Garys Oyster Bar and Seafood House - Orlando / Florida Guide
Florida Guide > Dining
This is not on the typical tourist trail of restaurants and is certainly worth a drive if you like seafood and are looking for a more local style of eating place .
Situated on the 17-92 between Tampa and Orlando , Gary' s has been serving locals their food for 30 years in Polk County. It is the sort of place you drive straight past unless you know what hidden treasures are behind the door to the rough looking wooden shack with the blue fish outside. Locals will tell of the drive by shooting that supposedly happened and point to the two holes in the bamboo blind at the window and the strategically placed t -shirt s on a mirror-but who knows if this happened or is simply part of local folklore ? Apart from the holes there is a nice collection of brewery memorabilia and the place is decorated with interesting items.
Gary' s is usually filled with locals having their early bird supper -one of the variety of fish you can have fried or broiled all served with delicious hush puppies salad , fries what ever your choice . All the same great tasing food as the main menu just smaller portions.
The speciality of Gary' s -as you may guess from the name -is Oysters . There are two bars just for those folks who enjoy them or who are brave enough to give them a go for the first time . Even if they aren' t for you then to see the bar staff continually opening and delivering the oysters is a sight worth seeing.
There is a wide variety of fish on the menu from Flounder to Gator tails and shrimp to scallops plus the french delicacy of frog legs but I usually stick to the more well known fish . Each night of the week there is an “all -you -can -eat “menu . You simply ask for more of your chosen food and they will cook it to order whilst you are finishng what you have on your plate already I suggest you don' t have a starter and you may not have room for a sweet either if you go for this option.
If you are not a fish fan then there is the choice of steak , prime rib or new york strip served with salad , Baked potato and garlic bread .
To finish off your meal I suggest their home made Key Lime Pie -the best I have tasted in many years. They offer a full service bar and aparently their Margarita' s are the best ever!
The staff is friendly and make you feel as if you are a long lost friend rather than a tourist which makes the drive to Lake Alfred worth it. Gary' s is a casual Florida dining experience so no worry about what to wear-evenn the local police- who eat there most nights don' t change out of their uniform.
It is a friendly little place with a cozy atmosphere and a true Florida seafood experience that the entire family will enjoy.
To get there head south on 27 then head East on 17-92 towards Lake alfred . Gary' s is on your right next door to the Lake Alfred Motel at 670 Hwy 1792 tel 863 -9656-5055 to phone a head for a reservation if your party is 6 or more.
Take a drive down to Gary' s I hope you will find it a different experience to other Florida area eateries.
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