This Florida Steakhouse Sits Miles From Everything But Serves Some Serious Steaks
Down a quiet stretch of road in Florida, there is a restaurant that feels less like a business and more like a living piece of history. This is the kind of place people discover once, then spend years recommending to friends like a treasured secret.
The drive already sets the mood, trading busy highways for moss-draped oaks, birdsong, and the slow, soulful rhythm of Old Florida.
Before the screen door even opens, you feel like you are stepping back in time. Inside, stories live on the walls through books, artifacts, and rooms that feel warm, personal, and wonderfully unpolished.
The menu leans into Florida Cracker heritage, pairing hearty steaks and fresh seafood with flavors that feel rooted in tradition rather than trends.
Florida is full of flashy restaurants, but this one stands out by staying authentic, nostalgic, and deeply memorable. If you love destination dining with character, charm, and soul, this is the stretch of Florida road worth driving.
Exact Location And How To Find It
Set your map to 14531 East, 14531 Co Rd 325, Hawthorne, FL 32640, and the route will roll you past pastures, pines, and slow water. The Yearling sits close to Cross Creek, minutes from the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, so the scenery cues up the story before you park.
When you see the weathered wood siding and the low slung roof, you will know you are exactly where you meant to be.
Parking is straightforward in the sandy lot, which fits the fish camp vibe and keeps the mood casual from the first step. The coordinates 29.4859945, -82.1637487 drop you right on the property, and the front entrance faces the road with a welcoming porch.
If you are driving from Gainesville, plan for about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on daylight traffic and scenic detours.
It is open Thursday through Sunday, with hours posted on the door and online, so plan a midday or dusk arrival. A quick phone call to +1 352-466-3999 can confirm hours before you start rolling.
Once you arrive, take a breath, listen for birds, and let the calm settle in.
History, Ownership, And Old Florida Roots
The Yearling Restaurant takes its name from Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings novel, and its setting near Cross Creek ties it to that literary landscape. The place feels deliberately preserved, a tribute to old Florida foodways and front porch hospitality.
Official ownership details are not prominently publicized, but the restaurant has long been a local mainstay, stewarding a menu and atmosphere that honor regional traditions without fuss.
Inside, you will find shelves with books, historic photos, and nods to Rawlings, plus memorabilia that whispers of fishing trips and cypress shade. Diners talk about live music on select days, a small stage tucked into a corner, and staff who happily point out artifacts worth a closer look.
It is the kind of dining room where time seems to pause, letting stories rise between courses.
Reviews and longtime guests describe a steady hand guiding the restaurant, keeping the focus on Florida Cracker cooking and consistent hospitality. The aim has never been flash, just pride in place and plate.
That commitment shows in the menu, where catfish, gator, frog legs, and steaks share a table like neighbors swapping recipes.
Decor, Ambiance, And Setting
Step inside and the soundtrack shifts to soft conversation, a murmur of clinking plates, and the occasional strum when live music returns. Wood walls hold mounted fish, framed memories, and shelves of books, so your eyes keep wandering even as the menu arrives.
It is comfortable, lived in, and proudly local, the kind of room that makes an hour stretch into two without anyone checking a watch.
Tables are spaced for easy talk, and there is a porch sense to the pacing, unhurried yet attentive. Sunshine filters through windows during lunch, while evenings bring a glow that flatters every plate.
The staff lean into the vibe with friendly smiles and quick refills, reading the room and keeping things flowing.
There is a fish camp spirit in the air, a nod to lakes and creeks and the way people gather after a day outside. Kids point at displays.
Travelers compare routes. You will likely find yourself scanning the walls between bites, then spotting some small detail that begs a story.
It is charming without being precious, grounded in genuine Florida character.
Menu Overview And Notable Dishes
The Yearling menu reads like a map of North Florida cravings. Expect catfish fried or blackened, shrimp and grits, redfish, frog legs, and gator for the adventurous.
There are hearty steaks and a steak burger that regulars rave about, plus sides that feel like a family reunion table, from collard greens to cheese grits and hush puppies.
Starters might include fried green tomatoes with a crisp, cornmeal crust and a tangy finish, or a smoked fish dip that spreads like sunshine on crackers. Mains bring generous portions without tipping into excess, designed so you leave satisfied rather than sleepy.
Specials rotate based on availability, so do not be surprised if a favorite fish is occasionally out.
Desserts are a high point, with a sour orange cheesecake that nods to grove country and a proper Key lime pie that keeps its color natural. Prices land in the double dollar sign range, fair for the portions and setting.
It is a menu that rewards curiosity, letting you zigzag from land to water and back again.
Signature Dishes: Steaks, Seafood, And Florida Classics
When a place is known for seafood and still earns praise for steaks, you pay attention. The grilled or seared steaks arrive with a confident char and a tender center, sized for hearty appetites without going overboard.
That steak burger, ground from quality cuts, stacks flavor with every bite, juicy and deeply savory, a local favorite for good reason.
Seafood shines too. Blackened redfish wears spice instead of heat, letting the fish stay silky while the crust snaps.
Fried shrimp ride a light batter that crunches clean and leaves no heavy trail, and catfish comes fried, grilled, or blackened, each version tasting like a different day on the water.
If you want true Florida Cracker signatures, consider frog legs or gator, both handled with care and a crisp finish that rewards curiosity. Pair with collard greens, cheese grits, or hush puppies that feel like comfort without a nap required.
Leave space for sour orange cheesecake or Key lime pie, both bright and balanced.
Service, Hospitality, And Flow
Service at The Yearling threads the needle between warm and efficient. Staff greet with easygoing smiles, explain unfamiliar dishes without fuss, and guide first timers toward crowd favorites.
Refills arrive before you need to ask, and courses land with a steady rhythm that suits lingering conversation.
On busy weekends, the room buzzes gently while servers move with calm focus. Newer team members get support from seasoned pros, and that teamwork shows when orders come out hot and correct.
If there is a question about sauces, sides, or sweetness levels on desserts, you will get a straight answer and a helpful suggestion.
Guests mention kindness as often as speed, and that speaks volumes about training and pride. This is the type of place where your server might point out a book on the shelf or a photo on the wall if you linger after dessert.
The whole experience feels neighborly, tuned to the rhythm of old Florida hospitality and the pace of a satisfying meal.
Prices, Portions, And When To Go
With a dollar sign rating of $$, The Yearling lands in the sweet spot for destination dining that still respects budgets. Portions are generous and balanced, leaving room for dessert without tipping into excess.
Many guests share a starter, enjoy a full entree, and still find space for pie, which feels like the right equation here.
Hours currently list Friday and Saturday 12 to 9 PM, Sunday 12 to 8 PM, and Thursday 12 to 8 PM, with Monday through Wednesday closed. Because hours can shift seasonally, it is smart to call ahead or check the website before you roll out.
Prime time hits around early evening on weekends, so late lunch or an early dinner can shorten any wait.
Value shows up in quality ingredients, careful frying that stays light, and sides that taste crafted rather than filler. If you are exploring Cross Creek or Rawlings home, plan to eat before the sun dips, then stroll the property and peek at the memorabilia.
You will head home full, happy, and already plotting a return.
Tips For First Timers And Unique Features
First time visitors should arrive a little early to wander the rooms and browse the books. If you like starting strong, order fried green tomatoes or smoked fish dip, then choose between land and water with confidence.
Those hush puppies sometimes show up off menu, so do not be shy about asking your server if they are available.
Unique touches include a small stage for live music on select days, vintage displays that spark conversation, and a dining room that feels like a living museum. The setting near Rawlings home adds context to the name and several menu choices, tying a meal to a place in Florida literature.
Families feel comfortable, travelers feel welcomed, and locals treat it like a tradition.
Parking is easy, dress is comfortable, and the pace encourages you to savor. If a particular fish is out, trust the kitchen to steer you toward a great alternative.
Finish with sour orange cheesecake or Key lime pie, and leave time to step outside, breathe the air, and let the evening settle.