It may be named for a pooch, but Clancey's Restaurant is not going to the dogs

Well, this is the the first review since the blog was conceived. Bare with me on the picture quality (I am still learning my new phone), and I may adjust the criteria as I go along. That said, the first restaurant myself and my comrades attended was Clancey's Restaurant.



Location information: 11481 Mcgregor Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33919
(239) 482 3214
Google Map

Now, the restaurant is named after the former owner's pooch, but is definitely not going to the dogs! There was even a picture of the pretty pup, the current owner keeps by the cash register.



I have to say, the place had a bright, homey feel about it, with the old and varied beer bottles, trinkets, and collection of nostalgia hanging from the walls, and ceiling. However, for all the knick knacks, it was not cluttered, but rather that feeling you get when you walk into an old friend's recreational room basement. One of the cooler things is you can sign a dollar bill and hang it up. Just remember, they will want your to trade your dollar for one their treated flame resistant singles.



Service was prompt and very friendly. She took our drink order and suggested trying the fried zucchini for an appetizer. We decided to run with that suggestion while we looked over the menu. Now the menu was full of home cooking, including white fish, burgers and sandwiches, entrees like Shepard's pie, and each night as a daily special (Wednesdays you can get chicken pot pie).

Our waitress must have been an old hat at this, for once she noticed we were done looking at the menu's she plopped down next to my friend to take our order, but did it in such a way that we were all at ease with her presence within the close proximity.

We started out with the fried zucchini appetizer. Can I say the squash never tasted so good? It reminded me of my grandmother's fried Zuch on the farm in Indiana (mind you, I am truly 1/2 Hill Billy, and that is about the only way that side of the family would eat zucchini). Clancey's had a new twist however, they gave us some creamy parmigiana dressing for a dipping sauce. The combination of the crispy breading, hot squash, and cool creamy dressing was delicacy any hillbilly and non-hillbilly should enjoy!



Next I had a cup of their French Onion Soup (FOS). Nothing special about it in my mind. Being not overly impressed, I doubt I will order it again. Don't get me wrong, it was not bad, but I am slightly a soup snob, and this FOS was not in my top 10 (or top 20).

Next, to the the dishes my comrades and I consumed!

One had the crab cakes, which were ok as far as crab cakes go, but in my opinion, it is usually the sauce that makes them and this sauce was only mediocre.



The other comrade had the patty melt with cheddar. It was, in a word, EXCELLENT! I got in trouble for taking too large of a bite. Next time, my comrade said, she was cutting off my "taste" or better yet, for me to get my own. Hehe.



For myself, I had the classic Reuben. You know how sometimes the sour kraut is not drained, or the 1000 Island dressing is too sweet? Or the bread gets soggy too quickly? Not here! My bread was toasted like a grilled cheese (God the fat grams, whoa is the Weight Watchers points). The kraut was drained, and then it was piled with corned beef and swiss cheese. D - Lish - US!

Most of the sandwiches (and crab cakes) come with either coleslaw, cup of soup, or fries. We all had the steak fries. Can I say, plain-Jane steak fries? Although a natural compliment to our sandwiches, they are not my favorite.

This Hill Billy gives Clancey's the following rating:

1. Service: 5 out of 5. You could not ask for better service, or friendlier wait staff
2. Food Quality: 4 out of 5. For a local, down home neighborhood joint, the food was great for the price. I would have like to have a full bar.
   
3. Expectation of the cliental: 4 out of 5. The only draw back was the older cliental. They were not rude, or negative. However, being under 40, I felt like it was a little more geriatric than I prefer.

Overall average: 4.334

If you want or need comfort food from a bad day, Clancey's is the place to go! We will definitely be back. I also should mention, that Lee Memorial Health Systems employees get a 10% discount. Check it out.

Until we eat again,

THBG