OUR STORY
In 1971, Louie Signorelli’s oceanfront Victorian home was transformed into Louie’s Backyard. The original restaurant seated only 12, and had one lone waiter. In 1983, Phil and Pat Tenney purchased and lovingly renovated Louie’s – with special attention to the maintenance of the buIlding’s historical integrity – and transformed it into the architectural delight it is today. Their efforts earned it a placement in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Louie’s is a gourmand’s playground, a cafe-style restaurant with an oceanfront background setting – a must-do experience which has become a Key West tradition. Phil Tenney and his son Jed Tenney are at the helm, steering Louie’s Backyard into the future with it’s long standing traditions and excellence.
OUR CHEF
Doug Shook has been the unseen genius behind Louie’s cuisine for 30 years, drawing on culinary influences from around the world. Doug’s relentless commitment to quality and his endless experimentation and exploration of tastes result in four to five menu changes each year. He is an artist; Whether it’s finding the perfect amount of calamondin juice to brighten the flavor of a yellowtail snapper or the creation of a new oriental salad, his skills are Louie’s palette; your table is his canvas.
OUR FOOD
Each dish at Louie’s is prepared to order, with care and respect to each ingredient. Our seafood influence is on “hooked” local fish: grouper, hogfish, snapper, and swordfish. Our Key West “pinks” come from the local shrimp fleets. And at Louie’s, your Florida Keys lobster was caught yesterday. Louie’s also features fine steaks, heirloom pork, double lamb chops and free-range chicken.
OUR PRODUCE
Our commitment to quality is met in part by local growers of fruits and vegetables. Island Farms grows produce specifically for Louie’s: beautiful lettuce, fragrant herbs, oriental greens, tomatoes, and edible flowers. And the inimitable Mr. Wong provides us with extraordinary fresh fruits: lychee, starfruit, mango, papaya, guava, to name just a few. All are hand-selected and delivered within hours of picking.
The Afterdeck bar
… Sits only a transom’s height higher than the open Atlantic Ocean and is considered a destination watering hole. Sitting directly on the Old Bahama Channel, the afterdeck offers unobstructed ocean views, gentle breezes, and the glamorous light of Key West’s famous sunsets to add a hint of tropical color to your cocktail. The afterdeck offers handcrafted martinis and cocktails, fine wines by the glass, and a gathering place for both the hip and the hedonistic, for celebrities and canines, for both locals and our long-distance visitors.
The Café
The Café at Louie’s offers a perfect setting for sipping and tasting. Fine wines by the glass are perfectly complimented by the island’s best panoramic view of the ocean. The Café also serves elegant small plates of Fried Artichokes & Lemons, Truffled Fries with Smoked Gouda Fonduta, Grilled Octopus with Smoked Paprika, A Truffle Lobster Risotto, Bourbon BBQ Bacon Wrapped Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Grilled Baby Wedge Salad – even a Three Cheese Board and a Pizza of the Day. Our knowledgeable staff is devoted to the art of food and wine.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 5 PM to 9 PM for walk-in.
OUR STAFF
There have been so many wonderful employees over the past 30+ years who have shaped our “place of mind.” They are, and will always be, family, devoted to the art of great food and fine wine. We pride ourselves in their knowledge, efficiency, and conviviality. Their attentiveness and cordiality is legend.
