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Diner Shores (Breakfast - Brunch)
510 South Street
Key West, Florida
Phone: (305) 296-2491
REVIEW
When I arrived on this island of Key West to consider living here the very first property I stepped onto on my very first day was the Atlantic Shores Resort on South Street. I had no idea what to expect, but I’m always open to new things and look forward to meeting new people. I have since found it to be the cutting edge of the Key West social scene and most of the good friends I have here were made during my experiences there. In relaying this information to you I have allowed my prejudices with respect to Atlantic Shores to be known, but I will give you an honest appraisal of the food served at the eatery there and then you can go visit and make your own memorable experience(s).
Upon entering the deco clad hotel property you see 3 distinct storefronts. To the extreme left is the liquor store, the middle is the office for check in and the far right is the restaurant and bar known as Diner Shores. Obviously a bad play on words the diva Dinah is pictured on the wall inside having the misfortune of being painted by an artist who was not very well trained up to the date the work was completed. The space has had a number of facelifts since I first walked in and the current cherry wood and aquamarine blue seems to work. The rest of the look is a “kitch” montage that has a pleasant feel to it. The overall space is small and the diner is popular when the island is full, so be patient and you will be seated.
People who serve and bartend in Key West are some of the hardest working people I know and “The Shores” diner is no exception. The current status of the restaurant is unusual in that it used to serve both breakfast and lunch and morph into a bar around 2-3 pm. These days they serve breakfast/brunch until 1 pm and turn into a bar only at that time. They have never balked at me when I had food delivered there or brought in my own food at night when it was in bar mode. They have had the same breakfast chef (Mitch) there for as long as I have been eating at the restaurant and his specials are very creative and tasty. I enjoyed a brie, tomato and spinach omelet most recently and it was wonderful. They have an excellent brand of coffee there as well. I am not a big drinker, but I am more then overly fond of the home made bloody Mary mix concocted by their long time bartender LH.
If you hang around Key West for a while you find places where locals prefer to eat and drink. Diner Shores is definitely a local’s favorite and one of mine. They stop after 1 pm to encourage further food consumption on the pool deck at the rear of the property where the grill operates until 5 pm. This is the “clothing optional” area of Atlantic Shores so you can determine for yourself if that environment is conducive to sitting down to a meal. I have done so when I was very hungry and though I do enjoy the all over tan experience personally, I don’t have a preference for eating in that space. It’s a preference only thing and you might very well be quite comfortable there.
Overall I would say you will enjoy your breakfast at Diner Shores at the Atlantic Shores Resort on South Street. You can park on the property if necessary, but space is limited. Their prices are extremely reasonable and whether you order a standard or the special you will not be disappointed in the meal or the visit. Don’t forget the bloody Mary!
Doug Heyman in Key West for the Food Reference Website
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