Florida is one of the best places for road trips, due to our nice, smooth roads and lots of restaurants and attractions aimed at curious tourists. We prefer it when our road trips tie in with state history and have plenty of good food along the route. This restaurant is an example of a perfect Florida road trip stop, with simple, good food, local history, and a dash of quirky fun.
The Desert Inn and Restaurant occupies a historic building in Yeehaw Junction, at the intersection of Highway 60 and Highway 441.
The history of the Desert Inn goes all the way back to the 1880s, when it served as a trading post and gathering place. In the following decades, it provided an oasis for tired cowboys, lumbermen, and eventually tourists, where they could drink, eat, dance, and relax.
At one time, a bordello occupied the second story, and motel cabins were built behind the restaurant in the 1930s. The current building that it occupies dates back to the 1920s.
The Desert Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, and there are many artifacts and displays inside that demonstrate the site's fascinating history.
Even though the building is old, it doesn't feel stuffy, and it certainly isn't boring. There are thousands of signed dollar bills taped to the bar and some really quirky decor on the walls.
A place this interesting could probably coast by on its looks and history alone, but the food is delightfully delicious. Fresh (and surprisingly large) cheeseburgers, sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, and hand-cut fries make up the simple but tasty menu, which is perfect for weary travelers.
