Review: Islamorada Shrimp Shack

Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.
Islamorada Shrimp Shack is exactly the kind of old-school fish shack that visitors to the Florida Keys are hoping to find (there’s even a wood-paneled bar with a giant fish hanging on the wall). It’s laidback and casual in all the right ways; it’s the kind of restaurant that feels like it’s been there for 50 years and hasn’t changed a bit (when, really, it only opened in 2011, and got a big boost in publicity when it was featured on an episode of the Food Networks “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”). It’s hard not to be immediately charmed by the divey atmosphere.

What was the crowd like?
The dining room is filled with a pretty even mix of locals and tourists. While the tourists might simply stumble upon it and decide to give it a try, the Shrimp Shack’s thoughtful presentation and execution of the Florida Keys' seafaring bounty is what keeps locals coming back again and again.

What should we be drinking?
If you’re at a restaurant where dinner comes in a plastic basket, forget that wine even exists. You want a cold glass of beer to wash that down with—the Shrimp Shack offers a surprisingly diverse selection, including some tasty brews from the nearby Islamorada Brewing Company (their Island Citrus Ale is uniquely refreshing)—or a cocktail, the fruitier the better (the strawberry margarita, which had just the right amount of sweet versus salty, was calling our name recently).

Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
What’s in a name? In the case of Islamorada Shrimp Shack, your protein of choice—or at least what should be. Like Forrest Gump’s friend Bubba before them, the mother and daughter team that owns this eatery has cooked up all sorts of innovative ways to prepare these beloved crustaceans, including in a quesadilla and fried one of several ways (Shack, coconut, cajun, panko, or buffalo). But the shrimp fritters, loaded with peppers and onions and served with a tasty remoulade, are what many would consider a must-eat dish (it’s an appetizer, so can happily be shared). The shrimp and grits is also a nice reminder of the “southern” part of southern Florida.

And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
With a mother and daughter at the helm, the staff treats everyone like family here. From the moment you walk in the door until the time you leave, there’s never a time where you feel like you’re invisible. Service is friendly, knowledgeable, and quick.

What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
Leave your calorie counter at the door and embrace the magical flavors that a deep fryer can bring to a piece of fish. It’s a great place for families, but we’ve seen everything from honeymooning couples sharing a plate of bacon-wrapped shrimp to a bachelor party stopping in for a quick bite and some beers while making their way down to Key West. Anything goes, and everyone’s welcome.