Upset With First Review, Restaurants Get a Second Look

A few months ago, I started getting an e-mail or two from a couple of distraught owners or managers about giving their restaurants a fair shake, and I've done exactly that.  Here are the results:

The Squirrel's Kitchen--In my first review of the place over on Fishhawk Drive, I was disappointed with the quality of bread and the fact that I was treated as if they wanted me to leave right away.  This time, I went to the original restaurant located at 5916 Providence Road in Riverview, and there was quite a difference.  The bread was much fresher and the pork had the same great flavor but I still feel their cole slaw is a touch too saucey. As far as being welcomed--the other side of the coin.  The server, who also happened to be the counter man, was most polite and offered me a soda while I waited for my food.  A cheery disposition can make all the difference in the world.  I would rate these guys a 3. 

Tres Amigos--These guys wrote me a letter that required me to scroll down for at least eight inches of copy on my computer.  They were the unhappiest of the crowd of letter writers, so I really went to scrutinize their place again. I went with my brother so I could get a wider variety of foods without them trying to figure out why the big guy was ordering six different menu items. 

They are located at 2025 Brandon Blvd., Brandon, right in front of the Sam's Club, and I realize this is not my territory to review but I wanted to answer their letter properly.

I had the chicken enchilada, pork tamale and blackened fish taco. 

Enchilada--very good with a nice sour cream sauce but I had a hard time digging it out of the cheese, and that's not a real complaint. 

Tamale--excellent with a nice texture inside of the corn husk.  It was so good that I'm not sure if it was homemade or not since I don't know of any purveyors who have such fresh tamale product. Sometimes a tamale will be a mush type of consistency where the flavor is lost by the way it feels after the first bite, but not here. 

Blackened fish taco--the flavors and the way it was cooked was superb.  Lettuce and tomatoes were absolutely fresh with a great deal more cumin and cilantro than the last time I ate there.  The cheese was just enough to flavor the fish instead of attempting to mask the spices. I even finished my rice and beans this time as opposed to my last visit.

My brother got the fajita and, even though my lunch was excellent, I was jealous of his. He got a sizzling skillet covered with onions and peppers, steak and bacon-wrapped shrimp. I thought he was kidding when he told me I couldn't have any but the joke was on me. He made me listen to his critique and at one point stopped and said, "Listen," He then took a bite of his tortilla so I could hear the crunch of the shrimp along with his pablano peppers and onions.  I think I'm now officially emotionally scarred. Family can be so cruel.  In spite of my brother's sense of humor, bet that the next time I go there, I will have the fajitas.

I noticed there were a lot of people in the place for a Thursday afternoon and asked a waiter what was happening.  He chuckled slightly, then said they had a major shake-up about a month and a half ago and the management really came down on them about some bad business practices so a lot of changes happened. 

If I were a pretentious person, I would take credit for this but we all know that to be a bunch of hooey.  These guys are now a 4 star in my rating system.

1 Star--Wouldn't go back on a bet

2 Star--Would have to go back, but only on a bet

3 Star--If I was in the neighborhood and hungry

4 Star--Would go out of my way even if I wasn't hungry

5 Star--Would make reservations and wait in a line