I didn't live here til after they closed. And if they were overpriced in order to recover the exorbitant rents paid to the Landlord in the squares, I wouldn't have been going there often at all anyway.

But a decent Indian place, or middle-eastern/falafel joint anywhere between Leesburg and Summerville on Rte 441 would be amazing. Or down on 466/a between 441 and 301.

It'd be a part of my usual rotation for "treat-time for moi."

New York state (I want to say it was in or near Syracuse?). Absolutely amazing. And I'm not even all that fond of BBQ food, I've never met a Mac & Cheese made by any restaurant that is as good as mine, and if I'm stuck with inferior I'd rather go all the way to the dark side and have Kraft. Their corn bread with honey - OMG. That's how I serve my corn bread now - with honey that came from bees that gathered pollen from MY oregano garden back in Connecticut. Nothing better.

They had some delicious chicken. This was MANY years ago and I still remember how good it was.

That's like the taqueria I used to go to, back in CT. They had the usual taqueria food on the menu, which was on the wall, and was all in Spanish. And then you could order caldo de pescado, which wasn't on the menu. You'd have to know they made it. Spicy and rich. And the only thing you had to do, to get it, is ask for it in Spanish.

Falaffel and a place that sells real Gyro's would be awesome. Takis is ok but do not offer regular gyro meat cooked on a spit. When asked the owner said that people here prefer it that way. This former NYer does not.

"Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason."
-Seinfeld

k.

It’s hard to get decent pizza here.

They also don't make tahini.

I like my greek salads with tahini, not greek dressing (which really is just a vinaigrette).

The only advice I would offer to any prospective restauranteur in The Villages.
Is charge at least $5 for lemon and water!:icon_wink:

Or as Yogi Berra used to say, when you come to a fork in the road take it!

Portillos would be a good one. They started in Chicago and have spread out, there’s two in Tampa.

I know how good Portuguese food is. Was born and raised in southeast Ma. where the population is a majority of Portuguese descent (I'm 50%). There are Portuguese restaurants everywhere. The dishes feature a lot of seafood and meats, the portions are huge, and priced very reasonably. I always have a freezer full of chourico and linguica for sandwiches, sauces, kale soup (caldo verde),etc. Everyone I've made Shrimp Mozambique for down here just loves it. So yes, Portuguese for me

A good one
 

A good one. The one's here are all pretty mediocre. An excellent fish and steak restaurant would be nice. Something along the lines of Traders, and I'd be in heaven.

TRADERS SANIBEL

Personally, more seafood options. I'd even go for a Red Lobster on the southside. But based on my street of new homeowners alone, catering to a New York crowd will be a winning formula for sure. EVERYBODY is from New York!

We're all either from NY, from somewhere near NY, have eaten in NY, had a mother from NY who cooked for her family, or who recognizes the superior quality of foods from the general vicinity thereof. Even their crappiest burrito joint is better than the best one in Florida!

Something Bourdain would like.
Doesn't have to,be fancy, just good.

Something Bourdain would like.
Doesn't have to,be fancy, just good.

With very few exceptions, what we have here is chain-restaurant-quality fare. Maybe a place that offers fresh food, well-prepared, a simple menu maybe with 4 entrees a day that could change with posted calory-counts because most of us are overweight.

Franchise or your own concept? I have 35 yrs as a major franchisee and franchisor.
What is your expertise in?

Funny you should mention that, my mother was born & raised in Tarrytown, NY. I've also traveled to NY on business numerous times so I very much resemble your remark!

along with low sodium!! Seems like all of them enjoy adding salt as the 'go to seasoning'. I can't eat at most restaurants due to the sodium

Salt is way too cheap so it is a cheap thing for restaurants to add in much too large quantities

I wish we had one near Spanish Springs.