Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical, Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The Food. Chicken and ribs with 2 sides, green beans , rice and black beans. The sides ...I was surprize about the small green beans. They were fresh and tasty . B & R. just add the spicy condiments mmmm good.
Chicken grilled to healthy perfection. Lip smacking good.
The ribs. These were the BEST ; lip smacking FALL off the bones,flavor induce pork I have had
since being in SWFL.  So much flavor.
Also... You are brought your meal when dining in... plus they give you real plates and metal forks at your table.
These other places that claim top notch ribs...LIE.
If you are on a budget look for the coupons and specials.
Service was great.

Applebees

Applebees, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is a bit of chatter and my 2 cents on the food.
I find that the way staff is paid is appalling. Whether or not you tip in cash your server splits the money . Sharing with the bartender and hostess even if they do nothing. Plus they audit regularly.
Note: They make their own in house sweet tea. Sweet and refreshing.mmmm good.
The food.  $19 bucks 12 oz...I must say my meal at this chain eatery was outstanding. Though I had to wait a bit longer for my top sirloin, it was cooked to a perfect medium rare. My green beans a tad crunchy but healthy. The smashed potatoes/garlic were great.
I took home half my steak for a 2nd meal. It was good and still tender for a sandwich.

Service was stellar.

1025

10 Twenty Five, Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is a bit of chatter and my 2 cents on the food.
Chit chat...Well I must say the folks here are very nice. They offer to be accommodating with your meal. It is a bar and such.
The food. I had the signature dish of their version of a pot roast, 14 bucks.
It was ready when I arrived 11 AM or so. It was good. It had a guinness  in the gravy.  I like it.  I guess my issue is with the price. I know this is a new place. Food can be tricky to create. I would like to come here 1-2 times a week or a month. But at 14 bucks for a cheap cut of beef, 4-5 small baby carrots, and MAYBE a average size red potatoe. I know it takes 3-4 hours in a oven at home for a pot roast to be done. This meal does taste better the next day.
Plus what happen to the free bread to sop up the gravy. It is a standard that has gone missing.
I guess the glory days of a inexpensive, filling and great taste have gone. Now you get only one or two of that .

Anthony on the Blvd.

Anthony on the Blvd., Del Prado, Cape Coral, FL. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. Lunch special, meatloaf, mashed taters and green beans. The best item were the green beans.Seemed to be fresh could be frozen tasted fine
Meatloaf was previously made and then warmed up on a grill. Mash taters were as smooth as you get, it seems from a box. The gravy pour from a can or powder just add water.
The last time I had such meal as this, I was in Junior High in Maplewood,Mo. chowing down in the cafeteria. Ignorant of what fresh, well made food is available in the world.
Service was a bit iffy.
A big sign saying New Management. Which has a long way to go. A very dated furniture and gloomy inside dining area. Must be better looking at night.
Until a grand opening I suggest you pass on by.

Fords Garage

Ford's Garage, Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Fl., ... www.rholland63.blogspot.com....Here is a bit of chit chat and my 2 cents on the food. First off I prefer local eateries over a tourist chain. They usually have the best chow and what not. But lo and behold I was surprised when I ate here. A very touristy place.
Now the food. I was swayed by the limited ad of filet mignon, smashed garlic potatoes and green beans. I was sick and tired of swine or seafood in SWFL.... I also order a basic burger to go with fries.
I of course ordered my filet, medium rare. Anything above medium for beef, just eat an old leather shoe. The cook was right on the nose, perfectly done for both. My smashed potatoes had just the correct amount of fresh garlic. Soo good. The green beans were properly prepared with only a slight crunch, to let you know they were fresh from the soil.
My burger was a delight. Full of flavor. Fries just crispy enough.
I admit this... I am a carnivore for beef so my prejudice for beef may have colored my judgement. But really all you have here, SWFL, is overpriced seafood and pig.
My servers were outstanding.
Also always leave your tips in CASH...never on the credit card...

Irie Jamaican Cafe

Iries I Jamaica American Cafe, Fowler St., Ft. Myers., Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter. Having visited as a local type tourist in Jamaica,I must said the food is good and authentic.
The peas & rice are right on. The jerk chicken was moist and tasty. Not too spicy for floridians.
The oxtails was fabulous. Tender and fall apart with a fork. A deep and robust flavor.
Let's not forget the curry goat. For you wimps out there you need to try or sample this world wide dish. Good flavor, has depth like the oxtail. Once you eat you will never know its a goat.
Service and staff were outstanding.
Expand your world and try this place.

Rumrunners

Rumrunners,Cape Harbour Dr., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is some chit chat and then my 2 cents on my entree. I have had this booked mark for a while. I thought this was going to be very pricy. I could not find a menu with prices listed.( not on website)  Even on the dinner menu at the eatery there are no prices listed for beef. (ie. Pork chops at 25 bucks up to 35 bucks for beef. Even then you need to ask server)
Anyway prices though a bit high, they are reasonable considering the views. It is a upscale eatery. An observation. They ARE NOT very handicapped accessible. 2 spaces, 1 at each end of the parking lot. Plus a long path walk around to get inside...Other wise 3-4 steps to enter the restaurant.

The food. Seafood Pot Pie. I have never heard of a seafood pot pie. $18 bucks... It fresh shrimp, scallops, crab, peas, carrots and potatoe. In a small dish. With puff pastry on top. No need to add salt or pepper. It was full of seafood delight. It filled my tummy. I really enjoyed this dish.  No doggie bag. No room for dessert.
Server ,Jessica outstanding. All personnel wonderful.

A place to try.

Taquizza

Taquizza, Pine Island Rd., N. Ft. Myers, Here is my 2 cents on the food and some chatter.
I order a combo of chili rellenos and a steak torta. The torta I was a bit surprised. The meat was chopped in small bite pieces. In California it was always one piece. The bun here is larger and more pricy . It was good except the meat kept falling off
The combo was 7.50 or so. It was heavy with rice and refried beans. a bit of salad. Plus 2 rellenos.
You never know the size of the pepper. It depends on the market
I enjoyed it. But no pickle jalapeno pepper.
The do serve breakfast.
Note: This is a carry out and drive thru.. There are tables with umbrella for folks
Be warned ....it can take time for your order in the drive thru. Nothing is made until order
Also prices have gone up since I was last here.

Englund Deli II

Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
First thing I notice was the prices have gone. between 1.50 - 2.00 bucks
I ordered a large italian sub with  extra peppers. Well they were having a bad day.Plus  I notice the bun was smaller 16 inches. Last time 18 inches. I measured both times.
My sandwich was wrong/ NO peppers, WAYYYYY too much mayo, too much ham. Not an Italian sub. I was too lazy to exchange. NO rhyme or reason for mistake.
I also got a potato salad and pasta salad. The taters salad SUCK. too much mayo no flavor at all, no mustard,no onion or garlic,  Just mayo.....I love Mayo this is wrong. Pasta salad ,dressing from a bottle would be better.
I did not want to drive 20 minutes back to replace it. I should not have too.
Maybe just a bad day.

Beach Brothers

Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Chit chat.... I have been here before for the the same item ,Rib tips. But this time around it was bad. The tips were over smoked and dry. The sauce was mediocre not spicy nor very sweet. My side of pasta salad was not up to par. A house brand of italian dressing would be better.
The 2 saving things, the collard greens were great and service was stellar.
Maybe next time....Everyone has a off day!!!

La Bamba Taqueria

La Bamba Taqueria, N. Tamiami Trl., North Fort Myers., FL.,Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
The food. First I was given hot chips and house made salsa. You could taste the freshness. Mild for the local yodels but able to kick up the heat. I ordered chicken enchilada. I requested it to be SPICY.
WOW WOW, This is the first REAL mexican eatery that actually followed my instructions. The sauce had depth and character. Plus it was such a good spicy that it made my eyeballs sweat.  I needed 6 napkins. The beans and rice was wonderful.
This diamond has been here for a while hidden away. This has to be 1 of 2 BEST authentic mexican eateries in the area.
If you think *aco Bell is good or prefer chain restaurants stay away. If you want like a grandmother cooking a sunday meal, this is it.
Service may be slow BUT great food takes time.
This is in Star Plaza near a laundromat. parking may be hard.
Also if paying by credit card or debit ID will be ask to be shown.

South Cape Diner

South Cape Diner, Cape Coral Pkwy., Cape Coral,FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
I have been here before for breakfast and lunch. As now the service is outstanding.Previous meals were good.
The Food. I ordered a french dip sandwich. I have had the original from Philippe in Los Angeles.       ( Note; pork is the number 1 sandwich in LA. )This one was beef. Ok not enough meat or cheese. Plus the au jus was bad. It was in between a thin jus and a thick gravy. Plus later on at home, I smelled worcester sauce in it. Not a good thing. The fries were different. Tasted fine but they were coated in something.
Everybody can not be everything.

GYROS CHICKEN GRILL

Gyros Chicken Grill, E. Cape Coral Parkway, ( Food Truck), Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and some chit chat. They basically serve gyros. Lamb and chicken. 9 bucks for a large. A bit pricey. BUT I thought it was a great spicy lamb. I loved it. They give you a card after buying so many you get a freebie.
I will be back.

The Marina Club Resaurant

The Marina Club Restaurant, Cape Harbour Dr, Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter. AHHHH an upscale breakfast buffet. $16 bucks or so. This is NOT  for YOUR RUGRATS. Mature folks only. This is a buffet plus they also bring you your food. A slicing table of pork and ham. Omelets or waffles. OJ or coffee. Plus tables of lox and cheeses. Also other items. A nice view of a boat area.
BUT when sitting outside watch out for the woodpecker above.
Good food good service. Nice owner.

Ginger Bistro

Ginger Bistro, Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL., Here is my 2 cents on the food and some chit chat.
First this time, chit chat. If you cannot afford to go to San Francisco,CA for a chinese meal , Then this is your best choice. All you are missing is the the cool refreshing fog. This is a cantonese style eatery.
They serve tiny meals of 3 items, Known as Dim Sum . You can share in a family type situation or for yourself. You have approximately 30 choices of dumplings, bun and egg rolls, Different taste ,cooking style and ingredients.
I had steamed bbq pork and a baked pork/veggie bun. They are brought to you in a covered dish . Either a bamboo or stainless steel bowl. My favorite meal is a Szechuan style mongolian beef with white rice. I always ask for extra hot peppers. They never add enough. It is a hot & spicy sliced beef dish with onions, hot red peppers, green beans or other veggies. Since most places NEVER make it hot enough for me. I always request the hot pepper paste oil to make my adjustment. I am sure that the regular recipe, for you wimps out there, will be more then enough to wipe your brow..
Here they have a viewing widow inside so you may pick a full size duck or chicken. The do have roast pig. BBQ rib, pork bell and such. If so desire you may purchase by the fowl or by the pound. 11-12 bucks a pound.?
In San Francisco you will see this window on the street as you walk. This has been going on for 1000's of year. 2 years ago in California a law maker tried to ban this culture display of the food. They were voted out of their office immediately.
I have tried a variety of dishes they always make me happy
NOTE: Dim Sum is 3-5 bucks per serving ( 3 items )
They do have a website.