Overated Restaurants in Tampa Bay Area!What are your experiences?

[wiltznucs]

Originally Posted by Kevin from Tampa

I lived in Texas for 3 years in the 90s and ate Mexican all over that state. It's good eating over there, but I'd put Estela's and Vallarta's up against it. Is it AS good as Mexican you'd find in say, Houston? No, but to utterly dismiss those places...come on. They're run by Mexicans, aren't they?

Having spent significant time in both Mexico and Texas I'll take up the debate that outside of San Antonio its hard to find authentic Mexican food in Texas.

What most American's expect and call Mexican food is in fact Tex-Mex.

I've spent time in Chihuahua, Sonora, Durango, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. Just like in the State's there are regional variations in cuisine and the food served in the Southern parts of Mexico varies significantly from the mountainous North and the Pacific varies from the Atlantic.

To the poster who blasted the Taco Bus... Find me another Mexican establishment in Tampa that serves traditional Mayan style achiote seasoned puerco pibil. The taco bus is the closest thing to Yucatan style Mexican food as can be found in Tampa.

[Sumermarie]

Originally Posted by Tim Tim Tim

your nuts, chipolte is by far my favorite affordable place to eat. There food always tastes fresh and in my opinion, just plain good!!!

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Most people I speak to feel the same way as you, my pallet just doesn't feel the same way than most people I guess.

Originally Posted by planedition

PS: For the Chipotle lovers out there: The food, which is cooked in a warehouse who knows where, comes in a plastic bag, and all they do at the various restaurants is boil the bag, pour the contents into metal containers, and keep it warm. Yummy.

Ew. That explains the bland taste I get when I eat it, I've always been sensitive to flavors in foods though, I'm always the first to smell or taste when something has gone bad, maybe people just need better noses? :P

[planedition]

Wiltz: I agree that "what most Americans expect and call Mexican food is in fact Tex-Mex."

Just because Taco Bus (allegedly) serves "traditional Mayan style achiote seasoned puerco pibil" doesn't mean it's actually any good.

It's almost as if Tampa Bay has jumped on the whole taco truck bandwagon just to say, "Hey, look, we have a taco truck in Tampa Bay. We are cool, too."

It's not actually "cool" if the food is old and tasteless and served on the kind of tortillas they sell at Walmart.

[gypsychic]

I find all these things to be subjective. We all have different tastes, and no one will ever agree on "good" and "bad".

When we first moved to Lakeland I asked ALL the locals, especially the Mexicans, where was the best Mexican restaurant. They all gave me their recommendations which the majority were for Tapatio's. So we went, and I tell you we never ate anything so tasteless and bland in our entire lives.

I have still never had anything as good as Pancho's in San Antonio (FL). I did have an EXCELLENT quesadilla off a local taco truck here in Sarasota. Local farm chicken and organic tomatoes and spices - delish.

Anyway, everyone will have to agree to disagree. Never tried that taco bus, but it seems expensive for what you get.

[planedition]

Although food is indeed subjective, there are certain universally accepted standards that one expects when one dines out at the various restaurants. Which is why we have food critics, star-rating systems, entire TV networks, websites and movies all dedicated to the exploration of good food.

I doubt I'd ever see a renowned Mexican chef like Juan Pablo Loza go to Taco Bus and rave about it.

[Parothead]

Okay I must say one of my favorite hotels is the grand Hyatt Tampa bay. I come down at least 6 - 8 times a year and stay there. Love the hotel.

Armani's.... way over rated and over priced.

Oyster Catchers.. Over rated but a wonderful spot to sit out by the fire have a few cocktails. Other than that don't waste your time.

Its a little commercial but I love salt rock grill.

Mex... Agave. Worlds greatest margaritas and the food is really good.

Roys fusion. overrated but the sushi was really good.

The best burger is at Flemings steak house. This has become my favorite place. They have whats called five six and seven. Meaning between 5 and seven there are a bunch of app specials and drink specials. for six dollar. Well worth the run. It will be the first place I hit when i get off the plane.
Oh and the waffle house. (you have to remember we don't have them up here)

Just my opinion
.

[parasol]

Originally Posted by Parothead

Oyster Catchers.. Over rated but a wonderful spot to sit out by the fire have a few cocktails. Other than that don't waste your time.

Its a little commercial but I love salt rock grill.

Mex... Agave. Worlds greatest margaritas and the food is really good.


.

Seriously what is in those margaritas? I could drink a whole pitcher.

[Davachka]

Completely agree that Armani's and Oystercatchers are overrated.....but I do enjoy Roy's (and I am generally not a fan of chain restaurants at all), love their seafood and their desserts.

Originally Posted by Parothead

Okay I must say one of my favorite hotels is the grand Hyatt Tampa bay. I come down at least 6 - 8 times a year and stay there. Love the hotel.

Armani's.... way over rated and over priced.

Oyster Catchers.. Over rated but a wonderful spot to sit out by the fire have a few cocktails. Other than that don't waste your time.

Its a little commercial but I love salt rock grill.

Mex... Agave. Worlds greatest margaritas and the food is really good.

Roys fusion. overrated but the sushi was really good.

The best burger is at Flemings steak house. This has become my favorite place. They have whats called five six and seven. Meaning between 5 and seven there are a bunch of app specials and drink specials. for six dollar. Well worth the run. It will be the first place I hit when i get off the plane.
Oh and the waffle house. (you have to remember we don't have them up here)

Just my opinion
.

[Irishiis49]

What about Ocean Prime? Everyone raves about it but I still haven't gone,is it all it's cracked up to be?

[dspot78]

I think the original Columbia in Ybor is overrated. Although the 1905 salad is really tasty, it's still overpriced for what it is.