Historic Downtown Sanford: Craft breweries, restaurants, gastropubs, events, tours, things to do in Sanford, FL
Food·Drink·Events·Music·Tours
We are a community driven blog that promotes the Historic Downtown Sanford District in Central, Florida as a
food & beverage destination to a global audience for tourism, film locations, community events & investment.
Rachel Sammons
@rachel-sammons
Active 5 years, 9 months agoI brought my uncle from Portland here (he’s majorly hipster) because I knew he’d love the Southern food with a gourmet, gastropub-esque twist. We came for brunch and I enjoyed their French Toast which is made of potato-chive bread with butternut-squash butter and smoked maple syrup. Their drinks are served in mason jars and their front counter looks like a little, twinkly-light-strewn shack (only very nice looking). I also have served their staff at the coffee shop I barista at and they’re all super nice.
Overall, this is a sweet, unique place to go for a taste of something different.
I love this place! I especially love going at 3:00 am after a night out drinking. Their wings slathered in Shantell’s sauce is the best way to end a night out. I also love their chicken and waffles which are the perfect balance between crispy and juicy.
Food aside, this place has the BEST staff! Their servers are sassy and accommodating, always up for a debate or a cordial conversation. Shantell herself is the sweet, cool mother you never had. Plus, the late-night crowd is so fun. Last time I came here, they had a karaoke night on Friday and were singing Frankie Valli tunes.
Go to Shantell’s! I promise. It’ll be fun.
Fuel is excellent! Their traditional BBQ food options are affordable and delicious. I work at the coffee shop across the street and every Saturday morning, around 7 am, I can smell the sweet brisket cooking. It’s my favorite Saturday morning aroma (next to freshly-brewed coffee). My favorite thing to get here is the sweet potato fries dusted with brown sugar. Rodney, one of the staff and a super cool guy, doesn’t even need to ask what I want because he already knows and he’s sure to prepare it tout suite. They also have complimentary soft-serve ice cream for customers. I can’t complain.
Palate is hands-down the best coffee shop in Sanford! Plus, all their profits go to their parent non-profit organization, Love Missions, which fights to end human trafficking locally and abroad. Specifically, their profits have recently been going to a safe house in Guyana which offers a sanctuary for girls who have been rescued out of the sex trade. Meaning your coffee goes to that cause! It’s enough to make you never step foot in another coffee shop again.
All the baristas are volunteers and they’re super friendly and banter-y to customers. My favorite drink is the Americano which is a double shot of espresso topped up with hot water. You have to have it black. The taste is un-matchable.
Palate also hosts open-mic nights every month which are the perfect, low-pressure kind of events to showcase your musical or poetic talent.
I love going here! The first time I went, my friend and I shared the queso fundido which puts any other queso you’ve had to shame. This one’s filled with gooey mozzarella, chihuahua cheese, and chorizo. Let me tell you: it’s to DIE FOR. I have also enjoyed their pastor tacos which are juicy and so flavorful. El Zocalo has a lively dining vibe with a mariachi band on Sunday nights and a full house on the weekends.
Is it authentic Mexican food? Probably. I’m not an expert so I can’t speak to that. But when you’ve tasted the quality of their food, it doesn’t matter. Your palate will be satisfied beyond measure.