I’m starting to think this might be the reason I wanted to move back to Florida so bad. Just before we moved to Tennessee last summer, we tried this little hamburger place in DeLand that had opened up in an old 7-Eleven building. It hadn’t been open long and decided to give it a try. That day haunted me for 12 months while residing in Tennessee. Through all the snow, all the rain, all the days the temperature didn’t rise above freezing. I just couldn’t get that Ground Chuck’s burger out of my head.
So our first full weekend back in Florida, the trek to DeLand was on. Straight to Ground Chuck’s we went. The place hadn’t changed one bit since our last visit. Fake cows were still outside…the “barnyard” decor was everywhere you turned inside.
The restaurant was hopping. Word must have gotten around about this hamburger joint. We placed the same orders as we did last time. We both got hamburgers with a side of seasoned fries for me and onion straws for her. The food came out in silver dog bowls, just as it had all those months before. The first bite was critical. Would it live up to what our taste buds experienced in the summer of 2009?
I was skeptical. Rarely does a good meal translate over 12 months. But I’m happy to say this one did. The burger was cooked to perfection, the Swiss cheese was melted just enough and the bacon was crisp, but not overdone. And the bun…you know how unique and tasty a Fuddrucker’s bun is? Well, this one is kinda like that, just tastier. The fries were actually better than I remembered them. You could tell they were freshly cut. The seasoning had a little kick without being overwhelming. Yes, I had a taste of my girlfriend’s onion straws. Okay, more than a taste. I had a few. Definitely good to be back in Central Florida!
Ground Chuck’s is located at 900 North Woodland Boulevard in DeLand. Expect to pay between $8 and $10 per meal. Ground Chuck’s is open every day except Sunday.
