The Best of the Best of Sanford 2021

BY LEON KONIECZNY

The 2021 annual “Best of Sanford Awards”, sponsored by My Sanford Magazine, highlight the best of the best. The Downtown Sanford Entertainment District draws people from far and near to its various bars, restaurants, events, and venues. MSM recognizes that, though Sanford is chock-full of excellent (best) places, there are a few that really stand out from the rest of the best. These are them:

Twenty years ago, downtown Sanford was a quiet, sleepy place, but that did not stop Theo and Linda Hollerbach from taking over a small restaurant space, the Willow Tree Café. From those humble beginnings with only a handful of employees and tables, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café had grown and expanded over the years to be Sanford’s premier destination restaurant, now featuring an outdoor, rooftop Biergarten. On any given weekend, the restaurant is packed full. Gemütlichkeit (hospitality), beer, and fine (and excellent) German food flows freely. No one leaves hungry, thirsty, or not having had a great time.

Another early newcomer to Sanford, nearly 15 years ago, was the West End Trading Company, curiously situated on the east end of downtown. From humble beginnings, West End has grown and expanded over the years into an entertainment venue with bar food and drinks, featuring their signature Sunshine State Bomb. West End continues to host many, many events, including their own long-running Hurricane Party, every June since 2007. I think it was West End that invented the #Sanfording hashtag, too.

Many of the streets of downtown Sanford have been transformed over the years, funded by the Downtown Sanford CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency). That investment has paid off, luring more and varied venues to Sanford. Sanford’s first Craft Brewery, Wop’s Hops Brewing Company, began as just “a few guys brewing some home beer.” Now a fixture on the re-streetscaped Sanford Avenue, they’ve expanded and offer full-service dining as well. But they are known first and foremost for their imaginative and tasty craft beers.

Just a block away and Sanford’s second micro-brewery, Sanford Brewing Company, has grown and expanded recently to a second location in a nearby city. But their signature location in Sanford is a Sanford Avenue destination, always popular with live music and a full gastropub menu. Come for the craft beer, have some delicious food, and stay for the music.

Also located downtown is another one of Sanford’s finest restaurants. The District in Sanford has been serving up delicious food for almost 5 years now. You will never go away hungry with their great cuisine, and they have Sanford’s one of the best happy hours, too, with a great HH menu and drink specials. But here’s an insider tip: try the soup. Their soups are always outstanding and never disappoint. You can thank me later.

Just a door or two down from The District is Sanford’s first distillery, Loggerhead Distillery. Distilling fine craft spirits for over two years now (and featured in many of the local watering holes), they specialize in award-winning whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodkas, and moonshines. Undecided? Their tasting room will let you sample and help you decide.

Walk another block or so and you’ll be at downtown’s Henry’s Depot Food Hall. Situated in an old, repurposed Railroad Depot, the food hall boasts a few small food spots featuring oak-fired pizza, fresh seafood, specialty hot dogs, craft sandwiches, vegan fare, high-end coffee, and delicious ice cream—there is something for everyone. Order from one or all and have it delivered to your table in The Basin, their full-service bar, where you can enjoy a fine craft cocktail or drink.

A day of Sanfording is not complete without a stop at Palate Coffee Brewery, staffed by volunteers, and whose profit goes to fighting human trafficking. Enjoy some great coffee, free Wi-Fi, and support a great cause.

An anchor of Sanford’s beautiful lakefront is St. John’s River Steak & Seafood. The million-dollar view of the lake is a draw, but the food is also fantastic. You may come for the view, but you will leave full and satisfied, too.

How best to cap off a night of Sanfording (you did rent a golf cart, right?)? Why not a visit to Executive Cigar Sanford, located in the Gateway plaza along the Riverwalk. They feature a full bar, a wide selection of cigars, a great indoor ventilation system, and a nice outdoor patio along the Riverwalk, the perfect place to cap an evening of visiting Sanford’s best of the best.

Sanford is indeed a town of award winners. But those places (listed above) chosen “Top 10 Best of Downtown Sanford” by the readers of My Sanford Magazine, truly stand out as the best among the best. Grab (or rent) your bike or golf cart and take a tour of Sanford’s best of the best. You will not be disappointed.

Leon Konieczny is a local Central Florida foodie and food blogger who’s been writing about Sanford and Seminole County area “good eats” restaurants for the past twelve years. He’s big into eating at local mom ‘n’ pop shops where high quality ingredients, love, and a dose of home cooking make all the difference. While he occasionally eats at the big chains, he claims it’s only to remind him where a real quality dining experience lurks — in the small restaurants which are the heart and soul of every neighborhood and community.