Quick Bites

Dinner over easy

Sometimes it’s just fun to have breakfast for dinner. Everyone knows places like Denny’s, Bob Evans, Perkins, Cracker Barrel, and iHop serve breakfast all day, but if you’re looking for the “hometown” touch to your meal, try these favorites: Wolfy’s, 918 N. 14th St., Leesburg; Haystax Restaurant, 15939 U.S. Highway 441, Eustis; The Highland St. Café, 185 S. Highland St., Mount Dora; and Flapjack Johnny’s, 7432 Highway 50, Groveland. A big breakfast for dinner could be a treat for the whole family!

NEW

LEESBURG

Have you seen Lenny?

OK, Lenny, did you bump off fi ve guys? And just where is Lenny anyway? In December 2016, plans were announced for a new Five Guys Burgers, along with a Chipotle restaurant and Aspen Dental, at the former site of Bojangles restaurant, 10430 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg. A new building went up and Aspen Dental moved in, but a city spokesman has no information on the whereabouts of Five Guys or Chipotle. The city received plans, however, for Lenny’s Grill & Subs at the same site. Lenny’s subs look delicious and the place is open 24 hours—except Lenny wasn’t there despite a Facebook page stating the sub shop would open in October. So be on the lookout for Lenny.

TAVARES

Country goodness

A small restaurant’s packed parking lot often is a sign of good food, and Mary’s Kountry Kitchen, 15945 County Road 448, Tavares, attracts locals and passersby with tasty old-fashioned, American favorites. It’s worth saving room for Mary’s scrumptious desserts, including Peanut Butter Reese Lasagna or Coconut Bomb Cake. Yum!

MOUNT DORA

Mount Dora: Tasty and fl avorful

It’s not a free lunch but it will fi ll you up for the afternoon. Taste of Our Town is a guided tasting tour of food and wine in Mount Dora that also includes local history and scenic highlights. The tour stops at charming restaurants, quaint food shops, and wine bistros every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each month. The threehour tours start at 2pm at the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce, 341 Alexander St. The cost of $49 per person includes seven to eight food tastings, a bottle of water, and exclusive discounts to local restaurants and establishments. For tickets and more information, go to mountdora.com or call the chamber at 352.383.2165.

More food products in 2018

A larger array of Stonewall Kitchen food products is now available at Southern Gourmet & Café, 314 W. Main St., Leesburg, which has increased in size to accommodate additional merchandise. “We have everything from appetizers, barbecue items, salsas, jams, and salad dressings,” says Sandy Maddox, who owns the café with her husband and son. “Stonewall Kitchen is known for their Maine blueberries, and we have lots of blueberry products in pancake and waffl e mixes, blueberry syrups, blueberry toppings for ice cream, blueberry jams and jellies, and even in drink mixes of blueberry pomegranates.” Sandy says a variety of gift baskets will be available, too.

NEW

TAVARES

Better late than never

Anyone who lives in Tavares knows it’s slim pickings if you want to find a late-night meal. That’s why a lot of people anxiously awaited the debut of BTW, 115 E. Main St., billed as the “the newest and coolest eatery yet.” BTW, which stands for burgers, tacos, and waff les, is expected to stay open late to attract night owls. A “BTW” storefront sign went up in the summer, and interior artwork was added in the fall as construction moved slowly. But hungry diners can check out the restaurant’s progress at facebook.com/btwtavares/?ref=page_internal.

WILDWOOD

Suds and sips

If you’re a man who enjoys his brew, but your lovely lady prefers wine, here’s the perfect place to try local microbrews and wine—Backyard Barn Winery & Microbrewery. Not far from The Villages, the farm-based business is at 1945 E. County Road 462 in Wildwood. The family-ownedand-operated business makes small-batch, handcrafted wine and beer. You can enjoy it at the bar or in one of the pergolas with the delightful fi re pit.

Slow cooker time!

January is National Slow-Cooking Month, and that’s an easy way to increase meals at home. They use less electricity than an oven, and because of the long, low-temperature cooking, they tenderize lessexpensive cuts of meats. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences off ers the following slow cooker recipe for barbecue ribs:

Barbecue ribs

Ingredients

3-4 pounds of baby back or country-style ribs

1/2 teaspoon salt, optional

1/2 teaspoon pepper, optional

2 onions sliced

16-24oz. bottle barbecue sauce (depending on how saucy you like your ribs)

Directions

Place ribs in slow cooker with other ingredients and cook on high for one hour. Turn to low and cook for eight hours.