Tom and Betty’s

was once a favorite place for a weekend dinner and entertainment with LB.

The restaurant was in business for nearly fifty years when due to circumstances that were seemingly beyond their control, the owners Duane and Valerie Atkinson announced that Tom and Betty’s would be closing their current location.  The owners described Tom and Betty’s as “a local gathering place, offering great food and drink to generations of ‘Westsiders.’” (source)

I am among those Westsiders who remember the first Tom and Betty’s Restaurant at Park Street and Cassat Avenue.  The restaurant was then owned by Tom and Betty Fritsch who opened in 1971.  The location at Park and Cassat was destroyed in a fire in 1988 and then relocated to 4409 Roosevelt Blvd.  The Roosevelt Blvd. location closed in May 2017.

I thought I mentioned it in this blog last May but apparently I did not.

Last Friday

Tom and Betty’s new location opened in Orange Park.  LB was eager to check out the new place which is exactly what we did on Saturday night.  There was quite mass of former patrons standing outside as there was an hour wait to be seated plus additional waiting time to place an order.  The menu was limited, but those items were excellent choices.

The dining area was a bit small/crowded.

 The dance floor was also a bit small… and well lit.  I like the dance floor to be dark, so I’m not quite as visible to the public (smile).  Many other people have no fear of the spotlight as they graced the dance floor.

The band (the TOP SHELF Band) was energetic and entertaining.

I enjoyed seeing the signature automobile memorabilia including the back of a red corvette with its tail lights lit and the vintage Tom and Betty’s logo on the tag.

I can’t say enough good things about the

Wait Staff

The young ladies that waited on us were exceptionally attentive and courteous.

The chicken wings were superb.

It seems to me that the popularity of the restaurant was underestimated.  After the initial kinks are worked out, I’m sure this place will be a favorite once again.