Cantina Catrina - Open for less than a month. Original in Miami. One of these in-authentic Mexican Applebee's that have been proliferating. I had barbacoa tacos because they were "street" and the line at Chipotle was crazy the day before and most things cost more than these. They cost $16 for 5. But, it turned out it was Taco Tuesday and I got them for half off. They were ok. The beef was bland. I wouldn't be shocked if it comes in a bag. The tortillas were a bit raw. The radish and avocado were fresh. Small menu. The decor is very dark (in color and I guess content). They decorate the place in "Day of the Dead" stuff. And pictures and posters of old Mexican movies and movie stars. Three areas. A bar area with patio (view of parking lot). Two areas with views of mall. Service was good. Maybe....maybe go for Taco Tuesday or drinks. At entrance to food court.
Steak Up - Next door to Catrina. Brazilian Fast Casual. Not sure how long they have been there. I tried to order a baked potato with chicken. They rang it up for a buck more than listed and then added a three dollar convenience fee. I asked for a refund. It rubbed me the wrong way. The convenience fee should be discounted if anything if you order to go. Not the other way around.
Gotcha Smokehouse BBQ - They were a little more inside the food court. I think the sign said there have been there since 2007. The items and severs (and eventually the taste) made it seem more Asian/Latin bbq than cracker. I got the chicken bowl (cheapest) for $9. It was some grilled chicken in a sauce that was a bit teryaki tasting. Good. I tried roasted potatoes as the side. Ok. A few undercooked. Small selection. Not more allure.
*Travel Notes - Florida Gulf Coast and Keys: I was going to stop in Lakeland but it was so early in the day to stop then. Did scope out Swan Brewing in DT. It wasn't open yet. Looked up hotels on St Pete Beach. Too expensive ($200+ for garbage). So, I found one in Kenwood (in between St Pete and St Pete Beach). Days Inn at $136. Got an awful gyro to go at Skidder's (AAA magazine) before I left. Ate good Panang mole curry with chicken at Nitally's Thai Mex (Food Paradise) in St Pete the next day. Drove south a bit to Munch's (3D) and grabbed the Cuban special with fries to go. Never been to that part of the city. Slept in Osprey at Casey Key Resort for $150. Lots of fees. Drove along Casey Key. Nice. Stephen King has places there. Looked in on Nokomis Beach. This area is just as good as Sarasota. Less expensive and built up. Ate breakfast (eggs benedict) at the hotel restaurant - Chef Rolf's. Drove south to Matlacha and had a cheeseburger at Bert's. Slept in North Fort Myers and the scary Riverview Inn for $116. Took a tour (Tropic Star) from Bookeelia on Pine Island to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa SP for $57. All day tour. $42 for just Cayo Costa. Ate shrimp salad at Cabbage Key Inn. They do a dollar bill thing on the ceiling. May have been one of the inspirations for Cheeseburger in Paradise. Ate dinner and had beer in Naples at Bone Hook Brewery. Bad quesadilla and chicken chili. Slept down the street at Fairways Inn for $140. Drove by Baker museum, philharmonic and zoo. Baker wanted vax proof. I told them follow the science. I even pointed the way. Didn't go in to other places either. Ate pimento cheese and chicken sandwich with fries at Lake Park Diner. It's a modern diner. Cute. Ate very good al pastor and chicken tinga tacos at Turco Tacos. Drove on to Clyde Butcher's Photography Studio (at 52388 Tamiami Trail). Was going to buy a photo. But, they were around $7k for the ones displayed. $40 just for a poster! Onto Miccouskee Casino Resort for $235. I screwed myself waiting for prices to drop here or around the Keys. They didn't. Went the other way. I chose them because I've always wanted to see what's up. They gave me the top (executive) floor. Drove down to Key Largo. Had a good tuna melt and fries at Buzzard's Roost. On a canal. Had chilled shrimp and mango tacos at Chef Rolf''s Tuna's in Islamorada. Had seared yellowtail at Snapper's in Key Largo. Good water setting. Grabbed bad bacalao croquettas and worse tamal at Fernando the Bull in Key Largo. They started in Naples. Slept in Florida City at Fairway Inn for $94. Had to make up for the overspends somehow. Grabbed a ham and egg and cheese sandwich and Frito Burger (potato sticks and Med spiced) at Cuban Guys in Palmetto Bay on US 1 on the way home. Rental car (Nissan Rogue) cost $243 with Budget. Spent about $120 in gas. Only had bad weather on one day (Thursday). Good trip. No traffic problems. Even drafted my fantasy team during it. I used some credits on two of the hotels, so, they weren't as expensive as I listed.
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