Tucked beside Cross Creek, The Yearling Restaurant proves a middle of nowhere address can still be a serious steak destination. The drive feels like a time warp, and that first step inside seals it with Old Florida charm, live blues, and taxidermy lore.
Whether you crave gator bites, blackened redfish, or a hefty steak burger, you will leave talking about the flavor. Bring an appetite, a sense of adventure, and maybe a camera for those fried green tomatoes.
TrendingNow
Old Florida Atmosphere and History
Step through the door and you are in Old Florida. Wood floors creak, books about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings line shelves, and taxidermy tells stories of the creek.
The stage hints at nights where blues and harmonica drift through supper.
You feel far from highways, but close to the state’s roots. It is part museum, part fish camp, entirely memory maker.
Take your time wandering and let the vibe season the meal before your first bite.
Servers share local lore like neighbors. The space honors decades of cooking, storytelling, and families gathering.
By dessert, you will swear the rustic walls have soaked in laughter, harmonies, and the sizzle of steaks.
Steak Destination Credentials
You come for the folklore, but the steak keeps you planted. The steak burger packs deep beefy flavor, juicy and seared right, earning repeat raves from locals and road trippers.
Prime rib specials and hand cut preparations make this seafood spot a stealth carnivore haven.
Order medium rare and watch the knife glide. Sides like collard greens or hush puppies round out that hearty plate.
Add the house orange mango dressing to a side salad for a bright citrus counterpoint.
Prices fit the $$ promise, portions satisfy, and the kitchen respects the grill. Even with gator and redfish stealing headlines, a great steak lands center stage.
That is why the drive is worth it.
Seafood Stars: Redfish, Shrimp, and Grouper
Seafood anchors the menu with Florida swagger. Blackened redfish arrives flaky with a spicy crust, while fried shrimp stay crisp without greasy heaviness.
When available, grouper makes a splash, sharing the plate with very southern sides.
The shrimp and grits deserve a cheer, buttery and peppery with comfort built in. Smoked fish dip starts the table talking before entrees land.
Even simple fried clams hit that fish camp sweet spot.
Ask about daily availability, since the kitchen respects seasonality. Pair with a cold drink and watch the dining room hum.
You will taste the water, the dock, and the pan’s quick kiss of heat.
Adventurous Bites: Gator, Venison, and Frog Legs
This is where curiosity meets comfort. Gator bites come tender with a light crunch, venison sandwiches carve a reputation for perfect cooking, and frog legs bring that classic Florida dare.
Order one for the table and watch skeptics become fans.
The kitchen keeps it approachable. Balanced seasoning, clean fry oil, and attention to texture make these items welcoming.
Dip, squeeze lemon, and share around.
If you have only tried one before, try two. It is a rare menu where adventure tastes this friendly.
You will leave with a favorite and a story that starts with “remember those gator bites.”
Fried Green Tomatoes and Hush Puppies
Some sides steal the show, and these do. Fried green tomatoes arrive with crackly breading and bright tang, winning “best I have ever eaten” from many guests.
Hush puppies, even off menu, fry up golden with a tender crumb.
Ask your server kindly and they often deliver. Dip both in the local orange mango dressing for an addictive sweet citrus twist.
It is the move regulars whisper about.
These plates work as starters, shareables, or a crunchy companion to steak and seafood. They taste of porch evenings and family picnics.
One basket turns into two faster than you plan.
Live Blues, Harmonica, and Evenings
When the harmonica wails and blues rolls across the room, dinner becomes a memory. A small stage anchors the experience, connecting plates to Florida’s musical backroads.
It is the kind of live music that feels like a neighbor picked up a guitar.
Check hours because midweek closures are common. Thursday through Sunday, evenings build slowly, then glow.
A steak dinner tastes better with a groove riding alongside.
Sit close if you want the full sound, or slide to a corner for conversation. Either way, the musician’s warmth threads through the meal.
Applause comes easy between bites and sips.
Practical Details: Hours, Price, and Drive
Plan the timing and you avoid disappointment. The Yearling opens Thursday to Sunday, generally noon until evening, with Monday through Wednesday closed.
Weekends can mean a wait, especially after festivals or state park visits.
Prices sit at a comfortable $$, with generous portions and quality ingredients. Call ahead at +1 352-466-3999 if you are timing a group visit.
Parking is straightforward, and the property invites a little stroll.
The drive feels remote, but it is simple via Co Rd 325. Enter the coordinates and let the pines guide you.
You will arrive hungry and ready for catfish, steak, and stories.
Service With Heart
Friendly faces anchor the experience as surely as the grill. New servers find their stride with sweetness, while veterans navigate busy nights like pros.
When the dining room fills, grace and hustle keep plates landing hot.
Ask questions about specials, sides, and that orange mango dressing. They will steer you well and happily point to local favorites.
You feel looked after, not rushed.
Even when the crowd swells, water glasses refill and checks come promptly. If something is off, speak up and the team makes it right.
Hospitality here feels personal, like a small town handshake.
Desserts and That Pie Debate
Save room for sweets, especially the sour orange cream cheese cake. Citrus sings and the texture rides between silky and nostalgic.
People talk about it all the way back to the highway.
Yes, some guests find pie pricing high. Decide with your table, maybe split a slice to sample without regret.
Dessert here is part of the lore and worth at least one forkful.
A coffee or sweet tea pairs nicely, balancing fried platters or steaks. If you love citrus, this is a must.
If not, ask your server for the night’s alternative.
Make It a Day Trip
Turn dinner into a getaway. Explore the nearby Rawlings house, wander under mossy oaks, then settle in at The Yearling for a feast.
The cabin options and local springs make it easy to linger.
Arrive for a late lunch to dodge the rush, then stay for music as the lights dim. Order redfish for daylight and a steak burger toward evening.
That combination captures the restaurant’s range perfectly.
Bring friends who appreciate stories with their supper. You will leave full, a little sun kissed, and armed with recommendations.
Next time, you will plan the drive on purpose.
Discussion about this post