Key Lime Pie Adventures in Key West: A Sweet Journey 🍋🟩🥧
During my vacation in Key West, Florida, this May, I embarked on a delicious quest to find the best Key Lime Pie. I evaluated each pie using a grid I created that included seven criteria, with up to 10 points possible for each one. I explored several restaurants and did no research ahead of time to ensure my findings were objective. While any of these pies would be fantastic to eat in Michigan, I was in the Key Lime Pie capital of the world, so my standards were very high. Here's a summary of my delightful (and sometimes surprising) experiences.
Banana Café: 30/70
Crust: 4
Color: 3
Flavor: 5
Texture: 4
Whipped Cream: 8
Wow Factor: 2
Presentation: 4
Summary: Banana Cafe's Key Lime Pie had a heavy texture and was yellow, lacking the expected lime flavor but not overly sweet. The crust was firm but only stood out a little. The whipped cream, however, was a highlight—rich, creamy, and perfectly sweetened. The raspberry drizzle was a pleasant surprise, adding a touch of tartness that balanced the pie's flavors. The presentation was simple, but the dessert overall was satisfying.
Latitudes: 40/70
Crust: 7
Color: 2
Flavor: 5
Texture: 4
Whipped Cream: 2
Wow Factor: 10
Presentation: 10
Summary: Latitudes impressed with a fun presentation featuring sparklers, which was perfect for our anniversary. The pie had a light, warm, and fluffy meringue, a nice change from the usual whipped cream topping. Despite the pie's vibrant yellow color, it lacked the strong lime flavor I had hoped for. The crust was nicely done, adding a good crunch to the soft meringue. The overall experience was made memorable by the celebratory ambiance and exceptional service.
The Original Key Lime Pie Bakery: 28/70
Crust: 5
Color: 3
Flavor: 7
Texture:5
Presentation: 3
Whipped Cream: 5
Wow Factor: 0
Summary: This bakery offered a solid pie with an outstanding flavor balance of lime and sweet. The prepackaged pie was convenient for a quick treat, although it lacked the flair of a freshly served slice. The crust was firm and held up well, complementing the creamy texture of the filling. The whipped cream was decent, adding a necessary creaminess. The store was charming and added to the overall experience, making it an excellent stop for a quick dessert fix.
A & B Lobster House: 29/70
Crust: 6
Color: 5
Presentation: 5
Whipped Cream: 0
Flavor:8
Texture: 7
Wow Factor: 3
Summary: The Key Lime Pie at A & B Lobster House was delightful, with a fantastic flavor and a pleasant surprise of strawberry sauce. The freshly made and toasted meringue had a marshmallow-like quality, adding a fun twist to the classic dessert. The crust was good but didn't stand out, and the presentation was charming with a mint garnish. While it lacked whipped cream, the overall flavor and texture were impressive.
Two Friends Patio Restaurant: 48/70
Crust: 9
Color: 5
Texture: 7
Presentation: 5
Flavor: 9
Wow Factor: 6
Whipped Cream: 7
Summary: Two Friends Patio Restaurant offered an incredible pie with a perfect balance of lime and sweetness. The texture was creamy, and the graham crackers on top added a lovely touch of crunch. The pie tasted freshly made, and the crust was one of the best I tried, providing a delightful contrast to the smooth filling. The whipped cream was light and fluffy, enhancing the overall experience.
Bagatelle: 42/70
Color: 4
Crust: 4
Presentation: 8
Whipped Cream: 6
Texture: 6
Wow Factor: 8
Flavor: 6
Summary: Bagatelles delivered a fancy presentation with chocolate writing (albeit Hershey's). The crust was too sweet for my taste and not crispy enough, while the meringue tasted slightly eggy. The strawberry sauce was a nice addition, and the whipped cream was good, though not homemade. The texture was neither too firm nor too creamy, but the pie could have used more lime flavor. Despite these minor shortcomings, the overall presentation and taste were enjoyable.
Key Lime Pie Company: 57/70
Crust: 7
Color: 5
Flavor: 10
Whipped Cream: 7
Texture: 10
Presentation: 10
Wow Factor: 8
Summary: Key Lime Pie Company was a standout. Despite taking the pie to go, it remained light in texture with a perfect balance of sweet and lime. The crust held up well, maintaining its crispiness even after a day in the hotel fridge. The whipped cream was light and not overly sugary, complementing the pie beautifully. The owner's husband, who makes the pies himself, shared the shop's history and added a personal touch to the experience. This was the only pie I finished, and it was my choice for the best Key Lime Pie in Key West.
Obviously, I am no food critic, and these scores are based entirely on my personal tastes. My quest added a fun element to our already amazing vacation. If you're ever in Key West, I encourage you to try all these (and more)—you won't regret it!