Dena's Place in Lakeland - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Amazing comfort food at comfortable prices!

Anticipated enjoying Dena's for breakfast today on our first visit. We arrived at 11:02 and they stated breakfast is only served till 11:00. I guess we should have walked faster. We decided to then order off of the lunch menu. My wife ordered a California type burger which was good but not overly exceptional. I ordered the Philly beef sub which ,in my opinion was very good although a choice of cheeses other than provolone would be nice. Yes I should have inquired. I also ordered ☕️ coffee which I prefer to be a bit more robust. Our order did take some time due to the changeover from breakfast to lunch. We were fortunate enough to meet Dena who is such a pleasant host and told her now that we know we will return in the near future to enjoy the breakfast menu offerings. She also offered, and we accepted an on the house desert, now that's great customer service. Rest assured we will return. Overall seems like a good place to eat and the staff is friendly and I do say the place seemed super clean.

Granddaughter the wife and I enjoyed the service the meal and the atmosphere

Yes very family friendly and extremely busy at lunch. I grew up eating comfort food, so it takes a lot to impress me. My younger coworkers liked it for a change in our lunch rotations. This was the first time for the five of us also. I recommend the country fried steak, but really, it's very similar to Cracker Barrel, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

If you’re looking for comfort food.. this is the place! Food was very good & the service as well. Today was my 1st time here just happen to see the sign riding by and so glad I decided to stop! Got the lunch special $9.99 and Err thing was yummmy! Meatloaf was moist & tasty, you get 2 sides I got the greens with pepper sauce & corn casserole with the corn cake. Also had the fried green tomatoes and I’ve been eating fried green tomatoes my whole life and feel I’m a good judge bc not all green tomatoes are good .. but theirs were SO GOOD! Will definitely go back .. and soon!

Great place to eat. I can see why they are 2nd in the country.

Lovely, friendliest place to enjoy an amazing breakfast!! Love the atmosphere with farm themes and rustic memorabilia. Gotta try it and keep going back to try all the lunch menu stuff.

Great place to meet friends for breakfast

Great food. Service was amazing.

Very good breakfast with friends and service was also

This place is a little hole in the wall. Found it when going to drop off a FedEx package. Do not skip out on this place. This was my 1st time, and I'll definitely be back.

My server was very nice and friendly. The omelet I had was delicious. They give you a generous portion of home fries. I would definitely recommend this place. Breakfast is only until 11a.m.get here early floks.

This place is very nice and great food at a great price we eat there a lot

Had the Tuesday Special meatloaf with 2 sides, I had mashed potatoes , greens and corn bread. It was delicious. Will definitely be going back.

I decided to check this location out after receiving some recommendations. The diner has a quaint atmosphere reminiscent of the 1960's. From the bright banana yellow paint, to the music from yesteryear. There are decorations mounted on the walls all throughout the restaurant that lend to a welcoming, family-friendly environment. The restaurant is clean, and well-kempt. The food: I shall preface this segment by pointing out the food here is made from scratch. It is indistinguishable from eating a meal at a relatives' home for the holidays. I went for the family lunch meal: Country Fried Steak with French fries, Mac and cheese, and cornbread. The cornbreads are baked in the image of a cookie, and are quite good. The French fries are a little bit breaded much like those you would find at KFC, only better in my opinion. The Mac and cheese is also homemade, and as such is fresh; the cheese was not runny at all. Finally, the star of the dish, the country fries steak, was delicious! The breading was just right and the white gravy tasted better than some of the gravies I encountered elsewhere in many restaurants! The faculty: The faculty were friendly and accommodating. The proprietor of the restaurant, Dena, was warm and genuinely invested in the quality of her food. The price: I only paid around 16 dollars for the dinner with two sides and a cornbread, and a drink. Soft drink refills are free. You get a good amount of food for the price you pay. Conclusion: All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant, and I will be coming back to try more of the menu in the future!

Great place for breakfast and lunch!

1st time there. Had our monthly Ladies luncheon. Food was exceptional and service was extremely good 👍. Prices were reasonable. We will go back.

Highly recommend the mandarin chicken salad it is amazing. I had the grilled chicken on top

The pancakes were paper thin and hard had no flavoring the ham and sausage was only one bite 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

Owner and staff very friendly. Bright welcoming atmosphere.

This is Lakelands best kept secret. My wife and I went for breakfast and we both agreed that it was outstanding and cost just $22.00 for the both of us. We went on Tuesday for the Meatloaf Special, not exaggerating it was the best that I have had besides my wifes. The sides were awesome, the cornbread, corn casserole, fried green tomatoes, even the mashed potatoes were just good and made with love. We are going back today Thursday for the Turkey & Dressing special, I can't wait, I know it's going to oh so good !. If you are looking for a great place to eat with down to earth prices then stop by Dena's Place you won't be disappointed. We went back for the Turkey & Dressing on Thursday just awesome, then we went back on Wednesday for the Chicken & Dumplings. I have attached pictures of the Meatloaf and Turkey & Dressing. Can't wait to go back for the Baked Chicken & Rice then the Pot Roast & Veggies and then finally the Beef & Rice. We look forward to doing to Dena's Place.

An absolute gem in lakeland! The best Biscuits I've ever had in my life, and I'm from Tennessee! Service was fast. Gets busy so be prepared for that at peak times. They're only open for breakfast and lunch. I couldn't believe how cheap our meal was. This is a must dine!!!

Wonderful decor, friendly staff, charming food. Great experience!

Great food, friendly employees. It can be noisy st times.

The food was amazing. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere was great. We had never been here before so we had Alot of questions. They were patient and so accommodating. Try the smoke oxtails. Fish was seasoned good and presentation was top notch.

My husband and I went here for lunch for our first visit. Expectations may have been a bit too high based on such great reviews. The service, cleanliness and atmosphere were all very good. We got the daily special, which happened to be beef tips, with mashed potatoes, salad and eggplant casserole. The beef tips was actually like a shredded pot roast. It tasted fine, but was not actually "beef tips", there was very little meat and the portion was small. The salad was a bowl of lettuce with a couple of tomato slices. The eggplant casserole was great. And the "bread" was some kind of flat cornbread rounds that looked like small pancakes, which again were okay, but not great. Sorry, I love supporting local restaurants, but in our opinion, this one's food just wasn't up to par.

I was EXPECTING great food but I got regular restaurant food. Great service

Cute friendly diner. Great food n service.

Went to this great diner, and it serves great tasting food made from scratch. The waitresses are very friendly, and serving times are fast. I recommend you try this place.

Not a bad little place the only thing I would criticize is when they get busy they get busy

So this was my first time at this diner and I can tell you that my breakfast I had was really good. I will be back for sure.

Been regulars here for a couple of years

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Dina’s Place Diner and Grill, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel right at home. The menu offers a delightful variety of options, and every dish I tried was nothing short of amazing. The turkey and dressing were juicy and flavorful, the salads fresh and crisp, and the liver and onions was amazing. Each bite was a testament to the quality and care that goes into the cooking at Dina’s Place. Service was top-notch as well. The staff was attentive, friendly, and quick to accommodate any request. It’s clear they take pride in ensuring every guest has a great experience. To top it all off, the prices are very reasonable, making it easy to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank. Dina’s Place Diner and Grill is a hidden gem that I highly recommend to anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and good value. I can’t wait to return!

Good food, but after lack of service I received this morning I'll have to go elsewhere

Fast service & everyone is so polite! The atmosphere is delightful. I ordered the country fried steak with white gravy and I ate every single bite of it - was delicious!

Great food! Fast & Friendly Service!! Love Dena's Place! 💯 Recommend!!

Had a BLT was really good sandwich lot of bacon.

Consistently great southern home cooking and hospitality!

Good old fashioned southern home cooking!

Service was good, and the food was as well. First time here, but not my last.

I didn't know this place was here...my friend invited me to lunch and took me there. I was blown away with the taste and looks of the food. Price was very reasonable. I will be returning soon. Service was spot on and friendly. 💞

Very nice privately owned restaurant with homecooked food. Very good!

Good food fast service for a group of 24.

Great food, quick service, lunch or breakfast

Great place, great service, and excellent menu/portions. Can't go wrong here!

The food is delicious and the attention is spectacular, everything was delicious.

If you like homemade food well then you should try this place. I just know somebody's Grandma's back there cooking it with love

Love it I'm never disappointed with the food I get I always have leftovers. And the employees are super helpful and sweet. But parking can be a challenge especially during lunch. But it All works out in the end.

My wife and I when yesterday first time and everything is good. Food, service and the atmosphere of the place is super nice. Clean beautiful decorations and good price. We going back again. 🥇👏👍

My husband and I just went for the first time. Super cute and bright inside. The service was Great and the food was delicious! I totally loved the squash casserole, which is not a usual side. The biscuits and gravy were amazing and the pork chops were so tasty!! We arrived just in time because by the time we left it was a wait. We will be returning!!

Absolutely adorable little place, bright and sunny. This was our first time here. The tables were not squished together and even with the restaurant being full my husband and I could talk and hear each other. The service was Great and the food was delicious! The biscuits and gravy were fantastic and the pork chops perfect and I loved the seasoning. The squash casserole was fantastic and we bought some to bring home. My husband absolutely enjoyed his bacon he's very particular about how it's cooked and he even bought some to bring home. We will definitely be coming back.

Great lunch options and as a Mulberry Chamber of Commerce member we all love when Dena’s caters our breakfast meetings. Definitely recommend!

Tried Dena's for the first time today on a recommendation from a buddy that eats there often. Food & service were excellent. My server, Amy was friendly, attentive and took care of my meal. Also liked the 50's-60's songs playing softly in the background. I even had Dena herself come to my table and ask about my food and welcome me to her diner. I had breakfast and it was good, but as I was leaving I saw the Tuesday lunch special.....homemade meatloaf.....I'm just going to have to go back and try that. Excellent place to eat, highly recommended. Thanks Dena & Amy.

First time visiting.What a gem! Food was delicious. I would highly recommend a lunch time visit

Nice diner with good home cooking, friendly service, and comparable prices.

I absolutely love this restaurant! The service is excellent and the food tastes like good ol'home cooked meals. I'll be back very soon!

Best Reuben sandwich I’ve had since I was a little kid in Chicago. Great staff. This place has become a staple in my diet.

Loved having breakfast here. The home fries are amazing. Will definitely be back.

Everything was delicious, but the squash casserole is something you want to eat everyday.

Dena’s is our go to place for breakfast! The staff is courteous, knowledgable and friendly. The 3 egg special is a great buy. We are there about three times a week. That says something.

First time here. Heard nothing but good about Dena's. We tried afew dishes and were extremely pleased all around. And our coffee was never less than 1/2 a cup.

The meatloaf was so good. Great prices

Service was great. Both waitresses we interacted with were very kind and our main waitress provided excellent service/made sure we were doing good. Had their Reuben - it was so good. Felt like the diners back where I lived in Jersey. Will definitely come back.

Wonderful little diner. Biscuits (taste like from scratch) are to die for. The country fried steak was tender and delicious. My husband had the ham and egg sandwich on their biscuit with real home fried red potatoes. We've been back 2 more times since our first visit.

They make you feel like family Over the top

Ordered the sandwich and soup lunch combo for $9.99. Got a BLT that was served on a Texas toast style bread with healthy-looking tomatoes and lettuce. The bacon was very plentiful and good with the right amount of crispiness, but not too crispy. The vegetable beef soup was a tad too salty. The service was attentive because the entire staff helped with every aspect of providing customer service. Most of the customers were greeted by name. So, there are definitely a lot of repeat customers. The atmosphere is bright and welcoming.

Great country cooking best country fried steak

I was disappointed they didn't offer hashbrowns, my home fries were overcooked, but the biscuit was the Best I've had in Lakeland

Awesome waitresses, superb food and just a great place to gather with friends to enjoy home cooking

Very family friendly! Food is great at a great price!!

Always love my time at Dena's, great food and a great atmosphere.

Are there several times. Usually order the country fried steak for breakfast or lunch. Much better than most.

First time there, will definitely go back.

Excellent service, good food and daily specials

Good food, good service and clean.

I had the chicken fried steak for breakfast and biscuit with sausage gravy. It’s was absolutely amazing! I had a craving (living overseas the last two years) for it and I was not disappointed. The biscuits melted away in my mouth, large chunks is sausage in the gravy and thinking of the chicken fried steak again is making my mouth water. I completely recommend this place. Super friendly staff and very clean restaurant.

Best diner around!! Plus they have The Best Biscuits and gravy!

Literally some of the best food I have EVER had! Their reuben is absolutely perfect, the meat is high quality and the proportions are just right! Their Chicken and dumplings are fantastic and they're just as tasty with the dressing. Between the sweet potato casserole and the mac and cheese, I can't choose a favorite! The staff are all super friendly too, and Dena is the best!!!

One of my favorite places to eat

Great home cooking Great service

The food is great and the staff is friendly. Went for breakfast with a large group and there was bot a long wait for our food.

Mashed Potatoes tasted like instant; waitress said they weren't. No taste. Hamburger steak is nothing like Texas Roadhouse. Chicken tenders were very good.

Simply Amazing! Had the Beef tips special. Came with white rice, side order of eggplant casserole and black eyed peas. OMG, amazing. $11.99 special. A lot better than fast food for sure. Worth the drive.

Dena's Place is a very good experience for lunch. It is bright and clean, the food is prepared with care and very good and all the people there are bright and cheerful. My wife had the meatloaf special with collards and black eyed peas. She loved everything. I had a Reuben and onion rings, which were hand dipped. Both were great. My one friend had the meat loaf, and also enjoyed it, and my other had a chef salad. The salad was so big, he could only eat half. Our dessert was a commonly shared blueberry cake with whipped cream and fresh blueberries. Sincerely, I would return just for this. One last thing: the cornbread was far better than expected, and I usually wouldn't comment on it, but this was delicious without being sweet. This place is a gem.

Great meal, great service, and highly recommend! Country fried steak seamed to be homemade and not from a bag.

Great prices! The food was delicious...

First time coming here and they made you feel very welcome. My new favorite place to eat. We went for breakfast and the food was delicious. So if your looking for a great place for breakfast or lunch give Dena's place a try - you won't be disappointed.

Just started going for breakfast on the weekends.. great food and service!!!

The breakfast was great I'll be coming back there more often this was my first time there biscuit and gravy off the chain I'll be back for that again

My husband and I have been going to this AMAZING place for a few months now. It's our favorite bf diner every Saturday morning. The staff are so humble, and make you feel welcome all the time, great friendly atmosphere and delicious food. We want to also say thank you to our waitress Laila, Yadira💕 and Ellen for being super sweet and attentive with us always. God continue to bless this place and it's staff❣️

Great experience! Food was good, atmosphere was pretty awesome. Defiantly worth the trip. Cost was reasonable.

Amazing breakfast sandwich and my date had corned beef hash it was delicious and the atmosphere is very comfy, roomy and inviting!

The atmosphere was extremely noisy. My order was not right and it took multiple requests to get real butter. It took a few times to get a refill on my coffee. They didn't go out of there way to make my breakfast order correct. I won't be going back.

Great service. They made you feel at home.

Breakfast was good and fairly priced. Server was incredibly sweet. Would absolutely come back.

Highly recommend this place. They are only open for breakfast and lunch but the food was delicious and the staff super friendly.

We are always satisfied at Denas. Never had a bad meal. They have daily home style meals, but sandwiches are great too. Fried okra and onion rings are the best. Wait staff always friendly.

Sorry we didn't get to try it because they don't serve breakfast on Saturday after 11 o'clock... Looks like a cool place and the staff was nice. I'm sure the breakfast would have been better than Kiki's. To the owners/manager: the picture is of the 20+ minute wait at Keke's for breakfast on Saturday at 1115... Maybe this is a growth point?

Y'all this place is wonderful!! Some of the best dishes I've had! Amazing southern home style eats. Cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff. Reasonably priced!

Turkey & dressing Thursday is my fave.