"New York New York Tiki Bar and Grille- South Titusville, FL- 4.5 Stars Local legend has it that one night, the owner of the new hotel as well as a great deal of surrounding land, Henry Titus, challenged Capt. Clark Rice to the naming rights of the burgeoning metropolitan area originally called Sand Point. Mr. Titus' choice of weapons for this historical duel? A rousing game of lethal dominoes! Well, OK. So it wasn't all that “lethal” and the final score of this legendary game of tiles was lost in time, the outcome is not, thus, in 1873 the place was re-named Titusville. Why did I mention the naming myth of Titusville, you ask? Well, I was in the neighborhood killing time between meals and thought a little local research would speed up the wait, besides, who doesn't find creation myths interesting? All that aside, it was time for my next meal and according to the genie in the name generator, I was going to be dining at New York New York Tiki Bar and Grille. Well, now I'm sad I left my grass skirt at home, but somehow, I'll manage. After being seated and shown a menu, including their specials, Tom introduced himself as our waiter and I must say that right out of the gate, I thought he was a creep at first but he rallied late and became a Big Boy Top 10 waiter. I put in an order for some Ropa Vieja, Braised Cabbage, and what the menu touted as “homemade” Blueberry Cobbler and a juicy burger (medium rare for my guest. It wasn't all that long before Tom was returning with our grub. After snapping a few pictures (just look at that salad! , I eagerly dug into the spread before me. I found the Ropa Vieja (a Cuban-inspired stew delectable the seasoning was spot on. The fresh pulled beef (read steak tomatoes, peppers, onions and black beans blended superbly over some deliciously seasoned yellow rice. The Braised Cabbage was spectacular. It was braised to perfection and served with sauteed onions and real bacon bits. Extraordinary!! Once again, I ask you to turn your attention to the picture of that side salad. Fresh Spring Green mix, fresh cherry tomato along with a garden-fresh sliced red onion. This is how a side salad should be done. This is why I do this. The Juicy Burger was grilled to a perfect medium-rare, served on a nice toasted bun and it was just as scrumptious as the rest of the food. Forget the name. Forget how it looks. If the rest of the menu is as good as these specials are, it's a total treat! The Big Boy says, “If you want delicious food made with obvious care and pride, put this place on your list!” #bigboydiningout #thebigboy"
