Tallahassee Restaurants

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There is a pretty good selection of food at this restaurant, and all was good that we had. The wraps seemed especially good based off mine choice; Ahi Tuna wrap. The fish and calamari plate Micky got was also good food. They specialize in all sorts of chicken wings. Prices run $7-20 range and beer cheap at $2.50 a pint.

Favorite Dish: Ahi tune was cooked just right, and there was a very large portion in the wrap. The sauce added to the savory flavor

If you've read my previous tip for Shula's Steakhouse, you've heard where to find the FINEST beef in Tallahassee....at a price, of course. For those times that you'd like a good steak, but maybe would like to leave with a little jingle in your pocket, I suggest you head over to Marie Livingston's Steakhouse and Saloon on Apalachee Parkway. You'll find excellent service, well-prepared steak and all the trimmings.

Marie's serves the finest in CHOICE grade beef, which is the difference between it and a place like the afore mentioned Shula's, where PRIME is the fare. CHOICE beef is the type sold in most food markets in America, and at its best, it is very good - and reasonably priced. That's the magic at Marie's, good steaks, hearty side dishes, tasty desserts and a nice wine and drinks menu, and you could easily escape for $30-35 per person.

Marie's has been open in Tallahassee - in three different locations over the years - since the mid-1980s. I've never had a bad meal there, always good. It's also a big favorite with the citizenry of Tallahassee, and long waits can occur, especially on the weekend. They DO take reservations for parties of six or more. My advice is to make a reservation even if you're only four or five - and then be "disappointed" when the others cancel at the last minute. :) Otherwise, it CAN be tough to plan an evening around the unknown wait at Marie Livingston's.

Favorite Dish: Well, it's really all about steaks here. But, they do also have some excellent babyback ribs, as well as some grilled chicken and seafood dishes. The usual steakhouse sides are available, including some less common wonders like "good old sweet potatos", one of my favorites.

There are two sizes of ribeyes and filet mignons, along with the ubiquitous strip and sirloin steaks. If you're ready to fill up big-time, you might try that 24 oz porterhouse, I'd recommend medium rare, with some garlic steak butter.

There's a nice wine list, and often you will find little wine specials, like an order of three different wines served appropriately - with respect to the course - during the meal.

Some of those desserts are scary they are so big and good.

You'll enjoy Marie's.... and if you're going to do the "Pete thing" there, go for the 12 oz ribeye, medium rare, with a loaded baked potato and a nice salad. Perfect American steakhouse eats.

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If you are a vegetarian, you might want to read one of my other tips. Rodizio's is not your place. :)

Basically, this is one of those "South American style" steakhouses. Nice salad bar, good mixologist and liquor list, and then all you can eat meat meat meat.

When you arrive, your table is given a little "rodizio" disk, one side is red, one side is green. Start out with having the red side up on your table. Order your drinks and then go get yourself a salad, and other "side items". It's all you can eat, and some of it is pretty darned good. For those of you who have been to other South American style steakhouses, be advised that Rodizio's doesn't serve "side items" (mashed plantains, peas, etc.) with the meat courses, so if you'd like something to enjoy along with the coming meat barrage, get it at the salad bar. The potato salad, the fried plantains and the black beans and rice are good suggestions.

OK, when you're ready to eat meat, flip the "rodizio" over to green and the "gaucho waiters" will descend upon your table. Each one will have another succulent roasted item on a skewer. If you want some of what he has, get your tongs handy.... he will begin the slicing process, and you will take "possession" of the slice by grasping its top with the tongs. As it falls from the skewer, put it on your plate. That's how it goes. And you're literally going to have dozens of choices, and they keep coming and coming and coming ..... until you turn the rodizio disk back to red, which will bring a quiet post-meat feeding frenzy respite to your table. Now, it's time to consider after dinner drinks, coffee (it IS a South American place, remember) and/or dessert.

The prices are pretty basic, and if you're not ready to eat eat eat, they're kind of pricey. But if you come hungry, you will "win" the economic battle at Rodizio's. Adults all you can eat salad bar and meats price is $28. Children 11 and under are only $12. (that's the charge to eat, they don't roast and sell children under 11 for $12!)

Desserts, after-dinner coffee and all drinks are extra, and again... I think they're kind of pricey. But, the quality is all good.

Favorite Dish: All of the meats are quite good. It's probably one of those situations where certain nights means that certain meats are best, just depends on the cut and the roaster. For example, the night we were there, I thought the lamb was a little dry. But everything else was very very good. And to my surprise, the hit item of the night really wasn't a four-legged wonder. It was the bacon-wrapped sea scallops, very sweet and tender.

Among the meats we saw on our night were lamb, beef tenderloin, parmesan-crusted pork, new york strip steak, rib steak, spicy Brasilian sausages, chicken wings, roasted chicken, skewered and flambeed pineapple, filet mignon, top sirloin, salmon and a few others. And it keeps coming and coming. Like I say, come hungry.

For dessert, there were several sweets... a couple of cheesecake items, some chocolate cake, and my personal favorite, classic flan with caramel sauce accompaniment. Coffee was good, as were the pre-dinner drinks.

Rodizio's has an extensive list of martinis and a small but passable winelist. And they're especially proud of their mojitos (which they claim are the best in town) and the native Brasilian caipirinha. (that's what I had)

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Sonny's Barbecue operates several popular restaurants in Tallahassee and throughout Florida. The first Sonny's originated back about 1968 in Gainesville, Florida. And yes, it was started by a big fat guy who loved barbecue named Sonny Tillman.

What you get at Sonny's is a good barbecue and consistency. It's always good. It's always clean. The service is friendly. In short, going out to Sonny's is always a treat.

When we have visitors from outside the South, we usually take them to Sonny's for some southern barbecue. Anytime you're in the South and see a Sonny's, it might be time for a feed. Pull over and enjoy yourself.

Sonny's corporate advertising slogan sums it up...

Sonny's...... YUMMY.

Favorite Dish: The barbecue. They have a daily special, and the ones I remeber are
Saturday and Thursday,
All you can eat barbecued chicken

Monday
All you can eat pulled pork. (My favorite)

Tuesday
All you can eat St. Louis ribs

Wednesday,
All you can eat sliced pork

Saturday night
Kids eat free.

Sonny's also has some excellent side dishes to go with their barbecue.

Barbecue beans (absolutely THE best)
fried corn on the cob
fried okra
baked potatoes AND baked sweet potatoes
cole slaw,
great french fries

Sonny's also has a terrific salad bar. It's loaded with true southern specialties, including old fashioned potato salad, ham salad and homemade banana pudding. (the best)

I have nothing against the Starbucks, Peets and Seattles' Best coffee places of the world. They've gotten me jolted in enough airports to earn my praise forever. :)

But, I just like local places.....

The Bada Bean coffee shop recently opened in Tallahassee. And although it's nothing new or exciting, they brew a nice pot of coffee and offer a nice place to relax and catch the morning news on TV, or to read a newspaper.

The coffee is quite good. I haven't tried the tea yet, but will someday. The accompanying cheesecake, muffins, turnovers and such are fine. Bottom line... it's a coffee place, folks.

And most importantly, it's a local coffee place, the type that develops their own little cadre of regulars. For me, it's a slice of a smaller town in what is becoming a bigger city.

Favorite Dish: coffee, duh!

They have espresso, machiato (con panna), a nifty house coffee ("Tallahassee breakfast blend"), americano, cappuccino, latte, mocha, chai latter, hot chocolate and steamers, breve and Cuban-style Con Leche.

Other drink items include iced tea, individual pots of gourmet tea, bottled juices, and a great menu of ice cream treats, including milkshakes and their custom "Bada-cino".

From the bakery, there's scones, muffins, croissants (the raspberry-cream cheese variety is good), cookies, bagels. If you're into meatier stuff, they seel a ham and egg version of their croissant. The spinach-feta croissant is different and tasty, too. (I like it later in the day)

They also have lunch sandwiches and soup, although I have yet to try them.

Busy place. Prices are relatively low, but the quality of the food relects that! Very mediocre. With a few exceptions.

Favorite Dish: Gator bites were excellent. He said the most tender he has ever eaten & he has loved them for years. Seafood dip served as appeatizer was very good. I had broiled scallops & mixed veggies. Scallops were totally without seasoning & no taste whatsovere. Veggies were soggy & also NO seasoing. Inedible. Baked potato was o.k. tho.

North on #319 aways, but worth the drive, however, Not in rush hour traffic!! Rustic appearance. Servers good & attentive.

Favorite Dish: Hubby loved the raw oysters....Been looking forward to Florida oysters for months since live in landlocked Indiana! He was in heaven. Gumbo great. Fried oysters exceptional also. Even the hushpuppies were very good! Cajun redskin potatoes were "ehh" however.

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Hotdogs/frankfurters are favorites all over America. From the ballpark to the movies, they are loved by Americans in all forms. Some places actually argue about whether "their" style of hotdog is the best. Chicago natives are aghast at the thought of ketchup being added to a weiner on a bun, and have added diced cucumbers and tomatoes as a standard dressing. And of course, NYC street vendors are talking onions, mustard, ketchup, kraut, etc.

Tallahassee is getting several places now that have local spins on the hot dog, the frankfurter. The latest is really "out there" and the food is damned good. The new place is called "The Voodoo Dog". Located between Florida State and Florida A&M, over in an artsy and quirky part of town, these guys are pushing the envelope for both hot dogs and hamburgers. Granted, there are a wide variety of hot dog and burger offerings, but beyond that - it's a very simple menu. The only sides available are fries, chips, baked beans and cole slaw. End of story.

Now as for "toppings", the opposite is true. Among the items offered as topping for both hamburgers and hotdogs are (* indicates a free topping) mustard*, ketchup*, mayo*, relish, diced onions-tomatoes-cucumbers, shredded lettuce, sauerkraut, chili, cheese, egg (yes!), bacon, coleslaw, guacamole, sour cream, pineapple (yes!), pickles, jalapenos, sauteed onions and peppers, and baked beans. So as you can see, you can create a masterpiece or mess, your choice.

I will describe some of the hotdogs and burgers down below, but let me say a "hurrah!" for the tasty, homestyle fries. Skins-on and sliced medium thin, you get a nice big order cooked on your request. They put salt and pepper on them, too.... becoming a rarity in these silly days where people are intent on telling or mandating to other people what they can and cannot eat. Unless you are allergic to potatoes, DO BE SURE to have some fries with your order.

One little negative for now is that the Voodoo doesn't yet have a beer license. They are working on it, but as you'd expect - they're getting little or no service from government. I'm sure that 20 or 30 overpaid bureaucrats have to review it first. Can anyone say "throw the bums out"? :) OK no more politics, we are talking hot dogs.

Go to Voodoo and feel the black magic. You'll also enjoy the quirky decoration job done. You KNOW it's not your standard place when you drive up and see the metal-sided building decked out in purple.

Oh, one other thing... if you take one of "those vegetarians" with you to Voodoo dog, they'll substitute a vegan dog to any order for 50 cents.

Favorite Dish: Among the hot dogs they sell are:

Voodoo dog - Wrapped with bacon then deep fried.
Manhattan dog - New York style. All-beef frankfurter. your choice of toppings.
Chili dog - Regular dog smothered in mustard, onions and secret chili sauce.
Tijuana dog - Bacon dog, with guacamole and sour cream
Philly Tubesteak dog - Regular dog, with cheese and sautéed onions.
Abe Frohman dog - Chicago style. tomato, cucumber, onions, pickles, relish, celery salt
Shareef dog - Bacon dog, topped with hummus, cucumber and cumin
B.L.T. dog - Bacon dog, with lettuce, tomato and mayo
Fat Katz dog - hot sauerkraut, brown mustard and melted swiss cheese
Hari Kari dog - Bacon dog, covered with teriyaki, pineapple and chives
Wake-n-Bake dog - Bacon dog, smothered with melted cheese and a fried egg
Good Ol’ Boy dog - Bacon dog, smothered with baked beans and coleslaw
Bon Jovi dog - Jersey style. Bacon dog, covered with sautéed onions and peppers
Atomic Veggie dog - Veggie dog, covered with onions, tomato, cucumber and jalapeños
Corndog - Homemade (I LOVE corn dogs)

How about burgers?
(all burgers come with fries)

Voodoo burger - Topped with kielbasa sausage along with cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato

PB&B burger - Peanut Butter and Beef! Topped with bacon, cheddar cheese and slathered with peanut butter

Cowabunga burger - Topped with grilled pineapple, bacon, onion, mozzarella cheese, lettuce and tomato

Das Autoburger - Topped with bacon, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato

Bleu Moon burger - Topped with our bleu cheese spread, bacon, onion, lettuce and tomato

Holy Moley burger - Topped with guacamole, bacon, swiss cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato

Barth burger - Topped with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato

Veggie burger - Our homemade veggie burger topped with swiss cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato