Turtles Deli/ Ziggy's

I can tell you Ziggy's is great. The guys who own it are top notch. They are always well stocked. I think I am addicted to their chocolate muffins! I don't know about Turtle's as I live east end STX. I like to cook too, but get used to substituing ingredients and making your own sauces. Groceries don't always have everything. I call my grocery trips my scavenger hunt!

I can tell you Ziggy's is great. The guys who own it are top notch. They are always well stocked. I think I am addicted to their chocolate muffins! I don't know about Turtle's as I live east end STX. I like to cook too, but get used to substituing ingredients and making your own sauces. Groceries don't always have everything. I call my grocery trips my scavenger hunt!

Ziggy's? Is that where Smokey's used to be?

Man, I miss Smokey. His wife's pumpkin fritters were THE BOMB. Unfortunately, they've retired downisland, and we're left with a gas station that sells tomatoes that BOUNCE.

I call my grocery trips my scavenger hunt!

Sometimes The Island does not provide.

I like to cook, but I am by no means a gourmet. In Mexico I would be called an Asador (Grill Master). I cook almost every night on my Big Green Egg ( http://www.biggreenegg.com/) and do everything from pulled pork to pizzas. But, so long as I have some protein on the grill, rice, beans, tortillas and maybe a cabbage slaw, I am set. Is fresh fish/seafood available at a reasonable price? I live in San Diego and I can only afford it every once in awhile ($7.99/lb for the cheapest stuff). It makes me mad that I can go 70 miles south to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico and feed 4 people on the best catch of the day for $10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cp4MU7eYsQ The prices shown are in pesos and per kilo. 12.75 pesos= $1.

Turtles Deli has THE BEST sandwiches. Homemade fresh breads (many varieties), awesome cheeses and meat, great vegetable selections. Favorite lunch spot on island!

Any 30 Rock fans out there? One of Liz Lemon's greatest observations: “Can I share with you my worldview? All of humankind has one thing in common: the sandwich. I believe that all anyone really wants in this life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich.”

What a great video. Wish we had a store like that here but we don't. A local fisherman comes to Ziggys about once a week and brings fresh fish. It's very clean and sanitary. We just don't have the variety or prices seen on your video. Weird since we're out in the middle of the ocean!

It's no stranger than living in San Diego and paying crazy prices for seafood. These Ensenada guys are fishing the same waters as the Americans. The difference is that the American catch gets shipped out to higher priced markets and the Ensenada guys are forced to sell back to locals. The fish market is called El Mercado Negro (The Black Market) and I don't know why. Ensenada is pretty big, 250K - 300K, so they can support that size of market. The video only shows half, there is another row next door. Nothing like a trip to the Black Market then back to the campground on the beach for fish tacos, Coronas, and maybe a cioppino with leftovers.

Turtles is a great place and we went there often. But we sometimes went to the Subway across from Sunshine Mall to pick up a quick sandwich to take to the beach. We were always satisfied and the price was right. Also, you can have a longish wait at Turtles.

Do they have $5 subs on St. Croix?

The Bistro at Gallows. Bay also has great sandwiches and soups! Breakfast and lunch only.

Mexican Street Tacos from Maria's Cantina in Gallows Bay. Yumm!

When we visit we head over to Turtles Deli for their HUGE sandwiches. Just delicious. Their website is www.turtlesdeli.com It's cute and informative. Enjoy!

Paula

Also recommend Ziggy's. Great food and really reasonable drink prices - and they have a good sized 'after work' crowd who seem to always have a lot of fun. They also do special events on their deck periodically and local event days like Sausage Fest and the Johnny Cake Eating competition for local charities. They try to sell as much local produce as they can and on Saturdays Tess is there selling her home baked breads. As others have said you can often get fresh local mahi right off the boat there too. Awesome people.

Thanks for all the feedback. I get the growing sense the community is much like I have seen in Northern California; everybody kinda knows each other but still has their own circle. I have lived in my condo for 8 years and I live 100 feet from a woman who works at the same hospital. But, I can't remember her name, have never seen her at work (big hospital) and rarely speak to any of my neighbors; it's just a matter of society and culture and a huge population. I think I would enjoy a smaller community at this point in my life, and who wouldn't enjoy such a beautiful location as the USVI?

I really like Ziggy's! The only thing would be where you are living on island. If you live far out East, then it would be close and not a hassle to get to from your home. If you live near town, then it would be out of the way for a hangout. I live in Hermon Hill and rarely get out East as so many other places in Christiansted and Gallows Bay that are so much closer for us.

Yea turtles deli is awesome. My BF loves "the beast". Its delish. Sandwiches are more than enough for two people and whenever were on STX we make a stop there. Yum.

Turtles deli has literally the best sandwiches I have eaten in my entire life. Massive, tasty- good people too. Only problem is its in Fsted, so eating there often is not really feasible.

Turtles is great, but my favorite sandwiches are at Quality over by H2O and the Palms area. Love that place. Cheap too.

Quality Grocers for me too!!
Awesome sandwiches, really fresh, and big, easily shared by 2.

FYI this is on the main road just before Gas City when heading west from 5 corners.

i have heard nothing but good things about quality

Quality has the best cubano on island, in our opinion. Just no bar/kick back with a beer hang-out area like Turtles and Ziggy's have.

i have not had a cubano since i have been here. oh i miss those

Just had a cubano from Victor Menchos (sp?) today for the first time in years. OMG - I forgot how good they are. I also LOVE the cubano at Ziggy's. The Mencho cubano is a bit sweeter than the one at Ziggy's but hey are both awesome!!