ENTERTAINMENT

'Watts for Dinner': You’d be crazy to skip out on Flamingo

Will Watts
Correspondent

This week’s Marco Island destination was the Crazy Flamingo.

I can best describe the décor as sports bar meets Key West, a comfortable feel; a place where the locals hang out.  

Battered butterfly shrimp dipped in a buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese dressing at the Crazy Flamingo, Marco Island.

We grabbed a table by the bar, perused the menu and made some decisions. We placed our order with the bartender and made the mistake of ordering the entrees and the appetizer at the same time. Unless you want them all at the same time, don’t do that.

I usually say things got off to an appetizing start, but in this case, by partner in dine and I enjoyed our main dish more.

We started with the buffalo shrimp ($10.99). Battered butterfly shrimp dipped in a buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese dressing – which was the best part. The dressing tasted as though it was made in house; was very think with big chunks of blue cheese; yummy! The shrimp were a bit on the soggy side.

“Steak A La Mama” ($19.99), a 12 oz. charbroiled sirloin topped with roasted garlic, cherry peppers and “a la mama” sauce and was served on top of French fries at the Crazy Flamingo, Marco Island.

For my entrée, I choose the Cesar salad with the grilled chicken ($8.99). Why? Hardly bar food, you might point out. The menu said it was the best, “award winning” and that they “sold the most.” So, I had to find out for myself.  

Boasts aside; it was a solid performer. The chicken was tasty and plentiful; the dressing tangy and not too heavy; and the side of garlic bread that comes with it was the icing on the cake.

My dining companion ordered the “Steak A La Mama” ($19.99), a 12 oz. charbroiled sirloin topped with roasted garlic, cherry peppers and “a la mama” sauce and was served on top of French fries.

Cesar salad with grilled chicken from the Crazy Flamingo, Marco Island.

I have a confession to make: I’m a fry stealer. And these fries were bombastic, fantastic. I will never go to Crazy Flamingo without ordering fries ever again. The steak was masterful; juicy and delicious. The peppers added a little too much heat for my friend; but otherwise it was a solid performer.

Crazy Flamingo: come as you are, stay as long as you want, be yourself and get a true taste of Marco Island.

More:‘Watt’s for Dinner’: Joey D’s for a good time

More:‘Watt’s for Dinner’: Hoot’s makes breakfast unique

This newspaper pays for all meals related to dining reviews. We do not solicit or accept free food.

If you go

  • The Crazy Flamingo
  • 1035 North Collier Boulevard, #313, Marco Island
  • 239-642-9600   
  • www.thecrazyflamingo.com