Monday, April 04, 2011

Jimmy Hula's Fish Tacos: Not Yet Well Seasoned

Don't eat these. Seriously.
The gas money to Cocoa is worth it.
They've only been open three weeks, but Jimmy Hula's Fish Tacos, Burgers and Beer had enough buzz around it that I thought it would a be a remedy for my fish taco hankering.

My Cliff and I usually head out to Cocoa Beach at times like these when the breeze blows at a few knots and all we really want is a Landshark Lager. The Sand Bar has our favorite versions of the San Diego Treat - all at once crispy, creamy with a jacked-up flavor.

I, at least, was disappointed. For $30, I expected much more from the four different mahi tacos offered. The Epic taco is a complete misnomer, crowded with over-mayonaissed coleslaw. The crispy fish on the Malibu taco sagged with sogginess (as any fried thing would when topped with watery pico de gallo and sour cream). The only bright spot in the meal was the Big Island taco with baby spinach, mandarin oranges (canned) and fresh mango salsa.

Don't expect redemption from the chips, either. They smelled and tasted like they'd been fried in the same oil the place used when it opened three weeks ago. No salsa to dip with either - Jimmy Hula's charges $1.99 for a 2-oz. cup of bland guac (I'm not sure how they pulled that one off) or the same for a microscopic portion of that same pico de gallo that soddened their "crispy" mahi.

The most glaring error, the most unfortunate, was that EVERYTHING (I meant to use the CAPS) was completely undersalted from the off-putting coleslaw to the fish itself. Kitchen at Jimmy Hula's: there is a salt shaker on the table. I used it. I shouldn't have had to.

$30 was a heavy price for three lackluster tacos, some stale chips and not a beer to be seen. I hope Jimmy Hula's gets their act together soon, or Winter Park peoples will be wishing for the Saikyo Sushi back.

14 comments:

Elena Maria said...

They were awful. John and I ordered one of each and none were good and they were expensive! Ugh.

Erica said...

I loved Saikyo and miss it terribly! I'll be trying Jimmy Hula's Wednesday and I'm not a fish taco fan. Fingers crossed that the burgers are okay...

Unknown said...

There is a salt shaker on the table so you can use it!!! Is that a new concept? I could understand if you were at a fine dining restaurant, bitching about the salt. Jimmy Hula's is anything but fine dining. Some people monitor their salt intake... maybe culinary school taught you to over season things just like they taught me to. I've been there twice now and I absolutely love it!! and to the other comment that they were expensive? really? 3.29-3.59? c'mon. come off your wallet, where are you comparing them to McDonalds? They still beat them across the board pretty much. Your just one of those people that bitch just to bitch so that your 20 followers of your blog and eat/not eat somewhere. So get off your glorified foodie soapbox and be real.

mbikman said...

Holly, I don't even live in Florida, but I just like reading your blog. Needless to say if I do visit Florida, I won't be eating there!

Anonymous said...

I felt the need to comment on your blog post which I found thru yelp.  Did you really signup on yelp just to write this review of Jimmy Hula's?  Really, why do you feel the need to be so nasty?  I have a relative who got a job at Jimmy Hula's in Winter Park and is very happy to finally have a job.  This new restaurant has provided jobs for 40 people.  Maybe you should think of the power of your words.  In these difficult economic times, I would think that we should all be encouraging anyone who is willing to take a risk and open a new restaurant - not slamming them before they even get started.  

This restaurant is obviously not a fine dining establishment.  It is a fun fast food restaurant selling $5 fresh fish tacos.  Your high brow criticism is out of place and mean-spirited.

Regarding your salt comment, maybe you do not pay attention to national news.  Heart disease is a leading killer of Americans.  The surgeon general and the American heart association have been campaigning Americans to reduce their sodium intake drastically.  The majority of our daily salt intake comes from hidden salt (Salt that is found in pre-packaged and restaurant prepared foods).  This restaurant is giving its' patrons the choice to salt or not.  Your need to salt your food is a personal choice.  Obviously you are young and do not have to worry about your blood pressure, but I am sure you have parents and/or grandparents.  Ask them!  It is irresponsible of you to encourage this restaurant to add more salt in the kitchen!

If you are so unhappy with this restaurant, then don't eat there.  That is your choice, but don't cause others not to go there.  What will that gain.  40 people unemployed and another empty building.  The sushi restaurant won't come back because of your blog.

If you wanted to do something positive, then why not go back to Jimmy Hula's and give them another try and take the time to talk to the management there.  They are really nice people who are working very hard to be a successful contribution to the community.   They are very open to suggestion and anxious to please. 

(By the way, it is my understanding that they had many patrons who requested LESS salt, and they accommodated them - and that is why there is less salt in the food when it comes out and salt on the table if you want it.)

I was born and raised in Winter Park and have lived here for more years than I care to share. I welcome any new restaurant to this area and wish them all success.  I would hope that you would do the same for the future of our neighborhood.

Elena Maria said...

Hey Holly. Do you have a recipe for a good fish taco I can make at home?

hollywog said...

Elena, Sure! I'll post this weekend! :)

Umesh said...

We were there Friday night. My wife had the Fish Tacos and I had a burger. Very disappointing. The only thing half decent were the curly fries. Not sure how you could screw those up though.

Jaclyn said...

Go get some lobster tacos from Ravenous Pig for $14 and your heart and mouth will sing!

Anonymous said...

This makes no sense to me. You think this place is expensive but would be willing to drive all the way to cocoa when gas prices are @ $3.70 a gallon to see a crummy beach and eat overpriced bar food. Jimmy Hula's gets better everytime I go there to eat. You should really be more open minded and give it another try.

hollywog said...

I'd rather spend $60 and travel further and eat amazing food than spend half that right down the street and eat mediocre food.

What's so hard to understand?

Clamby said...

Best hangover food ever!!! Sweet Potato fries? You gotta be kidding me! Heaven!

Kathy L. said...

How about you go check them out now its almost one year since they opened you'd be surpised how much more mouth-watering the food is! New places takes time to improve! You can't expect things to be perfect right off the bat we don't live in a perfect world!! Everything is made fresh and scratch there from the sauces to the food!! I love that Restaurant its a lovely place to relax and ignore the stresses of life with friends and GREAT Food, Which I believe is their main goal- to please the customers!!! Oh and yes it has given jobs to people who need it in the community! They are very family oriented, loving, sweet people who genuinely love intereacting with the community and provide great quality food to the best of their ability!!!

Anonymous said...

Horrible food and horrible service. I wouldn't recommend Jimmy Hula's to anyone.