Umi Sushi House, Perfect for Floridians Palette

Here is my 2 cents on the food. I had a small bottle of warm saki.

This is a must when eating Japanese food.. My entree was Seafood Yaki Udon.

It is a wide Japanese style noodle with fish cake, clam,shrimp, scallops, mushroom & veggie. The clams, scallop, shrimp were ooohhhh so fresh. It tasted like it was just taken out of the ocean. A mild flavor and not fishy what so ever. Perfect for the floridians palette. I added soy sauce which was a mistake. It made the  dish too salty . At least for me.

Now some chit chat. It is located in a mall of course. It has about 15 tables. Japanese songs playing in the background. The big thing here is the sushi and such. It all look so beautiful and  tasty to try. Try you must ....This is a delightful eatery.  The one thing that suprized me, which was my fault. The cost of saki which was hot and delish ,cost 6.95. So if frugal minded maybe pass on by this libation. .....But if you do not have sophisticated  taste buds, across the road is a fried chicken place.  LOL.

Pleasant dining.

Siam Thai & Sushi, good food, lots of sushi

Here is my 2 cents on the food.
First the sweet tea.

The tea is a Thai  version of american sweet tea. It sweet but has a flavor unique to Thailand. Free refills. Its good.
Eggs rolls were crispy and hot.

Side sauce was sweet..
I decided on scallops and the entree Pring Khing.

It was very good but there should have been more scallops. I was given a choice of 4 different hot spices.. BE Warned Folks of Florida DO NOT try this.Your palette is not ready for these.  They were wonderfully Delicious and make you sweat. It would make everyone just cry.  But I loved the choices.
Over all a good place to eat.

Now some chit chat.

Its a rainy Tuesday. 12 PM or so.  I had stopped in 3 other eateries. Open signs on, no one around. I left frustrated. I used my new GPS. It led me here. A good choice. Located in a stripped mall near other places,(bbq- smoking wood is overwhelming) My server Criss was outstanding. Very attentive.  If you are a big sushi fan a LONG list of sushi available.
Good decor good place.
Give it it a try.

First Round Draft, Outstanding service

Well folks here is my 2 cents...First the food.

I ordered the 2 beef taco and fried potato chips.

The fried chips ,I believe, are unique here at least for me, in  SW Florida. They are hot, thin and crispy. Very good. Served with a dipping sauce which I am not crazy about. Chips alone are great with a tad of salt. The tacos were ground beef mix with a formula you find in Lawry's season packets. The topping of tomatoes and lettuce was very fresh/ crispy. The salsa on the side was good but it was a commercial product. The shells were light,thin & crispy. Good but not authentic corn tortillas . My request of hot sauce ,got me sauce which was vinegar base and not very hot. Over all it was good , designed for Floridians palette.

Now some chit chat.Monday, 1130 AM.  I counted over 21 TV's. 3 at booths and I was told extras in the bathrooms. My server Megan was outstanding. She bent over backward to fulfill my requests. (IE. Brandy separator).

It took a few adjustments but was finally filled. The folks over all were great. It was a spotless venue.
The portions of other customers were quite satisfactory.

I see why rating are high for this eatery. Keep it up.

Wawa, too much hype not all impress

Well here is my 2 cents. Food before chit chat.

I got the free coffee and their  6 inch Italian hoagie. 2.99..

 Coffee, free is free. but when I tasted it 13 minutes later, in my car it was a bit above luke warm. The dark roast was smooth. It was pretty good though. My hoagie. Bread/roll was excellent. Quite fresh and chewy. All of my filling was fresh and good. The salami was  very good. I need to find who makes it.  Now the chit chat.

Chit chat. Less then 20 hours ago gas was 2.37 per gallon  via GasBuddy... When I pumped at 715 AM it was 2.47 wow what a jump. So much for cheapest gas around. I was surprise  as to how busy on a Sunday morn , this just open WAWA was.  To order your food you need to use a computer screen. My observation of 2 elderly couples 65 plus was very daunting. They both seemed confuse and need some help. They passed on it. Not getting any food except what was on the shelves. I was pretty much able to read and complete my order. I did not like it though. It was too impersonal.  The crew was very raw. They did the job well but in their mannerism it was a bit of a struggle. This should passed with time.
Over all I guess a B- rating at the moment.

Longhorn Steak place, Eh typical chain eatery

Well here is my 2 cents on the food first.

Lets go item by item before chit chat. The bread.

Woow not very many places serve up unlimited bread and butter. It warm fresh and very tasty. You must restrain self from chowing down on too much. Leave some so you can soak up the juices from the steak.  I ordered the 11 oz. rib eye steak

. It came on a heated plate cooked to my specification of medium rare. Thumbs up to the cook.  Though, I was not very happy with how it was cooked. The quality and size were what I expected. It was good.  I thought it tasted like  it came from my  iron skillet. I am a excellent cook in my own right. BUT When I go out I am looking/ tasting for something I do not make or have the time or skills to properly make myself. What I was expecting I am not sure. Just not this..
I ordered the side of fresh green beans. The were very fresh. They were crispy. BUT I thought, at least for me they were much too crispy. When I pointed this out to my server, his response was this is how they prepare it here. Ok healthy veggies for all.

Now some chic chat. I was seated quickly and my server,Shane, was quite attentive. I thought it took too long for my order. 20 minutes. Yes I timed it. It was only a medium rare steak and veggies. It was 1130 AM or so and not too many customers.  Plus again a local bartender did not know how to make a Brandy Separator or a Brasilian  Caipirinha . So I got a sweet tea.  Over all a ok experience.
It what I expected from a chain place.

Oh one more thing the steak knife excellent well made and hefty.  :-)

If you like chains this is a good place for you to experience.

Old 41, Pretty good not impress

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com ... Here's my 2 cents on the food.

Well I got a Ruben and a side of cole slaw.

As you can tell from my pic it was served open faced. I did not order it that way. I did not expect it that way. It was ok. It was a Ruben. Corn beef, sauerkraut and swiss cheese on toasted rye. Also tried thier home made cole slaw. It was good. Good crunch on the cabbage. A creamy dressing. To be honest it reminded me of KFC cole slaw but creamier.

Now some chit chat.  According to their menu and to some local residents I talked with. This is the place to eat.  During snowbird season ( that's when all the Canadians and north US folks who hate the winter descend like locust to Florida) I was told people stand outside and form a line around the building. They did have some tasty looking items a few  choices on waffle and such. But this is just a really an more upscale IHOP or Denny's. Over all it was good but to stand in line and wait NEVER.
Plus my bill came to 13 buck or so. Not really  worth it. But if you are like a majority of  floridians with a mediocre palette give it a try.

Hart & Soul, good for the soul

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com ... Here is my 2 cents on the food.

The waffle was outstanding. A bit of powder sugar, real butter & maple syrup. I had a side of kebalsa with eggs over easy. Eggs were cooked just right. Kebalsa were not a commercial brand . I like it.

Coffee not sure if I was thrilled. It was fine

Chit Chat. Located in a strip mall. It seems all good or bad eatery are in a strip mall. At least this has been my experience in Florida. I guess hurricane are wiping things out always.    This has a little parking in front off a Major street, BUT LOTS of parking in the rear. Hard to see if it is open in morning due to sun position. Front is not very attractive but inside is delightful. Service good but as I left the server was getting overwhelm. A good sign of good food.
My bill was under 10 bucks. I have no idea why folks go to a chain competitor up the road and not here. This is such a better place.  SSSSHHHHHHHHHHH lets not tell too many. We will keep this for the smart frugal diners with great taste buds.  SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Empire Buffet, still going strong

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com ... Here my 2 cents on the food

I have been here 3 times in last 3 years. I must say it has been consistent  for me. The sushi is fresh. Many choices on soup, entree's and dessert. At a buffet you must sample a small portion of EVERYTHING until you find what is going to fill that belly. Some you will like some you will not.

People are always nice and accommodating for me here.

So give it a try. I find this works for me.  ( Note; including this one there are 3 chinese buffet in Cape Coral )

Annies, good food,good portions, good value

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com  ... Here is my 2 cents on the food.

Well I must say I it was good. I saw & picked a hotdog with sauerkraut with choice of sides. Only $3.50. Wow what a deal

. I got the home fries. Every place has a different idea of home fries. Same as here. Their idea is a small potato sliced a bit thicker than a potato chip  and fried.  MMMM it was good. The dog was sliced a bit and grilled with the sauerkraut served on the side. And a toasted roll. All very tasty.From my observations of other diners the portions were quite if not more adequate to fill the belly.

Chit Chat.  The parking lot was full the place was full at 1130 AM and a week day. This is a place for good food,( breakfast/lunch), good quality,good portions good prices.
BUT alas I must warn tourist, people under 60, and new residents.  This is a place for long time  customers.  I did feel welcome it had a nice vibe but Almost all of clients were over 60. No judgement just an observation. If you are on a budget or frugal minded like me. You must venture out and try this place. Worth a peek for the belly.

McDonald's, ugh

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com... Here is my 2 cents on the food & some chit chat.

As you know I do not like chain eatery. I do not know why Mcdees seems to have gone down hill but it has.
 I was in a rush ,it was tax day, and buy one get one for a penny. I got a 1/4 pounders and Big  Mac.

The Big Mac was fine BUT the quarter pounder was wayyyyyy under cooked for a mass production eatery.

I always get my beef medium rare. Any more you are_____ , Fill in the blank.
The one exception is for me is the mass production. It needs to be cooked well due to the all of the chances of getting sick. Why tempt fate. My 1/4 lber was rare to say the least. See pic. So no matter whats the deal I am going to have to pass on going here from now on.

Beef Depot and Deli, Hidden for the locals, in plain sight from Snow birds/tourist

rholland63.yelp.com ...rholland63.blogspot.com  ..Heres my 2 cents with a bit of chit chat.
Once again a lead from my swim buddies on good food and reasonable prices.

Well I must say the  food is terrific.

My Chicago dog was big beefy with all the condiments expected on a chicago style dog. The price was not bad at 3.49. It tamed my appetite. So if you need a bite but not too hungry grab this puppy.

I was told the subs and philly cheese  were to die for. I was there at 1230 PM on a friday. The 3 ladies who were behind the counter were buzzing like bees'. People were streaming in and out picking up orders.
They offer a different special each day of the week. Friday is pulled pork. Pig is king here in the south. I am a beef brisket man. But I decided to be one of the sheep and try the pork..

I am glad I did. It was ladle on a 7 inch or so rolled. It was stuffed. The meat was fall apart in the mouth. And the sauce though very sloppy & messy good, it was a great sweetness for your palette. At 7.49 with chips a good bargain of a meal for now and maybe later.

This Beef Depot is located in a strip mall that is back 200 yards from the main drag Pine Island Rd. And a tip if you are looking for mexican or ice cream food,you are in luck this mall has you covered.I have tried them both and they pass with flying colors.

Paesano, Great Italian beef

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com ... Here is my 2 cents.. First the food.
WOW the Italian beef was outstanding. This is the second time for me to try Italian beef. . The first time somewhere else just suck. Oh My Paesano  beef was seasoned just right.

Texture was perfect to falling apart. And the roll was the best since leaving San Francisco. It was crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. When you bit into it there was just enough pull. The roll soak up the beef juices BUT it was not soggy. It maintain its integrity. Then the added red,green peppers & saute onions was a delight.  This Tuesday special is so worth making a trip just for this item plus a side of fries makes for a great meal.

Now some chit chat. Oh yes my server did a quick and good job.

This is one of the better market/eatery in the area. The deli, pasta, wines and produce makes for a great one stop place. Most  all food is made on site. Produce is fresh and  reasonable. It a bit out of the way but worth it.
The only thing I was not too thrill about was the open area dining room. No a/c lots of noisy fans.
Definitely will be back for other daily special. Sign up for e mail notifications

Fords Garage, Touristy, loud, mediocre food

rholland63.yelp.com ... rholland63.blogspot.com ... Here is my 2 cents. Food first.
My sweet tea was just a commercially available tea . No big deal.  Hamburger and fries.

11 bucks.
My medium rare request was rare. It was a sloppy burger with all the condiments, red onion, pickle,american cheese, tomato slice. I do not mind sloppy burgers. But it was a standard chain taste burger. Calling the bun a brioche bun.. Does not make it better . Over all just what you expect from a chain no big whoop!

Now some chit chat. I was there on a thursday at 1 pm. It was crowded inside and out. My server did a good job. Thanks Angelia. The decor was tourist tacky. Looking like a out of a catalog ole tyme garage. The napkin holder was a hose clamp. The napking a clean garage rag.

It was loud. It did take 15 minutes for my burger. They had a looonnng list of beers. Of course the barkeep did not know my simple Brandy Separator. ( cream kahlua & brandy).  Lots of TV's. Oh yes for 125 Bucks you can consume or share a 10 pound burger!!!!
This is good for a one time or showing folks around eatery. But a regular stop, NOPE pass on by.