Hog Body Grill, better than a chain

Hog Body Grille, Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers, Fl.,Growlings of my tummy and sum chatter.
First the food. I had a bowl to go of the soup of the day, Gumbo. I was hesitant at first.
Well I needed a fork to eat all the goodness. It was thick with shrimp, sausage and other goodies.
The best way to explain the taste is , I was reminded of the major store brand C**p*ell Soups gumbo But Way less salty. It stopped there. It had chunks of spicy italian sausage,(fennel spice)  plus medium size shrimp  and very thick. I really like the heat and texture. Good job.

Now the cole slaw; it was crunchy fresh and creamy all at once.... MMMM... Potato salad ehh could have used more flavor and less mayo. On the slightly bland side. Portions are about 4 oz.each
Ribs. I thought I was getting the real ribs. Spare ribs . Unfortunately I got the namby pamby wimpy ribs, baby ribs. The sauce was a step above chain BBQ places. Still not very sweet... not very spicy... still not much meat /fat and bit dry. Though you could gum it off the bone with dentures.This cost me about $18 bucks all together. Except with a sandwich place next store ...the only game in around 6 miles or so!!!
The service was excellent. The menu is geared to chicken wings. Wings of all type. Not sure why a place called Hog Body, is more interested in a flightless bird.

Horsin Around Deli, no big deal

Horsin Around Deli, Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers, Fl.,  Growlings of a tummy and chatter.
Food. The full size Cuban sandwich with a side of pasta and tater chips, $8.99

....Sorry not worth the price.  First, though the sandwich maybe of quality items, basically it a ham sandwich with pickles on it. Not a whole lot of meat. The side pasta was ok but only about 2 oz. for the serving . A rip off. Plus a small handful of potato chips. They do offer a 9 dollars salad bar.

seems pricy to me.
The service was great ran clean and orderly... But they are basically the only game in 5 miles or more. Exception of bar/bbq restaurant next door.

Mels Diner

Mel's Diner, Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, FL., Growling of my tummy and chatter. On filling the tummy. I have not been here in a blue moon. The special today was a seafood platter 9.99. I went for it. Lets go with each item. Cole slaw it was a bit sour though crunchy and fresh.

Fries hot and crunchy, 3 shrimp very lightly batter, good. The cocktail sauce was a bit mild for me. The fried fish filet. It was too much batter.

At least 1/8-1/4 inch thick. I measured it.  Fried ok just too much breading (see pic ). Ahh the crab cake? More like a crab pancake (see pic)

. No outstanding flavor thin like a pancake. Plus inside is best described as being creamy of sorts.
Chatter.. My server was Denise. She did a wonderful job. She inquire about my meal and stated she would pass on my observation to the cook.
Aside from the above concerns. i had a fairly good experience.

John Ski, House of culinary delight

John Ski House of Breakfast and Lunch,King St, Punta Gorda, FL A growling of my tummy and chatter.
It should be rename of King of Culinary Heaven.
But first my food. Sweet tea. Wow they make their own tea and it is truly a drink of heaven

portions.2.69 bottomless. You can savor this nectar of sugar/tea. Just the correct amount. Potato salad, Small red taters sliced to proper mouth sized. Seasoned to proportion correctness. And just the right mayo.  This has to be the best tater salad I have had in my 5 years in Florida. Mine being a shave better. The spicy shrimp po boy. Not the usual mayo laden shrimp sandwich. This is on a toasted roll with chopped tomato some lettuce. A few sliced hot pepper. Instead of boiled shrimp, the shrimp is caramelized in a hot sweet sauce to perfection
Chatter. This local culinary establishment is a testimony to what the true artist of cuisine in Florida is able to do.. They have used local traditional entrees, experimented with the ingredients ,creating new & improved meals yet maintaining enough integrity of the old fashioned breakfast and lunch entree.
If you love great food from a great local place YOU must come here.
Prices are 8-13 bucks, maybe a bit far to drive ,BUT DRIVE you must
Note: ( It is not wheel chair accessible easily) Parking lot can be difficult.

Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical, Pine Island, Cape Coral, Fl., Growlings of the tummy and chatter. Food. A carnivore delight with fixins. Grilled chicken, black beans, rice and some saute plantains in butter with sugar.
Good ole grilled chicken with some seasons from the caribbean .Healthy and tasty. Black beans plain simple BUT they have sauces that can make your dish wild and spicy. White rice what feeds the

world and extends the beans. Plantains a nudge for the sweet tooth.
This place give you healthy and tasty food, it clean and always fast. One of the few fast food joint that is good to go. Never been? Give it a try

Stevie Tomatoe Sports Bar

Stevie Tomato Sports Bar, Pine Island, Cape Cora, Fl, Growlings of a tummy and chatter. Lets talk food. I got the fathers day special. 6 Bucks, ribs cole slaw & fries..
Cole slaw crunchy not so bad, Fries, crispy and hot, Ribs, Meaty and fall off the bone. BUT the sauce is plain nasty. It is not sweet nor is it spicy. Mediocre like the taste buds of most floridian.
Why do I come. 6 Dollars!!! I cannot buy and prepare this meal at home. Period.
Last year this special was $5. They have raised the prices on ALL menu items by a $1 or more. Even though inflation is low and gas prices are low.. ( Thank you President Obama).
So I will take advantage of this when I can.
My server, Ashley. Top Notched gal. Excellent job. ( mmm I wonder if a pay raise was included with the raising of prices)

debonos delish

Debono's  Stop and Go, Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral, Fl, Growlings of my tummy and chatter.
This is an outstanding place for a sub sandwich or lasagna. I got a made to order 8 " italian sub.. Meat cheese and dragged thru the garden. 8 inches of delish. $4.50 so much better than these chains. Better price, more meat better customer service. Plus a chunk of gooey delight with just the right amount of meat pasta and garlic tastiness. All for less than 9 BUCKS.

IHOP, doing one thing right

IHOP, Cleveland Ave, North Fort Myers, Fl., My growlings of my tummy and chatter.
Food. I got a email for a free Rooty Tooty. A stack of pancakes my choice. Excellent tasting.
Now chatter. If you are to open a restaurant then just do ONE thing right. Then expand
That is what IHOP has done. You come for pancakes ,different varieties then expand on the breakfast theme. Add lunch experiment.
If you try a steak shame on you. It is a breakfast joint. Get what they do right.
Every time I have come here, my service has been great. Servers are friendly... the joint is clean.
If you always come when it is busy, and have a bad experiences.then.....DDUUUUHHH, do not come at that time.
These workers are always trying their best but there are off days.

Enjoy.

BRB American Gastropub, terribble

BRB American Gastropub, Fowler St, Fort Myers, Fl., Growlings of a tummy and chatter. Lets talk food. The best part of these 2 items were the pickle spear.
I got the house special. 9 bucks. A bratwurst, home chips, with the 80 year old chili sauce.

The sauce sucks. It is what is called a cincinnati  chili sauce. Made with cinnamon.You like it or do not. I was given a small portion. The brat was cooked ok but no flavor per se. On a regular bun. Chips ok. I was not sure what it was dusted with. I was given mustard packets BUT unable to open. You needed a knife or scissors.
I also bought a pizzette  Literally 1/2 of a 14 inch pizza.

Salami and wild mushroom. I placed it in my trunk and drove home. My experience has been when I placed fried chicken or other food . The aroma of the food makes me to want to drive  faster to eat this. THIS TIME NO....
This pizza of sorts was bad. bad sauce bad salami and bad wild mushrooms. Terrible crust
Chatter... Terrible location. No street parking The Parking lot  had maybe 20 spaces in which they shared with 3 other tenants. Plus you must enter on another street to get to the lot. Confusing even with g-maps.
Service was great..No one there.

I used a groupon. I am so glad. Never more.

Flat Top Larry's Diner, A newbie place

Flat Top Larry's Diner, First St, Ft. Myers, Fl., My growling of the tummy and chatter.
Ah the signature of the red velvet waffle/ whip cream.  I am a waffle fanatic.
I thought this would be too big and too sweet. WRONG. $7 or so.

Not so sweet not so big. It was I guess sweet enough for a red velvet. More cake like than waffle like. Now the whipped cream was a big disappointment . It collapsed as soon as I dug my fork into it. The cream was not all that sweet.
I know how to make whipped cream. I bought a new blender and I just made that for a while..

Coffee...Not very strong. I was given the option of milk or half & half...lots of different

sweeteners...but IHOP was a stronger more robust brew.
Over ok. The servers were outstanding and wonderful.
But take notice there is only 30 minute limits on parkinging in the area

Barons International Kitchen

Well I finally won something. A 14 oz. bottle of Hot Caribbean Marinade from Barons International Kitchen.
I was surprised that it really was HOT and so tasty. A little dab almost made me cry. A dab of caliente goodness. It had habanero peppers. I love the heat but hate  this pepper. But the combination of the recipe was outstanding. No preservatives were listed. I followed the directions on the bottle and had a fantastic meal. This was truly a surprise.. So I guess if you go to the web site you can order or find where you can purchase this marinade.   www.BaronsInternationalKitchen.com