| Doc Ford's, Sanibel Island: Great Fun, Great Fish |
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| March 23, 2009 |
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I had the great pleasure of stumbling upon a reading and Q&A given near my home (Southeast Florida) recently. Author Randy Wayne White, from Pine Island, was entertaining a big group of fans at a local bookstore with funny stories from his past. He had the crowd really laughing. He was also encouraging to those among us (ahem!) who think we can, one day, maybe ... write a book.
He was fun to listen to, and he won me over. I quickly found a book by Mr. White and got in line for an autograph. We exchanged a few words (he spent time with each and every fan) and, foodie that I am, I quickly learned about his restaurant, Doc Ford's on Sanibel Island, nearly due west of where I live. (Doc Ford is the hero and main character in some of White's award-winning novels.) Now I knew why so many, many of the audience were wearing Doc Ford's T-shirts. White has a loyal following.
My sights were set. I knew I had to be in Fort Myers for another event, so I was determined to hop over to Sanibel for lunch and a mojito the next day.
Easy to find, right on the road to Captiva, but away from the crush of the heart of the island, Doc Ford's is a sprawling building with plenty of space for everyone. I pulled a stool up to the bar and quickly fixed on the "Off the Hook Sandwich," a fish patty (the day I was in, it was grouper, salmon and bass) created by Chef Greg Nelson, seared and served with a chipotle mayo - deliciously fresh with big, flaky chunks of the fish. I loved the lettuce and red onion, which were chopped fine and mixed with that mayo, almost like a slaw on top of the patty.
A nice, limey-minty mojito to wash it down and nothing but the rest of the day to relax in the sun on Sanibel: life is good.
Doc Ford's has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with friendly service and seating indoors and out. If you're a Randy Wayne White fan, this is a required stop. If you're a fresh seafood fan? Also a required stop. Other menu items include grouper, fish tacos, a raw bar - you'll definitely find some seafood you like. And if you're with someone who insists on non-seafood items, you'll find chicken, beef, pulled pork and more.
Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar and Grille
975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel
239-472-8311 |
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| Doc Ford's, Sanibel Island |
| Credit: Barb Freda |
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