Papa Joe's landmark Florida Keys restaurant gets demolished!

[@bkeberle]

My dad used to take me down to the Keys every spring break and Papa Joe's was pretty much home base for many years. He passed away down in Florida not longer after Papa Joe's did and I'll always remember the place. Thanks for posting this.

[@garyboswell]

Thank you for this sad but touching video. It is very well produced. I have so many fond memories of toasting the sunset there with friends and Mark and Ginger behind the bar. We had our first Keys snowball fight one Christmas Eve at Papa Joe’s with Ginger providing the snow-shaved ice from the blender!

[@cryptosann9529]

Thank you for this, went to Islamorda back in 2015 for the first time in 10 years. I wondered what had happened to it. I used to fish near that bridge a lot, and family used to call it Papa Joe's Bridge . Would drive all the way from Fort Lauderdale to fish at this bridge. Great spot for snapper fishing in the summer!

[@MrWolfjames]

I think The first time I was ever in there was at the ripe old age of maybe 5 or so, ended up tending bar there in the 70's , and a great sunset hang out in the 90's. Another example of the ending of the Islamorada that we grew up in. Heartbreaking.

[@joefurlong7638]

Papa Joe's Restaurant was all about the guy who ran the place, big, tough Frank Curtis, ( that's him in his hat on sign over front door ). At least he was the guy there when I first moved to Islamorada in the fall of 1993 after purchasing an old gas station nearby. I soon became a " regular " at both the inside and outside bar. My memories of those years are precious. The actual legal owner of the place was Frank's " better half ", a lady named Patty. However Frank was the guy who ran things, with a firm but friendly hand. We soon became good friends. The tales, great barmaids and sunsets are unforgettable. Enough cannot be said about the great barmaids there,..Ginger, Leslie, Vicky ( my favorite :O) ), Tiki, Carmen, etc. Frank passed away suddenly at a youthful 67 years of age in 1999. Patty hired a couple of business savvy gals to assist her in running the place till I moved away in September 2004. However, it was never the same place as when Frank ran things. The old " Dade County Pine " landmark closed about four years afterwards and torn down soon after that. Am so glad that I was a part of that scene, even for those years that quickly flew by. A special place, graced by special people.

[@mlctidwell]

My dad. Thanks for the tribute. ✌️💙

[@TheDollhouseMuseum]

Very touching and well-made video; thank you.

[@davidh943]

Went to Key West bin 1991 with my brother , parents and grandparents. Stopped in there and for the longest time the restaurant magnet was on my parents fridge. Always said I was going to go back there

[@BJK1715]

great memory drinking a beer, watching the sunset from that 2nd story 'pavilion' / bar across that walkway bridge. 😭 🥰 sad to see it torn down, BUT, it was a dump! 🧐 🤣

[@TropicLightning-]

Will never forget. Uncle Art and I..

[@davidkoblentz]

thankfully I had the privilege of having some drinks there a few times.. and having my fresh catch brought up to me cooked.. damn.

[@thadsgudenuff]

Damn, that just sucks. Now I'm all sad. :'(