DC to Daytona Beach

My son and I are hitting the road for a road trip  We'll be going from DC to Daytona and plan to stop around Florence for the night.
 
Looking for places to stop that will be fun for a relatively adventurous 4 year old.  
 
Especially looking for Daytona ideas as we'll be there for a few days.
 
Thanks!
 
 

While in Daytona try Aunt Catfishes !

Where is the Florence that you will be stopping at?

DON'T eat at Aunt Catfishs unless you like your food fried to death.
for fish, try Boondocks on the river in Wilbur By the Sea.
for burgers, Brickyard on International Speedway Blvd.
for pizza, Pete's for Italian-NY style in the plaza at Beville & Nova Rds. Stavros for Greek style on Beach St. & Orange ave. in downtown Daytona.
for wings,Brickyard or South Turn on Nova Rd.
for steaks, Gene's Steakhouse on Int'l. Speedway Blvd.
try to stay away from the chain places. there are so many great independent places that are way better.

SkBob:  I would never substitute the reviews on Urbanspoon with actual experience of fellow Roadfooders, but the Urbanspoon and Tripadvisor reviews of Gene's Steakhouse are pretty horrendous.
 
So - any idea why views on this place appear to be so polarized to the two extremes?

I ask because we plan on being in the area in July and the wife likes a good steak.

TJ Jackson if you are looking for a big, juicy, char-broiled burger or some char-grill-finished wings in a bar/pub atmosphere, I second the Brickyard recommendation.  I didn't mention it because the O.P. mentioned her 4-year old child, and I'm not sure if it's appropriate or not for them.
 
Boy, you sure are right about some detailed slams of Gene's on those two websites. 

We'll be staying in Ormond Beach for a few days, and I have already selected http://www.mangosuncafean...unchBreakfastfood1.pdf and Dixie Crossroads (rock shrimp season starts in July, as I understand it?) for two meals, but I was looking for some backup plans.  The wife is always up for a good steak.
 
Trying for as much Cuban and seafood as possible, albeit the wife and kids barely tolerate seafood and are already telling me Cuban food must be awful, despite the fact that they have never tried any.  In other words, the usual (Indian food must be awful, Thai food must be awful, Greek food must be awful, etc etc etc).

Well, console yourself that Daytona is pretty far north for Cuban food.
 
I was going to suggest Mike's Galley that Greggeats sent me to, but it's been three years and it appears they moved out of the place on the ocean to a strip mall.
 
http://www.mikesgalley.com
 
A short review at the end of this trip report:  http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=454061

Oddly enough, I got some recommendations for Cuban food in St Augustine, which is even further North

Can't say enough about Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. The rock shrimp are worth the whole trip to get there!

Oh, and bookluvingbabe: no intent here to hijack your thread, although I did wander the topic a bit with the reference to St Augustine. 
 
I will endeavor to stay on the Daytona beach area topic - Ormond Beach is just a little bit north of Daytona, while Dixie Crossroads in Titusville is just an hour south and has been strongly recommended by many Roadfooders

I happen to like Gene's Steakhouse.   We have had less than the best service a couple of times  but that happens in every restaurant.  The steaks have always been great and they hav ea lovely relish  tray.  My son's best  friend and three of his buddies  have eaten there three years in a row and  are thrilled with the place  and  best  friend is very picky!

TJ Jackson


SkBob:  I would never substitute the reviews on Urbanspoon with actual experience of fellow Roadfooders, but the Urbanspoon and Tripadvisor reviews of Gene's Steakhouse are pretty horrendous.

So - any idea why views on this place appear to be so polarized to the two extremes?

I ask because we plan on being in the area in July and the wife likes a good steak.

let me ask you this, whose opinion would you listen to.  tripadvisor & urbanspoon that have been there once, or a locals opinion who lives here & eats there often?

I already answered that question :-)
 
I'm just trying to figure out why the reviews are so polarized - people either love the place or hate it, with very few seemingly in the middle ground

I think that many of the complainers chose this place for a very  special meal  (anniversary,   holiday,  .......whatever)  and for the price, expect everything to be as what they thnk as  perfect.  One thing goes wrong and they  go out of their minds.  I am certain that most complainers  do out dine out enough at a real steakhouse to know how to politely  voice their complaints and havethem taken care of.
 
I nearly died laughing at some of the remarks.........such as  the appearance of the place   and  calling it a  cafe.  I  really believe that  most of these complainers  only know    Outback  Steakhouse  and  this is how they want their dining  experience to be.

you're right Greymo, mostly because Genes is the ONLY independent  steakhouse in Daytona.
the only other one I consider going to is Longhorn.

For Florence, I'm planning to hit up Red Bone Alley. (I think that is the name.)  It looked interesting, was highly ranked on Trip Advisor and got a strong local endorsement.
 
 

That is a great call.  Our family has eaten there three times and were always happy.  The grandchildren loved it, and the food is great.  The shrimp and grits are really good........wish  I had some  now.   Your son will be delighted with the  whole place.

its amazing the number on people who register just to ask where to eat and are never heard from again.

its amazing the number on people who register just to ask where to eat and are never heard from again.

Was that aimed at me? I've been a member since 2006. No wonder people post and dash if they are treated as interlopers for posting only occasionally.

It is interesting that the lady asked for recommendations for Florence and got none. Our experience after many years of sometimes making the mistake of stopping in Florence is that there is absolutely nothing worth stopping for in that awful place.
 
Cheers, John 

Here's a few places to stop and rest heading S on I 95. Get off I 95 at Exit 161 at Woodbridge, VA on U. S. 1 toward Woodbridge, VA. Go 1.8 miles and take a right on Occoquan Road to Dixie Bones BBQ.
Dixie Bones @ 13440 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA. 703 - 492 - 7885.
http://www.dixiebones.com/index.html
Get off I 95 at Exit 130 B at Fredericksburg, VA and go E on Highway 3 to Jefferson Davis Highway # 1. Take a left and go N to Allman's BBQ in front of Park and Shop shopping center. You will find good BBQ since 1954.
Allman's BBQ @ 1299 Jeff Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 540 - 373 - 9881.
http://allmansbarbeque.com/
A few miles N of Richmond, VA get of I 95 at Exit 92 and go E on E Patrick Henry Road or Highway 54. Go 1.4 miles to N Center Street and turn right. Go .1 mile to Henry Clay Road and turn left. Then Immediately turn left on N Railroad Ave and go .1 mile to Henry Clay Inn for the night. They have fourteen rooms that run $95.00/$195.00 per night. You can walk S on Railroad to the next block for outstanding lunch or dinner at Iron Horse Restaurant.
Henry Clay Inn @ 114 North Railroad Avenue, Ashland, Virginia 804 - 798 - 3100.
http://www.henryclayinn.com/
Iron Horse Restaurant @ 100 S Railroad Avenue, Ashland, Virginia 804 - 752 - 6410.
http://www.ironhorserestaurant.com
Before you get to NC on I 95 at Exit 31 try Stony Creek Tastee Hut for good fried chicken or BBQ.

Stony Creek Tastee Hut @ 12420 Blue Star Hwy., Stony Creek, VA. 434 - 246 - 2328.
Take Exit 138 off I 95 at Rocky Mt., NC and go E on I 64 for 1 1/2 miles to Exit 466 and go S on N Winstead Ave. to Sunset Ave. Take a right and go to Gardner's BBQ. Gardner's has 3 locations in Rocky Mt., NC but this one on Sunset is the most convenient to I 95. You will pass a Hampton Inn on your right when you exit I 64 if you are planning to spend the night in Rocky Mt., NC.
Hampton Inn @ 530 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 252 - 937 - 6333.
http://www.hamptoninn.com....jhtml?ctyhocn=RWINCHX
Gardner's Barbecue @ 3651 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 252 - 443 - 3996. I64/EXIT468A.
http://www.gardnerfoods.com/Home.html
Take Exit # 138 going S on I 95 at Nashville, NC and go W on # 64 about 6 miles to Exit # 458. Turn back E on Western Ave. less than a mile for some outstanding BBQ at Doug Saul's.
Doug Saul's BBQ @ 813 Western Ave., Nashville, NC 252 - 459 - 4247.
Get off I 95 at Exit 90 just S of Smithfield, NC to your right and turn back N on Highway 301 and go to White Swan BBQ for good road food.
White Swan BBQ @ 3198 South Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 919 - 934 - 8913.
http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com/
For outstanding BBQ and country fried chicken get off I 95 at Exit 79 at Benson, NC and go W on E Main Street to N Fayetteville Street which is the first street to your right. Take a right and go N to E Church Street. Take a right and go to N Honeycutt Street. White Swan will be on your left.
White Swan BBQ and Fried Chicken @ 105 N Honeycutt St, Benson, NC 919 - 894 - 4446.
http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com/
At Exit 73 in Dunn, NC get off I 95 going W on Cumberland go about a mile take a right on General Lee and next left on Broad for some fine fried chicken at Kim's. Don't let the name bother you. They sell a BBQ sandwich but 99% country food.

Kim's BBQ House @ 900 W. Broad St., Dunn, NC. 910 - 892 - 7750.
Heading S on I 95 at Exit 56 try Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ at Fayetteville, NC. They sell a good burger and also a buffet lunch with fried chicken.

Fuller's Old Fashioned BBQ @ 113 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville, NC. 910 - 484 - 5109.
http://www.fullersbbq.com/index.html
If you don't mind driving 30 miles out of the way for the best burger's in NC get off I 95 going S at Exit 31 at St. Paul's, NC and go E. 10 miles on # 20 which is Broad St. Turn right on # 87 and go 15 miles to # 41 and turn left. Melvin's is on the right 4 miles up the road which is Broad St. also. If you would rather have a nice southern lunch or dinner stop before Melvin's at Front Porch Cafe for a real southern treat. Help yourself to the fried chicken at the buffet and some great desert then head W on Broad St. which is # 41 and go 25 miles to Lumberton, NC. Going S to FL don't go back to St. Paul's or the way you came in as that's out of the way. Lumberton, NC has some fine road food so be on the look out for something on your return trip.
Melvin's Hamburger's @ 133 West Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC 910 - 862 - 2763.
Front Porch Restaurant @ 1100 West Broad St., Elizabethtown, NC 910 - 862 - 3330.
http://frontporchrestaurant.com/Home_Page.html
Get off I 95 at Exit 20 in Lumberton, NC to the right then turn NW on Highway 201 which is N Roberts Ave. and go about half a mile to Fuller's BBQ for good road food.
Fuller's Old Fashion BBQ @ 3201 N Roberts Ave., Lumberton, NC. 910 - 738 - 8694.
http://www.fullersbbq.com/index.html
Get off I 95 at Exit 181B near Latta, SC and go one mile to Highway 917. Take a left and go about 3 miles to Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant at Latta, SC. Spend the night in a soft bed in a grand old inn and have a fantastic dinner.
Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant @ 307 Church Street, Latta, SC 843 - 752 - 5090.
http://www.abingdonmanor.com/
In SC get off I 95 at Exit 160 A going S and go E on # 20 less than a mile to Red Bone Alley in Florence Mall Shopping Center on Palmetto St. for a RBA Black and Bleu Burger or a Bubba Burger. The food is fresh and innovative South Carolina regional cuisine. Closely tied to the land, sea and rivers that abound in the region, South Carolina's cuisine is influenced by hundred of years of French, Mediterranean, African, English and West Indian cooking. Or go to Apple Annie's for good road food. There's a fine Hilton Garden Inn at Exit 160 A.

Redbone Alley @ 1903 West Palmetto St., Florence, SC 843 - 673 - 0035.
http://www.redbonealley.com/
Apple Annie's Deli and Pub @ 1720 W Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 843 - 669 - 6247.
Hilton Garden Inn @ 2671 Hospitality Boulevard, Florence, SC 843 - 432 - 3001.
http://hiltongardeninn.hi....jhtml?ctyhocn=FLOFGGI

Get off I 95 at Exit 119 at Manning, SC and go E on Highway 261 to N Brooks Street. Take a left and go to McCabe's for good BBQ.
McCabe's Bar B Que @ 480 N. Brooks St., Manning, SC. 803 - 435 - 2833.
Get off I 95 in Summerton, SC at Exit # 108 and go N less than a mile to Church St. and good country cooking at Summerton Diner.
Summerton Diner @ 32 Church St., Summerton, SC 803 - 485 - 6835.
Get off I 95 at Exit 98 at Santee, SC and go W on Highway 6 to the 1st street on your left which is Britain. Turn left and go to Maurice's for good BBQ. Get off I 95 at Exit 98 and go W on Highway 6. Take a right on State Park Road and go to Lonestar BBQ for good southern food. Clark's Inn and Restaurant is also a fine place to spend the night and have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Maurice's Gourmet BBQ @ 263 Britain St, Santee, SC 803 - 854 - 3889.
http://www.mauricesbbq.com/
Lonestar BBQ @ 2212 State Park Rd., Santee, SC. 803 - 854 - 2000
http://www.lonestarbbq.net/
Clark's Inn and Restaurant @ 114 Bradford Boulevard, Santee, SC 803 - 854 - 2101.
http://www.clarksinnandrestaurant.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 57 for good BBQ @ Duke's. Lowcountry is good too.
Duke's BBQ @ 949 Robertson Blvd., Walterboro, SC 843 - 549 - 1446.
Low Country BBQ @ 635 South Jefferies Blvd., Walterboro, SC 843 - 549 - 8355.
Get off I 95 at Exit 38 at Yemassee, SC and go SE on Highway 68 to Castle Hall Road to Ray's Rib King for good BBQ.
Ray's Rib King @ 4 Castle Hall Road, Yemassee, SC 843 - 589 - 2919.
Get off I 95 at Exit 33 to the right at Yemassee, SC on Highway 17 and go E one mile then turn left on Highway 17 Alternate or Highway 21 for 4 miles. Look for Harold's Country Club on the left for outstanding burgers on Wednesday, potluck on Thursday and steaks on Saturday. Be sure and call ahead to place your order for good road food.

Harold's Country Club @ 97 U.S. 17 Yemassee, SC 843 - 589 - 4360.
http://www.savannahoffthe...m/Food/harold's_cc.htm
Get off I 95 at Exit 21 and have great pulled or chopped port at BBQ Grill. They also have BBQ ribs and chicken. I think it's better than Dukes.
BBQ Grill @ 8084 East Main St., Ridgeland, SC 843 - 645 - 4414.
Duke's BBQ @ 690 South Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland, SC 843 - 726 - 6244.
Get off I 95 at Exit 5 at Hardeville, SC and go S on Highway 17 which is Speedway Boulevard. Go 5.5 miles and take a left on Highway 170A which is S 27 34 and go 3.5 miles to Oakatie Highway. Take a right and go to The Pink Pig.
The Pink Pig @ 3508 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville, SC 843 - 784 - 3635.
http://www.the-pink-pig.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 102 at Pooler. GA and go W on Highway 80 4/5 blocks to Don's Famous BBQ.

Don's Famous BBQ @ 217 US Highway 80 E., Pooler, GA 912 - 748 - 8400.
Get off I 95 at Exit 87 at Richmond Hill, GA and go W on Highway 17 half a mile to Smoking Pig BBQ next to the BP Station on N side of Highway 17. The ribs and chicken are excellent. This is probably your best stop for BBQ in GA.

Smoking Pig BBQ @ 3986 U.S. 17, Richmond Hill, GA. 912 - 756 - 7850.
Get off I 95 at Exit 76 at Midway, GA and go E on Highway 38 to Sunbury Rd. Take a left and go to Brigantine Dunmore Rd. Take a left and go to Sunbury Crab Co. which is open for dinner serving outstanding fresh seafood. This might be the best place you stop for the seafood is outstanding.

Sunbury Crab Co. @ 539 Brigantine Dunmore Road Midway, GA 912 - 884 - 8640.
http://sunburycrabco.wp.net/
Get off I 95 at Exit 67 at Townsend, GA to the right and go S on Highway 17 for 1.2 miles then take a left going E onto Harris Neck Road just past a small church. Go 5.7 miles E to the Jessie Grant Road and look for the purple OSD sign on your left. Turn to the right at the sign for about 100 feet to Old School Diner for the best fresh seafood around. OSD is open for dinner Wednesday/Saturday and Noon to 10 PM on Sunday. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday. This might be the best road food you will have on your trip.

Old School Diner @ 1080 Jesse Grant Road, Townsend, GA 912 - 832 - 2136.
http://oldschooldiner.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 58 at Townsend, GA to the right on Highway 99 and go less than a mile to Highway 17. Turn left and go N about 2 miles to Pine Harbor Rd. Take a right and go E about 2 miles to Sepelo Station Crossing and fantastic fresh local seafood and hand cut steaks.

Sapelo Station Crossing @ 1172 Pine Harbor Marina Road, Townsend, GA 912 - 832 - 3555.

Get off I 95 at Exit 49 to the right at Darien, GA and go NW on Highway 251 less than a mile to Smokey Joe's BBQ. It is between two hotels on the left and has excellent pulled pork.

If you want the best fresh seafood on your trip get off I 95 at Exit 49 in Darien, GA to the right and go E on Highway 251 to Highway 17. Take a right on Highway 17 and go S for 1.2 miles. Turn right on Broad St. just before crossing the bridge. Go one block and take your first left on Screven St. and have some outstanding fresh seafood at Skipper's Fish Camp. [size=3 font="times new roman"].

Smokey Joe's BBQ @ State Hwy. 251, Darien, GA. 912 - 437 - 2555.
Skipper's Fish Camp @ 85 Screven St., Darien, GA 912 - 437 - 3474.
http://www.skippersfishcamp.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 29 at Brunswick, GA and go W on Highway 82 about a mile to Gary Lee's Market for good road food.

Gary Lee's Market @ 3636 U. S. Hwy. 82, Brunswick, GA. 912 - 265 - 1925.
Just across the GA/FL State Line get off I 95 at Exit 373 and go W to Callahan's BBQ for good road food.
Callahan's BBQ @ 45007 State Rd 200, Callahan, FL 904 - 879 - 4675.
　

sorry bookluvingbabe, but 2 posts in 5 years really doesn't qualify you as a "regular" or even "casual" poster so don't be offended.
let us know how your trip went.
if you need any help or advice PM me & I'll give you my phone # for any help you need.

Our favorite stop in the Daytona area over this past week's trip was dinner at Stonewood Grille.  Yes, a chain, but a good (and pricey) one.
 
Mango Sun in Ormond Beach for brunch was disappointing.  Very average/mediocre.
 
One of our two favorite stops of the entire trip was entirely unplanned: the Java Joint in Flagler Beach for breakfast.  Tiny little place, best eggs benedict I have ever had. http://www.urbanspoon.com...va-Joint-Flagler-Beach
 
The other excellent meal was at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville.  As a rule, I dont even like shrimp, but we both absolutely loved these broiled rock shrimp.  The clam chowder was also world class, and the corn fritters were an excellent substitute for the more ordinary bread service given elsewhere.  Just outstanding.
 
One other good meal was had at the Columbia Restaurant in St Augustine.  The wife had her first cuban sandwich, and I had the El Combo de Cuba - Roast Pork, Boliche, platanos, Empanada de Picadillo, black beans and yellow rice. Everything on the plate was good to great.  Warning - parking in this area is highly problematic.  Park at the old spanish fort on the waterfront and walk the 2-3 blocks or so from there to the restaurant.

I was at Snack Jack's many times when I used to read AP's down in Daytona.  It was always very good and always fun (and in the middle of nowhere right on the water.

I have always gone to Park's seafood for 20 years and it was always very good. Tried the new location this past March and it was below average. Not sure if I will return.
 
sk bob- I use to eat at a small local steak house called Webers if I recall. Is it still in business?

Sorry I missed this since you were staying in Florence, I already have this thread:
 
http://www.roadfood.com/F...37318&high=pee+dee
 
A lot of people like Red Bone Alley, but I think it is too greasy. Trulucks is not to far from Florence in Timmonsville, and that is a great roadfood place. Otherwise my favorite roadfood joints in this area are typically in Darlington, SC, but are only open during the day.
 
 

TJ Jackson

One other good meal was had at the Columbia Restaurant in St Augustine.  The wife had her first cuban sandwich, and I had the El Combo de Cuba - Roast Pork, Boliche, platanos, Empanada de Picadillo, black beans and yellow rice. Everything on the plate was good to great.  Warning - parking in this area is highly problematic.  Park at the old spanish fort on the waterfront and walk the 2-3 blocks or so from there to the restaurant.

 
I had no idea that Columbia had opened more locations.  I see that there are seven of them now.

DirtDude-
Nice post of Florence places!
Thanks