Gather

Gather, Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, FL., Here is chatter. & my 2 cents on the food.
As of this posting,Gather has been open for two weeks. First, it is far from the main area of The Cape and hard to find/park.
Ah my server Kenna did a fantastic job even with her hands tied.
I thought this would be a outstanding place to have a birthday breakfast.
A Chef on duty and french.
Did not expect what I consider being a bit snobbish, have it their way or the highway.
Coffee...regular or bold. Bold, being strong...NOPE...the excuses is organic.It was fine coffee. Just VERY mild. For a creamer, (organic ?)they were providing Carnation, instead half/half or real milk.
I ask for the  breakfast special, requesting for my eggs to be cooked over easy.NOPE, only scrambled.
Ask for a waffle, and being a purist needed maple syrup. NOPE.

Alright being frustrated, I got a croissant( freshly baked in house this morning) with egg,cheese and a very mild pork patty sausage. With breakfast taters. They looked like tater tots.
Oh yes I love hot sauce. I was a sarachi fan 25 years ago before the masses found it..
But not in my ketchup and without telling me, yyeeech.
So hoping to have a nice birthday meal alas turned into a bad experience. I should have gone to Burger King and had it MY WAY.

Jason Deli

Jason Deli, Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
My entree. Muffalettas, made with ham.        This is a New Orleans creation. ...one muffuletta loaf, marinated olive salad, layers of mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, provolone. The muffuletta is both a type of round Sicilian sesame bread and a popular sandwich originating among Italian immigrants in New Orleans, Louisiana using the same bread.

This is a sad copy My muffalettas did not have all this. It seemed too just have my ham & marinated olive salad. The bun was warmed and toasted. It was lacking some zip.
I was also given a big handful of broken tater chips.
The price of this half of sandwich was about 11 bucks. I had a 5 dollar coupon for my birthday from Jason.... No entree is $5 or less so you would "ALWAYS " have to spend more money. ( umph, some birthday present.)
Anyway its ok. I would never buy this again from here.
Server was nice.

Bubba Roadhouse & Saloon

Bubba Roadhouse & Saloon, Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral,FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The entree, 11 oz sirloin, side green beans , salad, & jalapeno corn muffins. Note this is NOT top sirloin. so less tender & thicker cut.
It was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Alas is was a bit tuff and chewy. Good flavor. The salad made at table side. Though the white onion was too pungent for this dish. I love jalapenos.HATE them in corn muffins. Green bean were healthy for you= meaning not thoroughly cooked thru.
Over all a fine meal. Though the prime rib is much better.
Noted... I signed up for the news letter so this meal was free for my birthday.(show e mail & ID )
I was advised that I could have ANYTHING up 12 bucks.
This is one of the few places that are generous and give a FULL meal. Not just a cheap dessert.
Bravo Bubba!!!!
Service was great.

Teriyaki Madness

Teriyaki Madness, Santa Barbara Ave, Cape Coral, FL, Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. A beef bowl with noodle & veggies. Extra spicy...Of course never extra spicy... But they had a sriracha on the table. This is a good and filling meal. I took over half the bowl  home and dumped it on a dinner plate. It filled the plate. A  good sign you get your money worth.
A modern chain for modern taste buds. One of the very few chain eateries I support.
Food is made to order...Staff was great.
One chain I will back to...Having a coupon helps

Tropical Point

Tropical Point, Fowler St., Ft. Myers, FL. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
This is a Brasilian style hamburgers. So not your ordinary burgers. I got a Brasilian sausage burger.
This is a beef patty, egg, brasilian sausage ,lettuce tomatoe etc. on a big bun. Served with what they call potato sticks. Just thin fries.
You need two hands to eat. Mine though different from what I am use to, it was very good. I also got a tropical smoothie. WOW brain freeze. Service can be slow. They do not make it until you order it.
The do deliver. Over all very good.

European American Bakery Cafe

European American Bakery Cafe, Metro Parkway, Ft. Myers,FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
My choice was pick a pair. I picked french onion soup and a french dip sandwich. I was a big DIP in picking this eatery.
WOW what a disappointment. Lets start small the pickle. It was barely  a pickle and more just a cucumber dipped in a brine. yyeecch.
The soup . A big blob of cheese, a large slice of bread at the bottom, lots of  onions, and so salty I could have used it for a salt lick.
The french dip sandwich. It was my mistake, I did not read how they bastardize the sandwich. But after reading the supposing ingredient it was still WRONG.
I took the sandwich home. It was on a 2.5 inch bun. Yes I measured item. There was a bit of lettuce, bit of onions, bit of bell peppers, a slim slice of tomato. barely any slice beef.
This so called sandwich was 6 bucks, soup $5.20, 12 bucks for both.
Then 3 dollars for coffee, in a small cup so you need to keep asking for a refills. PLUS diet sweetener, brown sugar, AND a attitude when I ask for real white sugar.

Jonesez BBQ

Jonesez BBQ, Metro Parkway/Crystal Drive, FT.,Myers,FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
I have heard good things of this BBQ. I was driving down Metro and there it was. Pulled in I got a plate of their version of spicy sauce spare ribs, green beans and Cole slaw.
BOOM It may not be as hot as I prefer, but this a a real man meal. Spicy spare ribs, saucy a little fat for marbling. The green beans mmmm good. Cole slaw so tasty.
This was a man meal and carnivore delight.
If you dare give them a try...

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen, Salrose Ln.,Ft. Myers,Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
The food.I order 2 items. One to dine in, Meatball & spaghetti and a Italian sub with soup to go.
I got the classic meatballs/spaghetti. It was the way my mother made spaghetti. The sauce was soaked into the pasta . That was delish..... I must say I was disappointed. I was expecting 2,two, meatballs in my pasta instead just 1 big one, almost the size of a grapefruit. It tasted fine and I needed to take half of it home. Alas the name is Two meatballs in the kitchen.
The sub and soup. 8 bucks...The soup was a Italian kind. I thought it was a bit bland. It was thick, round pasta, tomato and other veggies. ....The sub was sub par too. Too small, less than 4 inches , diced tomatos, not a lot of meat and the bread was wimpy. It was not a good Italian bun.
Service  was great.
Food overall was good. But I waited 5 years to be blown away. I was just puffed like a 5 yo at a birthday party.

Anthony on the Blvd.

Anthony on the Blvd., Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, FL, Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.Well here are my thoughts on the breakfast buffet. 10.22 with taxes.
It was wonderful. Bacon, sausage,pancakes, biscuits, grits, gravy, toast and hot cinnamon rolls.
Good coffee AYCD. A omelet or egg station.
The only thing I have thats miss the mark.. It is the omelet. It is not made the tradition french style, but they are making 3-4 orders at one time. in a quick. You tell them what kind of eggs and they literally whip it up..
Staff was on point ,food was hot and refilled as needed.
I hope they can keep the excellence up.

Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro

Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro, Cape Coral Parkway, W., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter. First props to the staff and cooks outstanding job.
So here is a bit of chit chat. I have had this bookmarked  to try stone crabs.  Stone crabs have been lauded a big deal since I have moved here 6 years ago.
So I come to a premier eatery to taste them.
My food. I got the cheapest appetizer on the menu, 6 bucks. ( most appetizer were $10 or more) At six dollars I received beautiful presentation, 5 halves of medium size eggs, with slices of salmon and a very mild wasabi filling. It tasted very good, unfortunately I was disappointed in the mildness of the wasabi.
Then my entree, bang bang shrimp and stone crabs. ( crabs can be had cold or hot. I took the advice of my server and got them chilled. )
The shrimp were very fresh and tasted wonderfully. Though in my mind I had imagine a bit more of a kick. ( oh yeah it florida,)
Now for my 5 years of anticipation stone crabs. They were very chilled, the chef had pre crack them somewhat. It was still very hard to crack them and very messy to consume.
2 sauces for dipping. These were medium size claws $7.50 each. OBA OBA !!
The verdict.... Not worth my money. A long time resident enlighten me that this was just a tourist propaganda  issue. Though the staff did a wonderful job. Food was terrific. As a consumer I will just get lump crab meat at the grocery store.
If you love the experience of cracking crab and chowing down. You must come here for a great meal.

China House

China House, Alico Mission Way, Ft. Myers, FL. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
If you never have had Chinese food and are a cheapskate this is for you.

I ordered a house special with shrimp/chix and a Mongolian beef. Both listed as hot and spicy. I requested extra peppers of course.
Of course they were wrong. No Heat. Plus this was just nasty food.
The house special had 2 count, them two small shrimp and a bit of chix. It was filled with some veggie, BUT is was just nasty tasting. I threw it away.
Mongolian beef you should see peppers, have maybe those little corn from a can , chestnuts.
Here just grilled white onions and beef. I added my own heat.
This is the worst chinese I have had here.
I wonder how they stay in business. They were very nice folks.
AAHHH we are in florida where folks are cheap & do not have a clue about world cusine.
Never here again unless YOU buy.

The Eatery by Ryan

The Eatery by Ryan, Alico Mission Wy, Ft. Myers, FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food & chatter. Well I never heard of this place but I got 7% back on a CC.
It had fair ratings + served cheese steaks.
I went for a cheese steak. I am ambivalent about my choice. It was 11 bucks, 8 inches long. Expensive for the size. Also the chef does his own take on the sandwich.
I order a onion,pepper and cheese sandwich. THIS WAS NOT A REAL SANDWICH...WHY?
You could NOT hold it in your hands. ( that why they gave you a knife)
Off the bat it tasted ok....bbbuuutttttt.
Here is what is wrong with Ryan version.
He adds mayo whether you want it or not. The bun is very fresh except is is too soft. Adding melted cheese, the whole thing falls apart in your hand. So you have to use a knife and fork to eat it.  It was just TOO soggy to hold or eat.(I saved half for later, refrigerated it ,it held and tasted fine except cold.)
They had salads, I got a not too shabby tater salad.
Except no fries, bags of chips are there
Service was great. I also related my concerns to Ryan about his version.
So you will have to throw the dice and decide if you wish to try this sandwich.

Outback,FM,Cleveland

Outback Steakhouse, Cleveland Ave., Ft. Myers,Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Lets do this review a bit different.
First lets give props to the staff. They were outstanding and very helpful. Excellent.

My arrival. I have a bad leg so I have a disable placard. Of course ALL the handicapped parking is around the side from the entrance over 75 feet away. 2 spaces I believe but 3 spaces for the pick up meals. 10 regular spaces IFO of main entrance.
The door  is held open for me, nice. I was quickly seated.
I knew what I wanted. The menu is way too long. Got my sweet tea. Not sweet enough had to ask for more sugar.
Ordered the 16 bucks AYCE shrimp and steak, medium rare of course,( 6 ounce sirloin) It was the size of a hockey puck.
Got the french onion soup for 1 dollar more...
Hot bread arrives delish.... Soup arrives. Very hot ,good.The cheese on top was a blob messy. I had to remove it . I was unable to eat it.
Then  looking inside the soup I saw something. I ask a waiter what it was. He apologized and said it was croutons. They had melted away.  EEHHH. Then after cooling off... It was the WORST soup ever. I have had better out of a envelope or can. NO onion flavor or any beef flavor and so salty.
My entree arrives. Hot fried shrimp. Told server to place another order.
My hockey puck steak. Cooked on rare side. That ok...less shrinkage. ...It was a good thing I got a big serrated knife. Plus I had to use my bubble gum chewing skills. Steak was like rubber. Hard to cut.
The shrimp and hot bread was fine. I got 5 orders of the shrimp.( It was noted on my bill.)
Sauce...Every one is using or imitating sarachi sauce. (Hot peppers,garlic, tomatoe base from a Vietnamese immigrant 20 years ago. Rich guy now)
Mayo and sarachi. hohum.
Cocktail sauce was all right.
Once again I am reminded of why I avoid chain  eateries. Plus I scratch my head and see these folks coming in, Saying why??? I cannot be the only person getting this bad food.

Alva Diner

Alva Country Diner, Palm Beach Blvd., Alva, Fl. A grumbling in my tummy, 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
Lets start differently. Chatter. I posted on FB where is the best chix in SWFL. I got many replies. Alva Diner was the most said.
Alva Country Diner is just that, Country. It is on the corner of Palm Beach Blvd./ Packinghouse Rd.. It is a big red building thats looks like a barn. There is NO sign stating what this is. Its country because there is no infrastructure for them to utilize credit/debit cards. Cell use can also be sketchy.
My entree. sweet tea, pot roast, fried chix, cherry pie al la mode.
First the bad. Though the pot roast is reasonable price forget it. It really lack flavor. The carrots were frozen and taters seemed to be from a box. Taters were just too smooth no lumps.
Ah cherry pie with ice cream. I recall it was 2.59 taste great. House made creamy potato soup, goodness good.
Now the star of this eatery. FRIED CHICKEN.
Folks were correct. Great local fried or broasted depending on who you talk to.
They serve the chicken everyday of the week. BUT some days its AYCE or just special.
Crispy outside moist inside. AND it even taste good when it luke warm or cold for a picnic.
This is why you will drive 30-40 minutes .
The staff was friendly and attentive. So make it a destination if in the mood for chicken and pie.

Jill's Joint

Jill's Joint, NE 27th Ln., Cape Coral, Fl., A growling in my tummy, 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
Ahhhh another eatery that is being kept hidden in The Cape.
This is hidden among warehouses and industrial parks. You do not go here for the ambiance or scenery. Just good ole fashion chow at a nice diner.
I was drawn here by a ad of waffles & bacon. My My the waffle was delish with tons of butter, crispy fluffy at the same time. Of crispy bacon or your choice of animal flesh. ( the carnivore inside me)
Do it your self coffee or drinks.
Served up by a nice ,but slightly crusty waitress.She was trying to finish her meal of eggs and bacon, and help the customers too.
And did a wonderful job.
So if you want a good breakfast
Fried bologna sandwich.
Liver & onions.
Or prime rib on saturday nite. Turn on your GPS and venture to this nick of the woods.