LA/NYC chowhounder new to Tampa makes plea for restaurant recs
I'm new to Tampa and am lost in the maze of chain restaurants and endless McDonalds on Foul-er, Dale Mabry, everywhere. I am sure that there must be some really great gems in Tampa but I don't even know where to begin. Where is the best Cuban? Thai? Korean? BBQ? Mexican? Vietnamese? Sushi? I am living in south tampa and working up near USF. Any advice for all cuisines and even good supermarkets would be most welcome!!!!
Thanks in advance,
Chief
Chief
Sep 04, 2005 12:36AM
The best supermarkets would have to be The Oceanic Market (asian) in downtown Tampa, Mazzara's in St. Petersburg (italian) and Castellano & Pizzo in South Tampa (Italian-cuban).
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Wow..your in S Tampa, this is where you'll find most of the best restaurants. Check the SOHO district, Howard Ave from Bayshore Blvd to Kennedy Blvd. Ceviche's for Tapas and Sangria's, Bella's for Italian, Bern's for steaks, Side Berns for unique cuisine, Water for sushi, Hugo's for Cuban, Ho Hos for Chinese or TC Choys for Asian/Dim Sum.
Miramar on Westshore and Eulclid also good Cuban, Byblos on MacDill and Bay to Bay for Middle Eastern, Pane Rustica on MacDill south of Bay to Bay. Mad Dogs and Englishmen on MacDill serves some OK Fish and Chips. Head over to the Crab Shack on Gandy in St. Pete, east of the dog track, for great crab!! The Thai Hut on Bay to Bay west of MacDill for Thai. For Mexican its Miguels on Kennedy Blvd. BBQ, head to Jimbo's on Kennedy and Lois, or Kojak's on Gandy just west of Bayshore.
Up by USF, I know of a few places in Temple Terrace, Antonios Pasta Grill on 56th Street, CDB on Fowler, Sub Port makes great subs on Bearss.
Also, be sure to check these out in Ybor: Laughing Cat (Italian), Acropolis(Greek), Samrai Blue(Sushi), Tampa Bay Brewing Company(American).
These are just a FEW of my recs..i live in South Tampa as well. Hope this helps!
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a great way to start is to scan down the message board for old posts or use the search option for Tampa. there are oodles of old posts that are perfectly worthwhile. good luck!
andy
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In South Tampa
Sushi: Yoko's on McDill
Bread/Sandwich: Panne RUstica
Fish: Rattlefish & Ahi Grill ( on Gandy)
French/Caribean: St Barth Island House
Tapas: Sangria's
Libanese: Byblo's
Lobster: Monsta Lobsta
Enjoy and please post back your comments!
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Welcome, Chief.
Try Viva La Frieda for funky Mexican - Florida Ave N of Hillsborough
Grill 29 for Cali cuisine and a great wine by the glass list (beautiful stemware, try the lobster quesadilla) - Channelside
Cafe el 4 de Julio for cafe con leche - Armenia N of Kennedy
Trang's Viet Cuisine - Fowler near 15th St in a strip mall
Also, MISE EN PLACE. Off of Kennedy across from U of Tampa. It can be a little hard to spot. Drive around to the back of the building directly across from UT. There is an art gallery next door. Significantly more top-shelf than the places listed above. Great wine list, wonderful grilled fish & small plates. Do not decline a chance to visit the area behind the gallery where there are sometimes performances; it has a Slipper Room (LES) feel.
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Check out the Crazy Buffet on Dale Mabry for great Sushi :)
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Sorry...forgot to paste the website for Crazy Buffet...here it is:
http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&...
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Whenever I'm in Tampa I try to make it to Pipo's Cafeteria on Hillsborough Ave. Decidedly unpretentious (read: creaky old building) but as good as it gets for Spanish / Cuban food). Second the motion on Crazy Buffet.
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Try Havana Village for delicious Cuban food at a REALLY CHEAP price. It's on Dale Mabry, one block north of Kennedy. I've been eating there since about 1974 and have never had a bad meal. Nice and Friendly too.
Lately, I've fallen in food-lust with the Jerk Hut food in downtown and I understand that they have one in North Tampa, too. Very downhome Jamaican/Caribean food, and that "red sauce" is almost too good to eat. It is ALL GOOD!
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Restaurant BT in Hyde Park, great Viet/French fusion
Evos on South Howard if you want healthy fast food (Thai Trout wrap is pretty good).
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are you still there? My favorite Vietnamese in tampa is the Siagon Palace, easy to find from the University Area. Everything is great. I travel a lot -inc to cities with a nice Vietmanese population such as SF and Seattle, but am always pleased with the food here. If you are not Asian, make sure and tell them you want the authentic stuff, not american style...they are very humble and belive Americans won't like the real deal. here is a link:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/rthomp10/i...
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