Jeffery Dickens

Tucked away on the quiet corner of Petronia and Emma Street sits a true Key West hidden gem: Venda’s Homemade. If you’ve spent any time in the neighborhood, you’ve probably caught the scent of sizzling batter or seen locals wandering off with white takeout trays — and for good reason. Venda has been serving up some of the island’s best conch fritters and conch salad for years, and once you try them, you’ll understand why people talk about this place with pure devotion.

I’ve been snacking on Venda’s conch fritters since I was 13, and nothing has changed. They’re still made fresh, still piping hot, still packed with flavor — and still impossible to eat just one. Her conch salad, chopped and seasoned by hand, is bright, citrusy, and perfectly balanced, especially on a hot island day.

Because everything is made fresh to order, you must call or text ahead:
📱 (305) 395-2746

And whatever you do, don’t skip the Key Lime Mustard. It’s tangy, creamy, a little sweet, and absolutely legendary — the perfect dipping sauce for those golden fritters.

Venda’s Homemade isn’t fancy, and that’s exactly its charm. It’s island cooking the way it’s meant to be: simple, local, flavorful, and made with love. If you’re wandering Bahama Village, or just craving a true Key West bite, swing by the corner of Petronia and Emma and taste one of the island’s best-kept secrets.

If you’ve spent any time in the Florida Keys, you’ve probably seen locals pull over at roadside trees or fruit stands the moment a certain green, round, marble-sized fruit shows up. That fruit is the Spanish lime — known across the Caribbean and Latin America as quenepa, genip, mamoncillo, limoncillo, and more.

Its scientific name is Melicoccus bijugatus, and around here it’s a summer tradition.

Spanish limes grow in clusters on tall, leafy trees and have a firm green shell you crack open with your teeth. Inside is a sweet, tangy, almost candy-like pulp that clings to a large seed. Locals know: once you start eating them, you don’t stop until the bag is gone.

When Are Spanish Limes in Season?

In the Florida Keys, Spanish lime season typically runs from late June through September, with peak harvest depending on rainfall and heat. Some years the season is early and heavy; others it’s short and sweet — but always worth the wait.

Why Locals Love Them

• They’re refreshing in the summer heat
  
• They’re nostalgic — everyone grew up eating them
  
• They’re easy to snack on anywhere
  
• They’re perfect for sharing, road trips, or days on the water
  

If you’ve never tried them, think of a mix between lychee, lime, and tamarind — bright, juicy, and totally addictive.

Get Notified When They’re in Stock

Spanish lime season is short, and availability changes fast.

📬 Sign up for email alerts, and I’ll message you as soon as I have fresh Spanish limes available for pickup or delivery in Key West and the Lower Keys.

Don’t miss the best summer treat in the islands — they disappear quickly every year!

If Key West had a dessert hall of fame, Moondog Café’s Blueberry Bread Pudding Cheesecake would be front and center — crowned, spotlighted, and probably wearing a tropical lei. This indulgent creation takes two beloved classics and merges them into one unforgettable island treat.

A Dessert That Doesn’t Play Around

Imagine warm, comforting bread pudding…the kind that feels like a hug after a long day in the sun. Now swirl that into a rich, velvety cheesecake base, add juicy blueberries that burst with every bite, and finish it with Moondog’s signature island flair. The result? A dessert that’s creamy, cozy, fruity, and downright legendary.

Why It Stands Out on the Island

Moondog Café is known for dishes that feel homemade but elevated — and this dessert nails that balance. It’s not too sweet, not too heavy, and never boring. Every layer brings texture and flavor:

• Creamy cheesecake for richness
  
• Soft bread pudding for warmth and nostalgia
  
• Blueberries for brightness and balance
  
• A perfect crust that ties it all together
  

The combination is so good it has turned casual visitors into lifelong fans (myself included).

The Perfect End to a Key West Day

Whether you’re returning from a fishing trip, wrapping up a day on Duval, or just looking for something decadent to share, this dessert is pure Key West comfort. Grab a slice and a coffee, sit outside under the palms, and soak in that slow, sweet island feeling.

Bottom Line

If you’re planning a trip to Key West, add Moondog’s Blueberry Bread Pudding Cheesecake to your food itinerary. It’s more than a dessert — it’s a bite of island magic.

If you’ve spent time exploring Key West, you’ve probably spotted a bright yellow, star-shaped fruit hanging from backyard trees or farmer’s market stands—that’s starfruit, also known by its Latin name Averrhoa carambola. Sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy, starfruit is one of the most refreshing tropical treats you can find in the islands.

What Starfruit Tastes Like

Starfruit is crisp, juicy, and lightly sweet—think a blend of apple, grape, and citrus. When sliced, it forms perfect star-shaped pieces, making it a favorite for:

• 
  Beach snacks
  
• 
  Fruit bowls
  
• 
  Kids’ lunches
  
• 
  Instagram-worthy vacation photos
  
• 
  Topping fish tacos or fresh seafood
  

Season in the Florida Keys

Starfruit trees love the subtropical climate, and here in the Keys you can usually find them:

• 
  Peak Season: August through February
  
• 
  Secondary Flush: Sometimes a smaller crop in late spring
  

During peak season, you’ll see them in backyard buckets, roadside coolers, and local shops all over the Lower Keys.

Local, Fresh & Limited

I often have fresh, home-grown starfruit available in season, but it goes fast—especially when the trees hit their peak and everyone on the island starts craving them.

If you want to be the first to know when I have fresh starfruit available for pickup or delivery, make sure to sign up for email alerts. Seasonal Keys fruit sells out quickly, and this is the best way to grab some before it’s gone.

👉 Sign up for starfruit availability notifications
(Just drop your email and I’ll message you when the next batch is ready!)

Natural Sea Sponge — Hand-Picked, All-Natural, Never Bleached

Our natural sea sponges are hand-picked straight from the clear waters of the Florida Keys by me and my boys. Each sponge is carefully harvested, cleaned, and washed by hand — never bleached, never chemically treated, and always left in its pure, natural form.

Soft, durable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, these sponges are perfect for showering, bathing kids, washing dishes, or gentle exfoliation. Every sponge is unique, sustainably collected, and prepared with care from our family to yours.

Buy Now

If there’s one fruit that captures pure island summertime in the Florida Keys, it’s the mango. Known scientifically as Mangifera indica, mangos thrive in our warm, tropical climate, dropping from backyard trees all over the Keys once the season hits. Their rich, sweet flavor and juicy texture make them a favorite among locals and visitors—especially when you catch them perfectly ripe.

Season

Mango season in the Keys typically runs from May through August, though some early or late varieties can stretch the season a bit on each side. During harvest time, the islands come alive with roadside stands, neighbors sharing mangos over the fence, and that unmistakable sweet smell of fresh fruit ripening in the sun.

Why They’re Special

Keys mangos are known for:

• Incredible sweetness
  
• Creamy, fiber-light flesh
  
• Huge tropical aroma
  
• Varieties you won’t find in grocery stores
  

Locally picked mangos have a flavor you simply can’t get from store-bought. Tree-ripened fruit warms on the branch under our sun until the moment it falls — it’s nature’s candy.

Want Some?

I’ll have fresh, hand-picked mangos throughout the season.

Because availability changes day-to-day, the best way to get notified is to sign up for my email list. You’ll get updates when I have ripe mangos ready for pickup or delivery.

➡️ Join the mango list so you don’t miss out on the sweetest fruit of the summer.

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