I figured, what better way to kick things off, than to review one of my favorite local spots...Molly Goodheads, in quaint Ozona, FL.
Ozona
The village of Ozona (it's not a town like most people think...at least not since 1914) is small...really small. There is a post office, a few restaurants, some marinas and housing...if it weren't for the internet or the need for places to store boats, I doubt most people would know of the area. But it's got that old Florida vibe that's hard to find apart from the keys.
An eclectic styled, 170 year old house...
This restaurant was once an old house...over 170 years old to be exact! The decor and personality of this local hangout is all over the place - old photos, signs, fishing ornamentation...I don't think there is a table in the place that doesn't wobble - but I say that in way that emotes charm! As I said before, Ozona is a bit off the beaten path, so most people seem to be regulars or introduced by regulars...definitely does not seem like a touristy spot. The servers are friendly and the kitchen is typically very expeditious. It's the kind of place you meet at after work (or a fishing trip) for drinks and a fresh meal.
The food
Molly's offers 126 items on their menu and claim they are regularly adding specials...in my opinion, it's hard to excel at 126 items (unless it's 126 beers, which they do have a lot of as well). And that was my experience today.
The fish and chips were first on my list to try. The fish was lightly battered, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The coleslaw was fresh and homemade. They even make their own fresh tartar sauce! The fries...well, they were typical pub fare...
Molly Goodheads - Asian Pork Tacos 
This was the oil that I drained from about 1 1/2 tacos...
The Asian Pork Tacos (one of the daily specials) were a bit more disappointing, and where it becomes clear that it's hard to hit the nail on the head every time when you have such a broad menu...
The pork was moist and flavorful, but oily. And the Asian sauce, while tasty, was tossed in the concoction in copious amounts (look at the pool on the left taco) that took away the crunch of the cabbage and overpowered the flavors that I feel would have otherwise been appreciable!
As I stated before...this is one of my favorite spots - I have been here many times, and I have tried many things on the menu - some are home runs, and some are not - but can they all be when you have that large of a menu? Not in the humble opinion of this critic. But what you do get at Molly Goodheads is a fresh take on the items they do excel at (next time I will review their Black Grouper), friendly service, quirky atmosphere and a place you will want to return again and again.
Molly Goodheads | 400 Orange Street Palm Harbor, FL 34683
727-786-6255 | http://www.mollygoodheads.com
