Talk of the Town Restaurants
Family Operated & Locally Owned Since 1974
Serving Central Florida Since 1974
Our founder, Charley Woodsby, has a long tradition in the restaurant industry with a career spanning over 60 years. From 1963 to 1983, Charley was a co-owner of Gary’s Duck Inn on Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, FL. In 1968, he formed a business partnership with William Darden where they opened the very first Red Lobster in Lakeland, FL which changed the course of his entire career.
In two short years the partnership sold all five of their Red Lobsters to General Mills. Charley stayed on with the company to open 72 Red Lobster Restaurants across the country. At the age of 42, Charley left the General Mills organization to retire, but anyone that knows Charley knew his career was far from over. In just one year, Charley was back in business with his son, Ron Woodsby. The Woodsby’s continued their entrepreneurship by opening a steakhouse in 1974 in Lakeland named Talk of the Town and later expanded to four other locations in Winter Haven, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Orlando.
In 1984, the names of the restaurants were changed to Texas Cattle Company and the Orlando location was renamed Charley’s, after the family’s patriarch. Ron’s son, Clark Woodsby has since joined the company as Executive Vice President. The generations of Woodsby’s now own and operate six restaurants in Central Florida, including Charley’s Steak House, FishBones, Texas Cattle Company and Vito’s Chop House.
Meet Our Team
Careers
We are always on the lookout for talented, outgoing and experienced people at all levels of foodservice to join our team. If you’re interested in working with professionals in a lively atmosphere, please download our application form and return it to one of our restaurants.
Our Awards
Central Florida's Most Award-Winning Restaurant Group
TOM HORAN
America’s Top Ten Steakhouses
TOM HORAN
America’s Top Ten Seafood Houses
WINE SPECTATOR
Best of Award of Excellence
TRIPADVISOR
Traveler’s Choice Award
OPENTABLE
Diner’s Choice Award
ZAGAT
Top Restaurant Guide
AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION
Achievement of Excellence
DIRONA
Distinguished Restaurants of North America
EXPEDIA LOCAL EXPERT
Best Restaurant Brand
ORLANDO SENTINEL
Foodie Awards
ORLANDO MAGAZINE
Dining Awards
ORLANDO BUSINESS JOURNAL
Golden 100
