Whenever we’re visiting a new place, we like to try unusual or local restaurants. Every time we visit Sanibel Island, we make it a point to eat at The Island Cow. We like everything about this casual, beachy, cow-themed (hence the name) eatery. My husband always says this place makes him feel happy!
Fun for kids outside!
This quirky family restaurant has a fun vibe, with its cow decorations, funny signs, and claims that the food is “udderly great”. I especially LOVE this sign:
The menu here can only be described as extensive with items such as Seafood Fajitas, Steak and Cake (NY strip steak and their famous crab cakes), Moolicious Meatloaf, and Po’ boys. Let’s not forget the extensive breakfast menu, and the appetizers, soups, salads and desserts! We love to start with the basket of muffins they put on your table. They are really yummy, but don’t overdo it, you want to make sure you have room for the main dish.
Yummy muffins!
For my main meal, I had the Islander’s Crab Cakes (I always order this), and hubby chose the “Fish’in Rules”, pick a fish from one of three groups:
Then choose how you want it prepared, however you want from broiled to barbequed, and then pick sides like cheese grits, island yellow rice or hush puppies. Whatever you eat, make sure you leave room for their famous Key Lime Pie, one of the best I’ve eaten in Florida!
Delicious Key Lime Pie!
The Island Cow is right in the middle of Sanibel on Periwinkle Way. Be prepared to wait a bit for a table, the place is usually quite busy, especially during the high season. However, the service is pretty good and fast, and if you get tired of waiting, there are plenty of games, activities and photo-taking opportunities available while you pass the time.
Here are a few more photos of this cute little place:
The Island Cow
Colorful Adirondack Chairs outside
Restaurant Interior Photo Courtesy of The Island Cow
More colorful chairs…
The Island Cow
2163 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island, FL 33957
http://www.SanibelIslandCow.com
Have you ever been to The Island Cow…and if you have, what has been your favorite dish?
Listen2Mama 
Wow, look at the decor in that place. I would love to eat there.
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Looks like a fun place.. my kids would have gone for the free puppy.. they love dogs!
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that is a very unique place! I really like the different feel this place gives you, almost as if grandma went overboard with the decor! Great stuff!
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That looks like such a cute place!! And oh how good the key lime pie looks! I’ll have to put that in my “places to try” for when we eventually go to Florida.
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That looks like such a cute place! Wish I were there right now!
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I love going to diff places to eat where ever I go. Feel as though that’s the way to get to know the area besides going sight seeing
http://www.cierrasplayground.com
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I totally agree with you.
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So cool. I live in Florida, but never been to Sanibel Island. Will have to check out if I ever visit. 🙂
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Very cool. I live in Florida, but never been to Sanibel Island. Will have to go here if I ever do. 🙂
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I like how witty the quotes are in island cow. It just gives you a relaxing vibe just to be there.
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I so love Sanibel Island but hadn’t heard of this restaurant. I’m going to visit next time I’m down there!
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It does look like a fun place to visit. Those cute signs would draw me right in.
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Seems like a lot of fun! I actually like that sign as well, haha!
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Wow this place looks great! That key lime pie? Totally caught my eye and looks fantastic!
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What an awesome place for sure. I want to go now.
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I would so love to eat there! I love that sign about unattended children lol but besides that this place looks awesome!
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What a fun place! I love going to small, local restaurants whenever we can.
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Oh wow what fun. I love the cow designs. Looks like fun to visit.
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I have heard about Sanibel. It looks like a wonderful place. I’ll be dreaming of that pie.
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Looks like a nice place to hang out and eat. Love the sign about unattended children. Lol!
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Oh my I would love to visit that restaurant just the decor makes me want to go, that’s without starting on the delicious looking food! x
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That’s hilarious! I love the sign that says unattended children will be given an expresso and a free puppy. No one will leave there children unattended now!!
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This looks like such an interesting place to visit and eat. I love how they have so many bright colors and unique decor.
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It looks super cute and the menu sounds like it would please everyone! I hope I can visit there some time.
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What a cute little spot. I live in Florida and still haven’t made my way there. Looks beautiful!
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I have never been. It looks really cute and I have been itching to get to Sanibel Island for a long time!! I will remember this place. Catchy name.
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That looks like such a fun place to visit. Very unique.
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We LOVE The Island Cow! I got excited when I saw the first picture on this post LOL I LOVE their omelets!
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I love The Island Cow and I need to get back there soon! It’s such an awesome place. 🙂
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LOVE Sanibel Island, this looks like a fantastic place to visit. I haven’t been there yet.
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I like the food they’re offering at the Island Cow. The ambiance looked great and very friendly for kids.
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I LOVE that place! The unattended children sign is the best!
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What a cool restaurant. I love how laid back the atmosphere is. It’s just dripping with fun.
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So what they’re saying is, I should drip my kids off unattended and they’ll get free stuff… Interesting! Kidding aside, this place looks fun!
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LOL I love the sign about unattended children.
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Island cow looks like my kind of place. I would love to try the seafood fajitas that just sounds so good.
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What a cute spot to spend a some time away! I love that really cute cow theme
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What a cute place! I live in Orlando, Florida, so not sure how far away Sanibel Island is from me, but I’ll look into it. Would love to check this place out 🙂
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Everything from the desserts to the chairs looks fantastic! I bet you had fun!
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Seems like such an adorable (and delectable) place to visit!
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Ha ha ha what a fun looking place! I bet the food is amazing!
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This is a very interesting name and an awesome place to eat. The food looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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OMG love the sign! This must be a fab place if guys there have such a great sense of humor.
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Looks like a fun place to eat. Love the pics. =)
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Sanibel is so beautiful! I’m jealous – looks like a great place to eat.
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I can’t blame your husband – this does look like a really fun place to eat! I know my boys would get a kick out of it too!
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I love that you start off with a muffin and can end with a key lime pie!
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What an interesting place to visit. I love theme places like that!
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This looks to be about 2 hours away from me. I’ll keep it in the back of my mind if we are ever down that way! Sounds delicious and fun!
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One of my friends would love this place. She absolutely love anything cow-related! Food looks pretty good, too!
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We ate here last time in Sanibel. Such a cute family restaurant.
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