Driving along Periwinkle Way at lunchtime on Sanibel Island, you’ll want to roll your windows down near Casa Ybel Road. When you smell something heavenly that makes your stomach growl, do yourself a favor and turn into the parking lot next to a bright pink restaurant, Schnapper’s Hots. Since 1998, it’s kept Sanibel Island well-fed.
Schnapper’s Hots
In an area geared toward vacationers, it’s wise to look for places popular with the locals and returning visitors. Pulling into Schnapper’s on a Thursday at lunchtime, I noticed the parking lot was filled with rental and marked cars from local businesses.
There’s ample outdoor seating at Schnapper’s Hots, but I preferred my food by the Gulf to enjoy my Scnapper’s seaside. After spending the morning traveling, the view of the Gulf with my made to order meal is exactly what I needed.
The menu includes a mix of hot dogs and sausages, burgers, sandwiches, wings, fish, onion rings, and french fries. There’s something for everyone (you’re on vacation after all, so why not treat yourself?).
The Original Schnapper
Normally I’m a Chicago Dog fan. However, I had to get the hot dog that made this place a Sanibel institution: The Original Schnapper.
Schnapper’s Hots uses a natural casing, chargrilled hot dog, in a classic bun with pickle spears, yellow mustard, sweet onions, and Schnapper’s secret sauce: piccalilli relish. This is a far more flavorful take on relish than anything I’ve ever tasted. The rich flavor comes from being onion and vegetable based, rather than pickle based. This savory topping adds a complexity to the dog that I didn’t know I needed.
The piccalilli relish, along with being grilled, are what makes this dog unique. My only regret was getting just one.
Onion Rings
There are two ways to make onion rings; battered and breaded. My preferred way is battered and that’s how it’s served at Schnapper’s.
Breaded or not, the trick to a great onion ring lies in the batter. This is what sets Schnapper’s Hots’ onion rings apart from any other onion ring I’ve ever eaten. The first thing you’ll see when looking at the onion rings is pepper and seasonings in the batter.
Perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection, I did have trouble sharing the onion rings (even though the order is meant for two people).
Family-Friendly Options
The menu at Schnappers does include a section called the “Little Max” box. These are kids’ meals, complete with fries, a drink, and a toy. Options for the Little Max boxes include a chargrilled hot dog, burger, chicken tenders, or grilled cheese.
There’s a wide variety of ice cream options, including milkshakes, malts, floats, and sundaes. We can’t wait to come back on our next trip, one that will include our two “Little Max’s.”
What: Schnapper’s Hots (Website)
Where: 1528 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Daily
