CHAZ 51 -- 5 Stars Only Because They Won't Let Me Give 1,000…read more
My wife and I were recommended to try Chaz 51, and let me tell you... this restaurant is only getting 5 stars because that's the highest option available. If it were up to me, they'd get 1,000.
The reviews and pictures already had our expectations high, but somehow the actual experience still EXCEEDED the hype.
We spent a year living in Texas, experiencing some of the best food in the country. When we moved back to Florida, a lot of our dining experiences felt underwhelming and overpriced... UNTIL we came across Chaz 51.
They start you off with this incredibly soft, delicious bread while you wait for your appetizer. Everything is made fresh, so trust me when I say it's well worth the wait. And before I even get to the food -- the sweet tea was ON POINT.
I had the French onion soup, while my wife and niece had salads. Needless to say, those were gone in seconds. We were damn near licking the plates and bowls.
Like I said, everything is made fresh, so when your food comes out, that plate is PIPING HOT. Our server warned me -- but my wife knows how quickly I forget things.
Now let's talk about this steak.
I'm a SAUCE GUY. I ordered blue cheese and A1 sauce on the side because that's just what I do.
After my first bite, I felt DISRESPECTFUL for even asking for extra sauce.
NEVER -- and I mean NEVER -- in my life have I had a steak this well-seasoned and cooked this perfectly. There was absolutely no fat or gristle, and all 14 ounces were DEVOURed. I didn't touch the A1. I didn't need the blue cheese. The steak needed absolutely NOTHING.
Normally, I save enough room to try some of my wife's food, but even if I wanted to this time, she wasn't leaving me anything.
I looked over and she was already about 80% through her meal. I didn't even get the chance to ask my usual question, "Are you going to finish that?" because I already knew the answer.
Then I look over at my niece, and her eyes are WIDE because the ribs were practically the size of her. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into.
Our server was incredibly attentive throughout the entire experience. At the end of the meal, she asked what we wanted for dessert. I was STUFFED, but I really wanted that cheesecake. I had eaten so much and was so satisfied that I just didn't have the space.
So the three of us decided to split a crème brûlée instead -- and even that was incredible.
What really took the experience to another level was the chef actually coming out of the kitchen and speaking with everyone in the restaurant to personally ask how everything was. That small gesture made the entire experience feel much more personal and showed how much they genuinely care about the food they serve and the people eating it.
Then, after speaking with his wife, who also runs the business with him, I found out he had been a head chef at Ruth's Chris for over 25 YEARS.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
Safe to say, we've found our new regular spot.
Whenever family comes into town, whenever friends ask me, "Where should we go for REALLY good food?" -- my answer is going to be Chaz 51.
It was only about a 30-minute drive from where we live in Sarasota, and it was EASILY worth the trip. Honestly, if it were two hours away, I'd still make the drive.
I'm extremely happy we found a new place to dine, and now I feel personally obligated to work my way through the entire menu.
My only regret from the whole experience?
I DIDN'T GET THE CHEESECAKE.
But there's always next time -- and there WILL be a next time.
Chaz 51, you've officially earned some regulars.