Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe

I asked what gluten free options they had available and was told, “All fish are gluten free” by the middle aged woman without a name tag behind the counter. I’m very aware fish is naturally a gluten free food when it comes out of the water, what doesn’t make it gluten free is how it’s prepared, but thanks for the unhelpful information! If you’re that annoyed by the question I have some information that will actually be very helpful for you - label your menu and mark any items that are gluten free clearly. Believe me, the last thing people like me who physically cannot eat gluten without serious complications want to do is have to ask some unfriendly person behind the counter who doesn’t want to help us anyway.

I was also told their fries are not gluten free due to the “coating” they use. Very limited options for celiac customers and those with gluten intolerances. I had peel and eat shrimp and a grilled chicken sandwich sans bun. My husband, who can eat gluten, ordered the lobster BLT. All the food we ate was very basic, nothing special about this place.

On a non-food related note, tiny little flying insects (not mosquitoes) bit us the entire time we sat outside. No indoor seating available.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

You order at a counter and so it depends on who you order from as to how celiac knowledge they have. The person I ordered from didn’t speak English super well so I was getting mixed answers to my questions about the grill. The person next to her taking orders came over to our window to help when I asked to speak to someone who could understand my questions. I don’t think she was very happy with me but I needed to speak to someone who understood. The person who then helped us also has celiac so I trusted her. Rice and beans are gluten free and very good. Got that as my side with the blackened mahi mahi fish tacos on corn tortillas. They put it on a separate pan since the grill does have gluten on it. Excellent meal! Tacos had a really good sauce on them. Felt great afterwards! Great setting by the marina outdoors in the shade.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

AMAZING! The woman who took our order had a gluten intolerance. She recommended the tacos with corn tortillas, offered to have them double layer the tortillas to make them easier to eat, and asked if I’d like them to wipe down the grill. When I asked about the fries she was quick to tell me that the regular fries are dusted in flour, the sweet potato fries were not, but they do use a shared fryer. I do okay with the shared fryer, so I got the sweet potato fries, but there were other sides as well. My gluten-eating family loved their meals as well.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

Key Largo fisheries has been in business as a wholesaler/retailer since I started coming down to the Keys nearly 30 years ago. They recently added this little backyard food window facility which overlooks a nice harbor. I went on a quiet evening and asked about GF options and the newly employed person was rather unaware of what was needed, but seemed willing to help. We ordered some peel and eat shrimp and a grilled grouper with veggies, about as safe as I thought it could be. When both entries were completed, they has seasonings on top that I had to enquire about. The shrimp had Old Bay (GF) and the fish had Badia Complete Seasoning (GF). The staff didn't know whether Badia was GF, so the manager somewhat unenthusiastically brought me the container to check and I also looked it up online. It was the end of their day and the manager seemed a bit more interested in counting the cash receipts rather that be concerned about my food. In the end, I had no issues and the grouper was really good. I wouldn't recommend this to people with CD.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Outdoor location.. live music.. ended up purchasing crab and shrimp from their fresh market.. talked with manager and am excited to go back to eat there.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

Great place and good food! Definitely worth a visit. Ask to speak to the manager and they will take care of you. Some options: fresh fish (grilled or blackened), veggies, salad, burger or chicken without bun, rice and beans. They even have a cauliflower flatbread. No reaction and highly sensitive. Will definitely come back as it’s one of the few places that were understanding and willing to help.

Celiac friendly?

Yes