Cheddar's, Sanford

I had lunch at this branch of the Texas based chain in what had been the largest undeveloped tract of land around the Seminole Mall on Friday. You remember the "goat farm" wink wink. Not a tax dodge at all. Anyway this is one of the first locations to open there. I think it opened two weeks ago. I had their chicken and waffles for what I think was $9. They don't itemize it on your copy. What purpose this accomplishes I'm not sure. It has to be pernicious and deliberate though, I'm sure. The waffle was hard as nails and cold. I wouldn't be surprised if they made them in advance. The chicken was three, large tenderloins/fingers. The outside crust was nice and flaky, but, the inside was a little sticky/under done. I just came from eating Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in LA, so needless to say, they paled in comparision. You wouldn't know it by the scores of hayseeds lining up to what for them must be New Year's Eve - another nationwide slop house. I didn't even argue over sitting at the bar. I just went. The waiting period must have been thirty minutes. At the bar, I was ignored by two girls and what I term a Southern gay. I don't think he actually chases men, but, his effete, pompousness comes off as swish. He seemed more concerned with talking to his friends. We had a guy like him in the marketing department of my previous employer and he had a hot girlfriend. Maybe she was a beard or maybe she was confused and wanted a hybrid shim, but, the guy was seen in public with her. I'm digressing. I had to appeal to the one adult (who I surmised was the manager) to get a menu and some attention. The party next to me had a worse time because they weren't as proactive. They sat there, like ghosts, for twenty minutes. The plate came fairly quickly. The manager did get me a refill (though the mix was off or glass was tainted). Paying took as much effort on my part. Needless to say this isn't my cup of tea and even if the service wasn't (semi-understandably) distracted, I would not likely go back. It's just the same mid-level effort you get at Chili's/Applebee's. The prices were pretty low. If you are the typical Joe Blow with little enthusiasm for adventure, this is your Eden. It seats about 120. There is a main dining room and a bar area. It's decorated like a steer house mixed with a Bahama Breeze. It has island type fans circulating in the main room. If it is born of Texas I don't get the fusion. The menu has ribs, chicken, sandwiches, snack foods. Destined to become infuriatingly popular.