Villa Italia
Via Italia 8644 Hunters Village Rd. Full disclosure: This is kind of go to place for us when it comes to Italian. I have a friend who is from the northeast, and on arrival in Tampa, it was a mission of his to find the best Italian place. After sampling some well-known places, he decided … Read more
China Garden
10019 N Dale Mabry Hwy Full disclosure. This place is nearby and is kind of our go to place for Chinese. That doesn’t mean we think it is the best Chinese place in Tampa—it is not, but it is reliable and somewhat consistent which are both good qualities for Chinese. They are a takeout/delivery only … Read more
Homeslice Pizza Company
8830 N. Himes, Tampa I had been sick and had a taste for pizza, so I looked for one that was nearby. It was called the Homestyle Pizza Company. If branding is the start of a good customer-service relationship, the name of this place was not a good start. Gravy is homestyle. Meatloaf is homestyle. … Read more
Hawkeye’s Pizza
14385 N. Florida, Tampa I was hungry for pizza one afternoon, and I thought I’d give Hawkeyes a shot. My choice wasn’t totally without some influence. They send me some ads that honestly look rather attract, and I knew they have acquired some local accolades…um I thought they had. Their webpage displays the logo of … Read more
El Chapo’s
18125 US 41 – Lutz El Chapo’s is the kind of place that rewards ordering a few different things and paying attention. Nothing here is flashy, but a lot of it is done well — especially the tacos and sauces. We went at night and ate on the patio, which turned out to be part … Read more
El Flakos Tacos
2908 W. Hillsborough I saw a listing for an El Flakos Tacos on Armenia, but I couldn’t find it, so we visited the one on Hillsborough. Their sign says they are a 24×7 place, so if there is a late night craving for tacos, this might be a good place. The Food We got an … Read more
El Senor de Los Taco
1441 E. Fletcher. (5919 W Linebaugh Ave, 5919 W Linebaugh Ave, 5919 W Linebaugh Ave) There are four of these restaurants generally in small shopping centers, around town. They are order-at-the counter places. And although the place wasn’t bad, the pictures seen on websites of their food is a bit overstated—i.e. it isn’t as good … Read more
Taqueria Santi
Taqueria Santi is a food truck tucked into a small courtyard off Armenia. It took me three passes before I finally spotted it. The truck sits between a transmission shop and a lawn mower store — not exactly a destination you stumble onto by accident. There are a couple of picnic tables under an awning … Read more
Loli’s Mexican Cravings
8005 Benjamin, 11401 N. 56th, 10011 W. Hillsborough, 1824 N. Westshore These are small sit-down restaurants tucked into stripmalls at varoious locations around Tampa. My first visit for this one was via Door Dash, so I am going to have to drive over for exterior photos and impressions on in-person atmosphere. The Food I got … Read more