Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes, our plans take a detour, and we're left with a choice to embrace the unforeseen or to let it sour our mood. On our cruise, the weather
had a different plan for us, leading to a change in our itinerary. Our anticipated island destination, Grand Caymen, was replaced with Key West. While initially disappointed, we decided to make the most of the situation. We only had a few hours on the Island as this was not
supposed to be a planned day, and we had something booked onboard the ship later. When we disembarked, Brian and I found an eatery close enough to be called Island Dogs Bar. It was a sports bar that paid homage to a man’s best friend, the dog.
The building was long and narrow, land-locked with a street in the back but surprisingly cozy. We were there on a cooler day, so the ceiling fans were not needed, but I could imagine them in regular use in the summer heat. It was an open-door building to help with ventilation, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the pigeons come in and out to snack off the concrete floor dotted with paw prints.
At Island Dogs Bar, we were excited to explore the local offerings. Brian's eyes lit up when he spotted a Key Lime Colada on the menu. Being a die-hard fan of Key Lime Pie, he was thrilled to find a drink inspired by his favorite dessert in its hometown, Key West. During our visit, he was determined to savor a slice of the famous pie, which was a delightful bonus!
Then he ordered the Conch Fritters with a Key Lime dip. He said they were pretty amazing! I ordered Pot Stickers. They were the perfect amount and delicious. My drink was Orange Crush: a mix of Vodka, Sierra Mist, and fresh Citrus. It was refreshing! Then we ordered the pie. We decided to share a piece to keep the calories down.
You could taste the zest from the lime rind in it. It was so good—one of the best-tasting key lime pies I’ve had! We were seated near the doorway at a table for two across from the bar. As I looked at the bar and noticed the accents all around the place, I couldn’t help but think the owner must love dogs!
Above the bar were photos and surfboards dedicated to dogs—many of the dogs had passed away. It was so cool to see the dedication to these beloved creatures! If you plan a trip to Key West, check out Island Dogs Bar, a fun, low-key restaurant with great food! You won’t be disappointed!
