The Dish

THE OXBOW SERVES UP GREAT FOOD AND THE BEST VIEW DOWNTOWN

by lauren baugh

Downtown Fort Myers has quite a few options when it comes to restaurants, and often when it is time to choose a place to meet someone for lunch, I often lean on them to choose because I have been to all of the restaurants in downtown. On this day, Spencer Cordell and I are meeting for lunch to chat about life and the bar (LCBA). He chooses to meet at Oxbow, one of the newest establishments in downtown Fort Myers. I actually haven’t been yet, so I quickly agree. We decide to meet each other on a Friday, and I decide to walk to the restaurant early to check out the place before we start our meeting. I did not have the chance to ever enter the “Art of the Olympians”, but I remember it being at the same location. It’s interesting to walk into this structure for the first time in my life. I am greeted by a gift shop of sorts, and they have it all, from Yeti coolers, to cookbooks, to fishing gear, to survival books. If you come there and are waiting for your party, you will not be bored as there is a lot to look at. Spencer arrives and we are taken to our table. We choose to sit outside, so we can enjoy what I now know was the last day before the sun decided to scorch us daily. We sit right on the edge of the Caloosahatchee River, and it is a gorgeous view of both the 41 and Edison bridges, as well as some lovely visitors: dolphins. Each time I try to take a photo of them, they pop right back under the water. They are clearly camera shy! We decide we should order our food as we are both famished. Spencer orders the “pork fries” to start, and I can’t resist trying the onion rings. We sit and speak for a few, and then they come out. I am not sure what I thought pork fries were, but then they arrive as a lovely pile of fresh French fries with a bed of freshly

Photos this page: Oxbow memorabilia Photos opposite page top left corner clockwise: pork fries, menu, Caesar salad with grilled chicken, Cuban sandwich, salty crew taco t-shirt for sale, onion rings.

pulled pork and all kinds of fun toppings. Pickled onions and purple jalapenos are among the ingredients. It is delicious! This dish in and of itself could have been a meal.

The onion rings are also delicious. They are covered in a panko crust, which is super crunchy. We order our entrees next. Spencer orders the Cuban sandwich with no pickles. This makes me laugh as part of the charm of a Cuban sandwich is the pickles. He swears he will not miss them, and as he eats it, I ask. He indeed does not miss the pickles and says the sandwich is worthy of writing about, so here we are. HA!

I order a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. I think that since I ate pork fries and onion rings, I better eat a “healthier” option. For those wondering if the salad is good…it is DELICIOUS! They make the dressing in house, which is how I measure a restaurant’s quality. It’s not the typical measuring method, but it is mine. The chicken is perfectly grilled, and together, it is truly an amazing salad. It is a perfect accompaniment to the weather and view.

I highly recommend taking the trip to DTFM and treating yourself to a delicious meal with one of the best views in the area at Oxbow! 1300 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Sun - Wed 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thu 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Fri - Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. oxbowfortmyers.com | (239) 314-3856

Lauren Baugh is the Executive Director at Lee County Bar Association and can be reached at lauren@leebar.org.