Raja's Mexican Grill ~ ~ IS CLOSED!!!!

Flags out front will help you find the door. No they will not, they are gone gone gone!!!

Raja's Mexican Grill,  http://rajasmexicangrill.com/home, is on Oakfield Dr. directly across the street from the north entrance to Brandon Regional Hospital. Open for about six months, they are a great fix to fill your need for authentic mexican flavors at a reasonable price. The story on the web site says they are from Southern California and couldn't find a restaurant in the area that provided that special something.

The country music coming from the radio in the kitchen did not seem like an added touch of authenticity, but I am not a tune snob when it comes to keeping the kitchen happy.

Hours:
Monday to Thursday 11:30am - 7:30pm, Friday 11:30 - call
(I don't get the "call" thing. I guess if folks are rolling in at dinner time they hang around.)

Open dining area. We were sitting in a booth. Not any more!!

Order off the wall boards at the counter, get your drinks and seat yourself. Nothing fancy at all. Part of the counter area has a "Pick-Up" sign hanging over it, but we did not have to go get our order. They brought it to our booth. As you can see they were not very busy at the time.

A la carte and combo meal choices on the boards.

Numbering systems seem to be the method of operation for many of the restaurant menus in the area. We didn't request it, but our orders were served in styrofoam "to go" containers with plastic utensils and a couple of napkins. Drink cups were also styrofoam so I think nothing makes its way back to the kitchen once it leaves. Food, styrofoam, fixtures, outside signs and flags, and most importantly the people are all gone.

Erin's order:
#5. Flautas (3) rolled flour tortillas filled with savory Chicken or Picadillo then quick-fried and served hot. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream and cheese. Served with rice and beans.
Hot and fresh it was. The yellow rice was fluffy, not clumped together, and had a nice spiciness to it. The refried beans were also of a good consistency and flavor. Cilantro seems to add a freshness to the dish and all the toppings on the flautas were good as well. The shell of the fried tortillas was crunchy and the chicken was great.

My choice:
#10. Taco Salad. Chicken or picadillo (seasoned ground beef), refried beans, rice, shredded lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and sour cream served in a fried tortilla bowl.
I am a sucker for the fried tortilla bowl whenever I have lunch at a mexican place. On a number of occasions I have been disappointed by other restaurants serving their "Taco Salad" on a plate with a circle of chips around the fixings, so I asked first. Yeah, it's in a bowl!
The meat I opted for was the picadillo (seasoned ground beef), only to have a different taste from Erin's selection. Same result. Everything was fresh and tasty (including the tortilla bowl).

We also had an order of Chips and Salsa, #23. I have always felt the truest measure of a good mexican restaurant was the quality of their Salsa, even if it wasn't a homemade recipe, and the freshness of their chips. In this case the chips were crispy and fine but the Salsa was a disappointment. It was too watery and very very salty.

They do offer some other spicy topping sauces. Two green and two red pepper choices. The bright red one is tops on the "watch out now!" scale of hot. All were very tasty though.

Blue Bell ice cream to quench the fires if you over do it.

On our chosen scale of YUCK to SUPER I would have to give it a GOOD* **

The cost of lunch for two was just over $15. I'd go back, but not on Friday night. I don't do calls.

*I would have rated them higher but for the weak salsa and all the styrofoam/plastic.
** Yes, sorry to say adios to RAJA'S, at least on Oakfield in Brandon Florida.

Taste of Berlin

At Oakfield Dr. and Comer Dr. across from Tower Diagnostic

You guessed it! No beating around the bush. This is a German themed restaurant in the heart of Brandon. Taste of Berlin has only been open since October, 2011 but you can tell from the detail in the decor, menu and food preparation that this is not a first time restaurateur. No web site other than Facebook as yet, although it is referenced on various eatery lists and dining review pages.

Very comfortable seating (for about 40 people) and lighting inside with a few patio tables outside as well. The floors are slate tiled and the walls have a light pine wainscoting. Even the restroom was pleasantly decorated. I would not normally comment on that aspect of the visit, since I'm talking food and eating here, but it just speaks to the detail and care for the product of the restaurant. We did not get a chance to chat with the owner on this visit, but the server, Anya, was extremely cordial.

She said we just missed a group of the "girls" from the local Red Hat Society. You would not have been able to tell though because the place was spotlessly clean.

See, no red hats left behind

Behind the post, desserts are listed on the wall

This is a Lunch and Dinner Restaurant: 

  Lunch ~ Tue - Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm,

Dinner ~ Tue - Fri 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
     and Sat 4 pm - 10 pm

They feature two homemade soups, Goulash and Potato-veggie-sausage. I was told the sausages, meats and most of the other components are  made or prepared on site then cooked when ordered. That certainly appeared to be the case when we got our plates.  Every item plated was at a proper serving temperature, tasted fresh and flavorful (even the homemade catsup).

We ordered from the "Sandwiches and Burgers" section of the menu. There were only five selections available and no cold cut meat and cheese sandwiches like Mr. Dunderbacks up on Bruce B. Downs. With a sandwich choice you also get a side of French fries, German cole slaw or German potato salad ("not the hot one" as we were cautioned by Anya). Each dish was numbered 1 thru 29 and the side dishes were lettered A. thru L. Kind of quirky but I'm sure it serves a practical purpose.

Our selections:

"Bratwurst", Coarse sausage with homemade sauerkraut and mustard. The side selected, French fries.
(Number 22 on the menu)
The wurst was the best! A full mild flavored sausage on a bed of sweet/sauerkraut wrapped in a very fresh roll and topped with a spicy coarse mustard. A very nice combination of contrasting flavors. The only drawback was the roll could not support the moisture from the sauerkraut long enough to eat the whole sandwich by hand. The fries were hot and crispy, just how we like them, and the homemade catchup carried a unique and very pleasant flavor as well. Great taste all around.

"Schnitzel", Lettuce, tomato, cucumber and mayo. (Number 23).
Just in case, "schnitzel" is a thin lightly breaded and pan fried veal or other light meat fillet. This was ordered with German potato salad. Served on a wonderfully fresh Kaiser Roll, the schnitzel was crunchy on the outside and tender and warm within. The flavor of the meat was supported by a nice Romaine lettuce leaf with small slices of tomato and cucumber and a light spread of mayo. All in just the right amount. The sandwich was great, but the big flavor surprise was the side of German potato salad.
Now I love the hot GPS, so I was somewhat disappointed when I was told this would be different, but this cold version was a delight. In addition to a nice blend of potato, mayo and spices, I found little pieces of cucumber and apple to trip the taste buds.

We found ourselves smiling, oohing and aahing with each bite. A full belly fest for sure. We will definitely be back to try the dinner side of the menu.

On a scale of YUCK to SUPER, I give them a VERY GOOD.

Lunch for two with tip, $22. (well worth it)