Drive about twenty minutes up from Key West and you hit Broil, a wood-fired steakhouse on Cudjoe Key that punches way above its size. Small, family-run, walk-in only most nights — and it's quietly become one of the Lower Keys' worst-kept secrets among people who actually live down here.
Go in expecting a steak and you'll leave talking about the seafood pasta — lobster, shrimp, and scallops that hold their own against anything in Key West. Add lump crab on top and it tips into pleasant excess. Worth it.
So is Broil worth the drive? Here's the vibe, what to order, and when to show up.
🔥 The Vibe: Casual Keys Dining Meets Culinary Firepower
Broil runs Tuesday through Sunday, roughly 5 to 9 PM, and keeps it Keys-casual. No white tablecloths, no attitude — just real wood-fire cooking and a room where the owners often work the floor themselves. You'll feel like a regular fast.
On reservations: they generally don't take them except around major holidays, so plan on walking in. Rolling with a big group? Give them a heads-up for parties of eight or more.
That no-frills approach is the appeal. They're not chasing trendy — they're cutting steaks in-house and cooking them over real fire for anyone smart enough to grab a seat.
🍽️ The Menu: Steakhouse Soul With a Seafood Twist
Steak is the headline, but the seafood pasta is the sleeper you order anyway. Fresh lobster, jumbo shrimp, and scallops in a creamy, well-seasoned sauce over pasta that somehow stays light.
Add the lump crab — sounds like too much, tastes like exactly enough. This isn't a cheap-eats counter, so expect to spend a bit and leave with no regrets.
The wood fire is the whole signature. Whether it's the crust on a medium-rare ribeye or the char on a scallop, that flame-seared flavor runs through the plate.
❓ FAQs About Broil on Cudjoe Key
Q: Do I need a reservation at Broil?
A: Generally not — they typically take reservations only around major holidays and run walk-in the rest of the time. Got a party of eight or more? Give them a heads-up.
Q: Is it really a steakhouse? Why's everyone raving about seafood?
A: It's a steakhouse first, but the seafood pulls its weight. The meat is the reputation; the seafood pasta is the quiet local favorite.
Q: What should I order?
A: Steak person — go classic with a wood-fired filet or ribeye. Everyone else, get the seafood pasta (with or without the crab). And ask about the specials; they rotate with what's fresh.
Q: Can I buy gift cards?
A: Yes — a solid pick for anyone who loves quality local cooking.
Q: Is it family-friendly?
A: It is. Laid-back and casual, and it works for groups, couples, or a solo foodie after something good.
📍 Location & Insider Tips
Broil Steakhouse
📌 21611 Old State Rd 4A, Cudjoe Key, FL
🕔 Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 5–9 PM
🚫 Walk-in most nights (reservations mainly around major holidays)
👨👩👧👦 Heads-up appreciated for parties of 8+
Pro Tip:
Show up early, especially on weekends — this room fills fast and it's a small place. If there's a wait, you're on Keys time. Grab a drink, take the evening breeze, and settle in. It's worth it.
🏁 Conclusion: Flame. Flavor. Florida Keys.
Broil isn't the biggest or flashiest room in the Lower Keys, and that's the point — it just delivers. Wood-fired steaks and seafood that goes toe-to-toe with Key West's best, in a place casual enough for flip-flops. The real deal.
You come for the steakhouse name and leave a believer in the seafood pasta. Add the crab. Tell your friends. Just get there early.
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