Shantell's has reopened! Its been a few months now, getting great reviews. We tried it again and still amazing food, great friendly staff.

Shantell's is a great little restaurant in Sanford, Florida. We have eaten there several times and recommend the chicken and waffles, wings and hamburger. The staff is nice and makes you feel right at home. Sanford has so much to offer and I hope to see this area continue to draw visitors. You won't be disappointed! read more

The location is awesome. It's in downtown Sanford near lots of fun bars. The food is pretty good, however they're trying out some sort of Friday Mic Night which really is AWFUL. Not only are the comedians not truly funny the entire set up is completely unorganized. I'd been there before and enjoyed my meal so I wasn't expecting the chaotic randomness intensified by a microphone. Shantell, if you're reading this your place has awesome ambiance and good food. Please continue to keep a mood befitting of what you've started. read more

The food was absolutely delicious. I would definitely recommend this place. I ordered the jerk shrimp with rice, it was a tad spicy but so flavorful. The food was worth the wait! read more

Dinner was great my wife and I had a grest dinner, we started with fried green tomatos then fried chicken mac and cheese home-made onion rings and plenty of good sweet tea. great food great enviroment, and Shantell herself has never met a stranger. check it out you won't be sorry. read more

I heard the chicken and waffles were great from the reviews but I didn't even bother because I saw the dirty oil that they were using and wasn't willing to deal with that so I got the Cobb salad. Huge pieces of lettuce put onto a plate. Looks nice but the chicken was kind of rubbery with a nice flavor and the cheese they used was white American cheese slices, definitely not my kind of quality and definitely not willing to pay that price again. The owner was really nice and that helped but the food was a disappointment. read more

I don't like writing bad reviews. I suppose the only way things will change is if they read these reviews. Upon walking in I asked if I seat myself or if they seat me. They told me to seat myself. I sat at a table.....and that was it. For ten minutes I sat there while servers walked by. Not even an offer of water. I finally got up and went to the counter to see why I had no service. Apparently, you are supposed to #1 Enter #2 Go to the counter to order #3 go find a table. I ordered the Chicken& waffles and a soda then sat down. After 45 minutes I had to flag down a server. You would think that in a 45 minute period you would be acknowledged by someone in the staff. I now know you do not get a complimentary glass of water after you order. I finally told the server to please bring me my food in the next two minutes or give me my money back. Keep in mind I've been here an hour and I don't even have a glass of water. I get a "to go" box and a warm can of soda 5 minutes later. I finally get home to enjoy my food and I wind up with some of the most bland fried chicken I've ever had. Three pieces of bland chicken, a small waffle, and warm soda. The worst $19 I ever spent on food. read more

Wonderful food. Great location with lots of natural lighting. The friendliest staff I've ever met. I've only been once so far (on my last visit to Florida from NYC) but was able to try the chicken and waffles, collard greens, mac and cheese, and fried fish--some of the best food I've ever had. I will be coming here every time I'm in Florida. Can't recommend more highly. If you're in Sanford or the broader central Florida area, make a trip over to Shantell's. read more

After hearing about Shantells for a long time I decided to finally try it out and I knew the chicken and waffles would be expensive but I decided to give it a try anyway. I thought I'd at least get to eat the food for lunch and dinner but the portion wasn't enough especially for spending $14. Also I thought the food wasnt terrible but it wasn't the best chicken and waffles I'd had either and the last place I had chicken and waffles from was cheaper and gave a lot more food for the price. read more

My experience at Shantelle's was much like several of the recent reviews. Her website shows a fun looking bar and restaurant. But unfortunately that's not what you get now. The restaurant recently moved at the end of February to a very small, dingy and dirty warehouse-like room. The kitchen is apparently not located in the same building as the dining room because our food came out one at a time from the back door.. Our orders took over an hour even though there were only four other people in the restaurant. The single waiter didn't have a clue what he was doing. They were out of white wine and some of the beer brands. We asked for tea or coffee but were told they didn't have any because they didn't have any coffee cups or any way to heat the water! Frankly, the whole operation looked like they were on their way to going out of business and were just getting rid of whatever they had in stock. The reason I gave Shantelle's two stars instead of one is because the chicken and waffles and that jerk shrimp were very good. The fried green tomatoes had a moldy taste and were inedible. After that is all said, I really hope Shantelle's cleans up their act because it was and can be again a fun dining experience. read more

Really good food. The chicken and waffles are as good as Roscoe's and the portions are better. Excellent service and a really nice menu.

I'm convinced they had an off day considering all the great reviews but I was extremely disappointed. The lady was pleasant enough, but it took over AN HOUR to get our food. Half of what was ordered never came and what did come was underwhelming. read more

We had a great dinner experience here. We were warmly greeted and our server was quick to give suggestion of what was really worth trying. The menu is not completely accurate, they do have other things that aren't listed. We ordered chicken and waffles, okra, mac and cheese, philly cheese steak. The fried chicken wings were probably the best I've ever had. But the breast was a little dryer. The okra was delicious, very light and fresh. Mac and cheese was great. The philly was really delicious; soft bread and gooey cheese with peppers and onions, very flavorful. We will be back! read more

Dining here is an experience! Our waitress, Lisa, was charming and attentive and such a pleasure. She was very versed on the menu and offered suggestions since it was our first time there...and she was bang on for the oysters! We had steamed and fried and they were delish! Lisa also recommended the fried fish...I had the tilapia and my friend had catfish. Excellent! Shantelle's doesn't serve alcohol, but the bar next door, Fat Rats, does. And the bartender, Space (yes, real name) made the trip several times to take our drink orders and deliver them back to us. Service was outstanding! But the highlight of the evening was Shantelle and her karaoke set-up out front! Not only is she an excellent chef she can sing like crazy. It wasn't long before everyone outside was up dancing and singing along! Sanford has long needed a place like this and am so happy Shantelle and crew have decided to call our little town "home". They stay open until 4:00am so nightowls have a place to go besides Mickey D's & Denney's. Check this place out...you'll be happy you did! " Read less read more

Mike & I heard about Shantell's from a friend. I LOVE fried chicken, fried chicken livers, fried green tomatoes, fried okra (OK, if it's fried, I'll probably eat it). Can't be eating all that fried stuff every day so, when I DO eat it, I want the best. Tonight, I had it. I've never heard of fried chicken on waffles until we went to Shantell's, but I can now understand the attraction We shared fried green tomatoes and fried okra and each had a plate of fried chicken on waffles. Absolutely delicious. Not greasy, Piping hot. Terrific service. We even got a tour and a brief history of the building (I'm not big on crowds so we were there right at 5:00 p.m. on a Thursday). The way the space has been fixed up is really interesting. Original tin ceiling in the front. Wonderful dark wood. The tile floor is new, but it fits in perfectly. They have a few regular tables and chairs in the dining room area; however, we were perfectly comfortable sitting at a high top in the bar/kitchen area. The stools have big, thick footrests, so they're quite comfortable. Lots of old photos on the wall. All the personnel were very welcoming, friendly, and eager to be sure everything was satisfactory. Shantell herself was there and most welcoming. We both got a hug! PS ... the road construction appears to be over. read more

Had a great meal at Shantell's this past Saturday night. Chicken and Waffles were yummy. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Will definitely be going back again. read more

Awesome food, great friendly service. Will definitely visit again when in town. I had the chicken and mac and cheese best chicken I have eaten in long time. My husband had the Burger and fries, he said it was amazing. Would recommend anyone to visit. read more

My friends and I were in town and decided to visit...We had dinner on New Year's Eve, and although we didn't have reservations, the staff was extremely accommodating!!! Collectively, we ordered the Jamaican Beef Patties, Gourmet Sliders, Fish & Chips, Jerk Chicken over rice and the Jerk Shrimp over rice! Sooo much food and it was SOOOO good. Yes, there was a bit of a wait, but the food was fresh and smoking hot, PLUS the owner, Shantell, came out to speak with us (on a busy night), and her personality equally shines along with her food!!! I only wish I lived in Florida, so I could make Shantell's Cafe one of my regulars!!! read more

this is a gem of a business and a compliment to the downtown sanford venues. her food is delish! best collard greens i ever had! the jamacian beef patties are made there and they are wonderful. The waffels ah! early fri am i had the perfect waffle. even better the perfect waffle bite. no, my fat ass should not have had it but.......................ummmm. slightly crisp on the outside, soft and pure heaven on the inside. served with enough butter to fill all the divets! warm syrup to pour on and around. the perfect bite! the warm butter maple flavor hits the roof of your mouth. it spills over and under your tongue and slips down your throat with the greatest of ease til it'a all gone. i did not drink anything with it so i could savor the flavor all the way home. no bisquick in this bitch! now go get your own at shantell's! she does have excellent ice tea (sweet w/pink lemonade ). she is open til 4am thurs thru sat. open for brunch on sunday. try it for sure. she even calls the early am buffet the dui buffet so you can fill your tank and sober up! read more