Brenda's in Punta Gorda For Breakfast (Now Closed)

Headed over to the Y this morning, which by the way we discovered was moving off the Edison campus by the end of the year due to the college's expansion.  On the way home, we stopped at Brenda's.  As usual a number of pick-up trucks and vans were parked outside the Mason Lodge on Taylor and Airport, where Brenda's moved after her place on Rio Villa was blown away during Hurricane Charlie.

I've commented on Brenda's before in my Breakfast in Punta Gorda blog post last year.  But I never miss an opportunity to effuse about this local diner-type eatery.  To start with the owner, Brenda is usually there with her two daughters and now granddaughters (they are a bit too young to work there yet--babies) making Brenda's a real family- run place.  Serving the same type food she did in the place she bought in 2000, after 15 years of waitressing there, Brenda enjoys talking to the customers, sharing history, local happenings and great food.  It isn't unusual to find long- time Punta Gordeans there talking about town history, politics,  ranching, fishing and other aspects of their lives in a town that still clings, despite the invasion of 1000s of Northerners, to its southern Floridian traditions.  This is also evidenced by the food.

In addition to the eggs fixed to order, Brenda serves  homemade sausage --- something special,  cornbeef hash, biscuits with homemade gravy, and , of course, grits.  The pancakes and French Toast meet with my husband's approval --- and he is a tough judge.   And prices are reasonable too.

Brenda is open for lunch as well.  She usually has a full board of specials, as well as standards like homemade chili, fried chicken, BBQ beef, a full range of sandwiches including excellent chicken, egg, and tuna salad.  

Location:  24349 Airport Road, Punta Gorda   941-637-7719

Our Rating:  Food: ***1/2   Experience: **** 

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