Publix subs, more: All the places New York Times ex-critic ate in Naples, Fort Myers

A former New York Times food critic vacationed over the holidays in Southwest Florida and enjoyed food at local restaurants.

Sam Sifton, a New York Times assistant managing editor, wrote in a Jan. 5 column that he visited Florida and "we ate like royals."

So what did he eat and where did he go?

We call them 'pub subs'

Sifton referred to what we call "pub subs" as a "couple of subs from Publix (pretty good)" and also enjoyed ice cream from "Royal Scoop (even better)."

Those not from Southwest Florida probably find Publix subs surprisingly delicious, which we've known for years. Just walk up to the counter, describe what kind you want and walk away with a solid meal for less than $10.

And Sifton likely heard of the well-known Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream in Bonita Springs, a mainstay and longtime favorite of Southwest Floridians.

It's no doubt a solid choice but next time he should check out a few other ice cream parlors, including the iconic Love Boat Ice Cream with a few locations in Lee County (with the first opening in 1967 on San Carlos Boulevard).

And another Love Boat is actually opening Jan. 5 at 1523 NE Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. It's in the same shopping plaza, Cape Coral Commons, as Crumbl, Mission BBQ and other businesses.

Worldly taste of Southwest Florida

Sifton also mentioned two restaurants with international flavor.

"There was lunchtime banh mi from the new Pho 80 in Naples, then exceptional doubles from Dru’s West-Indian Roti Shop in Fort Myers," he wrote.

Pho80 and Boba Bear at 2091 Pine Ridge Road has a perfect 5 out of 5 stars on Yelp and received a perfect score during a December restaurant inspection, so Sifton chose wisely.

And Sifton possibly decided on Dru's are reading a 2022 JLB review from former and longtime News-Press food and dining journalist Annabelle Tometich. She raved about the restaurant's food offerings and its unique mix of various cultures.

"While Southwest Florida has Jamaican, Haitian, Venezuelan and Brazilian options, Guyana is a country and cuisine that hasn't found much footing locally," Tometich wrote.

"And while it's easy to lump Guyanese food into a broad 'West Indian' category, tasting Dru's cooking made me realize it's wholly unique.

"We should all be delighted; there's truly nothing like Dru's in this area. That's my kind of thrill," Tometich ended her story.

'Dream come true': Hurricane Ian-destroyed restaurant to open Cape Coral location

If you're planning on heading to Dru's, note that the restaurant's website says it will be closed through Jan. 19.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Ex-NYT food critic eats pub subs and more in Naples, Fort Myers