Yellow Dog Eats – Gotha, FL

When we went to New Smyrna Beach earlier this year, we stumbled upon a really great restaurant called Yellow Dog Eats.  We ended up eating there twice in our couple day vacation we enjoyed it so much.  I said if it wasn’t all the way on the east coast of Florida I’d eat there all the time! 

It turns out there is a closer location – still not near enough to Tampa to have on a regular basis, but if we’re in the Orlando/Winter Park area, it’s worth the side trip.  It’s in a town called Gotha – a quaint little town just west of Orlando with a population of only 1,915.  It was actually the original location for YDE. 

The atmosphere is very laid back and casual.  The inside is covered in stickers, graffiti, and photos of customers’ dogs.  The sandwiches are incredible at a really good price.  I enjoyed it so much last time that I had their Baa Baa BLT again – with smoked pancetta, tomatoes, field greens, watercress, pecan smoked bacon, goat cheese, and orange Cointreau mayo served on multi grain bread.  It’s probably one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. 

The weather was nice so we dined on the patio, where loose chickens roam and clean up any scraps left behind.  Between the chickens and a stray cat, we had to keep a close eye on our food to make sure the wildlife didn’t make off with our meals!

I’d highly suggest checking this place out if you’re near either location.  Now just crossing my fingers that they make their way over to Tampa…

Yellow Dog Eats is located at 1236 Hempel Ave, Windermere, FL 34786.  They are open 11am – 9pm every day.