4. Restaurants

The Island Cow

2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL, 33957
  • (239) 472-0606
  • Store is closed

The Island Cow Menu

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  • Jay D.

    We went for breakfast hoping for a little more than we got. Much like most of the food options on the island, the food here is somewhat uninspiring. The atmosphere and relaxed island decor was great. The service was pretty good (better than most on Sanibel, which isn't saying a whole lot). My French toast was fairly good, but my wife's Omelette looked and tasted average or below. It looked like it probably took the cook about 30 seconds to whip up and then at the last minute add two slices of unmelted American cheese to top it off. I'd return for breakfast or potentially lunch, but know what we are getting. Probably slightly more expensive than it was worth. Not terrible, but nothing special other than the atmosphere and location.

    (3)

  • Grateful M.

    After arriving on the island we wanted to eat local seafood :) so we tried this place because the lady at hotel said it would be good. Normally I am not very trusting of the people behind the desk but I was hungry and just wanted food. As we arrived, it was packed and that's always a good sign. We got a table no problem and immediately had a server at the table. First we ordered water and she brought them very quick and then we got some buffalo wings and mussels. These apps were so delicious and would recommend to anyone who comes here. Next, we ordered our dinners. Scallops and crabcake- cooked perfectly and scallops were sweet. Grouper- very fresh and yummy. Only thing I wish there was less sauce but it did not ruin the meal. Ahi tuna- good fresh sushi grade tuna. Just needed a little more flavor. The environment was very island like. Extremely nice people and live music made it a very enjoyable evening for dinner. I would recommend this to anyone who visits this island :)

    (4)

  • Jenny M.

    Had a forty-five minute wait. Not too bad, but would have been more tolerable if it didn't take 20 minutes to get a drink! The coconut fried grouper was the best meal at the table. The fried grouper was pretty good. We also had the paella, which was excellent! Got the grouper piccata pasta without pasta and with mashed potatoes...delicious. Server was lovely and we left with happy and full bellies!!

    (4)

  • Lindsey M.

    Soooo tasty!! We're recommended by several friends to try this place, and it lived up to the hype!! Lots of tasty menu choices, and our food was amazing!

    (4)

  • Alison Y.

    Stopped here based on reviews and we weren't disappointed! being a Wisconsin native, the cow theme was cute to me. Anyway, any restaurant that serves a basket of what I guess we're unfrosted funfetti cupcakes as a bread basket is A-okay to me! We ordered the conch fritters which were tasty, but the conch was tough and chewy. I ordered the gator basket which was good, but my partner ordered the grouper tacos which were delicious. I wish I'd ordered them. The grouper was very flaky, and the coating was so crispy and perfect! If I ever went back, I'd order the grouper tacos.

    (4)

  • Jonica K.

    Everything I would expect from an island restaurant, great seafood, casual (but fun) atmosphere, and service that made you feel welcomed

    (5)

  • Damon R.

    Food was OK. I could do much better at home. No one in my family finished their food.

    (2)

  • t l.

    FOOD NOT SO GOOD, SLOW MOO-VING SVC, MID-HI $, CRAZY LARGE MENU, MEH OK PLACE Not sure why all the good reviews and why so many STAMPEDE to this unspectacular restaurant. We waited a long while for a table. I felt I was HERDED here by all the good reviews. Had the blackened shrimp salad. Shrimp in salad was burnt (not blackened but burnt), overpriced and over seasoned with far too much hypertension-inducing salt. It made it inedible and that was for a $20+ plate. Had the calamari-small portion, clam chowder-watery, Pasta dish-OK, cheeseburger-OK, Salmon was overcooked dry, crunchy grouper taco-just didn't taste very good. As well, the prices were COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON astronomical for a "café" diner type restaurant as the décor/name would imply. The mini cornbread muffins (instead of bread) were admittedly good. Our Food took forever to come so we CORRALLED the server and got another round of mini muffins. Server was not very attentive. He'd disappear for a long period of time. After waiting a long time for the server to take our order, get drinks, & get our food -everything came at once - the appetizers and the main entrees. Extremely large menu (maybe 200+ items) which MAKES YOU WONDER IF THEY DO ANY ONE DISH PARTICULARY GOOD and exactly how fresh everything really is. Good thing is you know there'll be something for everyone, even the pickiest eater. Bad thing is it may not taste so good. They definitely covered their bases...the menu includes burgers, sandwiches, steaks, Italian -pasta pizza, chicken, Mexican tacos/fajitas, fish, seafood conch shrimp etc etc etc. Everything was on that menu short of Chinese, Sushi & the kitchen sink (or maybe that was on there too but I missed it on the 11x17 paper flyer/placemat/menu). I must have missed reading somewhere on that menu why this place is called the Island Cow. I'm scared to see what their breakfast menu looks like. I think this place is definitely suffering from an identity crisis. I think it's trying to be the United Nations of cuisine on the island and their Service and Food is UDDERLY suffering. I think they haven't decided whether they want to be a fine dining restaurant, a CALF-Eh / bistro, or a casual diner. Either they are being overly ambitious or just trying to appeal to everyone so as to LASSO as many people in and substituting quantity for quality. Mistaking volume as success. No bull, we'll probably not be going back. There are other restaurants elsewhere to drop our MOO-LAH.

    (2)

  • J P.

    The Island Cow is the perfect place to eat a meal or have a snack pretty much any time of day or evening. I love their breakfasts, and they have such a large menu that you can find whatever you are in the mood for at lunch and dinner also. Great staff, friendly and casual with a wonderfully fun atmosphere. This place is very popular with the locals, and that's usually a really good sign. Great value and great food.

    (5)

  • The Hungry American E.

    Excellent with a little cajun cuisine. You could go in for a quick bite and lose an afternoon here. Simple, causal and fun with no expectations.

    (4)

  • Colman R.

    Starting off with the muffins. Awesome! I had the fried oyster sandwich which was very good. At our table, we had grilled oysters that were very good. Stuffed oysters were also very good. It was a good place with very good service.

    (4)

  • Alistair F.

    Gigantic portions - great for gaining weight :( The kids meals were great and they were entertained. My wife's catfish was really good. Unfortunately I should have steered clear of the crispy duck salad. I was NOT expecting a duck breast deep fried in corn flakes on a bed of greens, raw onion, tangerines, plum tomatoes and a side of FRUIT SALAD! Holy cow! They claim that it is 'Award Winning' - I guess it's for the most interesting use of corn flakes..

    (2)

  • Ruth B.

    This place is great! The staff is really friendly, and the food is good. My kids have been happy with the kids menu, and everything I've eaten here has been good, plus they have a lot of choices for the grown-ups. If it is high season on the island, be prepared to wait.

    (4)

  • Samantha H.

    We waited a pretty long time since it was busy (we were there over Spring Break though so we expected that). There was a lot to choose from on the menu but it was just OK. We go to Sanibel once every year or so and probably won't go back to this restaurant.

    (3)

  • Ken G.

    On my first trip out to Sanibel, I was indeed surprised to find that The Island Cow has "udderly great food." And that's not all - unlike many of the other restaurants that charge island premiums, I thought the fare at The Cow was a bargain on any land form. The BBQ Chicken Melt was calling my name, what with the "tender chicken breast BBQ'd perfectly then smothered with grilled onions, sweet pineapple, Canadian bacon and melted cheeses on grilled home baked sourdough." All this, plus awesome fries, Caribbean slaw, and hush puppies for $8.99. Oh, and they bring each table muffins that taste strangely like confetti cake. In all, the sandwich was good enough for me to have recurring dreams, and certainly good enough to ensure I head straight to the Cow when/if I'm ever back on Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Craig F.

    Great restaurant with a theme. We eat here for breakfast and dinner. It's great for the kids too. My wife liked the catfish basket and I had the crab soup. The menu is extensive but they have great seafood. Starbucks coffee a plus on this island. Their breakfast had a New York flair to it on the menu with bagels and fish options, etc.

    (4)

  • Jo F.

    Had lunch today at the Island Cow; best meal we had all week. It was just by chance we ate there. We were hungry, and it looked attractive and casual. Lots of cars, usually a good sign. Hard to decide what to have, but I opted for the scallops, which were perfectly cooked. Most of the breading fell off as I ate them, which was fine with me. Husband had the grouper fish tacos, also excellent, as we're the rice and beans, food was properly seasoned. Excellent service all around, would definitely go back. We even got a gift certificate to give to my brother for their hospitality. Wish we had a restaurant like that in Michigan.

    (5)

  • Jackie B.

    When we arrived, the wait was clearly very long. It was well worth it. The first thing I noticed (as a mom) was that the tables and high chairs were incredibly clean. The food was good, and the service was great as well. We'll be going back again before our vacation is over.

    (5)

  • Judith B.

    Great breakfast! Great servic!

    (4)

  • Jeff A.

    We love the Island Cow. From seafood to red beans and rice we have not found an item on the menu that does not meet our expectations!

    (5)

  • kelly w.

    You're going to want to milk this one! I always thought Cows don't really belong on an island, but this one somehow works. Periwinkle and sea foam green wooden booths give this place a laid back feel, yet more unique than your local T.G.I.F. The menu is rather expansive with at least 50 (note: this is not an exact fact, but rather an estimate) things to choose from. I ordered the Wombo Combo... I don't think I really knew what I was in for. A Slab of Ribs, a generous portion of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, and another veggie later... yeah, you would think I was the island cow ordering all this food. I thought it would be a little teaser of each item.. which i like- i like having variety in my meals.. but this... each portion was a meal in itself. So go hungry.. and have a cow man.

    (4)

  • Susanne R.

    Fun, kitchy, over-the-top bovine decor! Bright colors, positive staff. Solid food, the fish and chips were not greasy. They give you orange-cranberry muffins to start, slightly on the too-sweet side, but yummy. My husband had the lobster/chicken/tuna salad combo. Huge portions, too much for one sitting. You can have your dog sit next to you on the outside patio. Definitely a fun place, I would go back.

    (4)

  • G Z.

    server = nice, friendly, efficient vs host = indifferent, unfriendly, slow food = so-so breakfast dishes in huge portions

    (2)

  • Layla P.

    Family friendly, great prices, huge portions, drink specials, fun environment, how could you go wrong. You may have to wait if you go at prime dinner time, but it will be worth it. Very good blackened grouper and crab cakes, yum.

    (4)

  • Mariann M.

    kids meals..were 5.99 ...not including the drink...but the killer was the clam strips were as thick as my finger...i could not chew them ...let alone a child...my Reuben sandwich was tasty but they did not drain the sauerkraut so the bread was wet....and my husband,,,who is never unsatisfied....said his steak sandwich had no meat.....skip this trap...for tourists. our service was none existing...truly the worst we had in 2 weeks at the beach...it does seem to have customers and looks cute outside...trust me drive by...wish i had seen the food poisoning story...prior...

    (1)

  • Sue C.

    Food was good but service was typical bad florida service. I walked in tonight (coldest night of the year) and asked how long the wait was. The host asked if i wanted to eat inside. I said yes definitrly since im cold.he told me 20 min wait. I waited 20 minutes and was called for a table. He told me it was outside when i said i wanted something inside like i had requested when he asked me he told me i could sit at the counter. Theccounter had been empty the entire time. I was pissed, i sat down and was asked what i wanted and i told the. Waiter at the counter. He immediately assumed that since i was alone that it was to go without even asking me. This was a very rude assumption! I ended up just taking it to go sincr i was beyond aggravated with the rude employees! I will never go here again and urge others not to go here too! And by the way not one bothered to apologize to me attention at all!

    (1)

  • Jan G.

    We decided to do take out here one night and dinner in one night, while in Sanibel. I did the Pulled Pork sandwhich with fries (battered and crispy) that was really good but it needed BBQ sauce that wasnt included in the order. The patty melt was tasty and the BBQ chicken sandwich was well cooked. The quesadilla was yummy as well. I think this place has a great atmoshere, comparable island pricing and good drinks. I would recommend the atmoshere inside instead of outside if you can help it.

    (3)

  • Robert D.

    Just had lunch here with 2 kids and 4 adults - very solid family restaurant. For what it is, the food is clearly above average. Portions are generous, so order accordingly. Black bean quesadilla - bust. the black beans were not drained, so it was soggy and rather flabby. Grouper tacos (special) - very tasty. Crispy grouper, cheese and tasty salsa. Worth going with the kids while in Sanibel. We'd certainly go back.

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    WOW!! We stopped here for a SMALL lunch...wrong! The menu is HUGE! I had the del montico steak sandwich. My wife black bean & crabmeat burrito. Incredible! Also, I'd have to say it was the coldest beer I've had on the Island. We arrived late in the lunch hour. There was a long wait for a table, so we ate at the bar. The service was great.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    It's an ok place. I've been here many times over the years and have always found it to be an average place. I went last week and thought it was a little below average. I got grilled grouper, shrimp and scallops, vegetables and smashed potatoes. The seafood I ordered tasted ordinary, like you would get anywhere else. The vegetables were very undercooked (steamed),blah and lukewarm. I do like my steamed vegetables crunchy by the way. Hard to mess up smashed potatoes, they were good. It's a cute place, the server was friendly but hard to find, although they were not busy. If you like big baskets of fried seafood, this is the place for you! All in all a decent tourist restaurant.

    (2)

  • Shelby J.

    The food is certainly no frills but it is delicious and they seem to be busy all the time! The muffins were great, the smoothies were perfect for a hot day and the atmosphere was fantastic! (Although I felt sorry for their bird since it was such a hot day) Definitely put this one on your list to try!

    (4)

  • Lynnwood B.

    The Oscar Grouper was fishy at best and 50% of the meal stayed on the plate (plank I should say). Other aspects of the order were wrong and service was sketchy. A bad night? Stone crab claws were ok however.

    (2)

  • Eric O.

    Almost anything I have had here is great! The only negative on the restaurant is the wait! morning, noon, or night, there is always a wait!

    (5)

  • Tricia S.

    Very poor service. Makes me think of the Seinfield Soup Nazi episode. Arrive at 10:45am. Lunch is not served to 11am. Don't even try to get something off the lunch menu . It's not happening. They serve a loaded breakfast quesadillas on the breakfast menu. We requested to just a cheese quesadilla since I have a kid who just likes simple foods. Really how hard would it be to make & not add all the extra fixings??? No biggie we say we will wait the 15 minutes until it's " lunch time "& order. Waitress gives us attitude & is clearly annoyed. My husband order off the breakfast menu right away. We wait the 15 minutes to order "lunch". We order a cheese quesadilla & a shrimp po boy . Took a full 44 minutes from the time we ordered "lunch " until we revived our meal. When lunch arrived my son said " mom, we don't have to come here again" I agree.

    (1)

  • Nicole J.

    This is a delicious place to go for breakfast - For the price and free muffins/unlimited grits, you really can't beat the Island Cow. I came here on a Monday morning around 9:30am. There was no wait, although the place quickly got filled within the next half hour. Along with my hot tea, I ordered a Farmer's Frittata with a side of grits. The waitress came out with a complementary plate of fresh funfetti and blueberry muffins (4 total). Absolutely scrumptious. If I hadn't had breakfast coming out, I would have devoured all four. My frittata (~$8-9) was made from bell peppers, cheese, sausages, onions, etc, - and quite yummy. I liked that they didn't over-salt my dish, which is very rare these days. I also loved the side of potatoes and the grits were hot as it should be. For the price and quality, I would definitely recommend this place. There is a lot of variety, and I found it difficult to make a decision - will be back to try other items on the menu.

    (5)

  • Joanne L.

    Fun decor!!! Our party of eight enjoyed a very nice breakfast. Our waitress was friendly and attentive to food allergies. Two of us ordered the corned beef hash; both of us would pass on it if we returned.

    (4)

  • Tyler B.

    I can honestly say that I've never been to a restaurant and had dozens of entrees that I would have been content ordering. They have a phenomenal BBQ, seafood, and breakfast menu. Not too mention great "home cooking" options (meatloaf, mash potatoes, that sort of thing). I was torn between the shrimp tacos and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Considering I'm from Michigan, where shrimp isn't as fresh as Florida, I had to go with the shrimp tacos. Holy cow, no pun intended, they were incredible. They were that perfect level of spicy, and did not skimp on the portions. We went with a family of 5 and everyone was not disappointed. Oh and did I mention they start you off with complementary CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS. They were very reasonably priced too, considering that they are located on an island. The restaurant itself has a lot of character and great vibes. Staff was super friendly and service was excellent. If I lived on the island I'd go broke eating my three square meals a day here.

    (5)

  • Philip P.

    Tourist trap... The 1 Star review is mainly for my waitress, who messed up my order and subsequently blamed that mistake on me (note: we were a party of 5). She ended up taking the incorrect dish back and getting me the correct one, but when the check came, she charged me for both dishes. When asked about the issue she said (and I quote, and please note that I was sitting right next the the person of my party that asked her about the issue) "It was his fault. He told me the other dish." I left abruptly so I would not make a scene (that sort of lack of professionalism really pisses me off), so I don't really know much else about the incident other than the bill was eventually fixed. Obviously, I wont be returning.

    (1)

  • Leigh C.

    Cool atmosphere and great that it's dog friendly. The chicken salad sandwich was good but my husband's pulled pork left him hurtin' on the way home. We will probably give it another shot next time we're on island but won't choose the pulled pork again. Our waitress was super nice, though!

    (3)

  • Steven G.

    I got sick for their cheeseburger i have ate. Worst noice level Not wheel chair accesible.

    (1)

  • Kamran A.

    Great service from Charlie. The food was equally great with a fun atmosphere. Very popular leading to a long wait time and difficult parking.

    (4)

  • S P.

    Our last day in sanibel & the name is what attracted the family . Loved the theme & the knick knacks inside...kids absolutely loved it. We ordered calamari basket,it came with slaw,fries & hush puppies. Honestly, we had better calamari back home in st.louis..so was a bit disappointed. Hush puppies...every one at our table, had a bite & put it away to the side...fries were average ,nothing to write about. I had a bowl of the lobster bisque ,it was delicious. My DH ordered the 12 lobsters & was impressed and delighted when they were brought in...not Itty bitty ones, but really good sized..& he happily enjoyed them. Kids ordered cow potion & chocolate moo shake. ..enjoyed it. Over all - kid friendly, very very courteous & friendly staff...will probably visit again for breakfast ,if..or when we visit sanubel next vacation

    (3)

  • Denise V.

    This was a adorable little place/cool environment. Family friendly, games for kids. Very nice wait staff. The muffins were so good, but be careful not to eat too much before your meal, save them for dessert. I had mahi fish tacos - the best ever!!! My husband tasted them, and insisted we come back the next day so he could get them.

    (5)

  • Jess W.

    Tasty and affordable food and drinks. The portions are enormous!! There's an amazing little patio out back to sip your drinks while you wait for your table to be ready, with fun props for vacation photo ops. Once you're seated, instead of bread they serve homemade muffins - ours were sweet corn, but depending on the time d year the flavors apparently vary. For entrees, we had a variety and it was all good! The taco trio was yummy and everything so well-made - if I had to choose again I would go with only the mahi tacos, because I don't like fried food and the grouper and shrimp were too crispy for my liking. But the mahi with the mango salsa....mmmmmmm. The salads are also delicious, and good-sized! Make sure you leave room for dessert, they have tons of choices. We had the key lime pie which definitely satisfied.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    We arrived around 2pm in the afternoon on a Saturday in July (out of season). I was wearing a bikini and a skimpy cover-up, and was worried we weren't going to be able to be seated because of this. Thanks to Sanibel being a beach-town, I was fine. The wait was 20-30 minutes but we sat right away at the bar, which only has three stools. The bartender was personable, but never asked if he could refill our sangrias, which surprised me because he was typically very attentive. He recommended the grouper tacos, which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED. Huge portions, decent prices (especially for Sanibel). My friends ordered the crab cake salad and the fried clam basket. We were pleasantly surprised to have the freshly baked muffins as an appetizer. The service was great and the food was outstanding. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Allison E.

    The place has a very casual island feel with indoor/outdoor seating and it offers a very extensive menu so there is for sure something for everyone. The place isn't huge, so be prepared to wait if you go during high dining times. And just as the name suggests, the decor is cow crazy! After being seated, the server brings some interesting muffins to your table..I say interesting because they were more like a cupcake (sans frosting) than a muffin...they were delicious either way! In fact we purchased a few to take home for later :) We also spotted LandShark on draft -Yes! I love coming to tropical places to find this on draft - bonus points for sure! My party of four started out with one of the specials - - a sampler that included conch fritters, fried shrimp & fried scallops. The best of the bunch was the shrimp, the other items didn't have a lot of flavor. We found this same thing with our entree choices also.. The fish was all definitely fresh and the portions were a good size, but it lacked in flavor. I liked the atmosphere of this place but the food left a lot to be desired. I have to wonder - with such a large menu how can they focus on making ALL of the items great? Maybe Robert Irvine should swing through and offer some tips :) If you're in Sanibel, you should swing by to at least try the muffins and get a LandShark but if you're looking for an outstanding island meal, this won't be the place.

    (3)

  • Danny M.

    Ok food. Slow service. Gets hot in this small restaurant with the doors open to the outside.

    (1)

  • Carol B.

    Quirky place with lots of character Lots of choices on the menu. There is something for everyone. Portion are big so even the teenage boys will be filled up. This place is popular so expect a wait near mealtime. 3:00 is a good time to go. Cute out back patio

    (4)

  • Katherine A.

    Love love love this place! I have been here twice and gotten the purple cow ( grape juice on vanilla ice cream ) and the cow potion ( cherry coke float ) which were both phenomenal! The catfish was fried perfectly, fries were well seasoned, and the grits were cheesy and buttery. If you come at lunch or dinner rush the wait is about 15 minutes, but they have a wonderful waiting area. It is shaded with a ring game, half a dozen adirondack chairs, and a bird and you can bring drinks out to. This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Florida!

    (5)

  • Doc H.

    The unofficial 2014 Grouper Sandwich Contest continued last night and I'm pleased to report that we have a new leader! Once again we ate a little early and beat the crowd. This place is very casual and rather small. It is thoroughly decorated with .... what else...... cows. Even with a very lengthy menu, they seem to do a lot of things right. We started out with the Boom Boom Shrimp appetizer. It has tasty breading and coated in a buffalo sauce. The grouper sandwich was outstanding along with the Bubba Gumps Shrimp, Chicken Strip Basket, and Adult Mac n Cheese. Good sized portions that resulted in some leftovers. Waitress was friendly and quick. The only drawback we noticed were a few pesky flies trying to share our meal. It is an open air atmosphere so they have easy access.

    (5)

  • Domenic J. L.

    I should have gone with my gut and paid heed to the bad reviews. We were looking for vegetarian options without leaving the island. Their pasta and quesadillas sounded doable. I was encouraged by the award I noticed on their wall, voted "Best Vegetarian" on the islands. The service was fine. Both the hostess and server were friendly and we were seated immediately, beating the rush that came in while we dined. We were hit by a raw fish smell, which, I figured wasn't too unusual for a fish joint. The $1.99 Landshark - "cheaper than soda" - couldn't be beat. The complimentary muffins were colored with red, green, yellow and blue confetti. They tasted more like cupcakes. We started with the sweet potato fries. They weren't bad - perhaps a bit too limp. The side salads were impressively large, with fresh fruit along side the greens. But my daughters found the greens too bitter, and most leaves were spotted, looking a bit past their prime. The angel hair pasta with tomatoes, basil and garlic was heavy on the butter, light on the tomatoes, basil and garlic. I ate it, but it was to buttery and bland for my daughter, who barely ate any. My other daughter had a grilled cheese and fries, which she didn't complain about. To finish the experience, a drop of water fell from the ceiling onto my shoulder. I guarded my plate from then on in case any additional droplets fell. It had been raining heavily, and I was sitting under a small vent. In summary, it wasn't a terrible meal, but it was less than satisfying. We won't be back.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    My wife lives the cow puns and the theme, where as I love the food and wonderful service. The staff really went out of their a at to make me feel like a regular, and I had a great dining experience! Food was reasonably priced, portions were just right, and the rum punch was delightful.

    (4)

  • Manny B.

    Huge portions and the strawberry muffins were out of this world. Great family restaurant.

    (5)

  • jackie a.

    We were here lat year and we loved the food and the atmosphere. Back here again for lunch as we are staying at Sanibel. The service is okay unfortunately.

    (4)

  • Alabaster M.

    We were in Southwest Florida on vacation and went here for my son's b-day. Waited foh-evah, but there was a playground really close by and that made it slightly better. I love the funky chairs out front, too! If my kids weren't totally naughty and incapable of sitting still for more than eight seconds, maybe they would have appreciated all the cool chairs, too. My toddler loved the birdies out back. They were a gorgeous blue green color. What species were they? So then we sat down finally and ordered our food. The tables had this glass cover with a bunch of business cards etc from all over the place underneath. My husband slid his in there. That's what she said. Booyah! Food came and it was delicious. Me and Daddy got the crunchy grouper, which was just what you wanted it to be. Hush puppies were a little cold, and the slaw was bland, but the cuke salad was good and limey. Also somehow an order of sweet potato fries materialized on our table. The kids liked what they ate. My son was thrilled with his birthday sundae and song from the waitstaff, and here's a rarity in these modern times - it was actually free! Did anyone else notice the splendor that is Ricardo the golden-maned busboy? Just me?

    (4)

  • John H.

    Food is good, but not the service. I've been coming to Sanibel for 30 years. We've gone to the Island Cow yearly just about since they opened. This last time we were treated like a piece of dirt by the host, who I was told is the owner's father. I'd never been treated so poorly in my life at a restaurant. The waiter told us to just ignore him. He said, "we get those complaints a lot, but it's the owners dad, so we can't do anything about it." I've vowed to never go there again and drop my $150 it costs us each year. There are plenty of other great restaurants on Sanibel. If you want to expose yourself to being demeaned and insulted, knock yourself out, but we are adding a new restaurant to our yearly traditions.

    (1)

  • Dan P.

    I've eaten here many times. The food is okay but the service is excellent. Everyone that works there is always very friendly. They also have some of the best Key Lime Pie I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Kris N.

    Every time I'm on Sanibel I have to eat here! We arrived around 1:30 for lunch and the were on about a 30 minute wait. We each grabbed a $2 beer and sat out back in the shade with a nice breeze. We were seated in just about a 1/2 hour and then were greeted with delicious muffins! Nice way to start off! We all had something different and everyone loved their meals. They have a huge menu and I've tried about 10 different things and everything has been delicious.

    (5)

  • Nancy J.

    Love this place! Same owner started R.C. Otters on Captiva first, Island Cow here on Sanibel second, and Nervous Nellies on Fort Myers Beach third, and current owner of NN. ALL GREAT spots. But there is something awesome about the Island Cow that just has me. Food is super yummy and value for the money and open for breakfast!!

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    Sanibel is crammed with cute, kitschy dining options with great views or unique stories. However, for us - it's all about the food. After some Yelp research, we headed to the Island Cow for a lunch/brunch on our recent visit. It was pretty busy, even well after the usual lunch time, perhaps because of the Veteran's Day holiday. However, the wait wasn't bad and we were soon seated. Honestly, we probably needed the extra time to read through the extensive menu. Our waitress was run a little ragged, as she seemed to be covering most of the restaurant, but the service was good enough. We placed our orders and were given two muffins to nibble while our food was cooking. The muffins were good - moist and would have been a great dessert, since I always view muffins as unfrosted cupcakes. We also ordered a basket of sweet potato fries to share and they were outstanding - lightly seasoned but most just pure sweet potato goodness. I opted for one of the specials - a trio of salads on mixed greens with fruit and their house-made citrus vinaigrette. I can see why every raves about the tuna salad and tuna sandwiches here. The tuna salad was outstanding - well seasoned and not too wet with mayo. The chicken salad was good but average and sadly the shrimp salad was the least impressive of the three. The shrimp was diced pretty small and the delicate sweetness of the shrimp got a little lost in the mayo binding. The salad plate was huge and probably way more food than I needed, but hey - you gotta overindulge sometimes. My Mom went for their grilled grouper sandwich. The fish filet was huge and perfectly cooked. The regular fries that came with the sandwich were good, but not nearly as knock-your-socks off as the sweet potato fries. Mom reported that the fish was great quality - flavorful and fresh. Overall, nice dining experience though not a place for a quick bite to eat. Service can be a little slow when the place is packed but we never waited long for more iced tea or any of our needs. Food came out pretty quick considering how busy they were. Great place and one we would visit again!

    (4)

  • Jason V.

    Out all time Sanibel favorite. Huge menu. Priced fairly. Food is always predictably good and the portions are gigantic. Started with the wings. Advertised as Two pounds of wings. Think their scale may need to be recalibrated as didn't seem close to two lbs. But.... Ordered the pulled pork quesadilla for an entree and literally only are one quarter of it. The corn bread muffins to start are always amazing and the service is fast. Nice to be able to walk right in and get a table since we were thee during the off season. Others in our party had grouper dishes and all were happy!

    (5)

  • Marc D.

    Fun place, good service and food is always good. You might have a little wait but it's worth it

    (4)

  • TJ H.

    Delicious food! Great service! Second time coming here in our 3 day weekend. Second time was a little bit of a different experience but none the less delicious and food with friendly service! First time I ordered the pot steamers and second time around was the pulled pork sandwich.

    (5)

  • Victoria B.

    The best restaurant on sanibel! The best crab legs and alligator bites by far! Also you get muffins to start (the blueberry are the best). The service fails sometimes buy it's still worth it. Try the rum punch you will fall in love!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    Great environment for the family, but the food really wasn't anything special. Gator tail bites were ok, trio of fish tacos was marginal and the seasoned chicken was dry. Good tourist spot to visit, but not the best food you'll find on the island.

    (2)

  • marissa o.

    Three of us ate here on April 22nd. We went because we were told they have a gluten free menu. 1. Long wait even for off season 2. Menu is so large it is confusing. 3. The gluten free menu is their actual menu but under the description it says tell your waiter you cannot have the bread or rice or pasta, etc. It is NOT a gluten free friendly restaurant. Why have a pasta section on your Gluten Free menu if it says tell your waiter you cannot have the pasta? 4. Ordered my son grilled chicken, he has a gluten allergy. He was served a huge basket of potato chips and it took forever to locate our waiter to get his grilled chicken. I would love to give this restaurant 5 stars for their seafood, but their lack of a GF menu after stating they have one really upset me. I had their flounder with scampi sauce 5 stars. My mom had their shrimp taco, 5 stars.

    (2)

  • Bam K.

    Fried oysters are delicious! Went there with my family during our vacation and this place is busy, lots of turnover, good staff, and delicious food! The fish taco is yummy!

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    We have pedaled by this place many times and it always looks like a happening place. After reading the yelps we stopped in on the bicycles and tied up to the convenient bike rack out front. We met the very cheery hostess who directed us to the back porch to wait a spell. When she sat us she dropped off a couple of great muffins. Very extensive menu, if you can't find something that you like on this menu, stay home! Young waiter Robert was right there ready to take our order. He promptly delivered our soda's and lobster/shrimp/crème cheese wontons. They were GREAT! She had the crunchy grouper tacos, she loved them! My Boom Boom Shrimp tacos were world class, side of black beans & rice with sour crème and pico for the tacos. All was outstanding, service was great. No waterfront view that we like, but the cow motif is interesting to say the least.

    (5)

  • Maddy S.

    This is a good option for families with young children, as it has an extremely casual atmosphere. There is a ring-toss game in the back and a friendly, colorful ambience. Service is decent as well. As for the food, it's not bad, given the style of the restaurant. The menu is absolutely massive and can be overwhelming, but I still haven't been disappointed. Nothing particularly exciting, but all in all a fine option for families or a laid-back meal.

    (3)

  • Chelle B.

    While you wait, order an ice cold Red Stripe and try your hand at the ring game on the back patio. Fried alligator is a great appetizer. Don't miss the black beans and yellow rice and the bbq sliders.

    (4)

  • Ted W.

    Fun place and also an excellent breakfast. Shrimp omelet prepared soft as requested and with scallops and grouper was fresh and also perfectly prepared. I was glad I got the creamy buttery grits with it. Potatoes very good as well. Best breakfast I've had in a long time!

    (4)

  • Jamie S.

    Food is wonderful! Great prices! Fun environment! Service is ok. You get muffins when you arrive and they are the best!!! Menu is huge kind of overwhelming. Overall... happy with our visit.

    (4)

  • David A.

    Outdoor seating make for a beautiful setting in the great state of Florida. Waiters and waitresses are very nice, and provide good service. The tables are really cool, as they supply historic paraphernalia through a glass layer. The French fries are done to perfection, but I can't even get started on how good the burgers are. If you ask well done, they will do your burger well done. The large variety of cheese makes for a great addition and taste on the burger. Catsup or mustard? No problem. The catsup and mustard is already at the table when you sit down. Have fun at this awesome eatery, not to mention they have good desserts.

    (5)

  • Hernan R.

    Come for the great, laid back atmosphere; come for the great food! Just about as soon as you are seated you are treated to homemade muffins (instead of regular ol' bread). We started by trying their Lobster N Shrimp Wontons. Now, you couldn't really make out the taste of the lobster and shrimp due to the strong taste of cream cheese, but they were delicious none the less. We ordered Grouper and Snapper, Coconut Fried and Blackened, respectively, both with yellow rice. My wife opted for hush puppies as her second side, while I went with their homemade island slaw. While my slaw was in deed very good, my wife made out with those puppies. :). The yellow rice was good, nothing exciting, and a little on the dry side. Overall, the food was great and the experience very enjoyable. The service was friendly, attentive and fast. If you are in the area make sure to come here for breakfast or lunch, and I suspect dinner is equally good.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    After we discovered Island Cow on our second day on Sanibel Island FL it became our daily stop for breakfast and sometimes lunch. Great food and friendly staff with both indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the Coconut French Toast... unique and delicious!!

    (5)

  • Don S.

    I've eaten here twice so far. First time it was great! Had the grouper tacos. This past Saturday we came here for lunch. I was craving a burger and got the patty melt. I have to say it wasn't very good.. The onions were barely sautéed and almost raw. The burger was gummy and flavorless. Maybe just an off day for the cook. My wife had the combo tacos and they were both good. They also give you a muffin when you sit down which is nice and they are very good. I'll be back I just won't get the patty melt again

    (3)

  • Dru P.

    I read through about half the reviews before I decided to weigh in. There are two kinds of people that come to Sanibel Island. Some of us remember when there was only a ferry that took you there, we turn off our cell phones, enjoy our families and would never dare honk a horn when you cannot get to the causeway fast enough....and some of you just want to be wowed by some "exotic life", take a picture of an alligator, rent a pontoon boat or do anything that removes you from that ridiculous bustle that your minds desperately want to leave but just can't seem to tune out. Island folk know who is who, and much like these reviews, your soul shows. The kicker to me was how many Floridians were the unimpressed. I guess you just don't get out of the trailer park often enough. The Cow has not been a staple for that long...but every time I went in I got nothing but good vibes in return. Then again I think people are often like mirrors. You get back the same face you show, And if you are worried that they want to move you along to get someone else in your place......here's a thought: You might be some kind of fast paced jerk that they assumed wanted that treatment?

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    The fish was a little dry and bland, but the buffalo shrimp appetizer was great. The dishes are pretty large, so I would recommend splitting dinner with a friend.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    This place is amazing! I stopped here on Sunday on my ride home from the beach, and loved every moment of my dining experience. The food was great and the portions were huge! After enjoying the complimentary muffins, my friends and I split a hefty order of fried oysters as an appetizer. I then had a fish taco combo (one taco with battered shrimp and another taco with blackened grouper). Everything was delish! It was my birthday, so my friends asked the wait staff to send a monsterous brownie sundae and embarrass me with 'happy birthday' rendition. Even though we were full from lunch, we couldn't help but devour the dessert. The prices were also really reasonable (Land Shark was on sale for $1.99), and the service was great (everyone was SOOOO nice). Also, the decor is super cute (needless to say, the place was decked out with about a million cows). I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Johnny B.

    This is our favorite breakfast place in the island. Really delicious food (loaded with sugar, but hey - it's vacation). Cool decorations (all cows). The service is a little meh....rushed, inattentive, but adequate. Also the temperature can be a little too cold - they blast the air conditioning.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Great fish tacos (try them with the "sweet heat" sauce on your table). Delicious key lime pie as well and extremely prompt service even on a busy night!

    (5)

  • Kristi H.

    It's a fun little place with amazing food. The cornbread muffins they give you while you're waiting are delicious and the stuffed shrimp and smashed potatoes are something I would return for! Make sure you bring bug spray because they don't have anything deterring the little bugs eating you alive. Wait staff wasn't very friendly, but they were quick and efficient.

    (4)

  • Daniel L.

    I don't recommend this place. Every facet of the operation seems to geared to getting you out the door as quickly as possible. They care more about turning tables than serving customers. Now that I've shared the conclusion, here's how I arrived at it. This restaurant is so self-consciously down home it's off-putting, from its menu's poor spelling (morn'in and cook'in? Come on!) to its intrusive cow theme that makes no sense in its surroundings. The food is good, which is important because you're going to wait a spell to get seated. We arrived at the back end of the lunch rush, around 12:45, and found an anticipated 35 minute wait. No problem, we figured we'd get a drink and hang out and relax. No bartender. We waited for upwards of five minutes at a bar littered with tips and receipts waiting to be picked up. We asked the hostess if there were a bartender, and she wandered off in an attempt to find one. No dice. We waited - without drinks - for about 30 minutes. Oh, two bar backs or busboys were behind the bar and saw us, but neither acknowledged our presence nor made any attempt to find someone to get us drinks. Service was lightning quick when we got seated - we waited maybe five minutes for our food order after the drinks arrived. However, the server never came back around to see if we wanted more beer (we did). She seemed to be laser focused on one table at a time, and I saw other tables trying to get her attention as she walked by to no avail. I never saw a single drink refill served or offered. I won't name her, but put your head on a swivel and stop treating your customers like tasks to be checked off a list!! I had the grouper with sweet potato fries and apple sauce. Apple sauce was canned but fine, sweet potato fries were probably frozen but very good. They say the fish is fresh, but I had it fried so all I can tell you is it tasted like grouper. Portions were generous - I didn't eat dinner that night I was still so full from lunch. Prices are reasonable - two lunch entrees and two beers for less than $40, but we lucked in to ordering the beer of the day which was only $2 each - it was the beer we both wanted to drink anyway. The menu is HUGE. I have no idea how they can bang out the orders so fast given the number of potential orders they have to prepare to receive. I led with the conclusion, so you can go back to it here.

    (2)

  • Richard B.

    I ordered a pound of the peel and eat shrimp and I know for a fact I got a lot larger portion at Skip One. Though the shrimp were large and juicy, and the service was very very good, my plate was a 55/45 ratio of fruit to shrimp. Kudos to the waiter for not being annoyed when we asked for cocktail sauce and boom boom sauce along with the melted butter they served the shrimp with. The Key West beer for $2 was in a nice sized plastic cup when we were ordered from the bar and were waiting to be seated, but they are about half that size when they are served in the beer mugs at the table. I would give this restaurant 3.5 stars, but I'm unfortunately rounding this one down after my experience.

    (3)

  • Al O.

    It's a bit touristy menu is extensive and everything is just ok should focus on fewer options and work on quality. Breakfast is much better than lunch. All in all not a bad choice in a very touristy area.

    (3)

  • Nancy A.

    We were there on Christmas Day, and from the moment we sat down it was apparent that we were going to be rushed out the door. The waitress became visibly annoyed when I hadn't decided what to order after 5 minutes, and basically stood at the table and pushed me to pick something. The food was ok, although the calamari was awful. I tipped well because it was Christmas but under normal circumstances I would not have rewarded such surly service. Oh, and our entrees came out about 5 minutes after the appetizers. I know Christmas Day is busy, but if you aren't going to treat customers with dignity then just stay closed on that day.

    (2)

  • Tricia T.

    Not many options in Sanibel and with all of the yelp reviews-- we were hopeful. Definitely disappointed, but lack of options forced us to go twice during a weekend away. Dinner: overly friend coconut-style grouper. Sides tasted mass produced like a cafeteria Beer was cold, thankfully- so that was a plus! We also had breakfast, which wasn't bad. It's hard to screw up breakfast in my opinion. Not stellar, but we left happy and full. Ambiance: enjoyed the 'country kitchen' feel inside and the beach shack outside. Gear photo op on the oversized and colorful adirondack chairs! Definitely a long wait. Probably would have left, but again a not many options.

    (3)

  • Mauresa S.

    They have amazing bbq! Service is friendly and fast! They also give you muffins whenever you come in! They have awesome cornbread served at dinner time! They have pretty decent prices!

    (4)

  • Ryn A.

    We had the Sea Food omelette, the 'Game Changer' and the steak omelette. Loved it decently priced too! When we return to Florida, Island Cow is on the list.

    (4)

  • Bryan B.

    Breakfast was great last time we were here, but dinner was pretty bad. Even my son's grilled cheese was a bit stale and the cheese was half melted. At least the ambiance was good, nut seriously, I don't recommend going here for anything other than breakfast.

    (2)

  • Nancy E.

    We ate here tonight drawn by the very diverse menu but we're quite disappointed. The fried oysters and the frickles were way too salty to be enjoyed. The sauces sub par. And the chocolate chip muffins seemed a poor way to start a meal. The chilly wildly was a nice generous assortment of raw and cooked shellfish but only the clams were worth having more of. We probably won't return as there are many other delicious meals we've had elsewhere on Sanibel island. N and K. Jan 10 2015

    (2)

  • Andy B.

    So I'm visiting Sanibel for the first time, and I asked one of the locals for a good place to have lunch.... without hesetation she says, "Go to the Cow"..... it was close by, so I mooooo'd my way over.... has a nice, authentic feeling outside, and inside it gets even better. Everyone from the hostess to our server was smiley and helpful. and the menu you ask? fucking crazy. selection was mildly unrealistic. I looked it over, was looking for a light lunch, so I went with their yellowfin tuna melt. I take a bite out of this bitch, and no lie, it's like soft and velvety rose petals were dancing in my mouth. an insurmountable burst of joy that I can only fail to describe. best tuna melt I've ever had! I am into this cow, and can't wait to come back.... Love, The Bull

    (5)

  • B L.

    The coconut french toast was delicious, a lot more flavor than the regular French toast they offer. The bacon was thick but didn't really have much flavor. Pancakes are great and fluffy. Tie it all up with Starbucks coffee and you're set!

    (3)

  • Patrick P.

    Cows gone mad! I went here for breakfast while on vacation. I am amazed at the breakfest eateries on Sanibel Island. There is not much I can say that others have not already have mentioned. It is a fun whimiscal place that serves good food. Price: Breakfast is around $10 - quality is great! Service: Service was quick (it was off season so I think I was lucky) Overall - I cannot wait to go back to Sanibel Island. This was a fun place the aided in my great experience.

    (4)

  • Toni D.

    Great atmosphere! The little cards, pictures, and other random things customers put under the glass top of the tables give you a lot to look at. The service was great and the decor is funny and adorable. The also sell T-Shirts, and even baby outfits. They serve muffins to eat as you wait on your food and they are amazing. I had their pancakes and they were some of the best I've had. You definitely want to try to get in early and beat the crowd because they get quiet busy!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    This is the 2nd time I have been to this restaurant and have enjoyed it each visit. The atmosphere is so fun and vibrant. The service was excellent. They know how to fry delicious seafood. Recommend gator tail especially if you have never had it before. My shrimp po boy was delicious. And they had $1.99 beer specials! Recommend stopping for a visit.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    First off, the atmosphere of this place is fun and lively; perfect beach/island feel with music that was in the background and not blaring (thank you for that). The staff were all friendly and prompt. At first I was a little worried because our server was quick to greet us and get our drinks, but then he disappeared (no fault of his own) to take the orders of 12+ party with lots of kids. I thought "We're screwed if our order gets in behind theirs." After this 10+ minute order taking with them, he immediately came to our table and quickly assured us our order would be put in before theirs. Read my mind. I got on fried grouper taco and one shrimp taco, which were tasty, fresh, and ample. The grouper had a nice crunchy breading. The black beans and rice were good to boot. My husband got the grilled grouper meal, and the piece was big, lovely looking, and fresh! His red beans were delicious, as well. Oh, CHEAP BEER, too. And not just Old Swill or Miller High Life, real beers you want to drink. Definitely will hit this spot back up next time I'm down here.

    (4)

  • Janice J.

    The muffin appy is tasty and moist. The clam strips were the best I had in a long time big and not chewy. We had a fun sit on the front patio. The service was freaky fast and still real friendly. They even made sure a couple nearby sat in a good spot on the patio because they had a dog and they even set up a water dish for him. The menu is huge! There's something for everyone.

    (4)

  • John G.

    Excellent dining experience - friendly staff, good atmosphere, and great food. Would highly recommend and will dine here again in the futures.

    (4)

  • Lindsay G.

    What a fun experience this was! We came with 5 adults and our toddler and we were all entertained by the games in the outside waiting area. A sign at the entrance advertised "Live music. May be Jimmy Buffet. Probably not" which set the tone for a beachy and laid back evening with surprisingly speedy service. I am particular about corn bread quality and enjoy a free nosh at the start of a meal, so the moist and tasty corn bread muffins that await you at your table were a great start. We started our meal with an island take on potato skins, stuffed with crab and gooey cheese. Tasty but not spectacular. Between the 6 of us, the gumbo was good, the fried oyster basket was crisp and well-seasoned, the cheeseburger which was just fair, there were excellent coconut scallops on a too-thick-for-a-po-boy bun, and a child's menu with fresh fruit and peel and eat shrimp- a nice alternative from the usual. All of the portions were waaaaay too big and we were wishing we had ordered less and shared, and shocked that no other Yelp reviewers had mentioned the large portions. To further over-stuff my poor tummy, I ordered a chocolate shake which was topped with festive sprinkles and totally worth the fullness I was feeling from it. In short, good food, fast and friendly service, fun environment, good music, keep in mind you'll have leftovers, and order a chocolate shake :)

    (4)

  • Meredith L.

    The Oysters Rockefeller were bizarre to say the least. Goat cheese, spinach, and crumbled bacon. Lukewarm and just...not good. The fried gator was pretty good, and they have good drink specials.

    (2)

  • Darren S.

    I enjoyed the coconut tilapia with fries and my boyfriend had the philly cheesesteak. We stopped here on our way to our rental unit, my first time on the island. It was fantastic! We will definitely go back! We got lucky and did not have to wait for a table. We wouldn't wait two hours for a table, but it was delicious.

    (4)

  • Trina R.

    Pretty good! Always a wait to sit down but good food and good service. I'm not a fan of those muffins they bring you but my meal was appetizing. Most people I know seem to like this place.

    (3)

  • Jason G.

    I had lunch here with my wife and two young children. Fun and open feel to the restaurant with unique pre-dinner rolls that are actually cupcakes with sprinkles (obviously a hit with the kids). My only complaint is there are almost TOO many option on the menu. Seriously, it's huge! I had the paella which was fresh and delicious while my wife had a bacon burger with blue cheese. She said it was one of the best burgers she's ever had. The kids loved their meals as well. The service was prompt and we were all very pleased with the experience. I should also note the prices were very, very reasonable for the island. The cool part came the next day when I went back to grab a coffee to go. Upon recognizing me from the day before, the host at the front asked if I "...wanted to be a rockstar with the family and take some fresh baked muffins for the road." While I was waiting for my coffee he brought out 4 warm breakfast muffins that we enjoyed on the way to a boat tour. Top notch. That's the stuff that keeps people coming back. Hands down, one of the best dining experiences on the island for your family. Positive environment, great service and of course, fantastic food at a great value.

    (4)

  • David F.

    Very popular place, right on the main drag in town. Casual atmosphere and some outside seating. Went for an early dinner. Food was pretty good, and prepared well. Had the blackened snapper and calamari. One of the better meals we had during our week on the island, but not fantastic. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Theresa D.

    Definitely one of those places to hit while in Sanibel...if only to drink in the fun island vibe. Very relaxed atmosphere with a wide menu selection...including gator if you're up for it. The parking lot is always busy, and folks are always on the back patio waiting to be seated, which is a great testament.

    (3)

  • Marsha C.

    Our family loves the island cow - breakfast, lunch or dinner. Only bad thing is you have to go early for any meal to avoid waiting awhile for a table (hubby hates to wait). We've been here several years in a row with teens and everyone can find something that they liked. Can't say that at every restaurant in Sanibel. Great variety - great coffee and the atmosphere is fun. Love the lawn chairs. They do have "mosquito" screens on the porch they can roll down to keep the bugs out which is nice. A must-do on Sanibel for us!

    (5)

  • Rob M.

    Very nice atmosphere and family friendly but the food did not meet my expectations. I had the barbecue sampler plate and was disappointed. The ribs were okay, the pulled pork was okay, as long as you like their BBQ sauce, and the barbecue chicken was anything but. It was a split boneless breast, grilled flat with barbecue sauce brushed on the top. It reminded me of school cafeteria style chicken! Another in my party had the seafood jambalaya and was equally disappointed. It tasted okay but was not really jambalaya and he was surprised to find whole crayfish in the mix. With so many other dining options on Sanibel, I think I'll explore some more establishments before going back, next time I'm there.

    (2)

  • Mike M.

    I love this place! Great menu, great prices but it's the service that makes me come back.

    (5)

  • Hannah L.

    I just got back from Sanibel Island and I ate here four times in 48 hours. I had frickles for the first time here! Whoa. Delicious. There are so many choices and everything hits the spot. Hands down the best fried catfish I've ever had. Not sure how many people under 55 make it down to Sanibel Island, but if you're ever there this is really the only place you should eat at. Oh yeah - excellent customer service and cheap too.

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Fantastic place---great service, fun atmosphere and the food is priced right! I love the grouper tacos---in fact, so large, that I take some of them home and have them for dinner. On an island where food is expensive, this is the place to go! Don't miss it!

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    Good family place, interesting fresh food , decent prices for the area. Casual dishes that aren't like everyplace else. Almost too much for lunch, skipped a planned dinner and snacked. Double chocolate shake just as promised. Service average. A wait but they did keep moving, took in order

    (4)

  • Manish J.

    pretty decent food - had the coconut shrimp platter. wasn't the best ever. had gone for dinner. atmosphere was very cool they had an outside seating area. also got the frickles. pretty good but i'd think anything fried is good! the frozen drinks are horrendous. do not get them. got the pina colada just tasted terrible!

    (3)

  • jane t.

    "Lets go to lunch on Captiva," said my Dad. Little did we know that most restaurants were closed for the off-season... so we made our way back to Sanibel. We picked The Island Cow as it had the most people parked outside and the freebie island guide said "dine with the locals". Well, we certainly weren't treated quite like locals, maybe our waitress has a problem with Brits (we are known to tip badly) or she likes to live up to the restaurant name? Anyway, after a few scowls (we had the cheek to ask for a glass to go with our bottle of beer), we managed to get some Becks and cheeseburgers to our table, which were both tasty. This place reminded me of Bubba Gumps - except with lots of cow references - and like Bubba's, I'd come back for the sheer entertainment factor - having the check sent like a frisbee across the table was highly amusing. Otherwise, I'd leave it to the locals. Who knows how much moo-ing goes on during the high season?

    (3)

  • howie r.

    Fun place to go. Huge menu, family friendly. Try the shrimp and grits for something different or create your own seafood dish from one of the many catches of the day.

    (4)

  • Bernadette S.

    I have been to this place several times over the years. Definitely a family favorite , normally we do breakfast there but today we tried lunch and wow !! Everything was so good :) The service is always great and all 6 of us liked what we ordered. This place is great and has never let us down.

    (5)

  • conor b.

    Eaten here once a year at least for the last six years. It's a fun place with great decor that has consistently decent food. This is definitely what I consider "island food." The type of food you come back home and know exactly where the extra ten pounds came from. The island cow helps to serve the glutton in me and allows me to eat fried treats and decadent deserts without having to wallow in shame afterwards. Well at least not until I get into the parking lot. Waiters have always been above and beyond. Fried artichoke po boy was the weirdest, most deliciously shameful food item I've had in a while. Love their muffins, but sometimes that's the best part of the meal. Don't forget to play ring toss out back. Kids love it.

    (3)

  • Jamie K.

    I'm going to declare first that my favorite thing about this restaurant are the funfetti and chocolate muffins served while you wait for your food. If you follow my reviews this shouldn't surprise you. It took a while for our server to come over to our table as I'm pretty sure he had 4 tables, but it gave us time to look over the menu. Decaf and cappuccino for us; unfortunately I couldn't find coffee to match Sun Garden's. For breakfast my husband ordered the Triple Cheese Omelet: fluffy eggs with savory cheeses sided with cow spuds and fresh fruit and I ordered the blueberry pancakes. Considering my husband would put cheese on absolutely everything he really liked his breakfast. The fruit seemed fresh but I didn't try it because it was mostly melon. I did however try the potatoes and if I'm being honest I found them to be pretty salty. They wound up being a good balance to my blueberry pancakes. My pancakes were standard - not overly fluffy but there were tons of berries. There were 4 and they were big so I wasn't able to finish them after having the muffins too. I'd give Island Cow an average rating - not bad, but nothing that really blew me away.

    (3)

  • Lily T.

    Probably 1 of the best fried clams I have ever had in my life. The breading is perfect. The taste is perfect. It wasn't chewy. This pick was a shot in the dark. Since we went to Sanibel island. And saw this restaurant on the way. I'm sure glad we stopped by. The food was good. My boyfriend got the monster burger and he enjoyed that! But the cornbread muffin was amazing. It was soft and warm. However, 4 stars due to staff. Service was a bit slow. My boyfriend waited literally 5 minutes until we got our waitress' attention. And it wasn't crowded. I'll be back for food. But don't expect service to go as well.

    (4)

  • Julianne Marie B.

    The atmosphere is perfect for casual island dining but not in a cheesy too crowded way. Lots of outdoor seating & plenty inside. Quite crowded on saturday nite, but it is an indicator of how good the food is. Extremely diverse menu, really something for everyone! Excellent staff and service.

    (5)

  • Billy H.

    After a day at the beach, we decided we probably should eat somewhere on Sanibel Island since we did pay the 6 bucks bridge toll. We searched around & noticed that a lot of the places were pretty pricy & somewhat formal. We were in dry swim trunks & shirts with flip flops. We skimmed the reviews from Island Cow & figured that it would be a good place to stop. The gravel lot & trees throughout the property make you really feel like you're on a lazy island. The decor of the place is very Key West, I like it. You're in Florida, it's nice that it looks like it. We arrive around lunchtime & were lucky to get inside seats. The have a large patio with a fan, but the temperature was at least 95 degrees & we'd been driving around in a convertible with black leather seats, so inside was perfect! The place was bustling with activity. Our server stopped by & asked what we'd like to drink. We both hesitated for a second as we looked over the menu & drink menu. She brought us waters & we decided on the "$1.99 draft beer of the day". That day it was something with the word key or key west in it maybe? I'm not sure, I'm not a huge beer drinker but it was good, I've have better & far worse. I hopped up & made my way to the bathroom to wash my hands. The men's bathroom is a single use bathroom. I pushed & pushed on the door then realized it was locked & moved away from the door like I wasn't the one trying to get it. Don't make my same mistake. We ordered the fried conch as an appetizer for $8.99. I'd had conch before but it's not something you see on a menu a lot, it's usually more so fried calamari. It didn't take long for our beers & conch to arrive. They have a 10,000 island sauce that is thousand island with horseradish, it's quite good. The fried conch was good, however I'd probably rename them "conch puppies" because it was mostly stuffing mixed with a few of the conch. I liked the stuffing they used, but I'm not sure $8.99 is a great price point for them; I guess it's good for Sanibel. Speaking of the prices, I thought they wee reasonable for the island. As I stated before, a lot of places are pretty pricey. I didn't think Island Cow was cheap (except the beer) but I didn't think I was getting taken advantage of. They are on Sanibel & everything there is a little pricier than the mainland. The menu is also HUGE. You might want to skim it before you arrive at the restaurant. I decided on the fried oyster basket & Phillip picked the fried calamari. We decided to spilt each to try them out. The fried oyster was $14.99 & the fried calamari was $12.99. The baskets come with fries, tropical slaw & hush puppies. My oysters came with tartar sauce & the calamari came with marinara sauce. I got about ten regular sized oysters. They tasted good, I would've liked the breading to be a little crispier. The hush puppies had a little of a burnt taste to them. I liked the fries but could use a little more crisp as well. The calamari was crispy & I liked that a lot. The 10,000 island sauce also came with the baskets, good on the fries. Overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Island Cow. I thought that the prices were good for it being a restaurant on Sanibel island. The service was fast for it being so busy. Next time we are on the island we will stop in again.

    (4)

  • Brittany B.

    On vacation from Orlando, my guest and I tried The Island Cow for dinner on a Saturday night. We were estimated a 15 minute wait time and our buzzer went off approximately 5 minutes early. We waited behind the restaurant with menus and decided our orders prior to seating; we got to watch beautiful birds in a large enclosure. It took several minutes for our server to come to our table, but was quick with bringing us our drinks and taking our order. In less than 15 minutes, we had our entrees. I ordered the blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, which had an awesome kick and excellent flavor. The portion was so large, I took the second taco home. The rice and beans were some of the best I've ever had; I sampled my guest's hush puppies and cole slaw, which were also on point. It was difficult not opting to eat at the Island Cow the following day for dinner as well!

    (5)

  • Janene H.

    Out of all our dining experiences on Sanibel this was the best. Not that it was 5 star worthy but it was still better than the other places we'd been. First, I liked the open, casual atmosphere. It seemed brighter than some of the other older, dark, sticky restaurants on the island. We were seated quickly at a booth and brought the free muffins. There seemed to be two varieties, one was a cinnamon type and another possible vanilla? They were very good and tasted like a cross between a cupcake and a muffin. Too bad ours didn't have the rainbow sprinkles in them, the kids would've gotten a kick out of that. Service was a little slow and we needed to ask for more water on occasion. It took quite a long time to get the bill and pay to get out of there. I ordered the ahi tuna salad off the special menu. The tuna was cooked and seasoned nicely but my piece had some annoying strings of fat throughout. The salad was refreshing and a nice change from the typical island burger joint. They sell $2 drafts which was a good deal for Sanibel! They have a nice little patio/deck out back with some ringneck parrots, tiki bar and Adirondack chairs painted in a Jimmy Buffet motif. There is also the ring game and cut outs for photos. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal and prices are a little less than other locations. Ride your bike, the restaurant is right along the bike trail. Afterwards let the kids burn off some energy at the playground less than a block away. We ate a late lunch/early dinner and were full for the rest of the evening. I would definitely come back to Island Cow.

    (4)

  • Karen R.

    My husband and I had lunch here. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated but no problem as it has a fun outside area, like you are in your own backyard. Once seated, we were immediately acknowledged and given water and menus. I ordered the fried artichokes appetizer and my husband got the shrimp and fruit platter. Both were great choices. My appetizer was enough to feed two people, almost 25 pieces of artichokes. The service was great even though very busy. Fun, casual atmosphere with cows as the theme. This would be a regular for us if we were locals.

    (4)

  • Debbi N.

    This place is amazing! It's cute as could be with an all cow theme and a ginormous menu. We went for breakfast but we're actually considering going back the same day for lunch. We walked 3 miles from our hotel so we were sweaty and starving. And we are on vacation. The food portions are huge. I tried the Jim Bo special which included two eggs and two links and two pancakes and grits and potatoes and fruit. Oh gee. I'm a piggy. But it was worth the calories and I couldn't finish the second pancake. Did I say blueberry pancake? Oh my- delish Beyond. Hubby had the crabby omlette. It was a giant crab cake on top of the omlette he loved it. Would love to go back and may do that on way back to reality tomorrow.

    (5)

  • Mercedes C.

    Island Cow is One of The Best Spots For The Triple: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner And Anything in Between. Tonight, We Came Here To Enjoy Our Last Dinner... And Island Cow Never Ever Disappoints. PLEASE Don't Forget their Fried Oysters- they're freaking awesome!!!

    (5)

  • Tim D.

    We just wrapped up our wedding weekend on Sanibel and over the course of 4 days we ate at the Island Cow 3 times. Not because of lack of other options, but because we couldn't find a reason to not go back. The food is awesome; both the seafood and BBQ are great for lunch or dinner and the breakfast is as good as it gets as well. The service is very friendly and quick for how busy they always seem to be. The bartender, Dana, was especially great- taking genuine interest in our big weekend and has already offered to babysit should we return next year for our anniversary with a new addition to our family! The wait can be a little long (it's a small place and hugely popular) but they have great beers and drinks and even Cornhole boards to keep you entertained until your table is ready. We will eat at Island Cow every time we're on Sanibel in the future, guaranteed.

    (5)

  • Teresa C.

    We found this place by accident while looking for another. Fantastic ambience with the outdoor eating, not too hot, nice and comfortable. Service was great! Food was amazing. We ordered the combo tacos lunch special which was 2 large soft tacos one with shrimp and the other with grouper along with an appetizer of gator tail (can't visit down here without having some gator!). All the food was amazing, service was quick but not rushed and very friendly and the price was reasonable! I highly recommend this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Lindsay C.

    We dined here on Memorial Day so they were pretty busy. I think that may be why the hostess and our server were a little snippy and short with us when we requested to move inside as the mosquitos were eating us outside. It wasn't the best service, but the food made up for it. The fried grouper basket was amazing! The hush puppies and fries were exceptional as well. Perhaps my favorite part of the meal was the corn bread provided when seated. It was the perfect balance of corn and cake. It was hard to stop eating them! The restaurant is cute and beachy....perfect for a casual island dinner.

    (4)

  • Pam P.

    OMG! How is this place not shut down by the health dept?????? There are dead flies all over the place...I looked up at the ceiling fans and more dead bugs on them than I've ever seen! The table I sat in had red ants crawling all over...I was so sick that I couldn't eat my meal!!!! The bathrooms need a deep cleaning along with the entire restaurant!!! Makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like....YUK!!!!!!!!

    (1)

  • Megan D.

    We came on a Wednesday evening and got the last table inside. The restaurant is really cute with lots of little cow figurines and island themed decor. The menu has a lot of puns and jokes, and it has a looooot of options to choose from. We got some mixed drinks and they were delicious. We got a shrimp platter and a few of them were a bit cold and the waitress seemed really busy and took a while to get back to our table a few times. All in all, it's a really cute vacation dinner spot! (Also its hella fun to color at the table)

    (5)

  • Frank C.

    Been eating at the Island Cow for years. Diverse menu. Plenty of options to choose from. Everything is excellent. I would highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch and especially dinner.

    (5)

  • John G.

    I've been going to this restaurant for years. It is the cutest restaurant on the island. Tropical decor, great service and usually good food. I must say I was very disappointed with my last visit to the Island Cow. I ordered a Seafood Pasta that was absolute mush. Over cooked pasta with sub par marinara sauce, most likely sauce from a can. Needless to say it left much to be desired. I believe this restaurant should shorten their menu list, master the art of cooking a few quality fresh meals and establish a great reputation for serving great quality food in a delightful laid back tropical atmosphere. I hope they improve so I can come back to this landmark restaurant. It is the cutest!

    (2)

  • Jeff C.

    Great selection of fresh seafood, well prepared, good service. It is quite popular, so expect a wait (25-35 minutes), but they have a nice waiting area as well as a few comfortable chairs scattered about the front and side. The muffins seem to attract attention, but were just okay. The muffins are well balanced, light enough not to fill you up, not greasy. I'd recommend any of the fish, as well as the cheesy grits. Portions were medium to generous. The dining area was clean, although the decor is a bit kitchy. They have a small gift shop type room off the bar, but I'd skip it as the merchandise is limited in selection and not particularly attractive.

    (4)

  • Taylor A.

    My family and I weren't sure about this restaurant at first because there was a ton on the menu - and can everything on their menu still be good from that large of a list? While their mashed potatoes were good and fish, they had good salad but definitely not "world class" as is said on the menu - too much iceberg parts. The pizza had too much cheese and chunks of tomatoes in it too. Also, the green beans were mushy. One good thing though is they bring out chocolate chip muffins straight away which were good. Overall it's a nice family restaurant just not the greatest.

    (3)

  • ty g.

    This is one of my family and I favorite place to eat. The staff is great and service is fast . We have a group of 12 to 14 pp everytime and never wait over 30 min for a table. Plenty to do while you wait from corn hole , ring toss in back and live parrots for the kids . Had crab legs tonight and it was only 18.00 for a pound..Just ck the rest of island ..You will pay between 26 and 38 bucks for the same bur, not as good. We always have lunch on the way into condo and breakfast on the way out cant say enough good thing about this place.

    (5)

  • C. M.

    This is a nice, casual restaurant with some unique menu items. We enjoyed our food. However, our server was not quite as friendly as others we observed in the restaurant, but she got us what we needed. Overall, it was a good experience, and we would return again.

    (4)

  • Hollie L.

    Always love coming here. Its sooo cute and delicious. Crab legs are well cooked and delicious. Its always a go to for me when being in Ft. Myers!

    (5)

  • Trish F.

    Very busy lunch location. Havent tried it at night. Not a fan of the muffins instead of bread but the coconut shrimp salad was enough to feed two people!!!! And amazingly delicious!!!!! Service was incredible and fast. Our kids enjoyed it too. Definitely kid friendly. The birds on the back patio are a must see.

    (4)

  • Movie L.

    1st time eating cheesy shrimp and grits. Fell in love!

    (4)

  • Kristine N.

    Crunchy grouper tacos - huge portion of two flour tortillas filled with delicious grouper. The side of yellow rice and black beans was really good. Coconut grouper basket - came with fries and hush puppies. A whole lotta fried stuff going on. Everything was really good though. The aioli dipping sauce was definitely the one to go with. Cute patio seating and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Beth B.

    We come here every year during our vacation me it is a great place! The atmosphere is so fun and cute! It ca get pretty crowded, so if a large group is not your thing, then don't come. The food is always good and the waiters are very friendly!

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    Great menu and variety. Ambiance was very cool. Food mediocre. I ordered the turkey wrap and the turkey tasted like processed meat. I could only eat half of it. The waiter couldn't get our soda order correct. There was only four of us so I'm not sure what was so difficult. I would not come back here.

    (3)

  • Douwe B.

    Great place. Many choices for pescetarians and they have espressos. Outside is best.

    (5)

  • Janice W.

    Best shrimp basket ever! And great prices! Cute kitschy decor! They sell Starbucks Coffee and treats too. Loved it!

    (5)

  • Charles F.

    The Island Cow is an extraordinary restaurant with very extensive menu, great preparation, great service, and great atmosphere. Yes, I have read the many negative reviews, and I cannot relate to them at all. My wife and I returned today, one year after our first visit.

    (5)

  • Paula H.

    I never really liked the Island Cow in years past, but I've really enjoyed it this year. It's got such an inviting ambience and the servers are all really easy going and attentive. The menu seems to have expanded some in the last five years and has a lot more for vegetarians. For breakfast, I had coconut citrus french toast with a side of breakfast potatoes and it was wonderful. One day for lunch, I had the Grilled Veggie & Goat Cheese salad full of fruit and roasted vegetables and a big, creamy blob of goaty goodness and I was in heaven.

    (5)

  • Susan C.

    The only thing I don't like here is that they stop serving breakfast at 11 and for those of us who like to sleep in, its kind of hard to make it especially if there's a wait. But, note, they do serve breakfast till noon on Sunday so that's when we went. My son flew down for the weekend and we enjoyed their smoked salmon platter which is enough for THREE!!!!! My son enjoyed their eggs and Canadian bacon. They serve Starbucks coffee so be prepared to pay $2.99 a cup......Lunch is also good. My husband came back and shared the shrimp, chicken and tuna salad platter and we could not eat it all. Large portions here for reasonable prices and that is why it's always crowded!

    (4)

  • Alexandra D.

    The prices here are definitely pretty fair for being on the island! Unfortunately, the noise levels are pretty high, the food is rather mediocre, and you will most certainly run into a lot of screaming babies. I'm not easily irritated by noise, but when I went, it was somewhat of a downfall.

    (2)

  • Tori H.

    My husband and I stopped at Island Cow after hearing great things. It was a very laid back atmosphere and definitely family friendly! The staff members were a little bland but overall we loved the experience. The menu is very large so it was hard to know what to get. The tuna melt was above average and the coconut shrimp were decent. Overall, neat place to visit! I would recommend it!

    (3)

  • Russell L.

    Found this place by accident. This is a really fun place with great food, service, and reasonable prices. They represent the island Atmosphere with their decor. If they are busy, which they are, go play bean bag toss while you wait. They were packed but still seated us in 10 minutes. My party of 6 had a great meal and a fun time. You gotta do this!

    (5)

  • John V.

    We visited Sanibel Island last week and ate at The Island Cow for dinner one night. A very cool place with a nice vibe and atmosphere. I had the Barnburner hamburger and it was very good. We ate here on Father's day so every dad got a free draft beer which was a very nice touch!

    (4)

  • Joann C.

    Supposed to be the best food on the island. We were excited to try but there were mixed reviews between me and my boyfriend. Its a pretty popular spot so if you go during peak hours then be prepared to wait about 45 minutes. They also dont take reservations for any parties less than 8 so plan accordingly! They serve a muffin to each guest while you wait for your food. I had the chocolate chip muffin and it was pretty tasty! Soft and moist with just a hint of sweetness. If I could have bought a dozen these I would have! Get That Gator - Deep fried Gator bites. These were pretty good. Diced up and deep fried so that the rubbery texture is minimized. In the end, one might guess you were just eating calamari. Pick a Basket - Pretty good deal as you get awesome fries. Awesome fries are steak fries that are dusted lightly with flour and then fried so you get additional texture and fried goodness. Coconut Fried Grouper is really the way to go. We also got the the Southern Fried Snapper Basket and this was not good at all. The fish was not cooked all the way through and had a "fishy" taste, which usually happens when its been frozen. I was a bit disappointed on this and kind of lost my appetite when I discovered this. I skipped my fish and focused on the awesome fries and tried to steal my boyfriend's Coconut Fried Grouper when he wasnt looking. I would try this place again but would want to try something else. The menu is pretty extensive as they have barbecue, sandwiches and steak.

    (2)

  • Bryony B.

    Honestly wasn't that impressed, though my family liked it. We went for breakfast, and although the confetti muffins were interesting, I though they tasted like they were from a box. They technically had a great selection of coffee and stuff - Starbucks even - but the frappucino I got was not Starbucks quality. I had the French toast, and was not impressed. But, the potatoes it came with were pretty good (I liked the seasoning), and I had homemade corn beef hash that was very good. The decor is interesting and fun - maybe dinner would be better....

    (2)

  • Eric G.

    My wife and I had a really good meal. She had swordfish and I had blackened catfish. The service was attentive and on point. Nice assortment of hot sauce and condiments. The item that we had that was our favorite was the conch fritters. Fried golden brown with tangy 10,000 Islands suace, get it !!!

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    Awesome service and laid back island atmosphere. Everything on the menu is good so be adventurous with your choice!

    (5)

  • Melissa W.

    Great food, fun atmosphere! We had a party of 25 called ahead and they had our table waiting! Great service by Heather would , def come again!

    (5)

  • Beth M.

    We had a bad experience last year but we thought we would give it one more try this year. Huge mistake. The service was terrible and we had to send things back twice before they could get it right. Stone cold and old hushpuppies. Fries that were fine on one plate and old on another. $50 for bad service and marginal food. Won't make that mistake again. What's worse is that I asked the hostess to give us a different server when I got the same terrible one from last year. She said she would take care of it and didn't do a thing. Please don't bother eating at the cow. Save your money.

    (1)

  • Chris H.

    We were looking forward to our late lunch here after reading all the reviews but we were disappointed. I had a Grouper Oscar special. The asparagus was the canned mushy, gross kind but the fish was good. My wife's cowpoke salad wasn't good. Too many onions in the chicken and tuna salad and the produce was wilting. My kids' black bean and cheese quesadilla were bland and they didn't enjoy.

    (2)

  • Andrea M.

    The fact that the Island Cow only has 3 and a half stars is a crying shame. My family and I just came back from a short vacation on Sanibel Island and we all agree that this restaurant was one of the main highlights. My only regret is that we couldn't extend our stay to have more meals there! Despite being crowded every time we drove by it, when we got there there was no wait time. The waitress was pleasant and friendly and when my mother and I asked what the freshest fish they had was, she suggested we try the mahi mahi. Boy were we happy with it! We both ordered the mahi mahi fried fish sandwich and it was hands down the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. It came out scalding hot and fresh. It was also the largest piece of cooked fish I have ever seen. It didn't come with tartar sauce but all we had to do was ask for some. The side portions of fries and red beans and rice were plentiful and delicious. All in all it was a great experience and I just wish there was an Island Cow where I live! I'm not a souvenir type of gal but the service was so great and the food so magnificent that I just had to have a t-shirt to take home with me!

    (5)

  • Heidi P.

    Came here while on vacation due to the fact that this place is always busy! The ambiance is relaxed and fun, and the live music was nice. I loved the cornbread muffins they put out to start. The service was meh...although i was part of a large party, still...our waiter was hardly ever seen. I ordered the "mack daddy shrimp meal" and honestly it didn't look like it deserved the title "mack daddy". It came with about 8-10 medium sized shrimp which were way overcooked. Pretty bad considering this place seemed to specialize in seafood. I had a bite of my sister's calamari and i have to say that was pretty yummy and not overcooked. overall an average experience, and disappointing when you're expecting good shrimp.

    (3)

  • Naty K.

    What a nifty place! You know those really uptight restaurants where you're afraid of sneezing and getting a waiter that will scornfully roll his eyes? Well, this is the complete opposite. You really feel as if you're sitting in someone's house and enjoying a meal. People come here in shorts and tees, and even the waiters are dressed like this. The place looks like a huge house with tables inside, and cows everywhere. How novel is that? And, as I mentioned, it is super cozy. The live band (a guy playing classic rock tunes in a Hawaiian shirt) made it feel like you could really relax and lose yourself in that island mystique. The tables inside are made up of drawings, business cards, messages, and even phone numbers under a clear glass top. It really is cool and unique. Looking at the menu, there is no way you won't find something for you, no matter what you're in the mood for. I liked the menu, but hated it, only because there were so many things that sounded delicious and it was such a large menu just made it harder to choose something. If you're somewhat indecisive, you may be poring over this menu for a good 15 minutes or more. I decided to go for seafood, just to get more of an authentic island experience. The prices were quite reasonable, even for seafood. Of course, my friend decided to copy me and order the same thing. The food looked simple yet appetizing. Give me simple yet abundant over that pyramid made out of 2 scallops and gold-crusted lettuce that looks fancy in presentation and leaves you hungry! The fish we ordered (blackened snapper) was fresh and juicy, and the portion was hefty. The sides were also generous, including the smashed potatoes with a subtle hint of garlic. As many others mentioned, the complimentary homemade muffins were also a nice touch. I saw some people mentioning the key lime pie, so I knew I had to order it. The waiter told us it was homemade and man, was it delish! It had blueberries, whipped cream, and sour green apple syrup. My friend doesn't have a sweet tooth at all, but we found ourselves fighting over the pie the whole time. The service was great, with the food and dessert coming out quickly. In fact, I don't think we have ever gotten dessert as quickly as we did here -- ever -- in any restaurant. For a place that at first seemed like a tourist trap, they sure did impress. I'm glad my sister recommended this place to us. We were looking for a laidback place where we'd feel comfortable in shorts, without spending too much. This place did all that, and more! We will definitely be back whenever we're in Sanibel. I read that their breakfast is one of the best around, so don't hesitate to try it.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    Came here on a whim and so glad we stopped here. Very cute ambiance. Not too loud by definitely family friendly. Always something to look at. I wasn't too impressed with any of the food on Sanibel Island, but this place has one of the better breakfasts oven had in a LONG time. I had the Shrimp Oscar Omelette. Really really good! The muffins they bring out reminded me of the ones my mom used to make as a kid. Really good grits and their fruit actually tasted fresh not frozen or like it had been around all week like many other places. Our server had a very nice, warm personality. I would definitely come back here again, even if it's just to have the Coconut French Toast!!!! I tried a bite of that and it is out of this world! We all enjoyed our meals. If I ever come back to Sanibel Island I will be here for sure! Would love to see what their lunch is like if breakfast was that good!

    (4)

  • Christophe L.

    We had lunch at The Island Cow. Very nice service. Food was very good. We shared the seafood quesadillas (Very nice with crab, shrimps, fish, bell peppers) with a basket of fried shrimp and fried pickles. Moreover, they served Starbucks coffee which is a nice plus! All food was well prepared and very flavorful. This is a funky place and we will be back!

    (4)

  • Kady H.

    This is our second time here and I'll give this place the thumbs up. The menu has a great variety, there's surely something to please everyone. We had the mutt mix appetizer (it's a pick three kind of thing), grouper oscar and crab cake burger, both pretty good. The complimentary muffins are unique and delicious!

    (4)

  • Alexander C.

    First time in Captiva and it couldn't have been nicer. Fantastic way to end it with a stop in The Island Cow for lunch. Food was great, service was great and place was really nice. Ordered the catfish Reuben which was recommended by the waitress and was definitely a great choice. Would definitely return to try breakfast and dinner.

    (5)

  • Jenna B.

    What a great place! A must for all visiting Sanibel. We visited twice during our stay and loved it both times. You may have to wait a little for your food - but that is to be expected. This is quality food - not fast food. They are super friendly and give you muffins to eat while you browse the menu. Daily draft beer deals are great also - $1.99 for the draft of the day. I had snow crab legs on the first visit (around $17) - they were really great! My husband had the coconut shrimp and loved it. And later during our second trip, I had a mac and cheese special (with gulf shrimp and langoustine tails). That dish was amazing! Check it out - you are sure to find something you like on the extensive menu!

    (5)

  • KC F.

    Great atmosphere! Lots of cow themed items. Large portions. Grilled veggie and goat cheese salad excellent and coconut grouper sandwich -tasty:-) There's a large outside waiting area with a game and a huge banyan tree in the back.

    (5)

  • Tara A.

    First off... fire the hostess and it would be a five star review. The first person who greets your customers should be friendly and at least say hello! Not "how many" with a frown... Otherwise, we had a great experience. Forty minute wait on a Wednesday night, so be prepared. They offer a daily $1.99 draft, serve muffins before your meal, and the food was great and plentiful! We shared the kabob special - the steak was tender, veggies were perfectly grilled and the scallops and shrimp we're good! The toothpick fried onions and jalapeño appetizer was huge and yummy! Kids had cheeseburgers and they didn't comolain!

    (4)

  • Roger G.

    Love the Cow! We've been here several times now. Service is always attentive and food is always great.

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Good atmosphere and good food. Haven't been to other Sanibel restaurants so I don't have anything to compare it to. The raw oysters on half shell were pretty good quality. The mahi tacos were really good and big. It may be 2 tacos, but they are both the size of burritos. The sweet potato fries are really good and the regular fries are at the top of my list of best fries....the fries seem to be breaded and fried.....so good.

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    I was pleasantly surprised by the Island cow. I kind of thought it was going to be a tourist trap, however we always seemed to be driving by and Yelp had good things to say, so we stopped, and I'm glad we did. Huuuuuge menu, if you can't find something here I don't know what's wrong with you! My fiancé said that the crunchy grouper fish tacos were the best fish tacos he had ever had and I agree. They also have great fries, cole slaw, and black beans. The funfetti muffin/cupcakes were an awesome surprise in our takeout bag! Don't play the quarters game! We wasted way too much money trying to beat it!

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    Great place. Everything was great. From the appetizers, to the salad, to the entrees. They misheard our sons Mac and cheese and brought grilled cheese, but was quickly rectified. The grilled cheese looked good though.

    (5)

  • Manuel B.

    Long wait, menu is overwhelming. Despite browsing it outside while we waited it was still daunting. Overall a good experience would come back.

    (4)

  • Anonymous ..

    We visit The Island Cow every time we come to town. The food is good to excellent and waitstaff is good. The menu is HUGE and they have something to offer for everyone. Everything from seafood to sandwiches, hamburgers, rueben, salads, etc. When you sit your immediately greeted with a plate of awesome fresh muffins. They're one of the highlights of the meal. Your hungry and have waited to be seated... but now all is good when you bite into a fresh muffin!! My criticism of the restaurant the following. The menu is way too long and complicated. When your hangry its sometimes difficult to decide with soo many choices. The parking lot is rocks which turn to mud when it rains. And finally, whether sitting outside or waiting for your table you get bit by a million mosquitos. It would be great if you invested in a mosquito spraying system or something for your quests.

    (4)

  • Monica J.

    We had never tried this place in years past because it is always so packed and we don't like to wait to eat for hours when there are so many other great places to eat in Sanibel. We decided to give it a try today and were happily surprised at how good the food was! We still had to wait about 15 minutes in the back waiting area in the heat (at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday)even though there didnt appear to be any other people waiting.They have a HUGE menu that is reasonably priced, but hard to read through- weird script looks like a kids menu and too many choices! The atmosphere is rather kitschy, but service friendly, if a bit slow. We were fed chocolate chip muffins while we waited! We had a great flavorful potato skin appetizer loaded with cheese and bacon. They were actually crispy! Really good. My husband had the 14 fried shrimp basket with fries and slaw- the shrimp and accompanying dipping sauce were delicious, sweet, and fresh tasting. The shrimp were large and lightly hand breaded. My daughter had an angel hair marinara entree that was simply fantastic. The sauce was obviously homemade, with tons of garlicky goodness, tomato, and basil notes. It came with crispy garlic bread triangles and was a big portion. My entree was the Seafood Combo, choice of fresh fish- I chose Mahi Mahi- four shrimp, and four sea scallops. You get to choose how you want them prepared- bronzed, blackened, fried, or grilled. I chose blackened and asked to have my shrimp fried, but they said I had to get all cooked the same way??!! Um...why? If my husband is getting fried shrimp as a basket, why can't I get my shrimp fried with his??? That made no sense, but whatever. It was very good anyway. The blackening seasoning wasn't overly salty and tasted like a homemade blend. So good!! Fish and shrimp were cooked perfectly, scallops were a bit overcooked and a little chewy, but still tasty and sweet. Also, my sides, sauteed fresh greens beans and mashed red bliss potatoes, were great. There were a couple issues with the restaurant itself, however. This great food was served quickly, but our drinks, waters, and app took a LONG time to come out. People around us were getting upset both waiting for drinks that never came, and waiting for checks. Some tables were loaded with dirty plates, not being taken by servers in a timely manner. Our server was pretty attentive and friendly, but it did appear she had too many tables at once. I felt stressed for her, running around, inside and out all sweaty. The condiments located on the table in a basket were both empty and filthy, in desperate need of refilling and cleaning...ew...the empty hot sauce in our basket had syrup? drips and a french fry stuck to the side, no ketchup left in sticky, greasy bottle, etc. There was also an abundance of FLIES in there. I get that one or two might get in now and then, but when I say flies, I mean an ungodly amount of flies. And they were really bothering my husband and biting his legs, so it definitely affected our comfort. They should think of some investment in some sort of system for fly management because no other good restaurant that I have ever been to has that problem. It was gross. Therefore, my star rating had to go down to a three, but based on the food would have been a five, so I am assigning a four as middle ground.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    This place is a MUST when you visit! The food is AMAZING (plus they serve muffins while you wait) & Therry the waiter is the bomb.com ! We ate the steam pot, grouper tacos, and snow crab legs - all out of this world. We also got the keylime pie & that was rich and delicious.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    Really a 3.5 Tons of people waiting. In the front and back. And the mosquitos have found us. I lost a lot of blood just waiting for my table. And then, we were seated outside. Menu is four pages. Some offerings have 3-4 choices, in terms of protein, added protein, type of breading. Way to long. Cut it back. That poor cook. Blackened scallop and shrimp salad with Island vinaigrette was good, but the fruit could have been separate. Basket of coconut shrimp was good, but the hush puppies are dense little masses of dough that did not appeal. There was plenty of food here, with the fries and slaw. Just don't serve those. Service was quick and good. Wine seemed to cost less at the table than at the bar. Huh?

    (4)

  • Eugene S.

    Loved it. The cake muffins are awesome. The staff was friendly. The food was fast, good, and priced reasonably. No complaints here. We got the coconut French toast which my wife says was the best she's had. Chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. Hey I said it was good, not healthy. Actually they had some healthier and veggie options but we didn't give any a try. We'll return.

    (5)

  • LouCindy A.

    Today was my wife's birthday and we spent the morning on Sanibel Island and had breakfast at the Island Cow, which is one of our favorite places. Funny story: Our son Thomas thought they really gave away free puppies (this was when he was only 5) as their sign suggested :-) If you're not sure what I am talking about: "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy" The coffee is excellent (it's Starbucks) and they have soy milk for my coffee, which is nice. My wife had the stuffed French toast which is highly recommended. Egg and Canadian bacon is in this gem. I wonder if you thought that is what the French toast was stuffed with, am I right? I know we didn't. It was fantastic. They make their own granola and muffins for the table too.

    (5)

  • Alicia R.

    Excellent . We loved it ! Good was great but the waitress was superb !! Very kid friendly and a huge menu !

    (5)

  • Danielle P.

    I give it 2 stars for the atmosphere and the muffins - the food was meh. Nothing special about a bunch of deep fried food. After my meal last week, I woke up at 2am with terrible stomach pains and spent 1/2 the night in the lou - ewwwww.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    Such a cute place and really amazing food. The fish tacos were huge and very tasty...both grouper and Blackened Mahi were delish! The muffins were sweet and moist. The jalapeño and onion appetizer was also excellent. I highly recommend this spot if you are ever in the area.

    (5)

  • Dean V.

    All those reviews mentioning the hordes of people are correct. But I don't know why. We stopped in for dinner fairly early and had to wait. We ordered two of the specials and they weren't. The portions were huge but if it's not worth eating where does that leave you. I'm sure somewhere on their extensive menu there are some good things. In fact the appetizer was decent and it earned them a second star. We should have stopped there.

    (2)

  • John D.

    We passed this place a couple of times and saw it was busy, so we figured it would be a great place to eat. The hostess was very welcoming--Bartender was great. We got there around 2:30 for a late lunch and told there'd be a small wait--not a problem. Waitress was friendly, muffins they bring out were awesome. The food portions were huge, the prices were low, and the quality was just okay. I had the crunchy grouper tacos (fried fish in a soft flour wrap). The salsa was fresh. Someone in the group got a burger and said it was really good--I wish I had ordered that instead. You can't beat the value here if you want a break from the high dollar restaurants.

    (3)

  • Wesley C.

    We read the previous reviews and didn't have high expectations. But it was still a let down. We were seated a little faster than we expected, but we sat outside and were bitten by bugs. There was a large fan blowing across the outside dining area, we figured to blow the bugs away. It didn't work, and with the sun setting and the air cooling off, it became quite chilly. The appetizer, the Island Combo with Coconut Shrimp, was good. The Crazy Kabob wasn't. The Kabob was 3 skewers, 1 with meat, 1 with shrimp, and 1 with bacon wrapped scallops. The meat on the skewer was cooked unevenly, 2 pieces were raw, the others medium to well. The fish was undercooked, the bacon was raw. My wife had the stuffed shrimp. She remarked it didn't have much taste. I won't recommend to friends, and won't go back.

    (2)

  • Eileen H.

    This restaurant came highly rated. I was looking for a good seafood meal on the island without a high price point. As soon as I announced I was eating alone, I was ushered over to an awkwardly huge round table jutting out into the middle of the room like the Bering Peninsula and sat down without so much as a "your server will be right with you". A waiter placed a muffin on my table without saying a word and hurried to check on another table. I wondered if it was mine until I realized every other table had muffins to. I was finally attended to, sans eye contact or more than a few words per sentence, before I was never checked on again. The food was good (I got the cod sandwich, blackened), but, as a single diner, I felt like the entire waitstaff had been told I had a terminal illness they could catch by looking me in the face for too long. Seemed to be friendlier to the groups sitting around me. My travel blog: drizzlysolotrek.wordpres…

    (2)

  • Adam H.

    What a selection of food that's always here. The menu is extensive and is always sure to please. This is the place to go when you're not sure what to get. From seafood to steak and even breakfast. A must eat when in Sanibel or Captiva.

    (4)

  • Rich C.

    Large variety of great tasting meals to order. Amazing service from our waitress and interesting decor in the restaurant! Have been here multiple times and always enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Susan G.

    This was our second time here and it did not disappoint! I had the grouper piccata which was delicious! The conch fritters and the seafood quesadilla along with the black beans and rice were also fantastic!

    (4)

  • Savannah G.

    I have been to the Island Cow a couple different times now, mostly for breakfast. However this time my family and I decided to go in for lunch, curious to try out other aspects of the menu ( which is all over the place to begin with.) After a long time of contemplating what to get I decided on the fish basket which featured hush puppies, and fries, my mom ordered the citrus green salad with chicken, while my brother ordered the seafood gumbo. We waited for our food for about fifteen minutes, to our surprise we were given delicious muffins while waiting. When the food arrived it looked rather promising, my hush puppies were good, my fries were perfectly crispy, but my fish ( which was the grouper) did not meet expectations. The outside was fried southern style, biting into it the fish was way to slimy and almost tasted under cooked, my stomach could only handle a couple bites. My moms citrus salad was just plain bad, the chicken smelled as if it was turning, she only took one bite, but was too frustrated to send it back. However my brothers gumbo looked fantastic (it took him under five minutes to finish.) Overall I would say the Island Cow is a good place if you are looking for breakfast, and breakfast only. As far as the menu goes it is far too busy, I had to reread it several times to finally comprehend everything. With that much on the menu things are bound to be badly cooked.

    (1)

  • Rob R.

    Neat place. Great for kids and large groups. Huge menu. Something to make everyone happy.

    (3)

  • Deepan M.

    Within the beautiful island of Sanibel, the restaurant is surround by nice greenery. The environment is family friendly with seafood decor. The bar is right when you enter, and is wine and beer only. They have their fresh seafood labeled on the wall and have a decent selection. When comes down to the food, it is worth coming just for the well seasoned fresh seafood. I am a hush puppy addict and they definitely took the edge off!

    (5)

  • Kathy V.

    The first thing I'll say is, if you go during the busy season, plan to wait. That being said, it is WELL worth the wait!! My husband had the kabobs special, which included incredibly tender steak, bacon wrapped scallops and shrimp...all fabulous! I had the snow crab legs, and for a small charge upgraded my sides to smashed red skins and veggies...turns out I didn't need to, I had the legs of two crabs, who needs sides with that much deliciousness?? Overall, our experience was excellent! We had a thoughtful and attentive waitress (she even wrote down my food allergies to ensure she didn't give me anything I couldn't have, and checked to see if I was ok to eat a food that's the distant relative of one of my allergens!) If you're headed to Sanibel, or even Fort Myers, Island Cow is a definite must eat!! Oh! And did I mention the amazing muffins you get before ordering?!?!

    (5)

  • Seth H.

    What a disappointment. We read the reviews and they are stellar. Our experience was far from even good. We started with the sampler platter and while I have never had fried pickles they were great. The artichokes and calamari that made up the rest of the platter were eh. The staff were friendly but the meals were awful. How do u mess u shrimp stuff crab or scallops and crab cakes? Cook them until burnt, flavorless and serve. They were nice to take one of our uneaten meals off the bill, but then again they were also nice to supply the table with bug repellent because we were being eaten alive. While waiting for the check the girls had to go to the car to escape. In those final minutes, I was bitten and didn't stop scratching until my skin was bloody. So many good to great reviews what happened? I think if u want a fried meal and u have bathed in OFF before going this may b your place.

    (2)

  • Jason D.

    Seafood Quesadilla is all I have to say!! Outstanding food, and a very friendly and attentive staff. This is a must stop for anyone visiting Sanibel Island!

    (5)

  • Bob V.

    Not good for groups larger than 9. They took our reservation but were rude to our party when we were asking every 15 minutes. I would leave if I weren't so hungry. Will have a water and salad so they don't get any money from me. Ha.

    (1)

  • Marie C.

    My salad had old,wilted lettuce, my daughter felt the fried shrimp was chewy, and my husband didn't like his shrimp either. And all of this after waiting 50 minutes for a table,

    (1)

  • Donita H.

    Great food. Great family dining. The portions were huge. My husband had the blackened grouper. I had a huge cheesesteak sandwich which was too big to finish. My son had the catfish Reuben. We all enjoyed our meals. Our final bill was a little high but not extreme for vacation dining. We would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Wayne B.

    Food was good. Nice waiting area with games for the kids and fans to keep you cool. Unfortunately the temperature was around 80+ inside the restaurant and bathrooms needed cleaning.

    (2)

  • Kelly L.

    It was just ok. We tried one day for lunch and it was over an hour wait and then we tried again later that week because we were curious and heard they were good with families. The food was just ok. I was actually more impressed by the fresh food and friendly service we got at Jerry's down the street than this place. I will say this-I had to take my child to the bathroom and the conditions were horrible! One stall wasn't even usable because it was way too small and the other stall had toilet paper all over the floor.

    (3)

  • David D.

    First off, when we got to this place, we were greeted by 3 or 4 staffers and they were all friendly. We chose the patio, which has the most comfortable adirondack-style bench seats. Had coconut french toast and the crabcake open-faced omelet which were both awesome and very unique. They brew Starbucks coffee and have all you can eat grits, which they will happily put some cheese and a few shrimp in for you. Awesome food, awesome atmosphere, awesome service - awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Kai P.

    First time in Sanibel and ended up here twice. Great menu and atmos. Loved the muffins! Service was nice and the food tasty. Enjoyed the build your own fish dinners ane the liver and onions.

    (5)

  • C H.

    Everyone is nice and very helpful. The waiting area out back is spacious. Ordered the blueberry pancakes, which were chewy(like they were microwaved) and the blueberries were dumped on top- not what I was expecting. The potatoes were good, as was the fruit. The orange juice was fresh with lots of pulp. Bright fun atmosphere. Not sure if it is worth trying again, as there are lots of other places to try.

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    Far and away the best casual dining on the island -- if not the best food period! We've tried a number of the restaurants on Sanibel, and it's easy to spend $50 a person for a meal on the island and STILL not get a meal that's half as satisfying as what you'll find at this very casual place. True it's mostly sandwiches and salads, but there are also a couple of higher end meals like steak and fish that are surprisingly well made. And the fish tacos? Better than any I've had anywhere! Which is not to say that this place is any more than it purports to be. Meals served in plastic baskets and a roll of paper towels for napkins -- and very very cheap beer!. But most other restaurants on the island are places I've been satisfied to visit once. The Island Cow is the one place I keep going back to!

    (5)

  • L P.

    The food is amazing. So many choices. I got open face roast beef and hubs got sanibel cheesesteak (cheesesteak w pineapple). We were told it would be a 30-35 min wait but was definitely over 45 min. They didn't have any seats so they sat us at the bar. We were hungry so we didn't care. Would have been nice to have a table after a 45 min wait, but oh well! Food was worth it. The outside atmosphere was great too.

    (4)

  • Tracie F.

    WOW! What an absolutely diverse menu. If you can't find something that strikes your fancy there then there is no hope for you. In fact, the menu can be overwhelming at first. Prices are reasonable and portions are just right. The service is what really impressed us. We had a waiter, whose name I unfortunately do not remember, that was amazing. He took the time to talk to us and actually get to know us. We really enjoyed him. The one thing that I did find a smidge odd were the birthday cake tasting muffins that we started our meal with. I didn't quite "get" them but nonetheless they weren't too bad. If we head back to Sanibel we would like stop here again in hopes of getting the same waiter. We enjoyed our Island Cow experience and think you will too!

    (4)

  • Dan R.

    Came with family--family friendly. Muffins brought to table were excellent. Had just missed breakfast--wish that option were available throughout day. Ordered Reuben--not as large as billed. Was expecting deli style serving based on menu language. Fair enough. Family enjoyed the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Valarie B.

    Restaurant has a cow gimmick going on that works pretty well. I wasn't expecting much as I thought it would be a tourist trap. My husband had the Sesame crusted tuna steak salad that he said was excellent. I had a cilantro lime chicken sandwich that was decent. They do a nice presentation. Server was not very friendly but was efficient.

    (3)

  • Deliah A.

    Our favorite spot on Sanibel Island! Tons of menu items to choose from, great vibe, relaxing areas to lounge and play games while you wait for a seat. Service is always fast and friendly, and the rum drinks are very, very Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Sabrina N.

    Loved everything about this place. They are pet friendly, the staff is great and the food is fresh. I would Reccomnd this place to anyone. Big menu. Something for everyone.

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    Great outside seating, Free muffins while you wait, Starbucks coffee, cornhole games, Adirondack chairs to relax in, TVs to watch and $1.99 draft beer. Oh and the freshest fruit and best breakfast on the island, so much good food!. Plus our waiter John was terrific, I highly recommend coming here.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    This restaurant has five star staff and offers up a five star experience, yet the food is lacking. After about a twenty minute wait, we reviewed the extensive menu which had everything from pasta to burgers, and of course the seafood. We started with the gator bites which tasted like a combination of calamari and chicken. It was good not great. I then had the gumbo which was awesome because of all the fish things in there, but the dish was very salty which I did not like. I ended the meal with the Key Lime Pie which was great. All in all, I would recommend this place not for the food but for the experience because its nice and laid back, and everyone can get anything they would like to eat.

    (4)

  • Tom N Tricia F.

    Went for an early dinner and everything was good. Gumbo was huge and the shrimp platter was great. Chocolate chip muffins to start you off.

    (3)

  • Teresa F.

    Huge menu. Fun atmosphere. Hubby got mango fish tacos and OMG they were to die for! Huge portions. I had tuna melt also very good. Kids shared a chicken tender basket. It had 8 or 9 fingers and fries! Prices very fair for the amount of food you receive. Will return again before we leave island for sure!

    (5)

  • Katelin B.

    The food was great (I had the special which was a gorgeous salad with a ridiculously generous portion of ahi tuna - could barely eat half of it!) Because we were only in Sanibel for a week we wanted to eat outside as much as possible so we waited for an outside table which was no problem at all, because you can order drinks from the bar and wait out back near a tikki hut and plenty of seating. The hostess and waiter weren't too friendly, but the bartender was awesome and the mango sangria was very refreshing.

    (4)

  • Faith S.

    I don't know why this place gets such mediocre reviews! We love it! It's one of the best spots on the island for breakfast in particular, and the muffins while you wait always wins me over, too. The atmosphere is quirky, whimsical, and eclectic but in such a fun way, not cheesy or hokey. It shows the spunky, unique side of the island. Everything I have ever had here has been delicious, and their Belgian waffles are an old favorite. Give it a go!

    (5)

  • Connie P.

    Greg had Gumbo gumbo; I had the cheesy shrimp and grits. Both a tad on salty side but not overpowering; both chock full of hot and fresh, buttery seafood. Hesitate patronizing kitschy places, but the bovine decor was cute and fun "grazing" across while sipping bloody marys.

    (4)

  • Anna N.

    As the name infers, generous, very generous and probably too generous portions. You will certainly get your money's worth when you eat at the island cow. In addition to the entrees, mostly fried, they serve delicious complementary cornbread with rainbow sprinkles. The ice cream drink menu is expansive and tasty as well.

    (3)

  • Kacie R.

    Always our first stop when we come to Sanibel (sometimes our last too). The menu is big....lots of fried food but everything I have had is super good!!! The muffins they bring you to start are my favorite. The staff is hit or miss as far as friendliness goes but they all get the job done and are fast.

    (4)

  • Jenny D.

    Went to the island off-season. The wait was long, about 45 min. They have a waiting area in the back where you can sit in the shade and the kids can look at the parrots in cages or play from a couple of games. The waitress was super friendly and attentive. She brought us chocolate chip muffins upon being seated, which even though good, were a little weird to eat at 8pm right before dinner. The menu is overwhelming, way too many options. I had the boom boom shrimp tacos, which consisted of fried shrimp tossed in a sweet/sour/spicy sauce served in flour tortillas with a side of tropical slaw and black beans and rice. The tacos were good, nothing extraordinary, and they were very generous. My husband went a little overboard and got a basket with fried calamari, shrimp, fries, & hushpuppies. It was enormous! Way too much fried food in one basket and way too much for one person. He couldn't finish even half of it. My kids had the pizza and the pulled pork sandwich and seemed to enjoy it. The draft beer of the day was very cheap, I think $1.99. The food was good overall, but considering the overwhelming menu and the long wait I doubt we'll be back again.

    (3)

  • Lucy O.

    This place was terrible, the food was bad and very expensive for what it was. Don't waste your time or money here...keep driving your almost to Schnappers...stop there and get something good to eat.

    (1)

  • Ruth P.

    Been coming to Sanibel for years and didn't get the long lines. Still don't get the long lines after trying it either. Plastic plates, so-so food (eggs Benedict yolks were hard, the Hollandaise tasted suspiciously cheesy, and spuds came straight from the freezer bag), bitter Starbucks coffee and slow service at 7.45am, although they were in a real rush for us to leave.. I'll be sticking with the Sanibel Café, my regular place. Great food, lovely service, homemade jams, the world's best hash browns and great coffee.

    (2)

  • Lilly B.

    Thank you for the complimentary muffins- great surprise:-) Having Starbucks coffee was also a plus. I ordered the Blueberry pancakes- not exactly what i expected. Undercooked and not sweet at all. Also asked for whipped cream on the side- very watery and not sweet at all. You should look into improving hat- it is a big part of breakfast and unfortunately i wasn't completely happy with it. But the place is cute:-)

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    The Island cow is an adorable locally owned joint open for all 3 meals. The food was fantastic, but unfortunately the service was really, really lacking. The hostess was less than friendly, and We sat for almost 10 minutes before being greeted. We received our food very quickly, and it was delicious. We had to flag our waitress down for refills after our food came. We also noticed several tables waiting a long time to be greeted. Definitely don't drive by, the food is worth stopping. Just be prepared for a less than fantastic waitress.

    (3)

  • Jamaal S.

    Brilliant food. Just brilliant. Got the gator bites and they were good, slightly chewy but they tasted good and the atmosphere is nice

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    The BBQ combo and shrimp po boy were great! If you're lucky enough to get a seat at the bar, do it!

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    We stumbled upon this place during a Friday drive through Sanibel and Captiva. Located along the main drag it seems to get a pretty good amount of traffic. It's also one of the more popular spots on the island according to Yelp. We only stopped in for a drink at about 3 in the afternoon and I think we got the last table. I went with the Cow Potion (cherry coke with ice cream) while my friend went with the beer. Both were relatively cheap ($1.50 Landshark beer of the day special) and equally delicious. It appears they don't have a liquor license so they have a lot of "wine based" cocktails on the menu. As for the food, the free muffin was a nice touch but I didn't try anything. My friend has the turkey club. The menu is massive though so I'm sure you will find something you like. The ambiance is "islandy" (as expected) and seems to be geared towards kids. When we drove back the next day around noon the place was packed so I'd imagine it's a good brunch spot. I'll be sure to check this place out for food on the next visit.

    (4)

  • Sam H.

    The Island Cow was EXCELLENT and completely worth the wait! The portions are ridiculously large. I ordered the bang bang shrimp tacos and they really were more like two oversized shrimp burritos and they were DELICIOUS!! I haven't stopped thinking about them for days. I also had the conch fritters which were perfect! I wish I had known the portions were so big my boyfriend and I would have split a meal. Either way I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Critic D.

    Not sure why people come here - other than its a tourist trap! My 86 yr old mother took her 6 yr old grandson out for brunch. The kid wanted bacon and chicken nuggets. It was 11:55 AM, the waiter said in order to get the chicken they would have to leave, get in line AGAIN and be seated AFTER 12 noon. REALLY they said that!! In addition unless they ordered breakfast in the next 5 minutes no breakfast served after 12. Not exactly customer focused. The food is what you would expect from a tourist trap and the service - well...do you wanted to be treated that way?

    (1)

  • D W.

    Food was so so. I thought it would be better the place is really cool looking and fits the area. I did take a chance and get Bbq and I should have known probably not the best place to get it. The ribs tasted like they were old and nasty and the chicken breast was grill and sauce thrown on it no seasonings at all. 1st and last try here.

    (2)

  • Sara O.

    We stopped here because I read in one of the island publications that they had won several awards over the last few years. We were not disappointed at all.The service wasn't over the top, but it wasn't bad either. At our table we ordered the Frickles ( Fried Pickles), The Fried Gourper Tacos, The Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Wombo Combo. Everything was fantastic. The portions are huge! I've never had better fish tacos anywhere!

    (4)

  • Brandi P.

    Absolutely horrendous service. Some of the rudest employees I have come in to contact with anywhere. Beware going for lunch as they will not seat you until the last breakfast order has been sent. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy.

    (1)

  • AV G.

    Another crowded ,dirty faux honky-tonk. Food was not bad, so gave it 2 rather than one star. No service. Place is a mess. Same menu that all the places seem to have. I suggest to other yelpers that they look at some negative reviews and determine the value of these places

    (2)

  • Alina D.

    We stopped by Sanibel Island on the way home from our mini vacation and ventured into this little gem. We had a great experience. Very relax and fun environment. We did wait 40 minutes to be seated, but they have games and an outdoor waiting area. Very kid friendly. My son loved his food as did we. The shrimp basket was delicious. The oysters were served over ice, and our beers were served in frosted mugs. Look forward to returning.

    (4)

  • Sean A.

    Everything was great, my daughters fried clam basket was some of the best we've had. I branched out from my norm, and got the shrimp and grits...was delicious!

    (5)

  • Gigi G.

    Arrived here at around 10:30 a.m. and overheard the hostess tell the party in front of us he would be the last guest for breakfast and they would switch over to lunch at that point. HUGE disappointment, since I feel like (from the reviews) Island Cow is known for breakfast. We begged and pleaded and were sat at the bar and able to order breakfast. The bartender took our order, but wasn't overly concerned with us. He was fine, but we could tell he was busy with other stuff. We got the impression he might the owner of the place? Anyway, he was playing referee between the hostess and other guests who wanted breakfast (but were told only lunch), setting up kegs, getting drink orders out, so once we had put out order in, he kinda left us to our own devices. Put it this way...I had to go to the hostess stand to get silverware and napkins. Not a huge deal, but these are some of the reasons I give it 3 stars. I got the breakfast sandwich and my BF got the waffles. They were good, solid. The potatoes were good. I ordered a bloody mary that didn't come to me until nearly the end (the bartender was slammed with other stuff, so I gave it a pass). And I didn't love that we were seated facing the door that leads into the kitchen. No one wants to see how sausage is made, know what I mean? I will say, though, my BF was going to buy a coozie, and the bartender just let him have it (I think to make up for my bloody mary and sort of over all lack of attention), so that was nice. I think we enjoy our breakfast experience more at another place on Sanibel (Lighthouse Café, which serves breakfast all day till 3. I review that place on here, too). Overall, it was a good solid breakfast. Get here early, though, cause otherwise, you might miss out on breakfast.

    (3)

  • Emily S.

    It was ok. The shrimp tacos didn't come with very many shrimp. The salsa was good. The grouper tacos had too much breading. The chilly willy was average as far as seafood goes. The fries weren't great either. Nothing to write home about. I don't know what the fuss is about. It's very cute and the decorations are what makes it an attraction I think. The service wasn't that great either. Not super impressed and we won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Rachel G.

    Came here on our first trip to the island and this was the first place we went but it was very disappointing. Although the service was excellent provided by graham, the food was tasteless. The beans and rice were bland as was the steak. The mashed potatoes were cold and the veggies looked canned. The fried fish tasted purely like the batter. The atmosphere was fun but I wouldn't come back especially for the prices.

    (1)

  • Jessica E.

    Great beach vacation atmosphere, birds to looks at outside and corn hole to play. Oversized menu with so much amazing dishes to choose from. The corn muffins are to die for. I ordered the boom boom shrimp tacos, seems to be a favorite cause the wait staff highly recommended them. Tasted so amazing we ate here two days in a row. Definitely 5 stars, even for the staff!

    (5)

  • Kristy B.

    I have to agree with some of the other yelpers about the food, I really wanted to like this place! I had the broiled grouper with shrimp, scallops, veggies and cucumber salad. Grouper- I agree with the other reviews that there was no flavor to this at all. So bland that lemon with malt vinegar and couldn't help it. It just looked baked, not broiled. Shrimp- just ok Scallops- bland and boring Veggies consisted of boiled, bland, mushy carrots and green beans- gross. (Needed to be steamed not boiled!) Cucumber salad- tasted more like a pickled vinegary salad- more gross I feel like it was a waste of time and money to go there. Definitely disappointed by this place as it was a recommendation to go there. Did not taste fresh at all. Maybe that was my problem...should have gone with something fried as this seemed to be their thing. So I unfortunately I have to give this place thumbs down and it also the worst meal of our trip. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but if you're reading this follow my advice and the others to steer clear of the seafood. My mom had the baby back ribs...she said they were just ok, nothing special. Plus side- our server was very nice and attentive.

    (2)

  • Rocco B.

    The pork shank appetizer was really good. Gator bites were good too. My wife's gumbo was great. I had the sea food combo, wish I could have mixed up how the shrimp, scallops, and fish were prepared. What ever you decide will go for entire dinner. I was craving coconut shrimp but half way through dinner I was tired of it. It was really good just too much of that flavor. This was the best value we found on our week in Sanibel.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    I'm sad to give Island Cow 1 star. The fact of the matter is - it just wasn't good. While vacationing on Sanibel Island for 7 days, we noticed the Island Cow was always packed. Because of this, we assumed there must be something special about it and gave it a try. Upon arrival, we were told there was a 45 minute wait. No problem - there was a great back patio where you could review the menu and have a drink while you waited. We grabbed a couple beers from the bar while we waited for our table. 15 minutes later, we were ready for another. I sent my husband to the bar and after 10 minutes I was concerned. After 20, I was worried. They only had 1 bartender for multiple jobs. She was juggling takeout orders, preparing drinks for all the tables and taking orders from people waiting to be seated. Bottom line that's just inefficient. The line at the bar was steep and she was clearly overwhelmed. Now for the food. The waitress asked us what we wanted to eat seconds after we sat down. We said we needed a few minutes. She came back literally 30 seconds later. We started off with fried gator. Pretty good - but nothing special. My husband got a pulled pork sandwich. He describes it as "fine. Not bad." I ordered the fried grouper with green beans and red beans & rice for my sides. I was incredibly disappointed. Can I get some fish with that breading? The fish was way over breaded. The green beans were cold, and the red beans and rice were nothing to write home about. I make them better out of a bag. (I almost got red beans & rice as my meal. Thank goodness I didn't.) Next time, I'll stick with the Lazy Flamingo.

    (1)

  • Jennifer M.

    We are there for dinner and breakfast. Muffins before meal are good. Dinner was great. Wait was long. I had the crab stuffed shrimp. Breakfast was ok.

    (4)

  • Jeannette M.

    Hubby and I went there while on our honeymoon in Sept...and were immediately served a basket of free muffins and unlimited grits along with our delicious breakfast. Good fresh food, fast service, colorful place to visit. A must every time we go to Captiva.

    (4)

  • Josh D.

    I always stop here when I spend the day on Sanibel. The complementary muffins are amazing right off the bat. The friendly staff and quaint, beach hut atmosphere make for an enjoyable environment for anyone in the family. The menu is very extensive. They have great options anywhere from seafood to BBQ, and sandwiches to pasta. I've never had a meal I don't like but I would especially recommend the paella or boom boom shrimp tacos.

    (4)

  • Kevin H.

    This place is awesome. Came for dinner and the food was delicious with a reasonable price. Beer specials are the best on the island. The atmosphere is eclectic in a good way, fun. We liked our meal so much we came back the next morning for breakfast, which was also really good. Lots to chose from. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Jose N.

    What a nice experience! The New York strip steak was great, and my favorite: the seafood pasta. They welcome you with homemade muffins. The atmosphere is great, makes you feel you're having a true island experience. One of the highlights of our trip!

    (5)

  • Zoe G.

    Stopped here after a trip to the beach... We were on the fence because it seamed a little touristy and gimmicky. However we were very pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong it is a little gimmicky but it was in a good way. We got a couple different po'boy sandwiches and they were some of the best we have ever had!! Beer special was amazing. The atmosphere was good, service was good. Overall we had a very good experience.

    (4)

  • Joe F.

    Better than ok, but not great. I had the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict, and the wife had the corned beef hash and eggs, over easy. The staff was certainly friendly enough, offering coffee or juice while you wait for a table, and serving the delicious muffins after being seated. Of course the coffee in a paper cup is $2.99, to be fair, they kept it full. If you like Starbucks, I guess that sounds like a bargain. I just want good coffee, so I don't really care. I sound whiny, but coffee in a paper cup shouldn't cost $2.99. Like I said, don't rush here, but if you're in the area and should happen to spot an empty table, don't avoid it either. Better than ok, but not great.

    (4)

  • Gail M.

    We have been coming to Sanibel and Captiva for over 30 years and have eaten in almost every restaurant on the island. The Cow is one of our favorites and we go back over and over again. The shrimp tacos are outstanding, large enough to share. The lobster and shrimp wantons and the shrimp parfait are both excellent appetizers. If you're not a big fan of fish, you can't go wrong with the ribs or the cheese steak. The Cow is worth the wait. Relax... You're on island time.

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    Big portions and a big menu with a wide variety. Nice dinner overall. The chocolate chip muffins as a complimentary appetizer was a unique touch! 1 star for that alone.

    (4)

  • debbie a.

    I like the atmosphere here more than anything else. The whole interior is littered with cow memorabilia and it is charming in its quirky own way. The outdoor seating looked nice - outside front (nice patio) and the back seating had a caged bird to stare at while you wait. The muffins were pretty awesome, but my dining partner had so many of them that I didn't get to taste too many of the varieties they had - the chocolate chip one was pretty awesome though. We ordered the Grilled Veggie and Goat Cheese salad with calamari and the fish dish - with Blackened grouper salad - Good amount of fried calamari, but the corner of the salad being filled with melons and berries was kind of strange to me only because the cantalope didnt seem to fit in the rest of the salad was pretty awesome though - my only complaints were that the dressing was WAY too sweet (we asked for oil and vinegar instead and that was better with it) and some of the veggies were still raw Fish dish- Blackened Grouper, Red Beans and Rice and Sweet potato fries the grouper was GREAT Red beans and rice - good, but the rice was hard.. like it had been siting in the window for awhile dried out. sweet potato fries.. mmm SERVICE: The server we had was kind of busy most of the time so she wasnt around when we needed her. She got our orders in correctly and accomodate our requests, but when the next table came, she told them all about the specials that we never got to hear about.. i would have ordered one if i had known about before getting halfway through my meal.. =( Oh well.. The food is pretty good - not as good as Doc Fords, but hey.. its a cuter environment and closer to our hotel.

    (3)

  • Dana K.

    Fast service, very friendly. The grouper is fresh and tasty. Smoothies were refreshing. Would definitely recommend The Island Cow!!!

    (5)

  • Beth K.

    One of the largest menu's on the island. Huge variety & never been disappointed. Been going for 9 years. There's a reason this restaurant has been here so long! Very kid friendly. I had All That Paella. Was divine! Huge portion, couldn't eat it all. Every meat was delicious and you could taste each flavor individually. Had a Sanibel Sunset mixed drink. Was made perfectly- not too sweet, not too strong. Kids menu is extensive as well. You won't regret your visit. Worth the wait. Hang out back while you do. Play some corn hole, talk to the birds. Love Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Vicki P.

    We just had dinner at Island Cow - it was packed! Got there around 8:30pm, seated around 9pm. We got the lobster wontons as an app. It was a little smaller than we expected (6 small wontons) for $8.99 but was SO yummy! Hubby & I split the Holy Cow which was mix of fried seafood including shrimp, clams, oysters, fish, & calamari. It was so huge we even had leftovers. Not the best batter ever (most off it fell off in the basket) but it was tasty nonetheless. Kids had a Mac n Cheese kids meal. Wasn't impressed with their Kraft Easy Mac but the kids enjoyed it & I know it's not their staple menu item so they're forgiven. Friendly staff, good food, fun atmosphere! :)

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    Really fun place. Good food and they do a good job cylcing the tables through. No one was overly "friendly" and there weren't a ton of smiles to go around, but I'm sure they're stressed out with all the chaotic business they do there. If I get stuck on that island again, I'll go back! :)

    (4)

  • Katherine C.

    The restaurant has a fun vibe and decor. Outside of that and the free muffins, there are no other redeeming qualities. It was a busy Sunday night when we dined. We were sat relatively quickly and the server arrived at the table shortly after. They give you the menu while you wait since there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. Many think this is a good thing, but my experience has always been that the more there is on the menu, the less fresh the ingredients and the more mass produced. That's precisely what I felt about the food. We started with the buffalo shrimp app. They were pretty tasty but not very special. For dinner I had the meatloaf (which the menu says runs out because it's that good??). It was not good at all. It was generic and tv dinner tasting. The green beans were over cooked and soggy. The mashed potatoes were good (and real potatoes) but unfortunately they were smothered in the generic, out-of-a-can tasting gravy. Yuck. My husband has the steak and cheese sandwich. It was ordered medium and arrived very well done. He likened the texture of the steak to that of liver and said it was very dry. He did not like it at all. While the service was good, and the waitress paid attention to our drink needs, we are positive she never gave us our debit card back. My husband looked a the bill then handed it to me to sign. I thought he grabbed the card then. So I didn't think anything of it not being there. Only he didn't. We signed and left and realized literally 25 mins later that we didn't have it when we went to use it at Jerry's. Called the Island Cow and they didn't find it... If it had been in the black thing with the check, wouldn't it still be there since neither he nor I grabbed it?? I am positive she never gave it back to us. When they called this morning to confirm they never found it the woman said, "we have 50 credit cards here, and yours isn't one of them." You mean to tell me that that many people left cc's there? Sounds implausible. I think they don't give them back to ppl. Probably in a hopes to get them back in the restaurant to spend more money. I will NEVER eat here again. I can't fathom how any one is a repeat diner... Blue Giraffe was much better and much less crowded.

    (1)

  • Lauren G.

    Great food with plenty of variety, very quick and friendly service, HUGE portions. (Seriously, appetizer was out within about 5 minutes of us ordering, and it was hot, fresh and delish! Rest of the food was out just as we were finishing the appetizer--perfectly timed!) Live musician was good (not excessively loud or intrusive, but interacted nicely with the crowd). Chocolate milkshake, gumbo, and coconut scallop po-boy were especially tasty. Seasonal draft beer special was a great deal ("almost free," as they put it). Cute, kitchy cow-themed decor throughout. Yummy corn muffins were on the table as soon as we sat. Kids' menu is a little more extensive and slightly more varied than is typical for the island, which we appreciated. Will definitely be back next visit. Only regret is that this was our last night on the island, so we may not get to finish all our leftovers!

    (4)

  • Janice M.

    Very enjoyable and dog friendly. We had our yellow lab with us so we were looking for a place with outdoor seating and dog friendly. Nice outside patio. We all had grilled cheese with fries. Grilled cheese was good and fries were very good. Service was friendly and quick. We would return for lunch. Casual attire and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    What a great place. It was recommended by a friend and liked it so much we went back the following day. Everything we tried was delicious. Highly recommend the coconut grouper, the fried clams, the fried artichoke, and the cucumber salad.

    (4)

  • Tara J.

    Just got back from our first visit to Sanibel/Captiva, and after having enjoyed many meals over the course of 4 days, I can honestly say that Island Cow was my favorite dining spot! We (just hubby and I) enjoyed dinner here on the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend, with only a 10-minute wait. There is a huge outdoor waiting area at the back patio of the restaurant that is shaded. This area really could have been used for more seating, and perhaps they do use it for seating during other times of the year. I really don't know. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive. I felt like I was in the south in terms of hospitality. The food, well, the food was the best I ate all weekend, and I really felt like I experienced some good eats elsewhere as well! The menu here is HUGE. I opted for the chilled shrimp and fruit salad (I'm eating seafood when we travel), and boy was it fresh and tasty! My husband ordered the Adult XXX Lobster Mac N Cheese. Right on the menu is states that ID is required to order this meal. It's just a kitschy thing I think, but he had his ID out and ready to go when our server asked him for it. That Mac N Cheese had to be one of the best we'd ever tasted. (It was offered on the Specials menu, so don't expect it to be available every time you go.) Cornbread muffins are served at each table, and while I'm not a cornbread connoisseur, it was moist and tasty as cornbread goes. The ambiance here is casual, colorful, and friendly, and I must repeat myself when I say the menu is HUGE. If you don't find something here to love, there is something wrong with you.

    (5)

  • Judie B.

    Can't really review fairly as we didn't stay to eat. Over an hour wait at 1:30 for lunch and the hostess was rude. Yelling at people to make a single file line at the incredibly small bar was less than effective. There's many other restaurants on this island that would love our business and that's where we are going!

    (1)

  • Lee B.

    We have a tradition to always have our first meal on the island at the Cow. Their food is usually spot on and service the same. We didn't have as good of food as usual this trip so might break tradition next trip,

    (4)

  • Roger I.

    As I drove past this place, my family said we should go there because it looked cool. I knew I was going to like it as I was walking up and read the signs outside. When they placed a plate of corn muffins that were really delicious on the table, we knew we were in for a treat. I had the Cowrazy Kabobs, which had Bacon wrapped Scallops, shrimp and steak. Wow! It was perfect. It was served with skin on mashed potatoes, grilled corn on the cob and cole slaw. A chance stop here was pure heaven.

    (5)

  • Buff S.

    Completely humiliated by the hostess Irene. Extremely rude to us for no reason. Will not visit this establishment again.

    (1)

  • Gaby S.

    Love the Island Cow! this place is so quaint and adorable. Im not a big fan of their lunch or dinner options but i love their breakfast! they serve starbucks coffee too so make sure to get here early before most of the people on the island wake up. Service is great too and ive never had a problem there with that.. Did i mention the muffins? amazing!

    (4)

  • John E.

    Don't leave Sanibel without eating here! It is WONDERFUL and has a massive menu for everyone. We had the crunchy grouper, meatloaf, sausage w/ beans and rice and a philly cheese steak (on homemade bread). A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

    (5)

  • Emmie M.

    Excellent food and nice little place. Came here on vacation and I am not a big seafood person. This restaurant offered a big selection of food and I had no problem finding plenty of food options. Portions are great and prices and pretty decent as well. Fresh squeezed OJ was great.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Quick, friendly service. Food was very good and there was plenty of it when we stopped in for breakfast. Serves Starbucks coffee.

    (4)

  • john j.

    A great place for large groups and families with kids. Great selection of entrees. The kids loved the muffins and the adults loved the fresh fish.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    I will not comment here... all restaurants on Sanibel are fair... the owners work hard and need to be given fair reviews! If you can make it on Sanibel in any business you must be good at what you're doing! Unlike most places Sanibel consists of mom and pop businesses... we do not have the endless supply of helpers or customers that we can count on. Thank you customers that come to our islands. Spread your money in the little places that make our islands totally unique!

    (1)

  • Les P.

    Atmosphere, 4 stars, what you would expect at a beach. Food, 3 stars, overcooked eggs benedict, soupy grits. Service, 1 star. I was shocked at how unfriendly the server was. ,

    (2)

  • O.M. R.

    The muffin was good but the coconut mahi on top of a salad was excellent. Also the citrus vinaigrette was different than what i'm used too but sooo good:) Servers really nice too;) Update!!!! 8/20/2014 Tried today the grouper tacos. Fist of all, its biiig! Two tacos... But big! My stars stay at 4* because the tacos lacked salt. Otherwise, all good:) service especially!

    (4)

  • Kristin H.

    Great place to sit outside on a summer night! The food is OK. I would avoid the scallops--tiny and nothing special. My family loves the potato skins. And the confetti muffins they bring out instead of bread are really yummy. I'd avoid the sweet drinks (not very good) and go for a beer or something.

    (3)

  • Rachael S.

    Very good food and good service! We had the Oysters Rockafeller, fried calamari, chicken strips, and the shrimp and grits. Our biggest problem was having too many yummy items to choose from! The whole family had a great time here!

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    DO NOT EVER GO HERE!!!!!!! We were on vacation last week and went for an early dinner (4pm). Thankfully there wasn't a wait but that is the ONLY good thing I can say about this crap place! We were seated and our waitress was just..... off. Maybe hitting the wine a little early or something. We all ordered and she gave us the wrong appetizer, and then for the entrees she forgot one of them! Is it really hard to remember a kids chicken tenders meal?!?! When we finally got our meals every single one was disgusting! 5 adults ordered 5 different meals and we ALL hated our food. I would rather eat dog shit. The fish was definitely not fresh! Also they don't have any liquor only "wine based" crap! Gross. And when the waitress came to refill my sprite she poured WATER in it. What in gods name is wrong with her?! And at the end it was $180 for "seafood" that tasted like it cake out of my cats ass hole.

    (1)

  • Melanie K.

    Horrible food! Poor service (a waitress told my sister more or less that she doesn't need to order more food!).. Dirty place, gross food! The meat looks gray! Vegetables taste like they come from a can! I've seen better food served in hospitals and airplanes! Bottom line, Island Cow needs to clean up their act.

    (1)

  • German B.

    Its a good one, not extraordinary

    (3)

  • Meagan R.

    My mom and I stopped here for lunch during our day trip to Sanibel island. The atmosphere was very Florida Keys which we loved and our server was awesome. That combined with the cornbread to start us off left a great first impression. We both ordered a beer (GREAT draft prices!) and a few appetizers. Sadly, I don't know if it's just what we ordered, but the food was 3 stars, just a-ok. The atmosphere and service bumped it up to 4 stars for us.

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    By far the best breakfast we had at Sanibel. The food is amazing, the menu extensive and varied, and their coffee is caffeinated and strong. The little basket of muffins you get at the start... I'm making Homer Simpson noises just thinking about it. Each and every item we got - from the pancakes to the biscuits-smothered-with-eggs-and-gravy thing to the omelets - were top notch, five star, drool-worthy breakfast nirvana. Greasy spoon flavor with none of the sticky floors. The grounds around the restaurant are quite nice; apparently you will be waiting outside for a table if you get here too late. It seemed to start filling up around 9 am for breakfast, so if you're an early riser you can score a table and strap on your feedbag.

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    I have mixed emotions about the Island Cow. Cool vibe and family friendly. The food is so so -- with more than so so pricing. Expensive for what it is. Nice patio at the back with some birds (my year and a half year old loved this). Island Cow is always busy meaning it's popular. I don't think I'm too much of a restaurant snob but I only think it's alright. Try it yourself and let us know what you think!

    (3)

  • Mike H.

    Of all the things I love in the world, $2 Yuengling and free funfetti muffins is at the top (I actually want to be cremated with funfetti mix when I die). This is how my breakfast started out last Thursday while on vacation in Sanibel. Island Cow is a fun, "beachy" restaurant located right on the strip of restaurants and shops known as Periwinkle Way. Since we were there on a Thursday morning in the offseason, we were seated right away (although the place was not dead). I could definitely see this place getting very packed at other times of the year. Service was friendly and quick, but we didn't feel rushed. **Quick break for round 2 of funfetti muffins"" There are a ton of good things on the menu, I narrowed it down to 3-4 and had the waitress choose for me. She did well, I ordered the seafood omelet. It was filled with shrimp, scallops, and a pile of crab meat. It was great, definitely something different than I've ever had. I would definitely go back to this place next time I'm on the island.

    (4)

  • Kristofer L.

    Loved this place. Was probably my favorite restaurant of the week-long trip we had. Massive menu. Might be the largest one I've seen. Great atmosphere. Service was good and the food was excellent. Definitely plan to go back when we are in the area. Has a bit of a wait, but that is expected for a top place to eat like this.

    (5)

  • Arnie E.

    Best meal while in Captiva. Huge portions, very tasty food and competent staff. The shrimp po'boy was very good the coconut fried scallop po'boy was even better (although I missed the traditional remoulade). Try one of the complementary coconut muffins they provide after sitting down. Name is strange but the atmosphere is spot on.

    (3)

  • Stuart V.

    Nice place for breakfast/brunch son had French toast daughter had mango smoothie wife had seafood omelette (could have used more lemon in it) but good none the less. I had cheese grits with andouille sausage. The andouille was great cheese grits were amateurish (some shredded cheddar-really?) Great service relaxed atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Aries R.

    This place is always good just a problem to get seated due to size of party but they still treated us great and I mean 14 of us. Kids loved and adults found it relax and laid back. If u don't wanna cook and just want to spend time with the family in whole than this is the place to go. Crunchy grouper or mahi Is a must and the mimosa for the ladies was good too!!

    (5)

  • Ivan B.

    We liked the casual vibe and good service and, now that we've been on the island a few days, really appreciated the relative value of Island Cow. Dinner for 2 including a couple of $1.99 draft Landshark beers for under $50. We got the Bubba Gump, full pound of shrimp cooked many ways (coconut fried, bacon grilled, steamed). Also got blackened grouper with 3 healthy sides (veggies, cucumber salad, red beans&rice). The shrimp was excellent and portion sizes were generous. No room for dessert. 5 stars for Sanibel value alone.

    (5)

  • Paul B.

    Waited for 45 minutes for a table for our family of 4 (including a 2 and 4 year old) and it was worth the wait. The good reviews are spot-on. The coconut shrimp appetizer and grouper and shrimp tacos were amazing. We got out of there with 4 beers and the meal for under $90. Just do it.

    (5)

  • Marty L.

    I have eaten here several times and I love the indoor and outdoor atmosphere, along with the great service the Isaland Cow is always a my favorite eating spot when visiting the Island. I would rcommend the tuna sandwhich.

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    This place is PACKED. Wait was an hour long packed for week day early dinner time. We ended up just ordering take out so I can't really say much about the dining experience but the hostess and the bartender were nice. I ordered the grilled snapper with two sides (black beans & rice/cucumber salad)= 18.99. The snapper was delicious the black beans were a tad salty but edible. What would be a real nice touch if they would add some fried plantains. Overall, it's worth visiting if you are on the island.

    (3)

  • Heidi C.

    We come to Island Cow every year when we visit Sanibel and we're never disappointed. The food is yummy and affordable, the staff is friendly and efficient, and the decor and kids' menu make it a great option for families We'll be back again next year!

    (5)

  • Jennifer R.

    Looking at the reviews for this restaurant we were looking forward to eating here while in Sanibel. However, after an hour wait, we were disappointed. Food was mediocre although the menu was extensive in options. If you are looking for a touristy restaurant this is your place, but overall the food was not impressive.

    (2)

  • Craig M.

    ATMOSPHERE: This is a very busy spot so come early. It definately has an island feel to it. There is a fun waiting area outside. Once you get inside it is very fun decorated. SERVICE: Our server was very prompt and very nice. FOOD: Surprisingly delicious food for the price. I was wondering how in the world they could have decent food given the humongous menu. But somehow they manage to have delicious food despite the huge selection. The wine selection wasa disappointing and the house wine was low quality. I ordered the steam pot and was surprised to find an interesting scampi boil with celery. I personally prefer the usual boils found elsewhere with old bay over the scampi soup boil, but the seafood was good. I also ordered the blackened grouper. Let me tell you, I tried grouper at two other places on the island and had very poor experiences (looking at you Flamingo II and Schnapper Hot's). This was the first good grouper experience I had on the island. OVERALL: I would add this to a list of places you have to eat at while on the island.

    (4)

  • Brenda S.

    Great Gluten Free menu! Was pleasantly surprised when I asked our very friendly waiter Wesley if he had a gluten-free recommendation and he brought me an extensive menu! Had just about everything on the standard menu available with a few recommended changes. Ribs, chicken, barbecue, seafood, fish... The margaritas were excellent as well as the cheeseburger, tropical slaw, and red potatoes I ended up going with. Everyone in my group had a great meal and good service in the casual, right off the beach outside or inside dining environment.

    (5)

  • Jamie L.

    How do you not love the Island Cow? There's the Ring Game out back. There's the front porch, complete with locals and tourists alike milling about, waiting for their tables. There's indoor and outdoor seating, both comfortable. And hey! It's affordable. That's right. An affordable option on Periwinkle Way. I almost don't want to tell you that, because the lines are long enough as it is. The Island Cow has taken over from the Lighthouse Cafe of my youth as my go-to Breakfast Stop whilst staying on San-Cap. Good Coffee. Good Breakfasts. Good Service. Fun, Casual Island Atmosphere, and Authentic Shell Parking Lot. Win.

    (4)

  • Andrea D.

    Amazing menu and amazing food!!!! There were so many unique seafood items it was hard to decide what to get! We ended up with the grouper tacos and seafood quesadilla and both were fantastic, I wish we could come back again before leaving fl!

    (5)

  • Lxs S.

    The Cow was a winner! Casual island decor. Incredibly extensive menu--everyone can find something to enjoy. Everyone working there was happy, friendly and helpful without getting in your face. I chose their version of Jambalaya. Portion was huge and perfectly prepared. You more than get what you pay for. Check it out!

    (4)

  • Debbie E.

    Good food, good service, good for kids. Indoor and outdoor seating. The tables are over sized so a party of four has plenty of space. The menu is robust -everything from breakfast (which they are known for), to sandwiches, to baskets, to platters, to big desserts and many kinds of beverages - coffees, root beer floats, beer, wine.... The Gulf Shrimp basket (9 count) was great. Lightly breaded gulf shrimp )love the lightly breaded) ,Tropical slaw (no mayo), french fries and a couple of hush puppies. The salad with goat cheese had veggies, fruit (cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries) and we added on fried (again, lightly) calamari which was more of chunk of calamari rather than the tentacles. Both were generous portions. Instead of serving bread with the meal, we were served two homemade strawberry muffins. Delicious. The above plus an iced tea (brewed) and a Diet Coke was $34 before tax and gratuity. The prices didn't phase me given the portions and that it is Sanibel Island but I could see how people from other parts of the country may think they are on the higher side. Pretty crowded but they had the right amount of servers working. And the indoor area is spacious and you don't feel right on top of the other tables. Casual atmosphere and dress (like, people coming in off of their jog in shorts, running tights, t-shirts, and sneakers) Overall good atmosphere and would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    It was very busy and loud , but the food is fairly cheap and tasty. The portions are huge so if you are trying to eat healthy this may not be ideal.

    (4)

  • rich g.

    Two great dinners this past week. Killer seafood entrees, coconut grouper, amazing conch fritters, and sides like rice and beans with sausage. Reasonable prices, great food and service. Can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Mrs. T.

    We had no idea what we were going to get ourselves into. I absolutely loved this restaurant. It's casual, and the decor is fun to look at. I love the large frog hanging from the ceiling. We had a large group. The seafood was absolutely amazing. We had all different kinds. Everything on the menu was great. We had alligator and that was cooked perfect. We are going to go back.

    (5)

  • Rebecca P.

    After an early ,owning of shelling we headed to island cow for breakfast. What a fun quirky place. Our waitress was great with our group of 8 people. The free muffins were delist and their fresh squeezer orange juice was AMAZING! Service was pretty prompt and everyone loved their food. I had the breakfast burrito with homemade salsa and my husband had the crab cake omelet which was great...an interesting twist on traditional breakfast. Prices were also very reasonable considering the sanibel location! Bloody Mary's were also great...spiced well and a fair serving size!

    (5)

  • Dan W.

    Great breakfast, everything well cooked and served quickly. Our 2yr had a huge plate of pancakes and loved them all. Coffee is good, and the prices are well suited to the island. I'll be back in the future

    (5)

  • Edna F.

    Great little restaurant. The decor was nice and cozy and the food was fabulous, service was great nice and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Rachael H.

    So I literally had every meal here on my vacation. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert! I wanted to come here because it seemed like an awesome atmosphere and I loved the names for the food. For breakfast I had the pigs in a pancake, I really liked them. The "cow spuds" & fresh fruit were a good touch. My boyfriend had the eggs benedict. He didnt really seem to like the cheesy sauce that went over it. But he did love the muffins and the coconut french toast sounded awesome! For lunch, we had the conch fritters which were really good. I had the voodoo scallops which were awesome. The crabcake that came along with it was not particularly to my liking, but still worth a try. I just don't like the green peppers in it. My boyfriend had the mahi mahi with tropical slaw and hush puppies. The mahi mahi was really fresh tasting! For dinner I had the gumbo. OH MY GOD. So much delicious food. It had crawfish,sausage,shrimp,chicken, scallops, and fish if the day. The sauce was awesome! My boyfriend had the oysters on a half shell, and it comes with minced garlic and tartar sauce on the side. Those were his favorite! We also had the stawberry or bust dessert which was soooo much delicious goodness. All in all, if my vacation were longer. I would have gone back more times! The food was amazing and so was the service. But be warned, you might have to wait. We waited 25 minutes for the time we went for dinner which was around 8 at night, but we got there early for lunch and breakfast and the crows seemed to have come after

    (5)

  • Kurt S.

    From the Yelp reviews I thought this place would be really good. The food was medicore and our waiter was awkward. No liquor license either.

    (3)

  • Tom H.

    Best breakfasts ever. Usually we spread it around but this trip we've been to island cow every morning. Stuffed pancakes, stuffed waffles, steak and eggs, blueberry pancakes all fantastic. One of the few places on the the island truly worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    This place is wild and crazy. There was a lot of people coming and going. They had all the doors/windows open, so it was a good airy feel to it. I had the coconut shrimp which was very good. The biscuits they gave us were more like corn bread and just ok. I did like that they served us the food in 5 minutes...no lie. It was so quick! They had a geo-cache in the parking lot which made it fun for after eating.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    Island Cow is an excellent, fun for the whole family restaurant. It is always my first stop for lunch whenever I come up Sanibel. Although it looks like a place where parents take their picky kids for chicken nuggets and macaroni, it actually serves high quality fresh fish entrees. Along with a deep beer menu, the Island Cow serves EXCELLENT fried and blackened grouper, mahi, snapper, etc. They also have top notch shrimp and seafood baskets. I give this restaurant five stars because it fulfills its niche perfectly. I've only ever eaten here for lunch but the coconut shrimp and coconut grouper sandwiches are amazing. Beware of the crowd and subsequent wait for a table, but you and your family will be happy you decided to stop by.

    (5)

  • Barbara A.

    We are unable to pass this place up on our bikes! Every year we visit Sanibel, Captiva Island and The Island Cow! Everything is fresh and delicious...you can't go wrong with a selection. Last visit was November 2013 - selected off of the Fish'in Rules item. It's the cutest and friendliest restaurant in town. Try it!

    (5)

  • Alex J.

    My favorite Restraunt on the Gulf of Florida. What a beautiful array of entrees and others in their menu. The times I have eaten here, my large party has all ordered different things and every item has simply been above par. So delicious and lively at this joint. An awesome theme, simply fantastic food, and great, quick service. My only recommendation is for them to do reservations for parties under 8 as well. But regardless, your wait for a seat might take a while but it is easily worth it. Just hang around and I guarantee you will enjoy it. Thanks Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Alden G.

    Great family seafood restaurant. Popular and busy, though the wait didn't seem to be too long; they are fast!. Enjoyed the grouper, and a draft Land Shark. Inexpensive. A bit loud inside, outside seating is available.

    (5)

  • Doug P.

    Good hearty food, coconut shrimp a little overdone. Reasonable prices. Chocolate cake explosion way too dry.

    (3)

  • Christopher L.

    The Island Cow has a huge menu. During our week long visit to Sanibel Island, we eat there twice, taking out once and eating in a second time. The takeout was a good simple option without requiring the wait one usually finds to eat at the restaurant. I had the Fried Oyster Po Boy for take out. The oysters were crisp on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. The sandwich was still hot and fresh by the time I brought it home and the french fries were slightly breaded and excellent. When we ate at the Island Cow later in the week, I had the raw oysters appetizer and the Combo Tacos, shrimp in one and fried grouper in the other. The oysters lacked flavor, but were fresh and serviceable. The tacos were excellent, particularly the grouper taco. It was, like the oysters mentioned above, crisp on the outside and moist inside. It came with salsa and sour cream and a small bowl of black beans and rice. Although there is a wait, they have fun activities for the kids during the wait, so it didn't seem very long. The design of the restaurant is laid back, but open and airy. In all, if you are looking for good food at a fraction of the cost of some of the more upscale restaurants in the area, the Island Cow is a great option.

    (5)

  • Bad News S.

    Good food, good service, fun and friendly Not much more I can add to the reviews from others. Island Cow delivers on all that it promises to provide a very casual, friendly atmosphere with pretty good food. This is not a gourmet dining experience but the food is good quality, inexpensive by island resort standards and leaves you satisfied. We tried the fish tacos (grouper and shrimp combo) and the fish #3 with 2 sides (crunchy grouper) and both were very tasty and fresh and so large we took alot home for the next day. Fries with my grouper were exceptional (yeah, I know it's not healthy but we're on vacation...). We split a chocolate shake which was good as well. Prices were surprisingly cheap and you get some pretty good food. If you're after some good, decent food in a casual setting (and you're not looking for an upscale place), then I think the Island Cow is a top choice. But get here early as the place can fill up even during the non tourist season. We came by at 4:45 on a Monday and had no problems getting seated but the place was half full with diners already. For our last night in Sanibel, we came again for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the grouper sandwich and it was just as large as the grouper platter. Wife had the pulled pork which was extremely succulent and flavorful. We split a helping of chicken wings which were OK but not nearly as flavorful as those at George and Wendy's Sanibel Grill in my opinion. Prices were low compared to other places and with the generous quantities, we had plenty for the following day. Their fries are really good.

    (4)

  • Daniel B. O.

    In my opinion the best restaurant in the Sanibel-Captiva area. Decor is nice and the food is fresh. Breakfast is great at this place.

    (4)

  • Carolyn P.

    Went on a Sunday. 10 minute wait to sit but we waited an hour for our food. We saw other tables come and go and no food . We asked twice about our food but were told kitchen was "really busy". That doesn't hold up when everyone else is getting their food. Food was ok but mine was luke warm, shrimp and grits was bland, nothing special. Can't really recommend it....

    (3)

  • V B.

    I was excited to eat at Island Cow because the reviews were good for the most part. We've seen it for years on our trips but hadn't stopped. Our visit was for breakfast. We sat outside and our table was near the outside wall. There were dead ants and droppings of some sort along with dust and cox webs on the window sill. It's not been washed down that morning or for a while. People were smoking. I didn't realize you could smoke at the tables. Just a heads up if you don't like smoke. There was 4 of us and 3 really didn't like their meals, the forth had an omelet and said it was pretty standard. Our grits were cool and could've been instant. The muffins seemed like they were from a mix. The blueberries were small specs like dehydrated pieces in a box. They were cold so butter wouldn't spread in them. One of our party had the biscuit with gravy and it was bland and tasted like it was pre packaged . I wanted to like Island Cow but it just didn't have anything to bring us back. As most places on the island it's not cheap so I at least want to like the food.

    (1)

  • Sandee L.

    Casual restaurant with varied & extensive moderately priced menu. Our waiter - Kyle was friendly and personable making us feel welcomed the moment we sat down. After sitting down excellent corn muffins appeared before us. I ordered the fried shrimp basket while my friend had the fried clams. Our food came within 5 minutes of our order and was fantastic. Upon learning that it was my friend's birthday Kyle quickly arranged for a special desert and happy birthday singing in our outside eating area. A great dining experience. We're gong back and I highly recommend you give this place a visit (If you're lucky you'll get Kyle as your waiter.)

    (5)

  • Marne W.

    I've got to say I don't understand the hype for this place. We tried to get in on two other days but lost patience before they called our beeper. Today we finally lucked out and got a table for lunch after about 15 minutes. The food was ok but not great. I had the crab cakes, which were good but small, especially for 18.99. My husband had the wombo combo, a platter of 4 barbecued meats. The chicken was underdone and inedible, the pulled pork and ribs were fair, and only the BBQ shrimp were really good. The quality just isn't there when you factor in the prices, the long wait, and the rushed feeling after you do get a table. There are so many better restaurants on Sanibel that we won't be back.

    (2)

  • D C.

    Nice location and a bit of a wait to get in. The service was on pace and the food was good. Too generous on the portion sizes!

    (4)

  • Anthony A T.

    We had just done some swimming at a nearby beach and were looking for lunch. Mom was eager to have us see The Island Cow On our vacation in Florida. Island Cow had a large menu of a variety of items and an eclectic atmosphere. I had the Coconut -Crusted Grouper Sandwich and I thought it was some of the best fish I had ever had. Incredibly tasty! The outdoor seating was great on that beautiful sunny day! I can not wait to get back to the Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Lindsay D.

    So good! Too much food. We split the conch fritters. My blackened tuna with blackened scallops and shrimp was fantastic. My husband's fried clams were the best I've ever had, by far. The chocolate shake was great, but it's hard to screw up a shake. The only unfortunate part was the long wait.

    (5)

  • Leonor E.

    We came here for a late lunch on Mother's Day. It was well after 1 when we arrived. The wait was about 15-20 minutes and my kids enjoyed the bean bag game and some other neat little things they have out back in the waiting area. The meal is diverse and has something for everyone, even if you don't like seafood. Their muffins are always good and those are complimentary, which is a nice little extra. Our food came out promptly and was tasty. I usually get a fish and you pick how you want it cooked (grilled, fried, blackened, etc....) and two sides. I prefer to eat here for lunch or dinner over breakfast any day.

    (4)

  • Elaine P.

    The one star, in fairness, is not about the food -- we didn't stay long enough to order. We wanted a light dinner -- just soup and salad -- and The Island Cow sounded like its menu was varied enough to fill the bill. We arrived and took the last spot in a very dark parking lot. We made our way through a throng of people on the entry way (bad sign!) to the hostess. Very loud interior. Lot of singing and people obviously having a good time. Felt like an "in crowd" that we were not part of. The hostess said the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour. We took our "buzzer" and returned to the outside entry which was crowded. No place to sit. We could at least hear each other talking -- and quickly decided that it was not going to be worth a long wait. The Island Cow is obviously a popular, family-oriented place. Just not for us on that particular night. We ended up at the nearby Blue Giraffe. What is it with animal restaurants and Sanibel?

    (1)

  • Ron C.

    Just like another reviewer, we felt like we were getting rushed out of the place. Food was mediocre at best and service was sketchy. That was our experience at breakfast. Maybe they're better at lunch or dinner, but we didn't go back. As the old adage goes, "you only have one opportunity to make a first impression". Enough said!

    (2)

  • Ana R.

    Our family had breakfast at The Island Cow two weeks ago. I apologize for taking a little longer than usual to post. We were a party of nine and were very happy with the service and the food. I had the three cheese omelet which was great. The grits could've been a little thicker. The orange juice taste freshly squeezed which always makes me happy. My husband had some breakfast bomb something which he enjoyed. I loved the decor and the character of the place. It's definately worth a visit if you find yourself in Sanibel Island. I need to mention that we arrived here in our motorhome and I have to give props to the playhouse which allowed us to park in their property so that we could dine at The Island Cow. I wanted to let The Island Cow know that our family was able to dine at their establishment thanks to the kindness of their neighbor. We can't wait to go back to The Island Cow for lunch or dinner so we can enjoy yet more of their many selections. Regards.

    (4)

  • Rod H.

    This was one of the best meals I have had in Sanibel. The food isn't fine dining but all 4 meals in our party were fresh and cooked to perfection. This is perfect for couples of families because they have something for everyone. I had coconut grouper, with veggies, my wife had grilled mahi, mother-inlaw had fried oyster salad and grand mother-inlaw had crab cakes. The have beer and wine that is reasonably prices and live music every night. I really liked Island Cow and we will be back

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    Food is relatively good. The mini muffins they give you when you are seated are so delicious, I wish I could take a dozen with me each time. The eggs are pretty bland but the pancakes, shrimp and grits and French toast dishes are amazing! Great service each time we have gone.

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Went here for breakfast and this is all I have to say: Everything about Island Cow is perfection. The staff is great and keeps the coffee flowing. The food is a decent portion but isnt overwhelming and the atmosphere has a laid back island quirkiness. I highly recommend it! Plenty of big tables to seat larger parties.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    Not as good as everyone made it out to be but not bad. Great ambience.

    (3)

  • James B.

    My wife and I ate here on our way from a long weekend at Sanibel. I'm sorry to to say it was just okay. The menu is way too large which leads to the food being mediocre. With such a large menu there's no way the kitchen can put out good food. We asked our waiter what their specials were and he just pointed to another menu with their specials. A server should at least know what the specials are? When we got our food we weren't too impressed. After reading all the reviews we left disappointed that we didn't have a good experience.

    (2)

  • David G.

    This place has a fairly large menu with portion sizes that match. I'm not a big fan of places that overwhelm your eyes and stomach. Rather than give me a meal that could feed two people, give me a more normal sized portion that tastes good. They bring out some muffins as the complimentary bread offering. The muffins were very good. I had the catfish po-boy. This came with shredded lettuce, tomato, thousand island dressing, cheesy grits and fries. I think the sandwich would have been much better with a spicy mayonnaise to keep it more in-line with its Cajun heritage. My wife had the Grouper taco which came with seasoned fish, tomato, lettuce with melted cheese, sour cream, fresh tomato salsa on the side and, beans with peppers, tomatoes onions, seasoned rice. My sandwich was ok. Without a good spicy mayo, it was really just a fried fish sandwich. I did add some of their habanero hot sauce to it which added a little extra spice. My wife really like her fish tacos.

    (3)

  • Liz D.

    Every time I visit family in Sanibel, I head here. Why? - Instead of rolls or bread, they bring you freshly baked muffins. - Fried Artichoke Hearts. - $1.99 daily draft specials. - A good amount of vegetarian options. - Something for everyone!

    (4)

  • Duane J.

    The Island Cow was a big disappointment. With the good reviews here we were expecting good food and a good ambience. Well, the ambience was nice and the service was good. The food? Not so much. The server was great and the food came quickly and was reasonably priced. The problem was, out of eight of us, no one thought their food was good ... OK, but not good. For a four star place, I was expecting better than just OK. Oh, and beware of the bathrooms. The Island Cow should be ashamed of their dirty, disgusting bathrooms. I've seen cleaner bathrooms in an interstate gas station.

    (2)

  • Alyssa C.

    Fun interesting place to visit on the island. Our first visit around 5pm had over an hour wait so we came back another night much earlier with no wait. Food was great as was our waiter. Our table had one of the specials -- a blackened chicken Alfredo -- and the crab cake stuffed shrimp with veggies and mashed potatoes. You also get a few muffins when you are seated. The food came out fast and the portions were very big. They have Starbucks coffee and a cute outside patio with birds.

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    After being to Sanibel several times, this has become one of my favorite restaurants. Any place where my whole family can find something to eat without complaining is a winner in my book. What I loved: -HUGE menu. I'm an insanely picky eater who hates seafood, so dining on islands is usually rough, but even I had an issue deciding what to order here -Bright colored and fun interior -Chocolate chip muffins as appetizers?! Such an amazing idea. -Plenty of outside seating (in both the front and back of the restaurant) for while you wait to be seated inside. -Friendly and attentive waiters. I was never without a daiquiri or glass of water! I wish that they had a bigger/better stocked bar for while we waited to be seated, but the good food and casual, fun environment will definitely keep me coming back every vacation!

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Just moved to the Cape from Michigan and this was my first visit to Sanibel Island and, The Island Cow. I have to say, the food was delicious, and the service was great. Instead of bread at the beginning of the meal, they give you delicious homemade muffins. All in all a great and unique place to eat. Definitely a must.

    (5)

  • Jerry E.

    Wow, we ordered the grouper taco's and split the order. Fantastic and so tasty. We are never disappointed with the wonderful service and the great food. I sometimes sell my pottery there on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Stephen O.

    Really cool atmosphere, friendly host, not very friendly server. I had an omelet, it was average, I'm no a muffin person but the free muffin was excellent.

    (3)

  • M R.

    This place was okay. Their seafood fajitas were very good but their fish and shrimp tacos were not good. The fish for the fish tacos was BLAND and the shrimp were gooey sweet so we didn't eat them. We asked the server to give us the cheese on the side and this didn't happen. If you go, order the seafood fajitas which are quite good.

    (2)

  • Mitchell K.

    First thing first: this is not a fancy place. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic place with $40+ entrees and a fine wine selection, this is not your place. If you are looking for big food for little money, the Island Cow is sure to please. We arrived with a party of six at 5:00 on a Saturday afternoon and expected a wait. We were pleased to be seated inside immediately and given menus and some great cornbread muffins. The menus are gigantic. They are seriously about the size of an open newspaper, front and back. Once the shock of the gigantic menu receded, our fantastic waitress came and took drink orders (Coke products). I had the tap root beer, which was fantastic. The only downside to the root beer is that refills are not free, although the mug was huge. Once our orders were taken, the food arrived about 20 minutes later. The portions are huge, and two people could easily make a decent sized dinner out of one entree. I had the adobo (marinated) chicken quesedilla, which was filled with perfectly cooked peppers and specially marinated chicken, served with sour cream and homemade salsa. The other members in my party had the adobo chicken melt, pot roast sandwich, rice and beans, and a seafood kabob medley. Everyone thought that their means were delicious except for guy with the seafood, which was hit-or-miss. One scallop would be stunning, while the next was just mediocre. He wished he had ordered one of our dishes, which he thought were fantastic. The prices are very reasonable for the island ($8-$15 per entree, seafood was more expensive) and we had a great experience.

    (4)

  • Koki'o F.

    My sister and I ate lunch here during the last week of June. The World Cup Soccer match was going on that week. Hostess-in-training was very sweet. HOWEVER, our waitress, July, couldn't take her eyes off the TV while taking our order! I attempted to get her attention by pointedly asking her who was playing, and she answered me with the back of her head to us! She never came by to refill our drinks. She never attempted to make conversation or establish a connection. Horrible customer service! I complained to the restaurant's "trainer", and she told me that July was one of her best waitresses. Holy cow! If she's one of their best, I would hate to have been waited on by one of their worst! Doesn't say much for the trainer either, does it? Our previous meals at this restaurant were just okay as well. Food was average. Service was not stellar. This restaurant's servers needs some serious coaching and training!!! We are not going back to this restaurant again until we start seeing better reviews here or on Trip Advisor that show they've made some changes.

    (1)

  • Rick B.

    For lunch, the monster burger. Great property with a large menu. Something for everybody and great service. Cheers

    (5)

  • Chris Q.

    I've been here many times. Regardless of the time of day or meal chosen it's always great. I highly recommend this be one of your stops while in the area.

    (5)

  • Rebecca A.

    Absolutely love this place!! The atmosphere is fun, the service was great and the food was amazing!!! We went there with our puppy and they brought water and bacon out for him! It was great! My husband and I ordered the Holy Cow and my goodness was that a lot of food for your money and it was delicious!! We'll definitely being going back!

    (5)

  • Jamie R.

    The Cow's fun. Bean bag toss on the side lawn with cow spotted boards. A very pretty, squacky bird in a cage in the back "pasture." Pastel adirondak chairs with palms carved in their backs out front. Inside, a big bucket of cakey muffins - one for free for every diner. Smiley, helpful waitstaff. Lots of families. Space for parking. Crispy grouper tacos, & $2 daily beer specials for lunch. The end.

    (4)

  • Louie B.

    A Cupcake appetizer?? really?? .. Mmmm!! ;) Funky and loud place with a wait. But at least they have seating outside where you can wait. I had the BBQ platter and it was just OK. My son had the chicken tenders and those were good. Enjoyed it and likely will be back.

    (3)

  • Lindsey P.

    Listen to the overrated reviews! I wish we would have... menu is gigantic, which should be a sign they don't do anything well. I had the snow crab which was so-so, husband had the pork special, which he hardly touched. Unless you are going for the atmosphere (and have kids), skip!

    (2)

  • Dan D.

    Da best. Been eating here since opening years ago, The unknown diner digs it the most!

    (5)

  • Marissa W.

    This was the coolest place! Bill and I were trying to find somewhere for lunch on our first day in Sannibel and I have to admit, I picked it because of the name...it just sounded so fun! When we got there, there was about a 35 minute wait. However, they have a really nice area in the back of the restaurant where there are multiple adironack chairs where you can sit and relax and they also give you a copy of the menu (which is huge!) so that you can decide what you would like to eat while you wait. Everyone that worked there was so nice and helpful. The menu is a large, kind of overwhelming almost but with such a wide array of seafood to shepherd's pie! Definitely something here for everyone. We started with a plate of strawberry and blueberry muffins which they give to you (they were amazing! and gone within 5 minutes thanks to my boyfriend!) Then, we had the buffalo shrimp as an appetitzer. They were really good, just be careful and take the tails off! I had the coconut crusted mahi mahi and it was very well prepared. It came with a plum sauce which I didn't care for but if you like sweet things you will enjoy it. It came with a side of fries and slaw. I am normally not big on french fries but these were beer battered and so good! My man had the fried scallops basket and said that they were some of the best scallops he had ever had. In a whole, I would highly recommend the Island Cow. The food and environment was definitely enjoyable! Will be going back on our next weekend get away :)

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    I had breakfast here with my wife. We're visiting Sanibel Island from Massachusetts, and we were completely impressed! The outside atmosphere of the restaurant was phenomenal, they had cute adirondack chairs with paintings on them. They had a bean toss game for families that may have to wait. That was only the beginning, they serve Starbucks Coffee to my wife's delight!! I ordered the banana rum French Toast, which was out of this world! The waiter refilled my wife's coffee, and my diet coke without even asking. Portions were very large, and we will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    Really good to really bad. My wife had a burger and loved it. I had crab stuffed shrimp which tasted bland and kind of gross. The next day, I was running to the toilet every hour (I ate/drank nothing else that would have caused this). Last year I had one of the fish items that you select from a list and it was fantastic, so there ya go.

    (3)

  • Tim M.

    Best grouper tacos I've had and where else can you get a Sam Adams cheaper than a soda

    (4)

  • Ocean S.

    It's expensive as is everything on the island. Breakfast was crowded and while the online menu said "Vegan Selections Available", I guess that meant the granola with secret menu soy milk, because that's the only thing we saw that we could eat from the 5 page menu. Oh, it did have a couple of strawberries on it. That's OK we've had worse. One other complaint; smokers waiting for a table congregated just outside front entrance. Cigarette smoke was constantly pouring onto the the porch seating area where we were eating and also into the main dining area. No one seemed too concerned about this.

    (1)

  • Joel R.

    My family went on Sunday morning and had an amazing breakfast. We started with their fresh coconut muffins which tasted very sweet and great. Then we had extremely fresh fruit. I ordered sausage with grits and was very impressed. It was the best sausage I have ever had and also the grits were done right. I will be going back to try this out for dinner.

    (4)

  • Julie C.

    Love this place. A really solid menu, amazing BBQ pork, chicken tenders, and fries. This is our go to for great food on the island.

    (5)

  • Susie G.

    We ate only breakfast as this restaurant, but we enjoyed eating here. The staff were friendly, and we didn't have to wait to be seated. The menu is interesting, and the specials were a bargain on this expensive island. Especially liked the coconut French toast, as well as the muffins provided immediately after being seated. Would definitely recommend---everyone will find something on the menu that appeals to them.

    (5)

  • Scott V.

    Packed on a Sunday, food was great service was just ok (did not receive the complimentary muffins that other tables did and was not offered a coffee refill) Since this locations seems to always be busy the service should reflect that they are accustomed to the pace and not affect the customer in a negative manner. Short wait to be seated and for the food along with the quality of the breakfast items ordered led to the 4 stars

    (4)

  • B R.

    Nice atmosphere. Breakfast very reminiscent of a "Denny's". Prices are reasonable for island

    (3)

  • Lisa V.

    I went there with my family. The service was fantastic. The waitress helped us pick from their extensive menu. My family loved the gator bites. My husband and I had the combo tacos ( shrimp and fresh fish caught locally). The tacos were amazing. My husband had the Key West beer which tasted great. The waitress recommended that I try the Fruit Punch Rum. It is a must! It tasted delicious.

    (5)

  • J S.

    Great food and atmosphere. Took family while on vacation. Laid back atmosphere was great. Food was awesome. Fried grouper was tasty. A little pricey but probably one of the best deals on the island.

    (5)

  • Eugenio V.

    I spend one or two weeks in Sanibel every year. This is the place where I bring my family to eat once a day. I like the food, I like the service, I like the price and the atmosphere. Too bad we can't bring this place back with us.

    (5)

  • B. Nicole G.

    Good food, kitchy atmosphere-- reminds me of a few places in ATL and Cootie Brown's in Johnson City, TN. I had the shrimp and grits and the Man had a BBQ plate....something, he can't remember. We ordered the special appetizer of the night- a shoe string jalapeño fries, too with our beers and drinks, but the jalapeños were just not spicy enough for our taste. The entrees were good, but my grits and shrimp were SWIMMING in brown gravy. Now, I like me some gravy, but I don't need to float the titanic in my bowl, y'all. All, in all, good place for some great people watching and some pretty decent food. We'll go back with our son if we ever hit the island again. *Be prepared for a LONG wait if you go during the twilight hours (5:30-7:30pm)

    (4)

  • Arindam K.

    Adequate food in exchange for an easy, casual dinner option. The menu is remarkably diverse- albeit perhaps a bit too much?

    (3)

  • Ben T.

    good food, lively atmosphere with plenty of "flair" which is understandably a hit with tourists. Their service is solid and we had no problems with the food either. Locals may not be attracted to the place, but it serves a good meal.

    (4)

  • Bob G.

    Warning. Have been to the Island Cow many times during our trips to Sanibel. The food, especially breakfast, is always good. During our most recent trip on 6/16 the young man serving us during breakfast attempted an old scam. Bill was 22.97 for me & my wife prior to him taking off a 10% coupon. I gave him $30 & he returned with $5, thanked us & left. I checked the menu & it said "18% gratuity included for parties of 6 or more". Also, the folder the bill came in had explanations in several different languages on how to properly tip. I found the server & asked him if he had already taken a tip out and after some snarky attitude that included him twice telling me that he had rounded my change up 3 cents (I should be happy), he eventually said he had already removed his tip. Not a big deal but I wondered how many times a day the move earned him a double tip. Anyway, we had planned to stop by the Cow several more times during our trip but never did do to this experience. Aside from the server, the breakfast was very good once again.

    (3)

  • Shannon T.

    It was okay. Ordered the salmon and it was dry so I wasn't overly impressed. My dad and husband loved both their dishes though.

    (3)

  • Lindsay A.

    Favorite place on Sanibel/Captiva. Actually kind of sad if took us three days into our week long stay to discover it. (Wishing we could collect refunds from the two mediocre meals we had earlier in the week.) All around good seafood at decent prices (and some good options for non-seafood meals too). The key lime pie here is better than most in the area. Be warned if you are going here with little ones. They serve muffins to snack on while you wait and they are addicting! By far this is our favorite find for yummy food and a price that won't break the bank.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    Over a one week vacation this is the only place we ate at more than once. The kids loved the food and the ambiance. I LOVED the Grilled Veggie & Goat Cheese Salad. I ordered it twice. Once with the calamari (which was great) and once with the grouper (not as good of a fit for the flavors of the salad). Kids loved the Fruit 'N' Chilled Shrimp meals. Booze prices were good for being a beach vacation type spot. Service was good both times. I'd definitely recommend it to people visiting.

    (4)

  • Jordan M.

    This is our favorite place when visiting Sanibel. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner all very well with a wide variety for each meal. Some may knock the menu as a little overwhelming with all the choices but I like the fact that no matter what you are the mood for they have something for you. The prices are pretty reasonable for restaurants on the island and the atmosphere is laid back and casual.

    (5)

  • Marianna W.

    Great Bloody Mary's, cute atmosphere, terrible food.

    (2)

  • Michael C.

    Went last night - great food but long long wait (over 1.5 hrs!)...try the Gumbo & Barn Burger both are fantastic!! Fun for families-you won't go wrong with this place!

    (4)

  • Katie R.

    yikes. not sure where all the positive reviews come from because the food was atrocious and without a doubt not fresh (on the ocean.. fresh fish.. good idea?). my fries tasted like they had sand in them or that the frying oil hadn't been changed since last year. i'm not picky about drinks, but there was no rum and the daiquiri was made with what the waitress called a "wine rum" or something of the sort. the drink could've been a virgin, if you ask me. now, to the funny yet embarrassing portion of my meal, the entree.. well, at the time (now looking back, such a terrible idea) the catfish reuben sandwich - which sounded like it could've gone terribly wrong or amazingly well. unfortunately it was the former. loaded with cheese, fried fish that tasted like it had gone bad (freezing, thawing, refreezing?), and the only taste being an awful greasey/rotten taste. all i could think was that if i was chef ramsey on kitchen nightmares i would have spit it out and called it a disaster. the waitress was not particularly friendly or attentive. and worst was what i saw of the kitchen walking by to go to the washroom.. didn't appear too clean.. and looked as though the paint was all peeling off of the kitchen floor and hadn't been touched (cleaned, either) in years. maybe that's what i was tasting in my food, paint peeling from an old concrete floor. thank god i have an iron stomach.

    (1)

  • Mary C.

    I love Starbucks coffee and they're the only restaurant on the island that serves it so of course we had to go. Our waitress was the sweetest thing in the world and we adored her. Now for the not so awesome part... I got gator tail which was good but I wasn't sure if it was done or not because alot of it was still pink but my fries were good.. My husband got a turkey sandwich and chips- it was somehow worse than what you would expect from the corner dirty deli. Like slimy and thrown together with a skimpy pile of broken chips. Not awesome. Soo go for the coffee and muffins and good service but beyond that...

    (2)

  • Russ T.

    Tried different places while vacationing here. The island is not very busy at this time of year and that's a nice thing. Went there for dinner. The menu is huge. Lots of different things. A don't know if that is a good thing because how can you be good at so many things. For the items we ordered they were generally good. The down portion was the calamari. Lots and lots of breading. Very little calamari and really greasy. Other items were fine. I might like to come back and sample their desserts. There were a few there that sounded good. You can purchase their hot sauces but they didn't carry the hot one. Heck. But you have to try the place just to say you came here. I might suggest the breakfast over dinner.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    Wow - I was surprised that this place was totally vegetarian friendly. The artichoke & goat cheese po boy could almost be mistaken for fried clams. The salad was fancy & fresh. Casual atmosphere and yet better food than many of the fancy places on the Island. Best for breakfast & lunch, especially if you have a big group.

    (5)

  • H S.

    Everyone loves this place it it seems. I wish I did. Spoiled oysters in my fried oyster basket. Horrible! The coconut shrimp they gave me to replace that were ok but nothing special Husband didn't love his fried clams..too tough..we won't go back

    (1)

  • Brandon L.

    The muffins....mmmmm. They draw you in!!! Confetti...i'm not sure, but something in them makes them addicting! Island Cow is like Sanibel Island tourist dive. The staff isn't the best trained, and the restaurant not the best looking, but it's a lively place that grows on you. Outdoor seating and a lawn lounge area with Adirondack chairs makes the Cow a nice place for a bite to eat after a day on the beach! With tacky decorations of every shape of cow you can find, one would think seafood is not the best option, but go with it! The seafood gumbo and fish any way you like it option are excellent. Things to be wary of: since this is family island during the summer, expect groups of people with children ranging 2-17ish. The bathrooms are well, um, you may just want to hold it - unless you're used to that sort of thing. Beer and wine only. It's a small lovable place that gets VERY busy, so either get there during odd hours or call ahead to see if it's packed.

    (4)

  • AL K.

    First night at sanibel and this was the place we picked to have dinner. Place was packed in and out so we opted to sit at the bar instead of waiting for 45 mins for a table. DEcor of Island cow is bright and lively, a lot of cow themed decor.LArge industrial fans outside the dining area to blow away the no-see-ums biting insects. Food comes in colorful plates and large portions.Had the oysters in a half shell and chilled gulf shrimps. everything were fresh and tasty. PRice is very reasonable compared to the rest of the restaurants in the area. Good for family!!!

    (4)

  • A B.

    Nice place, friendly. Service is slow and they have you wait in an outdoor area that is not too clean, and there are wasps flying around. Menu looks fun, food fresh but bland and not exciting. They allow smoking in their outdoor dining area, so beware. It is not a bad place, but it beats me how it got those great reviews and how it became the most popular place on the island. There are plenty of better restaurants here.

    (3)

  • Sean M.

    Had breakfast there... Good portion size for the money. Dog friendly so we were seated outside on the patio. Laid back atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Heather L.

    Just made our yearly visit to Island Cow and as always, dee-lish. I have ordered the same thing for 8 years, fish tacos, but this year I switched it up a little and ordered the combo which was one fish taco and one boom boom shrimp taco. Fish tacos will forever be my favorite here and the black beans and rice were awesome- just wish the portion was bigger. I truly appreciate the kids menu at Island Cow, although it has the standard mac n cheese and nuggets, it also has pulled pork sandwiches, chargrilled tilapia sandwiches, etc...my kids both ordered fish. I love the muffins that come to the table (instead of a breadbasket), my kids love the birds and colorful chairs, is it touristy? sure, but I'm a tourist and I LOVE this restaurant. See you next year!

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    Very confused on the average 4 star rating. This place was moderate at best. The food was disappointing (sea spuds, chicken tenders, BBQ platter, burger- all lackluster). Service and ambiance left something to be desired. However fried gator was delicious. Overall would not go back.

    (2)

  • Doug T.

    Crazy place, super busy, perfect for our family circus! We went the other night with a party of 10. They have choices for anyone really including lots of different fish/seafood choices, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and pasta. They are used to the frantic crowd and pace and delivered smoothly under the load. They have various little feee games (ring toss, bean bag, etc) outside for things to do while you wait.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    The broadest menu on the island and a great place for kids. Food is good but not great My gumbo was OK but pretty bland and lacked the richness I expect in good gumbo. A notable exception are the lobster wontons - excellent!

    (3)

  • Marc R.

    The service was excellent and the prices were reasonable. The food was about average.

    (3)

  • Sydney P.

    We finally broke down and put our names in at the Island Cow. There is usually always a wait here. Cute place, from the outside. The hostess was so busy and amazingly friendly- gave our name, we got our buzzer and went around back ( as instructed to wait). We were immediately swarmed by the mosquitoes, they were FIERCE So we OFFED! up, and then continued to wait...and wait, at some point we wised up and waited around front with the brighter folks and the Tikis, until eventually we were seated on the deck area, outside. ( I couldn't handle the inside a huge, cluster...mess of families and big tables) Alright now, our server ( nice, really busy) plunked down two muffins.I did not have the same muffin experience as some on here... I was so excited to try THE muffins. And then so .....confused. There was nothing remarkable in any way on the muffins people. They were cold, sticky... so/so muffins. We ordered our (2) meals and they took quite awhile, and again nothing to get excited about. We had a really nice time, the food was OK, and the atmosphere is authentic island-y, but for us there is no reason to rush back. Ever. Glad we gave it a go.

    (3)

  • Chip S.

    Delicious muffins. The paella was great, I had to come back for it. Good island atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Alison H.

    Sorry Island Cow, it is hard to give you a bad review when you're clearly a local favorite. But I have now been here several times during various trips to Sanibel and I really wasn't impressed, and wouldn't go back. 1. The vegetable quesadilla I had was extremely soggy. It's one of the few offerings on the menu that isn't either battered and fried or meat-based. 2. I tried a tuna sandwich 'medium rare' - and yes, OK, I should have just ordered it rare, because it's tuna. But when it came, it was cooked nearly all the way through, with barely any pink portion at all. Not only that, but it's a piece of tuna on a bun. No marinade, no sauce. There were about 5 different condiments on the table but none of them were suitable for tuna (i.e. mustard, jalapeño sauce). 3. Strawberries do not belong in a Caesar salad. Caesar salad is meant to be Parmesan and anchovy flavored... to add strawberries is a travesty. I think Island Cow just has a million things on the menu without really considering what it does well. It should cut about 50-75% of the menu off and keep only the very best stuff. The only thing I liked about this place was the granny fake-strumming the guitar and singing Bob Marley tunes in the back of the restaurant.

    (2)

  • Sari V.

    Disgusting! Bad flies and mosquitos outside and the food was just a mess. Ribs were dry and shrimp were overcooked with no flavor. One of the worst places I have visited in Florida. Do not recommend!!!

    (1)

  • Mady L.

    I absolutely LOVED this place!!! We were spending the weekend in Sanibel for my birthday and found this place just driving around...I wasn't sure about stopping there for lunch because "Island Cow" sounded to me like a burger place more than a seafood restaurant but it was GREAT!!!! the menu was HUGE and had something for everyone!!! we had the conch fritters,friend clams basket, smoked fish dip, pina colada shake and OMGGG cherry coke float!!! I love cherry coke so to find a place where they have a cherry coke float was the greatest thing that could ever happen to me lol! anyway...back to the food the fried clams where soo yummy!! and the fries that came with it were AMAZING! seriously!! and this comes from someone who doesn't really like fries! OHHH and the service was great too!! everyone was sooo soo nice! I really did LOVE this place.

    (5)

  • Robert W.

    Came here for lunch. It was so good, we came the next day for breakfast! Park in the dirt parking lot. Ample parking. Wait for both occasions were about 10-15mins. Lunch: We sat inside, the place is nice and friendly. A lot of cow decor... good place for kids. They give you muffins while you wait. The muffins were one of the best Ive tasted! Very moist, delicious and free! We had the tuna melt (awesome) and catfish crispy sandwich (awesome). Both come with cole slaw and seasoned fries. Slaw was ok, but fried kicked ass. Crispy, tasty! Breakfast: Muffins again..... this is like a drug, gotta have it! I had pancakes (soft, moist... not crispy but still good), side of sausage. Fiancee had eggs, beacon, and i forgot what else.... Highly recommended!!! Anytime of the day.

    (5)

  • Lamar G.

    Breakfast here this past week with a seafood omelet.........wowwww......that omelet is on my top two to three omelet list. They also have some decent blueberry pancakes here, but with no maple syrup, wellllllll, hehehehe. The atmosphere was very nice, bright, and friendly. There OJ was good, as was their coffee. My colleagues also had some phenomenal meals that morning.

    (5)

  • John B.

    My Kids will not allow us to visit Sanibel without a visit to the cow. Good food, good service. Time your trip to miss the rush hours, got there at 8 30 last Saturday and got right in. an hour later a line was forming that I am guessing lasted until 3pm

    (4)

  • David C.

    Worth the drive from Captiva. Food is great and not too pricey, certainly by Captiva standards! Staff very friendly and service very quick - with muffins while you wait.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    Great quality price and atmosphere. Unpretentious and worth the laid back service. Appeals to all types foodies, junkies, healthiest, and all others. Unfortunately had to skip dessert but will be back for it!

    (4)

  • Bonobo M.

    Not terrible, but not worth seeking out. The muffins people rave about is a sugar ball that isn't anything special. The ribs are bad but the pulled pork is adequate. Decent beer specials. Loud. I see no reason to return.

    (3)

  • Ronald A.

    Service was fast And staff were happy to serve us Came here for lunch and dinner Food was either hit or miss Portions were good. Not too big not too small The grilled tuna salad was awesome The grilled chicken salsa mango should be REMOVED off their menu as it was Bland to the max. I love their Starbucks coffee available to be served since there is no Starbucks at Sanibel except Captiva Island. Good for families with children. Menu selection maybe too extensive and no doubt some of them need to be whited out for good and some highlighted.

    (3)

  • Brea G.

    breakfast is only until 11 and they stick to that so don't expect to get breakfast at 11:15 I had Sea Spuds which are crab and cheese stuffed potato skins. The portion seemed generous but I honestly couldn't taste any crab. I actually pulled back the cheese and checked .. it was there just not real flavorful. The potatos themselves weren't really 'skins' as most of the potato was still there. It seems like they just scoop out enough of the potato to get some filling in there. Not worth the $11.99 for 3 potatos. Nice atmosphere though. Cute place. Might go back if I"m there early enough for breakfast though I'm honestly more likely to go to Over Easy which is just down the road a block or two and is really good.

    (2)

  • Dana F.

    YUM! We had an amazing breakfast here last weekend. My husband got the Seafood omelette, which I was a little weary about at first, but once I had a taste I was convinced!! The seafood they used was succulent, delicious and fresh. I had pigs in a blanket (yes, a very mature choice I know) and the sausages were excellent and wrapped in very fluffy and yummy pancakes! I liked that they serve you free muffins with breakfast too. It was a nice touch.

    (4)

  • Deane M.

    My husband and I had the 1 lb peel and eat shrimp....fantastic. Great fried oysters, good service, friendly waitress who gave us tips on where to go on island. The pig wings melted in our mouth.

    (5)

  • Jay F.

    The wait was a little bit longer than expected. Growing up in an island community (Key West) I expect everything to run on island time, but this brought a new definition to slow. Once inside, the decor was nice and fit right in with what we expected. The menu and selection was very large. Service inside was prompt and pretty attentive. The food came relatively quickly and was delicious. Lots of fried food on the agenda, so if that's your deal, you are in the right spot. Relatively in line with what one would expect from an island joint. Dinner for two with appetizer and two drinks was 48 plus tip. Would go back again to try a second time, but would shoot for earlier to avoid dinner rush.

    (3)

  • Victoria T.

    Really a fun place! The mini corn muffins are yummy and the paella is absolutely killer!!!!

    (4)

  • Anna M.

    I love The Cow. I've been here many many times and I've never been disappointed. During season it can get touristy, but there are always locals there too. When you're escorted to your table, cakey chocolatey muffins arrive with your silverware and I usually shove three in my mouth before the server even takes my drink order. I've ordered everything from the Buffalo shrimp appetizer to the Mighty Chocolate Moo (double chocolate milkshake!) to breakfast and I've loved all of it. The Buffalo shrimp is similar to an onomatopoeic shrimp dish from some fish skeleton chain restaurant, but I'd rather have The Cow's any day of the week. It could be shared by up to three people easily. The Corned Beef Reuben is pretty much the best Corned Beef and/or Reuben I've ever eaten. Burgers and Sammitches are HUGE and come with a large portion of fries and this tropical slaw that they make. I don't like the slaw, but that's because I don't like slaw to begin with, so no fault of theirs. They also make a killer Mango Sangria that I could probably drink a gallon of by myself. Even though I hate Mango. They also have ROOT BEER ON TAP. Yeah. I'll just let that one sink in for a second. I'm always starving when I end up at The Cow and I never leave hungry. It's a touch on the pricey side, but it's cheap for The Island. Great place to go for lunch after a long day of beaching, or pick up a to go order if you're spending a few days with your sweetie in a cozy beachfront hotel.

    (5)

  • Dennis V.

    I'd give it 1 star, but one of my dining companions had the liver and onions and Raved about it. 4 people in our party on a fairly busy Saturday. Our waiter was ok, but he screwed up one of our orders, and tried to make our dining companion think it was her fault. She ordered a Corned Beef Ruben with fries and he brought out a Roast beef with chips. He did bring out fries though, but talked her out of the Corned Beef Ruben $8.95. Secondly I asked if the Oysters were fresh, and he assured me they were, so I ordered the Oyster Poor Boy $8.95 with fries and Cole slaw. When it came the Oysters were not Fresh, they weren't bad, but definitely not nearly as good had they been fresh. I know the difference. I didn't want to offend the people who had brought us there, so I ate most of it. The fries were ok, but the cole slaw was just cabbage and some carrots, almost tasteless. My Wife had the deep fried scallops $14.95, and honestly they were inedible. She orders Scallops almost any time they are available. That's her go to seafood. She ate about 2 and pushed the rest toward me. I took one bite and it was like biting into a chewy bar of Salt. They were overdone and VERY salty. For the 4 of us the Bill came to $70 including the tip. Had it not been for eating on the recommendation of the people we were with (dear friends showing us the island). I would have bitched. For the location on the island it was probably reasonable, but it hurt like hell to pay for poor service and a disappointing meal. I'll give it 2 stars, because the muffins were awesome, and my friend raved about the liver and onions. Sadly other than the Checkers we ate at last week in Englewood, this was the worst meal we've had in our last two weeks on the road in the South. I cannot recommend this place, I know I'm in the minority here, but if you go, I hope it's a better experience for you.

    (2)

  • Amy H.

    This place is good. It's "island food" but in the good way. They have excellent breakfast. They also serve these freshly made, warm, semi sticky muffins with a subtle hint of fruit inside. THEY ARE THE GREATEST MUFFINS IN ALL OF FLORIDA. Worth it for those sweet muffins alone.

    (4)

  • David P.

    We had the cat fish ruben sandwich and the tuna melt. It was a neat joint to get a light lunch after my bother and I flew in. The sandwiches and fries were aces the coleslaw and tartar sauce were just ok. The menu is extensive and varied. I'm going back for the voodoo scallops and some form of dessert.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    We stopped in here for breakfast while on the island two weeks ago. Friendly staff, kitchy atmosphere with cow this and cow that on every available space. The food was good at reasonable prices, but keep in mind the place is usually packed and very loud. I ordered blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon, pretty basic and didn't disappoint. The wife got the poached eggs, with grits, fruit, and whole wheat toast. The eggs were cooked perfectly to order, the fruit was nice and ripe, but the grits....were pretty awful tasting. Not sure how you screw up grits, but they succeeded. And on top of that the house coffee was Starbucks, which we hate, (tastes like burnt coffee anywhere you get it). So good food as long as you stay away from the grits, good service, and reasonable prices.

    (3)

  • Robert S.

    When on vacation you never expect to find a place you want to go back to. I'm craving the food already! $2 Landshark Pints when I arrive .. delicious food we went back twice! Generally never eat at the same place twice while on vacation, couldn't resist the food here. When you sit down they drop muffins on your table. I'd go back just for them! Service was good, attentive but not overbearing .. Food all at the right temperature .. Spicy food had a kick .. Portions are perfect after a day on the beach.

    (5)

  • John T.

    One of the best restaurants on the island. The menu is enormous!!!! So many different things to choose from and everything is made to a very high standard. I grew up on Sanibel and eat at Island Cow all the time. One of my favorite things on the menu are the fried pickles "Frickles" and the muffins they give you are fresh and tasty. There is usually always a wait, so make sure to show up early!! I would definitely suggest the Island Cow to anyone who visits Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Tim F.

    Loved this place. Just got back from a Florida trip which included a weeks stay in Sanibel. Every time we drove past the IC it always seemed to be bursting at the seams. On an actual visit we were swiftly dealt with and provided with an alarm to let us know when our table was ready, so we wandered off to play. Although jampacked, this wait was not long as the operation is obviously a well oiled machine. Ordering was the hardest part as the menu is massive, actually it's my only criticism - too much choice. I went 'menu blind'. Eventually though, things rose to the surface and a Shrimp 'po boy was chosen and it certainly didn't disappoint. Absolutely delicious! We have an added complexity in our family of having a young daughter who is a coeliac, meaning that she cannot consume gluten. Generally this is a pain when trying to order food, however the IC were more than happy to be flexible and work with us to find something that was suitable, so top marks there. If you are in Sanibel this is a must stop for a causal bite.

    (5)

  • Anon M.

    This may be my favorite go-to spot in Sanibel. The menu is incredibly expansive and the food is reliably very good. There are numerous seafood and non-seafood dishes.. While some of the seafood dishes are quite unique, including fish varieties of a reuben sandwich (!) I generally stick with getting a bronzed fish with two sides. But no one complains about the food, no matter what you get. The portions are great, the service is friendly and fast, and the atmosphere is fun and Floridian. The waits for this place can be long, but that's what you get for being one of the best restaurants in Sanibel. And that's saying something in this foodie island!

    (5)

  • sean u.

    Ok... These other reviewers must be so used to getting bad island food that their expectations are set so low, when they get something that finally doesn't entirely disappoint they give 5 stars like it was the best meal they ever had. Really? 5 stars? this was one of the best meals you ever had? I must have missed something. I have no problem giving stars when appropriate. But 5 means the best you know. As in perfection. Anyhow, we had the shrimp/conch fritters which weren't great really. I had the Oscar grouper which was a special - it was pretty decent. The veggies it came with were good also. so the food was good, not 5 stars though. the menu was long and complex but the service was actually quite good. very friendly and a good solid family atmosphere here.

    (3)

  • Aimee B.

    Decent food, but I highly recommend eating in vs taking out. First of all, on take out orders they charge an automatic 10% gratuity! Seriously?!? I normally give the bartender 15% for takeout because I've bern there, done that, but when you automatically apply a tip it makes me want to tip nothing. AND, then they wanted to charge us 10% tip when we bought a gift card!! I'm sorry, you're going to charge me money to send more business in your door?!? REALLY?!?? Finally, the average food loses the flavor it has by the time you get it home so you then have very bland food. I think that's a product of the menu offering over 100 different options but the kitchen not really doing anything well.

    (3)

  • Angela M.

    Definite tourist trap. We had breakfast here ($50 for 4 people) and both service and food were dismal. I always feel like one should make up for the other. The hostess barely made eye contact and didn't smile, and the service was extremely slow and inattentive. Our waitress was nice, but just not very focused. Our table was dirty, with crumbs and greasy smears on the chairs from the previous patrons (kids, probably) and everything felt sticky and grubby. There were also a lot of flies in the restaurant, which didn't give a lot of faith in the state of the kitchen. The only positives were fresh squeezed orange juice and real butter for the pancakes. But overall, the food quality was poor, with watery grits, overcooked eggs, and undercooked pancakes that had a slightly burned flavor, like the grill had not been properly cleaned. The fresh fruit side that was supposed to accompany the plate was a wafer thin slice of pineapple and half a strawberry. What they call a "side", I would call a "garnish". They bill themselves as "award-winning", but the only award I would give them is for lousy service and utterly unremarkable food. It wasn't the worst I've ever had, but you can get something far more serviceable for half that price at the Waffle House. They are really phoning it in, and if this place were anywhere other than Sanibel Island, they would not likely stay in business.

    (2)

  • Adam S.

    We had a late lunch at the island cow. We ate inside where the decor is bright and clean. We had the crab potato skin appetiser which we both loved. We followed this with the tuna melt and BBQ chicken melt sandwiches, which neither of us could finish (due to quantity not quality). Our server was polite and very attentive. Overall a def we would go back establishment.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Crunchy grouper tacos....... Yummy!

    (4)

  • Bek H.

    Our family was eager to check out Island Cow since the reviews are pretty good. During a July 4 bike ride, we stopped by around 1:15 in hopes of getting some ice cream sundaes for kids and a few adult beverages for mom and dad. Upon expressing our desire to the hostess, she gruffly told us that we must eat a meal. Not the best first impression, especially since there were plenty of tables available. With all the other dining options on the island, I think our family will seek out a more hospitable venue.

    (1)

  • Uncle Buck S.

    We have been coming to Sanibel for many years, and had never eaten here before tonight. When dinner was over, we all asked the same question, "Why haven't we been here before." It's not like this was the best restaurant ever, but it felt like a true island experience. The atmosphere was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed the tunes playing overhead. We appreciated the casual atmosphere, without the feeling like it was grubby, out of control or obnoxious. Their service was outstanding. We all felt the food was very good. A vast menu, and we tried a lot of it. The crunchy grouper, coconut crunchy grouper, the sea food quesidillas, and pulled pork, as well as the frickels and shrimp/conch fritters. All were tasty, and worth the cost. The only thing I know to stay away from is the desert, none were any good. Yet, we still enjoyed our meal and we will be back.

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    My wife and I are currently vacationing in captiva and were looking for something opened later in the evening and saw on a few websites where the island cow was open until 10:30 pm. So my wife and I made the drive from captiva to the island cow walked in a little before 9:00pm when we walked in the old brown headed hostess did not want to look up at us but finally did, when she did acknowledge that we had walked in the restaurant she said "nice guys, coming in 1 minute before we close, wait is 20 minutes you can wait outback, here" and handed us a vibrating waiting device. My wife and I turned around got in our car and ate at the LAZY FLAMINGO which was amazing and the host was very nice and courteous. We will NEVER eat at the island cow and I recommend you look into hiring a host who smiles and acknowledges your guests and who knows how to act professional and courteous. Also recommend updating all the website that you are on that say you are opened until 10:30pm.

    (1)

  • Michael P.

    This place is very casual and feels kind of like an outdoor diner. The menu is overwhelming which is usually a warning sign, since no one can make that many dishes that well. That said some of our party had good luck with their meals, some did not (actually 3 of 4 did not). Service was acceptable, but the food is just hit or miss.

    (2)

  • Don P.

    Grrr! I'm usually laid back about waiting, especially on a Fri/Sat nite. But don't jack with me because the size of my crowd doesn't qualify in your book to be seated as you stated. The 15 minute wait slowly became 40 with multiple groups getting tables..some only waiting for 10 minutes or less. Keep up the good work John Oates.

    (2)

  • Lucy S.

    A Sanibel favorite. Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late night treat (on an island that closes early they stay open until the crowd dies), the Cow can do no wrong. Everything is delicious, but there's always a wait.

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    This place is so cute and unique. Definitely glad I came to try it out while I was visiting. I just wish I could have tried a dessert. Love that they gave hush puppies on my boyfriends plate. The signs walking in that the cow is holding "buy two drinks and pay for both of them" shows you the sass right off the bat.

    (5)

  • Adina B.

    Good casual, touristy place. Very large menu. Great place for families. Gets very busy of weekends.

    (4)

  • Julie J.

    I absolutely love this restaurant. Every time I have vacationed in Sanibel I make sure that I have either lunch or dinner at this restaurant. The setting is very cool and keeps reminding you that you are in an island. The restaurant looks like it was an old home before and now its a very colorful and a very happy restaurant. The food has never failed me and the prices are good. And I cannot forget to mention the muffins they serve at the beginning which are amazing since they are always brought very warm and moist.

    (5)

  • Ann S.

    One of the up-and-coming favorites. The menu is extensive, and they give it to you while you're waiting for a table so you have plenty of time to browse. Fish is good, but how they have "fresh off the boat" salmon in Florida is beyond me. Coconut shrimp is my favorite, and the basket on the appetizer menu was big and tasty. Nice beer selection. Kids will enjoy the cow decor.

    (4)

  • Alexandra W.

    After 10 years of coming to the island I finally got to try this place - Woowee it was good. Excellent hush puppies, choc shake to die for, burger that made dad happy, and nummy nummy shrimp. Go there and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Meghann p.

    My family has a place in Ft. Myers....we come here every time we are in town! This time I brought a group of my girlfriends here for lunch...everyone loved it! Such a FUN and Delicious place! Fit for Foodies!

    (5)

  • Neil A.

    About the same as prior reviews - huge menu makes for lots of choices and OK quality. Equal to a chain like Chilis but way better in terms of island vibe. Be careful if you sit ourside - when it gets to dinner hour those waiting will be right there with you. If your expectations are reasonable this is a fine choice - especially with kids in tow.

    (3)

  • Janet T.

    Went here with the hubs and two kids under six. Cute atmosphere, very Florida. Good (variety) kids menu, coconut mahi mahi, and cucumber and beans and rice sides are good. Not spectacular food, but a fun option with kiddos.

    (3)

  • Grace C.

    Absolutely worth the trip. Went to Sanibel Island for the day with Boyfriend and two friends. I ordered the crab cake burger and a bowl of the cold wildberry bisque. The server let me know that I'd have to pay full-price for the bisque (no substitutions) and that it would cost $6.00. I hesitated for a moment, but ordered it anyway. It's vacation, right? Get the fancy bisque. I am SO GLAD I did. The bisque is made with strawberries and blueberries (maybe blackberries, too? I forget.) and heavy cream. It's brought out with dollops of whipped cream on top, and a small cup of champagne to add to the soup. Wow. It was absolutely fantastic. Our service was great. We were seated right away, and drinks were refilled promptly. The waitstaff seemed busy, but efficient. We were checked on enough that we were neither forgotten nor overly-bothered. Lots of families in beach-casual attire, so it's a great place to stop after shelling on Sanibel Beach! The crab-cake burger was good, but I only ate half of it so that I made sure I had time to eat my whole bowl of bisque. :) Prices are good. Two people with one iced tea, one coke, the bisque, crab cake burger entree, and mahi entree was $35 before tip.

    (5)

  • R T.

    Loved the breakfast and the complimentary muffins

    (4)

  • Mitch F.

    I never get enough of this Cow! Sanibel is a gorgeous spot with a number of really great seafood restaurants, but nothing beats the Cow for selection and quality. The menu is so big, so you'd think that quality would suffer, but it's not the case. Everything is fresh and amazing. I just love this place.

    (5)

  • Leanne Michelle R.

    3 words....Best muffins ever!!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    The food was good! Great waitress, fun atmosphere, great experience!

    (4)

  • Jocelyn J.

    This place is always jumping! We passed by the Island Cow during different times of the day, and without fail, there were always lots of people sitting in the adirondack chairs out front waiting for tables. Based on that alone, we had to try this place out! We went for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and must've beaten the rush because we only waited about 5 minutes for a table. We were promptly seated at an outdoor table. We ordered a strip steak, a triple whammy (a special that day consisting of lobster salad, chicken salad, tuna salad on greens with a citrus vinaigrette dressing) and my daughter ordered the pizza from the kids menu. Shortly after being seated, our server brought us some muffins - strawberry and chocolate chip. They were moist and tasty - good but not the best I've ever had. Our entrees took a while to arrive and when they did, we were not really blown away - although I wasn't really expecting to be - I've come to realize that many of the restaurants on the island are slightly better than average. If you stick to a menu item that's realtively "safe", you won't be disappointed, but you also won't be screaming for more. The service was average - nothing to write home about. But we did like the outdoor area - very open and comfortable. I would like to try the breakfast here sometime since other Yelpers have found it to be good.

    (3)

  • Megan H.

    Arrived here around 8:30am and there was no wait! Yay! I did notice there seemed to be quite a bit of a wait when we left though, so earlier is probably much better. The muffins while we waited for food were awesome and our waiter was very cool. Both of us ordered the Shrimp Oscar Omelet and they were soooooo freaking goooood!!! The portions were ginormous and we had enough leftover for breakfast the next morning, which rocked. All in all, a really great meal for a great price. Can't beat that!!

    (5)

  • Katie A.

    i was on vacation with some family at the beginning of March and 4 of us went out to dinner here. 3 out of 4 of us woke up with food poisoning the next day. i had seafood fajitas (included shrimp, scallops and fish), my Mom had oysters and fish tacos and my Mom's cousin, who also got sick, had oysters and steak. i don't know exactly what item made us all sick, if it was a combo of oysters and fish, if there was a mistake in the prep of the food etc. but i had to reschedule my flight twice (first for later in the day and then for the following mornign when i knew i still couldn't make it) which cost me money (Jet Blue was awesome about not charging me twice) but my Mom and i had to go to an Urgent care to be treated. After vomiting for 5 hours straight as well as being sick going to the bathroom all morning in incredibly painful, uncomfortable and extreme ways, they had to give me a shot and a prescription for disolving tablets to stop throwing up. The reason i am writing this story on their Yelp page is because when we got home from the doctor, we called the restaurant to let them know so they could inspect their kitchen and try to be sure no one else would get sick. They could not have been more rude!! They basically said that no one else got sick (that they knew of at that point i'm sure) and that they pretty much didn't care. Thanks for such an insulting reaction, wow!

    (1)

  • William S.

    We had heard that the "cow" had a good breakfast. We were not disappointed! I had the "stuffed" french toast that had scrambled eggs, bacon wedged between two slices of dark colored french toast (Wheat?). It was different and tasted very good. Of course the famous plate of muffins came out first and they were tasty as well. i was impressed by our wait staff as he stacked 4 plates up his arm and one in the other. We had a party of 6 so only one had to wait for the meal....it was me but worth the wait! Friendly and speedy service. Breakfast a hit! The outdoor seating is a must and if you would like they have lounge chairs to relax outside after the meal.

    (4)

  • Antonio M.

    Food was good and the menu was very unique. The service was something left to be desired.

    (3)

  • Ellen H.

    We LOVE the Island Cow! We were one of their first customers the week they first opened their doors, we have been going back since. They have fabulous food, try the Poor Boys & pulled pork! See ya next year!!!

    (5)

  • Clifford F.

    We went to the Island Cow after a sunset on the beach and had a wonderful meal. The stone crabs were perfect as well as the service and atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious but we didn't have the chance to try them all. A definite must go!

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    Island Cow gets a lot of attention and I think its partially due to the big sign of a cow hula dancing out front. Like a lot of food stops on Sanibel much of the food is good but not great. There are some gems on the menu like the catfish ruben. The portions are MASSIVE insuring you wont leave hungry. Of the more family oriented restaurants on Sanibel, Island Cow is the best of them. I might have reconsidered giving Island Cow a 5 but the last time I was there someone's glass broke and sent pieces of glass shooting across our table. Concerned about eating food that just had glass sailing across it we notified our server and the manager who didn't seem to care.

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    Over the past few years, we have been here a couple of times. However this time the food seemed to be better and the prices were very reasonable. After staying in the Naples area and paying between $20-$25 for an entree involving fresh seafood, the Island Cow's was cheaper, food tasted just as good (perhaps better), and they gave us a lot more food.

    (5)

  • Jody R.

    Came here for lunch. Fresh seafood items. We had the calamari appetizer which tasted freshly made. We also had the grilled oysters...very good. The seafood quesadilla was just ok. We plan on trying this place for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Ron B.

    I had the crab cake burger and fries, it was well prepared and quite tasty. Service was good, there was no wait to be seated, prices was affordable. They had a large menu to choose from and plenty of seafood. They serve breakfast and have Starbucks coffe including Latte's. I would go again.

    (4)

  • Vanessa G.

    Visited the island cow for a late lunch after spending the day on Sanibel island. The menu was extensive with something for everyone. They bring over muffins to snack on while you wait. We ordered pig ribs (I think that's what they were called), they were plump, juicy, and delicious. I had a cilantro, mango chicken sandwich that was on special and it was soooo good. They should add it to their menu permanently! The restaurant had a fun cow theme throughout. The prices were extremely reasonable, service was on point, and everything (including the muffins) were delightful! Would definitely return!

    (5)

  • Suze R.

    More is not better. Bigger is not better. The portion sizes here are disgusting and unhealthy. I didn't like the sloppiness of this place. The waiters walk around with the rags they wipe the tables and God knows what else sticking out of their back pocket. Good for families with noisy kids and people that want to stuff themselves with lousy food.

    (1)

  • Alan F.

    One of our favorites on the island for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu is huge and has something for everyone. The food is always good and the price is reasonable, especially for the island. They have music on the patio most evenings. The service is usually good but can be a bit slow during peak times. Just gives you a chance to linger over coffee or a drink and enjoy each others company.

    (4)

  • P. S.

    Good breakfast place with big portions, friendly service. Often a wait, but worth it. Seafood omelet was very seafood-y. Pancakes were OK, not great.

    (4)

  • Bryan M.

    Family with 10 and 6 yo really enjoyed this place for dinner. Waiting area was fun with cornhole, ring hook, and parrots! Food was good not great for adults but kids loved the muffins and their food. Adult beverages were very good after a day at the beach! Kids comments "cow potion was awesome". "double chocolate shake was best ever"

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    Pretty mediocre, in my opinion... though there is nearly always a wait. Menu is huge (but that doesn't mean it's good). Service was fine. Their draft of the day special is great. The oysters were not good; they were huge and not sweet (lazy flamingo or timbers have great oysters). The fish tacos weren't bad (fried grouper) and the pulled pork sandwich wasn't bad either (though nothing special, really... much better pulled pork available at the Sunday farmers market). The most expensive entree that we ordered, scallops and crab cake in voodoo sauce with mashed potatoes and veggies... were awful. It all tasted like it had come out of the freezer; the scallops were itty-bitty and the crab meat was all back-fin, no lump. Fortunately, the server was nice and comped us for the scallop & crab cake main (since we only had a couple bites and said it was bad). Also, my wife didn't care for her milkshake. Anyway... we probably won't be back... but that doesn't mean everything on their menu is bad. I think we mostly just ordered poorly.

    (3)

  • Kim L.

    Super kid-friendly, fun atmosphere, decent food, yummy muffins. We would go back.

    (4)

  • Meranda E.

    Nothing great about this place. Went in as a solo diner and was relegated to the bar and told there was a 30 minute wait if I wanted a table. Oddly enough, the groups that came in after me sure didn't have to wait that long. The bartender was new and knew nothing about the menu and could offer no recommendations. The root beer on tap was good but keep in mind it's a beer and wine only bar so don't expect any fun tropical drinks on the island here. Ordered the grilled seafood dinner with tilapia, scallops, shrimp, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Sounds like a great dinner except everything was completely unseasoned and tasteless, the veggies consisted of a pile of sliced carrots and 5 green beans, and the mashed potatoes were bland and pasty-no mashed texture. Killed a couple ants on the bar while I was finishing dinner too.

    (1)

  • Dan A.

    For days in Sanibel during spring break and we could only get into this place once, But that one time, we certainly understood why people line up.

    (5)

  • Nic W.

    Visited the Island Cow while on vacation in Sanibel. The atmosphere is great. When we arrived for lunch, there was no wait for inside seating and a small wait to sit outside. We chose to sit inside and it was great. First they bring some cold muffins to your table. This is different then the normal bread or rolls that most restaurants give you and they were very good. My 12 month old could not get enough. :) They even gave us some to take with us since she liked them so much. We ordered 3 different meals. 1. Children mac and cheese with fries. 2. Coconut shrimp with fries, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. (Large shrimp with a great taste.) 3. Bronzed red snapper with fries, and coleslaw. (Fish had a slight sweet taste to it. Very interesting.) All the meals were great portions and very good. Would definitely recommend to try if you are on the island. Hope to go back and try some of the fish off the specials menu.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Good place. Been here each of the three times I've been to sanibel. I always order the crab cake salad.

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    i'm totally obsessed with this place and want to work here when i'm an elderly snowbird/crazy island lady. my family and i stopped in for lunch while on vacation after reading some good reviews, and seeing tons of cars in the parking lot. upon being greeted by the super-friendly host and seeing adorable pastel decor, cute signs and a chair that read "what happens on sanibel...we talk about all week", i knew this was gonna be good. we had to wait a bit to be seated, but it gave us time to look over the enooormous menu. seriously, it gives the cheesecake factory a run for its money. once we were seated, the waitress brought us coconut muffins(!) that made me wonder why any restaurant had ever brought me bread before. yum! now, onto the food! i got a massive tuna melt that had just the perfect amount of seasoning, was topped with swiss and american cheese and served on sourdough bread with fries that were equally as delicious. my mom got one of the lunch specials, a "chicken burger" - um, yes, that's a chicken patty stuffed with feta, spinach and tomato (or maybe peppers? either way...awesome) and my dad got a reuben of some sort, which he loved. we were still raving about our meals on the last day of our vacation, so we came back for lunch to end things right. this time, my parents both got the grouper tacos, and i, the crabcake burger. all amazing...again. the waitress even brought us to-go cups for our drinks since it was a hot day. so sweet. i love you, island cow!

    (5)

  • CL S.

    We've been going to the Island Cow for years and it's really become hit or miss lately. On the most recent visit, my fried shrimp were sort of damp and lacking in taste; same for the cheesy grits. The famous muffins weren't even that great. On a prior visit, the fish & shrimp tacos were really good and the muffins were of the sweet funfetti variety so that was a great visit! I don't imagine you can make everything really well when your menu is that long and all-encompassing so I wouldn't be sad if I arrived again next time to find a shorter, more guaranteed-to-be-good menu. All that said, I will still continue to visit the Cow on every Sanibel trip, even if I have to wait for an hour for a table. It's just a tradition at this point!

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    Basically, I hate the food everywhere outside NY and NJ, BUT . . . *They comped my boyfriend's meal because he found a long, half-bleached, half-black hair in his fried gator basket. *The waitress and the crayons made my niece giggle the whole time. *They have cool birds in the backyard. *I got everybody out of there for under $60, including the booze and a decent tip that was well-earned. Eh, you get what you pay for, right? I'd probably be there occasionally if I lived down there.

    (3)

  • Sharon S.

    slip sliding away. just returned from Sanibel after a glorious morning kayaking and experiencing a ghastly breakfast at the Island Cow. First off, some dried out multi-color mini muffins were placed on the table. Dry as dust and inedible. I had a breakfast quesadilla which was about the blandest thing I've ever eaten. A can of black beans and some mild cheese heated up in a tortilla with two eggs over easy on top. No flavor. Watery diced canned tomatoes in lieu of salsa. No onion, no heat, no cilantro! unripened pineapple and melon slice were afterthoughts to make the plate look better. Worst grits ever! No flavor, very watery, really just wallpaper paste. My husband had eggs, bacon, toast and grits. Service was without personality, which used to be a feature of this place. I'd say, The Island Cow may be ready to be put to pasture. We only stopped here this morning as The Over Easy Cafe was closed. Season starts in a week or so, so lots of places are taking a chance for one last break before the deluge. The Sanibel Bean was also closed.

    (2)

  • Noah E.

    I have been there twice with my family and I have not had any problems at all. The food tastes great and the waiters are helpful and nice. It has a very good feel to it and next time I'm in Sanibel, I will be returning to the Island Cow. It truly is a good .

    (5)

  • John R.

    I'll start with this: I'm not a fan. Everything here was borderline inedible. Every single time I drive by (I vacation in Captiva with my family every year) the place is packed. Unwittingly, we pulled up and after a 30 minute wait were seated by one of the most monotonous servers in the loudest dining area (there was a fricking dog barking and growling!) only to be served Shrimp/Conch Fritters (mostly filler), Artichoke Hears (from a can with ranch dressing from a bottle), Extruded Sweet Potato Fries. Needless to say, the appetizers were terrible. I will say, the Corn Muffins were good, not great. I really didn't like this. It was really bad. 'Nuff said.

    (2)

  • J P.

    The best dining experience I had on my trip to Sanibel and very memorable. I have a large family and most places on the island were difficult to impossible to get into and be seated but they accommodated us very nicely. Food was good. I plan to return here on my next trip.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth Z.

    The service at this place was wonderful. We had a large somewhat boisterous group that was so big we ended up having to split into two tables and they were very polite and accommodating. That said, the food wasn't particularly memorable and the prices were a little higher than average but what I would expect from a restaurant that probably gets most of its business from tourists.

    (3)

  • Jon G.

    Typical of any restaurant with 200 plus menu items. If you're into that (and evidently many are) then have at it.

    (1)

  • ryan M.

    This place rocks, great food, great drink prices and selections, huge portions that are not over fried. This place has it all, you can great great quality seafood for very reasonable prices and a large variety. if you aren' into fried, get it grilled, or broiled, they will do it however you like. its a bit noisy here when crowded, but it goes with the atmosphere here. You seriously need to go here for a meal if anywhere near the island, you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    We've vacationed on Sanibel the first week of December for 10 years. And eat at the Island Cow at least twice during the week. And have to talk ourselves out of eating there more often. We honestly enjoy it. Couldn't believe the recent negative reviews. We think it is as good as ever. Anything you order for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We try to order something different every time, it's always good. Even the meatloaf. Prices more reasonable than most places on the island. Atmosphere is hard to describe, but it's casual and definitely different. If you are hard to please, the menu is so hugeand varied, there's certain to be something you like.

    (4)

  • Leah G.

    Very bad experience today....was initially told the wait would be 15-20 min and it was 50 min. Then the host told us to help ourselves to muffins, for which the waitress yelled at me! Then, when I complained to the host, I was shown a minuscule note, 2 feet away from the muffins and handscrawled on a receipt pad, along with 5 or 6 other notes, saying that they were 99 cents each. What customer service! Horrible experience! Won't be back, and was a favorite spot:(

    (1)

  • Yvonne M.

    We are part time residents and long term (20 years) visitors to Sanibel. Island Cow is a staple. However, its more for the tourists than anything else and is blessed with a great drive-by location. Food and service are average if you're an adult. But kids love it and it never fails to please. Go here for lunch/' brunch with the kids, but not for dinner for grown-ups.

    (3)

  • Christina A.

    We have been coming to Sanibel for 20 years. This was our first time to the Island Cow & will definitely be our last! The service was horrible! We left half of our food on the table - not even good enough to finish - it was sitting in over an inch of grease/oil! YUCK! The only good thing about this place was the convenient location. The service & the food were beyond horrible!

    (1)

  • Kate F.

    One of my favorite spots on the island ... theres a reason why you'll always see people waiting! really fresh fish and great spicy scallops.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    The prices were reasonable and the food was good. Nothing out of this world but I did have a pretty awesome white chocolate mocha there four years ago.

    (3)

  • HisHer R.

    His: My favorite spot on the island, a can't miss. Clean and bright interior with friendly service. Great for breakfast and lunch. Hers: ditto. They have a giant menu with lots of options (rare for a picky vegetarian to find multiple things on the menu that sound great). Worth the wait - definitely a don't miss.

    (5)

  • Caraline H.

    We come to Sanibel several times a year and the Island Cow remains our favorite spot to eat. Great seafood, fresh muffins, and a fun atmosphere. It has it all.

    (5)

  • Elmer B.

    Enjoyed a great flounder dinner. The corn muffins are to kill for!

    (5)

  • Abby K.

    Such a cute little restaurant, relaxed atmosphere. Outside tables available. Burgers are good! Friendly service! We have been there for dinner and lunch and never had anything that we didn't care for!

    (5)

  • Allison F.

    Pretty good dinner--this place is casual enough that we had no problem bringing our (busy) toddler. Food was good, the beer was cold and the atmosphere was laid-back.

    (4)

  • Bentley W.

    Decent food but service was nothing to shout about--not unexpected considering its tourist trap atmosphere and our visit during peak season. Not a bad choice if you're looking for something simple and fairly valued on Sanibel Island.

    (3)

  • Karthik H.

    Quaint place. Lots & lots of food. Have breakfast & skip lunch. Have lunch ---so on & so forth. Had the overstuffed french toast. Will recommend it. Easy relaxed atmosphere. Go for the outdoor seating. Great service.

    (3)

  • Laura T.

    Dissapointing breakfast.. The "be crappy" was nice but a little too greasy..and "the bomb" special was clearly not da bomb. It was bland, small portioned, and boring.

    (2)

  • Susan P.

    The Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos are outstanding! They're on the daily specials menu.

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    Definitely the best meal I had on Sanibel Island during a week's vacation there - I would venture it may be the best restaurant there that's priced under $15/plate. Things start off well with a great outside patio for eating that was nearly always full every time I walked or biked past the place -- and unfortunately also full when my group actually went to eat there. The goodness continues with cheap drinks - $10 pitchers of quality beer is nothing to complain about. The value continues, especially notable given the inflated prices of Island meals which were often mediocre -- the $12 baker's dozen of delicious oysters stands out as a great value. I had the catfish reuben based on one of the other reviews - delicious and like others have noted, the portions on everything are HUGE. Good stuff!

    (4)

  • T G.

    Decent food, mostly fresh, not sure how they couldn't get fresh fruit in Florida. Casual atmosphere. Place seems active morning, noon and night.

    (3)

  • Nick S.

    On a typical week long trip to Sanibel, my family will enjoy multiple meals at the Island Cow. For us, it's delicious food and friendly service have made it stand out among a crowd of very mediocre island restaurants. Among our favorites are the salads--such as the adobe chicken salad and the sesame tuna salad--the BBQ meals, fried pickles, the fresh fish, and any of their specials. The key lime pie is hard to beat, too.

    (5)

  • Brandy M.

    This was by far the best little find. It's amazing food. Everything was great even our server. We ordered the voodoo scallops with crab cake, seafood scampi, crab stuffed shrimp, fried pickles, oysters, and the conch fritters. All great!!!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    Excellent seafood and a fun atmosphere. We brought our 14 month old son and he loved the balloon animals and the live music. The grilled fish is excellent and the shrimp plates were plump and flavorful. The beer specials were good and had a decent selection by Florida standards.

    (5)

  • Jim F.

    This place did not disappoint. I had the special - grouper and shrimp tacos. Very good. The shrimp was not overcooked (a common issue with us) and the grouper was fried and crunchy. The fried seafood basket was a bit of a disappointment but the chocolate shake was outstanding. Great for kids.

    (4)

  • Lindsay G.

    What a fun experience this was! We came with 5 adults and our toddler and we were all entertained by the games in the outside waiting area. A sign at the entrance advertised "Live music. May be Jimmy Buffet. Probably not" which set the tone for a beachy and laid back evening with surprisingly speedy service. I am particular about corn bread quality and enjoy a free nosh at the start of a meal, so the moist and tasty corn bread muffins that await you at your table were a great start. We started our meal with an island take on potato skins, stuffed with crab and gooey cheese. Tasty but not spectacular. Between the 6 of us, the gumbo was good, the fried oyster basket was crisp and well-seasoned, the cheeseburger which was just fair, there were excellent coconut scallops on a too-thick-for-a-po-boy bun, and a child's menu with fresh fruit and peel and eat shrimp- a nice alternative from the usual. All of the portions were waaaaay too big and we were wishing we had ordered less and shared, and shocked that no other Yelp reviewers had mentioned the large portions. To further over-stuff my poor tummy, I ordered a chocolate shake which was topped with festive sprinkles and totally worth the fullness I was feeling from it. In short, good food, fast and friendly service, fun environment, good music, keep in mind you'll have leftovers, and order a chocolate shake :)

    (4)

  • Meredith L.

    The Oysters Rockefeller were bizarre to say the least. Goat cheese, spinach, and crumbled bacon. Lukewarm and just...not good. The fried gator was pretty good, and they have good drink specials.

    (2)

  • t l.

    FOOD NOT SO GOOD, SLOW MOO-VING SVC, MID-HI $, CRAZY LARGE MENU, MEH OK PLACE Not sure why all the good reviews and why so many STAMPEDE to this unspectacular restaurant. We waited a long while for a table. I felt I was HERDED here by all the good reviews. Had the blackened shrimp salad. Shrimp in salad was burnt (not blackened but burnt), overpriced and over seasoned with far too much hypertension-inducing salt. It made it inedible and that was for a $20+ plate. Had the calamari-small portion, clam chowder-watery, Pasta dish-OK, cheeseburger-OK, Salmon was overcooked dry, crunchy grouper taco-just didn't taste very good. As well, the prices were COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON astronomical for a "café" diner type restaurant as the décor/name would imply. The mini cornbread muffins (instead of bread) were admittedly good. Our Food took forever to come so we CORRALLED the server and got another round of mini muffins. Server was not very attentive. He'd disappear for a long period of time. After waiting a long time for the server to take our order, get drinks, & get our food -everything came at once - the appetizers and the main entrees. Extremely large menu (maybe 200+ items) which MAKES YOU WONDER IF THEY DO ANY ONE DISH PARTICULARY GOOD and exactly how fresh everything really is. Good thing is you know there'll be something for everyone, even the pickiest eater. Bad thing is it may not taste so good. They definitely covered their bases...the menu includes burgers, sandwiches, steaks, Italian -pasta pizza, chicken, Mexican tacos/fajitas, fish, seafood conch shrimp etc etc etc. Everything was on that menu short of Chinese, Sushi & the kitchen sink (or maybe that was on there too but I missed it on the 11x17 paper flyer/placemat/menu). I must have missed reading somewhere on that menu why this place is called the Island Cow. I'm scared to see what their breakfast menu looks like. I think this place is definitely suffering from an identity crisis. I think it's trying to be the United Nations of cuisine on the island and their Service and Food is UDDERLY suffering. I think they haven't decided whether they want to be a fine dining restaurant, a CALF-Eh / bistro, or a casual diner. Either they are being overly ambitious or just trying to appeal to everyone so as to LASSO as many people in and substituting quantity for quality. Mistaking volume as success. No bull, we'll probably not be going back. There are other restaurants elsewhere to drop our MOO-LAH.

    (2)

  • Charles F.

    The Island Cow is an extraordinary restaurant with very extensive menu, great preparation, great service, and great atmosphere. Yes, I have read the many negative reviews, and I cannot relate to them at all. My wife and I returned today, one year after our first visit.

    (5)

  • Meranda E.

    Nothing great about this place. Went in as a solo diner and was relegated to the bar and told there was a 30 minute wait if I wanted a table. Oddly enough, the groups that came in after me sure didn't have to wait that long. The bartender was new and knew nothing about the menu and could offer no recommendations. The root beer on tap was good but keep in mind it's a beer and wine only bar so don't expect any fun tropical drinks on the island here. Ordered the grilled seafood dinner with tilapia, scallops, shrimp, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Sounds like a great dinner except everything was completely unseasoned and tasteless, the veggies consisted of a pile of sliced carrots and 5 green beans, and the mashed potatoes were bland and pasty-no mashed texture. Killed a couple ants on the bar while I was finishing dinner too.

    (1)

  • Dan A.

    For days in Sanibel during spring break and we could only get into this place once, But that one time, we certainly understood why people line up.

    (5)

  • Nic W.

    Visited the Island Cow while on vacation in Sanibel. The atmosphere is great. When we arrived for lunch, there was no wait for inside seating and a small wait to sit outside. We chose to sit inside and it was great. First they bring some cold muffins to your table. This is different then the normal bread or rolls that most restaurants give you and they were very good. My 12 month old could not get enough. :) They even gave us some to take with us since she liked them so much. We ordered 3 different meals. 1. Children mac and cheese with fries. 2. Coconut shrimp with fries, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. (Large shrimp with a great taste.) 3. Bronzed red snapper with fries, and coleslaw. (Fish had a slight sweet taste to it. Very interesting.) All the meals were great portions and very good. Would definitely recommend to try if you are on the island. Hope to go back and try some of the fish off the specials menu.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Good place. Been here each of the three times I've been to sanibel. I always order the crab cake salad.

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    i'm totally obsessed with this place and want to work here when i'm an elderly snowbird/crazy island lady. my family and i stopped in for lunch while on vacation after reading some good reviews, and seeing tons of cars in the parking lot. upon being greeted by the super-friendly host and seeing adorable pastel decor, cute signs and a chair that read "what happens on sanibel...we talk about all week", i knew this was gonna be good. we had to wait a bit to be seated, but it gave us time to look over the enooormous menu. seriously, it gives the cheesecake factory a run for its money. once we were seated, the waitress brought us coconut muffins(!) that made me wonder why any restaurant had ever brought me bread before. yum! now, onto the food! i got a massive tuna melt that had just the perfect amount of seasoning, was topped with swiss and american cheese and served on sourdough bread with fries that were equally as delicious. my mom got one of the lunch specials, a "chicken burger" - um, yes, that's a chicken patty stuffed with feta, spinach and tomato (or maybe peppers? either way...awesome) and my dad got a reuben of some sort, which he loved. we were still raving about our meals on the last day of our vacation, so we came back for lunch to end things right. this time, my parents both got the grouper tacos, and i, the crabcake burger. all amazing...again. the waitress even brought us to-go cups for our drinks since it was a hot day. so sweet. i love you, island cow!

    (5)

  • CL S.

    We've been going to the Island Cow for years and it's really become hit or miss lately. On the most recent visit, my fried shrimp were sort of damp and lacking in taste; same for the cheesy grits. The famous muffins weren't even that great. On a prior visit, the fish & shrimp tacos were really good and the muffins were of the sweet funfetti variety so that was a great visit! I don't imagine you can make everything really well when your menu is that long and all-encompassing so I wouldn't be sad if I arrived again next time to find a shorter, more guaranteed-to-be-good menu. All that said, I will still continue to visit the Cow on every Sanibel trip, even if I have to wait for an hour for a table. It's just a tradition at this point!

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    Basically, I hate the food everywhere outside NY and NJ, BUT . . . *They comped my boyfriend's meal because he found a long, half-bleached, half-black hair in his fried gator basket. *The waitress and the crayons made my niece giggle the whole time. *They have cool birds in the backyard. *I got everybody out of there for under $60, including the booze and a decent tip that was well-earned. Eh, you get what you pay for, right? I'd probably be there occasionally if I lived down there.

    (3)

  • Bernadette S.

    I have been to this place several times over the years. Definitely a family favorite , normally we do breakfast there but today we tried lunch and wow !! Everything was so good :) The service is always great and all 6 of us liked what we ordered. This place is great and has never let us down.

    (5)

  • Sharon S.

    slip sliding away. just returned from Sanibel after a glorious morning kayaking and experiencing a ghastly breakfast at the Island Cow. First off, some dried out multi-color mini muffins were placed on the table. Dry as dust and inedible. I had a breakfast quesadilla which was about the blandest thing I've ever eaten. A can of black beans and some mild cheese heated up in a tortilla with two eggs over easy on top. No flavor. Watery diced canned tomatoes in lieu of salsa. No onion, no heat, no cilantro! unripened pineapple and melon slice were afterthoughts to make the plate look better. Worst grits ever! No flavor, very watery, really just wallpaper paste. My husband had eggs, bacon, toast and grits. Service was without personality, which used to be a feature of this place. I'd say, The Island Cow may be ready to be put to pasture. We only stopped here this morning as The Over Easy Cafe was closed. Season starts in a week or so, so lots of places are taking a chance for one last break before the deluge. The Sanibel Bean was also closed.

    (2)

  • Noah E.

    I have been there twice with my family and I have not had any problems at all. The food tastes great and the waiters are helpful and nice. It has a very good feel to it and next time I'm in Sanibel, I will be returning to the Island Cow. It truly is a good .

    (5)

  • John R.

    I'll start with this: I'm not a fan. Everything here was borderline inedible. Every single time I drive by (I vacation in Captiva with my family every year) the place is packed. Unwittingly, we pulled up and after a 30 minute wait were seated by one of the most monotonous servers in the loudest dining area (there was a fricking dog barking and growling!) only to be served Shrimp/Conch Fritters (mostly filler), Artichoke Hears (from a can with ranch dressing from a bottle), Extruded Sweet Potato Fries. Needless to say, the appetizers were terrible. I will say, the Corn Muffins were good, not great. I really didn't like this. It was really bad. 'Nuff said.

    (2)

  • conor b.

    Eaten here once a year at least for the last six years. It's a fun place with great decor that has consistently decent food. This is definitely what I consider "island food." The type of food you come back home and know exactly where the extra ten pounds came from. The island cow helps to serve the glutton in me and allows me to eat fried treats and decadent deserts without having to wallow in shame afterwards. Well at least not until I get into the parking lot. Waiters have always been above and beyond. Fried artichoke po boy was the weirdest, most deliciously shameful food item I've had in a while. Love their muffins, but sometimes that's the best part of the meal. Don't forget to play ring toss out back. Kids love it.

    (3)

  • Jamie K.

    I'm going to declare first that my favorite thing about this restaurant are the funfetti and chocolate muffins served while you wait for your food. If you follow my reviews this shouldn't surprise you. It took a while for our server to come over to our table as I'm pretty sure he had 4 tables, but it gave us time to look over the menu. Decaf and cappuccino for us; unfortunately I couldn't find coffee to match Sun Garden's. For breakfast my husband ordered the Triple Cheese Omelet: fluffy eggs with savory cheeses sided with cow spuds and fresh fruit and I ordered the blueberry pancakes. Considering my husband would put cheese on absolutely everything he really liked his breakfast. The fruit seemed fresh but I didn't try it because it was mostly melon. I did however try the potatoes and if I'm being honest I found them to be pretty salty. They wound up being a good balance to my blueberry pancakes. My pancakes were standard - not overly fluffy but there were tons of berries. There were 4 and they were big so I wasn't able to finish them after having the muffins too. I'd give Island Cow an average rating - not bad, but nothing that really blew me away.

    (3)

  • Billy H.

    After a day at the beach, we decided we probably should eat somewhere on Sanibel Island since we did pay the 6 bucks bridge toll. We searched around & noticed that a lot of the places were pretty pricy & somewhat formal. We were in dry swim trunks & shirts with flip flops. We skimmed the reviews from Island Cow & figured that it would be a good place to stop. The gravel lot & trees throughout the property make you really feel like you're on a lazy island. The decor of the place is very Key West, I like it. You're in Florida, it's nice that it looks like it. We arrive around lunchtime & were lucky to get inside seats. The have a large patio with a fan, but the temperature was at least 95 degrees & we'd been driving around in a convertible with black leather seats, so inside was perfect! The place was bustling with activity. Our server stopped by & asked what we'd like to drink. We both hesitated for a second as we looked over the menu & drink menu. She brought us waters & we decided on the "$1.99 draft beer of the day". That day it was something with the word key or key west in it maybe? I'm not sure, I'm not a huge beer drinker but it was good, I've have better & far worse. I hopped up & made my way to the bathroom to wash my hands. The men's bathroom is a single use bathroom. I pushed & pushed on the door then realized it was locked & moved away from the door like I wasn't the one trying to get it. Don't make my same mistake. We ordered the fried conch as an appetizer for $8.99. I'd had conch before but it's not something you see on a menu a lot, it's usually more so fried calamari. It didn't take long for our beers & conch to arrive. They have a 10,000 island sauce that is thousand island with horseradish, it's quite good. The fried conch was good, however I'd probably rename them "conch puppies" because it was mostly stuffing mixed with a few of the conch. I liked the stuffing they used, but I'm not sure $8.99 is a great price point for them; I guess it's good for Sanibel. Speaking of the prices, I thought they wee reasonable for the island. As I stated before, a lot of places are pretty pricey. I didn't think Island Cow was cheap (except the beer) but I didn't think I was getting taken advantage of. They are on Sanibel & everything there is a little pricier than the mainland. The menu is also HUGE. You might want to skim it before you arrive at the restaurant. I decided on the fried oyster basket & Phillip picked the fried calamari. We decided to spilt each to try them out. The fried oyster was $14.99 & the fried calamari was $12.99. The baskets come with fries, tropical slaw & hush puppies. My oysters came with tartar sauce & the calamari came with marinara sauce. I got about ten regular sized oysters. They tasted good, I would've liked the breading to be a little crispier. The hush puppies had a little of a burnt taste to them. I liked the fries but could use a little more crisp as well. The calamari was crispy & I liked that a lot. The 10,000 island sauce also came with the baskets, good on the fries. Overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Island Cow. I thought that the prices were good for it being a restaurant on Sanibel island. The service was fast for it being so busy. Next time we are on the island we will stop in again.

    (4)

  • Brittany B.

    On vacation from Orlando, my guest and I tried The Island Cow for dinner on a Saturday night. We were estimated a 15 minute wait time and our buzzer went off approximately 5 minutes early. We waited behind the restaurant with menus and decided our orders prior to seating; we got to watch beautiful birds in a large enclosure. It took several minutes for our server to come to our table, but was quick with bringing us our drinks and taking our order. In less than 15 minutes, we had our entrees. I ordered the blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, which had an awesome kick and excellent flavor. The portion was so large, I took the second taco home. The rice and beans were some of the best I've ever had; I sampled my guest's hush puppies and cole slaw, which were also on point. It was difficult not opting to eat at the Island Cow the following day for dinner as well!

    (5)

  • Janene H.

    Out of all our dining experiences on Sanibel this was the best. Not that it was 5 star worthy but it was still better than the other places we'd been. First, I liked the open, casual atmosphere. It seemed brighter than some of the other older, dark, sticky restaurants on the island. We were seated quickly at a booth and brought the free muffins. There seemed to be two varieties, one was a cinnamon type and another possible vanilla? They were very good and tasted like a cross between a cupcake and a muffin. Too bad ours didn't have the rainbow sprinkles in them, the kids would've gotten a kick out of that. Service was a little slow and we needed to ask for more water on occasion. It took quite a long time to get the bill and pay to get out of there. I ordered the ahi tuna salad off the special menu. The tuna was cooked and seasoned nicely but my piece had some annoying strings of fat throughout. The salad was refreshing and a nice change from the typical island burger joint. They sell $2 drafts which was a good deal for Sanibel! They have a nice little patio/deck out back with some ringneck parrots, tiki bar and Adirondack chairs painted in a Jimmy Buffet motif. There is also the ring game and cut outs for photos. Everyone at the table was pleased with their meal and prices are a little less than other locations. Ride your bike, the restaurant is right along the bike trail. Afterwards let the kids burn off some energy at the playground less than a block away. We ate a late lunch/early dinner and were full for the rest of the evening. I would definitely come back to Island Cow.

    (4)

  • Karen R.

    My husband and I had lunch here. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated but no problem as it has a fun outside area, like you are in your own backyard. Once seated, we were immediately acknowledged and given water and menus. I ordered the fried artichokes appetizer and my husband got the shrimp and fruit platter. Both were great choices. My appetizer was enough to feed two people, almost 25 pieces of artichokes. The service was great even though very busy. Fun, casual atmosphere with cows as the theme. This would be a regular for us if we were locals.

    (4)

  • Ivan B.

    We liked the casual vibe and good service and, now that we've been on the island a few days, really appreciated the relative value of Island Cow. Dinner for 2 including a couple of $1.99 draft Landshark beers for under $50. We got the Bubba Gump, full pound of shrimp cooked many ways (coconut fried, bacon grilled, steamed). Also got blackened grouper with 3 healthy sides (veggies, cucumber salad, red beans&rice). The shrimp was excellent and portion sizes were generous. No room for dessert. 5 stars for Sanibel value alone.

    (5)

  • Aries R.

    This place is always good just a problem to get seated due to size of party but they still treated us great and I mean 14 of us. Kids loved and adults found it relax and laid back. If u don't wanna cook and just want to spend time with the family in whole than this is the place to go. Crunchy grouper or mahi Is a must and the mimosa for the ladies was good too!!

    (5)

  • Paul B.

    Waited for 45 minutes for a table for our family of 4 (including a 2 and 4 year old) and it was worth the wait. The good reviews are spot-on. The coconut shrimp appetizer and grouper and shrimp tacos were amazing. We got out of there with 4 beers and the meal for under $90. Just do it.

    (5)

  • Marty L.

    I have eaten here several times and I love the indoor and outdoor atmosphere, along with the great service the Isaland Cow is always a my favorite eating spot when visiting the Island. I would rcommend the tuna sandwhich.

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    This place is PACKED. Wait was an hour long packed for week day early dinner time. We ended up just ordering take out so I can't really say much about the dining experience but the hostess and the bartender were nice. I ordered the grilled snapper with two sides (black beans & rice/cucumber salad)= 18.99. The snapper was delicious the black beans were a tad salty but edible. What would be a real nice touch if they would add some fried plantains. Overall, it's worth visiting if you are on the island.

    (3)

  • Heidi C.

    We come to Island Cow every year when we visit Sanibel and we're never disappointed. The food is yummy and affordable, the staff is friendly and efficient, and the decor and kids' menu make it a great option for families We'll be back again next year!

    (5)

  • Jennifer R.

    Looking at the reviews for this restaurant we were looking forward to eating here while in Sanibel. However, after an hour wait, we were disappointed. Food was mediocre although the menu was extensive in options. If you are looking for a touristy restaurant this is your place, but overall the food was not impressive.

    (2)

  • Craig M.

    ATMOSPHERE: This is a very busy spot so come early. It definately has an island feel to it. There is a fun waiting area outside. Once you get inside it is very fun decorated. SERVICE: Our server was very prompt and very nice. FOOD: Surprisingly delicious food for the price. I was wondering how in the world they could have decent food given the humongous menu. But somehow they manage to have delicious food despite the huge selection. The wine selection wasa disappointing and the house wine was low quality. I ordered the steam pot and was surprised to find an interesting scampi boil with celery. I personally prefer the usual boils found elsewhere with old bay over the scampi soup boil, but the seafood was good. I also ordered the blackened grouper. Let me tell you, I tried grouper at two other places on the island and had very poor experiences (looking at you Flamingo II and Schnapper Hot's). This was the first good grouper experience I had on the island. OVERALL: I would add this to a list of places you have to eat at while on the island.

    (4)

  • Brenda S.

    Great Gluten Free menu! Was pleasantly surprised when I asked our very friendly waiter Wesley if he had a gluten-free recommendation and he brought me an extensive menu! Had just about everything on the standard menu available with a few recommended changes. Ribs, chicken, barbecue, seafood, fish... The margaritas were excellent as well as the cheeseburger, tropical slaw, and red potatoes I ended up going with. Everyone in my group had a great meal and good service in the casual, right off the beach outside or inside dining environment.

    (5)

  • Jamie L.

    How do you not love the Island Cow? There's the Ring Game out back. There's the front porch, complete with locals and tourists alike milling about, waiting for their tables. There's indoor and outdoor seating, both comfortable. And hey! It's affordable. That's right. An affordable option on Periwinkle Way. I almost don't want to tell you that, because the lines are long enough as it is. The Island Cow has taken over from the Lighthouse Cafe of my youth as my go-to Breakfast Stop whilst staying on San-Cap. Good Coffee. Good Breakfasts. Good Service. Fun, Casual Island Atmosphere, and Authentic Shell Parking Lot. Win.

    (4)

  • Jess W.

    Tasty and affordable food and drinks. The portions are enormous!! There's an amazing little patio out back to sip your drinks while you wait for your table to be ready, with fun props for vacation photo ops. Once you're seated, instead of bread they serve homemade muffins - ours were sweet corn, but depending on the time d year the flavors apparently vary. For entrees, we had a variety and it was all good! The taco trio was yummy and everything so well-made - if I had to choose again I would go with only the mahi tacos, because I don't like fried food and the grouper and shrimp were too crispy for my liking. But the mahi with the mango salsa....mmmmmmm. The salads are also delicious, and good-sized! Make sure you leave room for dessert, they have tons of choices. We had the key lime pie which definitely satisfied.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    We arrived around 2pm in the afternoon on a Saturday in July (out of season). I was wearing a bikini and a skimpy cover-up, and was worried we weren't going to be able to be seated because of this. Thanks to Sanibel being a beach-town, I was fine. The wait was 20-30 minutes but we sat right away at the bar, which only has three stools. The bartender was personable, but never asked if he could refill our sangrias, which surprised me because he was typically very attentive. He recommended the grouper tacos, which I ABSOLUTELY LOVED. Huge portions, decent prices (especially for Sanibel). My friends ordered the crab cake salad and the fried clam basket. We were pleasantly surprised to have the freshly baked muffins as an appetizer. The service was great and the food was outstanding. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Allison E.

    The place has a very casual island feel with indoor/outdoor seating and it offers a very extensive menu so there is for sure something for everyone. The place isn't huge, so be prepared to wait if you go during high dining times. And just as the name suggests, the decor is cow crazy! After being seated, the server brings some interesting muffins to your table..I say interesting because they were more like a cupcake (sans frosting) than a muffin...they were delicious either way! In fact we purchased a few to take home for later :) We also spotted LandShark on draft -Yes! I love coming to tropical places to find this on draft - bonus points for sure! My party of four started out with one of the specials - - a sampler that included conch fritters, fried shrimp & fried scallops. The best of the bunch was the shrimp, the other items didn't have a lot of flavor. We found this same thing with our entree choices also.. The fish was all definitely fresh and the portions were a good size, but it lacked in flavor. I liked the atmosphere of this place but the food left a lot to be desired. I have to wonder - with such a large menu how can they focus on making ALL of the items great? Maybe Robert Irvine should swing through and offer some tips :) If you're in Sanibel, you should swing by to at least try the muffins and get a LandShark but if you're looking for an outstanding island meal, this won't be the place.

    (3)

  • Anna N.

    As the name infers, generous, very generous and probably too generous portions. You will certainly get your money's worth when you eat at the island cow. In addition to the entrees, mostly fried, they serve delicious complementary cornbread with rainbow sprinkles. The ice cream drink menu is expansive and tasty as well.

    (3)

  • Kacie R.

    Always our first stop when we come to Sanibel (sometimes our last too). The menu is big....lots of fried food but everything I have had is super good!!! The muffins they bring you to start are my favorite. The staff is hit or miss as far as friendliness goes but they all get the job done and are fast.

    (4)

  • Jenny D.

    Went to the island off-season. The wait was long, about 45 min. They have a waiting area in the back where you can sit in the shade and the kids can look at the parrots in cages or play from a couple of games. The waitress was super friendly and attentive. She brought us chocolate chip muffins upon being seated, which even though good, were a little weird to eat at 8pm right before dinner. The menu is overwhelming, way too many options. I had the boom boom shrimp tacos, which consisted of fried shrimp tossed in a sweet/sour/spicy sauce served in flour tortillas with a side of tropical slaw and black beans and rice. The tacos were good, nothing extraordinary, and they were very generous. My husband went a little overboard and got a basket with fried calamari, shrimp, fries, & hushpuppies. It was enormous! Way too much fried food in one basket and way too much for one person. He couldn't finish even half of it. My kids had the pizza and the pulled pork sandwich and seemed to enjoy it. The draft beer of the day was very cheap, I think $1.99. The food was good overall, but considering the overwhelming menu and the long wait I doubt we'll be back again.

    (3)

  • Lucy O.

    This place was terrible, the food was bad and very expensive for what it was. Don't waste your time or money here...keep driving your almost to Schnappers...stop there and get something good to eat.

    (1)

  • Ruth P.

    Been coming to Sanibel for years and didn't get the long lines. Still don't get the long lines after trying it either. Plastic plates, so-so food (eggs Benedict yolks were hard, the Hollandaise tasted suspiciously cheesy, and spuds came straight from the freezer bag), bitter Starbucks coffee and slow service at 7.45am, although they were in a real rush for us to leave.. I'll be sticking with the Sanibel Café, my regular place. Great food, lovely service, homemade jams, the world's best hash browns and great coffee.

    (2)

  • Lilly B.

    Thank you for the complimentary muffins- great surprise:-) Having Starbucks coffee was also a plus. I ordered the Blueberry pancakes- not exactly what i expected. Undercooked and not sweet at all. Also asked for whipped cream on the side- very watery and not sweet at all. You should look into improving hat- it is a big part of breakfast and unfortunately i wasn't completely happy with it. But the place is cute:-)

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    The Island cow is an adorable locally owned joint open for all 3 meals. The food was fantastic, but unfortunately the service was really, really lacking. The hostess was less than friendly, and We sat for almost 10 minutes before being greeted. We received our food very quickly, and it was delicious. We had to flag our waitress down for refills after our food came. We also noticed several tables waiting a long time to be greeted. Definitely don't drive by, the food is worth stopping. Just be prepared for a less than fantastic waitress.

    (3)

  • Jamaal S.

    Brilliant food. Just brilliant. Got the gator bites and they were good, slightly chewy but they tasted good and the atmosphere is nice

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    The BBQ combo and shrimp po boy were great! If you're lucky enough to get a seat at the bar, do it!

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    We stumbled upon this place during a Friday drive through Sanibel and Captiva. Located along the main drag it seems to get a pretty good amount of traffic. It's also one of the more popular spots on the island according to Yelp. We only stopped in for a drink at about 3 in the afternoon and I think we got the last table. I went with the Cow Potion (cherry coke with ice cream) while my friend went with the beer. Both were relatively cheap ($1.50 Landshark beer of the day special) and equally delicious. It appears they don't have a liquor license so they have a lot of "wine based" cocktails on the menu. As for the food, the free muffin was a nice touch but I didn't try anything. My friend has the turkey club. The menu is massive though so I'm sure you will find something you like. The ambiance is "islandy" (as expected) and seems to be geared towards kids. When we drove back the next day around noon the place was packed so I'd imagine it's a good brunch spot. I'll be sure to check this place out for food on the next visit.

    (4)

  • John E.

    Don't leave Sanibel without eating here! It is WONDERFUL and has a massive menu for everyone. We had the crunchy grouper, meatloaf, sausage w/ beans and rice and a philly cheese steak (on homemade bread). A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

    (5)

  • Emmie M.

    Excellent food and nice little place. Came here on vacation and I am not a big seafood person. This restaurant offered a big selection of food and I had no problem finding plenty of food options. Portions are great and prices and pretty decent as well. Fresh squeezed OJ was great.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Quick, friendly service. Food was very good and there was plenty of it when we stopped in for breakfast. Serves Starbucks coffee.

    (4)

  • Tara J.

    Just got back from our first visit to Sanibel/Captiva, and after having enjoyed many meals over the course of 4 days, I can honestly say that Island Cow was my favorite dining spot! We (just hubby and I) enjoyed dinner here on the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend, with only a 10-minute wait. There is a huge outdoor waiting area at the back patio of the restaurant that is shaded. This area really could have been used for more seating, and perhaps they do use it for seating during other times of the year. I really don't know. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive. I felt like I was in the south in terms of hospitality. The food, well, the food was the best I ate all weekend, and I really felt like I experienced some good eats elsewhere as well! The menu here is HUGE. I opted for the chilled shrimp and fruit salad (I'm eating seafood when we travel), and boy was it fresh and tasty! My husband ordered the Adult XXX Lobster Mac N Cheese. Right on the menu is states that ID is required to order this meal. It's just a kitschy thing I think, but he had his ID out and ready to go when our server asked him for it. That Mac N Cheese had to be one of the best we'd ever tasted. (It was offered on the Specials menu, so don't expect it to be available every time you go.) Cornbread muffins are served at each table, and while I'm not a cornbread connoisseur, it was moist and tasty as cornbread goes. The ambiance here is casual, colorful, and friendly, and I must repeat myself when I say the menu is HUGE. If you don't find something here to love, there is something wrong with you.

    (5)

  • Judie B.

    Can't really review fairly as we didn't stay to eat. Over an hour wait at 1:30 for lunch and the hostess was rude. Yelling at people to make a single file line at the incredibly small bar was less than effective. There's many other restaurants on this island that would love our business and that's where we are going!

    (1)

  • Lee B.

    We have a tradition to always have our first meal on the island at the Cow. Their food is usually spot on and service the same. We didn't have as good of food as usual this trip so might break tradition next trip,

    (4)

  • Roger I.

    As I drove past this place, my family said we should go there because it looked cool. I knew I was going to like it as I was walking up and read the signs outside. When they placed a plate of corn muffins that were really delicious on the table, we knew we were in for a treat. I had the Cowrazy Kabobs, which had Bacon wrapped Scallops, shrimp and steak. Wow! It was perfect. It was served with skin on mashed potatoes, grilled corn on the cob and cole slaw. A chance stop here was pure heaven.

    (5)

  • Buff S.

    Completely humiliated by the hostess Irene. Extremely rude to us for no reason. Will not visit this establishment again.

    (1)

  • Gaby S.

    Love the Island Cow! this place is so quaint and adorable. Im not a big fan of their lunch or dinner options but i love their breakfast! they serve starbucks coffee too so make sure to get here early before most of the people on the island wake up. Service is great too and ive never had a problem there with that.. Did i mention the muffins? amazing!

    (4)

  • john j.

    A great place for large groups and families with kids. Great selection of entrees. The kids loved the muffins and the adults loved the fresh fish.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    Great selection of fresh seafood, well prepared, good service. It is quite popular, so expect a wait (25-35 minutes), but they have a nice waiting area as well as a few comfortable chairs scattered about the front and side. The muffins seem to attract attention, but were just okay. The muffins are well balanced, light enough not to fill you up, not greasy. I'd recommend any of the fish, as well as the cheesy grits. Portions were medium to generous. The dining area was clean, although the decor is a bit kitchy. They have a small gift shop type room off the bar, but I'd skip it as the merchandise is limited in selection and not particularly attractive.

    (4)

  • Taylor A.

    My family and I weren't sure about this restaurant at first because there was a ton on the menu - and can everything on their menu still be good from that large of a list? While their mashed potatoes were good and fish, they had good salad but definitely not "world class" as is said on the menu - too much iceberg parts. The pizza had too much cheese and chunks of tomatoes in it too. Also, the green beans were mushy. One good thing though is they bring out chocolate chip muffins straight away which were good. Overall it's a nice family restaurant just not the greatest.

    (3)

  • ty g.

    This is one of my family and I favorite place to eat. The staff is great and service is fast . We have a group of 12 to 14 pp everytime and never wait over 30 min for a table. Plenty to do while you wait from corn hole , ring toss in back and live parrots for the kids . Had crab legs tonight and it was only 18.00 for a pound..Just ck the rest of island ..You will pay between 26 and 38 bucks for the same bur, not as good. We always have lunch on the way into condo and breakfast on the way out cant say enough good thing about this place.

    (5)

  • C. M.

    This is a nice, casual restaurant with some unique menu items. We enjoyed our food. However, our server was not quite as friendly as others we observed in the restaurant, but she got us what we needed. Overall, it was a good experience, and we would return again.

    (4)

  • Hollie L.

    Always love coming here. Its sooo cute and delicious. Crab legs are well cooked and delicious. Its always a go to for me when being in Ft. Myers!

    (5)

  • Trish F.

    Very busy lunch location. Havent tried it at night. Not a fan of the muffins instead of bread but the coconut shrimp salad was enough to feed two people!!!! And amazingly delicious!!!!! Service was incredible and fast. Our kids enjoyed it too. Definitely kid friendly. The birds on the back patio are a must see.

    (4)

  • Movie L.

    1st time eating cheesy shrimp and grits. Fell in love!

    (4)

  • Kristine N.

    Crunchy grouper tacos - huge portion of two flour tortillas filled with delicious grouper. The side of yellow rice and black beans was really good. Coconut grouper basket - came with fries and hush puppies. A whole lotta fried stuff going on. Everything was really good though. The aioli dipping sauce was definitely the one to go with. Cute patio seating and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Beth B.

    We come here every year during our vacation me it is a great place! The atmosphere is so fun and cute! It ca get pretty crowded, so if a large group is not your thing, then don't come. The food is always good and the waiters are very friendly!

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    Great menu and variety. Ambiance was very cool. Food mediocre. I ordered the turkey wrap and the turkey tasted like processed meat. I could only eat half of it. The waiter couldn't get our soda order correct. There was only four of us so I'm not sure what was so difficult. I would not come back here.

    (3)

  • Sam H.

    The Island Cow was EXCELLENT and completely worth the wait! The portions are ridiculously large. I ordered the bang bang shrimp tacos and they really were more like two oversized shrimp burritos and they were DELICIOUS!! I haven't stopped thinking about them for days. I also had the conch fritters which were perfect! I wish I had known the portions were so big my boyfriend and I would have split a meal. Either way I would definitely recommend this restaurant and would definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Critic D.

    Not sure why people come here - other than its a tourist trap! My 86 yr old mother took her 6 yr old grandson out for brunch. The kid wanted bacon and chicken nuggets. It was 11:55 AM, the waiter said in order to get the chicken they would have to leave, get in line AGAIN and be seated AFTER 12 noon. REALLY they said that!! In addition unless they ordered breakfast in the next 5 minutes no breakfast served after 12. Not exactly customer focused. The food is what you would expect from a tourist trap and the service - well...do you wanted to be treated that way?

    (1)

  • D W.

    Food was so so. I thought it would be better the place is really cool looking and fits the area. I did take a chance and get Bbq and I should have known probably not the best place to get it. The ribs tasted like they were old and nasty and the chicken breast was grill and sauce thrown on it no seasonings at all. 1st and last try here.

    (2)

  • Sara O.

    We stopped here because I read in one of the island publications that they had won several awards over the last few years. We were not disappointed at all.The service wasn't over the top, but it wasn't bad either. At our table we ordered the Frickles ( Fried Pickles), The Fried Gourper Tacos, The Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Wombo Combo. Everything was fantastic. The portions are huge! I've never had better fish tacos anywhere!

    (4)

  • Brandi P.

    Absolutely horrendous service. Some of the rudest employees I have come in to contact with anywhere. Beware going for lunch as they will not seat you until the last breakfast order has been sent. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy.

    (1)

  • AV G.

    Another crowded ,dirty faux honky-tonk. Food was not bad, so gave it 2 rather than one star. No service. Place is a mess. Same menu that all the places seem to have. I suggest to other yelpers that they look at some negative reviews and determine the value of these places

    (2)

  • Gigi G.

    Arrived here at around 10:30 a.m. and overheard the hostess tell the party in front of us he would be the last guest for breakfast and they would switch over to lunch at that point. HUGE disappointment, since I feel like (from the reviews) Island Cow is known for breakfast. We begged and pleaded and were sat at the bar and able to order breakfast. The bartender took our order, but wasn't overly concerned with us. He was fine, but we could tell he was busy with other stuff. We got the impression he might the owner of the place? Anyway, he was playing referee between the hostess and other guests who wanted breakfast (but were told only lunch), setting up kegs, getting drink orders out, so once we had put out order in, he kinda left us to our own devices. Put it this way...I had to go to the hostess stand to get silverware and napkins. Not a huge deal, but these are some of the reasons I give it 3 stars. I got the breakfast sandwich and my BF got the waffles. They were good, solid. The potatoes were good. I ordered a bloody mary that didn't come to me until nearly the end (the bartender was slammed with other stuff, so I gave it a pass). And I didn't love that we were seated facing the door that leads into the kitchen. No one wants to see how sausage is made, know what I mean? I will say, though, my BF was going to buy a coozie, and the bartender just let him have it (I think to make up for my bloody mary and sort of over all lack of attention), so that was nice. I think we enjoy our breakfast experience more at another place on Sanibel (Lighthouse Café, which serves breakfast all day till 3. I review that place on here, too). Overall, it was a good solid breakfast. Get here early, though, cause otherwise, you might miss out on breakfast.

    (3)

  • Emily S.

    It was ok. The shrimp tacos didn't come with very many shrimp. The salsa was good. The grouper tacos had too much breading. The chilly willy was average as far as seafood goes. The fries weren't great either. Nothing to write home about. I don't know what the fuss is about. It's very cute and the decorations are what makes it an attraction I think. The service wasn't that great either. Not super impressed and we won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Rachel G.

    Came here on our first trip to the island and this was the first place we went but it was very disappointing. Although the service was excellent provided by graham, the food was tasteless. The beans and rice were bland as was the steak. The mashed potatoes were cold and the veggies looked canned. The fried fish tasted purely like the batter. The atmosphere was fun but I wouldn't come back especially for the prices.

    (1)

  • Kristy B.

    I have to agree with some of the other yelpers about the food, I really wanted to like this place! I had the broiled grouper with shrimp, scallops, veggies and cucumber salad. Grouper- I agree with the other reviews that there was no flavor to this at all. So bland that lemon with malt vinegar and couldn't help it. It just looked baked, not broiled. Shrimp- just ok Scallops- bland and boring Veggies consisted of boiled, bland, mushy carrots and green beans- gross. (Needed to be steamed not boiled!) Cucumber salad- tasted more like a pickled vinegary salad- more gross I feel like it was a waste of time and money to go there. Definitely disappointed by this place as it was a recommendation to go there. Did not taste fresh at all. Maybe that was my problem...should have gone with something fried as this seemed to be their thing. So I unfortunately I have to give this place thumbs down and it also the worst meal of our trip. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but if you're reading this follow my advice and the others to steer clear of the seafood. My mom had the baby back ribs...she said they were just ok, nothing special. Plus side- our server was very nice and attentive.

    (2)

  • Tyler B.

    I can honestly say that I've never been to a restaurant and had dozens of entrees that I would have been content ordering. They have a phenomenal BBQ, seafood, and breakfast menu. Not too mention great "home cooking" options (meatloaf, mash potatoes, that sort of thing). I was torn between the shrimp tacos and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Considering I'm from Michigan, where shrimp isn't as fresh as Florida, I had to go with the shrimp tacos. Holy cow, no pun intended, they were incredible. They were that perfect level of spicy, and did not skimp on the portions. We went with a family of 5 and everyone was not disappointed. Oh and did I mention they start you off with complementary CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS. They were very reasonably priced too, considering that they are located on an island. The restaurant itself has a lot of character and great vibes. Staff was super friendly and service was excellent. If I lived on the island I'd go broke eating my three square meals a day here.

    (5)

  • Philip P.

    Tourist trap... The 1 Star review is mainly for my waitress, who messed up my order and subsequently blamed that mistake on me (note: we were a party of 5). She ended up taking the incorrect dish back and getting me the correct one, but when the check came, she charged me for both dishes. When asked about the issue she said (and I quote, and please note that I was sitting right next the the person of my party that asked her about the issue) "It was his fault. He told me the other dish." I left abruptly so I would not make a scene (that sort of lack of professionalism really pisses me off), so I don't really know much else about the incident other than the bill was eventually fixed. Obviously, I wont be returning.

    (1)

  • Leigh C.

    Cool atmosphere and great that it's dog friendly. The chicken salad sandwich was good but my husband's pulled pork left him hurtin' on the way home. We will probably give it another shot next time we're on island but won't choose the pulled pork again. Our waitress was super nice, though!

    (3)

  • C H.

    Everyone is nice and very helpful. The waiting area out back is spacious. Ordered the blueberry pancakes, which were chewy(like they were microwaved) and the blueberries were dumped on top- not what I was expecting. The potatoes were good, as was the fruit. The orange juice was fresh with lots of pulp. Bright fun atmosphere. Not sure if it is worth trying again, as there are lots of other places to try.

    (3)

  • Steven G.

    I got sick for their cheeseburger i have ate. Worst noice level Not wheel chair accesible.

    (1)

  • Kamran A.

    Great service from Charlie. The food was equally great with a fun atmosphere. Very popular leading to a long wait time and difficult parking.

    (4)

  • S P.

    Our last day in sanibel & the name is what attracted the family . Loved the theme & the knick knacks inside...kids absolutely loved it. We ordered calamari basket,it came with slaw,fries & hush puppies. Honestly, we had better calamari back home in st.louis..so was a bit disappointed. Hush puppies...every one at our table, had a bite & put it away to the side...fries were average ,nothing to write about. I had a bowl of the lobster bisque ,it was delicious. My DH ordered the 12 lobsters & was impressed and delighted when they were brought in...not Itty bitty ones, but really good sized..& he happily enjoyed them. Kids ordered cow potion & chocolate moo shake. ..enjoyed it. Over all - kid friendly, very very courteous & friendly staff...will probably visit again for breakfast ,if..or when we visit sanubel next vacation

    (3)

  • Denise V.

    This was a adorable little place/cool environment. Family friendly, games for kids. Very nice wait staff. The muffins were so good, but be careful not to eat too much before your meal, save them for dessert. I had mahi fish tacos - the best ever!!! My husband tasted them, and insisted we come back the next day so he could get them.

    (5)

  • David D.

    First off, when we got to this place, we were greeted by 3 or 4 staffers and they were all friendly. We chose the patio, which has the most comfortable adirondack-style bench seats. Had coconut french toast and the crabcake open-faced omelet which were both awesome and very unique. They brew Starbucks coffee and have all you can eat grits, which they will happily put some cheese and a few shrimp in for you. Awesome food, awesome atmosphere, awesome service - awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Kai P.

    First time in Sanibel and ended up here twice. Great menu and atmos. Loved the muffins! Service was nice and the food tasty. Enjoyed the build your own fish dinners ane the liver and onions.

    (5)

  • jackie a.

    We were here lat year and we loved the food and the atmosphere. Back here again for lunch as we are staying at Sanibel. The service is okay unfortunately.

    (4)

  • Alabaster M.

    We were in Southwest Florida on vacation and went here for my son's b-day. Waited foh-evah, but there was a playground really close by and that made it slightly better. I love the funky chairs out front, too! If my kids weren't totally naughty and incapable of sitting still for more than eight seconds, maybe they would have appreciated all the cool chairs, too. My toddler loved the birdies out back. They were a gorgeous blue green color. What species were they? So then we sat down finally and ordered our food. The tables had this glass cover with a bunch of business cards etc from all over the place underneath. My husband slid his in there. That's what she said. Booyah! Food came and it was delicious. Me and Daddy got the crunchy grouper, which was just what you wanted it to be. Hush puppies were a little cold, and the slaw was bland, but the cuke salad was good and limey. Also somehow an order of sweet potato fries materialized on our table. The kids liked what they ate. My son was thrilled with his birthday sundae and song from the waitstaff, and here's a rarity in these modern times - it was actually free! Did anyone else notice the splendor that is Ricardo the golden-maned busboy? Just me?

    (4)

  • John H.

    Food is good, but not the service. I've been coming to Sanibel for 30 years. We've gone to the Island Cow yearly just about since they opened. This last time we were treated like a piece of dirt by the host, who I was told is the owner's father. I'd never been treated so poorly in my life at a restaurant. The waiter told us to just ignore him. He said, "we get those complaints a lot, but it's the owners dad, so we can't do anything about it." I've vowed to never go there again and drop my $150 it costs us each year. There are plenty of other great restaurants on Sanibel. If you want to expose yourself to being demeaned and insulted, knock yourself out, but we are adding a new restaurant to our yearly traditions.

    (1)

  • Dan P.

    I've eaten here many times. The food is okay but the service is excellent. Everyone that works there is always very friendly. They also have some of the best Key Lime Pie I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Kris N.

    Every time I'm on Sanibel I have to eat here! We arrived around 1:30 for lunch and the were on about a 30 minute wait. We each grabbed a $2 beer and sat out back in the shade with a nice breeze. We were seated in just about a 1/2 hour and then were greeted with delicious muffins! Nice way to start off! We all had something different and everyone loved their meals. They have a huge menu and I've tried about 10 different things and everything has been delicious.

    (5)

  • Nancy J.

    Love this place! Same owner started R.C. Otters on Captiva first, Island Cow here on Sanibel second, and Nervous Nellies on Fort Myers Beach third, and current owner of NN. ALL GREAT spots. But there is something awesome about the Island Cow that just has me. Food is super yummy and value for the money and open for breakfast!!

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    Sanibel is crammed with cute, kitschy dining options with great views or unique stories. However, for us - it's all about the food. After some Yelp research, we headed to the Island Cow for a lunch/brunch on our recent visit. It was pretty busy, even well after the usual lunch time, perhaps because of the Veteran's Day holiday. However, the wait wasn't bad and we were soon seated. Honestly, we probably needed the extra time to read through the extensive menu. Our waitress was run a little ragged, as she seemed to be covering most of the restaurant, but the service was good enough. We placed our orders and were given two muffins to nibble while our food was cooking. The muffins were good - moist and would have been a great dessert, since I always view muffins as unfrosted cupcakes. We also ordered a basket of sweet potato fries to share and they were outstanding - lightly seasoned but most just pure sweet potato goodness. I opted for one of the specials - a trio of salads on mixed greens with fruit and their house-made citrus vinaigrette. I can see why every raves about the tuna salad and tuna sandwiches here. The tuna salad was outstanding - well seasoned and not too wet with mayo. The chicken salad was good but average and sadly the shrimp salad was the least impressive of the three. The shrimp was diced pretty small and the delicate sweetness of the shrimp got a little lost in the mayo binding. The salad plate was huge and probably way more food than I needed, but hey - you gotta overindulge sometimes. My Mom went for their grilled grouper sandwich. The fish filet was huge and perfectly cooked. The regular fries that came with the sandwich were good, but not nearly as knock-your-socks off as the sweet potato fries. Mom reported that the fish was great quality - flavorful and fresh. Overall, nice dining experience though not a place for a quick bite to eat. Service can be a little slow when the place is packed but we never waited long for more iced tea or any of our needs. Food came out pretty quick considering how busy they were. Great place and one we would visit again!

    (4)

  • Jason V.

    Out all time Sanibel favorite. Huge menu. Priced fairly. Food is always predictably good and the portions are gigantic. Started with the wings. Advertised as Two pounds of wings. Think their scale may need to be recalibrated as didn't seem close to two lbs. But.... Ordered the pulled pork quesadilla for an entree and literally only are one quarter of it. The corn bread muffins to start are always amazing and the service is fast. Nice to be able to walk right in and get a table since we were thee during the off season. Others in our party had grouper dishes and all were happy!

    (5)

  • Marc D.

    Fun place, good service and food is always good. You might have a little wait but it's worth it

    (4)

  • TJ H.

    Delicious food! Great service! Second time coming here in our 3 day weekend. Second time was a little bit of a different experience but none the less delicious and food with friendly service! First time I ordered the pot steamers and second time around was the pulled pork sandwich.

    (5)

  • Les P.

    Atmosphere, 4 stars, what you would expect at a beach. Food, 3 stars, overcooked eggs benedict, soupy grits. Service, 1 star. I was shocked at how unfriendly the server was. ,

    (2)

  • Lily T.

    Probably 1 of the best fried clams I have ever had in my life. The breading is perfect. The taste is perfect. It wasn't chewy. This pick was a shot in the dark. Since we went to Sanibel island. And saw this restaurant on the way. I'm sure glad we stopped by. The food was good. My boyfriend got the monster burger and he enjoyed that! But the cornbread muffin was amazing. It was soft and warm. However, 4 stars due to staff. Service was a bit slow. My boyfriend waited literally 5 minutes until we got our waitress' attention. And it wasn't crowded. I'll be back for food. But don't expect service to go as well.

    (4)

  • Julianne Marie B.

    The atmosphere is perfect for casual island dining but not in a cheesy too crowded way. Lots of outdoor seating & plenty inside. Quite crowded on saturday nite, but it is an indicator of how good the food is. Extremely diverse menu, really something for everyone! Excellent staff and service.

    (5)

  • Debbi N.

    This place is amazing! It's cute as could be with an all cow theme and a ginormous menu. We went for breakfast but we're actually considering going back the same day for lunch. We walked 3 miles from our hotel so we were sweaty and starving. And we are on vacation. The food portions are huge. I tried the Jim Bo special which included two eggs and two links and two pancakes and grits and potatoes and fruit. Oh gee. I'm a piggy. But it was worth the calories and I couldn't finish the second pancake. Did I say blueberry pancake? Oh my- delish Beyond. Hubby had the crabby omlette. It was a giant crab cake on top of the omlette he loved it. Would love to go back and may do that on way back to reality tomorrow.

    (5)

  • Mercedes C.

    Island Cow is One of The Best Spots For The Triple: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner And Anything in Between. Tonight, We Came Here To Enjoy Our Last Dinner... And Island Cow Never Ever Disappoints. PLEASE Don't Forget their Fried Oysters- they're freaking awesome!!!

    (5)

  • Naty K.

    What a nifty place! You know those really uptight restaurants where you're afraid of sneezing and getting a waiter that will scornfully roll his eyes? Well, this is the complete opposite. You really feel as if you're sitting in someone's house and enjoying a meal. People come here in shorts and tees, and even the waiters are dressed like this. The place looks like a huge house with tables inside, and cows everywhere. How novel is that? And, as I mentioned, it is super cozy. The live band (a guy playing classic rock tunes in a Hawaiian shirt) made it feel like you could really relax and lose yourself in that island mystique. The tables inside are made up of drawings, business cards, messages, and even phone numbers under a clear glass top. It really is cool and unique. Looking at the menu, there is no way you won't find something for you, no matter what you're in the mood for. I liked the menu, but hated it, only because there were so many things that sounded delicious and it was such a large menu just made it harder to choose something. If you're somewhat indecisive, you may be poring over this menu for a good 15 minutes or more. I decided to go for seafood, just to get more of an authentic island experience. The prices were quite reasonable, even for seafood. Of course, my friend decided to copy me and order the same thing. The food looked simple yet appetizing. Give me simple yet abundant over that pyramid made out of 2 scallops and gold-crusted lettuce that looks fancy in presentation and leaves you hungry! The fish we ordered (blackened snapper) was fresh and juicy, and the portion was hefty. The sides were also generous, including the smashed potatoes with a subtle hint of garlic. As many others mentioned, the complimentary homemade muffins were also a nice touch. I saw some people mentioning the key lime pie, so I knew I had to order it. The waiter told us it was homemade and man, was it delish! It had blueberries, whipped cream, and sour green apple syrup. My friend doesn't have a sweet tooth at all, but we found ourselves fighting over the pie the whole time. The service was great, with the food and dessert coming out quickly. In fact, I don't think we have ever gotten dessert as quickly as we did here -- ever -- in any restaurant. For a place that at first seemed like a tourist trap, they sure did impress. I'm glad my sister recommended this place to us. We were looking for a laidback place where we'd feel comfortable in shorts, without spending too much. This place did all that, and more! We will definitely be back whenever we're in Sanibel. I read that their breakfast is one of the best around, so don't hesitate to try it.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    Came here on a whim and so glad we stopped here. Very cute ambiance. Not too loud by definitely family friendly. Always something to look at. I wasn't too impressed with any of the food on Sanibel Island, but this place has one of the better breakfasts oven had in a LONG time. I had the Shrimp Oscar Omelette. Really really good! The muffins they bring out reminded me of the ones my mom used to make as a kid. Really good grits and their fruit actually tasted fresh not frozen or like it had been around all week like many other places. Our server had a very nice, warm personality. I would definitely come back here again, even if it's just to have the Coconut French Toast!!!! I tried a bite of that and it is out of this world! We all enjoyed our meals. If I ever come back to Sanibel Island I will be here for sure! Would love to see what their lunch is like if breakfast was that good!

    (4)

  • Nathan C.

    By far the best breakfast we had at Sanibel. The food is amazing, the menu extensive and varied, and their coffee is caffeinated and strong. The little basket of muffins you get at the start... I'm making Homer Simpson noises just thinking about it. Each and every item we got - from the pancakes to the biscuits-smothered-with-eggs-and-gravy thing to the omelets - were top notch, five star, drool-worthy breakfast nirvana. Greasy spoon flavor with none of the sticky floors. The grounds around the restaurant are quite nice; apparently you will be waiting outside for a table if you get here too late. It seemed to start filling up around 9 am for breakfast, so if you're an early riser you can score a table and strap on your feedbag.

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    I have mixed emotions about the Island Cow. Cool vibe and family friendly. The food is so so -- with more than so so pricing. Expensive for what it is. Nice patio at the back with some birds (my year and a half year old loved this). Island Cow is always busy meaning it's popular. I don't think I'm too much of a restaurant snob but I only think it's alright. Try it yourself and let us know what you think!

    (3)

  • Mike H.

    Of all the things I love in the world, $2 Yuengling and free funfetti muffins is at the top (I actually want to be cremated with funfetti mix when I die). This is how my breakfast started out last Thursday while on vacation in Sanibel. Island Cow is a fun, "beachy" restaurant located right on the strip of restaurants and shops known as Periwinkle Way. Since we were there on a Thursday morning in the offseason, we were seated right away (although the place was not dead). I could definitely see this place getting very packed at other times of the year. Service was friendly and quick, but we didn't feel rushed. **Quick break for round 2 of funfetti muffins"" There are a ton of good things on the menu, I narrowed it down to 3-4 and had the waitress choose for me. She did well, I ordered the seafood omelet. It was filled with shrimp, scallops, and a pile of crab meat. It was great, definitely something different than I've ever had. I would definitely go back to this place next time I'm on the island.

    (4)

  • Meagan R.

    My mom and I stopped here for lunch during our day trip to Sanibel island. The atmosphere was very Florida Keys which we loved and our server was awesome. That combined with the cornbread to start us off left a great first impression. We both ordered a beer (GREAT draft prices!) and a few appetizers. Sadly, I don't know if it's just what we ordered, but the food was 3 stars, just a-ok. The atmosphere and service bumped it up to 4 stars for us.

    (4)

  • Kristofer L.

    Loved this place. Was probably my favorite restaurant of the week-long trip we had. Massive menu. Might be the largest one I've seen. Great atmosphere. Service was good and the food was excellent. Definitely plan to go back when we are in the area. Has a bit of a wait, but that is expected for a top place to eat like this.

    (5)

  • Arnie E.

    Best meal while in Captiva. Huge portions, very tasty food and competent staff. The shrimp po'boy was very good the coconut fried scallop po'boy was even better (although I missed the traditional remoulade). Try one of the complementary coconut muffins they provide after sitting down. Name is strange but the atmosphere is spot on.

    (3)

  • Stuart V.

    Nice place for breakfast/brunch son had French toast daughter had mango smoothie wife had seafood omelette (could have used more lemon in it) but good none the less. I had cheese grits with andouille sausage. The andouille was great cheese grits were amateurish (some shredded cheddar-really?) Great service relaxed atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Jeff J.

    Fantastic place---great service, fun atmosphere and the food is priced right! I love the grouper tacos---in fact, so large, that I take some of them home and have them for dinner. On an island where food is expensive, this is the place to go! Don't miss it!

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    Good family place, interesting fresh food , decent prices for the area. Casual dishes that aren't like everyplace else. Almost too much for lunch, skipped a planned dinner and snacked. Double chocolate shake just as promised. Service average. A wait but they did keep moving, took in order

    (4)

  • Manish J.

    pretty decent food - had the coconut shrimp platter. wasn't the best ever. had gone for dinner. atmosphere was very cool they had an outside seating area. also got the frickles. pretty good but i'd think anything fried is good! the frozen drinks are horrendous. do not get them. got the pina colada just tasted terrible!

    (3)

  • jane t.

    "Lets go to lunch on Captiva," said my Dad. Little did we know that most restaurants were closed for the off-season... so we made our way back to Sanibel. We picked The Island Cow as it had the most people parked outside and the freebie island guide said "dine with the locals". Well, we certainly weren't treated quite like locals, maybe our waitress has a problem with Brits (we are known to tip badly) or she likes to live up to the restaurant name? Anyway, after a few scowls (we had the cheek to ask for a glass to go with our bottle of beer), we managed to get some Becks and cheeseburgers to our table, which were both tasty. This place reminded me of Bubba Gumps - except with lots of cow references - and like Bubba's, I'd come back for the sheer entertainment factor - having the check sent like a frisbee across the table was highly amusing. Otherwise, I'd leave it to the locals. Who knows how much moo-ing goes on during the high season?

    (3)

  • howie r.

    Fun place to go. Huge menu, family friendly. Try the shrimp and grits for something different or create your own seafood dish from one of the many catches of the day.

    (4)

  • A B.

    Nice place, friendly. Service is slow and they have you wait in an outdoor area that is not too clean, and there are wasps flying around. Menu looks fun, food fresh but bland and not exciting. They allow smoking in their outdoor dining area, so beware. It is not a bad place, but it beats me how it got those great reviews and how it became the most popular place on the island. There are plenty of better restaurants here.

    (3)

  • Sean M.

    Had breakfast there... Good portion size for the money. Dog friendly so we were seated outside on the patio. Laid back atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Heather L.

    Just made our yearly visit to Island Cow and as always, dee-lish. I have ordered the same thing for 8 years, fish tacos, but this year I switched it up a little and ordered the combo which was one fish taco and one boom boom shrimp taco. Fish tacos will forever be my favorite here and the black beans and rice were awesome- just wish the portion was bigger. I truly appreciate the kids menu at Island Cow, although it has the standard mac n cheese and nuggets, it also has pulled pork sandwiches, chargrilled tilapia sandwiches, etc...my kids both ordered fish. I love the muffins that come to the table (instead of a breadbasket), my kids love the birds and colorful chairs, is it touristy? sure, but I'm a tourist and I LOVE this restaurant. See you next year!

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    Very confused on the average 4 star rating. This place was moderate at best. The food was disappointing (sea spuds, chicken tenders, BBQ platter, burger- all lackluster). Service and ambiance left something to be desired. However fried gator was delicious. Overall would not go back.

    (2)

  • Jordan M.

    This is our favorite place when visiting Sanibel. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner all very well with a wide variety for each meal. Some may knock the menu as a little overwhelming with all the choices but I like the fact that no matter what you are the mood for they have something for you. The prices are pretty reasonable for restaurants on the island and the atmosphere is laid back and casual.

    (5)

  • Marianna W.

    Great Bloody Mary's, cute atmosphere, terrible food.

    (2)

  • Danny M.

    Ok food. Slow service. Gets hot in this small restaurant with the doors open to the outside.

    (1)

  • Carol B.

    Quirky place with lots of character Lots of choices on the menu. There is something for everyone. Portion are big so even the teenage boys will be filled up. This place is popular so expect a wait near mealtime. 3:00 is a good time to go. Cute out back patio

    (4)

  • Katherine A.

    Love love love this place! I have been here twice and gotten the purple cow ( grape juice on vanilla ice cream ) and the cow potion ( cherry coke float ) which were both phenomenal! The catfish was fried perfectly, fries were well seasoned, and the grits were cheesy and buttery. If you come at lunch or dinner rush the wait is about 15 minutes, but they have a wonderful waiting area. It is shaded with a ring game, half a dozen adirondack chairs, and a bird and you can bring drinks out to. This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Florida!

    (5)

  • Doc H.

    The unofficial 2014 Grouper Sandwich Contest continued last night and I'm pleased to report that we have a new leader! Once again we ate a little early and beat the crowd. This place is very casual and rather small. It is thoroughly decorated with .... what else...... cows. Even with a very lengthy menu, they seem to do a lot of things right. We started out with the Boom Boom Shrimp appetizer. It has tasty breading and coated in a buffalo sauce. The grouper sandwich was outstanding along with the Bubba Gumps Shrimp, Chicken Strip Basket, and Adult Mac n Cheese. Good sized portions that resulted in some leftovers. Waitress was friendly and quick. The only drawback we noticed were a few pesky flies trying to share our meal. It is an open air atmosphere so they have easy access.

    (5)

  • Domenic J. L.

    I should have gone with my gut and paid heed to the bad reviews. We were looking for vegetarian options without leaving the island. Their pasta and quesadillas sounded doable. I was encouraged by the award I noticed on their wall, voted "Best Vegetarian" on the islands. The service was fine. Both the hostess and server were friendly and we were seated immediately, beating the rush that came in while we dined. We were hit by a raw fish smell, which, I figured wasn't too unusual for a fish joint. The $1.99 Landshark - "cheaper than soda" - couldn't be beat. The complimentary muffins were colored with red, green, yellow and blue confetti. They tasted more like cupcakes. We started with the sweet potato fries. They weren't bad - perhaps a bit too limp. The side salads were impressively large, with fresh fruit along side the greens. But my daughters found the greens too bitter, and most leaves were spotted, looking a bit past their prime. The angel hair pasta with tomatoes, basil and garlic was heavy on the butter, light on the tomatoes, basil and garlic. I ate it, but it was to buttery and bland for my daughter, who barely ate any. My other daughter had a grilled cheese and fries, which she didn't complain about. To finish the experience, a drop of water fell from the ceiling onto my shoulder. I guarded my plate from then on in case any additional droplets fell. It had been raining heavily, and I was sitting under a small vent. In summary, it wasn't a terrible meal, but it was less than satisfying. We won't be back.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    My wife lives the cow puns and the theme, where as I love the food and wonderful service. The staff really went out of their a at to make me feel like a regular, and I had a great dining experience! Food was reasonably priced, portions were just right, and the rum punch was delightful.

    (4)

  • Manny B.

    Huge portions and the strawberry muffins were out of this world. Great family restaurant.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    DO NOT EVER GO HERE!!!!!!! We were on vacation last week and went for an early dinner (4pm). Thankfully there wasn't a wait but that is the ONLY good thing I can say about this crap place! We were seated and our waitress was just..... off. Maybe hitting the wine a little early or something. We all ordered and she gave us the wrong appetizer, and then for the entrees she forgot one of them! Is it really hard to remember a kids chicken tenders meal?!?! When we finally got our meals every single one was disgusting! 5 adults ordered 5 different meals and we ALL hated our food. I would rather eat dog shit. The fish was definitely not fresh! Also they don't have any liquor only "wine based" crap! Gross. And when the waitress came to refill my sprite she poured WATER in it. What in gods name is wrong with her?! And at the end it was $180 for "seafood" that tasted like it cake out of my cats ass hole.

    (1)

  • Melanie K.

    Horrible food! Poor service (a waitress told my sister more or less that she doesn't need to order more food!).. Dirty place, gross food! The meat looks gray! Vegetables taste like they come from a can! I've seen better food served in hospitals and airplanes! Bottom line, Island Cow needs to clean up their act.

    (1)

  • German B.

    Its a good one, not extraordinary

    (3)

  • Tricia S.

    Very poor service. Makes me think of the Seinfield Soup Nazi episode. Arrive at 10:45am. Lunch is not served to 11am. Don't even try to get something off the lunch menu . It's not happening. They serve a loaded breakfast quesadillas on the breakfast menu. We requested to just a cheese quesadilla since I have a kid who just likes simple foods. Really how hard would it be to make & not add all the extra fixings??? No biggie we say we will wait the 15 minutes until it's " lunch time "& order. Waitress gives us attitude & is clearly annoyed. My husband order off the breakfast menu right away. We wait the 15 minutes to order "lunch". We order a cheese quesadilla & a shrimp po boy . Took a full 44 minutes from the time we ordered "lunch " until we revived our meal. When lunch arrived my son said " mom, we don't have to come here again" I agree.

    (1)

  • Nicole J.

    This is a delicious place to go for breakfast - For the price and free muffins/unlimited grits, you really can't beat the Island Cow. I came here on a Monday morning around 9:30am. There was no wait, although the place quickly got filled within the next half hour. Along with my hot tea, I ordered a Farmer's Frittata with a side of grits. The waitress came out with a complementary plate of fresh funfetti and blueberry muffins (4 total). Absolutely scrumptious. If I hadn't had breakfast coming out, I would have devoured all four. My frittata (~$8-9) was made from bell peppers, cheese, sausages, onions, etc, - and quite yummy. I liked that they didn't over-salt my dish, which is very rare these days. I also loved the side of potatoes and the grits were hot as it should be. For the price and quality, I would definitely recommend this place. There is a lot of variety, and I found it difficult to make a decision - will be back to try other items on the menu.

    (5)

  • Joanne L.

    Fun decor!!! Our party of eight enjoyed a very nice breakfast. Our waitress was friendly and attentive to food allergies. Two of us ordered the corned beef hash; both of us would pass on it if we returned.

    (4)

  • Amy G.

    Over a one week vacation this is the only place we ate at more than once. The kids loved the food and the ambiance. I LOVED the Grilled Veggie & Goat Cheese Salad. I ordered it twice. Once with the calamari (which was great) and once with the grouper (not as good of a fit for the flavors of the salad). Kids loved the Fruit 'N' Chilled Shrimp meals. Booze prices were good for being a beach vacation type spot. Service was good both times. I'd definitely recommend it to people visiting.

    (4)

  • Katie R.

    yikes. not sure where all the positive reviews come from because the food was atrocious and without a doubt not fresh (on the ocean.. fresh fish.. good idea?). my fries tasted like they had sand in them or that the frying oil hadn't been changed since last year. i'm not picky about drinks, but there was no rum and the daiquiri was made with what the waitress called a "wine rum" or something of the sort. the drink could've been a virgin, if you ask me. now, to the funny yet embarrassing portion of my meal, the entree.. well, at the time (now looking back, such a terrible idea) the catfish reuben sandwich - which sounded like it could've gone terribly wrong or amazingly well. unfortunately it was the former. loaded with cheese, fried fish that tasted like it had gone bad (freezing, thawing, refreezing?), and the only taste being an awful greasey/rotten taste. all i could think was that if i was chef ramsey on kitchen nightmares i would have spit it out and called it a disaster. the waitress was not particularly friendly or attentive. and worst was what i saw of the kitchen walking by to go to the washroom.. didn't appear too clean.. and looked as though the paint was all peeling off of the kitchen floor and hadn't been touched (cleaned, either) in years. maybe that's what i was tasting in my food, paint peeling from an old concrete floor. thank god i have an iron stomach.

    (1)

  • Mary C.

    I love Starbucks coffee and they're the only restaurant on the island that serves it so of course we had to go. Our waitress was the sweetest thing in the world and we adored her. Now for the not so awesome part... I got gator tail which was good but I wasn't sure if it was done or not because alot of it was still pink but my fries were good.. My husband got a turkey sandwich and chips- it was somehow worse than what you would expect from the corner dirty deli. Like slimy and thrown together with a skimpy pile of broken chips. Not awesome. Soo go for the coffee and muffins and good service but beyond that...

    (2)

  • Russ T.

    Tried different places while vacationing here. The island is not very busy at this time of year and that's a nice thing. Went there for dinner. The menu is huge. Lots of different things. A don't know if that is a good thing because how can you be good at so many things. For the items we ordered they were generally good. The down portion was the calamari. Lots and lots of breading. Very little calamari and really greasy. Other items were fine. I might like to come back and sample their desserts. There were a few there that sounded good. You can purchase their hot sauces but they didn't carry the hot one. Heck. But you have to try the place just to say you came here. I might suggest the breakfast over dinner.

    (3)

  • Brandon L.

    The muffins....mmmmm. They draw you in!!! Confetti...i'm not sure, but something in them makes them addicting! Island Cow is like Sanibel Island tourist dive. The staff isn't the best trained, and the restaurant not the best looking, but it's a lively place that grows on you. Outdoor seating and a lawn lounge area with Adirondack chairs makes the Cow a nice place for a bite to eat after a day on the beach! With tacky decorations of every shape of cow you can find, one would think seafood is not the best option, but go with it! The seafood gumbo and fish any way you like it option are excellent. Things to be wary of: since this is family island during the summer, expect groups of people with children ranging 2-17ish. The bathrooms are well, um, you may just want to hold it - unless you're used to that sort of thing. Beer and wine only. It's a small lovable place that gets VERY busy, so either get there during odd hours or call ahead to see if it's packed.

    (4)

  • AL K.

    First night at sanibel and this was the place we picked to have dinner. Place was packed in and out so we opted to sit at the bar instead of waiting for 45 mins for a table. DEcor of Island cow is bright and lively, a lot of cow themed decor.LArge industrial fans outside the dining area to blow away the no-see-ums biting insects. Food comes in colorful plates and large portions.Had the oysters in a half shell and chilled gulf shrimps. everything were fresh and tasty. PRice is very reasonable compared to the rest of the restaurants in the area. Good for family!!!

    (4)

  • Rob R.

    Neat place. Great for kids and large groups. Huge menu. Something to make everyone happy.

    (3)

  • Deepan M.

    Within the beautiful island of Sanibel, the restaurant is surround by nice greenery. The environment is family friendly with seafood decor. The bar is right when you enter, and is wine and beer only. They have their fresh seafood labeled on the wall and have a decent selection. When comes down to the food, it is worth coming just for the well seasoned fresh seafood. I am a hush puppy addict and they definitely took the edge off!

    (5)

  • Kathy V.

    The first thing I'll say is, if you go during the busy season, plan to wait. That being said, it is WELL worth the wait!! My husband had the kabobs special, which included incredibly tender steak, bacon wrapped scallops and shrimp...all fabulous! I had the snow crab legs, and for a small charge upgraded my sides to smashed red skins and veggies...turns out I didn't need to, I had the legs of two crabs, who needs sides with that much deliciousness?? Overall, our experience was excellent! We had a thoughtful and attentive waitress (she even wrote down my food allergies to ensure she didn't give me anything I couldn't have, and checked to see if I was ok to eat a food that's the distant relative of one of my allergens!) If you're headed to Sanibel, or even Fort Myers, Island Cow is a definite must eat!! Oh! And did I mention the amazing muffins you get before ordering?!?!

    (5)

  • Seth H.

    What a disappointment. We read the reviews and they are stellar. Our experience was far from even good. We started with the sampler platter and while I have never had fried pickles they were great. The artichokes and calamari that made up the rest of the platter were eh. The staff were friendly but the meals were awful. How do u mess u shrimp stuff crab or scallops and crab cakes? Cook them until burnt, flavorless and serve. They were nice to take one of our uneaten meals off the bill, but then again they were also nice to supply the table with bug repellent because we were being eaten alive. While waiting for the check the girls had to go to the car to escape. In those final minutes, I was bitten and didn't stop scratching until my skin was bloody. So many good to great reviews what happened? I think if u want a fried meal and u have bathed in OFF before going this may b your place.

    (2)

  • Jason D.

    Seafood Quesadilla is all I have to say!! Outstanding food, and a very friendly and attentive staff. This is a must stop for anyone visiting Sanibel Island!

    (5)

  • Bob V.

    Not good for groups larger than 9. They took our reservation but were rude to our party when we were asking every 15 minutes. I would leave if I weren't so hungry. Will have a water and salad so they don't get any money from me. Ha.

    (1)

  • Marie C.

    My salad had old,wilted lettuce, my daughter felt the fried shrimp was chewy, and my husband didn't like his shrimp either. And all of this after waiting 50 minutes for a table,

    (1)

  • Donita H.

    Great food. Great family dining. The portions were huge. My husband had the blackened grouper. I had a huge cheesesteak sandwich which was too big to finish. My son had the catfish Reuben. We all enjoyed our meals. Our final bill was a little high but not extreme for vacation dining. We would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Wayne B.

    Food was good. Nice waiting area with games for the kids and fans to keep you cool. Unfortunately the temperature was around 80+ inside the restaurant and bathrooms needed cleaning.

    (2)

  • Kelly L.

    It was just ok. We tried one day for lunch and it was over an hour wait and then we tried again later that week because we were curious and heard they were good with families. The food was just ok. I was actually more impressed by the fresh food and friendly service we got at Jerry's down the street than this place. I will say this-I had to take my child to the bathroom and the conditions were horrible! One stall wasn't even usable because it was way too small and the other stall had toilet paper all over the floor.

    (3)

  • KC F.

    Great atmosphere! Lots of cow themed items. Large portions. Grilled veggie and goat cheese salad excellent and coconut grouper sandwich -tasty:-) There's a large outside waiting area with a game and a huge banyan tree in the back.

    (5)

  • Tara A.

    First off... fire the hostess and it would be a five star review. The first person who greets your customers should be friendly and at least say hello! Not "how many" with a frown... Otherwise, we had a great experience. Forty minute wait on a Wednesday night, so be prepared. They offer a daily $1.99 draft, serve muffins before your meal, and the food was great and plentiful! We shared the kabob special - the steak was tender, veggies were perfectly grilled and the scallops and shrimp we're good! The toothpick fried onions and jalapeño appetizer was huge and yummy! Kids had cheeseburgers and they didn't comolain!

    (4)

  • Roger G.

    Love the Cow! We've been here several times now. Service is always attentive and food is always great.

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Good atmosphere and good food. Haven't been to other Sanibel restaurants so I don't have anything to compare it to. The raw oysters on half shell were pretty good quality. The mahi tacos were really good and big. It may be 2 tacos, but they are both the size of burritos. The sweet potato fries are really good and the regular fries are at the top of my list of best fries....the fries seem to be breaded and fried.....so good.

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    I was pleasantly surprised by the Island cow. I kind of thought it was going to be a tourist trap, however we always seemed to be driving by and Yelp had good things to say, so we stopped, and I'm glad we did. Huuuuuge menu, if you can't find something here I don't know what's wrong with you! My fiancé said that the crunchy grouper fish tacos were the best fish tacos he had ever had and I agree. They also have great fries, cole slaw, and black beans. The funfetti muffin/cupcakes were an awesome surprise in our takeout bag! Don't play the quarters game! We wasted way too much money trying to beat it!

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    Great place. Everything was great. From the appetizers, to the salad, to the entrees. They misheard our sons Mac and cheese and brought grilled cheese, but was quickly rectified. The grilled cheese looked good though.

    (5)

  • Manuel B.

    Long wait, menu is overwhelming. Despite browsing it outside while we waited it was still daunting. Overall a good experience would come back.

    (4)

  • Anonymous ..

    We visit The Island Cow every time we come to town. The food is good to excellent and waitstaff is good. The menu is HUGE and they have something to offer for everyone. Everything from seafood to sandwiches, hamburgers, rueben, salads, etc. When you sit your immediately greeted with a plate of awesome fresh muffins. They're one of the highlights of the meal. Your hungry and have waited to be seated... but now all is good when you bite into a fresh muffin!! My criticism of the restaurant the following. The menu is way too long and complicated. When your hangry its sometimes difficult to decide with soo many choices. The parking lot is rocks which turn to mud when it rains. And finally, whether sitting outside or waiting for your table you get bit by a million mosquitos. It would be great if you invested in a mosquito spraying system or something for your quests.

    (4)

  • Monica J.

    We had never tried this place in years past because it is always so packed and we don't like to wait to eat for hours when there are so many other great places to eat in Sanibel. We decided to give it a try today and were happily surprised at how good the food was! We still had to wait about 15 minutes in the back waiting area in the heat (at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday)even though there didnt appear to be any other people waiting.They have a HUGE menu that is reasonably priced, but hard to read through- weird script looks like a kids menu and too many choices! The atmosphere is rather kitschy, but service friendly, if a bit slow. We were fed chocolate chip muffins while we waited! We had a great flavorful potato skin appetizer loaded with cheese and bacon. They were actually crispy! Really good. My husband had the 14 fried shrimp basket with fries and slaw- the shrimp and accompanying dipping sauce were delicious, sweet, and fresh tasting. The shrimp were large and lightly hand breaded. My daughter had an angel hair marinara entree that was simply fantastic. The sauce was obviously homemade, with tons of garlicky goodness, tomato, and basil notes. It came with crispy garlic bread triangles and was a big portion. My entree was the Seafood Combo, choice of fresh fish- I chose Mahi Mahi- four shrimp, and four sea scallops. You get to choose how you want them prepared- bronzed, blackened, fried, or grilled. I chose blackened and asked to have my shrimp fried, but they said I had to get all cooked the same way??!! Um...why? If my husband is getting fried shrimp as a basket, why can't I get my shrimp fried with his??? That made no sense, but whatever. It was very good anyway. The blackening seasoning wasn't overly salty and tasted like a homemade blend. So good!! Fish and shrimp were cooked perfectly, scallops were a bit overcooked and a little chewy, but still tasty and sweet. Also, my sides, sauteed fresh greens beans and mashed red bliss potatoes, were great. There were a couple issues with the restaurant itself, however. This great food was served quickly, but our drinks, waters, and app took a LONG time to come out. People around us were getting upset both waiting for drinks that never came, and waiting for checks. Some tables were loaded with dirty plates, not being taken by servers in a timely manner. Our server was pretty attentive and friendly, but it did appear she had too many tables at once. I felt stressed for her, running around, inside and out all sweaty. The condiments located on the table in a basket were both empty and filthy, in desperate need of refilling and cleaning...ew...the empty hot sauce in our basket had syrup? drips and a french fry stuck to the side, no ketchup left in sticky, greasy bottle, etc. There was also an abundance of FLIES in there. I get that one or two might get in now and then, but when I say flies, I mean an ungodly amount of flies. And they were really bothering my husband and biting his legs, so it definitely affected our comfort. They should think of some investment in some sort of system for fly management because no other good restaurant that I have ever been to has that problem. It was gross. Therefore, my star rating had to go down to a three, but based on the food would have been a five, so I am assigning a four as middle ground.

    (4)

  • Nikki M.

    This place is a MUST when you visit! The food is AMAZING (plus they serve muffins while you wait) & Therry the waiter is the bomb.com ! We ate the steam pot, grouper tacos, and snow crab legs - all out of this world. We also got the keylime pie & that was rich and delicious.

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    Definitely the best meal I had on Sanibel Island during a week's vacation there - I would venture it may be the best restaurant there that's priced under $15/plate. Things start off well with a great outside patio for eating that was nearly always full every time I walked or biked past the place -- and unfortunately also full when my group actually went to eat there. The goodness continues with cheap drinks - $10 pitchers of quality beer is nothing to complain about. The value continues, especially notable given the inflated prices of Island meals which were often mediocre -- the $12 baker's dozen of delicious oysters stands out as a great value. I had the catfish reuben based on one of the other reviews - delicious and like others have noted, the portions on everything are HUGE. Good stuff!

    (4)

  • Rocco B.

    The pork shank appetizer was really good. Gator bites were good too. My wife's gumbo was great. I had the sea food combo, wish I could have mixed up how the shrimp, scallops, and fish were prepared. What ever you decide will go for entire dinner. I was craving coconut shrimp but half way through dinner I was tired of it. It was really good just too much of that flavor. This was the best value we found on our week in Sanibel.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    I'm sad to give Island Cow 1 star. The fact of the matter is - it just wasn't good. While vacationing on Sanibel Island for 7 days, we noticed the Island Cow was always packed. Because of this, we assumed there must be something special about it and gave it a try. Upon arrival, we were told there was a 45 minute wait. No problem - there was a great back patio where you could review the menu and have a drink while you waited. We grabbed a couple beers from the bar while we waited for our table. 15 minutes later, we were ready for another. I sent my husband to the bar and after 10 minutes I was concerned. After 20, I was worried. They only had 1 bartender for multiple jobs. She was juggling takeout orders, preparing drinks for all the tables and taking orders from people waiting to be seated. Bottom line that's just inefficient. The line at the bar was steep and she was clearly overwhelmed. Now for the food. The waitress asked us what we wanted to eat seconds after we sat down. We said we needed a few minutes. She came back literally 30 seconds later. We started off with fried gator. Pretty good - but nothing special. My husband got a pulled pork sandwich. He describes it as "fine. Not bad." I ordered the fried grouper with green beans and red beans & rice for my sides. I was incredibly disappointed. Can I get some fish with that breading? The fish was way over breaded. The green beans were cold, and the red beans and rice were nothing to write home about. I make them better out of a bag. (I almost got red beans & rice as my meal. Thank goodness I didn't.) Next time, I'll stick with the Lazy Flamingo.

    (1)

  • Jennifer M.

    We are there for dinner and breakfast. Muffins before meal are good. Dinner was great. Wait was long. I had the crab stuffed shrimp. Breakfast was ok.

    (4)

  • Jessica E.

    Great beach vacation atmosphere, birds to looks at outside and corn hole to play. Oversized menu with so much amazing dishes to choose from. The corn muffins are to die for. I ordered the boom boom shrimp tacos, seems to be a favorite cause the wait staff highly recommended them. Tasted so amazing we ate here two days in a row. Definitely 5 stars, even for the staff!

    (5)

  • Jay D.

    We went for breakfast hoping for a little more than we got. Much like most of the food options on the island, the food here is somewhat uninspiring. The atmosphere and relaxed island decor was great. The service was pretty good (better than most on Sanibel, which isn't saying a whole lot). My French toast was fairly good, but my wife's Omelette looked and tasted average or below. It looked like it probably took the cook about 30 seconds to whip up and then at the last minute add two slices of unmelted American cheese to top it off. I'd return for breakfast or potentially lunch, but know what we are getting. Probably slightly more expensive than it was worth. Not terrible, but nothing special other than the atmosphere and location.

    (3)

  • Grateful M.

    After arriving on the island we wanted to eat local seafood :) so we tried this place because the lady at hotel said it would be good. Normally I am not very trusting of the people behind the desk but I was hungry and just wanted food. As we arrived, it was packed and that's always a good sign. We got a table no problem and immediately had a server at the table. First we ordered water and she brought them very quick and then we got some buffalo wings and mussels. These apps were so delicious and would recommend to anyone who comes here. Next, we ordered our dinners. Scallops and crabcake- cooked perfectly and scallops were sweet. Grouper- very fresh and yummy. Only thing I wish there was less sauce but it did not ruin the meal. Ahi tuna- good fresh sushi grade tuna. Just needed a little more flavor. The environment was very island like. Extremely nice people and live music made it a very enjoyable evening for dinner. I would recommend this to anyone who visits this island :)

    (4)

  • R T.

    Loved the breakfast and the complimentary muffins

    (4)

  • Mitch F.

    I never get enough of this Cow! Sanibel is a gorgeous spot with a number of really great seafood restaurants, but nothing beats the Cow for selection and quality. The menu is so big, so you'd think that quality would suffer, but it's not the case. Everything is fresh and amazing. I just love this place.

    (5)

  • Ann S.

    One of the up-and-coming favorites. The menu is extensive, and they give it to you while you're waiting for a table so you have plenty of time to browse. Fish is good, but how they have "fresh off the boat" salmon in Florida is beyond me. Coconut shrimp is my favorite, and the basket on the appetizer menu was big and tasty. Nice beer selection. Kids will enjoy the cow decor.

    (4)

  • Alexandra W.

    After 10 years of coming to the island I finally got to try this place - Woowee it was good. Excellent hush puppies, choc shake to die for, burger that made dad happy, and nummy nummy shrimp. Go there and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Meghann p.

    My family has a place in Ft. Myers....we come here every time we are in town! This time I brought a group of my girlfriends here for lunch...everyone loved it! Such a FUN and Delicious place! Fit for Foodies!

    (5)

  • Neil A.

    About the same as prior reviews - huge menu makes for lots of choices and OK quality. Equal to a chain like Chilis but way better in terms of island vibe. Be careful if you sit ourside - when it gets to dinner hour those waiting will be right there with you. If your expectations are reasonable this is a fine choice - especially with kids in tow.

    (3)

  • Janet T.

    Went here with the hubs and two kids under six. Cute atmosphere, very Florida. Good (variety) kids menu, coconut mahi mahi, and cucumber and beans and rice sides are good. Not spectacular food, but a fun option with kiddos.

    (3)

  • Grace C.

    Absolutely worth the trip. Went to Sanibel Island for the day with Boyfriend and two friends. I ordered the crab cake burger and a bowl of the cold wildberry bisque. The server let me know that I'd have to pay full-price for the bisque (no substitutions) and that it would cost $6.00. I hesitated for a moment, but ordered it anyway. It's vacation, right? Get the fancy bisque. I am SO GLAD I did. The bisque is made with strawberries and blueberries (maybe blackberries, too? I forget.) and heavy cream. It's brought out with dollops of whipped cream on top, and a small cup of champagne to add to the soup. Wow. It was absolutely fantastic. Our service was great. We were seated right away, and drinks were refilled promptly. The waitstaff seemed busy, but efficient. We were checked on enough that we were neither forgotten nor overly-bothered. Lots of families in beach-casual attire, so it's a great place to stop after shelling on Sanibel Beach! The crab-cake burger was good, but I only ate half of it so that I made sure I had time to eat my whole bowl of bisque. :) Prices are good. Two people with one iced tea, one coke, the bisque, crab cake burger entree, and mahi entree was $35 before tip.

    (5)

  • Jenny M.

    Had a forty-five minute wait. Not too bad, but would have been more tolerable if it didn't take 20 minutes to get a drink! The coconut fried grouper was the best meal at the table. The fried grouper was pretty good. We also had the paella, which was excellent! Got the grouper piccata pasta without pasta and with mashed potatoes...delicious. Server was lovely and we left with happy and full bellies!!

    (4)

  • Lindsey M.

    Soooo tasty!! We're recommended by several friends to try this place, and it lived up to the hype!! Lots of tasty menu choices, and our food was amazing!

    (4)

  • Alison Y.

    Stopped here based on reviews and we weren't disappointed! being a Wisconsin native, the cow theme was cute to me. Anyway, any restaurant that serves a basket of what I guess we're unfrosted funfetti cupcakes as a bread basket is A-okay to me! We ordered the conch fritters which were tasty, but the conch was tough and chewy. I ordered the gator basket which was good, but my partner ordered the grouper tacos which were delicious. I wish I'd ordered them. The grouper was very flaky, and the coating was so crispy and perfect! If I ever went back, I'd order the grouper tacos.

    (4)

  • Jonica K.

    Everything I would expect from an island restaurant, great seafood, casual (but fun) atmosphere, and service that made you feel welcomed

    (5)

  • Adina B.

    Good casual, touristy place. Very large menu. Great place for families. Gets very busy of weekends.

    (4)

  • Julie J.

    I absolutely love this restaurant. Every time I have vacationed in Sanibel I make sure that I have either lunch or dinner at this restaurant. The setting is very cool and keeps reminding you that you are in an island. The restaurant looks like it was an old home before and now its a very colorful and a very happy restaurant. The food has never failed me and the prices are good. And I cannot forget to mention the muffins they serve at the beginning which are amazing since they are always brought very warm and moist.

    (5)

  • Eugene S.

    Loved it. The cake muffins are awesome. The staff was friendly. The food was fast, good, and priced reasonably. No complaints here. We got the coconut French toast which my wife says was the best she's had. Chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. Hey I said it was good, not healthy. Actually they had some healthier and veggie options but we didn't give any a try. We'll return.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    Really a 3.5 Tons of people waiting. In the front and back. And the mosquitos have found us. I lost a lot of blood just waiting for my table. And then, we were seated outside. Menu is four pages. Some offerings have 3-4 choices, in terms of protein, added protein, type of breading. Way to long. Cut it back. That poor cook. Blackened scallop and shrimp salad with Island vinaigrette was good, but the fruit could have been separate. Basket of coconut shrimp was good, but the hush puppies are dense little masses of dough that did not appeal. There was plenty of food here, with the fries and slaw. Just don't serve those. Service was quick and good. Wine seemed to cost less at the table than at the bar. Huh?

    (4)

  • LouCindy A.

    Today was my wife's birthday and we spent the morning on Sanibel Island and had breakfast at the Island Cow, which is one of our favorite places. Funny story: Our son Thomas thought they really gave away free puppies (this was when he was only 5) as their sign suggested :-) If you're not sure what I am talking about: "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy" The coffee is excellent (it's Starbucks) and they have soy milk for my coffee, which is nice. My wife had the stuffed French toast which is highly recommended. Egg and Canadian bacon is in this gem. I wonder if you thought that is what the French toast was stuffed with, am I right? I know we didn't. It was fantastic. They make their own granola and muffins for the table too.

    (5)

  • Alicia R.

    Excellent . We loved it ! Good was great but the waitress was superb !! Very kid friendly and a huge menu !

    (5)

  • Danielle P.

    I give it 2 stars for the atmosphere and the muffins - the food was meh. Nothing special about a bunch of deep fried food. After my meal last week, I woke up at 2am with terrible stomach pains and spent 1/2 the night in the lou - ewwwww.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    Such a cute place and really amazing food. The fish tacos were huge and very tasty...both grouper and Blackened Mahi were delish! The muffins were sweet and moist. The jalapeño and onion appetizer was also excellent. I highly recommend this spot if you are ever in the area.

    (5)

  • Steve G.

    Far and away the best casual dining on the island -- if not the best food period! We've tried a number of the restaurants on Sanibel, and it's easy to spend $50 a person for a meal on the island and STILL not get a meal that's half as satisfying as what you'll find at this very casual place. True it's mostly sandwiches and salads, but there are also a couple of higher end meals like steak and fish that are surprisingly well made. And the fish tacos? Better than any I've had anywhere! Which is not to say that this place is any more than it purports to be. Meals served in plastic baskets and a roll of paper towels for napkins -- and very very cheap beer!. But most other restaurants on the island are places I've been satisfied to visit once. The Island Cow is the one place I keep going back to!

    (5)

  • L P.

    The food is amazing. So many choices. I got open face roast beef and hubs got sanibel cheesesteak (cheesesteak w pineapple). We were told it would be a 30-35 min wait but was definitely over 45 min. They didn't have any seats so they sat us at the bar. We were hungry so we didn't care. Would have been nice to have a table after a 45 min wait, but oh well! Food was worth it. The outside atmosphere was great too.

    (4)

  • Tracie F.

    WOW! What an absolutely diverse menu. If you can't find something that strikes your fancy there then there is no hope for you. In fact, the menu can be overwhelming at first. Prices are reasonable and portions are just right. The service is what really impressed us. We had a waiter, whose name I unfortunately do not remember, that was amazing. He took the time to talk to us and actually get to know us. We really enjoyed him. The one thing that I did find a smidge odd were the birthday cake tasting muffins that we started our meal with. I didn't quite "get" them but nonetheless they weren't too bad. If we head back to Sanibel we would like stop here again in hopes of getting the same waiter. We enjoyed our Island Cow experience and think you will too!

    (4)

  • Dan R.

    Came with family--family friendly. Muffins brought to table were excellent. Had just missed breakfast--wish that option were available throughout day. Ordered Reuben--not as large as billed. Was expecting deli style serving based on menu language. Fair enough. Family enjoyed the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    The broadest menu on the island and a great place for kids. Food is good but not great My gumbo was OK but pretty bland and lacked the richness I expect in good gumbo. A notable exception are the lobster wontons - excellent!

    (3)

  • Marc R.

    The service was excellent and the prices were reasonable. The food was about average.

    (3)

  • Sydney P.

    We finally broke down and put our names in at the Island Cow. There is usually always a wait here. Cute place, from the outside. The hostess was so busy and amazingly friendly- gave our name, we got our buzzer and went around back ( as instructed to wait). We were immediately swarmed by the mosquitoes, they were FIERCE So we OFFED! up, and then continued to wait...and wait, at some point we wised up and waited around front with the brighter folks and the Tikis, until eventually we were seated on the deck area, outside. ( I couldn't handle the inside a huge, cluster...mess of families and big tables) Alright now, our server ( nice, really busy) plunked down two muffins.I did not have the same muffin experience as some on here... I was so excited to try THE muffins. And then so .....confused. There was nothing remarkable in any way on the muffins people. They were cold, sticky... so/so muffins. We ordered our (2) meals and they took quite awhile, and again nothing to get excited about. We had a really nice time, the food was OK, and the atmosphere is authentic island-y, but for us there is no reason to rush back. Ever. Glad we gave it a go.

    (3)

  • Chip S.

    Delicious muffins. The paella was great, I had to come back for it. Good island atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Lamar G.

    Breakfast here this past week with a seafood omelet.........wowwww......that omelet is on my top two to three omelet list. They also have some decent blueberry pancakes here, but with no maple syrup, wellllllll, hehehehe. The atmosphere was very nice, bright, and friendly. There OJ was good, as was their coffee. My colleagues also had some phenomenal meals that morning.

    (5)

  • John B.

    My Kids will not allow us to visit Sanibel without a visit to the cow. Good food, good service. Time your trip to miss the rush hours, got there at 8 30 last Saturday and got right in. an hour later a line was forming that I am guessing lasted until 3pm

    (4)

  • Daniel B. O.

    In my opinion the best restaurant in the Sanibel-Captiva area. Decor is nice and the food is fresh. Breakfast is great at this place.

    (4)

  • Alison H.

    Sorry Island Cow, it is hard to give you a bad review when you're clearly a local favorite. But I have now been here several times during various trips to Sanibel and I really wasn't impressed, and wouldn't go back. 1. The vegetable quesadilla I had was extremely soggy. It's one of the few offerings on the menu that isn't either battered and fried or meat-based. 2. I tried a tuna sandwich 'medium rare' - and yes, OK, I should have just ordered it rare, because it's tuna. But when it came, it was cooked nearly all the way through, with barely any pink portion at all. Not only that, but it's a piece of tuna on a bun. No marinade, no sauce. There were about 5 different condiments on the table but none of them were suitable for tuna (i.e. mustard, jalapeño sauce). 3. Strawberries do not belong in a Caesar salad. Caesar salad is meant to be Parmesan and anchovy flavored... to add strawberries is a travesty. I think Island Cow just has a million things on the menu without really considering what it does well. It should cut about 50-75% of the menu off and keep only the very best stuff. The only thing I liked about this place was the granny fake-strumming the guitar and singing Bob Marley tunes in the back of the restaurant.

    (2)

  • Sari V.

    Disgusting! Bad flies and mosquitos outside and the food was just a mess. Ribs were dry and shrimp were overcooked with no flavor. One of the worst places I have visited in Florida. Do not recommend!!!

    (1)

  • Mady L.

    I absolutely LOVED this place!!! We were spending the weekend in Sanibel for my birthday and found this place just driving around...I wasn't sure about stopping there for lunch because "Island Cow" sounded to me like a burger place more than a seafood restaurant but it was GREAT!!!! the menu was HUGE and had something for everyone!!! we had the conch fritters,friend clams basket, smoked fish dip, pina colada shake and OMGGG cherry coke float!!! I love cherry coke so to find a place where they have a cherry coke float was the greatest thing that could ever happen to me lol! anyway...back to the food the fried clams where soo yummy!! and the fries that came with it were AMAZING! seriously!! and this comes from someone who doesn't really like fries! OHHH and the service was great too!! everyone was sooo soo nice! I really did LOVE this place.

    (5)

  • Robert W.

    Came here for lunch. It was so good, we came the next day for breakfast! Park in the dirt parking lot. Ample parking. Wait for both occasions were about 10-15mins. Lunch: We sat inside, the place is nice and friendly. A lot of cow decor... good place for kids. They give you muffins while you wait. The muffins were one of the best Ive tasted! Very moist, delicious and free! We had the tuna melt (awesome) and catfish crispy sandwich (awesome). Both come with cole slaw and seasoned fries. Slaw was ok, but fried kicked ass. Crispy, tasty! Breakfast: Muffins again..... this is like a drug, gotta have it! I had pancakes (soft, moist... not crispy but still good), side of sausage. Fiancee had eggs, beacon, and i forgot what else.... Highly recommended!!! Anytime of the day.

    (5)

  • Carolyn P.

    Went on a Sunday. 10 minute wait to sit but we waited an hour for our food. We saw other tables come and go and no food . We asked twice about our food but were told kitchen was "really busy". That doesn't hold up when everyone else is getting their food. Food was ok but mine was luke warm, shrimp and grits was bland, nothing special. Can't really recommend it....

    (3)

  • V B.

    I was excited to eat at Island Cow because the reviews were good for the most part. We've seen it for years on our trips but hadn't stopped. Our visit was for breakfast. We sat outside and our table was near the outside wall. There were dead ants and droppings of some sort along with dust and cox webs on the window sill. It's not been washed down that morning or for a while. People were smoking. I didn't realize you could smoke at the tables. Just a heads up if you don't like smoke. There was 4 of us and 3 really didn't like their meals, the forth had an omelet and said it was pretty standard. Our grits were cool and could've been instant. The muffins seemed like they were from a mix. The blueberries were small specs like dehydrated pieces in a box. They were cold so butter wouldn't spread in them. One of our party had the biscuit with gravy and it was bland and tasted like it was pre packaged . I wanted to like Island Cow but it just didn't have anything to bring us back. As most places on the island it's not cheap so I at least want to like the food.

    (1)

  • Alyssa C.

    Fun interesting place to visit on the island. Our first visit around 5pm had over an hour wait so we came back another night much earlier with no wait. Food was great as was our waiter. Our table had one of the specials -- a blackened chicken Alfredo -- and the crab cake stuffed shrimp with veggies and mashed potatoes. You also get a few muffins when you are seated. The food came out fast and the portions were very big. They have Starbucks coffee and a cute outside patio with birds.

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    After being to Sanibel several times, this has become one of my favorite restaurants. Any place where my whole family can find something to eat without complaining is a winner in my book. What I loved: -HUGE menu. I'm an insanely picky eater who hates seafood, so dining on islands is usually rough, but even I had an issue deciding what to order here -Bright colored and fun interior -Chocolate chip muffins as appetizers?! Such an amazing idea. -Plenty of outside seating (in both the front and back of the restaurant) for while you wait to be seated inside. -Friendly and attentive waiters. I was never without a daiquiri or glass of water! I wish that they had a bigger/better stocked bar for while we waited to be seated, but the good food and casual, fun environment will definitely keep me coming back every vacation!

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Just moved to the Cape from Michigan and this was my first visit to Sanibel Island and, The Island Cow. I have to say, the food was delicious, and the service was great. Instead of bread at the beginning of the meal, they give you delicious homemade muffins. All in all a great and unique place to eat. Definitely a must.

    (5)

  • Mitchell K.

    First thing first: this is not a fancy place. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic place with $40+ entrees and a fine wine selection, this is not your place. If you are looking for big food for little money, the Island Cow is sure to please. We arrived with a party of six at 5:00 on a Saturday afternoon and expected a wait. We were pleased to be seated inside immediately and given menus and some great cornbread muffins. The menus are gigantic. They are seriously about the size of an open newspaper, front and back. Once the shock of the gigantic menu receded, our fantastic waitress came and took drink orders (Coke products). I had the tap root beer, which was fantastic. The only downside to the root beer is that refills are not free, although the mug was huge. Once our orders were taken, the food arrived about 20 minutes later. The portions are huge, and two people could easily make a decent sized dinner out of one entree. I had the adobo (marinated) chicken quesedilla, which was filled with perfectly cooked peppers and specially marinated chicken, served with sour cream and homemade salsa. The other members in my party had the adobo chicken melt, pot roast sandwich, rice and beans, and a seafood kabob medley. Everyone thought that their means were delicious except for guy with the seafood, which was hit-or-miss. One scallop would be stunning, while the next was just mediocre. He wished he had ordered one of our dishes, which he thought were fantastic. The prices are very reasonable for the island ($8-$15 per entree, seafood was more expensive) and we had a great experience.

    (4)

  • Koki'o F.

    My sister and I ate lunch here during the last week of June. The World Cup Soccer match was going on that week. Hostess-in-training was very sweet. HOWEVER, our waitress, July, couldn't take her eyes off the TV while taking our order! I attempted to get her attention by pointedly asking her who was playing, and she answered me with the back of her head to us! She never came by to refill our drinks. She never attempted to make conversation or establish a connection. Horrible customer service! I complained to the restaurant's "trainer", and she told me that July was one of her best waitresses. Holy cow! If she's one of their best, I would hate to have been waited on by one of their worst! Doesn't say much for the trainer either, does it? Our previous meals at this restaurant were just okay as well. Food was average. Service was not stellar. This restaurant's servers needs some serious coaching and training!!! We are not going back to this restaurant again until we start seeing better reviews here or on Trip Advisor that show they've made some changes.

    (1)

  • Rick B.

    For lunch, the monster burger. Great property with a large menu. Something for everybody and great service. Cheers

    (5)

  • Chris Q.

    I've been here many times. Regardless of the time of day or meal chosen it's always great. I highly recommend this be one of your stops while in the area.

    (5)

  • Rebecca A.

    Absolutely love this place!! The atmosphere is fun, the service was great and the food was amazing!!! We went there with our puppy and they brought water and bacon out for him! It was great! My husband and I ordered the Holy Cow and my goodness was that a lot of food for your money and it was delicious!! We'll definitely being going back!

    (5)

  • Jerry E.

    Wow, we ordered the grouper taco's and split the order. Fantastic and so tasty. We are never disappointed with the wonderful service and the great food. I sometimes sell my pottery there on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Stephen O.

    Really cool atmosphere, friendly host, not very friendly server. I had an omelet, it was average, I'm no a muffin person but the free muffin was excellent.

    (3)

  • HisHer R.

    His: My favorite spot on the island, a can't miss. Clean and bright interior with friendly service. Great for breakfast and lunch. Hers: ditto. They have a giant menu with lots of options (rare for a picky vegetarian to find multiple things on the menu that sound great). Worth the wait - definitely a don't miss.

    (5)

  • Caraline H.

    We come to Sanibel several times a year and the Island Cow remains our favorite spot to eat. Great seafood, fresh muffins, and a fun atmosphere. It has it all.

    (5)

  • Elmer B.

    Enjoyed a great flounder dinner. The corn muffins are to kill for!

    (5)

  • Ron C.

    Just like another reviewer, we felt like we were getting rushed out of the place. Food was mediocre at best and service was sketchy. That was our experience at breakfast. Maybe they're better at lunch or dinner, but we didn't go back. As the old adage goes, "you only have one opportunity to make a first impression". Enough said!

    (2)

  • Ana R.

    Our family had breakfast at The Island Cow two weeks ago. I apologize for taking a little longer than usual to post. We were a party of nine and were very happy with the service and the food. I had the three cheese omelet which was great. The grits could've been a little thicker. The orange juice taste freshly squeezed which always makes me happy. My husband had some breakfast bomb something which he enjoyed. I loved the decor and the character of the place. It's definately worth a visit if you find yourself in Sanibel Island. I need to mention that we arrived here in our motorhome and I have to give props to the playhouse which allowed us to park in their property so that we could dine at The Island Cow. I wanted to let The Island Cow know that our family was able to dine at their establishment thanks to the kindness of their neighbor. We can't wait to go back to The Island Cow for lunch or dinner so we can enjoy yet more of their many selections. Regards.

    (4)

  • Rod H.

    This was one of the best meals I have had in Sanibel. The food isn't fine dining but all 4 meals in our party were fresh and cooked to perfection. This is perfect for couples of families because they have something for everyone. I had coconut grouper, with veggies, my wife had grilled mahi, mother-inlaw had fried oyster salad and grand mother-inlaw had crab cakes. The have beer and wine that is reasonably prices and live music every night. I really liked Island Cow and we will be back

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    Food is relatively good. The mini muffins they give you when you are seated are so delicious, I wish I could take a dozen with me each time. The eggs are pretty bland but the pancakes, shrimp and grits and French toast dishes are amazing! Great service each time we have gone.

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Went here for breakfast and this is all I have to say: Everything about Island Cow is perfection. The staff is great and keeps the coffee flowing. The food is a decent portion but isnt overwhelming and the atmosphere has a laid back island quirkiness. I highly recommend it! Plenty of big tables to seat larger parties.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    Not as good as everyone made it out to be but not bad. Great ambience.

    (3)

  • James B.

    My wife and I ate here on our way from a long weekend at Sanibel. I'm sorry to to say it was just okay. The menu is way too large which leads to the food being mediocre. With such a large menu there's no way the kitchen can put out good food. We asked our waiter what their specials were and he just pointed to another menu with their specials. A server should at least know what the specials are? When we got our food we weren't too impressed. After reading all the reviews we left disappointed that we didn't have a good experience.

    (2)

  • David G.

    This place has a fairly large menu with portion sizes that match. I'm not a big fan of places that overwhelm your eyes and stomach. Rather than give me a meal that could feed two people, give me a more normal sized portion that tastes good. They bring out some muffins as the complimentary bread offering. The muffins were very good. I had the catfish po-boy. This came with shredded lettuce, tomato, thousand island dressing, cheesy grits and fries. I think the sandwich would have been much better with a spicy mayonnaise to keep it more in-line with its Cajun heritage. My wife had the Grouper taco which came with seasoned fish, tomato, lettuce with melted cheese, sour cream, fresh tomato salsa on the side and, beans with peppers, tomatoes onions, seasoned rice. My sandwich was ok. Without a good spicy mayo, it was really just a fried fish sandwich. I did add some of their habanero hot sauce to it which added a little extra spice. My wife really like her fish tacos.

    (3)

  • Liz D.

    Every time I visit family in Sanibel, I head here. Why? - Instead of rolls or bread, they bring you freshly baked muffins. - Fried Artichoke Hearts. - $1.99 daily draft specials. - A good amount of vegetarian options. - Something for everyone!

    (4)

  • Duane J.

    The Island Cow was a big disappointment. With the good reviews here we were expecting good food and a good ambience. Well, the ambience was nice and the service was good. The food? Not so much. The server was great and the food came quickly and was reasonably priced. The problem was, out of eight of us, no one thought their food was good ... OK, but not good. For a four star place, I was expecting better than just OK. Oh, and beware of the bathrooms. The Island Cow should be ashamed of their dirty, disgusting bathrooms. I've seen cleaner bathrooms in an interstate gas station.

    (2)

  • Hannah L.

    I just got back from Sanibel Island and I ate here four times in 48 hours. I had frickles for the first time here! Whoa. Delicious. There are so many choices and everything hits the spot. Hands down the best fried catfish I've ever had. Not sure how many people under 55 make it down to Sanibel Island, but if you're ever there this is really the only place you should eat at. Oh yeah - excellent customer service and cheap too.

    (5)

  • Tim D.

    We just wrapped up our wedding weekend on Sanibel and over the course of 4 days we ate at the Island Cow 3 times. Not because of lack of other options, but because we couldn't find a reason to not go back. The food is awesome; both the seafood and BBQ are great for lunch or dinner and the breakfast is as good as it gets as well. The service is very friendly and quick for how busy they always seem to be. The bartender, Dana, was especially great- taking genuine interest in our big weekend and has already offered to babysit should we return next year for our anniversary with a new addition to our family! The wait can be a little long (it's a small place and hugely popular) but they have great beers and drinks and even Cornhole boards to keep you entertained until your table is ready. We will eat at Island Cow every time we're on Sanibel in the future, guaranteed.

    (5)

  • Teresa C.

    We found this place by accident while looking for another. Fantastic ambience with the outdoor eating, not too hot, nice and comfortable. Service was great! Food was amazing. We ordered the combo tacos lunch special which was 2 large soft tacos one with shrimp and the other with grouper along with an appetizer of gator tail (can't visit down here without having some gator!). All the food was amazing, service was quick but not rushed and very friendly and the price was reasonable! I highly recommend this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Lindsay C.

    We dined here on Memorial Day so they were pretty busy. I think that may be why the hostess and our server were a little snippy and short with us when we requested to move inside as the mosquitos were eating us outside. It wasn't the best service, but the food made up for it. The fried grouper basket was amazing! The hush puppies and fries were exceptional as well. Perhaps my favorite part of the meal was the corn bread provided when seated. It was the perfect balance of corn and cake. It was hard to stop eating them! The restaurant is cute and beachy....perfect for a casual island dinner.

    (4)

  • Susie G.

    We ate only breakfast as this restaurant, but we enjoyed eating here. The staff were friendly, and we didn't have to wait to be seated. The menu is interesting, and the specials were a bargain on this expensive island. Especially liked the coconut French toast, as well as the muffins provided immediately after being seated. Would definitely recommend---everyone will find something on the menu that appeals to them.

    (5)

  • Pam P.

    OMG! How is this place not shut down by the health dept?????? There are dead flies all over the place...I looked up at the ceiling fans and more dead bugs on them than I've ever seen! The table I sat in had red ants crawling all over...I was so sick that I couldn't eat my meal!!!! The bathrooms need a deep cleaning along with the entire restaurant!!! Makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like....YUK!!!!!!!!

    (1)

  • Megan D.

    We came on a Wednesday evening and got the last table inside. The restaurant is really cute with lots of little cow figurines and island themed decor. The menu has a lot of puns and jokes, and it has a looooot of options to choose from. We got some mixed drinks and they were delicious. We got a shrimp platter and a few of them were a bit cold and the waitress seemed really busy and took a while to get back to our table a few times. All in all, it's a really cute vacation dinner spot! (Also its hella fun to color at the table)

    (5)

  • Frank C.

    Been eating at the Island Cow for years. Diverse menu. Plenty of options to choose from. Everything is excellent. I would highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch and especially dinner.

    (5)

  • John G.

    I've been going to this restaurant for years. It is the cutest restaurant on the island. Tropical decor, great service and usually good food. I must say I was very disappointed with my last visit to the Island Cow. I ordered a Seafood Pasta that was absolute mush. Over cooked pasta with sub par marinara sauce, most likely sauce from a can. Needless to say it left much to be desired. I believe this restaurant should shorten their menu list, master the art of cooking a few quality fresh meals and establish a great reputation for serving great quality food in a delightful laid back tropical atmosphere. I hope they improve so I can come back to this landmark restaurant. It is the cutest!

    (2)

  • Joel R.

    My family went on Sunday morning and had an amazing breakfast. We started with their fresh coconut muffins which tasted very sweet and great. Then we had extremely fresh fruit. I ordered sausage with grits and was very impressed. It was the best sausage I have ever had and also the grits were done right. I will be going back to try this out for dinner.

    (4)

  • Julie C.

    Love this place. A really solid menu, amazing BBQ pork, chicken tenders, and fries. This is our go to for great food on the island.

    (5)

  • Jason D.

    Over the past few years, we have been here a couple of times. However this time the food seemed to be better and the prices were very reasonable. After staying in the Naples area and paying between $20-$25 for an entree involving fresh seafood, the Island Cow's was cheaper, food tasted just as good (perhaps better), and they gave us a lot more food.

    (5)

  • Jody R.

    Came here for lunch. Fresh seafood items. We had the calamari appetizer which tasted freshly made. We also had the grilled oysters...very good. The seafood quesadilla was just ok. We plan on trying this place for breakfast.

    (4)

  • Ron B.

    I had the crab cake burger and fries, it was well prepared and quite tasty. Service was good, there was no wait to be seated, prices was affordable. They had a large menu to choose from and plenty of seafood. They serve breakfast and have Starbucks coffe including Latte's. I would go again.

    (4)

  • Vanessa G.

    Visited the island cow for a late lunch after spending the day on Sanibel island. The menu was extensive with something for everyone. They bring over muffins to snack on while you wait. We ordered pig ribs (I think that's what they were called), they were plump, juicy, and delicious. I had a cilantro, mango chicken sandwich that was on special and it was soooo good. They should add it to their menu permanently! The restaurant had a fun cow theme throughout. The prices were extremely reasonable, service was on point, and everything (including the muffins) were delightful! Would definitely return!

    (5)

  • Suze R.

    More is not better. Bigger is not better. The portion sizes here are disgusting and unhealthy. I didn't like the sloppiness of this place. The waiters walk around with the rags they wipe the tables and God knows what else sticking out of their back pocket. Good for families with noisy kids and people that want to stuff themselves with lousy food.

    (1)

  • Alan F.

    One of our favorites on the island for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu is huge and has something for everyone. The food is always good and the price is reasonable, especially for the island. They have music on the patio most evenings. The service is usually good but can be a bit slow during peak times. Just gives you a chance to linger over coffee or a drink and enjoy each others company.

    (4)

  • P. S.

    Good breakfast place with big portions, friendly service. Often a wait, but worth it. Seafood omelet was very seafood-y. Pancakes were OK, not great.

    (4)

  • Bryan M.

    Family with 10 and 6 yo really enjoyed this place for dinner. Waiting area was fun with cornhole, ring hook, and parrots! Food was good not great for adults but kids loved the muffins and their food. Adult beverages were very good after a day at the beach! Kids comments "cow potion was awesome". "double chocolate shake was best ever"

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    Pretty mediocre, in my opinion... though there is nearly always a wait. Menu is huge (but that doesn't mean it's good). Service was fine. Their draft of the day special is great. The oysters were not good; they were huge and not sweet (lazy flamingo or timbers have great oysters). The fish tacos weren't bad (fried grouper) and the pulled pork sandwich wasn't bad either (though nothing special, really... much better pulled pork available at the Sunday farmers market). The most expensive entree that we ordered, scallops and crab cake in voodoo sauce with mashed potatoes and veggies... were awful. It all tasted like it had come out of the freezer; the scallops were itty-bitty and the crab meat was all back-fin, no lump. Fortunately, the server was nice and comped us for the scallop & crab cake main (since we only had a couple bites and said it was bad). Also, my wife didn't care for her milkshake. Anyway... we probably won't be back... but that doesn't mean everything on their menu is bad. I think we mostly just ordered poorly.

    (3)

  • Kim L.

    Super kid-friendly, fun atmosphere, decent food, yummy muffins. We would go back.

    (4)

  • Tricia T.

    Not many options in Sanibel and with all of the yelp reviews-- we were hopeful. Definitely disappointed, but lack of options forced us to go twice during a weekend away. Dinner: overly friend coconut-style grouper. Sides tasted mass produced like a cafeteria Beer was cold, thankfully- so that was a plus! We also had breakfast, which wasn't bad. It's hard to screw up breakfast in my opinion. Not stellar, but we left happy and full. Ambiance: enjoyed the 'country kitchen' feel inside and the beach shack outside. Gear photo op on the oversized and colorful adirondack chairs! Definitely a long wait. Probably would have left, but again a not many options.

    (3)

  • Mauresa S.

    They have amazing bbq! Service is friendly and fast! They also give you muffins whenever you come in! They have awesome cornbread served at dinner time! They have pretty decent prices!

    (4)

  • Ryn A.

    We had the Sea Food omelette, the 'Game Changer' and the steak omelette. Loved it decently priced too! When we return to Florida, Island Cow is on the list.

    (4)

  • Bryan B.

    Breakfast was great last time we were here, but dinner was pretty bad. Even my son's grilled cheese was a bit stale and the cheese was half melted. At least the ambiance was good, nut seriously, I don't recommend going here for anything other than breakfast.

    (2)

  • Nancy E.

    We ate here tonight drawn by the very diverse menu but we're quite disappointed. The fried oysters and the frickles were way too salty to be enjoyed. The sauces sub par. And the chocolate chip muffins seemed a poor way to start a meal. The chilly wildly was a nice generous assortment of raw and cooked shellfish but only the clams were worth having more of. We probably won't return as there are many other delicious meals we've had elsewhere on Sanibel island. N and K. Jan 10 2015

    (2)

  • Andy B.

    So I'm visiting Sanibel for the first time, and I asked one of the locals for a good place to have lunch.... without hesetation she says, "Go to the Cow"..... it was close by, so I mooooo'd my way over.... has a nice, authentic feeling outside, and inside it gets even better. Everyone from the hostess to our server was smiley and helpful. and the menu you ask? fucking crazy. selection was mildly unrealistic. I looked it over, was looking for a light lunch, so I went with their yellowfin tuna melt. I take a bite out of this bitch, and no lie, it's like soft and velvety rose petals were dancing in my mouth. an insurmountable burst of joy that I can only fail to describe. best tuna melt I've ever had! I am into this cow, and can't wait to come back.... Love, The Bull

    (5)

  • B L.

    The coconut french toast was delicious, a lot more flavor than the regular French toast they offer. The bacon was thick but didn't really have much flavor. Pancakes are great and fluffy. Tie it all up with Starbucks coffee and you're set!

    (3)

  • kelly w.

    You're going to want to milk this one! I always thought Cows don't really belong on an island, but this one somehow works. Periwinkle and sea foam green wooden booths give this place a laid back feel, yet more unique than your local T.G.I.F. The menu is rather expansive with at least 50 (note: this is not an exact fact, but rather an estimate) things to choose from. I ordered the Wombo Combo... I don't think I really knew what I was in for. A Slab of Ribs, a generous portion of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, and another veggie later... yeah, you would think I was the island cow ordering all this food. I thought it would be a little teaser of each item.. which i like- i like having variety in my meals.. but this... each portion was a meal in itself. So go hungry.. and have a cow man.

    (4)

  • Susanne R.

    Fun, kitchy, over-the-top bovine decor! Bright colors, positive staff. Solid food, the fish and chips were not greasy. They give you orange-cranberry muffins to start, slightly on the too-sweet side, but yummy. My husband had the lobster/chicken/tuna salad combo. Huge portions, too much for one sitting. You can have your dog sit next to you on the outside patio. Definitely a fun place, I would go back.

    (4)

  • G Z.

    server = nice, friendly, efficient vs host = indifferent, unfriendly, slow food = so-so breakfast dishes in huge portions

    (2)

  • Layla P.

    Family friendly, great prices, huge portions, drink specials, fun environment, how could you go wrong. You may have to wait if you go at prime dinner time, but it will be worth it. Very good blackened grouper and crab cakes, yum.

    (4)

  • Mariann M.

    kids meals..were 5.99 ...not including the drink...but the killer was the clam strips were as thick as my finger...i could not chew them ...let alone a child...my Reuben sandwich was tasty but they did not drain the sauerkraut so the bread was wet....and my husband,,,who is never unsatisfied....said his steak sandwich had no meat.....skip this trap...for tourists. our service was none existing...truly the worst we had in 2 weeks at the beach...it does seem to have customers and looks cute outside...trust me drive by...wish i had seen the food poisoning story...prior...

    (1)

  • Sue C.

    Food was good but service was typical bad florida service. I walked in tonight (coldest night of the year) and asked how long the wait was. The host asked if i wanted to eat inside. I said yes definitrly since im cold.he told me 20 min wait. I waited 20 minutes and was called for a table. He told me it was outside when i said i wanted something inside like i had requested when he asked me he told me i could sit at the counter. Theccounter had been empty the entire time. I was pissed, i sat down and was asked what i wanted and i told the. Waiter at the counter. He immediately assumed that since i was alone that it was to go without even asking me. This was a very rude assumption! I ended up just taking it to go sincr i was beyond aggravated with the rude employees! I will never go here again and urge others not to go here too! And by the way not one bothered to apologize to me attention at all!

    (1)

  • Eileen H.

    This restaurant came highly rated. I was looking for a good seafood meal on the island without a high price point. As soon as I announced I was eating alone, I was ushered over to an awkwardly huge round table jutting out into the middle of the room like the Bering Peninsula and sat down without so much as a "your server will be right with you". A waiter placed a muffin on my table without saying a word and hurried to check on another table. I wondered if it was mine until I realized every other table had muffins to. I was finally attended to, sans eye contact or more than a few words per sentence, before I was never checked on again. The food was good (I got the cod sandwich, blackened), but, as a single diner, I felt like the entire waitstaff had been told I had a terminal illness they could catch by looking me in the face for too long. Seemed to be friendlier to the groups sitting around me. My travel blog: drizzlysolotrek.wordpres…

    (2)

  • Adam H.

    What a selection of food that's always here. The menu is extensive and is always sure to please. This is the place to go when you're not sure what to get. From seafood to steak and even breakfast. A must eat when in Sanibel or Captiva.

    (4)

  • O.M. R.

    The muffin was good but the coconut mahi on top of a salad was excellent. Also the citrus vinaigrette was different than what i'm used too but sooo good:) Servers really nice too;) Update!!!! 8/20/2014 Tried today the grouper tacos. Fist of all, its biiig! Two tacos... But big! My stars stay at 4* because the tacos lacked salt. Otherwise, all good:) service especially!

    (4)

  • Kristin H.

    Great place to sit outside on a summer night! The food is OK. I would avoid the scallops--tiny and nothing special. My family loves the potato skins. And the confetti muffins they bring out instead of bread are really yummy. I'd avoid the sweet drinks (not very good) and go for a beer or something.

    (3)

  • Rachael S.

    Very good food and good service! We had the Oysters Rockafeller, fried calamari, chicken strips, and the shrimp and grits. Our biggest problem was having too many yummy items to choose from! The whole family had a great time here!

    (5)

  • Dean V.

    All those reviews mentioning the hordes of people are correct. But I don't know why. We stopped in for dinner fairly early and had to wait. We ordered two of the specials and they weren't. The portions were huge but if it's not worth eating where does that leave you. I'm sure somewhere on their extensive menu there are some good things. In fact the appetizer was decent and it earned them a second star. We should have stopped there.

    (2)

  • John D.

    We passed this place a couple of times and saw it was busy, so we figured it would be a great place to eat. The hostess was very welcoming--Bartender was great. We got there around 2:30 for a late lunch and told there'd be a small wait--not a problem. Waitress was friendly, muffins they bring out were awesome. The food portions were huge, the prices were low, and the quality was just okay. I had the crunchy grouper tacos (fried fish in a soft flour wrap). The salsa was fresh. Someone in the group got a burger and said it was really good--I wish I had ordered that instead. You can't beat the value here if you want a break from the high dollar restaurants.

    (3)

  • Wesley C.

    We read the previous reviews and didn't have high expectations. But it was still a let down. We were seated a little faster than we expected, but we sat outside and were bitten by bugs. There was a large fan blowing across the outside dining area, we figured to blow the bugs away. It didn't work, and with the sun setting and the air cooling off, it became quite chilly. The appetizer, the Island Combo with Coconut Shrimp, was good. The Crazy Kabob wasn't. The Kabob was 3 skewers, 1 with meat, 1 with shrimp, and 1 with bacon wrapped scallops. The meat on the skewer was cooked unevenly, 2 pieces were raw, the others medium to well. The fish was undercooked, the bacon was raw. My wife had the stuffed shrimp. She remarked it didn't have much taste. I won't recommend to friends, and won't go back.

    (2)

  • Jan G.

    We decided to do take out here one night and dinner in one night, while in Sanibel. I did the Pulled Pork sandwhich with fries (battered and crispy) that was really good but it needed BBQ sauce that wasnt included in the order. The patty melt was tasty and the BBQ chicken sandwich was well cooked. The quesadilla was yummy as well. I think this place has a great atmoshere, comparable island pricing and good drinks. I would recommend the atmoshere inside instead of outside if you can help it.

    (3)

  • Robert D.

    Just had lunch here with 2 kids and 4 adults - very solid family restaurant. For what it is, the food is clearly above average. Portions are generous, so order accordingly. Black bean quesadilla - bust. the black beans were not drained, so it was soggy and rather flabby. Grouper tacos (special) - very tasty. Crispy grouper, cheese and tasty salsa. Worth going with the kids while in Sanibel. We'd certainly go back.

    (4)

  • Mark M.

    WOW!! We stopped here for a SMALL lunch...wrong! The menu is HUGE! I had the del montico steak sandwich. My wife black bean & crabmeat burrito. Incredible! Also, I'd have to say it was the coldest beer I've had on the Island. We arrived late in the lunch hour. There was a long wait for a table, so we ate at the bar. The service was great.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    It's an ok place. I've been here many times over the years and have always found it to be an average place. I went last week and thought it was a little below average. I got grilled grouper, shrimp and scallops, vegetables and smashed potatoes. The seafood I ordered tasted ordinary, like you would get anywhere else. The vegetables were very undercooked (steamed),blah and lukewarm. I do like my steamed vegetables crunchy by the way. Hard to mess up smashed potatoes, they were good. It's a cute place, the server was friendly but hard to find, although they were not busy. If you like big baskets of fried seafood, this is the place for you! All in all a decent tourist restaurant.

    (2)

  • Paul C.

    I will not comment here... all restaurants on Sanibel are fair... the owners work hard and need to be given fair reviews! If you can make it on Sanibel in any business you must be good at what you're doing! Unlike most places Sanibel consists of mom and pop businesses... we do not have the endless supply of helpers or customers that we can count on. Thank you customers that come to our islands. Spread your money in the little places that make our islands totally unique!

    (1)

  • Michael C.

    Went last night - great food but long long wait (over 1.5 hrs!)...try the Gumbo & Barn Burger both are fantastic!! Fun for families-you won't go wrong with this place!

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    Wow - I was surprised that this place was totally vegetarian friendly. The artichoke & goat cheese po boy could almost be mistaken for fried clams. The salad was fancy & fresh. Casual atmosphere and yet better food than many of the fancy places on the Island. Best for breakfast & lunch, especially if you have a big group.

    (5)

  • H S.

    Everyone loves this place it it seems. I wish I did. Spoiled oysters in my fried oyster basket. Horrible! The coconut shrimp they gave me to replace that were ok but nothing special Husband didn't love his fried clams..too tough..we won't go back

    (1)

  • Doug T.

    Crazy place, super busy, perfect for our family circus! We went the other night with a party of 10. They have choices for anyone really including lots of different fish/seafood choices, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and pasta. They are used to the frantic crowd and pace and delivered smoothly under the load. They have various little feee games (ring toss, bean bag, etc) outside for things to do while you wait.

    (4)

  • Angela M.

    Definite tourist trap. We had breakfast here ($50 for 4 people) and both service and food were dismal. I always feel like one should make up for the other. The hostess barely made eye contact and didn't smile, and the service was extremely slow and inattentive. Our waitress was nice, but just not very focused. Our table was dirty, with crumbs and greasy smears on the chairs from the previous patrons (kids, probably) and everything felt sticky and grubby. There were also a lot of flies in the restaurant, which didn't give a lot of faith in the state of the kitchen. The only positives were fresh squeezed orange juice and real butter for the pancakes. But overall, the food quality was poor, with watery grits, overcooked eggs, and undercooked pancakes that had a slightly burned flavor, like the grill had not been properly cleaned. The fresh fruit side that was supposed to accompany the plate was a wafer thin slice of pineapple and half a strawberry. What they call a "side", I would call a "garnish". They bill themselves as "award-winning", but the only award I would give them is for lousy service and utterly unremarkable food. It wasn't the worst I've ever had, but you can get something far more serviceable for half that price at the Waffle House. They are really phoning it in, and if this place were anywhere other than Sanibel Island, they would not likely stay in business.

    (2)

  • Adam S.

    We had a late lunch at the island cow. We ate inside where the decor is bright and clean. We had the crab potato skin appetiser which we both loved. We followed this with the tuna melt and BBQ chicken melt sandwiches, which neither of us could finish (due to quantity not quality). Our server was polite and very attentive. Overall a def we would go back establishment.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Crunchy grouper tacos....... Yummy!

    (4)

  • Bek H.

    Our family was eager to check out Island Cow since the reviews are pretty good. During a July 4 bike ride, we stopped by around 1:15 in hopes of getting some ice cream sundaes for kids and a few adult beverages for mom and dad. Upon expressing our desire to the hostess, she gruffly told us that we must eat a meal. Not the best first impression, especially since there were plenty of tables available. With all the other dining options on the island, I think our family will seek out a more hospitable venue.

    (1)

  • Uncle Buck S.

    We have been coming to Sanibel for many years, and had never eaten here before tonight. When dinner was over, we all asked the same question, "Why haven't we been here before." It's not like this was the best restaurant ever, but it felt like a true island experience. The atmosphere was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed the tunes playing overhead. We appreciated the casual atmosphere, without the feeling like it was grubby, out of control or obnoxious. Their service was outstanding. We all felt the food was very good. A vast menu, and we tried a lot of it. The crunchy grouper, coconut crunchy grouper, the sea food quesidillas, and pulled pork, as well as the frickels and shrimp/conch fritters. All were tasty, and worth the cost. The only thing I know to stay away from is the desert, none were any good. Yet, we still enjoyed our meal and we will be back.

    (4)

  • Dan C.

    My wife and I are currently vacationing in captiva and were looking for something opened later in the evening and saw on a few websites where the island cow was open until 10:30 pm. So my wife and I made the drive from captiva to the island cow walked in a little before 9:00pm when we walked in the old brown headed hostess did not want to look up at us but finally did, when she did acknowledge that we had walked in the restaurant she said "nice guys, coming in 1 minute before we close, wait is 20 minutes you can wait outback, here" and handed us a vibrating waiting device. My wife and I turned around got in our car and ate at the LAZY FLAMINGO which was amazing and the host was very nice and courteous. We will NEVER eat at the island cow and I recommend you look into hiring a host who smiles and acknowledges your guests and who knows how to act professional and courteous. Also recommend updating all the website that you are on that say you are opened until 10:30pm.

    (1)

  • Michael P.

    This place is very casual and feels kind of like an outdoor diner. The menu is overwhelming which is usually a warning sign, since no one can make that many dishes that well. That said some of our party had good luck with their meals, some did not (actually 3 of 4 did not). Service was acceptable, but the food is just hit or miss.

    (2)

  • Don P.

    Grrr! I'm usually laid back about waiting, especially on a Fri/Sat nite. But don't jack with me because the size of my crowd doesn't qualify in your book to be seated as you stated. The 15 minute wait slowly became 40 with multiple groups getting tables..some only waiting for 10 minutes or less. Keep up the good work John Oates.

    (2)

  • Lucy S.

    A Sanibel favorite. Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late night treat (on an island that closes early they stay open until the crowd dies), the Cow can do no wrong. Everything is delicious, but there's always a wait.

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    This place is so cute and unique. Definitely glad I came to try it out while I was visiting. I just wish I could have tried a dessert. Love that they gave hush puppies on my boyfriends plate. The signs walking in that the cow is holding "buy two drinks and pay for both of them" shows you the sass right off the bat.

    (5)

  • Shelby J.

    The food is certainly no frills but it is delicious and they seem to be busy all the time! The muffins were great, the smoothies were perfect for a hot day and the atmosphere was fantastic! (Although I felt sorry for their bird since it was such a hot day) Definitely put this one on your list to try!

    (4)

  • Lynnwood B.

    The Oscar Grouper was fishy at best and 50% of the meal stayed on the plate (plank I should say). Other aspects of the order were wrong and service was sketchy. A bad night? Stone crab claws were ok however.

    (2)

  • Eric O.

    Almost anything I have had here is great! The only negative on the restaurant is the wait! morning, noon, or night, there is always a wait!

    (5)

  • Valarie B.

    Restaurant has a cow gimmick going on that works pretty well. I wasn't expecting much as I thought it would be a tourist trap. My husband had the Sesame crusted tuna steak salad that he said was excellent. I had a cilantro lime chicken sandwich that was decent. They do a nice presentation. Server was not very friendly but was efficient.

    (3)

  • Deliah A.

    Our favorite spot on Sanibel Island! Tons of menu items to choose from, great vibe, relaxing areas to lounge and play games while you wait for a seat. Service is always fast and friendly, and the rum drinks are very, very Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Sabrina N.

    Loved everything about this place. They are pet friendly, the staff is great and the food is fresh. I would Reccomnd this place to anyone. Big menu. Something for everyone.

    (5)

  • Sandee L.

    Casual restaurant with varied & extensive moderately priced menu. Our waiter - Kyle was friendly and personable making us feel welcomed the moment we sat down. After sitting down excellent corn muffins appeared before us. I ordered the fried shrimp basket while my friend had the fried clams. Our food came within 5 minutes of our order and was fantastic. Upon learning that it was my friend's birthday Kyle quickly arranged for a special desert and happy birthday singing in our outside eating area. A great dining experience. We're gong back and I highly recommend you give this place a visit (If you're lucky you'll get Kyle as your waiter.)

    (5)

  • Marne W.

    I've got to say I don't understand the hype for this place. We tried to get in on two other days but lost patience before they called our beeper. Today we finally lucked out and got a table for lunch after about 15 minutes. The food was ok but not great. I had the crab cakes, which were good but small, especially for 18.99. My husband had the wombo combo, a platter of 4 barbecued meats. The chicken was underdone and inedible, the pulled pork and ribs were fair, and only the BBQ shrimp were really good. The quality just isn't there when you factor in the prices, the long wait, and the rushed feeling after you do get a table. There are so many better restaurants on Sanibel that we won't be back.

    (2)

  • D C.

    Nice location and a bit of a wait to get in. The service was on pace and the food was good. Too generous on the portion sizes!

    (4)

  • Clifford F.

    We went to the Island Cow after a sunset on the beach and had a wonderful meal. The stone crabs were perfect as well as the service and atmosphere. Everything on the menu looked delicious but we didn't have the chance to try them all. A definite must go!

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    Island Cow gets a lot of attention and I think its partially due to the big sign of a cow hula dancing out front. Like a lot of food stops on Sanibel much of the food is good but not great. There are some gems on the menu like the catfish ruben. The portions are MASSIVE insuring you wont leave hungry. Of the more family oriented restaurants on Sanibel, Island Cow is the best of them. I might have reconsidered giving Island Cow a 5 but the last time I was there someone's glass broke and sent pieces of glass shooting across our table. Concerned about eating food that just had glass sailing across it we notified our server and the manager who didn't seem to care.

    (4)

  • Alina D.

    We stopped by Sanibel Island on the way home from our mini vacation and ventured into this little gem. We had a great experience. Very relax and fun environment. We did wait 40 minutes to be seated, but they have games and an outdoor waiting area. Very kid friendly. My son loved his food as did we. The shrimp basket was delicious. The oysters were served over ice, and our beers were served in frosted mugs. Look forward to returning.

    (4)

  • Sean A.

    Everything was great, my daughters fried clam basket was some of the best we've had. I branched out from my norm, and got the shrimp and grits...was delicious!

    (5)

  • Damon R.

    Food was OK. I could do much better at home. No one in my family finished their food.

    (2)

  • Judith B.

    Great breakfast! Great servic!

    (4)

  • Jeff A.

    We love the Island Cow. From seafood to red beans and rice we have not found an item on the menu that does not meet our expectations!

    (5)

  • Ruth B.

    This place is great! The staff is really friendly, and the food is good. My kids have been happy with the kids menu, and everything I've eaten here has been good, plus they have a lot of choices for the grown-ups. If it is high season on the island, be prepared to wait.

    (4)

  • Samantha H.

    We waited a pretty long time since it was busy (we were there over Spring Break though so we expected that). There was a lot to choose from on the menu but it was just OK. We go to Sanibel once every year or so and probably won't go back to this restaurant.

    (3)

  • Ken G.

    On my first trip out to Sanibel, I was indeed surprised to find that The Island Cow has "udderly great food." And that's not all - unlike many of the other restaurants that charge island premiums, I thought the fare at The Cow was a bargain on any land form. The BBQ Chicken Melt was calling my name, what with the "tender chicken breast BBQ'd perfectly then smothered with grilled onions, sweet pineapple, Canadian bacon and melted cheeses on grilled home baked sourdough." All this, plus awesome fries, Caribbean slaw, and hush puppies for $8.99. Oh, and they bring each table muffins that taste strangely like confetti cake. In all, the sandwich was good enough for me to have recurring dreams, and certainly good enough to ensure I head straight to the Cow when/if I'm ever back on Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Craig F.

    Great restaurant with a theme. We eat here for breakfast and dinner. It's great for the kids too. My wife liked the catfish basket and I had the crab soup. The menu is extensive but they have great seafood. Starbucks coffee a plus on this island. Their breakfast had a New York flair to it on the menu with bagels and fish options, etc.

    (4)

  • Jo F.

    Had lunch today at the Island Cow; best meal we had all week. It was just by chance we ate there. We were hungry, and it looked attractive and casual. Lots of cars, usually a good sign. Hard to decide what to have, but I opted for the scallops, which were perfectly cooked. Most of the breading fell off as I ate them, which was fine with me. Husband had the grouper fish tacos, also excellent, as we're the rice and beans, food was properly seasoned. Excellent service all around, would definitely go back. We even got a gift certificate to give to my brother for their hospitality. Wish we had a restaurant like that in Michigan.

    (5)

  • Jackie B.

    When we arrived, the wait was clearly very long. It was well worth it. The first thing I noticed (as a mom) was that the tables and high chairs were incredibly clean. The food was good, and the service was great as well. We'll be going back again before our vacation is over.

    (5)

  • Jason G.

    I had lunch here with my wife and two young children. Fun and open feel to the restaurant with unique pre-dinner rolls that are actually cupcakes with sprinkles (obviously a hit with the kids). My only complaint is there are almost TOO many option on the menu. Seriously, it's huge! I had the paella which was fresh and delicious while my wife had a bacon burger with blue cheese. She said it was one of the best burgers she's ever had. The kids loved their meals as well. The service was prompt and we were all very pleased with the experience. I should also note the prices were very, very reasonable for the island. The cool part came the next day when I went back to grab a coffee to go. Upon recognizing me from the day before, the host at the front asked if I "...wanted to be a rockstar with the family and take some fresh baked muffins for the road." While I was waiting for my coffee he brought out 4 warm breakfast muffins that we enjoyed on the way to a boat tour. Top notch. That's the stuff that keeps people coming back. Hands down, one of the best dining experiences on the island for your family. Positive environment, great service and of course, fantastic food at a great value.

    (4)

  • Alistair F.

    Gigantic portions - great for gaining weight :( The kids meals were great and they were entertained. My wife's catfish was really good. Unfortunately I should have steered clear of the crispy duck salad. I was NOT expecting a duck breast deep fried in corn flakes on a bed of greens, raw onion, tangerines, plum tomatoes and a side of FRUIT SALAD! Holy cow! They claim that it is 'Award Winning' - I guess it's for the most interesting use of corn flakes..

    (2)

  • Robert S.

    When on vacation you never expect to find a place you want to go back to. I'm craving the food already! $2 Landshark Pints when I arrive .. delicious food we went back twice! Generally never eat at the same place twice while on vacation, couldn't resist the food here. When you sit down they drop muffins on your table. I'd go back just for them! Service was good, attentive but not overbearing .. Food all at the right temperature .. Spicy food had a kick .. Portions are perfect after a day on the beach.

    (5)

  • John T.

    One of the best restaurants on the island. The menu is enormous!!!! So many different things to choose from and everything is made to a very high standard. I grew up on Sanibel and eat at Island Cow all the time. One of my favorite things on the menu are the fried pickles "Frickles" and the muffins they give you are fresh and tasty. There is usually always a wait, so make sure to show up early!! I would definitely suggest the Island Cow to anyone who visits Sanibel.

    (5)

  • Dennis V.

    I'd give it 1 star, but one of my dining companions had the liver and onions and Raved about it. 4 people in our party on a fairly busy Saturday. Our waiter was ok, but he screwed up one of our orders, and tried to make our dining companion think it was her fault. She ordered a Corned Beef Ruben with fries and he brought out a Roast beef with chips. He did bring out fries though, but talked her out of the Corned Beef Ruben $8.95. Secondly I asked if the Oysters were fresh, and he assured me they were, so I ordered the Oyster Poor Boy $8.95 with fries and Cole slaw. When it came the Oysters were not Fresh, they weren't bad, but definitely not nearly as good had they been fresh. I know the difference. I didn't want to offend the people who had brought us there, so I ate most of it. The fries were ok, but the cole slaw was just cabbage and some carrots, almost tasteless. My Wife had the deep fried scallops $14.95, and honestly they were inedible. She orders Scallops almost any time they are available. That's her go to seafood. She ate about 2 and pushed the rest toward me. I took one bite and it was like biting into a chewy bar of Salt. They were overdone and VERY salty. For the 4 of us the Bill came to $70 including the tip. Had it not been for eating on the recommendation of the people we were with (dear friends showing us the island). I would have bitched. For the location on the island it was probably reasonable, but it hurt like hell to pay for poor service and a disappointing meal. I'll give it 2 stars, because the muffins were awesome, and my friend raved about the liver and onions. Sadly other than the Checkers we ate at last week in Englewood, this was the worst meal we've had in our last two weeks on the road in the South. I cannot recommend this place, I know I'm in the minority here, but if you go, I hope it's a better experience for you.

    (2)

  • Amy H.

    This place is good. It's "island food" but in the good way. They have excellent breakfast. They also serve these freshly made, warm, semi sticky muffins with a subtle hint of fruit inside. THEY ARE THE GREATEST MUFFINS IN ALL OF FLORIDA. Worth it for those sweet muffins alone.

    (4)

  • David P.

    We had the cat fish ruben sandwich and the tuna melt. It was a neat joint to get a light lunch after my bother and I flew in. The sandwiches and fries were aces the coleslaw and tartar sauce were just ok. The menu is extensive and varied. I'm going back for the voodoo scallops and some form of dessert.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    We stopped in here for breakfast while on the island two weeks ago. Friendly staff, kitchy atmosphere with cow this and cow that on every available space. The food was good at reasonable prices, but keep in mind the place is usually packed and very loud. I ordered blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon, pretty basic and didn't disappoint. The wife got the poached eggs, with grits, fruit, and whole wheat toast. The eggs were cooked perfectly to order, the fruit was nice and ripe, but the grits....were pretty awful tasting. Not sure how you screw up grits, but they succeeded. And on top of that the house coffee was Starbucks, which we hate, (tastes like burnt coffee anywhere you get it). So good food as long as you stay away from the grits, good service, and reasonable prices.

    (3)

  • Tim F.

    Loved this place. Just got back from a Florida trip which included a weeks stay in Sanibel. Every time we drove past the IC it always seemed to be bursting at the seams. On an actual visit we were swiftly dealt with and provided with an alarm to let us know when our table was ready, so we wandered off to play. Although jampacked, this wait was not long as the operation is obviously a well oiled machine. Ordering was the hardest part as the menu is massive, actually it's my only criticism - too much choice. I went 'menu blind'. Eventually though, things rose to the surface and a Shrimp 'po boy was chosen and it certainly didn't disappoint. Absolutely delicious! We have an added complexity in our family of having a young daughter who is a coeliac, meaning that she cannot consume gluten. Generally this is a pain when trying to order food, however the IC were more than happy to be flexible and work with us to find something that was suitable, so top marks there. If you are in Sanibel this is a must stop for a causal bite.

    (5)

  • Anon M.

    This may be my favorite go-to spot in Sanibel. The menu is incredibly expansive and the food is reliably very good. There are numerous seafood and non-seafood dishes.. While some of the seafood dishes are quite unique, including fish varieties of a reuben sandwich (!) I generally stick with getting a bronzed fish with two sides. But no one complains about the food, no matter what you get. The portions are great, the service is friendly and fast, and the atmosphere is fun and Floridian. The waits for this place can be long, but that's what you get for being one of the best restaurants in Sanibel. And that's saying something in this foodie island!

    (5)

  • sean u.

    Ok... These other reviewers must be so used to getting bad island food that their expectations are set so low, when they get something that finally doesn't entirely disappoint they give 5 stars like it was the best meal they ever had. Really? 5 stars? this was one of the best meals you ever had? I must have missed something. I have no problem giving stars when appropriate. But 5 means the best you know. As in perfection. Anyhow, we had the shrimp/conch fritters which weren't great really. I had the Oscar grouper which was a special - it was pretty decent. The veggies it came with were good also. so the food was good, not 5 stars though. the menu was long and complex but the service was actually quite good. very friendly and a good solid family atmosphere here.

    (3)

  • Aimee B.

    Decent food, but I highly recommend eating in vs taking out. First of all, on take out orders they charge an automatic 10% gratuity! Seriously?!? I normally give the bartender 15% for takeout because I've bern there, done that, but when you automatically apply a tip it makes me want to tip nothing. AND, then they wanted to charge us 10% tip when we bought a gift card!! I'm sorry, you're going to charge me money to send more business in your door?!? REALLY?!?? Finally, the average food loses the flavor it has by the time you get it home so you then have very bland food. I think that's a product of the menu offering over 100 different options but the kitchen not really doing anything well.

    (3)

  • Victoria B.

    The best restaurant on sanibel! The best crab legs and alligator bites by far! Also you get muffins to start (the blueberry are the best). The service fails sometimes buy it's still worth it. Try the rum punch you will fall in love!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    Great environment for the family, but the food really wasn't anything special. Gator tail bites were ok, trio of fish tacos was marginal and the seasoned chicken was dry. Good tourist spot to visit, but not the best food you'll find on the island.

    (2)

  • marissa o.

    Three of us ate here on April 22nd. We went because we were told they have a gluten free menu. 1. Long wait even for off season 2. Menu is so large it is confusing. 3. The gluten free menu is their actual menu but under the description it says tell your waiter you cannot have the bread or rice or pasta, etc. It is NOT a gluten free friendly restaurant. Why have a pasta section on your Gluten Free menu if it says tell your waiter you cannot have the pasta? 4. Ordered my son grilled chicken, he has a gluten allergy. He was served a huge basket of potato chips and it took forever to locate our waiter to get his grilled chicken. I would love to give this restaurant 5 stars for their seafood, but their lack of a GF menu after stating they have one really upset me. I had their flounder with scampi sauce 5 stars. My mom had their shrimp taco, 5 stars.

    (2)

  • Bam K.

    Fried oysters are delicious! Went there with my family during our vacation and this place is busy, lots of turnover, good staff, and delicious food! The fish taco is yummy!

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    We have pedaled by this place many times and it always looks like a happening place. After reading the yelps we stopped in on the bicycles and tied up to the convenient bike rack out front. We met the very cheery hostess who directed us to the back porch to wait a spell. When she sat us she dropped off a couple of great muffins. Very extensive menu, if you can't find something that you like on this menu, stay home! Young waiter Robert was right there ready to take our order. He promptly delivered our soda's and lobster/shrimp/crème cheese wontons. They were GREAT! She had the crunchy grouper tacos, she loved them! My Boom Boom Shrimp tacos were world class, side of black beans & rice with sour crème and pico for the tacos. All was outstanding, service was great. No waterfront view that we like, but the cow motif is interesting to say the least.

    (5)

  • Maddy S.

    This is a good option for families with young children, as it has an extremely casual atmosphere. There is a ring-toss game in the back and a friendly, colorful ambience. Service is decent as well. As for the food, it's not bad, given the style of the restaurant. The menu is absolutely massive and can be overwhelming, but I still haven't been disappointed. Nothing particularly exciting, but all in all a fine option for families or a laid-back meal.

    (3)

  • Chelle B.

    While you wait, order an ice cold Red Stripe and try your hand at the ring game on the back patio. Fried alligator is a great appetizer. Don't miss the black beans and yellow rice and the bbq sliders.

    (4)

  • Ted W.

    Fun place and also an excellent breakfast. Shrimp omelet prepared soft as requested and with scallops and grouper was fresh and also perfectly prepared. I was glad I got the creamy buttery grits with it. Potatoes very good as well. Best breakfast I've had in a long time!

    (4)

  • Jamie S.

    Food is wonderful! Great prices! Fun environment! Service is ok. You get muffins when you arrive and they are the best!!! Menu is huge kind of overwhelming. Overall... happy with our visit.

    (4)

  • David A.

    Outdoor seating make for a beautiful setting in the great state of Florida. Waiters and waitresses are very nice, and provide good service. The tables are really cool, as they supply historic paraphernalia through a glass layer. The French fries are done to perfection, but I can't even get started on how good the burgers are. If you ask well done, they will do your burger well done. The large variety of cheese makes for a great addition and taste on the burger. Catsup or mustard? No problem. The catsup and mustard is already at the table when you sit down. Have fun at this awesome eatery, not to mention they have good desserts.

    (5)

  • Karthik H.

    Quaint place. Lots & lots of food. Have breakfast & skip lunch. Have lunch ---so on & so forth. Had the overstuffed french toast. Will recommend it. Easy relaxed atmosphere. Go for the outdoor seating. Great service.

    (3)

  • Abby K.

    Such a cute little restaurant, relaxed atmosphere. Outside tables available. Burgers are good! Friendly service! We have been there for dinner and lunch and never had anything that we didn't care for!

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    Dissapointing breakfast.. The "be crappy" was nice but a little too greasy..and "the bomb" special was clearly not da bomb. It was bland, small portioned, and boring.

    (2)

  • Allison F.

    Pretty good dinner--this place is casual enough that we had no problem bringing our (busy) toddler. Food was good, the beer was cold and the atmosphere was laid-back.

    (4)

  • Susan P.

    The Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos are outstanding! They're on the daily specials menu.

    (5)

  • Bentley W.

    Decent food but service was nothing to shout about--not unexpected considering its tourist trap atmosphere and our visit during peak season. Not a bad choice if you're looking for something simple and fairly valued on Sanibel Island.

    (3)

  • Christophe L.

    We had lunch at The Island Cow. Very nice service. Food was very good. We shared the seafood quesadillas (Very nice with crab, shrimps, fish, bell peppers) with a basket of fried shrimp and fried pickles. Moreover, they served Starbucks coffee which is a nice plus! All food was well prepared and very flavorful. This is a funky place and we will be back!

    (4)

  • Kady H.

    This is our second time here and I'll give this place the thumbs up. The menu has a great variety, there's surely something to please everyone. We had the mutt mix appetizer (it's a pick three kind of thing), grouper oscar and crab cake burger, both pretty good. The complimentary muffins are unique and delicious!

    (4)

  • Alexander C.

    First time in Captiva and it couldn't have been nicer. Fantastic way to end it with a stop in The Island Cow for lunch. Food was great, service was great and place was really nice. Ordered the catfish Reuben which was recommended by the waitress and was definitely a great choice. Would definitely return to try breakfast and dinner.

    (5)

  • Jenna B.

    What a great place! A must for all visiting Sanibel. We visited twice during our stay and loved it both times. You may have to wait a little for your food - but that is to be expected. This is quality food - not fast food. They are super friendly and give you muffins to eat while you browse the menu. Daily draft beer deals are great also - $1.99 for the draft of the day. I had snow crab legs on the first visit (around $17) - they were really great! My husband had the coconut shrimp and loved it. And later during our second trip, I had a mac and cheese special (with gulf shrimp and langoustine tails). That dish was amazing! Check it out - you are sure to find something you like on the extensive menu!

    (5)

  • David F.

    Very popular place, right on the main drag in town. Casual atmosphere and some outside seating. Went for an early dinner. Food was pretty good, and prepared well. Had the blackened snapper and calamari. One of the better meals we had during our week on the island, but not fantastic. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Theresa D.

    Definitely one of those places to hit while in Sanibel...if only to drink in the fun island vibe. Very relaxed atmosphere with a wide menu selection...including gator if you're up for it. The parking lot is always busy, and folks are always on the back patio waiting to be seated, which is a great testament.

    (3)

  • Marsha C.

    Our family loves the island cow - breakfast, lunch or dinner. Only bad thing is you have to go early for any meal to avoid waiting awhile for a table (hubby hates to wait). We've been here several years in a row with teens and everyone can find something that they liked. Can't say that at every restaurant in Sanibel. Great variety - great coffee and the atmosphere is fun. Love the lawn chairs. They do have "mosquito" screens on the porch they can roll down to keep the bugs out which is nice. A must-do on Sanibel for us!

    (5)

  • Rob M.

    Very nice atmosphere and family friendly but the food did not meet my expectations. I had the barbecue sampler plate and was disappointed. The ribs were okay, the pulled pork was okay, as long as you like their BBQ sauce, and the barbecue chicken was anything but. It was a split boneless breast, grilled flat with barbecue sauce brushed on the top. It reminded me of school cafeteria style chicken! Another in my party had the seafood jambalaya and was equally disappointed. It tasted okay but was not really jambalaya and he was surprised to find whole crayfish in the mix. With so many other dining options on Sanibel, I think I'll explore some more establishments before going back, next time I'm there.

    (2)

  • Mike M.

    I love this place! Great menu, great prices but it's the service that makes me come back.

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    Great outside seating, Free muffins while you wait, Starbucks coffee, cornhole games, Adirondack chairs to relax in, TVs to watch and $1.99 draft beer. Oh and the freshest fruit and best breakfast on the island, so much good food!. Plus our waiter John was terrific, I highly recommend coming here.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    This restaurant has five star staff and offers up a five star experience, yet the food is lacking. After about a twenty minute wait, we reviewed the extensive menu which had everything from pasta to burgers, and of course the seafood. We started with the gator bites which tasted like a combination of calamari and chicken. It was good not great. I then had the gumbo which was awesome because of all the fish things in there, but the dish was very salty which I did not like. I ended the meal with the Key Lime Pie which was great. All in all, I would recommend this place not for the food but for the experience because its nice and laid back, and everyone can get anything they would like to eat.

    (4)

  • Tom N Tricia F.

    Went for an early dinner and everything was good. Gumbo was huge and the shrimp platter was great. Chocolate chip muffins to start you off.

    (3)

  • Teresa F.

    Huge menu. Fun atmosphere. Hubby got mango fish tacos and OMG they were to die for! Huge portions. I had tuna melt also very good. Kids shared a chicken tender basket. It had 8 or 9 fingers and fries! Prices very fair for the amount of food you receive. Will return again before we leave island for sure!

    (5)

  • Katelin B.

    The food was great (I had the special which was a gorgeous salad with a ridiculously generous portion of ahi tuna - could barely eat half of it!) Because we were only in Sanibel for a week we wanted to eat outside as much as possible so we waited for an outside table which was no problem at all, because you can order drinks from the bar and wait out back near a tikki hut and plenty of seating. The hostess and waiter weren't too friendly, but the bartender was awesome and the mango sangria was very refreshing.

    (4)

  • Faith S.

    I don't know why this place gets such mediocre reviews! We love it! It's one of the best spots on the island for breakfast in particular, and the muffins while you wait always wins me over, too. The atmosphere is quirky, whimsical, and eclectic but in such a fun way, not cheesy or hokey. It shows the spunky, unique side of the island. Everything I have ever had here has been delicious, and their Belgian waffles are an old favorite. Give it a go!

    (5)

  • Connie P.

    Greg had Gumbo gumbo; I had the cheesy shrimp and grits. Both a tad on salty side but not overpowering; both chock full of hot and fresh, buttery seafood. Hesitate patronizing kitschy places, but the bovine decor was cute and fun "grazing" across while sipping bloody marys.

    (4)

  • Russell L.

    Found this place by accident. This is a really fun place with great food, service, and reasonable prices. They represent the island Atmosphere with their decor. If they are busy, which they are, go play bean bag toss while you wait. They were packed but still seated us in 10 minutes. My party of 6 had a great meal and a fun time. You gotta do this!

    (5)

  • John V.

    We visited Sanibel Island last week and ate at The Island Cow for dinner one night. A very cool place with a nice vibe and atmosphere. I had the Barnburner hamburger and it was very good. We ate here on Father's day so every dad got a free draft beer which was a very nice touch!

    (4)

  • Paula H.

    I never really liked the Island Cow in years past, but I've really enjoyed it this year. It's got such an inviting ambience and the servers are all really easy going and attentive. The menu seems to have expanded some in the last five years and has a lot more for vegetarians. For breakfast, I had coconut citrus french toast with a side of breakfast potatoes and it was wonderful. One day for lunch, I had the Grilled Veggie & Goat Cheese salad full of fruit and roasted vegetables and a big, creamy blob of goaty goodness and I was in heaven.

    (5)

  • Susan C.

    The only thing I don't like here is that they stop serving breakfast at 11 and for those of us who like to sleep in, its kind of hard to make it especially if there's a wait. But, note, they do serve breakfast till noon on Sunday so that's when we went. My son flew down for the weekend and we enjoyed their smoked salmon platter which is enough for THREE!!!!! My son enjoyed their eggs and Canadian bacon. They serve Starbucks coffee so be prepared to pay $2.99 a cup......Lunch is also good. My husband came back and shared the shrimp, chicken and tuna salad platter and we could not eat it all. Large portions here for reasonable prices and that is why it's always crowded!

    (4)

  • Alexandra D.

    The prices here are definitely pretty fair for being on the island! Unfortunately, the noise levels are pretty high, the food is rather mediocre, and you will most certainly run into a lot of screaming babies. I'm not easily irritated by noise, but when I went, it was somewhat of a downfall.

    (2)

  • Tori H.

    My husband and I stopped at Island Cow after hearing great things. It was a very laid back atmosphere and definitely family friendly! The staff members were a little bland but overall we loved the experience. The menu is very large so it was hard to know what to get. The tuna melt was above average and the coconut shrimp were decent. Overall, neat place to visit! I would recommend it!

    (3)

  • Joann C.

    Supposed to be the best food on the island. We were excited to try but there were mixed reviews between me and my boyfriend. Its a pretty popular spot so if you go during peak hours then be prepared to wait about 45 minutes. They also dont take reservations for any parties less than 8 so plan accordingly! They serve a muffin to each guest while you wait for your food. I had the chocolate chip muffin and it was pretty tasty! Soft and moist with just a hint of sweetness. If I could have bought a dozen these I would have! Get That Gator - Deep fried Gator bites. These were pretty good. Diced up and deep fried so that the rubbery texture is minimized. In the end, one might guess you were just eating calamari. Pick a Basket - Pretty good deal as you get awesome fries. Awesome fries are steak fries that are dusted lightly with flour and then fried so you get additional texture and fried goodness. Coconut Fried Grouper is really the way to go. We also got the the Southern Fried Snapper Basket and this was not good at all. The fish was not cooked all the way through and had a "fishy" taste, which usually happens when its been frozen. I was a bit disappointed on this and kind of lost my appetite when I discovered this. I skipped my fish and focused on the awesome fries and tried to steal my boyfriend's Coconut Fried Grouper when he wasnt looking. I would try this place again but would want to try something else. The menu is pretty extensive as they have barbecue, sandwiches and steak.

    (2)

  • Rich C.

    Large variety of great tasting meals to order. Amazing service from our waitress and interesting decor in the restaurant! Have been here multiple times and always enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Susan G.

    This was our second time here and it did not disappoint! I had the grouper piccata which was delicious! The conch fritters and the seafood quesadilla along with the black beans and rice were also fantastic!

    (4)

  • Savannah G.

    I have been to the Island Cow a couple different times now, mostly for breakfast. However this time my family and I decided to go in for lunch, curious to try out other aspects of the menu ( which is all over the place to begin with.) After a long time of contemplating what to get I decided on the fish basket which featured hush puppies, and fries, my mom ordered the citrus green salad with chicken, while my brother ordered the seafood gumbo. We waited for our food for about fifteen minutes, to our surprise we were given delicious muffins while waiting. When the food arrived it looked rather promising, my hush puppies were good, my fries were perfectly crispy, but my fish ( which was the grouper) did not meet expectations. The outside was fried southern style, biting into it the fish was way to slimy and almost tasted under cooked, my stomach could only handle a couple bites. My moms citrus salad was just plain bad, the chicken smelled as if it was turning, she only took one bite, but was too frustrated to send it back. However my brothers gumbo looked fantastic (it took him under five minutes to finish.) Overall I would say the Island Cow is a good place if you are looking for breakfast, and breakfast only. As far as the menu goes it is far too busy, I had to reread it several times to finally comprehend everything. With that much on the menu things are bound to be badly cooked.

    (1)

  • Bryony B.

    Honestly wasn't that impressed, though my family liked it. We went for breakfast, and although the confetti muffins were interesting, I though they tasted like they were from a box. They technically had a great selection of coffee and stuff - Starbucks even - but the frappucino I got was not Starbucks quality. I had the French toast, and was not impressed. But, the potatoes it came with were pretty good (I liked the seasoning), and I had homemade corn beef hash that was very good. The decor is interesting and fun - maybe dinner would be better....

    (2)

  • Eric G.

    My wife and I had a really good meal. She had swordfish and I had blackened catfish. The service was attentive and on point. Nice assortment of hot sauce and condiments. The item that we had that was our favorite was the conch fritters. Fried golden brown with tangy 10,000 Islands suace, get it !!!

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    Awesome service and laid back island atmosphere. Everything on the menu is good so be adventurous with your choice!

    (5)

  • Melissa W.

    Great food, fun atmosphere! We had a party of 25 called ahead and they had our table waiting! Great service by Heather would , def come again!

    (5)

  • Beth M.

    We had a bad experience last year but we thought we would give it one more try this year. Huge mistake. The service was terrible and we had to send things back twice before they could get it right. Stone cold and old hushpuppies. Fries that were fine on one plate and old on another. $50 for bad service and marginal food. Won't make that mistake again. What's worse is that I asked the hostess to give us a different server when I got the same terrible one from last year. She said she would take care of it and didn't do a thing. Please don't bother eating at the cow. Save your money.

    (1)

  • Chris H.

    We were looking forward to our late lunch here after reading all the reviews but we were disappointed. I had a Grouper Oscar special. The asparagus was the canned mushy, gross kind but the fish was good. My wife's cowpoke salad wasn't good. Too many onions in the chicken and tuna salad and the produce was wilting. My kids' black bean and cheese quesadilla were bland and they didn't enjoy.

    (2)

  • Andrea M.

    The fact that the Island Cow only has 3 and a half stars is a crying shame. My family and I just came back from a short vacation on Sanibel Island and we all agree that this restaurant was one of the main highlights. My only regret is that we couldn't extend our stay to have more meals there! Despite being crowded every time we drove by it, when we got there there was no wait time. The waitress was pleasant and friendly and when my mother and I asked what the freshest fish they had was, she suggested we try the mahi mahi. Boy were we happy with it! We both ordered the mahi mahi fried fish sandwich and it was hands down the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. It came out scalding hot and fresh. It was also the largest piece of cooked fish I have ever seen. It didn't come with tartar sauce but all we had to do was ask for some. The side portions of fries and red beans and rice were plentiful and delicious. All in all it was a great experience and I just wish there was an Island Cow where I live! I'm not a souvenir type of gal but the service was so great and the food so magnificent that I just had to have a t-shirt to take home with me!

    (5)

  • Heidi P.

    Came here while on vacation due to the fact that this place is always busy! The ambiance is relaxed and fun, and the live music was nice. I loved the cornbread muffins they put out to start. The service was meh...although i was part of a large party, still...our waiter was hardly ever seen. I ordered the "mack daddy shrimp meal" and honestly it didn't look like it deserved the title "mack daddy". It came with about 8-10 medium sized shrimp which were way overcooked. Pretty bad considering this place seemed to specialize in seafood. I had a bite of my sister's calamari and i have to say that was pretty yummy and not overcooked. overall an average experience, and disappointing when you're expecting good shrimp.

    (3)

  • Ben T.

    good food, lively atmosphere with plenty of "flair" which is understandably a hit with tourists. Their service is solid and we had no problems with the food either. Locals may not be attracted to the place, but it serves a good meal.

    (4)

  • Bob G.

    Warning. Have been to the Island Cow many times during our trips to Sanibel. The food, especially breakfast, is always good. During our most recent trip on 6/16 the young man serving us during breakfast attempted an old scam. Bill was 22.97 for me & my wife prior to him taking off a 10% coupon. I gave him $30 & he returned with $5, thanked us & left. I checked the menu & it said "18% gratuity included for parties of 6 or more". Also, the folder the bill came in had explanations in several different languages on how to properly tip. I found the server & asked him if he had already taken a tip out and after some snarky attitude that included him twice telling me that he had rounded my change up 3 cents (I should be happy), he eventually said he had already removed his tip. Not a big deal but I wondered how many times a day the move earned him a double tip. Anyway, we had planned to stop by the Cow several more times during our trip but never did do to this experience. Aside from the server, the breakfast was very good once again.

    (3)

  • Shannon T.

    It was okay. Ordered the salmon and it was dry so I wasn't overly impressed. My dad and husband loved both their dishes though.

    (3)

  • Lindsay A.

    Favorite place on Sanibel/Captiva. Actually kind of sad if took us three days into our week long stay to discover it. (Wishing we could collect refunds from the two mediocre meals we had earlier in the week.) All around good seafood at decent prices (and some good options for non-seafood meals too). The key lime pie here is better than most in the area. Be warned if you are going here with little ones. They serve muffins to snack on while you wait and they are addicting! By far this is our favorite find for yummy food and a price that won't break the bank.

    (5)

  • Andrea D.

    Amazing menu and amazing food!!!! There were so many unique seafood items it was hard to decide what to get! We ended up with the grouper tacos and seafood quesadilla and both were fantastic, I wish we could come back again before leaving fl!

    (5)

  • Lxs S.

    The Cow was a winner! Casual island decor. Incredibly extensive menu--everyone can find something to enjoy. Everyone working there was happy, friendly and helpful without getting in your face. I chose their version of Jambalaya. Portion was huge and perfectly prepared. You more than get what you pay for. Check it out!

    (4)

  • Debbie E.

    Good food, good service, good for kids. Indoor and outdoor seating. The tables are over sized so a party of four has plenty of space. The menu is robust -everything from breakfast (which they are known for), to sandwiches, to baskets, to platters, to big desserts and many kinds of beverages - coffees, root beer floats, beer, wine.... The Gulf Shrimp basket (9 count) was great. Lightly breaded gulf shrimp )love the lightly breaded) ,Tropical slaw (no mayo), french fries and a couple of hush puppies. The salad with goat cheese had veggies, fruit (cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries) and we added on fried (again, lightly) calamari which was more of chunk of calamari rather than the tentacles. Both were generous portions. Instead of serving bread with the meal, we were served two homemade strawberry muffins. Delicious. The above plus an iced tea (brewed) and a Diet Coke was $34 before tax and gratuity. The prices didn't phase me given the portions and that it is Sanibel Island but I could see how people from other parts of the country may think they are on the higher side. Pretty crowded but they had the right amount of servers working. And the indoor area is spacious and you don't feel right on top of the other tables. Casual atmosphere and dress (like, people coming in off of their jog in shorts, running tights, t-shirts, and sneakers) Overall good atmosphere and would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    It was very busy and loud , but the food is fairly cheap and tasty. The portions are huge so if you are trying to eat healthy this may not be ideal.

    (4)

  • rich g.

    Two great dinners this past week. Killer seafood entrees, coconut grouper, amazing conch fritters, and sides like rice and beans with sausage. Reasonable prices, great food and service. Can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Mrs. T.

    We had no idea what we were going to get ourselves into. I absolutely loved this restaurant. It's casual, and the decor is fun to look at. I love the large frog hanging from the ceiling. We had a large group. The seafood was absolutely amazing. We had all different kinds. Everything on the menu was great. We had alligator and that was cooked perfect. We are going to go back.

    (5)

  • Rebecca P.

    After an early ,owning of shelling we headed to island cow for breakfast. What a fun quirky place. Our waitress was great with our group of 8 people. The free muffins were delist and their fresh squeezer orange juice was AMAZING! Service was pretty prompt and everyone loved their food. I had the breakfast burrito with homemade salsa and my husband had the crab cake omelet which was great...an interesting twist on traditional breakfast. Prices were also very reasonable considering the sanibel location! Bloody Mary's were also great...spiced well and a fair serving size!

    (5)

  • Dan W.

    Great breakfast, everything well cooked and served quickly. Our 2yr had a huge plate of pancakes and loved them all. Coffee is good, and the prices are well suited to the island. I'll be back in the future

    (5)

  • Edna F.

    Great little restaurant. The decor was nice and cozy and the food was fabulous, service was great nice and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Rachael H.

    So I literally had every meal here on my vacation. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert! I wanted to come here because it seemed like an awesome atmosphere and I loved the names for the food. For breakfast I had the pigs in a pancake, I really liked them. The "cow spuds" & fresh fruit were a good touch. My boyfriend had the eggs benedict. He didnt really seem to like the cheesy sauce that went over it. But he did love the muffins and the coconut french toast sounded awesome! For lunch, we had the conch fritters which were really good. I had the voodoo scallops which were awesome. The crabcake that came along with it was not particularly to my liking, but still worth a try. I just don't like the green peppers in it. My boyfriend had the mahi mahi with tropical slaw and hush puppies. The mahi mahi was really fresh tasting! For dinner I had the gumbo. OH MY GOD. So much delicious food. It had crawfish,sausage,shrimp,chicken, scallops, and fish if the day. The sauce was awesome! My boyfriend had the oysters on a half shell, and it comes with minced garlic and tartar sauce on the side. Those were his favorite! We also had the stawberry or bust dessert which was soooo much delicious goodness. All in all, if my vacation were longer. I would have gone back more times! The food was amazing and so was the service. But be warned, you might have to wait. We waited 25 minutes for the time we went for dinner which was around 8 at night, but we got there early for lunch and breakfast and the crows seemed to have come after

    (5)

  • Richard B.

    I ordered a pound of the peel and eat shrimp and I know for a fact I got a lot larger portion at Skip One. Though the shrimp were large and juicy, and the service was very very good, my plate was a 55/45 ratio of fruit to shrimp. Kudos to the waiter for not being annoyed when we asked for cocktail sauce and boom boom sauce along with the melted butter they served the shrimp with. The Key West beer for $2 was in a nice sized plastic cup when we were ordered from the bar and were waiting to be seated, but they are about half that size when they are served in the beer mugs at the table. I would give this restaurant 3.5 stars, but I'm unfortunately rounding this one down after my experience.

    (3)

  • Al O.

    It's a bit touristy menu is extensive and everything is just ok should focus on fewer options and work on quality. Breakfast is much better than lunch. All in all not a bad choice in a very touristy area.

    (3)

  • Nancy A.

    We were there on Christmas Day, and from the moment we sat down it was apparent that we were going to be rushed out the door. The waitress became visibly annoyed when I hadn't decided what to order after 5 minutes, and basically stood at the table and pushed me to pick something. The food was ok, although the calamari was awful. I tipped well because it was Christmas but under normal circumstances I would not have rewarded such surly service. Oh, and our entrees came out about 5 minutes after the appetizers. I know Christmas Day is busy, but if you aren't going to treat customers with dignity then just stay closed on that day.

    (2)

  • Tom F.

    Big portions and a big menu with a wide variety. Nice dinner overall. The chocolate chip muffins as a complimentary appetizer was a unique touch! 1 star for that alone.

    (4)

  • debbie a.

    I like the atmosphere here more than anything else. The whole interior is littered with cow memorabilia and it is charming in its quirky own way. The outdoor seating looked nice - outside front (nice patio) and the back seating had a caged bird to stare at while you wait. The muffins were pretty awesome, but my dining partner had so many of them that I didn't get to taste too many of the varieties they had - the chocolate chip one was pretty awesome though. We ordered the Grilled Veggie and Goat Cheese salad with calamari and the fish dish - with Blackened grouper salad - Good amount of fried calamari, but the corner of the salad being filled with melons and berries was kind of strange to me only because the cantalope didnt seem to fit in the rest of the salad was pretty awesome though - my only complaints were that the dressing was WAY too sweet (we asked for oil and vinegar instead and that was better with it) and some of the veggies were still raw Fish dish- Blackened Grouper, Red Beans and Rice and Sweet potato fries the grouper was GREAT Red beans and rice - good, but the rice was hard.. like it had been siting in the window for awhile dried out. sweet potato fries.. mmm SERVICE: The server we had was kind of busy most of the time so she wasnt around when we needed her. She got our orders in correctly and accomodate our requests, but when the next table came, she told them all about the specials that we never got to hear about.. i would have ordered one if i had known about before getting halfway through my meal.. =( Oh well.. The food is pretty good - not as good as Doc Fords, but hey.. its a cuter environment and closer to our hotel.

    (3)

  • Dana K.

    Fast service, very friendly. The grouper is fresh and tasty. Smoothies were refreshing. Would definitely recommend The Island Cow!!!

    (5)

  • Beth K.

    One of the largest menu's on the island. Huge variety & never been disappointed. Been going for 9 years. There's a reason this restaurant has been here so long! Very kid friendly. I had All That Paella. Was divine! Huge portion, couldn't eat it all. Every meat was delicious and you could taste each flavor individually. Had a Sanibel Sunset mixed drink. Was made perfectly- not too sweet, not too strong. Kids menu is extensive as well. You won't regret your visit. Worth the wait. Hang out back while you do. Play some corn hole, talk to the birds. Love Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Katherine C.

    The restaurant has a fun vibe and decor. Outside of that and the free muffins, there are no other redeeming qualities. It was a busy Sunday night when we dined. We were sat relatively quickly and the server arrived at the table shortly after. They give you the menu while you wait since there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. Many think this is a good thing, but my experience has always been that the more there is on the menu, the less fresh the ingredients and the more mass produced. That's precisely what I felt about the food. We started with the buffalo shrimp app. They were pretty tasty but not very special. For dinner I had the meatloaf (which the menu says runs out because it's that good??). It was not good at all. It was generic and tv dinner tasting. The green beans were over cooked and soggy. The mashed potatoes were good (and real potatoes) but unfortunately they were smothered in the generic, out-of-a-can tasting gravy. Yuck. My husband has the steak and cheese sandwich. It was ordered medium and arrived very well done. He likened the texture of the steak to that of liver and said it was very dry. He did not like it at all. While the service was good, and the waitress paid attention to our drink needs, we are positive she never gave us our debit card back. My husband looked a the bill then handed it to me to sign. I thought he grabbed the card then. So I didn't think anything of it not being there. Only he didn't. We signed and left and realized literally 25 mins later that we didn't have it when we went to use it at Jerry's. Called the Island Cow and they didn't find it... If it had been in the black thing with the check, wouldn't it still be there since neither he nor I grabbed it?? I am positive she never gave it back to us. When they called this morning to confirm they never found it the woman said, "we have 50 credit cards here, and yours isn't one of them." You mean to tell me that that many people left cc's there? Sounds implausible. I think they don't give them back to ppl. Probably in a hopes to get them back in the restaurant to spend more money. I will NEVER eat here again. I can't fathom how any one is a repeat diner... Blue Giraffe was much better and much less crowded.

    (1)

  • Lauren G.

    Great food with plenty of variety, very quick and friendly service, HUGE portions. (Seriously, appetizer was out within about 5 minutes of us ordering, and it was hot, fresh and delish! Rest of the food was out just as we were finishing the appetizer--perfectly timed!) Live musician was good (not excessively loud or intrusive, but interacted nicely with the crowd). Chocolate milkshake, gumbo, and coconut scallop po-boy were especially tasty. Seasonal draft beer special was a great deal ("almost free," as they put it). Cute, kitchy cow-themed decor throughout. Yummy corn muffins were on the table as soon as we sat. Kids' menu is a little more extensive and slightly more varied than is typical for the island, which we appreciated. Will definitely be back next visit. Only regret is that this was our last night on the island, so we may not get to finish all our leftovers!

    (4)

  • Vicki P.

    We just had dinner at Island Cow - it was packed! Got there around 8:30pm, seated around 9pm. We got the lobster wontons as an app. It was a little smaller than we expected (6 small wontons) for $8.99 but was SO yummy! Hubby & I split the Holy Cow which was mix of fried seafood including shrimp, clams, oysters, fish, & calamari. It was so huge we even had leftovers. Not the best batter ever (most off it fell off in the basket) but it was tasty nonetheless. Kids had a Mac n Cheese kids meal. Wasn't impressed with their Kraft Easy Mac but the kids enjoyed it & I know it's not their staple menu item so they're forgiven. Friendly staff, good food, fun atmosphere! :)

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    Really fun place. Good food and they do a good job cylcing the tables through. No one was overly "friendly" and there weren't a ton of smiles to go around, but I'm sure they're stressed out with all the chaotic business they do there. If I get stuck on that island again, I'll go back! :)

    (4)

  • Janice M.

    Very enjoyable and dog friendly. We had our yellow lab with us so we were looking for a place with outdoor seating and dog friendly. Nice outside patio. We all had grilled cheese with fries. Grilled cheese was good and fries were very good. Service was friendly and quick. We would return for lunch. Casual attire and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    What a great place. It was recommended by a friend and liked it so much we went back the following day. Everything we tried was delicious. Highly recommend the coconut grouper, the fried clams, the fried artichoke, and the cucumber salad.

    (4)

  • J P.

    The Island Cow is the perfect place to eat a meal or have a snack pretty much any time of day or evening. I love their breakfasts, and they have such a large menu that you can find whatever you are in the mood for at lunch and dinner also. Great staff, friendly and casual with a wonderfully fun atmosphere. This place is very popular with the locals, and that's usually a really good sign. Great value and great food.

    (5)

  • The Hungry American E.

    Excellent with a little cajun cuisine. You could go in for a quick bite and lose an afternoon here. Simple, causal and fun with no expectations.

    (4)

  • Colman R.

    Starting off with the muffins. Awesome! I had the fried oyster sandwich which was very good. At our table, we had grilled oysters that were very good. Stuffed oysters were also very good. It was a good place with very good service.

    (4)

  • Darren S.

    I enjoyed the coconut tilapia with fries and my boyfriend had the philly cheesesteak. We stopped here on our way to our rental unit, my first time on the island. It was fantastic! We will definitely go back! We got lucky and did not have to wait for a table. We wouldn't wait two hours for a table, but it was delicious.

    (4)

  • Trina R.

    Pretty good! Always a wait to sit down but good food and good service. I'm not a fan of those muffins they bring you but my meal was appetizing. Most people I know seem to like this place.

    (3)

  • T G.

    Decent food, mostly fresh, not sure how they couldn't get fresh fruit in Florida. Casual atmosphere. Place seems active morning, noon and night.

    (3)

  • Nick S.

    On a typical week long trip to Sanibel, my family will enjoy multiple meals at the Island Cow. For us, it's delicious food and friendly service have made it stand out among a crowd of very mediocre island restaurants. Among our favorites are the salads--such as the adobe chicken salad and the sesame tuna salad--the BBQ meals, fried pickles, the fresh fish, and any of their specials. The key lime pie is hard to beat, too.

    (5)

  • Brandy M.

    This was by far the best little find. It's amazing food. Everything was great even our server. We ordered the voodoo scallops with crab cake, seafood scampi, crab stuffed shrimp, fried pickles, oysters, and the conch fritters. All great!!!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    Excellent seafood and a fun atmosphere. We brought our 14 month old son and he loved the balloon animals and the live music. The grilled fish is excellent and the shrimp plates were plump and flavorful. The beer specials were good and had a decent selection by Florida standards.

    (5)

  • Jim F.

    This place did not disappoint. I had the special - grouper and shrimp tacos. Very good. The shrimp was not overcooked (a common issue with us) and the grouper was fried and crunchy. The fried seafood basket was a bit of a disappointment but the chocolate shake was outstanding. Great for kids.

    (4)

  • Leanne Michelle R.

    3 words....Best muffins ever!!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    The food was good! Great waitress, fun atmosphere, great experience!

    (4)

  • Jocelyn J.

    This place is always jumping! We passed by the Island Cow during different times of the day, and without fail, there were always lots of people sitting in the adirondack chairs out front waiting for tables. Based on that alone, we had to try this place out! We went for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and must've beaten the rush because we only waited about 5 minutes for a table. We were promptly seated at an outdoor table. We ordered a strip steak, a triple whammy (a special that day consisting of lobster salad, chicken salad, tuna salad on greens with a citrus vinaigrette dressing) and my daughter ordered the pizza from the kids menu. Shortly after being seated, our server brought us some muffins - strawberry and chocolate chip. They were moist and tasty - good but not the best I've ever had. Our entrees took a while to arrive and when they did, we were not really blown away - although I wasn't really expecting to be - I've come to realize that many of the restaurants on the island are slightly better than average. If you stick to a menu item that's realtively "safe", you won't be disappointed, but you also won't be screaming for more. The service was average - nothing to write home about. But we did like the outdoor area - very open and comfortable. I would like to try the breakfast here sometime since other Yelpers have found it to be good.

    (3)

  • Don S.

    I've eaten here twice so far. First time it was great! Had the grouper tacos. This past Saturday we came here for lunch. I was craving a burger and got the patty melt. I have to say it wasn't very good.. The onions were barely sautéed and almost raw. The burger was gummy and flavorless. Maybe just an off day for the cook. My wife had the combo tacos and they were both good. They also give you a muffin when you sit down which is nice and they are very good. I'll be back I just won't get the patty melt again

    (3)

  • Hernan R.

    Come for the great, laid back atmosphere; come for the great food! Just about as soon as you are seated you are treated to homemade muffins (instead of regular ol' bread). We started by trying their Lobster N Shrimp Wontons. Now, you couldn't really make out the taste of the lobster and shrimp due to the strong taste of cream cheese, but they were delicious none the less. We ordered Grouper and Snapper, Coconut Fried and Blackened, respectively, both with yellow rice. My wife opted for hush puppies as her second side, while I went with their homemade island slaw. While my slaw was in deed very good, my wife made out with those puppies. :). The yellow rice was good, nothing exciting, and a little on the dry side. Overall, the food was great and the experience very enjoyable. The service was friendly, attentive and fast. If you are in the area make sure to come here for breakfast or lunch, and I suspect dinner is equally good.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    After we discovered Island Cow on our second day on Sanibel Island FL it became our daily stop for breakfast and sometimes lunch. Great food and friendly staff with both indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the Coconut French Toast... unique and delicious!!

    (5)

  • Dru P.

    I read through about half the reviews before I decided to weigh in. There are two kinds of people that come to Sanibel Island. Some of us remember when there was only a ferry that took you there, we turn off our cell phones, enjoy our families and would never dare honk a horn when you cannot get to the causeway fast enough....and some of you just want to be wowed by some "exotic life", take a picture of an alligator, rent a pontoon boat or do anything that removes you from that ridiculous bustle that your minds desperately want to leave but just can't seem to tune out. Island folk know who is who, and much like these reviews, your soul shows. The kicker to me was how many Floridians were the unimpressed. I guess you just don't get out of the trailer park often enough. The Cow has not been a staple for that long...but every time I went in I got nothing but good vibes in return. Then again I think people are often like mirrors. You get back the same face you show, And if you are worried that they want to move you along to get someone else in your place......here's a thought: You might be some kind of fast paced jerk that they assumed wanted that treatment?

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    The fish was a little dry and bland, but the buffalo shrimp appetizer was great. The dishes are pretty large, so I would recommend splitting dinner with a friend.

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    This place is amazing! I stopped here on Sunday on my ride home from the beach, and loved every moment of my dining experience. The food was great and the portions were huge! After enjoying the complimentary muffins, my friends and I split a hefty order of fried oysters as an appetizer. I then had a fish taco combo (one taco with battered shrimp and another taco with blackened grouper). Everything was delish! It was my birthday, so my friends asked the wait staff to send a monsterous brownie sundae and embarrass me with 'happy birthday' rendition. Even though we were full from lunch, we couldn't help but devour the dessert. The prices were also really reasonable (Land Shark was on sale for $1.99), and the service was great (everyone was SOOOO nice). Also, the decor is super cute (needless to say, the place was decked out with about a million cows). I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Johnny B.

    This is our favorite breakfast place in the island. Really delicious food (loaded with sugar, but hey - it's vacation). Cool decorations (all cows). The service is a little meh....rushed, inattentive, but adequate. Also the temperature can be a little too cold - they blast the air conditioning.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Great fish tacos (try them with the "sweet heat" sauce on your table). Delicious key lime pie as well and extremely prompt service even on a busy night!

    (5)

  • Kristi H.

    It's a fun little place with amazing food. The cornbread muffins they give you while you're waiting are delicious and the stuffed shrimp and smashed potatoes are something I would return for! Make sure you bring bug spray because they don't have anything deterring the little bugs eating you alive. Wait staff wasn't very friendly, but they were quick and efficient.

    (4)

  • Daniel L.

    I don't recommend this place. Every facet of the operation seems to geared to getting you out the door as quickly as possible. They care more about turning tables than serving customers. Now that I've shared the conclusion, here's how I arrived at it. This restaurant is so self-consciously down home it's off-putting, from its menu's poor spelling (morn'in and cook'in? Come on!) to its intrusive cow theme that makes no sense in its surroundings. The food is good, which is important because you're going to wait a spell to get seated. We arrived at the back end of the lunch rush, around 12:45, and found an anticipated 35 minute wait. No problem, we figured we'd get a drink and hang out and relax. No bartender. We waited for upwards of five minutes at a bar littered with tips and receipts waiting to be picked up. We asked the hostess if there were a bartender, and she wandered off in an attempt to find one. No dice. We waited - without drinks - for about 30 minutes. Oh, two bar backs or busboys were behind the bar and saw us, but neither acknowledged our presence nor made any attempt to find someone to get us drinks. Service was lightning quick when we got seated - we waited maybe five minutes for our food order after the drinks arrived. However, the server never came back around to see if we wanted more beer (we did). She seemed to be laser focused on one table at a time, and I saw other tables trying to get her attention as she walked by to no avail. I never saw a single drink refill served or offered. I won't name her, but put your head on a swivel and stop treating your customers like tasks to be checked off a list!! I had the grouper with sweet potato fries and apple sauce. Apple sauce was canned but fine, sweet potato fries were probably frozen but very good. They say the fish is fresh, but I had it fried so all I can tell you is it tasted like grouper. Portions were generous - I didn't eat dinner that night I was still so full from lunch. Prices are reasonable - two lunch entrees and two beers for less than $40, but we lucked in to ordering the beer of the day which was only $2 each - it was the beer we both wanted to drink anyway. The menu is HUGE. I have no idea how they can bang out the orders so fast given the number of potential orders they have to prepare to receive. I led with the conclusion, so you can go back to it here.

    (2)

  • Kurt S.

    From the Yelp reviews I thought this place would be really good. The food was medicore and our waiter was awkward. No liquor license either.

    (3)

  • Tom H.

    Best breakfasts ever. Usually we spread it around but this trip we've been to island cow every morning. Stuffed pancakes, stuffed waffles, steak and eggs, blueberry pancakes all fantastic. One of the few places on the the island truly worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    This place is wild and crazy. There was a lot of people coming and going. They had all the doors/windows open, so it was a good airy feel to it. I had the coconut shrimp which was very good. The biscuits they gave us were more like corn bread and just ok. I did like that they served us the food in 5 minutes...no lie. It was so quick! They had a geo-cache in the parking lot which made it fun for after eating.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    Island Cow is an excellent, fun for the whole family restaurant. It is always my first stop for lunch whenever I come up Sanibel. Although it looks like a place where parents take their picky kids for chicken nuggets and macaroni, it actually serves high quality fresh fish entrees. Along with a deep beer menu, the Island Cow serves EXCELLENT fried and blackened grouper, mahi, snapper, etc. They also have top notch shrimp and seafood baskets. I give this restaurant five stars because it fulfills its niche perfectly. I've only ever eaten here for lunch but the coconut shrimp and coconut grouper sandwiches are amazing. Beware of the crowd and subsequent wait for a table, but you and your family will be happy you decided to stop by.

    (5)

  • Barbara A.

    We are unable to pass this place up on our bikes! Every year we visit Sanibel, Captiva Island and The Island Cow! Everything is fresh and delicious...you can't go wrong with a selection. Last visit was November 2013 - selected off of the Fish'in Rules item. It's the cutest and friendliest restaurant in town. Try it!

    (5)

  • Alex J.

    My favorite Restraunt on the Gulf of Florida. What a beautiful array of entrees and others in their menu. The times I have eaten here, my large party has all ordered different things and every item has simply been above par. So delicious and lively at this joint. An awesome theme, simply fantastic food, and great, quick service. My only recommendation is for them to do reservations for parties under 8 as well. But regardless, your wait for a seat might take a while but it is easily worth it. Just hang around and I guarantee you will enjoy it. Thanks Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Alden G.

    Great family seafood restaurant. Popular and busy, though the wait didn't seem to be too long; they are fast!. Enjoyed the grouper, and a draft Land Shark. Inexpensive. A bit loud inside, outside seating is available.

    (5)

  • Doug P.

    Good hearty food, coconut shrimp a little overdone. Reasonable prices. Chocolate cake explosion way too dry.

    (3)

  • Christopher L.

    The Island Cow has a huge menu. During our week long visit to Sanibel Island, we eat there twice, taking out once and eating in a second time. The takeout was a good simple option without requiring the wait one usually finds to eat at the restaurant. I had the Fried Oyster Po Boy for take out. The oysters were crisp on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. The sandwich was still hot and fresh by the time I brought it home and the french fries were slightly breaded and excellent. When we ate at the Island Cow later in the week, I had the raw oysters appetizer and the Combo Tacos, shrimp in one and fried grouper in the other. The oysters lacked flavor, but were fresh and serviceable. The tacos were excellent, particularly the grouper taco. It was, like the oysters mentioned above, crisp on the outside and moist inside. It came with salsa and sour cream and a small bowl of black beans and rice. Although there is a wait, they have fun activities for the kids during the wait, so it didn't seem very long. The design of the restaurant is laid back, but open and airy. In all, if you are looking for good food at a fraction of the cost of some of the more upscale restaurants in the area, the Island Cow is a great option.

    (5)

  • Bad News S.

    Good food, good service, fun and friendly Not much more I can add to the reviews from others. Island Cow delivers on all that it promises to provide a very casual, friendly atmosphere with pretty good food. This is not a gourmet dining experience but the food is good quality, inexpensive by island resort standards and leaves you satisfied. We tried the fish tacos (grouper and shrimp combo) and the fish #3 with 2 sides (crunchy grouper) and both were very tasty and fresh and so large we took alot home for the next day. Fries with my grouper were exceptional (yeah, I know it's not healthy but we're on vacation...). We split a chocolate shake which was good as well. Prices were surprisingly cheap and you get some pretty good food. If you're after some good, decent food in a casual setting (and you're not looking for an upscale place), then I think the Island Cow is a top choice. But get here early as the place can fill up even during the non tourist season. We came by at 4:45 on a Monday and had no problems getting seated but the place was half full with diners already. For our last night in Sanibel, we came again for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the grouper sandwich and it was just as large as the grouper platter. Wife had the pulled pork which was extremely succulent and flavorful. We split a helping of chicken wings which were OK but not nearly as flavorful as those at George and Wendy's Sanibel Grill in my opinion. Prices were low compared to other places and with the generous quantities, we had plenty for the following day. Their fries are really good.

    (4)

  • Ronald A.

    Service was fast And staff were happy to serve us Came here for lunch and dinner Food was either hit or miss Portions were good. Not too big not too small The grilled tuna salad was awesome The grilled chicken salsa mango should be REMOVED off their menu as it was Bland to the max. I love their Starbucks coffee available to be served since there is no Starbucks at Sanibel except Captiva Island. Good for families with children. Menu selection maybe too extensive and no doubt some of them need to be whited out for good and some highlighted.

    (3)

  • Brea G.

    breakfast is only until 11 and they stick to that so don't expect to get breakfast at 11:15 I had Sea Spuds which are crab and cheese stuffed potato skins. The portion seemed generous but I honestly couldn't taste any crab. I actually pulled back the cheese and checked .. it was there just not real flavorful. The potatos themselves weren't really 'skins' as most of the potato was still there. It seems like they just scoop out enough of the potato to get some filling in there. Not worth the $11.99 for 3 potatos. Nice atmosphere though. Cute place. Might go back if I"m there early enough for breakfast though I'm honestly more likely to go to Over Easy which is just down the road a block or two and is really good.

    (2)

  • Dana F.

    YUM! We had an amazing breakfast here last weekend. My husband got the Seafood omelette, which I was a little weary about at first, but once I had a taste I was convinced!! The seafood they used was succulent, delicious and fresh. I had pigs in a blanket (yes, a very mature choice I know) and the sausages were excellent and wrapped in very fluffy and yummy pancakes! I liked that they serve you free muffins with breakfast too. It was a nice touch.

    (4)

  • Deane M.

    My husband and I had the 1 lb peel and eat shrimp....fantastic. Great fried oysters, good service, friendly waitress who gave us tips on where to go on island. The pig wings melted in our mouth.

    (5)

  • Jay F.

    The wait was a little bit longer than expected. Growing up in an island community (Key West) I expect everything to run on island time, but this brought a new definition to slow. Once inside, the decor was nice and fit right in with what we expected. The menu and selection was very large. Service inside was prompt and pretty attentive. The food came relatively quickly and was delicious. Lots of fried food on the agenda, so if that's your deal, you are in the right spot. Relatively in line with what one would expect from an island joint. Dinner for two with appetizer and two drinks was 48 plus tip. Would go back again to try a second time, but would shoot for earlier to avoid dinner rush.

    (3)

  • Victoria T.

    Really a fun place! The mini corn muffins are yummy and the paella is absolutely killer!!!!

    (4)

  • Anna M.

    I love The Cow. I've been here many many times and I've never been disappointed. During season it can get touristy, but there are always locals there too. When you're escorted to your table, cakey chocolatey muffins arrive with your silverware and I usually shove three in my mouth before the server even takes my drink order. I've ordered everything from the Buffalo shrimp appetizer to the Mighty Chocolate Moo (double chocolate milkshake!) to breakfast and I've loved all of it. The Buffalo shrimp is similar to an onomatopoeic shrimp dish from some fish skeleton chain restaurant, but I'd rather have The Cow's any day of the week. It could be shared by up to three people easily. The Corned Beef Reuben is pretty much the best Corned Beef and/or Reuben I've ever eaten. Burgers and Sammitches are HUGE and come with a large portion of fries and this tropical slaw that they make. I don't like the slaw, but that's because I don't like slaw to begin with, so no fault of theirs. They also make a killer Mango Sangria that I could probably drink a gallon of by myself. Even though I hate Mango. They also have ROOT BEER ON TAP. Yeah. I'll just let that one sink in for a second. I'm always starving when I end up at The Cow and I never leave hungry. It's a touch on the pricey side, but it's cheap for The Island. Great place to go for lunch after a long day of beaching, or pick up a to go order if you're spending a few days with your sweetie in a cozy beachfront hotel.

    (5)

  • Toni D.

    Great atmosphere! The little cards, pictures, and other random things customers put under the glass top of the tables give you a lot to look at. The service was great and the decor is funny and adorable. The also sell T-Shirts, and even baby outfits. They serve muffins to eat as you wait on your food and they are amazing. I had their pancakes and they were some of the best I've had. You definitely want to try to get in early and beat the crowd because they get quiet busy!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    This is the 2nd time I have been to this restaurant and have enjoyed it each visit. The atmosphere is so fun and vibrant. The service was excellent. They know how to fry delicious seafood. Recommend gator tail especially if you have never had it before. My shrimp po boy was delicious. And they had $1.99 beer specials! Recommend stopping for a visit.

    (4)

  • Patrick P.

    Cows gone mad! I went here for breakfast while on vacation. I am amazed at the breakfest eateries on Sanibel Island. There is not much I can say that others have not already have mentioned. It is a fun whimiscal place that serves good food. Price: Breakfast is around $10 - quality is great! Service: Service was quick (it was off season so I think I was lucky) Overall - I cannot wait to go back to Sanibel Island. This was a fun place the aided in my great experience.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    First off, the atmosphere of this place is fun and lively; perfect beach/island feel with music that was in the background and not blaring (thank you for that). The staff were all friendly and prompt. At first I was a little worried because our server was quick to greet us and get our drinks, but then he disappeared (no fault of his own) to take the orders of 12+ party with lots of kids. I thought "We're screwed if our order gets in behind theirs." After this 10+ minute order taking with them, he immediately came to our table and quickly assured us our order would be put in before theirs. Read my mind. I got on fried grouper taco and one shrimp taco, which were tasty, fresh, and ample. The grouper had a nice crunchy breading. The black beans and rice were good to boot. My husband got the grilled grouper meal, and the piece was big, lovely looking, and fresh! His red beans were delicious, as well. Oh, CHEAP BEER, too. And not just Old Swill or Miller High Life, real beers you want to drink. Definitely will hit this spot back up next time I'm down here.

    (4)

  • Janice J.

    The muffin appy is tasty and moist. The clam strips were the best I had in a long time big and not chewy. We had a fun sit on the front patio. The service was freaky fast and still real friendly. They even made sure a couple nearby sat in a good spot on the patio because they had a dog and they even set up a water dish for him. The menu is huge! There's something for everyone.

    (4)

  • John G.

    Excellent dining experience - friendly staff, good atmosphere, and great food. Would highly recommend and will dine here again in the futures.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    Arrived here around 8:30am and there was no wait! Yay! I did notice there seemed to be quite a bit of a wait when we left though, so earlier is probably much better. The muffins while we waited for food were awesome and our waiter was very cool. Both of us ordered the Shrimp Oscar Omelet and they were soooooo freaking goooood!!! The portions were ginormous and we had enough leftover for breakfast the next morning, which rocked. All in all, a really great meal for a great price. Can't beat that!!

    (5)

  • Leonor E.

    We came here for a late lunch on Mother's Day. It was well after 1 when we arrived. The wait was about 15-20 minutes and my kids enjoyed the bean bag game and some other neat little things they have out back in the waiting area. The meal is diverse and has something for everyone, even if you don't like seafood. Their muffins are always good and those are complimentary, which is a nice little extra. Our food came out promptly and was tasty. I usually get a fish and you pick how you want it cooked (grilled, fried, blackened, etc....) and two sides. I prefer to eat here for lunch or dinner over breakfast any day.

    (4)

  • Katie A.

    i was on vacation with some family at the beginning of March and 4 of us went out to dinner here. 3 out of 4 of us woke up with food poisoning the next day. i had seafood fajitas (included shrimp, scallops and fish), my Mom had oysters and fish tacos and my Mom's cousin, who also got sick, had oysters and steak. i don't know exactly what item made us all sick, if it was a combo of oysters and fish, if there was a mistake in the prep of the food etc. but i had to reschedule my flight twice (first for later in the day and then for the following mornign when i knew i still couldn't make it) which cost me money (Jet Blue was awesome about not charging me twice) but my Mom and i had to go to an Urgent care to be treated. After vomiting for 5 hours straight as well as being sick going to the bathroom all morning in incredibly painful, uncomfortable and extreme ways, they had to give me a shot and a prescription for disolving tablets to stop throwing up. The reason i am writing this story on their Yelp page is because when we got home from the doctor, we called the restaurant to let them know so they could inspect their kitchen and try to be sure no one else would get sick. They could not have been more rude!! They basically said that no one else got sick (that they knew of at that point i'm sure) and that they pretty much didn't care. Thanks for such an insulting reaction, wow!

    (1)

  • William S.

    We had heard that the "cow" had a good breakfast. We were not disappointed! I had the "stuffed" french toast that had scrambled eggs, bacon wedged between two slices of dark colored french toast (Wheat?). It was different and tasted very good. Of course the famous plate of muffins came out first and they were tasty as well. i was impressed by our wait staff as he stacked 4 plates up his arm and one in the other. We had a party of 6 so only one had to wait for the meal....it was me but worth the wait! Friendly and speedy service. Breakfast a hit! The outdoor seating is a must and if you would like they have lounge chairs to relax outside after the meal.

    (4)

  • Antonio M.

    Food was good and the menu was very unique. The service was something left to be desired.

    (3)

  • Ellen H.

    We LOVE the Island Cow! We were one of their first customers the week they first opened their doors, we have been going back since. They have fabulous food, try the Poor Boys & pulled pork! See ya next year!!!

    (5)

  • Anthony A T.

    We had just done some swimming at a nearby beach and were looking for lunch. Mom was eager to have us see The Island Cow On our vacation in Florida. Island Cow had a large menu of a variety of items and an eclectic atmosphere. I had the Coconut -Crusted Grouper Sandwich and I thought it was some of the best fish I had ever had. Incredibly tasty! The outdoor seating was great on that beautiful sunny day! I can not wait to get back to the Island Cow!

    (5)

  • Lindsay D.

    So good! Too much food. We split the conch fritters. My blackened tuna with blackened scallops and shrimp was fantastic. My husband's fried clams were the best I've ever had, by far. The chocolate shake was great, but it's hard to screw up a shake. The only unfortunate part was the long wait.

    (5)

  • Elaine P.

    The one star, in fairness, is not about the food -- we didn't stay long enough to order. We wanted a light dinner -- just soup and salad -- and The Island Cow sounded like its menu was varied enough to fill the bill. We arrived and took the last spot in a very dark parking lot. We made our way through a throng of people on the entry way (bad sign!) to the hostess. Very loud interior. Lot of singing and people obviously having a good time. Felt like an "in crowd" that we were not part of. The hostess said the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour. We took our "buzzer" and returned to the outside entry which was crowded. No place to sit. We could at least hear each other talking -- and quickly decided that it was not going to be worth a long wait. The Island Cow is obviously a popular, family-oriented place. Just not for us on that particular night. We ended up at the nearby Blue Giraffe. What is it with animal restaurants and Sanibel?

    (1)

  • Jamie R.

    The Cow's fun. Bean bag toss on the side lawn with cow spotted boards. A very pretty, squacky bird in a cage in the back "pasture." Pastel adirondak chairs with palms carved in their backs out front. Inside, a big bucket of cakey muffins - one for free for every diner. Smiley, helpful waitstaff. Lots of families. Space for parking. Crispy grouper tacos, & $2 daily beer specials for lunch. The end.

    (4)

  • Louie B.

    A Cupcake appetizer?? really?? .. Mmmm!! ;) Funky and loud place with a wait. But at least they have seating outside where you can wait. I had the BBQ platter and it was just OK. My son had the chicken tenders and those were good. Enjoyed it and likely will be back.

    (3)

  • Lindsey P.

    Listen to the overrated reviews! I wish we would have... menu is gigantic, which should be a sign they don't do anything well. I had the snow crab which was so-so, husband had the pork special, which he hardly touched. Unless you are going for the atmosphere (and have kids), skip!

    (2)

  • Dan D.

    Da best. Been eating here since opening years ago, The unknown diner digs it the most!

    (5)

  • M R.

    This place was okay. Their seafood fajitas were very good but their fish and shrimp tacos were not good. The fish for the fish tacos was BLAND and the shrimp were gooey sweet so we didn't eat them. We asked the server to give us the cheese on the side and this didn't happen. If you go, order the seafood fajitas which are quite good.

    (2)

  • Marissa W.

    This was the coolest place! Bill and I were trying to find somewhere for lunch on our first day in Sannibel and I have to admit, I picked it because of the name...it just sounded so fun! When we got there, there was about a 35 minute wait. However, they have a really nice area in the back of the restaurant where there are multiple adironack chairs where you can sit and relax and they also give you a copy of the menu (which is huge!) so that you can decide what you would like to eat while you wait. Everyone that worked there was so nice and helpful. The menu is a large, kind of overwhelming almost but with such a wide array of seafood to shepherd's pie! Definitely something here for everyone. We started with a plate of strawberry and blueberry muffins which they give to you (they were amazing! and gone within 5 minutes thanks to my boyfriend!) Then, we had the buffalo shrimp as an appetitzer. They were really good, just be careful and take the tails off! I had the coconut crusted mahi mahi and it was very well prepared. It came with a plum sauce which I didn't care for but if you like sweet things you will enjoy it. It came with a side of fries and slaw. I am normally not big on french fries but these were beer battered and so good! My man had the fried scallops basket and said that they were some of the best scallops he had ever had. In a whole, I would highly recommend the Island Cow. The food and environment was definitely enjoyable! Will be going back on our next weekend get away :)

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    I had breakfast here with my wife. We're visiting Sanibel Island from Massachusetts, and we were completely impressed! The outside atmosphere of the restaurant was phenomenal, they had cute adirondack chairs with paintings on them. They had a bean toss game for families that may have to wait. That was only the beginning, they serve Starbucks Coffee to my wife's delight!! I ordered the banana rum French Toast, which was out of this world! The waiter refilled my wife's coffee, and my diet coke without even asking. Portions were very large, and we will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    Really good to really bad. My wife had a burger and loved it. I had crab stuffed shrimp which tasted bland and kind of gross. The next day, I was running to the toilet every hour (I ate/drank nothing else that would have caused this). Last year I had one of the fish items that you select from a list and it was fantastic, so there ya go.

    (3)

  • Tim M.

    Best grouper tacos I've had and where else can you get a Sam Adams cheaper than a soda

    (4)

  • Ocean S.

    It's expensive as is everything on the island. Breakfast was crowded and while the online menu said "Vegan Selections Available", I guess that meant the granola with secret menu soy milk, because that's the only thing we saw that we could eat from the 5 page menu. Oh, it did have a couple of strawberries on it. That's OK we've had worse. One other complaint; smokers waiting for a table congregated just outside front entrance. Cigarette smoke was constantly pouring onto the the porch seating area where we were eating and also into the main dining area. No one seemed too concerned about this.

    (1)

  • J P.

    The best dining experience I had on my trip to Sanibel and very memorable. I have a large family and most places on the island were difficult to impossible to get into and be seated but they accommodated us very nicely. Food was good. I plan to return here on my next trip.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth Z.

    The service at this place was wonderful. We had a large somewhat boisterous group that was so big we ended up having to split into two tables and they were very polite and accommodating. That said, the food wasn't particularly memorable and the prices were a little higher than average but what I would expect from a restaurant that probably gets most of its business from tourists.

    (3)

  • Jon G.

    Typical of any restaurant with 200 plus menu items. If you're into that (and evidently many are) then have at it.

    (1)

  • ryan M.

    This place rocks, great food, great drink prices and selections, huge portions that are not over fried. This place has it all, you can great great quality seafood for very reasonable prices and a large variety. if you aren' into fried, get it grilled, or broiled, they will do it however you like. its a bit noisy here when crowded, but it goes with the atmosphere here. You seriously need to go here for a meal if anywhere near the island, you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    We've vacationed on Sanibel the first week of December for 10 years. And eat at the Island Cow at least twice during the week. And have to talk ourselves out of eating there more often. We honestly enjoy it. Couldn't believe the recent negative reviews. We think it is as good as ever. Anything you order for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We try to order something different every time, it's always good. Even the meatloaf. Prices more reasonable than most places on the island. Atmosphere is hard to describe, but it's casual and definitely different. If you are hard to please, the menu is so hugeand varied, there's certain to be something you like.

    (4)

  • Leah G.

    Very bad experience today....was initially told the wait would be 15-20 min and it was 50 min. Then the host told us to help ourselves to muffins, for which the waitress yelled at me! Then, when I complained to the host, I was shown a minuscule note, 2 feet away from the muffins and handscrawled on a receipt pad, along with 5 or 6 other notes, saying that they were 99 cents each. What customer service! Horrible experience! Won't be back, and was a favorite spot:(

    (1)

  • Yvonne M.

    We are part time residents and long term (20 years) visitors to Sanibel. Island Cow is a staple. However, its more for the tourists than anything else and is blessed with a great drive-by location. Food and service are average if you're an adult. But kids love it and it never fails to please. Go here for lunch/' brunch with the kids, but not for dinner for grown-ups.

    (3)

  • Christina A.

    We have been coming to Sanibel for 20 years. This was our first time to the Island Cow & will definitely be our last! The service was horrible! We left half of our food on the table - not even good enough to finish - it was sitting in over an inch of grease/oil! YUCK! The only good thing about this place was the convenient location. The service & the food were beyond horrible!

    (1)

  • Kate F.

    One of my favorite spots on the island ... theres a reason why you'll always see people waiting! really fresh fish and great spicy scallops.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    The prices were reasonable and the food was good. Nothing out of this world but I did have a pretty awesome white chocolate mocha there four years ago.

    (3)

  • Scott V.

    Packed on a Sunday, food was great service was just ok (did not receive the complimentary muffins that other tables did and was not offered a coffee refill) Since this locations seems to always be busy the service should reflect that they are accustomed to the pace and not affect the customer in a negative manner. Short wait to be seated and for the food along with the quality of the breakfast items ordered led to the 4 stars

    (4)

  • B R.

    Nice atmosphere. Breakfast very reminiscent of a "Denny's". Prices are reasonable for island

    (3)

  • Lisa V.

    I went there with my family. The service was fantastic. The waitress helped us pick from their extensive menu. My family loved the gator bites. My husband and I had the combo tacos ( shrimp and fresh fish caught locally). The tacos were amazing. My husband had the Key West beer which tasted great. The waitress recommended that I try the Fruit Punch Rum. It is a must! It tasted delicious.

    (5)

  • J S.

    Great food and atmosphere. Took family while on vacation. Laid back atmosphere was great. Food was awesome. Fried grouper was tasty. A little pricey but probably one of the best deals on the island.

    (5)

  • Eugenio V.

    I spend one or two weeks in Sanibel every year. This is the place where I bring my family to eat once a day. I like the food, I like the service, I like the price and the atmosphere. Too bad we can't bring this place back with us.

    (5)

  • B. Nicole G.

    Good food, kitchy atmosphere-- reminds me of a few places in ATL and Cootie Brown's in Johnson City, TN. I had the shrimp and grits and the Man had a BBQ plate....something, he can't remember. We ordered the special appetizer of the night- a shoe string jalapeño fries, too with our beers and drinks, but the jalapeños were just not spicy enough for our taste. The entrees were good, but my grits and shrimp were SWIMMING in brown gravy. Now, I like me some gravy, but I don't need to float the titanic in my bowl, y'all. All, in all, good place for some great people watching and some pretty decent food. We'll go back with our son if we ever hit the island again. *Be prepared for a LONG wait if you go during the twilight hours (5:30-7:30pm)

    (4)

  • Arindam K.

    Adequate food in exchange for an easy, casual dinner option. The menu is remarkably diverse- albeit perhaps a bit too much?

    (3)

  • Jeannette M.

    Hubby and I went there while on our honeymoon in Sept...and were immediately served a basket of free muffins and unlimited grits along with our delicious breakfast. Good fresh food, fast service, colorful place to visit. A must every time we go to Captiva.

    (4)

  • Josh D.

    I always stop here when I spend the day on Sanibel. The complementary muffins are amazing right off the bat. The friendly staff and quaint, beach hut atmosphere make for an enjoyable environment for anyone in the family. The menu is very extensive. They have great options anywhere from seafood to BBQ, and sandwiches to pasta. I've never had a meal I don't like but I would especially recommend the paella or boom boom shrimp tacos.

    (4)

  • Kevin H.

    This place is awesome. Came for dinner and the food was delicious with a reasonable price. Beer specials are the best on the island. The atmosphere is eclectic in a good way, fun. We liked our meal so much we came back the next morning for breakfast, which was also really good. Lots to chose from. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Jose N.

    What a nice experience! The New York strip steak was great, and my favorite: the seafood pasta. They welcome you with homemade muffins. The atmosphere is great, makes you feel you're having a true island experience. One of the highlights of our trip!

    (5)

  • Zoe G.

    Stopped here after a trip to the beach... We were on the fence because it seamed a little touristy and gimmicky. However we were very pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong it is a little gimmicky but it was in a good way. We got a couple different po'boy sandwiches and they were some of the best we have ever had!! Beer special was amazing. The atmosphere was good, service was good. Overall we had a very good experience.

    (4)

  • Joe F.

    Better than ok, but not great. I had the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict, and the wife had the corned beef hash and eggs, over easy. The staff was certainly friendly enough, offering coffee or juice while you wait for a table, and serving the delicious muffins after being seated. Of course the coffee in a paper cup is $2.99, to be fair, they kept it full. If you like Starbucks, I guess that sounds like a bargain. I just want good coffee, so I don't really care. I sound whiny, but coffee in a paper cup shouldn't cost $2.99. Like I said, don't rush here, but if you're in the area and should happen to spot an empty table, don't avoid it either. Better than ok, but not great.

    (4)

  • Gail M.

    We have been coming to Sanibel and Captiva for over 30 years and have eaten in almost every restaurant on the island. The Cow is one of our favorites and we go back over and over again. The shrimp tacos are outstanding, large enough to share. The lobster and shrimp wantons and the shrimp parfait are both excellent appetizers. If you're not a big fan of fish, you can't go wrong with the ribs or the cheese steak. The Cow is worth the wait. Relax... You're on island time.

    (5)

  • Douwe B.

    Great place. Many choices for pescetarians and they have espressos. Outside is best.

    (5)

  • Janice W.

    Best shrimp basket ever! And great prices! Cute kitschy decor! They sell Starbucks Coffee and treats too. Loved it!

    (5)

  • David C.

    Worth the drive from Captiva. Food is great and not too pricey, certainly by Captiva standards! Staff very friendly and service very quick - with muffins while you wait.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    Great quality price and atmosphere. Unpretentious and worth the laid back service. Appeals to all types foodies, junkies, healthiest, and all others. Unfortunately had to skip dessert but will be back for it!

    (4)

  • Bonobo M.

    Not terrible, but not worth seeking out. The muffins people rave about is a sugar ball that isn't anything special. The ribs are bad but the pulled pork is adequate. Decent beer specials. Loud. I see no reason to return.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Island Cow

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