Nestled in a small strip center along the Overseas Highway (Route 1) is an unpretentious diner that’s been satisfying appetites for almost 40 years.  Docs Diner serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 6 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon.

Doc’s is a family-run business that began when an optometrist of Italian decent who was living up north decided to relocate in Key Largo after taking a 2 month assignment there in 1975.  Doc’s wife, Mary Lynn had 2 daughters before the couple decided to open their restaurant in 1985.  All four of them, Doc, Mary Lynn, Gina and Christa have worked in the restaurant carrying on the traditions of the place.

Should you go, I hope you’re in the mood for their specialities: cinnamon buns, Tuesday lunches featuring homemade Italian dishes, pancakes with an array of toppings to start your day, mammoth french toast, baked mac & cheese, waffles and made-from-scratch Key Lime Pie.  We went for a late Saturday breakfast, noshing on Doc’s breakfast wrap, grits and blackened Mahi-Mahi over eggs and home fries.  Their motto is “Come Hungry”, and they mean it.  The portions are very generous!  We were seated at the counter next to 2 locals from the North end of the Key who were there for the first time.  Based on their reactions to the food, I suspect they’ll be back before long.

Doc’s Diner is no secret after all these years.  The place has 1500+ Google Reviews and I’m happy to add mine to the mix.

Website