Metro Diner, a chain restaurant of comfort food and humongous portions, opened in The Villages a few months ago to the delight of those who know the restaurant from its over 47 locations, a few which are due to open soon.
Metro Diner originated in Jacksonville, Fla., with breakfast as the big draw for locals. Eight years later, in 2000, Master Chef Mark Davoli and family expended Metro’s offerings to include innovative dishes made of local ingredients. Their continued expansion is proof of their success.
Metro Diner in The Villages is located where Perkins formerly was, just past McDonalds on County Road 466 at 4110 Wedgewood Lane. There is plenty of parking as well as many spots for handicapped needs. The restaurant has comfortable seating, and most people I have spoken with have said they have had at most a 20-minute wait when it is at capacity.
I have had the opportunity to have lunch there once and dinner twice. The first time was on opening day, which just happened to be a fluke as we were looking for somewhere different to go for dinner, and thought we would check out Metro Diner. On this day, the staff was exuberant and could not have been more welcoming and wanting for us to have the perfect experience.
My husband had the Big Mike’s BLT which comes with 8 slices of bacon, three slices of toast, and is a double decker. It was accompanied by French fries. My husband continues to rave about this sandwich on both of our visits there for dinner together, but has twice now been disappointed with either soggy or undercooked fries that came with the BLT.
I had the chicken pot pie on this first visit, and for an extra $1, you can order the jumbo and take half of it home if you are so inclined. The chicken pot pie was full of vegetables and chunks of chicken, lima beans, corn, carrots and French cut green beans. The pastry is not of a light flakiness, but more of a biscuit type which my friend Judy Kraft said she preferred when we were there together for dinner. She did opt for the jumbo pie and took half of it home for lunch the next day and thoroughly enjoyed it. I prefer the chicken pie at Guy Fieri at Lake Sumter Landing, which as a lighter type crust, but both are excellent.
On the night the four of us went together, Judy’s husband was particularly hungry, so unlike their previous visit where they shared the chicken platter, Charlie ordered it for himself and found it to be consistently delicious as it was when they first shared. The fried chicken comes with an interesting sweet and spicy side sauce that the server makes at the table, which was not found to be a good complement by either Judy or Charlie.
Two other menu items I have had was the Spinach salad with grilled chicken and the Bacon, Mushroom and Swiss Burger.
At the second dinner at Metro, I had the Spinach Salad, which was fresh and included bacon, candied pecans, carrots, red onion, feta, blueberries and strawberries, and was topped with a generous serving of grilled chicken. It was the healthiest of the three meals I had there, and was plenty for dinner without feeling over indulgent, as one feels with most of the menu choices. Again this is a comfort food restaurant
On this past Friday, I had the chance to accept an invitation to lunch with a dear friend. I was interested to notice that aside from Villagers at lunch time, there were police, landscapers and other local workers (evidenced by company tee shirts and logos), coming in to either eat in or take out. I did see a lot of male workers looking forward to a hearty lunch!
My friend chose the Tomato Bisque Soup which was served thick and had a fresh bay leaf. She also ordered the Greek Salad, which on delivery was not what she had ordered, instead being brought a Garden Salad. Within a minute or two, a Greek salad was delivered, but not without disappointment. There was minimal feta, no cucumber, a few olives, one small piece of purple onion, and they do not offer the Greek salad with green peppers, which is part of what makes up this type of salad. It seemed as if they had sprinkled some feta on the previously delivered salad and called it Greek. It was also unusual to be presented with a choice of dressing for a Greek salad, as it most often comes with a Greek olive oil and herb dressing. This salad would not be recommended for those familiar with Greek food.
For something different, I chose the Bacon, Mushroom and Swiss Burger. I found the meat to be without much flavor, it could use an addition of herbs or spices. The bun, which I put to the side, was very thick, and for the person who enjoys a huge burger, this will certainly satisfy. I did enjoy the bacon, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese, and as someone who seldom orders a burger, I would most times prefer these ingredients in a salad. Also having had the experience of my husband not enjoying the fries on the two occasions there together, I asked them to make them extra well done as a side to the burger, and they did come out hot and crispy.
In true local style, Metro Diner delights in telling its patrons that “Being that we are in The Villages, we are the only Metro Diner with a full bar!”
I find it amusing that this has to be something to be declared, as there are no shortage of places here where drinks are on tap from opening to closing, but it is important to The Villages culture where we are known as “A drinking community with a golf problem” (I have written previously about alcohol use in The Villages).
All three times I have been at Metro, the staff have provided a positive and welcoming experience with greeting, seating and service, even when a wrong order was delivered. Management makes the rounds checking in with customers. All items on the menus are available throughout the day, and with a constant flow of people coming in, and full tables, Metro Diner with its large portions, varied menu, full bar and delightful staff, has found a recipe for success in The Villages.
Jane Bloom is a frequent contributor to Villages-News.com
