For The Record: Sebring, FL Restaurants ...

I've got a little time to kill and figured I chronicle what I've learned while spending the better part of the summer here in Sebring, Florida.
THE WATERING HOLE ... Always my favorite.  Superb steaks, cooked perfectly served up, usually with fruit salad and superb, buttery potatoes.  My favorite is the salmon, grilled rare.  Not cheap.  Decent drinks at the bar.  CASH ONLY.  No sharing of meals (that keeps me away many nights when a friend and I aren't ready to pack down a huge dinner just before bed time).  Dinner only.  Tu-Sa. 
Full Bar.  DIRECTIONS
THE WILD TURKEY SALOON ... A new discovery.  A saloon, nothing fancy.  Everything is home made (even their fries) ... I had a burger there yesterday that rivals those of the Brickyard in Daytona.  Beer and wine only.  DIRECTIONS

I've since been back two or three times and have not been disappointed.   I wish the had Guinness.
JULIO'S GROCERY ... A ramshackle Cuban grocery store.  Julio turns out just about the best Cuban sandwich ... as of this writing $3.95 each.  No place to sit, to go only.  Soft drinks from the Coke display.  Closed Mondays.  Lunch, until 4 or 5 only.  DIRECTIONS
  BLUE LAGOON TAVERN ... Another tavern.  Pretty good wings (I wish they grilled them) along with a well poured Guinness.  Friendly service.  Better than "valid" grub.  Good tavern atmosphere.  DIRECTIONS
  THE CADDYSHACK ... A place that is growing more and more popular everyday.  Good to better-than-good pub grub food in a wide open enjoyable space.  I had liver and onions at my last visit and can't complain at all (although if you keep reading this missive, you'll see I am capable of complaining).

Decent drinks and daily drink specials ... (Not that that ever seems to work in my favor.  I was there on Malibu night or something along that line.) ... but everyone seems to go home happy.  The bar is friendly.  DIRECTIONS
1/2  GALATI'S ITALIAN ... Best pizza for miles and miles and miles ... (not to be confused with New Haven, NYC or Boston).  Kind of reminds you of a red sauce spaghetti place you might find in NJ, PA or NY.  Beer and wine only.  Lunch and dinner, not sure about weekend hours.  Comfortable place to eat.  DIRECTIONS
  SIRIANO'S LUNCHEONETTE ... Newly opened on the circle downtown by a family that had another place on the other side of town that was missed by the locals.  Known for their soup and sandwiches.  I went there today (during their first week open) and we had 2 soups (delicious) and split a sandwich, a Pepsi and iced tea for about $16.00 total.  Both were very very good.  Downside is we had to change it to a to go order because the kitchen was so slow -- although granted they were very busy -- eating there on a half hour lunch break wasn't practical.  So, I guess call ahead, or come with extra time or not at the peak hours, or maybe after a while when they get there choreography in order.  I'll be back. 
  MAE LEE'S LUNCHEONETTE ... A very busy popular place with fast service and a wide ranging menu of soups and sandwiches ... I want to try the veal Parmesan sandwich.  They are open at breakfast time, but they aren't geared for breakfast.  DIRECTIONS
  1/2  ROADHOUSE ... It WAS part of a chain the went out of business.  I assume the local operator decided to hold on and go it alone.  THEY ADVERTISE LUNCH SPECIALS and beer for 2 bucks ... once you get in they explain the restrictions.  So unless you love Bud Light, or Something-or-another Ultra, figure on paying more.  I was there for lunch only once and had the lunch special club sandwich, that came out without mayo or tomatoes ... I managed to eat it, but I can only hope I caught the kitchen on a bad day ... If your going to sell me a special, don't make me feel like I'm slumming it.  I haven't crossed it off my list.  Full bar.  DIRECTIONS

UPDATE:  [Note downgrade in smiley face rating]  Well, I went there for lunch today once again, sit at the bar as I always do anyplace for lunch, they hand me a menu with no specials.  This time I ask and, after a 2 minute search, they come up with a list of the very same lunch items, only with lower prices.  What if I hadn't asked?   My Yuengling, I was told is not 2 bucks, but 2 for 1 ... I don't want 2 beers at lunch and left feeling I paid for 2 but only had 1.  I just couldn't muster the enthusiasm for ordering food.

Oh, and if the managers ever read this, the fact you had peanuts out, but no little trays to carry them to the table or bar, makes the offering seem disingenuous -- either that or it was an accident and just a warning sign to customers that details are not important here.
  SUNSET GRILLE  [Read this carefully] ... No better place to spend a Florida evening on the deck.  I heard good things about the food.  BUT, my "homemade, grandmothers ... " meat loaf seemed waaay over microwaved and dry with fresh (from the can) gravy and mashed potatoes that my companions thought were instant (I didn't eat enough of them to render a decision).  It was the kind of meal where you try to get the taste out of your mouth for the rest of the night.  The fried calamari someone had was good.  Of eight of us eating, one person did say they were happy with their meal (some kind of a chicken thing).  

They have 2 for 1 drinks at happy hour, but only for the low end booze and you might as well ask for both drinks at once ... let's just say, they have always been "conservative" with their pours when I've been there.  You'd better have a snort or two before you go there for drinks or you'll be all night trying to get any "satisfaction."  No point drinking good stuff, based on the strength of their pours and the prices.  They usually have a good live band and the setting is nice.  I'm not eating there again.

Question to bar owners everywhere:  If you want to attract customers with 2 for 1 drinks specials, why can't you encourage people who don't drink from the well (and presumably are inclined to spend more) to take part.  DIRECTIONS
[N/R]  THE WINE BAR AT THE KENILWORTH HOTEL ... A nice, if not even close to modern, but well kept and comfortable, hotel.  The wine bar opened saying they'd feature beers from around the world ... 4 domestic beers on tap and Guinness, Stella, etc. in cans and bottles.  If they had any fare or finger food, it wasn't offered.
  THAI HOUSE ... Best Thai around.  They are very conservative with spicing ... you might go for one more star than you are used to.  Beer Wine.  DIRECTIONS
  CHICANE's AT THE INN ON THE LAKES ... My favorite hotel.  The restaurant is apparently very good, but in my experience not everyday affordable.  They have specials, like Monday Happy Hour wings, good quality for about $3.00 a dozen.  And here we go again, 2 for 1 bar drinks and beer.  If you are inclined towards decent "call brands" (Absoult and up, as I recall) they are 1 for 1 and at seven or eight bucks a pop, I can't afford it.  I'm told their Bistro dinner deal is good -- again, if you are happy with the one glass of house wine it comes with.  Bottom line: I think they charge too much for decent drinks.

For a special meal, it is a nice place.  DIRECTIONS
CHATEAU ELAN ... A nice hotel.  Let's just say that their restaurant doesn't get raves.  DIRECTIONS
I've heard of, but haven't tried:

 - HOMER'S BUFFET ... Crowded, but in central, Florida, that is not much of an indicator.
 - DOT'S CAFE ... I've heard good things.  Breakfast.
 - SUNSET II ... I've heard they have a good breakfast.

Hope this helps, if you are venturing this way.

Thanks for the info. Sebring is about 2.5 hours from me. Years ago we used to go over to Sebring to play golf. Seems as though they had a couple of pretty good reasonably priced courses. Now that I'm back to my old stomping grounds I may make the trip again. Always good to have some idea where to grab a bite.

A couple more:

  [1/2]   CIRCLE CAFE LUNCHEONETTE ... Mainly breakfast as far as I can see.  A good (maybe $2.99) breakfast special ... but with a glass of milk and a tip, you are pushing $10.00 at breakfast.  Everything I have had there has been fresh and home made.  They have a adjoining dinner restaurant CHARLIE'S STEAK AND SEAFOOD, I've never been.  I've heard good things about Charlie's, but the pitch black windows are not welcoming and I have no idea what the place is like.  I wish they had better curb appeal.  DIRECTIONS
  JIMMY'S GREEK RESTAURANT ... Breakfast, lunch, and I think, dinner ... basic diner-level food with a Greek twist.  I had the breakfast special.  It had a nice hunk of ham, eggs and grits or potatoes (I forget) ... a good value, but once again, with a milk and tip, we're tipping 10 bucks.  That said, the parking lot is always full and I've heard nothing bad.  Beer and wine, I think.  DIRECTIONS
  [1/2]   LAKESIDE RESTAURANT ... Attached to The Kenilworth Hotel.  Reminds me of a NJ diner menu, with a wide Greek-based menu.  I'm not sure they go beyond beer and wine.  Basic and valid.  DIRECTIONS

Honorable mention:

 - THE COFFEE BEAN on 27, south of the congestion ... I've only been there years ago. Always had a nice homemade and by that I mean homemade breakfast.  A good bet.

 - GYRO PLUS ... in a strip mall north of the congestion ... valid food, but the gyros, in particular, are crafted in a way that everything falls apart in your hands, rendering it a platter ... there is too much food (ie. iceburg lettuce, cheese, etc.) on your plate to eat for lunch and there is no point taking it home in that the delicious white sauce turns to cement in the fridge.  I'd go there if there helpings were more manageable.
 

Thanks for the info. I am going to be in Sebring in February so this gave me a few places to check out.

A few?!?

great reviews Gregg, say hi to Erin

A new one:

  CANG TONG ... Kind of a Chinese and Japanese combination.  No MSG.  Super soup.  I didn't come away with that overly salty aftertaste I expect from this kind of food.

Actually, some of the best I've had anywhere.  DIRECTIONS

Another new one:

  THE CASTLE GRILL ... North of downtown, in the middle of nowhere, in a building with hand-painted lettering on the outside in what looks like it might be a scary gin joint.

SUPERB Cuban food in a very small (think take out if you can) immaculate luncheonette with an equally clean kitchen.

So far, I've only been there once and had the Cuban Pork Roast, but will be back to try their grilled wings and handmade pizza (not expecting much from the pizza because of the location -- 1200 miles south of New Haven) ... but I will report back.

DIRECTIONS

Plus:

If you are headed to Sebring from the north (from I-4) headed south ... as soon as you get on highway 27, look for The Shamrock in Davenport, a superb sports bar and Irish pub.  I actually saw grownups singing Irish songs in a corner on afternoon.

They pour the best Guinness I had in Florida there and their Sunday Roast, bangers and mashed and just about everything I've had there has satisfied ... especially the fish and chips.

   MORE

Looks like I will be in Sebring this Friday and Saturday. Staying at the Kenilworth Lodge. Any interest in getting together for a bite?

LOL Gregg. Is there any place you did not try. Great report.

Hey Rich, I did not see your car here this past weekend.

Bluemaxx


Looks like I will be in Sebring this Friday and Saturday. Staying at the Kenilworth Lodge. Any interest in getting together for a bite?

Looks like I will too.  Lets try for a Cuban.

For the record, Rich and I are doing Cubans at Julio's, lunchtime Friday, February 5th.  Anyone else in the neighborhood ???

Wish I could be there, but my budget only allowed for a week at Daytona.

FWIW, due to Greg's and Rich's recommendations, I and the others in my gang ate at The Brickyard three times in four days.

The owner was treating us as regulars at each repeat visit!

Have a great time at the Club Race!

GB944


FWIW, due to Greg's and Rich's recommendations, I and the others in my gang ate at The Brickyard three times in four days.

The owner was treating us as regulars at each repeat visit!

Brickyard can't be beat.  Glad you enjoyed.

GB944 - that warms my heart.....mmmmm, The Brickyard! 

COWBOY'S is an outpost of the place in Okeechobee ... (which might be okay) .... This is a BBQ joint with  uninspired meat (often dry) and standard issue sauce.

If you have a hankering' for BBQ don't stop here.  If you want to see why the unwashed masses stand in line to eat C+ food, this might be a fair laboratory for your experiment.   I'll be at The Watering Hole.

A little north, in Avon Park is The Olympic .... superb mid-range food .... kind of reminded me of a NY diner.

Worthwhile.