On Stock Island (the working-class island next door to Key West where the shrimp boats actually unload), Hogfish Bar & Grill is about as authentically Keys as it gets. The Killer Hogfish Sandwich, made from the local species that gives the bar its name, is a legitimate cult item: a fresh, perfectly prepared hogfish sandwich that beats anything you’ll find on Duval Street. Picnic tables under a thatched chickee roof overlook a real working waterfront where commercial fishing vessels dock, and you can keep the kids amused tossing shrimp tails to the resident fish that swarm below. A cold craft beer, the Killer sandwich, and absolutely no pretense. This is the real Keys.
Thirsty for more? Dive into the Bum’s full guide to the best beach bars in Florida.
