3 Fishermen Restaurant opens at Best Western
Ten months into the BP Disaster on the Gulf, when the spill was still the fodder of daily news nationwide, the owners of 3 Fishermen Restaurant were approached to take over the space at the Best Western Waterfront location in North Fort Myers.
Why go with a new seafood location in an uncertain time?
“Just look at the view,” said owner John Browning.
He, along with brother Paul, are the owners, with support from father Robert Browning. “He’s the honorary third fishermen,” Browning said.
The restaurant is on the bank of the Caloosahatchee River, with a beautiful view of both the river and downtown Fort Myers.
When Pincher’s Crab Shack pulled out unexpectedly from the Best Western location, many local residents were at a loss of where to go with visiting friends or just a lunch or dinner out at the iconic North Fort Myers site.
The Brownings had a thriving location 3 Fishermen Restaurant location midtown in Fort Myers in the Sam’s Club Plaza, when they were approached by representatives of the Best Western to consider opening the waterfront location.
It was a great decision, said Browning. “We immediately had a great response from the people of North Fort Myers and thank them.”
Last Wednesday was the official one year anniversary of the oil spill. “I don’t doubt there are those still not eating seafood.” However, he said, the Agricultural Commission did numerous tests announced on the anniversary.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam released to the media that out of 230 samples of seafood from the Gulf, only 11 percent had any detectable level of dispersant or oil and none of them exceeded 1/1000th of the FDA’s recommended level of concern.
“One thing also is that the ocean naturally leaks oil from the earth, and the ocean naturally cleans itself,” Browning said.
Seafood was always a big treat when he was growing up. “Steak is great, but seafood was the best. We dreamed of it as kids.”
His father is a retired pastor of Saint Hillary’s Church. “We moved here as a family in 1965,” he said.
Their business philosophy? “We want to serve the best seafood items in a good sized portion at a price people can afford.”
He wants customers to not only patronize the restaurant on special occasions, but be a place where they can come once a week to enjoy the food and fare.
Happy hours and entertainment are coming.
They are also offering a full liquor bar, while they had beer and wine only at their other location.
Menu items include more than a large variety of seafood. There is steak and chicken and, for the more adventurous, a Gator Tail and Frog Leg Dinners. “They are popular,” he said.
There are lunch and dinner specials every day. Southern style is popular, especially Cheese Grits.
In their spare time, all of the “Fishermen” like to travel, boat and kayak.
3 Fishermen Restaurant is open seven days a week starting at 11 a.m.
The restaurant is at 13021 N. Cleveland Ave. The phone number is 599-8568.