What’s the Apps? / Harpoon Harry’s

By: Dakin Weekley

Located on Caroline Street, Harpoon Harry’s has an eclectic collection of art, photographs, and collectables on its walls and offers a classic diner-style menu. It has cakes and pies sold from counter stands and is also a liquor store and sells newspapers. It has booths and counter space and seating indoors and outdoors. It is not uncommon to overhear local denizens discussing the city or their work or tourists talking about their vacations. It is a melting pot and a breakfast institution, but I am here for a drink and an appetizer.

Harpoon Harry’s offers a full bar. One of their own servers, Cathy Hitchcock, makes Harry’s own Bloody Harry mix from scratch every day, so I can’t pass up this spiced up version of the Bloody Mary, which they also offer for more mild diners. The Bloody Harry is served with a pickle spear and a skewer of olive, jalapeno, and pepperoncini.

My first appetizer is the Fried Green Beans. They are served with two sauces, Ranch Dressing and the Bistro Dipping Sauce which is Dijon, horseradish, and roasted garlic. As a lover of hot sauce, I am always a fan of the one-of-a-kind Harpoon Harry’s house-made recipe. It is a solid Louisiana-style hot sauce, but less vinegary and slightly thicker. It is a good match for the green beans which on their own are crunchy, savory, and a great munchie to pair with the Bloody Harry.

I also try the Fish Slider, one of Harpoon Harry’s selection of three sliders that also includes a Burger Slider and a Chicken Tender Slider. The fish is grilled and changes daily based on what’s fresh, and today it is Lane Snapper. It is served with grilled onions with a lemon wedge and tartar sauce. I add a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of Harry’s hot sauce and am treated to a tasty, tiny fish sandwich.

Harpoon Harry’s, a longtime staple of Key West breakfast and blue plates, covers a lot of other territory while not feeling over-extended in any way. Stop in at 832 Caroline Street any day between 6:30 and 9:00 for a snack, a drink, or a meal.

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