Tucked away under some trees, on the side of what has become a very very busy road here in Orlando is a relatively modest looking building standing alone and actually quite proudly. From the outside it does not give away the surprise it has in store for you when you walk in, but once you cross the threshold “it’s on”. To me it’s always difficult to decide on which direction to go in first, but they say: Leopards can’t change their spots (who are “they” by the way?) and I always head for the Hot Sauces first. With not many totally dedicated Hot Sauce stores in this area, Petty’s is always a good resource for sauces. They carry a pretty wide selection and refresh it with new additions quite often, and best of all the prices are competitive for the market and they run a lot of great sales.

To quote their website:
Established in 1979, Petty’s has become one of the most highly regarded markets in the Central Florida area. We are known as a friendly, knowledgeable neighborhood market willing and able to cater to every customer’s needs. Face-to-face service is a special feature of shopping at Petty’s.

A little bit about our store… We are highly recognized for the selection and quality of our meats. When you walk into our store, you will never find any prepackaged assembly-line meats. Just fresh, cut to order Prime and USDA Top Grade Choice Iowa Cornfed Beef and Pork. The quality of our Chicken is just as top-notch, providing poultry that is always all-natural, hormone-free and Grade A fresh. If that is not enough, our customers can walk in and choose from a vast selection of fresh oven ready entrees. Our customer service standards rank just as high as the quality of our products. Our master butchers are always at your disposal, whether it be for a special cut of meat, cooking instructions, or maybe just a few recipe ideas.

Besides meat, we have a full service deli consisting of over fifty freshly prepared salads, fresh breads, top quality deli meats and cheeses, and gourmet sausages. In addition, we also have an extensive international gourmet grocery selection, a diversified assortment of domestic and imported cheeses, a wine selection containing only the finest wines from all over the world, custom made gift baskets, and catering services.

Petty’s is a grown-up food lovers Wonderland! It does not take long to hit sensory overload, with everything to see, all of the marvelous smells, the abundant taste demos they offer, and the pinnacle of what is “All Holy and Right”, God Bless America- it’s FREE BEER! Yeah buddy, they have a beer keg on tap at all times for your shopping pleasure. And yes I would move in there if they would let me, just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye and gets me all misty.

The good folks at Petty’s are working on a database for cataloging the wide variety of Beers they offer. Carrying U.S. microbrews, regional beers, handcrafted Belgian beers, German wheat beers, Scottish ales, Czech lagers, and much more they have a unique and incredible collection. The wine selection is staggering, They proudly boast “There’s something for everyone here, and we are happy to share some of our love for wine with you.” They perform tastings and offer expert advice on choosing your perfect wine from their cellar.

I know I have gotten away from the Hot Sauce focus here, but without giving the total picture of what Petty’s really is and what they offer just would not do them justice. Wendy and I go there quite a bit and have thoroughly enjoyed every salad, fresh meat, and fully prepared deli sandwich we have gotten. Petty’s reputation is well known over the greater part of the state, and people come from near and far to shop with them, Fridays and Saturdays are hopping and it seems to be the place to be. Everyone working there is great, they are very knowledgeable and extremely friendly- they go out of their way to ensure you are happy and get exactly what you are looking for. If you ever get the chance to swing by when in Orlando, I would strongly recommend the trip, you will not be disappointed. It’s a definite must see and oh yeah, did I mention FREE BEER!.

PETTY’S MEATS and SPECIALTY FOODS
2141 W. State Road 434
Longwood, Fl 32779

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 10am - 7pm
Phone: 407.862.0400
Fax: 407.862.5239