Where the locals eat: In Anthony, Papy's is the Place for breakfast and lunch

Editor's note: This story has been revised to include correct spellings for the names of Candler Homan and Dan Stuvick.

ANTHONY — Papy's Place restaurant has built a solid following over the last two years with a homey atmosphere, friendly service and customer favorites like the Lumberjack Omelet, beef tips, Low Country Boil and, of course, juicy burgers.

The family-owned operation is also one of four eateries countywide dubbed

“restaurant champions” by Marion Senior Services for their roles in the “Warm Meals, Warm Hearts” program, which began in May 2020 and served thousands of meals to nutritionally at-risk seniors during the challenging times of the pandemic. The program continues to provide meals to seniors to this day.

Papy’s Place is located at Northeast Jacksonville Road and Northeast 95th Street near Anthony Elementary School. The Saddle Rack Cafe, which closed over three years ago, was formerly on the site.

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Scott Homan, 52, who continues to operate Homan Construction, a site work company, is co-owner of Papy’s Place along with his wife, Wanda.

Scott Homan was a regular customer at Saddle Rack Cafe. When the operation closed, he told his wife he wanted to buy the business, refurbish and remodel the building, and try to make a go of it.

“My wife thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to buy a restaurant," Homan joked.

Getting a start just as the pandemic began

Papy's Place began serving in March 2020 and operated under COVID-19 restrictions with takeout only for a time, followed by limited seating levels. Eventually, it moved to regular operation.

The name “Papy's Place” came about when Scott Homan once drove by the site with grandchildren Candler Homan, 3, and 5-year-old twins Ava and Ella Putnam. This was  before the family purchased the business.

The twins pointed out his favorite restaurant and said "that's Papy's place," Scott Homan commented. The name stuck. Portrait photos of the grandchildren hang in the restaurant.

The Homans: One native and one transplant

Scott Homan is an Ocala native. Wanda moved to the area 34 years ago from Maryland. She worked with Radiology Associates of Ocala for 27 years as a comptroller before retiring in 2021.

The couple moved to the Anthony area about eight years ago.

Wanda Homan provided a photo of the “Hayes Looney” Atlantic gas station, which was built in 1955, according to a caption. A signs on the gas pumps reads: "(Gas) to-day 21 cents."

The same building that housed the service station later became the Saddle Rack Cafe. And the refurbished building now is home to Papy’s Place.

Wanda Homan said after the purchase in November 2019, the interior was "gutted,” rebuilt, and decorated in a farmhouse theme. Features were added to the exterior for a barn-like look.

The materials for the counter and several of the tables are from Scott Homan’s  demolition jobs and have been crafted into decorative furniture by woodworker Dan Stuvick.

At Papy's, 'We treat you like family'

Patty Tucker, restaurant crew member and Wanda Homan's sister, said the staff always strives to make guests feel welcome and comfortable.

"We treat you like family from your first visit to your 100th visit," Tucker said.

Wanda Homan said the eatery's motto is "where friends become family."

Tiffany Harden and Amanda McTierman are servers. They use small computer tablets to keep track of customer orders.

Walker Homan, 23, Scott and Wanda’s son; Kelli Hay; Vincent Lester; and Jamie Fackler round out the kitchen staff.

Alicia Quest serves as manager of the eatery, and Scott and Wanda Homan are at the restaurant daily to chat with customers and work in various roles.

Papy’s Place has celebrated holidays with members of the community, with events like an Easter egg hunt with 5,000 candy-filled eggs.

'The food is always good'

Several customers at Papy's Place on Wednesday commented on the food, ambiance and service at this classic mom-and-pop.

Shawn Mosley, a resident of nearby Citra and owner of Akers Pest Control, likes the bacon and eggs.

"The food is always good," Mosley said. He feels some area restaurants are "inconsistent" with their food preparation, but he can count on good fare and friendly service at Papy's.

He said his wife and 16-year-old daughter are picky about eating out but they like Papy's.

"It's a nice place," he said.

Christina Cramer with the Kandy Kane Christmas Treeland tree farm in Anthony is a native of the town and attended nearby Anthony Elementary School.

She praised the restaurant's "customer service and great food," while retiree Dennis Engelhardt, of Sparr, said he likes the food and the way the staff interacts with customers.

James Ray likes the burgers. Tommy Burgs, 52, of Silver Springs, a retired member of the Pembroke Pines Police Department, said he loves the eatery.

"We used to vacation here," he said. He now enjoys living in the area.

Josh Klemons of nearby Keep-It -Cool, an air conditioning contracting firm, enjoyed a hamburger Wednesday.

“I never had a bad meal here. Always good,” he said.

Papy's Place also helps out senior citizens

Minnie Taylor with Marion Senior Services was at Papy’s Place on Wednesday to distribute at least 45 to-go meals prepared by the eatery and placed in foam packages.

The restaurant readies the meals daily, Monday through Thursday, for drive-thru pickup.

Jennifer Martinez, executive director of Marion Senior Services, stated in a recent press release that the federally funded Warm Meals Warm Hearts program, which began in May 2020, provided 33,595 meals to local seniors during the challenging times of the pandemic and continues to serve seniors through partner restaurants.

“Our initial partner was Mojo’s, who focused their efforts on low-income senior housing developments across Ocala. Soon after, County Line Smokehouse committed to servicing the southeast corridor of Marion County, to include Ocklawaha. Two additional restaurants joined forces – Papy’s Place in Anthony and Sonny’s BBQ near Marion Oaks,” Martinez wrote, in part.

Sherman French, 90, was one of the people driving through Papy’s Place parking lot on Wednesday to pick up meals under the program.

"I don’t do much cooking," French said. He called the meal program  a "nice service.”

Martinez praised the four restaurants in her press release.

“The love these (restaurant) partners show our seniors is humbling,” Martinez stated.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Papy's Place near Ocala, Florida is a classic mom-and-pop eatery