2023 Favorites List and Travel Notes Index

If you haven't noticed, I have tried to make this list a bit more helpful by adding the dates that I wrote the reviews of the restaurants and added the Travel Notes Index to the site. It should make it easier to look back upon the posts with the most value. Since the search tool is so horrible. Not as horrible as the recent hires at the news channels though. Especially WESH. Are we trying to hire unattractive/overweight people? Is their new sports hostess cupcake constantly high?

$$$$ - Doshi (January 31), Kaya (February 9), Norigata - Winter Garden (May 16)

$$$ - Turci Pasta (April 10), Bruno's Oyster's - Winter Garden (May 16), Otto's High Dive (August 4), Superica (December 16), Bar Italia (December 29)

$$ - Hen & Hog (January 3), Kura Sushi (January 3), Argentinian Bakery (January 6), Kung Fu Dumpling (January 21), Orange Crate Cafe - Winter Garden (January 24), Mangoni - Winter Garden (January 24), Kebab King (February 5), Banana Leaf (March 16), Chilispot (April 20), Oodle (June 3), Bayou (June 11), Summer House - OIA (September 10), Caravan (December 16), Zaru (December 22). Bakery 1908 (December 22), Eet - Disney Springs (December 27)

$ - Sampaguita (March 25), La Patrona Food Truck (April 27), Big Mike's Burgers - New Smyrna Beach (November 24), Talkin Tacos (December 16)

2023 Travel Notes Index

January 24 - UT/NV

February 12 - AL/LA/FL

February 21 - NC/GA

February 28 - Washington DC

March 20 - Mexico

April 2 - UAE

April 16 - AZ/NV

May 1 - CO/NM

May 16 - NC/TN/GA/FL

May 28 - Northern California

June 11 - VT/NH/ME/MA

June 24 - Guyana

July 10 - UK

July 16 - UK (continued)

July 31 - Al/IN/OH/WV/VA/NC

August 25 - Switzerland

September 15 - England

October 8 - Sweden/Norway

October 17 - South Florida/Florida Keys

November 6 - Spain

November 24 - Italy

November 29 - Italy (continued)

December 19 - Hawaii

December 29 - Florida

Grub Crawl - Casselberry and Winter Park: El Toque, Chuan Fu and Bar Italia *FL Travel Notes

I tried these spots on Sunday at lunch. The first is in a strip mall on 436 where Aladdin and Alex's Fresh Kitchen are. Near the Red Bug Lake overpass. The second is in a strip mall on North Orlando Ave (17-92) near Lee Rd. On the corner with Miller's Ale House. I believe The Ravenous Pig's meat offshoot was there last. The third is in the Winter Park Village in the old Brio location. I also passed by Chayote, Crisp & Green (in the old Johnny Rocket's location) and an ice cream place (Nina's?) in that marketplace. Everything else was the same. I'll try them at some point. Chayote was way more fancy than I expected. They wouldn't do take out. I will post the Favorites List on Sunday.

El Toque - A Venezuelan spot. It means "the touch". Open for a month. I had a $14 Platano Mini Bowl. They form three mini bowls (pretty large) out of plantains. Fried. They fill them with shredded pork, beef and chicken and pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado and cheese. They were good. Some of the meat was dry. They also offer two other bowls (chicharron and nacho). And tweleve empanadas at $5. Three pasteles. Four tequenos. Three arepas. Fajitas. Tacos. Two cachapas (sweet corn pancakes). Three pepitos (sandwiches). Six burgers. Three grilled meat plates. A Sancocho (looked like a stew). A Patacon (plantain sandwich). Sides. Prices for most are in the mid-teens. Lunch special at $15. Order at a counter. Some tables. Black paint. Mural. Posters of local sites. Square room. It was better than I was expecting. And more expensive. I would try it out. Favorites possibility.

Chuan Fu - They said it translates loosely to Home of Szechuan. They put the chuan in Szechuan! Get it? Same people as Chuan Lu at Mills and East Colonial. This is a fancier. Nice interior. Classic, traditional look. Some large tables. Booths. Open for a month. I made a huge mistake and ordered Ratten Pepper Tongue for $19. The tongue tasted like thin sheets of plastic. I'm not sure if it is meant to or not. Bad. Caustic, spicy broth. Tasted like lye and black licorice and raw ginger. I think it was the green peppercorns. I had to rinse it with water to make it tepidly eatable. The veg sucked up the broth or were the cause of its terrible taste. Sliced potato. Bean sprouts. Cloud Ear Fungus? Huge portion size. Came in a cool to go bowl. Rice. I was going to cheap out with a $13 lunch special, but, they wouldn't do it on a Sunday. A dish with soup or egg roll and rice. They have a crazy menu with things like frog, tripe, cloud ear fungus, chitterlings, shrewish kidneys, tomato omelette soup, pig snout and overwater fish. Normal stuff too. They break up the menu into these sections: boiled, beef, chicken, pork, fish, hot pots, vegetables, rice, noodles, featured, apps and soup. Most in high teens. a small Wonton Soup was only $3+. Some values like that. Open for lunch and dinner. No Tuesday. I wish I had tried something else. Anything else. I bet I would have put it on the Favorites List. Just can't because this was such a total failure. My worst choice since a bittermelon mistake in Chinatown NYC many years ago.

Bar Italia - I have been avoiding them because I feared they were a chain and how much different from the place they replaced could they be. The answer is - I don't know. Can't remember Brio. They were "Favorites" good though. I had their lasagna for $19. I'm not sure if this is the usual portion size, but, it was a double. Good too. I'm not sure if they mix ground meats. I tasted some fennel seed, so, maybe pork sausage too? Good whipped ricotta. Nice, fresh sauce. Some of the top layer of cheese had a funk. Aged provolone? I was very happy with it. They also serve twelve primi (ie sausage bread, carpaccio) from $5 to $17. And four salads from $11 to $14. Seven pizzas from $16 to $18. Eight pastas (ie garganelli) from $17 to $18. Eight secondi (ie halibut risotto) from $19 to $36. You will find staples and some unique dishes. It looks nice. L shaped bar with reverse L shaped bar room on the front right. Main room behind it. Large, wrap around patio. Huge ceilings. Seats many. White, gray and stained wood. Pottery Barn catalog look. Kitchen on the left. Large amount of dressed staff. Open for eight months. Only location. I was pleasantly surprised. You can go without reservations (the emotional kind). And probably without the other kind. It always seems busy.

*Travel Notes - Florida: I drove to Delray Beach. Stayed at the Atlantic Hideaway (Expedia 9.2) for $114. It was more like a 2.9. Had a lunch of Fusilli Boscaiola at Dolmoros. They have a machine that spits out fresh pasta. They say they started in Venice Italy. They claim they are coming to Orlando. Someone should tell them that the Bumby Arcade will never happen. The pasta was very pasty. The sauce was bland. Saw the Delray Tennis Center. Their tournament is on February 9-18. I went to the Boca Raton Bowl that night. At FAU. $35. They actually printed a ticket. Parking was $20. Nachos at the stadium by Tacos al Carbon. $2 less than the stadium's kiosk. Good. The next day I drove to Lakeland. 95N to 706 to 710 to 70W to 27N to 60W to 98N. That is up through the center of the state. I was going to go to the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa (didn't want to sleep there though), but, I was too tired to deal. Plus two accidents on my route required rerouting/extra time. Stayed in Lakeland at the crappy Lakeview Motel (Booking 6.9) for $88. Had good beer at Dissent Craft Brewing Company and Swan Brewing Co. Ok pulled pork with ff at a food truck at Swan (Bad Dog BBQ). Decided to call it quits after that. Went home. Tip - You don't have to pay for metered parking in either city. Go a few block away from main drag in Delray (they have some free lots as well that are always full though) and find the covered lots in downtown Lakeland.

Grub Crawl - Disney Springs and International Drive: Eet, Salt & Straw and Sickie's Garage

I tried these spots on Saturday at lunch. The first is between Rainforest Cafe and Earl of Sandwich. The second is across from Jaleo. The third is in a strip mall just south of Sea World/Central Florida Parkway on International Drive.

Eet by Maneet Chauhan - Opened two weeks go. She has a show on Food Network. Don't believe I've seen it. Order at a counter. Fast casual. Beeper. They bring it to you. I tried the $17 Tandoori Chicken bowl with basmati rice and Bhunna Curry Sauce and a $5 refillable soda. It was good. Tender to too soft chicken. Alot. Cabbage, cukes, rice "pebbles". Spicy curry. Served in a cardboard bowl. They offer up a selection of apps (like samosas, poutine, etc), salads and bowls (cheese (paneer), shrimp, etc. Rice, cauliflower and one other thing as the base. Sauces like Saag (spinach), Moilee (coconut), Korma (cashew), Tikka. Seats 60+? Basic tables and chairs. Darkish tones. Simple. Attentive servers. Pretty full. It will be on the Favorite's List.

Salt & Straw - Started in Portland. Many locations now. Ice cream. Open for over a year. I had a small Dwanta's Teremana Spiked Egg Nog for $8. Large scoop. Good flavor. In a bowl. They had flavors like Gingerbread Cookie Dough and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache. It seemed "seasonal". I'll bet it changes alot. You can get a few sizes or pints. Cones too. Shakes. Rectangular floor plan. Small. 

Sickie's Garage - Open for two weeks. One of those mass market looking spaces like Ford's Garage or any number of I Drive locations. Only one prior location in Kissimmee though. Huge. Two rooms. One with a huge central bar. TV's. Wood all over. Empty oil drum decorations. Gift shop. Pretty empty. 50 burgers, sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, meatloaf, mashed potato bowls, mac and cheese bowls, baskets, wings, salads and a variety of apps. Beer. I grabbed a Chicken in a Coupe grilled chicken sandwich for $13 ($12 on the menu) to go. Came with great tots. Alot. Chicken was big and good. Tender. Bun was ok. L&T were bad. All in all it was fine. I just don't get excited about places like this. 

Summer House took over the Bongo's location at the Springs. I went to the one in the airport, so, I doubt I'll try this location. It was pricier too. Didn't see anything else new. Gideon's Bakehouse is still very busy.

Grub Crawl - Mount Dora: Beruit Bites, Munchie's Live BBQ and Dark & Light Cafe

I tried these spots on Wednesday at lunch. They are all in that new "marketplace' on 4th Ave.

Beruit Bites - I tried a $12 Gyro to go. Not shaved meat. Average. Side of hummus. They sell the usual six things (falafel, shwarma, etc). Bare bones cooking tools. No seating. Open for 2 to 3 years. Skipable.

Munchie's Live BBQ - Next to Bites. Open for one year. Original location in Gotha. I'm unsure if they closed that. I had a great bargain with their $6 Lunch Express. One meat and one side and a drink. I chose the curry chicken with yellow rice and a side of beans. I did bbq beans. Probably should have done black. All were good. A bit oily at the bottom of the container. Probably the rice flavoring. Good flavors. Tender chicken. Sweet tea. They also have a few more "Island" type bbq dishes along with all the smoked "American" meats. Lots of sides. Sandwiches were around $9. Platters too. One to two tables. Wood look. Catering.

Dark & Light Cafe - In a different building than the first two. In the rear. Vegan stuff. Argentinian. $13 and over. Bowls, etc. $5 pastries. I tried a $4.25 eggplant empanada. It was good. My first. I think I'm starting to like vegetable stuffed empanadas more than meat. Open for a year.

*I will be posting every other day (some good and/or just opened ones) until the end of the year. Disney Springs in the next one. Plus one more Travel Notes. 

Grub Crawl - Downtown and East Colonial: The Bao Spot, Great Harvest, Zaru and Bakery 1908

I tried these spots on Tuesday at lunch. The first is on Church St. The second is Lake Ave and East Church St near the Publix at Lake Eola. The third is on 50 across from Fluffy Fluffy. The last is aside Fluffy Fluffy. I also saw that they intend on opening Blu Wave Sushi to the left of the first one and Birria 1983 to the right (seems very close). Near the second place, I also saw Draught House, Earthy Picks ($13+ Vegan things) and Bynx (drinks and some food). Mochibae will open next to the last place.

The Bao Spot - I had a $6 fried shrimp bao. It was ok. The shrimp (one whole one) was quite large. Fine fry. The let down was the Japanese guac (the cheap kind of avocado) and the bun (mass produced). The grilled onions were ok. They have around six baos. Terrible looking $9 burgers (paper thin) and $4 worse looking fries. Two $13+ bowls. Some other things. Order at a counter. Seats around thirty. Full. Looks like a submarine inside. Open for two weeks. Too expensive. You can pass.

Great Harvest - A chain. Bakery plus dining. Baked goods were very expensive. I think a loaf of bread was $14. I settled on a $3 biscuit. It was very good. Moist. Oniony. Breakfast all day. $7+. Ten $10+ sandwiches and salads. Large footprint. High ceilings. 

Zaru - Sanuki Style Udon from Kagawa Prefecture by Bento Group. Near the Mills corner. I had the Kake Udon to go because there was a wait for a table and it was the cheapest option. It was good. Cost $12 with a $2 Onsen egg added. Thick Udon. Made there. There is a machine. They said they make the broth too. Probable. They had quite a few cooks and they were acting obsessive over their charge(s). The dish came with some scallions and tempura bits and something that looked like nori and maybe umebushi along with it. They offer four cold noodle dishes ($12-$20) and five hot ones ($12-$36). Eighteen add ons like tempuras, roe, waygu and vegetables. Six Zensai (apps) from $5-$11. Things like gyosa and chicken chasu. Two mizumono (desserts). Seats around thirty. L shaped room. Looks out on 50. Earth tones. Chic. Open Kitchen. Open for two months. You can find parking for now at the Dunkin Donuts lot. It may be on the Favorites even though it is a ramen place.

Bakery 1908 - This WILL be on the Favorites List! It may be the BEST upgrade of venue. From that shitty crawfish (King Crab Shack) place to this excellent, no hassle Chinese restaurant. They do have a bakery. But, the hot food is what sets it apart. A total surprise to me. I had $10 wonton soup and $10 har gow. Either was enough on its own. The wonton broth was light and unsalty. Very healthy. Fresh bok choy. Six tasty dumplings. Huge bowl. Has to be one of the best in town. The har gow could have been steamed more properly. The edges were hard and dry. The middle was sticky and fragile. The shrimp, however, were top notch. No paste. Just pieces of real shrimp. Nice flavor. Five in number. Came in a wood box. Red vinegar dipping sauce. They offer about a dozen hot items (dim sum) like Shanghai Dumplings, Shiu Mai, Hong Kong Sticky Rice. Steamed and fried dumplings. The bakery area (on left) had sweet and savory options. Many things that were quasi-sandwiches. The servers were a little undertrained/confused. Efficient order counter. They bring you the dishes. Large room. Two levels. Full. White with accents. Seats 50? Lots of parking. Open for two weeks. Not a chain. I can't get back quick enough. Find this!

Happy Lemon - A chain. Across from Bakery 1908. I had a $6 bubble waffle. It was good. Crepe-y. They sell mostly drinks. Large. Modern. White and yellow. Was a Goncha. Open since May? Pretty empty. 

*I also tried to try Sushi Saint near Brew Theory. It isn't open on Tuesday. Finally sorted out where Eola Lounge is. It looks good. A Thai/Sushi place is on the corner. Named Neveyah. I have to check if I have been there before. Did something real similar if not. Oudom. Didn't come across any other newbies. Oh. I have to laugh at the signs for the Bumby Arcade. I thought The Bao Spot was in there. Nope. Still nowhere near opening.

Mi Casa Kitchen, Longwood *HI Travel Notes

I tried this Puerto Rican spot in a strip mall on North Ronald Reagan Blvd on Friday at lunch. They said that they have evolved from catering to a food truck to this. Open for a short time. Wednesday to Saturday. 11am to 7pm. Tiny foot print. No true seating. Little decor. I had a mofongo pernil (pork) for $13. It was good. The mashed plantains were better. It didn't love the chichurron or fat pieces mixed in. Impossible to chew. The pork didn't have a ton of flavor. A bit dry. Lots of long, stringy pieces too. Probably from the shoulder/butt. Probably cooked during their off days the week before. They also tossed in a basic l&t salad with Italian dressing. Fresh though. Decent portion size. I would have preferred less at a lesser price. You can choose from pernil, chicken, carne frita, palomilla steak and shrimp criollo. Or those options on their platos. All $13 and up. They also sell sandwiches such as tripleta, smoked steak, smoked chicken and Qban. Patacones Locos rice bowl too. Tequenos, sorullus (fritters), empanadas and bacon wrapped maduros round out the apps. $5 and up. Three desserts. If you are in the neighborhood...

*Travel Notes - Hawaii: I paid $546 for airfare to Kona (because cheaper than Hilo). Delta through LAX there and UA through Denver back. Morning flight there. Night flight back. UA provided a horrible cold chicken dinner. No tv from Denver. Slight delay for de-icing in Denver. I rented a car from Hertz for a week at $247. Gas was slightly under $5. I drove the first night up 190N to 200 (Saddle Road) to 11E to Banyan Rd in Hilo. Around 80 miles. It's hilly. You make a left out of the rental car area and then a quick right on to 19S. A left at the (first?) light near the Texaco station and up a hill through residential housing to 190N. Turn left. I stayed at the Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel for $134 (their worst quality room). Missed the 10pm closing time, but, they left key with security guard. Hotels in Kona are expensive as hell. A little better in Hilo. I didn't consider other areas. The plane noise in Hilo is ridiculous and most hotels had at least one window that only had a screen. They are all decrepit too. I had Taco Bell for dinner. It was the only chain that wasn't double the mainland price. All that was open. I ate a breakfast of Kalua Pig and cabbage bowl (with rice) at Verna's Drive In the next day. I went to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory off 11W. Then on to 130S to 137E to Kalapana and beyond. It's on the SE coast. Lava flows and State Parks. I was easing into it. I got some more TB and wine and Pringles and hummus at KTA (a supermarket) and went to the next hotel early to relax. It was a disaster. Wild Ginger Hotel (Expedia 8.2 could be 2.8). It looked good when I was going to go in June. And only $99 (pre-tax). $118 the week before I left. Two days later, it was $131 (pre-tax) and $154 with tax. And that was listed as 50% off! I booked the whole week. I am now fighting the owner over it. They fought me hard intitially and eventually acquiesced after a while (many missing amenities and in terrible condition and not connected to sea, etc) and promised (Expedia) to comp the one sleepless night with a no hot water morning. However, they ended up keeping two nights. Still fighting them. The next day I went to Hawaii Volcanoes NP. Bought an annual pass for $80 because it was $30 for here or $55 for a pass for the four parks on Hawaii (although the final three seemed free when I went). Drove 11E the Kilauea Crater and Chain of Craters Road to the ocean and a sea arch. Craters and lava tube and petroglyphs (path) and lava flows in between. I then drove a bit further on 11E to a road with a view of Mauna Loa. I turned back when it became less paved and one lane. It was cloudy anyway. Drove back to Hilo. Stopped in some village for Saucy Mama Food Truck. I had a Keiki plate of one Kalua Pork Taco with Hapa Rice. Very good. Learned later that Keiki means child. Went to KTA and discovered their poke was only $7.77 a lb. Got that and some wine and used the rice from Mama's for my own poke bowl. Stayed at Aaron's Cottage in Hilo that (and the next) night for $140 (including the $25 resort/cleaning  ;fee). I wasn't about to book a long stay again. It was cute. A little room with windows that closed and shades that blocked light. Tv. Quietest. It had a beautiful cove/beach at the end of the road. Went there for sunset. There again in the morning. I had lunch of Momo Loco (egg and hb and rice) the next day at Cafe Pesto in DT Hilo. On 3D (that's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). Drove 19N to Hamakua Coast (NE). To Waipo Valley Lookout to Waimea and up 250 to Kohola (NW) and Hawi. Down Kohala Coast to Pu'ukohola Heiau NHP. It was the home/palace of King Kamehameha. The rest of the parks I was to visit closed at 4pm, so, I had to skip them for another day. I bullshitted my way into the Mauna Kea Resort to see if it had changed since I was a kid. Not really. Back to Hilo via Waimea (19E) to 190S to 200E. KTA again for poke and Pringles and wine. Breakfast of Khop Kwiki (scrambled eggs with Portuguese sausage and cheese on a muffin) at Ken's House of Pancakes. Up 11W past the volcanoes to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park. Excellent. Onto Whittington Beach Park. Then had lunch at Ama's Kitchen Food Truck at Paradise Meadows on South Point Rd. Had fried Kamanu (rainbow runner or rainbow yellowtail) with ff. Down the road to Southernmost Point in US. There was also a green (yes!) sand beach near there with turtles. It was too far to walk and too rough to drive. I tried. Back on 11W around the SW part of the island to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP. You need to take a left on some road off 19 to get to the coast. This place translates to Place of Refuge. If you were an outcast you could ask for protection here. Back on 19 (now N), I drove through Kona. Too late (once again) for the final park. Took 190N to 200E to Hilo (again). Stayed at the Hilo Reeds Bay again (the final three nights). Better room. Bay view. $144. KTA had put away their poke, so, I went to Daiichi Ramen neat the Walmart for a special meal of Shio ramen with chicken katsu and gyoza. It rained the next day. Had a bacon and pate banh mi at Le Yellow Sub Food Truck (on 3D). I tried to find Rainbow Falls. Couldn't. Passed by Ola Brew Co and decided to have a rest day. Ate a fried mushroom bao there too. Poke dinner from KTA. The next day I walked Liliuokalani Gardens and had a terrible, hockey puck, blue cheese burger at Hilo Bay Cafe (on 3D). Fries sucked too. And they were full of themselves. Found Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Up Waianuenue Ave (by the schools). Huge Banyan Tree too. Back down to 19N. A left on some numbered road to Akaka Falls SP. They wanted $5 plus $10 for parking. I drove off. Up to Umauma Falls. You can see them from the highway. But, difficult to get close. I found some bridge near a zipline place on a backroad. Back to town. Got lost and found the Hilo Brewing Co. Got two to go. Poke at KTA. Checked out of hotel and had a teriyaki burger at Kozmic Cones (near the schools). Finally found 200W. Stopped in the middle and drove up to Mauna Kea VC. You had to have a four wheeler to continue. I think it was free. On to Waimea. Had a good cheddar burger at Merriman's in Waimea (very famous it seems). Back to Kohala Coast and down to Kaloko Honokohau NHP. It was where locals lived at some point. Through Kona again and back up to the airport. Weather was bizarre. West side is usually sunny. East side usually rainy. Cloudy and cool in between. High elevations. You can stay in the different towns. Some or remote though (like near the volcanoes). I should have stayed a few nights in Waimea. Horse and cattle ranches up there. I was there to see the parks and island. You will probably wish to do more sunbathing/activities. Hotel prices and resort/cleaning fees are the major obstacle. There were alot of hotels in Kona that must not list on travel sites or were booked up because they never appeared on searches. Gas and rental car were way cheaper than I expected. If you are looking at a Hilo map, rotate it so the land/bay looks like a "C" not a "U" or you will get lost. Find the free "101 Things To Do" Magazine asap.

Grub Crawl - Belle Isle and SoDo: Caravan and Talkin Tacos

I tried these spots during the day on Wednesday. The first is Uzbeki. They also claim a little Turkish influence. The second is Mexican. It was already around two pm, so, I had my items at both places wrapped up to go. I liked both.

Caravan - I believe the last occupant was a steakhouse (Steer). It was a German place before that. I told you in the last Travel Notes from England that I had never had Uzbeki before that trip. Interesting that we would get this right after I wrote that. I felt I had been sitting on them for too long. I was right. They will be on the Favorites list. I tried as much (within reason) as I could/should on this visit. I had Samsa with Beef for $5. Cheburak for $5. Lula Qiyma for $10. The Samsa was a baked pastry filled with small cubes of beef. Nice sesame covered, glossy crust on the pastry. Tender enough meat for a pie. Pretty much filled the whole (Afghani/Pakistani) samosa like container. I believe they seasoned with cumin and bitter herbs. It could be a small meal. Such as a pasty or empanada. I enjoyed it. The Cheburek was a pan fried, mezzaluna shaped crepe that looked like an omelet. It wasn't egg though. Dough. Crisp (at the edges) and spongy. Filled with ground beef. The same seasonings as the Samsa plus a sour flavor. Big. Like a three egg omelet size. The Lula was a kebab of ground beef. Slightly different spicing. Not as much cumin. Generous portion. Maybe ten inches long. I should say that all the dishes had good enough quality meat. Superior to most restaurants that serve similar (in geography) dishes. This dish might have used the best cut. Which would make sense because it was double the price. I liked this alot as well. They tossed in some hot sauce and a whole container of sliced red onion. I didn't have the sauce with the first two because I ate them on I-4. It would have been too messy and dangerous. The kebab had enough flavor that it didn't really improve the experience. Just overwhelmed the flavors. The first two are more app like. The last is a main. People probably order a few and a side of rice. They had some dishes like that on the menu in the high teens. Also some soups, noodle dishes, more rice dishes, specialities, other sections of animals, desserts, etc. A bit pricy. Twenties to thirties. Beef, chicken, goat?, lamb. They had some inards too. Out of the liver. I suspect that they are Halal/Moslem by the clientel. Don't remember if they had alcohol. They did have some tap and give machine for a mosque that I have never encountered before. The place is square with a low ceiling. They white washed the red brick. Limited decor. It looks cheery. One big tv showing a video on a loop of people making some kind on bread in a clay oven. I suppose it their version of naan/lavash. Maybe twenty or so tables. Some twos. Some fours. Even at that hour, the place was about a quarter full. They spoke English well. Lots of parking. I believe they opened around three months ago. A nice edition. Not just a curiosity.

Talkin Tacos - They are in the strip mall with a Publix and a Mooyo and PDQ. South of Michigan. They said it is a franchise that started in Miramar. Now a few locations in South Florida and Atlanta and DC and another coming in CF. I saw their sign months ago. When I tried to find it I couldn't. I assumed they had closed or never opened. They had just not opened yet. They opened two weeks ago. I almost walked out when I scrolled through the kiosk and only found only $12 three taco or burrito or salad or nacho options. They showed me how to just get one. Remember that I had alot of that weighty food from Caravan already. But, I was in the neighborhood and also like beating everyone to the punch. I sampled a birria with Taki chips for $5. It was good. The beef was chewable (not always the case with Mexican beef dishes and birria in particular). A goodly amount. The Taki's (spicy Doritos) added a little heat and texture (and fun). Some white onion. Crispy/oily shell. Flavorful beef broth dipping sauce. Came out fast. I liked it. Enough to go back and try the other kinds. Maybe enough to sneak onto the Favorites? They had around twelve kinds of fillings. Chicken, asada, pastor, mahi mahi. I can't remember the rest. Some just had things (like Takis) in them. It is fast casual. A rectangular bueprint. Not big. Some seating. Vibrant look. It was pretty full at 2:30pm. Different enough to entice. No JAMMR. A GMR. I'll be back.   

*If Big Chicken is to be at 250 East Michigan and that is the old Boston Market, it is not close to opening. They haven't started the demo yet. I also saw that near the condos on South Orange (south of the hospital), they opened a fast food chicken place (looks sharp) called Pollo Camaneros or something like that. I have to check if I have tried another location. It sounds familiar. I think I saw a few placards in the ares that seemed new in old locations. I will have to research what has come and gone when there is less traffic. If that is possible in that area anymore. I will have a post in a few days with some Travel Notes.                                                                                                                                                             

La Famiglia Italiana, Sanford

I tried this restaurant on Sanford Ave and 13th on Tuesday at dinner. I had two 14" cheese pizzas for $16. They are doing a two with second half off, but, they told me two for one, so, they honored it. It was average to below average pizza. Sauce was too garlic-y. Dry flour crust. Poor char. Rubbery cheese. They have a large selection. Five parms, two sammies, wings, a salads, apps, seafood, chicken, veal. And a variety of pastas and a separate "maccheroni" section. High water mark is $28. It's in a little old house. Let's call the interior "shabby chic". Parking. Open for two years. Opens at 4pm. Not a destination spot.

Grub Crawl - Winter Park: Superica and Chill N

I tried these two newcomers on South Orlando (17-92) on Tuesday at lunch. The first is across from Rocco's in that new strip mall that has Just Salad. Near to Fairbanks. The second is in that new strip mall closer to downtown where Guy Fieri's chicken place is.

Superica - I have been waiting on them for a while. Didnt diappoint. A chain (12) from Atlanta. In a few major Southern cities. Tex Mex. Will be on Favorites. Open for three weeks. Big, open, high ceilinged room. Seats one hundred? Bar on entrance side. Semi open kitchen across. Balcony seats. Mostly bright white. Two areas or seating. Tables v banquettes. I tried the tacos we pescado for $18 and a fluffy tostada (queso puff) for $4. The tacos (3) were almost perfect. Very large. Crisp coating. Not greasy. Some areas of the catfish were a tad fishy and a bit soft. Fresh cabbage and pickled onion slaw. Double ply, grilled, large corn tortillas. Nice plating. Came with tasty charro beans. The puff was interesting. Smothered in queso. I was stuffed after all this. They also offer soups ($9), enchiladas ($17+), quesadillas ($14), fajitas ($20), salads, deserts, other tacos, apps ($9-$14), kids menu ($8) and even a reasonably priced brunch on the weekends. When I think that Torchy's charges $6 per tacos for quasi-fast food in a fast food environment, I just love this place more. It is a bit pricy, but, at least it isn't child portions or slop. Definitely not a JAMMR. A GMR (Great Mexican Restaurant). Good looking crowd. Great service. Management makes the rounds and engages with the customers. Food came out quick. Hot. Servers were polite and accommodating. Getting doggy bags didn't seem to be a problem. Fast with the bill. Three bathrooms. Two good salsas (green and red). Good chips. Tequila/Mezcal menu. Should please everyone. Try it before word gets out.

Chill N - Another unnecessary intrusion from Miami. Ice cream made with Nitrogen in a bowl in front of you. I had a small Cuban coffee for $6. This type of ice cream making isn't good. You get a wet, easily melting paste. A large is a buck more. A regular is 35 cents more. A small was pretty big. Served in a cup. They had four styles. Yogurt, tangy yogurt and maybe vegan. A variety of flavor choices. You can add things too. Mostly cereal and candy. Very Spartan atmosphere. Bright white. No decor. Two computer terminals hanging from the wall. Unconnected ordering terminals. One employee. Empty.  I believe they opened a month ago. In the rear of that strip mall. You can ignore it as I suspected.

Mares, Winter Park

I passed on this new (one or two months) Peruvian restaurant on Tuesday at lunch. It is on Park Ave near Fairbanks. I had high hopes, but, the pricing is just predatory. I gave you JAMMRs. Now I give you ROPPRs (Ridiculously Over Priced Peruvian Restaurants). It's becoming a trend. I wonder if it is the raw fish element that makes them think that they can charge kaiseki prices? Which, incidentally, is also out of control. Not to mention $7 California Rolls at the supermarket. So, they are only the second enterprise to be shunned (reviewed without trying). Mostly because I don't want to waste my money or energy on something that will be out of business in under six months. I should reiterate that I had high hopes (being among the first to see their opening) and I really like Peruvian cuisine. Low ceilings. Square room. Roll bar in the rear. White and blue tones. Pretty empty. Twenty or so tables. A few outside. The menu has $20+ soups and apps. Their version of patatas bravas was $19. $22 rolls. $25+ chaufas (fried rice). $40+ mains. You get the picture. It is just a bad value proposition. Even if everything is spectacular, it is still two to three times too expensive. The ambience or service certainly doesn't support it. At lunch, at least, they have to offer discounted pricing, specials and off ramps. Don't get ROPPed in.

*This post will be followed up tomorrow by a real one.