Christo's Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

04/17/25. We haven't been to Christo's in a long time, maybe a year or so. It used to be really good food, good service, and friendly people. Well, today shattered all of those expectations. The place seats quite a few people. May 100+. Well there were only my wife and I and about 20 customers in the whole place. We sat and ordered drinks, coffee and water for both. Nothing spectacular. Coffee and water came and the waitress took our order. Mrs. had a country fried steak, 2 scrambled eggs, home fries and dry wheat toast. I had biscuits and gravy and 2 eggs sunny side up or up. Everything was going good until it wasn't. The waitress brought our food and filled Ms' coffee. Ms' food was good and she was happy. My food was so salty I couldn't eat it. I am not one to send back food, but my wife is. She flagged down the waitress and told her that my food was too salty. The waitress asked if she could bring anything instead and I said no. I don't send back food and I don't request something else as I know people who worked in the restaurant business and they always told me to walk away. You don't want to know what some people will do on redoes. I am sure this place would not do that, but my thoughts back to previous conversations with my chef friend said "don't do it", so I sat and watched my wife eat her breakfast. After the plate was sent back, everything went downhill. We never saw our waitress again except to drop off the bill. No coffee refills. No water refills. She disappeared into the back and we never saw her again. My wife finished what she could eat and we waited for the waitress to come back so Mrs. could ask for a box. 20 minutes went by and we saw the waitress once and that was to take the man's order whom sat down behind me. Mrs. tried to get her attention as it was only a table away, but she was ignored. We waited another 5 minutes and called it a day. My wife went up to pay the bill because she will tell the owner that the food was terrible and oversalted. The owner took his time to get to the register. She waited about 3 minutes for the owner to show back up at the register. She told him about the food and he never apologized or anything. She asked if the waitress could bring a box to the table and he ran off to the kitchen and returned with a box. The waitress did take my order off of the check but the check was still over 15.00. Kind of expensive for breakfast even with the egg shortage and high prices. If the waitress would have been a good waitress and continued to serve us I would have tipped her as if I was paying for my meal as well. Needless to say, she got a short tip. I will not be going back to this place...

I know this is a local gem, and not to discredit the great things this local business does for our community, but each of the 4 times I've been here, I've been greatly underwhelmed. The seasonings are just non existent (thank goodness for salt & pepper on the tables) the service is painfully slow (we waited just shy of an hour today, a Thursday, from ordering to receiving our food) and after the meal I was served today, I don't think I'll ever be back. As a chef in a restaurant, you should definitely know better than to serve a gravy like I was served today. This is basic cooking skills 101. These little lumpy pearls in the gravy come from adding flour or cornstarch to hot liquid, either by not making a proper roux with flour before the liquid is added to the gravy, or, from not making a flour or cornstarch slurry before adding it to a hot liquid to thicken it. Instead, the thickening agent used was cooked too quickly, resulting in this (pictured below). Not only was this gravy lumpy, it wasn't very good, either. I was hungry and the staff were super busy, the restaurant was continuously SO LOUD and after waiting almost an hour for our lunch, I just wanted to eat it and get out of there. So, I doused it in salt & pepper and downed as much of the meal as I could stomach. Also, If you are easily overstimulated or neurodivergent at all, the noise level in this place will exhaust you quickly. I was so relieved to get out of there and give my brain a break from the craziness. All in all, I tried, I really tried, to like Christos like apparently everyone else in this town does, but it just didn't do it...

Christos Family Restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed with warm smiles and the unmistakable aroma of delicious, home-cooked meals. As a foodie who loves exploring new eateries, I must say that Christos stands out with its authentic and mouthwatering dishes.

The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for both family gatherings and intimate dinners. The staff is incredibly attentive and friendly, ensuring that every customer feels right at home. They were more than happy to offer recommendations and even accommodated some dietary preferences.

Now, let's talk about the food – it's simply outstanding! Christos' menu boasts a diverse selection of traditional and contemporary dishes, catering to all tastes. Whether you're craving classic comfort food or seeking an adventurous culinary experience, they have something for everyone.

What I appreciate most about Christos is the emphasis on family. They genuinely care about their patrons and create an ambiance that fosters connection and joy. You can tell that the restaurant is a labor of love for the owners and staff.

If you're in the area or passing through, do yourself a favor and visit Christos Family Restaurant. You won't be disappointed! Whether you're dining solo, with friends, or with your loved ones, Christos is an experience worth savoring. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Note: This review is based on my personal experience and reflects my honest opinions about Christos...