452219 Fri Oct 19 07:10:32 -0700 2007 36 10 Florida 0 3049099 Since moving here last year I have been intrigued by descriptions of "Old Florida" by old timers and native Floridians nostalgic for a time gone by. Foodwise, what would Hounds on this board consider "Old Florida", and what restaurants or markets in your neck of the woods serve up "Old Florida"-style grub? For example, Ted Peter's smoked mullet in St. Pete comes to mind. I realize what people think of as Old Florida grub may differ among the various regions of the state, and even from family to family. What's your take? Fri Oct 19 07:10:32 -0700 2007 13413 laurie 1 3049327 I agree with Ted Peters. I would also suggest Arco Iris in Tampa due to the inclusion of fried rice on their predominantly Cuban menu. The fried rice goes back quite a way in Ybor City. John Fri Oct 19 08:30:25 -0700 2007 3049099 12707 RibDog 1 3049720 The Yearling has got to be the most authentic "Old Florida" place I have ever eaten.This place has been around since the 50's.For such an out of the way place,it is always packed. I had fried frog legs,my friend had gator bites and quail. They serve venison,coon,turtle with wonderful homemade sides,large french fries,hushpuppies to die for,slaw etc.The atmosphere is so backwoods Florida,that it is actually in the middle of two lakes.While waiting for a table,you can browse the antique room that features all Florida antiques of this old house.Willie Green sits on a stack of coca~cola crates playing his acoustic guitar while singing the blues in between two of the dining rooms. Arriving early I got to meet the cook and have him autograph my Cross Creek Cookbook,his mother was Marjorie Keenan Rawlings cook. Fri Oct 19 10:12:52 -0700 2007 3049099 134717 DenimOrchid 2 3051540 The Yearling sounds wonderful. Where is it located? Ribdog, I've been wanting to try Arco Iris for awhile now. Your post has pushed it to the top of my list. Fri Oct 19 20:27:32 -0700 2007 3049720 13413 laurie 3 3052119 The Yearling is in Hawthorne which is in the middle of the state south of Gainesville. John Sat Oct 20 08:56:26 -0700 2007 3051540 12707 RibDog 1 3049940 The Hungry Tarpon on Lower Matecumbe Key serves grunts and grits for breakfast. It doesn't get more authentic than that. Fri Oct 19 11:08:20 -0700 2007 3049099 88361 keysrat 1 3050001 Check this out: http://www.florida-secrets.com/titlepage.htm Fri Oct 19 11:18:35 -0700 2007 3049099 19281 2top 1 3051798 Another funky old FLA joint is Allen's Historical Cafe in Auburndale. Cooter, gator, rattlesnake and armadillo are on the menu. All kinds of weird old artifacts lying about as well. I don't know if it is still there. They had some pretty good bluegrass on the weekends. Sat Oct 20 03:56:13 -0700 2007 3049099 88361 keysrat 2 3051961 Allen's was great but it has been gone for years. Sat Oct 20 07:15:01 -0700 2007 3051798 48874 EOutlaw 3 3052042 Too bad about Allen's. I ate armadillo for the first (and only) time at Allen's. Sat Oct 20 08:12:41 -0700 2007 3051961 88361 keysrat 4 3052667 Ugh...sounds like possum on the half shell.... Sat Oct 20 14:51:20 -0700 2007 3052042 12296 steakman55 1 3051888 You might want to try the Linger Lodge at 7205 Linger Lodge Road on the Braden River, a few miles south of Bradenton. This RV resort restaurant lodge overlooks the Braden River. If you eat on the (non-air- conditioned) porch, you are practically over the river. (The interior is air-conditioned.) Al Roker featured it on his program, labeling it "One of the Top 5 Weirdest Restaurants" in the U.S. The food can range from excellent to indifferent. And you have to like fried food. (Non-fried fish is available, but I don't think the cook's heart is in it.) The menu features alligator chowder, black beans and rice, cracker salad (featuring swamp cabbage), conch fritters, Braden River frog legs, redfish sandwiches, crab cake sandwiches, fried catfish, fried freshwater yellow perch, assorted other fried gulf fish, bread pudding, cherry-peach cobbler, bourbon chocolate pecan pie and mixed berry shortcake. The rest of the menu items are more contemporary, but they are not what one goes there for. The restaurant is in an old, wooden, creaky building and has stuffed Florida animals and fish mounted on the walls. The web address is info@lingerlodgeresort.com and the telephone is (941) 755-2757. You actually pass under "Linger Lodge Road" (which is so labeled by a small sign on the overpass) while on I-75, a few miles north of the University Parkway exit in Sarasota. The best way to get to it, I think, is to exit one exit north of University Parkway and ask directions. It is actually East of I-75, yet still on the river, which surprised me. All the locals know where it is. It is a local landmark, which has been in business for over thirty (or something) years and used to be a fishing camp. I found out about it through the Sarasota newspaper, which ran a feature on it, due to its unusual and "old Florida" nature. Sat Oct 20 06:18:31 -0700 2007 3049099 22427 gfr1111 2 3080822 Great seafood at the Linger Lodge...atmosphere is about as close to 'old florida' as you can get! Tue Oct 30 15:01:13 -0700 2007 3051888 138911 ryno 1 3051890 Ted Peters for sure. If you're in the St. Pete area, I would add Star Fish Co. in Cortez, near Bradenton. Tark's in Dania is also good, but on the other side of the state, near Fort Lauderdale. Searching this board for any of these places should offer some more background. Sat Oct 20 06:19:57 -0700 2007 3049099 11762 Nick 1 3052141 I don't know where you're located, but I love Walt's in Sarasota and Moore's Stone Crab on Longboat Key. Walt's has been around forever and the fish is beyond fresh. It's probably the least expensive place to eat in Sarasota, which is otherrwise a pretty pricey town.. Moore's is so low key, I don't even think they have a web site. I haven't been in several years but if it hasn't been "modernized" it's a remarkable little slice of a time long ago and far away. I kept waiting for Jimmy Buffett to walk in and start singing "Margaritaville" :-} http://www.waltsfishmarket.com/default.asp http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sarasota/D48479.html Sat Oct 20 09:14:30 -0700 2007 3049099 20921 Tay 1 3052142 Try Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa. A classic seafood shack with great food, reasonable prices and some of the best live music in the Tampa Bay area. Gator tail, smoked mullet, soft shell crabs. Plus: a laid-back vibe, beautiful live oak canopy out back and friendly people. After 25 years, it qualifies as a Tampa institution. Sat Oct 20 09:14:51 -0700 2007 3049099 16782 Bergerman 2 3052746 The Yearling is great, but it's not in Hawthorne. It's in Cross Creek south of Gainesville. I recommend going there after canoeing or kayaking the area at sunset - it's absolutely gorgeous. Sat Oct 20 15:33:54 -0700 2007 3052142 15869 Podie1956 3 3052987 My bad. They had the wrong city in the address for it on the Florida Secrets page. Thanks for correcting this. John Sat Oct 20 17:54:33 -0700 2007 3052746 12707 RibDog 1 3052993 Wow, you guys have all given me some great suggestions. I'm going to make it a goal to visit most (if not all) of these by the end of the year. I'm in Clearwater, so most of these would qualify as a day trip at most. But I'm also very interested in digs in the far reaches of the state, as well. Love the tips--keep 'em coming! Sat Oct 20 17:56:45 -0700 2007 3049099 13413 laurie 2 3053203 Since you're in Pinellas county, you sould go to Safety Harbor. Try the Whistle Stop, or Heathers Place on a 3rd Friday of the month. Sat Oct 20 20:10:51 -0700 2007 3052993 121133 Chez Funk 1 3053815 In Everglades City, aka Chokolosky there is a place called the Oyster House....it's very historic and the walls are lined with relics - some more than a hundred years old - that typify the area. The food is great too.....lots of seafood of course. I believe that this town is as far south as you can go by road on the west coast of the state. Sun Oct 21 08:38:25 -0700 2007 3049099 55562 tony noriega 1 3053970 Joe's Stone Crabs-South Beach Jimbo's-Virginia Key (smoked fish) Sun Oct 21 10:14:31 -0700 2007 3049099 14634 netmover 1 3055079 For original in the panhandle, Hopkins Boarding House on Spring Street near downtown is the place to go. They serve family style, you pass the bowls. And if your there on fried chicken day, they still serve the pulley bone separate, you have to ask for it. There is the porch to sit and rock away the meal. And the price is still under $10 a person for all you can eat. They have been serving food since 1949. If any of the bowls on the table start to get low, they replenish the bowl. Sun Oct 21 19:40:55 -0700 2007 3049099 29164 tiomano 2 3055502 Where in the panhandle is that? Mon Oct 22 03:46:35 -0700 2007 3055079 132714 afoodieslife 3 3083007 It was in Pensacola, but has been closed for a couple of years now. McGuire's by the Civic Center aquired the fried chicken recipe somehow, and will serve it as a weekday lunch special at times. (Thuoght it's probably not exactly the same) Wed Oct 31 10:11:01 -0700 2007 3055502 11781 beachmouse 1 3055940 I would have to recommend Peeble's BBQ in Auburndale, FL. It's in an old chicken coop, with no air conditioning and a dirt parking lot. Only open Thursday - Saturday and closed in the summer, but they have some of the best chopped pork, pork ribs, and sauce you'll ever have. Another recommendation from this area is the Cherry Pocket in Lake Wales. It's been around for years and rumor has it that the men used to ride through on horseback to get a drink. Kind of like a Old Florida drive-thru. Mon Oct 22 08:02:12 -0700 2007 3049099 136583 polkcountygator 1 3082648 In Broward County (City of Lighthouse Point, near Pompano Beach) you'll find Cap's Place Island Restaurant. The establishement was started inthe 1920s by Cap Knight as Club Unique, a place where patron.s could partake of illegal booze and gambling as well as food. Following Cap's death, the place was taken over by the family of his long-time bartender and remains in their haands to this day. Most people take Cap's boat to the restaurant, which is housed in old wooden buildings. Little has been modernized, othe than the kitchen and the installation of air conditioning. There is also a great bar housed in a separate building with plenty of old photos and memorabelia. The place serves fresh fish (as well as other dishes) in a relatively "old-fashioned" manner. Wed Oct 31 08:39:27 -0700 2007 3049099 33118 floridan 1 3082971 Hi Laurie! I was just introduced to this site about 5 minutes ago from a gal at another forum and your topic is the first I've read! Since you're in Clearwater, just come on up U.S. #19 (north) and make a right, as soon as you cross Pithlachascotee River. The Crab Shack http://www.restaurantsinflorida.net/pascocounty/Port_Richey/CrabShack/CrabShack-home.html The Crab Shack is a covered outside restaurant, sometimes with music, sometimes without! You might want to check out mapquest to show you the right turns you must take until you make the final left turn into the Crab Shack. If that lot is filled, just go back the way you came to the first corner on the left and there a larger parking lot there! I'll be back in a few minutes or two, as soon as I find a site for: Sam's Beach Restaurant on Hudson Beach, which is farther north than the Crab Shack and is right on the gulf! Year's ago, it was called Sam's Place ~ but you might want to call to see when they're open, 'cause they used to be closed on Monday's! Wed Oct 31 10:02:52 -0700 2007 3049099 139102 Debbi64 1 3083121 Hi (again) Laurie! The following two, I can not really say the food is great ~ they've been around for awhile and are on The Gulf! You might want to call them, regarding hours, menu, prices, yet they are OUTSIDE dining and are not part of a chain. I could not find their personal sites... Mike's Dockside Bar & Grill http://chefmoz.org/United_States/FL/Hudson/Mike's_Dockside_Bar_&_Grill1156299443.html Sam's Place or Sam's Hudson Beach Restaurant http://yellowpages.aol.com/business/sams-hudson-beach-restaurant/aripeka/fl/0,103410773/ Sadly, the wonderful restaurant is closing this week! It was a favorite of ours for many decades! Ile De France Restaurant http://www.iledefrancerestaurant.com/ Other U.S. #19 Restaurants that have closed are: Leverock's and Catches Out of the 3 I have cited ~ The Crab Shack has good seafood, reasonable prices. They only serve beer, wine and wine drinks. Sam's is good, 'cause it's right on The Gulf ~ and Mike's has an outdoor area (covered) away from the main restaurant, though there's seating outside. But, before you go anywhere ~ call to see if they are still in business, other than the "chains", the family restaurants are closing! Is it that way down in Clearwater? Wed Oct 31 10:40:44 -0700 2007 3049099 139102 Debbi64 2 3105391 Thanks for the recs, Debbi! We've had some mourned closures in these parts in the past year as well, but the established family restos seem to be hanging in there. I'll be sure to patronize your recs, since their a pretty short jaunt for us. Wed Nov 07 18:45:42 -0800 2007 3083121 13413 laurie 3 3129607 Hi Laurie! Basically, we're from the old/old school of smokers! So most places are out of any question for us any more! When we've HAD TO DO the remaining ones, including the "chains" they have become more than over expensive and load up on MSG! Will be heading to the Indian Reservation-owned properties ~ have been told they are smoker FRIENDLY! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! Thu Nov 15 19:28:45 -0800 2007 3105391 139102 Debbi64 1 3085537 http://swampcabbagefestival.org/ in labelle, this is not a restaurant, but you will get some good grub: steaks, swamp cabbage (YUM!), indian fry bread.... fun excursion! Thu Nov 01 07:19:45 -0700 2007 3049099 105717 alkapal 2 3105396 Ohh man, where the heck is this?! I gotta go. Nothing like celebrating the Swamp Cabbage Queen while enjoying armadillo races on a Florida February day! Wed Nov 07 18:47:26 -0800 2007 3085537 13413 laurie 3 3106023 laurie, it is in LaBelle in late February. gotta see the armadillos! nice little day trip from tampa. do a trianglular itinerary and spend the night in fort myers or naples/bonita before heading back to tampa. threads on chow about good eats those places, too. http://members.aol.com/browne/scf.html *(look for link in this to photos of past events. also google swamp cabbage festival for various stories/blogs/accounts) Thu Nov 08 04:05:53 -0800 2007 3105396 105717 alkapal 4 3110524 I was accidentally in Labelle once. Unfortunately, the only food experience I remember was that I was providing nourishment for more mosquitos than I had ever seen before. Fri Nov 09 10:16:13 -0800 2007 3106023 81678 proboscidian 5 3112437 mosquitos --- not so many in February, during the festival -- if any(!) your accidental visit was summer/fall? in any event, be prepared at all times, with cutter bug repellant on hand. Sat Nov 10 04:26:48 -0800 2007 3110524 105717 alkapal 1 3086101 Anybody been to Marsh Landing in Fellsmere? If so, what are your impressions? http://www.verobeach.com/MarshLanding/ Thu Nov 01 10:05:29 -0700 2007 3049099 69669 Neely_Ohara