Mad Girl Eats Datz in Tampa

Datz, 2616 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL.

I was anxious to stop at this gastropub after viewing their extensive online menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So many interesting nibbles and bits that intrigued me, I knew I had to sashay my way over to Tampa and live it for myself. Let’s go lunch!

They had just changed their menu for Spring, so I was a bit disappointed one of their star players, stuffed meatloaf sandwich, was not on the new menu for lunch. Oh well, they have enough other mad cray concoctions to put a smile on my face…now the problem is, which ones to try? Forever a gourmet hamburger lover, Datz’s “big a$$ burgers” had to come my way. Ten ounces of 100% ground chuck, cooked to order (rare please and thank you), topped with my choices of pepper jack cheese, roasted peppers, and applewood smoked bacon teamed up to be the magic combo. Triumphantly rare and perfectly seasoned, this big a$$ burger was happy dance worthy.

Next up, I couldn’t shy away from the chicken n’ waffles blt. I yearn for items I don’t make at home…nor have never tried before. Ding ding…order me up one on both accounts. Holy chicken, Batman….I am in love!  Boneless fried chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomato, maple-jalapeno aioli, all gently tucked between two cheddar belgian waffles. No, I’m not freaking kidding. For real, this is a feast for the eyes and the tummy. Big luscious pieces of fried chicken with all the toppings were in total sweet and savory harmony… and the waffles. The waffles were sent from heaven. I have dreamt about this sandwich since devouring it. A definite “must-try” item for everyone, and on my top 10 list of Best Sandwiches Across America.

By the way, both sandwiches were accompanied by Datz’s homemade sweet and salty potato chips that had an incredible blue cheese drizzle, topped with green onions. These chips can stand on their own. The drizzle sent them over the edge of jubilation. Crunch crunch ahhhhz.

The interior of Datz is very cool, the staff is excellent (Elena rocks), a brewski lovers paradise, and a foodie lovers hot spot in Tampa.

Datz’s bakery, Dough, located next door, opens in April. I poked my head in and this is not your average bakery/coffee spot. Let’s just say, red chandeliers float my boat, big time. I’m sure the menu will live up to the interior design. Beyond words!

http://datzdeli.com

I will return to this gem. Have my chicken n’ waffles blt waiting for me….. 🙂

5 out of 5 sweet and savory points of perfection.

P.S. The stuffed meatloaf is available for dinner. Go for it! As seen on The Travel Channel’s, Food Paradise.

Mad Girl Eats Olio in Jacksonville

Olio, 301 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL.

I love finding a hot lunch spot and when the food lives up to the hype, I’m mad happy! Olio, in downtown Jacksonville is thee place. Their spring menu just came out and what a delish delight! They enjoy using organic and local ingredients, you know that adds to freshness and uber flavor. Plus, they cure and smoke their own meats and make their own pickles. Love it!

The Duck Grilled Cheese, had me at hello. Look. Duck confit, green tomato, gruyere, and american cheese all on a sourdough bread. Grilled up and oozing fabulosity…a masterpiece.

I also tried the Pork Belly sandwich. Crispy pork belly, fried egg, arugula, bernaise aioli on a ciabatta bun. It was verrry good, but I would have it for breakfast. The Duck Grilled Cheese taste was just too freaking fantastic, it was the stellar standout.

I look forward to going back and trying more of their tantalizing menu of beautiful soups, bountiful salads, and bodacious sandwiches.

Tip: Large dining area, easy to find location, street meter parking (bring quarters..25 cents for every 30 minutes), and food worth the quick jaunt off of I-95, open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

As seen on on The Travel Channel, Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich series. It made it to the Finale, the best of the best sandwiches in America. Yeah, pretty flippin’ good.

http://oliomarket.com

5 out of 5 monster flava best sandwich points!

Mad Girl Eats Pink’s In Hollywood

Pinks Famous Hot Dogs, 709 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA.

A must stop while in Hollywood, is Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs. Well known for long lines and celebrity sightings. When I arrived, I saw neither..except the signed celeb photos that blanketed the walls.

I was mad crazy hungry and chose “The Ozzy Spicy Dog”, named for Ozzy Osbourne…I guess..this thing was wildly massive and messy. This was a delectible combination of a spicy polish dog, nacho cheese, american cheese, grilled onions, guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. Boom dog yummy!

Pink’s has a broader menu than you’d expect. Besides numerous selections of hot dogs, they have burgers, burritos, a few sandwiches, nachos, and hyped sides. As seen on Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” and the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise”.

My next visit, I’ll try “The Rosie O’Donnell”, a 10″ hot dog, with mustard, onions, chili, sauerkraut. Mmm mmm good.

http://pinkshollywood.com

4.75 out of 5 so-good-you’ll-slap-your-fella points!

Mad Girl Eats Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Seattle

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, 1600 Pike Place, Seattle, WA.  Also in NYC’s Flatiron District.

Mmmmm cheese, yes please! You can take the girl out of Wisconsin (almost 20 years), but you can’t take the cheese lover out of her. I was so excited to visit Beecher’s, across from Public Market in downtown Seattle. Warm and welcoming wood floors and brick interior, with glass walls to watch cheese making. Fascinating. Yes, fascinating.

Beecher’s has a nice menu of sandwiches, soups, pasta, and cheese by the wad. The only item I was drooling for, was their “World’s Best Mac & Cheese”. The line was long, but I muscled through it and got my cup of penne pasta with ooey gooey beautiful cheese. It was extraordinarily delish. This is not your box of neon yellow-orange mac & cheese. This is on the next level. Time to evolve.

If you’re downtown, make your way down the steep hill…sans stilettos, and get a heap of this smile erupting mac & cheese.

http://beechershandmadecheese.com

Check their website for times and vacation closures, so you’re not disappointed.

As seen on Crave on the Food Network and on Oprah. Beecher’s Mac & Cheese named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. We agree, O!

4.75 out of 5 cheesy gooey goodness!

Google’s Field Trip App Now for iPhone!

Google has now launched its brilliant Field Trip app compatible for iPhone, previously only for Android. Hallelujah! This is an amazing app, especially if you travel. It notifies you of interests in the area you are walking, biking, skateboarding, jogging, Segway-ing or cruising thru. I’ve been driving around my own city and have cool things pop up that I had no idea about. So fab!

There are many topics to choose from; Architecture, Games, Historic Places & Events, Lifestyle, Offers &Deals, Food, Drinks & Fun, Cool & Unique, Art & Museums, with publishers to pick from there. Click on Food, Drinks & Fun and you’ll find MAD GIRL EATS! It is up to you to select your interests and make it your own.

Here are a couple of screenshots of Mad Girl Eats entries from the Food, Drinks & Fun section.

 

 

So, If you were driving down The Strip in Las Vegas, these would pop up, giving you great info on where you may want to find Food, Drinks & Fun…and believe me, you will 😉

So cool, so slick, so freaking informative…..like having your own personal concierge or private tour guide, with no cost, but all the glory. What the heck are you waiting for?! Get to the iTunes/Apple app store and download this genius find. If you haven’t yet downloaded it for your Android,  go to Google’s Play Store, we’ve been waiting for you to get onboard the Epic Train.

All aboard!

5 out of 5

 

 

 

 

 

Mad Girl Eats Piroshky Piroshky in Seattle

Piroshky Piroshky, 1908 Pike Place, Seattle, WA  98101.

Piroshky Piroshky is a sublime Russian bakery directly across the street from Seattle’s famous Public Market. Taken from the Russian word “Pir” meaning feast, this shop offers single serve rustic stuffed pies with amazing fillings.

Meant to be a ‘hand-held meal’, you can get versions of these pies with meat, vegetable, and sweet fills. I ordered the potato, onion and cheese pie. Ooh, so fantastic. Next time I think I’ll go local flavor and order the smoked salmon pate pie, and finish with a fresh rhubarb or cream cheese and berries…or both. The pastry itself is light, flaky, perfection. You can’t miss!

These are definitely a nice hand-held meal. Easy for eating and walking around one of the coolest cities, Seattle. Excellent.

As seen on Anthony Bourdain’s show, No Reservations, on the Travel Channel.

4.5 out of 5 high pies!