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    Big Man's Cafe

    4.5 (162 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Big Man's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    BIG MAN'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Man's Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast menu
    Simone M.

    I was looking for a Southern/Soul Food spot in the Gainesville area, and stumbled upon this gem in Ocala. I was in Ocala to get my car serviced, so I had to stop in. I stopped in around before 5pm to place my order for myself and parents. I didn't get her name but I believe she's the daughter of the owner, she was very helpful and checked on me as I waited. I will say the Southern hospitality here is a 5 star! I also spoke with the owner and his friend as I waited for my to-go order and they were very friendly as well. I was excited to eat my food as the smell filled my car during my ride home. So I ordered the 1/4 chicken platter that comes with two sides, which were green beans and yams. Also, based on the reviews ask for the cornmeal pancake as it comes with your meal. The chicken was huge and the meat was juicy. A lot of times, I order dark meat because it's juicer however this did not disappoint. The green beans were good and seasoned. The yams were not cooked to my liking. The sweet potato was still firm and I preferred them to be cooked down more to be softer. The blueberry pie was my little sweet treat to end my meal. The blueberry filling was really good as they have real blueberries through the piece of pie. The crust is buttery and strudel on top was the chef's kiss. The filling layer in between the blueberry and strudel was a bit too sweet for my liking but overall it was a nice treat to end with. Overall, I love the amazing service and this satisfied my soul food cravings. I look forward to stopping in for their breakfast dishes like biscuits and gravy and the spicy sausage.

    Shawn L.

    Stopped in for lunch during a recent visit to the area. The reviews were good and we love southern cuisine. I got fried swai with collard greens and fried okra. Everything was delicious. They offer fresh pies on the weekends and we got a slice of peanut butter and another slice of peach pie. Both were a generous portion and delicious. I certainly do recommend this little spot of deliciousness if you are in the mood for some good southern comfort food.

    Grit bowl and Salmon breakfast plate
    Stephanie S.

    Amazing menu options for breakfast and lunch. Coffee was the smoothest, and I even asked what brand it was. I had the loaded grit bowl with a side of tomatoes. My friend had the salmon patty breakfast plate with potatoes, eggs and toast. I was intrigued by the Oxtail plate. The waitress said it was flying out the door this morning. I wanted to try it (Oxtail virgin here) but, I was so hungry I opted for the safer, grit bowl. My friend and I have decided to stop for lunch on the way back through town...lived our adorable waitress, she gave lots of recommendations. Hope we see her in the way out of town! I highly recommend this soul food based restaurant. Don't be intimidated by the "soul food" highlight. They have plenty of the basic food plates we all are use to. I'm gonna try the Oxtail

    Stew meat with collards, Lima beans, and southern dressing.
    Angela H.

    1. The service was amazing. So personal and friendly. Their motto is once you walk through the door you are family, and we felt like family!!! 2. The food was SO good. True southern style home cooking. Two in our party got the liver and onions. They raved about it being just like momma made. My son said the fried fish was better than any he ever had. It was moist on the inside but crisp on the outside. My stew meat was melt in your mouth. The sides were amazing too! All of them reminded us of thanksgiving at grandma's house. 3. The red velvet cake! I'm not a big fan of it traditionally, but we saw 4 slices sell while there. My son tried it and everyone was fighting over this slice. It was moist and delicious. Not dry. Not overly sweet. Just perfect. We will be back next time we are in town. Just make sure you get there before 6 pm!!!

    Breakfast
    Nirely C.

    We have been twice and can't wait to return. Service and food is just like being at home with family!

    Steak omelette
    Aida A.

    Family owned operation. Owners, their daughter and granddaughter were working! So friendly and attentive. The restaurant design is simple but comfortable. The food was incredible especially the dollar cakes- best pancakes I've ever had and the family agreed. The biscuits too! We had omelettes and all were excellent. Mine was vegetarian and still delicious!

    Breakfast menu on 6/7/2025
    Julie L.

    We came here for lunch. There was a party of 14 that was seated ahead of us. I was impressed that they had plenty of room for that large party and the restaurant was filled with other patrons and they still had a table for us. Service was fast and the food was good. I got a bowl of their chicken and sausage gumbo and a side of Mac and cheese. The gumbo was good and I was happy that they had Crystal hot sauce that I could put in it to make it a little spicier. The roux could have been made a little darker so that it would be more full flavored. It was not the deep mahogany color that you find in New Orleans, but it was still tasty. The Mac and cheese was just okay, but it was forgettable. I was hoping for something that tasted more homemade. It wasn't bad, but I would not order it again. I got a slice of their peach pie to go. I really enjoyed it. The crust tastes like the crust I make for pies except it was saltier than mine. The peach pie had a lot of cinnamon in it and I really enjoyed it. Overall it was a good experience.

    Cheyenne S.

    Killer breakfast at excellent prices! The staff is so friendly and service was great. Located in a plaza, so lots of parking. The interior was fresh and modern. The owners even took the time to go table to table to make sure the experience was up to par. It was a nice touch. We ordered the pork chop breakfast, one grilled, one smothered. Both were devoured in minutes. Excellent lunch menu, with all the southern fixings. Looking forward to returning real soon!

    Chili dogs was good but it had BEANS in the chili.  I get u dont want to make 2 different chilis but U need 2 INFORM people there r beans!
    Adam H.

    Friends and Family and reviews said great food. Service was a little confusing with the waitress but it got fixed. Ordered a chili dog with onion rings. Wife got the grilled ham and cheese. She said hers was ok. I hate beans and the texture of them. I am picky. as you can see since I picked every bean out of my chili dog that should not have beans in the 1st place. If I had known there were beans (as this is not normal for the majority of chili dogs served) I would have ordered something else. I get it you have tasty chili with beans but it does not belong on a chili dog. chili served to a judge in a contest does not have beans. that is a clue that beans should not be on a chili dog unless it is printed on the menu. dog was pretty good but I was put off by the beans. If someone else wants to go there in my group I would go back and try something else. But my 1st time was not good. I eat out every week. I try to eat at every place in my town and other towns when I am visiting. Wife keeps track on new places opening

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    9 months ago

    Very tasteless food , not good to me . It misses spices and flavor the chicken is dry and the collars were over cooked.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Big Man's Cafe

    Do they have catfish? If so, how is it?

    They have Baisa, which is in the catfish family. Trust me it is amazing. I've had it the last 3 times I've been.

    Do you offer brunch?

    I'm not sure when they stop serving breakfast to start lunch but whether you're there for breakfast, lunch or dinner you will not be disappointed.

    How is the fish?

    My husband has ordered it both times we have been here, and loves it! His exact words were "it's perfect - fresh, fried but not greasy at all, and the best I've had."

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

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    Maybe we got lucky this morning as the wait for our breakfast and pancakes were pretty quick as…read morecompared to what others have noted. Considering the place was pretty busy at 9am on a Sunday. We were told that there was usually a 15-20 minute wait with how they make the pancakes, but we were not in a rush anyway, and really needed coffee first to wake up after rushing due to an emergency phone call at 5am to get to the rehab center where my mom is at close by. Our food arrived in about 10 minutes, Oh, and these are not your granddad's pancakes. These are pancakes on steroids! Delicious and fresh these monsters are huge and more than enough to fill your belly. They have an all you can eat option too! That's nuts! I was ready to be rolled out of the place after my one serving. Our server was terrific, friendly, funny, and attentive. Filled our coffees a few times, brought us ice water, and made our morning a bit more cheerful under the circumstances. Our meals were prepared just right, but those pancakes are the stars here. We ordered the 2-2-2 combo - 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 strips of bacon or sausage, $15, and worth it. As the owners had more of a farm stand and eatery before moving to this spot they have kept that cozy and quaint vibe with the decor and assorted items and jellies for sale in racks by the entrance. Clean bathrooms. The dining area offers plenty of seating with booths and smaller tables, clean and bright. Many breakfast, brunch, and lunch items to choose from. Located in a corner spot at the end of a strip mall which has a Planet Fitness and near Walmart.

    This is an off the beat location at the end of a strip mall with an unusual decor and layout…read more The staff were super friendly and the food was great and the place was packed with folks waiting at the door. The wait time was excruciating as it is unlikely they are prepared for a full slam staff and kitchen-wise. But we would definitely return if we visit Ocala again.

    First Watch

    First Watch

    (269 reviews)

    $$

    This is, by far, our favorite breakfast spot in Ocala. The service is always attentive and…read morefriendly, the restaurant is clean despite being "standing room only" on weekends, and their food is delicious. I always order the traditional breakfast which is more than enough food for one meal. It may be pricey ($14.29), but in this case you get what you pay for and it's worth every penny!

    My parents and i came in and it was busy (not packed, which was good bc another First Watch we went…read moreto was packed). I askef if we could get seated outdoors since it wad cold inside and we got sat immediately. Our server was somewhat attentive (asked if we're ready to order, waited a couple more minutes for us to finish deciding). One of the menu items she said something wrong which was fine, i'm glad she tried to ensure I don't get an ingredient that I didn't want on a separate item. The foodrunner was absolutely great! Her attentiveness and overall attitude were great! I wish i got her name so i could give her props on here! The server checked up on us right after the food got to our table and we told her of some things we asked the runner for, but after that did not check on if we got it, how the food was, or if we wanted anything else. She passed by later and dropped the receipt with no explanation or reassurance like a "does everything look good on the receipt?" Or a "if everything looks good you can head up to the front and pay" (we did not know we need to pay up front so we stayed at the table waiting for her to get the card which she didnt check on or point out after 10-15 minutes of us sitting doing nothing). The food was delicious in my opinion. I got the 2 for you with the monterey club and the chicken avocado chop with a pueple haze (i unfortunately did not get a picture of them) but they were good quantity and quality for the price. The price of both is almost the same as if you bought any of them individually (they serve half the portion of each for the 2 for you) but i personally like the variety and trying both items. The salad only had two slices of avocado though which was slightly disappointing but it all tasted delicious. I think it's the best food i had in first watch ever!

    Stella's Modern Pantry

    Stella's Modern Pantry

    (83 reviews)

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    I'm not sure why it took me so long to come back since my last visit in August 2022, but I'm glad I…read morefinally did! Stella's continues to impress with fresh ingredients and absolutely incredible bread. I wasn't sure since it being 2 years since I was here if they would have the breakfast I had last time. I was surprised they did have it so I ordered the Spanish Egg Breakfast, which came with arugula, chorizo, heirloom tomatoes, ciabatta toast, and a preserve. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the chorizo added a great smoky-spicy kick, and the heirloom tomatoes were sweet and juicy. The arugula balanced everything out with a slight peppery bite, and the ciabatta toast was just amazing--crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect with the preserve. I also had the Jamón Serrano Sandwich & split it with my bf. It was just as good as it sounds. The jamón serrano, manchego, and basil pesto were a perfect combination--savory, nutty, and herby--all sandwiched between that same incredible ciabatta. Every bite was fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere is cozy, and the service was friendly, though the wait was a little longer than expected. Still, the quality of the food made up for it. Definitely won't wait as long to return next time!

    Another cute place that took us too long to check out. We were walking around for Art Walk and…read moredecided to stop in here for a glass of wine and to check what this place really is. It looks like a store from the outside but I did see someone sitting inside sipping wine so I was intrigued. As you walk in, there is a spacious seating area at the front of the store. Then it kind of transitions into a market store. There is a counter you order food at and pay for items. There is a small bar with seating next to that as well. We browsed the market items and picked up a couple of items. We went to the counter to pay and that is when I realized you can order food and drinks. If you order something that takes time to prepare, it is brought to you at a table. Since I ordered a glass of wine, I just waited there for it and went to sit. Hubs retrieved a beer from the fridge. The owner was the individual we interacted with and he was very pleasant. There was constant traffic the entire time we were there so I hope that means they will remain in business. The prices were not too crazy and it is a perfect place to have a drink and/ or gourmet snacks. I definitely want to return and try other items on the menu.

    Big Man's Cafe - southern - Updated May 2026

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