amanda S.
My husband and I were excited to try this place because the menu looked great and it was always packed however we left disappointed. We sat down and no one came to our table after 10 minutes so my husband proceeded to ask for a waiter. The waiter came to the table and said I'm busy I have 4 tables so what do you want to drink. After that comment we got up from our table and wanted to speak to the owner. We told the owner what our experience had been thus far and he told us it was hard to find good help in the Keys and that they had some issues with our server in the past because he couldn't handle too many tables. The owner then asked us where we were from and what we did for a living. He stated he has other customers and they were always busy and 2 people complaining to him didn't matter. Needless to say we won't be back and highly encourage others to look elsewhere for good food and better service.
(1)Caryl B.
Breakfast was good. Blueberry pancakes yummy. It was a very cute place. Like to go back for the music at night
(4)Rick D.
Cool, funky spot to grab a drink or sit down for a meal. Lobster reuben was awesome. Mm20 great place to get away from the keywest crowds
(5)Alan B.
We've only stopped here for the pie, but they have the best key lime pie you will find anywhere in the Keys. Hard to see their sign if you're driving north so keep your eyes open.
(4)Aaron M.
I found the food here to be very good. Although the service has a lot to be desired. It took me twenty minutes to order and that was even the waitress walking back and fourth to the table. I would also not pay the 18% tip they force you to give. Would not come here again.
(3)Dee N.
Excellent breakfast - delicious!!! Highly recommend. Really fun inside decor. Best seating is outside.
(5)Larry L.
Finally -- Michelle P, thanks! Can't believe all these people eating there, and never trying the key lime pie. Mangrove Mama's has (or had, a few years ago) the best key lime pie I've ever tasted. And best of all, my wife wrangled the recipe from them, and now makes it at home. Superb!
(4)Belinda P.
My husband and I took a friend who was visiting us to Mangrove Mama's. Another friend who had lived in the area for about a year recommended it to us. He said it was kind of dumpy but, the food was good. Well, he was right on one account. It is dumpy but, the food is BAD! First of all, our waitress was pretty rough looking and acting. My friend and I ordered sodas which were both flat. I ordered the Maryland blue crab sandwich which came with potato salad and a spread of some type for the sandwich. Our waitress set my plate in front of me and the first thing I spotted was a long hair in the sandwich spread!!! I immediately handed it back to her thinking that she too would see it immediately but, had to point blank tell her there was a hair in it. I don't know why she couldn't see it. It was huge! My husband and my friend ordered chicken wings and they were fatty. So, when you pass by and think that Mangrove Mama's looks like a dump...you will be right. I will never return and certainly will not recommend it to anyone.
(1)ConManBuster C.
Great place, fabulous local fare.
(5)Rob L.
Tasty breakfast in a tropical feeling, open-air restaurant. Good bloody marys (a staple of breakfast in the keys), reasonable prices. If we had any complaint, it was that service may have been a little TOO casual, as we waited a long time for our check. Indications were that a small kitchen got backed up when a couple of large parties came in right after us and the couple at the next table got into it with the owner. You're on vacation, folks, what's your hurry? If you want your food faster, go to the drive-thru.
(3)Lisa M.
Great food.Great service.Nice outdoor seating.
(4)Ron C.
Conch Fritter apps = Good Ahi Tuna with Plum Tomatoes = Excellent Fried Shrip Platter = Good Service = Slow to come around and they weren't too busy = Marginal Drinks = Good I tend to base the service on how often they come around and check on you or your glass. The server we had wasn't too impressive.
(4)K L.
Had the key lime pie and chocolate key lime pie. Both were very sweet and quite tart for my tastes. I preferred the taste and texture of the key lime pie from the Fish House in Key Largo.
(3)Jackie N.
I absolutely adore this place. My family and I vacation in the Florida Keys once a year and always stop by at least a few times. This spot is very close to our vacation destination and after the 5+ we have dined here, we have never been disappointed. While the atmosphere is casual, the food is not your standard fare. The lobster reuben sandwich is highly preferred by my parents and the blackened fish has also received praise. Personally, I prefer the portabella mushroom sandwich, which is the best I have had in the Keys (including Key West). The drinks are pretty strong but are not overpriced. The servers and bartenders are very friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this place to people looking for a tasty bite without the pretense or the price.
(5)Fred G.
LOVED IT!! We have been less that impressed with the food in Key West. Turtle Kraals sucked, Red Fish Blue Fish sucked, Alonzo's Oyster bar was ok. So we are on the way up to Key Largo and on a suggestion from a transplanted fellow Chicagoan we go to Mangrove Mamas. I had the Lobster Reuben and my wife had the Conch Chowder. EXCELLENT. Had good non alc smoothies too. Service was wonderful and the price was right. Cool funky Keys atmosphere and decor. HIGHLY recommend Mongrove Mamas!!
(5)Willy L.
While just driving around one day stumbled across this place via my GPS. Place was pretty empty for lunch, but being a weekday that didn't phase me. Had a couple friends with me and we decided to go in and get some seafood. I had a blackened mahi sandwhich which I enjoyed but everyone else didn't like there food. I believe the friend that had the lobster reuben didn't even eat half and didn't want to take it home, the other had a salad with grilled scallops. I would give it another chance if I happen to be on this key again. On another note,The bar area looked pretty cool and the staff and people we encountered were very friendly as well. Looked like a good place for a happy hour or a quick drink after the beach.
(3)Dee D.
Local atmosphere, very good food. Prices were modest for the portions, very good for the quality. We stopped here on a whim and loved it. We're fairly choosey about what constitutes a good meal (versus just OK). Get a photo with the stuffed bear! They weren't busy in the middle of the day, so service was prompt, but it was also friendly and helpful. So why not 5 stars? In my view, that means there's nothing I would pick on about either the food or the facility, and that's pretty rare. I'd definitely eat here again.
(4)Kerry S.
Definitely a place frequented by locals as Much as the tourists. Inside it looks like a place that's been there forever but not in a bad way. Good place for a beer and a simple meal.
(3)Tulani K.
Delicious conch fritters and light shrimp salad in a tomato. Kids menu has lightly panko crusted chicken, which is a nice switch from the deep fried, heavily breaded stuff. Decent selection in an authentic environment. Loved Ashley, who made us feel welcome and took great care in making sure we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)Drea H.
We made a special trip based on some local recommendations while on vacation - overall the food was ok but not really worth the detour. Service was good though. I had a grouper special that had a plantain crust. The crust was extra thick, super hard on the outside and gummy on the inside. They may want to rethink that one, ended up pulling most of it off to get to the fish. Definitely not worth the $29 price. My husband had a grilled chicken dish which he said was fine. Also, this is really nit-picky but they didn't pull the strings off the green beans that came as a side to both of our dishes which made them really unpleasant to eat. Seemed like a better place to grab a beer than a meal.
(2)C. D.
Nice outdoor dining patio with casual vibe. Potato soup was good, and Mahi tacos were fresh and tasty. Seafood quesadilla was okay, and the Key Lime pie needed a bit more lime.
(4)David S.
Ashley was super awesome tending to my every need, had a black and blue with potatoe salad. Flavors perfectly balanced with no usual over seasoned fish that i run into..price was very reasnable also. Im making this a regular stop to the keys..loved the layout of the space ;very aestically pleasing not to mention the beautiful waitress. Call me! Lol
(5)Tim F.
Great atmosphere great conch fritters and Lobster Reuben. Best potato salad in the keys and a great view right off highway 1!
(5)Michele P.
We loved this place! The service was knowledgeable and very friendly. The food was amazing. Perfectly cooked, and delicious. Our drinks were delicious also. The atmosphere was my favorite so far here in the keys! Bright and colorful, very tropical. It is a bit pricey for the keys, but the food is so good it's worth it. Best Key Lime pie we have EVER had!
(4)Derek G.
This historic little dinner offers a good but bit pricey meal. The fish is fresh and well cooked. However, at $30, I'm not sure how certain meals are the "special of the day." Worth a visit, just be prepared for the prices.
(3)Meridith F.
Great restaurant, some menu items are a little pricey. I have never had a bad dish here, and I have been several times over the last 4 years. The food is great and the staff is very friendly and personable.
(4)Penny C.
Great food and staff. House dressing is cucumber dill and it's delicious so was the chibatta brushetta. Panko encrusted yellowtail with tropical sauce was really good.
(4)Doug B.
I dont mind paying extremely high prices for food if the food is good and the service is at least adequate, unfortunately the good parts of this restaurant are only a fond memory. This place was legendary years ago then it changed hands and is now living off its former reputation. The service is ABYSMAL if you can call it service at all, smug and inattentive to the point of insulting. I remember how it used to be a quant neighborhood place with great food and unique atmosphere and that has got me to go back several times but I have always been disappointed. This is the kind of place that gets so well known they stop caring about the customers. No thanks Ill go somewhere else. If I had a time machine and could go back to the 1990's I would recommend this place, but alas its a tourist trap now.
(1)Concerned Consumer s.
Coming from a seafoody, this place is tops in the Keys. Excellent chef who shows off in the regular menu and dazzles with the weekly specials. The hype about this restaurant is all true.
(4)