Casual Fun in the Sun - Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Bronzed Grouper Rueben

Just over the bridge to Fort Myers Beach, well practicaly under it, is a colorful string of shops, punctuated at the end by Nervous Nellie's.
Baywalk, as it's known, leads to the intracoastal where Nellie's serves everything from lobster to chicken wings and as most Florida waterfront eateries do, Nellie's offers a casual atmosphere so you can arrive by boat and feel welcome. The menu is a fairly predictable list of Florida waterfront and pub food dishes, however, Nellie's dishes are far superior to most in presentation and flavor. Here your cravings for simply prepared seafood dishes are well rewarded.

Turkey, Baked Brie and Cranberry Melt

If you've never had a Grouper Rueben you haven't lived! I have no idea where this sandwich idea originated, probably in Florida, but it's a great spinoff of the classic rueben sandwich. There are a few renditions of this sandwich, some with sauerkraut and some with cole slaw but most versions are tasty and mighty popular in Florida. Nervous Nellie's version is made with grilled pineapple, melted swiss and sweet slaw and is the best I've ever had. Mmmm . . . delicious!
I managed to get a bite of M's sandwich, the Turkey, Baked Brie and Cranberry Melt, which was also taste bud tantalizing! I'm definitely looking forward to our next trip to Nellie's.
Maybe we'll hit it during our now annual trek to the Sand Sculpting Championship. Sixteen of the World's Top Master Sculptors will compete in the 2010 American SandSculpting Championship and Beach Festival on Ft Myers Beach Nov. 13th and 14th.  An event well worth attending!  Nellie's will have live music the weekend of the event. As always it should be a great time!