All Reviews
Lisa Myers
2 months agoBest burger my husband has ever had! Excellent flavor. We also had the French dip and it was super tender and tasty. Collards were very good and rice pilaf was super. Heck I will even add that the ice water was great too. Excellent service, friendly staff, nice atmosphere. They have it going on and we will definitely be back!!
Lisa Daley
2 months agoMy husband and I went here for Valentines day. I know it was super busy, it took 50 minutes to get our entrees. When it came it was cold, not hot at all. Then they remade our order, took another 20 minutes. My husband had the seafood gumbo and I had chicken gumbo. It was nice and hot, but sauce was extremely salty. They discounted our meal, but wasn't what we were expecting.
Peter "webdoc" Martin
2 months agoSome of the best meals we’ve had started with a simple decision to explore instead of sticking to the plan. That was exactly how Susan and I found ourselves back at Velchoff’s Corner on a beautiful afternoon along the St. Johns River. It was the weekend after NADA, and we were ready to slow down and recharge. When our friends Kathy and Greg called and invited us out on the boat, we jumped at the chance. As we pulled away from the dock, the question came up. Do we head to our regular lunch spot, or do we let the river take us somewhere new? We chose to explore, and about an hour later, we were tying up in Palatka with Velchoff’s Corner at the top of our list. Susan and I had been here before, so we knew exactly what we were in for. Kathy and Greg, however, had a brief moment of hesitation as we walked up from the dock and they realized the restaurant is built around a permanently placed food truck. That hesitation disappeared quickly. Velchoff’s Corner has a relaxed riverfront feel that immediately puts you at ease. There is a welcoming patio, indoor seating, and views of the St. Johns River that make you want to linger. And yes, all of the food comes out of an oversized food truck. That alone is impressive, but what really matters is this was our third visit, and not a single meal here has ever missed the mark. The menu leans into authentic Southern comfort food, Cajun influences, and classic American favorites, all presented with care. We appreciate thoughtful plating, and every dish that came to the table looked like someone actually cared how it was served. Susan ordered the shrimp and grits, a dish she has enjoyed here more than once. It is rich, comforting, and consistently well executed. I ordered the Cracker Swamp Burger, Velchoff’s signature creation. It comes blackened and layered with onion straws, comeback sauce, cheddar and pepper jack cheese, and topped with a fried egg. We do not give this recognition lightly, but this burger earned our Culinary Duo Best of the Best Specialty Burger award. Anyone who knows us knows burgers are not usually my go-to, which makes this even more impressive. It is, without question, the best burger I have ever eaten, and we will absolutely be back for another. Greg ordered the fried chicken gumbo, and the completely clean plate at the end told us everything we needed to know. We also shared the shrimp buffalo bites as an appetizer. They were flavorful, nicely cooked, and the blue cheese dressing paired with the shrimp better than we expected. Food quality here is top shelf. Flavors are bold without being heavy, portions are generous, and there is a clear pride behind every plate. Service was friendly and welcoming, though a bit slow. Our server was handling tables and drinks, which is something many restaurants are dealing with today. We never felt ignored, and the positive attitude went a long way. Velchoff’s Corner delivers strong value. For the quality of food, the portion sizes, and the riverfront setting, it is an easy place to justify a return visit. This is a must-see spot if you find yourself anywhere near Palatka. It is unique, memorable, and exactly the kind of place you hope to discover when you decide to explore. The setting, the food, and the heart behind it make Velchoff’s Corner something special. Culinary Duo Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 Stars)
Good Citizen
3 months agoA+, 10 of 10 rating. Chicken sandwich on slaw was great. Wife had the blackened chicken with onion straws and a side salad and a cup of creamy grits. And a white Sangria. They get cheesecakes from a local maker - big pieces. We shared a slice of Orange Cheesecake. Amazing. Outside dining offers great views of the river!
Dave Cope
4 months agoWhile passing through downtown Palatka, Florida, I stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by this small gem of a restaurant. It’s located in a beautiful old brick building that gives the place a great atmosphere, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating if you prefer to eat outside. The food quality was excellent and beautifully presented. What really impressed me was learning that all of the food is made fresh in a food truck outside—definitely not something you’d expect, and it speaks volumes about the care put into the meals. Everything tasted fantastic. This spot was well worth the stop, and I would absolutely come back again the next time I’m passing through Palatka. Highly recommended!
Phil Sharp
4 months ago10/10 would recommend. I had the fish and grits the 1st time there. Fresh Mahi over delicious grits in a flavorful sauce with pork belly chunks. Delicious. I returned the next day to try something else. The cracker swamp burger was great. A lot going on with that burger. The meat was well seasoned with a nice peppery mix of seasoning. Cheese, egg, and fried onions made an over excellent taste. Fries were good as well. Both visits had top tier service. Very friendly and genuinely happy staff. Great place with reasonable prices.
L Cardinal
4 months agoWe loved this restaurant. The service was great and the food was wonderful. My friend ordered the Blackened Fish and Garlic Shrimp over Dirty Rice and Salad Garni. She said she loved the lemon vinaigrette on the salad. I ordered the Deep South Burger. It had pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes on it. I also had a side of cheese grits. It was all delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Danette Potochick
6 months agoOur waitress was outstanding and gave us great service. Our first time here. Food was great and we will come back. I do have one concern. I get that the special is a special but there was zero chance of deviation. Cuban was special and I asked for all pork as I don't eat ham. I was told no because then there may be less pork than ham so cost of waste. What is cost of a satisfied customer! She spoke with kitchen and feedback was if others don't want ham then they'll run out of pork and have extra ham. I then asked if I could have my burger on the cuban bread instead of bun and again was told no. What are the odds of even 5% asking for all pork. So I asked for toasted bread instead of the bun and that was allowed! I am a satisfied customer but would have written an all around better review had the customer been taken into consideration and not just loss of profit of some leftover ham!