Have not had breakfast at Grampa's but, IMHO, the dinner menu is over priced and the food is meh! Way too much hype on this place.

Figures that an I.R. would know about good sausages :)

Thanks...had a brain freeze. Yeah, that'd be the ferry, if we go.

Nohoch Kay does a really good job with seafood. It's shrimp dishes are as worthy as the ceviche and fishtacos. But then it's owned and operated by an aminiable host, Jaime, who used to have a wonderful seafood place in Playa del Carmen called Ocean,IIRC (help me here Veggo). Next time we're down that way, will have to take the trek to Xcalak and visit the Leaky Palapa. Might be a good stop before boarding the ferry to Ambergris Caye in Belize.

We had a nice late brunch there one Sunday back in December. It was nice so we sat outside near the bar. Our waitress was very good and had some good recommendations. We both had some soup and salad, as I recall. Filling and tasty. We were tempted to come back for NewYears but wound up with other plans. We'll return sometime. Not off our dinner list like Angelinas (brunch still an option there though). I view it as a nice watering hole with appies or a quick bite. Not familiar with the dinner menu.

Local Firehouse franchises in Tallahassee put out a decent product. Bread tends to be a bit on the soft side after the steaming. But their "fully involved" large sammies are very filling. At least they don't drown the meat in oil and vinegar like Jersey Mike's. And they're a step or two above JimmyJohn's, IMO. Can't opine versus Jared's as I haven't ahd a Subway in a few years.

You'll be spending the biggest portion of your trip along "Alligator Alley" section of I-75. Nothing along that stretch. As you're swinging through Naples, look up either Spanky's Speakeasy on Airport Pulling Road or Cracklin Jack's Cat fish down Collier Blvd. Both just a short distance off I-75. Neither have first rate gourmet kitchnes, but both are adequate for lunch specials.

We ate at the Tallahassee restaurant in December. We had a very good meal. Pizza was excellent with good crisp but chewy crust. Enjoyed seeing their selection of craft beers. Bar is small but could be a nice gameday spot for a couple of people. Wouldn't recommend a big party here; don't think they could accommodate. A couple of Smaller groups 6-8 perhaps would find good seating. We'll be back. But still like Mkt Sq. Momo's better for beer selection and good pizza.

Thanks. I knew you were in PdC recently didn't know if you made it across to Coz on the ferry. I happen to like the ceviche at Rasta's or whatever the name of the week is. I've enjoyed the ceviche gorditas at PB too. Not a fan of th e food at Coconuts but love the view--inside and out, LOL. Could be the grumblings I heard were just a one time rant. I'll give the wife a choice.

Love the photo. Thanks for the tip on the whole snap. I doubt if my wife and sister-in-law would go for that. If I were along, we might have checked out Cedral. I always think of El Cedral where they've tried and failed to get some Maya village up, forget there's a beach too, so haven't stopped there. But if it's a bit hard to find, I don't think my wife would venture around in a taxi to find it.

mediakzar ( or veggo--mi amigo),

Have you eaten at or heard reports on Playa Bonita recently? I've seen some grumbling around that says it's service and food quality have gone down hill since new owners/management came in. Just verifying if that's a correct impression. It's wife's favorite lunch stop in Coz when cruising. I'm trying to get her to switch to Chen Rio if shes' heading to the east side in April. So appreciate some recent color. Thanks

At least it's a company decision and not dictated from the high and mighty, better than thou "food police". And if customers protest having to get up and get their own salt by not coming into BM franchises, then the company can easily revert the policy.

Healthwise, probably not a bad nudge assuming that salt is still used as a flavor enhancer in the cookiing.

Or even versus a Lagunitas PILS, Victory Prima or New Beligum's Blue Paddle.

Have any Honds tried any of the 3 new "craftish" brews from AB? As i heard the tale, in another attempt to horn in on the craft brew market, AB had each of their 12 regional breweries make a special beer. the top 3 in taste tests are supposed ot be out on the market. They are named for the zipcode of the region that created them, i.e. 91406 is from LA, 23185 is from Williamsburg and 63118 is from STL(figures, huh?). All 3 are supposedly different. The STL brew is suppose to mimic the original Bud recipe as a pilsner. The other 2 are amber lagers.

Be interesting to hear what real "craftsmen" think of these.

I was under the impression that at least some Stella was now brewed Stateside. (?) I recall seeing it at the "Bud factory" in JAX. Thought I saw it on the assembly line for bottling. I know they had it on tap at the taste room.

I'm currently using the "Don Jose"(?) coffee from Costco. Whole beans. It tastes okay to me, good enough for everyday use. Nothing special. I'll be looking at picking up *$ Christmas Blend next, as that's usually less overroasted than most of *$ bolder coffees. I prefer Peet's Cafe Solano when available.

Now that the clocks have changed, are the food trucks still gathering in Bayfront Park on Wednesdays? We're in Miami next week for Thanksgiving cruise and staying at the Holiday Inn POM. If they're not there, which resto in Bayside Mktplace is better, Los Ranchos, Lombardi's or Largo's? We avoid the Bubba Gump/Chilis places and aren't fond of food courts, but spouse loves walking around the BSMP and we're meeting others for cocktails at Lets make a Daiquiri. No car, but please don't suggest cabbie to one of the better spots in SOBE. Keeping pre-crusie expenses down. Thanks for suggestions or info on the Food Trucks.

Thanks. Across from Sakura? Never really paid attention to that side of the street. But then while I'm "old", I'm not an old-timer in Tallahassee, more closer to a tweener :)
How you folks doing BTW? Need to revive that Tally Chow group and hit some of the newer spots.

Steak...where's this at? How does it compare to Tallytown's fav Barnaby's (sic)? Or even a better compare...MoMo's in Mkt Sq. with its craft and house brews?

I believe New Leaf Market carried it at one time. You can try EarthFaire and Fresh Market. Captial Seafood over on Capital Circle SE used to carry a number of Cajun/Creole style meats in addition to seafood (Used to be Mike's). You might contact Cypress or Anette's or Coosh's and ask where they get their supplies.

Try Cafe Maxx in Pompano Beach. http://www.cafemaxx.com/darrel_oliver...

At times, and depending on location, just about all the *$ dark roasts have that bitter/burnt taste. Some times it's the baristas' fault for not using enough water ( I saw a barista re do the Sumatra 3 time last week cause the water wasn't pouring out correctly). Most of the time, it's the roasters fault for failing to do quality control on burnt beans. You can take it back if you're in the shop/cafe and have them redo the pot/urn or you can shift to the blond (bland) blend of the day or Pikes. Or you can dump it .

4 Alarm Pizza. Been around there for a awhile. People who've eaten there like it. Relatively cheap. You get to watch your whole pizza being made.

Aruba BeachCafe at the end of Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale by the Sea has a nice setting and good coconut shrimp.

Along 17th Street, there's Kelly's Landing which has good New England style seafood, but I can't recall if they have coconut shrimp. 15th Street Fisheries does have coconut shrimp on its dockside menu.

Primati Bros. has mostly meats, but they do have an sardine sandwich and a tuna sandwich and some salads. Here's a link http://primantibros.com/02menu.html The one near the beach is better atomosphere wise than the other two.

I like your suggestions...where's my invite? ;) ;). Not sure what's available in your neck of the woods, and offering the Strapomen is a good suggestion. but if Yingling's Light Lager is around, you stick in a selection of that to appease the Bud Light crowd. We did that with a housewarming party earlier this spring. I had a good selection of Bell's 2 Hearted, Victory Summer Love and Sweetwater Road Trip, but iced down 2 sixers of Yingling Light which appeased many thristy throats.

Stop It Veggo...you're making me hungry at 7AM LOL. And a bit envious on the good food you're finding. Sorry to hear La Mission wasn't up to par as you loved that place in the past. And sad ot hear La Tarvena has closed. Hope the rest of the trip treats you well.

If Gainesville is too early to stop, maybe lake City, exit 427 and back track a 1/2 mile to Mike's Cafe. About as decent, non chain close to I-75 as you'll get until Tallahassee. I'm sure other Tally Hounds will chime in with their favs all over the map. But if you want to stop in Tallahassee, I suggest taking exit 203, turn left at the light at the ramp and head south 1/2 mile to Ted's Montana and get a great burger. Or go 2 miles down and stop at Piggy's BBQ on your left across from an auto dealership. If you turn rigth at the exit ramp, and go through a series of lights there's several places for lunch in the Market Square area. But you'll need to google map for directions. Some names, Hopkins for sandwiches, Moziak for good lunch, Momos for great pizza, Tally's Grill for good burgers and fast service, Jersey Mikes for subs, Old Town Cafe for diner food. There's a new Cuban place behind Old Town and next to Tally's, but it's a mixed bag on reviews and I haven't eaten there.

I'll watch for your reports. Gonna see our friend in Mahahual this time around?

Our local FM does have some good cuts of meat and for a time were the only purveyors of Pete's coffees ( now at Publix). Earth Faire has more of a corner on the organic set that wander the aisles of WF. But all their prices are a bit above reach for most everyday shopping.

Veggo, a bit envious of your time mind. Jonesing for some good fresh Mexican gorditas or ceviche or a nice little vivneau with sauce chein.

This probably belongs in the Chains tread but just FYI for folks in North Florida, Trader Joes' is coming to Tallahassee next year, over by Bruegger's Bagels, *$ and Kinkos/FedEx by I-10. Will certainly put a dent into Fresh Market for non-produce items and maybe the new Publix will have to lower their prices a bit. Add some near but not close-by competition for the new Whole Foods. Could be a good thing for Tallytown in general.