Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is a place that I have gone to for years. I find that with every location I have been to the food quality and taste is consistent, the service is always fast and friendly and most importantly the cost is relatively inexpensive (for what you get).

Throughout several “busy” times there is often a wait, my last one was 20 minutes, however as we waited for our names to be called over the PA system we walked through the store and looked at the interesting gifts and nostalgic candies. Then we enjoyed a soda while we sat on the Cracker Barrel signature “rocking chairs”.

Our names were called, we were quickly seated, greeted and our food came out in a timely manner as always.

I ordered the Sunrise Sampler (Two Eggs, Grits, Sawmill Gravy, Two Buttermilk Biscuits, Fried Apples, Hashbrown Casserole, and Smoked Sausage, Country Ham and Thick-Sliced Bacon (one piece of each) $7.89).

I usually like to order this particular Breakfast plate because it gives me a little taste of everything. I also find that everything on it is pretty tasty. I guess my least favorite thing would be the Hashbrown Casserole. All my friends love it and often get a double order of it, so it must be a crowd pleaser, but for me it usually tastes a little bit dry. I really enjoy all of the meats and the Biscuits are pretty good, especially when they are slathered in either the Sawmill Gravy or Apple Butter!

They also seasonally have a Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake that is sinfully sweet and served with Ice Cream for $3 and change that takes me back to when I was a kid. I like to share it with someone because it is so rich.

So as far as chain restaurants go, when it comes to consistency and taste I would have to give Cracker Barrel a “thumbs up”!

Gringos Locos - Double D's

Gringos Locos is an inexpensive restaurant in Downtown Orlando that specializes in “quickly prepared” Mexican favorites! I have been there several times for either a fast lunch or a late night “sober up before driving” experience!

They are open late and when the surrounding bars close there can be a long wait! I recently went there for lunch and the food was just as tasty

The ATMOSPHERE… Hole in the wall, has a dirty feel to it but is actually very sanitary

The SERVICE… Counter service similar to Chipotle or Moe’s, for the most part I have had friendly, helpful service

The FOOD… Mostly Tacos and Burritos, but with a touch of Empanadas, Nachos, Quesadillas, etc…

I usually get the same thing here… Two  Pork Double D’s (Hard and Soft Shell with Queso, Protein, Lettuce, Pico, Cheese and Sour Cream 2/$5.99) These are Gringos’ version of Taco Bell’s Double Decker Tacos except the hard and soft Shells are stuck together with Queso instead of Beans. They are also stuffed with ingredients that are far superior. I love the Roasted Pork from Gringos Locos, it is always crispy, yet tender and full of flavor.

I also tried the homemade Guacamole with Chips for $2.99, it was not bad, but it was also nothing special so I would probably pass on that the next time!

On this visit I knew what I was getting in to, but I had a guest with me who I consider to be the “Burrito Queen”. She love, love, loves Burritos! Every time I see her she usually has a Burrito in her hand, and I was curious to see what she thought of this place. She ordered the Drunk Gringo for $8.99, which has EVERYTHING in it! Beef, Pork, and Chicken, with All Possible Ingredients! I am pleased to report that she ate every bite, and although it was not the best Burrito that she has ever eaten, she still gave it her “Burrito Queen Seal of Approval”. I don’t think you could ask for too much more then that.

Yellow Dog Eats

I’m just going to start out by saying that Yellow Dog Eats is my favorite restaurant!

The true test of a good restaurant is when not only do you want to go back again and again, but you also want to take friends so that they can try it too. As I am trying to think of how many people I have currently taken there I am at 15, and I bet by the time I have posted this it will be even higher.

Located in the middle of a quiet neighborhood in Gotha (16 minute from Downtown Orlando) this house-turned-in-to-a-restaurant has become a place that I have awakened from a deep sleep with anxious cravings of Yellow Dog’s creations!

The ATMOSPHERE… In a word…Eclectic! Purchase bottles of Wine or Homemade BBQ Sauce while looking at photos of Dogs (from customers) pasted all over the walls. The owner named Fish might be walking around to check on your food or crack a joke.

The SERVICE… Order at the main counter (line can be very long at peak times) and wait for your name to be called. After getting your food dine either INSIDE on graffiti-filled wooden tables (try upstairs if the first floor is full) or OUTSIDE in the beautiful Patio on stone picnic tables.

The FOOD… Great BBQ, Pulled Pork and Gourmet Sandwiches, Vegetarian and Vegan with Gluten-Free Options. They offer a “Special” sandwich of the day, as well as a soup or two and some amazing side items. Then top it off with one of their extremely decadent locally made Desserts!

Their Pulled Pork is hard to beat, and I have found that I cannot go there without having either the PULLED PORK SALAD (A bed of fresh greens, grape tomatoes, red onions, scallions, carrots, tangy bleu cheese, fried onions, cucumbers and dikon sprouts topped with a hearty serving of our famous pulled pork and Fish’s Citrus-BBQ sauce $12.95),

BLUE SUEDE SHOES (Our smooth pulled pork topped with tangy bleu cheese, crispy bacon, thin sliced scallions and red onions served on a soft bun. This would make Elvis proud $9.95)

or MR. SMOKEY (Our pulled pork with wonderfully smoked pineapple, fried onions, crispy bacon and heavenly BBQ sauce on a soft bun $9.95)

There is just something about the combination of the Succulent Pork and Fish’s Citrus BBQ Sauce that is completely addictive!

Your sandwich will come with a bag of Chips and their sweet and delicious Slaw, but I also highly recommend getting an additional side item such as their Pesto Tomato/ Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Glaze or the Spicy Roasted Potatoes.

One time I even had a Burger with Bacon and Bleu cheese that was the “special of the day” and it was also outstanding!

I have yet to eat something there that I did not enjoy!

Everyone that I have ever taken there has loved it, and they all seem to want me to take them back again and again. I can’t think of a nicer thing to say about a place, and there aren’t many others that I have ever said that about.

If you are still reading this, then stop and go there right now.

I insist!

Surf Shack - Black Ale Bacon Cheddar Burger

On a recent trip to Tampa, we attempted to go to Stone Chase, but when we got there we found out their Pizza Oven was broken. Our plan was ruined but we were hungry so we decided to go next door to Surf Shack and give it a try. We were both glad that we did.

The ATMOSPHERE… a casual setting with a “Surf” theme, a huge Wave mural, a Water Wall behind the bar and Surf Boards hanging from the ceiling

The SERVICE… standard, friendly and helpful

The FOOD… Appetizers, Salads, Rice Bowls, Sandwiches, Tacos

First they brought out complimentary Chips and Salsa. We were starving and this was unexpected so it gave us a great first impression.

We both agreed that for our appetizer we should try the Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls. (Buffalo Chicken, Jack and Cheddar cheese, in a crispy Wonton Shell. Served with Chipotle-Ranch $6.95) They could not have been more delicious! You get four large pieces. The all white Chicken is moist and tender and the Buffalo Sauce has the perfect amount of “Kick”, and the Chipotle-Ranch balances out the flavors perfectly!

Then for my entrée I decided on the Black Ale Bacon Cheddar Burger. (Prime Beef Blend, Black Ale BBQ Sauce, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Cheddar Cheese and Haystack Onions on a French Bun $7.45) I didn’t want the Slaw as my side so for an additional 99 cents I got the Mac n Cheese instead.

I was surprised at how high it was piled up with the crispy Haystack Onions, and combined with the crispy Bacon it really made for a nice Burger. Not the best by any means, but definitely good enough with me to leave with a smile on my face and a full belly. The Mac n Cheese was also pretty good. Considering the fact that we hadn’t even planned on going to Surf Shack we both had a very nice time. The prices were good and those Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls were enough to make us want to return.

Ruby Tuesday - Boston Blue Burger

I recall Ruby Tuesday having a really good Salad Bar. I use to go there all of the time but then the location I frequented went out of business so I just stopped going. I recently passed the one on Kirkman and decided to give it a try to see how they held up.

The ATMOSPHERE… Standard décor, table or booth seating, full bar

The SERVICE… Could be better, details below

The FOOD… Appetizers, Burgers, Pasta, Seafood, Chicken Steaks, Ribs, and their famous Salad Bar

When we first arrived for a late lunch there were only two other tables occupied. There also seemed to be only one server, which seemed fine at this time. The bad part was that although I’m sure she was not bad at her job, the place kept filling up and by the time we left there were about ten tables, and as you looked around you could see people’s anger building, two tables complaining and one table even got up and left. The manager was helping run the food, but still they could not keep up.

We were not in a hurry, and although it did take a long time for our food to arrive, I am going to hope this is not a regular practice of theirs and I will continue to review the food.

Under their Handcrafted Burgers section I ordered the Boston Blue Burger (topped with Blue Cheese Crumbles, Crisp Onion Rings, and House-Made Barbeque Sauce and served with Two Sides - $10.99) I love that they are served with TWO sides! I chose Fries and for a $1 upcharge I got their Mac-N-Cheese. Their Salad Bar was NOT an option as a side, so I also busted the additional $2.99 for that.

The Salad Bar was a few items shy of what I recall use to be on there, however it is still good and they do offer options that don’t automatically come on your basic Salad Bar such as Pasta Salad, Apple Salad and Edamame.

Then the Burger arrived with a stunning presentation! The fries were just OK, but the Mac-N-Cheese was cheesy-gooey goodness. The Burger was pretty decent, not the best by any means but it did have decent ingredients and I especially like the Whole Wheat Buns that they use.

With the exception of this visit’s understaffed service, I must say that the food portion of the experience was pretty good. My only real problem with everything was that with my portion of the bill (Before tip) was almost $19, and I feel like I can get just as good a meal (or better) for a much cheaper price at several other establishments.