Special to The Laker / Lutz News
This could be you at Ukulele Brand’s restaurant and bar in Land O’ Lakes.
You’re seated on a covered outdoor deck sipping a rum runner cocktail, watching the sun set over East Lake Ellis and enjoying live local music, while waiting for your gator tail and grilled grouper to emerge fresh from the kitchen of Executive Chef Chris Boemme
“All these things make us a local favorite,” Boemmel said. “We’re one of the only places to have live entertainment four to five nights a week, a beautiful lakeside setting, and an atmosphere that is casual and fun
Boemmel has been the chef at Ukulele Brand’s for the last 13 years, and naturally brings the conversation around to his food.
“Our menu covers everything — pasta, steaks, burgers, seafood, chicken wings,” said Boemel. “We make just about everything from scratch. We bread our own clams and chicken tenders. Our burgers are delicious and huge, like all of our portion sizes. Nobody leaves here hungry
Ukulele Brand’s has a full liquor bar and several craft beers, indoor and outdoor seating, and several large-screen televisions, to give you a unique dining experience—right down to wire sandwich baskets shaped like ukuleles.
Lunch is always busy at Ukulele’s. It has daily lunch specials, and does a good job putting food out fast so guests can enjoy their lunch break and get back to work on time.
Favorite dishes include Uke’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, Southern Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, Uke’s Famous Seafood Chowder, and a large selection of specialty burgers, including the Uke’s burger, which is topped with blue cheese, sautéed onions and mushrooms.
But by far, it’s most popular items are grouper and gator tail.
“We get fresh grouper in almost every day from the Gulf of Mexico, and go through 80 pounds of gator tail a week,” said Boemmel.
In addition to its excellent food, the chef attributes his restaurant’s success to the longevity of its staff.
“We have servers and bartenders who have been here 12 years or more,” said Boemmel. “Our customers love seeing the same servers, and even request them by name. They know what you want to drink, your family members and are genuinely happy to see you. In addition, we have experienced chefs who have worked here for many years, who consistently put out great food.”
Being a fixture in the community since 1995 from its iconic location on U.S. 41, Ukulele Brand’s gives back in several ways, from sponsoring local sports teams and high school events to participating in poker runs.
Check the restaurant’s calendar of events on its Facebook page, or at UkuleleBrands.com, for its live band schedule and special event of the day.
4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. • Land O’ Lakes
813-995-0608 • www.ukelelebrands.com
Published 4/24/19
