Cafe Don Jose

11/16/07

Bleached lobster :(

by pcaselno at Citysearch

Horrible! Someone was served a lobster tail that smelled and tasted like BLEACH! Yes, bleach! They brought out a new lobster tail but they did NOT take it off the bill! They still charged us the "market price"! Nothing was offered but a quick non-sincere apology and an attempt to get rid of their disgusting sangria. DO NOT GO HERE!

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Bleach in your food!

07/23/07

best service and spanish food in tampa

by span420 at Citysearch

the most eclectic spanish restraunt i have been to. it not only has the best spanish cusine,but also a surf and turf dinner it says for 2 but with a 9oz. filet and 1 1/2 lb lobster it a surf and turf for 1 unless you are sharing a couple of appitizers. and after our waiter cut it out of shell in bite size pieces it was wonderful. so as not to leave out my most wonderful evening of dining. my wife and i had one of the best waiters in town.. ive been to flemings,the palm, emerals, and even charleys and burns, his name is William Fisher he goes by Bill so it says on his card he presented me at end of evening with check.with his knowledge of menu and wine i didnt feel i needed to do anything but what he told us to do all suggestions were on the mark and oh so good. the host who is the owner is one of the most down to earth person i have met in that position,hosting can be a drag.so if you want some of the best spanish cusine as well as lobster,filet and fresh seafood and a waiter who cares ask for Willam Fisher and let him as his business card says be your" Wine and Dinner consultant" and you will leave telling everybody of your experiance at Cafe Don Jose.

• Pros: service,food,service,food did i mention our service
• Cons:  could have had better wine selection wich our server said they will be getting

12/01/06

CAFE DON JOSE

by bluemax at Citysearch

I agree that Cafe Don Jose needs to wake up and think about their customers. Cafe Don Jose now brings valet parking to 56th Street in Temple Terrace. For Three dollars you can park your own car and for free you can park next door in the dark un-secured lot. Food is not worth the hassle. Might as well go to Boston Market just down the street!!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: VALET PARKING AND $3 CHARGE TO PARK

10/10/06

Don Jose needs to wake up

by pablus at Citysearch

This is a favorite restaurant of mine. Well, it HAS been for a couple of decades now. Recently though, after their move, they've become the kind of place that is resting on their previous reputation and clientele. The last food I had there was cold. Not good for steak. The service was subpar, and even though we asked for our regular waiter, we got sat at the bar instead and our regular waiter was as dissapointed as we were.

They still have great sangria but putting up with cold food and brusk service makes it less appealing. It will be a while before I return. Pity, because Tampa doesn't have many landmark places like this one used to be.

The management needs a refresher course in fine dining.

• Pros: Sangria and atmosphere
• Cons: getting sloppy

03/27/06

Wonderful and Reasonable

by silenscorvus at Citysearch

Admittedly I was skeptical when my fiance pulled into the parking lot because the location of this absolute gem seemed a bit obscure. But once we entered I knew it was going to be wonderful, and I was right. The service was impeccable, the environment was light hearted and friendly, and the food was absolutely delicious.

Some people may find their prices to be a bit expensive, though for the quantity of food I found them to be more than reasonable.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service