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Culinary Couple Goes "All Aboard" for Mount Dora Dining Experience
The Mount Dora & Lake Eustis Railway, operated by the Florida Central Railroad, offers a variety of train rides on local tracks.  The smoke-free climate-controlled coaches travel on rails, some of which date back to the 1800s.
We chose a Saturday trip which offered lunch service. This tour runs along nine miles of track between Mt. Dora and Tavares. There were five luncheons from which to select at the time of reservations. Food service is provided by Yancey's Catering Service, but is cooked on board.
I chose a delicious Lake Dora Quiche, prepared with bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, eggs, and cheese. My spouse opted for Whistle Stop Beef Tips with noodles. All entrees came with a salad, hot rolls,  and cheesecake for dessert. Other choices were Chicken Caesar Salad, Seared Ahi Tuna, or Junction Jerk Chicken Wrap. Coffee and tea are included, and beer and wine is available for purchase. The total price for the lunch and train ride was $28 per person.
The evening dinner train costs $50 per person, and includes a stop at Ferran Park in Eustis to catch the summer sunset. The trip is about 2-1/2 hours long.
The entrees are Third Avenue Beef Tournadoes (two 4 oz. medallions on a grilled onion steak with cabernet au jus), Baked Salmon, or Round House Chicken topped with a sauce of apricots, ginger and beer.
A "pizza train" runs from May - Sept. on Sat. & Sun. at 12:30 PM. Adult tickets are $17, and $12 for children 8 and under. The trip includes a personal pizza and a drink. 
Our dining car was beautifully decorated with thickly upholstered chairs, four to each table, carpeted floors and matching drapes. The train moved slowly past scenic lakes, historic homes, pastures and citrus trees. It was a pleasant experience.
A 45-ton locomotive powers the the railroad's Herbie Express, which is a narrated tour. For kids, Thomas the Tank Engine offers rides on October 7, 8 & 9 and 14, 15 & 16. Also offered are wine pairings and jazz trains, private parties, holiday events, or business meetings. Call (352) 383-8878 for more information about this "different" kind of dining experience.
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