Doc Ford's Fort Myers Beach Rum Bar and Grille: User Reviews

Great experience here! Truly enjoyed a unique and creative menu. Our waiter Anthony was a cut above, very knowledgable and made us feel quite at home. We will be back.

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Fans of Doc Ford’s on Sanibel now have another Doc Ford’s to get excited about. In a way, the new Doc Ford’s is better than the original. Specifically, it’s the view and the ambience at Doc Ford’s ‘Fort Myers Beach Rum Bar & Grille’.

If you don’t know ahead of time, you could drive around for a while looking for how to get there.

There’s a big sign on the left as you drive up the Fort Myers Beach Bridge ramp that proclaims “Doc Ford’s Now Open.” Bear right just before the sign and driving next to the bridge to the water and make a u-turn under it.

You can enter the restaurant from the parking area; directly into the bar or up an access ramp to the dining room. We choose the dining room, which also has a nice bar. We seated at a table next to the large glass window overlooking Matanzas Pass. Shrimp boats are docked in the distance.

We also can see Doc Ford’s boat dock. Our server tells us it's available for patrons arriving by boat. It will be a nice boat excursion in the future, and easier to find than by land.

Our server takes our wine order. Since we are not rum drinkers, much of Doc Ford’s legendary rum bar offerings is lost on us. But they certainly read well.

The sparse wine selection has some quality brands, such as Penfold’s Thomas Hyland Australian Shiraz. There also are house wines.

Our server is patient as we enjoy the view and scan the bountiful menu. Clam chowder is our starter. It was flavorful, and finished with delight.

My main course choice was “Doc Ford’s Original Lime Panko Crusted Fish Sandwich”, seared, baked and served on a whole wheat bun. I included black beans and rice as a side. Also included were a crisp dill pickle spear and a gorgeous beefsteak tomato slice. The fish was tender, flakey and, with the panko seasoning it was quite tasty.

Susanne selected a half-pound of 8 giant peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp She was very pleased with the freshness and flavor.

Desert was the Cookie Monster, a huge oatmeal and nut cookie topped by vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

When the check arrived, we noted that the house wine Sue ordered and I had as my second glass were billed at half the wine list price. It turned out we had arrived during “two-fers” time. It had not been announced to us when we were seated. A pleasant surprise to say the last.

All up, it was a pleasant dining experience without incident. Tasty food. Good drinks. Good water views. Attentive and pleasant staff. Note to Doc Ford: put a “turn here” sign on San Carlos Boulevard before the bridge.

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I am writing to let everyone know that Doc Fords opened a new restaurant on Fort Myers Beach. It's under the bridge, make a right on Main and take a quick left and go down onto Fisherman's Wharf. Key West Express, Dixie Fish Company, Bonita Bills, the Sea Trek, the Coast Guard Station and Ostego Bay Foundation are all under the Ft. Myers Beach bridge. This restaurant over looks what is America's largest remaining shrimping fleet. These romantic graceful vessels head in and out before your eyes as you look out across the back bay. Order a pound of Yucatan Peel and Eat Shrimp with fresh cilantro and spices I have never tasted anywhere else. They are spicy. I suspect a drawn butter base to the sauce they swim in. Huge Fresh Shrimp! Served with a large crust of french bread. I had a large but perfectly appropriate portion of fresh buffalo mozzarella, arugula and tomatoes drizzled with a balsamic vinegar dressing which was a refreshing pairing with the shrimp. Did I mention the Mango Mojito? I finished with a classic slice of key lime in raspberry coulis. Judging by the size of that dessert and the ones being passed about all night I would say desserts are built for two or three. Coffee was fresh and served in the perfect wide mouth narrow based Doc Fords mug. Made me feel like a character in the novel at the end there. Visit this Doc Fords to get a feel for what the author of the novels call Doc Fords Country.

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Just ate at Doc Ford's Fort Myers Beach the other night and we will be back!

We had a leisurely meal dockside; drinks and appetizers watching the boat traffic was a great way to relax. Ordered the Beach Bread (good garlic and cheese mix, nicely toasted) and the calamari (lightly breaded with just a hint of spice, cooked perfectly!).

Dinner was 'Off the Hook' fish sandwich and a Mozzarella salad with shrimp. Both were excellent with large portions. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgable about the menu. Service was paced just right for us, not too fast or too slow and we never felt rushed. Waitress mentioned that on the weekends there is live music. The menus are on their web site.

Doc Ford's is a welcome addition to the Beach!

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