Benchoff's Farmhouse Restaurant, 7550 N Dale Mabry Hwy

Benchoff's Farmhouse Restaurant 7550 N Dale Mabry Hwy. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida Digital Collection

AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Carrollwood, 7550 N Dale Mabry Hwy. 2025. © Chip Weiner.

Arthur and Neel Benchoff opened Benchoff's Farmhouse Restaurant in 1964 at 7550 N Dale Mabry Hwy after taking over the former Farew House Restaurant. They served homestyle breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offered banquet facilities. Chicken and dumplings were a specialty, and they did not serve alcoholic beverages. The owners later opened Farmhouse Antiques upstairs.

In 1965, it became Lou’s Farm House, and later that year, Over Farm House restaurant. In 1966, it was Dorio’s Restaurant. By 1972, it was the Redwood Inn; by the end of the 1970s, it was Bill’s Country Kitchen. A lawsuit by another restaurant in 1979 caused owner Bill Robinette to change the name to Bill’s Kitchen. It became a favorite of some Tampa Bay Buccaneers players. Many menu items, like the Lee Roy Selmon Special, were named after popular players. There were later reports that NFL players got 50% off for food. Bill’s closed, and the contents were auctioned off in 1986.

It is now home to AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Carrollwood.

Benchoff's Farmhouse Restaurant dining room. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida Digital Collection

Benchoff's Farmhouse Restaurant lunch counter. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida Digital Collection