What Type of food/Restaurant Would You Like to See Around Here?

[Aloha1]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?

[raynan]

Legal Seafood. Started out small in Cambridge MA but is now a chain. Still great and fresh seafood. God knows we don't need another hamburger place. We love The Lighthouse but it gets so crowded especially in winter months. Brownwood needs a seafood restaurant.

[village dreamer]

boston market???steak house.

[MMMark]

Easy one for me:

In 'N Out Burger

[rubicon]

What type of food/Restaurant would you like to see around here?

A good one

[redwitch]

A GOOD Chinese restaurant, preferably with Dim Sum. A Boston Market. More fresh ingredients in general.

[golfing eagles]

PF Chang's and Morton's of Chicago

[l2ridehd]

I don't get these responses. Why would you want more chain places? We have every chain possible around here and hardly any decent place to eat that you can get to in a golf cart. NO MORE CHAINS. For a decent meal we almost always leave the bubble. There are some good places here but no great places. And not a single high end special occasion restaurant within 50 miles. For that you have to go to Tampa or Orlando.

I have to believe 100,000 people could support at least one high end special occasion dining place. Remember that special place back home that you went to for a memorable evening? Was that a chain? Doubt it. There are a couple really good places in Ocala, one in Inverness, one in Eustis, and some really good mom and pop places scattered around near by.

[Chatbrat]

A good Chinese restaurant( with dim sum carts) Shanghai style, and a real Italian restaurant- with good veal dishes/northern Italy style---and Steak house that can offer prime cuts--

[jblum315]

Boston Market, please please please.
Also it would be nice to have Indian food
And GOOD Chinese food

[Madelaine Amee]

Legal Seafood. Started out small in Cambridge MA but is now a chain. Still great and fresh seafood. God knows we don't need another hamburger place. We love The Lighthouse but it gets so crowded especially in winter months. Brownwood needs a seafood restaurant.

Yes, LEGAL Seafood, but if we had one of those we would never be able to get in!

[Jaggy]

Pei Wei.. It's more or less a fast food version of PF Changs .. and it is good...

[Madelaine Amee]

I would love to see a really good, authentic, Irish Pub with great bar food meals, great sandwiches, burgers, you name it, just please please please get someone in here with good food. I do not care whether it is high end, special night out, lunch time sandwiches, Italian, Chinese, just get a restaurant in this place with GOOD FOOD. I am sick of cooking .........................

But, once again, if we only have one good food places you would never get in the door!

Until we have someone in the area who is an excellent chef, or a partnership of a money man and a chef, we are not going to have good food. Any good business is only as good as its Staff and to keep good staff you have to pay them a decent wage and offer them benefits and there is not too much of that around here. Also a good kitchen is run like a tight ship. Where are you going to get the cooks here in this area? The restaurant could not be located within the confines of TV due to the rental costs, it would have to be on the outskirts of TV and how many people want to leave TV ........................ So, I think it is what it is and we make the best of it and do our eating out when we visit family.

[Carla B]

Yes, it's a chain and really inexpensive, but Pollo Tropicale from south FL.

[JerryLBell]

Yes, it's a chain and really inexpensive, but Pollo Tropicale from south FL.
Whenever my wife and I are going Miami to the Keys, we always stop in at the Pollo Tropicale near the Miami Zoo. Yes, it's just a fast food restaurant. But their grilled chicken is soooo good! Lean, not greasy, low on salt and big on flavor.

Our other favorite fast food chain is a small (and declining) one out of Michigan called Olga's Kitchen. It's sort of Greek but not entirely. And their freshly-made pita bread is wonderful. Put anything on it and you've got a great sandwich.

Another informal type of restaurant we like is the "Mongolian barbecue" type. I know there are some in Orlando, but it would be nice to have one handier.

We also wish that Jet's Pizza would come to town. They're another Michigan-based chain that are now as far south as North Carolina. What makes them special is their thick, crunchy & chewy crust.

A step up from those would be Sticky Fingers or Smokey Bones. Both are rib joints and quite enjoyable but both seem to be closing rather than opening restaurants.

For better dining, I'd have to agree on Legal Seafood. We've always enjoyed those whenever we're in the Boston area.

[Kahuna32162]

Bw3

[Chatbrat]

We have enough cheap,fast food chain restaurants--according to demographics-the average income in TV is 95K--there is enough income here to support better restaurants--no more mediocrity,please

[JMEZARIC3]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?

The 2 Minutes in Zephyrhills is a great place,great food,great price and a fun dining experience.If you have a party of 2 and a party of 4 is seated at a table for 6 you can join the party of 4.
If you are near Zephyrhills ,check out this place.The line may be long but the line moves fast because of seating parties together at a common table.
If this place was near TV ,the line would be a mile long.
2 Minutes
4447 Gall Blvd
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Get Directions
Phone number (813) 780-7200
Business website 2minutesrestaurant.com

[janewk]

I hail from Michigan and Hawaii, in that order also. We closed on our house in The Villages 2 weeks ago and will be leaving Hawaii for permanent residency Jan. 12th. Nancy Lopez gets a high vote from us. Be sure to write back if you find any great Asian food.

[fw102807]

Not a restaurant but I would love a Trader Joes

[delima2000]

We are from Michigan too. We would like to see an Olga's kitchen,a good Coney Island, jets pizza,,and white castles. The cream of broccoli soup is wonderful at olgas along with their snackers.

[rivaridger1]

A Morton's of Chicago or Ruth Chris Steakhouse. A good Korean and/or Vietnamese restaurant for variety would be nice as well. Legal's and/or Charley's Crab for seafood.

[wrsom]

A good old Michigan Cooney island!

[courtyard]

An ORGANIC restaurant that serves food with no pesticides, hormones nor MSG.

[Allegiance]

A place just like Katie Belles.



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[Chatbrat]

Ruth Chris&Morton's are great CHAIN restaurants-- if you've been to one ,you've been to any of them --NO more chain restaurants- TV needs to establish its own identity as a dining destination the wayMt Dora has.There are enough establishments for theTV people who are on a budget. It's about time we stop looking at the lowest common denominator.

I really want to spend my $$ in TV

[jnieman]

We are from Michigan too. We would like to see an Olga's kitchen,a good Coney Island, jets pizza,,and white castles. The cream of broccoli soup is wonderful at olgas along with their snackers.

Also from Michigan and loved Olga's kitchen. Would like to see PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Logan's. Yes they are chains but I like chains so shoot me.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Polish, Balkan, and Carribean

[Number 6]

Cheesecake Factory

[jnieman]

We are from Michigan too. We would like to see an Olga's kitchen,a good Coney Island, jets pizza,,and white castles. The cream of broccoli soup is wonderful at olgas along with their snackers.

Olga's kitchen help! - Copykat Chat Forums (https://www.copykatchat.com/forum/recipes/recipe-requests/30886-olga-s-kitchen-help)

This is a link you might enjoy with a few of Olga's recipes

[jgm3279]

Me too, me too fw102807, Trader Joe's please!!

[patfla06]

An ORGANIC restaurant that serves food with no pesticides, hormones nor MSG.

Also has Vegetarian options.

[TheDude]

I would like to see an Eleven Madison Park knock off (12 courses over 4 hours with wine pairings) or a Jean Georges franchise.

It would be great to have a place for those really special times.

note: I did like the Arnold Palmer place for dinner the time I ate there.

[LuckySevens]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?

Pizza Ranch! It is not just pizza, they have great chicken, salad and vegetable bar, and dessert pizza and ice cream bar. We love their chicken the best.
check out their site
Our Legendary Food Awaits You | Pizza Ranch (http://www.pizzaranch.com/food)

[Two Bills]

The problem with most Americans, is they want their food NOW!
That is why chain restaurants with microwaved reheated food, burger/pizza food outlets, and anything fried and/or plastered in batter is all you get.
You do not have the patience to wait for good food to be prepaired.
As for the alleged Country Clubs, just because they charge twice as much as anybody else, does not make it a good menu.
Same stuff as any other eatery, and ordinary at best.

[debow]

I would like to see a good Texas BBQ, brisket.reaturant with a nice Texas style dance floor

[simpkinp]

The problem with most Americans, is they want their food NOW!
That is why chain restaurants with microwaved reheated food, burger/pizza food outlets, and anything fried and/or plastered in batter is all you get.
You do not have the patience to wait for good food to be prepaired.
As for the alleged Country Clubs, just because they charge twice as much as anybody else, does not make it a good menu.
Same stuff as any other eatery, and ordinary at best.

Could not agree more.

[EdFNJ]

Legal Seafood. Started out small in Cambridge MA but is now a chain. Still great and fresh seafood. God knows we don't need another hamburger place. We love The Lighthouse but it gets so crowded especially in winter months. Brownwood needs a seafood restaurant.

Back in the early 70's (wife is from Bahston) when we got married and then moved to NJ we used to go back up for the weekend just for Legal Seafood (yummmm fish chowdah) in Chestnut Hill. Would wait 90 mins to be seated. Now they have become nothing but an overpriced chain just a shadow of their original self and (wahhh) no more fish chowdah.

Bonefish Grill is better. :)

[Bosoxfan]

I'm from the Boston area and would love a New England seafood restaurant. We've found a great one down in Celebration called the Celebration Town Tavern. Would love to see them here.

[Madelaine Amee]

I'm from the Boston area and would love a New England seafood restaurant. We've found a great one down in Celebration called the Celebration Town Tavern. Would love to see them here.

Yes, Yes, Yes ....... please. In my post I called it an Irish Pub (Cheers), but this would be such a great restaurant to have here and they would be full to bursting every night! There was a time, several years ago, when Glenview bar area came close to being a really good tavern. It used to be so much fun and the food was basic, but well prepared.

[Chi-Town]

I would like to see a true Spanish tapas restaurant (not like that pathetic attempt in Brownwood a couple of years back). One with decor, a nice wine selection, and the knack of spacing the experience of tapas dining.

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[Pmelo]

Veggie Grill - super delicious and healthy!

[rivaridger1]

The problem with most Americans, is they want their food NOW!
That is why chain restaurants with microwaved reheated food, burger/pizza food outlets, and anything fried and/or plastered in batter is all you get.
You do not have the patience to wait for good food to be prepaired.
As for the alleged Country Clubs, just because they charge twice as much as anybody else, does not make it a good menu.
Same stuff as any other eatery, and ordinary at best.

Don't agree. Like many Villagers I had the opportunity during my working career to eat in some of the finest restaurants in the United States. Sit me down with a glass of good wine or a great martini and I'll wait until the cows come home for the opportunity to enjoy a freshly prepared wonderful meal. I will not even mind paying for it.

[Carpe Diem]

Chipotle.

[Arubagirl33]

I Totally Agree!! Chains Ugh!!

[Arubagirl33]

We have enough cheap,fast food chain restaurants--according to demographics-the average income in TV is 95K--there is enough income here to support better restaurants--no more mediocrity,please

I totally Agree!! More Chains Ugh!!!

[Chatbrat]

Where did , you all eat before you moved here--mall food courts

[Carla B]

Where did , you all eat before you moved here--mall food courts

Luby's Cafeteria, Pappas Seafood, Ninfa's Mexican, and Kim Son Vietnamese, all in Houston.

[JerryLBell]

We are from Michigan too. We would like to see an Olga's kitchen,a good Coney Island, jets pizza,,and white castles. The cream of broccoli soup is wonderful at olgas along with their snackers.
A good Coney Island! How did I not think to include that! We've been living near Raleigh, NC for the last 18 years and fortunately, they have a Cloo's Coney Island, which ships down Michigan-made hot dogs and Coney sauce and it tastes like home. The only thing is, they cook it to order instead of in advance, so you wait 20 minutes to get it rather than the waitress taking your order, turning around and shouting it to the cook, walking over to pick it up and returning it almost instantly. And then the manager would hang around your table going, "So, you ready to leave? We got a line here!" Funny thing is, I'd never heard of Coney Islands before moving to Detroit and didn't really know there was a whole Detroit vs. Flint thing on Coney sauce before I moved to NC.

[perrjojo]

Luby's Cafeteria, Pappas Seafood, Ninfa's Mexican, and Kim Son Vietnamese, all in Houston.
I knew you were from Texas..(a Cowtown girl here) ..real barbque, real TexMex and a good steak place. I have lived here long enough to know that it is impossible to satisfy all of the regional preferences and most seem to eat out often and do not want to pay the price for fine dinning. I must admit I do miss Luby's and that was certainly reasonable.

[Chatbrat]

I think I got it, a coney is a Michigan chili dog--but would you want to go out for a nice evening meal of Coney's--again its food court food

I want to see a restaurant, with real waiters--not servers, a salad made @ your table--wine brought to your table, opened for your inspection-

lobsters, diver scallops, real new orleans seafood stew, low country seafood boil, veal milanese, scungilli,
and a waiter making zabiogne at your table for desert, with some espresso & sambucca

Now thats dining--not eating

[JSR22]

I think I got it, a coney is a Michigan chili dog--but would you want to go out for a nice evening meal of Coney's--again its food court food

I want to see a restaurant, with real waiters--not servers, a salad made @ your table--wine brought to your table, opened for your inspection-

lobsters, diver scallops, real new orleans seafood stew, low country seafood boil, veal milanese, scungilli,
and a waiter making zabiogne at your table for desert, with some espresso & sambucca

Now thats dining--not eating
A dream come true! Very tired of mediocre food.

[Carla B]

I knew you were from Texas..(a Cowtown girl here) ..real barbque, real TexMex and a good steak place. I have lived here long enough to know that it is impossible to satisfy all of the regional preferences and most seem to eat out often and do not want to pay the price for fine dinning. I must admit I do miss Luby's and that was certainly reasonable.

Yep. People from the South love cafeterias, but they mostly have gone the way of Howard Johnson's, I fear. BTW, I lived near Ft. Worth (Arlington) many years ago and loved it.
I used to love fine dining like Chatbrat describes but rarely could afford it, still can't. I do remember a heavenly dinner at Commander's Palace once in NOLA.

[2BNTV]

Since I don't cook, I would like to see more home type cooking restaurants where dishes are made from scratch. IMHO

1. Seafood.
2. Good German food.

Chain restaurants are ok but not a gourmet type meal.

[stan the man]

Some of us don't need any more restaurants than we have now.

[skip0358]

Myself Bahama Breeze & a nice German Restaurant.

[Henryk]

What do y'all think of the new (sort of) German restaurant in Brownwood?

Personally, I would love to have a good Korean restaurant.

And, for the love of all that is good and holy, why-oh-why is there not a good cajun restaurant in TV? :sad:

[rubicon]

Essentially at this stage in my life I am grateful that I can still taste, have the ability tolerate and digest most foods, can feed myself and have a wife that is still ready, willing and able to cook a variety of ethnic dishes. My preference has always been for so called peasant foods

[Sandtrap328]

I want to see a restaurant, with real waiters--not servers, a salad made @ your table--wine brought to your table, opened for your inspection-

lobsters, diver scallops, real new orleans seafood stew, low country seafood boil, veal milanese, scungilli,
and a waiter making zabiogne at your table for desert, with some espresso & sambucca

Now thats dining--not eating

Sounds excellent- but do you honestly believe such a restaurant could make a profit in The Villages? The dining experiences you mention would be in the $75+ per person range PLUS 20% tip. If you read on TOTV, most posters are complaining at the $15 meals in restaurants.

Sure, you say, we go to Orlando for an anniversary and pay those prices - but how many times a month would you do it? Lots of people every night (all seasons) is how a restaurant stays open.

[Chatbrat]

At the age of most of the residents in TV, the least thing they should worry about is $$, be happy to wake up tomorrow--your estate won't think twice about spending what you leave them

We're in a very diverse community, income wise--IMHO--there are lots of people who will spend--if everything descends to the lowest common denominator--they won't spend their $$here--it goes elsewhere

Look @ the cars on the roads, look @ the cars @ cruise ins, look @ the premier & better designers--do you think these people are on a tight budget--give them a reason to eat in TV

[golf2140]

Upscale has been tried in The Villages and it failed!!

[Chatbrat]

Please tell us about the so called upscale restaurants that failed in the villages--maybe they were upscale in name only

[HowardA]

Just wondering where everybody is going to gather to watch the national championship game?

[Topspinmo]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?

First off one worth returning to.

I suppose it I had dream list it would be

Locations | Valentino's (https://valentinos.com/locations/?pn=all)

Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurant - Mexican Restaurant (http://www.abuelos.com/)

Culver's Restaurant Location Search Results | Culver's (http://www.culvers.com/locator?)
utm_source=Google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=2016media&utm_content=branded

And maybe

Ted's Cafe Escondido :: Home (http://www.tedscafe.com/)

At Least at these places the Food is consistently the same no matter what location.

As far as the overpriced high end eateries for the well to do's that can't cook IMO, anything tastes good to them especially if it's expensive.

[golf2140]

It was a steak house located where the current Gator's Dockside is in Spanish Springs. It lasted maybe six months

[Chatbrat]

Ok, the old cheap side of the villages--move to LSL or Brownwood , where people are not afraid to open their wallets

[JSR22]

Please tell us about the so called upscale restaurants that failed in the villages--maybe they were upscale in name only

We have lived here for 4 years and have not found any upscale restaurants in TV. When and where?

[Chatbrat]

Another village fairy tale--no such thing as an upscale restaurant---just more hamburger joints or buffets

[kcrazorbackfan]

A Jimmy John's, PF Changs, Culvers Butter Burgers (big in Missouri), Raising Cane Chicken (big in Louisiana), Shrimp Basket (big in northern Florida).

[SALYBOW]

a Cincinnati chili restaurant. Yummy

[xcaligirl]

A good plate lunch place would be great but I'm dreaming! :-) Roy's would be good but I don't know if people would pay the prices. Same with Morton's or Ruth's Chris. Cheesecake Factory and would love to see Jamba Juice here!

[rubicon]

Ok, the old cheap side of the villages--move to LSL or Brownwood , where people are not afraid to open their wallets

Chatbrat the use of one's savings is a very personal choice and it is determined by a number of factors But to suggest that because one does not spend is being cheap is an unfair characterization

"Some people know the price of everything but the value of nothing" (Oscar Wilde). There are a number of legitimate reasons to preserve one's estate so that it can be passed on to heirs for very good reasons and use.

[Moonrunner]

Would love a middle eastern place with good lahme, schwarma, hummus etc.

[Moonrunner]

Middle Eastern. Lahme, schwarma, hummus, yoghurt

[jrosaltal1]

a nice Portugese Restaurant. We have been to the Brazilian, Ipanema , which is good, but totally different than portugese/Spanish (mediterranean)

[Jimcav94562]

Would like to see something on the order of Maggianos or Cheesecake Factory

[advp007]

One that doesn't have the employees smoking in the parking lot between customers, i.e. Mallory

[toeser]

Dairy Queen. I get tired of sit down restaurants and just want a Blizzard.

[nitzapitza]

I agree, we need more verity such as vietnamese and Indian food. Also restaurants that gives more verity for vegetarians and VEGAN people like J ALEXANDER'S. and please please how about CALIFORNIA KITCHEN PIZZA??...beautiful menu

[jaygardens]

Cheesecake factory - 8 zillion-page menu - 4 zillion kinds of cheesecake - nuff said

[ColdNoMore]

I would love to see an Italian restaurant similar to the one I found in Crestview, FL (just a few miles north of I-10)...of all places.

It's called Mia's, is family owned and they serve excellent food, huge portions (have yet to not take some in a to-go box)...at extremely reasonable prices.

It's so good, that my trips to Biloxi/New Orleans/Etc. are planned so that I can stop and eat there.

I have taken and told others about it and to a person...they have raved also.

If they had a place here, they would need a large location as there's no doubt in my mind...that they could pack them in even during the summer. :thumbup:

[SheilaR]

Einstein's Bagels

[LSchaef2]

I would live to see a true seafood place with Middleneck clams, KING Crab, oysters and New England lobster...

[caroleartchilds]

A fresh seafood restaurant would be great. Also would love a
P F Changs. I know it is a chain, but a great one. Same for Macaroni Grill.

[AnnFL]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?
Polo Tropical - not the very best Cuban, but lots better than we have anywhere in the area!
Garcia's Mexican - again, lots better than around here, plus they have Pork Green Chili!
Checkers - good alternative to McD's and BK
... and, Yes, a decent seafood place; Shells, please come back!

[Barbscats]

A good Chinese restaurant with table service and drinks, good NY style pizza and Windmill hot dogs ( a NJ staple).
Trader Joes would be welcome too...and Costco.

[Vetter]

...I have to believe 100,000 people could support at least one high end special occasion dining place. Remember that special place back home that you went to for a memorable evening? Was that a chain? Doubt it. There are a couple really good places in Ocala, one in Inverness, one in Eustis, and some really good mom and pop places scattered around near by.

Villages resident John Gibson, a former restaurant owner, is opening a new place in a century-old lakefront mansion at 200 Rose Avenue in Fruitland Park near the end of 466A into 441. It is called the Rose Plantation and is intended to be an upscale steakhouse restaurant. We attended a soft opening and the setting will be exactly what you want in a special occasion restaurant -- especially seated in the sun room on the back. Should be a great new place for all sorts of dining experiences and the setting is fantastic!

[SALYBOW]

[QUOTE=l2ridehd;1334350]I don't get these responses. Why would you want more chain places? We have every chain possible around here and hardly any decent place to eat that you can get to in a golf cart. NO MORE CHAINS.


"To each his own" said the lady who killed the cow!

[Tzman145]

Decent BBQ place with a good sauce!

[BLSKNY]

I would love to see a restaurant with HEALTHY Spa type cuisine. Imaginative meals using both meats/chicken/fish and vegetarian options. Clean sauces. And smoothies - vegetable and fruit that are not laden with sugars but are truly healthful. We are a sports-minded community and I do not see that represented anywhere in our restaurants except for the singular grilled chicken/fish on menus. Am I alone in this?

[kathy]

Agreed! Would love to see at least one nice QUIET restaurant, candlelit atmosphere, maybe a soft playing piano bar for background music. Note the words SOFT AND QUIET.

[smunro55]

Dairy Queen. I get tired of sit down restaurants and just want a Blizzard.

I second that...miss my Blizzards.

[Pat_RI]

I would love to see a restaurant with HEALTHY Spa type cuisine. Imaginative meals using both meats/chicken/fish and vegetarian options. Clean sauces. And smoothies - vegetable and fruit that are not laden with sugars but are truly healthful. We are a sports-minded community and I do not see that represented anywhere in our restaurants except for the singular grilled chicken/fish on menus. Am I alone in this?



I totally agree with you.


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[dandy dan]

I'd like to see Cheesecake Factory, BJ's Brewhouse, Portillo's, and PF Chang's.

[OhioBuckeye]

Red Robin, or Hooters as a fast food. Both have bars. Cheese Cake Factory as a sit down restaurant. I read some of the suggestions & some of them recommend restaurants that are local to their city or area & they're not chain restaurants so they probably won't be coming to TV. Need something that's not in the area yet!:pray:

[judynsc]

Someone mentioned good restaurants in Ocala, Inverness and Eustis, what are the name of these please. We are looking for new places to go.


I havn't had a decent pizza since leaving Chicago. Diorgino's would be great!

Judyntv

[mikemalloy]

I've lived in Lake Deaton for 2 years now and have been waiting for a good pizza place to open in Brownwood. And while we're at it, how come there are no good bagel stores anywhere in TV. (a pizzeria that makes fresh bagels in the morning would be perfect.)
Even though I spent the past 40 years in Michigan I still miss good NY style pizza. However, every now and then I've had a Buddy's Pizza for a change of pace. They're Hawaiian with sweet and sour sauce pineapple and ham was a personal favorite.
With the new village of Feeney being built, I assume that we'll start getting new places to eat off of 44. Unfortunately, they probably won't be cart accessible since renting land in TV is costly.

[rivaridger1]

Brooklyn Bagels up by the Kohls on 441 is not bad. They just do not have enough variety in my opinion. Need to add spinach, rye and jalapeño to the mix.

[Sandtrap328]

Agreed! Would love to see at least one nice QUIET restaurant, candlelit atmosphere, maybe a soft playing piano bar for background music. Note the words SOFT AND QUIET.

...with a 2 for 1 Happy Hour lasting until 8 pm and menu prices no higher than $15.

[MrsPhil]

fish and chips, please!
Even something as simple as Captain D's or Long John Silver's would be welcome - just quick fish and chips.

[Chatbrat]

Wow, looking @ the junk people crave--they must enjoy committing suicide by fork-ate @ Cheesecake factory 20years ago-just looked @ their menu--deadly, calories sodium--good food doesn't have to be loaded with msg-- the ingredient that powers most chain restaurants

[bunnyhop]

I'd love to see a Cheddars restaurant like they have in Eustis! Great food at great prices.
:crap2:

===================



Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?

[mikemalloy]

Brooklyn Bagels up by the Kohls on 441 is not bad. They just do not have enough variety in my opinion. Need to add spinach, rye and jalapeño to the mix.

I've been there but it's a half hour drive from Lake Deaton. Driving an hour for bagels is a little bit over the top.

[rivaridger1]

We live in Pinellas. Always have a couple of things to do when we go up there, Kohl's, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, etc. 20 minutes each way door to door going up Rolling Acres and they give you a bag to freeze them in as well. They keep in the freezer just fine. Give it a few years, Rt. 44 will be wall to wall strip shopping centers and one of them will have a bagel joint. Wouldn't mind having a Marx's but don't think they'd move from Cincinnati.

[yesi3putt2]

Love Harry's Steak & Seafood in Ocala & Lakeland...my fav eatery when I lived in Lakeland

[DONNIEBRONX]

A good german restaurant

[2BNTV]

a nice Portugese Restaurant. We have been to the Brazilian, Ipanema , which is good, but totally different than portugese/Spanish (mediterranean)

Latinos Y Mas on 301 in Ocala makes a good paella.

[patfla06]

I would be happy just to have another Starbuck's down on 466A.

Would love a whole food plant based restaurant also.

[Caper]

I would love to see either a fish place with good Haddock, Salmon, Cod, etc.... Also, a sandwich shop similar to Henry VII in Kittery, Maine. They cook turkey, roast beef and pork each night. Their menu in online and the place is really busy because it is very good. The other restaurant I would like to see is one similar to either the Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA., or the Public House in Sturbridge, MA. They serve old fashioned delicious meals.

[vzw1pr]

We really need BETTER restaurants in the Villages the food all tastes the same. Arnold Palmer and Lopez probably the best. NYPD has the really good subs and pizza.

[Aloha1]

I hail from Michigan and Hawaii, in that order also. We closed on our house in The Villages 2 weeks ago and will be leaving Hawaii for permanent residency Jan. 12th. Nancy Lopez gets a high vote from us. Be sure to write back if you find any great Asian food.

As another refugee from the People's Republic of Hawai'i, Welcome!

[Doug526]

Cheddars would go over Great!
Would love it here.👍👏👏🙏🇺🇸

[Aloha1]

WOW! As the OP, I guess I hit a nerve that needed stroking.
Reading thru all your replies, I realize I've dined in a lot of the places mentioned:
Ninfa's in the Barrio in Houston
Legal Seafoods in multiple locations in Mass.
PF Changs; Pei Wei, National Coney Island in Detwa(that's the French pronunciation) :), BW3, and many more.

SO, let's try to focus this a little tighter as in what TYPE of cuisine do you feel is missing in TV?

And for the record, I'm with those who wish for an upscale venue with great martini's, steak AND seafood served by wait staff that knows what they are doing and maybe entertainment a la a night with Frankie.

[flhr95]

Back in New York we had Don and Bob's or Dons Original. Zweigles Hot Dogs, Broasted Chicken and Frozen Custard.

[Sandtrap328]

And for the record, I'm with those who wish for an upscale venue with great martini's, steak AND seafood served by wait staff that knows what they are doing and maybe entertainment a la a night with Frankie.

...and, once again, this steak and seafood restaurant would be in the $75+ per person range PLUS the standard 20% tip. The martinis would be in the $10 range. How many times per month would you be willing to go there? A restaurant can only operate if there is a profit. The profit depends on being busy every night year round.

Look at the complaints on TOTV about restaurants. They range from too expensive at Cody's to being angry that they were charged for bringing their own Crystal Light to the restaurant.

Sorry, but the upscale restaurant would not work here.

[Chatbrat]

I think it would work, we go out maybe once or twice a week-and spend $$$-there are lots of big city pensioners here with 6 figure pensions, they sold their house in the suburbs of NY and made big $$$--, they will spend if there is something worthwhile to spend it on---the uniformed services who retired after 9/11--with their OT had to get a 6 figure pensions--for those who don't know it-NYC pensions are based on 1 (one) high year & if they got a disability its totally tax free

How do I know--I quit the NYFD back in 1983--went into my own business after 9 1/2 years

[glenbrook3057]

A real old fashion diner, like from the 50's..

[sue bowen]

Portillo great food from great Italian beef, hot dogs, shakes, fries, etc

[pebslivers]

Since closing on our new Villages home this past summer, we've been exploring the various restaurant choices in the area. Hailing from Michigan and Hawai'i, we tend to like Asian and Fish places but find a lack of both other than your typical Chinese or VK ( which we do like!), or say, Hemmingway's for good fish.

So, if you had your druthers, what would you like see around here?
Papa Murphys, take home and cook pizza, and Thai restaurants.

[Kthack]

Totally agree! We drive to Ocala for dinner and have driven to Sanford. We don't need any more chains...there's a new restaurant going into Spanish Springs...looking forward to that.

[Chatbrat]

Its awfully hard for a non-chain restaurants to make it in the villages proper, besides rent, the landlord gets a % of their gross receipts

[Kthack]

You must be from Rochester! I miss my Zweigle hot dogs! And Abbotts custard!

[John_W]

Papa Murphys, take home and cook pizza, and Thai restaurants.

https://www.papamurphys.com/store-finder/fl/lady-lake/FL065

[Nucky]

White Castle. :popcorn: No Grey Poupon Needed.

[Chatbrat]

4 guys in an old car with non power windows -after a night out drinking cheap beer and each eating a load of white castles- never needed to put gas in the tank--there was enough gas in the car to go to the moon

[600th Photo Sq]

Two come to mind:

1) Steaks " R " US..I had the pleasure of going to one while in San Antonio Texas.. Here's how it works...Go to cooler pick out your choice of steak..huge selection, choose your sides ...pay @the checkout..proceed to the grille have at it, that's right cook your steak the way you like it. They also have Pork Chops, Kabobs etc. Really a great place.

2) Macaroni Grille..

3) Around The Villages ? Try Mom & Dad's in Lady Lake (Italian)..they do take reservations, ice cold beer, terrific wine list, about 15 minutes from Lake Sumter Landing as a rough travel time guide. Or about 5-8 minutes south of Home Depot, on the right side of 441/27.

4) In The Villages ?...Nancy Lopez..always a hit

5) Places to avoid ? ... OJT...On The Job Training..that is opening a can of worms on this site. :plane:

[Boomer]

Two come to mind:

1) Steaks " R " US..I had the pleasure of going to one while in San Antonio Texas.. Here's how it works...Go to cooler pick out your choice of steak..huge selection, choose your sides ...pay @the checkout..proceed to the grille have at it, that's right cook your steak the way you like it. They also have Pork Chops, Kabobs etc. Really a great place.

2) Macaroni Grille..

3) Around The Villages ? Try Mom & Dad's in Lady Lake (Italian)..they do take reservations, ice cold beer, terrific wine list, about 15 minutes from Lake Sumter Landing as a rough travel time guide. Or about 5-8 minutes south of Home Depot, on the right side of 441/27.

4) In The Villages ?...Nancy Lopez..always a hit

5) Places to avoid ? ... OJT...On The Job Training..that is opening a can of worms on this site. :plane:

Number 3 on your list sometimes has homemade spumoni, with which I find great happiness.

Double-Dip Boomer

[Aloha1]

...and, once again, this steak and seafood restaurant would be in the $75+ per person range PLUS the standard 20% tip. The martinis would be in the $10 range. How many times per month would you be willing to go there? A restaurant can only operate if there is a profit. The profit depends on being busy every night year round.

Look at the complaints on TOTV about restaurants. They range from too expensive at Cody's to being angry that they were charged for bringing their own Crystal Light to the restaurant.

Sorry, but the upscale restaurant would not work here.

I respectfully disagree. With over 130,000 residents here plus the surrounding communities, it would work even you only went once every other month. I get it might not be everyone's cup of tea but for a lot of us who savor GOOD food and drink served in a relaxing, fine dining atmosphere, it would be better than an hour run to Orlando.

[Aloha1]

4 guys in an old car with non power windows -after a night out drinking cheap beer and each eating a load of white castles- never needed to put gas in the tank--there was enough gas in the car to go to the moon

Gotta love "sliders"!:clap2:

[greatime]

White Castle. :popcorn: No Grey Poupon Needed.

McDonalds and Subway for sure! ;)

[Chatbrat]

To Aloha 1-- remember the restaurants in Kapalua Bay--IMHO-- one of the great resorts of all time, before the islands started catering to the masses , the same way the cruise industry did

My wife cried when we left-- it was heaven on earth.

[Aloha1]

To Aloha 1-- remember the restaurants in Kapalua Bay--IMHO-- one of the great resorts of all time, before the islands started catering to the masses , the same way the cruise industry did

My wife cried when we left-- it was heaven on earth.

So did mine. But times change and Hawai'i is changing also. We are at Kapalua now wrapping up loose ends and leaving tomorrow. Prices have skyrocketed here. Milk is $6 a gallon and you can't get a decent piece of fish in a restaurant for under $35. Gas is $3.49/gallon. 18 holes at Plantation even with resort rate is now $239!! But I'll still watch the Tournament of Champions on TV starting January 4th. Always love to see that I too can "play like a pro" when they screw up. :D

[pat kane]

We sure miss Dairy Queen

We also miss really good seafood. We are use to the real Maryland Crabs & crab cakes.

[lbertoni]

I would love to see an Italian market and restaurant to satisfy all of us from the northeast. Fresh mozzarella, Italian crusty bread, chicken cutlets and eggplant fried and ready to take home. I could go on and on. There is no place near the Villages with really good Italian Specialities.

[BobandMary]

I would love to see an Italian market and restaurant to satisfy all of us from the northeast. Fresh mozzarella, Italian crusty bread, chicken cutlets and eggplant fried and ready to take home. I could go on and on. There is no place near the Villages with really good Italian Specialities.

We also need roasted red peppers, broccoli rabe, wonderful smelly cheeses, and a great variety of olives.....

[Kent4Cardinals]

I have 3 answers. Good Chinese is hard to find here. Some have mentioned PF Chang. I'd love it but that is probably a bit pricey for our area. However there sister could be a great option. The food is similar but less expensive. Why? You order at the counter and pay up front. Then the wait staff takes over and delivers and takes care of your needs. A real good option.

Pizza. One of the hottest new concepts here is a build your own deal similar to Subway. Like subway - you touch nothing. Go to the order spot. Choose a crust - thin or thicker, white or wheat. Then they load it for you. Every meat and veggie choice you can imagine. They will load all that you want them to. And as much Mozzarella and 4 other cheese that you like. Then it goes into to a 800 degree wood burning oven while you pay. 3 minutes later it is in your hands. The price is unreal and the best part. A 9" pie that is delicious costs $8 to $9 each. Or a cheese only for $5 or 1 topping for $6. There are now 4 to 5 groups out there jumping in the ring. The California Pizza guys are coming out of retirement and are quite excited they say. I have enjoyed "Blaze Pizza" and do love it. I walk away wondering "How Can They Do This For the Low Price"??


Mexican. I once lived in Austin Texas. The Birthplace of Chuy's Tex-Mex. It is a chain but a really good one. All company owned and they now have 50+. Five now in Florida. Gainesville, Tampa, & Orlando (3). A real fun place with a varied, (somewhat) authentic Menu. Priced real fairly and what a Happy Hour. M-F 4 to 7. Discounted drinks and a free nacho bar including Taco Meat, Refried Beans, Queso Cheese Sauce, Chips and Salsa. Free all you can eat from 4 to 7. Think The Villagers Would love this place.

[Happinow]

Firehouse subs, Taco Bell, Olive Garden and a good pizza place. I know this is all fast food but it seems we have plenty of better places to eat South of 466 and no good fast food places. When we crave any of the above mentioned fast foods and Olive Garden, it is a real pain to have to drive 20 min to get a taco or slice of pizza. We need more food places South of 466A.

[Happinow]

We sure miss Dairy Queen

We also miss really good seafood. We are use to the real Maryland Crabs & crab cakes.

Agree!! Need a DQ or real soft ice cream place. No more frozen yogurt!!!!

[ColdNoMore]

I think a Pollo Tropical would make a killing here...with all of us picky, cheap old folks. :D

Great food (mostly chicken) and almost unreal low prices... for what you get.

Also, the guava pie for dessert...is pretty awesome. :thumbup:


Pollo Tropical Restaurant Review Town Center – RESTAURANT REVIEWS IN JACKSONVILLE (http://jaxfoodcritic.com/pollo-tropical-restaurant-review-town-center/)

Food: Like I said above, I wasn’t really looking forward to doing a Pollo Tropical review. I constantly hear my friends talking about it and I just couldn’t imagine it being anything special. I mean, it’s just chicken right? Anyways, I thought, fine, let me go and see that it isn’t good and then I can argue with them. When I pulled up, I was surprised at how busy it was. While there wasn’t a line to order, there was a constant flow of people coming in. The staff was keeping up with the flow.

Honestly, when I walked up to the counter to order, I was overwhelmed. If you look at the picture of the menu board you will see it is pretty busy with options but once you order once, you will see how easy it actually is. I went with the TropiChop because it looked like the easiest thing to order. Basically what you do is pick your meat: Chicken, Mojo Roast Pork or Vegetarian. Once you pick that out, then you move on to your preference of type of rice, mashed potato or a lettuce.

Next step: “Top it off” where you add any combination of Black Beans, Red Beans, Kernel Corn, Tomatoes, Peppers and Onions or Sauteed Onions. All this was $5.99 plus another $1.00 for a drink. Once you place your order, head to your table, they bring the food to you fresh from the kitchen. While I was waiting, I filled up the drink and then wandered over to the Salsa Bar and picked out a couple. My favorite: Garlic and Cilantro sauce.

The food arrived promptly and let me just say that after a couple bites I WAS ****ED! You know why? Because it was freaking good! Yeah you heard me right, it was good lol. The chicken was grilled perfectly and the rice was addictive.

There's quite a few locations in the Orlando to Sanford area, but don't think they are any closer to us than that. :(

[village momma]

Boston Market!!!

[Fraugoofy]

A brewery that serves good pub food, including Irish stew!

Sent from my SM-N910R4 using Tapatalk

[BCEagle78]

We always enjoy the "99" restaurants in the Boston area. I am convinced that they would do well in a place like The Villages.

[MikeyBoo54]

A Morton's of Chicago or Ruth Chris Steakhouse. A good Korean and/or Vietnamese restaurant for variety would be nice as well. Legal's and/or Charley's Crab for seafood.

Agree on the steakhouses. Maybe a Smith & Wollensky. Also, a Portillos near TV would be nice, but again, it would be lined up all the time.

[MikeyBoo54]

I think I got it, a coney is a Michigan chili dog--but would you want to go out for a nice evening meal of Coney's--again its food court food

I want to see a restaurant, with real waiters--not servers, a salad made @ your table--wine brought to your table, opened for your inspection-

lobsters, diver scallops, real new orleans seafood stew, low country seafood boil, veal milanese, scungilli,
and a waiter making zabiogne at your table for desert, with some espresso & sambucca

Now thats dining--not eating

So, if I am understanding your posts, you are wanting Emeril or Mario Batali or others of the myriad of excellent and successful chefs to come to The Villages and open restaurants. While I agree that would be great, how many Villagers besides you would be willing to pay $200-$300 for a great meal with a great wine? And how often can they do that?

I'm not sure the population can support that kind of cuisine and it would be a gamble for the chef/owners to assume that others would drive from all over the state to eat at their restaurant in The Villages.

IMO there a number of good, high caliber restaurants in Tampa and Orlando. I think that is always going to be a better draw for very high dining.

[Chatbrat]

You don't need restaurants with celebrity names--There was a good restaurant Vic's -before it burned down -near Eustis-Some of best food I've had has been in hole in walls-- they know how to cook , small menu-but do it right & if they didn't have a liquor license- they allowed us to bring our own wine,etc.

[NYGUY]

At one time their was a rumor that Sam Snead's Tavern might come here. That might work here. Not over the top expensive but a decent steak house and with a golf theme to boot.

[wrsom]

would love a good old Detroit cony island hot dog joint! still miss lafeate!

[Skip]

I'd love to see a Cheddars restaurant like they have in Eustis! Great food at great prices.
:crap2:

===================

Cheddar's in Eustis? Where did you see that?
There is one coming to Ocala but not Eustis.

Skip

[sunny46]

I would like to see the Perkins on 466 that closed, reopen as a Chick-fil-a.:a040:

[outdoorluver]

Cheesecake Factory, Sweetwater Tavern, Don Pablos, Chengs, Ted's Montana Grill

[ladygolfer123]

We enjoy Koyame restaurant for a variety of chinese and thai dishes. Food is tasty, service is great and prices are very affordable and it is in the bubble so golf cart accessible.

[Skip]

Cheesecake Factory, Sweetwater Tavern, Don Pablos, Chengs, Ted's Montana Grill

Already have Chengs!
And Don Pablos is almost out of business. They have been closing locations all over.

Skip

[Fred R]

That's easy.....Less expensive ones

[bassfish]

Some decent mexican food restaurants. We hail from Texas and have not found good mexican near the Villages. We made a hundred mile roundtrip to Wesley Chapel last weekend to eat at Cantina Laredo which we had in Texas. Very good but a long drive.