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 Nestled among the giant cypress trees, along the shores of Lake
Panasoffkee, is a delightful buffet-style restaurant called Harbor
Lights.
Lake Panasoffkee, a small town in nearby Sumter County, had its
beginnings around 1840, when it was inhabited, in part, by Seminole
Indians. In the native language, the lake’s name loosely translated
means “deep valley”. The lake itself is about nine miles long and
occupies about 4500 acres. For those of you who enjoy “wetting a line”
on occasion, we have also been told that the bass fishing on Lake
Panasoffkee is very good.
 Harbor Lights Restaurant and Lounge has been in the Carson Family since
1982 and is still operated by three generations of the family. William
and Doris Carson, the parents of seven children, originally came from
Pennsylvania. They were considering starting up their own business.
While traveling in the area, they saw an ad for the sale of the
restaurant, looked it over, and decided to purchase it. They had no
previous restaurant experience, so the former owner spent about a month
teaching the Carsons the restaurant business.
On our recent visit on a Sunday in the early afternoon, we were escorted
to a lakeside table in a pleasant wood-paneled dining room, with
wrap-around windows overlooking the peaceful Lake Panasoffkee. We had a
chance to chat with William Carson about the restaurant, since he
himself enjoys escorting diners
 to
their tables as they arrive. I opted for a cup of their homemade bean
and ham soup, while my spouse headed for the salad bar. There was an
excellent variety of salad greens, tomatoes, carrots, pickled beets,
Cole slaw, and potato and macaroni salads, plus several toppings.
The main entrees featured on Thursdays and Sundays are roast turkey and
dressing, baked ham, roast pork, BBQ ribs, roast beef, broiled and fried
fish as well as fried shrimp. The cost is $9.95 on these two days of the
week. On Fridays and Saturdays, when the restaurant remains open until
10 PM, Harbor Lights features sirloin steak and frog legs, in addition
to the regular fare. Prices increase to $13.95, and if one chooses to
add crab legs, the price is $19.95. This “all you care to eat” buffet
may vary slightly some evenings, but everything is included from soup to
dessert for that price. Be sure to try their homemade noodles in chicken
broth and their apple and pineapple fritters. Desserts include pie,
cake, brownies, puddings and bread pudding.
 Beer and wine, and a full-service bar are also available. In addition,
there handcrafted articles on display, some of which are available for
purchase.
Harbor Lights is one of those cozy restaurants where local folks like to
get together to socialize. They are a bit off the beaten path, but if
you enjoy the serenity of lakeside dining and seeing a part of the real
Florida, it’s definitely worth the effort. They are about 3 and 1/2
miles west of I-75 along CR 470. Watch for their sign on the right, and
turn onto CR 439, which ends on the shores of Lake Panasoffkee. Enjoy!
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