Hungry Tarpon Restaurant History

The Hungry Tarpon has been a Keys’ favorite for visitors and locals alike for a couple decades now. Although it has been owned and operated by a few different people, one thing has remained the same --the food. The Hungry Tarpon breakfast and lunch has remained the same great fare throughout the years and has kept ‘em coming back time and again. Now owned and operated by the Robbie’s family the tradition of excellence continues. In addition to the same great recipes you’re used to, they have added the flair of a great Caribbean French chef and extended the menu to include an unbelievable dinner menu as well as a top selection of wine. Monthly cooking classes are only one event you can find going on at this Islamorada legendary dining establishment.

Chef Joseph Sassine

Chef Joseph was born in Senegal, a country on the continent of Africa. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to France where he developed a keen interest in cooking. He learned how to cook in the classic French style. He took the experience of being a French chef and moved to the Caribbean. There he took a position at the Agave Terrace restaurant where he crafted a unique combination of French cuisine with a Caribbean flair.

In 1994 the New York Times wrote “We recently returned from St. Thomas and want to thank executive chef Joseph for leading us to the Agave Terrace restaurant. What a superb meal we enjoyed. The wide range of preparations, including heart-healthy ones, was astounding and somewhat unusual for St. Thomas. I’m still thinking about the teriyaki-mango sauce over a local white fish and the conch chowder was the best I have ever tasted. Chef Joseph visited us at the table to make sure we enjoyed the meal.”

He has since been an executive chef in many exclusive restaurants in the Cayman Islands and then relocated to the Florida Keys in the mid ’90s. He was the executive chef at the Green Turtle and the Islamorada Fish Company. He moved into the executive chef position at the Hungry Tarpon restaurant in February of ‘09. The Hungry Tarpon was world famous for its breakfast and lunch service but had never ventured into fine dining. Chef Joseph lived up to the challenge and has given Islamorada another 5 star dining location. Well, maybe not just another dining location. Since Chef Joseph’s arrival, the Hungry Tarpon has been voted the No. One restaurant in the Keys by Trip Advisor. He also recently won awards for the best dessert and best booth presentation at the Taste of Islamorada, which featured all of the local restaurants. Chef Joseph has learned how to combine the classic French style with the island influences to create a truly unique dining experience.

Jason Basler

Jason Basler made his way to the Florida Keys from Cleveland, Ohio. He was a founding partner in Cosmic Dave’s Sub Shops in Cleveland. He started with one location and built that into fourteen. During this time he acquired a considerable background in restaurant management and daily operations. Jason is now the manager of the Hungry Tarpon restaurant at Robbie’s of Islamorada. With his excellent history of restaurant operations, Jason has helped transform the Hungry Tarpon into the 5 star restaurant it is today.