Bradenton Eats

Coldstone Creamery
www.coldstonecreamery.com
7476 Cortez Road W, Bradenton
(941) 761-3252

After going dinner and then out to the beach for walking and talking we all decided to go to Coldstone's for dessert. If you don't know about Cold Stone you start off with your base flavor of ice cream (I recommend Cake Batter) of the 30 they have and then they mix in your favorite Mix-ins (someone was creative) on a cold stone(again) so the ice cream doesn't melt. Basically it's a make your own specialty ice cream, the kids love this one! They have three sizes Like it(small), Love it(medium), and Gotta have it (large), and the whole crew sings if you tip them. Fun little songs, great dessert, and it'll make ya smile. I'm pretty consistent with getting the Birthday Cake Remix (cake batter ice cream, brownie, sprinkles, and hot fudge) I've loved this one since my first trip to Cold Stone. Today I changed it up and got peanut butter instead of hot fudge, oh yeah, that was tasty. I don't remember what everyone else got, but everyone enjoyed it. Starbucks is two doors down and there is lots of outdoor seating, though this place get pretty busy.

Posted by Derek at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Lee Roy Selmon's
www.leeroyselmons.com
6510 Cortez Road, Bradenton
(941) 798-3287

This is a relatively new restaurant that opened the Tuesday before Fathers Day. They must be good because this was our third time here. Eating here on the weekends (or any of the Outback, Bonefish chain) is to utilize their call ahead seating. Call at least an hour ahead of time and your wait time will be half the walk-up time or less. 6 of us at 7 pm when the wait 50 to 60 minutes and our wait was 10 minutes, that's a great thing. I get the sweet tea here as well, good stuff, brewed and southern sweet, just the way I like it. Started off with the full order of combo nachos (all of their appetizers are also available as half orders) ordered with tomatoes and okra (yea, it was a little weird but it's pickled spicy okra so same tase as jalepeno just different consistency) on the side. Came with the tomatoes on them, not happy about that, but these nachos are awesome. Cheese, queso, pulled pork, chicken breast, and some seasoning that just makes this one of a kind awesome. I got the southern twisted chicken which is smashed potatoes, maple bacon creamed corn, cheese, grilled chicken, and sour cream (comes with tomatoes normally, I requested none). This is another one that your never really sure if you like but just keep eating because it's good. 4 of the 6 of us got this and everyone like it. Number 5 got the hall of fame burger, medium rare. They have great burger but haven't perfected cooking them, consistency is lacking. Always taste great just not cooked to order. Number 6 got the pulled pork sandwhich but was not a fan of the bbq sauce on it. They have huge meals and all 3 times eating here haven't had room for dessert at the restaurant, there's always next time.

Posted by Derek at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Grandma Yoder's
5896 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
(941) 739-2918

This is one of our favorite restaurants for a home cooked style of meal in Bradenton, Florida. They are your typical Amish style restaurant with great breads, sandwiches, and DESSERTS! They have some of the best sweet tea in Bradenton so we almost always get that. For lunch it's always a toss-up between Aunt Tina's Chicken sandwhich or their manhattans. Today it was Aunt Tina's chicken sandwhich for both of us, it's so good with the homemade bread, huge grilled chicken breast, cheese, bacon, and thousand island dressing. Oh so good! The sandwhiches were huge so no dessert today, but Friday is the best day because it's carrott cake day.

Posted by Derek at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

The first of many posts to come of eating on day in and day out basis in Bradenton, Florida. There are numerous restaurants to choose from and this will be a journal of words and pictures as we eat our way around Bradenton, Sarasota, and the other cities of Florida.

Posted by Derek at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments