I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I had asked my tour guide at the nearby Edison & Ford Winter Mansions tour (2 minutes down the road) where a good place for lunch might be. With heaven only knows how many restaurants in Fort Myers from which to choose, I sort of thought maybe she’d recommend something spectacular. Because of that expectation, I was a little disappointed.
It was raining when I arrived, but the covered portico assured I wouldn’t get wet juggling an umbrella and a restaurant door at the same time. Then I entered to marble floors and quiet. Hmmm. It seemed I was in for a fine dining experience. Fantastic.
Uh, not quite. The restaurant is up a couple of flights of stairs. It’s a rather cavernous place and with a staircase plopped right in the middle, I’m sure it was a task to figure out where to put the hostess. I get it that they chose the space near the elevator but for people like me who take the stairs, it’s interesting to end up facing the bar when you reach the restaurant with nary a hostess in sight even though the sign tells me I need to see the hostess to be seated.
Since it’s a beautiful location overlooking the water, I checked out the covered outdoor space. I sat there just long enough to snap a quick picture before deciding it was too humid. I could’ve steamed my fish at the table without any need for a chef.
I asked to move indoors. Along the way to a table with a view, I counted about four or five occupied tables. I hoped the place would fill up quickly because without lots of bodies muffling the sound, the loud, raucous 70s music was too loud. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a 70s kinda girl and love all those songs but this was not a place to relax and reflect. Even though the place was gigantic, it had the look and feel of a dive bar.
It didn’t make sense to me to choose a seafood restaurant and then have anything other than seafood, so I ordered the clam chowder soup.
This was not an auspicious start. I’ll concede that the flavor was there. But the problem was some of my potatoes were just barely cooked and had a slight crunch to them. Although most of the clams were fine, there were some that were as rubbery as my spare tire. I finally gave up chewing and just swallowed. Thank God for flavor, right?
But then the shrimp tacos arrived. They were fabulous and everything was just as you’d want it to be. The fish was flavorful and tender, the lettuce was crisp, the tacos were warm, the lemon added just the right touch of citrus and the mango salsa was a perfect complement.
Where I ate the soup reluctantly, I devoured the tacos. If you ever get there, I highly recommend them.
I finished everything off with a piece of key lime pie and a coffee. They were a nice finish to the meal, but if I had to choose, I’d say the tacos definitely won the day.
If you’re a senior, I’d suggest going when the sun is out and you can enjoy the water view. If it’s not too hot, sit outside. The service is very good and overall, the experience was fine. I’m just being nitpicky so you get the idea that downstairs marble floors don’t indicate a white glove, expensive dining experience. And if you’re my age and dining solo, you’ll be able to sing along with the 70s goodies.
- 2360 W. 1st St., Fort Myers, Florida
- 239-245-7049
- http://www.pinchersusa.com
- Hours: 7 days a week 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Wheelchair accessible
Lisa Browder 
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