Hogfish Bar & Grill: Where Fresh Meets Fun
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
To come across Hogfish Bar & Grill is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you found a hidden gem in Key West, Florida. A curse because this restaurant will have you classified as a regular by the end of next week (even if you’re on vacation). Known for its freshly caught seafood dishes and its Florida hospitality, it is, as they say, “Where the fishermen eat, and locals meet.” Island vibes echo through the space inside and out, with the inside featuring nautical maps, vintage fish art, and other coastal-like decor, while the outside offers tables with waterfront views. Your eyes meet the menu, and you are enlightened by how many unique seafood dishes fit on the paper. If you’re a tourist, you may squint at the word “Hogfish” on the page. If you’re a local, you'll likely order the Hogfish Sandwich as soon as Gina comes to take your order. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, a resident or a visitor, a first-timer or a returner; get something on your plate and let your taste buds speak for themselves. For freshness, flavor, and a hint of fun, meet Hogfish Bar & Grill.
Hogfish are a special type of fish known for their distinct and noteworthy features. Their “hog-like” snouts, lack of “fishiness,” and the fact that they have to be caught through spearfishing make them stick out. Plus, their mildly sweet, delicate flavors and soft texture combine for a delightful bite. You might catch them swimming around in the Gulf of Mexico or surrounding Florida waters.
It is no secret that Hogfish runs the menu at Hogfish Bar & Grill. Dishes like the signature Hogfish Sandwich, Hogfish Tacos, Hogfish Sliders, Hogfish Fajitas, Crabmeat-stuffed Hogfish, and Hogfish and Chips all highlight the fish's flavor. If you're indecisive or simply just want to sample Hogfish instead of devoting your whole dinner to the fish, I suggest the Hogfish and Chips as an appetizer. It is hard to come across a perfect bite, but I truly do think a piece of the hogfish with a fry and a little of the slaw hits that mark. It's an explosion of sweet, tangy, soft flavors in your mouth all at once. The profile of those flavors really captures the overall vibe of this restaurant!
Light, delicate, and enhanced by the surrounding flavors, the hogfish also pairs wonderfully in their tacos. The freshness of the tomatoes, onions, and parsley helps to enhance the light sweetness and gentle flavor of the fish. The melty cheese adds a sharp, creamy contrast. And the soft-shell tortilla pulls the dish together, encapsulating all the flavors in one bite. The sides of this dish are just as important as the main. The beans, rice, and chips all work great on the plate. Plus, the squeeze of lemon adds the perfect final zesty touch to the dish. The only other thing I could ask for with these tacos would be a signature sauce to finish it off. A unique sauce would invite a further explosion of flavors in one’s mouth. However, other than that, this dish was nothing shy of excellent.
If neither of these options sounds good, but you're still in the mood for some Hogfish, I recommend their signature Hogfish Sandwich. Although I didn’t taste this firsthand, I have heard spectacular things about this sandwich. Regulars love it so much that it was voted “Best Fish Sandwich in the Keys." One of my family members got the dish when we most recently dined there and said the flavor notes were amazing, with the lightness of the fish pairing well with the buttery Swiss cheese, sweet onions, earthy mushrooms, and soft, mildly sweet Cuban bread. The only thing he wished he had more of was the actual fish, as it was a higher bread-to-fish ratio than he expected. However, he was still pleasantly satisfied with both the dish and the delightful service!
Now, if none of those options are catching your eye, or you're just a seafoodie who wants their “go-to” fish choice, there are many other dishes that may strike your liking. Offering shrimp, lobster, crab, shellfish, grouper, scallops, snapper, tuna, and the option to “cook your catch,” Hogfish Bar & Grill ensures you’ll be eating your favorite. A few fan favorites include their Killer Conch Fritters, Jimmy’s Key West Cheeseburger in Paradise, Stock Island Shrimp & Grits, and Lobster & Key West Shrimp Mac & Cheese. If you get lucky and make it to Hogfish on a Sunday, you may get to experience the famous Stock Island Shrimp Boil. (Only on Sundays, though.) I got the pleasure of trying the El Nacho Grande with chicken. These nachos were not only huge in flavor but also huge! Shredded chicken, tomato, onions, lettuce, parsley, beans, and queso are all served on a bed of tortilla chips, with sour cream, salsa, and jalapeños on the side. Each element complemented the next, and the ratio of chip to topping was just right. The one suggestion I have would be for them to put on the bulk of the queso after layering the chicken, as the chicken on top made you dig to create a bite filled with a little bit of everything. Fantastic, other than that!
I don’t think we talked about desserts yet! You deserve to know about the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. Sorry… I meant the singular bite of the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. (I had to beg my sister for just that bite alone.) Luckily, one bite was all I needed to know that the cake was special. Whipped chocolate ganache frosting covered the top of the fluffy, soft chocolate cake. The inside layers were filled with swirls of cocoa intertwined in a rich mousse. One bite and I was in heaven. And I’m not even a chocolate cake person. Now, what I’m also not too big a fan of is Key Lime Pie. But out of the spirit of us being in Key West, I decided to also take a bite of my brother’s Key Lime Pie, which he so graciously shared with me. The foam-like, tart layer of key lime melted into the soft, graham cracker crust, offering a bite full of texture and flavor.
Whether you live in Key West or are just visiting, Hogfish Bar & Grill is a must! From the service to the atmosphere to the dishes, you’ll be hooked from the first hello to the very last bite. Let me know if you try it!
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