Old Dixie Cafe North — Restaurant in Florida

I just had a gourmet meal at…..yes, wait for it….Old Dixie Cafe North! After the new management took over, this iconic local hangout changed. The decor is more subtle, TV screens of different channels have replaced the eclectic collections of posters. The honky tonk music is there. The wait staff that looks like real southern cafe wait staff is there. No sexy outfits or excess makeup and nonsense. Just hard working wait staff concerned about your food service. No kids that know nothing but adults that do this for a living. The booths and tables may be a bit freshened up but mostly the same basic furnishings. They serve beer and wine now. No wine list just types and the beer is a good selection, not a dozen or more. I’ve only eaten lunch here until tonight. I have to say that it has become a staple choice when I need a generously packed tuna wrap of fresh ingredients and some crispy French fries. No dinner menu try out until tonight. I’m an accomplished chef. If I order something special, it better be right. I boldly ordered the Veal Piccata. Go big or go home. I choose the salad and bread instead of the soup. Fried calamari was the choice of appetizer. A garlic ‘sauce’ was brought with what appeared to be a fresh, soft non commercial bread roll. Wow. It was more of a garlic oil pesto that screamed garlic and if the garlic had been roasted, would have avoided the ‘bite’ of raw garlic. That would have made it palatable to a larger audience but I love raw garlic so it was perfect. The salad was fresh and simple in an angled bowl perfect for salads. The silverware and plating is basic. Cafe style. Trust me the food doesn’t need upgraded dinnerware. The homemade balsamic dressing was just what it needed to be. Not tart, not sweet, just right. I indelicately tipped the bowl up to my mouth to finish the dregs it was so perfect. The sauce for the delicately cooked calamari was also perfect. Little slices of garlic in a meaty red sauce without too much or too little. When my main dish arrived, there was no fuss or pretense, just a generous serving. I have sent back veal at expensive restaurants because it just wasn’t prepared correctly. Three slender filets perfectly pounded lay on top of my choice of Angel Hair pasta. A generous but not excessive amount of sauce and capers covered everything. I took my knife (not needed) and fork and sliced into what proved to be a very tender, perfectly cooked veal filet. My first mouthful presented a light, lemony bite of tender veal. I was very surprised. Not because it’s a cafe. I was surprised because even high end restaurants can ruin this simple recipe. I was surprised because the veal wasn’t the finest cut, there was a small piece of grizzle in one, but because of the preparation, it rivaled a finer cut. The pasta was cooked a drained perfectly before pairing on the plate. I had one suggestion for our manger/waitress. I asked her to please arrange, for people like me, to offer a corkage fee for the diner to bring their own wine. If you were going to appreciate that pasta, you may want your own vintage. Best of all I can relax in a casual atmosphere, free of pretense and unnecessary high costs. My meal was $20.99. I have found my new go to dinner location. Please don’t try it, I...

Update: Went back for lunch and had the House Panini and it was one of the best I’ve ever had! Also highly recommended is the Turkey, Ham and Cheese Club! What a great way to start the New Year!!!

This is the best restaurant in the area!

Breakfast all day, because it's the most important meal of the day!

Nicole and Troy are super nice and very helpful. They honestly make you feel right at home! They offered great suggestions which didn’t disappoint! The service was fast and the orders came out quick. It feels more like a family reunion than a restaurant. The kindness is amazing. You don't find places like this anymore.

The food is delicious and if you’re hungry, you won't be when you leave. We had the Southern Scramble and the Country Fried Steak with Scrambled Eggs and (cheese), home fries and homemade biscuits! Absolutely WOW!!!!

Breakfast specials every day til 10 lunch specials every day as well. They are in the corner of the plaza, come in and see them you won't be...

I have only moved to Hobe Sound last year after 50 years in Palm Beach County. I was taken here for lunch while my friend and I were refurbishing my home, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the great service "with a smile" we received. I have now been back many times and noticed the inside has been painted by a new owner. Fortunately, the quality of the food is just the same. I love the grilled chicken breast on an excellent bun, and even the fries are really good. I have had club sandwiches, and taken friends who ordered cheese steaks (they said they were experts on these) and they loved them. Great food, VERY reasonable prices, and excellent service by the smiling staff. Not sure you could want anything better when eating out these days. It will be my "go-to place" whenever I go...