Oscar Demolski's Profile
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
Their Harbor View store by Coachman Park ain't bad. I hit that often when I worked downtown Clearwater. I go to the PH store about once a month now. Good stuff.
But the matzo ball soup isn't a daily soup, I think it's weekends or some other day I don't get a chance to get there.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
Yup. Bruno's is a complete wash out now.
Cited by the health department and I knew 2 girls who worked there.
You don't want to go thee anymore.
Too bad, they had some pretty tasty, greasy pie. Big slices too for a good price, but I haven't been there in over a year and I drive by all the time.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
I haven't had Tate's but definitely try Wood Fired on Bearrs near USF/University Comm Hospital. Pretty good.
I think I mentioned this previously, but my two favs are both in downtown Clearwater area. Cristino's on North Fort Howard (near Morton Plant) is charcoal fired and is probably my favorite in the area (I tried Anthony's once thinking it would be like Cristino's but nope) and Cafe Milano's a block or two north of Cleveland on North Fort Howard. It's a thick, gooey pie which is a style I generally don't like, but this guy is the exception. Ingredients come from Italy (he doesn't advertise that btw) and you can taste it. Off chance you might see Kirsty Ally in there as I have several times, but no one really pays much attention as she's seen all over downtown Clrwtr.
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Cafe Milano
105 N Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755
Where are the bagels in Tampa Bay!
"Another decent Bagel place is on Dale Mabry just north of the Busch Boulevard hump... Bagels Plus (?) (Using my pornographic memory)"
Tampa Bay Bagelry.
Closed about a year ago.
I shed a tear as I could (& did) walk there for a Saturday morning treat.
They had great water bagels.
And another, Einstein sucks vote!
I used to go to the St Pete's Bagel shop on 4th St when I worked over that way, nice to hear there's one on this side of the water.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
"Mario has left La Ideal???
I thought he was a part of the ownership"
The guy with the "Sgt Carter" (from the TV show Gomer Pyle, boy am I dating myself) haircut?
If so, he was the face of La Ideal!
If the Tribune or a TV station did an article on them he was featured prominently.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
THAT is what I'm talking about!
I never tried the Tamales at La Ideal and unfortunately I probably never will.
That place has the best Cuban Sandwiches this side of... well this side of La Ideal.
When friends or family come to Tampa and they want a real Tampa treat, it's La Ideal and not the Columbia or anything else. When I go out to Plant City or down to Appollo Beach area, my co-workers want me to stop there and bring them real Cuban Sandwiches, nothing else compares.
And La Teresita is a nice 2nd place.
I just can't place this BBQ joint on Dale Mabry. Is it between Waters and Busch?
I may have to go out for a Dale Mabry cruise soon, BBQ Duck and Papaya Salad?
Now that I have to see!
Have you ever had Mauricio's Cuban Bread?
On Florida Ave, just South of Hillsborough. $1.78 for some heaven (I think, I just give the lady 2 ones and thank her). More than half the time I go there I get a 3 foot loaf that is still warm to the touch. I walk out to my truck ripping a piece of bread off to knosh on while I drive home.
And speaking of Bread, I'd be remissed if I didn't mention Mazzaro's in St Pete.
http://www.mazzarosmarket.com/
Man, I walk in that place and gain 5 lbs from the aromas alone!
Friday, they have Sammy's Big Fish Sandwich.
I used to never like Fish Sandwiches, not even Grouper, but after having one of those (they used to be called Big John's Fish Sandwiches) I no longer avoid them.
Thanks and feel free to update me with others!
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
Being new here I surfed around, but I kept seeing the same old, same old. I was hoping this board would provide insights on what I call the Hidden Gems. Places that never even heard of Zagat and Michelin is what you put on your truck to drive to these places. A place where you get great food at a decent price. If I want a good dinner and spend a C note for me and the Mrs, I know where to go, it's those places that cost half that (or even less) that I love to find. Now my definition doesn't include some place where the health departmenet makes frequent stops at (except maybe for lunch or dinner), but doesn't have to serve on china or even have wait staff.
So where are these gems in the Tampa area?
I've seen Skippers Smokehouse mentioned several times and I guess one could call that an upscale Dive, but c'mon! The Taco Bus on Hillsborough also fits my defintion, but I'm seeing to many references to Side Berns and all those other SoHo places.
There is more out there & not just on Armenia Ave (the motherlode of Tampa Hidden Gems)!.
For instance, my favorite Mexican is in Ruskin a place called LaCasita on Shell Point Rd a block West from Hgwy 41. When I want Mexican I drive from Carrollwood to Ruskin to get it.
If you continue further down Shell Point there's an outdoor stand called The Fish House with great Fried Seafood and decent Smoked Mullett. A nice hidden gem. Get yourself an Iced Tea and a picnic table and chow down on good eats.
For Chinese there's Yum-Yum House on Waters Ave just East of Armenia and the best Pizza in the area is at Bruno's located at Waters and Armenia (they have other locations in that area as well).
And for the best Deli sandwiches you can't go wrong and Mr Dunderbaks at the University Mall. It doesn't hurt that they have all those imported beers and I understand their German dishes are quite tasty as well, but I just can't get past those monsterous mound sof Pastrami or Corned Beef in all their different variations.
So Ladies and Gents, could ya'll please post some Hidden Gems for me or at the least the places that have great food (or at least one great dish) at a price that would make me want to treat my daughter's bum of a boyfriend?
JK, he's a great kid. Graduating with a double major from USF in a couple of weeks.
