Grub Crawl - 50 & Mills: Gigi's Cupcakes, Thuyen Vien, Chewy Boba Company, Noodles and Rice and Bubbles and Ice

I ate at these place that are around Mills and 50 last Wednesday afternoon.

Gigi's Cupcakes - Although a chain of over 70 storefronts, they produce like an artisinal shop. I had a daily special Chocolate Bourbon Pecan cupcake for $3.50. It was very good. I could have lived with out the extra layer of mousse-like frosting, but, I'm sure others will shoot me for suggesting it. They do around ten types of cupcakes a day. The to go box probably costs them 50 cents (but don't trust me because I've never worked in the industry, so, I can't be trusted) and has a nice molded cup for it to sit in. It's at the back of the strip mall that houses Total Wine on the right side.

Thuyen Vien - I had an order of summer rolls to go (3) at this vegetarian spot with an affiliation with an order of monks who live nearby. It cost $3. They were ok. The had faux chicken in them and came with a peanut sauce. The rolls were large. They said they are playing down the religious affiliation and have recently refurbed the eating area and the kitchen. I think I had eaten there once before, but, it looked much different than I remembered. They really just serve a few apps and noodle bowls. Friendly. In the alcove in the middle of the first set of shops off Mills - on the southeast side. It seats about 20. Not a destination spot.

Chewy Boba Company - Another place I had been before that had a slight remodel (the entrance way). I had a regular boba tea for $4. It tasted like coffee water (like it's supposed to). They now serve macaroons imported from a chichi shop in NYC. They also serve teas and slushies. One shop closer to Mills than Thuyen Vien.

Noodles and Rice - I had lunch at this most unimaginative sounding hot pot restaurant on Mills (closer to 50). They have other things, but, hot pots are the draw. It's like a fancier Hotto Potto without the offal. I had chicken/shrimp/straw mushrooms/wood ear mushrooms in a miso broth. The broth was $4.50 and maybe a little bland. The chicken was $3 - nice portion and quality. The shrimp was $4 - 3 nice quality and 1 mushy served head on. The straw mushrooms were $2 and seemed overly washed and were tasteless. The wood ear mushrooms were $1 and were julianned and tasteless. I tried to add a layer of flavor by adding an element between every half bowl I ate. I never achieved it with the elements I selected. I tried to supplement the main components with things from their condiment bar. I used aged soy, pickled cabbage and hot chili oil, but, I failed. It was fun anyway. Most components cost under $3. They have 7 broths. It seats about 90. It's nicely decorated. I believe they use those Nuwave hot plates. I'm not sure if it is destination worthy, but, it's fun if you live reasonably close by (ie downtown or Winter or College Park).

Bubbles and Ice - This rhymed dessert sister (same owners) of Noodles and Rice serves liquid refreshments and desserts from $4-$8. It's next door. I had a red bean slushie for $4. It melted before I could try it. The melted concotion was not potable. It seats about 40. It has a modern look.

Tabouli's Grille, Altamonte Springs

I had a greek chicken pita to go for $7 from this Middle Eastern grill in the Uptown Altamonte project (near WOB) last Wednesday. It was repulsive. It was supposed to be shwarma (piled up chicken thighs on a skewer) style, but, the pieces were already in a metal box. They just reheated some stuff that tasted and affected my digestive system like it had been there for a long time. Maybe it was the gross tatziki or the vegetables. The pita even fell apart. The place looks unispiring. It's in a location that I think had a Nature's Table or some other fast food occupant. They just added some signs that define what these "foreign" words mean. Not that they have much to describe. It's like 5 salads and pitas or platters of the same stuff - gyro meat or chicken. I would avoid.

Kiko, Winter Park

I had a spicy tuna roll to go for $6 at this former Gizmo's last Wednesday. I wasn't about to re-visit a copy cat sushi restaurant that replaced another that I had been to in the same location. The roll was ok. A decent amount of acceptable tuna positioned in the front of the roll to appear more generous than it was. The defect of the roll was the kind of hot pepper paste they use. It was sriracha. I just don't think it works with raw fish. The place has removed the fish tanks and much of the character of Gizmo (which wasn't much). It's a pretty bare bones effort and they need to keep their paperwork out of site. This is not your office. It is our dining area/fantasy world. The menu crossed out the two things that could have made it step away from being just another sushi trap. They had an all you can eat option and they delivered. No more. So what we have left is a typical array of fish, teriyaki, tempura, katsu and dombura and stir fry. The prices are high and per one piece (ie YT = $3). I didn't eat enough too recommend or not, but, it would be an all food play. And it better be supremely fresh and largely portioned to compete with the host of other places that are even below their price points.

Tex Mex Evaluation

I want to compare five Tex Mex places that most of you probably have in your town. The hope is that the weak points of each place will be addressed. I'll do it by their daily special days. You should probably avoid them on other days. A tad expensive for what they provide. They think they are in a class above KFC, BK, Mc, but, they aren't. Chipotle and Qdoba think they are above discounting. They should be avoided as much as possible. They don't even include chips in any of their meals.

Monday - A big day at Moe's and Lime. It's a burrito brawl all day long. Moe's weighs in with the bigger portion size and since it is prepared in front of you they seem to give you more. They also allow pork or steak. Lime has a tiny burrito and only lists ground beef and chicken as choices. I talked with the cashier and she said steak was also a possibility, but, I don't like that they are either too stupid to have clear menus or they are trying to pull one over the customer by hiding it. They also have sour cream on the menu and then they ask you if you want it because it's not programmed right in the computer. Get it fixed. Both come with chips and salsas. Both could do a better job with regards to fresh salsa. The fact that everyone cross contaminates the bowls with their own germs makes me reach for the bottled stuff every time. At least then my only worry is what the ass clowns at the dirty factory did to it. Both places charge $5.99 (Lime is now $6.99 and Moe's is $6.49) and include a soda. Moe's cup is bigger. Lime's usual small price for a soda is over $2. Lime's steak is more tender than Moe's. Both have salty, nasty ground beef. Moe's chicken seems more real. Less Spam-y. Lime's is similar to Qdoba's.

Tuesday - Now it's Lime versus the inventor of Taco Tuesday - Tijuana Flats. Lime tries to match the two tacos and chips and drink for $4.99 (now $5.99). Lime's tacos are smaller. I forget if they pull the "hide the steak" manoeuver here. I like Flats by a nose here. Better ingredients. Slightly bigger servings. Usually hotter waitresses. Lime is less packed. I think Flats is now up to $5.69.

As you see, you should get your Tex Mex jones on Monday or Tuesday. Go to Taco Bell on the other days. Moe's wins Monday (even if they need to reduce the salt in their meat). Tijuana Flats wins Tuesday. Chipotle has good Barbacoa. However, its lack of chips is penny wise pound foolish. Same with Qdoba. I'm always still hungry when I leave those places. Qdoba doesn't even have a hook like good barbacoa. It is the worst value of the five. Lime, at least, is in the game. They just need to be a little less stingy and fix the bugs and make the menu intuitive. Moe's needs to compete on Tuesday and reduce the perservatives/salt in their food.

*went back to Lime a couple of times. They fixed some things and screwed up others. Burrito was bigger. Steak was now over cooked. Another time, chicken was now thigh meat and under cooked (caused digestive issues). Or maybe it was the corn salsa that did it. Also don't like the grilled flavor of the chicken versus the flat top at Moe's. I would have Moe's add a heartier salsa to their mix (ie corn and bean).

Florida's Seafood, Cocoa Beach

I had lunch at this seafood restaurant in Cocoa Beach (on 520) on Monday. I had a dozen and a half white shrimp for $10.99. They were supposed to be a specialty and more sweet. I asked for them steamed since any other cooking method for most seafood is a sacrilege. They wanted to broil them. They came to my table butterflied, so, I think they were prep-ed for broiling and they just put the plate in a steamer or some steaming device. The results were common place. Some were sweetish. Some were ammonia tasting. Either not so fresh or some kind of contaminant polluted the chain of evidence. They wanted you to dip them in melted "butter" (some chemical/oil substitute). I tried once and predicatably it negated any of the natural pleasnatness of the food that was dipped in it. If you use butter for shellfish you shouldn't be allowed to have it. The meal came with a wilty salad and a choice of vegetables. I chose a baked potato with sour cream (in pre-packaged servings) and dry, pre-cooked bacon. They also served some (4) fried sweet fritters dusted with powdered sugar. I don't get how these are supposed to compliment salty seafood, but, they were fresh. The menu is pricey for what it is. These places are the equivalent of mediocre Italian restaurants. Even though the ocean is right there and the place has little allure, they still charge way over $20 for most entrees. It's like living in Normandy and paying a euro for an apple. I don't get how the working class people they rely on to cough up forty bucks a person come up with the money. Everyone there looked like they were on social security, unemployment or food stamps. It's the same all over the seabord. I guess that's why they're poor. The place is a time capsule. It looks like it stepped out of the Fifties. It even has a tiki hut section. It seats about 100. There is a front bar area, a middle area with booths and that tiki area. The decor is mostly light wood surrounded by bad murals and fish tanks. It has every ironic cliche, but, it's not trying to be. The service (2) was fine. It is a little understaffed. The help is more on the recovering addict side of the scales than the Engish butler side. But, everyone needs a second chance and they were polite and professional. I would definetly NOT make a trek out here just for the experience. They advertised in My City Eats and I think that was a severe case of overreach. They are not of the caliber of most of the places they take advertising dollars from. It's a seafood joint. It's not a value. It has cooks not chefs. It is far away. It isn't even on the water (another place has the spot next to it and that "it" is an inlet not an ocean). All it has is fresh seafood. Go to your supermarket. Purchase something. Put it in a pot with an inch of water and wait 6 or 7 minutes. Or slap in on the 'cue or fry it up in pan. Hell, broil it if you must. You'll get superior results. FYI - I think Google improperly maps this place. It's all the way at the end of 520 on the right after the hospital (that is on the left). It's before A1A. Don't stop at Cocoa or Merritt Island.