Restaurants in Hernando

Fun Junction delivers safe and futuristic fun within its 3,000-square-foot Lazer Runner arena, capable of handling up to 20 players at a time. After splitting up into four teams of elite commando squads, you and your friends will blast your way into the battle-station-themed arena, zapping your way through black lights, fog, and obstacles. Although laser-tag rounds tend to turn into apocalyptic sci-fi scale battles, combatants must still obey the basic rules of laser engagement, which include no climbing, no lying on the floor, no covering sensors, and no using unauthorized jetpacks.

With claims to more than 200 first-place trophies and participation in 55 barbecue grand champions, 10 Bones BBQ boasts a menu of comfort-fare favorites crafted by seasoned pit masters. An opener of fried pickles ($7.95) or the sausage-and-cheese plate ($8.95) warms up taste buds before they hit marathon stride over a dish of succulent barbecue. Longing jaws will tear into the tender half slab of grand-champion baby-back ribs, pausing only to take in two sides, such as fried okra or a cup of chili ($17.95). Finger foodies can pair the large pulled-pork sandwich ($6.75) with corn on the cob or french fries, or leave it alone to reflect in a pool of its own palatable juices. A slice of pecan-bourbon or peanut-butter pie helps diners wipe up faces full of sauce before switching seats to start all over again ($3.95).

Home to a vast lineup of dairy-based frozen treats, Bruster's makes its ice creams, yogurts, and waffle cones fresh every day in-store. The menu boasts everything from a turtle sundae ($4.99) to a regular cone ($2.74+) or homemade waffle cone ($3.67) filled with one of the multitudinous ice-cream flavors, such as Monkey Madness––with banana ice cream, buckeyes, and marshmallows––or Chocolate Lover's Trash––chocolate ice cream filled with chocolate chunks, chocolate-covered peanuts, chocolate butter toffee, chocolate krispies, and receipts from visits to the biannual cocoa consortium.

As with rainbows, nations, and Model T's, burritos contain a rag-tag team of savories that are more robust combined than apart. Qdoba embraces Henry Ford's innovative ideas with an all-you-can-choose buffet of fresh ingredients ready to be stuffed into burritos, tacos, and more through a superfast assembly line of professionals. Choose the protein packer of your choice from pulled pork, adobo-marinated steak or chicken, and shredded or ground beef, or opt out of the meats and head straight to the beans. Simmer over the option of cumin-simmered black or pinto beans before you top your treat with any of five unique salsas and four original sauces. Taste the gooey flavor accents of the signature queso sauce (a three-cheese blend with roasted poblanos, tomatoes, and jalapeños, or try a smoky poblano pesto made with roasted peppers, cilantro, and nuts with creamy, hand-smashed guacamole.

Using family recipes that emigrated from Marigliano, Italy, to the United States in 1901, Pa Pa Pia’s fills bellies with flavorful heaps of Italian favorites. Give the brown paper bag a day off and make a midday meal of the meatball sandwich, served on italian bread and topped with provolone cheese ($8–$9), or gently shove a sharp utensil into a small portion of formaggio manicotti, stuffed fat with asiago, parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses ($6.50–$7). Because teleporters have yet to be approved for civilian use, Pa Pa Pia's uses its pizza, which is grilled over an open flame in traditional Italian style, to transport taste buds across the Atlantic ($8.50–$29). After a dinner of spagettini bolognese ($9–$10) or a sovereign meal of chicken saltimbocca ($14.95–$15), patrons should demand the dessert tray, lay claim to the chocolate-covered ricotta cheesecake ($6), and scan the wine list for illegal words. Though as much produce is sourced locally or grown in the restaurant’s own garden as possible, Pa Pa Pia’s imports its atmosphere straight from Italy, complete with rich yellow walls, rustic booths, and a patio for devouring innocent pastas outside.

Back Yard Burgers serves up North American Black Angus burgers hash-marked to order on genuine flame-licked grills. Third-pound patties dress for dinner with lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, red onions, dill pickles, and a condimental trio of ketchup, mustard, and mayo ($3.59). Or gussy up for patty prom with premium add-ons such as coleslaw, chili, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, and more ($0.35–$0.60 per topping). The grill masters also flip the first white meat, prepping Hawaiian chicken sandwiches with grilled pineapple, mustard, mayo, and lettuce ($4.09). Away from the flames, feel free to enjoy a loaded baked potato ($2.79) and a wide range of pairable plates such as chili cheese fries ($2.59 for regular size), garden salads ($2.19), and sweetly baked fruit cobblers ($1.99).