Nestled beside the Cudjoe Gardens Marina with indoor and outdoor dining, the Bent Prop Bar & Grill offers authentic Keys fare with innovative flair. Carolyn Butler and Chuck Miller acquired the waterfront property before the pandemic struck, and unveiled the eatery a year later. They’re now celebrating a full year of fresh seafood, savory steaks and creative classics.
“We came to the Cudjoe Gardens area years ago and always said we’d be down here permanently once the kids were grown,” Butler said.
While house-hunting, the pair spotted a dilapidated, abandoned restaurant building on the market. The entrepreneurial couple with construction experience snapped up the property as an investment, envisioning a renovation and resale.
”Our intention was just to fix the real estate and be done with it,” Butler said. “Then, three-quarters of the way through, we started doing more and more research on restaurants and said, ‘Let’s give this a try and see what happens if we surround ourselves with professionals and learn as much as we can.’ Some couples golf; some couples go fishing. We tear things up and rebuild them. It’s who we are.”
They transformed the once-forlorn building into an inviting waterfront restaurant. Bent Prop Bar & Grill, 457 Drost Dr., Cudjoe Key, serves something for every appetite – from seafood and steaks to pasta and pork chops, each with a chef-inspired twist. For their escargot appetizer, the chef offers the traditional snails, as well as a version made with lobster medallions baked in garlic herb butter.
Boasting nearly 200 feet of waterfront, the restaurant invites boaters to arrive in style, and a sophisticated bar completes the experience.
“We wanted to offer a little bit of everything, as long as it was of excellent quality,” Butler said. “We want the best quality and the best presentation at the most economical price. And now that we’re a year into it, we’re finding what works. We are a scratch kitchen, but we know people still want Keys staples, so the menu is constantly evolving.”
The Bent Prop is currently open 3 to 9:30 p.m., but closed on Tuesdays, with the bar area open later. Happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. offers drink specials and appetizers like coconut crusted grouper cheeks and Bang Bang shrimp. Signature cocktails include the Overboard, made with coconut, mango and pineapple rums; the Fuzzy Starfish with strawberry gin, elderflower and champagne; and the Cast Off, which has vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and cream soda. On Wine Down Wednesdays, all bottled wine is half-price.
“We really just want people to know we’re here,” said Butler. “Not being right on the Overseas Highway poses a bit of a challenge, but we are so grateful for this amazing community that has welcomed us with open arms. We have outstanding chefs, front- and back-of-house staff and are always looking for good talent to join our team. It’s a great place for birthdays, dates, rehearsal dinners, engagements, corporate parties and anniversaries. We’ve even had a few weddings here.” More information is at bentpropkeys.com,info@bentpropkeys.com or 305-741-7017.
