I wasn’t sure how to write this article because I was worried if I emphasized how incredibly healthy Seaside Eatery is, it might scare off some potential wholesome-food-hating patrons.
Many people associate healthy and plant-based with less flavor. This couldn’t be further from the truth with this local gem. Located at MM 98, oceanside, and tucked away in the lush landscape behind Overseas Highway and Coco Plum Road, Seaside Eatery is the first place I start missing when I’m out of town.
They specialize in plant-based items and mostly made-from-scratch food like their hot sauces and jams. Seaside Eatery goes as far as growing their own herbs and most vegetables. I have never had a bad thing on their menu but there are two items I could eat weekly and never get tired of. On a hot day, which is most days in Key Largo, nothing hits the spot like their chickpea wrap. The protein level in this baby is so high you find yourself full after eating only half. Luckily it saves so well in the fridge for lunch the next day. The salad inside the wrap has the texture of tuna or chicken salad but is made with all chickpeas and is accompanied by tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, red cabbage, carrots and an addicting lemon vinaigrette.
On a day I prefer a warm lunch, I go for the T.L.T. Now this sandwich is an anomaly. It has some of the best sourdough bread I’ve ever had, lettuce, tomato, shaved red onion and vegan mayo. Notice it is called the T.L.T. instead of a B.L.T. That’s because in place of the bacon is smoked maple-glazed tofu. The anomaly I was mentioning is this maple tofu. You see, I’m a bacon lover. I don’t know if I’ve ever come across something more flavorful and satisfying than bacon, until now. I would pick this maple-glazed tofu over bacon 100 times over. There are days I literally crave this sandwich.
At Seaside Eatery, the fun isn’t only at lunch, they serve breakfast as well. Again, some of the best breakfast items I’ve ever had and the best part is you don’t feel bogged down after indulging. They have a B-fast Sammie that mimics the look of a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin and has a sweet sriracha aioli that will brighten up any morning. For those Keys kids who miss the days when we had Taco Bell, Seaside Eatery has a crunch wrap supreme doppelgänger they call the b-fast munch wrap. This thing is filled to the brim with all the goodies. Black bean spread, “just egg,” hash browns, avocado, tomato, red onion, cumin cilantro aioli and of course the signature crunch tortilla all stuffed into a spinach wrap and pressed.
I have yet to meet someone who has tried Seaside Eatery who didn’t become a regular customer immediately after. It might be the most unusual little café food truck we have in the Keys, and thank the heavens it’s healthy because I can’t get enough. It’s the new year, 2024 is here, and I know most of us have health-related resolutions, and Seaside Eatery is the place to make those come to life. You won’t be sacrificing flavor for good choices here at all. Go give Seaside Eatery a chance and if you’re in the 1% who ends up not liking it, give me a call, I’ll come eat your leftovers. Eat in person and enjoy the gorgeous scenery or head to SeasideEateryFLKeys.com to put in your to go order on a busy day.
