Dish: Groceries Wine - Ocala

As soon as I walked in, I knew I was going to like it. From the upscale country decor, high top, low top and bar seating to the unique deli and meat counter. After selecting a table, my son and I gave it up to three elderly women out for lunch and we bellied up to the bar. This was a better choice because we sat with two of the ranch hands that work the cattle that supply DISH. I think it really means something when you want to eat the food you prepare. They gave us insight on the beef preparation, the feeding and their stringent requirements. It was fascinating and made our meal more interesting We split a pizza and burger and both were plenty to full us up. The burger was tremendous and the pizza just as delightful. With either choice, you cannot go wrong.

This place is so exceptionally good! I can't believe we found this hidden gem in ocala. The burgers are sublime. Definitely have the incredible housemade fries with the housemade ketchup and their incredible chili aioli. Everything is pure, organic, no artificial anything. Staffed by friendly people and decorated in a comfortable elegant country fashion. The food though. The burgers are just out of this world. I wish I had more room to try the pizzas. The owner is a lovely lady, she came over and chatted with us during our meal. We didn't expect to find such a delicious meal in the swamp between the beach and civilization!

The name of this venue is either Dish Fine Grocer and Eats or Blue Wagyu, both names are on the front signage and both are in Yelp. I went with Dish because that's where the reviews are. I adore the farm to plate concept. We were told that everything we ordered was made within 5 miles of this location. I could be nit picky about that but won't. As a first timer I found the flow odd. You are greeted by the lady at the wine/cash register area and are directed to the lady at the order counter. After placing your order you go back to the first lady to order wine or show the beverages you took from the cooler. She keeps your order sheet until you are ready to leave and pay up. When you order your beef (they have chicken and shrimp too, but why? you get to pick from pink or no pink. With really good beef I would choose light red but that wasn't an option. My 1/4 pounder, ordered pink, was barely visibly pink. Let's back up here. There were 3 of us. One has celiac, gluten intolerant. We went here because the have gluten free rolls and beer.... slam dunk for my sister. We all ordered different burgers and three different sides. All three sides were extremely good, broccoli salad, twice stuffed potato and 1/2 and 1/2 fries (white and sweet potatoes. . The chili with burger had no heat, my burger needed more 1000 island dressing but my gluten free sis loved her bun so much that everything between the buns was delicious. Here are a few things that need improvement. We had to ask for silverware. I had to wait for the very busy cashier (who was often juggling a baby on her hip to ask for a glass of water. Oh, the tap water must be on a water softener, tastes slimy. The burgers come with no sides, it's all ala carte which can become very pricey. My small broccoli salad was labeled to be $3.50 but after reviewing the receipt I was charged $4.00. The prices on the sides are written very small, easy to miss it. I love the concept but customer service is just as important as quality of food. Give me great customer service and I might not have noticed some of these other things.

Dish (The Blue Wagyu as the sign out front shows) isn't a gem in the rough. This is a Tiffany's diamond piece in the swamp. I came through Ocala for a night with no previous knowledge other than some off-color gibes from some coworkers (who were raised in the area) so my anticipation was fast food or a random run-down bbq joint. I settled down at my hotel in the evening and my anticipation was fairly on point when I checked out the map. A small flag slightly outside the city caught my eye sounding like a deviation from expectations. What I found was The Blue Wagyu or Dish... not actually sure which is the primary name as both are shown on the outside. Impressions from the exterior are non-existent. It's tucked away in a small strip mall surrounded by cow pastures, literally. I soon learned (from the wonderfully welcoming server, Maria) that these local pastures are where the owner actually raises the wagyu cattle. The decor inside is fantastic (see the panorama I uploaded). It's not your typical small town, rustic decor. It carries a very comforting and more familiar (to me at least) ambience with it's more modern feeling organic atmosphere instead. Now finally down to what matters, the food. Although the waitress/server/order taker was charming me on the pizza's, I couldn't deviate from what I was there for (and what was on the sign)... the wagyu. I ended up with the 1/2 lbs Yusufuku Jr. burger and was not prepared for what I was getting into. The burger itself had bleu cheese, spinach, smoked bacon on a brioche bun. Now, I've had a lot of burgers in my days. Big ones, small ones, bleu (cheese) ones, even ostrich ones. This is without a doubt the best I've ever had. It honestly takes me 1000 miles away to NYC and reminds me of Bareburger's organic grassfed burgers, except it's seasoning was absolutely on point. The ingredients themselves were seemingly fresh and carried superb texture to compliment the outstanding meat. The best part here is that everything seemed to build and flow around the meat as the star of the dish, just like it should be. It wasn't drowned in some overwhelming sauce, or thrown together with some outrageously overpowering combination. The details seem fine tuned to play supporting roles to the spectacular beef patty. The end result is a burger which lives up to the anticipation from the moment you order. Bottom line? The only downside I can find (and I'm reaching here) is that this is in Ocala and not closer to home.

The burgers are off the hook! No grease running down the arms and very freshly cooked. If you get the smaller burger it is cooked well done but no crispy, if you like rare then you have to get the larger burger. I am not crazy about sweet potato fries, yet theirs is awesome and nice a great tasting coating :o). The owner walks around and checks to see how the customers are doing and enjoying their food (nice touch). A little pricey for a burger yet, this is not your typical burger joint!