2018 Drive-to Lunch at the Nav-A-Gator Grill

The Nav-A-Gator Grill is a destination restaurant and its website advertises the following: “Visiting the Nav-A-Gator is a great way to entertain friends, family and visitors. From dining in the restaurant to strolling through the old museum with Peace River fossils dating back hundreds of thousands of years, picking up a real gator souvenir in the gift shop or having a snack of real gator meat, this will all be a true Florida experience.”

The Grill is located at the Desoto Marina on the Peace River. The club last enjoyed a visit there some 7 or 8 years ago so it certainly seemed like it was time for another. On Saturday, February 3, we met at the Fruitville Texaco station for a late morning caravan to the restaurant. From there, President Jim Wilson led us on a 75 minute route over country roads curving under canopied live oaks alternating with pastoral straightaways through citrus orchards, tomato farms and cattle ranches. Jim’s excellent route planning had us arrive at our destination at 11:57 am, three minutes before our reservation!

The Nav-A-Gator had live music outside and, as the weather was very agreeable, it was a very popular destination for an outing that day. Including for lots of bikers. The blackboard at the entrance listed the day’s activities and added the greeting: “Welcome Suncoast Card Club!!” Well, close enough. Deal me in!

Photos by the author and Jack Knuese.

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