By Gary Nager
If you’re looking for a casual mom & pop kind of place to eat with great prices, fast, friendly service and truly delicious food for breakfast, lunch or dinner — all at great prices — you definitely should try the new Dine or Dash.
Located in the space in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza (about two miles south of the Pasco County line on Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.) previously occupied by La Cubanita Café, Dine or Dash owners Andrew and Becky Kail have retained (and upgraded) many of the former owners’ Cuban dishes, but also have added a great variety of Italian and American favorites, as well as a complete breakfast menu available throughout the day.
Becky, who previously owned her own successful restaurant in her native Detroit, and Andrew, who has spent most of his adult working life with a variety of national chain restaurant concepts, are excited about the prospects for Dine or Dash.
“We love the look of the restaurant, the design of our menu and the reactions so far to the food,” Becky says. “We hope everyone who reads the Neighborhood News will come in and tell us they read about us and will give us a try.”
I definitely plan to help with that, Becky. The first dish I knew I had to try for breakfast was the challah French toast, which features some of the tastiest, fluffiest French toast ever, with a hint of cinnamon. It’s served with two eggs (I had them over easy), and your choice of bacon, sausage links or patties. I substituted Becky’s unique hash brown casserole, which includes not only a layer of delicious melted cheese but also a unique flavor twist with a hint of sour cream. Yum! And yes, it came out extra crispy, as I ordered it.
I’ve also enjoyed Dine or Dash’s bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on grilled Cuban toast and look forward to trying the three-egg omelets, ribeye steak & eggs, blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes and breakfast burritos.
For lunch or dinner, I don’t think you can go wrong at Dine or Dash. With great Cuban specialties like ropa vieja, roast pork in mojo sauce, empanadas, deviled crab, ham croquettes and great Cuban sandwiches (office assistant Jill Reilly loved the combo of ham, pulled pork, salami, Swiss cheese and pickles on the Cuban).
I’ve also enjoyed the breaded whitefish entrée, the Mediterranean chicken and the breaded steak Siciliano at Dine or Dash and graphic artist Nate Ciurla raved about the chicken parmigiana dinner, which (like many of Dine or Dash’s entrées) is available in small or large sizes.
My favorite dish so far, however, is the pasta with broccoli, which was served al denté in a light garlic butter sauce and served with garlic bread. I added perfectly grilled chicken to mine and demolished the entire meal, after promising myself to take half home for later.
I haven’t sampled any of the sandwiches other than the steak Siciliano, but there’s everything from a Cuban BLT to breaded or grilled whitefish, a chicken club and a Kosher-style Boar’s Head hot dog served in what Becky calls a Michigan Original Coney Island dog, served with no-bean chili, onions and mustard.
The children’s menu (for ages 12 & under) includes everything from homemade chicken strips and fries to pasta with marinara sauce, a Cuban grilled cheese and fries, mac & cheese and more, all for just $4-$5 each.
As for desserts, Dine or Dash still has great items in a bakery display like trés lechés, cakes, flan and more and Andrew also let us sample the unique and decadent waffle ice cream sandwich. And, all of the dessert items go great with Dine or Dash’s delicious café con leché, espresso or American coffee.
Catering & ‘Dash Meals To Go!’
Dine or Dash also can handle just about any size catering order, even for up to 100 people or more. From sandwich and salad box lunches to buffet-style meals with everything from Swedish (or Italian) meatballs to chicken cacciatore and picadillo, pasta trays and so much more, you definitely should call when planning your next party.
Becky and Andrew also are proud of their new “Dash Meals to Go,” where you can get up to an entire week’s worth of meals prepared for you to pick up on Monday and serve to your entire family.
All you do is send an email to DashMeals@dine-or-dash.com to get each week’s weekly specials. Then, place your order by Friday and you can pick up your selections on Monday.
Dine or Dash (19040 BBD Blvd.) is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call 632-9100, visit Dine-or-Dash.com or see the ad on page 37 of this issue.
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