I hate to say it but I'm with Kimberly J on this one...food was not great.
My husband and I were staying at the Blue Dolphin for our honeymoon and we decided to go out for some seafood but we didn't want to go too far from our location. Doc Ford's was very close by so we decided to head there for a late lunch, early dinner. The restaurant itself was nice, it was a Sunday in October 2012 so football was on giving it a lively atmosphere. The service was great and the drinks were very good! We both got rum concoctions...when in Rome...
Now to the food. We had mussels and crab cakes to start. The only good part about our meal were the crab cakes. They were tasty and surprisingly large. Then it went downhill. I had the seafood paella and it was disgusting. I studied in Spain and whenever I have the chance to eat some paella, I get excited. It's one of my favorite foods. I'm no stranger to mussels, clams, and the like but this dish tasting like badly burnt, fish. Not the most appetizing. Â Like Emo F said, not a lot of rice and there were only about 3 shrimp in the entire thing, the rest was mostly scallops and some mussels. For $24 you would think they would not skimp on the shrimp. My husband had the dry rubbed rib eye and he said it was okay, nothing spectacular.
Overall we spent over $90 at Doc Ford's. Definitely not a cheap place. I would expect they would take more pride in their food with those prices. But hey, it's a touristy place. What do we know, right?
My family went here during our vacation on the island....some of the best food and service we had! I got the lime crusted panko fish sandwich, which was so flaky and delicious. My husband had the Cuban, which he loved. We also shared a cup of the Southwest Beer Cheddar soup, which was one of the best beer cheddar soups I've tasted. Our kids loved their kids meals, which came with an ice cream sandwich for dessert. The restaurant wasn't very busy, even though we went during the noon lunch hour. Our waitresses were attentive and helpful and took the time to talk to our boys (always a plus in my book). Can't wait to go back!
Review Source:Overall a good place, it can get crazy busy so make sure you have a reservations. Parking can also get tight at times. The fish is fresh although sometimes dishes make it past the expediter when they shouldn't have. Not raw but can be overcooked for some. Simple dishes are best although they do sear a good scallop. Drinks are strong, mojitos are a bit too sweet for my taste. Better than most places on the island, so worth a shot, during the week.
Review Source:The food doesn't taste bad, that's the nicest thing I can say. Â However, my "panko crusted" fish sandwich did not have one flake of panko on it. Â The mixed drinks don't have one drop of alcohol in them. Â My "mango margarita" was a $6 mouthful of nasty sour mix.
What's really wrong with this place is it has no soul. Â Even an Applebees would embrace it's Applebee-ness, but this place is just a wanna-be void.
Do me a favor and go to Fresh Taqueria, Rosie's, or get a sandwich from Jerry's Market.
I guess my major mistake was ordering ribs after one too many fish meals. First, we each ordered a cup of clam chowder which came barely lukewarm. I thought I would split the ribs with my husband but i don't even think we were given a full slab and they were mostly bones/no meat. The only good thing was the original BBQ sauce. We left feeling hungry and gypped.
Review Source:Tried Doc Fords for the first time this weekend. Loved it so much we ate there twice. I'm not a shell fish person so I was worried It would be hard to find something other than fried fish to eat. I was wrong! Great chicken with roasted has of potatoes. My husband had paella and loved it. He grew up in Charleston, SC and seafood is so abundant there he really appreciates good quality shellfish . He said it was one if the best things he's ever had to eat.
Dessert was key lime pie and carrot cake both yummy- I do think the KLP was better.
The second night he had the scallop special and I had the tomato and mozzarella salad. Can't say enough about how good the food was. The quality of the ingredients superb .
visited last month.
the decor and atmosphere were nice, and it was located close to where we were staying.
service was also good.
the food was not up to par.
i had high expectations for the seafood paella, but there was hardly and rice in it and wayyyy too much halfcooked onions. Â and the salt! the salt!
my wife had the salmon wrapped in banana leaf, which was overcooked and had a salty salty sauce all over it.
Place was great! We had the Yucatan Shrimp, awesome!!! The fish sticks were great! The lime Panko grouper sandwich was very good!! Â The service was awesome, our waitress Milly was very accommodating and nice! She even took our 1 year old to see the fish tank so we could finishing eating! Oh yeah and the rum drinks were awesome too!
Review Source:This was our first visit and we were totally impressed from the before dinner island drinks to the banana peel wrapped red snapper and the ribs with the finale of key lime pie and coffee. Â Our waiter was very attentive and we can honestly say our visit to Doc Ford's was incredible and will return again the next time we are in Sanibel. Well done!
Review Source:My wife and I were touring Florida in our motorhome in March 2013 and were referred to Doc Ford's for a good seafood dinner. We were so pleased with our meal that I was compelled to write this review. At our server's recommendation, we both had the Snapper Special and were both very pleased. One of our best seafood dinners ever. We go to Roy's in Newport Beach, Ca. frequently and love the place. Doc Ford's was equally good, though no place can match Roy's Chocolate Souffle Desert for sheer chocolaty delight. Wish we had a Doc Ford's in Southern Calif.
Review Source:Doc Ford's Sanibel - stopped on our way out of town and so glad we did! Â The Yucatan shrimp is phenomenal. Â Other posters said not to question it so we didn't and you shouldn't either! Â I also got the Sanibel sunset that not only tasted great but made me feel great! Â The waitress recommended a featured draft for my husband and it was really good too (cant remember the flavor but it was maybe a nut wheat beer or something) highly recommended!
Review Source:Was here while visiting family at the end of March. The food was good and so was the service. Our server was a Boston native. I don't remember our her name, but she was very helpful. Had the Yucatan shrimp appetizer, and it was awesome! My main meal was the shrimp and grits, and I would definitely recommend the dish! Hopefully I can make it back for another visit!
Review Source:Best meal we had while on the island. Went once at 6PM, too crowded, made a reservation for 5:30 the next night. Lots of people have talked about the shrimp appy, which was amazing, but I had the mussels which were every bit as good. All loved their drinks and entrees; I had the scallop and black linguini special which may have been one of the best meals I've ever eaten.
Review Source:A friend and I met in Sanibel Island for a getaway and went to Doc's for a casual dinner. Â We arrived on a Monday evening to find an hour long wait. Â Fortunately, we were able to grab two seats at the bar and decided to eat there rather than wait. Â The service was great! Â Our bartender was super friendly and was able to recommend some tasty cocktails and entrees. Â Just be prepared, some of the food portions are HUGE! Â I couldn't even finish half of my roasted chicken chimichurri dish. Â Would definitely recommend Doc's but just be prepared for a huge crowd and possible long wait.
Review Source:Yelpers-- I am sorry but you steered me wrong on this one. The location is nice, our service was good, but our food was not impressive. I ordered the fish tacos, they were so drippy and the papaya salsa on it was mushy. I saw where they were going with this one though, I think it had a lot of potential. The fish also had no seasoning on it. Why not? It could have used it. Such a simple fix.
The rice and beans that came with it, ugh, rice and beans are such an easy crowd-pleaser, but someone put a layer of cumin on top. I like cumin, but not like a layer of snow on my dish. Again simple fixes that could just be easily controlled in the kitchen!
The kicker? The mojito, what the restaurant is known for. Â It tasted like one of those Bacardi concentrates. Too sugary... barely any lime. Â I don't even think the mint was muddled.
Loved this place so much that we dined here twice during our vacation to Sanibel. Â It's a fairly large restaurant so there are plenty of tables... Bar stools at the bar, high tables in the bar area, outside dining plus loads of low dining tables. Â They don't take reservations, unless you are a party of six or more. Â Sanibel is a beach town and this place is no different... Casual and chill atmosphere.
The menu has several choices, sandwiches, salads, entrees, etc.. definitely something for everyone. Â The oysters were yum and surprisingly inexpensive... $10 per dozen. Â The mussels are some if the best have had (tomato based broth.. I could have licked the bowl). Â The fish was all fresh and all entree choices were well received..the fish sandwich, quinoa salad, and Mahi Mahi. Â The other items passing by our table also looked good, so I don't think you can go wrong. Oh and get the Key Lime Pie, you are in FL after all. Â Service was friendly and brisk (but not rushed). Â They offer a fun cocktail menu, but I found the Mojitos way to sweet. Â Land shark is offered on draft so I stuck with that choice after I drank the sweet cocktail. Â
Next time you find yourself in Sanibel, definitely stop here.
Could quite possibly be my favorite bar on the planet.
I was met with an amazing bartender that not only served me the best Mojito I have ever had... but his customer service was spot on. Not only did he break down all of the 'ins and outs' of Sanibel- but when I mentioned that my parents were considering coming down a few weeks later to look at properties, he sent them his name and contact information to be their tour guide. Our server Nate was amazing- and made the experience.
Mr. Bentley the manager was also 'the man'. When I mentioned an interest in rum, he quickly poured me a small sample of his favorite distillery. He was equally nice, and made for great conversation.
The Peel and Eat Shrimp was the best I have ever had around the Gulf... and priced very fairly for the amount and quality.
If I could give more than 5 Stars... I would!
I really enjoyed coming to Doc Ford's while in Sanibel. Not only is it a great location (good halfway point between Sanibel and Captiva), but the food is always good.
Decor -
Minimal, but that's really all you need considering the beautiful weather and great food. The inside of the restaurant is all dark wood and rather noisy, but the patio (heated when necessary) is like its own oasis .. surrounded by greenery and small enough to feel cozy - complete with plastic chairs and a map of islands as the table.
Food -
Amazing.
we had:
Bayaman Black Bean Dip
Looks a little like black bean soup when it comes out, but the cheese, fresh jalapenos and savory beans are great together with the thick crunchy (not greasy) tri-colored tortilla chips. Â Personally, i would have loved to see pickled jalapenos to make it a litlte less firey and add more acid to the mix, but hey.. its not my restaurant.
Mussels -
WOw.. these are the 2nd best mussels i have had in my life. Â Not only were they sweet and juicy and very plump, but they did not have that previously frozen texture (gritty/grainy) or a fishy taste at all. The sauce was so flavorful we had to ask for another roll just to mop up all the sauce.. MmmMm..
Taco Salad with chicken -
I was a little disappointed with this salad because i think it could have used a little something, but hey... i only ordered it because the Seared Tuna appetizer salad was not an option because the server said the kitchen wouldnt accmodate my request to have the tuna cooked all the way because I'm pregnant.. (i was surprised and disappointed)
The salad came with the bean dip spread on the top of it so.. if you decide against the appetizer, don't worry, you get to try it again in the salad.
We never had room for a full entree, but everyone else around us seemed to say good things about their food. The man next to us with Paella seemed to enjoy it, but it looked like the rice to protein ratio was kind of ..overkill.
anyway SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT.
The key lime pie is amazing!
Its not this dense, overly cream cheesey taste... it was this light custardy, tart goodness with the PERFECT salty crust to go with it.. (some kind of nut inside the crust just made it amazing!)
SERVICE:
It really is a hit or miss here. Â The first server we had, TJ, was amazing. Â Not only did he accomodate our every want and desire, he was just SO on top of it.
the next server - she was kind of inattentive and dismissive. Â She was the one that when I asked her for the Tuna appetitzer to be cooked a little more bc I am pregnant and can't have raw fish, she just said, "no, they wont do it for you" without any explanation without even attempting to ask.. - i don't even know if it is true because she didnt seem to want to try. Â
even the manner in which she served us it was as if we were the bane of her existence..
it was our second time to Doc Fords and... our last meal out so.. it was kind of disappointing to end our experience that way.
anyway, the food is good and the service is like the lottery...
try it out just for the food.
Loved the Yucatan Shrimp. Â The outdoor seating was perfect for lunch. Â Would love to go there without the kids to try the rums and the dinner entrees. Â I'm feeling inspired to read one of the mystery novels written by Randy Wayne White. Definitely worth a visit at least once during a one week stay.
Review Source:This is my "go to" place in Sanibel. Â Most reliable while on the Island, where good service and the freshest of the fresh seafood pleases the palate whether it is in the 5 star fish sandwich, on a cedar plank or grilled and sitting atop a wonderful collection of sides. Â
A wide selection of apps from a varied menu where you could eat light, heavy, or somewhere in between. Â It has a one-step above a sports bar atmosphere, but that translates to a place where one can have fun with friends, chat with a local, and lighten up, you're away from the daily grind. Â SIt back and relax, eat some food and have a drink.
No trip to Sanibel is complete without a stop to Doc Ford's! Â Fellow Yelper Steve E. from Tampa recommended Doc Ford's to me on my last visit and what a great recommendation it was!
There are a lot of tourist traps on Sanibel island so finding good food can sometimes be tough. Â I thought the food at Doc Ford's would be typical pub grub, but the food and drinks were really good. Â My husband isn't much of a mixed drink guy so he was unimpressed with the rum menu initially. Â Then he realized his favororite rum was behind the bar and he was a happy camper.
I loved the relaxed atmosphere at Doc Ford's. Â The restaurant carries an extensive rum cocktail menu and great seafood. Â I loved the Pom Pom Mojito and thought the mason jars they served the drinks in were cute. Â On our first visit we had the Island Wings and the Seared Tuna. Â I was suprised how good the tuna was! Â The tuna was served on a tangy bed of coleslaw with the delicious wasabi dressing. Â On our second visit we had the Yucatan Shrimp and BBQ Ribs. Â All of the food was fantastic!
I would definitely recommend a stop to Doc Ford's if you are staying in Sanibel.
Great food. Stumbled on Doc Ford's this year during our 9th visit to Sanibel. Had gone once several years back and was not impressed, but were delighted during our two visits this year. Would have come more but ran out of days. :)
Best oyster value on the island with 13 for $10!
Service was good both times from Olga.
WOW!!! By far the best food I've had on the island, and I've been coming to Sanibel/Captiva for the last 12 years. Â This was the first time I didn't feel as if I was paying astronomical prices for mediocre food. The first thing that I loved was the beer selection. Â All of the restaurants I've been to on Sanibel/Captiva have been very limited and are all light beers. Â They actually had a delicious Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale on tap. Â I would describe it more as a brown oatmeal stout. Â It was soo good! Â It was a nice change from the lagers I've had at all other places.
Onto the food!! We tried three appetizers, the Buffalo Shrimp, Caribbean Jerk Tostados, and the Cartagena Shrimp Sausage Quesadillas. Â They were all the bomb!! Â I will say that the quesadilla and tostado both had a bit of curry seasoning, that was not listed in the description, but I really enjoyed it. The buffalo shrimp were to die for. Â They were lightly dusted in flour, fried, and then tossed in buffalo sauce. Â Basically just as the name of it describes, it's exactly like buffalo wings but made with sweet, fat shrimp. Â The other thing I liked was that they had three hot sauces sitting at the table, one of which was a sweet mango chile sauce, which was so tasty on top of the tostada.
The ambiance is great, as it's a good size place with many large flat screens for game watching. Â The service was also great, and the waitress very friendly and was really gave us great suggestions for things to try. Â I wish i had not waited so long to come here. Â Doc Ford's will be on my return list every time I come back to the island.
We were staying at a beach cottage nearby and had take out for dinner two days in a row. Like everyone has said, the Yucatan Shrimp is OMG good! The first day, I had key lime pie for dessert and my wife opted for her usual carrot cake. I am not one for carrot cake but she had me try it and I am now a true believer. Their carrot cake is so divine. I went ahead and got one for myself the next day along with another order of Yucatan Shrimp.
We also tried the Caribbean Jerk Tostados, The Mussels from the Appetizer section, and the sweet chili island chicken wings. Everything was so good and we will definitely be back.
When I got home, I researched and found a recipe for Yucatan Shrimp. I altered it to be even more like the restaurants and I now make it about once a week at home. My wife can't get enough of it.
I was a little apprehensive about this place, as it appeared to be a typical American touristy place to eat with not much of a local vibe. Â I had the vision of Margaritaville in my head. Â So not true! Â
Stopped here when we first got to Sanibel, and glad we did! Â The Mango Mojito is a MUST if you like Mojitos. I tried the Island Mojito (their signature drink, I believe) and the Pineapple Mojito, but the Mango version wins! Â Drink pricing was fair at $6.75 per mojito (compared to other bars on the island), as was the food.
We spit a couple of menu items and both offered HUGE portions! Â Food was really good, and service was attentive and friendly.
This is a must-stop not just for a drink or two or three, but also for the big menu of good food!
My parents have talked about how much they love Doc Ford's for a few years. Last year when we stopped by, they were closed for cleaning. Luckily, they were open this year and I got to taste what my family has been raving about.
Doc Ford's looks like your typical bar and grill, but the food is so much better. I ordered their panko crusted fish sandwich and it was probably the best thing I ate all week. The fish was moist and flaky and the panko crust added the perfect amount of crunch. I also loved the creamy sauce on the sandwich.
Everyone at our table loved their meal. I'm only knocking off one star because of our server, he was a real dud and not at all personable.
Wow...now I know why Islanders hate tourists. Â Beware of reviews from IL and GA.
Stopped in because my fiancée and I were hungry and needed a quick meal and drink.  Sat at the bar and met Greg.  Nice guy, friendly, and competent a plus.  Status as a Red Sox fan a negative, but hey, I'm a Yanks fan, and as far as I know our meals were saliva-free.
Food was excellent (Yucatan shrimp a MUST) and everyone there could not have been nicer. Â We were looking for a place to get married, and we left with a slight buzz, a few great recommendations, and full stomachs. Â Very pleasant surprised, a must try for a solid casual meal.
Yes, it's true. I'm a big fan of Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford books so when I was planning my road trip to Florida, I had to include a trip to Doc Ford's Rum Bar on Sanibel Island. I'm SO happy that I did. It was out of the way, but a great experience.
The restaurant is actually not that big of deal. When you walk inside it's pretty much like any other restaurant you might go in, except for the Randy Wayne White goods everywhere! When we got there it was very quiet, with only a few other guests. Â We arrived around 2pm on a Sunday afternoon, so maybe it was just an off time. Â But, it was perfect timing for us because we got there in time to watch the Nascar race, they have televisions with sports going, and the drinks and food were really good.
I started my visit with a signature Sanibel Sunset. This drink had Blackbeard Spiced Rum and Coconut Jack Rum with a splash of Amaretto, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine. YUMMY. For lunch I ordered a signature dish, MARTINIQUE-JERKED PORK CHOP, a Caribbean spiced pork chop with caramelized plantains, steamed snow peas, covered with Cuban citrus mojo sauce, then topped with grilled pineapple and wilted cabbage slaw. I was a little embarrassed because I kept "yumming" while I ate. It is something I would normally not order, but it was so delicious I literally scraped my plate clean, which I NEVER do. My husband had the burger which he really enjoyed, but really, a burger? He's crazy. That menu had too many amazing dishes. I wish I could go back and try some others!
The prices were reasonable and I did do a little shopping and came away with a Randy Wayne White cookbook.
After we left the restaurant, we explored the island and hit a couple of beaches, including the lighthouse. If you like seashells, THIS is the island for you. The beaches are littered with them and it was a wonderful afternoon. I recommend a visit to the island and don't miss this restaurant for some classic Florida cuisine... and RUM.
Far and above the best dining experience we had on Sanibel.
The place is very busy; call ahead especially if you have a large party.
They have an extensive and thorough cocktail menu, as you might expect from a place that has "Rum" in the name. Â The mojito in particular was a standout.
The food, all around, was top notch - from the appetizers to the main courses and even dessert. Â More on dessert later.
I had what basically amounted to a red snapper tamale - which was one of the best fish preparations I've ever had. Â The soft masa flour coupled with the fish and the spicy sauce came together superbly, without masking the flavor of the fish.
Pretty much every piece of seafood that hit our table was fresh and well prepared - all the dishes let you taste what you ordered, and didn't drown it in sauce or hide it behind spices. Â More places on the island could take a lesson from this.
Don't skip dessert. Â You may be tempted by the key lime pie, because you're in Florida. Â But trust me on this - get the carrot cake. Â And bring a friend to help you.
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