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On the Watertribe discussion page there's a thread about
"Best places to Grab a Burger" during the race.
Hey, it's a subject where I have some level of proficiency!
Someone there already mentioned Cabbage Key (next to Useppa, south of Boca Grande), and aside from burgers everyone passing by there should remember that in addition to lunch and dinner they've got nice breakfasts as well! Cabbage Key is certainly in the running for 'Best Place' along their route which doesn't call for much of a detour.
If you don't want to go more than 100-200 yards out of your way, then there aren't actually that many suitable places even along the intercoastal waterway.
Going down past Sarasota, I think the bar at the Sailing Squadron would be an OK place, and after that there's nothing convenient until the Stickney Point bridge; there's a restaurant on the left there, but the service can be terribly slow and tying up is a little awkward, unless you're really desperate.
But at this stage in the race, anyone who already stops for beers and burgers is really undermining their own progress, so they should go a ~little~ further before stopping?
If they can make it before closing (9 pm), then the
Fish House on the north end of Casey Key, immediately to the right after the swing bridge, is the #1 most convenient fine-dining along the entire Everglades Challenge route. There's a nice ramp right next to the restaurant where EC sailors can pull boats up. The burgers are very good, but the Almond Snapper and the Swordfish are better; ask for extra lemon butter sauce. Service is usually fast.
Maybe racers think this is a little decadent? But if you've got adverse current and no wind, it's a no-brainer.
After that, just past the Nokomis Bridge, there's
Pelican Alley and
Doc's next to each other. Both have plenty of dock space right next to the channel. Pelican Alley is a more elaborate sit-down affair, while Doc's is quicker in all respects, it's most economical, plastic basket stuff.
But if you really want to go to McDonalds? The closest one is immediately on the left after you've passed under the bridge across Lemon Bay just before Stump Pass.
