Food
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 …
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 …
Lucky’s Market Opens it’s 8th U.S. Location in Gainesville, 1/7/15
It’s not often that a grocery store becomes a travel destination, but the new Lucky’s Market in Gainesville has it’s sights set on becoming just that. Located at 1459 NW 23rd Avenue in the Verde Plaza (and the almost 20-year empty Pic ‘N Save space), Lucky’s is a welcome addition to Natural North Florida’s …
Experience Satchel’s Pizza–Now A Gainesville, FL Landmark!
Satchel’s Pizza has become a Gainesville, FL landmark. No, there’s no “historic” marker, but the place is pretty “hysterical”. I think of the place as Gainesville’s (and possibly all of North Florida’s) “South of the Border”, with the exception that it has great food to go along with the interesting scenery. Located at 1800 NE …
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 …
Try Kayak Fishing in the Wakulla Backwaters
Last weekend I left my flats skiff behind in Steinhatchee and joined a couple of other outdoor writers in Wakulla County for a kayak-fishing adventure. Of course, over the years, I’ve made numerous trips out of St. Marks, Panacea and Spring Creek, but never had much chance to fish the shallow, close-in flats and inshore …
Fresh Local Fare at Tupelo’s in Monticello
Locavores will delight in the menu at Tupelo’s Bakery and Cafe in Monticello’s charming downtown. The blackboard announcing the daily specials encourages diners to “slow down, talk with friends and eat well,” which is exactly what you’ll want to do when you sit down in front of a plate of Tupelo’s goodies. Fresh-baked bread and …
Gainesville’s “Top” Restaurant: The Top in Downtown Gainesville
If you’re looking for a great meal in downtown Gainesville, The Top is one of the best places to go. The menu has plenty of options for anyone. The menu has something for everyone, including a great selection for vegans and vegetarians. The ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, and the sweet potato fries dipped …