USVI-On-Line

In the spirit of resurrecting some old threads, how about updating another?

We first did this interesting and informative topic in March 07 and that thread has received over 30,000 views then we did it again in Feb 2009, and that thread got over 14,000 views.

Last time it was done was in July 2011 and that got over 6000 views.
Perhaps this speaks to some of the social media trends discussed in the “Where is everybody?” thread...many more online platforms out there now, but really, how many are better when it comes to first hand STJ knowledge?

That said, time to update and for newbies and STJ vets alike to chime in and sound off about their recent experiences.

The original post went like this:

“It is always interesting when folks almost sheepishly admit that THEIR experience with any of the iconic institutions or experiences of St. John did not live up to the hype for them, or, maybe ain't what it used to be.

Makes me wonder how many don't speak up because they don't want to go against popular opinion. The qualifications of course are that a mediocre anything in STJ are almost always preferred over a similar experience back in the real world; ANY place can have a bad day; and, that there are ALWAYS different strokes for different folks.

Well, here is your chance to sound off and/or pick some nits. (No flaming allowed!)

For example, when we finally made it to the Miss Lucy Sunday brunch many moons ago, considering the high praise it got here, we were somewhat underwhelmed by it i.e. the "specials" that were anything but; the musical "talent" of the "jazz combo"; etc. Of course the view and setting were awesome, and that offset some of the "negatives".

Conversely, there are other things that maybe DON'T get the props they deserve, like when we first discovered Sun Dog Cafe in Mongoose Junction when they first started out, and it hadn’t received hardly any mentions let alone props on the forum at the time, but we found that they served up consistently wonderful casual food and was great to combine with some shopping when we need a break from the midday sun. So good we always tried to hit it twice for lunch when on island. They have survived and thrived, obviously proving that we know a winner when we sees one (he says with tongue firmly in cheek).

So what's your two cents ???”

In the previous threads, sacred cows like Skinnys, Uncle Joes, and Woodys took some hits as “over-hyped” or overrated for some, and other places like Tamarind Court were mentioned as underrated. Others spoke up about how much they actually like “crowded” Trunk Bay.

That was then. What about now?

Overrated

Skinny's (no view, so-so burgers)
Woody's (prefer not to stand in the street; too many "woo" girls)
Joe's BBQ (rude at times, uses Open Pit BBQ sauce)
snorkeling (it kind of freaks me out)
Rhumblines (we have so many good places like it at home, it can't compare)
Vie's (greasy chicken with little flavor; tarts were disappointing)
Lime Inn (hit or miss; we do like sitting in the back bar and ordering their chowder)

Underrated

Joe's Dinner (good Johnny cakes and fried chicken)
Sogo's (one of the only West Indian restaurants left on island; good food; nice people)
Tamarrind Court (we've had a good time there; very chill vibe)
Skipping the beach and lounging by the villa pool (without feeling guilty about it)
The "freak out drive" above Parrot Bay (take a pic of the "you are here" sign to prove you did it)

Pete (Mr. Marcia) wrote: snorkeling (it kind of freaks me out)
Rhumblines (we have so many good places like it at home, it can't compare)
Lime Inn (hit or miss; we do like sitting in the back bar and ordering their chowder)

Re: > snorkeling: surprisingly, you are not alone - over the years, have heard from others who have little to no interest in snorkeling. A casual reader of the forum might assume most STJ-philes spend hours in the water.
> Rhumblines: consider yourself lucky. Only a few Thai influenced places near our home exceed what they usually turn out.
> Lime Inn: tradition trumps variability, although we have been mostly pretty pleased with the food. Same applies to Shipwreck Landing.

Overrated - I am with Pete, I think Skinny's and Joe's BBQ are overrated. But in full disclosure, I am a food snob.

Skinny's burgers are fine but I think their other sandwiches are below average to poor. In my opinion there is better food to be had at locations with better views and cleaner bathrooms.

We have had Uncle Joes many times. I think we liked it the first time (probably the newbie novelty) but less and less as the years go by. The last time we threw it out after two bites, it was that bad. Parboiled ribs barely finished on the grill and food service grade sauce.

The smoothie stand has moved into the overrated category for me. Something about the flavors are too intense. We stopped a couple of times last trip and no one finished theirs.

We have a friend that has zero desire to snorkel. He tried a couple of times and is now happy to keep the cooler company.

One of my favorite activities is to "guard" the cooler and beach chairs while everyone else goes snorkeling. Of course I am rarely successful and often a "thief" breaks into it and steals several drinks.

I would have to say that one of the most underrated activities around the island is scuba diving. I absolutely love snorkeling but recently got scuba certified thanks to some prompting from Jim. I feel like there's a whole new world underwater now!

Overrated--Zozo's, good but a little over-seasoned and overpriced
Underrated--Agree on Tamarind Court--we always enjoy it

Skinny Legs overrated?

Point of parliamentary procedure my guiltless gourmet friends...those who drink out of glass bottles should not throw stones.

The issue here is not whether Skinny Legs is or is not overrated or if they take some liberties with their Burger Specials Du Jour...they do (and the're crazy delicious...I'm looking at you grilled pineapple)...but can we call Skinny Legs overrated and hold them responsible for an entire Caribbean Culinary Community of tablecloth-less tables in al fresco mosquito settings featuring slower than average service that spites a completely illogical star rating system?

And if you do hold Skinny Legs responsible, shouldn't we blame the entire US Virgin Island Restauranteur Association? And if these proprietors of fried goodness and ironic t-shirts are guilty, isn't that an indictment of our entire American gastro-economic system in general?

I put it to you, Mr. Marcia (if that is your real name)...isn't this an indictment of our entire American Society?

Well, you can post what you want about Skinny Legs, but I'm not going to sit here and let you bad mouth the United States of America, or its Virgin Islands.

Oh say can you seeeeee, by the dawns early lighttttt....

54b wrote:Skinny Legs overrated?

Point of parliamentary procedure my guiltless gourmet friends...those who drink out of glass bottles should not throw stones.

The issue here is not whether Skinny Legs is or is not overrated or if they take some liberties with their Burger Specials Du Jour...they do (and the're crazy delicious...I'm looking at you grilled pineapple)...but can we call Skinny Legs overrated and hold them responsible for an entire Caribbean Culinary Community of tablecloth-less tables in al fresco mosquito settings featuring slower than average service that spites a completely illogical star rating system?

And if you do hold Skinny Legs responsible, shouldn't we blame the entire US Virgin Island Restauranteur Association? And if these proprietors of fried goodness and ironic t-shirts are guilty, isn't that an indictment of our entire American gastro-economic system in general?

I put it to you, Mr. Marcia (if that is your real name)...isn't this an indictment of our entire American Society?

Well, you can post what you want about Skinny Legs, but I'm not going to sit here and let you bad mouth the United States of America, or its Virgin Islands.

Oh say can you seeeeee, by the dawns early lighttttt....

I thought you were pre-med...

Impressive response. Extra credit for the Animal House riff.

Still overrated.

Pete (Mr. Marcia) wrote:Impressive response. Extra credit for the Animal House riff.

Still overrated.

I wondered why I had the urge to start a food fight!

JIM

54b - The funniest part about the Animal House reference is that when I read your post Animal House was on TV, almost exactly at the same time as the "trial". I really cracked up.

psufan wrote:54b - The funniest part about the Animal House reference is that when I read your post Animal House was on TV, almost exactly at the same time as the "trial". I really cracked up.

Sweet. Honestly though, I was just glad to be amongst people who get these references. I work with a bunch of 20 somethings and they just stare at me when I drop classic movie lines from the 80's.

I don't talk a lot at status meetings anymore.

"No more fun of any kind" Dean Vernon Wermer

OVERRATED
Joe's BBQ
Maho Bay

I agree with many of the postings about Joe's BBQ. Average is the best way to describe it.

I can already feel the glares about Maho but on our last two visits it was overcrowded and loud. Make no mistake, the snorkeling there is terrific and it's a gorgeous beach, but the secret is out.

UNDERRATED
Driftwood David's
Cinnamon Bay

DD's was the winner in our very unofficial search for STJ's best burger this past summer. Their other dishes aren't slouches either. I am surprised to not hear their name getting tossed around the recommendation threads more often!

Cinnamon is our personal favorite when it comes to beaches so this is more of a plug than anything else!

MN_Bhoy wrote: I can already feel the glares about Maho but on our last two visits it was overcrowded and loud. Make no mistake, the snorkeling there is terrific and it's a gorgeous beach, but the secret is out.

(Gasp of horror) How could you say this!

But I agree about the crowds and noise, it was crazy last time we were there and there was a group of smokers next us that generated clouds of smoke.