Old Chicago
Posted by: Carlos on: June 27, 2009
- In: Pizza| Review
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2042 Badlands Drive
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 982-3170
http://www.oldchicago.com/
Old Chicago has always been a favorite of my family. My parents love the “Chicago Seven”, a deep dish pizza with tons of toppings and cheese. I enjoy it, but I prefer pizza from places like Dominos or Pizza Hut better. It’s a different kind of taste. Usually the place has pretty good business, but the wait is normally short, if there is a wait at all. Service is usually quick and food comes out quickly. There are plenty of televisions playing the latest sports and there is a pretty big bar situated on a side of the restaurant, giving it the “tavern” feel that they advertise.
I personally like to order their Fettuccine Alfredo. It has a unique taste here that is quite delicious, but nothing like one that you have at an Italian place such as the Olive Garden or Carabba’s. Today I ordered a meatball stromboli, which comes split in two giant pieces of cheese and meatballs with a side of marinara. You also get some fries, but they don’t come seasoned unless you ask, so next time I think I will ask for salt and pepper seasoning or one of their other kinds such as ranch.
The waitress today was fantastic and very friendly and quick to refill drinks. She was very nice to my young nephew, which can sometimes be very difficult when taken to restaurants. She even offered to take him the machine close by and help him play a game he wanted to play. Great service. Old Chicago is a good place and has great taste to many, it’s just not my favorite.
Yummy House
Posted by: Carlos on: January 9, 2009
- In: Chinese| Review
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2202 West Waters
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 915-2828
I finally got to eat here today after having dreams of how yummy the Yummy House would taste. I arrived to a somewhat crowded and small establishment that was buzzing with business, people in the restaurant all seemed like local Asians, probably recognizing the places authenticity.
The service was like that of a diner, with friendly waiters who are crazily swarmed with business, you can sense the sincerity in their attempts to handle all the business, and even if they are not as on their A-Game as at a more generic restaurant, you excuse them because you know they will treat you well when they get to you.
I ordered Orange Chicken and my friends order Beef with Noddles and XO Seafood Special, all were tasty, and totally original from what you would have anywhere else. The Orange Chicken was a little too sweet for my liking, the beef was good and the noodles were good, and the XO Seafood Special was just alright. I suppose I really don’t know what Chinese food should taste like since I was raised on Panda Express. This is probably what authentic should taste like though, it taste good and different and I think I could really go for some more rounds of it, though I wasn’t instantly in love with it. We also had some potstickers that were alright.
What I was in love with was the calamari that my friend ordered, OMG best calamari I have ever had in my life. I would go back there just for the calamari and then go grab some boba at Got Tea in the future, because it was just that good. The onions and garlic that they added among other spices made it have such an original and amazingly delicious taste. We devoured that more than anything else. Definitely try and have it if you visit.
I used to live in this area, and I really wish I still lived here so I could visit more often. It was a very worthwhile experience.
Got Tea
Posted by: Carlos on: January 7, 2009
- In: Boba| Review
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2202 W Waters Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 930-0470
After tons of raving by my friends I visited Got Tea at last and tasted their amazing boba drinks. I didn’t even have a slushie but a T.W. Milk Tea instead (a hard to find flavor nowadays after the mall boba place closed down), and it was DELICIOUS. Pretty much best boba next to Kaleisia Tea Lounge, my only grime is that it’s so far away from me. I would seriously get boba everyday from here if I could. The place is cool, though smaller in size from the other boba establishments. Workers were really friendly and even though they were closing soon they still made my boba for me.
The Cheesecake Factory (Brandon)
Posted by: Carlos on: November 8, 2008
781 Brandon Town Center Mall
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 571-5599
www.thecheesecakefactory.com/
The Cheesecake Factory is a regular spot that my family and I attend. They love the bar and we all enjoy the food and dessert. I first reviewed this location way back in Summer 2007.
“The best thing about The Cheesecake Factory is their fine selection of food from so many groups and backgrounds that you can bring all the family members or friends there without a dispute over what kind people like. The worst thing about The Cheesecake Factory is the long waiting period to get seated.
I went here a few weeks back and the food was incredible. I had the Kobe Steak Burger, which had such amazing taste to it on it’s own that I had no need to add condiments such as ketchup or mayo to the burger. It was perfectly tasteful all by itself. Their fries are good, but I would suggest you get another side, such as mashed potatoes or something a little bit different since they have such a selection.
For an appetizer we ordered the Avocado Egg Rolls, which was amazing in taste. I never thought they could be so good together. They are very filling, so if you’re going to order a big meal then I suggest you split the appetizer up with many people.
The prices aren’t bad either. The price range is the same as less appealing places such as the Olive Garden and even Chili’s, so if you have time to wait, go to the Cheesecake Factory and have some great food!”
My opinion hasn’t changed since then. The Cheesecake Factory is still one of the best places to dine in Brandon, the atmosphere of people and decorations are still very pleasant, and the waiting is top notch almost all the time.
My Mother and I split a Grande Burrito yesterday, which was delicious, huge enough to fill us and still have some left to give away to my Aunt. The waitress was well on key and had my drink filled before I could even ask for another drink. The Soup of the Day, Clam Chowder, was slightly watery, but still not bad.
Some older pictures of the interior:
Hello To The Hungry
Posted by: Carlos on: November 8, 2008
- In: Site
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My name is Carlos Hernandez and I live in Tampa Bay, Florida. I have lived here since 1998 and have had to the chance to dine at many fine places around the bay area. I’ve been reviewing restaurants for close to two years now on a website known as Yelp.
However, I thought running a blog would be a great way to also put my reviews out on the internet. I hope you enjoy my reviews, and I understand that sometimes you might disagree with the things I might say, but these reviews are purely through my thoughts.
I tend to rate restaurants based on service over food quality, with service weighting 2/3 of my review and food 1/3. This is simply because you can get good food anywhere. You can get food without dining somewhere, but it’s service that makes dining such a pleasant and great experience.
I hope you enjoy my reviews.
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