Occassionally we will get letters from other snowbirds telling us about their trip or recent experience.  If you have a positive experience that you'd like to share please email it to snowbirdy@snowbirdy.com !

Fellow snowbirds Fred & Nina recently visited "Smokey Bones" in Tampa and this is their story:

    We're in our fourth day of a five-day visit to Tampa while slowly traveling home to Pennsylvania after our winter south. 

    We've eaten out every day so far.  Last night, April 3, 2006,  was memorable — not only because it was my birthday, but also because our youngest daughter Chris, her husband Lucas, and grandson Charlie took us out to dinner!

 

We went to Smokey Bones, 8020 Citrus Park Drive, across from the Westfield Mall (Citrus Park Towne Ctr.).  This is a chain that I had never before visited.  Their vision statement reads:  "To be known for the friendliness of our people, who serve great tasting BBQ, in an energetic atmosphere to every guest...every time."  They definitely lived up to that vision statement.

 

    Now, usually, when we visit a restaurant, I will order what the server or manager recommends as the "specialty of the house."  In this case, the manager Bryan Harrison recommended that I try their 50/50 Rib Combo which is 1/2 rack of Baby Back Ribs and 1/2 rack of Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs.  It was a good choice and one that I will repeat on our next visit to Tampa.

    Of course, we also had to try the appetizers, and their "Appetizer Combo" including Chicken Fingers, bacon & cheese potato slabs, and beer battered onion rings was enough for the five of us. 

    Little Charlie, who just turned two, also reached a milestone this night.  Never before in his life, had he accepted meat of any kind.   (Honest!)  He would always push it away, and recently added a firm "No" to that action.  Well, this heretofore Tofu, cucumber, bread, and veggie guy actually picked up a piece of chicken finger and ate it!   Does THAT tell you how good it was?

    The ribs were superbly prepared and presented — and so tender that everyone had to have a taste.  All platters and steaks come with bread and your choice of two regular sides.  I chose Fresh Steamed Asparagus and Baked Beans; my wife Nina chose Creamy Cole Slaw and French Fries. 

   Chris had the Turkey Breast with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Lucas had the Honey Glazed Salmon served over roasted red and yellow bell peppers and caramelized onions.

    We would go to Smokey Bones again tonight, but our oldest daughter Kathy lives in Lakeland, and has invited us there for supper. 

    I guess other items on that menu will have to wait until our return next November — unless we swing the motorhome over that way, and pick something from the Take-Out Menu!.