Little Bar - A Local Gem

The Little Bar Restaurant in Goodland has become the “place to eat” for both locals and visiting guests – especially if you are from the suburbs of Chicago. Certain items on the menu also have taken on a “legendary” reputation, such as the Florida Stone Crab, so make sure it is in season during your visit.

Little Bar opened its doors in 1978 and has woven itself into the fabric of the local community. According to “Little Bar News,” Ray Bozicnik and sister Niki Bauer founded the restaurant 45 years ago. Keeping it within the family, Jamie Bozicnik, daughter and niece of the co-owners, has been managing Little Bar since 2006.

Little Bar has that fun and nostalgic vibe – gone but not forgotten -  like opening a time capsule. The wall hangings were retrieved during Senior Ray’s “junk collecting” years in Chicago. A few artifacts used to be displayed in the old Andy’s Steak House in Oakbrook, Illinois (which was torn down in 1998) and Arley’s in Downers Grove, Illinois, which is now long gone. The stained glass at the front door was salvaged from an old optometry office in Maywood, Illinois.

Ray and Niki grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, and both attended Downers Grove North High School. Our personal guests came from Downers Grove, Illinois and they had fun checking out the series of Plaques depicting the Roman God Mercury, which are hung on the right wall as you enter Little Bar through the salvaged front door. These plaques were reclaimed from Henrici’s Restaurant, located in the Loop on Randolph Street in Chicago. It operated for 90 years and one guest recalled visiting Henrici’s, which was known for its elegant European-style dining rooms serving Viennese pastries.

On this April visit, the walls of Little Bar’s front room were lined with “Thank you, Ms. Nikki for donating to my school. We appreciate the help and will remember your kind gesture.” Little Bar is a big supporter of local schools, such as the Marco Island Academy Girls Soccer for the 2023-24 season. Tommie Barfield’s fifth-grade class photo was also framed with a “Thank you Niki Bauer.”

It is always Christmas at Little Bar with its extensive collection of Christmas nutcrackers. According to Bauer, it started with their own collection and over the years more were added courtesy of guests who’ve visited the restaurant. They come in all colors, types and sizes with their unique story on how they got to be displayed at Little Bar. During the Christmas holiday, they bring out the life-size Christmas Nutcrackers.

Our Chicago guests ordered their favorites from the dinner menu and noticed a few new items since their last visit such as the Tempura Fried Soft Shell Starter, which I was told are locally sourced from Pine Island. It was crispy perfection, served over sesame scallions with key lime mustard sauce. You can also order the soft-shelled crabs sautéed with garlic and butter. 

Getting our final “fix” before the season ends, we all ordered Florida Stone Crabs served with a house mustard sauce. Picking out the meaty claw can be messy but worth the fuss.

The evening selection also included a combination of the blackened mahi-mahi which was served broiled or with sautéed almandine. The broiled sea scallops came with a side of sweet baked potato and house salad. After an evening of feasting, a shared slice of Key Lime Pie seemed like the perfect choice!

With its waterfront location in the friendly fishing village of Goodland, The Little Bar News is not shy in adding “nuttin’ but the best,” prepared by Boni, Lupe, Claudia, Ali and all the women and guys in the kitchen. In the last 45 years, Little Bar Restaurant has become a true gem enjoyed by both locals and visitors.

Little Bar is open seven days a week and will be closed for the summer, right after its traditional year-end Spammy Jammy Party, from July 1-September 30^th.