Driving Across Florida: Need Lunch ~ Tallahassee, Other Ideas

[efjmiller]

I'll be driving from New Orleans to Miami and looking for a non-chain lunch spot near I-10I-75, probably near Tallahassee. Also, any must-stop places along I-10, I-75, or the Fl Tpk appreciated.

[sunsuze]

If it were me and I was coming from New Orleans there is no way that I would miss one chance to eat BBQ at the Brick Pit. There is nothing like it! ( I am pretty sure that they are closed on Mondays.)

5456 Old Shell Rd. (Near University Blvd)
Mobile, Alabama 36608
Call [phone]
http://www.brickpit.com/

[crewsweeper]

Okay Tally folks...All of you have decent recs, and maybe for locals these places are "close by", but believe me for someone on an interstate roadtrip anything more than 1/2 from an exit is way too far away. Even though you think is an easy locale, for someone unfamilar with an area, it's get lost time, unless spending the night. For lunch I would recommend either Old Time Cafe or Tallie's Grill in Market Square as spots near an exit (Exit 203) without too many turns, Left at light then left at next light and Market Square is on the left). Or even Ted's Montana for a good burger. But getting further away from there is getting too far.

I would second Pearl's on I-75 assuming the OP is near there lunch or dinner time. If the OP eats lunch in Tallahassee, they'll be past Micanopy by before 4 PM. Once they're on the Fl Tnpk, there's no where to eat except the island reststops or getting off theTrnpke. I'd suggest, they get off the Trnpke at Fort Pierce (exit 152) and take I-95 on south. There's a very nice Thai restaurant just off I-95 Exit 121 in Port St Lucie, Spice Thia, IIRC.
That would provide a nice break from the drive.

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St Lucie
1306 Avenue M, Fort Pierce, FL 34950

[askdrtodd]

Both the places I mentioned are about a mile south of exit 199 on Monroe st. and require no turns at all. finagling getting over to market square is twice the PITA with the cap circle flyover and all the funky turns.

[steakman55]

Nearest I-10 in Tallahassee is Mozaik, in a strip mall just north of I-10 off the Thomasville Road exit. You will probably need a GPS to find it, but worthwhile. www.dinemozaik.com

Closer into town, but just 5 minutes or so, also on Thomasville Road exit, is Kool Beanz Cafe, www.koolbeanz-cafe.com. Kool Beanz would be my first choice. Have lived in this area for 61 years...believe me on these recommendations

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Kool Beanz Cafe
921 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Mozaik
1410 Market St, Tallahassee, FL 32312

[mountdorahound]

There is some decent bbq at the micanopy exit off I-75. Pearls BBQ!! just look for the signs between lake city and gainesville. It is THE ONLY place on the interstate that is not a chain and you wont have to worry about getting lost. Right at the 106 exit! get the pulled pork with macaroni and cheese!

[askdrtodd]

x2 on both of these places, they're both solid. I had a yummy lunch at Mockingbird Cafe the other day too, and people speak highly of Clusters & Hops but I've not yet had a chance to try it.

[Littleman]

For good country food get off I 10 at Exit 199 go S on N Monroe to Canopy Rd. Cafe for breakfast or lunch.

Canopy Road Cafe @ 1913 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 850 - 668 - 6600.
http://www.canopyroadcafe.com/

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Canopy Road Cafe
1913 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303

[Chowbird]

Here are a few suggestions, depending on what you'll be craving at the time:

Ray's Steel City Saloon has the best burgers in town and AWESOME onion rings!
515 John Knox Road, Tallahassee
http://www.rayssteelcity.com/

Curry Pot is a newly-opened Indian restaurant (and my favorite):
1950 Thomasville Road (a lil' drive from I-10 but worth it).
They have a daily lunch buffet also.
No web site yet.

Crystal River Seafood is your best bet for FRESH seafood on the north end of town:
2721 North Monroe Street
Much of their menu's fried, but I also like their grilled shrimp with pineapple over rice.

FYI, I've never been to Canopy Road Cafe. :

)

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Crystal River Seafood Restaurant
2721 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Curry Pot
1405 W 15th St Ste C, Panama City, FL 32401

Canopy Road Cafe
1913 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Steel City Saloon
515 John Knox Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303