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– Our slow roasted Turkey takes over lunch favorites! Turkey can be bland, processed, flavorless and full of fat from factory processing, but not at Maggie Mae’s. We roast our own fresh turkey using a spice rub that adds flavor. Our Turkey Panini with Cranberry Mayo, Turkey Reuben and Turkey Club sandwiches have become three of our most popular sandwiches.
– Breakfast top sellers have been our combo’s that include pancakes or French toast and your favorite meats and eggs. Coming in a close second in popularity is Maggie’s Mess – a dish that started out as what our servers ate on break. Come in to make your own Maggie’s Mess.
– August 25, 2010 is Backwater’s on Sand Key’s 10th Anniversary celebration from 5 to 7PM. A big Southern Boil is planned for the deck.
– Egg recall in certain parts of the country has become widespread, but isolated to mid-western and west coast suppliers. Florida is safe.
– On your way to work? Try one of our new muffins and cup of coffee featuring flavors of the weak combinations.
Gulf Seafood Safer Than Ever Before
The fish and other seafood coming out of the Gulf of Mexico is probably more safe now than it has ever been. With testing by multiple federal agencies, state authorities, wholesalers and various universities, we are getting layers of assurances that there are no dangers from the BP oil spill disaster raging in the northern Gulf. In fact, Gulf seafood, in my opinion, is far safer than most of the imported fish served in many restaurants and sold in grocery stores!
Now that the flow of oil has stopped, at least temporarily, the real question about seafood is -
What Long Term Effects Will the Oil Spill Have on Sustainability of Gulf Seafood?
Around this area, from Sand Key to Sarasota, we remember the effects of red tide and the poor fishing in years immediately following the huge blooms a few years ago. What will the future hold for the Gulf after the oil is gone?
Studies have shown that mature fish have the ability to metabolize small amounts of hydrocarbons. They also tend to migrate away from uncomfortable waters (this may account for the fabulous fishing around the Sand Key area these last few months). While adult seafood populations seem to be surviving to a great degree, the real issue is the eggs and larvae of the various species that have been destroyed.
What has the oil spill done to the next generation of seafood and the delicate balance of the Gulf fisheries already burdened by some over fishing and poor resource management?
When tallying the damages that BP must ante up, we should not forget the potential harm from the oil’s effects on the future of seafood production and recreational fishing. Studies need to begin now on how to replenish the ecosystem and sustain the future of Gulf fisheries.
We ventured offshore this weekend for a fishing trip. Fishing was our goal, but no Floridian has any more concern about our environmental future than the conditions of the water and the impact of the oil spill. So far, the waters around Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach and all of the Gulf waters around Clearwater Beach are clear, clean and full of life.
We found no signs of oil sheen, oil or wildlife impact in our two day trip. The devastation further north has eluded us, despite what the media would have us believe. Unfortunately, many tourists, annual visitors and foreign travelers have cancelled their visits to our state for fear of oil spoiling the natural beauty our area has to offer. Small businesses are feeling the effects all along the Gulf shores.
As a side note and more pleasant subject, the weather and fishing was spectacular. We limited out on Grouper, Red Snapper and Mangrove Snapper. A few Amberjacks, Sharks and Goliath Grouper kept our poles bent! The full moon brought squid, shrimp, flying fish and other marine life to the surface for a nightly show. If you have never ventured deep into the Gulf for a night of fishing, you are missing a lot of action!
New Menu Features Our Own Roast Turkey!
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring and flavorless. That’s why Maggie Mae’s on the Bluffs is roasting turkey to offer unique menu items at a low cost. Try our new Turkey Breast Club Salad or our new Turkey Panini with cranberry mayo. Who else but Maggie Mae’s is roasting turkeys?
If turkey doesn’t satisfy those hunger pangs, try some of Maggie’s new subs including the Philly Steak and Italian Stallion. Remember, only fresh top quality ingredients go into all of Maggie’s menu items at breakfast and lunch.
You can view the new menu by clicking on the links – Breakfast Menu - Lunch Menu.
It seems everyone believes the negative headlines being broadcast by most national media sources. Sure there is a great possibility that the oil spill COULD get a lot worse than what it is, but that is not the impression potential visitors to Florida are getting. The Gulf is NOT closed to fishing – despite what an ABC reporter stated. No oil has reached a Florida shore, nor are there any possibilities of that happening in the near future. Seafood is readily available and there are no current shortages.
To reassure people who are watching the beaches we are posting this link to Clearwater Beach and the clean white sands we are enjoying – just click here for the Beach Walk Camera. These same clean beaches are throughout the Gulf coast including Indian Rocks Beach, St. Pete Beach and the entire coast line.
To watch the history and daily tracking of the oil slick in Gulf waters near Louisiana, MSNBC has set up a neat link to this animated news site.
While BP has taken responsibility for the damages of the spill itself, the news media should accept responsibility for inaccurate reporting.
The media, rumors and just plain wrong information has been published about the oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico as it relates to Florida and specifically this area around Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach to Sand Key. The result has been people canceling vacations, rooms and planned activities throughout the state of Florida. That facts as we know them today are:
- Not a single drop of oil has reached any Florida shores. While it could happen if a major storm pushed the oil in our direction, at this point, there are no projections of that happening.
- The Gulf of Mexico is NOT closed to fishing. Only a small portion close to the mouth of the Mississippi River has been closed in the vicinity of the leaking oil rig. By the way, there are about 4000 oil rigs in the northern Gulf.
- Seafood is safe from Gulf waters and continues to be harvested in the majority of the Gulf. Most of the oyster beds in the northern gulf are not affected by the spill as of this date. Those beds are west of the Mississippi River.
- The spill moves daily in one direction or the other depending on the tides, winds and containment efforts.
- Our shores are over 200 miles from the closest point the spill has ever been projected to move in the last week.
 - Turtle Nest
May 1 starts the turtle nesting season for Florida beaches. The lumbering giants make their way up the beach to a safe destination above the high tide line. They dig a hole for their eggs and lay from a few dozen to over 100 eggs.
Once the eggs hatch, the young turtles make their way back to the Gulf using the natural lights reflecting the sea. Residents are encouraged to turn off bright night lights than may confuse they hatchlings.
Every year there are over 100 nesting sites marked in the Tampa Bay area. Should you find a sea turtle nesting site, contact the Clearwater Marine Aquarium at 727-441-1790.
One of our goals on this blog is to keep you informed about food trends that will take a dent out of your wallet at the grocery store. You have seen the tomato prices at record high levels, but the bad news is not over. Corn, avocados, mangoes and other Florida crops are selling at 15% more than last year. The blame is being put on the weather, but the wholesale market is pointing at the food chains for the majority of the increases.
The latest market indicators reflect that beef prices are rising due to lower production that was induced by lack of demand last year. Producers were bringing less beef to the market and as the economy finds its bottom, demand will cause the wholesale prices to go up. Pork, seafood and chicken are fairly stable, with the exception of chicken wings that have been at seasonal highs.
For resildents of Largo, Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs and surrounding communities who want to come to the big block party on Sand Key, Saturday, April 17,2010, there will be FREE Jolley Trolley service from the city parking lots on Sand Key and Sand Key Park.
This is a free family event for the whole family with live entertainment, food booths, sidewalk sales at The Shoppes of Sand Key and artists showing their skills. Maggie Mae’s will have a food booth. Come join us for a day of fun!
The plans for the Sand Key Civic Association’s Springfest are shaping up for a great day on the island. Al “Coffee” McDaniels, a well known local
 Al "Coffee" McDaniels' latest CD cover. Jazz recording artist, has been booked to entertain the crowd. The sounds of smooth jazz and contemporary music will fill the air along with tents of food from the restaurants on Sand Key including Maggie Mae’s and Backwaters.
The Shoppes of Sand Key will have sidewalk sales and local artists will be filling the walkways and boardwalk. Parking will be available at public lots on the island with a special Jolley Trolley to carry you FREE to and from the event from Sand Key Park to the Marina on Gulf Blvd. If you like you can just stroll the boardwalk along the waterfront for a look at the best of Mother Nature.
Mark your calendar for April 17th as a family fun day from noon to 7 PM!
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Maggie Mae’s Newest Menu Additions
Creme Brulee French Toast
Egg, Pancake and Bacon Combo for $3.95!
Philly Steak Sub
Slow Roasted Turkey Breast Club Salad
Come in for great food and fun!
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