Not like most of his already-large contingent of normal clients — lots of whom attended the Grand Opening and Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting occasion on Dec. 12 — I first met proprietor Kruth (Kurt) Sombutmai and his beloved spouse of 48 years, Sa-Ang (Suzie) a couple of weeks in the past, as they have been on the brink of open their 2&2 Restaurant on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, lower than a mile west of Morris Bridge Rd./Eiland Blvd.
Even so, it’s exhausting to not love this couple, who’ve been serving down-home meals to the Zephyrhills neighborhood for 35 years and at the moment are hoping to draw lots of new clients in Wesley Chapel.
The ribbon-cutting occasion wasn’t your typical show-up-stay-for-a-bit-&-go-home affair. The general public in attendance, lots of whom have been, like Kurt, army veterans, stayed for not less than a few hours to be regaled by tales of how Kurt moved from California, bought the Hills Grocery on the Zephyrhills aspect of the nook of Morris Bridge Rd. and S.R. 54 and have become one in every of that neighborhood’s best-known restaurateurs. Positive, in addition they hung round for the scrumptious free meals buffet that adopted the ceremony, however there wasn’t a single long-time buyer of Kurt and Suzie’s who didn’t have a narrative they needed to share about them. The occasion was certainly a lovely tribute.
Along with the Chamber of us, Zephyrhills Mayor Charlie Procter and former Pasco Clerk of the Court docket & Comptroller Paula O’Neil have been in attendance for the ceremony and Paula mentioned that Kurt and Suzie are amongst her greatest pals.
“Paula first introduced she was working for the Clerk’s workplace at my restaurant,” Kurt recalled. “She visited me within the hospital once I bought sick a couple of years in the past, too.”
Should you’re like me, you’re in all probability questioning the place the title “2 & 2” got here from. It’s principally a tribute to Kurt’s authentic restaurant, which frequently had traces wrapped round it for Kurt’s $1.99 “Eye Opener” breakfast and “all you’ll be able to eat” fried fish particular on Fridays. Each time anybody requested Kurt how lengthy the wait can be, he’d at all times maintain up two fingers and say, “Two minutes!” The saying grew to become so common that when Kurt offered his Hills Grocery espresso store to CVS and opened his location on U.S. Hwy. 301 in Zephyrhills, he referred to as the brand new restaurant “2 Minutes,” and he determined to name the brand new place “2 & 2,” that means that he now has two eating places with two-minute waits.
The two Minutes restaurant, in addition to Kurt and Suzie’s Finest Thai & Sushi on S.R. 54 in Zephyrhills, are each nonetheless open, too.
Whether or not you go to 2 & 2 Restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner, not solely are you prone to be greeted by Kurt, you’re additionally assured to see Kurt’s tribute to his idol, the late, nice “Duke” himself, John Wayne. You’ll additionally discover homestyle cooking and at all times honest costs.
So, What About The Meals?
Within the few quick weeks since 2 & 2 opened, I’ve been capable of pattern fairly a little bit of the menu, particularly for breakfast as a result of, not like another diners, the place the complete menu is served all day, you’ll be able to solely get breakfast at breakfast time and lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
My favourite breakfast merchandise to date is the cheese omelet, which I bought with giant chunks of grilled ham and thick slices of crispy bacon inside. And, when you order the hash browns (there’s additionally dwelling fries and grits and sausage hyperlinks or patties accessible as sides) further crispy, like I do, they actually do come out super-crispy. So good.
I additionally sampled Charmaine’s pancakes when she ordered the Kurtski Breakfast, which you principally might name the “Kitchen Sink,” as a result of it comes with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes or two French toast slices, 3 items of bacon and three sausage, hash browns or dwelling fries or grits, plus toast AND refillable espresso, all for simply $12.99! The pancakes have been mild and fluffy and despite the fact that they’re not on the menu with blueberries, the kitchen added contemporary blueberries at Charmaine’s request and all I can say is that it ought to turn into a part of the menu!
There are also veggie and western skillets (the western has ham, inexperienced peppers & onions with cheese, hash browns or dwelling fries and egg on high).
For lunch and dinner, appetizers embody all the pieces from bacon-wrapped shrimp smothered in honey BBQ sauce and battered gator bites to gentle pretzel bites and Philly egg rolls served with beer cheese. Sandwich choices embody battered or grilled “2 Minutes Fish,” a double decker turkey, ham and roast beef membership and “Suzie Spicy” rooster sandwich with melted cheddar, tortilla strips, avocado and sriracha mayo. There’s additionally a contemporary salad bar.
I can vouch for the 1/4-lb. Kurtski burger and you may sub a brief rib, brisket and chuck patty for less than $1 extra. Tasty fries, too. My favourite lunch/ dinner entrée to date is the grilled garlic pork chops, served with mashed potatoes (you can also select baked potato or fries), plus your alternative of soup or salad, ice cream and a gentle drink, all for simply $14.99. I plan to strive the slow-cooked pot roast, breaded veal cutlet and fried rooster dinners on future visits. There’s additionally seafood dinners (catfish or haddock, coconut shrimp, fried clams or grilled salmon) for simply $15.99. And sure, the All You Can Eat barbecue is obtainable on Fridays solely, for simply $13.99!
For information about 2 & 2 Restaurant (33835 S.R. 54), name (813) 355-4829, go to 2and2Restaurant.com or see the advert beneath. — GN
