Western Sizzlin… ‘nuff said

Western Sizzlin… ‘nuff said

By DAVID THEUS

Some time ago I made the disclaimer that I was not going to portray myself to be some snobby chef type when doing these reviews, well I’m still holding to my promise. We dined not once but 

twice at the Starke location of the time honored tradition that is known as the Western Sizzlin Family Steak House and Buffet.

I have to admit, this venture took me back to my childhood in Orlando, before Disney. I can remember when my Mother and Father were faced with feeding a family of six on a mid-level engineer’s salary and challenged to provide each of us with a good meal. Since my adult years, I have made it a personal promise not to frequent buffets anymore, not even the likes of a good Chinese one either.

But when in Starke, do as the Starkonians do, dine at the Western Sizzlin on South Hwy. 301. It turns out that many folks from Baker County and surrounding areas make the drive too. While making my way through the line, I saw several faces I recognized from our neck of the woods. Needless to say, they recognized me too. I guess I had blown my cover for sure.

The one term that kept coming to mind was "value". I have to give the young lady servers props on their level of quality and consistent service. Not once did my sweet tea go empty, nor was there a moment too long where I had collected a plate that I was finished with. The food on the hot line was well prepared, a decent assortment of vegetables, a little heavy of the starches, but all in all good home-style food.

There were gravy soaked cutlets, steak, fried chicken, fried pop-corn shrimp, and loads of delicious fried catfish, not the big ones either but the medium to what I call fingerling size. The salad bar was a nice blend of iceberg and mixed greens as well, refreshing to see on a buffet line. There was plenty of the normal salad bar fixins’... sliced boiled eggs, bacon bits, cottage cheese, croutons, grated cheddar, and lots more.

I’m afraid to say the desserts were a little to be desired. That’s not a bad thing after all, after one might have taken the liberty of eating too much from the line, it’s probably not a bad thing when the desserts don’t tastes so good. I have to say it was a pleasant experience, mind you one I don’t want to repeat every week, or even every month, but not bad. I give them high marks on value. Our family of three, wife, six year old, and me for $27 and change.

I give them three forks out of five. They keep a clean restaurant, the service is very good and surprisingly cheerful. It’s just me, I’m a little self conscious maybe when I eat in those places. Enjoy.