Dining Out in Madison, Florida on a Budget

Dining out in quaint beautiful Madison, Florida is not a risk and reward scenario as in bigger cities. The restaurants that are available to choose from may be few but they have been successful for a long time serving what the residents know to be good wholesome food at fair prices.

I think the restaurant that should be mentioned first is O'Neal's Country Buffet a franchise that is locally owned and operated for over a decade serving a pretty vast array of Southern cooking including fried or braised chicken, Catfish, a perennial favorite here, fried shrimp, an occasional steak dish and fish dish as well as 4 or 5 veggies to choose from, as well as baked beans & mashed potatoes, french fries or tater tots.

All well-prepared... due to making the same things day in and day out, which presents the only problem i have with eating there more than once or twice a week. It is rare to see something different on the menu once you have sampled it all. It is always filling and doesn't let you down. There is a small salad bar with Jell-o and my favorite banana pudding with vanilla wafers and the always popular Cobbler station...hot steamy apple, peach, cherry or blueberry cobbler await your tastebuds after you have had your fill of the food station.

The only problem with O'Neal's,( which is only because of an antiquated city ordinance that bans alcohol serving within the county), is that beverages are limited to non-sweetened or Sweet Tea and a few brands of soda.

You will enjoy your meal and the price is around $10 per person, all-you-can-eat, with service above standard.

Another local favorite hangout is Ken's Bar-B-Que located in the parking lot of Winn Dixie (grocery chain), they are a well-established Rib joint that is involved in many community endeavors such as the local high school football program and the city government. This is just good business as it keeps the locals coming back for their nicely smoked Barbecued ribs and rib meat sandwiches. They also do chicken and you might be able to order burger or steak but I personally have never done that due to the ribs are tender and a nice size (although one or two more would leave you less hungry!)

I suggest bringing your own sauce if you do not care for Ken's standard sauce. I personally bring a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's sauce as I like a sweet sauce. Standard sides are fries or baked potato and the ribs are placed on a bed of bread which some people eat and love it.

Prices are standard within the Rib restaurant norm, although they do run Nightly specials and have a better-price on their lunch menu. Here again I must mention that you CANNOT get a beer to go with your ribs and I find that bothersome if not sacreligious!

There is also a fine dining restaurant that has just opened up called Wild Plum. I have heard that the menu is kind of pricey and of course, No Wine available! The verdict is still out as to how this new addition to Madison's dearth of good eateries will be received.