The Best Key Lime Pie In Florida Is At Publix?

I was just as shocked as anyone when I came to this realization. You see, I am a lover of Key Lime Pie. I have tried many from across the state, including going to Key West to have some pie "at the source". Anyone remember Randy's Fish Market in Naples? They made a really great pie. I miss that place.  Another amazing one is in Tampa, Mike's Pies. Mike's Key Lime Pie is so good that it was featured on Good Morning America.

So when I happened upon a reddit thread about the "Best Key Lime Pie in Florida", it was interesting to note how many people said "Publix". Of all the places I've tried, I've overlooked the one at the store just down the road from my house. So it's time to give it a shot.

The first thing I noticed is that the whole pie is only 10 bucks. I've paid close to 10 dollars a slice before, so this was a welcome surprise. We had some friends over yesterday and I decided this was the best time for this taste test. So here's our honest opinions.

Without even having to say a word, the first thing I noticed is that everyone finished every last crumb of their slice of pie. Myself included.

Key lime has a very distinct taste, different from regular limes, and this was definitely made with Key Lime juice. If I had to guess, it tastes like they're using Nellie & Joe's. Key limes have more acidity, which makes them more tart. That's the reason why they pair so well with sweet ingredients.

Publix also uses whipped cream instead of meringue. This is a big one for me. I'm not a fan of meringue, I'll taste it just to get the feel of what the chef is doing, but generally I scrape it off the side and into the trash. And the cream Publix is using isn't overly sweet. I had a bite of just the cream without pie and it really wasn't much. But paired with the pie, it was perfect.

You gotta have the right crust. The crust wasn't overly thick, but just enough to keep the pie from falling apart when you scooped out a slice. And just like the cream, the taste of the crust was perfectly balanced to go with the pie. When you make Key Lime Pie, the taste of the key limes is the feature, and everything else is there to accompany. Publix hit that balance just right. Not too tart, not overly sweet. This pie is amazing.

There is a second version of this pie that I want to try. I'm told Publix makes a Mango Key Lime Pie. They didn't have it at the store when I went, so maybe it's a seasonal thing. I'll watch for it. 

Put this on your list for when you have people visit from up north. If someone wants to try a 'perfect Florida meal', get them a Pub Sub and a slice of this pie. My go-to is the chicken tender sub, buffalo style-shaken.

Local Cuisine refers to the cooking and serving of dishes typical of the culture of the area. Many of the dishes contain food that has been produced within that area. So for Southwest Florida that of course means seafood. But that's not all. There's a lot of other fresh foods produced right here in the Sunshine State. Like oranges, tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, strawberries and more. Those locally grown crops are found on the plates in Florida restaurants that want the freshest foods possible. There's also cattle ranches. Places like Beach Bistro on Anna Maria Island serve steaks from a ranch just north of North Port. Local. Southwest Florida restaurants that serve food from Florida. That's what we mean by 'local cuisine' restaurants.

As a local, I know about these places. I can personally vouch for several of the rankings on the list. But rather than talk about my favorites, we'll defer to the reviews on Tripadvisor. By using keywords and the site's algorithms, I was able to pinpoint what they would consider the top 10 local cuisine restaurants in Southwest Florida. As a way to show my work, here's a direct link to what I've done. Sure, there may be some places that you think should be on the list, but I don't think you could say any of these places shouldn't be mentioned.

It's actually embarrassing how many people go to the chain restaurants when they come to Southwest Florida to visit. You can go to those places anytime. Also, this list stretches from Sarasota to the south end of Naples. So, some of these places won't be very close, depending on where you are. Now let's take a look at the best local cuisine restaurants in Southwest Florida. I'll drop a couple a couple of links at the end for even more options.

I can't believe we almost lost this place. The Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach was almost wrecked by Hurricane Ian. There was a boat on their front steps. Seriously.

Thankfully, they were able to put everything back together, and according to Tripadvisor it's the number one spot for fresh local seafood in Southwest Florida. It's an open air bar/restaurant and has everything you could possibly want from a waterfront restaurant on an island. It's an absolute must for anyone visiting the Fort Myers area. Us locals love it, too. This is true original Southwest Florida.

It should come as no surprise that number 2 on the list is owned by the same people that own the Dixie Fish Company. Doc Ford's on Fort Myers Beach is right next to the Dixie Fish Company. Doc Ford's also has a Sanibel location. You cannot fail ordering a grouper taco with beans and rice. That's my go-to. The shrimp and grits are pretty amazing, too. You're also gonna love the decor. And the view.

At number 3 on the list is an entry from Englewood. Englewood is full of Snowbirds this time of year, and this is one of their favorites. A reviewer stated "Had the mango pecan wahoo on Jamaican rice and it was as good as it sounds." Oh my.

Baleen is just incredible. But keep in mind it's location in Naples does make it a little pricier than some of the others. But you will not find a better view of the Gulf while you dine. Get some mango bread pudding, trust. People come here to propose, it's just beautiful. One note, go when the weather is good for the full experience. Maybe one day these clouds will clear out...

This one's in Sarasota, and elegant European indoor and outdoor garden setting. Their specialty is events. I don't know much about this place, but I wanted to stay true to the list. It's been referred to a a 'hidden treasure' in Sarasota. It's also very Instagrammable. 

Harold's in Fort Myers comes in at number 6 and is the first on the list that doesn't benefit from a waterfront location. It's on 41 near 6 Mile Cypress. So it must be the food. Some reviewers mention Harold's as the best restaurant in Fort Myers. Getting to watch the chefs cook your food through the big window is a treat. Not sure what to get? Do the scallops. Or this:

Back to Sarasota for this one, it's a local favorite on Siesta Key. Lots of fresh seafood on the menu, or they'll cook up what you catch. If you have someone with you who's not a seafood lover, they also have a few pizza options. 

And to Fort Myers Beach for Fresh Catch Bistro. Upscale dining with a fabulous Estero Bay view. The mahi is a favorite. Really, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I still remember before the hurricane bringing my parents there. The first time I ever saw Soapy Tuna was at Junkanoo. This place has history. This video really tells the story.

Fresh fish and paired wine at this place in Sarasota. The name really says who they are, and that's what they do.

Next up is Shore by Lido Key in Sarasota. Not just a seafood restaurant, Shore is a mix of on shore and off-shore menu items. Incredibly touristy area, but they manage to stand out with a local feel.

For as much damage as we took from that last hurricane, Fort Myers Beach restaurants have really managed to rebuild and maintain a local feel. Next up is Flippers On The Bay. Their view of the bay is absolutely amazing. Seafood is on the menu.

Related: The Best Tacos In Southwest Florida Are At A Gas Station In Estero

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