The Lovebugs are back. Here's one of my solutions. Lockdown Day 50

Ah yes, Love Bugs aka Plecia nearctica are back and swarming through the Southeast.   While I haven't found a way to totally eradicate them from my property, I have found a way to get rid of them and take out some of my frustrations at the same time..

A few food finds from the Florida Strawberry Festival

I go to fairs for one simple reason.. the food!  The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City was no exception to this rule!  Check out some of the food highlights from our visit this week..

The Do-it-Yourself Strawberry Shortcake Bar

$4.00 gets you fresh strawberries, and thick freshly made whipped cream that you can pile atop a piece of Sponge Cake (or Biscuit if you're really from the South!)

I swear my Strawberry Shortcake weighed about a pound after I piled on the toppings! 

Strawberry Napoleon from Alessi Bakery

 Vegetable Fried Rice with two huge Crab Rangoon Wontons

Footlong Hand Dipped Corn Dogs!

I was bummed after I finished  my freshly fried footlong corn dog only to find out there were 18- inch Corn Dogs around the corner!

Fresh cinnamon roll topped with bacon & cream cheese frosting

This cinnamon roll was life changing!  Can't believe I've been alive as long as I have without thinking of doing this! I was walking by a food trailer in the afternoon and saw/smelled these. I had already eaten my fill of fair food, so I took this to go and enjoyed it for dessert later that night. Ecstacy in every bite! I only wish I would've bought two or three of them to bring home.

I wish I could visit the Florida Strawberry Festival again before it ends tomorrow on March 8th.  If you have a chance, swing by.  I had a great time and I haven't even mentioned the carnival rides, the exhibitions, activities, etc.  The few pictures posted here don't even come close to scratching the surface on what you'll find there food wise.  

One last thing if you want to go.. Admission is $10.00, and parking is $5.00 to $10.00 depending on how close to the event you park.  To me and my family, it was TOTALLY worth it.

Visit the Florida Strawberry Festival Online

Key West Food and Fun

I recently had a couple incredible days in Key West, and lots of great food played a big part in that memorable trip.  Here are some highlights of my food laden adventure..

 Lazy Days Restaurant
79867 Overseas Hwy Islamorada

 Incredible views whether you dine inside or outside. 

The seafood here was excellent.

 Fresh fried Mahi Mahi

 a half pound of fresh shrimp just for me!

 Manhattan style Clam Chowder

Best I've ever eaten!  The fresh clams made all the difference in the world.

El Meson De Pepe Cuban Restaurant
410 Wall St. Key West

Everything we ate here was delicious. If you find yourself at El Meson De Pepe and are overwhelmed by the menu, I highly recommend ordering off the Tapas Menu.  You get huge portions, and a nice variety of traditional Cuban cuisine.

 You're not doing Key West correctly if you aren't eating lots of Cuban Bread! 

Southernmost Key Lime Shop

802 Duval St, Key West

 The best Key Lime Pie I've ever eaten was at this little pie shop on Duval St.

Ana's Cuban Cafe (formerly The Conch and the Cuban Cafe)
1330 Simonton St. Key West, FL 33040

This little cafe was right next door to our condo, and was right down the block

from the Southernmost point of the U.S.

After an eight hour drive from Orlando to Key West, a light meal of black beans and rice, fresh Cuban bread, Maduros, and Empanada, chased by some fresh Coconut water right from the Coconut, hit the spot and readied us for the next six hours of exploring the town.

The next morning, we started our day at Ana's.  As we sat on the patio, we could see the famous Southernmost point of the U.S. landmark right down the street, less than a block away.  It really was quite a surreal feeling sipping on Cafe' con Leche and eating fresh buttered Cuban Bread on a patio, pretty dang near as far south as you can travel in the U.S.  It really was the perfect way to start a day in Key West.

And finally.. there is no shortage of place to drink in Key West.  And while I drank my share of libations up and down Duval Street, I made dang well sure to stop at the 'Smallest Bar in Key West'.  Good times!

Going to Key West?
Here's a great guide to get you started! 

The Florida Gulf Coast.. an Alligator and Kitsch enthusiasts dream

I had an absolute blast vacationing down South last year, and the merchandise I come across in Florida gift shops and stores never ceases to amuse me.   Ever since I was a kid, I've been amazed by Alligators.  I mean, after all.. these creatures roamed with the Dinosaurs, and I guess could even be called modern day dinosaurs in their own right.



Apart from the massive amounts of great Alligator items I saw last time around, there was also plenty of great Florida kitsch.  Check out some of these great items below..

 Happy Gator Wine Bottle holder

 Gator Hammock Seasonings and Spices
(Some of these came home with me)

Gator Letter Opener

Hand Blown Glass Gator Wine bottle stopper 

 Ceramic hanging signs

 Crafty Alligator toy

 Almost bought this just for the heck of it

Gator Toilet paper caddys

 Manatee Wine (or beer) holder

 Bought some of these, and they were delicious!

 Another near impulse buy

 Wicked looking Rattler Wine Bottle holder

I love hitting the souvenir shops and tourist traps in Florida.  If I come across any good finds next time I visit (and I know I will) I'll make sure to post more pictures here.

Deep fried Alligator

The beginning of Fall gets me reminiscing about summer fare I enjoyed during the year.  Stuck in my mind for some reason today, was some fried Alligator I ate at the historic "Linger Lodge" in Bradenton Florida during one of my last visits.

I must say it was awesome, and no.. It didn't taste like chicken.  (although the two look very similar when cooked).  I think I found my new white meat! 

Old Florida Kitsch at its best - The historic Linger Lodge in Bradenton, Florida

The Linger Lodge got its start as a campground in 1945.  Frank and Elaine Gamsky moved to Florida from Wisconsin, and purchased the Linger Lodge in 1968.  Gamsky was an amateur taxidermist, and filled the restaurant with all sorts of local creatures like snakes, coyotes and alligators, just to name a few.

The Linger Lodge is perhaps the most eclectic and off the wall restaurant I've ever eaten at.  That being said, I enjoyed the experience immensely, and am glad I got a chance to dine there during my recent trip to the Florida gulf coast.  Down home southern cooking dominated the menu, and everything my family ate was superb.

The restaurant made it to the list of the "5 weirdest restaurants in America" and you'll soon see why.   I don't even know where to begin when describing the Linger Lodge, so I'll just jump into it with pictures..

The Linger Lodge is located in Bradenton Florida, and backs up to the edge of the Braden River.  The restaurant is flanked by a campground and RV park, and is enveloped by palm trees and huge oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

 

These little guys greet you upon entering the Linger Lodge, and set the vibe in motion that you're going to enjoy for the remainder of your visit.

We visited the Linger Lodge on our first day in Florida.  We arrived well after the lunch rush, so we had the run of the whole restaurant which made for some great photo ops.  We got a choice table situated right next to a fireplace, with a 15 foot Gator mounted directly above.

 

 Hush Puppies and Fried Green Tomatoes

For me.. I wanted nothing more than to enjoy some good Southern cooking, and that's exactly what I got. Appetizers of fried green tomatoes and hush puppies started us off, and fresh caught local gator with ice cold beer was the icing on the cake.  I also sampled some wonderful pulled pork that my bride ordered, which was the best I had eaten in quite some time.  All of the food was freshly made, full of flavor, and superb.

 Deep Fried Gator, Fresh cut fries, and rice

 I haven't seen a bonafide bear skin rug since I was a wee lad!

 The stuff $2500.00 Gucci shoes are made of

 Yup.. those are snakes that this sign is made with.  Which reminds me.. if you have an aversion to snakes (even dead ones) the Linger Lodge may not be the place for you..

This guy will keep you company at the corner of the bar

Huge Snake Skin lacquered into the bar top

 

This Diamond Back Rattler apparently got a piece of the person who caught him, and there's a picture of the hunters bitten hand to prove it!

  

Views from the bar

 

The incredibly welcoming staff actually encouraged me to go behind the bar to look around and take pictures.

Some more pics from around the restaurant..

After we finished our meals, and thoroughly walked around the restaurant to investigate all of the great conversation pieces, we decided to take a stroll outside to get a closer look at the campgrounds and property.

If you can take the Florida heat and humidity, there is a beautiful view of the Braden river from the back patio.  However, the deck is screened in and ceiling fans are moving plenty of air.  Plus.. don't ever underestimate the cooling power of beer!

Kayaks are available for the "adventurous"

 

 Heed the signs if you don't want Fido to become Gator Bait

I'm so glad I got the chance to visit the Linger Lodge with my family.   Not sure if I'd ever go as far as kayaking there, but we all had a blast, and will definitely be back.