Cross Creek may be familiar to those who remember Marjorie Rawlings' award-winning novel, "The Yearling". The Yearling is the name of this special restaurant that is in Cross Creek, a tiny settlement. It's probably 20 miles south of Gainesville, maybe 10 miles east of I-75, and definitely worth the journey. It's not far from Micanopy and close by the Marjorie Rawlings State Park (which is a great place to visit).

Eating here is like a step back in time, maybe 50-60 years back. Picture a sandy parking lot, spanish moss on the trees, screen door that mostly works, tin roof, etc. Inside you'll find some good ole cracker cookin: fried gator (outstanding), fried okra, grits, biscuits, greens,... and some regular vittles for those of you who need it.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Willie plays the blues, and people from as far away as Jacksonville or Tampa drive over just to hear Willie. He is the genuine article. Probably in his 80's now, he expresses himself through his music; you can FEEL the blues as he plays and sings, sometimes a harmonica, sometimes a stringed instrument, sometimes both.

This is not fancy food and it's not a fancy place. But for atmosphere and a sample of oldtime Florida cracker life it's hard to beat