Category: brandon

Mr. & Mrs. Crab

Mr. & Mrs. Crab is a restaurant we have driven past countless times in Brandon, Florida. Each time we considered stopping in to check it out, there was either a long wait or a line that stretched out of the front door and onto the sidewalk – so we assumed the place had to be good. Our expectations were exceeded by the menu and by the friendly and welcoming staff from the moment we walked in the doors.

According to their website, Mr. & Mrs. Crab is a relatively new restaurant. It was founded in 2017 and has already expanded to fourteen locations – yes, they were even able to expand throughout the COVID pandemic! The restaurant is decorated in amusing and creative décor, such as wooden pirates, sharks, and fish suspended from the ceiling. And, of course, a giant red crab serves as the centerpiece.

Mr. & Mrs. Crab’s menu is best described as Cajun food with an Asian twist. The founders were inspired by food they encountered while In New Orleans and wanted to bring it back to their home state of Florida but adding their own flair. The result is a menu full of all you would expect from a Cajun restaurant, but with the delicious addition of blended Szechuan spices.

We were welcomed by the host immediately when we entered the door who promptly showed us to our table. Our server was eager to explain any questions we had about the menu. She kept our drinks filled and checked on us regularly. The manager stopped by our table to check on our experience, then spoke with us for a while about the restaurant. Everyone was very friendly and easy-going. They seemed to genuinely enjoy being there.

We ordered a coconut shrimp appetizer, a “Get Your Hands Dirty” shrimp combo, and a “Something Fried” combo with shrimp, scallops, and clam strips. The “Get Your Hands Dirty” combos are their unique take on traditional Cajun seafood boils (the order is delivered to the table in a large, clear plastic bag). It was probably funny to see the look on our faces as our server also brought out plastic gloves to de-shell the shrimp, a giant bucket for the shells, a giant bib to protect our shirts, and hand wipes for the cleanup. The boiled shrimp tasted amazing! The fried food was delicious as well. We were a little hesitant to try the coconut shrimp, because coconut flavors are not our favorite – and shrimp with coconut is easy to mess up – but we really enjoyed their take on the mixture of flavors and seasonings.

If you are thinking to yourself, “I would love this food, but so-and-so is not quite as adventurous,” then you are in luck! Mr. & Mrs. Crab also offers more traditional menu items. Chicken wings, onion rings, cheese sticks, salad, chicken tenders, and fries are all available for those who would like to enjoy the fun environment but may not be that big on Cajun food.

Mr. & Mrs. Crab is busy for a reason. We really enjoyed our experience and will be returning. We recommend this restaurant to everyone, but especially those who may be bored with eating at the same places that offer generic food choices. It is a fun place you can go with your friends, children, or significant other, and have fun conversations in a relaxed environment (oh, there’s also fun music playing in the background) as you enjoy something new. Now that COVID restrictions have been relaxed in Florida, this may be a good time for you to plan your first visit to Mr. & Mrs. Crab!

Salon 705

I know it’s still quarantine out there, so a trip to the salon is kind of like … what’s the point? The only people who can see me are my family and maybe the odd work colleague via Zoom or WebEx. Well, there are few things that can make you feel better than a color refresh and a trim, so I made an appoint at Salon 705 in Brandon yesterday (Facebook: @salon705, Instagram: @salon705brandon).

I’ve been going to Salon 705 for the last year, ever since I moved to Tampa (my stylist is Seta and she’s fantastic – you can see her work and follow her on Instagram: @hair_by_seta). Yesterday, I got a half a head of highlights, a deep conditioning treatment, and a trim, and my hair looks and feels amazing.

They are taking plenty of COVID-19-related precautions – you can’t just walk in and sit in the waiting area; someone will come and let you in the door to ensure there’s enough space for social distancing for everyone inside. Once you’re in, you’ll be asked to wash your hands. All of the stylists are wearing masks, and you must do so as well throughout your service. I was leery of this at first – I assumed when it got to the blowout phase it might be difficult to breathe, but I was totally fine. There is also hand sanitizer throughout, and of course, all of the tools are already clean thanks to OSHA cosmetology rules.

The salon does take walk-ins, but it’s better to call and make an appointment, since they may not be able to get you in right away depending on how busy they are if you just walk in off the street. 

Salons in general are struggling for business right now – it’s a luxury, and people still don’t feel safe enough to spend that much time in such close proximity to someone. But with the proper precautions, you can enjoy this service and help out a local business in the process.

Salon 705: 125 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Brandon, FL 33511 813.993.9705

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