I am on a nostalgic run, and we are getting to winter, I think of myFlorida. Not the glitzy marketing spots but the real living in gorgeous Ormond Beach, rather Ormond by the Sea, or North Peninsula in Volusia County. I have written briefly on it in previous posts but , found me an older picture and decided to put that in my blog ; after all, is my life’s history you know ! Therefore, here are three memorable restaurants we frequented a lot while there, Julian’s ,and Bennigan’s of Ormond Beach ,and Villa Madrid of Daytona Beach. Hope you enjoy it as I.
We first came to this restaurant while living in Ormond by the Sea and continue down in South Florida until they were gone by the time we came back from France on a visit, This was Bennigan’s at 890 S Atlantic Avenue (A1A), off Harvard Drive into the beach ramp, The founder D. Bennigan came to America from his native Ireland scouting for taverns like at home, where he could kick back, chow down, and raise a glass in a hearty Irish toast. Resulting is Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern, home of “Oh, Baby Back Ribs” and much more. My dear late wife Martine love the Monte Cristo sandwich made here !! We came to see them near the Miami airport at 3449 NW 42nd Ave near the Hampton Inn Hotel, once move closer down as well, Now, there is another outfit there, The chain has closed operations in Florida a while back, Here for the memories of always.Sadly no pictures to show.
I read that at the same location there was opened The Black Sheep Restaurant ,a traditional British-Irish pub that also features classic American dishes. They were located in the same building as Bennigan’s, and also, has closed, It’s latest is Riptide Raw Bar and Grill, However, Bennigan’s remains open in other parts of the USA and World, see webpage
The official Bennigan’s current locations : https://bennigans.com/locations/
One memorable family visit was to Julian’s Dining Room & Lounge an award winning restaurant with a personal touch, The restaurant was started by Cuban immigrant Julian Lopez and wife, Dora in 1967, In Ormond Beach they were an institution , started out as Tropics and then Julian’s, The anecdote here is that Julian was the uncle of my cousin with the first husband of the women who later married my uncle, mom’s brother, We hit it off right away and they even cook out for my Dad Elio community events there, and of course, nicely welcome at the restaurant each time greeted by Julian himself, I told my cousin and he was happy we met, We continued coming several times afterward,
The dining room featured theater-style seating overlooking an organ that was played during dinner. Celebrities ranging from Morgan Freeman and Mia Farrow to Merv Griffin dined there. Relish trays would arrive with the beverages along with baskets of yeast rolls, sliced brown bread and glazed cinnamon buns. Everyone ordered black bean soup, a Julian’s specialty; more than a few tossed salads would be topped with creamy bleu cheese dressing. Pittsburgh-style prime rib or seafood platters were popular entrees, Couples and families come here to celebrate special occasions, but it’s also a good place for a date or a business dinner. If you wanted to see anybody in Ormond Beach that you hadn’t seen for a while, you went to Julian’s, There was a small dance floor, On the west side of the building was a mini-bar that seated about 20 people which was the local hangout for many years. The 10,000-square-foot building was located at 88 S. Atlantic Ave. A third generation of family operators and devoted customers came after Julian retired, The place was not the same after several years and it finally closed down when the original owner retired, It was one of most popular eateries in the area starting from 1967. Now, long lines no longer extend around the corner of the building. Echos of music and laughter have faded away. It closed in 2012 after a brief period under different management. The original owner Julian Lopez Sr. died April 21, 2018,RIP
The site’s initial use was to be as an overflow parking lot for the nearby restaurant , immediately to the south It still sits empty lot awaiting what is to be done there, there was talk of townhouses to be built, then a retail shop with beach-related merchandise ,still no news ; lot still empty, No webpage, here just for the memories of always,
Another oldie , this one did not lasted long, However, there is a personal story, This was Villa Madrid restaurant right across from the Daytona International Speedway, A complete Spanish restaurant very typical and good food friendly service, The couple of Jose and Maria were previous owners of a churros resto in Union City NJ where my parents and I used to go eat, They moved to Palm Coast in order to be retired but could not resist, so they invested on this restaurant, We came we knew them and the resto was empty we told them needed to explained to the folks what is Spanish food (Spain), they told us no need folks knew; while we were there a family came in, asking for tacos !!! They kindly explained, we left and they close 6 months later, End of story, Maybe times are better today but this was about 1990, Anyway no webpage just here for the memories of always. My dear late mom Gladys and dear late wife Martine, and my dear late dad Elio, and I below pics!
The Ormond Beach chamber of commerce on its restaurants today: https://www.ormondchamber.com/list/ql/restaurants-food-beverages-22
The Florida State tourist office on Ormond Beach : https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-east/ormond-beach/
There you go folks, I feel much better to have this bit of nostalgia in my blog, as said, my blog is my life’s history, Florida is big in my mind after all my 3 boys were born there ,and the oldest at Halifax hospital in nearby Daytona Beach ! , As said, many wonderful memories of the Sunshine State, not to ever forget them. These are old paper pics so sorry for the quality. Again, hope you enjoy this most nostalgic post on my restaurants of Daytona/Ormond Beach as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 