Everglades Rod & Gun Club

The Rod & Gun Club is a neat throwback to a slower, more simple time. The interior is fantastic - so few places like this anymore. If they don’t start putting in a lot of work on the building itself, it won’t be around much longer. Ordered a crab cocktail at market price, which turned out to be $60. And it wasn’t a crab cocktail, it was a plate of crab legs and honey mustard dipping sauce. Absolutely delicious! But beware of the price and the menu lacking any further description. The waitress got overwhelmed with several groups, and got at least two of our eight orders wrong, and a couple of us never got the pie that we ordered. Cash or check only? Hello - we’re a quarter of the way into the 21st century. Ludicrous that a business of this size in a tourist town doesn’t take credit cards. Overall: Good food, but for the price they need to deliver more than what’s on the plate.

Stopped in for a snack while waiting on friends. It was perfect. Staff was super friendly and laid back. There is a limited menu but the building is like 150 years old so that was fine.

Had lunch there based on the great reviews. Our experience, however, was quite different. My husband ordered a seafood platter that had oysters. They must have been out of oysters because frog legs showed up on the platter and no oysters, without a word to us. Frog legs is not something we eat so it was quite a shock to see them appear on the plate. I ordered the chicken sandwich and it tasted so much like fish that I couldn’t eat it. In with my fries was something else fried - possibly a small piece of fish, looking somewhat raw. We told the server but the kitchen would not allow her to adjust our bill. Maybe it was off day, but it was not a good experience. The lodge itself is worth visiting.

This review is only for the restaurant. Over priced and ridiculous size of the scallop dinner. Six quarter size scallops cover with a horrible seasoning. The chicken caesar salad was over cooked blacked chicken, dried out, miserable. My 3 guests were very disappointed as well. The men’s room was filthy. No credit card accepted. Don’t waste your money.

The food and service at the rod and gun was amazing. We ordered the calamari scallops and grouper. It was the best cooked fish and scallops that I've had from a restaurant in a long time. The calamari was also extremely good they were very tender not chewy like most resturants. Who ever the chef is they deserve a raise.

This is an old school Florida spot. It may not be for everyone. However, if you are looking for character, history, great down to earth folks, and solid boat access, this may be the place for you. It's very quiet and perfect for boaters or someone just wanting a low-key lunch or dinner without the extras some vacationers require!

We were a large group and called ahead to make a reservation. They were very accommodating. We had amazing seats out on the screened in Veranda overlooking the water. Our server Barbara was AAAmazing! Top Notch service and never missed a beat with our large order. The calamari and Gator bites were sooooo yummy! It was so cool to walk through the historic common rooms on the main level. Lots of interesting things to see and read. Didn't realize so much to see in Everglades City - so maybe next time a stay at their hotel as well. I've come to the area annually for 15 years, and now I will be sure to bring my guests to this restaurant when we visit again. 👍🌟

The absolute nastiest, rudest and most disgusting pit of a restaurant. Absolutely atrocious. Literally so gross and awful, starting with staff (if you want to call them that). Thankfully, we were never even able to eat because they wouldn't serve us. This was clearly for the best, because I just can't imagine the food not sending me straight to the ER. Thank you for saving me Jesus. You definitely took the wheel this time!

No one is on premise at night or in the am before 9 am. They give you a number to text or call, but no reply at all. I got a voice mail the afternoon after sending a 9pm text. I had locked my key in the room. Thankfully my buddy was in the next cottage or I would have slept outside. My car keys were in the room that was locked. The restaurant was nice and the lobby decor is awesome, but keep your expectations very very low. The bar was closed as the staff was short handed. The vibe was strange and very old Florida, just know that you really are all alone- be careful.

Great historical waterfront lodge with antique furnishings. Great alligator bites and frog legs. A must while in Everglades City.

There is nothing that makes me sadder than writing an honest review (that isn't high in stars) for this place. But, I'm in the business of helping establishments succeed and if I kept my mouth shut I wouldn't be helping this business stay open. I love that this place is CASH ONLY! because debit/credit fees are BAD for the economy. The building is beautiful and frankly a museum that you can stay at. My parents stayed in the cottages many years ago and loved it. You're stepping back in time in this building that could never be built again...with the quality wood, antiques, mounts of animals and fish. Beautiful. There was three of us for lunch on a Thurs just afternoon mid July. The patio was open and there was one other four top seated. Recommendation: get no-see-um screens put in to keep the no-see-ums out please. The waitress was as nice as could be. She was attentive and a good communicator. I will say...FIRE THE COOK. Seriously. I ordered frog legs which I haven't had since I went to the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival in the early 2000's. I got four dried out small legs (see photo) and I opted out of fries. I was offered an extra cole slaw. The slaw was so sweet and mayonnaise-y. I couldn't eat it. Extremely disappointed. My father had the fried fish fingers with fries and slaw. There was so much breading on it, too little fish. It came with fries. The fries are like the kind you get from Sysco which is breaded and not real potato, cut in a french fry cutting machine (fresh), salted and fried. Nothing beats a quality french fry. My cousin had the fried Grouper Rubin sandwich. Same kind of small grouper pieces on a Rubin sandwich, with fries and slaw. Very small selection of beers...but we enjoyed a nice cold one with our lunch. The only dessert item is Key Lime Pie...which suited us just fine. We only bought one slice to share. What a disappointment. The pie was like candy sweet, no real key lime flavor..and the crust didn't seem like gram cracker..it was loose and falling apart. The best I've had on my trip was in Ft. Meyers at Dot's. I'd LOVE to see the management get the kitchen and food in order. I just love this tiny village....but I'm going to have to eat someplace else next time. Sorry.

This is a great place if you like history and casual food. I had a grouper sandwich, everything comes with fries and they are perfectly crispy. The service was good and friendly, which my other guests told me hasn't always been the case, but it was my first visit and I enjoyed it. We sat on the screened porch and it was great to watch boats go by. Good place.

Ambiance is historic with no A/C throughout as well as Cash only. Service sadly very unwelcoming even in off season. The one and only waitress made sure to recite prices out loud of everything we ordered, for us to acknowledge before bringing anything to the table. I get that it's a small town, but even in off-season would you want the same treatment when you go to another locally owned establishment? I was really trying to support family-owned local business, oh well. It's unfortunate never bother to order any food wrapped up at the cocktails. My group and I decided to go to a different local establishment where in fact the irony would have it that the Rod & Gun owners' som waited on us with a much better personality and welcomed us.

On our way to an air boat ride we stopped here for lunch. Rich in history, the interior and service were a treat. My Ruben sandwich made with fish was very good as were the sides.

Service has been slow the 4 times we've been there food was not good , but go back for the history. Today was 24+ for a rail drink and corona beer. Will never be back.

I don't care what anyone says, this is my Everglades City favorite restaurant to go while I stay in Marco Island. I don't really have a long review, because of the lack of bad commentary from me. I love this place so much, and the food here is amazing. I ordered the Catch of the Day sandwich, which was Grouper and it was extraordinary. Our server, Barbara, was very good with getting our orders right, and getting the food out quickly. For the feel of the restaurant, the old-timey guns, rods, fish, and animals everywhere looked exactly like the name of the restaurant. I never come out of here unpleased. I will be visiting here again during Summer. Until next time! -Jacob Moore

So, I know this place got some bad reviews in the past. disregard! The attitude is all part of the charm and the fact that they tell you their cash only as full disclosure when you come in it's just courtesy. My wife and I are Floridians and eat fish fresh from the ocean often. I had the best blackened black grouper sandwich ever. We were on vacation and wanted to see the sites in the area. I've always wanted to go to Everglades city, and was told to go to the Rod and Gun Club. It's the middle of the summer so it's very quiet and my wife and I pull up. There isn't a single car in the parking lot. We come inside we meet Darcy. She tells us to have a seat. We're the only ones in the place she says the kitchen is open. Don't worry food will be great. We order up And I gotta tell you we had a great time. Great food. This place is super eclectic with a ton of history. Don't be put off. You should go and check it out. I'm glad I did.

It's a step back in time and something unique. The restaurant/bar is open to the public and you can sit out on this huge porch over looking the water. We didn't eat here, just had drinks. Basic bar - beer/wine/basic liquor - so don't expect to order anything fancy or specific. And the drinks are kind of pricey - $27 for 3 beers and a rum & coke. I only made it over half way through my rum & coke before I realize my glass was dirty on the inside. I didn't say anything because I drank more than half anyways, I was just grossed out. Everybody we interacted with was friendly, including the house cat Morris. Definitely stop in, eat/drink, look around and read up on the history of this unique establishment!

Unique experience in Everglades City. A step back in time. The ambiance is a club atmosphere on the water. The lunch was great lots of fish dishes and very fresh. Beverages were great. Service was very good. Very important if you are going to the testaurant it is basically cash.

We were there yesterday and experienced terrible, scary service. We ordered onion rings and we were served 7 onion rings for $14.95, I politely asked if the serving amount was a mistake and the rude server DENISE angrily told us that we had to leave and never return just for asking that. CRAZY SERVER, I FELT THREATENED with her angry reaction!

Atmosphere was great! We came by boat for lunch. I had their fish tacos special and I highly recommend. Our waitress Taylor was wonderful.

Took our boat from Goodland down to Everglade City to have lunch at the Rod & Gun Club. We had a wonderful experience. the building is beautiful and the food was delicious. I don't like seafood so I ordered the steak sandwich and it was wonderful, and the rest of my family loved their fish tacos. Taylor, our server, was knowledgeable and bubbly. We will definitely be making a return trip soon!

Amazing old Florida setting in a town that is worth a day trip in the Everglades The club is steeped in history, the staff friendly and the food and drinks are great Kick back enjoy a leisurely lunch with a nod to old Florida

One big caveat bring cash. No cards accepted. Mrs. K. has some money stashed in her wallet so we were fine. This is a most amazing place. We have been coming to Everglade City for 8 years and have passed this by too many times to count. Somewhat confusing on where to enter but I don't think there is a wrong entrance there are just so many ways. The food was on par with what is available here in Everglade City. I had the calamari platter and it was just fine. Mrs. K. had the hamburger and it looked to me to be a nice size. I had to use the ahem facilities. I walked inside and was stunned by what I saw. Beautiful club room with high polished floor total Florida decor from the early 1900's. The rod and gun club has its roots from Baron Collier and his rich friends and these men knew how to live and err drink. This is Old Florida from the Grand Age of Millionaires.

I haven't been to the Rod & Gun club in about 20 years and it was pretty much exactly as I remembered it...a hidden gem out in the middle of nowhere full of old world charm. You get to step into a piece of history, and I personally was totally transported. I instantly felt more relaxed. My phone didn't really work out in the Everglades, so I didn't need to keep checking it every 5 minutes. I could just enjoy the gorgeous building and a nice leisurely meal. Of note, they don't take reservations...there are plenty of tables inside and outside, but when it gets busy, it also gets a little slower. That's OK, but I do recommend going on the earlier side. Also they do not take credit cards. Bring your cash! Take a few minutes to get familiar with the building before grabbing a seat ideally out on the huge porch right up against the canal. Watch the boats go by while you have a cocktail and some fried food. The menu is limited but that means that they've pretty much mastered the options. In addition to the local favorites of fried grouper and fried shrimp, you can indeed enjoy some gator and the famous frog legs. The onion rings are huge! And the key lime pie for dessert was rated the best in all SWFL by our group's own unofficial key lime pie taste tester. I cannot wait to go back. I'd really like to bring a book and just sit in the lobby with a strawberry daiquiri for a few hours.

The local grouper sandwich was fresh and delicious. Great view of the water from the screened-in porch. Highly recommended.

$72 for two double jack and cokes. My buddy and I stopped here after a long day of fishing. I thought we would have a cocktail on the front porch. Absolutely beautiful place with rich history. I wanted to return for Father's day with the entire family. After being robbed, I will never return.

This place is awful!!! I'm reviewing the restaurant only. First of all never imagined that during COVID the entire staff including servers would NOT be wearing a mask! ( I totally regret not getting up and leaving) The food was horrible! The gator bites ( you would think it's one of their specialty) were extremely hard and chewy. The inside color was gray. I ordered grouper ( fish of the day) and it was drenched in oil so it was soggy and didn't taste fresh at all. Go here for the history, take a few pics and LEAVE!

If you are in Everglades City and don't go to The Rod & Gun Club you have lost your mind or just don't know. Bring cash!!

Food was great. Really cool historic site on the canal. Menu was limited since it's off season. Could easily spend a lazy afternoon out on the lanai seating area.

Vintage gem. Am so happy we found this place and ate lunch there. Too bad wasn't open for dinner. And, too bad the cool bar wasn't open. I definitely want to come back when the bar and dining room are open. I hope they never remodel or redecorate anything. Just the coolest as is. The staff was friendly too.

Amazing historic inside, could spend hours looking. Restaurant server was cheerful and friendly even though busy as the only server. Food was very good. Fresh vegs sautéed, coleslaw fresh, scallops fried with thin crispy coating, steak was good. This is small town hospitality and local history which we appreciate.

Great place, especially for the history. In some ways it's like a bit of a step back into the past, in a great way.

Ambiance is unbeatable and the food was very good. They are cash or Venmo only, which I am deducting a star for since it was a pain.

A local joke. Ask anyone around and they'll tell you not to stay or eat or to to order a drink here.  The classic building and its amazing lobby and truly sweet staff cannot make up for the ineptitude and inhospitality of hotel management. They should not be trusted with a lemonade stand, much less a legendary establishment such as this. I wouldn't take treatment like this from a close relative, and shouldn't have paid for the privilege. Be prepared for a lot of "no's". There's no soda water, no sparkling water, no 7up, no orange soda, no stone crabs, no decent drinks, no good food, no credit cards taken, no receipts given. Order as much fried food as you want, but don't plan on staying to finish it. The place closes at 8 pm on Saturdays, in the middle of your dinner, regardless of what's left on your plate - the manager, Brian, will ask you to leave, because he has "stuff to do". If you're lucky, you can take your dessert and your drink to your room.  None of this is certain, though, because there's three owner/managers and they all have different policies. Just pray you don't get Brian. We were staying in the hotel, but didn't have cash for dinner, thinking to put the bill on our room, like with any hotel anywhere ever. But, as we didn't have cash, Brian asked us to leave the restaurant  - and our food - to go to an ATM a mile away, and to go immediately, as he had plans and couldn't wait. Somehow, we convinced Brian that he could call his business partner to accept our Venmo payment and they could pay each other back in the morning. Brian screamed at his partner for accepting Venmo, but he finally agreed to our suggestion - after yelling at us that his way has worked for sixty years.  All of this is drama you don't need. We won't be back, and we highly recommend against you visiting. It's a real shame. The lovely building and the amazing staff deserve so much better. Maybe it's fun if you're on some sort of "let's treat ourselves like garbage just like they would have treated us in Old Florida" tour, but really it's not worth the trouble. The food is mediocre, the cash only policy is a real inconvenience, the rooms aren't great, the beds are uncomfortable, it's a trial to stay there and it's pretty damned expensive for what you get, especially when there's better places within a stone's throw.  Avoid the Rod and Gun Club until the current owners sell it, or until they fire Brian, or until they get people who know how to treat paying guests to run it, whichever comes first.

This is a gem! If you are looking for an authentic Everglades hotel experience this place is for you. The restaurant served large portions with fresh fish. There is a large screened in porch that overlooks the water!

I have read about this place. It didn't disappoint It a step back in time when I was a kid Childhood memory's flow As you look all around The grouper Ruben washed down with the classic Bloody Mary. Taylor. Was amazing.

Was skeptical of this place as its super old but was pleasantly surprised. I got the Caesar salad with grilled fish. The fish was super flavorful and the portion size was perfect. Others at my table had the chicken tenders and the fried fish. They cleared their plates too. Our waitress was great. She had the brightest smile and her kindness was amazing.

Such a fun stop and delicious grouper fingers! Adrian was our server and she was awesome! Definitely recommend!!

Food: C- Historic Significance: A+ Please, some investor take over this property and bring it up to what it should be. Overpriced food. PERIOD. I ordered grouper and specifically asked if it was really grouper. I was assured it was local grouper- there is a problem at many restaurants of undisclosed use of other, lesser quality fish used as a substitute. As fishermen, my husband and I know what a grouper filet looks like. We did NOT have grouper. Again, this is a beautiful historic location. Visit and enjoy the building but the food we had was really poor. I really wish someone could bring this wonderful historic site up to the quality it should be. Also there was one wine - a cheap Chardonnay and two choices of bottled beer. Sad.

Great trip back in time. You can almost see Hemingway having a drink at the secluded back bar. Many of our Presidents vacationed here. Food and service is good.

Interesting place. Taylor is the best! Worth visiting. Food was excellent but very very small portions.

WOW, talk about going downhill. The Sea Scallops were minis and tasteless. There was no wine list either and that's just the ugly dining room. Celebrities and Presidents didn't put up with this! And then there is the room in the awful two family cottage not in the hotel. Refrigerator off so no ice. No glasses and worst of all no bedside table with lamp (photo attached). Instead of one large bedside table on on side of the bed they might have placed two small tables. I still like the lobby for old times sake, but I'm afraid that's it. It's my only reason to go to Everglades City, however, the next time it straight on to the Ritz in Naples.

Came here after an airboat tour for lunch. Very interesting history and building decor. Food was decent. Not bad, not great...about what you'd expect. Gator app was nicely fried as were grouper fillets on the sandwiches. CASH ONLY.

Food is average but priced appropriately. Building needs to be painted. On a Saturday the wait time for food is lengthy (it took us 90 minutes). The owner is mean, rude and surly to customers. I would never go here again which is disappointing, I will also go out of my way to tell people they should avoid it.

The food is mediocre at best. We were one of 2 tables and the waitress was all but rude. In her defense she was doing everyone's work but is in the wrong business. We tipped her 40% as we felt bad for her doing the work of 4 but she didn't even act grateful! Told us it would rain the entire trip. Thanks just what we want to hear on our vacation!

Inside seating was freezing, veranda not much better...steak wasn't done medium rare, but well...vegetables tasteless...fries and onion rings were of course good...limited menu if you do not eat fish (i was with a group, unfortunately, or i would have walked out)...

A gin and tonic and a gator basket on the veranda is one of my favorite meals on the planet. 45 minutes from Naples but a true escape from the rat race. When you walk up the old brick steps and into the cool dark hallway, lined with framed photos and old newspaper clippings, it's like going back in time. Enter the foyer, with hunting and fishing trophies, dark wood and fishermen coming in from the dock - this is the Florida that Roosevelt and Hemingway loved. The restaurant has local, fresh fish and other stuff. Hurricane Irma caused a bit of damage to the rental rooms upstairs, but the restaurant is fully operational and going strong.

If you want a corporate Disney World experience, you're gonna be disappointed. If you want old Florida at its most authentic, this is your place. Especially given the tourist traps that litter the area, this place is a bargain. As others have mentioned, the hotel rooms are comfortable and clean, but are definitely no frills. The beds are small and the tvs are smaller, but if you're going to Everglades City to sit in your hotel room and watch tv, you're out of your mind. They're sufficient and they're reasonably priced. After a day in the sun, they're everything you need them to be to relax and unwind. The food is, in my family's opinion, fantastic. Given that we'd just been thoroughly fleeced for lunch at a place called Stan's Idle Hour in Goodland, the quality and quantity of fare here was particularly stellar. For $30, a 12oz steak and 8-10oz of grouper served with a salad, baked potatoes, biscuits, and mixed steamed veg was more than I could eat. I will say my wife didn't have many options as a vegetarian though. The ambience and history of the place though are what take it over the top though. Dark wood interior with leather furniture and eclectic primitive art in a gorgeous dining room and bar area. It oozes faded glory and better days in the best possible sense. It just can't be beat if you're looking for an incredible off the beaten path experience. Unless you're looking for sleek modern convenience, ignore the bad reviews.

This place is an amazing piece of history! Everglades City is a quaint Old Florida town that I make a point to visit every winter when I come to southwest Florida. The Rod and Gun Club is a must on my tour of stops when I come. This time I met the owner who was sitting behind the hotel desk. I don't remember seeing anyone there in past visits. In better times this place hosted US Presidents and movie stars. The restaurant used to be packed on any given afternoon. Now its usually pretty quiet. I haven't eaten here in years, but always stop in for a drink to support the place. The food looks good as its delivered to other tables. We tried to order an appetizer this day, but they were out. To be honest, the wait staff isn't very friendly, even though I tip as if I had eaten a meal. I do hope the owners can find a way to restore or at least keep this gem standing for the future.

Rod and Gun is definitely worth seeing, built upon a foundation started in 1864 the actual structure was built completely of pecky-cypress (the wood that is practically impervious to termites and rot) around 1922. It has been visited by Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and such notables as Hemingway, Mick Jagger and Burt Reynolds. The all wood interior, the setting and the location are both awesome as well as inspiring. The food is fresh seafood and local (read alligator, Florida lobster, stone crab, oysters, frog legs) oriented but rather unnotable in taste and quality. The service is also a typical Everglades type CASH ONLY (no plastic accepted), find your own seat, make sure the wait staff realizes your presence, and then both rather awkward as well as slow. However, that is generally the way things are around these parts so when in the Everglades, do as the Everglades do and expect no different. For service 3, for food 2, for general ambiance, setting and view 5; so I'm giving them a 4, but mostly because of the beauty of this fine old wood structure.

Try the gator basket, delish! Coleslaw is amazing!! Great ambiance, beautiful bar, awesome service!!

Something you definitely need to see while youre in town (since there's not much else to see) but wouldn't eat here. We only had drinks on the porch as the inside was closed and the menu was less then appetizing. Lots of taxidermy hanging and plenty of historic kitsch. Service was friendly, they only take cash, and it's not so clean.

If this would let me do no stars, I would. Our family of 10 wanted a quick bite and a few drinks and thought this would be the spot. We were sadly mistaken. Not only were we not waited on after 20 minutes, but we were ignored by both waitresses in the patio area and two more tables arrived that were waited on promptly after we arrived. Very disappointing. We left.

The food was so fresh. I would recommend the Fried Calamari Basket and the Fish Platter this place was a must!

We stopped here for a nice meal after a day at Big Cypress, but I was disappointed. The food was average at best and the menu doesn't offer much variety. I ordered dessert thinking it would make up for a less than stellar meal, but I didn't like it. However, the most SHOCKING thing was the fact that our server had no mask on at all during Covid-19!!! That's unacceptable and it made us really uncomfortable, but I couldn't even find a manager when we left to speak to about our experience. Oh and it's cash only!!

Waterside porch dining with quick and friendly service! Grouper sandwich was on point. A neat page out if history in the main structure. Worth the drive out of Marco and Naples!