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2. Brooks Gourmet Burgers & Dogs — Naples
When one thinks of Naples, they think of beautiful beaches, fancy restaurants, great shopping, and the rich & famous.
Granted, all of the above definitely applies to Naples, but this city also shares in the laidback vibe that characterizes Southwest Florida, and that extends to its restaurant scene, where good burgers can be had.
One of those great burger spots sits right in the middle Naple’s royal palm-studded downtown. Brooks Gourmet Burgers & Dogs (330 9th St., 239-262-1127), which gives the traditional burger some Naples flair.
The decor inside the restaurant isn’t one that many normally thinks of when they think of a restaurant in Naples. It’s homey, funky, and relaxed, almost like it was parachuted from Ft. Myers Beach in plucked right into the heart of downtown. While the decor will certainly catch one by pleasant surprise, the burgers will astound you.
All of Brook’s specialty burger menu should be tried out, but the ones that stand out the most is the Goober, which is Angus beef with peanut butter (yes, peanut butter!) and bacon. Trust me, it’s fantastic!
Go for a little bit of Louisiana-style with Rylee’s Rahin Cajun, in which the burger (lightly blackened) is topped with Jalapeno, pepper jack cheese, and onion. Last, but definitely not least, if you’re “California dreamin’,” then go for the California burger, which is topped with avocado, tomato, and cheddar cheese.
In short, Brooks Gourmet Burgers and Dogs have become the premier spot in Naples for burger lovers, so much so that they’ve added two more restaurants in North and Southeast Naples, with a fourth location in Northeast Naples soon to come!