Fresco’s Bistro and Bakery
132 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL, 33801
Fresco’s Bistro and Bakery Menu
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Address :
132 S Kentucky Ave
Lakeland, FL, 33801 - Phone (863) 683-5267
- Website https://www.frescosbakery.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Katy H.
I'm a little late posting this; new mom. The night started pleasantly enough, but a little slow on bringing more beers to my dad and husband. I order the mussels, shrimp, and fish bowl. It was SO salty. And I'm a gal who loves her salt! Couldn't eat it. (My son was only 3weeks old so i was too exhausted to care). My parents ordered the burger, both specifically ordering very rare. Very rare! They came out charcoal brickettes. They sent it back. My husband also ordered the rare burger, but kept his (our baby was getting restless and we thought we might need to jet soon) Boy, I'm glad he didn't send it back because it took 20mins to get another set of burgers. AND when they finally did arrive they were MEDIUM WELL! My dad ate it, because by then his napkin was starting to look tasty. Mom groaned and got hers to go. The waiter asked if we wanted to send the burgers back again and in unison we answered "No!" My parents are not 'complaining' people. But the waiter knew we were unhappy. He really didn't try to "make it right".
(1)Emily B.
We had Sunday brunch here with some friends and we enjoyed ourselves so much! They had live classical acoustic guitar playing in one room and a great brunch selection. The omelettes are delicious as are the bottomless mimosas. The price is right and service is prompt. It was not "fancy", but even before the Sunday church crowd rolled in it was busy! Always a good sign! Would recommend for a quick brunch spot
(5)Lou M.
Went for brunch. The good and the bad: The Good: very cute restaurant and pretty old bar set up. The food was REALLY yummy! I had the Ranchero bowl and it was fantastic. Good marks on Quiche and Omelet as well as Southwestern wrap. The Bad: our server was inattentive at best. Ordered Cappuccinos at the same time as brunch and did not come until about 5minutes after we got food, even asked twice- the place was busy, but I didn't see that the barista was backed up. When we got them they were cold, watery and awful. The toast that came with the omelette wasn't even toasted it was just bread. She brought new toast. No one drank any of the cappuccino yes they were on each of our bills. I said they were cold when they arrived and can you please remove form my check. She did, but the other 3 checks still had them on it (we asked for separate checks). It was CLEAR no one touched the cappuccinos. I thought that was INCREDIBLY rude so when she came back I said I thought you would take the cappuccinos off each check as they all were cold. She did, but ridiculous I had to ask. The food was really good, but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Kelli D.
If I could rate this place on the drinks alone, I would give it a 5. The mixed drink selection and the quality of the drinks themselves are amazing. If you are one to appreciate "mixology skills," this place is for you. The food, however, is another story. I've been here three times, and each time the desserts have been stale and lacking flavor. I've had a few appetizers and main dishes here, which were all just ok - but nothing worth a visit. In short, skip the food and go to the bar!
(3)Tyler H.
Hope you like bland, gfs/cisco style food. Absolutely nothing original about our meals. Won't be back.
(2)Robert S.
really they are the worst restaurant in Lakeland, everything they serve is either frozen or premade GFS or Sysco products plus they charge almost fine dining prices.. just the worst
(1)marian s.
Food is nothing special and there are some extremely rude people working here. Food tastes like it's from a food service, kept in the freezer and thawed out in a microwave. I can eat that at home. Wait time for someone to acknowledge you, then take your order and bring your food is interminable. Plus I got a stomach ache soon after leaving. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Jennifer A.
Great local establishment. Have been here for breakfast and brunch a few times. Just had lunch which was great. Atmosphere is perfect for a networking lunch or catching up with friends. The chicken salad wrap was flavorful and well-seasoned. My lunch companion had the mac n' cheese, served in a skillet that looked amazing. Happy to have another solid Restaurant choice in downtown!
(4)Doris B.
We were hesitant about coming because of some of the reviews, but it was the only breakfast place open close to our hotel on Sunday morning. Really glad we gave it a try. Ordered the red velvet pancake combo..it was one of their breakfast specials. The grits are the best I've ever had. The bacon was perfectly crispy. The red velvet pancakes were amazing. The cream cheese whipped topping was a little too sweet for my taste, but I guess it was appropriate for pancakes. My boyfriend ordered the strawberry French Toast..he loved it also. Our waitress, Sara was great... she told us that this new brunch menu had only been out a couple of day. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Erick B.
This place is just not good. Had the bagel, lox and cream cheese. A large portion of salmon was inedible, it was like the kitchen staff was thrown in the back to just "make" food with not technique or training. The waitstaff was clearly all new or being trained that day. No refills or inquiry if we cared for something more or needed anything. Won't be going back.
(1)Leslie T.
I wanted to live this place but I just didn't. We went for lunch, I ordered a chicken panini it was bland and there wasn't anything remarkable about it. My boyfriend ordered a club sandwich he said it was good, but really how hard is it to mess up a club? Our sides were macaroni and cheese and potato salad. I expected the macaroni and cheese to be warm and oozing with cheese. I received a room temperature side that wasn't cheesy at all. The potato salad was ok, one again nothing remarkable. The biggest disappointment? Our desserts. We split a cream horn there and ordered two cupcakes to go. The cream horn wasn't bad. The cupcakes however was terrible. We got a s'mores and a hot chocolate. For both we each took a bite and tossed the rest. They were just bad. The cupcakes were dry and the frosting was disgusting. On the hot chocolate cupcake it tasted chalky and the s'more frosting had a strange aftertaste. On the bright side, customer service was excellent.
(2)Dean S.
Had cioppino last night. Plenty of mussels, clams and shrimp. Surprise was a spicy sausage in the broth. Could have been more broth but still was flavorful. Wife had the sea bass and it was prepared well. Good flavors and very fresh. Menu is very extensive. Error in how cioppini was spelled in the menu. The waiter said he would inform the chef. Very good service and an abundant wine list. Definitely would return!
(4)Jessica G.
Ate here for lunch one day this week and I agree with a previous review...the food tasted like prepared food from GFS. I really expected more from this place. I will give it a try for breakfast, but never again for lunch or dinner. There are too many great places to eat in downtown Lakeland to eat here.
(1)Dino H.
Went for brunch this past weekend. Waited on server to come to our table for over 15 minutes. After ten or so we asked if anyone was waiting on our talbe. Someone then came over and helped table that just sat down next to us. We were getting up to leave when a guy came over to help us out. We felt bad then and stayed. Should have left. (restaurant ony looked like it had 3-4 tables of people) When I recieved my food it was room temperature/cold. Not even warm. Will not be back.
(1)Jen G.
Let's sum this up as a "Meh" place. Service was awful, food was OK. More pretentious than anything else. Was never asked for drinks, just the water bottle on the table. Food was brought out at different times, then finished it off with picking up the dishes quite fast as soon as done and then waiting for 15 minutes for the check. Probably won't be back, too many other restaurants in downtown Lakeland to try out.
(1)Tara B.
Great menu! The drinks were strong and delicious. We tried the California chicken egg rolls, antipasto, lobster & crab sliders and the bacon wrapped filet. All top notch but my favorite was probably the sliders. The desserts were rich and a treat to splurge on. The waitstaff was fantastic overcompensating for what they referred to as a slow kitchen due to half of the staff working another event offsite. They comped our entire party desserts. We didn't feel that the kitchen was slow. Everything was timed well and tasted delicious. Would go back again. Nice ambience like a speakeasy,
(4)Erica B.
It is simply fun to sit at those bistro tables on the inside perimeter of the cafe and look down upon the minions sitting at the little tables. The seating arrangement is a stark metaphor of the rich-poor divide in Lakeland -- some have it and some never will. They serve the same "jerk" chicken pizza to both classes, to the ones that sit on high tops, and to the ones that don't, probably in a desperate attempt of equality,. And it tastes like sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce. Not sure why. Must be a cruel satire on the lack of international cuisine in downtown Lakeland. #notgoingback
(1)Alex J.
Impressed by the large beer selection at reasonable prices, house wines were a little over priced. I ordered the antipasto tray which was described as assorted meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. The tray had 4 meats but only mozzarella cheese slices and at least half a jar of olives. I expected to get olives but also expected more "accompaniments" like dried fruit, veggies or nuts. Nice atmosphere for Lakeland, but probably made a bad menu selection. Expect to spend a little more than average.
(4)Peter S.
Best place for quality cocktails. Nice food menu as well. Upscale for both in a relaxing atmosphere. Bartenders are excellent
(5)Wendi D.
I stumbled upon Fresco's on one of those quiet Saturday afternoons in downtown Lakeland. The brunch until 2 and dessert case really caught my friend's eye, so we decided to give it a try. We were able to sit down immediately and our drink order was taken promptly. I had a delicious mimosa ($6) that hit the spot. My husband was very pleased by the selection of beers. A few were on draught but most were bottles. He had the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter ($4) which was great. While we didn't order any, they also seemed to have a good selection of speciality coffees. For food my husband opted to go for the breakfast option getting eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. All received a positive review. My friend ordered the spinach florentine quiche with a side of salad greens which she loved. She did say it was very heavy on the spinach but that was a bonus for her. I had the chicken salad croissant but on a wrap ($7.50). It was a big wrap and quite tasty. It was very sweet since it was made with walnuts, pineapple, apricots, and other goodness. The tomatoes, onions, and sprouts balanced out the sweetness. I was very happy with the choice. The only let down was I ordered apple sauce hoping for homemade apple sauce... But it was actually just a pre-packaged serving of Mott's. Afterward we split a huge peanut butter mousse chocolate cupcake ($3). It was AWESOME. The cupcake was moist and the peanut butter mousse frosting was perfect. I think Fresco's was a good find and is a cute place for a lunch (although our server also told us the menu changes a lot and changes depending on whether or not it's lunch vs. dinner, weekday vs. weekend). I would definitely go back. I would also recommend it purely for dessert and coffee as well!
(4)Ashley T.
I've never had a bad experience! The staff is great; particularly Seff. Tim, the owner, is very personable, always listens to suggestions, and makes sure you come back again. The food is amazing- brunch, lunch, or dinner. The atmosphere is perfect for a nice date or an evening out with friends.
(5)frank t.
This was a nice little place in downtown Lakeland. We were there on a Saturday Morning. Food was a little slow coming out but they did have a full house. The waiter was attentive though and applogized several times for the slowness. We would go there agian.
(3)April M.
I've been to Fresco's several times and the food is pretty good. They have really great specials and I enjoy their soups and salads. You can pretty much get whatever you want there because the menu is HUGE. They also do great catering.
(4)Brandi D.
My family and I ate at Fresco's last night and we will never go back. My wife and son had some sort of steak and vegetable dish that was basically raw and the vegetables were like mush. I had what was supposed to be bacon wrapped scallops over sweet potato with a champagne reduction. What I received in actuality was a sweet potato puree with a bed of spinach and six scallops about the size of your thumbnail and not the first drop of a champagne reduction. The scallops had the taste and texture of being frozen and microwaved. And to add insult to injury, they were not bacon wrapped as indicated on the menu - they were topped with bacon crumbles that I'm not entirely sure didn't come out of a bag. When I asked our server why the scallops were not bacon wrapped, she advised us that they stopped doing this about 7 months ago. Our bill totaled just shy of $82 without tip. Do yourself a favor and select a different restaurant. You can get a meal of this lackluster quality at Olive Garden for half the price and that is not saying very much. I would recommend The Terrace Grill if you would like to have a nice dining experience in the Lakeland area.
(1)Rebecca K.
Stopped in for To-Go lunch. Ordered the chipotle peach chicken with Havarti sandwich. Great bun, but I was left wishing the peach chipotle had more flavor or kick and the chicken a little less salty. Fries were the typically good side. Overall, a little disappointed with what i ordered for the price tag, but a decent option in the downtown area. Will try a different or bakery item next visit as I saw some pretty yummy looking salads at the dine in tables.
(3)Kat M.
Our friends told us about this spot and we all came here for brunch today. We arrived and there was a large line of people waiting to e seated. There was no host at the front to take names. We were greeted by a young girl and frantically told us it would be a 30 minute wait. So by now, it's been 7 minutes and there are 10 people scrunched in the front doorway. There is soothing live music being played and finally, the same young lady came up front and began taking names of all the people waiting. She had such a disheveled look on her face. As someone who worked in plenty of restaurants, if you don't have the skills to work FOH, then bus tables. After she took our name, we walked outside since she told us it would be 15 minutes. As soon as the four of us walked outside, she came out after 1 minute and said we were ready to be seated. After we were seated, we were greeted by a friendly server! My friend told me I had to try the Prickly Pear Mimosa, and not because of the vibrant fuscia color. Omg, this mimosa was the best I've had! Sorry traditional mimosa, you've been replaced! A perfectly sweet mimosa! I had to prevent myself from guzzling it down in two swigs. We ordered our meals and sat and chatted until they cane out. A runner brought out our friends food first and asked, "Is there anything else you are waiting for?", my fiancé and I gave him a look and told him what we ordered too. Really? No we just plan to sit here and watch our friends eat. Our food arrived and it was weird there was no salt and pepper on any of the tables. I carved into my Florentine omelet and was surprised how stiff the egg was and the feta had not melted. I dipped into my side of grits...and I pretty much ate all my grits, my toast and 3 bites of my omelette. Grits were amazing! Nice garlic flavor. It was a delicious meal and a fun day. My friends pancakes smelled so sweet and didn't even need syrup! Just a nice sweetness to them! My fiancé had the biscuits & sausage gravy. Looked delicious, but I was never a fan. Dense biscuits and a creamy gravy. If you order the granola parfait, just be aware it is rather large! My friends boyfriend ordered the parfait and the smoked salmon bagel. His parfait was served in a large bowl, granola on bottom, yogurt and fresh sliced bananas & berries on top. Needless to say, he ate the parfait and took the bagel home! When it came time to box up items, he put my plate in one hand and then another plate literally stacked on top of my omelette! I told him I wanted mine boxed and he lifted the plate off my food. Our guys paid and somehow the server swapped the cards and charged our bill on our friends card and vice versa. This must have been an off day for them, my friend mentioned they did a complete renovation to the place and this is the most packed they've ever been. Perhaps they will adjust to being more crowded during brunch. The dessert box was full of amazing goodies! The cupcakes are huge! Imagine the size of a blueberry muffin on steroids! We were eyeing one that had a scoop of ice cream and topped with an oreo. No dessert today, but I will come back to enjoy bottomless mimosas from 12-3 and of course a yummy dessert. Loved the atmosphere from the light fixtures over the bar, to the two man band playing soothing classic music WE WILL BE BACK!
(3)Jose M.
This place is nice. A couple of things I like are it's location and the menu items. The food is good not great! I don't necessarily like the hint of smell inside the restaurant. I came here for breakfast and I would return, but not with someone I want to impress. Wanted to give 3.5 stars but yelp hasn't developed the technology.
(3)Ken W.
I am having a wedding in June 2015, I went to Fresco's in person just to meet & greet before I spend $2000.00 on appetizers ONLY. I was told at that time they were too busy to come out and meet me and was directed to contact them though the web site. I did what they requested while waiting on my dinner to come. I mention I was looking for a caterer for 50 to 75 guest with a budget of 1500 to $2000.00. After a week of not being contacted as stated in there auto response of a reply with 48 hours. I sent them an email telling them I was disappointed that no one had ever gotten back with me and that I was working with a $2000.00 budget for food. I received the following response, keep it in mind, I was not looking for a venue, just the appetizers ONLY. below is the email I received not long after I sent my email to them. I understand your disappointment. In my 14 to 16 hour days, and my 40 staff members daily needs, I try to insure all of my clients receive my attention. I know this is hard for some of my new client to understand but I am a working owner, on the 22 of January I had five events going on and 4 more to stage for Friday and Saturday. I know this means nothing to you. Although since I am an on hands owner and chef my day of clients appreciate the fact that I am always on hand and the one preparing for there event. Does this mean that sometimes new clients that do not understand my work ethics may not understand that I to am human and mistakes happen. I missed your e mail in my list of 30 plus I receive daily and I apology. Also let me add that I am glad you are on the Black and White Ball Board, but that means nothing to me because I at this time do not know who you are. An on your last statement since you are typing this with such anger and disappointment for my human error. My I suggest the Lake Mirror Towers, there room rents for 500.00 for a Friday event and you can choice what ever caterer you wish. Good luck in staying with in your budget, I was you best option since I am the only place in town with a space large enough to accommodate your party size with out paying for the room rental on top of everything else you will have to spend. Thank you again for notifying me of my errors and allowing me to be human. Tina Calhoon Owner/Chef
(1)Jonathan H.
Not great. There are way better options for lunch in Lakeland. I tried the buffalo chicken wrap.
(2)Alecia N.
My stars are for the atmosphere and the look and selection of baked goods! The coffee is from a press-button machine and the taste reflects this. The food is almost average but I think I'd prefer ihop. Good for large parties and it does have outdoor seating.
(3)Michele L.
We sat outside for 10 mins with no service. Not even a hello, be right with you...the place wasn't busy at all. We went inside to sit at the bar in hopes to get some service & the incompetent bar tender couldn't even get us our drinks in a timely manner. He was chatting it up with locals. We will never go here again.
(1)Sue M.
I had bookmarked Fresco's ahead of time in planning to dine here for dinner, but alas it didn't work out. Instead though, I stopped in for a snack...the sweet kind!!!! Oh, they all looked so yummy. An entire showcase of sweet goodies. Which one? Hmmm? Flourless Chocolate Torte of course! It was delightful in every way. Not too sweet but very smooth that just rolled off your tongue and slipped down your throat. The sweet came at the end with a small decorative iced rose that left your taste buds singing. I can't wait to go back again but next time it will definitely be for that duck supper. Major props to the female cashier/server and the cook (Jeff? Heff?) for being such sweethearts. Sorry but you tend to forget names while on the road. Current health inspection-0-high priority, 1-intermediate, 6-basic violations
(5)Joseph I.
I've lived in Lakeland for a little over two years now, and this place continues to outshine itself. Frescoes is simply my fav. A downtown gem. Great bar. Creative menu (I'm still exploring). Mouth-watering bakery. And an excellence staff. If I sound over the top, it's because I just left there, and this review is being written by my taste buds. Your welcome.
(5)Shantai M.
The first time I went to frescos(June 2015) it was great. The bartenders & waiters were amazing and the food was amazing! The atmosphere and vibe was positive and happy. The second visit which was earlier this week, well not so much. The owners daughter was working behind the bar and she had the worst attitude possible. She kept stating out loud (enough for my friend and I who were seated by the front door), "that she wanted to go home & wished it was 3pm already." She wasn't very pleasant and I don't think she smiled once at anyone during our entire meal. I asked for ice water twice and they never came to our table. If it was my first time I definitely would not return, but because I know that this was just an unfortunate experience with HER we may give it another go. Hopefully she won't be there during my next visit, no one wants to be around negativity. The only reason I'm giving this 3-stars is the food and drinks. The food was delicious this go around(mo'betta sandwich was moist,tender,& seasoned to perfection) and the apple martini was just as delicious as I remembered it from the first visit.
(3)Janice G.
Some of the Food was undercooked or bland. Sea bass was good and the pork skewers appetizer was delicious. Overpriced meals.
(3)Meranda L.
By far my favorite restaurant in Lakleand. Food is great, drinks are great, and the service is too !!! HIGHY RECOMMEND !!!!! The atmosphere is unlike anything else out here.
(5)Janessa C.
GREAT DRINKS!!!! Food was good, they have a unique menu in my opinion. Their appetizers are my favorite. I could eat their duck wraps all day long. I am a big fan of duck! Nice staff, ambiance is great! I thought the lamb was great!
(4)Cori W.
We had a couple of issues when we came here and I wasn't all that impressed which is why I gave them two stars. I feel like this place is overpriced because it's not Chili's and it's in Lakeland. It's overpriced and you don't really get what you paid for. We had the eggrolls for an appetizer and that was the best part of the meal those were actually quite nice. Then I got the fig flatbread. First off let me say that this is more of a pizza than a flat bread so if you're expecting a thin crust flatbread you're not gonna get that you're going to get a pizza. My next issue was that it says it has fig as well as goat cheese on it. I go to the regular basis there was not go cheese on that pizza. There was feta cheese and apparently that substitutes for goat cheese. Also there was no fig to be found Here's my final issue with this whole situation I let the lady know that I didn't get goat cheese but that my food came with feta cheese I didn't ask for anything no big deal. She came back with a check instead I'm going to go ahead and take off 20% of your check for the inconvenience which was nice.However, they have a happy hour that states before 630 you get 20% off of your check. Now we didn't check out until seven however everything we ordered was prior to 630 so in my opinion we deserve to get that discount. Pretty much the waitress gave me the happy hour price when I should've gotten a happy hour price. All in all it wasn't a great experience and I won't personally be back to dine.
(2)Rachel N.
Really love this place because the chef was extremely accommodating to our dietary needs. (Vegan/vegetarian) We ordered the bottomless mimosas and they had 5 different choices: traditional, cranberry, pineapple, raspberry and prickly pear. The raspberry and pineapple are the best if you don't want the traditional! The food was amazing. The chef made a vegetable mix with a lemon white wine orzo. There wasn't much salt, which was great because the flavors of the brussel sprouts and asparagus really stood out! All of the vegetables were cooked beautifully. Nothing was overcooked or undercooked. We wanted to order a dessert but there were no vegan or gluten free options available. I think they normally have some but just were out today. One of the owners knows a good deal about beer so if you are looking for a better beer in Lakeland, this is the place to go!
(5)Marion M.
Warning don't eat at Frescos downtown-- went with a friend Friday morning and noticed when I returned from the restroom she had stopped eating (figured she was full) I continue eating till a medium size roach walked across my plate. I went to the counter told them & left. Then she said she had quit eating because a roach was walking across the table next to us. When we get outside I say I had hair on my toast but figured it was mine & she said she thought the same thing when she had a hair in her omelett. We bought felt sick when we left there I really liked this place until now and I didn't even want to give it one star.
(1)Alexa R.
My husband and I have been coming to frescos for a while now, solely to get some delicious Mac and cheese- it reAlly is the best!! Unfortunately we recently went to frescos in a Saturday and were told that they no longer made mac and cheese on the weekend because they didn't have the noodles!!! We were so disappointed; living in downtown Orlando it is about an hour and a half for us to get to frescos and we really aren't able to come any time but the weekends, and without the lure of Mac and cheese, we probably won't be back for a while :(
(4)Kim B.
Although the food was delicious, the bartender was extremely rude and the waitress needs a lesson on how to wait tables. We were made to wait 20 minutes to just get a menu and when I mentioned this to what I found out later was the bartender (he had come to our table), we were told this is not a "fast food place". This alone will keep me from coming back.
(1)Erin S.
An absolute gem in the cute area of downtown lakeland. Frescos makes wonderful gourmet items- wraps,burgers, sandwiches, and salads. I had a delicious burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, and apple atop a toasted brioche bun. It came with a side of pasta salad that was equally yummy. They also have an amazing dessert/pastry case, and I couldnt turn that down. I chose a bananas foster cupcake, wow! One of the best cupcakes I've had. Very rich in banana flavor, with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. Fresco's, you've quickly made me a fan.
(5)Third P.
Decent food. Gets crowded at lunchtime. Been here 5 times- I had to wipe down my own table each time. Perhaps I'll just order take out.
(3)Pete T.
Service was a little slow per usual in FL. Came for Father's Day. Order spinach florentine Benedict which had flavor but the eggs were over cooked. Also had some pancakes which was nothing out of the ordinary. It was nice that they served Voss water seeing supposedly Voss water is the premium for water. The waitress did forget my coffee I had to ask twice even though the place was not busy yet seeing there were a few empty tables.
(3)Alex D.
I haven't been to many other places in Lakeland, but I probably wouldn't come back here. My party of 6 was sat almost immediately on a Sunday morning, but waited about 15 mins before our waiter made any contact. Several of the orders had the incorrect sides. My home fries tasted stale and the omelets were poorly prepared
(2)Deke K.
The chef changed when Fresco's chef opened his own eatery. Fresco's has gone back on the learning curve. I had a miserable zero-star experience for lunch. I ordered French dip. It was indedible, extremely bathed in salt with a hint of freezer burn and an "au jus" that was horridly salty. ($9) It was accompanied by warm (yes, warm) cole slaw. bleh. Had pumpkin roll for dessert. The cake was choke dry but made edible by the cream cheese in the roll. On contraire, my lunchmade had a delicious reuben with a great grainy mustard, a nice side salad and yummy flavorful pumpkin cheesecake. For a classy-looking joint you still must order at the counter and get refills back at the counter, asking them. (an inconvenience and they often aren't friendly about it). They use a spray cleaner on tables near you that is extremely pungent and the droplets make neighboring tables sneeze and cough. I think I can write this place off until the food reputation gets more consistent and less salty.
(2)Lauren F.
I tried to order a cake over the phone and, after I was transferred and put on hold, was told that they would be unable to help me and was hung up on. Very rude and unhelpful.
(1)Ty G.
Service & food was very good. Serve food fairly late on weekends too. I could easily become a regular here.
(4)E T.
Great for breakfast! The biscuits and gravy are homemade and delicious! No canned gravy or fake sausage here!!
(4)Johnny C.
I have to admit I did not try any of the food but some friends did and were impressed. It was a last stop on a small tour of downtown Lakeland and I thought I would be there only 30 minutes. Because of the super pleasant staff and the great band that was playing I stayed for much longer. A little classier than other stops in the immediate area and well worth a visit on a Saturday night. and after talking to others most any other time they are open.
(4)Renee C.
Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays are amazing here! Bottomless mimosas for $12 (or one for $6) absolutely delicious, and the French toast was awesome! I've also come here at night for drinks and got a pineapple sangria which was good! I also recommend their red sangria. Some nights they have entertainment.. There was a small band which was great the night I was there! Enjoy!!!
(5)Kristen C.
I've eaten brunch, lunch & dinner here, as well as dessert. The menu offers great options for all meals. The cupcake I tried was a little stale but the idea was unique (hot chocolate cupcake.) The service is decent. I like it mostly for it's homemade & downtown vibe. Sitting outside provides a beautiful view of downtown Lakeland. There needs to be more restaurants like this here.
(3)Desire J.
I had the margherita panini and it was messy but delicious, but the service seemed off (even for a slow afternoon). I would probably go back just for more fresh pastries!
(4)K L.
Excellent spot. Great warm reception felt totally appreciated. Came on a saturday night and they had live music and even still serving light fare.
(4)Erin C.
The first time I ever came here I ordered just a stuffed potato for lunch and I'm sure glad that's all I ordered. It was huge! I wasn't able to eat it all, but it was delicious. They offered three kinds of stuffed potatoes. I ordered the regular sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, and butter. However all the other options sounded appetizing as well. My sister in-law ordered the skillet macaroni and cheese and was full without even making a dent! When we returned for dinner a month or two later we looked for the mac and cheese and it was no longer on the menu, bummer! So we had the sweet potato fries with what seems to be icing, who cares, it was great!! So great I don't even recall what I actually had for dinner. We have ordered the fruit and cheese plate before, it's large and fresh. The pastry cabinet, shelf, whatever you would like to call it is drool worthy. The cupcakes are my weakness, but if every dessert is just as good as the cupcakes, this place is going to do just fine. :)
(3)Neale O.
This place has a nice little vibe. Comfprtable seating and a great place to eat and have a conversation without being distracted by TV's or loud music. The food is top notch and you can tell the chef really cares about what it put out the kitchen. They have a great brew selection and the burger was one of the best I've had. The deserts are to die for....
(5)Kay C.
Wine over priced food just ok.
(1)Tracy H.
Love this place-great place to grab a bite and a decent glass of wine (or micro-brew) right downtown. Live music most nights-blues and/or jazz on Tuesdays, along with awesome burger specials. Can't wait until the new bar opens!
(4)Varrick N.
Recently expanded into the next storefront and it looks like it was well-done. This is a pretty solid lunch bet. I saw a diverse menu of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and gourmet Mac'n'cheese. I ate in today, about 1:20 p.m. It was about half-full, quiet, and the staff were right ready to serve. This was my first time here so: order at the counter, you get a number, and drink, and pick a table. The food came out promptly and to order. I had a Reuben sandwich, and it was fine, nicely balanced, perhaps could have used a couple more ounces of meat. Side was "potato salad" not awful, but literally diced red potato swimming in something like Miracle Whip, and that's it. I don't know how one gets away with that down here. I'd skip that side, perhaps just chips (Miss Vickie's) instead next time. Iced tea was delicious, Luzianne if the label on the dispenser is right. Next time I want to try one of the "Gourmet Mac" items to see what those are like, the menu descriptions are tempting. I thought the menu, overall and specifically my sandwich, was a shade pricey, compared to Crispers, a couple of blocks north, but not completely out of the box. I think Crispers, and for that matter, Chop Shop next door, are a little more reasonable. Fresco's offers breakfast from 7 a.m. on with shrimp & grits plus eggs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches & burritos standing out on the menu. You can phone in or fax orders in advance to speed up your day, but the service was plenty quick, attentive and clearly sensitive to busy diners who need to get fed and on their way. Website is frescosbakery.com , and they do have a bakery menu to boot.
(3)Leori P.
What a great find in Lakeland. The food, the service, the drinks- All were amazing. I would definitely recommend the white Sangria. It was delicious.
(5)Lauren B.
I went their with a friend and it had a nice atmosphere but man the service was slow. It was an older crowd but the $4 a glass was amazing. Its a Saturday special.
(3)Joseph K.
After hearing all the hype how great it was I had to visit. Very disappointed. Food was mediocre at best. My Reuben had only one slice of meat, all bread. I wont go into the other lunches ordered but they followed suite. If this is what people in Lakeland think is good they need to get out more. Really bad, wont go back.
(1)Lori R.
First disappointing experience today. My two friends and I came for lunch. To start our experience, the cashier was apathetic, tossing my friend's debit card back on the counter towards her rather than handing it back to her. When they brought out her bowl of chili, which usually has a decent amount of cheese sprinkled on top, it only had a few shreds. When she asked for a bit more cheese, she was told there would be an up-charge. I ordered part of my meal to-go and it was brought out regularly. I was told she didn't hear me. I then had to ask for my cup of chili- twice. Another friend who ordered after me got her soup before I got my chili, then she waited for 30 minutes for her sandwich. Come to find out, they'd delivered it to another table. It was recovered from that table, and that same one was then delivered to my friend!!!! Unfortunately, she was so hungry and we were out of time, there weren't any other options- she packed it up to-go. This was definitely a disappointing experience for all three of us. Only gets 2 stars because it's good food when they get it right.
(2)Ben G.
We met some friends who had a 1 year old and a 2 year old and after being there for about 20 minutes a very rude customer told us we would be better off at Chuck E Cheese so we left. The kids were not being loud or obnoxious at all! It was a Tuesday night and they were not busy at all. I will never go back or visit Lakeland ever again!
(1)Jessica W.
We went to Fresco's one afternoon for lunch. I was drawn into the establishment by the blue plate special sign outside the restaurant. That day's special was: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans for $5.95. It looks like they may have a different special everyday. Their menu consisted of various breakfast items, bakery items (cakes and pies), soup, sandwiches, and quiches. The meatloaf was good, the mashed potatoes were excellent and the green beans were mighty tasty. All items needed a serious douse of salt and pepper, but for $5.95, who can complain? I even had enough food left over for lunch the next day. The restaurant is small. It had the feel of a downtown diner. I would go back - but next time I am gonna order their soup.
(3)Ash L.
Well, I went on a busy Saturday night and luckily we had reservations. The restaurant is small, but cozy. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I ordered the pan-seared duck. It came with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus. Normally I don't care for sweet potatoes but these were delicious! The duck was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was tender. The price was 19.00 which I thought was reasonable. The portion size was just right. Our table ordered the scallops appetizer, however they never made it to the table. We got our salads (they do not come with dinner, you have to pay for them separately) and it was absolutely delicious! The salad dressing was homemade and there were plenty of toppings on the salad. They allowed us to try the soup, which was a vegetable beef soup. The server said the soup was homemade and you could tell with the fresh vegetables and the chunks of beef. The broth was savory and it was a nice size bowl. The manager came over and we notified him that we did not get our scallops so he gave us a complimentary round of drinks to compensate. Fair enough. To complete our meal we sampled a dessert. I had the s'mores cheesecake and it was heavenly. A large but not intimidating slice that had a dense consistency with a hefty amount of s'mores toppings on top. It was exactly how cheesecake should be. There were several items on the evening menu that looked and sounded delicious. Definitely a place to return to for dinner. My only recommendation is perhaps they could serve some bread. They had a guitarist playing for entertainment and I enjoyed his music. It wasn't loud and distracting where you felt like you had to yell at the guests at the table to have a conversation. All in all I thought it was a great first experience with excellent food. I would definitely go back again.
(4)Ray C.
A friend of mine took me to this place and it was unbelieveable! How cute the cafe was! We went there for breakfast on Sunday morning. I had my omlette and it was omigosh delicious! I had a blueberry muffin also! They tasted like HOMEMADE and delicious! I felt like it at home! I am from Tampa and I would go back there again and it's WORTH the drive! I brought home from their oreo cheesecake and it was really good! The prices are REASONABLE for so much food on the plate! Loved it! (By the way, I love family owned restaurants) Thank you Fresco's Bistro and Bakery!
(5)Mark S.
I wasn't quite as impressed with lunch as I've been with other local Lakeland spots. Mom lives close by, so the eateries around Munn Park downtown provide a good spot for us to meet. Fresco's caught my eye during the last visit, so I thought we'd give it try. It was 11:30 on a weekday. The place wasn't full and there were 3 people behind the counter, but we still had to clear off leftover newspapers and wipe down our own table to find a place to sit. The place is attractive, but not large, so I was a little puzzled why, with a decent menu and apparently big enough staff, I had to stand in line to place my order..they were slow at this, so it wasn't even particularly efficient. I had a vegetable panini, which was pretty good, Mom had a "cobb" salad..it took awhile to get the food..I actually got up and reminded them that we were waiting and hungry. The salad looked like they opened a bag of Spring Mix the bought at Sam's Club and chopped up boiled egg and bacon into. Dressing was delivered in those tiny plastic shot glasses common to delis..balsamic because they were out of Italian. After lunch we stood in line again to order coffee. It was cold. The ONLY thing saving this place from a one star rating is that the pastries at the counter looked fabulous and I may want to go back and try some.
(2)Sundi P.
Great place. Very cute and the food is good. The desserts look amazing, but I haven't tried them. I've had their breakfast and lunch so far.
(4)Matt B.
Stopped in with family on new years eve, only because the Chop Shop was closed for vacation. :( Tried the weekend brunch, which had several breakfast options that looked good. I went for sausage gravy and biscuits with eggs and breakfast potatoes. I ordered my eggs fried hard and they came out over easy, but at least they brought a replacement when I asked. My wife had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and it was not to her liking. Steak overcooked and not much cheese, so she only ate half and then nibbled off my plate. Service was pretty poor. The staff was friendly enough, but in an almost empty restaurant at lunch time I expect my drink kept full. My dad had to ask for a refill on his iced tea and even then they did not offer me another water, when my glass was clearly empty. Overall it would get 2 stars for food and service, but they get a bonus star for the delicious looking display of desserts and goodies. Their chocolate peanut butter bar was the best I've eve had, moist and flavorful, without the usual crumbly issue that plagues most peanut butter bars.
(3)K S.
A very comfortable spot to eat breakfast or lunch. The sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich is amazing. In addition, they also have a four square deal for free coffee/soda for first check-in.
(5)Katy H.
I'm a little late posting this; new mom. The night started pleasantly enough, but a little slow on bringing more beers to my dad and husband. I order the mussels, shrimp, and fish bowl. It was SO salty. And I'm a gal who loves her salt! Couldn't eat it. (My son was only 3weeks old so i was too exhausted to care). My parents ordered the burger, both specifically ordering very rare. Very rare! They came out charcoal brickettes. They sent it back. My husband also ordered the rare burger, but kept his (our baby was getting restless and we thought we might need to jet soon) Boy, I'm glad he didn't send it back because it took 20mins to get another set of burgers. AND when they finally did arrive they were MEDIUM WELL! My dad ate it, because by then his napkin was starting to look tasty. Mom groaned and got hers to go. The waiter asked if we wanted to send the burgers back again and in unison we answered "No!" My parents are not 'complaining' people. But the waiter knew we were unhappy. He really didn't try to "make it right".
(1)Tara B.
Great menu! The drinks were strong and delicious. We tried the California chicken egg rolls, antipasto, lobster & crab sliders and the bacon wrapped filet. All top notch but my favorite was probably the sliders. The desserts were rich and a treat to splurge on. The waitstaff was fantastic overcompensating for what they referred to as a slow kitchen due to half of the staff working another event offsite. They comped our entire party desserts. We didn't feel that the kitchen was slow. Everything was timed well and tasted delicious. Would go back again. Nice ambience like a speakeasy,
(4)Ken W.
I am having a wedding in June 2015, I went to Fresco's in person just to meet & greet before I spend $2000.00 on appetizers ONLY. I was told at that time they were too busy to come out and meet me and was directed to contact them though the web site. I did what they requested while waiting on my dinner to come. I mention I was looking for a caterer for 50 to 75 guest with a budget of 1500 to $2000.00. After a week of not being contacted as stated in there auto response of a reply with 48 hours. I sent them an email telling them I was disappointed that no one had ever gotten back with me and that I was working with a $2000.00 budget for food. I received the following response, keep it in mind, I was not looking for a venue, just the appetizers ONLY. below is the email I received not long after I sent my email to them. I understand your disappointment. In my 14 to 16 hour days, and my 40 staff members daily needs, I try to insure all of my clients receive my attention. I know this is hard for some of my new client to understand but I am a working owner, on the 22 of January I had five events going on and 4 more to stage for Friday and Saturday. I know this means nothing to you. Although since I am an on hands owner and chef my day of clients appreciate the fact that I am always on hand and the one preparing for there event. Does this mean that sometimes new clients that do not understand my work ethics may not understand that I to am human and mistakes happen. I missed your e mail in my list of 30 plus I receive daily and I apology. Also let me add that I am glad you are on the Black and White Ball Board, but that means nothing to me because I at this time do not know who you are. An on your last statement since you are typing this with such anger and disappointment for my human error. My I suggest the Lake Mirror Towers, there room rents for 500.00 for a Friday event and you can choice what ever caterer you wish. Good luck in staying with in your budget, I was you best option since I am the only place in town with a space large enough to accommodate your party size with out paying for the room rental on top of everything else you will have to spend. Thank you again for notifying me of my errors and allowing me to be human. Tina Calhoon Owner/Chef
(1)Jonathan H.
Not great. There are way better options for lunch in Lakeland. I tried the buffalo chicken wrap.
(2)Alecia N.
My stars are for the atmosphere and the look and selection of baked goods! The coffee is from a press-button machine and the taste reflects this. The food is almost average but I think I'd prefer ihop. Good for large parties and it does have outdoor seating.
(3)Michele L.
We sat outside for 10 mins with no service. Not even a hello, be right with you...the place wasn't busy at all. We went inside to sit at the bar in hopes to get some service & the incompetent bar tender couldn't even get us our drinks in a timely manner. He was chatting it up with locals. We will never go here again.
(1)Erica B.
It is simply fun to sit at those bistro tables on the inside perimeter of the cafe and look down upon the minions sitting at the little tables. The seating arrangement is a stark metaphor of the rich-poor divide in Lakeland -- some have it and some never will. They serve the same "jerk" chicken pizza to both classes, to the ones that sit on high tops, and to the ones that don't, probably in a desperate attempt of equality,. And it tastes like sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce. Not sure why. Must be a cruel satire on the lack of international cuisine in downtown Lakeland. #notgoingback
(1)Alex J.
Impressed by the large beer selection at reasonable prices, house wines were a little over priced. I ordered the antipasto tray which was described as assorted meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. The tray had 4 meats but only mozzarella cheese slices and at least half a jar of olives. I expected to get olives but also expected more "accompaniments" like dried fruit, veggies or nuts. Nice atmosphere for Lakeland, but probably made a bad menu selection. Expect to spend a little more than average.
(4)Peter S.
Best place for quality cocktails. Nice food menu as well. Upscale for both in a relaxing atmosphere. Bartenders are excellent
(5)Leslie T.
I wanted to live this place but I just didn't. We went for lunch, I ordered a chicken panini it was bland and there wasn't anything remarkable about it. My boyfriend ordered a club sandwich he said it was good, but really how hard is it to mess up a club? Our sides were macaroni and cheese and potato salad. I expected the macaroni and cheese to be warm and oozing with cheese. I received a room temperature side that wasn't cheesy at all. The potato salad was ok, one again nothing remarkable. The biggest disappointment? Our desserts. We split a cream horn there and ordered two cupcakes to go. The cream horn wasn't bad. The cupcakes however was terrible. We got a s'mores and a hot chocolate. For both we each took a bite and tossed the rest. They were just bad. The cupcakes were dry and the frosting was disgusting. On the hot chocolate cupcake it tasted chalky and the s'more frosting had a strange aftertaste. On the bright side, customer service was excellent.
(2)Dean S.
Had cioppino last night. Plenty of mussels, clams and shrimp. Surprise was a spicy sausage in the broth. Could have been more broth but still was flavorful. Wife had the sea bass and it was prepared well. Good flavors and very fresh. Menu is very extensive. Error in how cioppini was spelled in the menu. The waiter said he would inform the chef. Very good service and an abundant wine list. Definitely would return!
(4)Jessica G.
Ate here for lunch one day this week and I agree with a previous review...the food tasted like prepared food from GFS. I really expected more from this place. I will give it a try for breakfast, but never again for lunch or dinner. There are too many great places to eat in downtown Lakeland to eat here.
(1)Dino H.
Went for brunch this past weekend. Waited on server to come to our table for over 15 minutes. After ten or so we asked if anyone was waiting on our talbe. Someone then came over and helped table that just sat down next to us. We were getting up to leave when a guy came over to help us out. We felt bad then and stayed. Should have left. (restaurant ony looked like it had 3-4 tables of people) When I recieved my food it was room temperature/cold. Not even warm. Will not be back.
(1)Jen G.
Let's sum this up as a "Meh" place. Service was awful, food was OK. More pretentious than anything else. Was never asked for drinks, just the water bottle on the table. Food was brought out at different times, then finished it off with picking up the dishes quite fast as soon as done and then waiting for 15 minutes for the check. Probably won't be back, too many other restaurants in downtown Lakeland to try out.
(1)Tracy H.
Love this place-great place to grab a bite and a decent glass of wine (or micro-brew) right downtown. Live music most nights-blues and/or jazz on Tuesdays, along with awesome burger specials. Can't wait until the new bar opens!
(4)Deke K.
The chef changed when Fresco's chef opened his own eatery. Fresco's has gone back on the learning curve. I had a miserable zero-star experience for lunch. I ordered French dip. It was indedible, extremely bathed in salt with a hint of freezer burn and an "au jus" that was horridly salty. ($9) It was accompanied by warm (yes, warm) cole slaw. bleh. Had pumpkin roll for dessert. The cake was choke dry but made edible by the cream cheese in the roll. On contraire, my lunchmade had a delicious reuben with a great grainy mustard, a nice side salad and yummy flavorful pumpkin cheesecake. For a classy-looking joint you still must order at the counter and get refills back at the counter, asking them. (an inconvenience and they often aren't friendly about it). They use a spray cleaner on tables near you that is extremely pungent and the droplets make neighboring tables sneeze and cough. I think I can write this place off until the food reputation gets more consistent and less salty.
(2)Lauren F.
I tried to order a cake over the phone and, after I was transferred and put on hold, was told that they would be unable to help me and was hung up on. Very rude and unhelpful.
(1)Ty G.
Service & food was very good. Serve food fairly late on weekends too. I could easily become a regular here.
(4)E T.
Great for breakfast! The biscuits and gravy are homemade and delicious! No canned gravy or fake sausage here!!
(4)Johnny C.
I have to admit I did not try any of the food but some friends did and were impressed. It was a last stop on a small tour of downtown Lakeland and I thought I would be there only 30 minutes. Because of the super pleasant staff and the great band that was playing I stayed for much longer. A little classier than other stops in the immediate area and well worth a visit on a Saturday night. and after talking to others most any other time they are open.
(4)Renee C.
Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays are amazing here! Bottomless mimosas for $12 (or one for $6) absolutely delicious, and the French toast was awesome! I've also come here at night for drinks and got a pineapple sangria which was good! I also recommend their red sangria. Some nights they have entertainment.. There was a small band which was great the night I was there! Enjoy!!!
(5)Kristen C.
I've eaten brunch, lunch & dinner here, as well as dessert. The menu offers great options for all meals. The cupcake I tried was a little stale but the idea was unique (hot chocolate cupcake.) The service is decent. I like it mostly for it's homemade & downtown vibe. Sitting outside provides a beautiful view of downtown Lakeland. There needs to be more restaurants like this here.
(3)Desire J.
I had the margherita panini and it was messy but delicious, but the service seemed off (even for a slow afternoon). I would probably go back just for more fresh pastries!
(4)K L.
Excellent spot. Great warm reception felt totally appreciated. Came on a saturday night and they had live music and even still serving light fare.
(4)Erin C.
The first time I ever came here I ordered just a stuffed potato for lunch and I'm sure glad that's all I ordered. It was huge! I wasn't able to eat it all, but it was delicious. They offered three kinds of stuffed potatoes. I ordered the regular sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, and butter. However all the other options sounded appetizing as well. My sister in-law ordered the skillet macaroni and cheese and was full without even making a dent! When we returned for dinner a month or two later we looked for the mac and cheese and it was no longer on the menu, bummer! So we had the sweet potato fries with what seems to be icing, who cares, it was great!! So great I don't even recall what I actually had for dinner. We have ordered the fruit and cheese plate before, it's large and fresh. The pastry cabinet, shelf, whatever you would like to call it is drool worthy. The cupcakes are my weakness, but if every dessert is just as good as the cupcakes, this place is going to do just fine. :)
(3)Neale O.
This place has a nice little vibe. Comfprtable seating and a great place to eat and have a conversation without being distracted by TV's or loud music. The food is top notch and you can tell the chef really cares about what it put out the kitchen. They have a great brew selection and the burger was one of the best I've had. The deserts are to die for....
(5)Kay C.
Wine over priced food just ok.
(1)Varrick N.
Recently expanded into the next storefront and it looks like it was well-done. This is a pretty solid lunch bet. I saw a diverse menu of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and gourmet Mac'n'cheese. I ate in today, about 1:20 p.m. It was about half-full, quiet, and the staff were right ready to serve. This was my first time here so: order at the counter, you get a number, and drink, and pick a table. The food came out promptly and to order. I had a Reuben sandwich, and it was fine, nicely balanced, perhaps could have used a couple more ounces of meat. Side was "potato salad" not awful, but literally diced red potato swimming in something like Miracle Whip, and that's it. I don't know how one gets away with that down here. I'd skip that side, perhaps just chips (Miss Vickie's) instead next time. Iced tea was delicious, Luzianne if the label on the dispenser is right. Next time I want to try one of the "Gourmet Mac" items to see what those are like, the menu descriptions are tempting. I thought the menu, overall and specifically my sandwich, was a shade pricey, compared to Crispers, a couple of blocks north, but not completely out of the box. I think Crispers, and for that matter, Chop Shop next door, are a little more reasonable. Fresco's offers breakfast from 7 a.m. on with shrimp & grits plus eggs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches & burritos standing out on the menu. You can phone in or fax orders in advance to speed up your day, but the service was plenty quick, attentive and clearly sensitive to busy diners who need to get fed and on their way. Website is frescosbakery.com , and they do have a bakery menu to boot.
(3)Leori P.
What a great find in Lakeland. The food, the service, the drinks- All were amazing. I would definitely recommend the white Sangria. It was delicious.
(5)Lauren B.
I went their with a friend and it had a nice atmosphere but man the service was slow. It was an older crowd but the $4 a glass was amazing. Its a Saturday special.
(3)Joseph K.
After hearing all the hype how great it was I had to visit. Very disappointed. Food was mediocre at best. My Reuben had only one slice of meat, all bread. I wont go into the other lunches ordered but they followed suite. If this is what people in Lakeland think is good they need to get out more. Really bad, wont go back.
(1)Mark S.
I wasn't quite as impressed with lunch as I've been with other local Lakeland spots. Mom lives close by, so the eateries around Munn Park downtown provide a good spot for us to meet. Fresco's caught my eye during the last visit, so I thought we'd give it try. It was 11:30 on a weekday. The place wasn't full and there were 3 people behind the counter, but we still had to clear off leftover newspapers and wipe down our own table to find a place to sit. The place is attractive, but not large, so I was a little puzzled why, with a decent menu and apparently big enough staff, I had to stand in line to place my order..they were slow at this, so it wasn't even particularly efficient. I had a vegetable panini, which was pretty good, Mom had a "cobb" salad..it took awhile to get the food..I actually got up and reminded them that we were waiting and hungry. The salad looked like they opened a bag of Spring Mix the bought at Sam's Club and chopped up boiled egg and bacon into. Dressing was delivered in those tiny plastic shot glasses common to delis..balsamic because they were out of Italian. After lunch we stood in line again to order coffee. It was cold. The ONLY thing saving this place from a one star rating is that the pastries at the counter looked fabulous and I may want to go back and try some.
(2)Sundi P.
Great place. Very cute and the food is good. The desserts look amazing, but I haven't tried them. I've had their breakfast and lunch so far.
(4)Ray C.
A friend of mine took me to this place and it was unbelieveable! How cute the cafe was! We went there for breakfast on Sunday morning. I had my omlette and it was omigosh delicious! I had a blueberry muffin also! They tasted like HOMEMADE and delicious! I felt like it at home! I am from Tampa and I would go back there again and it's WORTH the drive! I brought home from their oreo cheesecake and it was really good! The prices are REASONABLE for so much food on the plate! Loved it! (By the way, I love family owned restaurants) Thank you Fresco's Bistro and Bakery!
(5)Matt B.
Stopped in with family on new years eve, only because the Chop Shop was closed for vacation. :( Tried the weekend brunch, which had several breakfast options that looked good. I went for sausage gravy and biscuits with eggs and breakfast potatoes. I ordered my eggs fried hard and they came out over easy, but at least they brought a replacement when I asked. My wife had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and it was not to her liking. Steak overcooked and not much cheese, so she only ate half and then nibbled off my plate. Service was pretty poor. The staff was friendly enough, but in an almost empty restaurant at lunch time I expect my drink kept full. My dad had to ask for a refill on his iced tea and even then they did not offer me another water, when my glass was clearly empty. Overall it would get 2 stars for food and service, but they get a bonus star for the delicious looking display of desserts and goodies. Their chocolate peanut butter bar was the best I've eve had, moist and flavorful, without the usual crumbly issue that plagues most peanut butter bars.
(3)K S.
A very comfortable spot to eat breakfast or lunch. The sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich is amazing. In addition, they also have a four square deal for free coffee/soda for first check-in.
(5)Lori R.
First disappointing experience today. My two friends and I came for lunch. To start our experience, the cashier was apathetic, tossing my friend's debit card back on the counter towards her rather than handing it back to her. When they brought out her bowl of chili, which usually has a decent amount of cheese sprinkled on top, it only had a few shreds. When she asked for a bit more cheese, she was told there would be an up-charge. I ordered part of my meal to-go and it was brought out regularly. I was told she didn't hear me. I then had to ask for my cup of chili- twice. Another friend who ordered after me got her soup before I got my chili, then she waited for 30 minutes for her sandwich. Come to find out, they'd delivered it to another table. It was recovered from that table, and that same one was then delivered to my friend!!!! Unfortunately, she was so hungry and we were out of time, there weren't any other options- she packed it up to-go. This was definitely a disappointing experience for all three of us. Only gets 2 stars because it's good food when they get it right.
(2)Ben G.
We met some friends who had a 1 year old and a 2 year old and after being there for about 20 minutes a very rude customer told us we would be better off at Chuck E Cheese so we left. The kids were not being loud or obnoxious at all! It was a Tuesday night and they were not busy at all. I will never go back or visit Lakeland ever again!
(1)Jessica W.
We went to Fresco's one afternoon for lunch. I was drawn into the establishment by the blue plate special sign outside the restaurant. That day's special was: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans for $5.95. It looks like they may have a different special everyday. Their menu consisted of various breakfast items, bakery items (cakes and pies), soup, sandwiches, and quiches. The meatloaf was good, the mashed potatoes were excellent and the green beans were mighty tasty. All items needed a serious douse of salt and pepper, but for $5.95, who can complain? I even had enough food left over for lunch the next day. The restaurant is small. It had the feel of a downtown diner. I would go back - but next time I am gonna order their soup.
(3)Ash L.
Well, I went on a busy Saturday night and luckily we had reservations. The restaurant is small, but cozy. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I ordered the pan-seared duck. It came with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus. Normally I don't care for sweet potatoes but these were delicious! The duck was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was tender. The price was 19.00 which I thought was reasonable. The portion size was just right. Our table ordered the scallops appetizer, however they never made it to the table. We got our salads (they do not come with dinner, you have to pay for them separately) and it was absolutely delicious! The salad dressing was homemade and there were plenty of toppings on the salad. They allowed us to try the soup, which was a vegetable beef soup. The server said the soup was homemade and you could tell with the fresh vegetables and the chunks of beef. The broth was savory and it was a nice size bowl. The manager came over and we notified him that we did not get our scallops so he gave us a complimentary round of drinks to compensate. Fair enough. To complete our meal we sampled a dessert. I had the s'mores cheesecake and it was heavenly. A large but not intimidating slice that had a dense consistency with a hefty amount of s'mores toppings on top. It was exactly how cheesecake should be. There were several items on the evening menu that looked and sounded delicious. Definitely a place to return to for dinner. My only recommendation is perhaps they could serve some bread. They had a guitarist playing for entertainment and I enjoyed his music. It wasn't loud and distracting where you felt like you had to yell at the guests at the table to have a conversation. All in all I thought it was a great first experience with excellent food. I would definitely go back again.
(4)Wendi D.
I stumbled upon Fresco's on one of those quiet Saturday afternoons in downtown Lakeland. The brunch until 2 and dessert case really caught my friend's eye, so we decided to give it a try. We were able to sit down immediately and our drink order was taken promptly. I had a delicious mimosa ($6) that hit the spot. My husband was very pleased by the selection of beers. A few were on draught but most were bottles. He had the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter ($4) which was great. While we didn't order any, they also seemed to have a good selection of speciality coffees. For food my husband opted to go for the breakfast option getting eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. All received a positive review. My friend ordered the spinach florentine quiche with a side of salad greens which she loved. She did say it was very heavy on the spinach but that was a bonus for her. I had the chicken salad croissant but on a wrap ($7.50). It was a big wrap and quite tasty. It was very sweet since it was made with walnuts, pineapple, apricots, and other goodness. The tomatoes, onions, and sprouts balanced out the sweetness. I was very happy with the choice. The only let down was I ordered apple sauce hoping for homemade apple sauce... But it was actually just a pre-packaged serving of Mott's. Afterward we split a huge peanut butter mousse chocolate cupcake ($3). It was AWESOME. The cupcake was moist and the peanut butter mousse frosting was perfect. I think Fresco's was a good find and is a cute place for a lunch (although our server also told us the menu changes a lot and changes depending on whether or not it's lunch vs. dinner, weekday vs. weekend). I would definitely go back. I would also recommend it purely for dessert and coffee as well!
(4)Ashley T.
I've never had a bad experience! The staff is great; particularly Seff. Tim, the owner, is very personable, always listens to suggestions, and makes sure you come back again. The food is amazing- brunch, lunch, or dinner. The atmosphere is perfect for a nice date or an evening out with friends.
(5)frank t.
This was a nice little place in downtown Lakeland. We were there on a Saturday Morning. Food was a little slow coming out but they did have a full house. The waiter was attentive though and applogized several times for the slowness. We would go there agian.
(3)April M.
I've been to Fresco's several times and the food is pretty good. They have really great specials and I enjoy their soups and salads. You can pretty much get whatever you want there because the menu is HUGE. They also do great catering.
(4)Tyler H.
Hope you like bland, gfs/cisco style food. Absolutely nothing original about our meals. Won't be back.
(2)Doris B.
We were hesitant about coming because of some of the reviews, but it was the only breakfast place open close to our hotel on Sunday morning. Really glad we gave it a try. Ordered the red velvet pancake combo..it was one of their breakfast specials. The grits are the best I've ever had. The bacon was perfectly crispy. The red velvet pancakes were amazing. The cream cheese whipped topping was a little too sweet for my taste, but I guess it was appropriate for pancakes. My boyfriend ordered the strawberry French Toast..he loved it also. Our waitress, Sara was great... she told us that this new brunch menu had only been out a couple of day. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Erick B.
This place is just not good. Had the bagel, lox and cream cheese. A large portion of salmon was inedible, it was like the kitchen staff was thrown in the back to just "make" food with not technique or training. The waitstaff was clearly all new or being trained that day. No refills or inquiry if we cared for something more or needed anything. Won't be going back.
(1)Pete T.
Service was a little slow per usual in FL. Came for Father's Day. Order spinach florentine Benedict which had flavor but the eggs were over cooked. Also had some pancakes which was nothing out of the ordinary. It was nice that they served Voss water seeing supposedly Voss water is the premium for water. The waitress did forget my coffee I had to ask twice even though the place was not busy yet seeing there were a few empty tables.
(3)Erin S.
An absolute gem in the cute area of downtown lakeland. Frescos makes wonderful gourmet items- wraps,burgers, sandwiches, and salads. I had a delicious burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, and apple atop a toasted brioche bun. It came with a side of pasta salad that was equally yummy. They also have an amazing dessert/pastry case, and I couldnt turn that down. I chose a bananas foster cupcake, wow! One of the best cupcakes I've had. Very rich in banana flavor, with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. Fresco's, you've quickly made me a fan.
(5)Third P.
Decent food. Gets crowded at lunchtime. Been here 5 times- I had to wipe down my own table each time. Perhaps I'll just order take out.
(3)Alex D.
I haven't been to many other places in Lakeland, but I probably wouldn't come back here. My party of 6 was sat almost immediately on a Sunday morning, but waited about 15 mins before our waiter made any contact. Several of the orders had the incorrect sides. My home fries tasted stale and the omelets were poorly prepared
(2)Joseph I.
I've lived in Lakeland for a little over two years now, and this place continues to outshine itself. Frescoes is simply my fav. A downtown gem. Great bar. Creative menu (I'm still exploring). Mouth-watering bakery. And an excellence staff. If I sound over the top, it's because I just left there, and this review is being written by my taste buds. Your welcome.
(5)Shantai M.
The first time I went to frescos(June 2015) it was great. The bartenders & waiters were amazing and the food was amazing! The atmosphere and vibe was positive and happy. The second visit which was earlier this week, well not so much. The owners daughter was working behind the bar and she had the worst attitude possible. She kept stating out loud (enough for my friend and I who were seated by the front door), "that she wanted to go home & wished it was 3pm already." She wasn't very pleasant and I don't think she smiled once at anyone during our entire meal. I asked for ice water twice and they never came to our table. If it was my first time I definitely would not return, but because I know that this was just an unfortunate experience with HER we may give it another go. Hopefully she won't be there during my next visit, no one wants to be around negativity. The only reason I'm giving this 3-stars is the food and drinks. The food was delicious this go around(mo'betta sandwich was moist,tender,& seasoned to perfection) and the apple martini was just as delicious as I remembered it from the first visit.
(3)Janice G.
Some of the Food was undercooked or bland. Sea bass was good and the pork skewers appetizer was delicious. Overpriced meals.
(3)Meranda L.
By far my favorite restaurant in Lakleand. Food is great, drinks are great, and the service is too !!! HIGHY RECOMMEND !!!!! The atmosphere is unlike anything else out here.
(5)Janessa C.
GREAT DRINKS!!!! Food was good, they have a unique menu in my opinion. Their appetizers are my favorite. I could eat their duck wraps all day long. I am a big fan of duck! Nice staff, ambiance is great! I thought the lamb was great!
(4)Cori W.
We had a couple of issues when we came here and I wasn't all that impressed which is why I gave them two stars. I feel like this place is overpriced because it's not Chili's and it's in Lakeland. It's overpriced and you don't really get what you paid for. We had the eggrolls for an appetizer and that was the best part of the meal those were actually quite nice. Then I got the fig flatbread. First off let me say that this is more of a pizza than a flat bread so if you're expecting a thin crust flatbread you're not gonna get that you're going to get a pizza. My next issue was that it says it has fig as well as goat cheese on it. I go to the regular basis there was not go cheese on that pizza. There was feta cheese and apparently that substitutes for goat cheese. Also there was no fig to be found Here's my final issue with this whole situation I let the lady know that I didn't get goat cheese but that my food came with feta cheese I didn't ask for anything no big deal. She came back with a check instead I'm going to go ahead and take off 20% of your check for the inconvenience which was nice.However, they have a happy hour that states before 630 you get 20% off of your check. Now we didn't check out until seven however everything we ordered was prior to 630 so in my opinion we deserve to get that discount. Pretty much the waitress gave me the happy hour price when I should've gotten a happy hour price. All in all it wasn't a great experience and I won't personally be back to dine.
(2)Rachel N.
Really love this place because the chef was extremely accommodating to our dietary needs. (Vegan/vegetarian) We ordered the bottomless mimosas and they had 5 different choices: traditional, cranberry, pineapple, raspberry and prickly pear. The raspberry and pineapple are the best if you don't want the traditional! The food was amazing. The chef made a vegetable mix with a lemon white wine orzo. There wasn't much salt, which was great because the flavors of the brussel sprouts and asparagus really stood out! All of the vegetables were cooked beautifully. Nothing was overcooked or undercooked. We wanted to order a dessert but there were no vegan or gluten free options available. I think they normally have some but just were out today. One of the owners knows a good deal about beer so if you are looking for a better beer in Lakeland, this is the place to go!
(5)Marion M.
Warning don't eat at Frescos downtown-- went with a friend Friday morning and noticed when I returned from the restroom she had stopped eating (figured she was full) I continue eating till a medium size roach walked across my plate. I went to the counter told them & left. Then she said she had quit eating because a roach was walking across the table next to us. When we get outside I say I had hair on my toast but figured it was mine & she said she thought the same thing when she had a hair in her omelett. We bought felt sick when we left there I really liked this place until now and I didn't even want to give it one star.
(1)Alexa R.
My husband and I have been coming to frescos for a while now, solely to get some delicious Mac and cheese- it reAlly is the best!! Unfortunately we recently went to frescos in a Saturday and were told that they no longer made mac and cheese on the weekend because they didn't have the noodles!!! We were so disappointed; living in downtown Orlando it is about an hour and a half for us to get to frescos and we really aren't able to come any time but the weekends, and without the lure of Mac and cheese, we probably won't be back for a while :(
(4)Robert S.
really they are the worst restaurant in Lakeland, everything they serve is either frozen or premade GFS or Sysco products plus they charge almost fine dining prices.. just the worst
(1)marian s.
Food is nothing special and there are some extremely rude people working here. Food tastes like it's from a food service, kept in the freezer and thawed out in a microwave. I can eat that at home. Wait time for someone to acknowledge you, then take your order and bring your food is interminable. Plus I got a stomach ache soon after leaving. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Jennifer A.
Great local establishment. Have been here for breakfast and brunch a few times. Just had lunch which was great. Atmosphere is perfect for a networking lunch or catching up with friends. The chicken salad wrap was flavorful and well-seasoned. My lunch companion had the mac n' cheese, served in a skillet that looked amazing. Happy to have another solid Restaurant choice in downtown!
(4)Brandi D.
My family and I ate at Fresco's last night and we will never go back. My wife and son had some sort of steak and vegetable dish that was basically raw and the vegetables were like mush. I had what was supposed to be bacon wrapped scallops over sweet potato with a champagne reduction. What I received in actuality was a sweet potato puree with a bed of spinach and six scallops about the size of your thumbnail and not the first drop of a champagne reduction. The scallops had the taste and texture of being frozen and microwaved. And to add insult to injury, they were not bacon wrapped as indicated on the menu - they were topped with bacon crumbles that I'm not entirely sure didn't come out of a bag. When I asked our server why the scallops were not bacon wrapped, she advised us that they stopped doing this about 7 months ago. Our bill totaled just shy of $82 without tip. Do yourself a favor and select a different restaurant. You can get a meal of this lackluster quality at Olive Garden for half the price and that is not saying very much. I would recommend The Terrace Grill if you would like to have a nice dining experience in the Lakeland area.
(1)Rebecca K.
Stopped in for To-Go lunch. Ordered the chipotle peach chicken with Havarti sandwich. Great bun, but I was left wishing the peach chipotle had more flavor or kick and the chicken a little less salty. Fries were the typically good side. Overall, a little disappointed with what i ordered for the price tag, but a decent option in the downtown area. Will try a different or bakery item next visit as I saw some pretty yummy looking salads at the dine in tables.
(3)Kat M.
Our friends told us about this spot and we all came here for brunch today. We arrived and there was a large line of people waiting to e seated. There was no host at the front to take names. We were greeted by a young girl and frantically told us it would be a 30 minute wait. So by now, it's been 7 minutes and there are 10 people scrunched in the front doorway. There is soothing live music being played and finally, the same young lady came up front and began taking names of all the people waiting. She had such a disheveled look on her face. As someone who worked in plenty of restaurants, if you don't have the skills to work FOH, then bus tables. After she took our name, we walked outside since she told us it would be 15 minutes. As soon as the four of us walked outside, she came out after 1 minute and said we were ready to be seated. After we were seated, we were greeted by a friendly server! My friend told me I had to try the Prickly Pear Mimosa, and not because of the vibrant fuscia color. Omg, this mimosa was the best I've had! Sorry traditional mimosa, you've been replaced! A perfectly sweet mimosa! I had to prevent myself from guzzling it down in two swigs. We ordered our meals and sat and chatted until they cane out. A runner brought out our friends food first and asked, "Is there anything else you are waiting for?", my fiancé and I gave him a look and told him what we ordered too. Really? No we just plan to sit here and watch our friends eat. Our food arrived and it was weird there was no salt and pepper on any of the tables. I carved into my Florentine omelet and was surprised how stiff the egg was and the feta had not melted. I dipped into my side of grits...and I pretty much ate all my grits, my toast and 3 bites of my omelette. Grits were amazing! Nice garlic flavor. It was a delicious meal and a fun day. My friends pancakes smelled so sweet and didn't even need syrup! Just a nice sweetness to them! My fiancé had the biscuits & sausage gravy. Looked delicious, but I was never a fan. Dense biscuits and a creamy gravy. If you order the granola parfait, just be aware it is rather large! My friends boyfriend ordered the parfait and the smoked salmon bagel. His parfait was served in a large bowl, granola on bottom, yogurt and fresh sliced bananas & berries on top. Needless to say, he ate the parfait and took the bagel home! When it came time to box up items, he put my plate in one hand and then another plate literally stacked on top of my omelette! I told him I wanted mine boxed and he lifted the plate off my food. Our guys paid and somehow the server swapped the cards and charged our bill on our friends card and vice versa. This must have been an off day for them, my friend mentioned they did a complete renovation to the place and this is the most packed they've ever been. Perhaps they will adjust to being more crowded during brunch. The dessert box was full of amazing goodies! The cupcakes are huge! Imagine the size of a blueberry muffin on steroids! We were eyeing one that had a scoop of ice cream and topped with an oreo. No dessert today, but I will come back to enjoy bottomless mimosas from 12-3 and of course a yummy dessert. Loved the atmosphere from the light fixtures over the bar, to the two man band playing soothing classic music WE WILL BE BACK!
(3)Jose M.
This place is nice. A couple of things I like are it's location and the menu items. The food is good not great! I don't necessarily like the hint of smell inside the restaurant. I came here for breakfast and I would return, but not with someone I want to impress. Wanted to give 3.5 stars but yelp hasn't developed the technology.
(3)Kim B.
Although the food was delicious, the bartender was extremely rude and the waitress needs a lesson on how to wait tables. We were made to wait 20 minutes to just get a menu and when I mentioned this to what I found out later was the bartender (he had come to our table), we were told this is not a "fast food place". This alone will keep me from coming back.
(1)Sue M.
I had bookmarked Fresco's ahead of time in planning to dine here for dinner, but alas it didn't work out. Instead though, I stopped in for a snack...the sweet kind!!!! Oh, they all looked so yummy. An entire showcase of sweet goodies. Which one? Hmmm? Flourless Chocolate Torte of course! It was delightful in every way. Not too sweet but very smooth that just rolled off your tongue and slipped down your throat. The sweet came at the end with a small decorative iced rose that left your taste buds singing. I can't wait to go back again but next time it will definitely be for that duck supper. Major props to the female cashier/server and the cook (Jeff? Heff?) for being such sweethearts. Sorry but you tend to forget names while on the road. Current health inspection-0-high priority, 1-intermediate, 6-basic violations
(5)Lou M.
Went for brunch. The good and the bad: The Good: very cute restaurant and pretty old bar set up. The food was REALLY yummy! I had the Ranchero bowl and it was fantastic. Good marks on Quiche and Omelet as well as Southwestern wrap. The Bad: our server was inattentive at best. Ordered Cappuccinos at the same time as brunch and did not come until about 5minutes after we got food, even asked twice- the place was busy, but I didn't see that the barista was backed up. When we got them they were cold, watery and awful. The toast that came with the omelette wasn't even toasted it was just bread. She brought new toast. No one drank any of the cappuccino yes they were on each of our bills. I said they were cold when they arrived and can you please remove form my check. She did, but the other 3 checks still had them on it (we asked for separate checks). It was CLEAR no one touched the cappuccinos. I thought that was INCREDIBLY rude so when she came back I said I thought you would take the cappuccinos off each check as they all were cold. She did, but ridiculous I had to ask. The food was really good, but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Kelli D.
If I could rate this place on the drinks alone, I would give it a 5. The mixed drink selection and the quality of the drinks themselves are amazing. If you are one to appreciate "mixology skills," this place is for you. The food, however, is another story. I've been here three times, and each time the desserts have been stale and lacking flavor. I've had a few appetizers and main dishes here, which were all just ok - but nothing worth a visit. In short, skip the food and go to the bar!
(3)Michele L.
We sat outside for 10 mins with no service. Not even a hello, be right with you...the place wasn't busy at all. We went inside to sit at the bar in hopes to get some service & the incompetent bar tender couldn't even get us our drinks in a timely manner. He was chatting it up with locals. We will never go here again.
(1)Joseph I.
I've lived in Lakeland for a little over two years now, and this place continues to outshine itself. Frescoes is simply my fav. A downtown gem. Great bar. Creative menu (I'm still exploring). Mouth-watering bakery. And an excellence staff. If I sound over the top, it's because I just left there, and this review is being written by my taste buds. Your welcome.
(5)Rachel N.
Really love this place because the chef was extremely accommodating to our dietary needs. (Vegan/vegetarian) We ordered the bottomless mimosas and they had 5 different choices: traditional, cranberry, pineapple, raspberry and prickly pear. The raspberry and pineapple are the best if you don't want the traditional! The food was amazing. The chef made a vegetable mix with a lemon white wine orzo. There wasn't much salt, which was great because the flavors of the brussel sprouts and asparagus really stood out! All of the vegetables were cooked beautifully. Nothing was overcooked or undercooked. We wanted to order a dessert but there were no vegan or gluten free options available. I think they normally have some but just were out today. One of the owners knows a good deal about beer so if you are looking for a better beer in Lakeland, this is the place to go!
(5)Marion M.
Warning don't eat at Frescos downtown-- went with a friend Friday morning and noticed when I returned from the restroom she had stopped eating (figured she was full) I continue eating till a medium size roach walked across my plate. I went to the counter told them & left. Then she said she had quit eating because a roach was walking across the table next to us. When we get outside I say I had hair on my toast but figured it was mine & she said she thought the same thing when she had a hair in her omelett. We bought felt sick when we left there I really liked this place until now and I didn't even want to give it one star.
(1)Alexa R.
My husband and I have been coming to frescos for a while now, solely to get some delicious Mac and cheese- it reAlly is the best!! Unfortunately we recently went to frescos in a Saturday and were told that they no longer made mac and cheese on the weekend because they didn't have the noodles!!! We were so disappointed; living in downtown Orlando it is about an hour and a half for us to get to frescos and we really aren't able to come any time but the weekends, and without the lure of Mac and cheese, we probably won't be back for a while :(
(4)Robert S.
really they are the worst restaurant in Lakeland, everything they serve is either frozen or premade GFS or Sysco products plus they charge almost fine dining prices.. just the worst
(1)marian s.
Food is nothing special and there are some extremely rude people working here. Food tastes like it's from a food service, kept in the freezer and thawed out in a microwave. I can eat that at home. Wait time for someone to acknowledge you, then take your order and bring your food is interminable. Plus I got a stomach ache soon after leaving. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Jessica W.
We went to Fresco's one afternoon for lunch. I was drawn into the establishment by the blue plate special sign outside the restaurant. That day's special was: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans for $5.95. It looks like they may have a different special everyday. Their menu consisted of various breakfast items, bakery items (cakes and pies), soup, sandwiches, and quiches. The meatloaf was good, the mashed potatoes were excellent and the green beans were mighty tasty. All items needed a serious douse of salt and pepper, but for $5.95, who can complain? I even had enough food left over for lunch the next day. The restaurant is small. It had the feel of a downtown diner. I would go back - but next time I am gonna order their soup.
(3)Ashley T.
I've never had a bad experience! The staff is great; particularly Seff. Tim, the owner, is very personable, always listens to suggestions, and makes sure you come back again. The food is amazing- brunch, lunch, or dinner. The atmosphere is perfect for a nice date or an evening out with friends.
(5)frank t.
This was a nice little place in downtown Lakeland. We were there on a Saturday Morning. Food was a little slow coming out but they did have a full house. The waiter was attentive though and applogized several times for the slowness. We would go there agian.
(3)April M.
I've been to Fresco's several times and the food is pretty good. They have really great specials and I enjoy their soups and salads. You can pretty much get whatever you want there because the menu is HUGE. They also do great catering.
(4)Sue M.
I had bookmarked Fresco's ahead of time in planning to dine here for dinner, but alas it didn't work out. Instead though, I stopped in for a snack...the sweet kind!!!! Oh, they all looked so yummy. An entire showcase of sweet goodies. Which one? Hmmm? Flourless Chocolate Torte of course! It was delightful in every way. Not too sweet but very smooth that just rolled off your tongue and slipped down your throat. The sweet came at the end with a small decorative iced rose that left your taste buds singing. I can't wait to go back again but next time it will definitely be for that duck supper. Major props to the female cashier/server and the cook (Jeff? Heff?) for being such sweethearts. Sorry but you tend to forget names while on the road. Current health inspection-0-high priority, 1-intermediate, 6-basic violations
(5)Lou M.
Went for brunch. The good and the bad: The Good: very cute restaurant and pretty old bar set up. The food was REALLY yummy! I had the Ranchero bowl and it was fantastic. Good marks on Quiche and Omelet as well as Southwestern wrap. The Bad: our server was inattentive at best. Ordered Cappuccinos at the same time as brunch and did not come until about 5minutes after we got food, even asked twice- the place was busy, but I didn't see that the barista was backed up. When we got them they were cold, watery and awful. The toast that came with the omelette wasn't even toasted it was just bread. She brought new toast. No one drank any of the cappuccino yes they were on each of our bills. I said they were cold when they arrived and can you please remove form my check. She did, but the other 3 checks still had them on it (we asked for separate checks). It was CLEAR no one touched the cappuccinos. I thought that was INCREDIBLY rude so when she came back I said I thought you would take the cappuccinos off each check as they all were cold. She did, but ridiculous I had to ask. The food was really good, but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Kelli D.
If I could rate this place on the drinks alone, I would give it a 5. The mixed drink selection and the quality of the drinks themselves are amazing. If you are one to appreciate "mixology skills," this place is for you. The food, however, is another story. I've been here three times, and each time the desserts have been stale and lacking flavor. I've had a few appetizers and main dishes here, which were all just ok - but nothing worth a visit. In short, skip the food and go to the bar!
(3)Tyler H.
Hope you like bland, gfs/cisco style food. Absolutely nothing original about our meals. Won't be back.
(2)Shantai M.
The first time I went to frescos(June 2015) it was great. The bartenders & waiters were amazing and the food was amazing! The atmosphere and vibe was positive and happy. The second visit which was earlier this week, well not so much. The owners daughter was working behind the bar and she had the worst attitude possible. She kept stating out loud (enough for my friend and I who were seated by the front door), "that she wanted to go home & wished it was 3pm already." She wasn't very pleasant and I don't think she smiled once at anyone during our entire meal. I asked for ice water twice and they never came to our table. If it was my first time I definitely would not return, but because I know that this was just an unfortunate experience with HER we may give it another go. Hopefully she won't be there during my next visit, no one wants to be around negativity. The only reason I'm giving this 3-stars is the food and drinks. The food was delicious this go around(mo'betta sandwich was moist,tender,& seasoned to perfection) and the apple martini was just as delicious as I remembered it from the first visit.
(3)Janice G.
Some of the Food was undercooked or bland. Sea bass was good and the pork skewers appetizer was delicious. Overpriced meals.
(3)Meranda L.
By far my favorite restaurant in Lakleand. Food is great, drinks are great, and the service is too !!! HIGHY RECOMMEND !!!!! The atmosphere is unlike anything else out here.
(5)Janessa C.
GREAT DRINKS!!!! Food was good, they have a unique menu in my opinion. Their appetizers are my favorite. I could eat their duck wraps all day long. I am a big fan of duck! Nice staff, ambiance is great! I thought the lamb was great!
(4)Cori W.
We had a couple of issues when we came here and I wasn't all that impressed which is why I gave them two stars. I feel like this place is overpriced because it's not Chili's and it's in Lakeland. It's overpriced and you don't really get what you paid for. We had the eggrolls for an appetizer and that was the best part of the meal those were actually quite nice. Then I got the fig flatbread. First off let me say that this is more of a pizza than a flat bread so if you're expecting a thin crust flatbread you're not gonna get that you're going to get a pizza. My next issue was that it says it has fig as well as goat cheese on it. I go to the regular basis there was not go cheese on that pizza. There was feta cheese and apparently that substitutes for goat cheese. Also there was no fig to be found Here's my final issue with this whole situation I let the lady know that I didn't get goat cheese but that my food came with feta cheese I didn't ask for anything no big deal. She came back with a check instead I'm going to go ahead and take off 20% of your check for the inconvenience which was nice.However, they have a happy hour that states before 630 you get 20% off of your check. Now we didn't check out until seven however everything we ordered was prior to 630 so in my opinion we deserve to get that discount. Pretty much the waitress gave me the happy hour price when I should've gotten a happy hour price. All in all it wasn't a great experience and I won't personally be back to dine.
(2)Jennifer A.
Great local establishment. Have been here for breakfast and brunch a few times. Just had lunch which was great. Atmosphere is perfect for a networking lunch or catching up with friends. The chicken salad wrap was flavorful and well-seasoned. My lunch companion had the mac n' cheese, served in a skillet that looked amazing. Happy to have another solid Restaurant choice in downtown!
(4)K L.
Excellent spot. Great warm reception felt totally appreciated. Came on a saturday night and they had live music and even still serving light fare.
(4)Lauren B.
I went their with a friend and it had a nice atmosphere but man the service was slow. It was an older crowd but the $4 a glass was amazing. Its a Saturday special.
(3)Joseph K.
After hearing all the hype how great it was I had to visit. Very disappointed. Food was mediocre at best. My Reuben had only one slice of meat, all bread. I wont go into the other lunches ordered but they followed suite. If this is what people in Lakeland think is good they need to get out more. Really bad, wont go back.
(1)Kat M.
Our friends told us about this spot and we all came here for brunch today. We arrived and there was a large line of people waiting to e seated. There was no host at the front to take names. We were greeted by a young girl and frantically told us it would be a 30 minute wait. So by now, it's been 7 minutes and there are 10 people scrunched in the front doorway. There is soothing live music being played and finally, the same young lady came up front and began taking names of all the people waiting. She had such a disheveled look on her face. As someone who worked in plenty of restaurants, if you don't have the skills to work FOH, then bus tables. After she took our name, we walked outside since she told us it would be 15 minutes. As soon as the four of us walked outside, she came out after 1 minute and said we were ready to be seated. After we were seated, we were greeted by a friendly server! My friend told me I had to try the Prickly Pear Mimosa, and not because of the vibrant fuscia color. Omg, this mimosa was the best I've had! Sorry traditional mimosa, you've been replaced! A perfectly sweet mimosa! I had to prevent myself from guzzling it down in two swigs. We ordered our meals and sat and chatted until they cane out. A runner brought out our friends food first and asked, "Is there anything else you are waiting for?", my fiancé and I gave him a look and told him what we ordered too. Really? No we just plan to sit here and watch our friends eat. Our food arrived and it was weird there was no salt and pepper on any of the tables. I carved into my Florentine omelet and was surprised how stiff the egg was and the feta had not melted. I dipped into my side of grits...and I pretty much ate all my grits, my toast and 3 bites of my omelette. Grits were amazing! Nice garlic flavor. It was a delicious meal and a fun day. My friends pancakes smelled so sweet and didn't even need syrup! Just a nice sweetness to them! My fiancé had the biscuits & sausage gravy. Looked delicious, but I was never a fan. Dense biscuits and a creamy gravy. If you order the granola parfait, just be aware it is rather large! My friends boyfriend ordered the parfait and the smoked salmon bagel. His parfait was served in a large bowl, granola on bottom, yogurt and fresh sliced bananas & berries on top. Needless to say, he ate the parfait and took the bagel home! When it came time to box up items, he put my plate in one hand and then another plate literally stacked on top of my omelette! I told him I wanted mine boxed and he lifted the plate off my food. Our guys paid and somehow the server swapped the cards and charged our bill on our friends card and vice versa. This must have been an off day for them, my friend mentioned they did a complete renovation to the place and this is the most packed they've ever been. Perhaps they will adjust to being more crowded during brunch. The dessert box was full of amazing goodies! The cupcakes are huge! Imagine the size of a blueberry muffin on steroids! We were eyeing one that had a scoop of ice cream and topped with an oreo. No dessert today, but I will come back to enjoy bottomless mimosas from 12-3 and of course a yummy dessert. Loved the atmosphere from the light fixtures over the bar, to the two man band playing soothing classic music WE WILL BE BACK!
(3)Jose M.
This place is nice. A couple of things I like are it's location and the menu items. The food is good not great! I don't necessarily like the hint of smell inside the restaurant. I came here for breakfast and I would return, but not with someone I want to impress. Wanted to give 3.5 stars but yelp hasn't developed the technology.
(3)Brandi D.
My family and I ate at Fresco's last night and we will never go back. My wife and son had some sort of steak and vegetable dish that was basically raw and the vegetables were like mush. I had what was supposed to be bacon wrapped scallops over sweet potato with a champagne reduction. What I received in actuality was a sweet potato puree with a bed of spinach and six scallops about the size of your thumbnail and not the first drop of a champagne reduction. The scallops had the taste and texture of being frozen and microwaved. And to add insult to injury, they were not bacon wrapped as indicated on the menu - they were topped with bacon crumbles that I'm not entirely sure didn't come out of a bag. When I asked our server why the scallops were not bacon wrapped, she advised us that they stopped doing this about 7 months ago. Our bill totaled just shy of $82 without tip. Do yourself a favor and select a different restaurant. You can get a meal of this lackluster quality at Olive Garden for half the price and that is not saying very much. I would recommend The Terrace Grill if you would like to have a nice dining experience in the Lakeland area.
(1)Rebecca K.
Stopped in for To-Go lunch. Ordered the chipotle peach chicken with Havarti sandwich. Great bun, but I was left wishing the peach chipotle had more flavor or kick and the chicken a little less salty. Fries were the typically good side. Overall, a little disappointed with what i ordered for the price tag, but a decent option in the downtown area. Will try a different or bakery item next visit as I saw some pretty yummy looking salads at the dine in tables.
(3)Kim B.
Although the food was delicious, the bartender was extremely rude and the waitress needs a lesson on how to wait tables. We were made to wait 20 minutes to just get a menu and when I mentioned this to what I found out later was the bartender (he had come to our table), we were told this is not a "fast food place". This alone will keep me from coming back.
(1)Ken W.
I am having a wedding in June 2015, I went to Fresco's in person just to meet & greet before I spend $2000.00 on appetizers ONLY. I was told at that time they were too busy to come out and meet me and was directed to contact them though the web site. I did what they requested while waiting on my dinner to come. I mention I was looking for a caterer for 50 to 75 guest with a budget of 1500 to $2000.00. After a week of not being contacted as stated in there auto response of a reply with 48 hours. I sent them an email telling them I was disappointed that no one had ever gotten back with me and that I was working with a $2000.00 budget for food. I received the following response, keep it in mind, I was not looking for a venue, just the appetizers ONLY. below is the email I received not long after I sent my email to them. I understand your disappointment. In my 14 to 16 hour days, and my 40 staff members daily needs, I try to insure all of my clients receive my attention. I know this is hard for some of my new client to understand but I am a working owner, on the 22 of January I had five events going on and 4 more to stage for Friday and Saturday. I know this means nothing to you. Although since I am an on hands owner and chef my day of clients appreciate the fact that I am always on hand and the one preparing for there event. Does this mean that sometimes new clients that do not understand my work ethics may not understand that I to am human and mistakes happen. I missed your e mail in my list of 30 plus I receive daily and I apology. Also let me add that I am glad you are on the Black and White Ball Board, but that means nothing to me because I at this time do not know who you are. An on your last statement since you are typing this with such anger and disappointment for my human error. My I suggest the Lake Mirror Towers, there room rents for 500.00 for a Friday event and you can choice what ever caterer you wish. Good luck in staying with in your budget, I was you best option since I am the only place in town with a space large enough to accommodate your party size with out paying for the room rental on top of everything else you will have to spend. Thank you again for notifying me of my errors and allowing me to be human. Tina Calhoon Owner/Chef
(1)Jonathan H.
Not great. There are way better options for lunch in Lakeland. I tried the buffalo chicken wrap.
(2)Alecia N.
My stars are for the atmosphere and the look and selection of baked goods! The coffee is from a press-button machine and the taste reflects this. The food is almost average but I think I'd prefer ihop. Good for large parties and it does have outdoor seating.
(3)Katy H.
I'm a little late posting this; new mom. The night started pleasantly enough, but a little slow on bringing more beers to my dad and husband. I order the mussels, shrimp, and fish bowl. It was SO salty. And I'm a gal who loves her salt! Couldn't eat it. (My son was only 3weeks old so i was too exhausted to care). My parents ordered the burger, both specifically ordering very rare. Very rare! They came out charcoal brickettes. They sent it back. My husband also ordered the rare burger, but kept his (our baby was getting restless and we thought we might need to jet soon) Boy, I'm glad he didn't send it back because it took 20mins to get another set of burgers. AND when they finally did arrive they were MEDIUM WELL! My dad ate it, because by then his napkin was starting to look tasty. Mom groaned and got hers to go. The waiter asked if we wanted to send the burgers back again and in unison we answered "No!" My parents are not 'complaining' people. But the waiter knew we were unhappy. He really didn't try to "make it right".
(1)Tara B.
Great menu! The drinks were strong and delicious. We tried the California chicken egg rolls, antipasto, lobster & crab sliders and the bacon wrapped filet. All top notch but my favorite was probably the sliders. The desserts were rich and a treat to splurge on. The waitstaff was fantastic overcompensating for what they referred to as a slow kitchen due to half of the staff working another event offsite. They comped our entire party desserts. We didn't feel that the kitchen was slow. Everything was timed well and tasted delicious. Would go back again. Nice ambience like a speakeasy,
(4)Erica B.
It is simply fun to sit at those bistro tables on the inside perimeter of the cafe and look down upon the minions sitting at the little tables. The seating arrangement is a stark metaphor of the rich-poor divide in Lakeland -- some have it and some never will. They serve the same "jerk" chicken pizza to both classes, to the ones that sit on high tops, and to the ones that don't, probably in a desperate attempt of equality,. And it tastes like sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce. Not sure why. Must be a cruel satire on the lack of international cuisine in downtown Lakeland. #notgoingback
(1)Alex J.
Impressed by the large beer selection at reasonable prices, house wines were a little over priced. I ordered the antipasto tray which was described as assorted meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. The tray had 4 meats but only mozzarella cheese slices and at least half a jar of olives. I expected to get olives but also expected more "accompaniments" like dried fruit, veggies or nuts. Nice atmosphere for Lakeland, but probably made a bad menu selection. Expect to spend a little more than average.
(4)Peter S.
Best place for quality cocktails. Nice food menu as well. Upscale for both in a relaxing atmosphere. Bartenders are excellent
(5)Doris B.
We were hesitant about coming because of some of the reviews, but it was the only breakfast place open close to our hotel on Sunday morning. Really glad we gave it a try. Ordered the red velvet pancake combo..it was one of their breakfast specials. The grits are the best I've ever had. The bacon was perfectly crispy. The red velvet pancakes were amazing. The cream cheese whipped topping was a little too sweet for my taste, but I guess it was appropriate for pancakes. My boyfriend ordered the strawberry French Toast..he loved it also. Our waitress, Sara was great... she told us that this new brunch menu had only been out a couple of day. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Erick B.
This place is just not good. Had the bagel, lox and cream cheese. A large portion of salmon was inedible, it was like the kitchen staff was thrown in the back to just "make" food with not technique or training. The waitstaff was clearly all new or being trained that day. No refills or inquiry if we cared for something more or needed anything. Won't be going back.
(1)Pete T.
Service was a little slow per usual in FL. Came for Father's Day. Order spinach florentine Benedict which had flavor but the eggs were over cooked. Also had some pancakes which was nothing out of the ordinary. It was nice that they served Voss water seeing supposedly Voss water is the premium for water. The waitress did forget my coffee I had to ask twice even though the place was not busy yet seeing there were a few empty tables.
(3)Erin S.
An absolute gem in the cute area of downtown lakeland. Frescos makes wonderful gourmet items- wraps,burgers, sandwiches, and salads. I had a delicious burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, and apple atop a toasted brioche bun. It came with a side of pasta salad that was equally yummy. They also have an amazing dessert/pastry case, and I couldnt turn that down. I chose a bananas foster cupcake, wow! One of the best cupcakes I've had. Very rich in banana flavor, with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. Fresco's, you've quickly made me a fan.
(5)Third P.
Decent food. Gets crowded at lunchtime. Been here 5 times- I had to wipe down my own table each time. Perhaps I'll just order take out.
(3)Alex D.
I haven't been to many other places in Lakeland, but I probably wouldn't come back here. My party of 6 was sat almost immediately on a Sunday morning, but waited about 15 mins before our waiter made any contact. Several of the orders had the incorrect sides. My home fries tasted stale and the omelets were poorly prepared
(2)Leslie T.
I wanted to live this place but I just didn't. We went for lunch, I ordered a chicken panini it was bland and there wasn't anything remarkable about it. My boyfriend ordered a club sandwich he said it was good, but really how hard is it to mess up a club? Our sides were macaroni and cheese and potato salad. I expected the macaroni and cheese to be warm and oozing with cheese. I received a room temperature side that wasn't cheesy at all. The potato salad was ok, one again nothing remarkable. The biggest disappointment? Our desserts. We split a cream horn there and ordered two cupcakes to go. The cream horn wasn't bad. The cupcakes however was terrible. We got a s'mores and a hot chocolate. For both we each took a bite and tossed the rest. They were just bad. The cupcakes were dry and the frosting was disgusting. On the hot chocolate cupcake it tasted chalky and the s'more frosting had a strange aftertaste. On the bright side, customer service was excellent.
(2)Dean S.
Had cioppino last night. Plenty of mussels, clams and shrimp. Surprise was a spicy sausage in the broth. Could have been more broth but still was flavorful. Wife had the sea bass and it was prepared well. Good flavors and very fresh. Menu is very extensive. Error in how cioppini was spelled in the menu. The waiter said he would inform the chef. Very good service and an abundant wine list. Definitely would return!
(4)Jessica G.
Ate here for lunch one day this week and I agree with a previous review...the food tasted like prepared food from GFS. I really expected more from this place. I will give it a try for breakfast, but never again for lunch or dinner. There are too many great places to eat in downtown Lakeland to eat here.
(1)Dino H.
Went for brunch this past weekend. Waited on server to come to our table for over 15 minutes. After ten or so we asked if anyone was waiting on our talbe. Someone then came over and helped table that just sat down next to us. We were getting up to leave when a guy came over to help us out. We felt bad then and stayed. Should have left. (restaurant ony looked like it had 3-4 tables of people) When I recieved my food it was room temperature/cold. Not even warm. Will not be back.
(1)Jen G.
Let's sum this up as a "Meh" place. Service was awful, food was OK. More pretentious than anything else. Was never asked for drinks, just the water bottle on the table. Food was brought out at different times, then finished it off with picking up the dishes quite fast as soon as done and then waiting for 15 minutes for the check. Probably won't be back, too many other restaurants in downtown Lakeland to try out.
(1)Tracy H.
Love this place-great place to grab a bite and a decent glass of wine (or micro-brew) right downtown. Live music most nights-blues and/or jazz on Tuesdays, along with awesome burger specials. Can't wait until the new bar opens!
(4)Deke K.
The chef changed when Fresco's chef opened his own eatery. Fresco's has gone back on the learning curve. I had a miserable zero-star experience for lunch. I ordered French dip. It was indedible, extremely bathed in salt with a hint of freezer burn and an "au jus" that was horridly salty. ($9) It was accompanied by warm (yes, warm) cole slaw. bleh. Had pumpkin roll for dessert. The cake was choke dry but made edible by the cream cheese in the roll. On contraire, my lunchmade had a delicious reuben with a great grainy mustard, a nice side salad and yummy flavorful pumpkin cheesecake. For a classy-looking joint you still must order at the counter and get refills back at the counter, asking them. (an inconvenience and they often aren't friendly about it). They use a spray cleaner on tables near you that is extremely pungent and the droplets make neighboring tables sneeze and cough. I think I can write this place off until the food reputation gets more consistent and less salty.
(2)Lauren F.
I tried to order a cake over the phone and, after I was transferred and put on hold, was told that they would be unable to help me and was hung up on. Very rude and unhelpful.
(1)Ty G.
Service & food was very good. Serve food fairly late on weekends too. I could easily become a regular here.
(4)E T.
Great for breakfast! The biscuits and gravy are homemade and delicious! No canned gravy or fake sausage here!!
(4)Johnny C.
I have to admit I did not try any of the food but some friends did and were impressed. It was a last stop on a small tour of downtown Lakeland and I thought I would be there only 30 minutes. Because of the super pleasant staff and the great band that was playing I stayed for much longer. A little classier than other stops in the immediate area and well worth a visit on a Saturday night. and after talking to others most any other time they are open.
(4)Renee C.
Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays are amazing here! Bottomless mimosas for $12 (or one for $6) absolutely delicious, and the French toast was awesome! I've also come here at night for drinks and got a pineapple sangria which was good! I also recommend their red sangria. Some nights they have entertainment.. There was a small band which was great the night I was there! Enjoy!!!
(5)Kristen C.
I've eaten brunch, lunch & dinner here, as well as dessert. The menu offers great options for all meals. The cupcake I tried was a little stale but the idea was unique (hot chocolate cupcake.) The service is decent. I like it mostly for it's homemade & downtown vibe. Sitting outside provides a beautiful view of downtown Lakeland. There needs to be more restaurants like this here.
(3)Desire J.
I had the margherita panini and it was messy but delicious, but the service seemed off (even for a slow afternoon). I would probably go back just for more fresh pastries!
(4)Erin C.
The first time I ever came here I ordered just a stuffed potato for lunch and I'm sure glad that's all I ordered. It was huge! I wasn't able to eat it all, but it was delicious. They offered three kinds of stuffed potatoes. I ordered the regular sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, and butter. However all the other options sounded appetizing as well. My sister in-law ordered the skillet macaroni and cheese and was full without even making a dent! When we returned for dinner a month or two later we looked for the mac and cheese and it was no longer on the menu, bummer! So we had the sweet potato fries with what seems to be icing, who cares, it was great!! So great I don't even recall what I actually had for dinner. We have ordered the fruit and cheese plate before, it's large and fresh. The pastry cabinet, shelf, whatever you would like to call it is drool worthy. The cupcakes are my weakness, but if every dessert is just as good as the cupcakes, this place is going to do just fine. :)
(3)Neale O.
This place has a nice little vibe. Comfprtable seating and a great place to eat and have a conversation without being distracted by TV's or loud music. The food is top notch and you can tell the chef really cares about what it put out the kitchen. They have a great brew selection and the burger was one of the best I've had. The deserts are to die for....
(5)Kay C.
Wine over priced food just ok.
(1)Varrick N.
Recently expanded into the next storefront and it looks like it was well-done. This is a pretty solid lunch bet. I saw a diverse menu of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and gourmet Mac'n'cheese. I ate in today, about 1:20 p.m. It was about half-full, quiet, and the staff were right ready to serve. This was my first time here so: order at the counter, you get a number, and drink, and pick a table. The food came out promptly and to order. I had a Reuben sandwich, and it was fine, nicely balanced, perhaps could have used a couple more ounces of meat. Side was "potato salad" not awful, but literally diced red potato swimming in something like Miracle Whip, and that's it. I don't know how one gets away with that down here. I'd skip that side, perhaps just chips (Miss Vickie's) instead next time. Iced tea was delicious, Luzianne if the label on the dispenser is right. Next time I want to try one of the "Gourmet Mac" items to see what those are like, the menu descriptions are tempting. I thought the menu, overall and specifically my sandwich, was a shade pricey, compared to Crispers, a couple of blocks north, but not completely out of the box. I think Crispers, and for that matter, Chop Shop next door, are a little more reasonable. Fresco's offers breakfast from 7 a.m. on with shrimp & grits plus eggs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches & burritos standing out on the menu. You can phone in or fax orders in advance to speed up your day, but the service was plenty quick, attentive and clearly sensitive to busy diners who need to get fed and on their way. Website is frescosbakery.com , and they do have a bakery menu to boot.
(3)Leori P.
What a great find in Lakeland. The food, the service, the drinks- All were amazing. I would definitely recommend the white Sangria. It was delicious.
(5)Mark S.
I wasn't quite as impressed with lunch as I've been with other local Lakeland spots. Mom lives close by, so the eateries around Munn Park downtown provide a good spot for us to meet. Fresco's caught my eye during the last visit, so I thought we'd give it try. It was 11:30 on a weekday. The place wasn't full and there were 3 people behind the counter, but we still had to clear off leftover newspapers and wipe down our own table to find a place to sit. The place is attractive, but not large, so I was a little puzzled why, with a decent menu and apparently big enough staff, I had to stand in line to place my order..they were slow at this, so it wasn't even particularly efficient. I had a vegetable panini, which was pretty good, Mom had a "cobb" salad..it took awhile to get the food..I actually got up and reminded them that we were waiting and hungry. The salad looked like they opened a bag of Spring Mix the bought at Sam's Club and chopped up boiled egg and bacon into. Dressing was delivered in those tiny plastic shot glasses common to delis..balsamic because they were out of Italian. After lunch we stood in line again to order coffee. It was cold. The ONLY thing saving this place from a one star rating is that the pastries at the counter looked fabulous and I may want to go back and try some.
(2)Sundi P.
Great place. Very cute and the food is good. The desserts look amazing, but I haven't tried them. I've had their breakfast and lunch so far.
(4)Ray C.
A friend of mine took me to this place and it was unbelieveable! How cute the cafe was! We went there for breakfast on Sunday morning. I had my omlette and it was omigosh delicious! I had a blueberry muffin also! They tasted like HOMEMADE and delicious! I felt like it at home! I am from Tampa and I would go back there again and it's WORTH the drive! I brought home from their oreo cheesecake and it was really good! The prices are REASONABLE for so much food on the plate! Loved it! (By the way, I love family owned restaurants) Thank you Fresco's Bistro and Bakery!
(5)Matt B.
Stopped in with family on new years eve, only because the Chop Shop was closed for vacation. :( Tried the weekend brunch, which had several breakfast options that looked good. I went for sausage gravy and biscuits with eggs and breakfast potatoes. I ordered my eggs fried hard and they came out over easy, but at least they brought a replacement when I asked. My wife had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and it was not to her liking. Steak overcooked and not much cheese, so she only ate half and then nibbled off my plate. Service was pretty poor. The staff was friendly enough, but in an almost empty restaurant at lunch time I expect my drink kept full. My dad had to ask for a refill on his iced tea and even then they did not offer me another water, when my glass was clearly empty. Overall it would get 2 stars for food and service, but they get a bonus star for the delicious looking display of desserts and goodies. Their chocolate peanut butter bar was the best I've eve had, moist and flavorful, without the usual crumbly issue that plagues most peanut butter bars.
(3)K S.
A very comfortable spot to eat breakfast or lunch. The sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich is amazing. In addition, they also have a four square deal for free coffee/soda for first check-in.
(5)Lori R.
First disappointing experience today. My two friends and I came for lunch. To start our experience, the cashier was apathetic, tossing my friend's debit card back on the counter towards her rather than handing it back to her. When they brought out her bowl of chili, which usually has a decent amount of cheese sprinkled on top, it only had a few shreds. When she asked for a bit more cheese, she was told there would be an up-charge. I ordered part of my meal to-go and it was brought out regularly. I was told she didn't hear me. I then had to ask for my cup of chili- twice. Another friend who ordered after me got her soup before I got my chili, then she waited for 30 minutes for her sandwich. Come to find out, they'd delivered it to another table. It was recovered from that table, and that same one was then delivered to my friend!!!! Unfortunately, she was so hungry and we were out of time, there weren't any other options- she packed it up to-go. This was definitely a disappointing experience for all three of us. Only gets 2 stars because it's good food when they get it right.
(2)Ben G.
We met some friends who had a 1 year old and a 2 year old and after being there for about 20 minutes a very rude customer told us we would be better off at Chuck E Cheese so we left. The kids were not being loud or obnoxious at all! It was a Tuesday night and they were not busy at all. I will never go back or visit Lakeland ever again!
(1)Ash L.
Well, I went on a busy Saturday night and luckily we had reservations. The restaurant is small, but cozy. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I ordered the pan-seared duck. It came with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus. Normally I don't care for sweet potatoes but these were delicious! The duck was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was tender. The price was 19.00 which I thought was reasonable. The portion size was just right. Our table ordered the scallops appetizer, however they never made it to the table. We got our salads (they do not come with dinner, you have to pay for them separately) and it was absolutely delicious! The salad dressing was homemade and there were plenty of toppings on the salad. They allowed us to try the soup, which was a vegetable beef soup. The server said the soup was homemade and you could tell with the fresh vegetables and the chunks of beef. The broth was savory and it was a nice size bowl. The manager came over and we notified him that we did not get our scallops so he gave us a complimentary round of drinks to compensate. Fair enough. To complete our meal we sampled a dessert. I had the s'mores cheesecake and it was heavenly. A large but not intimidating slice that had a dense consistency with a hefty amount of s'mores toppings on top. It was exactly how cheesecake should be. There were several items on the evening menu that looked and sounded delicious. Definitely a place to return to for dinner. My only recommendation is perhaps they could serve some bread. They had a guitarist playing for entertainment and I enjoyed his music. It wasn't loud and distracting where you felt like you had to yell at the guests at the table to have a conversation. All in all I thought it was a great first experience with excellent food. I would definitely go back again.
(4)Wendi D.
I stumbled upon Fresco's on one of those quiet Saturday afternoons in downtown Lakeland. The brunch until 2 and dessert case really caught my friend's eye, so we decided to give it a try. We were able to sit down immediately and our drink order was taken promptly. I had a delicious mimosa ($6) that hit the spot. My husband was very pleased by the selection of beers. A few were on draught but most were bottles. He had the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter ($4) which was great. While we didn't order any, they also seemed to have a good selection of speciality coffees. For food my husband opted to go for the breakfast option getting eggs, toast, bacon, and breakfast potatoes. All received a positive review. My friend ordered the spinach florentine quiche with a side of salad greens which she loved. She did say it was very heavy on the spinach but that was a bonus for her. I had the chicken salad croissant but on a wrap ($7.50). It was a big wrap and quite tasty. It was very sweet since it was made with walnuts, pineapple, apricots, and other goodness. The tomatoes, onions, and sprouts balanced out the sweetness. I was very happy with the choice. The only let down was I ordered apple sauce hoping for homemade apple sauce... But it was actually just a pre-packaged serving of Mott's. Afterward we split a huge peanut butter mousse chocolate cupcake ($3). It was AWESOME. The cupcake was moist and the peanut butter mousse frosting was perfect. I think Fresco's was a good find and is a cute place for a lunch (although our server also told us the menu changes a lot and changes depending on whether or not it's lunch vs. dinner, weekday vs. weekend). I would definitely go back. I would also recommend it purely for dessert and coffee as well!
(4)