New Restaurant called Rae Rae's

[sralph99]

We were driving south this morning from Lady Lake on 441 and just after passing Phillips Buick in Fruitland Park we saw this new restaurant. It is in Park Central Plaza and is opened for breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. We decided to try it and had breakfast. Both breakfast and service were great. It is owned by Tim Rohan, former owner of Pauly's Pizza in Spanish Springs. After finishing we were very close to 466A which took us right back to the south side of The Villages. Looks like a good choice for breakfast or lunch if you are anywhere near the area.

[KathieI]

That's great news... thanks for sharing.

Too bad he didn't open up in Colony Plaza, we could use a restaurant like that... but then, again, I bet the prices would be much higher.

[Skip2MySue]

We were driving south this morning from Lady Lake on 441 and just after passing Phillips Buick in Fruitland Park we saw this new restaurant. It is in Park Central Plaza and is opened for breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. We decided to try it and had breakfast. Both breakfast and service were great. It is owned by Tim Rohan, former owner of Pauly's Pizza in Spanish Springs. After finishing we were very close to 466A which took us right back to the south side of The Villages. Looks like a good choice for breakfast or lunch if you are anywhere near the area.

Thanks for the info as we live in Pennecamp and it's always nice to try out a new eating place in our side of town.
Skip 2

[rayschic]

We were driving south this morning from Lady Lake on 441 and just after passing Phillips Buick in Fruitland Park we saw this new restaurant. It is in Park Central Plaza and is opened for breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. We decided to try it and had breakfast. Both breakfast and service were great. It is owned by Tim Rohan, former owner of Pauly's Pizza in Spanish Springs. After finishing we were very close to 466A which took us right back to the south side of The Villages. Looks like a good choice for breakfast or lunch if you are anywhere near the area.

Any idea what's on the lunch menu ? I'd be interested in trying it out, but I googled it and can't find it.

[skyguy79]

We were driving south this morning from Lady Lake on 441 and just after passing Phillips Buick in Fruitland Park we saw this new restaurant. It is in Park Central Plaza and is opened for breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. We decided to try it and had breakfast. Both breakfast and service were great. It is owned by Tim Rohan, former owner of Pauly's Pizza in Spanish Springs. After finishing we were very close to 466A which took us right back to the south side of The Villages. Looks like a good choice for breakfast or lunch if you are anywhere near the area.Thanks for posting this good news. Can you tell me is there are any mobility issues with access using a mobility scooter; issues like the entrance, enough space to position the scooter at the table? I tried another small breakfast & lunch place some time ago not too far south from there and had an experience I don't care much to repeat. Note that I'm strictly speaking of issues involving mobility, not the food or service. Thanks in advance for whatever feedback you can provide.

[sralph99]

I did pick up a menu. They have all sorts of heroes, salads (chef, antipasto, caesar, etc), burgers, club sandwiches, tuna, chicken etc. All sandwiches served with fries or chips.

[sralph99]

Thanks for posting this good news. Can you tell me is there are any mobility issues with access using a mobility scooter; issues like the entrance, enough space to position the scooter at the table? I tried another small breakfast & lunch place some time ago not too far south from there and had an experience I don't care much to repeat. Note that I'm strictly speaking of issues involving mobility, not the food or service. Thanks in advance for whatever feedback you can provide.
There is a step up from the parking space and there is a double door entrance. It was an end unit but I did not notice if there was a ramp on the side. The tables inside are movable.

[rayschic]

I did pick up a menu. They have all sorts of heroes, salads (chef, antipasto, caesar, etc), burgers, club sandwiches, tuna, chicken etc. All sandwiches served with fries or chips.

Thanks for the info.

[skyguy79]

There is a step up from the parking space and there is a double door entrance. It was an end unit but I did not notice if there was a ramp on the side. The tables inside are movable.Thank you!

[skyguy79]

There is a step up from the parking space and there is a double door entrance. It was an end unit but I did not notice if there was a ramp on the side. The tables inside are movable.Here's a followup on the handicapped accessible question.

After we left Brownwood's Farmer's Market this morning we went to Rae Rae's Restaurant on 441. When we arrived I was pleased to see that they were very accessible. The handicapped parking spots were at sidewalk level and there was an entrance directly in front of where we were able to park; business was quiet so we were able to park there.

When we got inside I was able to drive straight to a table near the cash register counter, and even if I couldn't I could have easily maneuvered to a number of other tables.

There are plenty of breakfast selections to chose from including pancakes, french toast, waffles, omlettes, scrambles, signature dishes and plenty of ala-carte items as well as a large selection of drinks. We had absolutely no complaints with what my wife and I ordered and will be going back again for sure.

The lunch selections are kind of limited compared to breakfast, but what selections there were looked yummy! They weren't prepared however to take lunch orders until 11AM.

Rae Rae's Restaurant (352-323-1595) is open from 6-2pm (M-F) and 7-1pm. (S&S) They have take out menus available but they don't have a website up and running yet. I was told they will be having one though.

I have a feeling that once they're better known, in and out for me won't be quite as easy as it was this time. I'll gladly take that hit since they appear to me to be deserving of success! :mmmm:

[Baileysmom]

Thanks for all the great info Skyguy, sounds like a winner. Hopefully we can try it soon.

[SuzyL]

Just up in the area and looked at Tripadvisor for a place to eat breakfast and we found the previous place had been closed down and Rae Rae's was soon to open.

Back up in the area and just had to try it, boy are we glad we did!

The best homemade ( not from a can or box) kinda cooking with lots of Love! ( Being from the south this is important )

Fresh and would highly recommend.

We had the hash, biscuits with homemade sausage gravy, grits and grilled catfish with poached eggs and toast. Pancakes for dessert.

The coffee is also very good along with the friendly staff.

[villager]

Nice to hear Tim is back in the restaurant business. He always had good food and runs a nice business. Can't wait to try his new place. Thanks!

[AngieT2]

Hubbie and I tried Rae Rae's (thanks to TOTV!!)... Fabulous! Tim and Christine prepared my omelet perfectly and my husband is still raving about his corned beef hash!

The pancake was wonderful and the biscuit... oooh...the biscuit.... Too good for words!

Looking forward to lunch at Rae's, next!

:wave:

[LittleDog]

Exactly where is this restaurant on 441? Is it on the right side of the road going south? Someone mentioned Phillips Buick. I know where that is. Need some further clarification on location.

Thanx

John

[marianne237]

Had breakfast here last week and really impressed with the food and décor. This was the Legends Sports place before they moved.

For those not familiar with the area, as you're driving south on 27/441, it's on the right-hand side in a small mall-type area that has pale colors and resemble houses. Quite a few businesses in the complex and Rae-Rae is the end unit by the drive way...south of the Buick dealer.

[skyguy79]

Exactly where is this restaurant on 441? Is it on the right side of the road going south? Someone mentioned Phillips Buick. I know where that is. Need some further clarification on location.

Thanx

JohnReposting of a message I posted on another past thread.

Here is a Google Map routing from Havana CC to Rae Rae's Restaurant. The map will give you 3 suggestions, but I wouldn't go straight out to the end of 466a then take a left on 441. Because of construction you won't be able to make the left into the small plaza where Rae Rae's is and you'd have to go down further to make a U turn and return. If you take the default route or the Lake Ella Rd Rte. you only need to take a right hand turn (B marker on the map) into the little plaza where Rae Rae's is.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=H...us&mra=ls&z=14 (https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Havana+Country+Club,+2488+Odell+Circle, +The+Villages,+FL+32162&daddr=2468+US+Hwy+441%2F27,+Fruitland+Park,+FL&hl=en&ll=28.868353,-81.935005&spn=0.039086,0.074158&sll=28.710419,-81.815586&sspn=0.626319,1.186523&geocode=FZ6JuAEdq04d-yk9jmFcw8PniDHnRYk4wCVIZA%3BFVmQuAEdjTAe-ykHGEjW38DniDEE1CbIkiRgfw&t=m&gl=us&mra=ls&z=14)

[pklein9747]

Hubby and I stopped for lunch today. It was 11:30 and we were starving. We hadn't been planning on eating lunch out but as we were traveling 441 South and others had raved about it we thought we would give it a try.

Place was busy with several large parties but there were seats available. We waited an hour for our food (1 meatball sub and 1 sausage sub) and when the table across from us, who had come in after us, got their food, we got up and left. Tim, the owner, followed us out and did apologize...said our food ticket had fallen and he didn't see it. He offered us lunch on the house, but at that point we weren't interested any longer. I blame the server, Nikki, who was not pleasant, did not get our drink order correct, never did bring a straw when requested, and was totally uninterested in serving us. Her focus seemed to be those people who were regulars and/or friends. She should have realized that we hadn't gotten our food and should have followed up.

Will we try it again?? Probably not. Sorry, Tim, but your servers should be an asset not a liability.

[skyguy79]

Hubby and I stopped for lunch today. It was 11:30 and we were starving. We hadn't been planning on eating lunch out but as we were traveling 441 South and others had raved about it we thought we would give it a try.

Place was busy with several large parties but there were seats available. We waited an hour for our food (1 meatball sub and 1 sausage sub) and when the table across from us, who had come in after us, got their food, we got up and left. Tim, the owner, followed us out and did apologize...said our food ticket had fallen and he didn't see it. He offered us lunch on the house, but at that point we weren't interested any longer. I blame the server, Nikki, who was not pleasant, did not get our drink order correct, never did bring a straw when requested, and was totally uninterested in serving us. Her focus seemed to be those people who were regulars and/or friends. She should have realized that we hadn't gotten our food and should have followed up.

Will we try it again?? Probably not. Sorry, Tim, but your servers should be an asset not a liability.Sorry you had the experience you did. That's unfortunate. We were there yesterday for a late breakfast following our stop at the Wildwood Farmers Market. This was our third time there. Our experience was totally the opposite from what you experienced except for one thing... Nikki. Her performance wasn't quite up to par but she was not as bad with us as you described she was with you. Either way her performance should be focused 100% on the customer, especially since that's where part of her income comes from. Or it could possible be 100% since I think she may be family.

My wife had the sausage gravy on biscuits and said to me how excellent it was. I'm not a fan of what she had though. I had catfish grits and eggs and I was surprised that the catfish was considerably better than I had expected it would be. My only hesitation about going there is that it is kind of small and if it's crowded and I can't get into a spot with my mobility scooter, I would have to reload it into my vehicle and go elsewhere. So far that hasn't happened but I got a feeling if we arrived when you did that I would have to leave.

Tim is trying hard to made the place work and I think he'll succeed, especially if he can make a change in the inattentiveness you've experienced..

About a month before moving to Florida we went to a restaurant for the first time that was just a couple of blocks from our home up north. It was the first time because for health reasons I didn't get out much and it was the most expensive place in town. Plus we had only been in town less than two years. We had a similar experience where a table full of people arrived about 10 minutes after we did, get their menus, their orders were taken and the food began being served to them. We had not even gotten our menus yet! We felt like you did, got up and started leaving. The manager/owner did came after us apologizing and offered us a desert comp, not the entire meal like you were. We hesitantly accepted and were glad we did. The meals and deserts were excellent and the chef/owner also came out afterward and also apologized.

[Shimpy]

We're going to try it in the next week or so, but know from experience that good ole country restaurants that brag on their biscuits and gravy usually have their eggs and home fries floating in grease. I'll try it once and hope to be pleasantly surprised. Breakfast is my favorite meal and have tried many places in and within 1 hour of TV and have many favorites but am open to new places.

[jnieman]

We're going to try it in the next week or so, but know from experience that good ole country restaurants that brag on their biscuits and gravy usually have their eggs and home fries floating in grease. I'll try it once and hope to be pleasantly surprised. Breakfast is my favorite meal and have tried many places in and within 1 hour of TV and have many favorites but am open to new places.

Went to Rae Rae's last week. The gravy and bisquits were really good especially the biscuits so soft and fluffy. The over easy egg was good not floating in grease. Also the potatoes were very good and not floating in grease. However if you're not into spicy I would ask for light spice on the potatoes. The sausage gravy was also spicy. It's not a fancy place at all, just a little diner, but you can tell they are really trying hard to please.

[Shimpy]

Went to Rae Rae's last week. The gravy and bisquits were really good especially the biscuits so soft and fluffy. The over easy egg was good not floating in grease. Also the potatoes were very good and not floating in grease. However if you're not into spicy I would ask for light spice on the potatoes. The sausage gravy was also spicy. It's not a fancy place at all, just a little diner, but you can tell they are really trying hard to please.

Sounds good, I don't like fancy and we enjoy a local atmosphere with a down to earth feeling. The food has to be to our liking though.

[buzzy]

............Place was busy with several large parties but there were seats available. We waited an hour for our food (1 meatball sub and 1 sausage sub) and when the table across from us, who had come in after us, got their food, we got up and left. ................

Will we try it again?? Probably not. Sorry, Tim, but your servers should be an asset not a liability.

Sad to hear about your bad experience. I keep reading about people who give up in disgust after an hour's wait. I would have looked for a manager long before that, just to find out if something went wrong. And, it would take more than a lost order to make me refuse to try the place again.

[robertwbusby]

We were driving south this morning from Lady Lake on 441 and just after passing Phillips Buick in Fruitland Park we saw this new restaurant. It is in Park Central Plaza and is opened for breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. We decided to try it and had breakfast. Both breakfast and service were great. It is owned by Tim Rohan, former owner of Pauly's Pizza in Spanish Springs. After finishing we were very close to 466A which took us right back to the south side of The Villages. Looks like a good choice for breakfast or lunch if you are anywhere near the area.

Saw Rae Rae's from the road while in traffic back up (road construction) pulled on for coffee. Greeted as i walked in, small but nice (about 20 tables with padded seats) greater intoduces self, gets your name, remembers you, uses your name when talking to ya - nice touch. Place is almost full each time (twice so far) i have visited - yesterday at lunch and today at breakfast. EVERYONE feels at home when you walk in and when you leave. Large BF and Lunch menu and the food and drink served me was GREAT. Prices are just right - Great place to eat and take friends. SERVICE is friendly and fast and the folks at Rae Raes want you as repeat customers

[Zoomie1955]

I did pick up a menu. They have all sorts of heroes, salads (chef, antipasto, caesar, etc), burgers, club sandwiches, tuna, chicken etc. All sandwiches served with fries or chips.

They also have breakfast! Good food and very inexpensive! The word is getting around about them. We have been going there for almost a year! Great place to eat if you wander off the "reservation"! :a040:

[rdhdleo]

Awesome place, great food, pries and people!

[2BNTV]

Post is about a year old. With the construction going on, they are not as busy as they would like to be. Nice to know they are still there!!!

[jblum315]

It's a little tricky to get into Rae Rae's what with construction barricades etc., But it's worth it. Great place for breakfast and lunch, good food, friendly staff. They seem to be doing well, always crowded.