Photos courtesy Cheddar’s
GOOD EATS: CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN
‘A True Homecoming’ By Rick Allen
Long-rumored to be coming to a prime location on SR200, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has opened its very busy doors across from an equally busy car dealership. And, yes, it’s on busy SR200, but those delicious honey butter croissants and piled-high onion rings are worth every minute of the wait.
44
T
he first time I heard about Cheddar’s was in a conversation with Ken DePasquale, owner of the beloved original Carmichael’s and a veteran restaurateur tuned in to Marion County’s culinary scene better than anyone I know. It would be out on College Road, across from Sullivan Buick, GMC Cadillac, he said. Sensing a scoop, I contacted the chain’s press office for confirmation. What came back was a tepid, “maybe, maybe not, certainly not any time soon, probably not” response. That was some six years ago. Fast forward to early November 2018 and Cheddar’s Scratch
OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined
Kitchen opened its doors in Ocala—on College Road across from Sullivan no less— to great fanfare. “The community,” says Managing Partner Ashley Norman, “has really welcomed us with open arms.” ABOUT CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN— Cheddar’s prides itself on producing meals that are fresh-made when ordered. That’s where the “scratch kitchen” comes in. And it
