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The purpose of this burger search was to be a tie-breaker. Each poll for best burger led to a deadlock, so, as editor, it seemed reasonable that I should try several of the local favorites and serve as a tie-breaker. I have, and I’m going with the Green Iguana burger. There is, however, a slight caveat. [...] The winner in the best diner run-off is Three Coins, and the winner for best fish sandwich is Crab Shack. I’ll put up a new run-off poll, and some updates this evening. Salud, y’all! More of the Reader’s Poll winner blurbs have been written. Soon they’ll all be done, and linked! Holy cow, it takes a long time to write blurbs. There are some new run-offs in the right-hand column. The winners of the latest run-off polls were - Best Sandwich Chain – Panera’sBest Steak – Bern’sBest TexMex – Casa Tina’s Then [...] 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. 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 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 [...] 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 [...] 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 [...] 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 [...] 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. 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 [...] 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! 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 [...] 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, [...] 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 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 [...] 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 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 [...] 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. 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. 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 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 [...] 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 [...] 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) 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 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 [...] 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 The Acropolis is the best known Greek restaurant in Tampa. Over the next year we’ll try to hit some more Greek restaurants, maybe even take a trip to Tarpon Springs, and see if the Acropolis can maintain its elite position. People love their Publix. I was expecting Wild Oats, or Fresh Market, or even Sweet Bay to win here, but Publix was the overwhelming choice (Sweet Bay didn’t even chart). I admit my local Publix is my primary shopping, but I’ve never been impressed with their selection of fruit and vegetables. That said, they’re a pretty [...] Acropolis Greek Taverna is noted for its belly dancing contribution to the Ybor City weekend nightlife. It’s also evidently a favorite for gyros. My experience here has been haphazard. One visit was a wonderful late-night experience sitting outside on a spectacular December night, and the other was an early evening mediocrity. I have not, however, [...] |
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