Flamingo Crossing — Restaurant in Key West

So unfortunately I didn't even have any ice cream, so this review is solely based on my experience with the guy behind the counter. I brought my husband down to Florida (which is where I grew up) and one of our stops on April 3rd 2019 was Key West. We went to the "Southernmost Bar" (which is a blast BTW!) and had one drink each, then began our walk up the main street. He went into the cigar shop across the street from this ice cream store and I suddenly had to use the restroom SO BAD. The cigar shop guy wouldn't allow it, fine. So I went catty-cornered to the little convenience store and theirs was out of order. I went across from there to a clothing shop and they didn't have one. The cigar shop guy suggested the ice cream shop so I hurried over there feeling like it would be moments before I peed myself. I walked in and there were no customers but there was a brown-haired guy behind the counter. I could see the restrooms so I asked him, "Do you have a restroom I could use?". I was in an absolute emergency and had already gone everywhere else. He gets this indignant look on his face and said, "Yeah if you plan to buy something". I said, "OK that's fine I guess" and I was just super thankful to even be allowed to use it. I came back out and was going to buy a water (my husband would be sad if I got ice cream without him!) and I see a sign that says they take cash only. I would never carry cash on a vacation. So I said, "You guys only take cash?" He got this look on his face and goes, "I mean you can give me a dollar but you shouldn't just walk into a place and expect to use the bathroom for free.". First of all, I didn't EXPECT anything. I was fully prepared to buy a water from him AND I was going to bring my husband back for ice cream after we had dinner. But to say something like that to a potential customer (or another human, period) was so freaking rude. So I called my husband and asked him if he had $1, which he did, so he brought it over to me and I put it on the counter. Not only did he lose the drink sale, he lost the ice cream sale and we will never go to this place again. Granted, our sale and potential future sales are just a drop in the bucket for them and they probably won't even care or miss our money but I think it's the principal here. To belittle someone who was in an emergency state and treat them with such contention is just something that shouldn't even happen in any...

As a longtime local whose family has been coming here for over 30 years, I’ve always appreciated this spot. Lately, though, I’ve noticed some changes in the ice cream quality, particularly with the Passionfruit flavor, which seems to have lost some of its signature taste. Some of the tropical flavors also seem noticeably sweeter. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been coming here for years. After football games, birthdays, and for to-go orders... I’ve tried almost every flavor.

I also noticed small changes, like the cake cones being less visible, which makes it feel like regular cones are being encouraged instead. While that’s not my main concern, the shift in flavor quality has been disappointing. At first, I wondered if there was a change in ownership, like what happened with Duetto, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I truly hope to see the flavors return to what made them special. I’d love to keep coming back, but lately, I’ve felt a bit let down. I'll update this review next time I go, hoping that it has just been a thing this last month.

P.S. – I’ve also noticed some inconsistency with the “10 scoops = 1 free” policy. It would be helpful if employees were trained to stamp either per scoop or per order consistently. On one visit, everyone in my party got two scoops, but I only received a stamp per order. Another time, I was given two stamps for multiple ice creams. It seems like there’s some misunderstanding in management regarding how this is applied. Clearer guidelines would make the experience fairer for...

I have been coming to the island since I was in my teens with my parents and am now bringing my kids. When we first started going to Flamingo Crossing, this was the best place hands down. We would walk all the way down Duval from the Galleon. Excellent ice cream, excellent service. Unfortunately while the ice cream is still the best hands down, we have had an older gentleman as our server for the past 4-5 years, and he is just awful. I was reading some of the reviews, and annoyed doesn't even begin to describe his attitude. We talked about this place to my son and he was so excited to try some of the flavors, as most are unique and he has never tried them. The guy audibly sighed, wore an annoyed, almost angry expression and was just completely rude. We walked away shaking our heads. My father thought it was the owner because he has been there for a while. It is hard to imagine any owner tolerating this type of treatment. The only thing I will say in his defense is there was a steady line out the door and he was literally the only one on duty. It definitely needs to be better staffed. And that man has no business being in customer service. At. All. I am sorry to say we didn't go back specifically because of him. We went somewhere closer...