Pat Combs' creation

Home of "Rosa's Pie"

Pat Combs

Pat Combs' roots go deep into Florida history and each generation of her family played a vital part in the colorful progress of the region. Her parents were "Perk" Aldacosta and Mabel Miles Collier. Her maternal grandparents were Captain Bill Collier and Margaret Miles Collier. They had come to Marco Island in 1880 as homesteaders. When their daughter, Mabel, eloped with "Perk" Aldacosta, her parents, who disapproved of her marrying a fisherman, disowned and disinherited her. Mabel never saw her family again.

"Perk's" parents were Peter and Angela Santini Aldacosta. Peter had come to this country from Spain when he was 16. Angela Santini's parents were Corsicans, who settled in Florida and played an important role in the history of the territory. After "Perk" and Mabel were married they moved to Fort Myers where Pat was born in 1908.

Tragically, Mabel Collier Aldacosta, died when she was only 39. The family had moved to Nassau where "Perk" became a rumrunner between the Bahamas, Miami and the Florida Keys. Pat married Milledge Yarborough and had two children, Gerald and Doris. After she divorced her husband she moved to Naples to be with her father and her brothers and sisters. The entire family became commercial fishermen and lived in palmetto shacks.

It was here at Gordon's Pass that her son, Gerald was killed when he fell from a building and sustained fatal internal injuries. Pat was married to Bill Brumby for only a year when he died, and Pat and daughter, Doris moved to Fiddler Bar, an island near Gordon Pass, where her family was living in stilt houses. Eventually, Fiddler Bar was cleared and filled and is now a part of Port Royal. While living here, Pat returned to fishing with her own boat and nets. Fishing was considered a man's vocation yet the fishermen in the area respected Pat and considered her a worthy competitor. During this time, John Pulling became one of her volunteer helpers. In 1935, Pat married Bob Combs, owner of a fish house at Gordon's Pass. They had two children, Dennis and Diane, later the family moved into Naples and started a fish business where Tin City is now located. Pat and Bob ran the fish house until 1938, when Sam Spencer, a wealthy man from Indianapolis agreed to help Pat start her own restaurant and supper club. The club, Trail Tavern, was located at the corner of the Tamiami Trail and Third Avenue South (later to become The Anchor and since razed).

Trail Tavern became a gathering place for those seeking good food and entertainment. Pat, was known as a superlative cook, and took well to her role as hostess and restaurateur. The Combs eventually bought the property where Combs Fish Company and Kelly's Fish House Dining Room are currently located. Trail Tavern was sold and in 1953, the Fish House Dining Room was built. The building which houses the Fish House was originally constructed as an office. Harold Daniels and his father, Guy, were the contractors and during its construction Pat Combs decided to use the structure as a restaurant.

Jacque Elmore

Shortly after the restaurant was completed, Jacque Elmore joined the Combs in running The Fish House. Jacque, who was well-known in Naples, had leased The Flamingo Grille and she had a considerable following. She and Pat devised the decor of The Fish House, which remains much the same today. The dining tables, glass topped, to display Pat Combs' splendid collection of native shells was built by Harold Daniels. His mother, Tenice became a part-time cook at the restaurant and several other members of the Daniels family were a part of the Fish House staff for many years. Wilma Daniels was a waitress at the restaurant for ten years. She, Jacque Elmore and Pat Combs decorated the restaurant with fish nets, shells and other nautical memorabilia.

The Fish House became noted for its unusual decor, for the fresh fish which came directly from Combs Fish Company and the fishing fleet that tied up at the back door. Its most famous dish, however, was The Fish House Key Lime Pie. For years it was prepared by Rosa Fluellen and although the pie came to be known as Rosa's Pie, it was prepared from Pat Combs' own recipe.

After the Fish House was sold to the Kelly family in 1971, the Combs moved to Pine Island where they remained until they moved to North Carolina to be close to Pat's daughter, Doris. Their son, Dennis still lives in Naples where he continues to run the family oil business. Diane Combs Orlando, the Combs daughter also continues to live in Naples. Pat and Bob Combs both died in 1989.

Pat Combs' recipes were used at Trail Tavern and The Fish House Dining Room. She was one of the region's most creative cooks and anyone who ever tasted one of her dishes continues to relish the experience.