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Pumpkin Whoopie Heaven

(A post by JackieB for the original Eating Tampa.)

If the weather outside gives no hint of fall, the smells emanating from your kitchen certainly should. What could be a greater indicator of the season than pumpkin? Though this delectable dessert is unquestionably a sinful temptation some guilt can be allayed by thoughts of the vitamin [...]

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From the Comments

A few recent comments -

Anonymous laments the changes s/he has noticed at Moxie’s

“Moxie’s was excellent when they first opened downtown – original sandwich ideas, good service and high quality food. They seem to have hit a huge dropoff, though, sometime in the last 4 months. I used to eat there a few times a week, [...]

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Dives, Diners, & Hole-In-The-Walls

(A Michelle B post on Eating Tampa.)

I need your help Tampa Bay. Where are those scary looking hole-in-the-wall places that have amazing food or maybe they serve what some may consider to be questionable fare? Here’s the catch……in St Pete.

I need to compose a list of at least 12 places. These establishment’s can be [...]

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Howl-O-Weenie at New World Brewery

(A Michelle B post for Eating Tampa.)

Bark of the Bay is hosting their annual Howl-O-Weenie party at New World Brewery this Sunday 10/28 from 4PM-7PM. There will be a puppy costume contest, Puppy Bobbing for Apples contest (the apples are cored and have Hot Dogs inside), all kinds of treats for the “kids”, and beer-a-plenty [...]

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Week-end Round-up

The latest Creative Loafing is the Beer Issue.

***

Brian Ries blogs about the closing of the Tampa location of Chateau France. Opening soon in that location will be Chateau SoHo with former France chef Tony Savage as executive chef.

***The Old Foodie writes about how cold warriors stocked up the bomb shelters for that fateful day. He [...]

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Best of Continues

Ok, I’ve started putting up the blurbs for the 2007 Readers Poll Best Of winners. Eventually the list on the left-hand side will link to the blurbs. Look for some new polls to settle some run-offs to go up this weekend.

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Brunch At The Bistro: Seminole Heights Style

(A Michelle B post for Eating Tampa.)

A very good source has informed me that the Bungalow Bistro will be opened this Sunday for Brunch! Yeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I love Brunch. I’m not a real big breakfast person, but something about having the decision between Eggs Florentine Benedict and a hearty Roast Beef sandwich with a cup of [...]

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Best 24-hour Restaurant – Three Coins

Three Coins recently changed owners and has gotten a lot of favorable buzz. One of the great changes they made was to turn themselves into a 24-hour diner. It makes me yearn for the days when my days were nights.

Another great change they made was to start accepting cards.

7410 N Nebraska Ave(813) 239-1256

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Best Bakery – Alessi Bakery

Alessi Bakery is rapidly approaching their one hundredth year in Tampa. They’re a favorite spot for cakes, wedding cakes, sweets, treats, and fresh-baked goodies. When I first moved to Tampa I thought people were talking about Alessi Italian Bar & Grill when they mentioned Alessi’s. The Italian bar and grill serves pizzas that have crusts [...]

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Best Bar – New World Brewery

I love New World Brewery. They have a tremendous selection of beer, great free jukebox, pinball, foosball, and a soothing fountain in the middle of their beer garden. Beer is the specialty here. There’s no liquor, and only one kind of wine.

There’s live music on most Fridays and Saturdays, and a DJ on Wednesdays [...]

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Best Barbecue – Big John’s Alabama

Eater TJP recommended Big John’s Alabama BBQ back in September. It turns out he’s got a nose for excellent barbecue.

From his review -

“In my experience, Alabama BBQ leans more toward ribs (as evidenced by Alabamans’ devotion to Dreamland in Tuscaloosa). So I thought this might be a good choice at Big John’s. I was [...]

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Best Bay-area Food Writer – Brian Ries

Brian Ries is the restaurant critic for Creative Loafing (where he also pens occasional food-related columns that are not restaurant reviews), and he also keeps a blog called Eat My Florida.

Neither Creative Loafing nor the blog offer much info about the mysterious Mr. Ries, other than to say that he is “is a former restaurant [...]

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Best Beach Bar – Caddy’s on the Beach

Drop by to watch the sun set at Caddy’s on the Beach, one of Tampa Bay’s great beach bars.

There are some world-class beaches near Tampa, and there are few things better in life than a great beach with a great beach bar.

9000 W. Gulf Blvd. on Sunset Beach727-360-4993

Runners-up were Undertow and Swigwam.

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Best Beer – Tampa Bay Brewing Company

My initial idea for this category was that it would be the best individual beer, rather than the best brew pub. Several wrote in their favorite brews, but overwhelmingly people pointed to Tampa Bay Brewing Company as their favorite beer. While their brews aren’t bad, I’m hoping they get some more competition soon. Unless I’m [...]

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Best Beer Garden – New World Brewery

It’s no secret New World Brewery is a favorite here at Eating Tampa. And, they also have a great beer garden. Next year however, I’m going to expand the meaning of “garden” so that it includes any outside drinking area. Regardless, go to New World, and drink their beer!

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Best Breakfast – Pach’s Place

This is the reason for starting blogs like this, and running polls like this. I’m not sure how I’d never heard of Pach’s Place before this, but once it was brought to my attention, I see that people have been talking about it, I just haven’t been paying attention. Now that I know what I’m [...]

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Best Buffet – Sweet Tomatoes

Sweet Tomatoes edged out a win in a well-populated category. There were more nominations than are listed in the runners-up, mostly Chinese restaurants.

Sweet Tomatoes is a salad bar type of restaurant that is part of a larger 100 store chain which also includes Souplantation restaurants.

There are locations in Tampa, Brandon, Carrollwood, Palm Harbor, [...]

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Best Chinese – Yummy House

Yummy House gets enthusiastic thumbs-up from critics across Tampa. I ate there recently and was becoming annoyed at the slow service, but all annoyance vanished after my second bite of dinner. Don’t let the strip-mall ambiance put you off. Yummy House is the real deal.

2202 W Waters Ave.813-915-2828

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Best Crepes – La Creperia Cafe

I like La Creperia, but I know several who do not. The most frequent complaint is poor service. I can see how that might happen, but it hasn’t been my experience. Yet. Except for coffee. They don’t like to refill coffee. I don’t know, but it’s annoying.

But, in a way, this erratic service is part [...]

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Best Colombian – La Cabana Antioquena

There’s something perfectly satisfying about rotisserie chicken, slow-cooked beans, and fried plantains. If this sounds like your idea of an ideal lunch, then head over to La Cabana Antioquena.

I didn’t even know this restaurant existed before this poll, but now it’s on my shortlist to visit soon.

8303 N Armenia Ave(813) 936-0078

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Best Deli – Castellano and Pizzo

A Tampa institution for over a century Castellano and Pizzo serves Italian gourmet foods including cheese, olives, olive oil, and meats. Monday through Friday they run a lunchtime cafe.

Cafe Mezzo Giorno is a lunchtime cafe serving Italian and Spanish cuisine. Lasagna, pasta, salad bar, and fresh vegetables are served daily along with specialty items [...]

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Best Desserts – La Casa Dolce Italian Dessert Cafe

La Casa Dolce Italian Dessert Cafe dominated the sweets categories this year. In addition to winning best gelato, they also won best desserts.

Runners-up – Strachans Palm Harbor, Cafe Ponte, and Bern’s.

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Best Falafel – The Grass Root

Grass Root also won Eating Tampa’s best veggie category. Try their falafel to find out why.

2702 N. Florida Ave.813.221.7668

Traditional falafel, made with chick peas, fava beans and Middle Eastern spices on a whole wheat pita with RAW hummus, homemade tabouli and assorted veggies.

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Best Fish Market – Cox’s Seafood Market

Who has the freshest fish in the Tampa area? For the next year Cox’s is the store to beat.

6821 N Dale Mabry Hwy(813) 879-5084

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Best Food Blog – Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen

Jaden keeps the most mouth-watering blog on the internet. In addition to providing excellent food commentary and recipes, she is an exceptional food photographer and in her spare time teaches folks how to cook delicious Asian food. She also writes for Creative Loafing and the East County Observer.

Check for upcoming classes here.

Check her recipe page [...]

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Best French Fries – 5 Guys

Five Guys fries are cut fresh daily, fried in peanut oil immediately before they’re served to you. The small serving is almost too much for a single human to eat in one sitting. Fries are also available “Cajun style.”

Locations around Tampa

Palms of Carrollwood13149 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.813-265-3100

St. Pete Time ForumMain Entrance/Level 2401 Channelside Drive

University Collection [...]

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Best Fried Chicken – Gold Ring Sandwich Shop

I’ve driven by Gold Ring often enough, but never stopped in. Now I have an excellent reason to remedy that.

2510 N Tampa St(813) 224-0986

(image taken from Directory Assistance Plus)

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Best Fried Potato – Papa Joe’s Sub Shop

This another reader-nominated category. I haven’t tried one, but the next time I’m in the I-75/MLK area I’ll be looking for the big orange warehouse-like building on the north side of MLK.

(813) 630-14189520 E Dr Martin Luther Kng Jr

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Best Gelato – La Casa Dolce

Another SoHo establishment La Casa Dolce Italian Dessert Cafe serves gelato, sorbets, espresso, smoothies and sandwiches. Feel free to hang out, drink a fancy coffee drink, and surf the web with their free wi-fi.

Monday nights are singer/songwriter, and open mic nights.

813.259.0002406 S. Howard Avenue, Tampa

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Best German Food – Mr. Dunderbak’s

My aversion to malls has stopped me from visiting Mr. Dunderbak’s, but I understand now there’s an entrance directly into the bar which doesn’t include walking through the mall, so perhaps I’ll be visiting soon.

Known more as a beer bar than a German food restaurant, Dunderbak’s serves 17 beers on draft and 300 bottled [...]

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