Continuing
our early September trip to Florida, we’d planned on sight-seeing to occupy our
day and then we’d spend the night in Crystal River. Our sight-seeing was rained out and we ended
up going to a movie…
Then when we drove over to the restaurant that I’d found
on Trip Advisor for our evening meal, it was closed! So, it was time to just pick a place along
the road and cross our fingers…
There
weren’t many choices in the immediate vicinity but Cody’s Original Roadhouse
was very, very busy and it was close to our hotel too.
(“Busy”
doesn’t always mean good or even OK! One
of the worst restaurants we’ve ever experienced was many years ago in Kingston
Ontario. It served Chinese, Canadian and
American cuisine and it was packed! To
be honest, it was just out and out terrible!)
The
interior of Cody’s fits its name as a “Roadhouse” as we view them today…expansive,
bright, casual and frequently with peanut shells on the floor. And yes, there were buckets of peanuts on the
tables!
By
definition, a ‘roadhouse’ is an inn or tavern usually outside city limits
providing liquor and usually meals, dancing, and often gambling. No dancing or gambling here!
A quick
check revealed that Cody’s Original Roadhouse is a regional restaurant chain
that began in Tarpon Springs Florida in 1994.
As per the web site, they now have 15 locations across west-central and
north Florida.
Our
waitress was very busy but quite efficient.
This is not a place for a relaxing dinner…lots of families,
conversations and fun. Laurie and I
picked dinner entrees which came with the ‘famous endless salad bowl with Cody’s
garlic ranch dressing, and fresh baked yeast sweet rolls with cinnamon butter. We ate 2 of these bowls of salad but neglected
to take a photo before we had destroyed the initial ‘look’ of the salad bowl.
The
garlic ranch dressing was excellent but unfortunately they don’t bottle it and
sell it!
The
menu is extensive with a nice selection of appetizers, a lot of steaks, salads,
BBQ ribs, pork chops, prime rib, chicken, tilapia, shrimp, salmon, burgers and
other sandwiches.
Dawn
ordered the Chicken Fajita for her dinner. ($11.98) It didn’t come with a salad
per se so she ordered an ‘add-on’ and shared the salad bowl. ($3.49) She
described her Fajita entree as just OK…nothing special.
I’d
ordered the ‘heart healthy’ Chicken Fried Steak with French Fries on the side.
($13.98) My doctor wouldn't have been happy but my chicken fried steak was huge and it was very good.
The fries were crisp on the outside and soft in the middle…as good
French Fries should be! Cody’s also had the
requisite Tabasco for use with my Chicken Fried Steak…
Laurie opted
for the Garlic Fried Shrimp accompanied by a baked potato. ($14.49) The shrimp
were big and juicy with lots of flavor and the baked potato was just right…not
over cooked or under cooked.
Laurie
and I also indulged in adult beverages with our meal. My Miller Lite was priced at $3.77 and her Kettle
1 Vodka and Tonic Tall with 2 lime slices cost $7.97. (Strange pricing, perhaps designed to make
you think that you got a real deal?)
Should
we run across another Cody’s Original Roadhouse on our travels, we would stop
for another meal. The food is casual and
basic, the restaurant was hectic but the quality is there…
The Cody’s
Original Roadhouse in Crystal River Florida is at 305 South East U.S. Hwy 19 North. Phone:
352-795-7223. The website is at http://www.codysoriginalroadhouse.com/crystal-river.html.
Just
click on any of the photos to enlarge them…
Thanks
for stopping by for a visit!
Take
Care, Big Daddy Dave
Sounds a lot like our restaurants here in Sicily...very crowded and noisy, you can't even hear yourself think! The food looks so delicious! My daughter has been in Florida and she loved it!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good find. If we get back to the area, we'll give it a try.
ReplyDelete