I tried these spots up and down University Blvd near UCF Tuesday at a late lunch. The first is in the strip mall on Collegiate Way just off Alafaya Trail (SW corner). The second is in the strip mall across from it (NW) near the McDonald's on Strategy Blvd. The last two are next to each other in a strip mall not too far west on University that has the Lazy Moon. They are easy to miss because they are on the side.
Desi Bistro - Bangladeshi. On the corner of this row of shops. The dickheads in this never not under construction strip mall are now digging it up again and the lot is surrounded by fencing. I found this a bit disappointing. More fast casual than I was expecting. Order at a counter. Four or five tables. A nice slice of life mural on the left wall. I grabbed a bowl with a name I hadn't recalled tasting before. Chicken Malai Boti. It was a bit dull. Some semi-spicy thick red sauce over not a ton of not great quality chicken chunks. Not a ton of flavor. The rice was very short grained. They tossed in a limp salad. It cost $12. Flimsy, eco-friendly container. You can order what they have in a wrap and platter as well. They had around twenty options. I recall goat, beef, paneer, mutton, fried fish. Ten small things like wings and samosas. I remember that most of the Indian restaurants in London (Brick Lane) are actually serving Bangladeshi dishes. Not sure if that goes for Indian dishes in America. However, I don't recall many (or any) places around town calling out their Bangladeshiness. So, this may be your only option. Open for a month or so. No one else there.
Hasuu/Bambuu - Two in one. Actually three. One is a bar. One is Japanese. One is Chinese. As a joke/bit of rebellion, I ordered a Korean Omelette from Hasuu. After ten minutes, I had to ask what was going on. The one guy (who turned out to be a dishwasher) in the kitchen who had been looking at me with a puzzled look wasn't doing anything. I was informed that there was another simpleton back there (who I assume was the cook) and he said it would take ten more minute to make a one minute meal. I grabbed a cheaper egg salad sandwich from the prepared food (most of what they do) section and left. It was an ok sandwich. Sweet bread. Fake egg. The omlette was $8. This was $7. I don't really wasn't to waste much time on these people. Some rolls, poke, bento, buffet style teriyaki junk. Typical food court buffet stuff as well at Bambuu. Nothing looked too fresh. A big, square, spartan, modern room. The order kiosks weren't working. Open for two months. No one else there.
Knights Curry Express - Indian. I tried some fried chicken momos (6) for $10 and a chicken tikka sandwich for fries for $8. Loved the momos. Little round dumplings. I believe I discussed them in the Maldives Travel Notes. Not sure that I have seen them around town anywhere else. On their Street Food section. I wonder if these are just Chinese frozen food items the co-opt? The sandwich was good. Had shredded carrots, that cilantro puree and possibly cheese inside. Pressed. More Indian dishes should be served this way. Fries weren't great. Batter coated. Spongy. Good seasoning though. This took way too long. Only one other guy there before me. They had around twenty items. Biryani. A few more apps. Three types of momos (ie steamed). Small, rectangular space. Maybe four tables. Basic interior. Order at a counter.
Senor Taco - The only one NOT on the list to try (new openings) and (of course) the best. Mexican. Original in Port St Lucie. A grabbed three Taco Tuesday hard shell tacos for $2 a piece. Ground beef (a bit Slopy Joe-ish), Al Pastor (can we decide on if this is shaved meat or this) and Chicken (not too stringy). They had fun things like vampiras, birria and flautas served in a cup. Many meats like lengua. Most of the usual stuff as well. Gray, black, rectangular space. Five tables. Order at a counter. Open for a year. Two others there. Could be a Fav.
No comments:
Post a Comment