MEAT Eatery And Taproom | Award-Winning Burgers & Craft Comfort in Islamorada

For epicures and road-trippers navigating the Florida Keys in pursuit of elite American comfort fare, MEAT Eatery and Taproom in Islamorada is an essential stop. This culinary hotspot has occupied our must-visit list for months; too often, prior dining commitments or travel schedules meant driving past. Staying in Marathon while wrapping up a Chef’s Table shoot in Key Largo finally gave us the perfect window to stop in for an early dinner. Stepping inside reveals a quaint, bustling dining room packed with grinning locals—and after one look at the kitchen’s accolades, the reasons become clear. MEAT is home to some of the most decorated craft burgers and smoked meats in the entire state.

The experience starts with a touch of nostalgic indulgence: house-crafted floats. We opted for the Cherry Bomb and the Purple Cow, both earning immediate high marks for balanced sweetness, quality ice cream, and fizzy effervescence. From there, the kitchen delivered a technical showstopper with the Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup. Crowned with crisp, house-cured bacon bits, the soup achieves velvety emulsion perfection—balancing sharp aged cheese against the malt undertones of craft beer without breaking or turning heavy. It is comfort food refined to its absolute peak, leaving a lasting impression long after the meal ends.

From the happy hour selections, the Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sliders demonstrate serious smokehouse credentials. Piled on soft slider buns and topped with tangy house-made coleslaw, the tender pork delivers the bright vinegar bite classic to Carolina barbecue—a flavor profile recognized regionally as one of South Florida’s finest sandwiches.

The undisputed main event arrived with the legendary Inside-Out Juicy Lucy Burger. This multi-year champion (awarded Best Burger in Florida for 2015, 2016, and 2017) features a 7-ounce custom-blend beef patty stuffed with rich pimento cheese and crispy bacon, then seared to high-heat perfection and topped with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomato. The cheese core melts thoroughly without leaking early, keeping the interior exceedingly juicy while maintaining a deep, caramelized crust. Paired with golden french fries fried to an addictive crunch in authentic duck fat, it sets a regional benchmark for burger mastery.

Between the exceptional burger execution, the beer cheese soup, and upcoming targets like the daily mac and cheese skillets, the Nancy Pants burger, and the spicy chicken sandwich, MEAT Eatery and Taproom demands repeat visits. It is an absolute standout in Islamorada that easily justifies a permanent spot on any Keys travel itinerary.

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