Good east-side eats
Home-cooked vittles can be had when the cook in your home just isn't in the mood.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published December 23, 2005
Citrus County is fortunate to have many small restaurants where the food is home-cooked, the wait staff is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. Most of these mom-and-pop eateries are well known to locals, but just in case you haven't had a chance to visit them, here's a sampling. This week I'll list my favorite east Citrus County diners and small restaurants. The list is by no means all inclusive. Even after 27 years here, I haven't had the opportunity to visit them all. Next week, it's the west side's turn.
FLORAL CITY
Sleepy Hollow, 10333 E Gobbler Drive. This restaurant with a literary name is well off the beaten path, but a visit there is a reward of both great food and Old Florida atmosphere. Take Gobbler off U.S. 41 S, and look for the restaurant on some tight curves a couple of miles down. Prime rib, baby back ribs, steaks and seafood, cooked in an outdoor gas grill, complement the standard fare of wings, burgers and chicken baskets. Beer and wine are served; a full liquor bar is coming. An outdoor deck and bandstand offer live music. Hours are 8 a.m. until late all week. Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Call 726-3242.Janette's Little Restaurant, 6689 U.S. 41 S at the intersection of Kabrich Lane. This charming roadside spot resembles a cottage. Not a lot of tables, but really good food, from breakfast (try the red-eye gravy and ham) to dinner. Hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Dinner specials include prime rib on Tuesday, liver and onions Wednesday. Call 637-0555.
Old World Restaurant, 8370 S Florida Ave. (U.S. 41). Good selection of steaks, seafood and European traditional dishes like schnitzel, wurst platters and and cabbage rolls. Soup bar. Hours are 3 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Call 344-4443.
INVERNESS
Las Lomas Mexican Grill, 724 U.S. 41, has all the traditional Mexican dishes: burritos, Mexican rice, enchiladas and tacos. Nightly specials make a family visit affordable. Lounge has upscale tequilas, live music Thursdays and karaoke Mondays. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 344-8476.
Cockadoodle's Cafe, 206 Tompkins St. With its barnyard decor and oil paintings by local painter Brenda Smith, Cockadoodle's is known for its country breakfasts and daily lunch specials. Open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call 637-0335.
The Cove Pub and Restaurant, 1242 S Covecamp Point off State Road 44 E. This place practically put chicken wings on the map in Citrus County. Although the original Cove burned down years ago, its replacement lost no charm or kitchen skills. In fact, a huge beer cooler is a modern improvement. Check out the all-you-can eat chicken wing specials on Tuesdays. Burgers, subs and salads complete the menu. Hours are 11 to 9 p.m. daily. Call 344-5894.
Angelo's Pizzeria, 108 Main St. on the Courthouse Square. Serving great Italian food, the diner is a hit with the downtown courthouse lunch crowd. Pizza by the slice, tasty antipasto, flavorful lasagna and a decent house wine. Also try the garlic knots. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday. Call 341-0056.
The Country Diner, 5409 S Florida Ave., between Inverness and Floral City. Another great roadside diner offering home-cooked breakfasts and lunch. Try the made-from-scratch desserts, soups and stuffed peppers. On mild days, eat on the front porch. The restaurant has been in business for 32 years, so you can figure that it has a good reputation. Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 344-1267.
Enrico's Ristorante, 439 U.S. 41 S. This is a relocation of a popular Italian restaurant from Homosassa, and seating is by reservations only. Go for a table in the "Mob Room," decorated with posters of The Godfather movies and with a replica of a Tommy gun, the submachine gun favored by Machine Gun Kelly and Ma Barker. Opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 341-4555.
HERNANDO
Chicken King, 2420 N Florida Ave. at County Road 486. Yes, this is the place where locals go for fried chicken, and it's tasty. Check out the specials board in the dining room. The bean soup was an excellent choice on a recent visit. Open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except for some national holidays. Call 726-4737.
Croft Road Barbecue, 600 N Croft Ave. You can smell the ribs, beef and chicken cooking on the outdoor grill from quite a distance. This is a takeout-only roadside barbecue stand open on Fridays and Saturdays. Call 637-4077.
Sabina's Diner, 2400 N Florida Ave. (U.S. 41). This roadside eatery has a 1950s decor, great home-cooked food and an ice cream parlor. Breakfast is served all day. Try the house specialty, Martine's Mix on the Grill. Martine Hugel is the daughter of Sabina Hugel, the owner and chef. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Call 637-1308.
Gennie D's Restaurant, 4473 N Carl G. Rose Highway (State Road 200) near Apache Shores in Hernando. This is an excellent home-cooking restaurant, which also employs an in-house baker for some of the best cakes, pies and desserts you've ever tasted. Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 344-3737.
Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus County. Call 860-7313 or e-mail sanchez@sptimes.com