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The VIP Mexican Restaurant & Lounge
About us
Our History
The VIP has been in existence since the 1970's and although easy to miss, it is a landmark in Treasure Island. The current owners Christine and her son Nick, have had the restaurant since 1994. The VIP has gone through many renovations and small changes in the past 15 years, but one thing remains the same: Great Food, Great Service, Great Times. The VIP you see now hardly resembles the place you may have seen 10-15 years ago. The VIP is different for many people. Some simply pass through to watch the ball game while drinking some cold beers. Others bring their families by for a great tasting meal at an affordable price. Whereas our back patio once was simply a parking lot, now it is a completely renovated patio seating area with music, TV, misting fans, and tropical decor. At the VIP, we continue to evolve, and continue to strive to offer our customers the very best experience in Mexican/American Cuisine.
Our Cuisine
We have a very unique array of items on our menu. We offer some real authentic Mexican dishes, some Tex-Mex style dishes, and traditional American favorites. We approach all of these areas of cuisine with the same focus on producing the most flavorful recipes. There are traditional Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tamales, and chile rellenos. Then there are Mexican-themed dishes with a twist of outside influence such as the Mexican Pizza, Mexican Rolls, and our Famous Wet Burrito. In our kitchen, we utilize many traditional Mexican ingredients such as Chile Quajillo, fresh cilantro, and Chipotle. We prep everything from our sauces, to our tortilla chips, to our meats fresh every day. We do not give complimentary Chips & Salsa with every meal. Why? Because we make a freshly made pico de gallo stlye salsa with freshly cut and fried tortilla chips, not a jarred picante sauce with bagged, overly salted chips. We do not salt our chips after frying them. We leave that for you to do if you prefer salt on your chips, but frankly,... show more we feel that they taste best as-is. Also, we feel that after you taste our salsa, you will agree that it was worth the $2.95. Another extremely popular item we make is our Salsa Verde, or better known to gringos as, Green Sauce. This is one of the two sauce that we offer to each table to add to your dishes for added flavor. The Green Sauce is a tomatillo/jalapeno-based salsa that packs some heat and great taste. With most items, we offer our traditional 3 meat choices: Ground Beef, Shredded Beef, and Shredded Chicken. We also offer Grilled Skirt Steak, Shrimp, or Mahi to substitute into your burritos, tacos, etc. Aside from our Latin-influenced fare, we make a damn good burger. Our gigantic VIP burger (weighing in at 16oz. before grilling) is becoming revered as the best in town. We offer daily specials ranging from home-made soups to traditional Mexican dishes not featured on our menu.
Our Atmosphere
If you have never been to the VIP, you are definitely in for a new dining experience. We have two entrances to access the restaurant; a front door leading straight inside, and a rear entrance located past the patio area. By entering through the back entrance, you pass through the kitchen on your way into the restaurant. Yes, you pass through the kitchen! There is no escaping it! Once you are in the restaurant you will realize that we are not a big place. There is a long bar that seats up to 18 people and some small and medium sized tables. Most large parties simply must sit in the patio area where our tables seat up to 12 people each. We have a first come, first serve system, and although you may seat yourselves we encourage you to let us to help seat you. When we are full to capacity (we frequently are) we ask that you write your name or ask to have your name written on our dry erase wait list board. Because we are such a small establishment, our servers are our bartenders and our bartenders are our servers. Our staff all work together to service the entire restaurant, bar, and patio area. So, you may have several different people visit your table during the course of your meal. At the VIP, we have a casual, laid-back atmosphere. We have 5 flat screen TV's in the restaurant, a fantastic jukebox, a silver strike bowling video game, and a table top touch screen video game at the end of the bar. We have Togo Menus available for you in case you'd like to order out. Please allow additional time for larger Pick-Up orders and advance notice on these orders is always appreciated. We also have recently created a Catering Menu for large parties/functions. We do not take reservations, but will occasionally allow for the outside patio benches to be set aside for larger parties. Our staff works very hard to make sure everybody gets excellent service. But remember, even though you get your food fast, this is not fast food! show more
The VIP has been in existence since the 1970's and although easy to miss, it is a landmark in Treasure Island. The current owners Christine and her son Nick, have had the restaurant since 1994. The VIP has gone through many renovations and small changes in the past 15 years, but one thing remains the same: Great Food, Great Service, Great Times. The VIP you see now hardly resembles the place you may have seen 10-15 years ago. The VIP is different for many people. Some simply pass through to watch the ball game while drinking some cold beers. Others bring their families by for a great tasting meal at an affordable price. Whereas our back patio once was simply a parking lot, now it is a completely renovated patio seating area with music, TV, misting fans, and tropical decor. At the VIP, we continue to evolve, and continue to strive to offer our customers the very best experience in Mexican/American Cuisine.
Our Cuisine
We have a very unique array of items on our menu. We offer some real authentic Mexican dishes, some Tex-Mex style dishes, and traditional American favorites. We approach all of these areas of cuisine with the same focus on producing the most flavorful recipes. There are traditional Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tamales, and chile rellenos. Then there are Mexican-themed dishes with a twist of outside influence such as the Mexican Pizza, Mexican Rolls, and our Famous Wet Burrito. In our kitchen, we utilize many traditional Mexican ingredients such as Chile Quajillo, fresh cilantro, and Chipotle. We prep everything from our sauces, to our tortilla chips, to our meats fresh every day. We do not give complimentary Chips & Salsa with every meal. Why? Because we make a freshly made pico de gallo stlye salsa with freshly cut and fried tortilla chips, not a jarred picante sauce with bagged, overly salted chips. We do not salt our chips after frying them. We leave that for you to do if you prefer salt on your chips, but frankly,... show more we feel that they taste best as-is. Also, we feel that after you taste our salsa, you will agree that it was worth the $2.95. Another extremely popular item we make is our Salsa Verde, or better known to gringos as, Green Sauce. This is one of the two sauce that we offer to each table to add to your dishes for added flavor. The Green Sauce is a tomatillo/jalapeno-based salsa that packs some heat and great taste. With most items, we offer our traditional 3 meat choices: Ground Beef, Shredded Beef, and Shredded Chicken. We also offer Grilled Skirt Steak, Shrimp, or Mahi to substitute into your burritos, tacos, etc. Aside from our Latin-influenced fare, we make a damn good burger. Our gigantic VIP burger (weighing in at 16oz. before grilling) is becoming revered as the best in town. We offer daily specials ranging from home-made soups to traditional Mexican dishes not featured on our menu.
Our Atmosphere
If you have never been to the VIP, you are definitely in for a new dining experience. We have two entrances to access the restaurant; a front door leading straight inside, and a rear entrance located past the patio area. By entering through the back entrance, you pass through the kitchen on your way into the restaurant. Yes, you pass through the kitchen! There is no escaping it! Once you are in the restaurant you will realize that we are not a big place. There is a long bar that seats up to 18 people and some small and medium sized tables. Most large parties simply must sit in the patio area where our tables seat up to 12 people each. We have a first come, first serve system, and although you may seat yourselves we encourage you to let us to help seat you. When we are full to capacity (we frequently are) we ask that you write your name or ask to have your name written on our dry erase wait list board. Because we are such a small establishment, our servers are our bartenders and our bartenders are our servers. Our staff all work together to service the entire restaurant, bar, and patio area. So, you may have several different people visit your table during the course of your meal. At the VIP, we have a casual, laid-back atmosphere. We have 5 flat screen TV's in the restaurant, a fantastic jukebox, a silver strike bowling video game, and a table top touch screen video game at the end of the bar. We have Togo Menus available for you in case you'd like to order out. Please allow additional time for larger Pick-Up orders and advance notice on these orders is always appreciated. We also have recently created a Catering Menu for large parties/functions. We do not take reservations, but will occasionally allow for the outside patio benches to be set aside for larger parties. Our staff works very hard to make sure everybody gets excellent service. But remember, even though you get your food fast, this is not fast food! show more
Hours of operation
Monday11:00AM - 10:00PMTuesday11:00AM - 10:00PMWednesday11:00AM - 10:00PMThursday11:00AM - 10:00PMFriday11:00AM - 10:00PMSaturday11:00AM - 10:00PMSunday11:00AM - 10:00PM
OPEN NOW
2 recommendations and reviews from 2 people
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Referral from
October 5, 2017
Sally T. asked:Since today is national taco day, can anyone suggest a great Mexican restaurant near Madeira Beach?Tina S. replied:http://www.viplounge-fla.com/
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Referral from
January 9, 2014
Lisa S. asked:Tomorrow is "Margarita Thirst-day" at The VIP Mexican Restaurant & Lounge!!! I NEED IT!!!! Who's in?? Jim, I know you are!!!
Jim H. replied:https://www.facebook.com/VIPTACOS
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