There is a great family restaurant that is always busy every time I drive by – Fred’s Market Restaurant. This family owned place has a rich history that all started at a restaurant attached to a gas station in Plant City.
The restaurant is huge inside, and almost every table was full. What I did not realize until I walked in is that Fred’s is a buffet, a HUGE buffet. They had a salad station, a large meat and sides station, and of course a dessert station.
The buffet does change a few of the meats and sides each day but there are several standards that will always be included – like fried chicken. What would a southern buffet be without fried chicken.
I made sure to try a little bit of everything. This way I did not over stuff myself and did not waste food. My first plate I made sure to get:
- Fried chicken – The fried chicken was extremely crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Mashed potatoes – The mashed potatoes were super creamy and the savory brown gravy added a touch of saltiness.
- Spanish pulled pork – The pulled pork was amazing. The pork was tender and pulled apart just with a fork. It was juicy and also had a savory taste
I tried a few things on the salad bar:
- Broccoli salad – The tangy and sweet dressing covered fresh pieces of broccoli and shredded cheddar cheese. There was a crunch from the crispy, fresh bacon. The raisins added an extra sweetness.
- Pasta Salad – The bow tie pasta was tossed in an Italian dressing with feta cheese and chopped up bell peppers.
I had to get another plate to try a few more things:
- Dinner Roll – They had just put fresh ones out so I had to grab one. They are yeast rolls that were sweet and soft. The butter that they brushed on top added a slight saltiness.
- Prime Sirloin – The sirloin was sliced into thin slices and marinated in an ajus sauce. The meat was extremely tender. The sauce helped keep the meat moist.
- Spanish Rice – They used some great seasoning in this rice to transform it into a savory dish.
- Plantains – I love sweet plantains. These were soft and cooked perfectly. It is almost like these could be a dessert.
- Grits – These were cheddar grits and they were creamy and salty. They are the perfect kind that I usually enjoy at breakfast.
- Mac & Cheese – I had one small scoop of the homemade mac and cheese. There was a crispy layer of cheese on top that covered the creamy pasta.
I did save a little room for dessert. They had everything from cake, banana pudding, and ice cream sundaes. I went for a Southern classic – pecan pie. The gooey filling was super sweet. The pecans were sweet and crunchy. It was a really sweet dessert but it paired well with a fresh cup of coffee.
Fred’s Market Restaurant was a great place. It is perfect for families to get together and enjoy a meal. Just make sure you go with an appetite. They also have a really popular breakfast buffet. I need to make sure I bring my family the back the next time we are in town.
Check out their family history and their menu at www.fredsmarket.com
Enjoy!
T
