Finding Food At A Popular Travel Spot: Sanibel Island

1 week ago

From canine sledding connected a stiff reservoir successful Ely, Minnesota, to sitting connected a formation successful Sanibel, Florida — 1 utmost to nan different — that was maine wrong six days successful mid-March. My family has been going to Sanibel Island for virtually decades until 3 years agone erstwhile Hurricane Ian devastated a bully portion of southeast Florida.

Sanibel Island and nan metropolis that shares its sanction — conscionable offshore from Fort Myers, wherever nan Twins clasp their outpouring training — took an tremendous deed from nan hurricane. Beaches, resorts, backstage homes, restaurants, vegetation, are each still very overmuch successful betterment mode.

The 2 weeks of a time-share I ain are portion of a family-type edifice called Sanibel Beach Club, correct connected nan Gulf of Mexico. Totally destroyed by nan storm, and now 3 years later, rebuilt and unfastened again, 1 of nan fewer that are.

So, 2 of my sons, their families and I (of course) went to spot really things person recovered. That includes venturing retired to section restaurants. But much connected that successful a minute.

Compared to what we had publication and heard, it is decidedly connected nan measurement back, but to get wherever it was earlier is simply a agelong measurement off, years probably. Most resorts are still being renovated, caller homes being built, constricted retail, immoderate restaurants are back, but surely not all. Several of our favorites are gone, others person adapted.

One of nan newest is Wickies Lighthouse successful nan abstraction antecedently occupied by a favourite meal spot. A instruction successful resilience, it roseate from nan ashes of 2 vanished institutions, The Island Cow, which burned successful August 2022, and The Mad Hatter, destroyed by Hurricane Ian conscionable 2 months later. Both owners joined together to unfastened Wickie's, connected nan Island's eastbound side, 1 of nan first caller post-Ian restaurants.

My boy and I ate location 1 evening and nan food, nan ambiance and work top-notch. Menu choices attraction connected food though location are a fewer beef items arsenic good arsenic appetizers you don't spot often — we shared an bid of fried greenish tomatoes. Jon had shrimp and grits pinch a generous serving of shrimp. I chose salmon pinch a chromatic glaze and type vegetables . Portions were generous. No question, this has to beryllium 1 of nan best, astir celebrated connected nan island. (Beware: Also 1 of nan astir expensive.)

The Lighthouse Cafe, our favourite meal spot, relocated from wherever Wickie's is now, down astir half a mile west. As engaged arsenic it ever was, its newer location has much room to accommodate nan galore who come. French toast for me, always.

Lunch astatine Gramma Dot's connected nan Sanibel Marina is besides connected our "go to" list. We were happy that it seemed beautiful overmuch for illustration it had 3 years ago. The paper nan same, nan location nan same, but wholly redone wrong and out. While successful erstwhile years location was astatine slightest a 45- infinitesimal wait, this clip we walked correct in. We were told that nan full spot had been nether astatine slightest 12-feet of water, wholly destroying nan building. (The extent is marked connected a wall, a sobering sight.)

It was closed for 14 months for restorations and renovations and conscionable precocious reopened to much indoor abstraction and a ample patio for outdoor seating. They're known for their grouper sandwich, coconut shrimp, New England clam chowder, crab meatballs, and overmuch more. The fried shrimp is everlastingly my choice.

We've ever cooked successful much than going retired though now location is conscionable 1 market store, Jerry's, alternatively than two, pinch nan other, Bailey's, wholly destroyed. Our diets halfway astir food and nan spot to spell is Timbers, a edifice arsenic good arsenic a food market. While nan choices tin vary, usually disposable are snapper, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, halibut, grouper and shrimp. A Sunday farmer's marketplace besides has an bonzer food guidelines wherever we bought corvina and grouper, 2 of our favorites. No fancy preparations required, conscionable sauted successful food and seasonings.

The only downside to nan land is nan traffic. There are nary postulation lights truthful during dense postulation (most of nan time) location are group whose occupation is to support cars moving by opinionated successful nan mediate of nan thoroughfare and directing cars. It tin beryllium backed up, literally, for miles. In truth my oldest boy and his family were returning from a kayak outing and were stuck successful it. His woman and a girl hopped retired of nan car, ran to prime up a fewer items from Jerry's, which was nearby, and made it backmost to their car which had hardly moved.

Among nan reasons: building trucks, equipment, building workers and outpouring breakers. It comes pinch nan territory. While it's achy to spot what "fury Nature wrought," connected this typical place, it's inspiring to spot it return, slow but surely. We'll beryllium back, and truthful will it.

Post Bulletin nutrient writer Holly Ebel knows what’s cookin’. Send comments aliases communicative tips to life@postbulletin.com .