There's something unusual in the great green nothing between Clewiston, Florida; Moore Haven, Florida; and LaBelle, Florida. It's not weird because of what it is. It's strange because of where it is at. On a stretch of Highway that is home to few people, and...
Read MoreThere's something unusual in the great green nothing between Clewiston, Florida; Moore Haven, Florida; and LaBelle, Florida. It's not weird because of what it is. It's strange because of where it is at. On a stretch of Highway that is home to few people, and plenty of trees green space and wild animals, there stands a combination of a Shell station and a pub. They've been around awhile. The bar in the pub is some 40 years of age and it is covered with photos and coins from the years and various owners that it has lived through.
It's called the gator bait pub, and its name makes perfect sense when taken in context with the environment that it sits in. There is relatively little for miles around. Luckily, the scent of the food from inside does not seem to invite Gators from the locality.
I have been there twice at this point: once in the evening, when it is close to people below 21 years old and once during the afternoon, when it is open to anybody. As you might imagine, it's not a terribly fancy place. It does not stand on any pretence, whatsoever. What it does stand on, however, is authenticity and substance.
Today, I enjoyed a very well prepared Philly cheese steak top with provolone, not cheese whiz, kind of important when you understand that there are two schools of Philly cheesesteak lover, and when I went in the later hours, I enjoyed a couple of beers and some wonderful hot buffalo wings.
The barmaid, a very nice young lady who was friendly and a bit feisty, told me that their beef is fresh and never frozen. As a result, I will likely make a bet on a hamburger next time I go. The people who were there for my visit appeared to be regulars. They were three men gathered around the bar who are watching a flat screen television that was playing syndicated episodes of Gunsmoke. They chatted with one another and made friendly with the young lady.
The cook, himself, came out to me to ask if the food was to my satisfaction. I was happy to tell him that it was.
If you happen to be out on this particular Highway between LaBelle and Clewiston, you may want to consider dropping in. The Pioneer Plaza is eye-catching because it is one of the few signs of civilization to be found in the area. If you're feeling adventurous, or live nearby, it is very much worth a visit. You'll find friendly people, cold beer, and good food at sensible prices.
Identifies as veteran-owned 
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