dining
“Meat and Three” at Bett’s Big T Restaurant in Chiefland, Florida
“Meat and Three” restaurants are a southern tradition. In many parts of Florida, they’re dying out and being replaced by fast-food enterprises, especially in the more urbanized areas. But if you’re traveling through (or hopefully stopping in) our 11 county Natural North Florida region, you’ll find several of these classic eateries. A good example is …
Small Town Escape: Alachua, the Main Street of Natural North Florida
Don’t be fooled by all the new development, gas stations and fast food outlets when you exit I-75 at Exit #399, US441. You’re in the town of Alachua (pronounced Al-ach-u-way) in rural Alachua County (pronounced Al-ach-u-wah). And you’re in a real gem of a Natural North Florida town. The restoration of downtown Alachua is impressive, …
Take A Walking Tour of Historic Micanopy in Alachua County, FL
Founded in 1822, Micanopy, FL is the oldest inland settlement in the state. And it’s still an interesting place to spend a day, just walking and shopping in the many antique and collectable shops found there. Located about 15 miles south of Gainesville, Micanopy is located between two prominent prehistoric lake beds, Paynes Prairie and …
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, …
Don’t Miss a Hearty Meal at Conestoga’s Restaurant in Downtown Alachua, FL
Rick Robertson and his crew at Conestoga’s Restaurant in downtown Alachua, Florida have just one thing on their minds: letting you leave after some pretty good eating and with a full belly! Open for lunch and dinner, Monday thru Saturday, Conestoga’s is located at 14920 Main Street in Alachua (Phone (352) 462-1294), just a few …
Dine Riverside in Yankeetown, FL–At The Riverside Inn at The Izaak Walton Lodge
The “old” Izaak Walton Lodge at Yankeetown, Florida was quite a place. That is, until it burned down in 1999. But that’s what happens to many almost-100-year-old pine framed buildings! The fire was devastating and local residents were horrified to lose the lodge, a landmark and gathering place. Frankly, it was just about “wore-out” and …
Take Your Time and Enjoy Some Home Cooking at The Cypress Inn, Cross City, FL
If you’re like me, you sometimes forget about the finer things in life. And in many cases, it means suffering through yet another fast food burger or breakfast when there’s a perfectly good opportunity right down the street that offers sit-down service, big smiles and some great food. The Cypress Inn in Cross City is …
Need Shrimp? They’re Right Off The Boat at Florida Cracker Shrimp in Horseshoe Beach!
You can’t miss Florida Cracker Shrimp and Bait Company. It’s alongside the canal on CR351 in “downtown” Horseshoe Beach, FL. If you’re looking for really fresh shrimp, take a leisurely drive to Horseshoe Beach, in Dixie County. It’s about a 24 miles trip from Cross City (via CR351), but it’s worth it. Tim runs a …
Delightfully Doughy Delicacies at Johnson’s Bakery, Perry, FL
Yes, many of our larger communities have Publix Supermarkets with excellent bakeries (Gainesville has at least 10!) but I’ve never heard anyone claim that they’re better than Johnson’s Bakery in downtown Perry, Florida. Downtown Perry, the county seat of Taylor County, is undergoing a growth spurt and remodeling, and the heart of the action and …
Gulf-side Dining at Roy’s in Steinhatchee
Theres nothing quite like a filling stick-to-your-ribs meal after a hard day of scalloping in the gulf. For those scalloping out of steinhatchee, Roys is the perfect place to go. While it isn’t exactly health food (everything on the menu is served up fried unless you specify otherwise) everything on the menu is fresh and …