Lakeland food tour worth the drive
COMMENTARY
Exploring outside of your neighborhood can be difficult — let alone in a different city.
Heading outside of Orlando is worth the time and money. Promise. Just think of it as a mini-vacation.
Recently I wandered around Lakeland enjoying two of my favorite things: food and drink. Here are some of my favorite finds:
My happy moment on this road trip came as I sat in this establishment’s courtyard sipping on wine, munching on a brown butter beignet (while trying not to literally inhale powdered sugar) and listening to the excellent crooning of musician Dan Signor. 801 E. Main is home to beignet-centric food truck Poor Porker, bar and live music spot Bar Calexico, and the wares of Bearcat & Big 6. The space itself is a Bohemian paradise with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Go: 801 E. Main St., Lakeland; 863-937-6915; thepoor porker.com.
News of this bakery’s consistent out-thedoor long line first drew me to visiting Lakeland. Here’s the kicker: Born & Bread is only open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, and sometimes sells out before that noon deadline. You better believe I was there before opening time — and still waited about 20 minutes. Why the hype? Born & Bread’s creative flavor combinations are just darn good. The bakery’s signature item, the cruffin, somehow has the flakes you want from a croissant with the pillowy inside of a muffin. Croissants, breads and galettes are a few of the other things you can stick in your brown paper bag. Go: 1113 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland; bornand breadbakehouse .com.
I arrived at Brew Hub with only a hazy idea of what it does — but a beer and a tour later clarified things for me. This mammoth establishment brews and packages beers for other breweries that are often looking to expand their reach. You may find a hefeweizen from Big Bend Brewing Company in Texas, a lager from East Island Brewing in South or even a red ale from Crooked Can Beer Co. in Winter Garden. The hub even has its own “craft collection” of its own brews. Go: 3900 Frontage Road S., Lakeland; 863-698-7600; brewhub.com.
This low-key art museum didn’t make me feel out of my depth, overwhelmed or underwhelmed. It had just enough interesting exhibits (including one on Pre-Columbian artifacts that date from c. 800 BCE to c. 1500 CE). Bonus: It’s free! Go: 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland; 863-688-7743; polk museumofart.org
Ever thought to pair kimchi with carpaccio? Me neither, but the Red Door has me craving that combination now. This restaurant’s menu appealed because it listed dishes that ranged in adventurousness, from the aforementioned carpaccio to chicken and waffle sliders for my picky-eater fiance. Go: 733 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland; 863-937-9314; reddoor lakeland.com
:A local favorite, S&L isn’t anything fancy. Coca-Cola memorabilia hangs on the walls and most of the food comes in baskets. The diner is known for its burgers, which are served quickly and cost less than $5. Just be sure to bring cash. Go: 2915 S. Combee Road, Lakeland; 863-665-0731; Facebook.