Key West, According to Sam

You know their politics. Do you know their favorite local musician?

As Key West casts its final votes, Mayor “DeeDee” Henriquez and Commissioner Sam Kaufman are approaching the point where there are only so many more policies and campaign promises they can explain before the race is called.

But amid the flurry of campaign events, social-media arguments and controversial mailers, there may still be room to learn something else about the candidates: where they eat, what they recommend, and how they spend their time when they’re not at City Hall.

Palm and Prejudice sent both candidates the same survey of fewer than 20 deliberately nonpolitical questions, asking about their favorite restaurants, festivals, sightseeing spots, local recommendations, and the places they return to.

The idea was simple: get a taste of Key West through two distinct personalities who have spent years serving the community and, along the way, experienced plenty of what the island has to offer.

Commissioner Kaufman's responses, published below in full, reveal a public servant whose love for Key West is as a result of diverse music tastes, embracing eclectic social circles, and maintaining a schedule that keeps him on the move through a bustling island.

Which eatery or bar do you wish more people knew about?

One place is El Siboney Restaurant. It’s a true Key West staple that is family-run, consistently great Cuban food, and the kind of place locals have loved for years. It’s authentic, welcoming, and dependable. Places like El Siboney are part of the heart of our community, and I always encourage people to check it out and support our local favorites.

What is your standard coffee order and where do you get it?

I usually go with a simple Americano. Honestly, with how busy things have been, I’m usually making it at home or in the office. But when I do get out, I like stopping by Keys Coffee Co. or Cuban Coffee Queen. It’s a great way to start the day, and I always try to support our local businesses because they’re such an important part of what makes Key West special.

What was the most honest conversation you ever had in this town that happened over food or drinks?

Over the years, both as a commissioner and as an attorney, I’ve had hundreds of honest, sometimes difficult conversations with people in this community. A lot of those happen over coffee. People open up about real issues about housing, jobs, family struggles, and concerns about City Hall. Sometimes they’re emotional, sometimes blunt, but they’re always important. Those conversations stick with me. They’re a big part of how I understand what people are going through and why I take this work so seriously.

Tell me about the last time you had a truly bad meal here. You can leave the name out or preferably say where were you, did you stay, did you say anything or just paid and left?

I honestly don’t remember having a bad meal in Key West. We’re really lucky to have so many great places here. If I ever did, I’d probably just pay and leave quietly. I’m not someone who likes to make a fuss.