That Food Guy
Friday, September 09, 2011
Super Buffet - Seminole, Florida
Super Buffet – Seminole, Florida
11227 Park Blvd. North Seminole, Florida 33772
(727) 320-9888
The wife’s and my birthday are quite close. In fact they are just separated by just one week by day and month although the years are quite a bit farther apart. It does make it easy for friends who like to take you out to eat on your birthday. It is sort of like getting two for the price of one.
As our birthdays for this year approached, family friend called us and asked to take us out to dinner. A date and time was set and all that remained was where.
We do what married couples do and refrain from voicing a preference to allow the other the choice. As the date grew closer Martha suggested a Chinese place she knew and liked. Neither of us knew about it so it would be a new and novel experience, a broadening of our horizons. Janis and I drove over to pick up Martha just as a Florida thunderstorm began to unleash its fury. By the time we arrived at Martha’s house the squall line was sending gusting winds and rippling waves of rain racing across the streets. After picking up Martha I was the last one back in the car and as a result became sopping wet from the rain. I hoped that would dry before reaching the restaurant.
The Super Buffet is but one store in the massive Seminole Mall. Except for the sign there is little to tell what lies within the particular storefront. By the time we pulled up in front of the restaurant, the rain had subsided to a light sprinkle. I was only half dry. We entered through double doors trimmed with brass. The foyer in subdued lighting features the cashier, the hostess and a decorative fountain. Off to the sides are two dining areas. In brighter lights ahead was the food service area. There were several serving bars featuring cold foods on ice and hot foods in steam trays. Just a note in passing, at most other restaurants of this type, self serve, all you can eat, customers pay first and then are seated. Here you are seated, you have your meal and you are presented the check. For the buffet, lunch (11:00AM to 3:30PM) is $7.39 per person. For dinner (3:30PM to 11:00PM) and all day on holidays the cost is $12.99 per person. There is a re
duced rate for seniors and children
We were seated in less than a minute. The waitress took our beverage orders and bid us to begin making our selections for dinner. One serving bar is labeled Italian. There are is eclectic mixture of dishes there including some that appear to be Italian inspired, even a small pepperoni pizza. However, I am afraid that much was lost in the translation. Other serving bars are labeled salad, seafood, Chinese, and dessert. Of note, not found in most other oriental buffets, there is at the end of the food service area a grill station for Mongolian barbecue. We started off together but wended our individual ways through the aisles between the food service bars.
I started down the Chinese/Oriental aisle. There were a few signs missing but most offerings are labeled. To sample as much as possible, I took a bit of as many items as my plate would hold.
There was teriyaki chicken, General Tso’s chicken, a mushroom and seafood delight, fried rice, yakitori chicken, sweet and sour chicken, an egg roll and some tempura. On the way back to the table I passed the sushi section and stopped for a few pieces as well. And lastly, the salad bar beckoned with some stuffed green olives.
I did notice that there was copious ice under the cold foods and the sushi. All of the hot foods were indeed hot and to touch the surface of the table was painfully hot. I also noted that the presentation trays were shallow and did not hold a lot of food. They had to be replenished often. During dinner I noted that the staff members were frequently busy stocking and replenishing the food items. The food would appear to be f
resh from the food preparation area.
I will preface my critique with this: The food served at the Super Buffet is certainly on a par with the other local restaurants of this type. None of the foods are spectacular but on the other hand none of the foods are really bad. I think many of the items are mass prepared outside and then heated or cooked to completion before serving. As such they suffer the same ailment as other mass produced foods – designed to offend as few people as possible, they truly please even fewer.
The chicken selections were tasty but I really had to look close to see rather than taste if it were chicken teriyaki, General Tso’s chicken or chicken yakitori. The sweet and sour chicken is what is called the New York style, I believe. It is breaded and fried chicken morsels. Alongside is a
container of red sauce that you ladle over your chicken morsels. This presentation certainly pales in comparison to the traditional Chinatown version with peppers, onions and pineapple. The New York style, although done well as far as it goes, really suffers in comparison because of the lack of the traditional accoutrements. The egg rolls are the smaller variety and nicely crispy fried. The filling is basically cabbage and they benefit from a dunk in hot mustard or chili sauce. The tempura selection was limited to slices of zucchini and sweet potato. They were very good, the batter fried light and crisp and the vegetables tender but not soggy. Enjoyment would have been enhanced if there were some additional tempura selections. The fried rice was more a saffron-style yellow rice and didn’t have any particular significant taste. Personally, fried rice is one of my favorite oriental-style comfort foods but I found the Super Buffet example lacking in breadth of ingredients and seasoning.
Personally I don’t care for sashimi. Therefore, my selections from any sushi bar are very limited. On this visit I selected some California rolls and avocado rolls. They were both the inside-out makizushi rolls. Each selection had a rolled coating of tobiko. They were well made, the avocado still a lustrous green without any darkening from air exposure. They tasted good and seemed quite fresh. If I eat a California or avocado roll and taste fish I know there is a problem in the kitchen. In this case there was no taste of raw fish, just the taste of the ingredients. I did notice the service area was well iced and there was not a lot of product on display. There is more than adequate portions wasabi and gari awaiting the diner.
The true gourmand can’t go to an all you can eat restaurant and eat but one serving. For my next foray I decided to try the Mongolian grill. There is a nice selection of ingredients including vegetables, (such as sprouts, green peppers, onions, broccoli florets, etc) meats (chicken, beef and pork) and seafood (white fish, shrimp). The ice table is cold. They stock small amounts of food in the trays which I guess would help to insure freshness. I made my selections of some bean sprouts, mushrooms, green peppers, broccoli, chicken and shrimp. They use flat plates instead of bowls that I have encountered elsewhere. I handed my selection to the chef and he went to work. The grill is not the round Mongolian grill of myth. It is a rectangular flat grill with an at
tached open flame grill that any short-order cook would instantly recognize. I would miss the flourish of the serving, a swish off the edge of the grill into the awaiting bowl. The grill was hot; I could feel the heat even through the sneeze guard. But I noticed the chef used a spritz of water and a dome for much of the cooking – steaming more than frying. The food is cooked with less caramelization than is done on the traditional Mongolian grill and the presentation is more colorful. There is a list of four sauces available and I chose the teriyaki. It was a tasty dish, the vegetables cooked to tender with just a bite. It was an enjoyable conclusion to the main courses.
I tried some samplings of the desert bar. They had a nice selection of melons, strawberries and lots of petit fours style cookies and cakes. The fruit was firm and fresh and refreshing after the heavier fare of the main courses. It was a nice sweet ending to a dinner with loved ones and friends.
Their take home menu features a list of combination plates and traditional Chinese food choices in small and large containers much like a traditional Chinese take-out shop. As well, the menu lists the majority of the buffet items for take home at $3.75 per pound lunch and $4.95 per pound dinner. Sushi and sea food have a different pricing schedule. You can have it your way; eat in or take out.
Super Buffet – Seminole, Florida11227 Park Blvd. North Seminole, Florida 33772
(727) 320-9888
The wife’s and my birthday are quite close. In fact they are just separated by just one week by day and month although the years are quite a bit farther apart. It does make it easy for friends who like to take you out to eat on your birthday. It is sort of like getting two for the price of one.
As our birthdays for this year approached, family friend called us and asked to take us out to dinner. A date and time was set and all that remained was where.We do what married couples do and refrain from voicing a preference to allow the other the choice. As the date grew closer Martha suggested a Chinese place she knew and liked. Neither of us knew about it so it would be a new and novel experience, a broadening of our horizons. Janis and I drove over to pick up Martha just as a Florida thunderstorm began to unleash its fury. By the time we arrived at Martha’s house the squall line was sending gusting winds and rippling waves of rain racing across the streets. After picking up Martha I was the last one back in the car and as a result became sopping wet from the rain. I hoped that would dry before reaching the restaurant.
The Super Buffet is but one store in the massive Seminole Mall. Except for the sign there is little to tell what lies within the particular storefront. By the time we pulled up in front of the restaurant, the rain had subsided to a light sprinkle. I was only half dry. We entered through double doors trimmed with brass. The foyer in subdued lighting features the cashier, the hostess and a decorative fountain. Off to the sides are two dining areas. In brighter lights ahead was the food service area. There were several serving bars featuring cold foods on ice and hot foods in steam trays. Just a note in passing, at most other restaurants of this type, self serve, all you can eat, customers pay first and then are seated. Here you are seated, you have your meal and you are presented the check. For the buffet, lunch (11:00AM to 3:30PM) is $7.39 per person. For dinner (3:30PM to 11:00PM) and all day on holidays the cost is $12.99 per person. There is a re
duced rate for seniors and childrenWe were seated in less than a minute. The waitress took our beverage orders and bid us to begin making our selections for dinner. One serving bar is labeled Italian. There are is eclectic mixture of dishes there including some that appear to be Italian inspired, even a small pepperoni pizza. However, I am afraid that much was lost in the translation. Other serving bars are labeled salad, seafood, Chinese, and dessert. Of note, not found in most other oriental buffets, there is at the end of the food service area a grill station for Mongolian barbecue. We started off together but wended our individual ways through the aisles between the food service bars.
I started down the Chinese/Oriental aisle. There were a few signs missing but most offerings are labeled. To sample as much as possible, I took a bit of as many items as my plate would hold.
There was teriyaki chicken, General Tso’s chicken, a mushroom and seafood delight, fried rice, yakitori chicken, sweet and sour chicken, an egg roll and some tempura. On the way back to the table I passed the sushi section and stopped for a few pieces as well. And lastly, the salad bar beckoned with some stuffed green olives.I did notice that there was copious ice under the cold foods and the sushi. All of the hot foods were indeed hot and to touch the surface of the table was painfully hot. I also noted that the presentation trays were shallow and did not hold a lot of food. They had to be replenished often. During dinner I noted that the staff members were frequently busy stocking and replenishing the food items. The food would appear to be f
resh from the food preparation area.I will preface my critique with this: The food served at the Super Buffet is certainly on a par with the other local restaurants of this type. None of the foods are spectacular but on the other hand none of the foods are really bad. I think many of the items are mass prepared outside and then heated or cooked to completion before serving. As such they suffer the same ailment as other mass produced foods – designed to offend as few people as possible, they truly please even fewer.
The chicken selections were tasty but I really had to look close to see rather than taste if it were chicken teriyaki, General Tso’s chicken or chicken yakitori. The sweet and sour chicken is what is called the New York style, I believe. It is breaded and fried chicken morsels. Alongside is a
container of red sauce that you ladle over your chicken morsels. This presentation certainly pales in comparison to the traditional Chinatown version with peppers, onions and pineapple. The New York style, although done well as far as it goes, really suffers in comparison because of the lack of the traditional accoutrements. The egg rolls are the smaller variety and nicely crispy fried. The filling is basically cabbage and they benefit from a dunk in hot mustard or chili sauce. The tempura selection was limited to slices of zucchini and sweet potato. They were very good, the batter fried light and crisp and the vegetables tender but not soggy. Enjoyment would have been enhanced if there were some additional tempura selections. The fried rice was more a saffron-style yellow rice and didn’t have any particular significant taste. Personally, fried rice is one of my favorite oriental-style comfort foods but I found the Super Buffet example lacking in breadth of ingredients and seasoning.
Personally I don’t care for sashimi. Therefore, my selections from any sushi bar are very limited. On this visit I selected some California rolls and avocado rolls. They were both the inside-out makizushi rolls. Each selection had a rolled coating of tobiko. They were well made, the avocado still a lustrous green without any darkening from air exposure. They tasted good and seemed quite fresh. If I eat a California or avocado roll and taste fish I know there is a problem in the kitchen. In this case there was no taste of raw fish, just the taste of the ingredients. I did notice the service area was well iced and there was not a lot of product on display. There is more than adequate portions wasabi and gari awaiting the diner.
tached open flame grill that any short-order cook would instantly recognize. I would miss the flourish of the serving, a swish off the edge of the grill into the awaiting bowl. The grill was hot; I could feel the heat even through the sneeze guard. But I noticed the chef used a spritz of water and a dome for much of the cooking – steaming more than frying. The food is cooked with less caramelization than is done on the traditional Mongolian grill and the presentation is more colorful. There is a list of four sauces available and I chose the teriyaki. It was a tasty dish, the vegetables cooked to tender with just a bite. It was an enjoyable conclusion to the main courses.I tried some samplings of the desert bar. They had a nice selection of melons, strawberries and lots of petit fours style cookies and cakes. The fruit was firm and fresh and refreshing after the heavier fare of the main courses. It was a nice sweet ending to a dinner with loved ones and friends.
Their take home menu features a list of combination plates and traditional Chinese food choices in small and large containers much like a traditional Chinese take-out shop. As well, the menu lists the majority of the buffet items for take home at $3.75 per pound lunch and $4.95 per pound dinner. Sushi and sea food have a different pricing schedule. You can have it your way; eat in or take out.
Labels: barbecue, buffet, Chinese, eat in, fried rice, grill, Mongolian, Seminole, super, sushi, take out
¶ 5:30 PM 0 Comments
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Burger King – An Unkept Promise
I admit it! I have a weakness for hamburgers. The best, of course, are the ones that I make at home. But when I am out and about, the local fast food emporiums are usually a good place to get a quick burger and fries. They are usually consistent with their products and you know ahead of time what you are getting. I like MacDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and I just adore Red Robin’s gourmet burgers. The choice can depend on my mood at the time but it usually dictated by what is convenient and near at hand. More often than not, it seemed to be Burger King.
The first time I was in the Burger King near Lake Seminole Park I noticed a small sign that said that store was a company owned store. I didn’t think anything of at the time. Their product has always been of good quality. I don’t mean that the hamburger you get there looks like the advertizing pictures. We all know that the over the counter product and the photographer’s model are of a different breed. Nonetheless, the over the counter product is reasonably close, a deviation that we have all come to accept as normal. The Seminole Burger King routinely provides consistent and acceptable products, even the Value Meal burgers and fries.
I have not noticed a company store sign in the local Burger King. It is probably a franchise. Now I’m wondering if we have to check the ownership credentials of a Burger King before we order. When I opened the wrapper on my XT Steak House burger I was appalled. The bun looked like it had been used as a cushion in a packing crate. The lettuce looked like the scraps left after all the real lettuce had been used in someone else’s hamburger. The onion was missing and just the barest smidgeon of tomato. There was no ketchup, just too much of the white stuff they call mayonnaise but tasted more like that yucky cheap stuff called salad dressing.
Yes, I should have wrapped it up and drove back to the Burger King, walked in this time, plopped it down on the counter and demanded my money back. In retrospect I’m sorry I didn’t. I was hungry at the time and begrudgingly ate the burger all the while hoping that the poor product didn’t indicate even deeper problems like sanitation! The issues with the presentation of the burger were so overwhelming that I really don’t remember anything about the meat patty. I couldn’t tell you if it was good, bad or indifferent. Since I didn’t have any issues with that portion of the burger I guess it was alright but I can’t attest to that. For what I paid for that piece-of-junk burger I could have gone to the other Burger King and bought four good $1.00 Whopper Juniors!
As I pointed out earlier, I have had good experience at one Burger King and then I have had this experience with the local Burger King. It is sad when one store casts a pall on the others. Since this incident I have not, nor do I think I ever will, gone back to that store. And come to think of it, I haven’t been to any other Burger King either. All I can suggest is that you open the bag and check your food before you leave the store. I missed my chance. Don’t you let them lower the acceptable standards of deviation from what is advertized and what is served.
Lake Seminole Park isn’t too far away and it is a good place to amble with the camera. At the edge of Lake Seminole, there are opportunities to see fishing birds like the cormorant and anhinga, raptor birds like the hawk and sometime even an eagle. Though they seem shy what with all the human activity about, there are alligators as well if you know where to look. Hiking paths lead through pine and hardwood groves. In the midst of the bustling city there is a quiet enclave that harkens back to an earlier time.
On the way to the park for a photography session, I pass right by a Burger King; easy in, easy out and just a few blocks from the park. On a hot afternoon I get my order to go. The heavily pine shaded picnic tables are a pleasant place to enjoy a burger and fries. Often a cooling breeze wafts through the grounds rustling the pine needles overhead.
The first time I was in the Burger King near Lake Seminole Park I noticed a small sign that said that store was a company owned store. I didn’t think anything of at the time. Their product has always been of good quality. I don’t mean that the hamburger you get there looks like the advertizing pictures. We all know that the over the counter product and the photographer’s model are of a different breed. Nonetheless, the over the counter product is reasonably close, a deviation that we have all come to accept as normal. The Seminole Burger King routinely provides consistent and acceptable products, even the Value Meal burgers and fries.
In the mail recently there has been a lot of ads for the new Burger King offering, the XT Steak House Burgers. After a busy morning out, “Buy one, get one free!” was too good an offer to pass up for a quick lunch. There is another Burger King just a few blocks from the house. We picked up our burgers at the drive thru window and took them home. It wasn’t until we got home that we examined our treasures.
I have not noticed a company store sign in the local Burger King. It is probably a franchise. Now I’m wondering if we have to check the ownership credentials of a Burger King before we order. When I opened the wrapper on my XT Steak House burger I was appalled. The bun looked like it had been used as a cushion in a packing crate. The lettuce looked like the scraps left after all the real lettuce had been used in someone else’s hamburger. The onion was missing and just the barest smidgeon of tomato. There was no ketchup, just too much of the white stuff they call mayonnaise but tasted more like that yucky cheap stuff called salad dressing. 
Yes, I should have wrapped it up and drove back to the Burger King, walked in this time, plopped it down on the counter and demanded my money back. In retrospect I’m sorry I didn’t. I was hungry at the time and begrudgingly ate the burger all the while hoping that the poor product didn’t indicate even deeper problems like sanitation! The issues with the presentation of the burger were so overwhelming that I really don’t remember anything about the meat patty. I couldn’t tell you if it was good, bad or indifferent. Since I didn’t have any issues with that portion of the burger I guess it was alright but I can’t attest to that. For what I paid for that piece-of-junk burger I could have gone to the other Burger King and bought four good $1.00 Whopper Juniors!
As I pointed out earlier, I have had good experience at one Burger King and then I have had this experience with the local Burger King. It is sad when one store casts a pall on the others. Since this incident I have not, nor do I think I ever will, gone back to that store. And come to think of it, I haven’t been to any other Burger King either. All I can suggest is that you open the bag and check your food before you leave the store. I missed my chance. Don’t you let them lower the acceptable standards of deviation from what is advertized and what is served. Labels: burger, false advertising, king, Seminole, whopper, xt
¶ 9:21 PM 0 Comments
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Gathering Place - Lake Seminole Square
The Gathering Place - Lake Seminole Square
8333 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Florida
This is a rather unusual food blog. It is about a place you probably can’t go. You have to be a resident or their guest. Lake Seminole Square is a retirement community with a lot of amenities. That is where my wife’s Aunt and Uncle live. It has the usual things like a gymnasium, a pool, and arts and crafts. A few of the amenities include a mini branch bank, a restaurant and a small coffee shop, called The Gathering Place. We met Aunt Effie and Uncle Gilbert at The Gathering Place for lunch.
While the restaurant up on the fifth floor, featuring linen, silver, crystal and a full menu, is open for a more formal lunch and dinner, The Gathering Place is open for a more casual breakfast and lunch. Closed Sunday, it is open Monday through Friday from 8:00Am until 2:00PM. Saturday hours are from 8:30AM to 11:00AM. The menu has prices listed but you
never see any cash. 
The Gathering Place doesn’t deal in money. The lunch tab is added to the resident’s monthly rent.
It is a small menu featuring cold deli sandwiches as well as griddle favorites such as burgers, patty melts, hot dogs, Ruebens and grilled cheese sandwiches. Desserts include milk shakes, root beer floats and pie (add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for only a quarter). Someday I will have to wangle another invitation and sample the breakfast fare which includes the obligatory, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, pancakes, waffles, omelets and juice.
In all, more than enough to get set for the rigors of a busy day.
Everyone, except me of course, ordered their sandwich with a side of the soup of the day, clam chowder. It can be a bit salty with crackers crumbled in but it has a nice flavor and would be welcomed again. My wife and Aunt Effie ordered sliced turkey sandwiches. Janis had a pedestrian version and Effie’s included lettuce and tomato. Uncle Gilbert ordered a cheeseburger. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries, my benchmark test meal for the small café setting. After all - if you can’t do my hamburger right, then I have serious doubts any further visits.
It is low key casual, not a lot of garnish. The turkey sandwich come on a plate, cut in two diagonally, just like your mom would have served it. As advertised, it was a turkey sandwich and
had good flavor. The hamburger was griddle cooked and had the taste and texture of the roadside diner burger. That’s not bad, just a bit different from the grilled hamburger. The meat was cooked through as requested (when eating ground beef from an unknown source, I always go with medium well). The bun was toasted on the griddle. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. There were two slices of nice looking tomato. The cheese was melted over the top of the patty which is my preference. The French fries were fresh and hot, golden brown and crispy. If I had made this hamburger and fries at home I would have been well satisfied.
The Gathering Place is a nice little out of the way place with a casual atmosphere to have lunch. It’s just too bad you probably can’t go there to try it out. Thanks again Gilbert and Effie for treating us to lunch.
8333 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Florida
This is a rather unusual food blog. It is about a place you probably can’t go. You have to be a resident or their guest. Lake Seminole Square is a retirement community with a lot of amenities. That is where my wife’s Aunt and Uncle live. It has the usual things like a gymnasium, a pool, and arts and crafts. A few of the amenities include a mini branch bank, a restaurant and a small coffee shop, called The Gathering Place. We met Aunt Effie and Uncle Gilbert at The Gathering Place for lunch.While the restaurant up on the fifth floor, featuring linen, silver, crystal and a full menu, is open for a more formal lunch and dinner, The Gathering Place is open for a more casual breakfast and lunch. Closed Sunday, it is open Monday through Friday from 8:00Am until 2:00PM. Saturday hours are from 8:30AM to 11:00AM. The menu has prices listed but you
never see any cash. 
The Gathering Place doesn’t deal in money. The lunch tab is added to the resident’s monthly rent.It is a small menu featuring cold deli sandwiches as well as griddle favorites such as burgers, patty melts, hot dogs, Ruebens and grilled cheese sandwiches. Desserts include milk shakes, root beer floats and pie (add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for only a quarter). Someday I will have to wangle another invitation and sample the breakfast fare which includes the obligatory, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, pancakes, waffles, omelets and juice.
In all, more than enough to get set for the rigors of a busy day.Everyone, except me of course, ordered their sandwich with a side of the soup of the day, clam chowder. It can be a bit salty with crackers crumbled in but it has a nice flavor and would be welcomed again. My wife and Aunt Effie ordered sliced turkey sandwiches. Janis had a pedestrian version and Effie’s included lettuce and tomato. Uncle Gilbert ordered a cheeseburger. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries, my benchmark test meal for the small café setting. After all - if you can’t do my hamburger right, then I have serious doubts any further visits.
It is low key casual, not a lot of garnish. The turkey sandwich come on a plate, cut in two diagonally, just like your mom would have served it. As advertised, it was a turkey sandwich and
had good flavor. The hamburger was griddle cooked and had the taste and texture of the roadside diner burger. That’s not bad, just a bit different from the grilled hamburger. The meat was cooked through as requested (when eating ground beef from an unknown source, I always go with medium well). The bun was toasted on the griddle. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. There were two slices of nice looking tomato. The cheese was melted over the top of the patty which is my preference. The French fries were fresh and hot, golden brown and crispy. If I had made this hamburger and fries at home I would have been well satisfied.The Gathering Place is a nice little out of the way place with a casual atmosphere to have lunch. It’s just too bad you probably can’t go there to try it out. Thanks again Gilbert and Effie for treating us to lunch.
Labels: cheeseburger, Florida, gathering, Sandwich, Seminole, turkey
¶ 6:17 PM 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Hometown Family Restaurant - Seminole FL
Hometown Family Restaurant
10395 Seminole Blvd
Seminole, Florida
(727) 483-9420
Seminole Boulevard is a busy traffic corridor carrying shoppers, workers, tourists and local residents back and forth. Lots of drive by exposure and lots of local residents makes for a good restaurant location. In fact there are a lot of restaurants along that route and they all have to offer good value to keep the customers coming back. The Hometown Family Restaurant s
eems to have hit just the right note with its customers. They keep coming back…
The Hometown is a favorite place for my gad-about-town buddy Tom and his wife. That means that on several occasions, after a day photographing the wildlife, we have stopped by Hometown for lunch. Over several meals I have come to appreciate what Hometown has to offer. The menu offers an eclectic mix of Greek, Italian, Deli offerings and American favorites. Prices range from $16 for a T-bone dinner to $5 or $6 for a deli sub or cheeseburger and fries. Breakfast is served anytime and two eggs with home fries (or grits) and toast can be had for $2.95.
On one occasion Tom ordered from the specials board and asked for the quiche and chicken soup. Creature of habit that I am, I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and fries. The soup and quiche, designed for the lighter eater, was still ample. The soup arrived hot and steaming along with crackers. It was a tasty soup with a nice rich broth with lots of chicken and noodles. Shortly thereafter the quiche arrived. A tender pastry crust was filled with an egg and vegetable mixture nearly an inch thick, the filling was nicely set with nicely browned top. It was quickly eaten with gusto.
My bacon cheeseburger arrived, served open face. There was a goodly portion of French fries and fully four full slices of crispy bacon atop the cheeseburger patty. Lettuce, a slice of tomato and a dill pickle spear completed the presentation. Grilled fully done but still juicy, the burger was tasty and had lots of nice crunch with all the bacon. The French fries were hot, just out of the fryer, the perfect fry, a fluffy interior and a crisp golden crust. It was an enjoyable lunch for the both of us.
Our latest outing brought us to the Hometown in the late morning. Tom and I made similar orders, almost copy cat. We both asked for the chicken fried steak wit
h white gravy and home 
fries. I asked for the eggs over medium and Tom asked for an omelet. He ordered whole wheat toast and I ordered white. The order came quite quickly. All the food was hot and in ample amount even for the hungry eater. The chicken fried steak was served with a steak knife but a fork was adequate to cut the meat. The breading was crispy fried and the meat inside cooked through, still flavorfully juicy. The gravy was thick and had a rich sausage flavor. Over breakfast Tom and I talked out the plans for the rest of the day and all too soon realized the meal was over. We lingered over coffee with frequent refills and no urgency on the part of the staff to move us along.
On a visit some time ago, I opted for the cherry Belgian waffle. On a day you want carbs instead of the protein and fat, try the Belgian waffle. The plate-sized waffle was delightfully crisp as only that deep Belgian waffle pattern can make it. The top was loaded with cherry pie filling and smothered with mounds of whipped cream. I smiled when it was served. I could tell right off I was going to enjoy the decadent dessert-like creation for breakfast.
The Hometown is a family owned and operated restaurant and the mantra is good food, reasonable prices, a clean restaurant and customer service. Most of the staff are long term employees and extol the owner’s creed sincere manner. Not the fanciest restaurant on the row, it is a place where you feel comfortable, it is clean and you are treated well by a friendly staff and are served good quality food at a reasonable price. That makes it a comfortable place to return to for a nice meal and I have. Several times.
10395 Seminole Blvd
Seminole, Florida
(727) 483-9420
Seminole Boulevard is a busy traffic corridor carrying shoppers, workers, tourists and local residents back and forth. Lots of drive by exposure and lots of local residents makes for a good restaurant location. In fact there are a lot of restaurants along that route and they all have to offer good value to keep the customers coming back. The Hometown Family Restaurant s
eems to have hit just the right note with its customers. They keep coming back…
The Hometown is a favorite place for my gad-about-town buddy Tom and his wife. That means that on several occasions, after a day photographing the wildlife, we have stopped by Hometown for lunch. Over several meals I have come to appreciate what Hometown has to offer. The menu offers an eclectic mix of Greek, Italian, Deli offerings and American favorites. Prices range from $16 for a T-bone dinner to $5 or $6 for a deli sub or cheeseburger and fries. Breakfast is served anytime and two eggs with home fries (or grits) and toast can be had for $2.95.
On one occasion Tom ordered from the specials board and asked for the quiche and chicken soup. Creature of habit that I am, I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and fries. The soup and quiche, designed for the lighter eater, was still ample. The soup arrived hot and steaming along with crackers. It was a tasty soup with a nice rich broth with lots of chicken and noodles. Shortly thereafter the quiche arrived. A tender pastry crust was filled with an egg and vegetable mixture nearly an inch thick, the filling was nicely set with nicely browned top. It was quickly eaten with gusto.
My bacon cheeseburger arrived, served open face. There was a goodly portion of French fries and fully four full slices of crispy bacon atop the cheeseburger patty. Lettuce, a slice of tomato and a dill pickle spear completed the presentation. Grilled fully done but still juicy, the burger was tasty and had lots of nice crunch with all the bacon. The French fries were hot, just out of the fryer, the perfect fry, a fluffy interior and a crisp golden crust. It was an enjoyable lunch for the both of us.Our latest outing brought us to the Hometown in the late morning. Tom and I made similar orders, almost copy cat. We both asked for the chicken fried steak wit
h white gravy and home 
fries. I asked for the eggs over medium and Tom asked for an omelet. He ordered whole wheat toast and I ordered white. The order came quite quickly. All the food was hot and in ample amount even for the hungry eater. The chicken fried steak was served with a steak knife but a fork was adequate to cut the meat. The breading was crispy fried and the meat inside cooked through, still flavorfully juicy. The gravy was thick and had a rich sausage flavor. Over breakfast Tom and I talked out the plans for the rest of the day and all too soon realized the meal was over. We lingered over coffee with frequent refills and no urgency on the part of the staff to move us along.
On a visit some time ago, I opted for the cherry Belgian waffle. On a day you want carbs instead of the protein and fat, try the Belgian waffle. The plate-sized waffle was delightfully crisp as only that deep Belgian waffle pattern can make it. The top was loaded with cherry pie filling and smothered with mounds of whipped cream. I smiled when it was served. I could tell right off I was going to enjoy the decadent dessert-like creation for breakfast.The Hometown is a family owned and operated restaurant and the mantra is good food, reasonable prices, a clean restaurant and customer service. Most of the staff are long term employees and extol the owner’s creed sincere manner. Not the fanciest restaurant on the row, it is a place where you feel comfortable, it is clean and you are treated well by a friendly staff and are served good quality food at a reasonable price. That makes it a comfortable place to return to for a nice meal and I have. Several times.
Labels: Belgian waffle, chicken soup, Florida chicken fried steak, Hometown, quiche, Seminole
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