The beginning of October sparks so many feelings inside me. I know here in the Keys we don’t see many decorations for Halloween or have leaves turning bright orange, but I swear something changes in the air.
Another trend for October through December for a lot of us locals is travel. This is when you’ll hear about your neighbor or friend heading north to visit family or take advantage of all the spooky events going on in central Florida. If driving to or by central Florida is in your plans, boy do I have a spot for you. I actually hesitated in writing about this joint because I hold it so near and dear to my heart but ultimately I decided good food is meant to be shared. The place is called Celebration Town Tavern, located in Osceola County not far from all the major theme parks and attractions.
I’ve been eating at Town Tavern for years and I’ve yet to have a bad meal. The theme to everything here is all Boston. You’ll even read the menu in your best Boston accent when you see “Startahs” for appetizers and “Gahden” for their salads. I’ll tell you right now their “cape cobb” salad is a must order for me 90% of the time. Their meatloaf sandwich is amazing too, but that’s not what we are here to talk about. I’m writing about this place to convince you to drive there for two specific items that will just knock your “Boston Red Sox ” right off. That’s the Celebration Town Tavern “Wicked Good” New England clam chowdah and a side of their fried clam strips. I could literally be in the middle of Disney or driving through Florida to head to a northern state and I always stop here for those two things.
Their clam chowder is served in a mug and it is hands-down the best soup, yet alone clam chowder, I’ve ever had in my life, period. And yes, I’ve been to Boston and all the New England spots and tried all their chowder and none comes close to this. It’s creamy and thick but not so thick it leaves soup territory. I love that when you get a bite of clam you taste seafood but the actual chowder isn’t “seafoody.”
Another advantage this chowder has is that nothing is chewy. Everything is tender and flavorful. I order this even when it’s a blazing “feels like 106 degrees” outside. If you find you have any room in your stomach left, the fried clam strips are the way to go. They are so light they practically defy gravity. I cannot get my fiancé, Mark, to eat clam anything anywhere except here.
I was in Orlando last December and Mark offered me all these fancy five-star steak houses. I looked at him and said nothing would make me happier than sitting on the porch of Celebration Town Tavern with all the amazing vibes in there. I ordered a big ole frosted glass of Narragansett beer with a mug of clam chowder and rang in the New year. If you need any more convincing, Darren Pais, principal of Key Largo School, is the biggest Boston/New England aficionado I know and even he loves Celebration Town Tavern. Factor in a spare hour on your next trip north and treat your taste buds to this life-changing chowder.
