For me, roughing it is staying at La Quinta and getting dinner at the Wendy’s drive through. Which we do because we travel with a 13 pound pouch who has complete control over our life.
But I think the idea of hiking is wonderful.
Until I start planning on getting some hiking boots, tucking my pants into those boots so I don’t get ticks, putting that wide brimmed hat on so nothing falls in my hair and then there’s all those creepy crawly and biting creatures that can’t be avoided.
But last week we headed to Shamrock Pub with some friends for some wonderfully “bad” food and on the way back our host decided to make a little detour to the Withlacoochee State Forest Mutual Mine Recreation Area. Since we were driving right by it anyhow.
And It was a gorgeous sunny day in the high 60s which was perfect for a little stroll.
And it was quite beautiful so I should probably actually do some hiking. Someday. When I get hiking boots.
And since I just happened to have a camera with me, here’s some photos…
It’s so much fun going to a highly-rated restaurant and it’s really really good! And bonus points that it fits right into our budget!
Last week Terry suggested that he might need to go to Golfsmith to check out golf clubs. And all I hear is HOME GOODS! OMG! I love Home Goods and the only one is way down in Carrollwood. (That would be an area of north Tampa for my northern friends) Probably 75 miles from us here in Perfect.
But, right next to GOLFSMITH!
And let’s have lunch with Andy! He’s the oldest kid of our four. Always like to catch up with what’s going on with our kids.
And this would be a great chance to check out the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 50 Restaurants for something in the Carrollwood area. But there was nothing listed! WHAT! Carrolwood is a huge part of Tampa with a lot of people that don’t cook. And all they have is chain restaurants?
But there was Capital Taco in Land o’ Lakes on the list so that’s where we told Andy to meet us.
Did I ever mention that Terry and I lived in Tampa for several years? Three of our four kids went to Land o’ Lakes High School so we’re familiar with the area but had no idea where this place was–so we just followed the GPS. And it took us to a strip mall just south of the high school on Land o ‘Lakes Blvd. (Also known as 41)
Sign on the door says that they are open 8 days a week 11 am to 9 pm.
Terry and I arrived at about 11:45 and the place was crazy busy. It’s counter service only with about four tables inside and five tables out on the sidewalk. (And since I’ve read their website, I know that those four tables on the inside were made with recycled construction material!)
Several fillings are offered and can be served as tacos, burritos, wet burritos (covered with sauce), nachos, salad or in a bowl with rice and beans. And they serve breakfast all day long!All the tables were filled so we sat outside while we waited for Andy. IT was a bit cold. OMG, I’m really looking OLD!
Customers seemed to come in waves. Packed at 11:45 with no place to sit and then all the tables were empty at 12:15! So we moved inside. Andy chuckled when he got there because he used to order pizza at the very same place when he went to high school. And Andy is 40 so how long ago was that?
There were a lot of people just coming through for take out. But it was a steady stream of customers the entire time we were there.
This isn’t the typical taco place. The food is freshly prepared and made-from-scratch ingredients. And the service is FAST! I had the Simon Pure–grilled portabella, black beans, sweet corn, pico, jack & cheddar, cilantro, and bombero salsa all wrapped up in a fresh burrito, I was too busy devouring mine to actually take a picture. Whoops! One burrito was plenty and it was delicious. Oh yeah, they have beer, too. Dos Equis along with many varieties. Perfect!
Five of our grandkids play soccer, football, and basketball not too far from Capital Taco so we will be back! Yeah! Check out their website for all of their story and the menu.
So good! Lovin’ this choice from the Top 50 Restaurant List!
I haven’t reported on the Great Chicken Wing Questin over nine months! I don’t really like wings but Terry LOVES them. We hit a lot of restaurants, bars, and pubs in the area. And it came down to a tie between Neon Leons and Crackers–per Terry. I voted for Crackers since I like the Tiki Bar, there’s a great view of King’s Bay, and sometimes they have entertainment.
And now we are moving on. To food I like! Which would be everything but chicken wings!
Just to serve my readers (because I’m always thinking about my readers) I’ve decided to hit all the restaurants on “Top 50 restaurants of Tampa Bay” according to the Tampa Bay Times. Lots more fun for me! Hitting all those places could take awhile, though. It just may be way more expensive then our local wing places and we might have to actually make plans.
But it will give us more opportunities for us to get “out and about”!
Our trip to Tarpon Springs started out with Terry’s mom saying that there are a few antique stores in Tarpon Springs. Terry had an appointment in New Port Richey anyhow so we just thought we’d head a few miles south. And I decided to check the list for any restaurants in the area.
Downtown Tarpon Springs, Tarpon Avenue
There were a lot of antique places. Some a little too precious for me. Lots of crystal and tiny things. I tried to be very small while walking through those. (Very difficult, I’m not a small person.) There was a really nice artsy shop and the general store, “Mad Hatter” was fun.
But my main goal was to have lunch. It’s always about the food. Or the beer. And Dimitri’s on the Water at the sponge docks had made it on the Tampa Bay Times’ top 50 restaurants. YIppee!
The sponge docks are full of touristy things to do. Shops, boat tours, restaurants, bakeries, you name it. Not something we would typically spend any time at unless we had company. Yes, it is a good place to take out-of-town guests. “Come see the Sponge Capital of the World!”
The entrance to Dimitri’s
Dimitri’s is right on the water and since it was a lovely day, we sat outside in the covered patio area. The view was beautiful.
I had an Alfred Hitchcock moment when I went over to the rail to take some pictures. A gazillion gulls swooped down immediately. I thought we were going to have a repeat of the Birds. How much do I hate these rats on wings? Kind of like pigeons in New York City. Before they ate my face off, I ran back to our table and they couldn’t figure out how to get in to attack me. They obviously weren’t as smart as those gulls on The Birds. Whew. Lesson learned. Step away from the rail.
This guy watched me the entire time we were there. “I will remember you and the convertible that you are in”
We had a very friendly server and when I asked about the beer, he suggested I try the Greek beer. Of course! I always order the beer recommended by the server. Tasty!
Anytime there is grouper on the menu Terry and I usually order it. I did ask about other fish and the server suggested the “whole fish”. Sorry, I don’t eat things that will be looking back at me. If we have a zombie apocalypse I might change my mind because I would probably be really happy to have something to eat. But for now, someone needs to cut the head and fins off before it’s served to me. We both ordered the grouper. And we both ordered it blackened. Are we boring or what?
I started with the soup. I can’t tell you the name of it because they don’t have a website. Should have wrote it down–what kind of reviewer am I? It had a nice creamy base with chicken and orzo and had a slight lemon taste–not overpowering. Very good. We also had a loaf of Greek bread with dipping sauce. Yum.
And onto the main course. The grouper and the blackening were excellent.
But the sides we both ordered were very bland.
If I was in Tarpon Springs with some of our out-of-town guests, I would definitely choose this restaurant over the other places. The grouper, the service, and the view were all extraordinary. But I probably won’t make a special trip to go back.
Happy to report that the gull must have forgot about me and we were able to get home in the convertible without any bird attack (poo or otherwise.)
I’m not a camper. 
