God's Speed Mad Dog

We lost the Mad Dog last night.  Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich was an All American at the University of Michigan and played tight end on the 1972 Miami Dolphins team that owns the NFL’s only Perfect Season.   Jim went on to become a successful business man and the most colorful South Florida sports broadcasting personality on TV and radio (settle down Sid, you are doing a fine job filling the Mad Dog’s very big shoes).  He was also the proprietor of my favorite restaurant in the Florida Keys, Ziggie & Mad Dog’s.

Once a quarter I take a trip down to the Keys to visit my good friends Ray Alvarez and Matthew Vidal at Ray Alvarez Carpets in Key West.  Each time I go, I make it a point to try and stop at Ziggie & Mad Dog’s.  It was tough at first, but since they started opening for lunch, it has made it much easier for me to stop in on each trip.  My wife and I will drive down from Miami every now and then just for dinner.

We can all remember the Mad Dog for a lot of different things.  I will certainly miss his calls on the Dolphin’s radio broadcasts in the years to come.  However,  I will always remember Jim when I order a The Mad Dog Salad at Ziggie’s.  Prepared with what is quite possibly the best dressing you will ever taste, their super rich and creamy home made blue cheese. Topped with monster pieces of crispy, fresh bacon.  This is the best rendition of the wedge salad anywhere, period.  I know Jim was proud of everything at his beloved Ziggie’s but his namesake salad is as perfect as the Dolphin’s record in 1972.

There are so many fantastic things on the menu at Ziggie’s.  You’ll find some the best steaks, a monster burger, bacon wrapped shrimp named after legendary coach Don Shula, and phenomenal seafood.  Yet each time I go, along with a Mad Dog salad, I have to get an order of the best damn Mac-n-Cheese in the State.  Ziggie’s famous Truffle Macaroni and Cheese is outstanding.  One fork full of this masterpiece will make you want to get up and yell “All Riiiiggghhttt!!!!” This dish alone will leave you Floored by Food!

A few years back, while driving up from visiting Ray and Matthew, I turned on 560 WQAM and heard Jim broadcasting his afternoon show from Ziggie’s.  As I came up on mile marker 83, I pulled in and parked next to Mad Dog’s Chevy Silverado.  I walked past the tiki torches, in through the tinted glass door and on to the polished, original terrazzo floors to find Jim sitting in the corner, broadcasting live.  I walked over to the bar and sat down with Kevin, their bartender, to order myself an ice cold Green Lizard, (a Heineken) Mad Dog’s favorite beer.  After the show, Jim came over to say hello and bought me a round.  Though it was the first time we met, he made me feel like we were lifelong friends.

 

Mad Dog….you will always be loved by your fans.  I will certainly miss hearing your voice on the radio, but I look forward to supporting Ziggie’s and carrying your legacy on for many years to come. 

God’s Speed Mad Dog!