The Island Cow
| Address: | 2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA |
| Phone: | +1 239-472-0606 |
| Site: | sanibelislandcow.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM 7AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
A
A Private User
While on our 5th Anniversary, my wife and I stopped by Island Cow for lunch. We had heard a few good remarks about this restaurant so we decided to check it out. We arrived at the restaurant at around 1pm on a Wednesday and the place was suprisingly busy. We were greeted by the hostess who was very nice and appeared happy to get us seated. We sat outside, in the shade, and by some fans which did help quite a bit. Our server was just as cordial, pleasant, and helpful with the menu items. Since it was lunch-time, my wife and I decided to get something off the lunch menu, (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner). My wife got a pair of the crunchy grouper tacos and I got the combo tacos, which consisted of one crunchy grouper and one shrimp taco. The food was fantastic, to put it simply. The tacos tasted fresh and were not loaded down with a mayonaise based sauce. There was a hint of sauce present but it was not overpowering. The crispy fish chunks were huge and meaty and had a freash, clean taste. My shrimp taco was just as good. The shrimp were large and also based lightly in a fresh sauce. These tacos were huge and two of them for each of us filled both of us up. Also included, were black beans and rice which were very tasty. The prices were average to slightly higher than average. I think our lunches were around $14 each, but they were well worth this price for the freshness of the fish and seafood. We would not hesitate for a minute to pay this amount for this type of food and service again. Overall our experience at the Island Cow was very good. We would eat there again without a doubt.
DA
Daniel Blackman
Food: If I was rating this on food alone, it would be a four or 3.5, but of course the experience at a restaurant is so much more than the food. The variety of food is immense! They seem to have a little of everything. I tried the blackened salmon with a couple of sides. It was a good choice. Nothing to write home about, but still very good! The complimentary muffins in the beginning were AMAZING (I hate muffins). Prices: In my opinion they were a little high, but I think they were reasonable considering the portions and the fact that this is on an island. Service: This is what gets this place 5 stars. From the moment we got there until we left, we were treated by genuinely nice people who tried to help. When we got there, the hostess saw we had dogs and greeted them and showed us where we could attach them while we ate. She brought out water for them and was just the sweetest lady. Then our server was also extremely helpful. He was very honest about the food (I dont like when serves just say it is all great. Just tell me what you honestly think is the best) and what he liked the most. He then took time to just talk to us about what he thought about Sanibel and how great he said it is. Anyways, the point is I never felt rushed and I thought the service was always top notch! The Feel: This was also great. I guess it is par for the course when considering Sanibel (trust me that is a compliment) but the place is very quaint! Nice decorations and a great relaxing feel! Nothing better than taking in the island weather as the sunsets!
A
A Private User
THIS WAS UNFORTUNATE. WAITED 20 MINUTES FOR MOSQUITO RIDDEN OUTSIDE SEATING AND A SERVER THAT APPEARED "FOOD SERVICE CHALLENGED". I CAN LIVE WITH THAT BECAUSE WE WERE SO HUNGRY AND THE WORD WAS GOOD ON THIS PLACE. WIFE AN I BOTH ORDERED SWEET POTATO FRIES FOR APPETIZER, AND CRAB CAKE / SHRIMP / SCALLOP APPETIZER COMBO FOR OUR ENTREE. MOTHER IN LAW LOVED FRIES AND ORDERED MORE.... WHILE WAITING, ANOTHER PATRON APPROACHED OUR SERVER AND STATED, "I WANT OUR CHECK". THE SERVER STATED, "OK". THE PATRON STATED AGAIN AND LOUDER, "NO, I WANT MY CHECK... NOW! Hmmm... OK. Back to us... SECOND ORDER OF SWEET POTATO FRIES STILL HADNT COME, BUT SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS WERE VERY GOOD, BUT ON BOTH PLATES, THE "PIECE DE LA RESISTANCE" CRAB CAKE LOOKED GREAT BUT TURNED OUT TO BE HIDING A NASTY SECRET... BURNED BLACK ON THE BOTTOM. SINCE MOSQUITO BITES WERE STARTING TO ITCH BADLY, ASKED POLITELY TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT CRAB CAKES TO GO. A TO-GO BOX ARRIVED WITH 2 CRAB CAKES. WTF! ONE HALF THE SIZE OF THE OTHERS, AND GUESS WHAT... BURNED BLACK AS WELL ON BOTTOM! Service less than average and hiding a burned side of the crab cake just stupid, like we wound not notice a nasty BURNED CRAB CAKE? Kinda like a child hiding his eyes as long as you dont see it its not really there. Will NEVER GO BACK any good chef would not allow that to leave the kitchen and any good server would not let it happen TWICE!
KE
Kelly OTown
Last time our family will be eating here. Overpriced for the quality of food you receive. We are a family of 5 and have been here on many occasions in years past with pleasant results, decent food, decent atmosphere. This time we waited for an inside table we usually sit outside but they sat us in one of many empty outside tables that had the hot august sun blaring on us. So we get seated inside and was stuffed into a booth/table where I could almost touch elbows with my neighbors. Ordered food, hubby and I both ordered grouper his fried, mine blackened. Both just horrible and fishy tasting. I swar they try to pass off catfish for grouper. Uneatable!!! And the kicker was when I complained, which I rarely ever do when out the server just said.... Hmmmm, ok. Not sorry or would you like something else. NOTHING!!!!! Seriously a $20 meal with uneatable fish, wow!! The kids got coconut shrimp, was ok, stuffed shrimp, was ok, and mahi which she gave me some of since I couldnt eat my grouper and it tasted ok but overcooked to hell. More than anything what bothered me the most was how i was treated when I mentioned my grouper tasted bad. We will not be going back and if I were you I would find another establishment to spent your $100 on. I made sure his tip reflected the way he treated us. Peace Island Cow!!!
JO
John McLeland
We have been to this place numerous times and loved it. We were on vacation and made a special trip to Sanibel just to eat here. This time I went with my son, daughter and 3 grandkids, 10, 6 and 2. The service took forever. The children were impatient and by the time the waitress got our drink order and brought the drinks, my grandson only asked for a chocolate shake to eat for lunch. The food finally came (brought by someone else other than our waitress), and no chocolate shake. The waitress never came back to check our empty glasses or check on us, and when we were almost done eating, she came back and I asked about the chocolate shake. My grandson was almost in tears. The waitress indignately stated she didnt know our food had come and that she needed to make the shake herself (what?). By the time she brought it back, we were ready to leave and had to take it with us in a to go cup. She still never asked if we wanted refills, just dumped the shake off at the table and walked away. It took another 15 minutes to get our check. They had the nerve to add 18% tip, since with the kids there were 6 of us!! And-the slip wanted to know how much extra I wanted to add!! Wont be going back, at least when that waitress is working. We were all so thirsty we had to stop for drinks!!
