Sniki Tiki

Siesta Key's Sniki Tiki is another good example of my Anomalous Enthusiasm Axiom regarding Tiki Bars. Despite being Tiki-named on a freakin' island in the freakin' gulf, the decor is not really retro and the waitresses seem hurried and disinterested even when you're the only customer in the joint. Nine tenths of the Tiki Bar experience is about the mood, the setting, and the demeanor of the staff. But if pressed on the matter, all these managers of these sorta-but-not-really-Tiki-bars would probably just shrug and say, "Look, man, this isn't 1957. I just gave the place that name 'cuz, you know, it's all tropical-sounding and stuff."

Having said that - ah, the inevitable "having said that" - I nevertheless visited the place three times and still have fond memories of it. Because the food is excellent. And that's really what it's all about, isn't it?

First time I went, I had the clam chowder, second and third time the Philly Cheesesteak. All superb, and it must be said I am an authority on Philly Cheesesteaks, you ask anyone. The drinks are top-notch, even if they are served in dinky little boring clear plastic cups and not in a proper Tiki Mug or a ceramic tumbler that looks like Fu Manchu's less successful brother.

You'll find Sniki Tiki at the world famous Captain Curt's Village on Stickney Point, Siesta Key.