I am not a fan of most restaurant food. I prefer my food home cooked. Restaurant food has disappointed me too many times to make me think otherwise. Yet, after a little place called Mad Dogs and Englishmen served me possibly the best restaurant meal I’ve had in a long time on Friday night, I'm thinking about reconsidering those opinions.
Located on MacDill Avenue in South Tampa, Mad Dogs and Englishmen has been around for about a decade now. I’ve visited it about half a dozen times over the years, but never ordered more than an appetizer. I mainly went for the fine selection of beer and wines and the outdoor patio. vOn a cool Florida night, the outdoor patio accompanied by a friend and a cool beer is a very nice place to be. Mad Dogs and Englishmen is an “authentic” British eatery run by a British ex-pat and featuring a few brits in the server department. While the menu has all the recognizable British food (Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, etc.), their menu is not limited to just British food. It’s a unique menu featuring familiar items like steak and sandwiches made with new, yummy twists.
I took a date there on Friday night hoping the food would be just good enough to pass while we had our drinks, but I was completely surprised when the meals turned out to be really good! First of all, I knew I would have to bring a lot of money as Mad Dogs is not a cheap place. Beer prices start at $4 and go up from there. Glasses of wine run $5 and higher. The dishes on the menu start at $10, but most are in the $13, 15 & 18 dollar range with a number of dishes at $20 plus.
As it turns out, the money is well spent, as both our meals were delicious! I ordered the fish & chips and she had the New York strip steak. The portions were large and filling. The steak was luscious served with a choice of vegetable. My fish and chips boasted the most yummy portion of fish I’ve possibly ever tasted; thick, delicate and with a crunchy batter that kept me wanting more.
The wait staff was pleasant and the owner very accommodating. I love sitting out on their patio, but it fills up fast on a Friday night. The interior of the restaurant has a pleasant antique-y type feel; walls of art, old looking pillars and a bar that gives the illusion of being around awhile. While I may not be able to eat at Mad Dogs and Englishmen on a regular basis due to its steep prices, I will visit it whenever I want to go somewhere classy yet still down to earth.
