New restaurants take time to build a following.  Occasionally, one starts with a driving force.

Tavares' newest restaurant, Eduardo's Lokos Tacos, opened earlier this month after one year pleasing patrons out of a popular food truck in Mount Dora at the intersection of US 441 and Wolf Branch Road.

The food truck, frequented by locals for its fresh, authentically Mexican tacos, became such a hit that Eduardo Cendejas and his family took the big leap to a open full service restaurant.  Eduardo manages the front of the house, while his parents and brother whip up specialties in the kitchen.

The bright, festive and spacious interior provides a full bar and diverse Mexican menu for lunch and dinner.   Guests can order appetizers, soups, entrees and combination dinners or items a la carte.

The traditional tacos are made exactly as they should be with fresh cilantro, onions and your choice of meat with fresh lime wedges on the side to squeeze for balance.  Diners can choose from corn, flour or a homemade combination of the two types of tortillas, but we recommend the corn.  The quesadillas and chili rellenos (fresh poblano peppers  stuffed with cheese, dipped in an egg white batter then quickly fried) were delicious and reminiscent of my grandmother's.   

The side dishes didn't disappoint either. The homemade, re-fried beans were old-school with a hint of pork flavor and sprinkled with queso fresco.   This very traditional style of beans is difficult to find unless you're sitting in an abuela's kitchen.   

Finally, the requisite margaritas.  Yes, plural and on the rock with salt, please.  They were fresh, light and not overly sweet,  Apparently, they are a staple on their happy hour line-up, so we'll see you there!

Address:  226 W. Alfred Street, downtown Tavares (in the former location of Pico de Gallo)

• Prices: $$, moderate
  
• Service:  Very friendly and attentive.  
  
• Beverages:  Full bar and non-alcoholic
  
• Recommendations:  Tacos with corn tortillas, steak quesadilla, chili relleno

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For some it's a craving.  For others, it's an adventure.  Either way,  Oudom Thai Sushi helps satisfy diners in need of a culinary breath of fresh air. 

Under new ownership since last spring,  the contemporary downtown restaurant offers a traditional Thai menu featuring  tasty appetizers like chicken sate,  calamari with Thai sweet chili sauce, shrimp summer rolls with peanut sauce and chicken lettuce wraps.  The Tom Kha chicken soup, a light broth of coconut milk with chicken, mushrooms, lemon zest and scallions, is the perfect way to start a meal.

Oudom also serves a variety of traditional entrees with bold Asian flavors.  Try the Panang curry,  cashew chicken,  Pad Thai and other curry dishes.  All boasted light, fresh, flavorful sauces.   The chefs will adjust the heat from mild to hot accordingly to customers' requests.  If you like to break a sweat while dining, just ask for any of the dishes 'Thai hot'.  

Over the years, American Thai restaurants have added fresh sushi as another menu option.  Oudom Thai Sushi doesn't disappoint with it's fresh sashimi and sushi rolls.  The shrimp tempura appetizer and tuna tataki are perfect a table to share.  

Diners looking for healthy, flavorful dishes will become regulars of this small town gem.

Address:  116 E. 5th Avenue, downtown Mount Dora

• Prices: $$, moderate
  
• Service:  Very friendly.  Plan for a wait during peak dinner hours on weekends due to popularity.   Kitchen is very small, so food can take a while.  It's best to plan ahead.
  
• Beverages:  Beer, wine and non-alcoholic
  
• Recommendations:  Sushi, Panang curry, chicken satay, tuna tataki, calamari, chicken lettuce wrap

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Some of the greatest restaurant finds are the unexpected.  Few expect to find authentic Cuban fare in sleepy northern Lake County.  

After living in Miami for several years, few Central Florida Cuban restaurants have measured up to  South Florida's famous Latin eateries.  That's just one reason Copacabana Cafe, a downtown Mount Dora favorite, is such a treat.

The bright, typically bustling restaurant serves up traditional Cuban entrees like Bistec Palomilla (seasoned and tenderized steak with onions), Pechuga a la Plancha (marinated and grilled chicken & onions), Pernil (mojo roasted pork) and Churrasco steak (marinated, tenderized skirt steak).  The Arroz con Pollo (yellow saffron rice with chicken) is also an authentic dish to enjoy that is similar to a chicken paella. The side dishes like morros (white rice cooked with black beans), red beans or black beans are as good as any on Calle Ocho.  The menu also features six vegetarian entrees.

For appetizers, the Mariquitas con Mojo (crispy, thin plantain chips),  the Coctel de Camarones (Cuban shrimp cocktail similar to a spicy shrimp gazpacho), meat Empanadas (meat turnovers) and Masitas de Puerco (marinated, fried pork chunks) are all authentic and perfect for sharing.

The lunch menu features traditional sandwiches like Sandwich Cubano, Media Noche, and Sandwich de Pollo which are pressed on fresh Cuban bread.  The cafe's entrees are also available mid day.

Copacabana's savory Chimichurri sauce, different than the original Argentine version of the sauce, is a coveted condiment for garlic lovers. Poured over their meat dishes or used as a salad dressing it's delicious.  If you're hard core, dip Tostones or Mariquitas (sliced and fried plantains) into it.  

No Cuban meal would be complete without a refreshing mojito.  Once again, this restaurant doesn't disappoint.  The traditional lime cocktail's fresh mint leaves are muddled to perfection infusing the rum with its refreshing oils.   It tastes just as good sitting on Copacabana's patio as it does in the  front porches of Havana.

The best way to finish your meal is with an authentic Cafe Cubano.  This delicious, espresso sized cup of high octane coffee is guaranteed to perk you up, so don't make plans to nap!

In addition to the flavorful fare, the service is always friendly, just like one might expect from a small neighborhood cafe in Varadero. 

Address:  320 Dora Dawdry Way, downtown Mount Dora (but you can also enter on Donnelly Street between 4th & 3rd  Avenunes). 

• Prices: $-$$
  
• Hours:  Open for lunch & dinner
• Customer Service:  Very friendly 
  
• Beverages:  Full bar and non-alcoholic
  
• Recommendations:  Pechuga a la Plancha, Pernil, Arroz con Pollo, Bistec Palomilla, Mojito cocktail, Cafe Cubano

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CODY'S ON 4TH:

This bright cafe is a cheerful mix of contemporary and vintage. We found their light breakfasts and daily quiche specials the perfect way to start our day.  The Stuffed Blueberry French Toast Casserole special is to die for.  Cody's well worth a visit for its lunch menu, also.  It features refreshing salads with homemade dressings, sandwiches, comfort food specials, and flavorful homemade soups that are made year-round.  Perhaps, the most impressive are the generous portions of the homemade desserts like the carrot cake, key lime pound cake, pumpkin muffins, or espresso cake.  For anyone with a sweet tooth, it's impossible to pick a favorite.
Address:  111 E. 4th Avenue, downtown Mount Dora.

• Prices: $$
  
• Customer Service:  Very friendly
  
• Beverage:  Non-alcoholic, beer & wine
  
• Recommendations:  farmer's quiche, mushroom bisque,  the Trish Melt sandwich and the Donna Salad