Mimi's Sports Grill

First I have to say I love Mimi like a second mother so I'm totally biased but I'm giving her 5 stars BECAUSE I am a very picky eater (especially when it comes to Asian food) so my bias is justified.  I've been eating her cooking & enjoying her unique feisty personality for most of my life.  I'll take her food over Roy's any day. (I do like Roy's but sorry but I grew up eating authentic Asian food and usually  the words "Asian Fusion" makes me want to run away in the other direction)

* As a dutiful Filipina daughter(who's mom might read this) I am supposed to say that my mom's lumpia is the best in the world(because it is).

BUT Mimi's is by far the best one can order at the beach.  Lumpia & rice is one my favorite comfort meals so I like it done right  and Mimi DOES. IT.  RIGHT.  She also makes great stir fry vegetables, chicken adobo, and fried rice.  Now let me talk about the kalbi.  Anyone who hasn't had kalbi(Korean bbq shortribs) might as well just give up on life itself.  I've been eating Mimi's kalbi since I was a little girl and no one on Earth makes it better than she does.  This is a definite recommend to order.

After my visit last night I am relatively certain that Mimi is the sole employee of Mimi's Bar and Grill, and I have reason to believe that she does not always have inventory on hand to make everything printed (or hand-written) on her menu.  Her establishment is pretty dark even for a sports bar and she has a propensity for telling you what you're having for dinner - this was a unique dining experience that I absolutely loved, despite all the reasons I might not have.

Mimi's was recommended to our group by the hotel I'm staying at, which sucks, so no referral for them.  We were warned that Mimi is a character but an amazing cook, so when I tried to order something and she insisted that I have something else because it was absolutely delicious and I would love it, I didn't argue - and I wonder if she would have let me!  My colleagues got bento boxes, but had to have one particular type, the other was not available.  Nobody felt put out, and she made sure we were on board with her suggestions.  As we bantered back and forth about our order, Mimi was engaging and funny despite being really busy (only person I saw in the place working!).

Mimi runs her establishment like a restaurant that has a daily menu, she just doesn't tell you that up front when she hands it to you.  It also has quite a range - Japanese, Korean, American, and some whatnot thrown in (I might be forgetting a nationality, too!).  She told us to be sure to come back tonight for Philly cheesesteak night, for example, because she makes the best Philly cheesestakes in Florida, according to her.  After eating the chicken dish she made from the Japanese portion of the menu, I believe her.  Her lumpia was awesome like a neighbor mom used to make when I was a child, and both my colleagues told me their bento boxes were perfect.

When we got the bill my Swedish friend informed me that he couldn't get a meal for that price and that delicious for one person back home, let alone for three.  Incredible prices, amazing food, run by a woman with more charisma than Clooney?  Not everyone could get away with running their business this way, but Mimi makes me wonder, does everyone else have it wrong?  

If you want the same old whatever just like wherever, go to Applebees.  If you want an actual experience with delicious food and great service, go to Mimi's.