Keys Sandwiches

Question

If I get the time, I'll write up a trip report for our 5 day, mid-march, first time trip to the keys. In the mean time, here's a ranking of all the sandwiches I ate during my visit. As a sandwich lover, I came to this forum asking for recommendations while planning, and y'all came through. I didn't get to every recommendation, but I'll certainly be back (particularly for that shrimp salad sandwich at Salute! On the beach). Now onto the ranking that no one asked for and probably no one cares about:

1. The Fish House (Key Largo) Fried Mahi Sandwich, 5/5 stars- So simple, so perfectly done. I'll come back for this one.

2. Baby's Coffee (Key West?!) Cuban Bagel 4.75/5 stars- It's open faced but it tasted so good I couldn't exclude it. Pickle forward, and an excellent way to start the day.

3. La Niña (Marathon) Breakfast Sandwich with ham and cheese 4.5/5 stars- A near perfect Cuban breakfast sandwich enjoyed with a colada, between a rooster and highway 1.

4. Publix (Marathon) Italian Sub 3.5/5 stars- As far a grocery subs go, this was excellent. I'd eat it again. It tasted particularly good eaten on the beach at Bahia Honda State Park after an afternoon of snorkeling.

5. Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe (Key Largo) Spicy Mango Wahoo Sandwich 3.25/5 stars- Fruity and tasty, but not the slightest bit spicy.

6. Jersey Mike's (included with the Dry Tortugas trip) Ham and Cheese 2.5/5- Got the job done.

7. Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe (Key Largo) Lobster BLT 1.5/5- Biggest disappointment of my whole trip. Take the lobster away and it wasn't even a good BLT.

Answer

It looks like you had a delicious and varied sampling of sandwiches across the Florida Keys during your five-day trip! Your ranking gives a clear sense of which spots really stood out and which were more underwhelming.

Here’s a summary of your top sandwich experiences:

The Fish House (Key Largo) – Fried Mahi Sandwich: Perfectly executed, simple, and highly recommended. A must-return spot for fresh fish lovers.
Baby’s Coffee (Key West?) – Cuban Bagel: Open-faced and pickle-forward, this breakfast sandwich impressed with its flavor and morning energy boost.
La Niña (Marathon) – Ham & Cheese Cuban Breakfast Sandwich: A near-perfect Cuban breakfast experience, enhanced by enjoying it with a café con leche along Highway 1.
Publix (Marathon) – Italian Sub: A surprisingly excellent grocery store sub, ideal for a casual beach picnic at Bahia Honda State Park.
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe – Spicy Mango Wahoo Sandwich: Tasty and fruity, though lacking in the expected heat; still worth trying for seafood enthusiasts.
Jersey Mike’s (included with Dry Tortugas trip) – Ham & Cheese: Functional and straightforward, a basic option to satisfy hunger while traveling.
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe – Lobster BLT: Disappointing, with the lobster failing to elevate the sandwich; perhaps skip this one next time.

Tips for sandwich lovers visiting the Keys:

Focus on local seafood options like mahi, wahoo, and lobster where they are executed well, as these tend to stand out.
Breakfast sandwiches can be surprisingly delightful in local cafes; consider trying Cuban-style variations for a unique experience.
Grocery store subs (like Publix) are a hidden gem for beachside lunches or quick snacks, especially if you’re planning a picnic.
Check online reviews or local recommendations before ordering more exotic options (like the Lobster BLT) as they can be hit-or-miss.

Overall, it seems like your trip combined excellent fresh seafood, classic Cuban flavors, and casual beachside dining, giving you a well-rounded Keys sandwich experience. It’s great to see that some spots like The Fish House and Baby’s Coffee really left a lasting impression!

Keys Sandwiches

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