gfctampa's Profile
TOP TAPAS IN FLA
Vizcaya in Tampa- authentic Spanish cuisine. Great tapas and full meals.
Tampa: any recommendations for lunch tommorrow
Viscaya in Carrollwood, Lauro's in South Tampa, Bernini's in Ybor City
Come on Tampa!!!!
My husband and I ate at Vizcaya last night. We are never dissppointed! It was fabulous, like usual. We live in South Tampa and do not mind the drive.
Popeye's Deep Fried Turkey - any this year?
I have had a Popeye's Fried Cajun Turkey every year for the holidays for the last 6 years. I order it from the CajunGrocer.com. The Popeye's in my area do not consistently caryy them so I have found it easier and worth the delivery charge for a sure thing. Last year I waited too long and they sold out. However, I got really lucky for I was visiting family in Atlanta a week before Christmas, and I passed a non-franchised Popeye's who was selling the fabulous birds. Brought two back home. This year I have already ordered for a Christmas delivery. Since I am not planning a trip to Atlanta I am not taking any chances of another sell out. Good luck!
Authentic Cuban Sandwich
I used to get my sour pickles from U-Save (aka B & B) and they are packaged by Mount Olive. Sadly, USAVE has been transformed into a Fresh Market but I have enough for at least a year. Whaley's on Howard has ordered them for me in the past. If you need some sours.....I could manage to sacrifice a jar for a fellow chowhound to make an authentic cuban sandwich. Also, my mother said she remembers a Tony Noriega who owned a restaurant- same family?
Authentic Cuban Sandwich
My mother came to the US in 1921 from Sicily and was raised on 8th Avenue in Ybor City. She is very passionate about her food-as most Latins of her generation from Ybor City are- and the authenticity of the cuban sandwich is no exception. We have jars of the conveted "sour pickles"- no garlic or dill in those babies- in our pantry designated soley for the cubans and she was fanatic that the original cubans were not pressed (though agreed she did like them served that way). She has yet to be satisfied with any cuban sandwich in the last 20 years- including Castellano and Pizzo but will buy them there :). She also will give you the run down on a sandwich called the "Media Noche" (semi sweet bun, butter, mustard, ham, queso blanco, turkey)if you have a few hours LOL!
TOP BURGERS IN FLA
There are opening a "Five Guys" restaurant about a mile away. It has about 4 menu items- the main food is hamburgers. One price (I think 3.99) includes whatever of the numerous fixings they offer you want on the burger -with only bacon and cheese costing extra; comes with fries. Has had a lot of write ups as one of the best burgers and values (Zagats). Anyone heard or eaten at one? They have one in the Brandon Mall and are opening another in North Tampa too.
Dining Options in Tampa?
My husband and I were headed to dine at the Laughing Cat (it was on a side street in Ybor City then- don't know if it has moved) and prior to going in we looked at the menu that was posted. I was checking out the surroundings and noticed the staff, dining area, etc. through a big glass window There were flies everywhere, the cooks had filthy fingernails, one had just come in from smoking a cigarette and did not take a detour to wash his hands......there was one table being served so being crowded could not have been used as an excuse. The prices looked good and I had (and still do) hear great reviews but I just can't get pass the filth. Dives I love, not filth.
Favorite Sandwich Joints in Tampa Bay?
Zudars, Fresh Market, TooJays, Schillers, even Wrights - all may have what you are looking for but that search is going to be a hard one- egg salad is one of the most difficult of the salad sandwiches to present on a menu due to so may varieties. Some like it with chopped olives, some with chopped onions, others with relish.....etc.; on rye, pump, bagel, onion roll, toasted- not toasted. Your best bet is too make a big bowl of it yourself. Add everything you want to the choped eggs but mayo and mix. Add mayo last to control the moistness to your preference. Lastly, add your salt (preferably Kosher)and let it chill well before serving. I like a few drops of hot sauce to add some kick and a few slices of a firm, ripe tomatoe- see, such a simple concept can be so complicated! Good luck.
TOP WINGS IN FLA
In Tampa it has been difficult to find a really great wing place. We have taken a liking to the "Wing Stop". I believe there are two- the one we patron in South Tampa and another in the USF area. They have about 10 flavors and they are served naked (awesome seasoned fries). However, after eating at Wild Wings (not Buffalo Wild Wings) a privately owned pub in Marietta, Ga, nothing compares. They have a jalapeno cheddar wing that is to die for- though I was skeptical at first of any wing with a cheese sauce it was so dicreet you did not realize that cheese was an ingredient. One of those foods a chowhound would go back for.
Nasty Little Treats
I am in Tampa and we have a store called "Tuesday Morning". They sell giant green olive stuffed with all kinds of "nasty bites". They have the ones with jalapenos but my husband eats the one with habeneros. I have found that almost anything can be ordered online so if you would like me to send you the brand name let me know. I have found many of my favorite foods -that have been discontinued at my local places- online.
Cuban in Miami
Las Culebrinas was recommended to us on our last trip to Miami- really sketchy neighborhood but great food. The inside decor is totally unexpected- in a good way- given it's surroundings. I was very pleased and would return again.
Help, Chowhounds, help!
Went to Las Culebrinas when I was in Miami a couple of years ago in Little Havana. Very sketchy neighborhood but really good food. Was recommended by locals.
Nasty Little Treats
I agree with Soypower for I too have a strong affection for cold lefovers! All of it- pastas, stews, Chinese food, meats, everything. Popeyes spicy chicken is it's best after it has been chilled.
One of my fav's is cold fried chicken livers on a roll with mayo, lettuce, and lots of pepper...yummy. Might have to fry up some chicken livers today!
Top Institutions in FLA
I agree- a good place but not the best. The servers are not always very helpful or friendly and the portions are not that great. They do make a fabulous steak sandwich (not on the menu) that you can order at the bar and is quite reasonable for the quality of meat you are receiving.
Deep Fried Turkey
My Popeye's turkey was again very moist and flavorful. I do miss the crunchy skin from eating it right after it is prepared. I am going to give Honey Baked Ham a try for I heard they are now in the Cajun Fried Turkey business. Has anyone tasted one from them?
TOP BURGERS IN FLA
That is so true! It does make you think............. Even if it is financially possible to serve such a burger, besides it being good for a quickie on the road, how can you rank any burger as one of the best (Top burgers in Florida) if they can't - or won't (like Chili's)- prepare it to your liking? (i.e. rare, medium rare, etc.) I am not knocking fast food for I am a serious junky and my husband really likes Checkers but one of the "Top Burgers"?
TOP BURGERS IN FLA
I am with you on the El Cap opinion- not that great and the service is really bad. Actually, Outback has a really good burger as does Grillsmith. I gladly pay the extra for a good burger. Haven't eaten at Biff Burger but will defintely give it a try.
Cuban style Pork in Tampa
I have always make my own pork but have no time this year. Any recommendations for a restaurant in the Tampa Bay area that I could order from?
Deep Fried Turkey
For the last few years I have gotten a cajun fried turkey from Popeyes. When my local area did not carry them I ordered it on-line through the cajungrocer.com. This year- all sold out. I used the website locator and called all of the Popeyes in the nearby areas no luck. While visiting Atlanta this weekend, I tried the same thing, no luck. While driving in Marietta I passed a Popeyes that had "Cajun Turkeys" on the sign. Jackpot! I asked why they were not listed on the website and they told me that they were a franchise- not corporate. Corporate decided not to carry them for Christmas but some of the franchises did.
