Quick Take: Location: 1099 FL-60 E, Lake Wales What Mike Ordered: 4 Tacos (Asada, Pollo, Chorizo & Al Pastor) What Katie Ordered: Quesadilla
Mike & Katie's Polk Food Quest
Mike's & Katie's Polk Food Quest
Every week Mike & Katie visit a new food spot somewhere in Polk County to see if it’s worth the trip.
Each stop starts with the standard item for that category (the thing most people usually order).
Then they try a few extras, get a feel for the place, and rank the experience on four things:
Taste | 
Value | 
Vibes | 
Overall
Taste focuses on the baseline item, while the rest reflects the full experience of the restaurant.
The goal is simple: help locals discover the best places to eat around Polk County.
Quick Take: Location: 1212 Florida Ave S, Lakeland What Mike Ordered: Cheese Slice + The Roni Cup What Katie Ordered: Cheese Slice +
Quick Take: Location: Food Truck (Grove Roots & Front Page) See Stops Here What Mike Ordered: Brisket Sandwich What Katie Ordered: BBQ Sundae
Quick Take: Location: 511 U.S. Hwy 17-92 W Unit 520, Haines City What Mike Ordered: Fish & Chips What Katie Ordered: Steak &
Quick Take: Location: 640 E Main St #7, Lakeland What Mike Ordered: Fried Chicken Sandwich What Katie Ordered: Smashburger Gluten Free Options: Yes
Quick Take: Location: 380 Ave C SW, Winter Haven What Mike Ordered: 12 Wings (BBQ + Buffalo) What Katie Ordered: The All-American
Quick Take: Location: 117 E Lake Ave, Auburndale What Mike Ordered: Dirty Rice And Eggs What Katie Ordered: Italian Focaccia Bonus Order: Custard
Quick Take: Location: 213 E Lake Ave, Auburndale What Mike Ordered: Plain Cheese Slice and Rustica Slide What Katie Ordered: Plain Cheese Slice
Quick Take: Location: Lake Wales What Mike Ordered: Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel with a Regular Iced Coffee What Katie Ordered: Nutella Crepes
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland What Mike Ordered: The Timmy B (Cold Sandwich) What Katie Ordered: Pesto Chicken (Hot Sandwich) Gluten Free Options: Yes
Quick Take: Location: Mulberry (inside Depot 303) What Mike Ordered: Double Smash Burger and Fries Gluten Free Options: Yes Final Score: 5/5 Price: ~$10–20
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland (in The Joinery) What Mike Ordered: The Krunchwrap (Full Video Review Here) and One Of Each Taco (Carnitas, Beef
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven What Mike Ordered: Cheese slice and Bee-Gees Knees Sicilian Style (pepperoni, basil, herbed ricotta, hot honey drizzle) What
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland What Mike Ordered: The Killer Sandwich and Cup of Chili What Katie Ordered: Reuben and French Fries Gluten Free
Quick Take: Location: 3304 Florida Ave S, Lakeland What Mike Ordered: Chicken Gyro Over Rice Bowl What Katie Ordered: Chicken Gyro Pita Wrap
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven What Katie ordered: Grilled Cheesus, Potato Salad, a Diet Coke and a Banana Bread Latte (Combo Deal) Gluten
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven & Auburndale What Katie ordered: Oreo Cookie Latte, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cruffin & Fruity Pebble Nuggets Extra Order(Mike's
Quick Take: Location: Lake Alfred What Katie ordered: Queens Pizza Extra Order(Mike's Order): Pizza Bianca Final Score: 5/5 Price: ~$10–20 per person For our
Quick Take: Location: Mulberry (Depot 303) What Mike ordered: Chicken Sandwich Combo (With Fries) Extra Order(Katie's Order): Kids Box (2 Jumbo Tenders, Fries
Quick Take: Location: Downtown Lakeland What Katie ordered: Caramel Iced Latte, Cinnamon Roll and Banana Bread Extra Order(Mike's Order): Iced Coffee with Almond
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven What I ordered: 1 chicken taco, 1 steak taco and 1 carnitas taco + Jamaican jerk chicken burrito
Quick Take: Location: Downtown Lakeland What Katie ordered: Plain slice of pizza, bruschetta, a specialty slice & a cannoli Extra Order(My Order): Plain
Quick Take: Location: Lake Wales What I ordered: Breakfast Burger Combo (Waffle Fries & Drink) and Grit Tots Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Standard Burger
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven (Bowen Yard) What I ordered: 3 Tacos Plate and Chips & Guac Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Enchiladas Platter Final
Quick Take: Location: Auburndale What I ordered: Cheese Pizza and Cheesy Twist Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Hawaiian Pizza Final Score: 2.5/5 Price: ~$15–20 per person
Quick Take: Location: Winter Haven / Lakeland What I ordered: Iced Coffee, Blueberry Muffin and Cheese Danish Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Iced Strawberry Shortcake
Quick Take: Location: Bartow What I ordered: Lunch Combo (Burrito), Street taco, Classic taco and Chips & Guac Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Enchiladas &
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland What I ordered: Bacon Egg & Cheese [on a roll], Egg Bagel w. Cream Cheese & a "Bro Joe"
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland What I ordered: Bacon Egg & Cheese [on a roll], Egg Bagel w. Cream Cheese & a "Bro Joe"
Quick Take: Location: Bartow What I ordered: Iced Coffee, Pistachio Muffin and Cheese Danish Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Red Velvet Latte Final Score: 4/5
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland What I ordered: Weekend Hero, The Grievous Angel, Fries, Egg Rolls & Poor Man's Beignets Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Somewhere In
Quick Take: Location(s): Winter Haven / Lakeland What I ordered: G.O.A.T Chicken Sandwich, French Fries, Apple Cobbler, Jalapeno Bacon Corn Extra Order(Wife/Katie's
Quick Take: Location: Lakeland (Lakeside Village) What I ordered: Pulled Pork Sandwich, French Fries, Banana Pudding Extra Order(Wife/Katie's Order): Grilled Cheese Pulled
How The Food Quest Works
Each week Mike & Katie visit a new restaurant, café, bakery, or food spot somewhere in Polk County.
The review starts with the baseline item for that category (the thing most people normally order when they visit).
Examples include:
Pizza → Regular cheese slice
BBQ → Pulled pork sandwich
Burger → Classic cheeseburger
Tacos → Regular street taco
Chicken → Classic chicken sandwich
Bonus Drink Quest Category:
Brewery → House lager
Coffee Shop → Iced coffee + Specialty drink
(+ 
Bonus Pastry Taste Test)
Each item anchors the Taste score.
They usually orders a few additional items as well to get a better feel for the menu, pricing, and overall experience.
Then the stop is ranked on four things:
Taste – How the baseline item stacks up Value – What the full meal costs and whether it’s worth it Vibes – Atmosphere, cleanliness, and the feel of the place Overall – The full experience and whether it’s worth the trip
Exploring Polk County’s Food Scene
Polk County’s food scene has grown rapidly over the past few years, with locally owned restaurants, lakefront dining spots, and family-run favorites popping up across the region.
From downtown Lakeland to hidden gems in Winter Haven, Auburndale, Bartow, and beyond, there’s no shortage of great places to eat.
Mike & Katie's Polk Food Quest is about finding the spots locals actually love ... one stop at a time.
FAQ
Mike & Katie's Polk Food Quest is a weekly food review series from The Polk Squeeze where Mike and/or Katie visit a new local food spot and ranks it on taste, value, vibes, and overall.
Most spots come from reader recommendations and popular local favorites across Polk County.
Each week Mike and/or Katie visits a new restaurant, café, bakery, or food spot somewhere in Polk County.
The review starts with the baseline item for that category — the thing most people normally order when they visit.
Examples include:
Pizza → Regular cheese slice
Coffee Shop → Regular iced coffee
BBQ → Pulled pork or brisket sandwich
Burger Joint → Classic cheeseburger
Taco Spot → Street taco
This item anchors the Taste score.
We usually orders a few additional items as well to get a better feel for the menu, pricing, and overall experience.
Then the stop is ranked on four things:
Taste – How the baseline item stacks up
Value – What the full meal costs and whether it’s worth it
Vibes – Atmosphere, cleanliness, and the feel of the place
Overall – The full experience and whether it’s worth the trip
No. Food Quest reviews are editorial and independent.
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