Orange Blossom Junction

I am rarely absolutely surprised and delighted at the same time, but I was both during my two visits to Orange Blossom Junction last weekend. Food, Friendliness, and Music were all absolutely excellent. Had a great strip steak and also sampled the f ... more

I am rarely absolutely surprised and delighted at the same time, but I was both during my two visits to Orange Blossom Junction last weekend. Food, Friendliness, and Music were all absolutely excellent. Had a great strip steak and also sampled the fish special. I couldn't get the secret of the lobster sauce from anyone (tried 3 people), but it was amazing (could it have been ice cream based?). Thanks for renaming the Almond Joy to Coconut Trauma (in tribute to your "Chocolate Trauma"). Didn't have close to room for it, but had to sample anyway. When I come back to that area again, I'm not sure whether it will be to visit Sequoia Natl Park or just to come back to spend more time in the restaurant/bar/concert hall/railroad station/etc/etc/etc less

Now in their second year of business, the Orange Blossom Junction appears to have the staying power that the previous attempts did not. The management has started offering live music by some pretty big names and quite a few decent local musicians, ... more

Now in their second year of business, the Orange Blossom Junction appears to have the staying power that the previous attempts did not. The management has started offering live music by some pretty big names and quite a few decent local musicians, mostly in a guitar / jazz genre. The service has speeded up considerably since the last time I was there, and it is extremely nice to have a restaurant of this caliber out and away from the great metropolis of Visalia. Since my work has dictated that I spend more time in this area of late, I will also spend more time at the Orange Blossom. Highly recommended. less

The Orange Blossom Junction used to be the old Merryman Station restaurant that crashed and burned (literally) a few years back. Not much was required in rehabbing the place though, and the interior looks pretty much the same as I remember. There ... more

The Orange Blossom Junction used to be the old Merryman Station restaurant that crashed and burned (literally) a few years back. Not much was required in rehabbing the place though, and the interior looks pretty much the same as I remember. There is a full bar, and the back room is now reserved for dinner and meetings. Diners are given a bowl of peanuts and a tin bucket for the shells at the table. The food is a major upgrade, however. There is a limited number of choices on the menu, but the are all excellent. The bbq pork ribs in orange bbq sauce are tender and wonderful, but opt for the cole slaw instead of the pilaf. The Cat's Meow salad with grilled salmon is also very good (try the orange caesar dressing). And then there is the "La Bomba Potato" which is a mongo baked potato stuffed with yummy chili-style beans (its not chili, but something like) salsa and cheese, and shredded beef for $7. Ohyeah. I have not tried the desserts because there has never been room. Wines are kind of pricey but the beer on tap is excellent (Orange Blossom Ale - who would have thought?) and if you buy the logo glass, refills are 50 cents off. Good stuff. The Orange Blossom Junction is only open Wed. through Sunday, but maybe as traffic picks up it will be open Monday and Tuesday also. I sure hope they can keep it going this time, because my experiences there have been good. less