St. Pete Update

Just found an unbelievable deli in St. Pete - The Lucky Dill@ 3rd and Central. Absolutely straight from NYC and perhaps much better than some of the famous places up there. Outstanding sandwiches about eight inches high, packed with mounds of the best meats and salads. I went there on Sat. before a ball game last week with a group and found this jewel. Even the pickles were wonderful. Over a hundred sandwich combinations, but each one made fresh with outstanding breads. The sandwiches are so big, can't be eaten by one, so we traded around the table and got a wide assortment of tastes. I highly recommend the place. I was astounded when the owner said he had only been open for two weeks - the quality and service made it seem as if it had been there for a long time. This is a keeper!

Have noted the adress and will visit when I'm in St Pete in January - let's hope the place makes ago of it and is still around then...

Thanks for the tip on the Lucky Dill. I believe the original is in Palm Harbor, north of Clearwater. I went there a few years ago and it was outstanding. The reuben sandwich was gargantuan and the pickles and black and white cookies rocked! They even gave us a small slice of cheesecake on the house - very nice people.

Downtown St. Pete is full of life and good food - finally!

Lest we forget... Today is the 5th of May, Cinqua deMayo !!!
We plan to have lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Kingston, Rosita's, where we will help our Mexican neighbors celebrate - "Viva la Revolution!!! And perhaps i'll even forgo my Martini and have some kind of Tequela drink at around five - or maybe i'll have both...

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Originally posted by oneiron339

Just found an unbelievable deli in St. Pete - The Lucky Dill@ 3rd and Central. Absolutely straight from NYC and perhaps much better than some of the famous places up there.

Good review oneiron. Do they have pastrami? I will have to check it out one day on my lunchbreak! We can't possibly subsist on stadium hotdogs alone!

if in that area, bop over to Tampa and go north on Dale Mabry hwy till you see OUTBACK,of course drive by it, and seek out the 'Carrollwood Deli'next door. Their pastrami,piled about 8 inches high, is lovely but they also make their own soups and bake their own bread....only open for lunch and they have all the Dr.Brown soda flavor's,including the wretched CEL-RAY

quote:

Originally posted by Kristi S.

quote:

Originally posted by oneiron339

Just found an unbelievable deli in St. Pete - The Lucky Dill@ 3rd and Central. Absolutely straight from NYC and perhaps much better than some of the famous places up there.

Good review oneiron. Do they have pastrami? I will have to check it out one day on my lunchbreak! We can't possibly subsist on stadium hotdogs alone!

Do they ever! The pastrami I ordered was a pastrami/turkey w/ cole slaw and was HUGE. But they also had about 60 other selections. The bread was wonderful.

Lucky Dill also makes a pretty great breakfast, including homemade corned beef hash.

Headed for St Pete tomorrow and I am bringing my appetite with me. You guys have me drooling. How about CB Hash and eggs at Lucky Dill one day and Pastrami on Rye at Carrollwood the next ?? And don't forget the Bicarbonate on the side. Thanks guys------

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Headed for St Pete tomorrow and I am bringing my appetite with me.

Ancient,

Why not try the Dome Grill on Central? They have a semi-cafeteria and a relaxing atmosphere. You can get breakfast and lunch there, but not dinner.

There's also a good Chicago style hot dog place up in Clearwater, maybe on Gulf to Bay, can't remember the exact details. Kristi, answer this one and you're a Double.

Well I drooled all the way to St Pete and found the Lucky Dill right where it was supposed to be, but I was rather disappointed. Maybe because I was born in NYC and have visited the Stage and Carnegie and Katz's and Wolfie's and Juniors and every other great deli many times I was looking for an equal. I must say that for $6.99 there was an awful lot of meat-----but even though it was cut paper thin it was still tough. I suspect it was cut so thin to help with the chewing. As for service--I gave my order to a very unsmiling, unfriendly college girl and when my number was called I walked up to the counter and picked up the stuff. There was one other couple in the place but the staff all had their backs turned to them and us. No one greeted anyone or smiled while we were there. Well back to Katz's for me.

Just as an after thought. We walked into a deli in Rye Brook NY the other night. Never heard of the place, but we were there and so were they. The cashier didn't take our order but said sit anywhere and a waitress will be right there. She was. With menu's and a bowl of pickles. Part half-sour and part regular old dill pickles that I remember from my childhood. She was back with a couple of Bud's before we were half way thru the menu. Now that was service. I forgot that in St Pete we waited until the sandwich was sitting at the counter (#139 come and get it) to get our 1/4 slice of pickle. Is that a real deli????? And no one cared if we liked it or not. Just a few young backs wherever we looked.

Then the NY waitress delivered the sandwichs, with a few NY type comments. The meat was tender and delicious---typical NY----not typical St Pete I guess. It was a little bit smaller than St Pete, but it was completely edible and delicious. It was $7.50 not 6.99, but the service and the tip were worth every penny. Maybe St Pete better learn what NY is all about. As far as deli is concerned there is not comparison.

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Maybe St Pete better learn what NY is all about. As far as deli is concerned there is not comparison.

I prefer TooJay's, anyway...

TooJay's rocks!

They also have the absolute best matzo ball soup I have ever eaten (Grandma -- Shut your ears!".

Yummmmmm

Steve

If TooJay's is the place in BayWalk I agree. No comparison. I will have to try the matzo ball soup on the next trip Steve.

You will not regret. You can also order the chicken noodle with the matzo ball mixed. Make sure they bring you some of their fresh rye bread for dunking!

And don't forget their chocolate rugelach (sp?)!! If they don't have chocolate, get almond. Treat yourself!

We'll pass on the Cel-Ray soda.

I can't ever make it to the chocolate ruggelach, as I am too busy scarfing mini black and white cookies.

And, before this thread takes another Seinfeld turn.....

Stevekoe:

Look to the cookie.

All this fancy talk about Irish food will have a line outside TooJay
a half mile long.
Which reminds me---They had the Stanley Cup in the middle of the Bay Walk the other day and the line to see it, and have your pic taken holding it, went around the block. Who would have ever thought a Florida team would win a hockey championship ???? How about an Eskimo water skiing champ............

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Well I drooled all the way to St Pete and found the Lucky Dill right where it was supposed to be, but I was rather disappointed. Maybe because I was born in NYC and have visited the Stage and Carnegie and Katz's and Wolfie's and Juniors and every other great deli many times I was looking for an equal. I must say that for $6.99 there was an awful lot of meat-----but even though it was cut paper thin it was still tough. I suspect it was cut so thin to help with the chewing. As for service--I gave my order to a very unsmiling, unfriendly college girl and when my number was called I walked up to the counter and picked up the stuff. There was one other couple in the place but the staff all had their backs turned to them and us. No one greeted anyone or smiled while we were there. Well back to Katz's for me.

Had the same experience this morning, service-wise. Got there too late for breakfast (by a whopping 15 minutes) and they wouldn't relent -- and I asked very nicely. When ordering our food, paying for it and picking it up -- it's self-service -- not one "thank you."

I'll be in St. Pete tomorrow, on Central Ave., I hope to have time to check this place out. I find the unfriendliness described here as off-outting, but fairly commonplace anymore. There is no excuse for it. I hope to try a sandwich here if I have time.

Tampa Bay Area Roadfooders' get together.

I will be in St Pete from January 15 thru about February 20 and would like to met up with any other roadfooders who might be in the area during that time.

I have contacted Kristi S. and she is also eager to try to get together with some fellow roadfooders. As I will be without access to a computer from January 10 thru 30, I suggest that those who are interested contact Kristi and see what can be worked out. The place, the time, and the date are all open, so don't be hesitant to make your own suggestions.

Cheers, John

Cheers, John

I concur!

I'm heading to Tampa/St.Pete, well Tarpon Springs to be exact, February 2-9, but I'll have a car and can meet up anywhere. I've been wanting to meet Kristi for some time, as this is an annual trip.

Howard: A lot of years ago we visited Tarpon springs. Looked at the boats, bought a sponge, visited a church with great stained glass, and ate a so-so lunch at that famous Greek place. That exhausts my knowledge of Tarpon Springs. I don't know any roadfood in Clearwater, but there must be some good places in that town, and it would be a good compromise distance wise for both of us.

Anyhow, Kristy is stuck with the job of coordinating this proposed meet-up. so pass any ideas you have along to her, and i'll be talking to her after the 15th.

Cheers, John

Hey Kristi and John -

I would love to meet you for a Tampa Bay roadfood gathering. Let me know what you come up with, as I have a pretty open schedule except for 2/02 - which is my daughter's birthday. Looking forward to seeing you, and all the others who come along.

Lisa

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Originally posted by seafarer john
Anyhow, Kristy is stuck with the job of coordinating this proposed meet-up.

John: Not stuck at all, I'm happy to do it.

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Originally posted by signman
I've been wanting to meet Kristi for some time, as this is an annual trip.

Howard: I'm no Elizabeth Taylor, nor can I sing or dance. Hope I live up to your expectations!

SEAFARER,I know tarpon Springs well,try "Mr.Souvlaki" or 'Hella's',both on the main drag. Each has excellent food but so-so service. Stay out of 'Pappa's',the huge tourist draw,overpriced and average food....but try to get over to the Carrolwood Deli in North Tampa on Dale Maybre HWY......have a great visit