As broad questions go, this one may be impossible.
Favorite restaurant depends entirely on what mood I’m in, what time of day it is, whether I’m trying to impress somebody, whether I’m hungry enough to ignore a wait, and whether I’m willing to pay steakhouse prices or just want something quick on the way home.
So instead of pretending there’s one answer, here’s my category list.
If I want Italian, it’s Catullo’s Italian on Atlantic. The place feels like an old Mafia hideout somebody forgot to modernize, and people will happily stand around for an hour waiting to get in because the food really is that good. It earns the wait every time.
That said, guilty pleasure Italian still belongs to Olive Garden. No, it’s not winning any authenticity awards, but the service is usually excellent, and soup, salad, and breadsticks still work on me every single time.
Seafood? Dockside Seafood Restaurant. The secret has been out for years, so expect a wait, but the menu is broad enough that everybody finds something worth ordering.
Thai usually means Green Papaya Thai & Sushi Cuisine, though Thai Orchid Restaurant across the street has always treated us well too—and it’s quieter, which sometimes matters.
Indian food? Easy: JaxSpice. I honestly can’t remember ever having a bad meal there.
For steak, I’d pick Restaurant Medure. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is nearby and excellent too, but Medure has the kind of service that makes you feel like somebody still remembers how dining is supposed to work.
Breakfast belongs to Orange Blossom Breakfast & Lunch. Great menu, dependable service, and if you’re there late enough, the mimosas and Bloody Marys deserve honorable mention.
Sandwiches? Blue Boy Sandwich Shop. Prices have climbed like everything else, but they still build sandwiches large enough to make you question whether you ordered lunch or catering.
Fast food goes to Culver’s. The curbside service is consistently quick, the people are friendly, and the food is far better than most places in that lane.
And if chicken is the mission, give me Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders. Those tenders are absurdly tender, which probably explains why they’ve built such a loyal following.
So no, I don’t have one favorite restaurant.
I have a rotating board of champions depending on what kind of hunger showed up that day.
Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
