Marker 8.5

I have to add one more review as this restaurant just passed the acid test for a restaurant like this. Namely the meal that in places like this is usually mailed in and so terribly prepared... your basic ham and eggs breakfast, with grits.

Both my poached eggs and The Secretary of the Interior's over easy were primo. Whites done perfectly with runny yolks. The grits straight out of the kitchen were very tasty, having been properly salted with a visible butter ring around the grits in the dish. Of course, being a Southerner, I added more. The wheat toast was a lovely thick sliced bread and the bacon was Canadian hand sliced.

Such perfection in these simple ingredients is rare. I'm talking VERY rare.

This place is so great, we came back twice within the same week! It's located on the water, & the vibe is really laid back and friendly. Add great food, with fresh fish, & it's no wonder the place gets so crowded!

Dinner on a Saturday night was buzzing with big groups, & a singer/guitarist. Our server was really welcoming, as this was our first time here. We had:

Conch Fritters - yummy, served with a sweet chili dipping sauce

Yellowtail Snapper Piccata - served with scalloped potatoes, green beans, & sweet carrots

Grouper with Stuffed Scallops - served with buttery garlicky mashed potatoes & steamed broccoli

The owner was sitting at the next table, having dinner with his family, & we LOVED that his yellow lab Harley was sitting with them. Harley came over to say hello, & when we learned that he liked (and could have) broccoli, we were more than happy to give him healthy snackies! He was so cute!

After dinner, our server generously brought us some delicious flan that the owner's wife had just made. Such a yummy, & really nice surprise!

A couple days later, we came back for lunch, & it was similarly busy with groups of people having drinks & food. We had:

Shrimp Salad - parmesan tossed romaine, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, & a big pile of shrimp salad on top

Grouper Fingers with coleslaw - fried, fresh fish, with great slaw & tartar sauce

Shrimp Cocktail - big shrimp, with spicy cocktail sauce

We missed seeing Harley that day, but we loved the food again, and our same server was super friendly & remembered us.

Both times we were there, the owner came over to say hello & check on us, & made us feel very welcomed. This gem of a place is where you'll find me, the next time I'm back in town - I hope Harley is here too!

My fiance and I first found Marker 8.5 on our way back home from a roadtrip. Most places in Marco Island were closed for Memorial Day and this was the last spot before hitting US41 on the way back to Miami. We were so lucky they were open!

There were a few other customers dining. The waitress was very cheerful and happy to attend us. We ordered the shrimp basket with fries ($17) and the Super Grouper po'boy with potato salad ($22). The prices are a little on the high side for the area but the food turned out to be delicious so we didn't mind it afterall. For dessert, we had a slice of key lime pie ($7) which we enjoyed very much. It wasn't too sweet nor too tart.

They were playing the Beach Boys throughout our first visit. I loved it!

They have a screened patio facing the water with several tables and a small bar. They also have a few tables inside a lot of tables outside with umbrellas.

The second time we visited we drove about 30 minutes out of the way just to eat there. It is that good! We each had the Grouper fingers basket ($18) with potato salad as the side. It comes with 5 big pieces of fresh, flaky fresh. Their tartar sauce seems to be homemade. I believe it is made with a sweet relish and maybe a hint of nutmeg (??) I could be wrong. I really like it.

I've had their fries before and they are alright. The real star (side dish) is their potato salad! It is creamy with lots of hard boiled egg. It is now my favorite anywhere.

Very relaxing environment, friendly staff, lovely music and delicious food.

We'll be coming back for years to come.

Stopped by for a beer and a snack. I was the first customer. So, I basically had my choice of a table on the deck. Nice view. Beautiful day. Check out the photo. Fresh flowers on each table, which is a nice touch.

I tried the Conch Chowder. Good, but a little spicier than I expected. Not being a Conch Chowder aficionado, maybe it's supposed to be. I can't hold that against them.

Seems like a nice place to kick back/ hang out. A little bit 'old Florida' feel before the high rise condos. But, I think that's what gives its charm to me.

We were at another bar and went for a walk. Heard a macaw and had to find it. We found him at Marker 8.5. Went in and got a beer. Super cute bar/ restaurant. Nice people. Will be back for food and to visit "Pirate" again.

For the first time in a very long time the Yelp review for a restaurant was way off Came here for the view (on the water) but when we asked to sit outside the waiter who was servicing the outside tables said that his shift was up and that there would be no one to serve us outside. We should have just left. Food was ok and their prices are a bit over the top for basic food. The place looks as though someone turned their house into a restaurant. Very plain and not fancy. They have handwritten signs on the tables for their dinner reservation customers.
If we find ourselves in the area again we will not be back.
We had 2 soft drinks, a cheese burger and a mahi sandwich and the total came to $37 not including tip.

We Loved this place. We came for breakfast, but they were setting up for lunch already at 11:00 (fishing town - breakfast served early) but lunch was fantastic. Husband had Oyster Po Boy. He said it was perfect and the French fries were the best he ever had (he didn't even use catsup, amazing, since it's usually catsup with a side of French fry). I had the peel & eat shrimp, a bowl of clam chowder, their home made hot sauces and coffee, even the coffee was great (I'm pretty picky about my coffee).

Our waitress, Cindy, was helpful, kind, lovely

Now for the scenery.., Super Duper!!! We sat outside...,and...,we not only saw dolphins, but also flamingos.

We were here October 19th.

Highly recommend!

Great view, local spot. Open during Hurricane Irma!! All open air, no ac... but food is wonderful, prepared fresh. We had the shrimp and snow crab . Cold beer , wine, and open for breakfast they Dinner. A favorite spot. Winners would be nice here... we will be there for breakfast tomorrow, riding out the storm!

I given them a 4.5

Had the grilled Seafood, but instead of the potato's, I switched to the rice and black beans - VERY GOOD!!

Nice view. Food was lack of flavor. Way too overpriced since it is not a fancy restaurant