In December 2007 we were married at the charming and highly
recommendable Casa Morada. One day at lunchtime we went to the Lorelei which is the closest restaurant. Our waitress was extremely rude and we will never go back there again. We are diplomats, and as is normal we presented our "sales tax exempt" card when we paid and very politely asked for the exemption. This card is issued by the Department of State and restaurants and hotels in the USA are obliged to deduct sales tax from the check. This is not an option. However, we know that restaurants in rural areas are not used to this and if the waiter/waitress is polite and we can see that he/she or the restaurant does not know how to execute the tax exemption, and if this is a small amount, then we don't worry about it. However, our waitress complained to us of how we could have the "audacity" to present such a card and then she went to the
other customers and staff of therestaurant complaining about us and saying how stupid the State Department is and how stupid we were and so on. Her behaviour was disgusting and humiliating for us. What was even worse, I sent 3 e-mails to the Lorelei complaining. I expected at the least an apology from the management. Not one of my e-mails were answered. So I would advise that unless you appreciate rude waitresses like the one we had, please stay away from this place. PS: The food was bar food. Plenty of fries, plenty of grease, but nothing more.

We ate dinner there once and twice for happy hour. The staff was friendly and accomidating. Listen to a live band and watched a magic show. Very entertaining. They do get busy later in the evening like after 7 pm. It is a first come first seated/served and you might walk around a bit to get the first table available. All seating is out side. If eating or drinking on the sandy/beach area be sure to bring a light jacket. Can get rather cool. Over all we had a great experience.

Went the first time on a recommendation from a friend in Texas. He was right so we went the next time we were in the Keys. Both times the service was attentive and the food was excellent.

The beer isn't the coldest in town but it's cold. The fish sandwich is different most every day. And the peel and eat shrimp is par excellence. Get the spicy shrimp served warm with lemon and drawn butter. The big order. You'll eat it all and your hands and face will be covered with seasoning and shrimp juice and you'll be the happiest person in Islamorada.

Sorry to hear of the negative experiences of others... sounds sorta hit or miss... but I didn't see it as a tourist clip joint as both times we were there the locals were loud and rowdy (fine with us) and clearly were regulars. A great time was had by all... us included. And this was during the day... can only imagine what it's like at night.

First off, don't go here if it even looks like rain - there is no indoor seating whatsoever, none at all. It poured and was windy and everyone on the deck got soaked. Finally they put down some plastic thingys, but it was a bit too late. The chairs are all high up director type chairs and are grungy, dilapidated and wobbly. The food was nothing special. I had basket of shrimp with fries and hubby had alaskan crab legs (HUGE portion I will admit). But I really wished we hadn't come here, I didn't think the view was anything either? The sunsets must really be something, because nothing else about this place is.
Our waitress was really great though!