J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (The Travelin Man)

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:01:06 GMT

ellen4641

I noticed that Carraba's headquarters are in Tampa.

As are their corporate parent, Outback Steakhouse. I did not know that Outback also owns/has a financial interest in Roy's and Fleming's Prime.

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (ellen4641)

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:55:01 GMT

Baah Ben

Ellen - I have an acquaintance who was the GM at Carrabba's for many years here in Daytona Beach. He told me they do everything from scratch there, too. Mentioned many times the fresh chicken breasts coming in each day. etc.

And their caring DOES show!
I really love the taste sensations of their Chicken Bryan and their Chicken Marsala, (hold the mushrooms, please) . The sauces on those chicken dishes are to die for.

I also love their Italian Salad; the dressing is excellent, and I like the unique way they cut up their carrots in little circles.
And those sourdough bread slices!! They are so fresh and perfect. I love dipping it in the imported olive oil & seasoning. And I usually have a few slices with my Breakstone Sweet Whipped Butter, as well..

The only big negative I found is that their sirloin steak marsala is not very tender.
(needs improvement, IMO). I tried some of my friends once during his b-day dinner there...we both agreed. I gave it one more chance the other week, in their combo "chicken marsala/steak marsala" dish. The nicest thing I can say about that one is that "I'm was grateful for the chicken marsala!"

There is a Carraba's about a mile away from me, and I usually do the curbside takeway..
For around 20-25 bucks, I can have a great dinner..
And that even includes a couple of bucks for the curbside delivery gal/guy...

I noticed that Carraba's headquarters are in Tampa.
There is even a full service Carraba's restaurant at the Tampa Airport, along with a take out section.
(Cute wording in the newspaper about it: "Garlic fumes may now permeate the plane cabin, now that Carraba's has opened"),

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (Baah Ben)

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:12:53 GMT

Ok then..Sometime in the future we'll all go to the Orlando location....Everyone is invited! Let's hope the place will still be open in this economy...

Ellen - I have an acquaintance who was the GM at Carrabba's for many years here in Daytona Beach. He told me they do everything from scratch there, too. Mentioned many times the fresh chicken breasts coming in each day. etc.

I was very surprised. Can anyone expound on this?

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (ellen4641)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:01:37 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Interesting. I knew there was a J Alexander's here in the Columbus, Ohio area, but I had no idea it was part of a chain.

See, there you go.....they even fooled MICHAEL HOFFMAN !

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (Michael Hoffman)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:20:14 GMT

Interesting. I knew there was a J Alexander's here in the Columbus, Ohio area, but I had no idea it was part of a chain.

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (ellen4641)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:46:31 GMT

Baah Ben

Perfect place for our eventual "meat up" I say.

I'm in !!
I almost went to the one in Tampa during the week...
Hey, I've attached yet another great write up about J Alexanders, this one is from the Toledo Blade. Discovered it a few weeks back while googling J Alexanders. It says how almost everything is made from scratch.
I really appreciate homemade salad dressings and sauces, etc.
toledoblade.com -- Dining Guide
•J. Alexander's, 4315 Talmadge

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (mayor al)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:02:12 GMT

I certainly agree that not all "Chains" should be labeled as "Evil". We have found some small and some quite large that certainly provide RoadFood...and GoodFood. Thanks for posting the info about this one.
AL

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (Baah Ben)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:39:40 GMT

Perfect place for our eventual "meat up" I say.

Re:J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (joerogo)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:55:12 GMT

Hey Baah Ben, I am always looking for a good stop in the Orlando Area. As you know they are few and far between.

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/dining/review.asp?rid=13984

Thanks for the info!

J Alexander's "Top of the Food Chain" Orlando Weekly 11/27/08 (Baah Ben)

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:27:39 GMT

This is a terrific article about a terrific chain. If you are not familiar with them, you can get an idea of what they are doing by accessing - orlandoweekly.com/dining/review

Not all chains are bad people..This one is a really good one and more than creative enough for my tastes. Right up there with Houston's IMHO.