Old Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House
601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL, 32130
Old Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House Menu
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Address :
601 Ponce Deleon Blvd
De Leon Springs, FL, 32130 - Phone (386) 985-5644
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 4:00pm
- Mon : 9:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Natalie C.
After leaving the Sugar Mill, bellies full and smiles painted on our faces, my husband made the comment, "why aren't there more restaurants like this?" And he's right! Being able to make your own breakfast, just the way you like it, while enjoying the company of friends and family, is a real treat. And knowing that everything is homemade with care, makes it even better. As other yelpers have said, they don't have AC or heat so you will have to be mindful of that. The dining room is not very large so on a busy day, you might have to wait for a table. They do however take reservations for parties of 10 or more. Breakfast is served all day, among sandwiches, salads and appetizer plates but you'll be sorry you didn't go for the pancakes. Prices are great, service was good, and the fact that the restaurant sits in the middle of a state park really seals the deal.
(5)Sarah M.
Yucky! One star because the place is kinda cool. The homemade peanut butter was alright but ($1.85) for a tablespoon!!! I make better healthy pancakes at home.
(1)Chere F.
Make-it-yourself breakfast. The fun is in the camaraderie - have a sense of fun or it isn't really worth the drive. You get white and wheat pancake batter. Add in blueberries, bananas, nuts, etc. - be sure to get artistic! Make rainbows w/ blueberries and nuts. Draw faces with batter and put in eyes and hair. Have fun! Sunny days - bring a swimsuit and splash in the springs. Cloudy or cold - be ready to hike the wooded areas nearby - easy walks, tons of beauty to see. Take a ride of the boat or rent kayaks/canoes for your own paddling fun. NOTE: you MUST have everyone in your party before you will be seated; you are forewarned! NOTE: Go EARLY or be ready for a wait.
(4)Megan H.
I had a lot of fun here and recommend it at least once. Be prepared for a long wait as the place is small and popular. I went on a crisp winter morning so the heat wasn't an issue but I can imagine that this place gets miserable on a hot day, since there is no air conditioning and hot griddles everywhere. You get two kinds of pancake mixes: regular and a wheat mix. Both were pretty good. I didn't order any toppings but looking around at the other tables made me wish I had... next time, I guess! You cook everything at the table except for the meats... they bring those out separately. The eggs were a bit tricky b/c the griddle wasn't exactly level but if you let it get hot enough before attempting to cook those, you shouldn't have a problem.
(5)Kurt N.
Dirt cheap all you can eat quality pancakes in an incredibly unique location. What more needs saying?
(5)Chad E.
You really need to go early for two reasons - one is because they have no air condition and two is because they serve pancakes. I'm not sure what pancakes would taste like for lunch, and even less so if it was blazing hot inside. But trust me on this one. It's also easier to get inside if you're there early and you don't have to wait. Just go early. We arrived early enough that we didn't even have to wait. It was on a weekday, too. I understand that weekends are a lot busier. The good news is you can hang out near the springs and the will call you, but it's always nicer to not have to wait at all. Once you are seated, you get around a table with a built-in grill and then you order up the pancake batter. The server will turn on your grill and you start making pancakes. It's as simple as that. You get as much as you want for the one price. You can also order things like sausage and bacon and other fixings (berries and chocolate chips and the like), but those do add to the cost a bit. It's actually a bit of fun, making your own pancakes, but like The Melting Pot, you're essentially doing all the work and paying for it. Definitely an experience, and make sure you try out both batters.
(4)Janene H.
I absolutely love going to DeLeon Springs so we can make some all-you-can-eat pancakes! This old sugar mill sits right next to the swimming area and features in-table griddles where you cook your food. You are brought pitchers of batter (whole wheat and white) and fillin's like apple chunks, chocolate chips and blueberries. If you order an egg you are brought a raw egg and cook that yourself too. Thankfully bacon and sausage are cooked before they are brought to your table! I've been here several times and it is always a blast. At peak times there can be a wait but you put your name on a list then they call your name over the loud speaker when your table is ready. Nothing hits the spot like pancakes after a long day swimming, sunning, and canoeing! One big downside... no air conditioning! That means in the summer be prepared to sweat. Especially when those table griddles are all blazin'. It is a little uncomfortable but they have big fans going and afterward you can cool off in the spring which is just steps away.
(5)Steve S.
This is definitely a been-there-done-that type of place. More hype than substance. (Everybody just raves about it???) Yes, it is a good deal at $4.50 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, but you have to deal with no A/C (sweaty people most of the year), long waits and watch out for the automatic 18% tip added to your bill (after cooking your own food.) The Sugar Mill is part of De Leon Springs State Park and is throwback to the cheesy Florida tourist days (before Disney and Universal.) I don't function well in the morning and even worse without breakfast, so I called the day before to make sure they were open and when. They assured me that they opened at 9 AM, but when we got there at 0900 the place was filled with high school kids. What about the 9 AM open? They let this big party in at 8:30. It was an hour before we got our food. (Hint: They take reservations for only parties of 10 or more, but I suggest you make them no matter what the size of your party. You will find "friends" there to fill the reservation if you need to, and you eat in a group table anyways.) The food is average quality - definitely something you can make at home (in the A/C.) The self-gratuity of 18% is excessive (and I missed this and tipped on top of that. Ouch!) I recommend that you just cook it yourself at home.
(2)Rebecca R.
I love this place! I take the kids there whenever we visit my Father-in-Law in Daytona. We swim in the spring-fed pool, then go in and have do-it-yourself 5-grain pancakes with blueberries and bananas for lunch. They do offer other things -- hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, etc...-- but the pancakes are our favorite. Yes, it is not air-conditioned, but we were there on a very hot (98 degrees!) day and all the windows were open and fans were blowing, and we were not hot, even with the griddles blazing right at the tables. And I have no beef with the automatic 18% tip -- the waitstaff works very hard, even if you do make your own pancakes. They were always refilling our drinks on time and bringing more batter and fruit. The only downer is that the place is very small (it was built as a sugar mill, not a restaurant) and the wait is sometimes very long. But they will call you over the loudspeakers when you're up, and swimwear is acceptable, so we always have something to do while we're waiting. (There is also a playground nearby.) It's awesome for what it is -- a historic, DIY pancake place with excellent, locally-produced 5-grain flour. (You can even buy it to take home.)
(4)Jeff H.
Pancakes, eggs, all cook yourself..even gluten free pancakes! We got there early and there was no crowds so we will go early from now on!
(5)Hao L.
I came here after one of my "open water" dives for scuba certification. It's a quaint little restaurant located in De Leon Springs Park. The tables have electric griddles embedded in the middle of them, and the fun of eating here includes cooking your own food at the tables. My wife and I had the "all you can eat" pancakes, which they give you a pitcher of flour pancake batter and a pitcher of a wheat/grain pancake batter. We also got some eggs and ham. They actually cooked the ham, but the rest of the stuff, we cooked on the griddle. I also got some peanut butter and chocolate morsels to mix into the pancakes. They also offer you multiple varieties of syrups for the pancakes. Overall, very fun and interactive experience, and the pancakes were really tasty. The ham (which they cooked) was a little overdone, but still good. If you are in the area, I would definitely recommend this place for breakfast or brunch.
(4)Mike D.
I've had many an entertaining morning at the Sugar Mill. It's located about 5 minutes up Rt. 17 from DeLand, in the DeLeon Springs State Park. Look out for the little brown state park sign on the highway, and bring $5 to get your car into the park. (The restaurant takes cards.) The restaurant itself is located just off the spring, in an old sugar/grist mill. It has authenticity written all over it. The deal here is that every table has a built-in griddle, and the waitresses bring you pancake batter, for a couple bucks each, eggs and fixins like blueberries or bananas. (There's also bacon and whatnot, but that's not part of the do-it-yourself experience.) The pancakes are tasty, and the white and multi-grain flour is ground on premise with old-fashioned mill wheels. There's no air-conditioning (plenty of fans, though), so come early during the summer. The prices run about what you'd pay at Denny's. It's not 5 star dining, but that's not really the point. You get nice views of the spring and the chance to mock your buddies' misshapen pancakes. That...is priceless.
(4)Kristin O.
Loved the idea, loved the park, breakfast experience mehhh. Basically your paying to cook your own food, which sounds more fun than it actually is, surprisingly. The cook space is pretty small and crowded, you have to cook everything (except the microwaved bacon?) and it's all okay, nothing special really. The menu is very small, (pancakes, french toast, bacon, eggs, sausage, ham, and toast), the sodas are bottled, the wait is very long, and the staff is not the most pleasant (probably because they receive 18% no matter what). I wasn't really impressed, especially because with such a limited menu they still served frozen not fresh blueberries, microwaved bacon, and the caramel sauce was just a squeeze bottle of smuckers ice cream topping, definitely not the old home feel you'd expect from a place like this. It's obviously a popular place with locals though, so maybe it's just not my thing, but next time I'll search out a local dive diner for some homemade (already cooked) biscuits and gravy with hashbrowns before heading to the park for some canoeing and springs action. :)
(2)Eric S.
I had been prepared to wait 2-3 hours after reading the reviews but as it happened we arrived on a Monday at 2:30PM on a rainy day and the restaurant was almost empty. We have a severe peanut allergy in our family and the staff was very accommodating. They removed the table griddle to thoroughly wash it and sat us in the second room with no people even-though they had closed it for cleaning. Other families that were sat there were first asked if they would be ordering the peanut-butter toppings. As first-timers the waitress explained the menu, ingredients and best way to cook pancakes on the griddle as well as a bit of background on the park and restaurant. We felt welcome and valued as customers. 2 jugs of pancake batter were places on the table. The red jug was regular white flour and the blue jug a mixture of whole wheat flours. The whole wheat batter by consensus tasted the best. Not pouring too much batter was the secret to making a good pancake. Toppings go on as soon as the batter is poured and when bubbles appear - flip it. Our table chose Blueberries, chocolate chips, pecans and bananas as toppings which added yummy flavor. I also purchased 2 eggs which I cooked on the griddle. Eggs were fresh and tasted delicious. We had a wonderful family experience and fun cooking. Don't forget the tiny gift store and ginger treats! After breakfast we wandered the grounds and looked at the nature and historical sites. Many spots to take pictures and watch the fish jumping. Awesome way to end the visit. If it had been open and not raining we would have taken the eco-tour boat tour.
(5)Annette G.
I love this place!!! You can't blame the cook for messing up your pancakes, but you can throw kisses to him for whipping up some really tasty buttermilk batter. There is no AC or central heating, lots of cozy fireplaces though, so best to frequent the restaurant in the "winter" months. When I've gone, we go for a hike after breakfast around the park to work off the blueberry chocolate chip pancakes. They do serve sandwiches but I've only ever been for breakfast (served all day ('till 4pm)). So worth the drive.
(5)Mariacristina R.
The Old Spanish Sugar Mill is a no-nonsense kind of place. There's no AC, no hostess and no one to actually cook your pancakes. When I asked our server how she was doing she replied, "I'm tired and cranky." I hear ya, sister, I hear ya. The Sugar Mill has a great rustic quality to it but to be frank, my friends and I weren't too crazy about the pancake batter. It wasn't any different from what we could have cooked up ourselves on a lazy Sunday morning. I have to thank the Sugar Mill for giving me the idea of putting peanut butter in my batter - brilliant! The restaurant is very small which makes the wait very long but it's easy to put in your name and take a dip in the spring until they call out names over a loud speaker. We actually didn't have to wait that long since a horrible thunderstorm swooped in and most people on the wait list made a run for it.
(3)C R.
The bacon is still delicious, but this time the waitresses were not nice. One was over the top bossy when giving directions and basically recited the whole menu to us that we were holding in our hands. They could use some training in customer service.
(3)K K.
Let me get this straight, I have to cook my own food? Well, why not I suppose. This place certainly has some old fashioned rustic charm. It is the first and only restaurant I've ever been to where I had to cook my own food. The best part about that, is that I am very particular about my bacon, and with me as the chef, I have it my way. Bring your bathing suit and go for a swim in the park or hop in a canoe while you're here. It's a nice little park, and this location is one of the spots believed to be Ponce Deleon's fountain of youth (though we'll likely never know). There's lots of other history here as well, as Seminole Indians lived here for years and Union troops destroyed Confederate mill works here during the Civil war.
(3)Norma G.
What a fun restaurant!! I had read about this place months ago, and on our latest vacation we came over. Pancakes were really good, with blueberry n bananas added in. Loved cooking the food on the griddle set up in the table. Went on a Wednesday in April, so were lucky and just walked in. Loved the park, and did some swimming. Will return on our next visit to FL.
(5)Hani B.
Nestled in the middle of DeLeon Springs State Park is one of the most unique restaurants I have ever visited. Located inside an old converted sugar mill is this wonderful restaurant that serves breakfast all day. The key feature is that you make your own pancakes on the griddle built into your table. You get a pitcher with batter and you pick what toppings you want to put into your pancakes. Its a great trip outside the city, and after an amazing breakfast its fun walking around the state park.
(5)Eric M.
This place was really a great idea! The experience was fun, the batter served us was tasty. So glad we stopped here for breakfast! I would drive out of my way to eat here. The atmosphere is unique in an old sugar mill and the prices are really affordable!
(5)Kathryn W.
The first time I went, it was still totally novel to me. A historic sugar mill converted to a pancake house where you get to cook on a griddle on the table and look out over the crystal clear spring?! Sign me up! Luckily all that novelty helped me overlook just what a ripoff it is. By my third visit over the course of a few years, I was way more tuned in to the fact that you pay $6.00 to get into the park and then pay out the wazoo for every little add-on like $1.85 for a teeny tiny bowl of frozen strawberries, $1.85 for a tablespoon of peanut butter, $2.85 for a cup of hot tea, etc. The $4.95 all-you-can-eat pancakes aren't too expensive in and of themselves, but everything on top of that sure adds up quick. Plus, I don't even want all-you-can-eat because I typically can't eat more than 2 or 3, so the same amount that would be brought out for one person (a pitcher of each batter) is more than enough for 2 people but of course you each have to pay. All-in-all, definitely go at least once just to check it out, or if it's a special occasion or something. Otherwise you can make just as good, if not better, pancakes at home for less money and no waiting for a table, and then go swim in one of the many beautiful springs in Central Florida afterwards.
(3)Nicole E.
I know I might get drummed out of Yelp for this, but I was just not that impressed by the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. The wait was seriously long (a problem which could be easily alleviated by adding some outdoor seating, since, you know, we're in Florida). The food was okay but overpriced - for the 6 of us the bill was $80; I could easily have pulled out my griddle at home and fed everyone the same meal for less than $20. It didn't help that a side of eggs is $1.75. Really, $1.75 for two raw eggs? How about I bring my own carton for $3, since I have to cook them anyway? I enjoyed the flavor of the wheat batter, but the lumps were so HUGE that they didn't cook out but left odd dry bits in the pancake. I don't regret my trip here - we had a good time swimming and chatting and people-watching while we waited, and we had planned to be in De Leon Springs, anyway, so at least we didn't drive out just for breakfast. If you'll be spending a day at the park, I say go ahead and put your name down. But I really don't think this place is worth a special trip.
(3)Amanda K.
That Pancake Place! I didn't even really know the actual name of this place until recently, I alwas just referred to it as "that pancake place at DeLeon Springs!" It is THE best place to eat breakfast in all of Florida, and if you live even remotely near DeLand, this place is worth the drive! The Good: DIY Pancakes!: Where else can you sit at a griddle and make your own pancakes? I mean really? It's just awesome. The griddle is actually an insert IN the table, so you just order the batter, along with any mix-ins, and you've got breakfast! Beautiful scenery!: This place is located IN Deleon springs state park, so no matter which window you look out of, you'll be treated to a beautiful view of all that gorgeous Florida scenery! The Bad No A/C: If you go on a hot day, be warned, there is no AC and it tends to get murderously hot! If you're reading this, and have yet to experience this place, you need to drop what you're doing and make a plan to get going! Breakfast is served all the way until 4. But because it's so hot in the afternoon I would recommend getting there early!
(5)Lauren H.
So I went down to Orlando in the dead of summer a few years ago, to visit some family, and they recommended this pancake place where you make your own pancakes. Now, I love pancakes, but I refuse to go out to eat to make my own food. (I've never understood ordering fajitas in a restaurant for this very reason--what am I paying you for if I have to assemble the things myself??) Anyway, we went out to DeLeon Springs, which is beautiful. (keep in mind that you have to pay to get into the state park.) There were about ten thousand elementary school kids running around the spring, which I wanted nothing to do with. Be prepared to wait for a table if you go on the weekend, because this place gets wicked crowded. Nice view, though, if you do have to wait. If you go in the summer, also be prepared to sweat your face off. You literally sit at a table with a griddle in it, in Florida, in 100% humidity. It's hot. This place is so much fun, though. You order pancakes and they bring you two things of batter and whatever kind of "toppings" you want. You order eggs, and they bring you a bowl of fresh, uncooked eggs. If you don't feel like making your own breakfast, they have stuff you can order from the kitchen, too. Sandwiches, etc. Definitely a great way to spend breakfast or brunch. Delicious.
(5)Michael C.
This old sugar mill has been converted into a DIY breakfast house. Surrounded by beautiful DeLeon Springs, The Sugar Mill is a local favorite for pecan pancakes, thick cut bacon, and real maple syrup to die for. As you sit at your griddle-topped table you must watch your elbows while you pour the pancacke batter of your choice onto its hot surface and start making yourself the most important meal of the day! If you want eggs and bacon with those cakes you will be delivered 2 fresh white eggs to scramble up yourself but your bacon will be cooked so no need to wait to enjoy the thick cuts that they deliver. This is a great way to spend a Sunday morning and afterwards enjoy the butterfly garden just outside or the springs that are just steps away and a great way to spend the day!
(4)Lyle B.
AYCE pancakes you cook yourself at your table and then a dip in the 72 degree springs. :) Expect to wait a bit. Waits can be 1 hour to 2 hours. We just think of it as a late breakfast or early lunch. You get in, leave your name, and enjoy the park. They are pretty good about giving you the time your table will be ready. Each table has a griddle in the middle and they bring you pitchers of pancake batter and you cook your own. Fun for the kids. One caveat... its a screened in restaurant with ceiling fans and with the griddle in the middle of the table, it can get quite warm. Then again, all the more reason to dive into the 72 degree spring after your meal! We'll be back again! PS plenty of optional items for sale to add to your pancakes such as bananas, blueberries or chocolate chips.
(4)Annabelle S.
The BEST place, hands down, for breakfast. I lived in Deland for 5 years and this was our "go to" place. Bored? Let's go to the Sugar Mill Hung over? Sugar Mill's the cure Make sure to go in Spring and Fall when it's not so humid and you can feel a cool breeze flowing thru the place. And ask for the back room. It's got the best views of the lake and trees. Very picturesque. Also be prepared for a pretty long wait. FYI- they can tell you at the front entrance to the park how long it really is but I'd add about another 15-20 min to that wait time. Love the fact that you can do your own cookin and add fruit to your pancakes. Hate the fact that they took away cooking your own bacon and sausage. Something about frying it up just the way you want is classic.
(4)L. B.
Nice casual family dining style, not much menu however the experience to cook on your dining table was great and fun especially if you have kids. After eat you can dive in to the spring or just take a boat tour around the spring or just have family picnic around the spring area :) have fun!
(4)Scott J.
I don't know why I am attracted to places where I have to cook my own meal, but for some reason I find them entertaining. Of course there is the Melting Pot, and then my personal favorite, Gyu-Kaku. But I have never been to a place like this one where you cook your own pancakes. The restaurant is located in an old mill inside DeLeon Springs State Park, overlooking the spring. They don't open until 9 am, and when we arrived at 10 am on a weekday, we had to wait about an hour. We spent the time at the state park visitor center and on the playground. When we got our table, we saw that each table in the restaurant has a griddle, which is turned on when you are seated. The waitress explained how everything worked, and provided us a menu with options where we could order additional side dishes or toppings for our pancakes. Shortly after taking our order, she brought us two pitchers of pancake batter - one was an unbleached white flour batter and the other was a stone ground mix of various flours. We ordered bananas, blueberries, chocolate chips, and peanut butter for our toppings ($1.75 each) and they were all delivered with the batter. She gave us instructions (spray the griddle, don't touch the hot griddle, etc.) and then let us go at it. We never eat white flour anything, but found the white batter good. The stone ground mix, however, was just great. Of course, some credit must go to the cook :) We must also note that the applewood smoked bacon was simply outstanding. At $1.75 per order (2 slices per order), we kept ordering more and couldn't get enough of it. The cost was $4.50 per adult (our kids were free), plus all the other stuff we ordered. It also costs $6 to get into the park. Be sure to spend some time in the park after your meal. You can canoe, take a tour boat excursion, hike, swim in the spring-fed pool, observe wildlife, or simply sit under a moss-draped live oak and relax. A meal at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill and a few hours in the state park are a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
(4)Mike J.
This place was so great! My wife and I have been here twice when we visit our parents in FL, and it's always the highlight of the trip. Great food, it's fun, and the atmosphere is amazing. Good family setting.
(5)Joel F.
So freaking good. Well worth the experience of having my friend who's never cooked pancakes before splatter grease and pancake batter all over my nice shirt so that people would ask me what I spilled on it for the remainder of the day ;)
(5)Michelle S.
During spring break in Central Florida, we ventured out to enjoy some "do it your self" breakfast. It was just as much fun last time. We arrived in time to have pancakes for lunch and it was a beautiful day. The place was crowded but well worth the hour and a half wait. This is one of those unique places in Florida that everyone should visit at least once.
(4)Joel H.
"From the death of the old the new proceeds, and the life of truth from the death of creeds." -John Greenleaf Whittier The Old Spanish Sugarmill Grill and Griddle House is the brainchild of Peter Schwarze who stepped in when the old sugar mill was set to be demolished. He restored it and created a bakery/restaurant where he could sell products made from his freshly ground flour. The restaurant is probably the most unique place I've ever eaten. Each of the restaurant's tables is fitted with its own personal griddle. Here you, the patron of the restaurant, are able to cook your own pancakes and eggs. The restaurant brings you everything you will need be it batter, eggs or pancake toppings (which include blueberries, bananas, peanut butter, pecans, chocolate chips, apples or apple sauce). You then pour them on the griddle and flip them yourself. It is like being a chef in your own kitchen without all the prep work. The restaurant also serves breakfast meats (including vegetarian sausage), sandwiches and salads that are prepared behind the counter in the restaurant's kitchen and they offer take out. But what is the fun in all that? The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House website suggests that you should arrive early because it is both small and popular. We rolled up to the restaurant at 9:15, just a quarter hour after it opened, and there was already a thirty to forty minute wait. We entertained ourselves for a bit on the nearby playground and in the spring. Time flew and before we knew it our names were being announced over the loudspeaker. We were seated next to a big window that looked out on the spring. It was such a beautiful setting. The waitress came by and quickly gathered the orders of everyone in the group: one pitcher of homemade batter (regular), one pitcher of the stone ground mixture (which includes five different flours), one vegan/gluten free pitcher, two fresh squeezed orange juices, blueberries and two eggs. The batters arrived and we were instructed on how to best make our pancakes. Pour in the middle of the griddle (the edges aren't sealed so the hot batter could wind up on your foot) and when the edges begin to bubble flip them. Of course the most important instruction was skipped. TURN ON THE GRIDDLE FIRST. Because we failed to do that our initial batch of pancakes was quite a mess. But the next four pancakes (that's about how many you get per pitcher) all cooked in about two minutes and were a nice golden brown color. You have the choice of eating them plain or topping them with honey, maple syrup, butter and/or molasses. It is hard to argue with what you get here. I mean you are the cook. I was very impressed with the vegan/gluten free batter as it tasted a lot better than some of the recipes I've tried at home. It was clear that someone had worked for a while to get the recipe right. It wasn't something that was just thrown together to appease the vegans/celiacs. Even though I didn't order any, I loved that this place, way out in the middle of nowhere, offered metropolitan fare such as vegetarian sausage. You just don't find that at many breakfast places. The orange juice was fresh squeezed (and pulpy) and tasted that way. My only complaint, a minor one, was the blueberries were frozen. I would've preferred fresh. Unless of course fresh don't cook as well on the hot griddle. In that case, I'm ok with frozen. I mentioned early that I really loved this place because you did the cooking without all the prep work. Well another huge plus is that you didn't have to do any of the cleaning up. It is all taken care of for you. Vegan/gluten free pancakes, five of them, for 5.95 (plus the entrance to the park fee) that didn't taste like cardboard and had you stuffed until well into the evening? Fresh squeezed orange juice that lived up to the billing? A chance to cook over your own private hot griddle? What's not to like? If you are ever in the remote vicinity of Deleon Springs, Florida (and by remote I mean within 100 miles), I suggest you visit the Old Spanish Sugarmill Grill and Griddle House and see what one man's vision of the new can do for the old.
(5)RogueRadio R.
It was our second visit, and better than ever!! What a fun, fresh and refreshing place. Great smells are everywhere, pancakes for life !! Tried the grilled chicken sammich, outstanding !! The swimming area is amazing and the overall experience was fantastic. If you live locally and have not tried this place, SHAME ON YOU !!!
(5)Daniel L.
Must commit to spending 3+ hrs at least to be seated even on a weekday. We came first thing on a Sunday & however waited only 90minutes for seating for 2, an unusually quick turnover. Beforehand, we killed time walking through the short trails nearby & seeing some stray manatees poking their heads up for air. Still, you cannot stray too far away for too long b/c you are listening for the P.A. to announce your party on the list & God help you if you miss it. We ended up splitting a griddle table with another small party & naturally ordered the limitless pancakes (~5dollars each). I'm positive we would come ahead in that deal except that each serving of toppings is extra. This is not unreasonable, but be aware. The sausage & bacon & egg side orders were given undercooked or raw for you to crisp on your griddle yourself. After the meal, we swam in the walled-in spring since we were carboloaded. Great day all around. Next time we will plan to spend the entire day here & bring the whole clan for the experience.
(4)Sarah O.
Pro's: So many options! Make your own pancakes! As little or as many toppings as you want! Great taste, customer service is on point and be advised gratuity is added to the check no matter the party size. Beautiful location! Fun! Con's: be prepared for a few stray flies and some heat from the griddle in the table. But that's what makes it so interesting!
(4)Digital B.
I am not a big fan of driving a long distance just to get food, but if it is amazing I'll fly to China for a killer egg roll. However driving from Orlando to Ponce del Leon is not a trip I will be making often unless I'm visiting Stetson College or making a day of visiting the springs for a picnic/BBQ/swimming/river tour. If you get lucky you might see manatees in the waters, but that is usually during the winter time. We didn't get to see any on this day. The parking to get in to the park is $6. Not bad. The wait to get in to eat was over 90 minutes. We arrived late, in between the early crowd and the late crowd. We walked around and checked out the tiny museum, checked out the springs (which is typical clear and pristine). There are some old ruins from the original 'sugar mill' which is cool to look at, however there isn't much else unless you really plan your day around the entire park. When we finally got called we were seated by a nice waitress who took our drink orders quickly. When she came back we gave her our order. In under ten minutes we had the batter and the other fixings for our meal. The OJ was really small even though I ordered the large. The sausage was extremely small but tasty. The eggs were normal sized. The main attraction here is the unlimited pancakes. So try and stay away from the eggs and extras. That's where they get your money. The cooking the meal yourself is a novelty which wears off quickly if you don't have children. Maybe some adults would get a kick out of it but I can't see wanting to visit here more than once a year for this meal. I loved that they had 'black strap' molasses. It has a spiced flavor, don't think of peppers because it isn't like that, and not heavy sweet. The honey I couldn't tell if it was local. Then the maple syrup was nothing special. The pancakes were tasty and fun to make. We had a small bowl of blueberries to add but decided not to get more because of the cost. We used real butter to cook as the spray is an plant oil and I believe has less flavor. The Vegan/Gluten free batter was acceptable to me. My family had the multi-grain and the butter milk versions. Every one enjoyed their meal. The one thing I didn't enjoy was the costs of the small portions of extras. The OJ was $2.50 and don't think it was 8oz Think of those tiny 'Blue Bird' cans of OJ you used to get in the stores. They might be 5.5 oz? For unlimited pancakes it was $5 which isn't bad if you are hungry. However if you fill up on eggs and sausage then you have to pay another $5 or $2 for a la carte. Then there is the mandatory 18% gratuity? Why? I did half the cooking. I could understand if it was a full service restaurant but it isn't so why 18%? I liked the experience but again, why go back there once the novelty wears off. If you are looking for a special date, one that will surprise the person you are with, then YES! this is an awesome place to go. If you have kids? YES! it is an awesome place to visit.
(3)Laura H.
A fun and novel place to go for pancakes, and if you bring your appetite (and only want pancakes), it's a bargain! It does get VERY hot in there, and we went on a cool, rainy day. If you're sensitive to heat, go on the very coldest days only! It wasn't crowded at all in the middle of the day on a Monday. Reservations only for 10 or more!
(3)James L.
Delicious and fun. It's well worth the trip, but due to its well deserved popularity you absolutely must plan ahead or you will be looking at 1.5-2+ hour waits. Only reason I can't give 5 stars is that there's no A/C.
(4)Shevlin P.
The idea is top notch - I wish there were more around town, but then again it's an experience not something I could do regularly. After all there's only so much attraction to cooking for yourself. The grain batter was actually my favorite! We added eggs and bacon and sausage and blueberries and chocolate chips - and had to buy real maple syrup for $12 but for $40 for a great tasting breakfast it was fun!! The wait was legit TWO hours but we canoed and scouted out our spot to picnic in the waiting time.
(4)John C.
This is a great place to bring visiting relatives for a day trip. We have come here several times usually as a family get away. When you enter the park the price is $6. The main event is the unlimited pancakes. Get ready to carb up. If you want the other breakfast items they have that as well but you will cook your eggs and sausage s well. If you do not want to cook your own food they have some items that are made for you but were is the fun in that. Kids will love the whole event but keep them away form the HOT grill in the middle of the table. You can get extras to put in your pancakes but the cost adds up quickly. They have multi-grain batter and the butter milk versions. Unlimited pancakes price is $5 all of the other extras will add up quickly FYI. I do not like the idea of a mandatory 18% gratuity when I cooked my own food but that is the rule. Give your self plenty of time since the wait can be long. You can walk the trails and definitely take the pontoon boat tour they have as well at the springs.
(4)Michelle S.
I loved this place. Yes, we were given a two hour and 1 minute wait time but I wonder how much that ties into the business wanting patrons to take the $14 a person boat tour. We dove in and did it. The tour was ok. The boat operator was more interested in getting from point A to point B and not so interested in pointing out the very limited wildlife. The explanation of the plant life was neat. When we returned, we only had about 15 minutes left to wait bringing our total wait time to about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes which is an hour less than what we were quoted. BUT, once we got seated, I loved the experience of cooking our own food on the hot griddle. The pancakes were the best I've ever had. There was nothing like taking them off the griddle and eating them right away, piping hot. I got the pancakes with banana and pecans along with bacon and eggs. My partner got plain pancakes, bacon and eggs and our friend got chocolate chip pancakes and bacon. The pancake batter is so thin that it makes thin crispy pancakes which is my preference. My partner prefers thick, fluffy pancakes so she wasn't as impressed with the meal. They also tried the 5 grain pancakes and said they weren't very good. I had no desire to try them. Sitting in the restaurant with no air conditioning in front of a smoking (literally) hot griddle gets sticky really quickly. I was sweating by the time I left but with a full, happy belly. Being a visitor to the area, had I known there was a swimming hole, I would've cooled off afterward. If I'm ever in the area again, I will definitely come back.
(4)Jo El S.
"So!....... What do you want to do for two hours?" Said my husband brightly to me after he put our names down on the waiting list. "TWO HOURS?!" My jaw dropped and eyes popped wide in resemblance to a muppet. Luckily, we had a LIGHT breakfast before the hour and a half drive down to De Leon Springs and there was an abundance of wonderful nature to enjoy while on the lengthy waiting list. The deep azure spring made a perfect circle in front of the Old Sugar Mill and there was plenty of benches to read and relax while watching the scuba divers practice their techniques. We took a walk along some trails but we were a bit paranoid we'd miss our place in line so we never ventured too far or really ENJOYED the park because we were so anxious to be sat. However, there was always something picturesque begging to be captured at every corner we turned. The Sugar Mill is reminiscent of an old wooden pioneer cabin.The giant water wheel attached to the mill is statuesque in front of the rippling brook and especially photogenic! After our names were called over the speakers, we were seated in the side room replete with crackling FIREPLACE and windows over looking the green marsh. Perfect! I felt like I was Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie! We were seated at the Hibachi like table and immediately our bubbly server greeting us. She explained how the "make-your-own-pancakes" worked and in a flash brought out two pitchers of pancake batter ("unbleached white flour" and "Five fresh stoneground flour") as well as our chosen pancake toppings of blueberries and chocolate chips. We turned on the griddle, sprayed it with a light coat of non-stick spray, and then attempted to pour a perfect circle for our FIRST pancake! My pancakes of unbleached white flour with the chocolate chips were orgasmic! They were the fluffiest pancakes I've EVER had! The outer edges had a crispness you just couldn't recreate at home and the chocolate chips melted inside the pillow-like pancake with a delectable crunch on the bottom. Because I rarely allow myself white bread, this was an EXTRA special indulgence and I just lapped it up. The meal brought back memories of the pancakes my Grandma used to make on Saturday mornings. That nostalgia paired with the in-your-face softness of the pancakes sent me to the MOON and back! We also had our choice of syrups; regular syrup, unsulphured molasses, and raw honey! My husband's favorite was the whole grain batter with blueberries topped with honey! Our side items of bacon and sausage completed the breakfast experience. I particularly liked the spiciness of the sausage, it was a good counter flavor to the powerful sweetness of the syrups. We saw our table mates tearing UP the bacon to put inside their pancakes! Genius idea! The secret to these perfect pancakes HAD to be the freshly ground flour they MADE there! I can never go back to stale store bought flour AGAIN! The fact that you make your OWN pancakes right there adds a level of FRESHNESS and control to your meal. While IHOP makes a good pancake, they always sit on a plate in the kitchen awaiting the rest of the orders.The pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill give INSTANT gratification and are without rival! After we ate our fill and were pushed out of the restaurant in a wheel barrel (kidding), my husband asked me, "So, was it worth the two hour wait for those pancakes." I gave a resounding, "YES!"
(5)Sarah M.
Overall good atmosphere. Not recommended to go with a large group of people, if you're impatient or really hungry right away. Go on a cool because there is no air conditioning. The pancakes are delicious. Service: sub par. I'd go back
(3)Brooke H.
I've never once been here without having to wait at least 45 minutes to an hour, so that is the only downside. However, it is worth the wait if you love pancakes, and Old Florida feel, and the experience of making your own breakfast. The service is wonderful, friendly, and down to earth. They're more than happy to give their own ideas to make some delicious pancakes. And worry not, you can swim off all those calories in the spring after breakfast or enjoy a lovely nature trail walk.
(4)Brit S.
Grilling up your own pancakes and eggs at the table was a fun and memorable experience. I thought the food was good, but the long wait turns me away from returning. We waited over 2 hours. I'm glad I went and enjoyed walking around the state park on a beautiful day. We even saw manatees!
(3)K S.
My sister brought us here because she was bringing us to the park anyway---too bad the day was miserable so we couldn't enjoy the outdoors too much. So I guess if you just end up eating here remember that you're paying for parking. Novelty? That's a plus. Batter? Nothing special, IMO. Bacon/Sausage? Cannot believe how much people are loving it on here. It was SO greasy and I ended up wishing I hadn't ordered it in the first place. Mandatory 18% gratuity when I'm doing all the cooking? Well, my server didn't have to bring much and random people were also removing plates, refilling coffee, etc.
(2)Dana D.
Sugar Mill is one of my favorite places to visit when the weather is cool. The place has no AC so going in the summer is sometimes uncomfortable. Griddle cooking is awesome. The pancakes are unreal along with the veggie sausage (don't knock it til you try it). If you're planning to go id get there right when it opens to avoid the wait because it can get long. After eating explore the area. There's a nice farm down the street for horseback riding & good bbq joints!
(5)Anna E.
I this place! Wonderful Florida gem. I cant understand why anyone would give them a bad review. If you read most of the bad ones, they seem to be very cheap people who don't like the 18 percent included gratuity charge. Everything is so inexpensive, who cares about 18%. The servers are always wonderful! This is my go-to place if we ever get a family day off. Great for kids and people visiting from out of town 5 stars.
(5)Makena K.
We came here after family members gave us awesome reviews from a previous dining experience last year. I then looked it up here at YELP! I do not understand the 4.5 star rating. For us, our experience was a total fail!!!! One star for "just ok" service. One star for ambience. It is rustic and in the middle of beautiful natural scenery. Zero star for NO air conditioner. Even during fall in Florida, it is HOT!!! I don't like to sweat when I eat. Today, I did. Zero stars for food taste. Pancake batter is tasteless and makes a super flat and soggy pancake even when it's cooked long. One of the teenagers in our group described it "It taste like tortilla". So if averaged 2/4, the rating should really be 0.5 stars. Unfortunately, there is no such thing. I will NOT come back to have the "All you can eat pancake" here ever again. It is inexpensive at $4.95/person. But when you have to add $2 for each topping, it does add up...especially when the pancake is almost inedible. We also ordered eggs and Morning Star vegetarian sausages for our sides. That tasted as to be expected. Same family members who had these pancakes last year came with us today. They said the pancakes tasted different today. I just read some of the "terrible" 1/5 reviews in another site. I wish I had known that the batter was being recycled here. That adds a gross factor to already yucky tasting pancakes!! We will NOT eat here again!!!!
(1)Rayni K.
Who doesn't love making their own pancakes, with all the shapes that you would like to attempt or faces with the toppings? Especially when you don't have to deal with the mess of making the batter yourself! If you want to experience this at the Old Sugar Mill, be sure to arrive at opening time on the weekend. On the weekdays, it's very quiet, unless it's a holiday, of course. I'm not joking about the weekend rush. We arrived an hour after they opened one morning, and the wait time quoted to us was 2 hours. We had to go elsewhere. Both of the pancake batters are really good, but the mix of 5 stoneground flours is better in my opinion. The fact that it's healthier for you is just a bonus. In pancake is not your thing, they do have other breakfast offerings, but I honestly have not tried them at all. Enjoy!
(4)Lindsey C.
All you can eat pancakes! The food is great (and not just because you do most of the work). We had great service. Just FYI - they don't have straws (apparently people took them out of the restaurant & were throwing them into the spring...DUMB!). Neat little gift shop inside the restaurant that offers their homemade bread. $5. for ayce pancakes - you won't leave hungry! The only bad thing is it's HOT in the restaurant so either go in the winter OR go early (morning). ((They serve breakfast until 4pm!!)) It's so hot because of all the griddles being used inside. But it's worth it!! Beautiful scenery at the park to admire after you're done eating too!
(4)Debra B.
We called before driving an hour to the restaurant. When we spoke to the person on the phone, she made no mention of the 3 hour wait time. When we arrived at the park, there was a sign that the park was full and it was not allowed for us to walk into the park. How ridiculous is that, not walk into a park?! I have never heard of such a thing! So a long wait to drive into the park and then a 3 hour wait to be seated. So very disappointed to have wasted 2 hours for nothing. I would recommend coming with a group of 10 so you can get a reservation, but remember to arrive 2 hours early to be able to drive into the park. Or be there at 7:30 am to get in line to go into the park. The restaurant opens at 8 am. Go during the week during cool months because the griddles are very hot and there is no air conditioning. I will be better prepared next time, and hopefully all who read this will be prepared also.
(1)Keith B.
Late review but worth posting... My family vacation in fall 2014 at Disney took a side trip here and man was it worth it. We arrived at about 10am and signed in for a three hour wait! A bit disgruntled but got over it bc we researched and came prepared with swim gear to play in the natural spring till our name was called (have someone posted nearby the Mill to be able to hear your name while you swim or they'll skip you). After building a carb craving appetite in the chilly spring water, we sat down to the griddle/table combo (yep, you will get burned if you touch it so keep close watch on kiddos) for a variety of batters with a la carte additives like blueberries, pecans, bananas, etc. The batter does not win any beauty awards but don't judge and do not stir! (They'll warn u of that) Best pancakes I ever had and I am a pancake lover. I have been there and will be back again.
(5)Jeanette M.
I went here with my boyfriend and my family while visiting FL. While the novelty of a griddle in the middle of your table might not be exciting to everyone, this place is still worth it -- the pancake batters are both delicious and the prices are amazing. $5 for all you can eat pancakes? Count me in! The bacon is also among the most amazing bacon I have ever had. It is thick, has the right amount of smoke and maple, and cooked to just the right amount of crispness. They've got veggie sausage for those who want sides and don't eat meat. The place also has a cute little country store and a museum out back. The only problem with this place is that throughout most of the year the wait is very long. Our party of 4 waited an hour and a half to be seated. Luckily it's in a park, so there are plenty of ways to use the time. Definitely worth a trip from Orlando if you're in town.
(4)Albert P.
Excellent place to make your own pancakes!!! I love this place.
(5)Cyndi C.
The pancakes are delicious. Love the idea of making your own pancakes...the whole grain ones are our favorite!
(5)Gene J.
My wife and I hadn't been here in 10 years and were dismayed by the poor quality of food...the Old Mill has gone way downhill. The most tasteless grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had, French toast bread that fell apart while cooking, chicken sandwich with mystery meat, and herbal tea that was anything but. My bag of Lays potato chips was pretty good.
(1)Bill G.
Cook your own food, just watch these peeps include a gratuity charge automatically on the bill
(3)Brian M.
We usually head up here at least twice a year, and this place just never disappoints. How can you go wrong with all you can eat pancakes, coupled with a unique atmosphere, and the fun of making it on your own personal griddle? It does cost to get into the park, but they only charge by the vehicle, so jam you and your family/friends in there, and just meet up at a place just outside the park to leave a car. The earlier you get here, the smaller the wait time. I've had the privilege of waiting only 20 minutes, but have also spent 2 hours. Just know that in the end, the time is worth the food and experience you will receive. We personally love the add-ons of chocolate chips, blueberries, and peanut butter. Having the option of both buckwheat and regular pancakes is a great plus, and on our last visit, they made mention that they have gluten free pancakes now. One awesome thing you can do it order bacon, and then slap that delicious piece of pork candy on the griddle until it fully crisps up. Another tip is to use the butter they provide you over the spray. You will get a much better tasting, crispier pancake that is worth the extra calories.
(5)D M.
Went to this place on a recent trip and what can I say? It's a lot of fun! It was a little warm in there with all the griddles on and it looks like they really pack people around the tables, but it's such a unique concept that you can easily overlook those minor issues. Great food, cheap prices. If you are in the area I highly recommend you go. Bring along your bathing suit and swim in the De Leon springs.
(4)J V.
Very busy place. Wait can be 2 hours. Kids love making their own pancakes on their own grill. Restaurant is hot. Great memories. Fun breakfast when in the area. Bring your bathing suit & go for a swim. Inside DeLeon Springs State Park, you must pay to enter.
(5)Steve N.
Super good ! They had gluten free pancake and vegan / vegetarian option sausage ( from morning star ) our waitress Karen was wonderful. We had a lot of fun. We got there at 1:pm to test if waiting time could be avoided ( as we read there's 40 min + waiting time ) and got straight in and with spring view! Score!!! Plus the fan directed towards us ... Be ready to sweat! Is hot in huuuuur lol but not Uncomfortable... Dress comfy tho, like if your are going to a trail to walk or to the pool ... Everyone was wearing beach / summer clothing bc they will come from the natural pool right outside. We applied natural bug repellant at home to avoid the plagues so I don't know if it was the repellant or the place has no Mosquitos! Super cool! They also have a little store where they sell their pancake mix and little souvenirs ... We got sandalwood soap :) we are a family of 3 and spent $40 including tip. Keep in mind pancakes are unlimited, we added the gluten free to the regular American and wheat one ( so 3 jars of batter ) which is an extra dollar ( $5.45 ??? ) and we got all the toppings ( $1.85 each ) and got vegan patties and bacon. Next time we will order only 1 batter jar bc it was a lot for us ( and we like to eat !!! ) and all the toppings again bc that's what makes the pancakes delicious ... Place was not crowded, like I said we got there at 1 on a saturday. Entrance to park was $6 and they accept cards. I will return and I cannot wait for weather to cool down ! I can only imagine a cold day on the 50's overlooking spring and making pancakes with my family surrounded by the warmth of griddle :)
(5)Adler D.
Been coming here since I was five years old, it is a gem! Atmosphere is awesome and a blast from the past and yes, you get to cook on a griddle that is part of the table right in front of you. Perfect for a cold winter day or a summer outing then a swim in the springs. Great for a date, you'll wow her/him for sure! I recommend it everyone, a MUST!
(5)Deidra B.
Where do I start? We arrived at this restaurant about 8:30 and still had a 45 minute wait. That was enough time to check out the boating options and decide on out hiking trail after breakfast. Our name was announced over the PA system in about 30 minutes and we were quickly seated at a table with a griddle and were tutored in the DIY pancake venture. Hubby tried the buckwheat and unbleached white flour pancakes with bananas, scrambled eggs and a side of ham. I had the gluten free vegan pancakes with blueberries and vegetarian sausage. We were both approaching food coma by the time we finished. We had a ton of fun conversing with the couple sitting next to us and hubby cooked his own breakfast - score. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive to our needs in spite of the busy crowd. Now we get to work off our breakfast by hiking and taking on the paddleboats. I dig this place and will be sure to return with friends!
(5)Joe F.
Our third time this winter. Always great pancakes. I want to try the French Toast but never get there. I was surprised on a Monday morning there was a half hour wait. It later grew to an hour plus at 11 AM.
(5)Allison M.
If you ever wanted to spend the morning swimming in a spring fed pool, and then grill your own lunch on a sweltering griddle, then DeLeon Springs is probably one of the few places you can get your fix. On the Sunday morning I went, the park was jam packed, and there was a wait for the Sugar Mill restaurant, so we spent our wait swimming in the 72 degree water. It was murky from all the swimmers, and we couldn't see the bottom, even with snorkels and masks, but the water was nice and cool, and by the time we were done, they were calling our names. The set-up in the restaurant was pretty neat, although you're essentially paying for the privilege to cook your own breakfast. The thing to order is pancakes, and they bring two types of batter, a white and a wheat, and any toppings you want. We had bacon and eggs too, which sizzled and popped on the hot griddle in the middle of our table. Even though it was baking outside, there was no AC in the Sugar Mill, and all the windows were open wide, with screens to keep the bugs out. Ceiling fans turned lazy circles above us while we grilled up walnut and blueberry pancakes. Even as a bead of sweat rolled down my back, I remember thinking they were some of the best pancakes I've had - and I'm not too big on breakfasts. There are some places which seem unique. Sitting on the screened porch, listening to bacon fry and the fans hum, it really felt like The South, whatever that means. And that's why, I assume, people still go there - lining up for the privilege of sweating over a borrowed griddles on a hot July day in Florida.
(5)Travis L.
Here's what you need to know: 1. $6 to get into state park (worth it) 2. Long wait for a table (worth it) 3. You can walk around the pond or swim in the spring while you wait they have speakers that announce your name 4. All you can eat pancakes is $5 and they give you both flour and wheat pancake mix 5. Get the blueberrys and chocolate chips as add ins (about $2 each) 6. You make the food at your table which is awesome! 7. Make friends with the other people at your table as it usually awesome old people who are vacationing 8. They accept debit/credit cards 9. One of the best meal expierences you'll have
(5)Gus A.
Food was very good but the service left some to be desired. Servers don't have much of an incentive to be too attentive since the 18% tip is forced on to the customers,whether they like it or not. By automatically adding it to the bill After the food there is much to do in the park and during the week is the best time to go there since there isn't much if a line neither at the restaurant or at the other many things to do there. If it's a nice day bring the bathing suit and enjoy a dip in the spring located there in the park where the water is a constant 72 degrees year round.
(4)Gary P.
Words can not describe how great this place is!!! First thing first, if you do go, get there early! We got there at 9:00 and there was a 45 minute wait! But it is worth it!!! You get to make your own pancakes, right at your table!!! Also, they have toppings you can order too add on! This place is a great blend of fun, food, and history!
(5)Rebecca V.
This is such a fun eatery. Their specialty is all-you-can-eat make-your-own pancakes for under $5. The center of the table is a griddle and they bring you wheat and white pancake batter and you have the option of a variety of fillings (e.g. blueberries, bananas, pecans, chocolate chips, peanut butter). In addition, they have various precooked and make-your-own breakfast and lunch options. The wait is quite long and they only accept reservations for groups of 10 of more. Fortunately, the springs are very welcoming and the park has many fun things to do while you wait for a table (e.g. boating, swimming, nature trail, small museum). The required park admission is $6 per vehicle. On hot days, beware. The place is not air conditioned and the griddles keep the place quite toasty.
(4)Annie F.
The Old Spanish Sugar Mill = great times. I hadn't even heard of this place till I got here. Why has no one told me about this place before?! So since I'm such an awesome person, I'll tell you about it. I'm not the biggest fan of breakfast but I can make an exception for today. It's a bit of a far drive from Orlando but you've got to at least come here once. It's about 45 miles/1 hour north of Orlando in DeLand. DeLand? Yes, I said DeLand. Trust me, I don't roam around those parts very often either. The Old Spanish Sugar Mill is a quaint restaurant where you make your own pancakes on the griddle. You also cook your own eggs. Wait? So you're paying to make your own food?! Yes, but it's fun! And not expensive either. It's great families or anyone who needs to get away from the city life for a little while. I recommend making a day event where you come here for breakfast/lunch and spend a few hours at De Leon Springs State Park. As soon as you enter, you feel as if you took a step back in time. Be forewarned, this place doesn't have AC. Luckily there was a nice breeze outside and the restaurant had lots of fans. I hadn't been to a place where I made my own pancakes. This definitely sounds like a fun concept. The place was packed, understandably since it's Saturday. So far, I'm really loving the ambiance. Even the menu is cute! All-you-can-eat pancakes, eh? For $4.95, that's a good deal. Uh oh, I think I'm going to have an impending food coma. On the menu, we have the typical pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage items. The kitchen staff cooks the meat products and the customer cooks their own pancakes and eggs. This is a plus for any ovo-vegetarians. You don't have to worry about your food touching meat products. That's a plus there. The menu also offers sandwiches, salads, assorted juices and toppings for your pancakes. My friend ordered a carton of chocolate milk, and even though it was good, it was 30 grams of sugar! WOW, that's one way to get your day started. You get two types of pancake batter. The typical white batter and a 5 stoneground flour blend. So, if you have a health nut, give them the other stuff. I decided to get blueberries as my topping for the pancakes. I asked my server, Jessica, if the blueberries were fresh. Well, I'm thinking she meant "freshly frozen" because my blueberries were definitely not fresh. There's a difference between the two, just saying. Also, the menu states they have "real" peanut butter. As if there is "fake" peanut butter! I found it quite amusing especially since they don't even make it themselves. Don't bother ordering the peanut butter unless you want unsweetened peanut butter. (It's not the best tasting in the world.) Even despite those factors, I am still enjoying the experience. I had a great view and just relaxed. Perhaps relaxed isn't the right word. I leisurely made breakfast. You get an option of raw honey, syrup and molasses. Let's just say molasses wasn't for me but having more than one option is nice. The tasty bacon was a nice thick cut, great flavor. The sausage had that hint of spiciness in it. All in all, I had a great time here. After you get all filled up on the food, walk around the park, enjoy the sights and burn some calories! FYI: this place automatically adds 18% gratuity.
(4)Toni M.
Great place to take the kids! Make your own pancakes and many more items. If you order french toast, you also make it yourself! Its so much fun. There is no air conditioner but there are plenty of fans. I went this summer and I was not hot at all inside. I did have to make reservations. i would highly recommend it. It was very full. We had a party of 15 and had to be split into two tables so I would suggest if you want to stay together to keep your party to about no more than 10. Service was great! The best part is that you get to enjoy the park after eating!
(4)Jenneffer P.
What a great place to get away with friends and family. It is a blast to make pancakes, sit and chat. I recommend the Sugar Mill during the spring and summer also, because then you can play in the springs. Very nice staff and Patty is absolutely wonderful.
(5)Brian M.
Must go place. Cook your own breakfast. great for kids. Cold springs outside are great for relaxing. Very, very cool off the beaten path place. Growing in popularity fast though.
(4)Cates V.
This is honestly one of the best historical, national park, all you can eat pancake restaurants around. You have to pay per vehicle to get into the park so I would advise having everyone driving in the same car. Both pancake mixes are really great. I would definitely suggest some toppings. My personal favorites are the chocolate chips and blueberries. It's not much of a splurge as everything is reasonably priced. Be prepared for a wait - but it is worth it!
(5)Mark S.
Great experience as I love cooking, but hate cleaning it up! The smaller, quaint place is full of great atmosphere and the park is great for a sunny day!
(5)Macayla I.
My parents do this *sarcastic tone* awesome thing where they go to Florida without the rest of us and then come back and tell us about all the awesome places and restaurants they went to without us. I'm just a little bitter about it if you couldn't tell, but only because Florida is my favorite place besides my mile high home. Anyway one of the places they went to without us was the sugar mill and they did nothing but rave about it for months until my sister and I got the invitation to go on the next trip. It was easy to see why my parents fell in love, and subsequently, so did my sister and I. As soon as you get in the park you can tell the place is old, there's trees that have probably been there the better part of a few centuries and it gives it this sheltered, tucked-away whimsical feel. The mill itself is an old building surrounded by old artifacts and remnants from days gone by. The visitor's center is really cool, go in there and check it out, there's pictures of a water skiing elephant and the only way you'll know if I just made that up or not is to see for yourself. Just go, even for 5 minutes. I can't say anything about the spring because the only people that were in it were also in scuba gear and numbered less than fingers on one hand, what can you expect from a January day? No thanks. Maybe next time. But even in January the park is beautiful and enjoyable. The batter they give you (both white and wheat) are delicious and the toppings are fresh and yummy. I also got bacon and an egg and the bacon was also very good. I can't imagine what the experience would be like in the summer with no AC but that will be a review for another time. They do include the gratuity in the bill which is kind of a buzz kill but the sugar mill is definitely an experience and one you will not soon forget, definitely worth it.
(4)Maureen C.
We love going to the Sugar Mill for family breakfasts and as a treat for out of town guests. I really love the pancakes. I'm not generally a fan of pancakes. Maybe it's the real maple syrup, but they are really good here. Be prepared to wait. But while you are waiting there's awesome scenery, a playground for the kids, a hiking trail... really plenty to do. The kids love it and ask to go all the time. Kids under seven (I'm pretty sure) eat pancakes free!!
(4)kelley s.
Super fun different experience. It's a great place to bring your family, friends and anyone that's visiting from out of town. It's got more than just pancakes. There's the springs, the trails and camping. Lots to do and see. The pancakes are delicous though don't get me wrong. It was the reason we went there. I love the multi-grain batter, lots of flavor to it. The staff was super awesome as well. Very friendly, very funny and all of them had great personalities. I will definetly be back and I want to take my friends with me!
(5)Cynthia S.
Loads of fun on the real Florida. Make your own pancakes. Beautiful natural setting in DeLeon Springs, but, alas, no fountain of youth. A museum, rental boats avaiable, and there was a civil war reenactment there to boot. A gem in the "real" Florida.
(4)Heather P.
This is one of those places that are always praised in newspapers state-wide, for good reason! Don't be intimidated by your long wait time (this place is always packed)! You can walk around the state park that it's nestled within, with a buzzer that tells you when the restaurant is ready to seat you. Read a book in the shade, stroll down the walking trails, peruse the butterfly garden, bird-watch, captain a canoe, man a kayak, take a historical boat tour, go fishing, play volleyball, or steal a swing from an annoying little kid at the playground. The building is a Spanish sugar mill from the 1800s. I don't know if the foundation of the building is original or anything, but the original water wheel is still in the building and there are some ruins of the old mill right behind the building. Since you're cooking most of the food yourself, the prices are low and the quality is very high. Case in point: for your syrup, you can choose between real maple syrup, raw honey, and unsulphured molasses. You pay an 18% tip (which is not unheard of in Florida), but the prices are still low (Maybe not low for home cooking, but low for a restaurant.). There are also kitchen-cooked sandwiches if you're feeling lazy. The ceiling fans (as opposed to A/C), table griddles (which add to the heat), no indoor lighting, the sound of food cooking not unlike the sound of a bug zapper (without the bugs), and the screened windows and porch give you the authentic ambiance of Florida living. Did you think I would say rural Florida or the Florida countryside? Nope, Florida in general. My parents live in a city (Saint Augustine) in a home built in 1925 and the nature of the place is STILL similar to this restaurant. If you don't enjoy the Florida heat and humidity, visit during the winter (Winter in Florida is December, January, and February.) because the fireplaces are lit (instead of central heating). WHAT I'VE TRIED THERE: Unbleached flour pancake batter and multi-grain pancake batter with blueberries, French toast batter, eggs, ham, sausage patties, and bacon. The meat is cooked in the restaurant kitchen so that your food doesn't touch raw meat. Since the meat isn't too greasy to eat on an empty stomach, you can eat them while you're still cooking your main course. Cracking the eggs is very tricky, but they are fresh so you don't have to worry about what's inside of them. French toast is my favorite breakfast food and this place certainly did it justice! The pancake batters make an enormous amount of pancakes. They gave us two very Southern jugs (one with flour batter and one with multi-grain batter). Between the three of us, we couldn't even use up one jug. I wish I had room for more of those multi-grain pancakes because it was very flavorful and textured. I had a small pancake with the flour batter and it was clear that the flour was very fresh! I saw that two previous reviewers said their blueberries were frozen. I assume they didn't come during blueberry season because the ones we got were fresh.
(5)Robert D.
This place is just ok. As a few Yelper's have already mentioned the mandatory 18% gratuity, sweltering temps (due to no AC + hot grills directly in front of you) and steep prices for the tiny portion of additional "toppings" are holding back my stars. If you're going to take your grandmother I'll recommend it otherwise visit the beautiful State Park, jump in the crystal clear springs, even grab a snack from the gift shop but skip this joint. Actually, wait... on second thought you're in De Leon Springs, from my brief experience with this small city, this may actually be one of the top/only breakfast spots in the area. It's either this or McDonald's. Try it at least once.
(3)C. W.
If you are hosting someone who has never been to the area before, this is one of the places you simply have to take them. The setting is about as perfect as it gets, and you are going to get a great breakfast for your money. The experience of cooking your own pancakes is cool and is something I haven't seen anywhere else, so visitors will be impressed by the unique experience. A couple things to make your trip more enjoyable: Do come in the fall or winter, and go on a weekday. Wait times can get unspeakably long (they hang a sign out at the park front office that has the wait time...I've seen 2 hours +). The key is to avoid the geriatric crowd, which generally mobs the place at the crack of dawn. I prefer to go for an early lunch or late breakfast. Get to the park at about nine. If there's no wait or a short wait, go right in. If the old folks haven't cleared out yet, put your name in and then go do the six mile nature walk through the forest to the north. It's a great hike. The restaurant will only get less busy towards noon. When you get back, get ready to do some serious eating. All in all this is a great place and a local staple. Hit it anytime off peak hours and you'll have a great time. It's best on a cold winter day when you can luck out and snag a seat by the fireplace.
(5)