Da Kine of Place You'll Love

Since I started the new job and the misses started at home training for her new gig, we really haven't had any us time besides the few moments we relax on the couch together before bed. So on the day where we were both off we took advantage of it, I decided to stay out of the house doing this that and the other for as long as possible. We were doing this and that, we were talking about looking for someplace new to eat, this is every time we want to eat out occurrence so nothing new there. I had planned to take her to Pinkberry the night before, but the time at the gym kind of ran over and by the time we were showered and ready to go they had closed. So while out I decided we would get Pinkberry for sure but that doesn't fill you up.

Mid way through our entire day date the misses and I started to get hungry so we started looking for a small (by small I mean non-chain) place to get some good food, We drove by Da Kine and I'm a fan of food trucks, since the idea of food from a truck is sub par, most food truck vendors go above and beyond when it comes to quality food. So I had the Misses urbanspoon it based on the reviews and the fact we were starving and without any other hopefuls in sight we stopped by (and thank god we did).

We get out of the car and you could smell the wonderful aroma of all things great. It's a small food trailer where everything is cooked out of, they have all types of options on the menu, dinner plates, mix and match, samplers, and more. A few different drinks that you can't normally find, so we walked up scanned the menu, placed our order and watch as they cook our food, then take and hand chop the chicken and fill the styrofoam containers completely full.

We got our drinks and I should have got 2, the coconut water with pineapple was the best I have ever had, and I can't find the brand they sell anywhere else in town. The service was great, very quick to get the order ready. Now the seating is small like only one picnic bench under a tent, but what do you expect from a food trailer? So we opted to get it to go and headed down to cypress point park, found a nice spot under a tree for some shade. Then proceeded to open up the containers, the smell again was amazing as we look at 3 types of chicken Sweet Shoyu, Sweet'n'Hot, and Teriyaki.

All three were good, the sweet shoyu had great flavor and was a perfect match with the Sweet'n'Hot, the only complaint was with the teriyaki was a bit salty, more than to be expected. Besides the over dose of sodium the food was great, the chicken was cooked perfectly, not overcooked. We ordered a side of veggies and macaroni salad.

 I have to say that Da Kine has the only macaroni salad I have ever tasted and liked. The veggies were just steamed bag veggies so you can't really mess up on them. I plan to go back if I'm in that neck of the woods again, the food was great but not worth the trek from my house to just get some grub. If you're in that part of town and looking for some good food for a decent price that will not only fill you but give you something to eat later go check out; Da-Kine Hawaiian Café located at 3316 S Dale Mabry Hwy

Tampa, FL 33629 or visit their website at http://www.dakinehc.com/

We also hit up Pinkberry for some frozen yogurt and fresh fruit, then decided we needed to walk off all the food we ate from Da Kine and walked through Westshore mall for a few, over all the day date went well and I enjoy spending time with the Misses as she is the best company I could ask for.

Sushi For Lunch...?

Well as you may know the Misses is pregnant and she has been feeling nauseas since day one, now that the baby is really doing some growing she has been feeling abit under the weather for that past few days, but she still drug herself out of the house to go and support one of my awesome coworkers at his drag show, unfortunately we didn’t stay since it was at a smoked filled bar, we opted to go play putt with a couple friends. Then we headed home just after midnight.

The next morning she wasn’t feeling any better, so she forgot to pack me some breakfast and I figured I’d just go out and grab a quick lunch. (Yes she does pack my lunch and breakfast on top of a bunch of other amazing things she does for me before i go to work) what can i say she is AWESOME!!!

Well after trying to find something for breakfast and realizing that our café was closed on the work campus i had to resort to the wheel of death (vending machine) I settled for a ham and swiss on rye which wasn’t the worst thing I have eaten but was on my top 10 list now, might have even bumped .25 hot dogs from the 7-11.

Give it 24 hours and I will know where this so called ham and swiss sets on the list. (side note; blog idea top 10 worst food ever eaten open discussion style) well I ate it and it got me thru to afternoon break when I ate some of my normal things; grapes and a banana. Side note while eating my banana I really wish my 3rd story office window would open....I love throwing banana peels at or out of things but especially out of a moving car, I always imaging/wish a car behind me is going to hit it and spin out and lose all their coins and yoshi or donkey kong will come from behind and steal them away....

Back to the main blog; see how easy it is for me to ramble....

After asking everyone to go and get something to eat with me I figured I would just go eat alone, until I found the spot I wanted to eat at, and I knew the first coworker I asked would definitely cave in and forget about his lunch that he brought to go and get some sushi.

I have heard a few good things about Origami sushi from coworkers and read a few good reviews so I decided to head out that way on my lunch hour (3:30pm). After running a little late on something I was doing for a customer at work, I sprint out to the parking garage and head over to the sushi place. It’s located in a little strip mall with a few other stores. The parking lot was small but rather empty. We walk in and its was extremely nice, like something you would expect down on bay street of somewhere off westshore. As our hostess showed us our seat, I notice the huge sushi bar, now I love watching my sushi being prepared an even like to talk to the sushi chefs (itamae). It’s about the experience but this go round it was about eating and heading back to work ASAP since I was strapped for time. So we decide to grab a booth.

They have a great looking menu, I mean everything has a picture beside it which makes the menus huge they come out in a 3 ring binder. I got their lunch special 3 rolls for 11.95 that comes with ginger salad and your choice of soup. I went with miso, and it was great along with the salad. I can say this place has great food, and the sushi is fresh I ordered an eel avocado roll, a tuna cucumber roll, and a spicy salmon roll.

After enjoying the soup and salad the rolls arrive and they look amazing, they fill a quite large plate. So I dig in, the eel was fresh and taste amazing. The wasbi and ginger mixed with soy sauce complimented the rolls perfectly. The tuna was tasty and had the perfect texture, the spicy salmon wasn’t as spicy as I had hoped for but the crunch that they add to the roll made up for what was lacking. The person I went with enjoyed their rolls just as much as I did.

Since this blog has been written I have been back three times or more, getting different rolls each time, I have tried their eel cucumber and a wakame roll. Which I have to say if you have never tried wakame, next time you are at your favorite sushi spot ask for it. It’s a sea vegetable, or edible seaweed. It has a subtly sweet flavor and helps burn fatty tissue. The wife has had their spicy chicken roll, since she is pregnant and can’t have any raw fish she settles for cooked rolls. Every time I have been the service was amazing as well as the food.

I can say that I will be back time and time again to Origami Sushi, it will be on my favorite place to go for lunch while at work list pretty much at the top. So if you are looking for a place to hit during lunch, someplace for date night, or just a fan of good fresh sushi be sure to check out; Origami Sushi at:

http://origamisushi.com/home

6507 west waters ave │ tampa fl 33634

$5 Burger Mondays

So since I started a new job, a few of my coworkers wanted to go out a grab some lunch. We decided on Burger Monger, which I have been wanting to try ever since I heard they serve Kobe beef burgers. We make plans to go the Monday after payday, which was perfect because if you know me I love to save money, shop sales, use coupons and basically try to save as much money as possible. Plus Mondays at Burger Monger are $5 burgers.

If thats not a great logo.... I don't know what is.

So we are released to lunch and we all pile into a co workers new SUV and make way for some grub. As we pull up the lot was packed, but we walked into a very small line, that soon changed as people were waiting behind us and out the door (looks like we made it just in time). I walk up and place my order for the $5 burger and their smallest order of fries(1/2 pound) and I choose what I wanted on it from what seemed to be an endless list of options, I went with cherry wood smoked bacon, grilled sweet onions, grilled mushrooms, mild cheddar cheese, and a side of bbq. I get my number grab my drink and go take a seat with the coworkers. We start doing our normal lunch routine of belittling one another. Not to long after I got to the table the food was brought out and that stopped all the talking. The burger looked amazing as did the half pound of fries.

Talk about an amazing looking burger.

I took one bite and knew I would probably never find a burger to top this one. When I first saw Burger Monger I thought; Why open a burger place next to a McDonalds? Well because this burger would destroy ole Ronalds any day!!! They have been in that location for awhile now and I bet they have did a lil Hamburgling of McDonalds business. I mean this burger melted I'm my mouth like butter does on corn on the cob. The taste was amazing, from the bun to the toppings it all complemented this marvelous burger creation. The fries were great, they were hot and not greasy, not overly salty and I mean it was a half pound of spuds.....can't go wrong right? So if you want to have the best burger for under 20 bucks go check out Burger Monger at;

http://www.burgermonger.com/

10412 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33618

Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm

Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

Phone #: 813-968-6860

Philly Lacks Phlava

This is one of the few restaurant reviews I have left to post, still working hard on the new clean eating goal, getting better and better ever day. I was cleared by the cardiologist so that's a plus. I hope to be in the best shape of my life by the time my baby is born 1/1/2012!!

So me and the Misses were out and about running some errands our normal weekend activity. When I got a craving (and I'm not the pregnant one) for a Philly Cheese Steak, after searching for a place close by I broke my code of going to small locally owned restaurants and went to Philly Phlava on the corner of Dale Mabry and Fletcher.

First off the place is small and covered floor to ceiling with signs and posters. Decorated with stainless steel and plastic. The overall look of the place you would think they have to know what they are doing with the sandwiches.We decided to share a sandwich with (onions, peppers, shrooms, and provolone) and some cheddar bacon fries.

 After overcoming the "sticker shock" we take our seat and wait for the food, now I've heard a few good things about this place so I hoped for the best. After realizing they charge for just about everything, air seems to be the only free thing there. Our food came to the table. It was very fresh and hot.

The quality of the food I would have expected from a sandwich truck not a place with philly in the name, the fries were boring and without the cheese and bacon I would have left them in the basket. I rarely ever give bad reviews and this one isn't "bad" really but more of a warning that you can get the same quality from the mall's food court or a sandwich truck for a better price. Their big thing is their rolls and those were just a little better than average.

So until I can find a really good Philly I will just stick to making them at home. So if your out and about and want to see what Philly Phlava is all about by all means stop in and see, but I won't be back. You can find it at; 13149 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618

Taco Taco........Bus.?.

So if you Live in Tampa (and I happen to) you've heard about the 24/7 Taco Bus and if you haven't you need to figure out why? Its kinda like a landmark around these parts.

Like I said I have heard about it, but never have I tried it. Not because I didn't want to, its just a little ways from my usual stomping grounds and I usually get sidetracked and end up going elsewhere when we plan to go there.

That all was gonna change, after waiting for the mail to run (new company I work for mails checks) we head out to do some normal saturday errands. While out and about I ask the misses if she's up for some mexican food, and her being my wife she said of course when am I not! So we head down toward Hillsborough Ave to this famed Taco Bus, now don't let the name fool you......well it is a bus, but also a sit down restaurant. We pull up and the place is packed, and from what I've heard this is to be expected.

As we walk in there are only 2 seats left and there at the bar so we grab a menu and take a seat. More people walked in and soon had frowns on their faces that they had to either stand and eat or sit out side (a big no no in florida unless its water side or night).

We look over our menus and with some help from out waiter we go with the carne asada burrito combo with rice and beans. Our waiter took our order then rushed off to do the other 99 things he was doing. The food is made in an old bus out on the side of the building and they have a few updated buses too, but the original bus is still where the magic happens.

This hangs on the wall across from us, gotta love tampa and CL!

As me and the misses set there at the bar and look over the other menu items and notice the breakfast part of the menu (note to self come here for breakfast). We tried their hibiscus lemonade, which wasn't half bad. Our food comes, it smells delicious and looks great. Even though its on styrofoam served with plastic utensils, it's all about the food and nothing else here at the Taco Bus.

We both unwrap our burritos and take a bite, the burrito was over flowing with beef, with hints of tomato, onion, shredded cabbage, cilantro, and cheese. As I drew closer to the end of this fantastic burrito the ratio became closer to even, instead of the hints of toppings like it started, but there's no complaining here! The veggies tasted so fresh, well everything tasted fresh. Something you wouldn't expect from the name, but I've grown to realize to expect the unexpected. We made no joke about devouring our lunch combos. The food is better than any Mexican food I have tried in Tampa. It blows Moe's, Chipotle, and all the other chains away. From fresh food, to great atmosphere and the biggest one its ALWAYS OPEN!

As we polished off the plates thoughts of something sweet entered my head. I has saw a small dessert section of the menu so I reached and grabbed one. The only hard thing was to place the order, our waiter as mentioned above was doing about 100 things from the normal refills, to plating food, on to planning a catering event with the table behind us. He soon came over and asked how everything was, and took our order for Tres Leches Cake which the menu noted it was baked in-house so we gave it a try. Now I have wanted to try Tres Leches Cake for awhile but never got a chance until now. As hard as it was to get the waiters attention I can say this, our order was taken quickly our food and dessert was brought even quicker and drinks never went dry.  Back to the dessert, he placed it in front of us and we dug in, then stopping to take a pic, what can I say when the food is this good I almost forget about doing this.

We finish our dessert and pay our tab and head out to finish up our Saturday. So if you're looking for Authentic Mexican  for a great price and a fun location; Be sure to check out the Taco Bus at 913 E. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa FL 33604
813-232-5889 Their site is; http://tampatacobus.com

They also have a newer St. Pete location at; 2324 Central Ave St. Pete, St. Pete FL 33712. I haven't ate there so its on you to go and try it.

So if you're craving authentic mexican style food from ceviche, tacos, burritos, chilorio, and quesadilla be sure to stop in at the Taco Bus.

Tortilla soup recipe

Chicken:

1 (14oz) Chicken breast

Lime

Cover chicken with lime juice, then sprinkle with cilantro, marjoram, basil, paprika, dash of oregano, and black pepper.

Soup:

Evoo

1/4 c onion

1/8 c carrots

Squeeze 1/2 lime

3 tbls Cilantro

1 tbls Marjoram

1 tbls Basil

1 tbls Paprika

1/2 tbls Cummin

Dash celery seed

Dash sage

Salt

20 Grinds of pepper

1 can (14.5oz) Chicken broth

1 can (14.5oz) Fire roasted tomatoes

1/2 c Frozen corn

1 can (15.2oz) Black beans, rinsed

1/2 c Water

2oz diced green chilies

Bring to boil

Bake chicken on 350 till it reaches a temp of 160-165, shred in food processor.

Grill 4 corn tortillas on stove top, put shredded chicken in bowl, pour soup over chicken, cut/break the tortilla in to triangles and serve on top with a lime wedge.

Eat and Enjoy!

Give me a reason

Well again you should already know this (if you've been reading) I got a new job, and we went out to Cooters for a celebration. Well I finished my first 40 hour work week in a few months, and it felt great. All that time in the office I wanted to let loose and relax a bit, but I'm not a drinker (anymore) so bars and clubs have gotten old anyway. I really wanted another reason to celebrate too!

I couldn't find any place better to relax a bit other than a small restaurant. I found a new pizza place out of a local paper I wanted to go to a few months back, so I decided to go there, but after some last minute reading and reviews I opted to go to our favorite pizza place. Plus we haven't ate pizza from anywhere else in about 2 years if not longer. Since I already knew the quality of the food, and they opened a new dining room and released new pizzas for the experience. I wanted to check it out.

So I invited a friend, me and the misses head to the spot.  I get there a few minutes late (its one of the things I do).... We meet our friend outside and my wife gives him the first of a new cupcake recipe she had just baked. Then we head in. Welcome to Best NY Pizza, the greet you when you walk in the door. The place has a upscale pizzeria feel to it, with a casual dining room right inside the front door, a short walk and we reach the new dining area. I have to say it was very nice, from the dim lights, the candles, soft music playing and an amazing visual attraction (you'll have to go to find out what it is). We are greeted and promptly seated in a nice booth. As we start going over the new part of the menu. I end up going with a my favorite pizza "The Best"  in their personal size, my wife went with their new "Mexican Taco" pizza, our friend opted to be the different one and got a Philly Cheese Steak. We placed the order and got a few garlic knots to hold us over until dinner came.

After some great conversation and admiring how nice the new dining area was. Enjoying the amazing garlic knots, our dinner arrives. The pizza looked wonderful and the cheese steak was equally as appealing. See for your self;

The Best

Mexican Taco Pizza

Philly Cheese Steak

My "Best Pizza" is always wonderful, so much flavor and the perfect texture every time. This time was even better since it came right from the oven into my mouth!! The "Mexican Taco" pizza looked even better in person than it did in the menu picture. The taste was perfect, a great balance of everything you would think of in a taco pizza. From what I was told the Philly cheese steak was good, but the bun was soggy, sorry for that Norm. I said their Pizza was the best, and the other food was great...lol

So if you're in Tampa and want the most amazing pizza in the city, a great atmosphere, or order the pizza to take home, make sure to stop into my favorite and soon to be your favorite pizza place; Best NY Pizza located at 14741 N Dale Mabry, Tampa Fl. 33618

Make sure to say hello to the chef, Norm did!

Since we're on the topic of pizza I might as well post a recipe. The beginning of April I bought a 20lbs beef brisket for my wifes birthday. I cut half of it for smoking and the other half to try to make corned beef. Back on yopic, after we had the smoked beef brisket the fiorst night we had plenty of leftsovers, so it was time to get creative. I whipped this beauty up one night and cant wait to make it again. It was the best leftovers have ever tasted. I also plan to try this with chicken, and it would probably work well with pork if thats youe thing(its not mine).

BBQ Brisket Pizza

Pizza dough:

1/2 tbls Basil

1/2 tbls Cilantro

1/2 ts Rosemary (broken up in hand)

20 grinds Pepper
1 box jiffy pizza crust

Mix dough per the instructions on box, add the above ingredients.

BBQ Mix:

1/4 cup Bbq sauce

Splash Favorite vinegar

1/2 tbs Worcestershire

1tbs Garlic

1/4 tbs Apple juice

1/2 cut red onion

Pizza Sauce:
1/3 cup Favorite tom sauce (I prefer homemade)
1/4 cup Bullseye BBQ sauce
 1tbs minced garlic
Splash worcestershire
 Splash garlic red wine vinegar
 Fresh ground pepper
 Pinch dill
Pinch marjoram
 Pinch cilantro
 Pinch thyme

Italian mix shredded cheese to top

1 1/2 lb well smoked beef brisket

Melt remaining fat off in skillet. Chop it up, put in a bag with bbq mixture, thoroughly coat and set aside. Spoon pizza sauce on crust then add beef and onion mixture from bag, top with cheese and bake 15-20 min.

Eat & Enjoy!!

For the love of waves & BBQ

So a few weeks back we ventured across the state, well not really ventured since we have made the trip time and time again. Plus it’s the coast I was born on and where God lead me to the love of my life. Back to the story we decided to head to Cocoa beach instead of going straight to my hometown.

Although we have some of the worlds most beautiful beaches here in the Tampa Bay area, the main reason to go to Cocoa beach is the waves, if you have ever visited a Gulf coast beach you know its rather flat and to an Atlantic coast born soul like me when I go to the beach I expect nice borderline knock you down size waves. So we made plans to get there around noon spend some time on the beach and then find some place to get some grub and head down to our original destination. We arrive at the beach late, and if you know me this is a regular occurrence.... Ha.

So we get out on the beach and quickly remember its spring break season so it’s packed. We find a nice spot to set up and rub each other down with some SPF 50 (gotta protect the tattoos and the kiddies). The misses is not really in a beach mood (cause aunt flow) she said she didn't want to attract sharks, so she was nominated to hold down the fort, while us boys head to the ocean. We hit the water and realized the marine forecast was a tad bit off on the water temp, but we forge on in and get use to the water rather quickly. The waves were decent when we got there but picked up as the day went on. Of course we get the random fish swimming between our legs, my oldest swears a snake swam around his leg and wrapped around one, I still say it was seaweed. Then I feel a small mouth with what felt like tiny little teeth try and take my baby toe from me, but my cat like reflexes let me keep the toe... but the father and his two daughters that were playing in the water about 20 feet from us didn't get as lucky. The wife says she heard them talking (they were seated near us to) after the dad carried one of the girls to shore with blood running down her face, saying a fish had bit her eyebrow then they ran to doctor her up in the bathroom and we didn't see them the rest of the day (hope all is well with her). So me and my boys play in the waves a little more, then went to dry off a bit on shore. We talk about our dinner plans and since we don't go to chain restaurants I had a few places in mind we decided on a beach side BBQ joint.

Then back to the water we go, we have to deal with what feels like even colder water this time but the waves are twice as big as when we got out. We get a decent way out and we start to dive through some waves and then body surf back to shore. After a few times of doing this and being at the beach for a few hours we decided to head back to shore and go get changed for dinner. After drying off and tossing on some clothes we head to our dinner spot "Slow & Low BBQ" home of the 6lb Joel's Crazy pork sandwich.

 We get there and let the kids pick where we sit so out on the patio we go, and the place is packed so this is a good sign.

We get seated at a nice table by the bar and we all dive into the menu's; deciding on their BBQ nachos for our appetizer, I see a cup of Brunswick stew on their menu and after watching an episode of Diners, Drive inns, & Dives with this stew in it I wanted to try some as soon as I came across it. What luck the very next time we go out to eat there it is staring at me on the menu. While we all pick and choose what we want for our entree and sides our nachos come and we are ready to order..... My oldest gets their "Big Brat" sandwich, the youngest of the group got a hamburger, the Misses got the normal sized "Joel's Crazy pork sandwich on garlic Texas toast, I went with a Blacken Mahi Mahi sandwich and of course a cup of Brunswick stew.

Our awesome waitress takes the menus and we dig into these amazing nachos that are topped with pulled pork, fried jalapenos, and all your favorite nacho toppings. They were delicious and the perfect start to an amazing dinner. After we finish off the nachos she brings out the stew, which was absolutely fantastic (be on the look out for my version coming soon!). We relax and reflect on the day as we wait for dinner, and talk about service the food came quick and hot. We all get our food, the big brat was huge and from the time it took my son to inhale it I'm guessing it was quite tasty, my wife's sandwich was piled high, the youngest was delivered a great looking burger and curly fries, and my Mahi was blacked perfectly! Although I didn't get pictures of the food (a mistake I won't make again) it all looked great. The table was pretty silent except for the occasional can you pass this or that for the next few minutes which is always a good thing when eating. We all are pretty close to being finished, and the question of dessert comes up, everyone is a little worried that by the time they finish dinner their won't be room.... but me being me I had looked at the menu on the drive over (via: urbanspoon blackberry app) and was already set on getting their fried banana sundae. The misses and I decided to share our dessert (trying to eat healthier), each of the boys get their own, one with a peanut butter pie and the other with a chocolate oreo cookie cake. I can say that when the fried banana sundae came to the table I was amazed they also did half caramel and half chocolate for us, they sat the oreo cake in front of the youngest his eyes grew wide, the peanut pie was inhaled as fast as it was sat down so I didn't get a sample, but this oreo cake was the choice of the slowest eater I know(which is fine by me I like to take my time as well) so I got a bite and as it was tasty, their cake couldn't hold a candle next to my wife's homemade chocolate cupcakes (check her out at http://www.electriccupcakes.com/), the cake was a bit dry and flavorless but the kid didn't seem to mind to much. We finished off our dessert and waited for the youngest but he opted for a box to take the rest home in, they both begged for the cherries we had placed atop our sundae, so they each got one and I paid the tab left a good tip and as we all stood up it became all to knowledgeable that we ate WAY too much but it was so worth it.

So if you're ever in Cocoa Beach and hungry be sure to stop at Slow and Low BBQ at 306 N Orlando ave Cocoa Beach 32931, check their site http://www.slowandlowbarbeque.com/ for specials and more. Great atmosphere, even better food, perfect pricing, and awesome service!

While there I was inspired to make a BBQ ranch spinach and cabbage salad with BBQ Chicken. Here's that recipe for those of you who like a quick and easy dinner this is another one. It’s close to my southern BBQ shrimp but tastes so different you could eat them back to back and not grow tired. So try it for yourself……

Here’s the recipe;

BBQ Ranch Spinach and Cabbage Salad (with bbq chicken)

Pinch of each Rosemary, Sea salt, old bay, paprika, basil, and minced onion

8 Grinds fresh black pepper

½ ts liquid smoke

1 ts Worcestershire sauce

Splash of Red wine

Water to cover

Boil chicken

Sauce:

1 ¾ tbls Ranch

¾ tbls Mayo

Few drops hot sauce

1 tbls Garlic

½ tbls Dijon

1 ½ tbls Horseradish

Pinch Old bay

40 Grinds black pepper

Pinch Paprika

Pinch Cayenne pepper

½ ts Basil

½ ts Parsley

½ tbls BBQ sauce

Salad:

Spinach

Cole slaw mix

Sprinkle of your favorite Italian cheese

Croutons to top

Eat and Enjoy!!