Cuisine Queen

Your Favorite Restaurant Is Now Hiring

By Paula [paula@ocalasgoodlife.com]

As you’re driving down SR 200 these days, notice something repetitive? Almost every business has a sign in their window that reads, “NOW HIRING,” especially the restaurants. If your favorite eatery is taking twice, even thrice as long to bring food to your table, don’t blame them. Don’t run to a keyboard and make their business even worse. Be patient.

Patrons are flocking to eateries after a year of shutdowns, especially snowbirds that are going back to states where seating is still limited. Restaurateurs should be dancing with glee with the throngs of customers at their doors, but alas, they don’t have enough help. Recently, more than a handful of restaurants posted closures on Facebook due to limited staff.

As if that’s not bad enough, there is another plight I must mention and will move on to happier things. Recently, two restaurants have closed due to roach and/or rodent droppings. It is dishonest and unfair to unsuspecting patrons who are eating under such conditions. Shame on these restaurateurs for causing distrust in the industry. Make a very convincing public apology or get a real estate agent and get out of the business. No excuses. Enough said.

Cathy Oxford of Shorty n Friends Café, 433- 6551, has surpassed her stay longer than any restaurant I’ve seen in that location in years! Located at the top of the hill on CR 484, just “short” of SR 200, Oxford is doing what others could not—keeping a full parking lot and expanding her hours. Don’t miss their Fish Fry Fridays of beer-battered flounder. Military and senior discounts offered. Check out their strong reviews on Facebook.

Off Duty Tavern, 499-1089, opened in February based on the premise of a place to go when your work shift is over. Work the night shift, get off at 7am and looking for a nice cold one? Off Duty Tavern is the place to go. See their awesome menu at offdutytavern. com and enjoy beer, wine, and wine-based liquor cocktails.

Los Magueyes, 694-0808, opened their fifth location in Ocala in the Peppertree Plaza on Baseline Rd. This family-owned business has other locations in Wildwood, Inverness, Crystal River, and Belleview. Their Facebook comments are off the charts. Worth a try!

Fishhawk Spirits, 445-1292, is a distillery I’ve just discovered that offers tours with tastings. They call themselves “an ultra-premium distillery” and use hand-built processing equipment and corn grown on their land, along with herbs and botanicals, to produce 27 unique varieties of whiskey, rum, vodka, absinthe, and brandy. For more information, go to fishhawkspirits.com. Make a reservation today!

Tidbits: A new Cody’s Original Roadhouse restaurant is coming to On Top of the World adjacent to the Publix in Canopy Oak Center and will feature the same construction as in Brownwood Paddock Square in the Villages. Not only does Cody’s offer excellent meal deals, this one will also have nightly entertainment! Another Breakfast Station is opening on SR 200 in the Steeplechase Plaza. Gyros King Grill, 547-6774, in Dunnellon, has moved into their larger location. Locals are so happy of the move, parking is at a premium. Golden Spoon Diner opened in April in Heathbrook Plaza, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. See their extensive menu on Facebook.

Whew! What a welcome flurry of activity in the restaurant sector!

Got A Hot Tip For The Cuisine Queen? E-mail me at paula@ocalasgoodlife.com