The Toucan

We tried to find this place for lunch, after circling around we realized the name had changed to Crazy 8’s. My guess is new ownership with a new menu. I tried their chicken salad sandwich with a side salad, everything tasted really fresh. I’m sad I didn’t get to try the Caribbean menu of the old place but this new one is also pretty good…

This new joint is a gem on the otherwise predictable OC strip.
It’s tucked in next to a surf shop, bayside, a little north of the Boardwalk. There’s a non-​obvious outdoor seating area in the back that overlooks a little canal — very quiet, shaded, and comfortable.
Their menu is straightforward — a couple of soups, salads, paninis, tacos, and rice bowls. Let’s for a moment focus on the tacos and rice bowls, because that’s what you should order the first time here. And probably the second time, too.
Pick your poison — veggies, steak, chicken, mahi mahi (blackened or grilled), and tilapia. Put it in a tortilla (or a bowl made from a tortilla). Top with cabbage, a little pico de gallo, and some wondrous sauce. Serve with (average) rice and (terrific) black beans.
Don’t wuss out and get the one taco platter, either. You’ll hate yourself. I hate them because they don’t offer a three taco platter. Or all-​you-​can-​eat. Damn them to hell.
If you have the shorties along, they offer a decent kids menu. The grilled cheese is a particularly fantastic panini-​grilled version.
Did I mention they do smoothies? They do. And they’re good. What they don’t have, though, is a liquor license — yet. Their Caribbean-​flavored offerings would pair so nicely with a Red Stripe or Blue Moon.

I enjoyed sitting on the outside deck. I had the blackened MahiMahi rice bowl and I have been trying to recreate it at home in PA ever since (with no luck). It has become one of my favorite places to eat at OCMD. The love the whole vibe and the prices are just right. The menu is limited, but the food is amazing. I know a lot of people prefer this place for breakfast b/​c of their nice variety of muffins, coffees, smoothies (breakfast meals are pretty big and they serve breakfast all day. OCMD has a lot of great places to eat, but this is in the top 5!

Excellent fresh food. Caribbean and Costa Rican style. The blackened mahi mahi tacos are awesome. The guacamole is terrific. Even the black beans and rice side dish is fantastic. One of our group had the steak tacos and loved them as well. Many veggie options too as well as fresh fruit smoothies. A welcome (and healthy) addition to the OC food scene.

This place is great! The menu isn’t huge but the food is great! I got the mahi-​mahi taco platter and my boyfriend got the pork bbq panini when we went there after shopping at K-​Coast next door. Everything was very fresh and definitely exceeded our expectations!