Mam's Best Food — Restaurant in Key West

We went to this kosher restaurant with high expectations. We had visited the synagogue to pray and wanted to see more of the local community. What we found was, to put it mildly, UNbelievable: you cannot sit in the air conditioning because there is no inside at all (the humidity was stifling and the air temperature was 92 degrees), we asked for cold water which they brought but very soon ran out of ice for the drinks, when we went to pay we couldn't believe our ears that they do not accept credit cards. A restaurant in a tourist town that does not accept credit cards (or Apple Pay, Google Pay,......), is this 1997 or 2017?

Just to complete the picture for someone reading this review, the restaurant is microscopic with total seating of maybe three small tables. There are no ceiling fans as you sit under a tarp. There are houses abutted up to both sides of the restaurant. The restaurant faces out onto a small street, on which several tourist buses and trolleys came by during our meal. One of the owner's friends came up and started smoking in the restaurant.

The food? Who cares? This is supposed to me a restaurant where people...

If you’re looking for a standout kosher lunch experience in Key West, Mam’s Best Food is an absolute gem. The host and chef, affectionately known as “Mam,” delivers not just fresh, delicious Israeli cuisine, but a warm, unforgettable hospitality that makes you feel like family. Every dish bursts with flavor, perfectly spiced to your taste—just ask Mam, and she’ll craft something special, whether you’re craving a classic shawarma, a spicy eggplant pita, or her famously light, fresh falafel. The bread, especially the pita and baguette, is served hot and fluffy, the ideal base for her vibrant salads and spreads. Outdoor seating adds to the laid-back, homey vibe, and Mam’s lively personality turns every meal into a memorable experience. Whether you keep kosher or just love great food, this is a must-visit spot...

I found the place via Google Maps it had 4.8 stars and it was close to Hemingway’s home.

You can hardly call it a restaurant. It’s an outdoor place with three filthy tables on uneven ground. The lady (probably an owner) didn’t greet us and was never friendly.

The bathroom is between two buildings I had to go grab my phone because the light was not working.

We ordered 2 lunches, $30 per lunch. The food was microwaved and probably old. The pasta was soggy, unsalted, the chicken and meat were dry, rice was old and dry. I respect that old woman cooks and serves everything by herself. But this is not a 4.8 place where you spend...