Key Lime Pie Tour
 

My husband loves key lime pie. Where do you think the best key lime pie is? Yes, we would actually plan a trip around pie.

Have you considered Key West?

Knollwood Groves, Boynton Beach (Palm Beach County). The pies are baked on the premises. They also make an orange pie, apple (with 3 pounds of apples), etc., and have a fruit/produce/local products stand.<BR><BR>Knollwood Groves is one of the last traditional orperating citrus farms in the county. Saved from development by being purchased by 3 local families, it still operates as it did years ago, out of a few ramshakle buildings. You can get a tour of the packing plant, or a trolley ride around their 30 acres, hosted by a gen-you-ine character, and on Saturdays watch an Indian rassle a gator.<BR><BR>There's plenty of other interesting stuff to do in Palm Beach county, from touring the Loxahatchee reserve (a piece of the Everglades), to wonderful beaches, to watching polo matches.

Just got back from a week in the Florida Keys. We had key lime pie at almost every meal and liked it best at Mrs. Mac's kitchen in Key Largo and Manny and Isa's in Islamorada. Also, there is a stand on Duval in Key West named Blonde Giraffe (I think) that has great key lime pie. They even serve it frozen on a stick with a chocolate coating!

The Timbers restaurant in Sanibel.

The Fish House in Key Largo, FL.

Be aware that in the Keys, particularly Key West, the pies may have a common origin. A local told me years ago that there were a number of restaurants claiming to have the BEST key lime pie. And it was arguably true, 'cause they all got their pies from the same local baker.<BR><BR>Also, Sara Lee makes a passable frozen (gasp!) key lime pie. It's not loaded with cream on top, and has that right touch of tartness. Hey, it's cheaper than a flight to Key West....

I understand the opposite is true in the Keys. It is such a simple recipe most all places make their own and then put their own touch to it like a different crust or topping. Whatever you do don't eat green pie. The real color of a Key lime Pie is yellow.

I'd agree that in many places restaurants seem to make their own but in KW there's a pie with a thick merangue (sp?) on top that seems to be ubiquitous. If you try the pie at the Blond Giraffe stand on Duval you'll notice that many other places have exactly the same pie. I imagine the better restaurants in town make their own but if you're just wandering about looking for a place to have only pie and coffee, there may not be much variation. I prefer a variety with graham cracker crust and thiin coating of real whipped cream and didn't encounter any like that on my most recenet KW trips. By the way... I make it at home on occasion and have concluded that there's no taste advantage to using fresh key limes rather than the bottled juice. Have done it both ways and can't tell the difference.

Fran, do you prefer the whipped-cream or meringue type? Knollwood Groves makes the whipped ceram version.

Fran, <BR><BR>Your husband and I sure have that in common. I think it's the best dessert ever although my husband and I have never planned a vacation around it. Something to think about....<BR><BR>Key West is the obvious choice for Key Lime Pie. I've read many reviews saying that the Blonde Giraffe is tops. (I didn't know about that when I was in Key West so I don't have any first hand experience). The Blonde Giraffe has a website and they will ship so that might save you the airfare.<BR><BR>If you're in Boston try Kingfish Hall in Fanual Hal. It's one of Todd English's many restaurants. IMO they have the BEST Key Lime Pie in Boston. The crust is a gingersnap crust and the filling has such a great "bite" to it. It's one of the best I've had and I've had a lot!<BR><BR>If you're just looking for a Key Lime Pie fix and you're near a Chart House restaurant, they have pretty good Key Lime Pie too. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

The meringue topping is the traditional topping. It is probably why you noticed so many with it. Blonde Giraffe does sell to many quick marts and the like around the Keys but it is stated that it is a Blonde Giraffe pie. There are stickers on the lid and usually a sign or two in the store. It is part of the deal. It is a great pie but very expensive to ship.

I will check the Blonde Giraffe website but part of the fun is taking the trip to eat the pie! RMC, a key lime pie trip would be our second food based vacation. Our first will be this August when we go to Maine. We were in the mood for lobster one night so I said to my husband, "let's go to Maine this summer". He said ok; I don't know if he realized I was serious. Next day, I booked tickets for our Maine lobster trip.

Fran, the Florida Keys is the mecca for key lime pie. Start in Key Largo at Mrs. Mac's. This is the best Graham cracker crust/whip cream variety. They do not bake them there but do have them made to their recipe off-site. As someone else mentioned, true key lime pie is yellow. The motto in the Keys is "Don't eat it if it is green!" Key Lime Pie Heaven on Front Street is the best for a flake crust and meringue topping. This is a dessert shop below the Roof Top Cafe where they are baked. This lady has made them for years and has a video on the local tourist channel. The Blonde Giraffe is also very good with Key Lime zest in the crust. You can't go wrong working your way through the Keys going from pie to pie and also having some fabulous seafood along the way.

On the way to Everglades National Park there is a farm stand called "Bob is Here." Go to the smoothie bar and ask to buy a whole key lime pie. Theirs is tremendous.

Fran, <BR>Sorry I jumped from Key Largo to Key Lime Pie Heaven without telling you it is in Key West along with the Blond Giraffe. Also the Green Turtle in Islamorada has a very good pie. Enjoy!

Mangrove Mama's, Sugarloaf Key (MM23), Florida Keys.

Just a small correction: the fruit stand on the way to ENP is called "Robert is Here". Perhaps his friends call him Bob, but it ain't on the sign that way. It is good pie, though.

Ok, it looks like I'm in the minority. I DIDN'T like the key lime pie at Blonde Giraffe. I just had it last week. I had the frozen version, on a stick, covered in chocolate. I found the chocolate to be too over-powering, plus I didn't think the two - key lime and chocolate - worked well together. I have been going to the since since the 1960s, and I've always found that you find the best key lime pie in the out-of-the-way places, when you least expect it. When you go hunting it, it becomes elusive.

I can't remember the name of the place, but it shouldn't be hard to find. It is in Everglades City directly across from the Everglades Nat'l Park entrance. Seemed to be a popular lunch stop. Their key lime pie is made on the premises and was delicious.

J.T. next time try the pie, not the chocolate covered thing. It is the pie that is so good and wins the awards.

Whose "awards" do the Blonde Giraffe win? Just curious. My friend had a piece of the pie and wasn't blown away by it. So, that's two items we tried and neither one of them rated a return trip. Must be those "key" limes that they're importing from Peru.

Just thought I'd post the basic key lime pie recipe many restaurants use because it's so easy and so good...1/2 cup Joe & Nellie's Key Lime Juice, 3 egg yolks, 1 can sweetened condensed milk...blend and pour into a 9 inch graham cracker crust (Keebler makes a good one)...bake at 350 for 10 minutes and then transfer to the 'fridge to cool for a few hours...you can also use low fat or non fat sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand makes it) and a reduced fat Keebler graham cracker crust which doesn't alter the great taste...whipped cream is optional.

Merilee, I also swear by Joe & Nellies Key lime Juice. <BR><BR>Recently I made it in an Oreo crust. I found it on the supermarket shelf next to the graham cracker crust.<BR><BR>I hope everyone knows that you can not substitute regular lime juice for key lime pie.

Fran,<BR><BR>I was in Fort Lauderdale last week and bought the best Key Lime Pie from Roth's New River Groves on the way back from an airboat tour of the everglades. (www.florida-oranges.com)<BR>E-Mail: [email protected] <BR>Phone: (800) 227-0203 <BR>Fax: (954) 321-9868 <BR>Bob Roth's New River Groves<BR>5660 Griffin Road<BR>Davie, Florida 33314<BR><BR>I regret that I only bought one pie.

mmmmm...baking and traveling-2 of my favorites. Great Key lime here in Williamsville, NY (suburban Buffalo)at Dessert Deli. Different because it has a coconut macaroon crust. It's absolutely delicious (unless you're one of those people who detest coconuts). also, my personal version-combination of macaroons and gingersnaps for the crust.

Mendendorf's(sp) in Manchex,LA...one hour north on Nawlins.

J.T.<BR>From what I was told there is a Key Lime pie contest held every year. They have several judges who do blind tastings. For years Pier House would win but that changed after The Blonde Giraffe opened. They win everytime.

Whew, I'm glad the Pier House is no longer winning the "award" since I have always thought their pie . . . well, uh, sucked.

Maybe you just do not like Key Lime Pie.

I was sorta thinking the same thing. Key Lime Pie is not for everyone.

What a great idea! A tour based on eating pie. I'm thinking of heading to Florida for 2 weeks in August, starting in Miami and heading to the Keys. I've never been. Any suggestions? Is it better to rent a condo or stay in hotels? No camping!!

I submit that key lime pie is gestalt, ie, it's more than the sum of its parts. Key lime pie cannot be reduced to its individual components. And it goes way beyond the ingredients. A lot of what makes a slice so good is who we are, where we are and who we're with at the time. Is the breeze blowing the right way? Is it the middle of the day, and hot and humid; or is it night and the ocean has calmed under a full moon? I have had many a good piece at certain places, yet when I've returned a few weeks, months or years later, it's different. Key lime pie hunting is a life long endeavor. But it can't be planned.

Yummm is right. I don't really like key lime pie. The best use for a key lime (plucked from my neighbor's tree) is squeezed into a glass of Mount Gay Rum and Tonic.<BR>Aaaahhhh....now you're talking trip-planning material.

I love KEy Lime Pie. I grew up in FLorida. ANd there is no good Key lime Pie in Key West that I have ever come across. <BR><BR>It is because there are so few Key limes in Key west, I have been told by locals.<BR><BR>South Florida has much better Key Lime pie.<BR><BR>I, frankly, make an outstanding one. THey are very easy to make if you can get ahold of fresh key limes. Bottled juice won't do it.

I'm from Western Australia and just adore Key Lime Pie. Each time we have gone to the States I have just about over-dosed on KLP. Most of our limes are imported from the States and I have gotten a recipe from the net, but it just doesn't taste the same. Mmmm, roll on my next trip.

After you taste all the pies, buy some key limes and take them home. When you try to make a decent pie out of them you will have an even greater appreciation for the pies you ate. (We tried it - it is not as easy as you would think and there was not much juice in those little yellow fruits!)

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. What about around Panama City Beach? Is that any good for KLP?

I have to agree with the almost too short reply to be noticed re; Middendorf's restaurant outside of N'awlins (New Orleans, for the uninitiated) Got the spelling of the town wrong though - it's located in Manchac, LA, pronounced Man-shack). The ride out there is especially nice in the evening as the sun sets over the cypress swamps which envelope it. And, if it's a trip to enjoy good food, what better place than south Louisiana?

Pepe's in Key West. I learned there that beer does not go particularly well with key lime pie.