Food and Dining
Let Tommy Thompson, our Food and Dining blogger and “Sportsman’s Kitchen” columnist for Florida Sportsman Magazine, point you toward the best eats in Natural North Florida.
Don’t Miss The BBQ at Hamaknocker’s in Wakulla County, Florida!
I write about cooking and food in the monthly “Sportsman’s Kitchen” column in Florida Sportsman magazine, so I guess I’m qualified to make a comment on Florida’s BBQ tradition. That said, in my humble opinion, Florida has NO BBQ TRADITION. Yes, we have barbeque (and some folks still consider “grilling” to be barbequing), but mostly …
SCUBA Diving At Its Best at Devil’s Den and Blue Grotto Springs in Levy County, Florida
Many of Natural North Florida’s springs are unique. In fact, in our 11-county region, we have the highest concentration of natural springs the world. Many are just “seeps”, bubbling through the rock, but others, like Devil’s Den and Blue Grotto, are downright spectacular! And while many of our springs, especially those in our Florida State …
13th Annual Florida Bluegrass Festival, Perry, April 2-4, 2015
Perry’s The Music Captial of the South, so don’t miss this event if you’re at all interested in hearing some great music–and if you’re interested in some great chili. The three-day event is the highlight of Perry’s springtime activities, and you can expect non-stop food and fun! To purchase tickets, call (850) 584-5366 or go …
The Perfect End To A Long Bike Ride in Fanning Springs–Lunch At The BBQ Shack
Cycling Natural North Florida’s 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail is an excellent way to experience some of Florida’s Rails-To-Trails locations. The smooth paved trail follows several old railroad bed that joined at Wilcox, just north of Fanning Springs. This trail runs from Trenton, in Gilchrist County, through Fanning Springs and Old Town, in Dixie County, …
Kathi’s Krabs Opens Retail Seafood Market in Steinhatchee, March 2015
Before the Willets family opened their seafood market in March, 2015, it was a fairly long trip down the “road to nowhere” (CR361) from Steinhatchee to get some of their fresh crabs and seafood. Now, with the opening of the new Kathi’s Krabs retail shop on Riverside Drive in Steinhatchee, you can expect the same …
Try Gainesville’s Sweetwater Organic Coffee It’s Caramelized–NOT Carbonized!
There’s nothing better than a good cup of coffee. And nothing worse than one made with over-roasted and burned beans. I’m not “dissing” the big coffee chains, but many coffee drinkers just don’t know any better than drinking what many consider “carbonized” coffee beans. Not only is the coffee roasted at Sweetwater Organic Coffee tasty, …
Who-Dat Bar & Grille at Good Times Marina, Steinhatchee, Florida–A Good Choice For Lunch or Dinner!
Marina “food” can come in several iterations. At one end of the spectrum, expect to find cans of Vienna sausages, sardines and Saltine crackers. However, at the other, you’ll find quality seafood, sandwiches and even a bar serving quality liquors and beers. Add to that good service by a friendly staff of servers and bartenders, …
Fanning Springs’ Lighthouse Restaurant Re-Opened and Renewed–February 2015
You remember the old Lighthouse Restaurant, don’t you? Or did you drive by during the times when the food was not very good and the service slow and wish the restaurant would return to its former glory? Well, fret no more. New owner Jamie Griffin has brought The Lighthouse back and has come out swinging …
Visit and Enjoy Cherry’s Seafood & Steaks in Downtown Trenton, FL
Lots of folks were glad to hear that Jeff Cherry had opened Cherry’s Seafood & Steaks in Trenton. Yes, there are other eateries in Trenton, but this one is truly special. Jeff is the grandson of A.D. Cherry, whose seafood business was a staple for many years in St. Petersburg. Now you can have …
Natural North Florida Dining Essentials: How to Eat a Blue Crab
Visitors to local restaurants along our Big Bend Gulf Coast (and inland, too!) are often intimidated when a large plate of steamed blue crabs arrives at their table. Sometimes they’re accompanied by nutcrackers and hammers, but for the most part, getting to the “meat of the matter” is simply a hands-on operation. When you order …