Floridiana Magazine

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Florida Eats: Kappy’s Subs

Part of the fun of exploring Florida is finding interesting places to dine or visit.  Sometimes you find them just by driving the back roads.  Other times they appear in unlikely places.  Who would have thought one of those locations sits in the shadows of new development in Maitland?

Kappy’s History

Kappy’s Subs has been a Maitland icon for more than 50 years, serving Central Florida customers since 1967.  This unpretentious diner backs up to the railroad tracks and sits at the busy intersection of Sybelia and 17-92.  New construction flanks two of the corners, a 7-11 sits on the third. The environment around this diner have changed, but the owners (it has been in the same family since 1972) haven’t changed a thing.

The Ambiance

Part of the allure of Kappy’s is its ambiance. Don’t go if you’re expecting a fine dining experience.  This is fifties dining at its finest – inside or out. Place your order at the walk-up window, then sit in your car in the limited covered parking outside or have a seat at one of the picnic tables for that true outdoor Florida feel.

Inside, an L-shaped counter lined with 12 swiveling stainless bar stools with burgundy vinyl seats welcome a limited number of guests.  The sound of grease bubbling in the deep fryer indicates a fresh batch of onion rings is being cooked. A waitress yells out “burger” to the cook.  No matter where you sit at the counter, you can view of the grill as your food selection is cooked.

On the Menu

The menu offers up typical diner food – everything from burgers to chicken nuggets to sandwiches, hot dogs and subs.

For me, the Philly Cheesesteak piqued my culinary curiosity (on both recent visits).  It’s one of Kappy’s specialties and it didn’t disappoint.  In all honesty, I didn’t experience the true cheesesteak.  I’m not much on peppers, so I went with the cheese and onions and added on mushrooms.  My dining companion tried the Fatima’s Sensation, with roast beef, grilled onions and mushrooms, plus melted Swiss cheese and a tangy BBQ sauce. On another occasion, he tried The Rodney, with pastrami, onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato.  Coupled with onion rings, our lunches were, as the sign outside says, “yummy.”

Philly Cheesesteak

Fatima’s Sensation

The Rodney

Onion Rings

We both topped off our meals with a chocolate milk shake, made fresh in front of us.  It was creamy, and it was delicious.

Kappy’s Hours

If you’re looking for a change from fast food restaurants and want something more authentic, Kappy’s is the place to go. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you visit, let us know what you think.

Floridiana Magazine (FM) Note: After publication we received additional information from the family about Kappy’s.  It operated as a Valentine Diner in 1964. (In case you’re interested, a Valentine Diner was a small diner that seated eight to twelve people with a limited menu, making it possible for one or two people to run with limited capital.) The establishment also operated as a What-A-Burger for two years and, after closing, reopened as Kappy’s by Isadore Kaplan around 1967 . Bob Caplan (with a “C”) purchased Kappy’s in 1972 and the diner has been in the family ever since.

Florida Eats: Desert Inn (CLOSED)

If you’ve ever traveled the Florida turnpike, you’ve likely seen the sign for Yeehaw Junction about 65 miles south of Orlando.  The question is, have you ever been curious enough to venture off the highway to see what’s there?  If not, you should.  If you have, then you already know about the Desert Inn – a must see for those looking for a taste of old Florida.

The Desert Inn sits at the busy intersection of Highway 60 and U.S. 441 and is a favorite lunch and dinner spot for locals, tourists and bikers out for their weekend rides. The Inn also offers rentals for those looking for a place to stay in the area.

Desert Inn History

The Desert Inn was established as a trading post in the late 1880s.  The current building can be traced to before 1925 when it served as a respite for cattlemen and lumbermen after long days of hard work. With the construction of roads in the 1930s, the Desert Inn saw an increase in the number of tourists who stopped by.  Then in the 50s, the turnpike was built, an exit added, and the name officially became Yeehaw Junction. (The area was known by several names in its early years: Crossroads, Jackass Crossing, and the Crossing.)  In 1994, the Desert Inn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Ambience

The minute you walk up to the Desert Inn, its unique character is apparent, an old gas pump on one side, a “Jackass Crossing” sign on the other.  Inside, it’s just as eclectic – from the dollar bills attached to the U-shaped bar, to the old fortune telling machine in one corner and the Native American family in another.

If you visit the women’s bathroom, don’t be surprised to see a life-size male mannequin, his shirt signed by visitors to the restaurant.  (I had heard about the mannequin but was still taken aback when I walked in!)

On the Menu

A menu board is propped up in one of the windows and offers some tasty dining options. When asked for a recommendation, the waitress said the hamburgers and the fried green tomatoes are favorite dishes.

We chose the burgers – a plain burger and a bacon burger – both of which were cooked to perfection.  A nice change to a traditional burger was the bread.  Fresh ciabatta bread kept the burger together and mess-free. (I don’t know how many times I’ve had a burger and it has fallen apart because of the hamburger bun.)  Crisp hot fries rounded out our lunch, along with a cold beer.

Paying the bill is just as unique as the restaurant itself.  A mouse trap holding your tab is delivered to your table.  As for the prices?  Comparable to other restaurants this size, but worth the atmosphere.  We were able to eat for less than $40 before a tip.

If you are looking for fast food, this is not the place.  A sign outside lets you know before you walk in that if you’re in a hurry, a Mickey D’s can be found 30 – 50 miles in any direction!  The service was prompt but laid back.  The meal was tasty, and the experience was worth venturing off the highway.

 

Florida Eats: Farmer’s Market Restaurant, Webster, FL (CLOSED)

“Florida home cooking” conjures up an image of a Sunday afternoon meal.  Fried chicken or meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy macaroni and cheese.  Add to that a variety of vegetables and greens, cornbread or biscuit and a tall glass of sweet tea. Then top it all off with a homemade dessert.

Brings back memories, doesn’t it?

Where can you find such a feast without having to don an apron and dust off the cookbook?  The Farmer’s Market Restaurant in Webster, Florida of course.

Farmer’s Market Restaurant Webster, Florida

The Ambiance

The restaurant sits in the middle of the Webster Farmer’s Market on Highway 471 and is open seven days a week.  Wooden rockers on the front porch reach out and welcome you to the restaurant.  Diners use it as a gathering place – whether they are waiting for someone to join them or relaxing after their home cooked meal.

This is a no-frills restaurant. A variety of kitchen gadgets adorn the walls. Shelves along the top of the walls hold plates and cups. A mixture of booths and tables provide seating in the dining area.

A second dining room has been added since our first visit a year ago. One of the waitresses says the room was needed to accommodate the large number of diners, especially on Mondays when thousands of people converge on the Webster Flea Market.

Second Dining Area

Home Cooking

After seating yourself, the waitstaff is quick to take your drink order and direct you to the buffet or offer a menu. The buffet appears to be the more popular choice and, whether you are there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, provides enough culinary options to satisfy anyone’s cravings. And the best part is you can fill your plate and go back for seconds. From one end of the buffet to the other, it’s a diner’s dream. Oh, and the desserts?  One word: scrumptious!

Small town restaurants serve up more than just food – they offer hospitality with a touch of home. The Farmer’s Market Restaurant is no different.  It is a place to sit down for a meal and hear the locals around you talking about their week or asking about each other’s families.  It’s a place where you can enjoy a meal without being rushed to make room for the next customer.

Hours of Operation

The Farmer’s Market Restaurant is open Monday – Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

How to Get There

If you’re ever in the area, stop by for a bite to eat or make a special trip.  If you’re traveling on Interstate 75, get off at exit 309 (County Road 673) and drive west about 10 minutes.

Whatever your reason for visiting, you can count on home cooking the way your mother used to make it.

Florida Eats: Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak

There are times when we are out and about that we run into some interesting places to eat.  Some are off the beaten track and known mostly by locals, where word of mouth draws in curious visitors.  Others are located on the main roads and hold some historic distinction. In this week’s Florida Eats, we made a stop at Cherry Pocket on the banks of Lake Pierce in Lake Wales.

From their décor to their newspaper-style menu, Cherry Pocket is one of those hidden gems.  The restaurant’s website touts the efforts by the current owners to keep it a unique “old Florida” place to visit.  The name Cherry Pocket, as legend tells it, comes from the two original property owners in the late 1940s, one of whom was named Cherry.  The “Pocket” part of the name was derived from the way the property sat on the canal (the owners thought it looked like a pocket).

The Ambiance

For folks who live in the area, Cherry Pocket is one of those laid-back kinds of restaurants they frequent regularly.  It’s a place for them to drop in for lunch or dinner or even just a drink.  The décor is comfortable and unassuming.  Dollar bills are attached to the walls along with license plates from around the country.  Fishing poles hang from the ceiling. Posted signs offer diners a suggestion or two – one in particular indicates the restaurant is a “No Whining Zone.”

If the weather is nice and you prefer to sit outside, there is an outdoor deck overlooking the canal.  In the center, a boat shaped bar.  Grab a stool and enjoy a drink.

The Menu

The restaurant bills itself as a “steak, seafood shak and oyster bar.”  From the appetizers to the entrees, the food is made from fresh ingredients and is cooked to order. The desserts are all homemade.

On our visit, we tried a few of the starters – the Cracker Platter and the Seafood Nachos.  Let’s just say the nachos were to die for!

A word of advice for newbies to the restaurant.  Don’t be in a hurry.  Since the food is made to order, it may take a little longer.  Just sit back, enjoy a drink, an appetizer and a friendly conversation.

Fish Camp

Cherry Pocket is not just a restaurant.  It is also a fishing “resort” offering rental cabins, RV hookups and boat slips.  Stay for a night, a week, or a month.  The cabins are fully furnished and include utilities and cable TV.  Make sure to call ahead to make reservations.

If you’ve never been to Cherry Pocket, just a reminder this restaurant truly is off the beaten path.  Rather than providing directions, it’s best for you to map it out from your location.  When you get there, make sure to ask for the Cherry Pocket Times.  Not only does it have the menu, but also a few “fish stories” you’ll want to read.

Cherry Pocket is located at:

3100 Canal Road
Lake Wales, FL 33898
863-439-2031