Business #1: Bravo's Pizzeria
Business #2: La Playita
Business #3: Gilbert's El Indio Restaurant
Why I can't live without these three businesses: Bravo's Pizzeria - When you find yourself hungry on Main Street, a jumbo slice of Bravo's Pizzeria will hit the spot! Bravo's Pizzeria is extremely authentic, as it is thinly sliced New York Style Pizza. The cost is ideal because they sell by the slice, and there are almost always "2 for 1" specials, where you can get two slices for the price of one. With a wide variety of cheese, pepperoni, vegetable, sausage, and their famous Bravissimo Pizza (chicken, organic red and green peppers, onions, and delicious cheese), one has many different slices to choose from. In fact, my dad grabbed a late night snack last night at Bravo's and they didn't even "ring him up" until after he was done eating. That way, when you figure out that you want another slice (let's be honest, you know one will urge you to have more), the convenience factor is off the charts! The people who work at Bravo's are so out-going, so friendly. In fact, almost all of the hosts and hostesses are former and recent "SAMOHI" Alums! Not only will you be able to fulfill all of your Italian fantasies, but you can catch up with your old friends who you used to look up to in high school. The coolest thing about Bravo's is that you can bring your dog into the outdoor side courtyard where you can even get them a cup of water to sip on too! Put it this way, no creature will go thirsty or hungry at Bravo's Pizzeria! Oh, and guess what? They even fly in cannolis from New York City. Some people go 2,350 miles away to the Big Apple for a cannoli, when in reality, you can hitch on down to Main Street and get either a vanilla or a chocolate cannoli with cream filling inside. After two pieces of large, scrumptious pizza and an ice cold lemonade, believe me when I say, that the cannoli will cap off a memorable, great experience at Bravo's.
La Playita - If you want to have real, authentic Mexican food, you need to make your way to the corner of Lincoln Blvd. and Ozone Street. La Playita is all-natural food that is extremely filling for an insanely reasonable price. For $1.50 you can get two tacos with any meat that you desire, and a burrito for $4 is bigger than a baby's head! But boy, I'll tell you, that the shrimp cocktail at La Playita is unbelievable. With a tasty lemon/tomato-flavored juice with cilantro filling in the liquid, along with jumbo shrimp throughout, the avocado slices are what puts the shrimp cocktail in a league of its own. And I'm not talking about the movie "She's Out of Your League," because if you take your significant other to La Playita, she will be in your league! La Playita is such a cool place because it is a little shack on a corner. This creates a very unique atmosphere of not only eating traditional Mexican food, but taking in the culture using all of your five senses. In fact, when you order, you can see your food being put together. How cool is that? What tops off delicious chicken tacos and shrimp cocktails is drinking a refreshing "Jarritos." You cannot find these authentic Mexican sodas at any given liquor store. These are original and with choices of lime, strawberry, tangerine, and more; you are living "The Good Life," as Kanye West would say, at La Playita.
Gilbert's El Indio Restaurant- Gilbert's Restaurant is such a fun place to go to. Every single night, great service is provided with a warm, social vibe, as pictures of all different kinds of people are decorated all around the restaurant. I have been going to eat at Gilbert's since I was a baby, and believe me, my parents have appreciated the full bar, along with comfortable booths for the youngsters, Gilbert's is a place attractive for all ages and sizes. I highly recommend going to Gilbert's on a Tuesday night for the well-known tradition, "Taco Tuesday." Now, Don Antonio's, El Cholo, El Torito all provide good "Taco Tuesday" experiences, but what sets Gilbert's apart is the price of the tacos and the efficiency in which your meal is provided. Tacos are $1 a piece! With a choice of hard shelled or soft shelled tacos and a range of steamed chicken, grilled chicken, beef, steak, and potato tacos, even Sasquatch's hunger will be satisfied! Your tacos will take no longer than ten minutes guaranteed, and I will assure you that you will be doubly satisfied with crunchy chips and salsa, and spicy carrots and onions in the meantime. Plus, the nice waiters and waitresses come around frequently to ask you if you would like seconds, and not if but when you want seconds, the tacos keep coming at a fast rate! Think about that! At Chipotle or Pollo Loco, 8 tacos would cost you at least $12, where at Gilbert's, you are satisfied while only paying the price of $8! If you are a real daredevil and you want to grub tough, go for the T-shirt price: If you eat 21 tacos, you get a free T! With a choice of orange, red, green, blue, black, white, and purple, you can rock your new T to school the next day with that priceless feeling of being satisfied at "Taco Tuesday." Next thing you know, that hot girl or guy you've been looking at, is going to say to you, "Hey, I like your new swag!" Life is better at Gilbert's El Indio Restaraunt!
Submitted by: Joey Rosenblum
Friday, December 7, 2012