Alabama Jacks

If you are looking for a dive type bar this is your place. But don't let the exterior fool you, the food is phenomenal. Served on Styrofoam and using plastic utensils this truly lets you know that this is a simple place to relax and kick back. Located right on the water with a view of boats, fish, birds, and mangroves. The license plates scattered throughout the joint really make it a cool spot. It took 5 trips to the Keys to find this place. So happy we veered off Hwy 1 to Card Sound Rd. A little scenic detour to get to Key Largo. I highly recommend it.

This is a hidden gem! The service was great. My family and I were seated immediately and told we could choose anywhere. We sat by the water, which was very entertaining. The food was also a 10/10. My son got the combo meal with conch, Mac n cheese, fish sticks, and crap cakes. It did not disappoint. my husband and I both got blackened Mahi Mahi tacos - his on tortilla shells and mine as lettuce wrap. This is a great option if you are Gluten Free. And, they have plenty of other gluten options available. I also loved the decor there. You really need to see it for yourself! The prices were extremely affordable, the locals were wonderful, and the food was top notch. I highly, highly recommend stopping here!

A classic Florida Keys bar with a local flare that’s never been stamped out and thank goodness for that. Situated on the water with a view of the mangroves this place is off the beaten path or on the way somewhere depending on where you are in your life. We came here because we were jonesing for some conch and a cold beer. We ordered the conch fritter plate and the conch chowder. The conch fritter plate comes with two sides and neither disappointed, the potato salad was scrumptious, felt homemade. The macaroni salad was also delicious. Honestly, cannot complain about anything we had or experienced. Our waitress was lovely, the vibe was vibing, but I will say the mosquitoes were biting. They do provide off if you ask. So I did.

Wonderful surprise. We stopped out of curiosity and it turned out to be a splendid place. Already from the beginning the place is very authentic... it is not pretentious at all. Really, you don't even think that it could have any other aesthetics. As for the food...my partner and I ordered a "combo" to share. And even luck, really, the portions are huge and the garnishes are very generous. If you pass by, do yourself a favor and stop to taste the food.

My favorite stop in the keys. The best atmosphere, service and employees are second to none, and the food is amazing! Truly feel like the old keys here without any of the cooperate fluff. Go see Dawg the bartender he is the best and will take great care of you!! You won’t regret going to Alabama Jacks

A Hidden Gem with True Florida Character! 🌟 Nestled along the edge of Card Sound Road, this spot perfectly blends the charm of Old Florida with the nostalgia of Historic Florida. 🏝️ Relax in the laid-back, open-air atmosphere 🌞 as you soak in the tranquil sounds of the nearby waterways. 🌊 To top it all off, enjoy regular live music performances 🎶 while sipping on your favorite beverage. 🍹 It’s more than just a stop—it’s an experience you won’t forget!

Food was delicious and hot. Service was good. It's a little out of the way, but a nice scenic drive. Enjoyed it.

A must stop on your way into the Keys. Peel and eat shrimp is the best. Coconut shrimp is like candy and the best so far we've found on the Keys!

Its just one of those places you have to make a slight detour to on your way home. THEY HAVE THE BEST CONCH FRITTERS EVER! The view takes a close 2nd. lol Sit around the rail so you can see the Manatee swim by and if you are lucky you can spot some tiny Pike fish feeding around the side of the restaurant. I love the feel this place gives, very laid back and you can wear very very casual as no one cares!! Stop in next time you are on your way home to Florida and you won't be disappointed. See you Soon!

A classic Florida Keys bar with a local flare that's never been stamped out and thank goodness for that. Situated on the water with a view of the mangroves this place is off the beaten path or on the way somewhere depending on where you are in your life. We came here because we were jonesing for some conch and a cold beer. We ordered the conch fritter plate and the conch chowder. The conch fritter plate comes with two sides and neither disappointed, the potato salad was scrumptious, felt homemade. The macaroni salad was also delicious. Honestly, cannot complain about anything we had or experienced. Our waitress was lovely, the vibe was vibing, but I will say the mosquitoes were biting. They do provide off if you ask. So I did.

As the meme goes, Alabama Jacks shall be protected at all costs from gentrification! Alabama Jack's is located on the "back road" to the Keys (Card Sound Road), and thus on route with cool urban exploration stops (abandoned military communications bases & antennas) as well as the road to high end Ocean Reef club. There is street parking on the side of the restaurant as well as literally across the street. Once you're inside, you wait to be seated. The hostess will try to accommodate waterfront seating (ask for this). Besides watching the boats cruise you end up with a little farmers tan. The decor is rustic roadhouse featuring a lot of old license plates and the music similarly rustic. It looks like they have space for a live band as well. Alabama Jacks would be like the dive bar / roadhouse straight from central casting. The crowd was a cool mix of locals, boaters, tourists and anyone in between. This the vibe you come for! Since it was during the daytime and I had a long drive, I had a soda (free refills!) i ordered their teriyaki chicken sandwich with cheese (an extra 50 cents) but it tasted like regular grilled chicken with sweet bbq sauce, served open face on a burger bun with fresh lettuce and tomatoes. My sweet potato fries were extra (the burger doesn't come with sides) and could have been a little crispier but still all good. Keeping with the southern and keys vibe, I ordered a deliciously fluffy key lime pie.

The service was terrible. The server was in a bad mood and slammed the menus on my table and walked away. She then proceeded to help customers that came after me. I asked her why she was ignoring my table and this elderly waitress proceeded to talk down to me as if I were 4 years old. I got up and left. I refuse to eat in a trashy place. There are 100s of better places to eat in the Keys.

Stopping at Alabama Jack is how we officially enter the keys. It's a total dive bar that is the perfect intro to the Keys. The place is large and open on all sides so it's kind of a massive covered patio. We stop her primarily for the conch fritters and it never disappoints. It's a must try. They have a variety of food options with plenty of seafood on the menu. Service is always great as well. Only meh is that the bathrooms aren't really great and trash was overflowing with no TP last time we visited but, that matches the overall vibe and not enough to deter us from visiting again!

Fresh food cook at order,plastic soft grasses,Prices high for standard food.Hazard parking at street.Birds eating at tables,BE AWARE AT CHECK TIME,prices changed,I don't why. Menu fish sandwich $12xx at check $15, menu combo $24xx at check $28 WHY? No feeling good.We do not return here.

A fun place to stop while traveling from Miami to Key West. The restaurant is right on the water and has a perfect breeze blowing through. Our server was super nice, and the service was fairly quick considering how busy it was. The food was absolutely amazing, but the drinks were just okay. They were also out of a lot of ingredients for both the food and drink, but our server was accommodating and made alternate recommendations to us. Very fun spot!

Off Card Sound but better accessed by boat. Great way to finish up a day on the water! Bartender a staff were great!! Awesome dive bar, Very friendly folks and great comfort food.

We try to stop here on the way to or from Keys whenever we can. Food is surprisingly good, and everybody is really cool, led by Dawg or Dog, however he spells it. We've been lucky to catch him working on our last three visits. Not sure if the place would be as much fun if he wasn't there. Hopefully the skeeters haven't carried him off. Anyway, worth the side trip.

FANTASTIC FOOD/Fantastic views/Fantastic people. You must visit this place if you are going to the keys. To open up your vacation in the Florida keys. I know every thine we ride to the key this is our traditional rally point and breakfast al 10 am

Best place to chill on the water and eat fresh food. Low key. Get the conch fritters. Thank me later.

I love coming here on my way to the Keys. It's everything a dive bar in Florida should be...it's covered outdoor seating, on water, and paper plates and plastic cups. The conch fritters are the best I have had. They are different than most places in that they are large flat fritters vice small round balls..think apple fritter shaped but with conch. This trip I had the shrimp platter with fries and baked beans. The shrimp were seasoned with old bay. The fries and baked beans were just okay. Overall, it's a fun experience with good food.

Conch fritters. This is THE place to get them in the keys. They are huge, and filled w conch. We tried several on our recent trip to the keys, and none came close to Alabama Jacks

Absolutely terrible experience. Rude staff, low quality deep fried food at high prices, dirty restaurant and food served on styrofoam plates. This place was recommended to us by a boat captain that we took a tour with in Key Largo. We pulled up and immediately noticed it looked ran down but thought maybe that was the "experience or charm" of the experience. We are open to dives, fancy restaurants, burger joints, greasy spoons, high end, fast food, all of it. We immediately noticed a sign that said "don't effing seat yourself" and that should have been our first clue. We were sat and I asked the employee seating us what she recommended, she gave me a few ideas which included a hot dog. I thought that was an interesting menu item to suggest. We ordered our food, and we fed most of it to the fish swimming in the river below. My fish sandwich was dry, flavorless, and I ate a small part of it. Our server was very curt, surly, I felt like I was a burden by speaking to her. I asked for a refill on my ice tea to have a server sigh out of exasperation and say "ok" in a very annoyed voice. I was a server for many years and subsequently I usually tip very well because I understand how hard the job can be. We did not leave a tip, which again is very unusual for us, but the service was horrid, the food was gross, and we did not feel a tip was warranted. A tip is extra money you give a server in exchange for good service. We did not get good service. As we were walking of the restaurant the server yelled, " TIPS ARE APPRECIATED" across the restaurant in front of all of the other customers. It was extremely unprofessional and inappropriate. It took everything I had not to turn around and yell back "good service is also appreciated!". When I was a server and didn't receive a tip I had a little self introspection and adjusted accordingly. Not this gal. My husband and I both had upset stomachs after leaving. Suffice it to say we won't be back. The only redeeming part of this meal was feeding our food to the fish. This place may have been a cool biker bar back in the day, and may now be just getting by from the myth and lore of times past but in the year 2024 I think they are a hard pass.

We used to stop here to and from the keys every time we visited the area. So, on this recent visit, we once again stopped by, this time for lunch. Oh, what a disappointment this visit was! First off, you're welcomed by a sign that says don't f'n even think about seating yourself. I guess it is supposed to be funny. But we were told to sit wherever we wanted to do so. We chose a table by the water. We both began with soups. The conch chowder was decent. And my husband said his soup was fine. That's why there are two stars for this review. My sandwich, however, was a travesty. The fish -- which was supposed to be grouper (it definitely was not) -- was so over fried in old oil that it was nearly black in color and cooked hard. Being hungry, I sandwiched it between the roll and slathered on some tartar sauce to cover the off taste. The guys sitting next to us ordered crabcakes and they came out as dark as two hockey pucks. Guess we will be skipping this place in the future.

First stop here since before the Covid pandemic. In multiple previous visits we would detour down Card Sound Road just to stop for some great food. Alas, those were the good old days ... Today's lunch was such a disappointment. The Grouper was suspect and the fryer oil is turning out everything,(even the crab cakes), a dark brown. Service was prompt and good,(that is why the two stars instead of only one star). We will miss the fond memories and great food at Alabama Jack's...

One of our favorite places to stop on the way to Key West! It's on the water, and a great place for cold beer and their award winning and so delicious conch fritters!!! We also had the fish spread, it was supposed to be "smoked" but it was more spicy mayo then smoked. If you are heading to the Keys take a detour and stop in.

Big portion platter great price ambiance right next to the water service friendly Out of the way place fun to look around at license plates signs etc

First, let me say this is a working man's bar . But the food is outstanding. The conch fritters are the best I have ever had, and thier more like cakes . So good , the service was great. Bar tender was working her rear off . Smoke fish spread was just wonderful . Ambiance was like I said a working man's bar like sitting on your patio bar next to the bayou . Live music was great and really needs to be your first stop if you're driving down the keys .

This is certainly a hidden gem for those who prefer the road less taken. Located on the old Cardsound Road, this divey relic of a bar has remained unchanged despite its surrounding watering holes. There are no frills and that's what makes it special. Plenty of bikers gather here but all demographics can enjoy a casual drink and a bite here because it's embodies a rustic vibe to the keys experience that's often unmatched. I sat at the bar with my dog and had a few bites with two drinks to follow. They are priced well & they have pretty quick bar service so you're not waiting too long. I can imagine when it's busier that might not be the case but both still warrant a trip here. They had a live band when I went on a Sunday afternoon which made it even better. It's laidback and very welcoming so I'd certainly recommend for those who want to venture on the old cardsound road as opposed to its busier neighbor of US 1.

Always a great spot to stop in and get some yummy food before you head out to the keys. Servers are always nice and they usually have live music so if you're not into that thing sit towards the back by the bay it's quieter. Had the sampler. Got 3 sides of Mac n cheese DO IT!!! Worth every bite

This seafood restaurant located on Card Sound Rd. In Key Largo, is a bit out of the way from the main part of the island. The open air casual place on the water usually has live music but we were there around noon time. We shared the half pound peel and eat shrimp with potato salad $19.50 and a side salad $3.25. Everything was delicious and enjoyed the local experience.

This establishment is your definition of hole in the wall. I have been coming to the Keys for 50+ years and every time I come down this is a must stop to get into that Keys vibe! I always have my first ceviche (conch salad) upon arrival along with grouper fingers & some ice cold Miller Lites! For me the perfect beginning of spending the week in the Keys! The service is usually good as the folks always are there when your beverage runs dry! Instead of taking US 1 take the road to Card Sound! It's a throw back to old Florida! Enjoy!

Food was excellent and made quickly. Ordered Togo while I was in a hurry. Fish sandwich was great.

Service was bad! There were about 8 tables available when I went and it took 20-25 to get seated! Food was fare! Nothing special!

Don't waste your time and gas driving there. The servers couldn't have been less welcoming if they tried. The fried fish was the worst we've ever had. We live in Florida and would warn any of our family and friends that are tourist to avoid this stop on their trip to the keys unfortunately.

We stopped in April and I fell in love with this place instantly! I cannot say enough how much I love the ambiance and the laid back feel of this place. The bartender was super friendly and made us feel welcome like we were all friends. The waitress was attentive and nice. The food was excellent! We will be back!

If you want an original Florida historic sea food experience, this is the one. The couch is incredible, the service is good o'l fashion. Highly recommended! God Bless!

The fried shrimps tasted more like flower than shrimps. the sauce for the wings tasted like ketchup. my father came back upset because he felt discriminate. My father came back to me explaining how horrible the services was and that hurt me because my father works too hard for anyone to treat him anything but with hostility. something needs to get fixed. your waiters should be able to bring people back not push them away. It is a new world and discrimination should not be a problem

Great local bar that's been around forever.We got to shoot the shit with the owner and enjoyed our talk about the bar and its history. Lima bean soup is the best and also the conch fritters . Definitely recommended stoping by for the experience.

Great little pit stop before starting your trip headed to the keys. The conch fritters made it worth the detour, it was very yummy and tasteful. Our bartender was vert helpful, Grandma. She made our time there very pleasant. If you want an outdoor view for a quick bite this is your place

We usually stop here when leaving the keys. I love this place, it's relaxed, great food and they usually have live music. Highly recommended the conch fritters, not your typical conch fritters, even better!! Fried fish is really good as are the crab cakes. It's divey, it's been there since 1947. The drive on CardSound road is beautiful!!! A must visit when in the keys.

Best conch fritter in the world! Addicting! I can not head to the keys without having some! Service is alright but you won't mind after having these.

Unique, friendly atmosphere. Worth the drive off highway 1. Loved sitting on the water and watching schools of fish go by. My blackened Mahi-Mahi sandwich was excellent.

For a true 'old Florida' feel, you must stop atAlabama Jack's. Rustic, used, old, and lots of character. a great way to start or end your trip to the Keys. Food is good, drinks are refreshing, and ambience is relaxed. Always our first stop when heading to the Keys.

Ride down on the chopper. Hot. Hot as f*ck. Jack's got the icy-est, cold as f*ck beers. Been there for damever. Juiciest burgers, stonies in season, fish dip rocks. Live music sum times Worth the ride, drive, swim, whatever. A classic iconic must go there kinda place. hope it stays locals only ish. I mean tourists are ok. Just don't slow down the chopper on my roll down

Our server was great. Had a late lunch with lots of appetizers with conch fritters, shrimp & crab rolls, fish dip, fish fingers, fish spread, & my daughter had Mac and cheese which was good but not as creamy. It probably was because we came after the lunch rush. My son and I had lemonade and my husband and daughter had beer. I hadn't been here in quite some time and there have been some structural changes and improvements all for the better.

I ended up at Alabama Jack's by looking up places to stop at en route to the keys. I, was on my way home and STARVING. We didn't look anything aside from star count--it had the most stars out of our options. Upon arrival we were a bit thrown by the appearance, it looks like a scene out of Sons of Anarchy. We ordered a chowder and a platter for two. The chowder was good, nothing to write home about but tasty (with a good amount it meat in it). The platter on the other hand was delicious! For sides we picked sweet potato and regular fries and Mac and cheese. We thoroughly enjoyed everything but the regular fries. The reg fries were surprisingly bad. Regarding service, we felt well taken care of and attended to. I would 1000% go back and have already rec'd them.

Deliciousness!! Come with the idea of island life/island time- leave your time table behind. Service wasnt super fast but this is really a perfect place to sit back and enjoy the calmness of the water. So peaceful. Started with the cold smoked fish dip served with crackers. Got the side of jalapeños but it was spicy enough without them. Had the fried conch and fries. Fries are standard frozen fries but the conch was wonderful. Served with tarter and cocktail sauce. No frozen drinks but the rum punch drink was very refreshing. They did allow our dog to come inside but we were there on a weekday and it wasnt excessively crowded. Definitely recommend stopping.

Very dirty , tables not clean and service is lousy . We did love the conch fritters , conch chowder was just ok ... great setting , would give it another chance but too much fried food for me

We took a very last minute drive to Key Largo last weekend to finally eat at Alabama Jack's. This Florida style dive bar and restaurant served up some of the best conch fritters I've ever had! They're kind of like conch fritter meets cornbread meets hush puppy and with those powers combined it's magical. The mahi sandwich was excellent as were the mahi tacos. Service was attentive and friendly. We arrived at about 12:30pm on a Sunday and snagged one of the last tables. By time we left about an hour later there was a line out the door! Definitely a cool spot for locals and tourists alike.

Been coming here for 15 plus years as a local . Great place , food , atmosphere , however on this sunday afternoon the woman behind the bar was absolutely miserable I almost decided to leave she made us so uncomfortable. If you hate your job that much probably time to get a new line of work . We ended up staying & everything else was great .

I stopped by here because traffic was awful on the way to Key west. The conch salad was delicious and flavorful. The spring rolls were good as well with the Thai chili seasoning. The service was superb. You have to watch out for the mosquitos because they are great in number being so close to the water; however the restaurant has lots of bug repellent. The restaurant was clean as well. I would stop by here again

Watch your bill. They give you two receipts and the one that you sign doesn't show the gratuity that is already included and shows the recommended tip and is 20% of everything including the gratuity that was already included. Don't get the spring rolls. There is no seafood in them whatsoever. we think it's mystery meat.

Such a fun place! I took 3 friends new to the US and the seafood was delicious. They said it was better than the Philippines!! What a view. Get there early for lunch so that you can secure the perfect spot looking over the canal .

great place to spend your day, good country band on weekends, I heard they were trying to sell. Wonder if they did?

Despite reports to the contrary, Alabama Jack's is NOT closed... I'm here right now January 21, 2025 having a drink and getting their damn good lima bean soup!

It had been pre pandemic since I had been here, and I used to stop here pretty frequently 20 years ago. Now, it seems very few Keys locals stop here. The people seated were tourists. Those waiting to be seated were tourists. Even my friends were surprised I was going there. Service was super attentive and friendly. Could not have asked for better. Food was the same as old times, though with new HIGH prices. A chili, a Lima bean soup and a grilled cheese with 3x soft drinks was $36. The grilled cheese was 2 slices of white bread with American cheese was $12! For those who don't like the use of plastic utensils and styrofoam plates, this place has no running water (thus the "outhouse" type toilets). You will see the water truck parked there to clean kitchen cookware.

This restaurant was OK. I think it is one of those touristy stops that you have to make on your Keys trip. There was nothing wowing about it. The food was pretty good. It's not a 5-star restaurant, but I don't expect it to be. Service was another thing that was just OK. It wasn't particularly busy, but I feel like our waitress did just enough to get an ok. Would I go back.... maybe. There are a lot of restaurants to try so I would probably try new places before going back.