Manatee Springs SP FL.
Anyone know of good restaurants or things to do within an hour of the park, preferably less?
Forum Discussion
You guys are near our farm! Chiefland! WOW! I watched that place change a lot over the last >50 years. Not many good restaurant choices and truthfully I haven't been there in a few years as most family has passed and we lease out the land now.
Bell's had a great breakfast buffet, however I believe they only do catering now.
Bill's BBQ on 19 is OK, Bett's Big T has been around forever and would be a better choice...
A little bit North on US 19, is the Lighthouse on the Suwannee River at Fanning Springs. It is worth the short drive... From Manatee Springs, just head to US 19 and turn left (North). You can't miss it as it is right before the bridge over the Suwannee, on right side of road...
Cedar Key has/had some fantastic restaurants. I ate at the Captain's Table many times throughout the years, knew the owner well. Most of the old timers that I knew have all passed...
Personally, I never did like SeaBreeze... I won't go into why.
I am sure there are some fine, newer places there now.
The problem with restaurants in the Chiefland area is that they don't last long, even if the food is good. Just not a lot of people that go out to eat a lot in that area. Couple that with it being a farming community and no real tourist draw...
Look out during hunting season though!
Chiefland has fast food there now! Back when I was a kid, the Golden Drumstick, Bett's Big T and Horne's were all it had. A no-name hamburger drive through, Ralph's I believe, was the biggest thing to hit there! You received a brown paper bag full of fries! Enough to feed 4 people! I am sure Ralph's is gone too though...
Fowler's Bluff - Treasure Camp was just a small store and boat ramp. Now I hear they have a restaurant there! I have no idea on the food, if so. There was a decent seafood restaurant on 24, near Rosewood, however I believe they closed a few years ago.
I guess that I need to take a trip back to the farm and get up to date!
Edit- There are wildlife sanctuaries just past Fowler's Bluff on the way to Cedar Key. You can drive through there with a car on the dirt roads and see wildlife such as deer...
Also just before Cedar Key is "Shell Mound". An ancient Indian burial ground that you can picnic at and such...
Bell's had a great breakfast buffet, however I believe they only do catering now.
Bill's BBQ on 19 is OK, Bett's Big T has been around forever and would be a better choice...
A little bit North on US 19, is the Lighthouse on the Suwannee River at Fanning Springs. It is worth the short drive... From Manatee Springs, just head to US 19 and turn left (North). You can't miss it as it is right before the bridge over the Suwannee, on right side of road...
Cedar Key has/had some fantastic restaurants. I ate at the Captain's Table many times throughout the years, knew the owner well. Most of the old timers that I knew have all passed...
Personally, I never did like SeaBreeze... I won't go into why.
I am sure there are some fine, newer places there now.
The problem with restaurants in the Chiefland area is that they don't last long, even if the food is good. Just not a lot of people that go out to eat a lot in that area. Couple that with it being a farming community and no real tourist draw...
Look out during hunting season though!
Chiefland has fast food there now! Back when I was a kid, the Golden Drumstick, Bett's Big T and Horne's were all it had. A no-name hamburger drive through, Ralph's I believe, was the biggest thing to hit there! You received a brown paper bag full of fries! Enough to feed 4 people! I am sure Ralph's is gone too though...
Fowler's Bluff - Treasure Camp was just a small store and boat ramp. Now I hear they have a restaurant there! I have no idea on the food, if so. There was a decent seafood restaurant on 24, near Rosewood, however I believe they closed a few years ago.
I guess that I need to take a trip back to the farm and get up to date!
Edit- There are wildlife sanctuaries just past Fowler's Bluff on the way to Cedar Key. You can drive through there with a car on the dirt roads and see wildlife such as deer...
Also just before Cedar Key is "Shell Mound". An ancient Indian burial ground that you can picnic at and such...
