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Restaurant Highlights: The Old Salty Dog

Posted by Best Western Siesta Key onSeptember 13, 2020 in General.

It’s not often that you find an eco-friendly spot to hang that also has great drinks, a chill vibe, and a few famous drop-ins from time to time. While this is definitely not the norm, we realize that when you’re vacationing in a new place (or a favorite not-new place), sometimes you want to absorb a bit of local color and experience life as we know it on the Gulf Coast. When that happens, it’s time to check out places like The Best Western Siesta Key’s favorite local staples like The Old Salty Dog. This island favorite has plenty to offer, including a long, lazy afternoon wasting away in Margaritaville.

Famous Moments

While The Old Salty Dog has been an institution on Siesta Key’s Ocean Boulevard since 1985, it may have gained even more status by being featured in the hit reality TV show, Siesta Key. While the show referred to this restaurant as “the real Siesta Key,” employees and other locals doubted that the publicity would bring more visitors than usual to the favorite haunt. No one doubted, however, the truth of The Old Salty Dog being a great example of “the real Siesta Key,” including Brian Johnson, lead singer of AC/DC, who has been known to stop by from time to time while at his residence in the area.

Famous Eats

While it never hurts to get a little publicity from time to time, The Old Salty Dog can hold its own with its famous fried hot dogs (yep, it’s just like it sounds), fresh seafood (everything from island tacos to lobster rolls to shrimp po’ boys) and amazing comfort food. They have options for every dietary specialization and all seafood is sourced responsibly. An ice-cold soda and a bucket of peel-n-eat shrimp can truly taste like paradise at the end of a long day in the sun. With options for the whole family, you’ll find yourself coming back several times during your stay on Siesta Key. When you find a favorite, you stick with it!

Famous Vibe

As if the great food and claims to fame aren’t enough, you’ll love the island vibe The Old Salty Dog creates. There’s nothing better than sitting at a picnic table under a tiki hut roof to make you truly feel like you’re on island time. Be sure you’re wearing your flip flops and sunglasses to complete the relaxed, laid-back feel The Old Salty Dog is famous for. You’ll love relaxing and watching the world go by up and down Ocean Boulevard while you munch on our own version of comfort food, island-style.

Wherever your adventures on Siesta Key take you, be sure you wind up at The Old Salty Dog for lunch or dinner a time or two before heading home. This is the best place to hang, chill out and not have a care in the world. Your vacation will feel like a true break from reality when you spend the afternoon with these guys. Talk to the experts at The Best Western Siesta Key to hear about our favorite dishes and experiences at The Old Salty Dog. We know you’ll love this local spot as much as we do!