Where Do The Locals Eat?

SEBRING - Nothing against chain restaurants. Olive Garden is hotly anticipated, Panera is a welcome addition, and the RoadHouse Grill continues to be popular.

But local restaurants are unique, and they offer variety that's not found in national chains.

For Flor Becker, it's all about the roast duck with special sauce at the Thai House. And the laab kai salad, which is minced chicken with lime juice and spices.

"We like Thai cuisine a lot," said Becker, who lives with her family in downtown Sebring. "At our office, we have a Thai Thursday, where all staff eat together for lunch."

Becker, a Filipino who's used to Asian cooking, said Thai dishes are like Chinese food, some are hot, some not.

Cleveland Pyatt, who works with Becker at Tri-County Human Services, ordered No. 32, barbecue duck with veggies, sweet-and-sour sauce on the side. Mark Medick chose a combo from the luncheon menu: stir-fried chicken, beef or pork with rice and scallions.

The Lovan family, who are Laotian and Thai, decorated the tiny cafe in the style of a Thai house, wall paneling with intersecting wood slats. The owners are Kham and Juclak Lovan; their daughter Kathy is the server.

Becker and her friend Mike Watts also like Mi Rancho. Her favorite dish is pollo ala plancha - grilled chicken with black beans and plantain; his is the combo platter.

Both the Thai House and Mi Rancho are in the Fairmount Plaza, on U.S. 27 North.

Annie's 98 Restaurant

4651 U.S. 98, Lorida

Gary Albin and his wife, Janice, own Trails End Fishing Resort on Lake Istokpoga.

"We like to slip up to Annie's 98 Restaurant. My wife likes the ribeye steak, and I like the New York strip steak," Albin said. "The fried shrimp is great, the liver and onions make your mouth water, they have big ole hamburgers, and all-you-can-eat catfish on Fridays. I pretty much like the whole menu."

The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and family friendly, but wine and other beverages are served. "The owner, Vern, always has some special wine that he is willing to try out on you," Albin said.

The karaoke mike is passed around a couple of nights a week, and on Fridays, Bruce Austin sings country music. "Stay a little late when Bruce is playing, and the music goes up a little louder and the Hank Williams Jr. songs start to fly."

Olde Florida Raw Bar & Grill

633 Lake June Road, Lake Placid

"We relocated here from Broward County two years ago and discovered this place," said Jan Bartram, of Lake Placid. "They have the best chicken wings ever. Their fish and chips are the greatest, and their sandwiches divine. The seafood is always fresh and appealing.

"My husband's favorite is the tuna salad in a pita. It comes with fries, but can be substituted for a house salad which is nice. He swears it is the best tuna around," Bartram said. "We never leave there hungry. The prices are reasonable, and the wait staff is very friendly."

Chef Buddy's Italian American Deli

205 N. Main St., Lake Placid

Chef Buddy's "is definitely our favorite non-chain restaurant," said Jerry and Suzie Entel. "They have a varied menu that includes homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas. All delicious."

El Paso

308 U.S. 27 North, Avon Park

"If you want a fresh breakfast burrito, go to El Paso in Avon Park," said Leon Watson. "The food is
prepared in a very clean kitchen. A large burrito costs $2.50 and is all you can handle. We order one all the way, which includes lettuce, tomato, avocado, onion, sausage and of course lots of jalapeno. Served with your choice of red or green sauce to drizzle on it, with green being the hot one. It will make you sweat.

You will find me and my wife there on Sunday mornings after church."

The Samich Place

304 Circle Park Drive, Sebring

Only one cafe was mentioned by three readers.

Will Wall and his wife Rachel, of Sebring like the veggie soup and the ruben sandwich, which is made with sauerkraut and turkey instead of corned beef.

"I could live off that stuff," Wall said. He eats there once or twice a week.

"They make a mean turkey sandwich," said Mike Sawyer, "and any of their many varieties will feed two people. Real tomatoes here, also. No one gives you more sandwich than these guys."

"Great sandwiches," Dan and Dora Sherrick said. "They are so huge, we share one."

The Sherricks had four other recommendations:

Canova's Deli

202 Circle Park, Sebring

"Wonderful soup and their chicken/rice w/beans and fried plantains is great. Lots of food for the price."

Sebring Diner

4040 U.S. 27 South

"A favorite of ours for lunch. We always sit at the counter and enjoy the waitress, Shorty, who gives great service. A cup of soup and half-sandwich of the day is our favorite."

Chicanes

3100 Golfview Road

"Great food. Earl- bird specials for dinner are super and atmosphere is pleasant."

Spring Lake Restaurant

6126 U.S. 98

"All-you-can-eat catfish on Friday night is excellent. Their blackened prime rib sandwich is very tasty."

Mike Sawyer runs Photography by Mike, which is on the traffic circle, so that's where he eats.

"The downtown area has some great places to eat," Sawyer said. "I eat at quite a few of them on a regular basis."

Here are a few of his favorites:

Ribmaster Bar-B-Que

920 SE Lakeview Drive

"Bob (Webster) has a great blackened dolphin sandwich available daily. My son is hooked on his blackened chicken. Great ice tea."

Dee's Place

138 N. Ridgewood Drive

"They have daily specials and if you like home cooking and great service, and like to eat something different each day, then this is your place, too. Cheeseburger and fries are super with real red tomatoes, not those green things the fast food places try to pass off as a tomato. Real sweet tea with sugar. My favorite place for breakfast."

Sandy's Circle Cafe

213 Circle Park Drive

"My favorite here is the grouper fingers. Real sweet tea with sugar. Good mix of daily specials. Homemade breads. Yum."

Charlie's Steak and Seafood

113 S. Commerce

"The chains on the highway could learn a lot from Charlie on what it takes to make a great steak. The
food is fantastic and the ambiance is very nice. This is one of the best evening places in all of Sebring."

Canova's Deli

Circle Park Drive

"Great Cuban sandwiches and Cuban entrees. And for a real treat a mango milkshake. Pablo makes the best milkshakes in the state of Florida."

Blue Crab

825 N. Ridgewood Drive

"Seafood is delicious and an all-around good place to eat. Service has always been great. Crab legs are my favorite."

Mae Lee's International Deli

445 N. Ridgewood Drive

"They offer great sandwiches and they make their own croutons for their salads that are nearly habit forming. Fast takeout service."

Rincon Latino Cafe

344 N. Ridgewood Drive

"Great Mexican-Latino type dishes and plenty of it. They have Latin names for all their entrees that I don't recall, but their one with the broiled shrimp is fantastic."

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