Favorite places to eat in Tampa Bay area (Clearwater, Largo: rated, steakhouse)

[Stewabby]

Originally Posted by househunter451

For seafood, Mitchell's Fish Market in West Shore--I LOVE this place. All their food is fresh--huge oyster selection, and they'll basically do anything you ask them to regarding how you want your fish--the chef made our table a sushi platter once that was amazing--all we did was ask. They make all their drinks from scratch--the mojitos are awesome!!

Try their Kung Pao Calamari. It is soooooooo good.

[bentlebee]

If I hadn't seen this thread I probable wouldn't have mentioned it, but yesterday I was reading the neighborhood news paper that is delivered for free to every house where we live.
In it was an article about new businesses and one was a new restaurant in Tampa...something with Cuban sandwiches near where Acropolis is on the Bruce B. Downs....
It was a nice article with a few pictures....and after seeing the pictures I decided never to go there...the lady was wearing no gloves while preparing sandwiches and putting it bare handed on the plates in the kitchen!!!! if I would go to Subway thy all wearing gloves while preparing it and touching the sandwich I'm going to eat....the other lady in the pics had her hair hanging loose and it could easily get on the food...disgusting, specially in a time of swine flu!!!

I like the Cheesecake factory...Texas Roadhouse, Leroy Salmon, Chili's...and there are more great restaurants

[tvdxer]

Jai Ho!

An EXCELLENT Indian restaurant with the most amazing lunch buffet (that's actually spicy! not toned down for non-Indians!). Located on Fowler Ave. across from the University Mall in the "Apna Bazaar" strip mall.

[mary54mi]

Greek Salad at Pita Republic in Bloomingdale EXCELLENT! More authentic than most.

[shoehoard]

Oh my goodness. I miss First Choice BBQ. Good BBQ, awesome hand cut fries. I don't live in FL anymore - moved up north. I really miss all the good food. Mostly just Italian food up here. Hard to find BBQ, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese. Lots of mom and pop places.

Originally Posted by Occifer

Since BBQ was brought up a few times, I'm surprised nobody mentioned First Choice in Brandon. It's a fast-food place but there's usually a line out the door during peak times and the BBQ is some of the best I've ever had anywhere.

I'll also second GrillSmith, Miguel's, Mangroves, and Oystercatchers.

717 South, Mise en Place, Cafe Dufrain, Ceviche, and Bella's are also some good South Tampa restaurants that haven't been mentioned. And although it's a chain, you really can't go wrong with Roy's either. Their fish is excellent. Armani's probably has the best view of any restaurant around, however I think their food has gone down a notch in the past year or so. I don't really think it's worth the price, but the service is excellent and it's got that view...

[shoehoard]

Originally Posted by shoehoard

Oh my goodness. I miss First Choice BBQ. Good BBQ, awesome hand cut fries. I don't live in FL anymore - moved up north. I really miss all the good food. Mostly just Italian food up here. Hard to find BBQ, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese. Lots of mom and pop places.

I also haven't seen anyone mention Mugs n Jugs in Clearwater on 66th street. By far the best boneless wings I've ever had. My sister sends me their sauce. I live 1200 miles away! That's how good it is.

[Jimrob1]

Cracker Barrel. We don't have them on the West Coast, and and the nearest one is in Boise 435 miles from Portland.

[shoehoard]

We have two Cracker Barrels in Connecticut (thank goodness!). There is a definite difference in people's take up here on food. They detest urban sprawl and restaurant chains. So being a FL native - that's all I know. And let me tell you, it's very hard getting used to not having everything at your fingertips.

I miss Chick-Fil-A. However, there's one about 100 miles away in Paramus, NJ. I get the party platers and freeze them. When I need my CFA fix, I defrost a bag, pop in the oven for a bit, and top with Mugs N Jugs sauce. Yum! Next week, we are getting a Fresh Market and I'm thrilled! I also travel to NJ for Total Wine and stock up. You can't buy wine in the grocery stores in CT. You have to go to a "package store." We don't have the following: Buca di Beppo, Mimi's Cafe, Sweet Tomatoes, Crispers, Beef O' Brady's, Bahama Breeze, Miller's Ale House, Checkers, Macaroni Grill, Bonefish Grill, Maggiano's, Sonic, etc.

What we do have is amazing scenery and lots of wineries. And lobster, lobster, lobster. We're going to another lobster fest this weekend. And of course nothing beats being able to open up a food magazine where an event in NYC is being held, hop on the Metro North and w/in 1.5 hours, I'm in NYC.

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

Cracker Barrel. We don't have them on the West Coast, and and the nearest one is in Boise 435 miles from Portland.

[bellagirl95]

My husband and I are Yankee food snobs and as a whole have been very disappointed with the Tampa food scene as well. That being said; If you really are picky about mexican, Vallartas on the corner of Busch Blvd and 56th st is excellent. This is authentic mexican right down to the staff.Sushi: Ichiban on Fowler (voted Best of the Bay 4yrs running) excellent selection, very reasonable as Sushi goes.Pizza: Alessi Bakery on W. Cypress has New Haven style, Gourmet Pizza Kitchen also has decent pizza and thats about it for pizza. (we're not up North anymore Toto)Chicago Style Hot dogs: Mels on Busch is actually pretty authentic, he is from Chicago and has done a great job!!BBQ: I agree with the other comments First Choice hands down. Anyway, theres a few, Hope that helps

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by bellagirl95

My husband and I are Yankee food snobs and as a whole have been very disappointed with the Tampa food scene as well. That being said; If you really are picky about mexican, Vallartas on the corner of Busch Blvd and 56th st is excellent. This is authentic mexican right down to the staff.Sushi: Ichiban on Fowler (voted Best of the Bay 4yrs running) excellent selection, very reasonable as Sushi goes.Pizza: Alessi Bakery on W. Cypress has New Haven style, Gourmet Pizza Kitchen also has decent pizza and thats about it for pizza. (we're not up North anymore Toto)Chicago Style Hot dogs: Mels on Busch is actually pretty authentic, he is from Chicago and has done a great job!!BBQ: I agree with the other comments First Choice hands down. Anyway, theres a few, Hope that helps

I too am a bit of a Yankee food snob, just wanted to ask bellagirl if she has tried the following regarding the post above:
Mexican - Algustos on Kennedy Blvd near downtown
Sushi - Yoko's on MacDill Ave in South Tampa
Pizza - Cappy's on Bay to Bay or Eddie & Sams Downtown Tampa
Chicago Style Hot Dogs - I know of nowhere else but Mel's, but we are also not in Chicago
BBQ - agree with First Choice, but also Jimbo's on Kennedy.

Is there a particular type of food you have not found worthwhile in Tampa area? Ive been here over 20 years and have LOTS of favs for all kinds of food and atmosphere...just ask me...