More Than Smiles, at "Smiley's Snack Shack"

If you've ever been to St Pete Beach, you've seen the landmark Don Cesar; a sprawling pink hotel built in the 1920's. Just a few blocks north on Gulf Blvd, in stark contrast, stands the unassuming Smiley's Snack Shack. In my experience, "shacks" that sell food are incredible or terrible, there's generally no inbetween. This one was awesome!

I hesitate to write about it because one of the cool things about this place, at least for now, is the lack of tourists. Smiley's is truly a "local's" place.

The shack has about five stools, and not all of them will fit comfortably at the counter, it's a small space. After announcing we were Smiley's virgins, a man bragging about his "redneck" roots graciously surrendered his regular spot to the two new girls.

We played our "new girl card" for all it was worth over the next several hours. First, we sampled all three of the beers on tap; lined up side by side. Then ordered a bottle of Mont Gras Cabernet for a mere $11.

Over the course of the evening we tried many of Smiley's specialties, seems everything they do here is special. Like the single burger ($5), grilled to perfection, on an egg and potato bun. Everyone had an opinion about how to cook it, what ingredients to put on it and in what  order. The discussion got very animated; building a burger is taken seriously here.

You can't have a burger without fries. I loved opening the box to see smiley faces looking up at me. "Freudo", the bar tender, squirted ample amounts of ketchup on pieces of block paper used in lieu of plates.

We tried the Yum Yum Shrimp ($7.50) with Boom Boom sauce (chipotle and red pepper). It was messy,  had a great kick and offered lots of juvenile entertainment. For instance, "Hey chef, put the boom boom on my yum yum."

The staff appreciated the fact that we appreciated the  food and sent out a few more must have items. Like the giant Kegger Dog boiled in beer and something that's not on the menu; Griddlin' Cheese. Chef rolled tomato, onion and jalepeno inside of cheese then slow cooked it on the griddle. My new redneck friend was all about the Griddlin'. He assured me in a thick southern drawl "he (chef) don't make that for just anyone."

Someone cranked the volume on an old boom box behind the bar and we joined in the chorus of an even older Journey song. Bad dancing soon followed with too much laughter to measure. The laughter accompanied us on our walk home and still surfaces when I think of our spontaneous adventure at Smiley's.


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

Brunch WithThe Queen

Next time you head to St Pete for a Rays game or concert at Tropicana Field, forget the over-priced stadium food and try the Queen's Head Restaurant and Eurobar on Central Avenue. It's a good 25 minute walk from the park, a 5 minute drive or a leisurely 50-cent Trolley ride. Pick up the west bound Trolley on Central Ave in front of the popular sports bar, Ferg's. (The Trolley also goes downtown for waterfront dining options.)

The Queen's Head is housed in an old gas station, made chic with South Beach style Cabana's on the front patio. Inside, the decor is a bit cheeky with busts, photos and bobble heads of the Queen Mum everywhere. The bathroom walls are plastered with bawdy headlines and clips from British Tabloids. The owners, British of course, are great hosts.

I'm a fan of Sunday Brunch at the Queen's Head and have been there several times.When we showed up a few weeks ago, DJ Craig Dirty was spinning cool tunes outside, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.; looking a bit weary from the night before.

Sparing the server from multiple trips to our table, we bypassed the $6 Mimosa's and $7 Bloody Mary's in lieu of a bottle of delicious Cava (sparkling wine from Spain) for only $22. It was a great accompaniment to the myriad of flavors that followed.

My favorite brunch dish is the Bubble & Squeak ($10); a veggie stuffed mashed potato pancake full of flavor, topped with an egg and garnished with a spicy southwestern drizzle. A close second is the Chip Butty ($11); cherywood bacon with a fried egg, English chips and red cabbage slaw in a toasted ciabatta. I asked for extra slaw.

The brunch menu changes on occasion, I did not see the Bloody Mary Eggs Benedict  this time but I remember it being delicious, especially with a Bloody Mary to wash it down with. The Beans On Toast is a fabulously filling plate. The traditional British breakfast takes on a twist with the addition of white cheddar, English sausage and scrambled eggs ($12). I think the Queen would approve.
            

 ***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. I've had dozens of people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype), your comment did not post. Thanks!