Plaid kilts, personable servers and great pub-style food and entertainment are coming to Ocala when the popular Celtic-themed sports bar and restaurant Tilted Kilt opens this month on Silver Springs Boulevard. Launched nationally in 2003, Tilted Kilt is a rapidly expanding franchise based out of Tempe, Arizona. When the doors open in Ocala, this will be the fifth Tilted Kilt in the Sunshine State.
“When we walked into a Tilted Kilt in another city, we thought it would be unique to Ocala,” says Larry Stone, who is the co-owner/operator along with David Stone and Larry Chauncey—all three of whom are longtime Ocala residents.
Patrons visiting Tilted Kilt will never believe the building once housed the old Bennigan’s restaurant. With a brand new kitchen, bathrooms and an entire remodel, the facility has a completely new look and feel. With a total of 27 televisions, including two expansive big screens, and a state-of-the-art stereo system, Tilted Kilt promises to be the place to watch sporting events. There will even be live entertainment on the schedule.
“It’s a full restaurant, not just a sports bar,” adds Stone. “Any time the doors are open, we’ll be serving a full menu. We’ll be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.”
Tilted Kilt’s menu features an array of satisfying options, whether you just want to snack or feel like having a full meal. Nachos, cheeseburger sliders, quesadillas and salads join over half a dozen hearty burgers, such as the Black & Bleu, The French Connection (lots of melted Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onions) and the BBQ Bacon.
Of course, there are the pub favorites, including Maggie Mae’s Fish & Chips, Kilt Burner Wings, Chicken Tenders, the Ultimate Club Wrap, the Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap and much more. Sausage Artichoke Fettuccini, Danny Boy’s Shepherd’s Pie, lasagna and additional choices can be found on the entrée side of the menu.
Whatever you order, you can expect it to be served up with a smile by one of Tilted Kilt’s costumed staff members. Servers (they’re actually referred to as “cast members” or “entertainers”) and bartenders alike wear trademarked plaid kilt costumes.
Titled Kilt might be the latest fun spot to eat and hang out with friends, but it’s built on an old history of tradition.
“In England and the British Isles, when people would open their homes to travelers, those were called ‘public houses,’” explains Stone. “The pub evolved from that as a place where travelers and locals could go for food and entertainment. We’ve spent a lot of time getting our kitchen staff, management team and servers trained.”
And if you feel the urge, you can even wear a kilt.
“I’ll buy the first beer for anyone who comes in wearing their kilt,” Stone says with a smile.
Tilted Kilt
3155 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
(352) 351-5458
tiltedkilt.com
