I went to the Fort Myers and Sanibel area on a whim as my first post-quarantine vacation of this pandemic. My family and I found an incredible Airbnb deal that was essentially an all-inclusive paradise that we could quarantine in for the week.
The only thing left was to figure out the food. We intended to simply buy groceries, but when I discovered there were multiple Black-owned eateries in the area I immediately knew what we had to do. Restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups of all food types in Fort Myers, Sanibel, and even in our cozy corner of Cape Coral!
If you’re in the area, check out the following spots:
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Fly Foods
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Fly Foods owner Tiffani Banks is not only a small, Black, woman-owned business but a staple of the community as it’s committed itself to providing free meals to those in need during the pandemic. If you’re in the area you can give back to Tiffani by trying some of her staple fried lobster bites or oxtail.
3802 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916
McCarter’s BBQ
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Just east of downtown Fort Myers, Florida, McCarters’ BBQ serves some life-changing ribs. Locals call it “Willie’s” even though its proper name is McCarter’s BBQ. But the funny thing is, the food is so good that they don’t advertise.
There isn’t even a sign on the building, as you can see below.
Here’s an image from Google Maps—a true diamond in the rough.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for you would never even know it existed, but if you were lucky enough to investigate, you’d be pleasantly surprised by their earth-shaking ribs!
2675 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Jonesez BBQ
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For 11 years Jonesez BBQ has been serving up great food through the generations. By generations, I mean the multiple generations of family members who have helped in the business!
Owners Andre and Vickie Jones have recruited both nephew Caleb Jones and niece Savara Jones, as well as Andre’s parents, Remus and Nekia Jones into the business.
50 Pine Island Road, Fort Myers / 1840 W. State Road 80, LaBelle
Spice Caribbean Bar & Grille
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Looking for huge portions, and vegan options? Spice Caribbean Bar & Grille is the place for you.
Jerk chicken, goat soup, and Jamaican beef patties, with an affordable price and an abundance of take-home containers—trust me, you’ll need them!
3380 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers
Want to support Black-owned restaurants in the Sanibel, Cape Coral, Ft Myers, Florida area? Start by digging into these Top 10 local eateries! Click To Tweet
Beach Brothers BBQ
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Black-owned and operated by Stan and Susan Peoples, Beach Brothers BBQ was once a brick-and-mortar eatery, but they’ve taken their show on the road via food truck!
They share their location & menu details on their Facebook page, and can often be found hanging around No. 3 Craft Brew & Beer Bar.
1319 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral
Irei-I Jamaican American Cafe
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Opened in 2017, seeing this spot warmed my soul as I knew my father and grandparents—all Jamaican as well—would love to eat here.
With homemade cultural staples such as curry goat, red snapper, and beef patties on the menu, it’s easy to imagine you’re in a restaurant somewhere in Kingston eating the food of the island!
3559 Fowler St., Fort Myers
Deep South BBQ
I visited Deep South BBQ because it was so conveniently located on the way back to Cape Coral from J.N. “Ding” Darling Natio
Knowing that I was supporting not only a Black-owned but veteran-owned business, made their pulled pork, shrimp, and garlic blue crabs that much sweeter.
3500 Fowler St., Fort Myers
Feel free to share this graphic Instagram and tag @packslight and @ftmyerssanibel!
Chelle’s Special Touch
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Visit Chelle’s Special Touch, where the menu changes daily but the food is always guaranteed delicious! She has unique dishes such as crab-stuffed salmon, mahi-mahi, stuffed eggplant pasta, and shrimp chipotle salad.
The best part? Owner Michelle Pope has made almost everything from scratch since the opening in 2018. Order takeaway, delivery, or catering to feed your whole family!
2855 Work Drive, Fort Myers
Fibrre
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Smoothies, smoothie bowls, veggie burgers, and other fit foods are served inside Fibrre by owner Adenike Johnson!
Located inside of the LA Fitness at Gulf Coast Town Center, you’ll find healthy food that tastes as good as it makes you feel.
10058 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers
Fly Foods owner Tiffani Banks is not only a small, Black, woman-owned business but a staple of the community as it's committed itself to providing free meals to those in need during the pandemic. Click To Tweet
Labadie Bar Restaurant & Bakery
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When is the last time you had authentic Haitian food? If ever?
Well, today’s the day to visit owners Ronald and Aline Cadet at Labadie and sample some Caribbean favorites such as kalalou, rice and pikliz, and whole fish stew. Mmm!
3580 Evans Ave., Fort Myers
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