Dining 2026 - Weeks 17-23

First, the simple Stats...

Statistics

Current Weeks: 17-23 
# NEW Restaurants:         Current:1   Total:5   Goal:5
# Different Restaurants:   Current:7   Total:31  Goal:23

My scoring system is simple:

  1. Okay
  2. Good
  3. Great
  4. Excellent
  5. Memorable

I have never used a Zero but it means BAD. If I use a half like 2.5, it means halfway between 2-Good and 3-Great

In my spreadsheet I also use a field called My Visits:

  • Many - I have visited more than 5 times
  • Few - I have visited 2 to 5 times
  • Once - One visit
  • None - No visits
  • Sorry - It closed before ever making the first visit.
I will add this field to the header.

Here are the restaurants added since the last dining synopsis post...

4/29/2026 - Few - 3.0 - 4th Street Filling Station

Location: Popular Gastropub and Grill on A1A in Cocoa Beach, on the West side just south of Kelly Slater Statue

History: It was a Mobil gas station since the 1950s. Opened in January 2019, initially, it operated as both a functional Mobil fuel station and a restaurant while renovations began. In 2020, the gas pumps were completely removed, shifting the business's focus entirely to dining and hospitality.

This visit: I was coming back from Port Canaveral after taking some launch photos. It was near lunchtime so I stopped for a Spicy Bloody Mary, made very well by bartender Bernice who has served me a few times. For lunch I got the Bourbon & Bacon Chicken Sandwich with house-made Kettle Chips. I may have had a second Bloody Mary.


5/6/2026 - Once - 3.0 - Melbourne Kitchen

Location: All-day diner on NASA Blvd in Melbourne, just East of Babcock Street

History: Opened in 2025. Previously was Eddie's Sunrise Diner, a place I visited multiple times. I read that in the 1970s, it was a Sambos, across from Zayre discount store.

This visit: I was looking for some Hash and the previous place located here made some great breakfasts. This place is new and uses the new culinary deconstruction so the meat, potatoes and vegetables were separate, not sure why they still call it hash. This dish was called Brussels Market Hash and had corned beef, potatoes, Brussel sprouts and I had my two eggs over easy. There was some cheese. I had coffee and water. Although it was not the hash I was craving, it was actually great.

I sat at the counter and you can still see into part of the kitchen.

5/15/2026 - Many - 3.5 - Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar

Location: Located on the Cruise Ship Basin at Port Canaveral

History: Rusty's Seafood and Oyster Bar, located at Port Canaveral, has deep roots in Space Coast history. Founded in 1992/1993, the restaurant was created by Rusty Fischer as a laid-back alternative to his historic, upscale Cocoa Beach family restaurant, Bernard's Surf. The Fischer family’s legacy in the area began in 1948 when Bernard Fischer opened one of the first restaurants in Cocoa Beach, Bernard’s Surf—a popular gathering place for early astronauts and space scientists. Family Legacy: After Bernard’s passing in 1965, his nephew Rusty took over the family business. The Birth of Rusty's: In 1992, Rusty launched Rusty's Oyster Bar in The Cove at Port Canaveral as a relaxed, come-as-you-are alternative to his downtown location. Today's Vibe: Still family-owned, Rusty's is currently run by Rusty's sons, Rhett and Rusty Jr. It maintains its tradition of fresh local seafood and serves as a popular waterfront spot for watching rocket launches.

This visit: I was at the Port again for a launch and was craving some nourishment. I ordered the clam chowder, nest around, and six raw oysters. The horse radish is extremely hot here so be careful before piling it on the cracker or oyster. Landshark beer with a lime was my beverage.

5/18/2026 - Few - 3.0 - Walk-Ons Sports Bar

Location: Cajun establishment in the Viera Avenues behind the Super Walmart.

History: Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Viera officially opened its doors on March 22, 2021. The 7,500-square-foot restaurant was a major milestone for the brand, serving as the 50th location system-wide. The sports bar quickly became a staple for its family-friendly atmosphere, massive array of TVs, and signature Louisiana-inspired menu (including items like duck and andouille gumbo and boudin balls).The restaurant’s name and underdog ethos trace back to its origins in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founders Brandon Landry and Jack Warner were both walk-on athletes for the Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball team in 1997. They conceived the idea on a flight home from a road game, opening the very first location right next to LSU's Tiger Stadium in 2003. Over the years, the brand has gained massive popularity, even catching the eye of NFL stars like Drew Brees who later joined as a co-owner.

This visit: I had been to the Zoo so headed to Viera. I was craving Cajun and I ordered the half Po'boy sandwich with Fried Catfish. I substituted the fries with a small salad with Ranch. Brittany was the bartender and that was a 22 ounce draft beer.

As I was leaving, I saw they had lots of local High School football helmets and jerseys. I asked the hostess and she said the started with Viera and people have brought in other teams.

5/22/2026 - Many - 2.5 - Mulberry Lane Café

Location: Bakery & Breakfast Diner on North Harbour City Blvd (US1)

History: Expanded into a cozy, sit-down café around 2017. It is well-known for its clean, 1980s diner-style aesthetic. It sits in a slightly secluded plaza on US-1 that formerly housed a driver's license (DMV) testing center. The café is famous for its scratch-made breakfast items, including blueberry pancakes, blackened shrimp grits, and creative twists on eggs benedict. 

This visit: Started with coffee and ordered the French Eggs Benedict with hash brown potatoes. Usually I get the fruit bowl in place of the starch, but the two grapes and orange were plenty. BTW, that is ham and cheese on a croissant with two poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.

6/5/2026 - Many - 3.0 - Palm Shores Bistro

Location:  On US1 just South of the Pineda Causeway.

History: In 2010, the bistro was founded by second-generation restaurateur Jeff Kaplan, who grew up working in his family's bagel deli in New Jersey. Jeff owned a Deli in Suntree, very near the ENSCO office where I worked. Kaplan opened Palms Shore Bistro inside a charming, converted house right along U.S. Route 1. That house, before the widening of US1 from four to six lanes, was a favorite spot of mine called Pineda Golf & Pantry. Owned by Lois & Rich Barber, they had the Best Reuben around and great grilled hot dogs. 

This visit: This time my craving for corned beef hash was satisfied. With my coffee is the corned beef hash, pan fried potatoes, two eggs over easy and wheat toast. There was ketchup just outside the frame of the photo.

6/7/2026 - Many - 3.5 - New England Eatery & Pub

Location: Far south of Melbourne Beach along A1A, on the West side.

History: Founded in 1995 by Walter & Rosemary Smith who moved to Florida in 1986 from somewhere in New England.

This visit: Lunch at the outside bar, with a Landshark beer plus lime, a Connecticut Lobster Roll, baked beans, and Cole slaw. That is butter for the lobster.

Just across from this place is the home of Doug Flutie. I saw that the home next door was for sale, probably around $2-3 Million. Tough choice, buy the house, or the lobster roll. I went with the lobster since it was under $2M, barely.



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