Waters/Armenia area? (Tampa, Seminole: neighborhoods, restaurants, safety)

[Obamanation]

I'm sure most of you know the ~1-2 mile radius around the Waters/Armenia intersection is like our "Chinatown." There's so many cool Asian establishments in that area and the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce is based there too. So why isn't this area given more attention??

[tilli]

So why isn't this area given more attention??

Because it is all run down and sad? I think of that stretch of Armenia as where all the awesome hole in the wall Latino restaurants are, but every time I drive down there I think, ugh... we need some revitalization over here! So what Asian places in that area do you like?

[Obamanation]

Yeah I guess, it's not glamorous looking but I don't fear for my safety or anything. There's Got Tea teahouse, Tan Phat Market, Little Saigon, Saigon Deli, Ddrinkz, and others. Notably these places are really the only spots in Tampa to get the legendary Banh Mi sandwich.

[tilli]

Oh, I definitely don't fear for my safety, either. It is one of those neighborhoods that looks much worse than it really is. I am interested in trying a Bahn Mi sandwich, actually - which place would you recommend? My usual Vietnamese joint is Pho Quyen over on Hillsborough but I've never seen the sandwich on the menu there. Not that I would order it even if it was, I am addicted to their pho!

[Obamanation]

w00t. They are all good but Tan Phat on Armenia a tad south of Waters is particularly awesome. Ddrinkz is mainly a boba tea place and is great at that. Like I said I wish this area of town would get the respect it deserves.

[LKJ1988]

It sure has changed since the 70's in that area. Much rougher now.

[Obamanation]

Heh I've only been going there since early this year, I am a 26-year old Tampa native who goes out/explores/researches a lot and only that recently found out this area existed. Too many people in "South Tampa Cocoons" perhaps. At least Seminole Heights, my soon-to-be-home, gets some respect these days.