Six years ago, I arrived a few minutes late at S&L Restaurant when I stayed in Lakeland, Florida. At the time, I didn’t realize that S&L Restaurant is a breakfast and lunch-only spot.
I strolled right in and took the table nearest to the door. It was about time I ate an S&L burger.
Before I even ordered, I asked about the history of the name. The letters S&L come from its original owners, Skip and Lorraine. So now I can eat my meal in peace since that mystery is no more.
I ordered a Cheeseburger Special, which means my burger comes with fries. While I’m making some small talk with the two tables close to me, my beautiful baby arrives; no, I’m not talking about my wife. I was solo on this adventure.
A good-sized portion of crispy crinkle-cut fries comes on the same platter. The slab of beef made my mouth water when it arrived. However, the cheese needed melting.
Old School Burger Beast
Non-melted cheese doesn’t bother me since I enjoy a sandwich with cold cheese slices on untoasted white bread. That’s been my go-to snack sandwich since I would sneak them when my grandmother was showering.
The bread was a simple white squishy burger bun with no structural integrity issues due to the size of the patty.
I ate my food using Burger Beast’s on-the-road burger-eating routine. You start with a bite of the burger, then a couple of chews, followed by a fry covered in ketchup—finally, a slurp of your ice-cold soft drink to wash everything down safely.
Before I knew it, the food was all gone.
I sized up the menu for my next visit, where the victim will be a Patty Melt. I can’t wait!
At Last, A Patty Melt Visit
The events of 2020 and 2021 delayed my return visit to S&L Restaurant. At last, 20 months later, I was back!
The patty melt hit the spot. While it wasn’t a definitive version of the sandwich cause of the cheese and bread, it was griddled as a proper patty melt.
In addition, the excessive amount of grilled onions was excellent. It was probably the thickest patty melt I’ve ever eaten too.
The onion rings paired perfectly with it (onion overkill?), and I loved that boom boom sauce that came with the o-rings.
This S&L Patty Melt was worth the wait.
Breakfast at the S&L Restaurant
We couldn’t leave Lakeland without a stop at the S & L Restaurant. Traci Sheppard (the owner) makes a mean breakfast & lunch.
Even though the Danner (egg-cheese-sausage) on an English muffin & Ham & Biscuit with a side of house potatoes were my breakfast order, I couldn’t resist ordering a cheeseburger patty.
I fork & knifed the cheeseburger & added a few house potatoes to each bite!
Marcela ate a couple of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and a couple of pancakes with black coffee. She was all smiles, and we were stuffed.
Now, who’s driving home?
S & L Restaurant
2101 Florida Ave S
Lakeland, FL
(863) 937-8055
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063639998344
Monday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tuesday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wednesday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 6:00 am – 12:45 pm
Sunday CLOSED
