Uncle Bill's knows how to fix your hunger

Traveling State Road 85, also known as Ferdon Boulevard, through Crestview quite often, I noticed Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant and all of the cars that always seemed to be in the parking lot at meal time but never had an opportunity to stop by — until last Friday.

The food

Pizzas are at the top of Uncle Bill’s menu — for a good reason. They’re very good. They offer seven different types in either a medium or large size.

I wondered why they didn’t offer a small until I tried the pizzas. You will want some to take home with you.

Available toppings include: pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives, pork, beef, Italian sausage, jalapenos, tomatoes, bacon, pineapple and extra cheese.

Other Italian-inspired dishes include baked spaghetti, chicken Alfredo and lasagna. These dishes are served either individually or family style.

Uncle Bill’s has a good selection of items that serve as either appetizers or sides and may be ordered either in small or large or as a sampler pick of three.

Their featured appetizer or side is their wings, which are served with celery sticks and either ranch or blue cheese dressing.

The restaurant does offer a salad bar or you may order a single side salad, chef, garden or grilled chicken salad.

My guest chose a side salad, and the ingredients were fresh and crisp.

Hamburgers at Uncle Bill’s are grilled to your order and come in either quarter- or half-pound sizes.

Other sandwiches include BLTs, barbecue, steak, chicken, turkey, fish and grilled cheese.

My choice was the shrimp basket.

Living in this area for as long as I have, I have sampled my share of fried shrimp and have to say that Uncle Bill’s was among the best I have ever eaten.

Twelve perfectly fried butterfly shrimp were served with a very good, not-too-sweet, coleslaw; four hushpuppies and French fries. Even the tartar sauce was to my liking – not too sweet.

Uncle Bill’s also offers a chicken tender basket.

Other entrees available are a selection of steak, fried chicken and catfish or tilapia. These entrees are served with bread, French fries and salad or vegetable of the day.

Uncle Bill’s is also known for its buffet.

The day of our visit, smoked ribs and catfish were scheduled to be served, but we had arrived a little early and a little too hungry to wait.

A white board is on the wall just as you enter the front door with the listing of buffet items for the week.

Make sure you ask your waitress what desserts are available.

Jessica happily recited the entire list for us, and we chose the blueberry delight and a slice of coconut pie. Both of which were very good.

The atmosphere

Uncle Bill’s is a small, home-town restaurant that has a friendly, family feel to it.

The service

Our waitresses were friendly, efficient and very knowledgeable about the menu.

A final taste

Hungry?

Check out Uncle Bill’s in Crestview.

They have a fix for that.