By MEL TOADVINE

“mailto:mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com”>mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com

Just in time for the holiday season, Lehigh Areas residents who enjoy dining in a buffet with good food have an opportunity to try out the new TownLakes Buffet.

“You don’t have to drive out of Lehigh to find a great buffet any longer,” says Angela Applebee, owner of the restaurant located at TownLakes Square just off of Williams Ave.

“We may be just a little off the beaten track, but we are not far from Lee Blvd., and it’s worth the visit because we have prepared some good food for our customers,” Applebee said.

“We have something different every day and we have food with Jamaican flavors and we have good old fashioned southern American cooking. We can please any palate, Applebee said.

Originally from Jamaica, where she owned a restaurant, she came to the U.S. and operated a restaurant in New Jersey before coming too Southwest Florida.

She amazes her staff because she spends as much time in the back kitchen preparing the food as do the cooks she hires. She makes sure everything is “just right” before it’s taken out to the serving area.

The restaurant is located in front of the TownLakes community, developed by I&E of Lehigh Acres. Also included in the Townlakes Square is a professional building, housing I&E corporate offices and physicians’ offices; a miniature golf course, a family storage area and a spa.

It’s all part of I&E’s plan to have what they have referred to as “Main Street America.,” when they developed the area of fine homes and lakes behind the Square.

The economy may have slowed down but Applebee said she is pleased with the number of people who have come to her new buffet. Lunchtime finds many cars parked out front and that pleases Applebee and her staff of cooks and servers.

There are noontime special prices and evening buffet prices that are affordable for everyone, Applebee said.

The dining room is elegant with all new tables with table clothes and the décor is comfortable.

“My food is so good that my customers keep coming back. I invite everyone to come on out and give us a try. I think they will be pleasant surprised with our food choices and our prices,” Applebee said.

It’s the only buffet in Lehigh, according to Applebee. It’s not so large that you feel you are in a warehouse. It’s very warm and inviting inside,” she said.

“It’s a great place with good food,” said Hans Pfuner, who owns the building and is leasing it out to Applebee.