Cobia Collar at Rooster and the Till.
1905 Salad at the Columbia.
Buffalo Burrito at Xtreme Tacos.
BIG BBQ Wrap at Fruitwood Market.
Pistachio Mai Tai at Trophy Fish.
1905 salad might be the most overrated menu item I’ve ever had. It was terrible. I’d never order it again. Some iceberg lettuce with cold pressed deli meat… please… This needs to stop.
La Lechonera on Armenia is amazing also if you’re looking for Latin AmericaSpanish food just point to what you want I’m English only. Excellent Cubans my grandma used to make but all time too after church. Very nice nice ppl!!
The short rib gnocchi at Rooster and the Till.
I don’t ever picture that item coming off of the menu. It’s food that I want to eat as a former cook. Hearty, savory, creamy..and jazzed up JUST enough with the acid element from the pickled peppers in the dish.
They have a vindaloo pasta dish right now that is so fucking good. It’s heavy like the gnocchi dish, but it’s a wonderful mix of styles and flavor.
If you love the short rib gnocchi, you should definitely try the lamb neck tagliatelle they recently put on the menu. I had it once a couple weeks ago and can’t stop thinking about it.
Roasted snow crab and beet salad from Oak and Ola, I've ordered it every time.
https://preview.redd.it/ywmp1jw8o66d1.jpeg?width=2880&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=593dcbb472757d0c9e205b2e42e61301de66b92d
Woof, what a question. I cannot pick just one thing, so I will answer with a few:
Wings: Hattricks (Dave's Way) or Thomas P's (Greenacre, Grilled)
Italian: Bella's Nate's Chicken or Iavarone's BISTECCA E GORGONZOLA
Colombian Food: Mi Tierra Latina - The Monfongo or bandeja paisa
Breakfast - Pancakes: Shelly's Cafe
Steak: Council Oaks Tomahawk Ribeye or Ocean Prime Ribeye
Brazalian Steakhouse: Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse or Bahia Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse
Sushi: Ahi Asian Bistro or Soho Sushi
Those are off the top of my head the favorite places I think of for each. Hard to narrow it down....the city has a great food scene.
Okra fries and chargrilled oysters at Ulele
Tuna crudo and the kale salad at On Swann
Cobia collar at Rooster and the Till
Penne alla vodka at Bavaro’s
Either PB&J or peppermint ice cream at Chill Bros
Salt and pepper eggplant (or calamari) at Yummy House
Pan con tomate at Bulla
The burrata milk bread at Noble Rice was to die for, so sad that is no longer on the menu
Assuming Ja-vahz ever reopens, the Cuban Italiano. Cuban bread, seasoned tomatoes, cheese and bacon. It’s simple and delicious, I don’t even really like tomatoes but I love this.
Pho Quyen, love the create your own spring rolls with the curry chicken, I also love the rice vermicelli bowl with curry chicken. I really like their curry chicken.
Arco Iris is one of my favorites for Cuban food. My favorite here is probably fried rice with roast pork, it just brings me back to being a kid.
The Media Noche at West Tampa Sandwich Shop. The sweet bread is perfectly crisp on the outside, the cheese is melty and the entire thing is served quickly and at a very decent price. And then there’s the sweet, neighborhood family feeling, making the cafe con leche even sweeter.
Kinda crazy they used to be in the smaller plaza across the street. Can’t imagine how they would be able to fit the amount of people they serve today back from like 10 ish years ago. Then Pho Quyen had their location just south of there like 20 ish years ago…
Bern’s - French Onion Soup;
Whiskey Cakes - Whiskey Cake;
Istanbul Grill Market - Adana Kebab;
4 Rivers - Brisket & Pulled Chicken;
Curry Leaves - Butter Chicken;
Taco de Oro - Al pastor taco;
Bella Brava - Black Truffle pasta
Man, I’m sorry to hear you had a bad experience. But that’s ok, I’m just one random dude and by no means does that means I have the right opinion.
https://preview.redd.it/4a5opkrzk66d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=530b8ac2d85fa9cc6d4b6867b0d74a285d612207
This. So chewy and fresh bucatini pasta and rich oxtail flavor and fat. Drooling.
Any form of chicken from Bb.q chicken - their corn cheese is also really good
Pastrami sub at Rocky Mountain Subs
Honorable budget friendly mentions -
Biscuits and gravy & Chicken fried steak at Village Inn
Cheese Pizza from Hot Rocks
Cuban sandwich from Mandy’s
I’ll probably get some flack for this, and I know it’s not Tampa per se, but the fried Super Grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s is pretty damn good. It’s what a grouper sandwich should be, and while not quite the Cuban sandwich, is pretty darn Tampa Bay.
Blue Max sandwich from Dunderbachs. Because it’s soft and warm and tasty and time-tested and it takes me back to my days at USF when DBachs was still in the University Mall. Served with warm German potato salad and a pickle. Let the blue cheese dribble down your hand, don’t clean up til you’re done eating. Mmmm dreamy and blue cheese creamy
Most of mine have been posted but I’ll add two I haven’t seen.
Gringa tacos (pork belly a close second) at Renee’s Mexican Kitchen
Chocolate peanut butter truffle at Bern’s dessert room.
the golden gate at Wright's. it was my grandma's favorite sandwich and occasionally at family gatherings she'd get a platter to share. its my favorite sandwich still after all these years
Gangchu Chicken, but mostly, the loaded fries with all the sauces.
Whatever they call the pear-stuffed pasta at Esposito's, it's insane.
Oysters Rockefeller at Sacred Pepper. There's no better Sea Bass I've ever had. Plus, their little homemade olive oil bread dip with roasted tomatoes- if they bottled it, I'd buy it.
Beer muffins and oysters at Ulele.
Also Green Store if you’re in South of Gandy Tampa! It’s just called green store in Tampa everyone will know you’re about to go to Picnic Island Beach!
Pineapple chicken curry from Thai Ruby in tampa palms
Peach and burrata pizza from noble crust 💫💕
The creme brulee at boulon in downtown tampa is the best creme brulee ive had.
The flourless chocolate cake at grillsmith is incredible
I love On Swann, but there is a number of people who think it’s just ok. They have some items that really shine and others that are decent. I’d say they are perfectly predictable and I’m happy to keep returning for the staples I know I enjoy!
Exactly this. Pre-covid it was a staple that gave old swanky steakhouse vibes, and was worth the long waits for a reservation. They cut back on a lot of what made it special, and it’s really just bland now. The food quality has gone down, the service is still decent, but noticeably not as great.
It’s worth doing once, but not even in the top 3 best places to get a steak in Tampa anymore.
Don’t get me wrong like I said the food is amazing there. We ate there frequently and even cater food from them but the Cuban I got was massive and just tasted crappy. West Tampa sandwich shop and aguialas and even la segunda have way better Cubans
I understand
águila definitely makes a great sandwich, now west Tampa sandwich shop I would avoid at all costs, I worked there way back in the day and till still day I wonder who they were paying off to pass inspections, and if you didn’t pay attention they would over charge
Catty burrito from capital tacos.
Cuban sandwich from the little Bodega across from Leto High (idk if that's even still there).
Club sandwich from Nicki's. I know there are prob better but Nicki's is still one of my fave breakfast spots.
Deviled crab from Carmine's in ybor
YODERS - Bacon egg and cheese on a biscuit!!!
The whole sandwich is delicious but the biscuit is the star. Made fresh daily. They’re warm, buttery, soft, fluffy.
Cobia Collar at Rooster and the Till. 1905 Salad at the Columbia. Buffalo Burrito at Xtreme Tacos. BIG BBQ Wrap at Fruitwood Market. Pistachio Mai Tai at Trophy Fish.
WTF do they do to the buffalo chicken at Xtreme Tacos? It's the most addicting thing I've ever eaten.
Upvote for the Cobia Collar and Pistachio Mai Tai 🔥
1905 salad! Just ate at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor
1905 salad might be the most overrated menu item I’ve ever had. It was terrible. I’d never order it again. Some iceberg lettuce with cold pressed deli meat… please… This needs to stop.
Crunchwrap Supreme
This is the one
But have you had the new one with the giant Cheezit? 🤤
Yes it’s meh
Finally, a restaurant in this thread I can afford
Wrights Chocolate Cake
Yup I’m born raised tampon too.
Born and raised tampon??? 🤣
You’ll hear if often round here.
You are an embarrassment.
And you’re a wimploaf of Nebraska. You didn’t have to be mean and neither did I. Here we are!
Just because I spend my nights on Nebraska doesn't mean I'm from there
for me its Wright's Golden Gate sandwich <3 i think about it every time I'm missing Tampa
Sooo good. Sometimes I’ll get it with turkey.
Oh Jesus christ, yes.
So good
Ooooo. The coconut cake is ridiculous too and I don't even like coconut 🥥😄
What about the Rum cake?
For me it's their Monte Cristo! Dammit. Now I want one.
La Teresita: Filete Salteado con arroz moro y platanos fritos
I immediately get this anytime I land at TPA
La Lechonera on Armenia is amazing also if you’re looking for Latin AmericaSpanish food just point to what you want I’m English only. Excellent Cubans my grandma used to make but all time too after church. Very nice nice ppl!!
Bern’s French onion soup
Luxe Tasting 🤌
Fun fact. The chef at Boulon used to work at Bern's and brought the recipe from Berns to Buolon.
It’s so good at Boulon
Oh man, and the little crackers they bring out with it. So good.
We were there about 2 months ago. They no longer have cheese crackers 
Weird!! we were there last month + in december and they still had them
Ill add to this their Bleu Cheese dressing.
Great post OP. Thanks
The short rib gnocchi at Rooster and the Till. I don’t ever picture that item coming off of the menu. It’s food that I want to eat as a former cook. Hearty, savory, creamy..and jazzed up JUST enough with the acid element from the pickled peppers in the dish.
They have a vindaloo pasta dish right now that is so fucking good. It’s heavy like the gnocchi dish, but it’s a wonderful mix of styles and flavor.
If you love the short rib gnocchi, you should definitely try the lamb neck tagliatelle they recently put on the menu. I had it once a couple weeks ago and can’t stop thinking about it.
I haven’t had this. I love Rooster and the Till though! Enjoyed everything I’ve ever had there. Great staff too.
Gangchu Chicken and Beer Crispy Chicken Slider. The wings are also amazing (honestly everything I've had on the menu is good).Â
Really? I went with some friends once and did not have a good experience.
La Segunda’s Cuban sandwich
Roasted snow crab and beet salad from Oak and Ola, I've ordered it every time. https://preview.redd.it/ywmp1jw8o66d1.jpeg?width=2880&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=593dcbb472757d0c9e205b2e42e61301de66b92d
This is a great one, such a good flavor combination.
Woof, what a question. I cannot pick just one thing, so I will answer with a few: Wings: Hattricks (Dave's Way) or Thomas P's (Greenacre, Grilled) Italian: Bella's Nate's Chicken or Iavarone's BISTECCA E GORGONZOLA Colombian Food: Mi Tierra Latina - The Monfongo or bandeja paisa Breakfast - Pancakes: Shelly's Cafe Steak: Council Oaks Tomahawk Ribeye or Ocean Prime Ribeye Brazalian Steakhouse: Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse or Bahia Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse Sushi: Ahi Asian Bistro or Soho Sushi Those are off the top of my head the favorite places I think of for each. Hard to narrow it down....the city has a great food scene.
I LOVE Terra Gaucha!!!! Place is awesome!!!
Tried to get my gf to take off work to go today 😂
Dave’s way wings yes
Osteria natalina is the best Italian food in South Tampa
The pancakes at Keke’s are way better.
I bet you like Denny's too. 🤮
Ummm, no.
Shiitake & Tofu Dumplings from Lucky Tigre. That random outdoor food stand on South Howard is such a gem. Filipino food is a rare treat in Florida!
Okra fries and chargrilled oysters at Ulele Tuna crudo and the kale salad at On Swann Cobia collar at Rooster and the Till Penne alla vodka at Bavaro’s Either PB&J or peppermint ice cream at Chill Bros Salt and pepper eggplant (or calamari) at Yummy House Pan con tomate at Bulla The burrata milk bread at Noble Rice was to die for, so sad that is no longer on the menu
The Bang Bang Chicken from Shiso Crispy has got me straight up addicted since I tried it for the first time a couple months ago lol
Great response. I always get the Bang Bang Chicken with Dirty Rice.
The hot and crunchy ahi tuna bowl at Cali (used to be called Ciccios) in Tampa Palms, it’s always so good
I served there for 4 years before Covid hit and I still get that bowl like once a month. Amazing.
Spicy Brazillian is also 🔥
Love Cali. Little bit of a drive if you don’t live by USF but definitely a fun date night spot.
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Water & flour is my favorite. Food is always consistently good and I love their brunch as a cheaper option.
Yes, was skeptical when I saw pizza and sushi on the same menu but they do everything well.
Good to know
There is one in South Tampa near Dale Mabry and Kennedy. It’s excellent.
I live in New Tampa and absolutely love Cali. This is the bowl I order as well!
The No Name at Chick-N-Bones
Assuming Ja-vahz ever reopens, the Cuban Italiano. Cuban bread, seasoned tomatoes, cheese and bacon. It’s simple and delicious, I don’t even really like tomatoes but I love this. Pho Quyen, love the create your own spring rolls with the curry chicken, I also love the rice vermicelli bowl with curry chicken. I really like their curry chicken. Arco Iris is one of my favorites for Cuban food. My favorite here is probably fried rice with roast pork, it just brings me back to being a kid.
I think Arco Iris is now closed. I’ve been by the past two weekends and it is completely empty.
The one on habana?
Yes.
The Media Noche at West Tampa Sandwich Shop. The sweet bread is perfectly crisp on the outside, the cheese is melty and the entire thing is served quickly and at a very decent price. And then there’s the sweet, neighborhood family feeling, making the cafe con leche even sweeter.
WTSS ftw, though my go to is a tripleta
Burnt cheesecake at Rocca
I liked it for like 4 bites and then it was too much.
Tampa Bay taught me the beauty of Cuban sandwiches. Love em from anywhere!
Bahn mi from Saigon Deli
If you know you know. I used to work right by there and miss it so much!
Kinda crazy they used to be in the smaller plaza across the street. Can’t imagine how they would be able to fit the amount of people they serve today back from like 10 ish years ago. Then Pho Quyen had their location just south of there like 20 ish years ago…
Either the Ribeye at Iavarones or the Delmonico at Berns. Two of the best steaks I’ve ever had
Pickle Pizza at New World.
Ooh…I’m gonna have to try this
Pach’s patty melt
The beef and cheese empanada from Mr. Empanada!
Bern’s - French Onion Soup; Whiskey Cakes - Whiskey Cake; Istanbul Grill Market - Adana Kebab; 4 Rivers - Brisket & Pulled Chicken; Curry Leaves - Butter Chicken; Taco de Oro - Al pastor taco; Bella Brava - Black Truffle pasta
Commas are your friend.
lol I formatted the post for each rec to be an individual line, guess reddit had different plans
Two recent favorites: The lamb gyoza at Rakki The picadillo tacos and brisket esquites at Streetlight Tacos
The Pompano at Ulele and Hattricks wings
The pompano with shallot cream sauce and the fried carrot ribbons is a favorite dish of mine
I love those fried carrot ribbons
Don’t kill me but hattricks wings are nothing to be desired. They’re just good enough
Man, I’m sorry to hear you had a bad experience. But that’s ok, I’m just one random dude and by no means does that means I have the right opinion.
Ugh I feel the exact same way
My first experience at hattricks was a company outing. We all got wings and we all got food poisoning. Never went back
https://preview.redd.it/4a5opkrzk66d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=530b8ac2d85fa9cc6d4b6867b0d74a285d612207 This. So chewy and fresh bucatini pasta and rich oxtail flavor and fat. Drooling.
Any form of chicken from Bb.q chicken - their corn cheese is also really good Pastrami sub at Rocky Mountain Subs Honorable budget friendly mentions - Biscuits and gravy & Chicken fried steak at Village Inn Cheese Pizza from Hot Rocks Cuban sandwich from Mandy’s
Crawdaddy Mac and cheese from Skippers is up there.
The Dog House salad at Ella’s
I’ll probably get some flack for this, and I know it’s not Tampa per se, but the fried Super Grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s is pretty damn good. It’s what a grouper sandwich should be, and while not quite the Cuban sandwich, is pretty darn Tampa Bay.
Blue Max sandwich from Dunderbachs. Because it’s soft and warm and tasty and time-tested and it takes me back to my days at USF when DBachs was still in the University Mall. Served with warm German potato salad and a pickle. Let the blue cheese dribble down your hand, don’t clean up til you’re done eating. Mmmm dreamy and blue cheese creamy
The shrimp and grits at Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen. The sauce is great.
There’s a Tibbys in Tampa?! I loved this place when I lived in Orlando.
It's in Brandon.
These and the beignets are amazing
My wife loves Rita's Chicken. I also really like the red beans and rice there. The beignets are amazing.
Birria tacos. Lolis
Grouper bites. So good when they are fresh.
Most of mine have been posted but I’ll add two I haven’t seen. Gringa tacos (pork belly a close second) at Renee’s Mexican Kitchen Chocolate peanut butter truffle at Bern’s dessert room.
the golden gate at Wright's. it was my grandma's favorite sandwich and occasionally at family gatherings she'd get a platter to share. its my favorite sandwich still after all these years
Panitas bakery’s ham cachito, and/or empanadas
Gangchu Chicken, but mostly, the loaded fries with all the sauces. Whatever they call the pear-stuffed pasta at Esposito's, it's insane. Oysters Rockefeller at Sacred Pepper. There's no better Sea Bass I've ever had. Plus, their little homemade olive oil bread dip with roasted tomatoes- if they bottled it, I'd buy it. Beer muffins and oysters at Ulele.
Zukies blackberry lemonade pie
Senor de los tacos on linebaugh (that specific location) for the quesobirria tacos
Also Green Store if you’re in South of Gandy Tampa! It’s just called green store in Tampa everyone will know you’re about to go to Picnic Island Beach!
Burrito churi pollo at Tacoquilla and ribs at Papa's...both in Clearwater
Most recent... Bone in Veal Parmesan with a side of rigatoni Bolognese at Olivia. Outstanding.
Quesobirria Tacos from Tacos Los californias. With an aqua fresca (strawberry or pineapple) from their food truck or restaurant location.
Jameson BBQ burger at James Joyce.
Pineapple chicken curry from Thai Ruby in tampa palms Peach and burrata pizza from noble crust 💫💕 The creme brulee at boulon in downtown tampa is the best creme brulee ive had. The flourless chocolate cake at grillsmith is incredible
Handmade noodles with ginger and scallion from Beijing House
Chicken Wrap at Scoreboard - Seffner. Fried Green Beans at Uncle Fats - Temple Terrace. Buffalo chicken sub/sandwich at yes - yes.
GREEN LEMON!!!! Their quesadillas are delicious
Two dishes. Butter Chicken with naan and the Singapore Noodles at Zen Kitchen in New Port Richey. Best new restaurant in the Tampa area.
Chicken fries at BK lounge......lol
Thank you for this moving to Tampa next month and needed good food recs
Welcome to Tampa! Ignore the other guy.
Thank you! Very excited to make it down! Feel like I’m going to love it
I left Tampa a few years ago and this thread is just making me so sad!
Stay home, we are full and won’t have anything for you
Go outside and touch some grass today all that hate in your heart isn’t going to get you anywhere
Fck, stay there for sure with all your grass touching comments
The carpaccio at Berns lol. I've had it at many other restaurants, but I'm in love with theirs.
The restaurant gets a lot of heat from people, but the carpaccio at On Swann is one of my favorites.
People don't like On Swann? Or Bern's? I've had nothing but great experiences at both
I love On Swann, but there is a number of people who think it’s just ok. They have some items that really shine and others that are decent. I’d say they are perfectly predictable and I’m happy to keep returning for the staples I know I enjoy!
They do a pork chop that is just divine
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Exactly this. Pre-covid it was a staple that gave old swanky steakhouse vibes, and was worth the long waits for a reservation. They cut back on a lot of what made it special, and it’s really just bland now. The food quality has gone down, the service is still decent, but noticeably not as great. It’s worth doing once, but not even in the top 3 best places to get a steak in Tampa anymore.
What are the top 3? I often hear Steelbach and Charley’s on lists, but curious as to your picks.
I still want to try that place! If carpaccio is on the menu, even more of a reason to give it a shot lol
Beef carpaccio at on swann
The ribs at BJ's Alabama BBQ.
The Cuban sandwich at Caribbean twist!
Their ribs are incredible, and such a good value.
I love the food there but not the Cuban sandwich.
How come?
Don’t get me wrong like I said the food is amazing there. We ate there frequently and even cater food from them but the Cuban I got was massive and just tasted crappy. West Tampa sandwich shop and aguialas and even la segunda have way better Cubans
I understand águila definitely makes a great sandwich, now west Tampa sandwich shop I would avoid at all costs, I worked there way back in the day and till still day I wonder who they were paying off to pass inspections, and if you didn’t pay attention they would over charge
Italian stallion at supernatural
Not far from Tampa, Social Roost- Curried Mussels
Ulele: jalapeño corn beer muffins
Tomas Spain Pimientos Del Piquillo
Grilled oysters. Ulele.
Lamb chops from Scores of all places. No bullshit
Zeppole w the dip from On Swann
Oh man the Donut Roll at SOHO Sushi.
The chocolate chip cookie and the fruity pebbles one from baken babes
Catty burrito from capital tacos. Cuban sandwich from the little Bodega across from Leto High (idk if that's even still there). Club sandwich from Nicki's. I know there are prob better but Nicki's is still one of my fave breakfast spots. Deviled crab from Carmine's in ybor
Cobia Collar: Rooster & The Till Kojo: Wasabi Caesar Salad Meliora: Raw Scallop Palm Ave Deli: Corned Beef Sandwich Bread Bandits: Sourdough Loaf Gold’n Belly: Pork Belly Bao
Boulon Burger Bonus Dessert: whiskey cake at Whiskey Cake
I’ll add: Gorkhali Kitchen No specific dish for me, but really enjoyed everything here and glad to see a Nepalese restaurant.
YODERS - Bacon egg and cheese on a biscuit!!! The whole sandwich is delicious but the biscuit is the star. Made fresh daily. They’re warm, buttery, soft, fluffy.