WHERE WE WENT:
Taco Bus
913 East Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Chips and Queso, Vegan Steak Strip Burrito Prenado, Fish Tacos, Rice and Beans
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 9
Presentation - 6
Taste - 9
Price - 8
Service - 6
Overall - 8
Atmosphere - You
cannot get more laid back than food getting served out of a bus. This
seems exactly like something you would come across on the beach in Santa
Monica. Off to the side, there's some outdoor seating, reminiscent of a
tiki bar, with wooden raised tables and stool with a grass roof
covering. There is a small indoor dining room as well for if the weather
is inclement or if you
just like air conditioning. The atmosphere is
just excellent. It's cool and unique and very Tampa. They have multiple
locations around the city but this one is the best.
Menu - Anyone who likes Mexican food should be able to find something they like at Taco Bus. They have a build your own menu setup where you choose your dish, then your protein, then your toppings, so you can completely customize your meal to your tastes. You can get your protein done up in a burrito, taco, quesadilla, tostada or more. The offer chicken, beef, carnitas pork, shrimp, fish, and (amazingly) an equal number of vegetarian options like tempeh, butternut squash, rajas, tofu and my favorite, vegan steak strips. Of course they have the classic sides like refried beans and rice and appetizers like queso, guacamole and ceviche. They have some awesome, traditional beverage options as well, like Jarritos and flavored waters. (I recommend the cucumber/lime).
Presentation - The presentation is very basic. Black, square,
styrofoam plates and plastic utensils are standard. Honestly though, fine china from a big yellow school bus would be ridiculous.
Taste - The chips were obviously homemade and delicious. It makes a huge difference when the chips are fried up in house. All of the produce is incredibly fresh. The veggies have a fantastic crunch and are a really light, bright addition to the otherwise heavy Mexican dishes. The fish in the tacos had an excellent flavor profile, the only problem was that it wasn't quite firm enough and was a little on the mushy side. The taste however completely made up for it. The vegan steak strips are amazing. It was definitely some of the best soy protein I've ever eaten. It was seasoned perfectly and textured to be just like steak. Someone who didn't know that it was vegan could have easily taken a bite and never been able to tell the difference. One of the little touches that I think really add to the flavor is the large, whole cilantro leaves that they use as a garnish. The flavor just explodes in your mouth.
Price
-The price is really quite good. The only thing I would ask is that sides be included. Other than that, it is very reasonable. The portions are huge, I can pretty much never finish what I order.
Service - With every other aspect being as great as it is, the service is a little disappointing. They were slow, like very slow. And when we went to check on our food, they were super standoffish and made it clear that they did not want us approaching the window with any questions. The first time our food came out, I watched them walk around with it and try to figure out who it belonged to. I tried really hard to get their attention but they ignored me. They went around with our food three times. They had to reheat it, but we did finally get it.
WOULD WE GO BACK?
For sure! The food is no frills, but delicioso. This is definitely going to be one of our regular spots. I hear that the service is much better at other locations.
Here's a link to their website:
http://www.taco-bus.com/#!
WHERE WE WENT:
FLIGHT
39 South Main Street
Memphis,TN 38103
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Soup & Salad Flight - Seafood Gumbo, Lobster Bisque, Harvest Salad
Steak Flight- Boursin Stuffed Filet w/ Red Wine Bourdalaise and Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Elk Chop w/ Kahlua Glaze and Truffle Mac & White Cheddar Cheese, Bison Cut w/ Crispy Onion Strings
Seafood Flight - Shrimp and Grits w/ Tasso Ham, Lobster Biscuit & Gravy, Sea Scallop Benedict w/ Quail Egg
Anything But Chardonnay (ABC)- Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose, Conundrum White Blend, Loosen Brother Riesling
Wonders of the World- Perrin, Antinori, Mollydooker Shiraz
Dessert Flight- NYC Cheesecake, Warm Turtle Tart,
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 10
Presentation - 10
Taste - 9.5
Price - 9
Service - 9
Overall - 9.5
Atmosphere - From the moment you walk through the heavy oaken door off of South Main, you know you are in an establishment that exudes class. The deeply stained wood that is present throughout the bar as well as the spacious booth seating just looks expensive. Starched white table cloths are spotless beacons in the sea of all black waitstaff meant to ensure that your every need is met.The space itself is particularly narrow, but maximized with outdoor, cafe style seating as well as a small balcony seating section. The decor is simple elegant. Everything about FLIGHT is class, well almost. The only thing that was out of place were the TVs at the
bar. While I know people watch sports at the bar, they just seemed unnecessary.
Menu
- The menu is unique in the manner that it is set up because of the unique concept of the restaurant. The concept pretty much sells itself. Every time you go to a restaurant there is always a few things that you have a hard time choosing between and you always wonder if you got the right thing. Well flight allows you to get smaller portions of multiple dishes (or drinks) so that you don't have to wonder. You can pay a higher price and have any dish in an entree sized portion itself. They have soup and salad flights, and entree flight with three dishes a piece: Steak, Loin, Fish, Seafood, Feathered. Each flight's dish has the main protein and accompanying side. Some of the most appetizing offerings are Elk Cut with Truffle Macaroni & White Cheddar, Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Waffle, and Sage-Crusted Australian Lamb Chop with Mint Jelly and Loaded Potato Croquette. Because they aim to please, if a single flight is not wholly appetizing, you are free to mix and match dishes to create your own. Each flight is also listed with a recommended wine flight to accompany it. The drink menu is extensive with over a dozen wine flights, both red and white, as well as a wide selection of beer and cocktails.
Presentation - The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Each flight was served on a wooden plank base in miniature white bowls, plates, and dishes. The wine flights came with a card that detailed the origin of each vino along with a brief description of its flavor. Every single course looked positively artful in the color pallet and the method in which it was arranged. It honestly looked so good that you'd hesitate to eat it.
Taste - We began with the soup and salad flight. The harvest salad was bright and fresh, a great summer salad. The lobster bisque was smooth and rich, the best I've ever had. Only the seafood gumbo fell a little flat. There was something missing that could have kicked it up a notch. As far as the seafood flight goes, everything was amazing. The sea scallop and quail egg were cooked to perfection and covered in the rich hollandaise sauce. The shrimp and grits had a spicy, smoky flavor that you would swear just came right up out of the bayou. Being from the South, I'm quite particular about my grits, but there were no complaints to be made. The
lobster biscuit and gravy was fantastic in flavor, but the biscuit just need to be a bit less soggy and a bit more flaky. All cuts of meat in the steak flight were the ideal medium rare. The bison was nicely seasoned with plenty of juice, accompanied by miniscule onion straws, a simple but welcome addition. Potato puree set off the taste of the succulent filet very nicely as well. The best of the three was the elk chop with was rich and dense with a bit of a bite from the kahlua glaze, that was nicely paired with the truffle macaroni's mild creaminess.
Price
- We splurged with this meal. FLIGHT is by no stretch of the imagination inexpensive. Each entree flight will run you upwards of $30 before you ever touch appetizers, desserts, or libations. You're paying for presentation, fancy ingredients, and atmosphere. And it is without a doubt worth it. FLIGHT isn't an everyday restaurant option (unless you're a much higher pay grade than us), but it serves its function well and is comparable to other restaurants of its caliber.
Service - Our waitress was excellent. She was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. When we told her it was our first time there, she was happy to explain the concept and walk us through the menu. She made suggestions but wasn't pushy and was happy to answer any of our questions.
WOULD WE GO BACK?
Absolutely. Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of any kind would immediately bring FLIGHT to mind. We would want to save it for a special occasion. Also, we'd be sure to make reservations again, because we were certainly glad we had done so this time.
Here's a link to their website:
http://flightmemphis.com/
WHERE WE WENT:
Fuel Cafe
1761 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN
38104
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Quinoa & Red Bean Chili, Gourmet Grilled Cheese w/ Tomato and Arugula, Hot Apple & Brie Baguette w/ Balsamic Side Salad
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 9
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 7
Overall - 7.5
Atmosphere
- Fuel Cafe is a re-purposed old gas station from years gone by. The concept for the restaurant is a really cute one, but it is only half-heartedly realized. The walls are overly dull with a few scattered pieces of art that seem disjointed. Everything appeared to be a little shabby and of ill repair. Fuel Cafe definitely exhibited character though. The counter was reminiscent of "the good ole days" when you would go down to the local drug store and pay a visit to your friendly neighborhood soda jerk. It was cozy and unique, but the concept could have translated much better into the actual execution.
Menu
- If you're an alternative eater, then you'll be right at home here. This place is vegan and vegetarian heaven, especially for people like me who are still vegetarian fledglings and miss the taste of some dishes. They have light fare like salads and brie & fig jam crostini as well as heavier options such as vegetarian walnut "meat" loaf or tomato & provolone baguette. Carnivores, don't feel left out. Fuel Cafe has something for you too! Hot turkey sandwiches, bison burgers and tuna melts are just a couple of the dishes filled with meaty goodness. (There's even bacon.) Because of their commitment to healthier eating they guarantee all of the animals
are grass-fed and they'd be happy to tell you exactly where they source their meats from. They have options for vegan cheese and sour cream along with gluten-free buns. One of the more interesting offerings is naturally flavored and sweetened sodas as well.
Presentation -All the dishes came presented on solid white, vintage, diner-style plates and bowls. Plain and simple, letting the food speak for itself. Each dish had excellent color and texture and there is no better word for the cup of chili other than adorable with its soda crackers sticking up adorably. But most importantly, when you looked at the food and immediately wanted to dig in.
Taste - The gourmet grilled cheese was altogether a good sandwich. The tomato and arugula were excellent additions both in terms
of flavor and color. However, the bread was over-buttered and became soggy easily. While it tasted good, it seemed like something we could have simply made at home. The fresh cut french fries were excellent; crisp, delicious, and light without too much grease. The vegetarian quinoa chili was some of the best I've ever eaten, including recipes with meat. It was even as good as my Pawpaw's. The quinoa made the texture spot-on and there was enough spice to kick it up, but not enough to make me want to stop eating it. Easily some of the best comfort food I've had, vegetarian or otherwise. The hot apple and brie baguette was good. The cheese was obviously of a high quality and the acidity of the thinly sliced granny smith apples cut through the richness perfectly. Topped with arugula and balsamic vinaigrette, it was a delicious summer sandwich. The only complaint was that the bread-to- filling ratio could have been better. Always a fan of a good baguette, I just think there should have been more inside it to even out the proportions.
Price
- The price overall was pretty agreeable. There were a few items on the menu that seemed a little steep, but nothing so bad to deter us from returning. Also, it's worth paying a little more for quality, organic vegetables and responsibly raised meat.
Service - Our server was polite and attentive, but no stretch of the imagination could label her as friendly. She brought our food, but her hospitality seemed strained at best. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt because we went in an hour before close and were the only ones there. However, money is money and having worked in the service industry no matter the situation, your mantra should be, "smile like you mean it."
WOULD WE GO BACK?
For sure! It's quirky, quaint and delicious. Being vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or even just organic can be really difficult. This place makes it easy and appetizing. Everyone should give it try though. Next time, I want the vegan cheesecake! Bonus, if you can't make it to midtown, they have a food truck.
Here's a link to their website:
http://fuelcafememphis.com/about
WHERE WE WENT:
The Pharmacy
731 McFerrin Avenue
Nashville, TN
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Pharmacy Burger, Cheese Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, Tater Tots
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 8
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 8
Overall - 8
Atmosphere - Situated in a relatively trendy neighborhood
in East Nashville, The Pharmacy is a hip and happening hangout for people of all sorts. You would never know it from the unassuming, plain white block building. The Pharmacy has close, cozy seating inside, an expansive patio outside, and bar stool seating nestled under the preserved pharmacy/soda fountain counter. The decor recalls the past, the days of the neighborhood soda fountain, but it also has a very hip, modern feel. This may be partly attributed to the staff who could each easily fall into the "hipster" category. It was very busy, teeming with people of all ages and appearances. It's the kind of place you want to meet up with friends for a beer after work and where your server will remember your name.
Menu
- The menu at the Pharmacy is somewhat limited in both the type and number of dishes. It consists mostly of burgers and brats. They do only a couple of things, but they do them extremely well. The burgers offered are pretty simplistic in style, but are able to be spiced up with an extensive list of toppings that include unique
offerings such as curry ketchup, stroganoff bechamel, wasabi aioli, and horchata crema fresca to name a few. The various options guarantee a burger experience tailored to each individual taste. At a place of burgers and brats, even vegetarians can find a haven with their falafel or black bean burger. They have an extensive beer menu with dozens of selections. They also carry multiple varieties of homemade sodas served original fountain-style.
Presentation - Drinks are served in plastic tumblers emblazoned with the Pharmacy's very appealing logo, a souvenir of your visit to the local watering hole. Beer is served in variously styled mugs, glasses and steins, harkening back to the biergarten aspect of the restaurant. Burgers and sides come to you in baskets lined with wax paper that also bear the logo. The presentation flows perfectly with the restaurant's overall vibe.
Taste - Both of the burgers were outrageously good. The patties were cooked to a perfect medium well and seasoned to perfection. The cheeses are mild and blend together well. The vegetable toppings were crisp and fresh. It was everything that you could want in a burger. The taste truly stood out without straying too far from the classic burger. The tater tots were incredible, with a crispy outside and tender inside and paired very well with the spicy, homemade curry ketchup. Sweet potato fries are a nice surprise at a burger joint, but an even better one when they taste as good as the Pahrmacy's.
Price
- With burgers ranging between $7 and $9, you get a deal when you go to the Pharmacy. All the ingredients are fresh and the taste is delicious. You're paying for taste and atmosphere, and you're getting a whole lot of both. They don't skimp on the portions either.
We were completely full when we left.
Service - Our server was very good. He was attentive, friendly, pleasant and knowledgeable. When he realized it was our first time there he was happy to answer our questions and provide us with suggestions.
WOULD WE GO BACK?
Absolutely! We loved it. If we lived in Nashville, this would be somewhere we would frequent regularly.
Here's a link to their website:
http://thepharmacynashville.com/
WHERE WE WENT:
The Kooky Canuck
97 S. Second Street
Memphis, TN
38103
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Montreal Style Hot Dogs, The Canadian Burger w/ a Fried Egg, French Fries
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation -8
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 8
Overall - 7.5
Atmosphere - The Kooky Canuck is both fun and funky. Walking in you feel like you could have been transported to the Great White North. There are taxidermy deer heads and other game protruding from the walls, and the entire place has the feel of a hunting or ski lodge. The decor is charmingly rustic, predominantly wood, even twigs. It's a slightly small space, but it makes it feel very cozy and home-like. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother (which everyone should be), this is the closest thing to the Hoser Hut we've ever seen.
Menu
- The menu is delightfully well rounded. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and sides of all kinds are available. Some common, like a mushroom swiss burger, and some are distinctly Canadian fare. One of those is Poutine, a stack of fries smothered in cheddar cheese curds and gravy. The desserts are incredibly unique. The offer a variety, but the most interesting is s'mores that are deconstructed and brought out with a small campfire where you can roast your own. THE most unique item on the menu however is also the most famous. The Kookamonga Burger Challenge. The burger patty itself if 4 lb, with the entire
sandwich weighing in at a whopping 7 1/2 lbs. You have to finish it in under an hour to win the challenge and receive the meal for free. If you do, your picture will make it up on the wall that greets you as you walk in and will join the company of some of the great competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Matt Stoney. Pretty nifty.
Presentation -Everything we ordered was presented in a relatively plain manner. Plain dishes, nothing special. BUT, we do award style points for some of the things we've seen, like the giant skillet chocolate chip cookie and the Birthday Explosion. The s'mores campfire takes the cake.
Taste - Everything was very good! The Candian burger was super juicy, perfectly cooked. The bacon and BBQ sauce complemented each other perfectly and the fried egg with crispy edges was exactly the finishing touch that it needed. The hot dogs were sizeable and dolled up Montreal-style with flavors that melded together perfectly. The fries were exactly right. Nothing is worse than overcooked french fries. These were not. They were crispy and delicious. The only regret is we should have ordered them poutine-style to be more authentic.
Price
-The pricing was a little bit expensive, as would be expected from a place in the heart of downtown. You absolutely get what you pay for. The portions are more than enough and the taste is fantastic.
Service - We sat at the bar to watch the hockey game,
because that really is the only place with a decent view of the slightly under-sized TVs. The bartender was attentive and friendly and took very good care of us.
WOULD WE GO BACK?
Yes. It would not be a "once a week" place for us, but for special occasions or a giant beer, we would definitely return. And next time we're getting poutine.
Here's a link to their website:
http://www.kookycanuck.com/
WHERE WE WENT:
Lambert's Cafe
2305 E. Malone Avenue
Sikeston, MO
63801
WHAT WE ORDERED:
Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Apple Sauce, Candied Yams, Fried Pork Chops, Baby Carrots, Macaroni & Tomatoes, Fried Potatoes & Onions, Black Eyed Peas, Fried Okra, Hot Rolls w/ Apple Butter and Sorghum Molasses
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 10
Menu - 10
Presentation - 8
Taste - 8
Price -10
Service - 8
Overall - 9
Atmosphere
- From the outside, one might find Lambert's suspect. It's on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere in Sikeston, MO. You might not even give it a second look, but you should. Walking inside, you feel as though you're immediately transported back into the "good ole days." The building itself resembles an old barn furnished with magnificent memorabilia such as old license plates, state flags, and decades-old advertisements. The seating is open and spacious and the mood is solidified by a live pianist tackling classic tunes.
Menu
-All the homestyle, classic comfort foods are represented on the Lambert's menu as some unique that are hard to find elsewhere such as frog legs. There are substantial options for both vegetarians and the carnivorous. If you're from below the Mason-Dixon line and your grandmother made it, it's probably on the menu.
Presentation -Lambert's has by far the most unique presentation of food that we've seen so far. The main entrees are served out of the old school, tan, sectioned off cafeteria plates that remind you of eating when you were a kid. The hot rolls are truly entertaining. Each time a batch of hot rolls as large as your head comes out of the kitchen a tosser takes the trays on a cart. By raising your hand, you signal that you want a roll and they proceed to toss them at you from the front of the restaurant. That's where they got their nickname "Home of the Throwed Rolls." A guy follows behind the tosser doling out the best apple butter and sorghum molasses you've ever tasted. Constantly circling the restaurant are server with big silver bowls containing "passarounds" (macaroni & tomatoes, fried potatoes & onions, and fried okra), dishes that are offered in addition to your meal at no cost.
Taste
- The passarounds were all good, specifically the macaroni & tomatoes. For such a simple dish it was full of flavor. The black eyed peas were a little too mushy. The apple sauce was chunky and delicious while the mashed potatoes were smooth and covered in just the right amount of brown gravy. The baby carrots were cooked perfectly and had excellent flavor from the brown sugar glaze. The pork chops were nicely fried, juicy inside and crusty on the outside. The roast beef was delicious, just like grandma's.
Price - The pricing here is excellent considering the very generous portions you receive. Each entree comes with at least two vegetable and the price includes all the passarounds and rolls you can eat. A foodie bargain.
Service - The waitstaff was attentive and friendly. The passaround staff was in constant circulation. However, our waiter was switched on us and it took a while to get our check and change.
WOULD WE GO BACK?
Yes! We drove 2 1/2 hours just to try out this restaurant and if we had that kind of time on another day, we'd go again. It was delicious.
Here's a link to their website:
www.throwedrolls.com
