I like Motorcycles. I like Riding. I love food. One of my favorite things to do on the motorycle is to ride to an out of the way, "local flavor" restaurant, and have a down home cooked meal with my buddies.
In the past couple of years, I have found - with the help of friends - some great restaurants with that old world Florida charm. I would like to detail some of these restaurants, and provide information on their location so I can share the carbs, calories, and yes - occasionally grease with other bikers and friends.
So, let's go back in time, to about 2 years ago, and my first encounter with one, a unique Central Florida food destination - Yalaha Bakery.
YALAHA BAKERY - YALAHA, FL
Lake County, FL is located west/northwest of Orlando, FL. It's home to some beautiful Orange Groves, Lakes, and of course - some nice "twisty" roads perfect for us 2 wheelers. In the heart of this beautiful area, just south of the Leesburgh area and the south shores of Lake Harris, is a little stop in the road town called Yalaha. In this little burb is an old German Bakery called Yalaha Bakery. It's sort of an old house converted. When you walk in, one side is the bakery and coffee shop, and the other is the restaurant.
Whatever your pleasure is - coffee, tea, sweets, or a sandwich, they have it all. To top it off, they have a beautiful patio in the back with an undeveloped landscape behind. For more information, visit http://www.yalahabakery.com/index.html
The Yearling - Hawthorne, FL
Like food of a different sort? Something a little more on the "wild" side, or shall I say "gamey" side? travel the back roads of Central Florida, through the Ocala National Forest, up to the Yearling Restaurant in Hawthorne, FL. There, you will find just about anything you can think of. Menu items include Alligator, flounder, venison, burgers, etc. While enjoying your fried gator and fries, you can enjoy the music of legendary blues artis Willie Green, who is always hangin around pickin a tune. After dinner, walk around and take in some of the antiques and artifacts that decorate this real time piece of a place. For more information, go to http://www.floridasecrets.com/Restaurants/ENW/Yearling.htm
Damn Diner - Ocklawaha, FL (Moss Bluff Region)
Did you ever have fun getting lost trying to find some joint? Myself, Andrew, and Chris did a couple months ago. We set out for a breakfast run to find this out of the way place that Chris had heard of. I had no idea where we were going, so I brought up the rear. By the way - I didn't care that I had no clue - that's part of the fun sometimes! Anyway, after we finally figured out we were lost (temporarily disoriented), we stopped to check google maps on our blackberry's - found it - only slightly off course.
The Ducks Damn Diner - love the name. I guess it's by a river or lake Damn - no clue really. All I can really say is it' was one of those greasy, lard laiden, gravy soaked biscuit breakfasts that a good ole boy like me from rural Indiana dreams of. I think my bill was a whopping $4.65. Another great place to "find". The Moss Bluff Region is up in Marion County around the West / Southwest corner of Ocala National Forest. It's a pretty rural area - some nice smooth blacktop roads to cruise on. There is no website for the restaurant, but you can find Ocklawaha on google maps or you can view this article about the restaurant that was written some time ago http://www.ocala.com/article/20080623/NEWS/900957615
Soup to Nuts Diner - Tavares,FL
Sometimes, you just want some fresh air and a nice hearty breakfast. Last Saturday, Andrew, Chris, Antony, and myself rode up to Tavares, FL for a good old fashion breakfast at the Soup To Nuts Diner. Decorated in that "happy days" 1950's decor, Soup to Nuts is a real neat place. The biscuits - well, they are the size of bricks! http://www.mytravelguide.com/restaurants/profile-34783705-United_States_Florida_Tavares_Soup_To_Nuts_Diner.html
Willow Tree - Sanford, FL
When we have an hour or two to blow, that's just enough time to ride around Lake Monroe, and stop off at the Willow Tree in historic downtown Sanford, FL for a cold brew. If you are hungry, you will love the German food. http://www.willowtreecafe.com/
+of+P4180003.JPG)
