Daddy Gill's

Jackie B. finally took me to her ‘scary Mexican place’ but they were closing up the bus when we drove up. I have found that many of my favorites have been serendipitous finds when Plan A hasn't worked out. Disappointed, but still hopeful, we cast our gaze across Fletcher toward a place I have wanted to try ever since their smoker arrived during the spring semester. I’d pass it going to school and I’ve been looking for a place that offers home cooked Southern food. Gill used to have his portable smoker in the parking lot of one of Fletcher’s gas stations, and his new digs in a recently built strip store are a vast improvement.

As with all the great places, the owner was on the premises. Gill’s family have been in the restaurant business since 1927. Daddy Gill’s has it all – cornbread, sweet potato pie, black eyed peas, smoked fish. The barbequed chicken was terrific which was served on a couple of pieces of white bread smeared with sauce. The collards and black eyed peas were delicious and full of chunks of salty meat goodness. As my friend Amanda says, “Count on Southerners to make even vegetables unhealthy.” They had a ton of sides. Jackie got the mac and cheese which was disappointing - too much mac, not enough cheese. She didn’t like the way her pork reheated, but my veggies made a delicious breakfast the next day. The mild sauce is very mild, even sweet. The spicy sauce, if indeed I received the spicy, was still very mild. Smoked fish is a specialty of theirs and it comes with a side of grits. Next time I’m gonna order the smoked shrimp with a side of grits - now that’s a meal. They also offer real oxtails, chitterlings, and neck bones, but I think I’ll pass.
Gill was thrilled Jackie and I came back for dessert. They have a great dessert case with cakes, pastries and pies. We split a sweet potato pie and it was delicious right down to the crust, and I’m not much of a crust person.
It’s a great value; portions are generous and prices are very fair. Nice and close to USF! They have a 25% student discount after 6:00pm. Be sure to check out their website for a buy one get one free dinner coupon!

http://www.daddygills.com/home.nxg
Hillsborough County
2001 East Fletcher Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
813-435-5156

Golden Phoenix

A vain search for a family owned establishment along Dale Mabry had discouraged Jackie B. and I after a long day of shopping. A plain, slightly dingy old building with a sign advertising “Golden Phoenix” sent us veering off the road. I missed the entrance and ended up going in the exit, only the latest in a series driving faux pas that day. The outside of the building did not inspire confidence, and I asked Jackie if she was sure she wanted to eat here. However, as we circled the back of the building, she saw one of the cooks, a small shriveled Vietnamese grandfather on his break. Jackie was enchanted by the little old man and she decided then and there that we were stopping. (He was so cute!) The parking lot was full, so we saw this as an endorsement, but upon walking inside, we saw only one other couple. Then a menu in the lobby advertised several fish dishes starting at $20. Jackie and I got a little green and glanced at each other in panic. However, the waitress snagged us before we could bail. We were relieved to find that the menu was six pages long and had options in every price range and for every taste.

The interior was plain but clean. Large bug-eyed fish swam aimlessly in tanks awaiting an unfortunate end. I have wondered about this. I certainly eat my share of meat, but could I really look at a creature, lock eyes with him and say, “I want to eat him?” He’s looking back at me! A large group of guys who came in partway through our meal wanted some ‘authentic’ stuff I guess. One of the men ordered the deep fried whole fish. Eyeballs and all. They roared with delight when it appeared on the table in its entirety, still sporting a startled expression. I’m not sure if they actually ate it though. It was more of a male bonding activity I think.

The waitress looked at Jackie doubtfully when she ordered the beef rice paper wraps. With a thick accent: “You have to wrap yourself, you know?” She also questioned my choice of Chinese black mushrooms and vegetables. ‘There’s no meat, you know?’ ‘This come with bok choy, ok?’ Her fears were unfounded. We loved our meals. My meal was relatively simple to consume, but Jackie struggled with her rice papers initially. The waitress, fearing such a disaster, was back soon to check on her progress. She said the water was the problem – too hot. She came back with a refill and Jackie was able to turn 'em out like a pro. (If she spoke Vietnamese, they’d have offered her a job.) When finally done the wraps were extremely tasty. My meal was simply delicioso. I never missed the elusive meat. Tons of flavor, texture, and heartiness, it is a sublime option for the vegetarian and carnivore. I definitely want to go back and explore more of the menu, but knowing me, I’d probably end up getting the same thing all over again.

Hillsborough County
8199 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33614
813-932-9285
Lunch - :-)
Dinner - :-) - $$$

Pach's Place

Pronounced “Patch’s,” this little spot is run by a mom and her kids who have over a hundred years combined restaurant experience. The owner was not only doing actual cooking but was prominently featured in some avant garde art work on front window and above the frig. The menu is diverse offering both breakfast and lunch. There were many more glamorous items on the menu and I fully intend to go back and try their popular crab and asparagus omelet, but I had to pay homage to one of my favorite childhood meals. They actually offer cream chip beef! So humble and yet so satisfying. It tasted just like Mom’s (perfect) except that it was on Texas Toast rather than wheat bread, and the substance of the toast made for a welcome addition. I got four pieces of toast and enough sauce to cover the platter. A generous portion of hand-cut home fries came on a separate dish. Jackie’s ham and cheese omelet was light and fluffy and the accompanying pancakes melted in her mouth (and mine too). Jackie nearly died with joy when she realized the syrup was lovingly warmed for her use.

Pach’s advertises an authentic Monte Cristo. Definitely worth checking out. They have a nice selection of sandwiches and inventive omelets which I intend to try next time. Bean sprouts, snow peas, asparagus, and broccoli-cheddar sauce is a great vegetarian option. Our waitress, a sweet lady despite an injured foot, said that the spinach, ground chuck, onions, home fries and mozzarella cheese is a very popular one. Our waitress provided excellent service and I did notice that the staff greeted several of the diners by name.
I wanted to sit at the counter. It was terrific fun watching home fries cooking, pancakes dripped and flipped, large hamburgers and sausages pressed on the well seasoned griddles. The energetic owner bustled back and forth serving all the customers. It seemed that all of Tampa knew about this place except for us. We tried to spy on our neighbors' food, but it was hard it was so completely consumed. Jackie did comment that she and I brought down the median age considerably, but hey, it was a Saturday morning just before noon, perhaps our colleagues were still abed. Upon leaving, we did realize as we pulled down our sunglasses, that they were splattered with grease. Ok, so our seats came with risks. But it was cool! Prices are very good, particularly for the area. Lox and eggs comes in highest at $8.75.
This place has rabid online fans: “When I eat at pachs place I feel like I am derobed and sent to outerspace in an outerspace adventure…I love this restaurant, the check came with the sonic boom of supermans zoom…” Proof that the staff is friendly: “It was my birthday and they came and helped me feel better by being so nice and generous with napkins.” Ah, it is the little things in life, isn’t it? I will say that the food is terrific, the staff very friendly and the whole experience a lot of fun!

Pach’s Place
Hillsborough County
2909 Bay to Bay Blvd.
Tampa, FL
813-831-7122
M-F 7:00am-2:00pm
S&S 8:00am-2:30pm
:-)
Five Forks!