52 Southwest Florida restaurants

you must visit in 2015

By: Jean Le Boeuf, The News-Press mystery diner and food critic

These are not the area's best restaurants. If you're looking for fancy you've come to the wrong place.
These are the little guys 52 independents that are turning out good, honest food at reasonable prices.
Resolve to be independent in 2015. That's advice we can all buy. See if you can check all the boxes!
Visit these spots in 2015 and tweet me your photos @JeanLeBeouf or send them to jleboeuf@newspress.com.

The Healthful Places

Among the Flowers: This charming little Sanibel juice bar, sandwich shop and bakery caters to raw
vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike. (2003 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel; 312-4085;
loveamongtheflowers.com)
CaJuol: Excellent, scratch-made lentil, black-bean and chickpea burgers, fresh juices, colorful salads.
It's the last thing you'd expect from a Lehigh Acres joint tucked in behind the RadioShack. But CaJuol
exceeds expectations. (1315 Homestead Road North, Lehigh Acres; 895-8751; cajuol.com)
Flavor Harvest Cafe: The sushi station at the front tells you this is not your typical hospital cafeteria.
As does the smoothie counter where fresh berries and lettuces are pureed. And the 40-plus-item salad
bar. HealthPark Medical Center has never tasted so good. (Inside HealthPark Medical Center, 9981 S.
HealthPark Drive, south Fort Myers; 343-5000; leememorial.org)
Patric's Kitchen: The paleo menu offers omelets, steak salads with roasted sweet potatoes, and openfaced burgers served on beds of lettuce. You won't miss the refined sugars and carbs. And your clothes
may still fit when you leave. (2091 Pine Ridge Road, Naples; 596-7708; patricskitchen.net)

Diners But Not Dives

Dani's Daytime Diner: The menu is mostly straightforward diner fare, but its the Eastern European
specials (pierogi, schnitzels, goulash) that make this place so special. (3228 Fowler St., Fort Myers; 9313303; danisdaytimediner.com)
The Gathering Place: Just your classic American-Belizean diner built into a former nurses' station inside
a nursing-home-turned-business-park that's serving uber fresh food at unbelievably low prices. Tale as
old as time. (8359 Beacon Blvd. No. 630, Beacon Executive Suites, Fort Myers; 425-2626; find it on
Facebook)

Kate's Kafe: Everything Kate makes at this warm breakfast-lunch spot is delicious. And everything Kate
bakes is too. (16960 Alico Mission Way, Fort Myers; 288-5851; kateskafe.com)
Marko's Diner: The checkered floors, counter seating and menu boards scream diner. The avgolemono,
the gyros and the juicy burgers scream so much more. (16305 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers; 204-9172;
facebook.com/MarkosDiner)
Perfect Cup: This place roasts its coffee beans in house. It makes omelets with lump blue crab meat,
asparagus and smoked provolone. The cups aren't all that's perfect. (4548 Pine Island Road, Matlacha;
283-4447; find it on Facebook)
Starlight Diner: With vinyl booths and chrome accents this is the classic diner of your dreams. With
jalapeno-topped deviled eggs and BLTs made with fried-green tomatoes and pimiento cheese on the
menu, there's no need to stop dreaming. (1141 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 800-2267;
starlightdinercc.com)

Chefs Gone Rogue

Bella Mia: The chef spent his life cooking at his family's restaurants in Sicily (classic pizzas, fresh pastas,
pastries galore), now he's teamed up with an old friend to make those same dishes in a North Fort
Myers strip mall. (5171 Orange Grove Blvd., Fort Myers; 599-8116; bellamiapizzarestaurant.com)
Crave: Chef-owner Sean Gavin came up in resorts. Now he's making pot roast with shallot green beans,
enormous sandwiches and thick pancakes so buttery and light you won't want to share. (Bridge Plaza,
12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 466-4663; cravemenu.com)
The Go-Go Diner: The chef-owner is a Culinary Institute of America alumnus, the Harvard of cooking
schools. He uses his powers for red-velvet pancakes, and some of the most amazing corned-beef hash
around. (957 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers; 599-8877; facebook.com/thegogodiner)
Restoratives Cafe: Created by classically trained chef Jay Gillmore (whose resume includes stints at Cru
and Bistro 41), this Estero joint serves seriously creative sandwiches brisket torta with melted queso
blanco anyone? chicken soup scented with saffron, and homemade cookies for dessert. And nothing
costs more than $7.50. Boom. (20461 South Tamiami Trail No. 20, Estero; 949-6715;
restorativescafe.com)

Delis Done Right

The Brown Bag Sandwich Shop: It's just lunch here. But with massive Reubens, excellent chicken salad
and one of the best Chicago-style Italian beefs around, just lunch is just fine with me. (1037 North
Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers; 995-5800; privateplatter.net)
Horsin' Around Deli: These guys make a good Cuban, but it's the piled-high sandwiches and scratchmade sides that keep me coming back to this eastern stretch of North Fort Myers. (10440 Bayshore
Road, Fort Myers, 567-4663; facebook.com/horsinarounddeli)
The German Deli Spot: Deli's something of a misnomer. The real stars here: savory goulash, snappy
sausages and jam-smeared cookies that leave trails of buttery crumbs in their wake. (19976 South
Tamiami Trail, Estero; 221-7753; thegermandelispot.com)

Larry's Lunch Box Delicatessen: As one of Fort Myers only kosher-style delis, the pressure is on for
Larry's to deliver towering-ly perfect corned-beef sandwiches, fluffy knishes and luscious matzo-ball
soup. And man does he. (2650 Airport Road South, Naples, 775-2500; 870 Neapolitan Way, Naples, 2632713; 2200 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, 208-4035; larryslunchbox.com)
Fresh Bagels and More: This place makes as close to a New York bagel as I've found here; the ones
with that glossy veneer and chewy-tender interior. They're great on their own, magnificent with lox,
capers and a smear of cream cheese. (8911 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers; 561-3777;
facebook.com/Freshbagelsandmore)

History Worth Savoring

Grandpa's Pizza: This pizza joint has been winning over customers with its New York-style pies since
1980. It christens each one with its famous garlic sauce, an herbaceous concoction that adds just the
right bite. (27030 Old 41 Road No. 1, Bonita Springs; 992-7119; grandpaspizza.net)
Leone's: Mama Leone has been hand making sausages and soups here for 37 years. She likes to remind
customers she won't be doing this forever. So go and fill up while you can. (916 Southeast 14th Ave.,
Cape Coral; 458-0013;leonespecialty.comcastbiz.net)
Oyster Shell: This tidy, no-frills seafood joint has been serving up oysters Rockefeller, chowders and
Ipswich clams from its tiny, open kitchen for 36 years. (13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 481-2040;
facebook.com/oystershellrestaurant)
Pastrami Dan's: You have three options at this 39-year-old deli pastrami, roast beef or (naturally?)
tacos. It is impossible to go wrong. (586 Tamiami Trail North, Naples; 263-3431; find it on Facebook)

Latin Beyond Mexico

Caf Brazil: I'm wary of buffets, but when they're loaded with silken, pork-flecked black beans, sweetly
fried plantains and stewed chicken that falls apart at the touch of a fork, it's easy to let your guard
down. (3940 Metro Parkway #111, Fort Myers; 936-4900; cafebrazilfloridausa.com)
Casa Rojas: Here Cuban sandwiches are made with thick shreds of roasted pork, sweet ham and melt-y
Swiss. They're served on bread baked in house daily. And, ay dios mio, are they good. (728 Pine Island
Road, Cape Coral; 573-9998; casarojasrestaurant.com)
El Acajutla: This is the place for pupusas, rounds of fresh masa dough stuffed with pork, cheese, beans.
There are thin but juicy steaks, a smattering of Mexican dishes, and velvety black beans, too. I could go
on, but you get the drift. (3216 Fowler St., Fort Myers; 277-0611)
El Pilon: One of the oldest places serving mofongo here, and one of the only places you can still find
pigeon peas and rice. (South Plaza, 4650 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 936-0057; elpilonrestaurant.net)

Las Delicias: This is the place to find Colombian expats, and all the delicious foods they love. (Lochmoor
Plaza, 4150 Hancock Bridge Parkway, Fort Myers; 997-0009)
Martha's Cuban Cafe: For gas-station Cuban food, Martha's is hard to beat. Of course, you could drop
the gas-station part of that statement and it would still ring true. (16971 Alico Mission Way, Fort Myers;
333-6399)
Punta Cana Caf: Here you'll find Dominican food, including huge portions of mofongo and tender curls
of shrimp stewed with peppers and onions. Save room for the coconut flan, or at least take it home. It's
excellent wherever, whenever. (954 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 573-7848; find it on Facebook)
Rinconcito Catracho: When it's not too busy, you can hear the ladies in the kitchen slicing the cabbage
for your fish tacos. You'll find Honduran baleadas and creamy tamales wrapped in banana leaves. All of
it just as fresh. (4524 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers; 690-0780; find it on Facebook)

Ill Gladly Pay You Tuesday For A Taco Today

El Azteca Taqueria: Service can be painfully slow, but when those tacos (or that guacamole, or that
pozole, or those camarones) come out, boy is it worth it. (1918 Del Prado Blvd. South, Cape Coral; 5740056; find it on Facebook)
Taqueria El Rinconcito: Here you'll find three-bite tacos stuffed with sizzling bits of carnitas, thoroughly
caramelized lengua and melting barbacoa. A sprinkle of cilantro and onions goes over top, as should a
squeeze of fresh lime. This is taco heaven, in Lehigh Acres. (1454 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres; 368-8887)
Tortilleria La Rancherita: Stop in when the tortilla machine is running, churning out soft discs of masa,
and order as many tacos as you can safely consume. A fresh tortilla, stuffed with chef-owner Paul
Judice's generous and authentic fillings, will change the way you look at tacos forever. (26751 Old 41
Road, Bonita Springs; 498-4633)

For The Snowbirds

Buffalo Chips: Home to some of the fattest, juiciest Buffalo wings anywhere. The ramshackle setting
only adds to the flavor. (26620 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; 947-1000; buffalochipsrestaurant.tv)
Caruso's Eats & Treats: Fine burgers, Love Boat ice cream and something called a Horse Shoe made
with Texas toast, a burger patty, fries and Caruso's own cheese sauce. This is classic, Midwestern drivein fare at its Florida best. (9211 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers; 481-9227; eatsandtreatsfl.com)
Doug's Seafood: Founded by a lifelong fishermen and Mainiac, this seafood market serves up simple
but heavenly lobster rolls and some of the finest chowders in town. (3411 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita
Springs; 992-1902; dougsseafood.com)
Hoosiers in Paradise: A taste of Indiana, complete with basketball pennants and tenderloin
sandwiches, but in lieu of frigid temperatures you get al fresco seating with a view of the Gulf. (1901
Estero Blvd. No. 107, Fort Myers Beach; 314-5601; hoosiersinparadise.net)

Saratoga Joe's: Soups here are hearty, creamy and excellent. But the grinder sandwiches, made from
house-baked bread stuffed with meatballs or thin cuts of steak, are something beyond. (12140 Metro
Parkway, Suite A, Fort Myers; 245-7123; saratogajoes.com)

Pizzas And Their Cohorts

Calzone Jack's: This 15-year-old pizza shop bakes up giant calzones stuffed with gooey cheeses and
plenty of meat. Smalls start at $5.49, and are anything but. (2215 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers; 337-4646;
calzonejacks.com)
McGregor Pizza & Deli Co.: This place has new owners, but the pepperoni poppers and Italian beef
sandwiches are as good as ever. And the salads are even better. (4600 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 9391148; mcgregorpizza.com)
Pizza D-LUX: This is the kind of thin, floppy-crusted pizza displaced New Yorkers search high and low
for. And when they find it, they keep on coming back. (6810 Shoppes at Plantation Dr., south Fort
Myers; 278-3589; pizzadlux.com)

Seafood And Eat It

Maria's Smokehouse: Dive doesn't quite do this place justice. But it's one of the few places still
smoking mullet (and salmon, amber jack, etc.), and still frying up mullet gizzards the way the old timers
used to. (18550 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 466-9666; find it on Facebook)
OK UK Fish-n-Chips: Beer-battered Icelandic cod, Sarson's malt vinegar and hand-cut chips. I'm very
much OK with all of that. (13971 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers; 599-2328;
facebook.com/okukbritishfishnchips)
Olde Fish House Marina: The grouper and snapper come in from the docks out back. There's gator,
shrimp and frog legs on the menu. And crisp hush puppies that practically melt in your mouth. (4530
Pine Island Road, Matlacha; 282-9577; oldfishhousemarina.com)
Pete's Fish & Chips: Pete's namesake dish is excellent. Its meat pies, pasties and sausage rolls aren't
bad either. (311 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral; 458-2477; petes-fish-chips.com)

Comfort In Its Many Forms

Black Eyed Pig: The plumes of porky smoke are what differentiate this wonderfully divey little
barbecue joint from the auto-body-repair shops surrounding it. (5307 Shirley St., Naples; 593-5006;
naplesbbq.com)
Cesibon: Walk into Cesibon at just the right time and you'll catch them cleaning out the machines that
churn out gelato in flavors such as pina colada, berry-mascarpone and vanilla-bacon. Be sure to bring
cash. And loose-fitting pants. (8807 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 566-8363; find it on Facebook)

Cracker Shack Caf: Hidden away inside 31 Produce, the Cracker Shack puts all the farm's seasonal
fruits and vegetables to delectable use in pies, soups, sides and more. (18500 State Road 31, Alva; 3138213; 31produce.com)
Phensri Thai: I rarely see this place busy, which worries me because curries this good (and pad Thai this
great) shouldn't be going uneaten. (4085 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., North Fort Myers; 599-4639; phensrithai-restaurant.com)
Tuckaway Bagel & Wafel Cafe: This cutesy little beach cottage makes crisp, fluffy, Liege-style Belgian
waffles, the kind with the deep pockets and raggedy edges. It serves them with Nutella or mango jam.
Yes. And yes. (1740 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 463-5398; tuckawaycoffeefmb.com)
Utopia Soul Food Caf: My favorite place for collard greens, candied yams and baked turkey wings.
Meals start with cornbread hoecakes. They stop with red-velvet cake, or whenever you finally tap out.
(3069 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers; 334-2365; find it on Facebook)