Steak Escape

I’m not a fan of going to the Mall at all. Never have been… but I had to go to get an Invisible shield put on my new Galaxy Nexus. The wife met me there and we got some food. This place I’ve never heard before «The Steak Escape». I actually thought the name was funny and of course I was skeptical on what I was about to eat. While I was outside the line looking up at the menu they even had a guy walking around with samples. Their staff was very polite and helpful on all menu choices.
I was blown away. Chipotle Sub is A++, their Fries are awesome and some of the best since I’ve moved here. They are fried just right and have great flavor. I even tried the buffalo bites the 2^nd time I went and even those were really good. I will be back. Although I don’t go to the mall often but Its good to know that IF I have to go I know there’s good food waiting for me. The one good thing about it is if you park at the GrillSmith entrance where JC Penney is, you can walk right into the food court (to the left of GrillSmith) and get your food without having to walk through the mall. That’s a HUGE Plus!

I’ve been to a number of steak escapes in the Tampa Bay area, but tonight I first tried the one in the Brandon Towncentre. In general, the experience was lackluster and disappointing, especially for seven dollars worth of food. I used to really enjoy their smashed potatoes, which are baked potatoes «smashed» with vegetables and steak or chicken, slathered in a mound of cheddar cheese. The potato I received tonight was a relatively small tuber with a few scraps of steak and a sprinkling of cheese. All I could truly taste throughout the entire meal was the onion and green pepper. Also worth noting is the fact that the other Steak Escapes I used to go to would give you two to four sour cream containers and a handful of butter packs; here, I was given only one pack of sour cream and two butters. Not that I need more than that for the potato I was given, but a little sign on the glass separating me from my server informed me that a number of things that were once freely distributed, including sour cream, now cost money to get. 75 cents may not be a hefty cost for a tiny packet of sour cream, but it is too expensive for a man who is accustomed to free sour cream.
The counters were nicely cleaned, and the trays were not sticky, which were big pluses to them as a mall restaurant. However, the server was oblivious and generally disinterested. She seemed new to the establishment, as she needed assistance finding both the Smashed Potato button and the drink button on the register, and I was asked to repeat both items more three times individually before she understood. I remember clearly telling her «I want a medium Sprite», to which she replied «Do you want a drink?». I responded «Yes, please, a medium Sprite», and I was asked «What size?». I repeated «Medium». «Which drink do you want?», she said, beginning to sound a bit irritated at either myself or the complicity of the ordeal. «A Sprite, please.» I reassured with a bit of a smile on my face.
«So, a small Sprite?» With this, I just grinned and shook my head in defeat. Granted, I still ended up with a medium, and was charged appropriately, I still found it to be the defining statement of my experience.
Brandon Towncentre Mall’s Food Court is a very large expanse with a multitude of good restaurants. In all honesty, you can do a lot better in less than 20 feet.

Steak Escape will always have a place in my heart because of my love of their sandwiches since I was a child. Their fries are just ok, but their steak sandwiches are a cut above what you would get at a place that doesn’t specialize in them (Subway et al.).
They really only do one thing, but at least they do it well.

Steak Escape’s sandwiches have always been a favorite of mine. Sometimes the price is just a little too high to add fries and a drink, but when I can I do. I think it’s really cool that you can watch them cook your steak right in front of you before they put into your sandwich so that you know it’s fresh. The bread is usually perfect and they add just the right amount of toppings to make a great steak sandwich. Their fries are alright, not the best (Checkers) but not the worst (Burger King).