(Photo: RICK ROUSOS/THE LEDGER)
CUISINE AND ATMOSPHERE: Shari's is tucked in a strip mall just south of Edgewood Drive in Lakeland, where we visited at noon on a recent Saturday. Shari's, open for 18 years, is rather plain-looking but soft on the eyes. Cops and firefighters like this place. Breakfast is the main squeeze at Shari's, but there's a wide variety of non-breakfast meals to choose from. That includes hoagies, burgers and sandwiches, chicken and Italian dishes and salads.
WHAT'S NEW: Chicken quesadillas and grilled chicken omelets.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Being noon, a good time for breakfast or lunch, we ordered a western omelet and a plate of lasagna. The best thing about Shari's is you get your money's worth: The portions are substantial. Everything but one thing was good: The omelet was just OK. It was a little on the bland side. Breakfasts come with hash browns or home fries, so I got half-and-half and both were delicious. We got some sausage gravy to go with a biscuit, also very good. We ordered a pancake, which was as big as the large plate. The lasagna was tasty, much better than we expected. Mrs. Nibbles and I squabbled over who got to eat the most lasagna. And the service was flawless
.PRICES: Breakfast $2.99 to $6.99. Sandwiches and burgers $2.99 to $5.99. Italian, chicken, fish and country fried steak meals $5.99 to $6.99.
Facts
Shari's Restaurant
2844 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, 863-665-8565.
Open 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
AMBIENCE: 3 stars
FOOD: 3 stars
SERVICE: 3 1/2 stars