‘WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN IN MARGARITAVILLE’

Florida Keys

Eats was recently invited to Sirius XM’s Radio Margaritaville Sunset Walk Studio, and I couldn’t be more over the moon.

Let me start from the beginning. I’m constantly asked, “Why do you take vacations to Margaritaville if you live in the Keys?” Those who inquire live in the Keys and never visited Margaritaville, or they’ve been to Margaritaville but never the Keys. It’s like saying, why go out to dinner if you know how to cook?

My dad and uncles are secondgeneration Italian and grew up in New York. I’ll never forget the story I was told time and time again as I complained about living in the Keys as a kid. My dad would spout off, “There I was 18 years old shoveling snow and my mom yells there’s a phone call for me. My friend had just moved to Key Largo with his family. He told me it was ridiculously hot and he was going on the boat. I look around at all the snow surrounding me and not even a month later I packed one duffle bag, a couple hundred bucks, moved down and never looked back”.

Once my father got to the Keys, he was on island time. Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett were staples on our house radio.

As a child when we would vacation to Orlando, I’d interrogate my parents. Why do we always go to Universal and not Disney? The answer was quick: Universal had a Margaritaville spot to lounge and soak in the vibes. You can’t help but notice the towering volcano right when you walk into the restaurant. On the hour, you’ll feel the restaurant starting to rumble from the bass speakers. The television goes berserk. Emergency sirens blare as you hear the sounds of a volcano erupting only to look over and see a bright green cock- tail spewing from the top and trickling all the way down to the blender. Once it’s filled to the brim, the volcano lets out a large audible “burp,” followed by Jimmy Buffett’s voice shouting “I think we made it to Margaritaville, everybody.”

Little did I know many years later, now in my 30s, I would be invited to host my very own guest DJ show on Radio Margaritaville on Sirius XM. A segment they call “Fruitcakes on the Radio” named after a funny little Jimmy Buffett tune that was a chart-topper. Here I was this past weekend walking up to the shiny new Margaritaville Studios and saying in the mic, “Hey there parrot heads, I’m Samantha D from the Florida Keys and I think we made it to Margaritaville, everybody!” The experience was beyond flattering and just all-around incredible.

I was guided by their head host, J.D. Spradlin. I did a lengthy intro about myself, picked four Jimmy Buffett songs and got to explain what they meant to me. I talked about my passions and of course I mentioned having my own column for the Keys Weekly and what a dream that has been.

They even had me enjoying a Land- shark lager in the booth. We stayed onsite at Margaritaville Orlando’s cottages, a cute three-bedroom decked out in bright tropical colors. The resort is its own world with multiple restaurants and bars, making sure there’s no need to leave.

The Sirius XM studio also resides here on the famous sunset walk. If you’re ever looking for me, the pool is where I’ll be. Not only is the water always the ideal temperature, the crowd is upbeat, the music is live, drinks are plentiful and the food is unreal. I tell everyone and I’ve mentioned this on my blog, some of the best seafood dishes I’ve had here are better than anywhere else I’ve ever been. Their peel-and-eat shrimp are squeaky clean, boiled in beer and have just the right bite. The menu names would crack up any Keys local, with cocktails like “The Overseas Hwy” and “Snake Creek Bridge Margarita.”

Buffett has created an entire brand with the same roots as me, the Florida Keys. Keep an eye out on Florida Keys Eats on Instagram for when the Radio Margaritaville show will air. As always, my local Keys community, thank you for your support.

Covering All The Keys From Key Largo To Key West

Upper Keys Weekly 91760 O/S Hwy, Ste 3 Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957

Marathon Weekly 9709 O/S Hwy Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0844

Key West Weekly 5450 MacDonald Ave, Ste 5 Key West, FL 33040 305.453.6928

Established in 1991, Florida Bay Outfi ers bills itself as “Key Largo’s Coolest Store!” It is your one-stop shop for kayaks, clothing and bathing suits. Brands carried include Onewheel, ORCA, SunBum, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, FloGrown and more.

Need a grill for a tailgate or sandbar party? You’ll find it at Florida Bay Outfi ers. Looking for kids clothes or some cool resort wear? Visit Florida Bay Outfi ers. Same for paddleboards and paddles.

“We started out as a kayak outfi er and have evolved into so much more,” said owner Robert Stoky. “We really focus on our customers' wants and needs, and if we don’t have what they are looking for, we go out of our way to find the product.”

With eight employees, the business is involved in the community through events and sponsorships as well as through memberships with the Key Largo and Marathon chambers of commerce. “We love the Florida Keys and our way of life down here,” said Stoky. “As locals, we support local e orts. There is no be er place on Earth to live than right here in the Florida Keys.”

104050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

It’s the bright pink building in front of the Caribbean Club. 305-451-3018 info@floridabayoutfi ers.com