When we
visited Cedar Key in early September, we decided to re-visit a restaurant we’d
been to the last time we stopped by on our way north…
This is
Tony’s Seafood Restaurant on Second Street in Cedar Key Florida. This restaurant, which is located in the old
Hale building, first opened its doors in June of 2005. Featuring fresh gulf seafood, Tony’s 54-seat
eatery is located in the historic downtown area.
Note: Despite hurricanes, storms, floods and
the passage of time old downtown Cedar Key still has several buildings dating
back as far as 1859. The Hale Building
was built in 1880.
There
are 2 dining rooms at Tony’s…and this is a decidedly casual dining atmosphere. However, shoes and shirts are required! The air conditioning can be finicky and
opening that front door was a challenge for a couple of patrons while we were having
our lunch.
This is
the restaurant’s major claim to fame! Tony’s
Seafood Restaurant won the Clam Chowder World Championship at the annual Great
Chowder Cook-Off in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
With his 3rd win, Tony’s
chowder was ‘retired’ to the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall of Fame.
Chef
Eric, Tony’s founder and owner, had introduced his famous clam chowder after
being open just one month. He’s lived in
New England for 12 years and he’d sampled chowders all over the region. The
secret recipe isn’t available and only Chef Eric knows the exact ingredients.
Well, I
do like clam chowder…but it’s easier for me to find quality clam chowder in
East Tennessee than it is to find a nice fresh Fried Shrimp Sandwich. ($10.49)
The shrimp sandwich was very good and the coleslaw was decent as well… For me,
this was the right choice!
Laurie
couldn’t resist and she ordered a bowl of Tony’s Award Winning Clam Chowder for
her lunch. ($7.99) As advertised, it is indeed very good clam chowder and she
was happy with her choice!
FYI…The
reason that I skipped the chowder is that I can buy as many cans of it as I
want at the Publix supermarket in Farragut Tennessee and throughout the
southeastern USA. (The canned version is very good too and we bought a couple
of cans as soon as we got home!)
The
food was good but service at Tony’s was rudimentary and not very efficient. This was despite the fact that during this
slow period at Cedar Key the restaurant wasn’t very busy. Tony’s Seafood Restaurant is a 597 Second
Street. Phone: 352-543-0022. Website: www.tonyschowder.com.
Just
click on any of the photos to enlarge them…
Thanks
for stopping by for lunch!
Take
Care, Big Daddy Dave
We ate there and loved the chowder.
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