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Review: RoosRoast Coffee – Portland in the 90s and Lobster Butter Love

I worked out of cafes all day in the pre-pandemic era so I’ve been trying to adapt to being home more and still finding a way to explore different coffees. In a way getting coffee delivered is a big game changer since I am more inclined to buy coffee from around the nation than usual.

A friend recommended RoosRoast based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and I decided to give them a try. I ordered myself an 8 oz. bag of Portland in the 90s ($8) and 8 oz. bag of Lobster Butter Love ($8) to try. Both darker roasts.

RoosRoast is rated in the Top 10 in Michigan by MLive.com. Like many entrepreneurs, John Roos started his business in his garage. The business has now grown to have multiple locations and is sold at major retailers.

I loved the packaging of the coffee and the way it was delivered with a personalized postcard. I feel like the little touches definitely improve a customer service experience, especially since I can’t actually travel to Michigan at this time or really anywhere.

The Lobster Butter Love.

The first roast I tried was the Lobster Butter Love. Upon first opening the coffee bag, I almost felt like I was smelling seafood which was interesting (there is no lobster though of course). I ran the coffee through my IMUSA moka pot first.

The coffee has strong buttery element as the name implies and is smooth. It is a very easy coffee to enjoy. The flavor is a little overwhelming and great for one cup – but I probably would not enjoy it as a big batch.

I actually fell deeply in love with with the Portland in the 90s dark roast. This coffee I could drink over and over and waking up to this coffee was truly a delight. The smell and flavor was excellent. I would order this one again.

Both coffees were great as pour overs, but honestly I was quite happy with them in my moka pot as well and preferred it in there for a more bold flavor instead of the light, clean flavor that the Chemex gives for these coffees.

Overall, I recommend both coffees from RoosRoast although Portland in 90s is my choice out of the two and would order from them again. The half pound pricing makes it quite easy to try different roasts as well.

Check them out at RoosRoast.com.

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Articles Restaurant review Reviews

Chicago Paulie’s serves the best hot dog in Tampa

Several people have told me to try Chicago Paulie’s for the last few years. I made a mental note, but did not stop by until today. The restaurant stand is located in a gas station parking lot with a humble table and umbrella nearby in the corner of North Hyde Park (NoHo). This isn’t fancy eats, but an excellent culinary destination that most people will drive right past as they jump on Interstate 275 on Howard Avenue. Don’t be that person.

Chicago Hot Dog from Chicago Paulie's in Tampa

I ordered a Chicago hot dog and some fries. The hot dog was cooked to perfection. The toppings superb. No ketchup (of course), but a healthy amount of mustard. It was hot out. Summer is already starting to take over Florida and I really cannot think of a better thing to enjoy in the summer than a hot dog and maybe some beer. Fries were a nice add-on.

Chicago Paulie’s may be one of Tampa’s best kept secrets although people who love food know about it and they have won Best of the Bay from CL in the past. I thought about Taco Bus and California Tacos before Guy Fieri. Tampa has some good eats if you’re willing to go off the beaten path and many of them are undiscovered and hardly talked about. Chicago Paulie’s is one of those places that would immediately jump to the Food Network just for great eats.

My last visit to Portillo’s by USF was truly disappointing with a sad hot dog, mediocre toppings, a bad bun, and stale fries that would probably upset Mr. Portillo himself, but Chicago Paulie’s…now that is a good hot dog. Simple. I inhaled my food.

 

Chicago Paulie's storefront

The prices aren’t overly cheap or expensive, but just right. Chicago Paulie’s holds a 5-star rating on Yelp with 129 reviews in an era where people will 1-star you just for not having the right kind of ketchup or signage. Most of the customers seem to be natives from Chicago who know their food, and Mr. Paulie himself is a transplant from Chicago.

Chicago Paulie’s is open from Monday to Friday from 11AM-6PM and Saturday from 11AM-2PM. Closed Sundays. I have heard they do sometimes close so you may want to call ahead if possible.  I highly recommend Chicago Paulie’s. It is the best hot dog I have enjoyed in Tampa.

Restaurant Name: Chicago Paulie’s

Cuisine: American

Neighborhood: North Hyde Park

Address: 1301 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607

Cost: $

Phone Number: (813) 494-4275

Website: http://www.chicagopaulies.com/