CHEDDAR'S SCRATCH KITCHEN – Restaurant

On Roosevelt Boulevard between Clearwater and Largo, this Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen makes its dressings, sauces and sides in house rather than opening boxes. Start with honey butter croissants, then Santa Fe spinach dip, queso fries or Wisconsin cheese bites. The mains are broad and unfussy: homestyle meatloaf, homemade chicken pot pie, country fried steak, spasagna, baby back ribs, top sirloin, grilled white fish and bourbon glazed salmon with shrimp. Hand-crafted lemonades come by the glass or the gallon, and the Painkiller is limited to two per person. Weekday lunch specials run until three. Doors open at eleven. Value without shortcuts.

Cuisine: Restaurant