The Snook Inn is a Marco Island institution. You could visit the area without checking out this gem, but why deprive yourself of the south Florida experience and the best seafood you'll find anywhere?
The atmosphere is very casual, with a chickee bar that features live music that will have you swaying. If the music moves you to dance, join the crowd. Several couples were cutting a rug the day we visited.
If you're a boater, you can dock right up to the restaurant. Judging from the number of occupied slips, this seemed to be a popular way to visit this eatery.
It's a happy place where you can order one of the popular frozen drinks or just a beer and hang out with friends and watch the dolphins play in the water.
The main attraction of the Snook Inn, however, is the food. The specialty is, of course, seafood, but there are ample choices for those who don't like fish and crustaceans.
We arrived for lunch and were seated promptly, as it was past the lunch "rush" crowd. We did not have reservations, and I can't state with certainty that they are necessary or even accepted. A call is advised if you intend to come for dinner, as this place is wildly popular, with both the tourist and local crowds.
We started with the excellent, impeccably fresh peel 'n eat shrimp. It was the just-right accompaniment for our drinks and for perusing the imaginative menu.
The jerk chicken quesadilla is perfect for those non-seafood-consuming folks. The tender slices of grilled chicken offered just the right amount of kick from judiciously-applied spices, and came tucked between light tortillas and swathed in melted cheese. The dish was served with shreds of iceberg, with sour cream, which complimented those spices to perfection. I have had hotter jerk chicken in the past in Jamaica, but this one seemed to be spiced just right. Hotter does not necessarily equal better, and this is a case in point.
The seafood chowder was one of the best renditions we've ever had. It was creamy with an abundance of fish and various seafood morsels to satisfy any craving.
Although we did not sample them, we were told that the conch fritters were about the best outside of the Caribbean. These, too, are somewhat spicy, from what we've been told. All the better for washing down with a cold Red Stripe beer.
Our server was cordial and efficient. She said she had been working there for many years. We never had to wait for refills, and she brought the check promptly when asked.
The Snook Inn has the whole package. Its charm is infectious, its food superb, its service top shelf. When we return to Marco Island, we'll definitely be back, for dinner the next time.