Old Salty Dog - Siesta Key, FL

After a trip to one of our favorite Tampa Bay museums, the Ringling Museum, we were ready for a pick me up before heading back home. So we decided to wander over to Siesta Key and see what would strike our fancy. After driving along Ocean Boulevard on Siesta Key to see what restaurants were there, we decided to stop in at the Old Salty Dog and give them a try. We chose to grab seats at the picnic tables, rather than inside the restaurant.

After ordering drinks, we decided to try the coconut shrimp appetizer and a cheeseburger. The coconut shrimp was good, and even better was the sweet dipping sauce that came along with it. The burger was especially good, also. What a pleasant way to end the day!

The Old Salty Dog

5023 Ocean Boulevard

Sarasota, FL 34242

941-349-0158

Caddy's On The Beach - Sunset Beach, FL

With the long Memorial Weekend ahead of us, my family and I were in a mood for some food with a view. With that in mind, we headed over to Caddy's on the waterfront. The first thing we learned upon arrival is that Caddy's charges $5 to park for two hours in their restaurant parking lot on the weekends (this price is subject to change). Caddy's itself is a very casual restaurant and I think more geared towards tourists, at least that is what it seemed like while we were there. The view of course was beautiful and you are there right on the white sand with the beautiful turquoise waters right in front of you. We chose to dine on the picnic tables that are right on the sand, with plenty of umbrellas to keep the sun off.

Unfortunately for us, we missed the cutoff time for breakfast, so we had to order from the lunch menu. We ordered a burger with fries, a 'tater fried icelandic fish sandwich, and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The burger was a burger and that is all I have to say about that, but the 'tater fried icelandic fish sandwich was excellent. Also, I really enjoyed the pineapple upside down cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. One final thing I want to mention is that all the food is served on styrofoam plates and your drinks in plastic glasses. If this affects your dining experience, this might not be the place for you. However, the view maybe more than makes up for all that.

We had a nice time and if I were a tourist, it is definitely a nice spot to enjoy some drinks on the beach and spend the day. This is a private beach and you can also rent cabanas there and spend your day in comfort.

Caddy's On The Beach

9000 West Gulf Boulevard

Sunset Beach, FL 33706

727-369-4993

When motrin gives you a headache?

I noticed with amusement a statement I received after a trip to the emergency room with my son at All Children's Hospital. This is the statement one gets before it goes to the insurance company, which will then adjust the rates and pay the bill. The total bill was ridiculous, of course, but the $19 charge for one dose of children's Motrin really astounded me. We all know hospitals do these things, but it is something else to see it on paper in black and white. Charging $19 dollars for one dose, when one can buy a whole bottle of the stuff for $5-$8, depending where you buy it from, and if it is on sale or not.

Of course, administrators would have you believe that these high prices are caused by uninsured patients who don't pay, but it is easy to imagine why people are unable to pay when they charge unrealistic prices like this. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a recent article of hospital administrators salaries, but this 2008 article from the St Petersburg Times on hospital administrators salaries highlights why patients are paying $19 for a single dose of Motrin. As one can see, some of the salaries approach or exceed one million dollars. Certainly, this is something to think about.

Taco Bus - St Petersburg, FL

I was happy when I heard that I wouldn't need to make the drive over the bridge to get Taco Bus food. Now, Taco Bus fans can get their fix in the Grand Central neighborhood of St Pete. It did take us awhile before we actually were able to make our order at the new Taco Bus because every time we drove by for weeks, the line was so long that we decided not to stop. However, at long last, we drove by and saw only three people in line and knew our time had come. We knew what we wanted, so ordering was easy. We opted for the meal deal that gives you a choice of two tacos or one burrito and rice and beans. We love the Barbacoa, or stewed beef, so that is what we all went for. Along with that we got some beer and soda for our drinks and grabbed a table while waiting for our food. After a reasonable wait, our food arrived and we found we had the same good food we enjoyed at the Tampa Taco Bus. Definitely happy to have Taco Bus in the neighborhood!

Taco Bus

2324 Central Avenue

St Petersburg, FL 33712

727-322-5000