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 Gracie’s Backporch Café in downtown Tavares is not only a popular local restaurant, but is also an art gallery. The walls of this restaurant are covered with beautiful metal sculptures created by owner Bill Squires, as well as paintings by local artist Anita Woods. Bill has a work shop in the back of the building where he works his magic with metal. He has been in the metal sculpting business for 35 years, and at the Tavares location for about 3 years.
His niece, Amanda, and sister-in-law, Sharon Kelly operates the Café. It is open only for lunch Monday-Friday from 11 AM until 3 PM. The Café seats about 70 people and does a brisk business every day. On the day we visited, we arrived early and found the restaurant was almost filled to capacity.
 Their from scratch recipes are reminiscent of Amanda’s great-grandmother Mimi Grace, who served homemade soups, luncheons and desserts on her back porch in Tavares many years ago. On the day that we visited the Café, the menu included a crab cake bake made with lump crabmeat and seasonings, baked and served on a toasted baquette with fresh mango salsa and pineapple, toasted almond chicken salad or a hot roast beef sandwich. I chose a grilled ham and gouda cheese panini on sourdough bread with a special dipping sauce (a secret recipe) and a bowl of “veg-a-strone” soup as an appetizer. My spouse chose a spinach quiche with a delicious side salad and an assortment of fresh fruit. Everything was very tasty and the portions were generous with nice presentation.
The Café accepts private bookings for breakfast and dinner, as well as catering for special events. Its prime location at 227 E. Main Street attracts a large crowd on a daily basis.
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