Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
We're on a role here for the last 3 weeks, having hit some different cities for full lists of the best places to each in each city.
Normally in our Best Food In Polk County coverage our main focus has been listicles that cover all of Polk and then also Lakeland and Winter Haven because those are the main hubs.
But now we've covered The Best Places To Eat In Bartow, then The Best Places To Eat In Haines City, and even The Best Places To Eat In Davenport in the last 3 weeks.
You guys have been really enjoying it, so we're keeping it going for another week.
Which brings us to...
The Best Places To Eat in Lake Wales, Florida.
And, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
First Place: Sizzlin' Grill
The Best Place To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
Sizzlin' Grill — 21400 US-27, Lake Wales
Coming in as the best place to eat in Lake Wales is Sizzlin' Grill!
Sizzlin' Grill has been open since 2006 and a fan favorite in town quickly after.
So many people voted for it that a few voters/commenters actually told other people not to bother mentioning it, since it's already busy enough. 
Voters said things like:
- "Nobody say Sizzlin' Grill. It is too busy already."
- "We have some great places to eat in Lake Wales. Sizzling Grill is at the top. We go there for family dinner over the holidays."
- "Sizzling Grill. Blackened grouper is awesome."
Popular enough that people are half joking, half serious about keeping it a secret.
Second Place: L'Incontro
The Second Best Place To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
L'Incontro — 35 St FL-60, Lake Wales
Coming in second is L'Incontro.
Also spelled (depending on which voter you ask ) Lincontro, Lin'Contro, licontreau, and about five other ways.
L'Incontro made it on our list of The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, coming in as the Worth The Drive category favorite.
Voters said things like:
- "Lincontro. Excellent food, service, and atmosphere."
- "Lincontro Italian Restaurant is unforgettable!"
- "Lin Contro. Excellent for fancy Italian."
Nobody can agree on how to spell it.
Everybody agrees how good it is.
Third Place: Cherry Pocket
The Third Best Place To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
Cherry Pocket — 3100 Canal Rd, Lake Wales
Coming in the final spot among the top three is Cherry Pocket.
Full name Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shack, tucked back on the lake down some backroads, which seems to be half the appeal.
Cherry Pocket is the spot that a local would send you to if you were visiting and looking for the hidden gem (and they liked you enough to share 
).
Voters said things like:
- "10 minutes from the mall, the backroads, on the lake."
- "Cherry Pockets for an old Florida vibe. Besides, who wants to eat inside a mall on a glorious day. Eat on a patio!"
- "Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shack. Live music and a lakefront view."
An old Florida vibe that people specifically drive out of their way for.
Fourth Place: Melanie's Seafood
The Fourth Best Place To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
Melanie's Seafood Company — 120 E Park Ave, Lake Wales
In the fourth slot is Melanie's Seafood Company.
Downtown, and apparently the conch fritters are the move.
Voters said things like:
- "Melanie's Seafood Company is my favorite restaurant. Freshest seafood and the best burgers or steaks. I also enjoy their salad options!"
- "Melanie's downtown. Best conch fritters and hamburgers."
- "Melanie's Restaurant. Wonderful, freshest fish in Polk County. Especially Lake Wales!!"
A seafood spot that somehow also wins people over with the burgers.
That's a combo you can't beat.
Fifth Place: Kualao
The Fifth Best Place To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
Kualao — 114 W Central Ave, Lake Wales
Rounding out our top five is Kualao.
I was happy to see this one take the fifth slot and get a feature because it's not often we get a chance to see Thai and Laotian food in our top slots here in Polk.
But voters made sure to make some noise and share that Kualao deserves it.
Voters said things like:
- "Kua Lao Thai on Central. #1!!!"
- "Kua Lao Thai. Seriously some of the best Thai around."
- "KuaLau for Thai Laotian food. Always delish!"
Who knew Lake Wales would be the city to show some range when it comes to the top picks...
Other Great Places To Eat In Lake Wales, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best places to eat in Lake Wales, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here is the rest of the top ten best places to eat in Lake Wales, Florida (in order 6-10):
- #6 — Lake Wales Family Diner
- #7 — El Ranchito
- #8 — Crazy Fish Seafood Shack
- #9 — Market Cafe
- #10 — Lake Wales Cheese Shoppe & Deli
Which gives us the full top 10 best places to eat in Lake Wales.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are the spots in Lake Wales I'm most excited to try:
- L'Incontro
- Kualao
- Reserved
Cherry Pocket and Sizzlin' Grill are already at the top of my list for spots I'd recommend, but I enjoyed giving my "most excited to try" last week, so I wanted to do it again this week with a couple standouts in Lake Wales.
Katie and I have been wanting to make our way over to L'Incontro since it made the best Italian food list, and Kualao looks SO good, so these are an easy two to come in behind a few amazing spots I've already tried in Lake Wales.
And, shoutout to Lake Wales Latte Lounge if you want a quaint spot to grab a cup of coffee and hang.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been looking for the best places to eat in Lake Wales.
- Mike Romaine
Never Miss An Event Or Story
Born in Winter Haven Hospital in 1943. I am old enough to remember Lakeland’s all time greatest restaurant, The Fox Fire Inn
Jealous that I didn’t get to experience it!