Category: Wesley Chapel

By Gary Nager

For those of us who have lived and/or worked in and around Tampa the last 10-20 years, the name “Vallarta’s Restaurante Mexicana” is synonymous with delicious Mexican cuisine at very fair prices. The family-owned “chain” of Tampa-area restaurants started with its first location, on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, in 1989 and today has successful restaurants under the Vallarta’s “umbrella” in Carrollwood, Town & Country, Land O’Lakes and in the Wesley Chapel Village Market off S.R. 54 at Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

But, the newest link in the Vallarta’s chain is probably the most ambitious for my buddy Fabian, who also owns the Wesley Chapel location. A little more than a month ago, my friend Fabian opened his newest Vallarta’s in City Plaza at Tampa Palms, in the space most recently occupied by Ciccio’s Lodge, although this prime location next to Publix also has been The Lime, Winners Grill and the Boston Cooker.

In other words, it may seem like a great location, but some of the others may have not been able to maintain their respective successes in the space because they couldn’t offer what Vallarta’s has been able to do to not only survive, but to thrive at all of its locations — offer the best possible value for your money. That means you shouldn’t bet against this popular Mexican restaurant ending up a long-term winner in Tampa Palms, too.

The newest Vallarta’s may also be the prettiest of the group, with a revamped tile bar with flat-screen TVs, full liquor, including frozen margaritas in a variety of flavors, premium tequilas and rums, ice cold Dos Equis, Modelo, Pacifico and other favorite import and domestic beers on draft and more.

And of course, most folks start their meal with Vallarta’s signature (and addictive) puréed salsa and homemade tortilla chips. I also can recommend the lighter-than-most cheese dip, the spicy Mexican chicken soup, huge nachos supreme and fresh pico de .

Lunch combos are hugely popular at Vallarta’s, and cost only $5-$8, with only the steak or chicken fajitas lunch costing that much. Whether you like tacos, enchiladas, chalupas, chile rellenos, burritos, quesadillas or even huevos Rancheros (ranch-style eggs), you can enjoy jany combination of those items for as little as a fast food lunch Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

But, even at lunch (and certainly for dinner), I still prefer Vallarta’s more upscale steak, chicken and pork dishes. The carnitas (pork tips) are delicious and tender and you can even add red or green sauce.

The fajitas always come out sizzling and I usually enjoy a combination of beef (sliced flank steak) and chicken, although new sales and marketing assistant Antwon Gildon also raved about his fajitas Vallarta, which adds sizzling shrimp to the combo. And, if I could eat the shrimp, I would definitely try the ultimate fajita combo at Vallarta’s (certainly big enough for two), the Parrillada, which combines beef, chicken, pork, chorizo sausage and shrimp fajitas, with pico de gallo and all the sides.

But, I also love Vallarta’s ribeye steak choices, including the nicely spicy steak a la Mexicana, which is grilled with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes and onions and is my new favorite entrée at Vallarta’s, the batter-dipped steak Milanesas (although I don’t need the nacho cheese dipping sauce that comes with it), and the Vallarta’s special, which is like the steak Mexicana, without the jalapeños.

Vegetarians also have to be impressed with Valllarta’s vegetarian menu, which includes veggie fajitas, potato and bean burritos and a unique vegetarian combo — a burrito with squash, tomatoes, onions and jalapeños, plus one cheese enchilada, served with rice and beans.

And yes, Vallarta’s has an outstanding kids menu, with everything from hamburgers and hot dogs to tacos and enchiladas and all costing just $4.50, including a drink, for kids 12 and under. There’s even churros (like the ones sold at fairs, only better), fried ice cream and flan for dessert.

Vallarta’s (16023 Tampa Palms Blvd.) is open every day for lunch and dinner. Happy hour is every day, 2 p.m.-7 p.m. For more info, call 978-3761, visit VallartasTampa.com or see the ad on page 61 for great coupon specials. For Wesley Chapel, call 907-5161.

By Gary Nager

It’s hard to believe it’s already been six months since the Ker’s WingHouse opened on S.R. 54 (just west of the corner of Old Pasco Rd.). Of course, the Wesley Chapel location is just one of more than 20 WingHouse restaurants in Florida, and the company itself has a 20-year history in the Tampa Bay area. Founded by former Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos offensive lineman Crawford Ker, the first WingHouse opened in Largo in 1994 and there are plans to open locations throughout the Southeast.

All WingHouse restaurants are open for lunch and dinner and feature full-service bars with a wide selection of liquor cocktails and major domestic, imported, and specialty beers. Signature items include Ker’s famous “Naked” Chicken Wings — skinless drummettes that are marinated, baked, and tossed in one of Ker’s award-winning wing sauces — and the Dallas Burger: two juicy 8 oz BBQ burgers topped with bacon.

All WingHouse locations also feature state-of-the-art TV packages for all of the big games and Pay-Per-View boxing matches and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights.

But, of course, the main attraction at every WingHouse are the world-famous “WingHouse Girls.”

The girls are the foundation of Ker’s concept. These “ultimate girls next door” wait tables, tend bar, work as hostesses, participate in brand promotions and are the company’s cheerleaders — and the primary reason the Wesley Chapel and other locations are all so popular. Wesley Chapel general manager Tony Santos promises that his WingHouse girls are always attractive, polite and provide great service, positive attitudes and pretty smiles — all to encourage guests to make frequent visits and become loyal customers.

Every month or so, each WingHouse has certain days called “Dress to Impress,” where the girls wear special outfitts or costumes. The two most recent were the always-fun Halloween and Military days in October and November, respectively. The next “Dress to Impress” will feature the girls as “Santa’s Little Helpers” on Friday, December 20, and Tony promises that although the outfits can be a little more risqué at other locations, “We usually have the girls tone it down a little for this location, because we get so many families here.”

And, with so many beautiful young women working at all of the WingHouse locations, the company puts out an awesome yearly calendar (buy yours at the Wesley Chapel location), which for 2014 features two of your Wesley Chapel WingHouse girls — Alex (photo left) and Skyla.

But of course, this is still mainly a dining review and I’m definitely a fan of not only WingHouse’s aforementioned “naked” wings (I prefer the medium Buffalo-style, blackened and Asian versions), but also of the huge “Grouper’s Teammate” and mahi-mahi sandwiches, which I prefer grilled or blackened with a side of WingHouse’s perfectly spicy red cocktail sauce.

I also have enjoyed some of the WingHouse’s great daily lunch (served 11 a.m.-4 p.m.) specials, including Monday’s meatball sub, the hot ham & cheese sandwich on Thursday and fried fish & chips on Friday.

I’m also partial to the regular WingHouse burger, although there are some options that I’ve heard people rave about, including the mushroom Swiss burger. I also have had no problem devouring any of the four wrap sandwiches on WingHouse’s menu, although my favorite is the big Philly cheesesteak wrap. I’ve never sampled WingHouse’s Texas chili or chicken and sausage gumbo, but I do enjoy the zesty chicken tortilla soup. And, WingHouse’s salads are fresh, huge and share-able. There’s even a great kids menu and desserts like New York-style cheesecake, Key lime pie and ice cream.

For more info about the Wesley Chapel Ker’s WingHouse (5510 Post Oak Blvd.), call 428-7157, see the ad on page 30 for great coupon specials (including a buy-one-16-oz.-draft-beer-&-get-the-second-one-free and a buy-six- lunches-get-the-seventh-lunch-free special) or visit WingHouse.com. And, please tell Tony and the girls we sent you.