While Marco Island has always been known for its stellar beaches, it’s also home to some of Florida’s best unique and locally owned restaurants. If there’s one place loved for its breakfast meals by locals and tourists alike, it’s the Red Rooster restaurant on Marco Island.
If the Red Rooster were to be described in a few words, it basically epitomizes the quintessential American, mom-and-pop restaurant. It has that inimitable, comfy ambiance that makes you feel right at home once you enter its simple interior and settle on one of its cozy chairs.
One other striking aspect of this restaurant on Marco Island for any newcomer is the plethora of roosters that decorate the place, from those lovingly painted on the walls to the figurines perched on its shelves and dividers. Each one is unique, to say the least, and is clear evidence that the restaurant pulls no punches in earning its name.
A History Stemming from a Rooster Fixation
The Red Rooster is located at 1821 San Marco Road. Want to see more of their menu? Visit their website!
Much of the Red Rooster’s penchant for this specific bird is tied closely to its founding. Its owners were inspired by a specific breakfast restaurant, named the Blue Heaven, which they frequent when they are in Key West.
This restaurant happens to have the unique feature of live chickens and roosters that freely mingle with the customers. This, besides the owners having their own pet rooster named Henry, is what served as inspiration for the Red Rooster, which has since become a favorite among laid-back restaurants near Marco Island.
A Breakfast Paradise
While it’s safe to say that the food selections are wide-ranging, it’s the breakfast meals that shine the brightest. There is a good reason why the Red Rooster has become the go-to place for breakfast on Marco Island.
In fact, it’s one of the most recommended restaurants to relax in after an early-morning stroll on the beach. Of course, it is still worth a visit in the afternoon, as the lunch fare is equally noteworthy.
You can’t go wrong with their omelets, and their original Rooster omelet is a must-taste. It gives the standard omelet a Marco Island twist with the addition of shrimp mixed with cream cheese, cheddar, and scallions.
For those looking for more traditional breakfast items, you need not look further than the ones listed on their Eggs Your Way’ menu. Items such as Corned Beef Hash, Steak and Eggs, and Biscuits and Gravy have comfort food written all over them. That’s exactly what you’ll get with every bite into their tender beef hash, eggs over easy on hash browns, or the soft, gravy-drenched home-baked biscuits.
Another popular item in the menu is the Breakfast Sandwich, particularly its croissant variation, which is a very filling and tasty sandwich loaded with eggs and cheese with your choice of bacon or sausage and grits or potatoes on the side. It’s American breakfast as it should be but with a delectable twist; this much you can expect from the Red Rooster.
For the health conscious or those with dietary needs, check out this Marco Island restaurant’s ‘On the Healthy Side’ menu, as they also offer tasty breakfast items with less sugar, grease, and fat. For one, their Black Bean Cakes are complemented by toppings of avocado and tomato with a side of fruits and whole wheat toast, making for a lighter but still filling substitute to your usual pancake fare.
With that said, you can’t go wrong with their standard breakfast menu, and their pancake variations are also a must-try as well as their specialties and benedicts.
What’s for Lunch?
Red Rooster is also a recommended place to eat lunch, especially after you’ve gone through some of Marco Island’s other attractions or earned an appetite swimming at the beach.
Their salads are where the eclectic aspect of the restaurant becomes apparent as evidenced by their myriad choices that range from Mediterranean and Spinach to Cobb and Warm Brie.
Their Turkey Spring Salad has received plenty of attention an acclaim, though, which is unsurprising for its solid combination of mixed greens with roasted turkey, granny smith apples, cranberries, blue cheese, and candied pecans, all wrapped up by a sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Immerse your taste buds into juicy beef goodness with their Classic Reuben, another crowd favorite for its inclusion of the Red Rooster’s homemade corned beef served with sauerkraut and Russian dressing sandwiched in rye bread.
Besides this, they also offer other notable seafood sandwiches with local ingredients like the Grouper Sandwich and Shrimp Po’ Boy, along with a myriad choice of burgers and wraps.
The Red Rooster stands out for its cozy local ambiance, quirky décor, and spectacularly prepared breakfast food. It’s safe to say that this casual restaurant on Marco Island is unique and well worth a visit during your next vacation to Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands. We have plenty of vacation homes to choose from!