The easiest way to describe The Mexican Camel is as an upscale Chipotle that also incorporates Middle Eastern options to create fusion dishes.
Our party of four had very different items, which illustrate the diversity available here. One person opted for a vegetarian, mostly Mexican bowl. Another had lamb in his. And a third had spicy shrimp on a salad. I, on the other hand, went far afield, and had nacho chips topped with Chicken Tinga.
Everyone really enjoyed their selections, so there were no wrong choices!
One thing that really stood out to me was the friendliness of the two servers working behind the counter. This was definitely not a robotic Chipotle performance, they were really into it. Service was also very fast.
We all thought the bowls were a bit pricey, but I guess that's true of everything these days, and everyone agreed we'll be back soon, so that's what really matters.
The Mexican Camel 5752 International Dr Orlando, FL 32819
I was impressed how cozy this place was. I was expecting just another strip mall counter place, but the decor and vibe is great. I just had an everything bagel and coffee, and both were excellent, and inexpensive.
There are a wide variety of bagel sandwiches and other creations, plus house-baked pastries. I'll go back for lunch and check them out.
Kudos for offering good coffee in three varieties (Colombian, world blend, and decaf) and providing add-ons for free at the coffee counter, rather than creating a bunch of milk and sugar-infused concoctions and charging three times as much!
It pains me to give Bern's four stars, but it's time for a wake-up call.
I've been going to Bern's for forty years, and it has always been my favorite restaurant. But pandemic changes have made it not the experience it once was, even though there has been plenty of time to adjust.
The menu is a third of what it once was. True, it could have used some tightening, but all around us we heard people complaining that their favorites were missing. And some of those favorites, such as Bern's caviar service, made the restaurant the unique experience it was.
The extremely aged steaks at Bern's have never been the highlight for me, but, with so much of the menu eliminated, I decided to try the Tournedos au Poivre. The meat was wonderfully tender and perfectly cooked, but the dish was literally inedible. I have never encountered such a salty sauce short of seawater. No chef could possibly have tasted this sauce during preparation.
"Another new menu coming next week," our waiter told us, with some degree of exasperation.
With over one million bottles of wine, the primary attraction of Berns is, of course, the wine cellar. But the older obscure wines on the list are nowhere to be found. Hundreds of pre-1980 listings from Burgundy alone have vanished. Were they all really drunk during the pandemic? Or has this, too, been streamlined? The conversion of one of the wine warehouses into more hotel rooms is not a good sign.
The situation is worse in the upstairs dessert rooms, where a menu of a hundred vintage Madeiras is now a short non-vintage list. I ordered one of the two survivors, and it was also missing in action.
I can forgive obvious pandemic issues, such as the server warning us it would take twenty minutes for her to get a cart for preparing Bananas Foster. But it seems like corners have been cut everywhere.
If it's an inflation issue, just raise the prices. Bern's is still ridiculously inexpensive for what they offer, and the only way to get a reservation is to book one just after midnight the day they open. So there's no lack of demand. But please don't let the new chef cost optimize this restaurant into the pedestrian experience it was last night.
Bern’s Steak House 1208 S Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606
It pains me to give Bern's four stars, but it's time for a wake-up call.
I've been going to Bern's for forty years, and it has always been my favorite restaurant. But pandemic changes have made it not the experience it once was, even though there has been plenty of time to adjust.
The menu is a third of what it once was. True, it could have used some tightening, but all around us we heard people complaining that their favorites were missing. And some of those favorites, such as Bern's caviar service, made the restaurant the unique experience it was.
The extremely aged steaks at Bern's have never been the highlight for me, but, with so much of the menu eliminated, I decided to try the Tournedos au Poivre. The meat was wonderfully tender and perfectly cooked, but the dish was literally inedible. I have never encountered such a salty sauce short of seawater. No chef could possibly have tasted this sauce during preparation.
"Another new menu coming next week," our waiter told us, with some degree of exasperation.
With over one million bottles of wine, the primary attraction of Berns is, of course, the wine cellar. But the older obscure wines on the list are nowhere to be found. Hundreds of pre-1980 listings from Burgundy alone have vanished. Were they all really drunk during the pandemic? Or has this, too, been streamlined? The conversion of one of the wine warehouses into more hotel rooms is not a good sign.
The situation is worse in the upstairs dessert rooms, where a menu of a hundred vintage Madeiras is now a short non-vintage list. I ordered one of the two survivors, and it was also missing in action.
I can forgive obvious pandemic issues, such as the server warning us it would take twenty minutes for her to get a cart for preparing Bananas Foster. But it seems like corners have been cut everywhere.
If it's an inflation issue, just raise the prices. Bern's is still ridiculously inexpensive for what they offer, and the only way to get a reservation is to book one just after midnight the day they open. So there's no lack of demand. But please don't let the new chef cost optimize this restaurant into the pedestrian experience it was last night.
Bern’s Steak House 1208 S Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606
Excellent barbecue. The half slab dinner was huge; I could only eat half. Good cole slaw, but my favorite side was the spicy beans, which were, indeed, spicy and meaty.
The giant baked potato is also aptly named.
Friendly service.
The Hickory Stik 25 N Main St Hutchinson, KS 67501
One of the best museums I've been to, this incorporates a new facility with extensive exhibits featuring great audio video performances of actors in character that bring the history to life. Then there is a walking tour that takes you through many historic buildings and displays, including actors working in the businesses serving drinks and selling merchandise. Fun for all ages.
Boot Hill Museum 500 W Wyatt Earp Blvd Dodge City, KS 67801
Good traditional Mexican dishes and combinations and excellent Margaritas. The namesake Margarita with a dash of orange juice was nice and fruity, and the Patron Margarita packed a punch.
The relleno was my favorite item.
Vallarta Mexican Grill 1301 W Wyatt Earp Blvd Dodge City, KS 67801
