The ambiance exudes a welcoming and cozy rustic charm, enveloping guests with a sense of warmth. The proprietors dedicatedly crafted the tables and much of the adornment, adding a personal touch to the establishment. Inside, multiple televisions provide entertainment, while outdoor tables adorned with umbrellas invite patrons to bask in the open-air atmosphere. Upon entering, one approaches the counter to place an order before selecting a preferred table. The choices include elevated high-top options as well as traditional tables paired with chairs, though booths are not available.

The culinary repertoire at Bada Bing Pizza Company encompasses an enticing array of offerings such as pizza, salads, subs, calzones/stromboli, and a selection of delectable pasta dishes. During our lunchtime escapade, we embarked on a gastronomic journey beginning with the meatball appetizer—a tantalizing ensemble of two meatballs, ricotta cheese, savory sauce, and a side of bread for dipping. The meatballs proved to be a delight, while the bread acted as the perfect vessel for savoring the marinara sauce. As a discerning connoisseur of red sauces, I must admit that Bada Bing Pizza Company’s rendition is nothing short of impeccable. Often, red sauces fall victim to a lack of flavor or excessive acidity, but such concerns are absent here.

Intrigued by the tantalizing options, we simply couldn’t resist indulging in the Bada Bing Pizza—a true masterpiece. Packed with a medley of flavors, this pizza boasted a generous combination of sausage, meatballs, ham, bacon, pepperoni, sauce, and luscious mozzarella cheese. The crust, had a delightful crispness without being excessively chewy, served as the foundation for this culinary delight. It was evident that only the finest ingredients were employed, as the flavors harmoniously danced upon our taste buds. The pizza was graced with the perfect balance of sauce, further enhancing its palatability. It’s worth noting that pizza preferences are as diverse as the individuals who relish them; everyone possesses unique reasons for favoring certain pizzas. Personally, I would rate the crust an 8 out of 10 and the toppings a solid 9.

We also ventured into the realm of calzones, and we must caution you: their large size is more than sufficient to satiate four hungry diners. It’s nothing short of colossal. Remarkably, the calzone was generously filled throughout, with no disappointingly hollow ends. Bada Bing Pizza Company takes pride in utilizing top-notch cheeses, ensuring a truly gratifying experience with each mouthwatering bite.

In a memorable statement, one of the owners once expressed their philosophy, stating, “We want to do a few things well instead of a lot of things OK,” I wholeheartedly applaud their success in embodying this vision. Whether you find yourself in the Iona-McGregor area or if you simply crave an adventurous culinary escapade, I implore you to include Bada Bing Pizza Co on your list of must-try establishments. Rest assured, disappointment is not on the menu here.

Overall Rating:  Bada Bing Bada Boom

Bada Bing Pizza Co

11600 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908

https://www.badabingpizzaco.com/

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Lelulos will be hosting their 2nd Annual, VIP STAFF DAY to benefit Guardian Angels for Special Populations.

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We were greeted by a young man who took us to our seats and explained he was the owner’s son. He then explained the history of his family’s restaurant with great pride. He pointed out his family members on the menu who have dished named after them. Perhaps he will be the 3^rd generation owner on the future.

Maria’s is quaint but does get a bit noisy. The service was really good up until the end of the meal. We have noticed this happens often but, in this case, it would not prevent a return visit. More about that later.

We opted to try the Lasagna ($16.95), the Manicotti ($15.95) and the Linguine with White Clam Sauce ($16.95) All came with a nice side salad and garlic rolls. We prefer a bit more butter/garlic with the rolls but other wise they were decent. The portions are large and the food we served hot. Even though they were busy, there was no long delays that sometimes occurs.

The food was flavorful and well balanced. The sauce on the Lasagna/ Manicotti was well cooked and not overly sweet.  I am not a fan of sweet tomato sauce nor sauce that has not been cooked long enough to reduce the acidity. The clam sauce was a bit thicker than I am used to but wonderful none the less.

For dessert we shared a Tiramisu ($6.95) and from the size of it you can see why we opted to share one, it was huge. We then asked for coffee. This is when things started to go awry. Through no fault of theirs, there was no coffee available as the delivery did not arrive. Chalk it up to post covid supply issues. However, they did have decaf.  So, we opted for that. However, our server totally forgot it and by the time she remembered (we had to call her over), we were finished with our dessert. We were just a tad disappointed but nothing that serious. Covid has affected restaurants in so many different ways that it calls for us to be a bit more patient and understanding at times.

If you have not been to Maria’s Pizzeria & Restaurant you will want to be sure to give them a try when you are in south Cape Coral.

Overall rating: Gustoso 

Maria’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

1224 SE 46th Ln, Cape Coral, FL 33904

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I have to say everything sounded delicious, but I was in the mood for lamb and my dining partner being a vegetarian also had many options to choose from. So we started with the Cauliflower Manchurian – Crispy batter fried Cauliflower florets with bell pepper, onions, broccoli in sweet and spicy sauce ($7.99). It was so fresh, crispy, and served hot. While it was spicy the sauce was perfectly balance with the right amount of spice. The portion was large enough for 2 or more to share.

My dining partner chose the Buddha Delight – made with local farm fresh vegetables and tofu in creamy coconut sauce, tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves and a side of Basmati rice ($12.99). The vegetables were fresh and cooked perfectly including the okra. Okra can have a bitter taste and be slimy if not cooked properly.

I chose the Lamb Saag which is juicy tender lamb cubes simmered in tasty creamy spinach sauce with a side of Basmati rice ($16.99). While it may not look appealing to some, it was so flavorful. The lamb was tender, and the creamy spinach sauce did not overpower the lamb.

We also had Garlic Naan – Naan bread topped with garlic and chopped cilantro ($4.99). That was just delightful!

The portions are large so plan on taking home leftovers. The service was excellent. The food served hot and quickly. The atmosphere is nothing special but seeing the food is excellent it really does not affect one’s experience. They do have a lunch buffet on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm which we want to be sure and try sometime.

Overall if you are feeling adventuresome, want fresh and flavorful food then India’s Grill Fort Myers is a must try.

Overall Rating: Splendid 

India’s Grill

4724 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907

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The restaurants longevity and expansion in size speaks to their success. These days it seems restaurants open and several years later are closed for a variety of reason.  So, we wanted to see for ourselves why this restaurant in so successful.

Sicily Trattoria is cute and a very open concept. One can see into the kitchen as they prepare your meals. They also have a small bar area.

We started their Arancini (Rice Ball $6). Theirs is filled with rice, Bolognese, peas, and cheese and is fried. It was excellent and so flavorful. If you like rice balls, then be sure to try theirs. For dinner we opted for the Lasagna ($18) and the Cavatelli with Bolognese sauce ($18).

The lasagna portion was very large, served hot and layered with flavor. Not all lasagnas are created equal but this one is excellent. Cavatelli is a pasta not often served in Italian restaurants. Cavatelli originated in the 1200’s in the southern region of Molise and it means little hallows. It is one of the oldest pasta shapes. Sometimes it is considered similar to the more widely known Gnocchi. Although they really are not similar at all.  It is best served with thick sauces, so we opted for the Bolognese. Their Bolognese was spot on with the taste but a bit thin and watery for my taste.  However, I would certainly return to have this dish again.

For dessert we could not resist the Sfogliatella ($4) served warm right out of the oven. They take 15-20 mins so it is best to order them when you are your meal. We did not do that, but it was well worth the wait. If you have never had one of these gems… they are layers of flakey dough filled with a custard-like mixture of semolina, sugar, ricotta, eggs, and a hint of cinnamon and citrus flavors. Traditional ones sometimes have candied citrus peels. I have to say they were absolutely spectacular and the best I have had in a very long time.

The service was a bit off as we were served our salads before the appetizer. There were a few other minor mistakes but as our server was new it was easy to be patient. She was very professional but friendly as well.

There are plenty of choices for Italian restaurants in Cape Coral, but you will want to add this one to your list.

Overall rating: Dannatamente Bene

 Sicily Trattoria

1211 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904

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The Lodge is a BBQ restaurant with a ski lodge theme. The décor is rather clever. Afterall, who would expect a restaurant with ski lodge décor in Florida? There are plenty of large TV’s showing a variety of sports games.

The service was rather good for most of our meal. We were warmly greeted. The hostess was friendly. Our server was prompt and friendly and attentive. As I said for most of the meal, we experienced good service. Where things fell short is after we were done eating and our meals boxed, we were presented with our check. We were not asked if we wanted anything else, we were not offered dessert or coffee. This, coupled with having to ask to have our plates cleared made the experience less than it could have been. However, it would not stop us from returning.  The food and drinks were served quickly and the food was hot.

We started our meal with some cocktails of course. They both were actually well made. For a starter we had the Hot Pretzel Sticks ($9.00)  Salted soft pretzels (4) served with their lodge Yuengling beer cheese blend. They were more like little, mini loafs of bread. The were so soft and light. Just delightful!

For our meals we opted for the Country Fried Steak ($16) Steak Cutlet, season/breaded and fried. Served with green beans, smashed red potatoes and white gravy. My dining partner had the ½ rack St. Louis Pork Ribs ($19) with smashed red potatoes and the waffle sweet potato fries.

The country fried steak was exceptional as were the 2 sides. So often the quality of the steak is poor but the cutlets they used were excellent. It is perhaps one of the best I have had in Fort Myers. The beans were fresh and cook/seasoned perfectly. The ribs were flavorful and tender and fall off the bone good. The waffle fries were excellent as well. The cornbread moist.

For dessert we shared The Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie ($7) Reese’s peanut butter filling, chocolate cookie crust with caramel and fudge drizzle and a dash of whipped cream. We thought it was going to be overly rich, but we were pleasantly surprised. It was light and super delicious! The coffee was excellent!

Despite the service issue it was a pleasant dining experience. The food is just exceptional. When downtown I would return and dine there again.

Overall Rating: Delightful

The Lodge

2278 First Street Fort Myers, FL 33901

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Whiskey Creek Station opened in April 2021 and on the menu, you will find some of Clancy’s favorites but that is where the ties to Clancy’s ends. They have a wide variety of comfort foods as well Senior Pepe’s Creations (lunch) like Fajitas, Tacos and Quesadilla’s.

While we went for dinner, we were in the mood for something lighter, so we settled on the Fried Grouper Sandwich ($18) Grilled, fried, blackened or crunchy fresh black grouper served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and fries. And the Cheeseburger ($12.00) Topped with grilled ham, bacon, pineapple, BBQ sauce and American cheese, served with lettuce, tomato, onion and fries. My dining partner asked for the burger to be medium well with just the onions and mayo. They delivered just as it was requested.  The Grouper was light, flakey and hot. It was served with the tarter sauce without having to ask for it. You would be surprised how often that happens. The fries were exceptionally good! The portions are good size, and we did not finish our meals so we could try one of their desserts. We opted for the Churros ($6) which were wonderful and went well with their coffee.

We had a small issue with our beverages as the hard plastic glass it was served in leaked but they happily replaced the beverage and cleaned up the leaky iced tea. What is interesting is the same this recently happened at a restaurant on the east coast we were dining at. What are the chances?

Whiskey Creek Station is a nice welcome addition to the restaurant scene. If you are looking to dine at a locally owned restaurant with a neighborhood feel, good comfort food and friendly service, then the Whiskey Creek Station is the restaurant for you.

Overall rating: Down home goodness extraordinaire

Whiskey Creek Station

11481 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919

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Mina’s offers a nice selection of Italian and Latin dining options. They also have pizza which was not available on the evening we went. They are open for lunch and dinner. They are located in the Colonial Shopping Center along with the Family Thrift Center, Achieva Credit Union and El Gaucho Inca restaurant.

It has a warm atmosphere and seats about 48 people. The evening we were there they were not busy at first but later on business picked up. The service at first was spot on. We were warmly greeted and seated. Service was timely and they checked back to see if everything was to our liking. However, after the meal was over that is when service slipped. That is also when they were busier and there was only 2 people working. We had to ask for coffee and we were not asked if we wanted dessert.

It often debated which is more important the food or the service. While both are equally important if one or the other is outstanding, it is easier to overlook a snag or two. Their service started out great and we could tell they just got busy for the number of staff present. So, this would certainly not prevent us from returning because their food was really excellent.

We started with some wine a house Pinot Grigio ($6.50) and the Maschio Prosseco Brut ($10) along with their Bruschetta ($7.05). The bruschetta was delightful with the right amount of garlic and fresh basil. It was a perfect way to start a meal.

For our meal we chose the Alfredo with Chicken ($20.74) served over Penne Pasta and the Mar e Monte ($20.12) Shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, fresh tomatoes and spinach tossed in a garlic white wine sauce served over Capellini pasta. The Alfredo sauce was light and not overly heavy as it can be sometimes. It was fresh made. The chicken was grilled and served on top which is unusual but was seasoned well. Overall just a wonderful dish.

The Mar e Monte had 5 large shrimp that were perfect, and the garlic white wine sauce was perfection. Capellini is delicate so this sauce was perfect to use with this type of pasta. The mushrooms and spinach were a tad over sauteed but wonderful none the less. Both dishes were cooked to order and were served hot.

Overall Mina’s Bistro is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that is just a delightful experience. We look forward to many more wonderful meals there and will be trying their pizza’s.

Overall Rating: Que Rico!

Mina’s Bistro Italian & Latin Cuisine

4391 Colonial Blvd #104

Fort Myers, FL 33966

https://www.minasbistro.com/

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This is a family owned and operated at this location since 2013. There first one opened in 1994 and they are all about Chicago. It felt to us like they are trying to capture they neighborhood pizzeria and restaurant where you go for good food and a wee bit (ok a lot) of sports. There is Chicago sports memorabilia throughout the entire restaurant. It gives it that family fun feeling.

While we tend to be NY pizza loving diners, we do enjoy a good Chicago pizza from time to time. So we gave their personal size a try ($13.99) . One of my dining companions preferred the Chicken Parm ($11.99) with no cheese and sauce on the side.  We also had the Fresca Caprese ($9.99) with Fresh Mozzarella with Tomato, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar & Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It also had Pepperoncini’s and Kalamata olives. For the pizza’s we had pepperoni and mushrooms.

The Caprese salad was large and very good. This we shared and we did not finish it as we wanted to have room for the pizza. The personal pizza were also large. We could only eat 1 ½ slices. The pizza’s were tasty. However, the crust on the bottom was not crispy at all…it was definitely brown enough to be crispy but alas it was very soft and kind of mushy. The Chicken Parm was tender and crisp and a nice portion size. They served the sauce on the side in a large bowl so there was more than plenty. The one thing we all noted was the salt level. Perhaps because none of us cook with salt but we did find the food to be a bit salty.

The service was adequate and friendly. They were not good about clearing away used dishes. We were not asked if we wanted coffee and or dessert.

Despite some short comings I would dine there again but would try one of their Streets of Chicago options like the Italian Beef or the Sausage and Peppers or even the combo of them both called the Chicago Combo, AKA Da Chief.

Joey D’s, though is a good place to take the family for dinner. The food is a good value for the price and a fun place to dine.

Overall rating:   Mezza Mezza

Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery & Pizzeria

3811 Kenny Dr  Sarasota Fl 34232

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