Will Boat for Food Blog Series: The Fishery

The Fishery: Part 3 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island!

We are motoring north again, in search of fresh fish for our get-away lunch. We  cross Boca Grande pass and the fleet of boats working the fish inside of the pass. When you think of eating fish, however, it’s not tarpon but The Fishery that comes to mind.

Located immediately south of the old Boca Grande railroad bridge, this casual family restaurant is located adjacent to a real fish house, the port where Gulf commercial fishing vessels bring their catch into Placida/Cape Haze. It doesn’t get any fresher unless you catch it yourself. Of course, that is not difficult around here.

Slowing for the channel into the Fishery, we parallel the railroad structure which is renowned for holding some beefy Snook. Just last season we were anchored right here with Captain Dave Hoke out of Bokeelia, live baits placed perfectly for the moving tide. Our fishing mates were daughter Shari and hubby Brian Gear from Fort Myers. Our laid back day away from our tropical paradise was rewarded with a fresh and delish dinner.

Back to The Fishery: They have really handy dockage right in front, and can handle a multitude of small boats. Up and in we went, bypassing the outdoor dining patio with not an empty seat, to enter the rustic but air conditioned restaurant. There is something special about an eatery that is smart enough to place the bar between the entrance from the dock, and the restaurant seating.

So we endured warm welcomes, cold brews and rapid seating to sit and study the menu. Grouper must be the all-time most requested fish in Florida. Accordingly, it is priced “at market” which always results in 2 questions: How much? And is it FRESH? You got to love this answer: our server says it is not available now because  they are waiting for a “better supply”. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about The Fishery, nothing does. Ever had a place try to pass of a skinny Tilapia on you when you order Grouper? Yea.

 

 

 

Surprise of all surprises, Mary orders a salad with blackened snapper. It was really good, the greens all fresh and crunchy, the snapper perfectly and lightly blackened. With a background of dining on Baltimore Crab Cakes, I should have heeded the disclaimer on the crab cakes, said to be “Fishery” style. What a dummy, I didn’t even ask. They don’t short you on the crab, no problem there, but you have got to like eating Old Bay seasoning by the spoonful. Too bad, but if you don’t try something new…………The fries were good, but then I rarely meet one I don’t like.

 

This trip got a little out of hand –it was 23 minutes dock to dock.