Cocoa Beach "area"--Review's and Photo's

**NOTE:... I changed the subject title to reflect the whole area here, and not just CB.

I had not intended to make a post for my stay here in Cocoa Beach, but I have had fun discovering old and new places.
First up:
Beachside local bar/restaurant.
[url='http://www.sandbarsportsgrill.net/']The Sandbar in Cocoa Beach[/url]

I had been here for cocktails and to relax by the beach while listening to live music when I used to live in the area, but this time, I was intent on getting something to eat while just kicking back.
I was quite hungry and decided to get an order of onion rings while deciding.

Now, I am not really an onion ring type of person, but with the sun, sand, music and a beer, they seemed just right.
I am usually leery of onion rings, but this time I was quite surprised.
They were HUGE, THICK and piping hot.
They came with a chipotle/ranch dipping sauce. I tried it and not being a ranch tye person, I grabbed the ketchup. But they were so good, I didnt even dip but one ring. No dipper needed here!
I didnt want to spoil my main item, so I made myself quit after 4 of them!



With the large assortment of items, I just couldnt make my mind up!
Fish Taco's, Shrimp Fajita's, 10 oz burger?

I opted for a most unusual item at a beachy type place.
Pizza!--I had heard it was good..so I decided on the Margherita Pizza.
Very nice!--I got a 14" (the smallest they offer), as where I am staying right now has a fridge and a nuker, and of course, Gigi loves the crust. I knew it would be good later on, and possibly in the AM.
Very tasty, garlickly, zesty sauce, and a nice amount of tomatoes, and then cilantro, as opposed to basil.
Which suited me just fine. I knew it was on there, as they have a very nice description of all the food items.
Being a basil and cilantro lover, I was ecstatic to try that little twist on my favorite style pizza.
Now, I must go back and try a few other items that caught my eye.
I had no clue what a decent little place this was.
And you just cannot beat the atmosphere!

Hey,that pizza looks good...Cilantro huh!!!

We're going to back in Florida in about a month. Just a bit south of here in Vero. Hope to try this place.

Cilantro on a pizza doesn't sound right to me. I disagree with the trend of trying to cram cilantro into every dish.

Those onion rings do look tasty but please tell me that that is not cilantro on top of those as well right?

After looking at there menu I would have to go back numerous times to figure out what was the best.

Great report by the way!!!

Cilantro is not for everyone. Nor are many things.

I LOVE cilantro, so I thought it was a change of pace as opposed to the usual basil on that type of pizza.
That is why I posted/said what I did.

Hey. If you dont like it, dont order it, OK?..

Their menu clearly states everything on it.
That I like in a menu, instead of getting a surprise that I didnt want!

NON-cilantro lovers, steer clear of that pizza..

Thats all I can say.
Seatown..
No.. that is parsley on the O'rings.

Good beachy atmosphere with the usual beach type people roaming around, yet still a friendly place with tourist's, as it is a tourist town. A special every day of the week.
Open aired, but yet has additonal seating under the shade.
Not that cool, but with the fans, at least the air is circulating.
Smoking is only allowed on the outside patio area.
Fla restaurants are all non smoking.
Bars, yes, but restaurants is a no no unless they have outside seating.

Very good assortment of menu items.
And right on the beach.
Hit the beach, then wander over for a bite to eat.

quote:

Originally posted by essemjay58

Cilantro on a pizza doesn't sound right to me. I disagree with the trend of trying to cram cilantro into every dish.

Better than that era of lemon garlic seasoning that went around 15 years ago and is still on many places menus.
My senses still reel when I see a "lemon-garlic seasoned" pork tenderloin, or chicken entree'.

Hi Roosy90,

So, you're back in-state?

Interesting pizza. Cilantro certainly goes with tomatos and garlic (think pico de gallo). What kind(s) of cheese did the pizza have on it?

I'm an onion ring kind of guy, and those ones look good.

Also in Cocoa Beach, Mainely Lobster serves up a very reliable Lobster Roll. Not the best I've had, but, hey, you're on a beach in FL.

http://mainelylobsterseafoodandtakeout.com/home

quote:

Originally posted by cavandre

Also in Cocoa Beach, Mainely Lobster serves up a very reliable Lobster Roll. Not the best I've had, but, hey, your on a beach in FL.

http://mainelylobsterseafoodandtakeout.com/home

They have been around for quite some time. I just might stop in there for my late lunch today. Unless a Media Noche from Robertos Little Havana has a stronger voice in my head.
Or their Pork chunks in the mojo sauce.
But Lobster roll, mmm, I havent' had one since I left Maine.
[url='http://www.robertoslittlehavana.com/files/31832583.pdf']Roberto's Menu[/url]
---------
MiamiDon-It was mozzarella, and a bit too much for my tastes. I am a light cheese kind of pizza eater. It still was pretty good.
I would order it again, but they have several other ones that also looked interesting.

Not too far from CB, is Little Phillie's, located at 190 Rt. A1A (just south of the Pineda Causeway), Satellite Beach.

Haven't been there yet, but keep hearing some good things. This guy was selling cheesesteak sandwichs out of a truck in the area, but the volume got too big to handle in that small space, so he rented some real estate for a bigger operation.

Ok.. So I just couldnt wait for a lobster roll.
Went down, and got one.
I was pleasantly surprised!
Good amount of meat, served on the traditional N.E. style roll, and not that much mayo, which is a killer for a lot of lobster rolls. Just the perfect size for me.
Yeah, its tasted as good as it looked, but the $15.83 price tag will keep me from having them on a regular basis.
Total thumbs up for Maine'ly Lobster!
You also get a wide assortment of choices for a side, including hushpuppies, but I chose the slaw. That was good also, although I am not a celery seed lover in my own.
While I was there, most of the outside tables were taken up with the patrons eating everything from a fish sandwich, fish fingers, steamed shrimp, and snow crab legs.
I meant to run into the adjoining market to check the local pricing for lobster, etc...
You can get them steamed, they also have NE steamers, and shrimp (head on -ugh)--that turned me off. I love steamed shrimp, but dont want to look at their little black eyes and antenna while ripping their shells off!





And since I was 2 blocks from Robertos, I ran in and got a Media Noche to go.
Just like a Cubano, but made with sweet egg bread, instead of the harder cuban bread. I like them equal enough, but hadn't had a media noche in quite some time.
You get a choice of FF, OR a choice of 4 different soups as a side with the sandwich. I chose black bean. I think she said, black bean, red bean, chicken noodle and I cant remember the other one.
I just sampled it, and its very tasty, I am glad I thought to add a couple dashes of hot sauce before I left the restaurant. When I make my own, I always put hot sauce in it while cooking.
They also included a separate side of fresh diced onions as a garnish for the soup.
So here is Roberto's.
I noticed that there is more ham than pork, but it was still tasty.




If you can see, the soup has bell peppers and tomato and a bay leaf.
I added the onions (in the to go container) after the picture was taken.

Looks like you've found your way back home kiddo

Oh, that beautiful golden bread in the cuban....and that unbelievable lobster. I'd go broke in a week from eating lobster at every meal. Maybe I could get it out of my system that way, but I doubt it.

This is my very first post. I love to lurk and read all the reviews, but usually don't have much time to post. However, I had to respond to this one since I live in CB. I have never been to the Sandbar, but have been meaning to. However, Mainely Lobster and Roberto's are tops. Another gem is Cape Codder. The seafood is so fresh and wonderful, especially the fried scallops which I love.

I'm enjoying your reports, we too are moving back to Florida after a 15 year absence. We'll be a little south of you in the Vero area but Cocoa is only a hop up the road to get some good chow.

I will be doing more reports while I am still staying in CB.
I have no doubt this post will be very long until I find my abode.

Like I said, I never even thought about making a thread out of my stay here, but since I will be eating out alot, I may as well do the reviews.

I am on an active search for a home, and looks like I might be stuck here in a hotel for possibly a month.
Which I really hope not.

Much rather be cooking my own chow in my own home....Even though it wouldnt be a bad thing at all. I mean, shoot.. I can be making purple runzas again!

But, I cant spend all my money on an extended vacation.
I do have a full sized fridge and a super nuker in my "suite"--(if thats what you want to call it) here.
More to come... and have no clue what I will be eating.
Cavendre has had some suggestions and I know many many places, so there is no lacking of food to show you.
TTM also, being a local has a thread which I have referred to for places also, that I have not been. Some yes, but some no.

JohnA--Yah. home. (I feel much better here than I did for the last 3 years prior.-your God daughter is still jiggy, but slowly adapting to the small quarters)

CES-- there are a few of us Roadfooders in the area--maybe one day, we can all have a meet n greet n eat!

CBSandy... I am more than welcome to all suggestions for some good food.
And welcome to Roadfood, we are pretty friendly here, well most of us, and please dont be shy!..
We all love food porn, so make sure you take loads of photos if you want to share with us!

Roosy,

We moved to this area (Suntree/North Melbourne) three years ago, so we're a little sketchy on area history. Was the Green Turtle Market open when you were last here? (http://www.greenturtlemarket.com/) It will help you stock that mini-fridge. If you can't find Taylor Ham, I know that Petty's (http://www.pettysmeatmarket.com/ ) carries it, along with a great selection of cheeses.

If you're in the Rockledge/Viera area & want some good NYC style pizza, I suggest that you grab a slice at Brooklyn Pizza & Pasta ( http://brooklynpizzapasta.com/ ). I think it's better than the Bizarro's at A1A & Rt. 192.

Welcome back to the neighborhood,
Rich

Note for locals: Mainely Lobster sells packages of those New England buns on the fish market side of the operation, so you can take them home, toast them & then fill them with your favorite hot dog.

I bet cilantro on a margherita is pretty good; lovely pizza. And I'm so jealous of you Floridians being able to get good cubans and black beans pretty easily. (sigh) Tara, good luck with the home-hunting!

Keep GiGi happy with a little, very little, taste of some leftovers now and then. Any possibility of employment at any of these places?

roossy90, You are a true road warrior. I am sure this move is pretty stressfull and it looks like you are handling it very well.

Cilantro on Pizza? Can't wait to try it. I love the stuff.

Hello all ,

As my parents lived in Merritt Island throughout most of the 90's , my vacation time was spent primarily in Cocoa Beach and Florida in general.

Is Bunkys Oyster Bar still in Satellite Beach on A1a , the best conch fritters I've ever had and that includes a few places in Key West .

Enjoy the beach and remember to say hello to Ron Johns for me

Benzee

quote:

Originally posted by Benzee

Hello all ,

As my parents lived in Merritt Island throughout most of the 90's , my vacation time was spent primarily in Cocoa Beach and Florida in general.

Is Bunkys Oyster Bar still in Satellite Beach on A1a , the best conch fritters I've ever had and that includes a few places in Key West.

Enjoy the beach and remember to say hello to Ron Johns for me

Benzee

Mom lived in Merritt Island from 1990-til her death in 2004.
I was here from 1998 til when she passed on. Then we sold her home in 2005, and thats when I did the move.
I never thought I would miss it that much to come back, but I did.
I was quite unhappy in the Redneck Riviera.

I am staying here on the beach while hunting.

Benzee--Bunkys, actually has a new place where Dino's/Franks used to be on SR520 just west of A1A in CB. Across from Old Fla Seafood House area.
AND.. Its RON JON.. No "s"....LOL...In fact, I am 3 blocks from the store.
In fact, there is a restaurant in Myrtle Beach called Ron Jon's, and RJ tried to sue them and lost. In fact, they use a very similar lettering and logo style in their signs.
And a RON JON Surf shop just opened a year ago in the Myrtle Area.

My mothers husband used to love to go to Bunkys in Sat. Bch. I am not sure if they are still there, or just opened an additional location here in CB.
I am still getting the feel of the place again, and I see some have changed, and others are still here.

I also found out about Bernards Surf.
The original family, The Fischers sold out a couple years ago, and now is just called The Surf.
They did not retain the Rusty's Raw Bar section or the Fischers name of it.
But the Rustys in the port is still active.
Good to have friends that give me the poop on the local happenings.

I hope to be back on the Island, as that is where most of my friends are, and my old stomping grounds.
(besides the Keys, and cannot afford to go back there)

Joe-This has been a bit stressful not even knowing where I will be living, but I have been here, done that, and have faith.

Things are pretty busy here for the summer season. I was quite surprised at how active it is are now. The dead time will come after Labor day, and I hope I have a job by then.

On tap for tonight is Kay's BBQ. She is the former wife of Fat Boys BBQ Founder, and got this location I do think as part of the divorce decree, and made it her namesake.
She has the best smoked wings, and of course a side order of sweet potatoe fries will be ordered.
I cant wait. I hope things have not changed in 3 years![url='http://www.brevardmenus.com/Kay's.htm']Kay's Real Pit BBQ[/url]

OK...
Started with wings... Smoked of course.
Sorry, its kind of blurry, but I couldnt get the "smoke" look further away. I got medium which was really mild, and I should have got the sauce on the side, as to see the smoking better.
10 wings $7.20---I ate 4, and rest are to go.


Then I decided to get the pork and beef plate-$10.49 with 2 sides and garlic bread.
Oh.... the beef was oh so nice and rare. The red rare coloring didnt show up so well, but it was VERY rare!-- You had a choice of rare or done. I am a rare kind of person, so it was a no brainer for me.
About 5 slices of each meat.
And my sides are obvious. Thats alot of beans!
Beans were so so good, and so were the sweet potato fries.
I ate all the beans, 2 pieces of beef, 1 slice of pork and 1 garlic bread.
Looks like lunch tomorrow, so I ordered another order of garlic bread to take home for the meat. 3=$2.25.
Wow... I am stuffed!
Love the new plates they have. Those are actually plastic!

I really like Kays BBQ!



Then... on the way home I spotted something unusual, which is on this thread.
[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29082']Oscar?[/url]

Also, I noticed the demise of Tony Roma's in Merritt Island.
(No big deal there!)

It is now this!
Guess for UncleVic's sake, I will have to check it out!
Car show was in the parking lot. I saw mosty Corvettes-a few hot rods and an old Charger. I know there is a local Vette club, in addition to other types of cars in this area.
So long rib's.... Hello--Weenies![url='http://www.dogsbarandgrill.com/']Dog's[/url]

Hi there, Tara girl,

As always, another great report. BUT, I know, this time you are "on the move". Darn, those onion rings look grand, even with the cilantro, which I love. And, all of the rest looks pretty fine, as well.

You sound like you are happy as a clam to be back in Florda. I wish you all the best in settling in. Thanks for all your great reports.

Warmest best wishes for finding a new home and job you like. Keep us posted!!

Roossy90 - Hope you will be able to meet us at The Brickyard Lounge in October now that you are in Florida.

As Kay's has beef, does that mean they are more of a Texas style barbeque?

We usually go to Charlie & Jakes for their pulled pork & also their in-house brewed beers. Now that I think about it, I probably go there for the beer first & the pork second.

Hello there ,

Tony Romas is gone . A sad day indeed . Have very fond memories of having dinner there with my Dad just a few weeks before he was taken from us .
My parents lived walking distance to Tony Romas , the "new" Walmart ( was there for the grand opening ) and of course the one and only Spankys on Banana River Dr.
Of course RONJON spent many a vacation dollar there . Remember before all the upgrades and you could pull into the lot right in front of the place .

My all time favorite dive has to be the old Castaways on A1a . best pigs in a blanket I've had , a little greasy . When you walked in there were pictures of all the shuttle teams on the wall . A pitcher of beer out on the back patio and you were set . They changed the name , and owner and now is the Sandbar . Fantastic !!!! Glad you liked it . Great photos of the place .
How about Frankies Wings and things at the Port . Is it still there ? A buddy of mine still talks about the 911 style wings he had one time , the hottest they come . He had sweat poring off of him BEFORE he even started eating them .

Fond memories

Benzee