By Paige Bright
Herald Intern
Sanford’s newest restaurant, Ford’s Garage, revved its engines and opened its doors to the public on Friday, welcoming guests to a 1920s atmosphere, vintage Ford decor, and a variety of classic American cuisine. Located off State Road 417 and Rinehart Rd., Ford’s Garage and their staff are ready to serve the community of Sanford, Lake Mary and all guests in between.
Ford’s Garage, a Florida local chain, opened its first location in Fort Myers in 2012, close to the winter home of Henry Ford. With over 30 locations in eight states, the newest location in Sanford strives to carry on the legacy of the Ford Motor Company and bring more opportunities for connection in the community.
Virgil Morar, managing partner of the Sanford location and 26 other Ford’s Garage locations, is enthusiastic about the community being built around the restaurant. Virgil, a Sanford local since 2003, holds a special connection to the city.
“I’ve been a part of the community since 2003, and I love it,” Virgil said. “Through this restaurant, I’m going to be able to partner with different organizations and nonprofits to help promote them.”
Ford’s Garage Sanford features a staff of 123 employees, each team member ready to ensure every guest has the best possible dining experience.
“I don’t want to be a restaurant where people say, ‘Oh, it’s just another restaurant.’ A lot of it is just about being involved in the community,” Virgil said. Community is an important part of not only Virgil’s goals for the new restaurant, but for the Ford’s Garage restaurant chain as a whole.
Sanford’s Ford’s Garage features a “Burgers of Fame” menu, which is composed of twelve signature burgers named after community leaders and nonprofit organizations, such as Sanford Fire Chief Ronnie McNeil Jr., Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff and Michelle McCann, president of the Sanford Historical Society.
Ford’s Garage’s menu features more than just its famous Black Angus burgers, with a wide variety of American classics, including sandwiches, soups, and a towering stack of onion rings served on a metal oil funnel. Ford’s Garage also serves a range of craft beers, including those brewed locally in Sanford.
“The site selection is amazing,” Virgil said. “We’re going to see a lot more businesses besides restaurants that will grow in this area. I think this is going to be a natural area.” Another recent addition to the area, Costco, has also brought attention to the area. Virgil hopes that Sanford’s Ford’s Garage will help other businesses move into the area, connecting the community even further.
Ford’s Garage is located at 1415 Rinehart Rd., Sanford, FL 32771. They can be reached by phone at 321-249-3673. Their hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday. To look at their menu or place an online order, visit fordsgarageusa.com
