Named after the marine biologist hero of Randy Wayne White’s novels, Doc Ford’s started on Sanibel and its Fort Myers Beach location on Fisherman’s Wharf has become the island’s most reliable big-night-out. It is large, lively and waterfront, with a wraparound bar, dockside seating on the pass and a menu that mixes Gulf seafood with Caribbean and Central American flavors.
The Yucatan shrimp, sautéed in butter, garlic, lime and chili, is the dish everyone talks about, and rightly so. Beyond that, look for the fish tacos, banana leaf snapper, Cuban sandwich and a long list of rum drinks including the signature Doc Ford’s Mojito. The kitchen is consistent, which matters when you are feeding a group with different tastes.
It is popular with locals and visitors alike, so expect a wait at dinner in season; they take reservations for larger groups and the bar is a good place to pass the time. Come by boat if you have one; there is dockage. Lunch is quieter and the water views are just as good.
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