Out of the bubble casual restaurants

[rjn5656]

We like to experience out of the way casual restaurants. Looking for some recommendations. We have been to places like Palm Gaden, Oyster Truff, Cove Pub, Pine Steet Pub, Big Bob's, , Aneto's, Fox Den, Turnpike Mikes, Stumpknockers, Swampys, Crackers, Shamrock in Floral City, Tiki Bar in Mineola, O'Shucks, Charlies Fish house, Taverna Manos, etc.

Any good ideas?

Thanks

[Dan9871]

Fisherman's Restaurant on 44 in Inverness.

FISHERMANS COVE RESTAURANT - 12311 E. Gulf To Lake Hwy. Inverness, Florida 34450 - 352-637-5888 (https://fishermansflorida.com/)

[rjn5656]

We have been to Fishermans, Catfish Johnny's and Little Italy in Inverness.

[dewilson58]

Grand Lux Cafe, Chicago.


:icon_wink:


If that's too far, Palm Gardens Restaurant and Marina

[retiredguy123]

O'Shucks in Wildwood is about as casual as it gets.

[rjn5656]

Next time I am in chicago, I will try it.

[leftyf]

Good Times Bar and County Line Bar

[CFrance]

Harry's in Ocala (on the square).

[collie1228]

Pine Street Pub on Pine Ave. in Inverness is a really good place for a casual lunch or dinner. Small, but with a good menu and great service. The Cove on Cove Camp Point, also in Inverness, is a good choice too (I believe it's owned by the same folks who own the Pine Street Pub).

[aninjamom]

JB Boondocks in Howey-in-the-Hills, and Blackwater Inn, Astor Florida. Nice little roadtrips.

[TomOB]

The Freezer, Homosassa

[Chi-Town]

The Freezer, HomosassaNow, that's casual. But really good.

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[Ecuadog]

iBar-B-Que Express, Fruitland Park.

[2newyorkers]

Reds in Dunnellon

[Mamaderby]

Catfish Johnny’s in Lake Panosoffskee.......excellent, closed on Sunday.

[dnobles]

Corelli’s Clermont Route 50

[dewilson58]

The Freezer, Homosassa






:coolsmiley:

But your Vette will get dirty.

[Chuckw]

A place that MUST be added to this list is Terry's Place... really good food, very casual aptmosphere..... 4121 NE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34479

[dljorg]

Definitive restaurant information source is The Villages Gourmet website. Just do a web search for it. Absolutely encyclopedic restaurant info for a 150 mile radius from TV. All of the places mentioned in this thread so far are good IMHO.

[davbrindle]

Blackwater Inn, Astor, about an hour trip but nice 2hr. Guided boat trip on the St. John's river; $25/ea. Good food and decore in restaurant upon return or before. Google search best way to locate it.

[dmcguff33]

Drive up to Salt Springs in Ocala Nat'l Forest and try Bass Champions. Great seafood joint at great prices. Also the fruit stand in town has superb Mexican food truck for lunch.

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[Tbare123]

Pecks port cove near crystal river. Great food service, and scenic drive out to it

[kleisz2001@yahoo.com]

I only have a golf cart so I live in a Villages bubble. But I have been to Eaton's Beach in Weirsdale on Lake Weir and it is fantastic! If I could get to it, I would be a frequent flyer. Great atmosphere and even better food! Let me know if you want a guest if you go!

[Nancy Alexander]

The Freezer in Homosassa is a great little seafood place. It's right on the water where the fishing boats come in. VERY CASUAL and nothing but seafood. Mostly outdoors. Dogs allowed.

[yesi3putt2]

Harry's in Ocala (on the square).

Harry's is my favorite...wish they'd put one here in TV

[Pmhgroup]

Betty Cakes Cafe & Bakery in Ocala. This hidden gem is located inside Your Hearts Desire gift shop on Silver Springs Blvd. (Next to Staples) This restaurant has won The Best of Ocala awards in the desert category for over 15 straight years. A lunch only cafe, this little cafe has never placed an ad and has no signage and has still become “Ocala Famous”. We enjoy the gift shop / cafe combo... so bring your appetite, because the cakes are great and the chicken salad is the best I have tried in the south.

[yesi3putt2]

I only have a golf cart so I live in a Villages bubble. But I have been to Eaton's Beach in Weirsdale on Lake Weir and it is fantastic! If I could get to it, I would be a frequent flyer. Great atmosphere and even better food! Let me know if you want a guest if you go!

They have their own shuttle bus for groups of 10-14...free except for recommended tip of $5 round trip..go on their website

[GaryKoca]

Fisherman's Restaurant on Route 44 towards Inverness. O'Shocks on 301 in Wildwood. I- Barbeque and Fruitland Park Cafe next to each other in 441, about a half mile south of 466a. For Italian, we like Naples in Leesburg, and Chefs of Napoli in Wildwood. More upscale, Ms. Cathy's Cotillion Cafe in Wildwood.

[collie1228]

The Freezer in Homosassa is a great little seafood place. It's right on the water where the fishing boats come in. VERY CASUAL and nothing but seafood. Mostly outdoors. Dogs allowed.

Find your own table and order at a counter. Now that's casual. But I love it. Really fresh seafood.

[Johnsocat]

How about a golf cart accessible Waffle House?

[4aces4me]

Latinos y Mas, 2030 S Pine Ave, Ocala

[Sheldon]

The Freezer, Homosassa
Went this week. Great food and inexpensive.

[salgent]

Hellas Greek Restaurant, Tarpon Springs.

[427dave]

Pecks old Cove in Ozella, near Crystal River

[rollinst1]

Harbor Lights in Lake Panasofkee. Down home cooking, good variety and great tapioca pudding for dessert. It's a reasonable priced buffet.

[sallybowron]

Oh Shucks on 301 near the turnpike and Hurricane on 441 rifght as you get to Tavares.

[daveb48]

The Blue Gator in Dunellon has excellent fish. Another place we like is Wolfie's in Leesburg. It's a family restaurant with great food and good prices. Geo's Deli in Oxford on 301 is another excellent place.

[Barborv]

Eatons Beach in Weirsdale. Not fancy but food was great, and beautiful views.

[akin1]

If Nino's in Fort Myers is too far, try Mesa de Notte in Ocala.

Lee

[gthomas00]

Historic part of Leesburg. Pretty area to walk around in. They have some other nice restaurants as well.

Magnolia's Oyster Bar
201 W Magnolia St, Leesburg, FL 34748

[Ben Franklin]

Has anyone experienced this restaurant? Is it any good? is it a place where I can hand my kite?

[Yellowrose]

Grand Oaks Bistro & Equestrian resort in Weirsdale FL. Loved the food & resort atmospheres. Walk around to see the horses or take a carriage ride.

[jmvalcq]

Great Chicago Fire in Leesburg, Bellview Pizza, both angelos one in Inverness and the other in Tavares.

[Muddykatchen]

Great food at Brooklyn Backyard in Silver Springs/Ocala - Hwy 40 to the east. Good service & unusual menu. We go there frequently.

[laryb]

The Bavarian Haus Restaurant in Mt. Dora has some excellent german food

[Skip]

We like to experience out of the way casual restaurants. Looking for some recommendations. We have been to places like Palm Gaden, Oyster Truff, Cove Pub, Pine Steet Pub, Big Bob's, , Aneto's, Fox Den, Turnpike Mikes, Stumpknockers, Swampys, Crackers, Shamrock in Floral City, Tiki Bar in Mineola, O'Shucks, Charlies Fish house, Taverna Manos, etc.
Any good ideas?
Thanks

Simple answer: Join The Villages Gourmet Club (http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com), they make up teams of 8 and dine out at great places like those suggested by members. Then they rate their experience on the website. Can't wait to try Katya Vineyards.

Skip

[OlifOlif]

We enjoy the place off the highway, near the palmed area--the one with the riddish roofs nearby.

The best time to order for dinner (5:00 PM or so), is the fish steaks. We also like the salt-free chowder! Don't forget to ask for crackers as they won't give you any unless you ask!

[Mgoliver97]

Mz Kathies Cotillion, Wildwood: quaint, reservations best.
I like the meat loaf. Friends loved the shrimp n' grits. If they offer their 'homemade tomato soup', get it. Plan on a box for home because like a lot of southern cooking, it's rich.

Desserts are a big fave, so if you are able, eat light and save room for sharing their big cakes. Pie also very good.

I want to remind people, even if you go to 'Oliver Garden' or whatever, you will likely find a dish that doesn't suit you. Please give small businesses a chance, more than once if needed!


Also, 'Sips' in Leesburg. I have made a meal of double serving appetizer steamed clams in an awesome broth. Usually live jazz musician there. Call ahead.

[jebartle]

I only have a golf cart so I live in a Villages bubble. But I have been to Eaton's Beach in Weirsdale on Lake Weir and it is fantastic! If I could get to it, I would be a frequent flyer. Great atmosphere and even better food! Let me know if you want a guest if you go!

Eaton offers bus pickup for large groups

[valuemkt]

Another vote for Kathies Cotillion. First timers tonight .. will be back .. Tried brisket and meatloaf.. Baked beans and slaw. Chocolate pecan pie ..Numerous choices on menu to try next .. small place on 301 Wildwood.

[B-flat]

Harry's in Ocala (on the square).

I second Harry’s.

Also worth a trip for breakfast or lunch is Red’s it’s just south of Stumpknocker’s in Dunellon on RT 200 over the bridge. Red’s is in Hernando. Address is 8411 N. Carl G Rose Highway Hernando. It’s a 28 mile drive from the Mulberry Grove Rec Center. Portions are humongous.

[sallybowron]

The ivy house in ocala

[Northerner52]

Essex Seafood Two in Pierson FL. Best fried clams

[B-flat]

Yes Ivy House in Ocala. On the drive to Essex Seafood at about the halfway point is also Lena’s Seafood, great fried clams. I think they are only seasonal and are closed during the summer. They also have a summer only restaurant in Salisbury, Ma.

[kgrimes]

There is a walking food tour of Downtown Ocala!!

[vintageogauge]

Eaton Beach, Sammy's, Oakwood Express, Oakwood Smokehouse, Pasta Fare, Fenney Bar & Grille, Chef's of Napoli, Turners, etc., etc.

[fw102807]

Yes Ivy House in Ocala. On the drive to Essex Seafood at about the halfway point is also Lena’s Seafood, great fried clams. I think they are only seasonal and are closed during the summer. They also have a summer only restaurant in Salisbury, Ma.

This is great to know. I didn’t think good fried clams could be had in Florida.

[TomOB]

Ocala is too far. Try Leesburg or Mt. Dora.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Off the Hook Peruvian food....Belleview.