Southern Brunch in Naples, Fl: The Rooster Gets Guy Fieri's Approval
If you haven’t had a craving for southern comfort food in a while, by the end of this article you surely will. Situated on Goodlette Frank Rd, The Rooster is a scratch kitchen establishment serving seafood and southern comfort food for brunch: shrimp and grits, fluffy, buttery biscuits and the classic chicken and waffles.
Guy Fieri visited The Rooster in a January episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and had nothing but praise. Perhaps you can imagine the scene: Fieri’s bright red Camaro pulling up to a Naples strip mall, about to be wowed by the food served up at this unassuming locale. He tired their signature Almond Crunchy Grouper and Texas Reuben brisket in addition to the classic offerings, and in the wake of his review almost doubled their business overnight.
Chef and owner Bryan Sutton, former Executive Chef of Veranda E, takes care with every menu item. The shrimp are seared perfectly, the grits are creamy, fried chicken is crispy and the biscuits come out hot. The Rooster has a simple, rustic interior and a pleasant patio for brunch. Add a Bloody Mary with all the accoutrement and you'll have satisfying meal you won't soon forget.
While it has definitely gotten busier, the wait isn't obscene—yet. Get the full scoop from The Naples Florida Review during their recent family brunch at The Rooster!
Photo Credit: The Naples Florida Review
I’d heard about The Rooster for a while before I actually attempted it with my entire brood in tow. We probably didn’t pick the smartest time: Saturday morning after Little League at Fleischmann Park. That’s brunch prime time, and The Rooster definitely draws a crowd. Since it was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, more people seem to know about it — but it’s still totally doable.
The waiting area? It’s the parking lot, literally. They’ve carved out a little corner so you're not waiting between tailpipes. The lot itself? Definitely built in the ‘80s for compact cars and quieter times — so yeah, it’s a bit of a disaster. But once you're in, you're in. Read the complete review here.