State Of Confusion

Ceviche sampler
Ceviche sampler
Monkey bread
Monkey bread
Guacamole
Guacamole
Lettuce wraps
Lettuce wraps
Shrimp Po Boy
Shrimp Po Boy
Steak skewers
Steak skewers

**** (4 stars)

This place is certainly aptly named, as it’s hard to pin down the cuisine. On the one hand a lot of items are Peruvian influenced, but Mexico and New Orleans are also amply represented.

The Peruvian Lettuce Wraps came with minced chicken filling. Combined with the lettuce, there wasn’t a lot of flavor, but eaten straight, the minced chicken had a delightful flavor imparted–I think–by yellow Peruvian peppers.

“Peruvian” guacamole was good, and essential just guacamole, except for the inclusion of plantain chips.

Opinions were split on the Savory Monkey Bread. It was okay, but not a lot of cheese flavor.

Wood Fires Steak Skewers were the biggest disappointment. Not a lot of steak, and not really the claimed rib eye quality. In fact, when the server placed it down she said “skirt steak” which is more what it tasted like. The accompanying confusion potatoes were quite good, though.

Shrimp Po’boy sandwich was wholly authentic, and as good as any I’ve had in New Orleans.

The house margaritas are good, as is the “Ranch Water” which is substantially less sweet.

The place is large, but very busy, so go at an odd time or with a reservation.

Great large outside area for dogs.

State Of Confusion
301 E Main St
Chattanooga, TN 37408

https://www.yelp.com/biz/state-of-confusion-chattanooga

The SOS Tiki Bar

Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Kiwi Crush and Queen's Park Swizzle
Kiwi Crush and Queen's Park Swizzle
Duck with hoisin, corn with shishito peppers, japchae noodles
Duck with hoisin, corn with shishito peppers, japchae noodles
Cauliflower Bang Bang
Cauliflower Bang Bang

**** (4 stars)

SOS has a dramatic and beautiful interior design, and a very pleasant outside patio. I like the emphasis on classic tiki drinks, which are well-prepared, served in traditional glassware, and nicely garnished. The menu gives a brief historical note for each drink. There is also an extensive Rum list.

The food is less impressive than the drinks. I suggest sticking with the Cauliflower Bang Bang appetizer, and having dinner elsewhere.

Service was friendly and fast.

The SOS Tiki Bar
340 Church St
Decatur, GA 30030

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sos-tiki-bar-decatur

Food Terminal

Exterior
Exterior
Honey butter chicken Honey Butter Wings (6)
Honey butter chicken Honey Butter Wings (6)
Grandma BBQ Pork Tossed Noodle
Grandma BBQ Pork Tossed Noodle
Lump Crab Garlic Noodle
Lump Crab Garlic Noodle

***** (5 stars)

What a great variety of Asian foods, all on the longest menu I've ever seen. This menu is a book!, literally.

The garlic noodles with crab were a standout, but my absolute favorite was the crispy bar sandwich with lemon grass pork. It was essentially the best banh mi I've ever had. I almost ordered a six pack to go!

Nice outside eating area (although the road is noisy) and friendly service.

Food Terminal
1000 Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

https://www.yelp.com/biz/food-terminal-atlanta

Espresso 41

Antique motorcycle
Antique motorcycle
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Grumps burger
Grumps burger
Hawaiian burger
Hawaiian burger
Interior
Interior
Menu
Menu

***** (5 stars)

Great inventive burgers in a fun indoor/outdoor location that was a service station. Now appropriately outfitted with antique trucks and motorcycles. Excellent and friendly service. The Grumps burger is particularly tasty.

Espresso 41
1811 US 41 N
Tifton, GA 31794

https://www.yelp.com/biz/espresso-41-tifton

Nick Filet

Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Surf and turf
Surf and turf
Old bay tater tots
Old bay tater tots

**** (4 stars)

I’m not sure whether Orlando is ready for an $18 sandwich, but if it is, this is the place to get an excellent one. The “Surf and Turf” is a Lobster Roll plus Filet Mignon, and the quality of the ingredients do, indeed, justify the price. The lobster was fresh and flavorful, and the filet mignon was tender and juicy. Add a perfectly butter-grilled and toasted roll, a bit of mayo, and you’ve got a scrumptious sandwich.

In all fairness, there are other selections featuring just filet or lobster, but they’re $12, so you may as well go all-in and get the Surf and Turf.

Sides of fries or Tater Tots are available, either plain, with Old Bay seasoning, or with truffle and cheese. I had the Old Bay Tater Tots, and they were WAY too salty. Note that the “mini” size is actually quite generous, so unless you’re serving a group, don’t get anything larger.

Service was friendly, and fairly quick, even though the place was fairly busy–certainly busier than the former occupants of this space. If you’re concerned about masks, note that none of the customers or staff were wearing any.

Nick Filet
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.yelp.com/biz/nick-filet-orlando

Aloha Beautiful

Bar
Bar
Interior
Interior
Bar
Bar
Exterior
Exterior

*** (3 stars)

This is a nice but non-traditional tiki bar. There’s no particular tiki related sub-theme, but there are some games and karaoke, and a spacious decor.

The menu is also atypical, with original drinks that often emphasize tequila. The limited food menu consists mainly of sliders served on Hawaiian buns.

Aloha Beautiful
69 East Pine St
Orlando, FL 32801

https://www.yelp.com/biz/aloha-beautiful-orlando

The Madras Cafe

Exterior
Exterior
South Indian Lunch Thali
South Indian Lunch Thali
Interior
Interior
South Indian Lunch Thali!
South Indian Lunch Thali!
South Indian Lunch Thali!
South Indian Lunch Thali!

***** (5 stars)

Wow! This is far and away the best use of this restaurant space ever. It retains its former upscale decor, but brings an all new menu and cuisine to the area.

Affiliated with the nearby Saffron Indian Restaurant, but this restaurant is Southern Indian, and entirely vegetarian, or even vegan if you wish.

The lunch "table side buffet" is actually a traditional Thali, a tray with an assortment of soups and stews, a bowl of rice, and a variety of breads for dipping. It is easily the best Indian lunch deal in town, and arguably one of the best lunches in town.

I'm a fan of lunch at Saffron, and I wasn't sure this would be that different, but it is quite distinct, and deserves its own separate recognition as a best Indian food winner.

The Madras Cafe
7730 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-madras-cafe-orlando

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill – Winter Garden

Interior
Interior
Menu
Menu
Exterior
Exterior

**** (4 stars)

I really like the straightforward approach the food takes at The Great Greek locations. The menu is easy to navigate, and you can get the most popular Greek ites or a Middle Eastern spin with falafel. My go to is the traditional gyro, but the falafel pita is also quite good. If you don’t want the wrapper, there is a platter version, too.

This location is a bit more upscale than the one in Lakeside Village, with a nice covered outdoor eating area. The food also works well to go.

And there is a lot of togo business. Even though I thought I was alone when I ordered after 8pm on a Wednesday, at least ten dinners were picked up before mine was ready. I think next time I will order ahead to avoid the wait.

Service was very friendly.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill – Winter Garden
16045 New Independence Pkwy
Winter Garden, FL 34787

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-great-greek-mediterranean-grill-winter-garden-winter-garden-2