My husband and I took the week off originally to celebrate our sons graduation from high school and achieving his AA degree from HCC. We planned on family being in town, which was unable to happen due to the coronavirus and graduation schedules changing. We decided to still keep our week off and relax at home with the kids as a staycation. We still had a lot to celebrate this week! And we definitely celebrated!

I started my week out, Sunday, by taking a drive and grabbing some pastry and the West Tampa staple, the cuban sandwich from La Teresita. I didn’t think call ahead, I ordered from the register at the takeout section in the back of the restaurant. It was a quick and easy process and it wasn’t too long before I had my crispy, meaty sandwich and was on my way. I decided to nibble on my sandwich in my car to take safety precautions. This sandwich was worth all the buttery crumbs left in my car, it was delish!

Tuesday, we had a doctor’s appointment to get my son’s last immunization to be able to register for classes at UCF. The doctor is pretty close to Panera, so I asked if he wanted to have an early lunch date with me…. I knew he would never refuse Panera! He ordered a buttered bagel, I had the broccoli cheddar soup with hot bread to rip off & drown in my soup and we got a loaf of sourdough bread to bring home. Their soup never disappoints & was definitely a great choice to enjoy some quality time with my son!

Tuesday evening we chose to dine at Hooters after we drove thru our 8th graders award ceremony at school. We found out that he was the 8th grade salutatorian, so there was surely a reason to celebrate! We knew Hooters offered shrimp on the menu, one of my kiddo’s favorite entrees to order when we go out, we chose to eat there. I will be honest and say that as much as I love Hooters traditional wings, they are very overpriced, especially for the quantity you get. It always takes forever to get your order and on this occasion our server never came back to check on us or even tell us our food would be out shortly. As much as I enjoyed my wings, I can honestly live without patronizing Hooters again.

My family went to Mission BBQ in Brandon to celebrate our seniors graduation parade on Wednesday night. As you can see I have no pictures to add showing our meals from Mission BBQ because they were not noteworthy. I ordered the smoked ribeye steak which was the Black Plate special. My husband and middle son ordered pulled pork sandwiches and my youngest had the turkey plate. My ribeye was completely raw in the center. Like purple raw. I brought it back up to the counter and the manager offered to replace it. I got the sliced brisket plate as a new entree. It was ok. Although I was disappointed to not get the ribeye I usually order there, the manager came over to me and stated he had it removed from my check. I was pleased with their generosity and great customer service. Another manager came by later and offered us a free dessert and handed me a gift card for a free sandwich meal. Wow! Great customer service definitely helps make an ordinary meal amazing! And they have pretty darn good fries!

My husband’s favorite Mexican spot is Mi Casa, either the Riverview or the Plant City location. Since he moved work locations, he hasn’t been able to stop there for lunch anymore. Eating here was his only request during our staycation week. I am torn between Sabor a Mexico in Brandon and Mi Casa as my favorite Mexican restaurants. They’re both have authentic Mexican American dishes, they’re equally amazing and satisfying to the palate! He loves the shredded beef burrito and I am a traditional taco LOVER… and Lord have mercy, I love a naked taco doused in fresh salsa! So pure and gratifying! Our server was great as always.

Yesterday, my friend Nancy, met me for lunch at Acropolis in the Shoppes at Winthrop in Riverview, for a lunch date. She left the decision up to me where to meet up and I thought Acropolis would be great for the ambience and I absolutely love the chicken souvlaki. Seemed like a slam dunk lunch decision! Our server came by a few times to take our order and was really a patient when we told him we weren’t ready to order yet… Nancy and I were enjoying to chat chatting too much! He did grab our drink order and set a dish of fresh tzatziki and warm pita at our table, which we enjoyed nibbling on as we gabbed! My friend chose the pork souvlaki and I ordered the chicken souvlaki. Both of our meals came with refreshing Greek salad and Greek fries with feta cheese. Nancy was on the fence with her pork skewers but I thoroughly disliked my chicken skewers. I barely ate one chicken piece and my friend explained to our server how I disliked it when he came to clear our plates. I explained it was very fatty and I was surprised it was dark meat. He told me that they changed their chicken skewers to dark meat and if you want white meat chicken, you have to request it. I said that would have been great seeing that on the menu. He brought it back to the kitchen and offered to prepare me the same entree but as white meat, to take back home with me. Again, great customer service saves an unsatisfying experience.

I was in Tampa early this morning for a graduation party I was hired to decorate for. Since I was on this side of town, I called my husband and asked if he wanted me to pick up Yummy House to bring back home for lunch. I knew he would not refuse my offer! Yummy House is, hands-down, our most favorite Chinese place to eat at! I called my order in as I was driving down Dale Mabry. I ordered our usual … honey sesame chicken, Mongolian beef and two orders of BBQ pork fried rice. My order was ready when I arrived. But it was the longest half hour drive home – smelling our phenomenal food in the back of my VW and controlling myself from pulling over and nibbling on a piece of the honey sesame chicken!! Have no fear, all of the food arrived home safely for me to share with hubby!

Since I was in the neighborhood and right around the corner from Alessi Bakery…. there was no way I could just get in my car and get on the highway without stopping in and grabbing some treats to bring home for the family! I don’t know what they were baking when I walked in but the aroma of cinnamon and caramel was divine! Pure heaven! I like that they display their specials on the bakery counter. I ordered 4 of the bogo mini eclairs, 2 traditional canolis, 2 cherry danishes and 1/2 pound of italian bitter cookies (mama’s favorite!). I’ll be honest, a few cookies didn’t make it home… They were too good to resist!

All in all, Mi Casa was the clear restaurant winner of the week!! 🏆🏆🏆 We had the best experience there. Service, value, overall taste and ambiance!!!

Get out and support your local economy!

Rachel