Mangrove Mike's — Restaurant in Islamorada

We visited on a Thursday morning in late December 2024 for breakfast. We were staying at the Sunset Inn next door and this place had good reviews.

The decor and atmosphere was fantastic. The kids all loved it and they have a small merch store in the front. We were greeted promptly and our waitress was very nice and pleasant.

There were so many fantastic choices on the menu. We kind of let all the kids pick whatever they wanted.

Kitchen Sick Tator Tot Tower Nutella French Toast with Banana and Strawberries Popeye Omelet Country Fried Steak Shrimp Poboy

Me and my oldest split the kitchen sink tator tot tower at the suggestion of our waitress saying it could easily be shared by two. What we weren't told is that they would charge us a additional fee for splitting a plate. We've never seen a restaurant do this before. Especially without advertising it and also this was at the recommendation of our waitress.

My youngest enjoyed his Nutella French Toast. My wife enjoyed the popeye omelet and my middle one enjoyed the country fried steak. He was like "this doesn't taste like steak... just gravy...." I don't think he's ever had a country fried steak before. haha. Our other family member with us said the shrimp poboy was mediocre.

My youngest and middle child ordered juice which came in a small cup and don't think it was refillable. At least our waitress never offered to refill it after they drank it all. My wife ordered a coffee and the rest of us water but the waitress brought 2 coffees and of course charged us for both. We thought the waitress was just being funny because my wife mentioned really needing the coffee. My wife drank both but once again we didn't order it and were charged accordingly. Our waitress while nice just couldn't remember what anyone ordered. She confused everyone's drinks and plates when they came out. There were only 2 other groups in the restaurant while we were there so we didn't think it should be that confusing.

Overall the food was good but pricey. We were charged for additional items we did not order and tacked on hidden fees for sharing a plate. While it was convenient to eat right next door in an eclectic themed restaurant we will be more hesitant to pick this place again and certainly more cautious and vocal about our bill discrepancies. It was the day after Christmas and we did not want to cause any drama...

First impression walking in, neat decor and thought a cool little place but then began our experience with the hostess (older Hispanic lady) who had a sour expression, no smile no speaking other than to say “do you want to sit here or there”. When we were seated our waitress (older white lady) came over with a similar sour expression, not a greeting, good morning or anything, even when my husband said “good morning how are you”? (He also told her thank you each time she brought a drink or food, with no response from her) I’m not expecting a red carpet roll out or anything, but just a smile goes a long way. When we ordered the small biscuit and gravy under Morning Risers (husband and I both chose same dish, it’s usually our favorite) with homefries our waitress literally said “I know the menu says that you get a side but it’s a lie, it’s a big portion”. No apology just a blunt statement. Mind you, my menu showed all Morning Risers served with toast, and your choice of home fries , hashbrowns or tater tots. If that’s the case that it actually doesn’t, then the menu needs to change to reflect that, but let’s be honest, ONE flat biscuit cut open with gravy does not a breakfast make. Honestly seems like a way to nickel and dime everyone. Paid extra for a side of bacon ( that honestly didn’t taste great and looks like store bought pre cooked microwaved bacon) for myself and a scrambled egg for my husband. Between the hostess and waitress sour expressions, the mis-leading menu with an overpriced solitary biscuit, I will never come back here again and strongly encourage others to seek breakfast elsewhere. I know the economy, and prices are up is the go to excuse these days, but this was just a pathetic, almost $50 “breakfast” for 2 people. One can pretty much get the same unpleasant experience at Waffle House at least for a lot cheaper. The potential of the lackluster dish and misleading menu might’ve been a little less of a blow and would be willing to try another menu item or even lunch option if the staff experience were a lot more pleasant. Side note: observing as we sat eating that pretty much every other waitress greeted their guests with a smile and seemed warm and friendly, apparently we just happened to get the two employees who clearly must be...

This old favorite breakfast place has kept it's charm and service. Unfortunately the food has fallen a few notches. Both the Hogfish beni and Chicken waffles were a bit bland. :-)

Rebuttal to Owner below: My apology if you feel a solicited request for review from Google constitutes an "attack". It was not. In my humble opinion, the food was mediocre. The service and atmosphere was very good to excellent. I stand by my solicited assessment.

On the other hand, your reply to me a long time customer of Mangrove Mike's , was confrontational: I Quote

"Obviously you feel satisfaction attacking us on google rather than in person"

In reading your replies to other dissatisfied paying customers, this seems to be a pattern.

It takes many years to build a great reputation only weeks to destroy it.

Rebuttal to Rebuttal :-) : Look this is simple, we didn't like our food and we chose to not send it back. Most people don't send their food back. More so at this price point.

Your suggestion that we attacked you online and should have done it in person is rubbish. If this thread is any indication, it appears you feel confrontation in person is good for the customer. It is NOT. We were there for good food, good service, good atmosphere. You did very well on two out of three. Life is too short to argue about egg dishes!

It's simple. When Google solicited a review from me via email, I complied and provided 2/4/5 review that is NOT an attack. Nor is it as you ask my "objective" to destroy your reputation. It's one man's opinion.

I sincerely wish you well. These are tough times for many businesses and customers. Post Covid many local favorites have struggled. God speed on all...