A blog about great food at local establishments in Hernando County and elsewhere in the Tampa Bay area; no chain restaurants. This is all about the mom & pops, the local hangouts, the diners, the places where everybody goes. We all have a favorite...
Okay folks... I had an appendectomy a couple weeks ago... Just got back to the office yesterday... How do I celebrate feeling better??? BeckyJacks Food Shack!
I mentioned the conversation I had with my co-worker to my wife and she was almost as eager to try it out as I was. We arrived just after 4PM. We pulled up to a very quaint looking yellow building; it looked like an old house. Well, it ends up the building was a hotel built in the 1920s! My wife loves antiquing and all that is vintage so her eyes lit up as soon as we parked the car.
We entered to find a nicely decorated establishment, not too much, just right. The subtle sounds of latin music set the mood very well. We were seated very quickly and we got comfortable.
The menu at Café Masaryktown is full of what some would say is "standard" Cuban fare but make no mistake about it, this is some of the best Cuban food I've ever had.
We started of with a pair of empanadas ($2.49/each), one Empanada de Picadillo (beef) and an Empanada de Pollo (chicken). These fried pillows of deliciousness were great! For our entrees, I got the Roast Pork (the menu says it's their signature dish -- and I know why!) and my wife got the Large Cuban sandwich and a side of fries.
Okay... let me say a something about this Cuban sandwich. I've had Cubans all over Tampa... back in the day when Roberto's was on MacDill Avenue (mind you, before AND after the name change to "Roberto's"), the "original" Cuban at the Columbia Restaurant, and myriad others in town. Sometimes, Cubans are a little too aggressively pressed... slathered with butter and just too darn crispy! Café Masaryktown's is perfect! A wonderful mix of ham, pork, salami, and all the regular fixin's simply pressed. It had a "clean" taste, not buttery/greasy... just delicious! Oh, the Regular Cuban (7") is $4.29; the Large Cuban (9") is $5.29; and the King Cuban (12") is $7.29. Um, you can't beat those prices in Tampa!
By the way... the menu says they serve the "Best Cuban North of Ybor City." Don't kid yourself... in this humble patron's opinion, it's better than the Cubans I've had in Ybor.
The Roast Pork entree ($8.59) was simply wonderful. Again, "clean" came to mind with the roast pork. It had a delightful mojo flavor which wasn't the least bit greasy, the meat was lean and tender. Very, very delicious! I got the entree with yellow rice and black beans. These sides were very good and the entire meal came in a very, very generous portion. I had to take half of it home (um, yes... it's tomorrow's lunch)!
We were too full to try the dessert, but I've got to try the guava cheesecake someday!
The menu is quite extensive. Appetizers average at $2.50, entrees average at $8.50, their "other" sandwiches average at around $7. They also have vegetarian choices, soups, salads, and a bevy of desserts.
If you want a great Cuban meal and great prices, you've GOT to go to Cafe' Masaryktown!
Google Map to Cafe' Masaryktown
More info can be found on their website at: cafemasaryktown.com
They also have a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CafeMasaryktown?fref=ts
Tried a new place today... wouldn't say its one of myJOINTS
Okay... so today my family and I, accompanied by my wonderful parents, went to a place I'd never been before... a seafood restaurant. While it was good, it wasn't myJOINTS worthy...
Last night was Friday night… my family’s “let’s go out to eat” night. We usually do pizza on Fridays… and if I’m being totally transparent, we normally do Pizza Villa & Restaurant (my pizzaJOINT) in Brooksville on Fridays. This week, my wife and I wanted to introduce our kids to my newest favoriteJOINT, BeckyJack’s!
Yes, I know, I wouldn’t normally re-blog about an establishment so quickly… but BeckyJack’s is well worth acting a little unusual!
We arrived right around 4:30… the parking lot was fairly quiet. As I’m not a big fan of crowds and crowded places, I was good with that. We entered the door, greeted with a smile and a hearty welcome. ”Sit anywhere you like,” we were told. We went for, what I like to call, the “breakfast nook” table… and the fun began!
Our waitress, I believe her name is Betty, was pleasant and friendly (as usual). She was very patient with us as we looked over the menu but couldn’t decide what to get. My wife chose the Cracked Chicken sandwich; my 22-year old son ultimately chose the blackened fish platter; and my 15-year old daughter and I chose the Crunchy Fish platter.
I didn’t take a photo of the blacked fish but I had to take a pic of the Cracked Chicken (bottom left)… did I mention it’s breaded with POTATO CHIPS?!?! If anything says “OMG,” it’s breading a HUGE chicken breast with potato chips! My better half was kind enough to let me take a bite of this beauty… um… OMG… that’s all I could say.
I ordered the Crunchy Fish platter with their Mac & Cheese and the “5 Bean” salad. The Mac & Cheese was very good… there’s something different about that cheese… a different taste I couldn’t put my finger on but it’s very good. The “5 Bean” salad? ”OMG” again! I tried to figure out all the beans in the salad… I saw chickpeas, kidney, black, blackeye, and a few others I couldn’t readily identify… mostly because I was eating it too fast. I also saw olives, peppers, onion, and a very nice Italian dressing was leading the way to tastebud euphoria. Can you tell I really liked the 5 Bean salad?
I’m not sure if I said enough, if anything, about the service in my last BeckyJack’s blog post but I gotta tell ya… the wait staff is ON THE BALL! Consistent (but not overdone) checks on our satisfaction, drink refills (we had sweet tea), and general how-goes-it visits were friendly and sincere.
Okay… I’ve gone on and on… and BeckyJack’s deserves any/all accolades I can think of… It’s just great!
Wanna find out more? Check their site at www.beckyjacks.com or find ‘em on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeckyJacksFoodShack
My wife and I passed by this little place on Cortez Boulevard on our return trip from Rogers Park to Paddling Adventures after a fun day of kayaking. "I've heard that place is pretty good," I said. My wife suggested we try it out... I was all for that!
I will say this; initial curb appeal told me this was going to be an "at home" style establishment, I'm pleased to say I was right. As far as the food is concerned, I should have known by the lack of parking spaces available in the parking lot... I had no idea what I was in for.
The menu at BeckyJack's is full of seafood, sandwiches, and burgers. They also pride themselves on having 13 craft draft beers and wines available all the time. A quick look around at the other diners' plates told me we were in for a treat; looking at the patrons' faces told me we were REALLY going to enjoy it! I couldn't wait to get started!!!
So, we started with the beer battered onion rings (which were part of the specials of the day - written on a lunch-size brown paper bag [talk about quaint]). These rings were OUTSTANDING! Even better is the obviously home-made remoulade sauce. It seems to be based in BBQ sauce, which may sound really weird but let me tell you, it doesn't taste weird! Now, these onion rings (like all the food we received) were HOT! I mean the walk from the fryer to our table was probably 20 feet... and they got to our table seemingly right out of the fryer. No plates sitting under hot lamps here!!! Just fresh, piping-hot, delicious food... that's what you get at BeckyJacks! Ahem, I digress... let me continue.
On to our sandwiches. Before I continue, I just have to say; I'm from New England, from a professional fisherman's family. I'm not an expert on much, but I know a good fish sandwich when I meet one. Well, I'm not sure I've ever met a sandwich as good as this before.
I went for BeckyJack's signature "The Crunchy Fish" sandwich. This sandwich is, well, amazing! It's coated in corn flakes and sliced almonds (I know, I know, almonds?) and fried to a perfection. The only bad thing about this fish is that there's no clear indication it's a sandwich because you can't see the bottom of the bun... the fish fillet is SO DANG BIG! Yes, I know, that's really not a "bad" thing.
My wife went for the Blackened Fish sandwich. The menu says it's their "awesome" fish, blackened... well, the menu is right on target here as well! a light lemon-pepper style blackening does this fish very, very well! Folks, the pictures do NOT do justice to the sandwiches!
Now I want to have full disclosure here... this place is small. I counted 8 tables inside with seating for approximately 25-30 -- and it's a tight fit. There's a few tables outside as well. What the building might lack in space, the kitchen makes up for it in flavor! Anyway, we were greeted with a smile as we walked in the beachcomber-themed door. We were seated right away on a high-top table in the center of the dining area. This place has some awesome aesthetics! License plates, beach signs, family pictures and a Jimmy Buffet gold album adorn the walls. This place made me feel like I just walked into the most laidbackJOINTS around!
Seafood sandwiches average around $8, burgers and other sandwiches average around $7. They also have platters available averaging around $12. This little jewel is quite a treasure... if you've never been, you gotta go! Oh, and let me say a couple words about the wait staff: Polite, Professional, Friendly, Prompt, and AWESOME!
Wanna find out more? Check their site at www.beckyjacks.com or find 'em on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeckyJacksFoodShack
My wife, daughter, and I decided to get some lunch the other day. After a bit of overindulging during holiday festivities, we figured some sushi would be a good idea. We decided on a fairly new establishment in Hernando County. I know what you're probably thinking, "sushi in Hernando County?!?" Yep, that's right, I said it and I'll say it again: SUSHI IN HERNANDO COUNTY! It's Wasabi Japanese Sushi -- what a great meal!
Okay... so to the lunch we had. My wife and I went for the Early Bird special on sushi/sashimi (2 rolls for $7.95 or 3 rolls for $10.95). I opted for the latter while my better half went for the former. I ordered one Futo Maki roll and two Boston Rolls (shrimp, cucumber, lettuce, spicy mayo). My wife went for the Boston Roll and the Hollywood Roll (Kani, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese).
One really cool thing offered at Wasabi is their "Love Boat." These come in three sizes, for 2, for 3, or for 4. Essentially, you get a bunch of sushi/sashimi brought to you on a beautiful wooden boat. The Love Boat for 2 is priced at $49.95 (16pc sashimi, 12pc sushi, 2 chef special rolls) and the Love Boat for 4 is priced at $89.95. If you love sushi/sashimi, you'll LOVE the Love Boat! My wife and I already have plans to hit the Love Boat on our next visit to Wasabi.
My daughter ordered the Chicken Hibachi. They don't have hibachi tables at Wasabi... they work all the magic in the kitchen. I have had hibachi all over. I've been to those really expensive places and those not so expensive places. I even had hibachi in Japan and South Korea. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Wasabi's hibachi is some of the best I've ever tasted. I know, you may be thinking, "How tough is hibachi?" Well, when you've had terrible hibachi, which I have, you know the difference. Wasabi's is outstanding!
One other thing about sushi places... I've been to a few where it is very evident, by the fishy aroma, that you're in a sushi place. This is NOT the case a Wasabi! I don't often blog about the cleanliness of a restaurant but I've got to say this place looks really clean! Also, you know how some Asian restaurants take their decor over the top with posters, pictures, Buddhas, and all sort of other knick-knacks? Not at Wasabi - The atmosphere is Asian, but subtle. A very refreshing departure from so many of the Chinese buffet places around Tampa Bay.
The menu is extensive and the prices are reasonable. Don't be fooled, this is NOT the "sushi" you can pick up at your local grocery store... this is real sushi! And, I might add, it's really great sushi! Do yourself a favor, hit Wasabi Japanese Sushi for some great Japanese food. You won't be sorry that you did!
Want more info (and maybe a coupon or two)? Check out their website, which includes a detailed rundown of their menu by clicking this link: Wasabi Japanese Sushi
There are a few breakfast/lunch JOINTS in Hernando County and I've been to most of them. I'm thinking this newcomer to the scene (I believe it opened in July, 2011) is a sure contender for top billing on my list. It's not very big but it's always busy. They say great things come in small packages; that sentiment is true when it comes to Jam's Breakfast & Lunch Cafe!
As mentioned above, my wife and I tried Jams last Sunday, right around noon. Well dressed, Sunday-best crowds of folks had arrived just prior to our arrival. There was a wait for a table but as I scanned the landscape of tables, I knew it'd be worth the wait. Once seated, I ordered a simple breakfast, 2 eggs (over hard), grits, bacon, and a grilled biscuit. It was wonderful! My wife had the grilled chicken wrap and loved it. The problem was that I saw numerous omelets passing by our table. These omelets looked AMAZING, so I had to get one this weekend.
This time around, we arrived closer to 11 am. The JOINT was busy but there were a few tables available so we were seated right away. I must say, I was suffering from omelet anticipation. I scanned the menu and found my target, the Spanish omelet (sausage, peppers, onions, cheese, and salsa). I opted to forgo the salsa but went with the home fries, and grilled biscuit. By the way, the biscuits are made fresh daily and are simply heavenly when graced with a little love from the griddle.
Our daughter had 2 eggs, sausage links, and home fries. I've got to tell you, the pancakes are almost as big as my face and the sausage links are at least an inch thick! One thing I really like about Jam's is they know how to do eggs. For me, there is nothing worse than a browned fried egg. As you can see in the pic, the eggs are done perfectly, nice and white. My "over-hard" eggs last weekend were cooked perfectly and this weekend's "over-easy" were also cooked to perfection. The sausage links are very, very flavorful, moist, and have a great "bite."
Now, let me talk about these pancakes. I love pancakes! I've had 'em all sorts of ways but my favorite is your basic buttermilk pancake. There is something about a light, fluffy, flavorful pancake with a slathering of butter and some nice maple syrup that makes me happy-happy. Jam's pancakes were, well, just awesome! They have a real nice sweet-but-not-too-sweet taste, a hint of vanilla, and are as soft and fluffy as a cloud. My first visit made me want to get an omelet today... now I've GOT to order pancakes next time I'm there!
Jam's Breakfast & Lunch Cafe has a great menu with great prices. Breakfast items range from 2.99 for their 2 egg Breakfast Special (M-F, 6:30-9 am) to $7.25 for the Hungryman (2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage, and 2 pancakes.) Most of the breakfast meals come with home fries, hash browns, or grits too! Lunches are mostly sandwiches, wraps and burgers. They also offer a good selection of salads. Lunch will run you an average of around 6 bucks. Bottom line: you just can't go wrong by stopping in an Jam's!
By the way, check out their Facebook page!
Jam's Breakfast & Lunch Cafe -- my breakfastJOINT!
My wife and I had to finish up some holiday shopping so we decided to do a little lunch first. Sure, we could have gone to any of the many establishments on Hwy 50 in Brooksville but we decided on a quick slice of pizza at our favorite place.
We arrived around 12:30 Sunday afternoon. The parking lot was peppered with a few cars as was the dining room with a few empty tables. We were seated right away. After a few minutes discussing our fare, my wife and I were ready to order: Bruschetta for an appetizer and two "Slice and Salad" lunch specials. We were in for a treat.
Our salads arrived first. I've seen my share of less-than-fresh salads at restaurants; never has that been the case at Pizza Villa. Sure, they could amp up their salad with some onions or some peppers, but hey, it's a side salad. The quality is what counts for me... as usual, the salads were cold, crisp, and fresh. The fat-free Italian dressing was tasty and the fact that I love croutons on my salad didn't go away wanting.
Up next was our bruschetta... this is a fairly new item on the menu, or at least I remember when it wasn't available. It's a decent bruschetta; tomatoes, basil, banana peppers, and an awesome balsamic glaze. The thing I like about this is that it's on fresh-sliced Italian bread, not too crusty.
Then it was time for our slice of pizza. Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I am a pizza aficionado. I've had pizza all over: Boston, New York, Dallas, even South Korea. I love pizza! There is something about pizza that brings me back to my childhood. I'm not sure what that is, but it's there. I vividly remember growing up in Southeastern Massachusetts and enjoying the pizza delights from Papa Gino's.
The pizza at Pizza Villa is just wonderful. It's a not-too-thin, not-too-thick crust with a nice sauce. The cheese is wonderful, creamy, and tasty. My personal favorite pizza is their "Danny's Special" -- a great (made to order) crushed tomato/garlic sauce and cheese. It sounds run-of-the-mill but your tongue will tell you different! It's just awesome! My favorite thing on the menu, though, is the Stromboli: sausage, pepperoni, & mozzarella wrapped in dough - to me, that says "heaven." The menu says "no substitutions" on the Stromboli. In my mind, there isn't anything that should be substituted.
Pizza Villa's prices are great too. A large cheese pizza is $10.75, an extra large for $12.50 (that's an 18-inch pie). Dinners are also available at an average price of around $12.00. This place is a Spring Hill/Brooksville staple -- I remember when the Brooksville location was across the Hwy 50 in the Bealls plaza! The Spring HIll location is a little smaller, a bit more intimate, but no less delicious. The Brooksville location recently opened a banquet hall available for hire for weddings, parties, and other events. They're great people at the Pizza Villa -- they treat you like family!
Do yourself, and your taste buds, a favor. Go to the Pizza Villa & Italian Restaurant!
More info can be found on their website: pizzavillaandrestaurant.com
Pizza Villa & Restaurant 7038 Coastal Boulevard, Brooksville
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