There are a couple of places that use the name DeSoto to identify themselves. One is a lovely jewel of a lake situated behind the courthouse. The commissioners have added a fountain that jets up into the air and adds to the beauty. This is Lake DeSoto. In July, weather permitting, we set off fireworks over the lake. This year 25,000 people attended the fireworks on Saturday night.
During the Battle of Olustee, which occurs in February of each year, the Merrimack and the Monitor fight a pitched battle on the lake as part of the festivities. They are miniature versions of the ironclads and are radio controlled. I got a kick out of watching the mock fight. At least, I did the first time I watched. After that one battle, not so much.
One of the best namesakes of Senior de Soto is DeSoto Drug Store. It's an older building situated on our main street. It's a brick and glass-front building with wooden plank floors that have mellowed to a satin finish. Half the store is taken up by shelving for stock and the counter where you drop off your prescriptions. There are fitting rooms for prosthetic devices and a counter for bill paying. The other side of the building is given over to the restaurant. A long counter takes up one wall with round red topped stools that await the lunch crowd. The floor is taken up by tin-clad tables and chairs, around nine in all. Some years ago, the food served at DeSoto Drugs was among the best home cooked in town. Then the cook retired and the restaurant closed down. Of late, I had been by the storefront and noticed diners at the round tables in the window. Hmmm. Have to check it out sometime.
Sometime came today. Elder Daughter called to meet for lunch and we decided on DeSoto. It was an excellent choice. The sandwiches were better than before and accompanied by either fries or chips with a dill pickle. I had an egg salad sandwich, lightly toasted and topped with crisp lettuce. Elder Daughter and her sons had hamburgers and her husband had Reuben sandwiches. All agreed the meal couldn't have been better prepared or better tasting. DeSoto Drugs, we missed you. I'm sure glad you're serving lunches again.
Wonder what their milkshakes taste like.
2 comments:
This is such good news. We were saddened when we drove by and saw it closed. The ambiance and the food were spectacular. Maybe we can get the boys to order milkshakes and give us each one spoonful. More would not be a good thing. . .
I'm sure we could get a volunteer for taste testing. When I wondered aloud how the milkshakes might taste, N. T. got a look on his face that told me he hadn't known milkshakes were available but now that he did, that option would be exercised at the first opportunity!
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