Apalachee Restaurant

Far from tourist lodestars, Apalachee Restaurant is a happy taste of small-town life in the Deep-South part of Florida. Clientele are locals and the food is unpretentious diner fare, some of it quite good.

People come for brunch on Sunday and a seafood buffet on Friday night; and fried chicken is a big allure every day at lunch. Breakfast is especially popular among locals who come to chat ‘n’ chew. There’s nothing unusual on the menu; it is a full repertoire of eggs and pancakes with biscuits and grits and easy-to-drink coffee. What I like is a kitchen-sink meal called the Trashalachee: hash browns mixed with ham, onions, and peppers and topped with cheese.

Whatever time you eat at Apalachee Restaurant, it is likely house-made desserts will be available. I have enjoyed an 11-layer chocolate-frosted yellow cake (which looks more exotic than it tastes) and a hefty slice of peach pie loaded with al dente fruit.