A taste of the UK comes to North Fort Myers
Nothing is more British than a fish and chips place, with the fish lying on a bed of newspaper and chips and a cold beer with which to enjoy it.
That has come to North Fort Myers in the United Plaza as OK UK Fish & Chips has opened at 13971 N. Cleveland Ave.
The name pretty much says it all as to what to expect; a simple menu with fish, shrimp and chicken being the main stars of the show, with the chips being made fresh in front of you.
John Natanni, who had been in retail previously with no previous restaurant experience, said he and his father-in-law – who has been in the restaurant business for more than 50 years- talked about it for a couple years before deciding it was a nice concept.
“There aren’t too many fish and chips shops and thought it would fit in North Fort Myers,” Natanni said. “I was ready to make a move and I had a partner in the family.”
They found a location that had been a restaurant previously
OK UK opened six weeks ago to have it at peak performance in time for season, and the reviews have already been encouraging, according to Natanni, who with his father-in-law, British-born John Norton, are co-owners.
“We’re already getting repeat customers and we’ve been hearing good things about it,” Natanni said.
OK UK is a very simple operation, Natanni said. Everything is beer-battered and deep-fried in peanut oil. The chips are chopped in front of you (the potatoes are piled high on the countertop) and fried. Like in Britain, the food comes in a basket with newspaper-print wax paper.
There are also combination platters, sandwiches, and wraps, with the most expensive item being about $12.
Nothing extravagant, but people know what they’re getting, and that’s a good thing.
“The limited menu hasn’t hurt at all. I thought possibly lunch would be an aspect we would have to work on, but people know us by our name and they come in,” said Norton, who ran an upscale restaurant in New Jersey.
OK UK is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sunday.
For more information, call 599-2328 or find them on Facebook at okukfishnchips.