Around the Islands with Anne Mitchell

Barbecue lovers, listen up: You can now get your fix on Sanibel at Island BBQ on Palm Ridge Road. This take-out restaurant offers free delivery as well.

It’s located in the former Island Pizza space and, in fact, is part of the Island Pizza family of restaurants. The chef is Jason Joyce, a graduate of the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. Joyce has worked in restaurants in Chicago and the Virgin Islands before coming to Sanibel.

He said he uses hickory to smoke the poultry and beef. The pulled pork is not smoked. However, it is cooked all night “low and slow.”

Joyce, himself a hunter and fisherman, says he wants local anglers to know they can bring in their catch to be smoked. He also plans to add smoked fish to the menu and wants to introduce catering such as a pig roast on the beach or a “causeway cookout.” Joyce said, “We will do all the permitting for beach barbecues.”

Prices for portions of barbecued meat or chicken run from $6. A full rack of baby back ribs is $14 and a humongous turkey leg is $6. All come with a side of the sauce of your choice, such as smoky, sweet vinegar and spicy orange, all made from scratch.

Sides include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and corn on the cob, and are $2 to $3 for the small size.

For beachgoers and picknickers, there are Beach Boxes. For example, a full smoked chicken served with two large sides is $22, and a half pound or pork and a half pound of chicken with two large sides is $20.

You can also get a house salads, pasta salad and potato salad. The restaurant also serves Sanibel-made Back Porch Pies in pecan or Key lime by the slice.

True to its heritage, the restaurant still has some pizza choices on the menu – but now featuring its smoked and barbecued meats, such as smoky brisket and red onions. Pizzas are $11.

Sanibel BBQ is at 2496 Palm Ridge Road, phone 472-3010 and 472-1023.

Still on the restaurant scene, The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market has declared Sundays as Prime Rib Night, offering a 12 oz. serving for $22 while it lasts. Also, Shrimpfest is in full swing on Tuesdays with such dishes as Coconut Fried Shimp, scampi, Thai, fra Diablo and others for $15 each.

Timbers is at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, phone 472-3128.

Sister restaurant Matzaluna The Italian Kitchen is celebrating Wine Wednesdays with $8 off any bottle costing $25 or more all evening. Also, present the ad from the Island Sun and get $2.50 off each adult entrée if you’re seated before 5:30 p.m.

Matzaluna’s is at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-1998.

Traders diners, it’s that time of year again for this popular restaurant to take its summer break. So stop in for lunch, dinner or happy hour this week. Traders closes after business on Saturday, August 18 and will reopen Wednesday, October 3. The staff will take a well-earned rest during the quiet time of year on the islands.

Traders is at 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-7242.

Summer hours at Cip’s Place are 11 am. To 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays, dinner only. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. There’s entertainment Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Cip’s Place is at 2055 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-0223.

Sanibel Fish House also has summer hours. It’s open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. with happy hours from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday.

Buy an entrée and receive a free glass of house wine, domestic draft or well drink, or a slice of Key lime pie.

Sanibel Fish House is at 1523 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-7770.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille is showing all NFL pre-season games on TV and is serving food and drink specials. The grill is home to the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills fan clubs and also has a game room.

It is located at 1263 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

LIVE ON THE ISLANDS

Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn will celebrate its second anniversary on Wednesday, August 22 with the Traditions All Star Jazz Band entertaining patrons in the gulf-front dining room.

The rest of this week’s lineup at Traditions is: Friday, dancing to Joe McCormick and singer Barbara Smith; Saturday, Joe McCormick and singer Marvilla Marzan; Thursday, dancing to “Pianoman” Joe McCormick with popular favorites and smooth vocal stylings, R&B, jazz and pop. Traditions is at 3111 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-4559.

Sweet Melissa’s Café features Michael David playing light acoustic background music Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Melissa’s is at 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-

1956.

The Crow’s Nestat ‘Tween Waters Inn will feature Bad Banditos on Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Crow’s Nest is at 15951 Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille has live entertainment as follows: Friday, Anthony Wayne; Wednesday, Bill Metts, folk guitar; and Thursday, Karaoke. The restaurant is at 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

The Jacaranda has entertainment nightly from 7 to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, various artists are featured. On Sunday, it’s Jamaica “Dave” & Co., reggae and dance; Monday, Renata, jazz, contemporary music and dance; Tuesday, Steve “Scooter” Reynolds, accoustic guitar, contemporary music and dance;

Wednesday, Buckeye Ken, contemporary, Top 40 and blues; Thursday, 2 Hot, contemporary, reggae and dance. The Jacaranda is at 1223 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-1771.

The Mucky Duck on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, features music by Mark Dupuy on Mondays; Rich Lancaster, Wednesdays; Gene Federico, Thursdays and Saturdays; and Buckeye Ken, Fridays.

The Island Cow on Periwinkle Way has live entertainment on Friday with Dan Confrey; Saturday, Diana Lynn; and Sunday, Buckeye Ken. Phone 472-0606.

RC Otter’s, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, has live music daily with dining inside and out, phone 395-1142.

Keylime Bistro features live music days and nights seven days a week. New to the line-up is Ken Limeri playing jazz sax from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. The bistro is at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, phone 395-4000.