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One Foodie's Opinion on the Best Pizza in Tampa Bay.
Also (sorry), what do you guys think of Eddie and Sam's downtown? I work in the area and eat there a lot. I get addicted at times.
One Foodie's Opinion on the Best Pizza in Tampa Bay.
I've been a huge fan of Paci's for a while now. Superior pizza from Quality folks. I've probably posted on it here before. I was actually there a couple of hours ago. I am ashamed to say that I've not yet been to Wood Fire...but I have been convinced to get up there ASAP.
Where to buy fresh local eggs in Tampa?
You are right...it's not as crazy as it sounds. Too bad about the condo deal though. Dancing Goat Farms was selling eggs at the market in downtown Tampa whenever they set that up. Look for her online. She was my "hook up" before the chickens.
Where to buy fresh local eggs in Tampa?
I have a few chickens living in my yard. I know exactly what they've been eating and they are great pets. They live in a nice coop/enclosure and when I am outside, I let them roam the yard. The eggs are delicious. Best eggs in Tampa and they are all mine!
Tampa Bay food bars
Pizzaiolo Bavaro has a little bar where you can watch them make the pizzas. They have an awesome oven so its a great place to sit...especially if you are a pizza nerd. Downtown Tampa on Franklin. Good stuff.
Spectacular Burger today at this new place in Carrollwood in Tampa...
Well, there was no insult of offense intended. I dig that burger at the Refinery as well. St. Pete Brasserie has a nice burger on their menu. I also love the simple greasy goodness of the burger at Nicko's Fine Foods on Florida Ave.
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Nicko's Fine Foods
4603 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
French bakery - Tampa area?
L'Eden (downtown) has super buttery, flaky croissants. Much better than any that I've tried in the area. I'm pretty sure he makes other pastries as well.
Spectacular Burger today at this new place in Carrollwood in Tampa...
I guess what I am trying to say is that from the enthusiasm of your initial review, I expected something a little more exciting then a boring burger made from expensive beef and a very average little plate of fries which...is exactly what I got. This place just gave me the creepy feeling that they were already gearing up to dominate the burger market and move some serious units. I just wanted a little more soul...and flavor...and awesome. All I got from that place was GIMMICK.
Spectacular Burger today at this new place in Carrollwood in Tampa...
Stopped in the other night and while it was a pretty good burger, I won't be going back. Not sure if this place is a franchise or not but it already has the souless feel of one. The staff was friendly but seemed disconnected. The mushrooms are obviously of the canned variety. Not cool. The 1.49 premium brie cheese was a thin slice of a white cheese which may or may not have had a flavor somewhat reminiscent of actual brie. The fries were pretty boring. The whole experience was bland and homogenized. Not an interesting place at all and with the food being okay but boring, we won't be going back.
Long Shot- Macarons in Tampa?
Checked out Le Macaron in Sarasota this weekend. Those little cookies are amazing. I've only had them once before at the Bouchon Bakery in Vegas. Le Macaron is great. Cool little place with owners who are passionate about what they are doing.
The Refinery (Tampa)
Awesome brunch at the Refinery this weekend. The breakfast items lean towards the heavy side (something awesome smothered in something rich and awesome) and that makes for some serious grubbin. The Kerby Lane(?) was amazing. Perfectly scrambled eggs and sausage covered in a spicy queso served over english muffins. This thing was perfect. The sausage biscuits and gravy are amazing here as well. Nice peppery kick in the gravy with awesome homestyle biscuits with just the right amount of crisp to stand up to the gravy.
I am very stoked on this place. They are doing some really creative stuff and the atmosphere is welcoming and laid back.
Staying by Channelside in Tampa
Some things at Bamboozle are okay...but the $9 "bahn mi" is no bahn me at all. Real Bahn mi can be had for $3 at Saigon Deli on Waters at Dale Mabry and they are much, much better. Bamboozle seems to serve very watered down versions of vietnamese food at premium prices. More about concept then quality and authenticity. Never the less, they seem to be popular with the downtown lunch crowd.
Chez Bryce, Davis Islands (Tampa)
Looks like they rolled out a bit of a new menu. Has anybody tried it yet? Looks pretty enticing.
BRIO Tuscan Grille - Another Macaroni Grille???
Yeah, this place is very..."Meh". I gave it a try during one of their free training dinners. The best thing about it was that they kept bringing us free food. It wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good. I only went because it was free. With the exception of a quick snack and sangria at the Carrabba's bar from time to time, I make it a point to patronize locally owned and operated establishments. We needed a Brio in this town like a hole in the head.
Ella's (Tampa)
Dropped by after the Bucs game and had some of that BBQ. Wasn't the very best bbq I've had but I had a solid meal (beef sandwich and big helping of mac and cheese) for $6. Definitely a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Good beers, fun people and good food. The guy playing guitar was a little overpowering though. This was my second visit to Ella's and I am definitely liking the friendly vibe and food.
Ella's (Tampa)
Dropped in for their "soft" opening last night. The food was great. The menu seems to lean toward southern/comfort food. The appetizer selection is fairly large and nicely priced which will make this place great for beers and a light meal. The beer selection is great and the staff is laid back and friendly.
No long waits or tired, dried out chicken roulade here.
This is the type of place that will bring people to the neighborhood to check it out. The building itself is beautiful and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Tampa - Hidden Gems?
So far, I have preferred my meals at Yummy House to those at China Yuan. However, neither of these places serve "terrible food".
Restaurant near Tampa Embassy Suites Downtown
Dufrain is looking good these days. New Chef who is actually from Mise en Place. They just started a new menu which looks great. Maybe give us a little review after you've been...
Pacci's pizza Tampa!
I'm deep into Paci's. Their pizza is comfort food to me. In my opinion, it's the best stuff around right now. I can't see how I haven't mentioned it anywhere on here before...maybe in a "best pizza" type of thing. Anyway...get some. It's good.
How far do you drive for your favorite food
I have driven from Tampa to Orlando for dinner at the Ravenous Pig quite a few times. Sometimes it just hits me and I have to have something from there. It's totally worth it for me. The ride home is nice. Shuffle up the ipod and we're back in our living room in no time. There is good food in Tampa...but something keeps bringing me back to the Pig.
Say good bye to Cin Cin in Fort Myers
I'm not kidding myself...I wasn't born yesterday. I lived in Fort Myers for many years. I cooked in a few restaurants. I have been consistently disappointed by the food scene down there for years and the sign on 41 as you head in to NFM just reminds me of that every I make the drive.
Taco Bus in Tampa?
They were one in the same...the customers started calling it the Taco Bus and the new owner has made it official. At least that's what I heard.
This place is great. I eat there quite often and I am never disappointed. The conchinita pibil is my choice of meat these days and right now I am hooked on the amazing tostadas. This place is not just a gimmicky bus serving tacos. The food is seriously dope. Get some.
Say good bye to Cin Cin in Fort Myers
Whenever I hit town, I laugh at the billboard telling me that Perkins has been voted Best Place for Breakfast for several years in a row. That says a lot. I had hoped to check this place out next time I was down that way. Bummer.
Fort Myers Restaurants?????what the heck?
Oh...one of those. Probably watches a little too much Top Chef and Food Network. The best chefs crave perfect food...not attention.
Fort Myers Restaurants?????what the heck?
Seems like more than just "in his own mind"...he sure gets a lot of play on these boards. Whats the deal with this guy? Did a lot of cooking in a few different places in "the Fort" a while back and I've never heard of him.
Metro Tampa - Dinner & Brunch?
Sidebern's is worth the trip. Haven't been in a while but I'm sure you will have a fine experience.
I'd like to recommend Pane Rustica. I've appreciated this place as a bakery and gourmet sandwich spot for years now but have only recently experience their dinner menu. They are doing some great things with fresh and tasty ingredients. On a recent visit I was wowed with a dish of house made fetucine served with mussels, clams, salmon and a nice garlic cream sauce. My companion enjoyed a plate of gnocchi with beef tips in a red wine reduction. That sauce was sublime and the beef tips were perfectly seasoned and cooked. They gnocchi were rustic and perfectly cooked. You can also stop in for lunch or in the morning for the best breads and pastries in the area and cup of delicious Illy brand coffee.
Enjoy your visit. Hope you have some great meals.
Breakfast Sandwiches - Tampa
That sounds great...and I agree, breakfast should most definitely be a celebration of living but my breakfast sandwich experiences at Datz have sadly left me feeling lethargic and overfed.
Too much of a good thing can be...well, too much (for me, anyway). 5 strips of that super thick, awesome bacon is intimidating to even an eater such as myself and the grease from all of this bacon somehow managed to lightly coat the entire bun. The cheese was overpowering and the egg was barely noticeable under this pile of fat. 3 bites and I had to put it down. I didn't feel sick...it was all just too rich.
While I'm sure that your sandwich was every bit as good to you as your description, I've not had as good a time in my 3 visits. On your word, I will try yet again. Maybe even tomorrow. Perhaps I'm just on my own with this one. Glad people are so stoked on this place though.
Breakfast Sandwiches - Tampa
Those sandwiches at Datz are just too much. Ordered simple egg, cheese and bacon on a roll and was presented with a pile of top notch bacon, cheese and eggs that was so over the top, greasy and expensive that it almost made me sick. I see what they are trying to do but I really think they should back off a little.
I had a nice breakfast at Pinky's a couple of weekends ago. Didn't get a sandwich but definitely seemed like a solid breakfast spot. Interesting news about the chef. The benedict was solid.
I will check out a couple of those places on your list that I haven't tried.
Breakfast Sandwiches - Tampa
I'm a fool for a good breakfast sandwich. Eggs cooked to order, top quality melted cheese, ham/sausage or bacon and a nice quality bread that holds up to it all. Seems like pressed is a popular option in this area but I also love a good egg sandwich on some hearty wheat toast. Anyway, where do you get your breakfast sandwiches? I am always on the hunt.
2 of my favorites:
Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop (corner of Palm and Nebraska)
I decided to check this little hole in the wall out after noticing a lot of workers from K-Force running across this slightly seedy intersection to get breakfast in the morning on my way to work. I get it now. Creamy scrambled like eggs, melty cheese (white or yellow) and a nice stack of thin sliced ham pressed on buttery cuban bread. You almost have to share this thing. I think that the whole thing could kill a man.
Loading Dock Sandwich Pub (downtown...look it up)
Just had my first breakfast sandwich there and it inspired this post. I ordered up ham egg and cheese on wheat toast. I got nice scrambled eggs, the perfect amount of american cheese, a beautiful stack of thin sliced ham and a few slices of thin sliced tomato. The wheat bread was thick and hearty and stood up well to all of the ingredients. This sandwich was huge but not so buttery and over the top that could ruin your day. It cost less than $4. I highly recommend it.
Anyway...anybody have any favorite breakfast sandwiches in the area that I have to try?
Where is REAL NY pizza in Florida ?
That is an old silly argument. New Yorkers like to come up with all types of reasons why no one will ever be able to make good pizza outside of New York because they just love telling everyone how great things are up there. Put aside you silly water superstitions, get out there and try some pie. I don't know if you've noticed just how many pizza shops are in the Tampa area. Some of them of are doing great things with traditional NY style pizza. This is the same syndrome that affects the NY'ers who put NY stickers all over their car...yeah, we get it, you lived somewhere big and important. Welcome to Tampa. Settle down and enjoy our food.
My vote is for Paci's. I've had visiting friends from all over try Paci's and it has been enjoyed by all.
