N
estled on the corner of Dillard and Plant
Street is a Winter Garden icon. The Winter Garden Restaurant has been in business since
1960. With it’s all American home style
cooking that is served with a smile,
it is a place you and your family will want to visit again and
again. I have been meaning to
check it out for years now as
it is always packed outside.
From the moment I walked
in the door, I felt it’s charm.
As I took a seat at the counter,
I was immediately greeted by
a friendly waitress who shares
my namesake. Looking through
the menu while mouth-watering
smells wafted from the kitchen, I
finally decided on a good old fashioned cheeseburger with a side of sweet
potato fries. While waiting for my meal, I
took in the décor around me and became fascinated by the mural behind the counter. It had wonderful photos of downtown Winter Garden from
both present and past. I asked my waitress, Julie
about the Havana Express and she told me that was
the name of the train that used to go through town
because it was said to go all the way to the Keys.
As we were talking, I watched as the local police,
laborers,