Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)
Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)
Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)
Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
(5)
Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)
Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)
Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)
Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)
Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)
Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)
Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)
Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)
Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)
Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
(4)
Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)
Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)
Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)
Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)
Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)
Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)
Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)
Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)
Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)
Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)
Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)
Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)
Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
(5)
Keith S.
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)
Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)
Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)
Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)
Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)
Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)
Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)
Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)
Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)
Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)
Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)
Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)
Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)
Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)
Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)
Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)
Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)
P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)
Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)
Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)
Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)
Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)
Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)
Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)
Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)
Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)
Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)
Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)
Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)
Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)
Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)
Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)
Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)
Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)
Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)
Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)
Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)
Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)
P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)
Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)
Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)
Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)
David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)
Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)
Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)
Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)
Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)
Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)
Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)
Alec M.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)
Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)
D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)
Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)
Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)
Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)
Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)
Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)
Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)
Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)
Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)
Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)
Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)
Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)
Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)
Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)
Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)
Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)
Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)
Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)
Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)
Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)
Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)
Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)
Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)
Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)
Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)
P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)
Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)
Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)
Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)
Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)
Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)
Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)
Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)
Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)
Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)
Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)
Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)
Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)
Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)
Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)
Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)
Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)
Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)
P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)
Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)
Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
(5)
Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)
Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)
Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)
Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)
Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)
Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)
Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
(4)
Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)
Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)
Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)
Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)
Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)
Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)
Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)
Deana S.
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)
Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
(5)
Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)
Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)
Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)
Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)
Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)
Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)
Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)
Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)
Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)
Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)
Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)
Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)
Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)
Shannon P.
Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)
Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)
Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)
Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)
Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)
Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)
Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)
Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)
Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)
Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)
Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)
Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)
Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)
Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)
David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)
Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)
Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)
Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)
Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)
Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)
Glen B.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)
Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)
Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)
D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)
Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)
Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)
Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)
Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)
Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)
Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)
Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)
Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)
Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)
Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)
Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)
Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)
Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)
Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)
Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)
Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)
Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)
Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)
Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)
Deana S.
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)
Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)
Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)
Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)
Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)
Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)
Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)
Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
(5)
Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)
Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)
Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)
Glen B.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)
Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)
Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)
P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)
Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)
Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)
Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)
Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)
Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)
Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)
Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)
Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)
Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)
Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)
Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)
Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)
Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)
Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)
Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)
Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)
Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)
Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)
Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)
P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)
Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)
Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)
Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)
Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)
David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)
Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)
Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)
Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)
Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)
Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)
Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)
Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)
Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)
Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)
Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)
Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)
Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)
Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)
Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)
Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)
Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)
D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)
Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)
Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)
Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)
Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)
Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)
Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)
Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)
Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)
Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)
Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)
Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)
Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
(5)
Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)
Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)
Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)
Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)
Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)
Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)
Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)
Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)
Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)
Shannon P.
Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)
Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)
Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)
Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)
Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)
Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)
Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)
Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)
Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)
Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)
Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)
Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)
Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)
Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)
Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)
Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)
Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)
Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)
Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)
Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
Shannon P.
Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
(5)Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
(4)Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
(5)Chase K.
We were down for some R&R and saw that this place got great reviews and recommendations from a few locals. The food was excellent! I got the catch of the day sandwich, blackened mahi, that was very well done. Cooked to perfection and none of the excess oil that so often comes with a blacked fish. My fiancée had the chicken philly and it was extremely well done. Great flavor and also not swimming in cheese and oil. Good beer selection too. The burgers coming out of the kitchen looked AMAZING too. I just can't pass up fish in the keys. The place is small and typical key west theme on the inside. Outdoor seating is only available some of the time. The kitchen is small so they can't handle too many people in the restaurant. Everyone working there was super helpful and friendly. Full of great recommendations for what to do with our spare time. We will definitely stop in again when we are in the area and try a burger!
(4)Greg R.
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
(5)Angelica M.
They had very good service, and it is quite a relaxed place. It looked like it was on the water on the map, but the restaurant is a bit inland and does not have outdoor seating at night (nor does the outdoor seating view the water anyway). We stayed despite our disappointment about the view and had a great, reasonably priced meal. They're well known for their stuffed burgers, but we resisted. Instead, I devoured a delicious chicken Philly with tater tots, and my fiancé had the mahi (catch of the day); he said it was one of the best blackened fish sandwiches he's had. The Philly was really well seasoned. We were also happy with their beer selection (13 on tap). We'd go back...and probably go for a stuffed burger next time! They were hard to resist!
(4)Deana S.
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
(5)Keith S.
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
(3)Mel T.
Of all the places we ate this was my Fav. The first time we ate there I got a burger stuffed with shrimp scampi and my hubby got his stuffed with pulled pork. The shrimp were large whole shrimp and sautéed fresh for my burger. My hubby said the pulled pork was some of the best he's ever had. The tator tots were very crispy just like how I like them. Not soggy like most people make them. I can't believe when in Key Largo a burger joint gets my first pick, but we went back multiple times. The other burger I got was the Perfect Storm and if you like HOT this is it. Tasty and hot. I loved it. The Keylime pie was my favorite of any of the restaurants. More limey and tangy and less sweet. The bacon burbon brownie was also really good. It gives you that perfect hit of salt and chocolate that fulfills that sweet craving. Don't expect to get in and out quick. Everything is freshly prepared so there is cooking time. Nothing seems to come out of a box so it is worth the wait. All of the waitstaff were great and we never were left wanting. Food is great, prices are great, and the people are great. The only bad thing is that I'm craving one of those burgers right now and I'm 1500 miles away.
(5)Glen B.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)Alec M.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
(5)Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
(4)Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
(5)Chase K.
We were down for some R&R and saw that this place got great reviews and recommendations from a few locals. The food was excellent! I got the catch of the day sandwich, blackened mahi, that was very well done. Cooked to perfection and none of the excess oil that so often comes with a blacked fish. My fiancée had the chicken philly and it was extremely well done. Great flavor and also not swimming in cheese and oil. Good beer selection too. The burgers coming out of the kitchen looked AMAZING too. I just can't pass up fish in the keys. The place is small and typical key west theme on the inside. Outdoor seating is only available some of the time. The kitchen is small so they can't handle too many people in the restaurant. Everyone working there was super helpful and friendly. Full of great recommendations for what to do with our spare time. We will definitely stop in again when we are in the area and try a burger!
(4)Greg R.
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)Deana S.
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
(5)Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
(5)Angelica M.
They had very good service, and it is quite a relaxed place. It looked like it was on the water on the map, but the restaurant is a bit inland and does not have outdoor seating at night (nor does the outdoor seating view the water anyway). We stayed despite our disappointment about the view and had a great, reasonably priced meal. They're well known for their stuffed burgers, but we resisted. Instead, I devoured a delicious chicken Philly with tater tots, and my fiancé had the mahi (catch of the day); he said it was one of the best blackened fish sandwiches he's had. The Philly was really well seasoned. We were also happy with their beer selection (13 on tap). We'd go back...and probably go for a stuffed burger next time! They were hard to resist!
(4)Keith S.
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)Shannon P.
Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
(3)Mel T.
Of all the places we ate this was my Fav. The first time we ate there I got a burger stuffed with shrimp scampi and my hubby got his stuffed with pulled pork. The shrimp were large whole shrimp and sautéed fresh for my burger. My hubby said the pulled pork was some of the best he's ever had. The tator tots were very crispy just like how I like them. Not soggy like most people make them. I can't believe when in Key Largo a burger joint gets my first pick, but we went back multiple times. The other burger I got was the Perfect Storm and if you like HOT this is it. Tasty and hot. I loved it. The Keylime pie was my favorite of any of the restaurants. More limey and tangy and less sweet. The bacon burbon brownie was also really good. It gives you that perfect hit of salt and chocolate that fulfills that sweet craving. Don't expect to get in and out quick. Everything is freshly prepared so there is cooking time. Nothing seems to come out of a box so it is worth the wait. All of the waitstaff were great and we never were left wanting. Food is great, prices are great, and the people are great. The only bad thing is that I'm craving one of those burgers right now and I'm 1500 miles away.
(5)Alec M.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)Glen B.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)Deana S.
Here is the unvarnished truth: Category 3 has the best burgers I have ever had. In my life. Period. You can get them stuffed with guacamole, with mushrooms, with pulled pork. Everyone I've taken here is amazed. Try the bacon and pineapple wrapped grilled shrimp as an appetizer. Great service and laid back atmosphere are added bonuses. Try it- you'll thank me.
(5)Wanda A.
Our family stopped in for lunch this afternoon. Everyone was friendly & the burgers were unbelievable. Our kids are already planning our next visit.
(5)Chase K.
We were down for some R&R and saw that this place got great reviews and recommendations from a few locals. The food was excellent! I got the catch of the day sandwich, blackened mahi, that was very well done. Cooked to perfection and none of the excess oil that so often comes with a blacked fish. My fiancée had the chicken philly and it was extremely well done. Great flavor and also not swimming in cheese and oil. Good beer selection too. The burgers coming out of the kitchen looked AMAZING too. I just can't pass up fish in the keys. The place is small and typical key west theme on the inside. Outdoor seating is only available some of the time. The kitchen is small so they can't handle too many people in the restaurant. Everyone working there was super helpful and friendly. Full of great recommendations for what to do with our spare time. We will definitely stop in again when we are in the area and try a burger!
(4)Greg R.
Seriously big burgers. Tasty! Friendly service. Nice vibe and cool hurricane decor. If you're looking for burgers, look no further.
(4)Sunshine P.
Great little shake in the keys! After a day of kayaking we decided to grab a burger and we chose this place. Well the service was GREAT as well as the food! I had 6pc HOT wings which were really really great. My hubby went for the sunrise burger which was a Angus beef stuffed with bacon and a fried egg and he devoured the whole thing. I had the mushroom lover and it was phenomenal! If you're craving a good made to order burger with flavor and great service - don't think twice. You may thank me later :)
(5)Jack L.
I was in the mood for a big, fat, juicy burger, and apparently this place has some good burgers. Pulled in the parking lot at 5:30pm on a Thursday. There were more people than I anticipated at such an early dinner hour. I think all of them were locals. The owner of the place was walking around with a Coors Light talking to everybody so I assume they must be regulars. I bellied up to the bar to order some food. I wasn't promptly greeted, which is okay I guess. Seems like a laid back attitude kind of place. I chose the Okee burger, which had onion rings, BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. Kind of like a cowboy burger. I asked for it medium and it came out slightly overdone, but it was still delicious. Also had the mozzarella sticks, and while they were a little salty for my taste, they were still pretty damn tasty. Decent prices and they had some decent beers on draft besides the usual macro heavy rotation most places have. I would definitely come back. If I was a local, I would create my own club where I try every burger on the menu (they had like 15 different ones) and after that feat is accomplished, I receive a trophy with a burger on top and a necklace that looks like an onion ring. I call it the "Fat Boy Burger Club", member of 1. Oh, and I also receive at least one free burger per month, for my dedication.
(4)Michael N.
Really great burgers and fantastic service! The staff is really attentive and engaging. I had a mushroom stuffed and my wife had a regular and both were great. So was the slaw and potato salad. Two beers and burgers was $31! Not too shabby!
(4)Emily P.
Not sure why this place got good reviews. Food was ok, place was a dive. The burgers are all stuffed which is weird. They have an outdoor area but its just picnic tables. I thought for being in the Keys it would of been a cooler place. Wait staff was very firendly and nice.
(2)Karen B.
Had lunch at Cat three . I ordered a burger stuffed with bacon and velveeta Yes velveeta. It was out of this world delicious . The bun tasted home made. The staff was very friendly. This place I will return to the next time in town.
(5)Nicole T.
Previous reviews state this place is a dive bar; that is sooo not true! It is nice & clean inside; would never consider it a dive bar. The service was outstanding! The food was amazing! I had the Cat V burger - DELISH! Everyone was more than thrilled with their meals. This is a must when visiting Key Largo!
(5)Penelope L.
The quality & care that goes into the hearty burgers & sandwiches makes this restaurant stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the friendly atmosphere & helpful staff make you feel right at home.
(5)Angie H.
We stopped by after seeing the excellent reviews! I got the island burger with grilled pineapple and coconut sauce and it was delicious! Everyone at my table was equally pleased! Cute island-y atmosphere and great service. A really awesome family business :)
(5)Jackson P.
Food was good once we got it. Beer menu is extremely limited. Took about 1hr and we only ordered apps! We did have a large party come in just before us so I'm not saying service is bad all the time. Our waitress was very cordial and attentive. Overall it would probably be a good place for lunch or later in the evening. Prime rush time it's slow.
(3)Mel T.
Of all the places we ate this was my Fav. The first time we ate there I got a burger stuffed with shrimp scampi and my hubby got his stuffed with pulled pork. The shrimp were large whole shrimp and sautéed fresh for my burger. My hubby said the pulled pork was some of the best he's ever had. The tator tots were very crispy just like how I like them. Not soggy like most people make them. I can't believe when in Key Largo a burger joint gets my first pick, but we went back multiple times. The other burger I got was the Perfect Storm and if you like HOT this is it. Tasty and hot. I loved it. The Keylime pie was my favorite of any of the restaurants. More limey and tangy and less sweet. The bacon burbon brownie was also really good. It gives you that perfect hit of salt and chocolate that fulfills that sweet craving. Don't expect to get in and out quick. Everything is freshly prepared so there is cooking time. Nothing seems to come out of a box so it is worth the wait. All of the waitstaff were great and we never were left wanting. Food is great, prices are great, and the people are great. The only bad thing is that I'm craving one of those burgers right now and I'm 1500 miles away.
(5)Alec M.
My family and I discovered this place on yelp and went to it based off the excellent reviews. You never want to get let down, especially when it has had such positive feedback. Long story short, excellent. I got the perfect storm burger and it was great. Bad Ass Burger indeed. The onion rings were fresh and crispy. My brother got the shrimp po' boy and it was overflowing with fresh shrimp. My mom, sister and dad got the blackened grilled chicken and all said it was delicious. The cole slaw was sweet and delicious and even the pickle included with every meal was top tier. The food here is freshly prepared and the atmosphere is a great island dive. Highly recommended.
(5)Glen B.
Definately an improvement from last time. Sometimes you have to give places a second chance. Had the mushroom burger. Very good.
(4)Shannon T.
Great burgers, friendly staff! I would definitely go back. If you like spice try the category 5 burger
(5)Jim S.
Stopped in here on the way from Miami to Key West. Burgers were good, fish sandwich was delicious and in general a good take if you're hungry on this trip. Our patty melts were a bit overlooked and it took a little while to get our food, but it's on island time. As others have said, don't be scared away by the "hole in the wall" exterior. The people are nice and overall we really enjoyed our visit.
(4)P C.
We went for lunch. It's a pretty laid back homey place run by a family. Service is very friendly and efficient. We learned the place is is more of a locals hangout which usually means better food. We were right. Like others have mentioned they make an excellent burger. Like way better than you'd expect for a sparsely populated tourist area. I had the one stuffed with bourbon bacon and it came out a bit more rare than the med rare I requested but it was so beautiful I ate it anyway and it was one of the best I've had anywhere. Anyone who knows beef can tell they are using a really good quality blend. The blackened mahi sandwich was also a good choice. Nicely seasoned, very fresh fish. Both plates came with fantastic crispy fries. They have a nice selection of tap beer and bottles, many local. Prices are very reasonable. I would go back in a heartbeat. I'm just mad I didn't get a chance to try those ribs which were smoking out front (served only for dinner).
(5)Lisa D.
Grat burgers, great service from our waitress - her grandma's recipe was used for the homemade chicken noodle soup! The burger we had was the Perfect Storm and it was great for spice. Loved this place!
(5)Tina B.
Great food, good prices, great service. Waitress was great! My daughter and I shared the bad ass blt! That's a lot of bacon! Hubby had a burger stuffed with bacon and topped with a fried egg. He loved it! Our other daughter had the shrimp basket. For dessert we had the waffle icecream sandwich. Now my kids have a new idea for breakfast! Would recommend and would definitely return!
(5)Uncle Mike M.
Me & my family stay in Key Largo May - August every summer, and we are natives (ie. multi-generation crackers...) and wanted to try somewhere other than our 'regular spots' and.....EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! - burgers overcooked, and 6 people didn't enjoy/finish - fish sandwich undercooked, go figure... - server was unfriendly and not family/larger group friendly net-net: would never return or recommend. tip: too many other quality local places to eat!!!
(1)Patrick C.
After reading the reviews I decided to go here to satisfy my big fat juicy hamburger craving. The first thing I noticed was no liqueur just beer and wine. Nice beer selection but I'm a dark rum fan. I wanted the cat3 but they were out of pulled pork so I ordered the cat1 straight up burger. All burgers are 8oz. The waitress was stressed because they were short on help but she managed to keep a smile and did recommend a place on the water that had liqueur, oh yeah this place is not on the water. It is small and the parking is tight. In the end my burger was just ok, I ordered medium got medium well very little juice left in the meat $8.99 reasonable but uneventful.
(3)Amy N.
A place you can feel good about supporting. These are good people. The foods not bad either! Had a burger, which was appropriately cooked and pretty huge! Would recommend. I only gave 4 stars simply because I reserve the 5 star rating for truly amazing places that you would consider traveling to just to eat at again.
(4)Emily P.
Fantastic wings, bacon wrapped shrimp and sunset burger. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)Captain B.
Wanted to get a good burger and the reviews for this place were good so had out. I had the "special" which was a quesadilla burger. It was pretty good, seemed like it was an actual hand made burger not a frozen party like most places. Then the special price comes.....$14 and change for the burger!!!!! Plus over $4.00 per bottle beer. It would have been ok if there were a good crowd but I must have picked the Saturday that I was the only person? Not sure what was up with that. Two stars for overpriced meal and no ambiance whatsoever.
(2)Susan O.
Best burgers, Cat 1-5 all great Stuffed with bacon cheese..... Bogey burger sweet! Stuffed Blu must try Don't forget beer!
(4)Martin G.
Went here tonight and loved it. First off, I don't know what the other reviewer experienced with his, uh, digestive problem, but no problems here whatsoever. So, first off. We did take a trip to Key West a few days earlier and had the best Key Lime pie there.. That being said, this is definitely the BEST Key Lime Pie HERE. Hands down. We had the wings which did take a long time to prepare. The gf had the New England Clam Chowder. She loved it but said this wasn't creamy, so technically it was more like a RI clam chowder because it had a clearer broth, but she did like it and said it was very good. She had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Bogey burger. Awesome. Very very good. Definitely one of the top burgers I have ever had. Fresh ingredients.. great prices (total came to about $45'ish) and just a really good experience. We've had a lot of misses in The Keys but this is a DON'T MISS!!
(5)Karysa P.
Cat 3 has been a favorite of ours since they opened. The staff is friendly and welcoming of children, food is great and affordable and the restaurant it nice, clean and comfortable. We love to stop by for burgers and you cant forget their delicious soups and best desert ever.. The waffle ice cream sandwich! Check out Cat 3, you wont be disappointed....let them know Big Rob sent you!
(5)Brandon B.
I'll just say what everyone else has already said, great food and a real friendly place.
(5)Arnie C.
Just returned from having burgers at Category Three. My wife had the mushroom burger and I had the bacon burger. My burger was incredible, with lots of bacon and Swiss cheese, cooked exactly as ordered. My wife said her mushroom burger was lacking mushrooms with just a few mushroom slices and her burger was cooked as requested. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. Although our server tried very hard to keep up, she was unable. Every table was taken and there were people waiting for tables. We waited for a little over an hour for the burgers. Mine was worth waiting for, but my wife's, not so much. They need more help, probably 2more servers and an additional cook. I would give them 4 stars for my burger, 3 stars for my wife's burger and 2 1/2 stars for the service.
(3)Lola J.
Awesome. Blackened mahi with onion rings. Wings with amazing parm garlic butter (that we all fought over) . Shrimp. Everything was soooo good. Great place. ( came with 2 kids, 16 and 12)
(5)Joy L.
Nice people. Owners were present when we were there. It's definitely a dive. It's a small place, menu is small but good draft beer selection. Happy hour everyday from 4-7. Mugs are chilled which is a nice touch. Food is homemade. Special for the night is beef stroganoff which was cooked by the mom.
(3)Lisa N.
Based on other Yelp reviews, we ended up here for a late dinner, and we're glad we did. Yummy, huge, fresh burgers and an amazing ribeye steak. Super service. Local flavor. Oh, and started with the bacon shrimp appetizer.
(5)Geri R.
Great Burgers... The Perfect Storm wasn't as hot as they warned. The Burgers were cooked perfect to the temperature ordered. Be sure to have the Bacon Bourbon Brownie.
(4)Natalie E.
Taco salad is not the way to go and my boyfriend wasn't really thrilled with the cat V burger either. Loaded potato soup is alright. And the guy below writing about the cat 3 coming out of his ass.. Wasn't joking. Waitress an management are very likable though
(2)Luke G.
Great burgers!! Even though it looks a bit like a dive on the outside, the inside was clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly. We sat at the bar, and the owner was very attentive and welcoming. Clientele seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Would definitely eat here again.
(5)Brian E.
We were in Key Largo for the weekend and were in the mood for something hearty and local. Stumbled into this place thinking it was a divey hole-in-wall, but were very surprised at what we found. It was still early in the afternoon, so we were able to talk to one of the owners, who explained that he had personally built all the decor and furniture. Everything was super clean, well-made, and really cool looking. It was like being transported back to the time when places in the key were still new, and not yet reduced to the kitsch that is so prevalent there now. More importantly, the food lived up to the hype. I usually try to eat vegetarian, but couldn't pass up a stuffed hamburger. Very high quality, unique, and tasty stuff. They are large, filling burgers, hard to get your mouth around -- but this is a good problem to have. For desert we had one of the bacon brownies, a la mode, which was delicious. The check was also a pleasant surprise; very reasonable, especially for the keys. For the quality, the friendly atmosphere, and the price, this place really can't be beat.
(5)Zac V.
They got it right. Ambiance was just right for the Keys. The burgers were awesome with fresh fixins and the bottomless sweet tea was ice cold. And the staff was service with a smile. Don't know about you, but I enjoy when more than one person visits my table to check on us. Well worth the visit.
(5)P V.
If you want a burger, this is the place! No need to go anywhere else! We ordered the cat 3, the okey and some sliders! Heaven! If you love burgers, this is your place! Bar seats, great beer, bar top tables, small tables too! Small place with big taste! Great servers!
(5)Amanda S.
Good burgers. My husband had the shrimp scampi burger, and I had a regular burger. The stuffed burgers are challenging to eat because they are so big, but they are very flavorful. We also tried their fried waffle sundae. It was good, but I was surprised that they used eggo waffles. I was expecting more of a Belgian waffle....but it was good.
(4)Brad B.
I had the Cat V burger with fries, medium well. Excellent burger with a lot of flavor going on, and cooked to perfection. Beware of the fresh jalapeños on top if you're not into spicy food. There were a few good beers on draft, and I was told by the server there will be more to follow soon. They had a rib special that night, and the plates going out looked pretty good. Very clean and comfortable atmosphere, with hurricane theme all over. The staff was friendly and inviting. They also have outside seating. Very good place to go if you're sick of seafood or just looking for something different and affordable.
(5)Daniel D.
This place is definitely worth the wait. It can sometimes take a little while to get your food, but that is because it is actually cooked to order and not set under a heat lamp, and waiting for you. Try the Bogey and a big glass of their new locally brewed beer, great combination.
(5)Jano O.
Disappointed that did not even get to food after all reviews. Friendly servers, but 2 of the 4 beers ordered were out of date. Miller Lite tasted funny so looked at date : Oct. 6, 2014. Today's date Dec.4, 2014. I understand draft beer is popular but with all tourist traffic Miller Lite should not go out of date. I do not eat at a place that has out of date beer because it makes me wonder about quality control.
(2)David T.
Went here for dinner last night. Burgers are incredible - everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect fast food! Staff are super nice too. Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
(5)Catherine J.
Five stars for kind, attentive, friendly staff. Six stars for best burger in Key Largo. Homemade soups...yummy.
(5)Bob M.
First night in the keys on this trip, and went to Yelp. Saw the great reviews, but disappointed. We planned to sit outside, but small deck, with no one outside. So we went inside. Service was good, and prompt. Started with the fried Mozz. 4 pieces for $5.99, and pretty good. Crispy, and hot. We then ordered the chix sandwich. This sandwich comes with american cheese, and it's 50 cents if you want another cheese. (Cheddar, swiss or pepper jack) I got the bacon burger. The burger was good, not great, but good. Stay away from the fries. I'm not sure if they re-heated them, or just not good.
(2)Yolanda Y.
Stopped here for lunch on they way to Key West and had one of the best meals of the trip. The quesadilla was great, but the BBQ pulled pork sandwich was even better. The food takes a while to come out, so you have to be prepared to wait, but it's totally worth it. The drinks were nice and cold, and the woman who waited on us was friendly and happy to make recommendations. The portions are pretty big, so you can probably split one quesadilla between two people. The decor in here is cozy and if you choose to visit the restroom, I think you'll be surprised to see the old-school flushing mechanism! But anyway, back to the food - it was great! I'd eat here again for sure.
(5)Ilona P.
I loved this place! There's a bar in the back that feels like you're hanging in someone's back patio, really cool. Cold beer and nice homemade snacks.
(4)Amanda C.
AMAZING! This is a beer and burger joint primarily, though they do have some other tasty sounding things. I had the Cat-5 burger: stuffed with jalapeño bacon and cheese and topped with a grilled jalapeño: it was, without a doubt, THE best burger I have ever had. I even bought a T-shirt I was so impressed.
(5)Dana B.
Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night and we tried a few of the burgers and the cuban sandwich special. The burgers were great! The pulled pork in the cuban sandwich didn't seem like it was very fresh. The waitress did mention that they use the smoker every Tuesday so it could be that was the last time they made the pork. Fresh would have been way better. It was a nice quiet laid back atmosphere which was nice. I'd go back again.
(4)Amy P.
This place lives up to all its positive reviews, and I'm so shocked that it was empty besides my group! Maybe we just got lucky in that regard. We sat outside because the evening was gorgeous. We did pop inside though, just to see the hurricane-themed tables and grab some menus. This place definitely follows the "seat yourself someplace" casual angle that many restaurants on the Keys follow (at least in our experience). Although I didn't have one, the two people in my group that ordered the stuffed burgers absolutely LOVED them. A stuffed burger is something I've never seen, so that was quite unique! If time allows, we will probably come back during our vacation!
(5)Mike A.
Fantastic food and great owners and staff. We went there our first night in Key Largo and will definitely be back. You have to try this place.
(5)Tim C.
Doesn't look like much on the outside, but this place is fantastic. Low key atmosphere (lunch time), great brews, and great food. Try their signature IPA on draft, it's good. Their burgers will melt your face they're so good. Definitely a good place to sit at the bar and talk tot the locals.
(5)Heather C.
We were passing through key largo and stopped here for lunch based off of other reviews. Definitely a worthwhile stop! Great food, great atmosphere. Amanda served us and was excellent. Highly recommend this place! Try the stuffed burgers!
(5)Mark S.
Highly recommend. Took the family there on the recommendation of a local. Place doesn't look like much from the road. We sat down and ordered their private label IPA and began checking out the menu. They had a lot of very creative burgers and a focused menu. For appetizers w e ordered the stuffed jalapeños...they were fresh, homemade and fantastic, not those frozen abominations a lot of pubs have. We all ordered burgers, the kid inhaled his cheeseburger. I got the burger stuffed with pulled pork which was also very good. We will be going back! They need a bigger sign!
(4)Jackie H.
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Key Largo. The pricing is excellent and so is the food. The burger stuffed with bleu cheese and bacon, homemade potato soup, lasagne and meatloaf are all very good. Everything is made fresh to order, on premises. Friendly staff, too.
(4)Mary M.
My boyfriend and I both had burgers--he, the Category V, stuffed with bacon, topped with a Jalapeño pepper and cheese; me, the Bacon Lovers', stuffed AND topped with bacon and swiss cheese. We've had burgers prepared by two different Iron Chefs (Flay, Garces), and we both agree that these burgers were right up there with them--in fact I think mine may have been better--the best burger I've ever eaten. Wonderful, flavorful meat, a fantastic char, and cooked to a perfect medium. BF's fries and my tater tots were good and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Fabulous, fabulous!!!
(5)Stephanie G.
We came on a recommendation and were so glad we did. We went yesterday again for their amazing burgers. Who knew - gourmet burgers in the Keys. The list of burgers is extensive, and they have so much more than just your typical bar food. Everything is made fresh, and definitely worth the wait. Don't expect to get in and out in half an hour. If you want that, go to Burger King. We'll be taking family coming into town from MI there later this week, that's how good it is.
(5)Abraham C.
The parmesan wings are horrible, greasy, and over cooked, customer service is bad as well. It took about 10 minutes to get our check when there were only three customers inside.
(1)Bob R.
AWESOME!!! Going back every time I get down to the Keys. Love the outdoor area, the staff, the atmosphere and especially the food.
(5)D C.
I think that this restaurant has a great concept just needs work on the delivery. I frequented this location many times and the quality has been inconsistent. They used to offer delivery which was a nice touch. Also one of the few places open later in Key Largo.
(3)Gavin C.
There is a category 3 hurricane coming out of my asshole right now. I am writing this review from the toilet. Do yourself a solid and never eat here. I waited 60 long minutes with just a cup of water with a sad lemon on the side. It fell off soon as I touched the cup. When I got my food, a shrimp quesadilla, I received a tortilla with vegetables and .3 shrimps per slice. So next time you need over priced laxatives, take a trip down to key largo and enjoy some category 3 violence from your rectum.
(1)Tom M.
Okay solid food and bar family friendly nothing real special nor is anything bad good but not outstanding service. Typical bar food but this place is not really a true bar either. It may have an identity crisis
(3)Lori N.
The perfect storm hit Key Largo! This burger was hot on fire and amazing! Owners daughter, Sara was wonderful and provided great customer service! Cannot wait to go back and sit on the patio:)
(5)Chris S.
We tried a couple of the burger specials. Even though the place was almost empty it took a very long time to get our food The burgers were dry, overcooked, flavorless and overpriced. The onion rings were frozen, the potato salad was strangely sweet but the coleslaw was great. Overall we felt that we were paying premium prices for slightly below average food. There are a few options for great burgers in the upper keys. M.E.AT. is priced about the same but their food is 100 times better. Heck, even Shula Burger is sho much better four about the same price. We probably won't be going back.
(2)Morgan D.
Traveling thru Key Largo on way back from Key West and stopped at this gem for lunch. Husband had the Cat V burger, which he deemed "excellent." I had the steak quesadillas, which totally satisfied this pregnant lady. Friendly service. Everything made fresh to order so expect a short wait for food (ie, it's not fast food).
(5)Chris B.
Cat 3 was great. Their menu is very creative and everything is priced right. The stuffed burgers are out of this world. Not over done, but just right. And they're happy to customize anything to your liking. Beer prices are reasonable, and they even convinced us to stick around for dessert - which included a bacon brownie. Awesome. The owner came out to meet all of us and was very friendly and accommodating. I can't wait until I go back again. This will become a regular place of mine in key largo.
(4)Yan T.
This place is great--good beers and juicy burgers dripping with fatty deliciousness. They have almost any option you want--and I think you can make your own--stuff your burger with another burger if you want to watch the world burn. The one I ordered was full of shrimp, which felt sacrelicious and probably earned me some bad karma for my next life. But it was worth it. Decor is quintessential Key Largo dive bar--it's what Key West ought to be. All sorts of quirky tchotchkes and hurricane memorabilia. We were here for an early bird Sunday dinner, so we nearly had the place all to ourselves. If you're tired of impossibly gorgeous sunsets, sit in the backyard patio and admire the unromantic parking lot and broken down car or tractor in the neighbor's yard.
(5)Maria S.
Okee burger and sweet potato fries for the win! Price is right and they're open on Christmas!! Great happy hour deals with $2 mugs. Great place to stop!
(5)Corbin B.
Every Friday they fire up the smoker and cook ribs or brisket all day. You can smell it over a mile away sometimes. Based on FL keys hurricanes the the stays strong to the name. Some of the best stuffed burgers I have ever put in my mouth. Ice cold beer (local beer) on tap but they make everything to order so be patient and sitback, it's worth the wait!
(5)Jason C.
This place doesn't look like it from the outside but it is fantastic. Great selections of burgers and variety of fries (tater tots , curly fries, sweet potato fries or regular fries). I had the Cat II which was a burger stuffed with pulled pork. So so good. Staff is friendly and professional. The only reason this is not a 5 star is the service is a little slow with regards to the food coming out. But drinks and such are brought fast and maintained well. Must try for lunch if passing through key largo!
(4)Ed C.
On the Bayside heading south at mile marker 99.2 in Key Largo. Category Three is the quintessential Fla Keys restaurant and bar. Hand lettered signs lead you to the funky restaurant bar inside. Bar itself is laminated with icons of Florida hurricanes. The burgers are labeled Cat I for basic to Cat V for burger stuffed with jalapeño bacon, pepper jack and jalapeño topping. The burger came out and I gulped. As high as it was wide. Amazing tasting beef, freshest condiments. So dang delicious. I can only speak for the burgers but everything else looks fantastic. Make this a stop on the way to Key West.
(5)Randy F.
Such a surprise! As many times as I've driven past, I thought this was just another seedy bar on US-1. (It might be, but I went for lunch.) These are the best burgers I've experienced in the Keys, and probably in South Florida. They are stuffed - meaning that ingredients are put into the meat. It didn't occur to me that's what it meant when I saw it in the menu. Bacon is part of the burger. Or mushrooms. Or jalapeños. Or whatever it is your heart desires. And with a decent bar, really good fries, and really excellent appetizers, I'm truly impressed. The guy in the kitchen never looks very happy, but the service is very good. Just doesn't look like much from outside! Though I haven't used it as such, probably also a fun place just for drinkin'.
(5)Jeff G.
So I was in the Keys for the weekend and wanted a good quick burger for takeout. I read the reviews here and figured I had to try it! I'm so glad I did! I went in rather early around noon on a Sunday so the restaurant was empty but seemed clean and organized. I ordered the stuffed Cat 3 burger which was stuffed with Bacon and Y. American. DAMN, was that a good burger! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely stop back in next time I'm down there. The fries also had a great seasoning on them and were not just your average fry. Next time I'll stop in to eat it for dine in with a nice local beer as I noticed they did have them on tap while I waited for my food by the bar. All in all great burger in paradise!
(5)Brandon M.
Wow, awesome burger! I haven't had a better burger in a VERY long time. Great service and a nice selection of beer on tap. Must stop on the way down to Key West! Absolutely loved it!
(5)Angelica M.
They had very good service, and it is quite a relaxed place. It looked like it was on the water on the map, but the restaurant is a bit inland and does not have outdoor seating at night (nor does the outdoor seating view the water anyway). We stayed despite our disappointment about the view and had a great, reasonably priced meal. They're well known for their stuffed burgers, but we resisted. Instead, I devoured a delicious chicken Philly with tater tots, and my fiancé had the mahi (catch of the day); he said it was one of the best blackened fish sandwiches he's had. The Philly was really well seasoned. We were also happy with their beer selection (13 on tap). We'd go back...and probably go for a stuffed burger next time! They were hard to resist!
(4)Keith S.
I have to say I am prejudiced, they make their burgers with the cheese on the INSIDE, which is how my Mother made them. The place is a little history lesson on the Keys hurricanes, with each table having photos and a storm track from the big ones. Since there is no land mass other than Cuba to slow down the storms, the Keys get hit pretty hard when they get hit. This place is just south of the MM 100 split. Be careful because the road in front is one way south. Don't try to park in the back, people have to turn around back there. Oh, the food was fantastic, the people were very nice, and the place is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Good bar prices, well lit, and fairly quiet. There are some low tables as well as some high-tops. There were some children in the non-bar area so I think they allow children too. So remember, after the split, look right.
(5)Stephanie S.
Eh...good burgers, kinda overpriced but we are spoiled usually since we live in college town back home and have lots of burger options. Yes they're huge, but I was waiting for that damnnn moment and it just never came. Boyfriend perfect storm burger was super spicy and my shrimp stuffed burger made me feel quite uncomfortable shortly after we left.
(2)Leigha G.
Just as others have said... Don't let the outside appearance fool you, this place is amazing!! Great craft beer and out of this world burgers to die for. Yet another hidden gem in the keys with a family restaurant. Stop in on your way to key west or on your way from! Thank you yell for helping us find this burger spot when we were headed back home to the airport and starving.
(5)Alex G.
Burger joint in the keys? Yep, and good too. We came upon this place as it was across the street from our hotel and had pretty good reviews. FOOD: We ordered the burgers stuffed with pulled pork and were very pleased. They were cooked just right. Even got a couple to go so we could bring home to family. STAFF: Cat Three is family run (dad owns the place and his kids work there) and they couldn't be friendlier. They even had a burger costume they let us try on and take pictures of. OTHER: They also have a few craft beers (the Category 5 IPA and Founders IPA were excellent. VERDICT: If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Ethan S.
Stopped here after spent the morning diving, we found this place through yelp and confirmed it through our guide. I ordered the okee which came out and I had to send it back since it was under cooked (raw in the middle) came back cooked correctly. Nothing too spectacular about the burger. Waitress was attentive well mainly because there was only our table in the restaurant, I would give this place a second chance
(3)Bill O.
Seriously the best jalapeño burger of my life. It actually squirted me in the eye because there was so many peppers and they had eye drops to rescue me. What a great place. You must check it out.
(5)Jeff K.
We ate here for lunch on a Monday. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, and it maintains a tight-knit family owned feel to it. Out back is a nice covered outdoor seating area. The message overhead requests patience when ordering food, and it's true that the turnaround time is a bit longer than you'd find elsewhere. For us, the wait was in no way unreasonable. The menu offers a number of tasty sounding options, but it's clear that the focus is on the burgers. Many of them are stuffed with something or other, and when you present me with an option that's relatively unique, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'm getting. So I ordered a burger (I forget the name) that was stuffed with bourbon bacon and then topped with cheese and a bourbon-pineapple glaze. It was cooked to the requested temperature, juicy and very flavorful. The fries were well seasoned and crunchy, just how I like them. My wife ordered what I think was called the Surf & Turf burger, which was stuffed with shrimp and served with a side of buttery scampi sauce. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out, but it proved to be an interesting combination. It was good, but I preferred mine. Service was attentive and friendly, even unnecessarily apologizing for our wait, which we hardly even noticed.
(4)Randy P.
Awesome burgers and excellent selection of draft beers. Do not miss if you are in key largo
(5)Briana N.
This was an absolute gem ! A little hard to find but once you do its completely worth it. Everything is made to order so it might take a little longer but its worth the wait. Get the waffle Napoleon dessert! It's so good.
(5)Robert C.
damn good burgers! need i say more? been twice and had the bogey. it's amazing and i think my favorite burger in dade and monroe right now. sorry pincho, i love you guys but that bogey burger has me hooked! the place looks dive bar-ish but the food is great.
(5)Shannon P.
Awesome Angus burgers! Clever burger menu. Craft beer selections rotating with great happy hours 4-7pm, every day. With a motto of Live Life, family pics adorn restaurant with great sentiment. Don't be scared of the outside, with a dreadful looking black, oil tank decorating the parking area. There's no resemblance of a good place to eat from Overseas Hwy. In fact, there should be a big "red" truck with a "Yelp" sign that reads "Best Burger in Key Largo!" Completely understand not wanting to invest in a property that's not owned, but this business is suffering and so are the employees. Sweet and attractive staff were obviously bored with no business. Service was good but when a restaurant isn't busy, staff socializes and typically has to be called over to address needs. Our server was stellar explaining history of business, the concept, and different happy hour choices. Kudos!! She is a true asset. Wake up owner!
(4)Joseph L.
Just had the loaded baked potato soup and it is just awesome! The Parmesan encrusted chicken wings are really good as well. Super friendly people and real cold beer!
(5)Lindsey K.
Category 3 has great food for a great price! Place is very nice and clean inside. Serves only beer and wine, no liquor
(5)Deliah A.
Can't adequately describe how happy we were with the service (warm, friendly and perfectly paced) and The Perfect Storm Burgers (jalapeño bacon, fresh jalapeños & hot sauce). We're from the west coast so it was a nice hot for us, not super spicy for our taste buds, but still had a great kick! The kids liked the options on their menu, but loved the hamburger costume for sale on the clothes rack even more...even our vegetarian. We voted to make this our Key Largo spot for future visits.
(5)Blanca G.
Great burgers. Friendly and efficient service. Shall return.
(4)Brian S.
Food was not worth the hour wait. Call ahead if you can, we waited over an hour to get two hamburgers and a bacon sandwich.
(1)Tory B.
Amazing food. Stuffed bacon burger is quality, the 3/4 lb of bacon BLT is just amazing , it's giggle worthy the amount of bacon that's on there. Sob enjoyed the pull pork sandwich and the wedge was delightful. Glad we stopped in!!
(5)Erick S.
We came in for a Saturday lunch ordering three burgers from the menu. Done-ness of the burgers were not as ordered. One burger was raw all together. Wait staff was nice about having returned the order. Overall nice relaxed concept, just ask for well done burgers.
(3)Scott K.
The place is small but has that keys atmosphere. The burgers were great as well as the service. The mushroom and onion stuffed burger was excellent! The prices are good. The tap beer was served in a frozen glass and was good and cold. I would recommend it.
(5)Keith B.
Just ate the Bogey Burger. Despite it being a little undercooked, it was still hella good. Good fries. Standard coleslaw. Reasonable happy hour. Check it out. I'd come back.
(4)Steve M.
This is one of those exceptional Keys experiences. If you are in the mood for a totally different kind of burger - check this joint out! I have been there many, many times and have always enjoyed their burgers. The Bogey burger is my go to. Also - they have a very good choice of COLD beers. I guessing they have at least 12 beers on tap with a solid variety. This is a family run bar and grill which means - not your run of the mill chain. Look for Captain Beef, the owner, and he'll keep you entertained! Lastly - unsure why Uncle Mike gave a one star review. The place has never been anything under 5 for me.
(5)Randy R.
First time at this location and i cant say i was disappointed. The food was great i had the Dolphin Sandwich which i enjoyed. and as an appetizer i tried theie bacon wrapped jumbo shrimps. The Shrimps where my highlight. Everything about the place was just right. Staff was very professional and nice.
(4)Jose A.
When I entered the resturant, I wasn't expecting that quality of food, especially in the Key Largo area. Good beer selection, friendly service and great value for money.
(5)Big E.
We left the bar next door and came over to Category 3. We should've gone to Category 3 from the start. Attentive wait staff, good service, nice beer selection and excellent food. There is a sign that says to be patient that food is made to order. I do not mind waiting for something made fresh that tastes great - and that is what I had here (enjoying a good beer while waiting is nice too). I would not hesitate to return and would highly recommend.
(5)Kiley K.
We dined at Cat 3 on based on other Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Place is a total dive, but the service was great, the price was very affordable, and the burgers were world class. How can you say no to bacon-stuffed anything?? Bf had the Perfect Storm - crazy spicy, but delicious. I had the Sunset. Here in the Keys for a week and will for sure eat there again.
(4)Shawn H.
We have been to Category Three twice - several months apart because we only visit the Keys occasionally. On our first visit everything was top notch and our memory of our first visit is what made us return earlier today for a second visit. That memory of a better Category Three experience is also what is keeping me from giving a one star rating today. We arrived at 11am and were there first customers of the day. Soon after we arrived more people trickled in and by noon they had a very good crowd going. The problem was -- we were still there at noon and not eating yet as this crowd was trickling in. All in all, we spent 1.5 hours in here for lunch -- way too long for what is supposed to be a casual hamburger joint. I ordered the Category IV burger, which has an onion ring, chili, and cheese on it. My fiancee ordered the mushroom burger that has mushrooms and onions both inside the burger patty and on top of the burger. After 45 minutes (a full 30 minutes after we put our order in), our burgers arrived. Unfortunately, they must have spent the entire 30 minutes on the grill because, even though we ordered them Medium, they came out so far beyond well done that there was no juice left in the meat whatsoever. They were solid gray inside and crumbly. We don't like to return food, but we sent them back because they would have been inedible without copious amounts of A-1 sauce to cover them up. 15 minutes later (an hour into our lunch), they brought out two new burgers. This time, mine was on the high side of Medium-Well and hers was again well done, but at least there was some juiciness left and we were able to eat them. Thank goodness, because I'd never send something back twice -- you've seen the movie "Waiting", right? When we sent the burgers back, we heard a bit of a heated discussion ensue in the kitchen and I don't know whether they were angry with us or they were arguing with each other about a lack of communication in the first place that we had requested Medium. (By the way, they asked us up front how we wanted our burger done -- so it's not like this is one of those restaurants that never cooks burgers differently... They asked! We said "medium". We got "shoe leather"). After the border-line argument in the kitchen, it seemed like we were getting stink-eye from the servers from there on out. They were friendly to our faces, but it just felt like they were mad at us for sending back the shoe leather. The owner was in the house, and I recall him being a very nice guy who cared about his business a lot. We were thoroughly impressed with him on our first visit. But this time, he didn't come over and say Hi and he certainly didn't come over to make sure our burgers were good after we had an issue with the first ones. The burgers we ended up eating were far from perfect. My Category IV came out on the high side of medium-well and had so little chili on it that I could hardly taste it -- maybe a tablespoon. The Onion Ring that was put on it was small and soggy. They did do a good job of melting the cheese on it, but they forgot that I asked for Cheddar instead of American and sent it out with American. Her burger was worse than mine. Hers was still well done but at least not completely void of juice this time and so it was edible. The onions that were mixed inside the burger were still raw -- not sauteed. I'm not sure how they accomplished raw onions inside a well-done burger, but they did it. They need to soften the onions before mixing them into the ground beef. The saving grace was that we had some lychees in the truck, so when we left unsatisfied and her with the flavor of raw onion on her taste buds, we were able to cover it up with some great fruit that we had. I only wish we had just eaten the fruit for lunch and skipped Category Three as we headed out of the Keys. This was not a great way to end our long weekend in paradise. Unfortunately, I don't think they will get another chance from us.
(2)Alana A.
Ok, we were a little skeptical about this place because of how run down/divey it looked from the outside. But we put our trust in our fellow Yelpers and gave it a try... ...fantastic. The inside was surprisingly adorable. Small with that perfect Key Largo charm. We decided to order the bacon burger which is stuffed with bacon and also topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. The meat was definitely very high quality. We also ordered medium spicy wings which were ok, nothing spectacular but definitely not bad. I'm really knocking off one star based on the food taking forever to arrive. I know they make everything fresh and that's why it takes long, but waiting over 10 minutes for a side order of onion rings seemed like a bit too much. We'll be coming back again for those burgers. Yum!
(4)Mel H.
Fantastic! Super great service and the food was pretty amazing! Loved getting tips for the rest of our trip from the owner. So friendly! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sandra V.
Our family took a quick trip to key largo and found this restaurant. What a find! Great place the staff is awesome cook is totally awesome. The cliental is warming and the food yummy :-) priced just right! Definitely be back.
(4)Patty G.
Stopped for lunch at Cat 3 on recommendation from a friend. We all had the Catch of the Day sandwich and everyone loved it. The fries were really good also. And service was friendly and attentive!!!
(4)Tony A.
We were rolling six deep on our way back to Miami from The Keys. It was a wonderful trip but it was getting late and we were getting hungry. We passed a ton of places, lots of places that were closed, and lots of places with piss poor Yelp reviews. Finally the people in my party trusted us to let YELP decide where to eat. We settled on Category Three Bar and Grill and all the naysayers became believers. They have craft beer on tap, fresh made burgers, and delicious hot wings. I would like to tell you our obnoxious party didn't scare off the other patrons. I would like to tell you that. It didn't matter. They knew we were about to drop coin in this joint and then the party started. We all ordered a variety of things. From burgers, to wings, and even, wait for it... a friggin' pierogi! (also spelled perogi, pierogy, perogy, pierógi, pyrohy, pirogi, pyrogie, or pyrogy) The owner came out and starting shooting the breeze with us. He mentioned catching a lot of stone crab that day. Since I was the new guy who never had it before - they were gracious enough to cook me one. That little sucker is definitely made of stone. Wow it was tough to crack, I made a big mess. It was worth it though. That little guy was delicious. During our visit my shithead friends pressured me into trying the Category Six hot sauce chicken wing. Uhhhh yeah. That was pretty damn hot. My lips were on fire. They don't mess around with that one. The favorite was the medium buffalo & garlic chicken wings and I think we took 48 wings to GO. Like I said, we were a rowdy bunch and even took a cell phone pic of the back-tattoo the waitress was rocking. Falkor from The Neverending Story, she is basically PERMA-AWESOME with that one. We had a blast and thanked the owner profusely. He was a really cool cat.
(4)