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Best of January: The top things we ate on Marco Island

Will Watts
Correspondent
"Island Bleus" burger from Marco Island Brewery.

It’s time to take a look at some of the best things we ate in January!

Appetizers

Philly cheesesteak eggrolls at the Marco Island Brewery.

It’s rare to come across something new, but the Marco Island Brewery surprised us with the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls ($8.95).

When I first saw the photo of the dish on our table, I exclaimed, “that’s interesting.” Followed by, “why hadn’t anyone thought of that sooner.” The egg rolls come with marinara for dipping. I preferred them au natural.

More:Best of January: The top things we ate in SWFLA

Also noteworthy in this category, the buffalo shrimp from Little Bar. Four good-sized shrimps with a buffalo drizzle and served with blue-cheese dressing. My only complaint? I wish there had been more.

Bufflao shrimp from the Little Bar, Goodland.

Food Trucks are all the rage. And while this next entry technically came from a stand at the Marco Island Farmer’s Market, it represented Cordobesita, the Argentinean food truck. And it’s a new twist on an old favorite: empanadas.

More:‘Watts for Dinner’: Marco Island Brewery is a whole different ballgame

Baked empanadas, actually. It’s about time we find a convenient, healthier option for these delicious finger foods. Cordobesita offers empanadas in organic spinach and cheese, organic corn and cheese, a no nitrates ham and cheese, a no antibiotics ground chicken and a lean ground beef.

More:‘Watts for Dinner’: Little Bar is big on taste and pure joy

I loaded up on all of them. Each was amazing, but my favorite was the ground chicken. The texture, flavor and quality were as good as the unhealthy variety, without all those things I don’t need.

Assorted baked empanadas from Cordobesita, Argentinean Food Truck.
Anita's Guacamole also comes from a family recipe; and its makers are on a mission to "provide all natural, wholesome goodness."

Another delicious find at the Farmer’s Market, Anita’s Guacamole, which stems from a family recipe, and its makers are on a mission to “provide all-natural, wholesome goodness.”

More:Food Finds: Cordobesita: A better take on empanadas

This guac is “strictly vegan,” made with only natural ingredients. I sampled this dish with chips (amazing) and with a homemade chorizo dish on the night of purchase. Having fresh guac without messing up a single dish is nice.

More:Food Finds: Farmer’s Market offers fresh, fast

Anita’s uses Hass avocado and a hint of citrus. To be honest, I added some more lemon juice after sampling and it only heightened the taste.

Entrees

If you are looking for a good burger with a nice twist, head over to the Marco Island Brewery. The “Island Bleus” burger ($13.50) is smothered in melted Gorgonzola dressing, sautéed mushrooms and onions. And the fries are amazing!

As if the burger wasn’t massive enough, we sampled the Italian Deli’s Capitano sub. At $28.99, you might think a full-size Capitano is overpriced. You’d be wrong. This sandwich would feed three gluttons all by itself.

The Capitano sandwich from Italian Deli and Market, Marco Island.
Blackened grouper from the Little Bar, Goodland.

The monster sandwich features fried eggplant and chicken cutlet with fresh mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, and hot cherry peppers. Best of all, the amazing chewy, dare I say pizza-like bread. Getting your mouth around this bad boy is a challenge worth partaking.

More:Watts for Dinner: Italian Deli a small store with a big sandwich

Craving something the sea? You can’t beat the blackened grouper at Little Bar. It comes with fries and slaw and a side of tartar sauce.

While you might think of blackened as dark and spicy — I know I do — this grouper was more grilled in appearance. It was a large fillet, cooked beautifully and with subtle seasoning. And pairs perfectly with the tartar.

Desserts

"One toasted coconut" from The Oyster Society, Naples.
Craving salty? Or maybe sweet? Uncle Dan's has got you covered.

For dessert, the “one toasted coconut,” from The Oyster Society features rum cake, coconut mascarpone rum cream, toasted coconut and a lemon mango glaze. It was the perfect end to a beautiful meal.

Although it could have used a tad more rum (just saying).

Lastly, if you’re craving sweet and salty at the same time, you won’t want to miss Uncle Dan’s Olde-Fashioned Kettle Corn.

More:‘Watts for Dinner’: Join The Oyster Society for some unbelievable perks

The company is family owned and you can find their booth at many Southwest Florida events (you can also arrange to have them at your event).

The corn comes in three sizes and is said to be made from a “secret family recipe.”

There are only four items listed as ingredients — corn, corn oil, sugar and salt. You can’t beat that.

If you go

Marco Island Brewery

  • 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island
  • marcoislandbrewery.com
  • 239-970-0461

Little Bar Restaurant

  • 205 Harbor Drive, Goodland
  • 239-394-5663
  • littlebarrestaurant.com

Italian Deli and Market

  • 247 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island
  • 239-394-9493
  • marcoislanditaliandeli.com

The Oyster Society

  • 599 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island
  • 239-394-3474
  • Theoystersociety.com

Uncle Dan’s Olde-Fashioned Kettle Corn

  • 239-825-0939
  • uncledansoldefashionedkettlecorn. com

Anita’s Guacamole

  • anitasguacamole.com

Cordobesita

  • Find them here: facebook. com/CordobesitaNaples/

The Marco Island Farmer’s Market

  • 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays, at Veterans Community Park, Marco Island
  • Information: cityofmarcoisland. com.