Over the years we have been travelling to Florida, and it would be fair to say that each time we have either tried something new or experienced something completely different. One area this is particular true would have to be in the dining options we have taken. Last October 2005, was no exception!!
The reason we chose to try this particular food outlet was probably mainly due to 2 things. Firstly it is on the doorstep of our villa at Calabay Parc, and secondly, we had identified it as a another new addition to the area, one which we had often said we would like to try!
So, on the Sunday when it had started to rain in the evening, we decided to give the new Cracker Barrel Restaurant on the Highway 27, a try!
What a pleasant surprise was in store for us. “Store” being the operative word. On arriving, remember, it was having a downpour at the time, we could barely get parked, and most of the vehicles did not appear to be hire cars either! At first, we thought maybe it wasn’t for us tourists, but it was popular, new , and people were sitting on the veranda in Rocking chairs just watching and waiting for the warm rain to stop! Which all looked good to me!
On going into this Restaurant, one of a chain we had seen many times before, what we weren’t expecting was that we would walk into an “Old time” store, selling everything from oven gloves to homemade sweets!!
We were greeted with a very welcome, and despite the car park looking full to the brim, offered a table!
We immediately told the waitress we had not dined there before, and asked for some recommendations, which she found highly amusing, but nevertheless obliged. The prices and choices were excellent, and the atmosphere very family orientated! If a little “Twee”.
There was a kids menu which had everything the kids love, Hamburgers, chicken stripes and fries, grilled cheese sandwiches with all children’s meals coming with a drink in the price! The deserts for children were slightly limited but adequate at $1.29!
The choices were obviously wider for the main menu, and there was a good selection with exceptional prices. Again there the usual hamburgers and steaks , but there were selections including Hot Pots, rice’s, dumplings, plenty of varying salads and interesting offerings in the fish department too! Offerings such as , Spicy grilled catfish, Lemon peppered grilled trout too! We noticed options for Sunday lunches too, these included beef, meatloaf, turkey and chicken options, biscuits featured quite a bit, these are like English scones.
We played our first visit fairly safe, but intend to return on our next visit to sample the salads for me, and the roasts for the others in the family. I would totally recommend a trip to this Cracker Barrel, there is plenty of choice, excellent prices , the only comment to make, if anyone in the group was hoping for a beer, they do not serve alcohol in here, but they do cater for a “ Low Carb ” diet!!