Al_LaCarte

Can't remember the name of the place but when we were in the Grand Caymans they made fresh Conch chowder and fritters...tableside! (Actually the fritters were made at a side-station--but still in full view). As for the chowder, they brought a Ricard-style cart to your table and made the chowder in a big saute` pan.

I've been hooked ever since but never found it's equal. Anyone else know this place?

Al

nigelsmom

Mmmnn. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Bahamian Kitchen -Nassau (Conch Chowder)

And..second runner up - on the dock on the Nassau side of the bridge..fisherman made a fresh spicey conch salad...ferry driver took a detour & we all dug in while taking in the vies of Michael Jordan's golf course..Ahh Bermuda..Bahama..come on pretty mamma...

trivbeck

Agree with JeanH, gotta go to Belize. Best conch cervich is at Wet Willies in Ambergais Caye, San Pedro, Belize

Larry1

It is neither like a clam or a slug; a conch is basically a overgrown snail. There is an old joke that goes: If conch is not prepared just right, it will be tough and rubbery and taste bad. If it is prepared right, it will just be tough and rubbery. All conch you get in a Florida restaurant will be imported and possibly even previously frozen. That's why the best conch meals come from areas that have commercial fisheries (Bahamas) or conch farms (T & C).
Little known fact- there are two species of whelks (also an overgrown snail) in New England that can be found in specialty seafood and ethnic stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prepared correctly, it tastes just as good (or as bad, if you prefer) as Conch!

Elizabeth

This is interesting. I didn't know how specific the great conch fritter was to the Bahamas, but the unquestionably best ones I ever had were there. Nassau, don't know the restaurant, but it was recommended in a book 20 years ago.

Also there were good ones in a restaurant on 2nd Avenue at 6th Street, can't think of the name right now, it was a Caribbean place in the late 80s.

To me the good feature of a conch fritter doesn't have too much to do with the conch, which is the excuse for it, it's the light batter fried right.

lucky03

The best conch salad and fritters was at a little shack on a beach in Freeport near the Laguna complex resort called Bobby Joe's. They make the salad right in front of you, break it open, chop it up, add the onions, tomatoes, etc. and lots of lime. Wonderful! Went there every day for lunch.

getawaytime

Another vote for Manny Isa's in Islamorada but for their Conch Fritters. We were there in April and have been craving for their food since.

Spygirl

Nassau, Bahamas, in any local joint-walk around, and local ladies will be making up the freshest, spiciest conch salad you'll ever get the pleasure of eating outside under a tree in a parking lot. The BEST time to experience this is in the early morning hours on Dec. 26, just before Junkanoo gets underway, and there are women all over the parade route making and selling fresh conch fritters and salad.