Cherry's Bar & Grill in Bloomingdale Square A Good Choice

My wife and I were going to the Bloomingdale Square at the corner of Bell Shoals Road and Bloomingdale Avenue to try either Thai food or sushi. 

I was leaning toward Thai since I am literally a newbie to the sushi world. In the past, I have eaten my sushi medium well and have always made a joke of that fact. However, a couple of friends referred to me as closed-minded and I am going to prove them wrong--some day.

Today was not to be that day. As my wife and I neared the Thai and sushi places, we saw a fire truck and an ambulance in front of the two restaurants.  I laughed and took it as a personal warning from a higher power and then looked to the corner of the mall and saw Cherry's Bar & Grill, 903 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon.

We entered and saw we were the only people in the place so my wife and I sat at the bar.  I looked around and saw a video arcade minus the kids. There are around 30 or so games and gaming devices throughout what is obviously a madhouse when full. Signs all over the room warned of imminent teenage invasions on Monday night—buyer beware!

My wife ordered the blackened chicken wrap with fries. Her wrap was warm and pliable without any stale or chipped corners.  A little tortilla lore: when tortillas aren’t wrapped tight or are old, they get to be crispy and crumble in your grasp, making way for a hard time eating lunch. The lettuce was crisp and the tomatoes fresh and diced small, a little too small if I was eating it but my wife loved it. The fries were the kind that are seen everywhere nowadays with the tell- tale signs of skin trying to make the customer relate skin to freshness. When asked if they were homemade or fresh, the waitress actually had to get close to tell me they were store-bought, but she went on to say that the owner has been known to go into the back and fresh cut his fries.

I ordered the chicken philly with cole slaw and am happy with my choice.  The bread was toasted on the inside and soft on the outside with plenty of chicken, cut into strips. The peppers, mushrooms and onions were fresh, plentiful and smothered in cheese. I asked for some blackening spice but there wasn’t enough for my taste so I asked for some hot sauce. The owner, at least I think he was the owner, brought me a bottle and told me to ask to be “taken out” next time if I really want spicy. It was a warning with a smile and I can respect that. The cole slaw really didn’t have anything special going for it. I’ve had some better and had some worse.

The bartender, Angela, was a treat with a warm smile and friendly attitude. She said that Monday night was standing room-only and told me I was 20 years too late to hang with these kids. Sunday afternoon it is.

I would give this place3 1/2 stars and want to be "taken out" next time I visit, but you can bet the farm it won’t be on Monday night. 

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