By Gary McKechnie
On a road trip recently, I took two-lane Highway 41, a road I don’t often take. I will from now on, because just south of downtown Dunnellon I spotted the Front Porch Restaurant and Pie Shop.
A country diner will always catch my attention, and when you add pie to the title then it’s a shoo-in. Or a shoo-fly pie in.
The missus and I stopped and it was great; one of those Old Florida feelings where a group of servers was flying among tables carrying huge pork chops and meatloaf and chicken and fresh vegetables and glasses of sweet tea. (See a more thorough menu below).
There was a real friendly atmosphere inside the Front Porch Restaurant (which actually has an enclosed front porch) and that feeling was echoed in the country-style decorations.
This is exactly the kind of place I look for when I’m exploring Florida’s back roads or when traveling across the nation on a motorcycle. There’s just something great and exciting about finding independent restaurants where you can settle back with a home-cooked meal.
And when it was time for some delicious Florida desserts, it took a lot of discussion to select just the right slice of pie. We settled on a chocolate-coconut pie topped with a tower of meringue. It was heroic in size and one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.
Funny thing. I didn’t know about the Front Porch until last week. Now I’ll never forget it.
Maybe I’ll see you there.
If you go...
Front Porch Restaurant and Pie Shop
12039 North Florida Avenue (Hiwy 41)
Dunnellon
(352) 489-4708
www.frontporchpieshop.com
ON THE MENU
Bacon Cheeseburger
BLT on White, Wheat, or Rye
Fish Sandwich
Cold Roast Beef Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Breast on a Hoagie
Fried Chicken Breast on a hoagie
Grilled Cheese
Grilled Cheese w/ Bacon
Big'Un Hot Dog 1/4 lb.
Ham & Cheese
Cuban Sandwich
Homemade Soups
Homemade Chili
Greek Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
Applesauce
Corn Dog Basket
Fried Chicken Strips
Fried Fish
Crab Patties
Fried Shrimp
Fried Fish & Shrimp
Onion Rings
Fresh Vegtables
Corn Nuggets
Sweet Potato Fries
Breaded Mushrooms
Onion rings
Pot Roast
Fried Chicken
Fried Bone-in Ham Steak
Grilled Liver n' Onions
Chicken Fried Beef
Chopped Steak with Grilled Onions
Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled Pork Chops
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Wings
Shrimp and Crab Platter
Chocolate Cake
Pies:
Cherry
Blueberry
Pecan
Lemon Meringue
Coconut Cream Meringue
Chocolate Cream
Banana Cream
Key Lime
Peanut Butter Chocolate
(in season)
Strawberry
Pumpkin
Sweet Potato
Peach
A monumental piece of chocolate-coconut pie -- reason enough to visit the Front Porch in Dunnellon.
- Gary McKechnie
One of the happiest days of my life.
- Nancy Howell
