Top Choices in Tampa

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (mcguirejohnr)

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:30:03 GMT

I had the family with me and was only in town for a day so the only place I made it to was The Floridian for a really awesome Cuban Sandwich! Thanks for all the information. I will hit the others next time down.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (wheregreggeats.com)

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:50:26 GMT

http://www.eddieandsamspizza.com/

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (db1105)

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:43:11 GMT

The Columbia in Ybor is a must stop. Around John's Pass I second The Floridian for a Cuban Sandwich. Right next door in a strip mall is Foxy's cafe that has some great food. Down the road in Maderia Beach you should stop at Dockside Dave's for a Grouper Sandwich.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (carlton pierre)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:07:49 GMT

I used to love visiting Tampa but I no longer work in that area and haven't been there for a godd 4 years. But, I really enjoyed Skipper's Smokehouse (www.skipperssmokehouse.com). What a fun place, good food, and lots of good "concerts" there. Charlie's Steakhouse right off I-4, wonderful food but upscale. And, those who mentioned The Columbia in Ybor City also excellent. So many neat, fun places to explore there.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (ces1948)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:59:07 GMT

The Travelin Man

I like this blog for Tampa eats. Should be some decent recommendations there.

Some very witty writings there. I live across the state and have been meaning to get over to Tampa for quite sometime now. There used to be a wonderful place in Ybor City called the Silver Ring Cafe where I was introduced to the Cuban sandwich and Spanish bean soup many years ago.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (kevincad)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:11:20 GMT

The Travelin Man

"Original" location - on Columbus.

"Suburban" location - Pinellas Park.

After a quick review of both web sites, it is possible that the two restaurants with identical names and similar menus are not at all related. I don't know the story well enough to judge for my own. However, my only advice is to go to the location on Columbus and sit in the cafeteria section with the S-shaped counter. THAT is your true Tampa-Cuban experience.

I agree 100%. Used to eat there a couple of times a month!

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (The Travelin Man)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:06:05 GMT

"Original" location - on Columbus.

"Suburban" location - Pinellas Park.

After a quick review of both web sites, it is possible that the two restaurants with identical names and similar menus are not at all related. I don't know the story well enough to judge for my own. However, my only advice is to go to the location on Columbus and sit in the cafeteria section with the S-shaped counter. THAT is your true Tampa-Cuban experience.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (charlottesailor)

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:19:23 GMT

La Teresita is very good. I'm not sure of the suburban location as I've not been there, in fact I don't know where that is, nor is listed on their web site.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (wanderingjew)

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:09:53 GMT

I concurr with TTM's recomendation of La Teresita. Unfortunately when I was there in 2006, my friend and I went to the Suburban location (to avoid a nasty storm that was heading our way) although the food was excellent, the atmosphere sucked. I disagree with TTM's analogy of comparing the atmopshere to a Denny's- it felt more like a Wendy's to me

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (The Travelin Man)

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:00:21 GMT

Chris - I have now bookmarked that page, as well. The sad thing is that on the rare occasion when I find myself in Tampa, it is not necessarily with other "foodie" friends - which is how we end up at places like Jimbo's BBQ (which I really do like!). The more adventurous folks who would be willing to partake in more Caribbean offerings aren't the folks that will just hop in a car with me and head to Tampa to eat!

I need better friends.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (ayersian)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:22:10 GMT

The Travelin Man

I like this blog for Tampa eats. Should be some decent recommendations there.

TTM, you almost one-upped me with this awesome blog! It's spectacular, but I'm dying to try these food tours on my next visit to Tampa. These are more regional foods, if that strikes your fancy. Chris

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (Foodbme)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:46:39 GMT

The Colombia in Ybor City is the oldest Cuban restaurant in FL. Kind of a tourist place but still good and worth the history lesson.
Go there to say you've been there!
http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (psurudy)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:25:07 GMT

Try a cuban sandwhich at the Floridian In Treasure Island right next to John's Pass.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (kevincad)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:06:40 GMT

The Travelin Man

Jimbo's BBQ is pretty good (with the usual caveat, for Florida).

La Teresita is excellent - the original location, not the suburban one that has the all the atmosphere of a Denny's.

The Columbia in Ybor City is also good.

I like this blog for Tampa eats. Should be some decent recommendations there.

Never heard of a suburban location, but then it's been several years since I've been there.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (kevincad)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:03:54 GMT

mcguirejohnr

Will be in Tampa for a few days late this week and looking for the top couple of places to eat. Primarily looking for inexpensive "local" places. I really need a couple in the John's Pass area, perhaps one near the airport/Westshore area and then YBor City or around the Port of Tampa. I searched old threads and found La Teresita but nothing else was jumping out at me.

Do NOT miss a chance to go to La Teresita on West Columbus Drive. I lived in the area for many years, it's the best authentic Cuban food on the planet!

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (wheregreggeats.com)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:38:49 GMT

I found some NY pizza ... right downtown ... it was superb ... for some reason i can't find it in my notes.

Try to visit St. Pete Beach too if you can.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (Foodbme)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:18:11 GMT

MetroplexJim

Berns.
The One, the Only, the Legendary: http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/
If you have never been and are going to be in Tampa you will absolutely kick yourself if you do not go. Enjoy!

Agreed, but it definitely doesn't fall into the "Inexpensive" Category.
More like the $$$$$$ Category but definitely worth that "at least once in a lifetime" experience.
There are some good inexpensive Cuban places in Ybor City.

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (MetroplexJim)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:08:20 GMT

Berns.

The One, the Only, the Legendary: http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

If you have never been and are going to be in Tampa you will absolutely kick yourself if you do not go. Enjoy!

Re:Top Choices in Tampa (The Travelin Man)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:20:59 GMT

Jimbo's BBQ is pretty good (with the usual caveat, for Florida).

La Teresita is excellent - the original location, not the suburban one that has the all the atmosphere of a Denny's.

The Columbia in Ybor City is also good.

I like this blog for Tampa eats. Should be some decent recommendations there.

Top Choices in Tampa (mcguirejohnr)

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:49:23 GMT

Will be in Tampa for a few days late this week and looking for the top couple of places to eat. Primarily looking for inexpensive "local" places. I really need a couple in the John's Pass area, perhaps one near the airport/Westshore area and then YBor City or around the Port of Tampa. I searched old threads and found La Teresita but nothing else was jumping out at me.