Since I’m living in Hammock Beach during the week this year while I’m teaching theater at Matanzas High School, I decided to review the restaurants along Highway A1A here in Flagler County.
Tonight I visdted Tortuga’s, which is a two-level wood-framed building with bars and dining rooms both upstairs and down, all offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. I was seated on the pet-friendly front patio, where I met several amazing and well-behaved dogs. My favorite was a big bulldog named Gator who let me take a photo. The front deck has big comfortably padded bench seats around heavy wooden tables, as well as generous bar seating.
I ordered the Firecracker Shrimp Tacos and a side of macaroni and cheese. I had imagined that I would get some ice cream after dinner, but the three tacos were enormous and I don’t think I’ll be eating anything else until tomorrow. They were amazing. They were only mildly spicy, but just enough that my face got a little red. The macaroni and cheese was delicious too—it was an upcharge from the Caribbean rice that normally comes with the entree, but well worth it.
The crowd seemed to be mostly local, very friendly, and there were plenty of very expensive motorcycles in the parking lot. Tortugas is not pretentious: My meal was less than $20, but there was also filet mignon on the menu in case somebody else is paying. It was easy to find an affordable meal while also imagining a more luxurious future visit.
Our post-hurricane weather is breezy and in the mid-seventies, making it a perfect night for an open air restaurant in Flagler Beach. Trivia is starting as im getting ready to leave, so next time I’ll plan to visit a little later in the evening. Tortugas is a hit with me and Gator.
