Address: 10625 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Phone:(727) 360-5062
Hours: Open daily 11:00am- 10:00pm
Extras: Daily drink specials. Happy hour daily until 7pm - outdoor patio seating. Brunch menu available Sunday’s during “tourist season”.
Website: www.viplounge-fla.com
(Scroll to the bottom for a quick rating/review)
One evening, while I’m sitting at the clubhouse, I over hear a couple people at the bar talking about going to the VIP Lounge. All of a sudden random bar guy at the chimes…”OH YEAH, that is the BEST Mexican food I’ve ever had.” Soon the bartender starts dribbling accolades over the VIP Lounge. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by VIPites. Why haven’t I heard of this joint before? How is it that I’m not “the know” about this spectacular Mexican food? I quizzed my comrades at the bar and found out the VIP is in Treasure Island. However, I’m warned it’s small, and there is always a wait… but it’s WORTH IT! Since cynicism is embedded deep within my DNA, I blow off the conversation as over exaggerated bar blathering from people who really couldn’t know great Mexican food if Nacho Libre hit them upside the head with it.
Fast forward to Father’s Day. Even though Greg is not the father of my children, he’s a dad to two, lovely girls. I offer to take him out to eat at the place of his choice and celebrate fatherhood. I toss out several ideas since he usually likes a little help deciding. Out of no where, Greg blurts out, “How about the VIP Mexican?” I bite my lip. Now, I’m pretty sure I can feel blood running down my chin. Greg says “I want to see if it’s as good as they say!” Well, I did say it was HIS choice, I couldn’t rescind that comment now or I’d be a big jerk. “Um, OK… “ I stammer, “Remember they say it’s small and always busy, so let’s get there right when they open.”
I plugged VIP Mexican into my iPhone’s GPS. Thank God for GPS. Even with it, I drove past the place once before Greg finally spotted it on the second go around. We arrived about 10 minutes before they opened, but the front door was unlocked and employees inside said, “Don’t worry about it, come on in and have a seat!” I thought, “I already like this place!”
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| The Millionaire Margarita - MAGNIFICO! |
Katie was our bartender/waitress, I came to learn, most the staff at VIP does double duty and they help one another out on assisting customers. Katie gave us the low down on their ‘famous’ margaritas. We said we want the primo Marg to celebrate this Dad, so she recommended the Millionaire Margarita with Casamigos Anejo Tequila and Grand Marnier. A few sips of this intoxicating blend and we’re buzzing like killer bees!
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| Brunch menu only available during 'season' |
The menu boasts that VIP Mexican American does NOT use any instant ingredients, everything is brought in fresh daily. While perusing the appetizer list, Greg found the Seared Tuna Roll - described as a 12” tortilla filled with seared yellowfin, onion, cilantro, guac and queso fresco…rolled up and cut sushi like then drizzled with teriyaki and wasabi crema. THIS was a no brainer!
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| I'm craving this now just by looking at this photo... it's THAT GOOD! |
For our lunch, Greg ordered a large shredded beef wet burrito. I was having a difficult time deciding so I opted for a few a’la carte items as to get an overall sense of what VIP had to offer; a hard shell pork taco, a Cajun taco (with blackened Mahi), a seared tuna taco, and one chile relleno.
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| the LARGE web burrito is Muy Grande! |
While we waited for our appetizer, I notice a lady standing in the back of the bar… that in itself was not unusual, however, the fact she had a red parrot on her shoulder was somewhat unusual. We waved her over to our table and found out she was picking up take out and heading over to do a fundraiser for the bird sanctuary. Being animal lovers, we asked if we could hold the parrot. For the parrot’s trouble, we kindly offered the woman a donation to be put toward the cause.
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| this beautiful red feathered friend was so sweet! |
Our appetizer arrived and it looked great! It was quite an amazingly cleaver combination of flavors. The blend of he sweet teriyaki and the heat from the wasabi livened up the fresh, perfectly seared yellowfin tuna that was hugged by the flour tortilla. The presentation really did resemble sushi!
We woofed down the appetizer in no time. Then, I decided to give VIP’s sangria a whirl. All I can say is it was so good I forgot to take a photo! I was also a bit distracted by our food arriving. Our little table for two was filled with plates. Greg’s wet burrito (called “wet” because it’s smothered in red burrito sauce and cheese) was literally as big as his head!
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| The Cajun taco was MAHI-velous! |
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| Crunchy port taco |
Boy was I glad I went a’la carte with my order! All the items were so flavorful and an so fresh and unique tasting. There truly was no way to pick a favorite as each as so delicious and different.
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| Tuna Taco - seared perfection |
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| Chile Relleno - she's not real pretty but she has a great a flavor-ality! |
After our meals, we were pretty full, but in order to give YOU, the reader, the full scope of any restaurant I review, I MUST order dessert. Really, I only do it because of YOU! The VIP has two dessert items, Churros and fried ice cream. Since it’s always easy to find room for ice-cream, we went that direction. Like the rest of the VIP menu, this fried ice-cream was like no other. The vanilla ice-cream was served in a sweet, crispy, deep fried tortilla bowl, covered with honey and cinnamon and topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. It was a piece of sweet heaven in every bite!
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| sweet and crunchy fried ice cream -find room, you won't regret it! |
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| If we 'celebrated' without libations, our bill would only be $39 |
Greg had a great Father’s day lunch and we both found a new favorite Mexican joint along the beach!
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| Daddy with his girls, Megan and Melissa ... LOVE! |
RATING: 5 best / 1 worst
Food * * * * *
The VIP is Americanized Mexican, but don’t let that stop you. Under that Mexican foundation, the VIP adds their own unique combination of flavors and color to every dish. I would be surprised if you left there unsatisfied!
Vibe * * * *
The look: Tight quarters in what is predominantly a bar atmosphere. Gear your brain up for what could be a significant wait and plan to commune with your neighbors.
The crowd: Ranges from 20 somethings to baby boomers and very welcoming.
The bathroom: my bad… I totally forgot this part!
And: Outside seating available in the back of the establishment.
Service * * * * *
Katie was awesome. She was welcoming even though we busted in the doors 10 minutes before opening. She had great drink and menu ideas to offer us AND she mixed a bad-ass margarita!
Moola $ (the more $ signs the more MOOLA it'll cost ya!)
We spent $77 (before tip) for two people, minus drinks only $39. Our tab included 5 adult beverages (two if those were the Bloody Mary special for $3 ea), an app, a large wet burrito and 4 a’la carte items, plus dessert. I would say it’s a great value! Interestingly, the big ticket items for us was the $12 margaritas and the $8 sangria… all worth it as we were celebrating Dad’s day!
OVERALL: * * * * *
We will go back to the VIP Mexican again and again! The quality ingredients and excellent service coupled with the value of each item was spectacular! We’ve now become VIPites!
