Tag: food

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: The Best Latin Restaurants!

*Camila Jaramillo (left), Maria Burbano and Melissa Acosta serving up chips and salsa, the popular chicken fajitas and a steak burrito during lunch at Cantina Mexican Grill & Bar*.

1. Cantina
10032 Cross Creek Blvd
(813) 406-4856

Owner Yecid Cardenas opened Cantina Mexican Grill & Bar six years ago with the idea of filling what he saw as a hole in New Tampa’s dining options with a fusion of old Mexican cuisine with what he says is “new era” Mexican cuisine. After some mixed results when he first opened, Cardenas now has achieved one of his goals:

Cantina is this year’s top choice with our readers in the Latin category of our annual survey.

Cantina rose to the top of the charts this year with an improved and packed menu, and the consistency also was much improved. Cardenas also says many more people were exposed to the restaurant (which is tucked away behind a Shell station on the corner of Cross Creek Blvd. and Kinnan St.) due to a pandemic-influenced increase in to-go orders, and more customers equaled more votes.

“We try to do the same thing every day,” he says. “We want to be consistent. These are ‘Grandma’ flavors here, with new era fusion.”

The menu is extensive and varied. One of the stars of the menu is the 12 oz. ribeye served up a handful of different ways — you can get it topped with ranchero chile sauce or chorizo and fries, for example. The carne asada steak is another of the most popular dishes, along with the fajitas, and of course, the tacos and burritos. There are a host a seafood choices available, as well.

A bar with 12 different Mexican beers and, of course, tasty margaritas, complement your meal, which according to our readers, is the best Latin choice around. — JCC

2. Las Palmas
6431 E County Line Rd #104
(813) 803-3903
LasPalmasLatinGrill.com

Las Palmas has now had two locations in New Tampa — three if you count the food truck it currently is operating out of after a fire late in late 2021 damaged its County Line Rd. store — and it has always remained something of an under-the-radar local favorite, thanks to its award-winning Cuban sandwiches and a variety of delicious Latin-infused pork and chicken dishes.

The roasted pork entrée is a favorite, and you can try the vaca frita, or crispy beef (although “fried cow” is the literal translation) as an entrée or in a taco. And, while owner/chef Ramses Garcia says the menu at the truck is being expanded, the sides — yellow rice, black beans, plantains, etc. — are still the perfect complements to whatever meaty dish you choose, and don’t forget a Tres Leches dessert.—JCC

3. Tijuana Flats
17501 Preserve Walk Ln #103
(813) 975-0483
TijuanaFlats.com

For a large chain, Tijuana Flats has a pretty simple recipe but is regarded for having some pretty good food. The regular burritos and dos tacos (hard or soft shell) are good, the nachos are enough for two and the chicken tinga burritios and tacos have a little extra kick.

Speaking of a little kick, one of the fun things about Tijuana Flats is the wide variety of different salsas, which are always worth trying out and comparing.

Locals also are raving about Tijuana Flats’ new wings, available with red chili rub, “bangin’” sauce, chipotle BBQ and smack jalapeño lime varieties.

Although tucked away off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just north of I-75 in Highwoods Preserve, Tijuana Flats continues to draw a good local crowd, and is always a fun spot to be on Cinco de Mayo. — JCC

The rest of the 2021 Latin Favorites with our readers:
(4) Chipotle
(5) Lima
(6) Don Julio
(7) Moe’s
(8) Chili’s
(9) Cross Creek Deli

New Tampa Dining Survey Results: Top 25!

1. Stonewood Grill
17050 Palm Pointe Dr.
(813) 978-0388
Stonewoodgrill.com

Based on the results of our Annual Reader Dining Survey every year since 2011, it doesn’t matter how many new restaurants — chain or otherwise — open in New Tampa, the nearly unbeaten (it “only” finished second once, in 2015) champion is Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms.

After winning by a comfortable margin again this year with its third managing partner in as many years, Stonewood has shown that it doesn’t matter who’s in charge, its combination of delicious American cuisine, great drinks and outstanding service continue to make it top-of-mind with our readers — despite the fact it always has been one of the most expensive eateries located in zip code 33647.

Stonewood’s extensive menu includes everything from fresh seafood to great steaks and chops (photo, right), plus big salads, pasta dishes and more, and it likely has become even more popular with our readers since it began opening for lunch (with a smaller, and less pricey, lunch menu, although the dinner menu also is available at lunch time).

Among the favorite starters at Stonewood are the tasty and ever-popular bruschetta (served with a delicious balsamic dressing) and sesame-seed-seared ahi tuna served with wasabi cream and sesame ginger dressing.

Salad lovers definitely go for the Asian chicken salad (with ginger lime-marinated chicken, chilled sesame noodles and sesame ginger dressing) and the Stonewood salad (with blue cheese crumbles, dried cranberries, blackened walnuts and blue cheese vinaigrette).

Handheld favorites include the oak-grilled cheeseburger, two-hand chicken club and the veggie quesadilla.

And, with great steaks like two sizes of filet mignon and prime rib, a unique sweet tea brined pork chop and blackened chicken pasta. Market Fresh Fish options include ever-changing favorites like Chilean sea bass, grouper and the menu options like Atlantic salmon and yellowfin tuna.

Stonewood also has New Tampa’s second favorite bar with our readers this year and a great Sunday brunch with bottomless bubbles and unique menu items like creme brulée French toast, shrimp and grits and crab cake and prime rib Bennies. — GN

2. Mr. Dunderbak’s
14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 977-4104
Dunderbaks.com

J.B. Ellis bought Mr. Dunderbak’s with the intention of owning a bar, but over the years, he says the place has shifted from being 66% bar and 33% restaurant to 33% bar and 66% restaurant.

Ellis has only himself to blame. A combination of old-time classics (the sandwich board has barely changed in 50 years) to derivations of old family recipes Ellis has tweaked just a little keeps the crowds coming back for seconds. The food (like the Venison sausage platter pictured) must be getting better every year. After a No. 4 finish in 2019, and No. 3 in 2020, Mr. Dunderbak’s inches up another spot in our 2021 Reader Survey., its highest-ever finish.

Mr. Dunderbak’s is an experience. It also boasts this year’s No. 1 bar with our readers, featuring a seemingly unlimited variety of beer, a gift shop, a deli, and atmosphere that is pure Oktoberfest, with the best German dishes around. Choose from authentic favorites like schnitzel, Spaetzle, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Sauerbraten, to name a few, and wash it all down with a delicious Hefeweizen. — JCC

3. Liang’s Bistro
17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
(813) 978-1225
LiangsBistroTampa.com

Like Stonewood and Mr. Dunderbak’s, Liang’s Bistro is another perennial favorite with our readers.

Although it is more of an Asian fusion restaurant — which also includes Japanese- and Thai-style options — than a classic New York-style Chinese place, Liang’s has been the favorite Chinese or Asian (depending upon which of those options have been offered in the Survey each year) place in New Tampa pretty much every year it’s been open and has never finished lower than sixth Favorite Restaurant overall.

Although I love it for menu items like the crispy pork egg rolls, Liang’s BBQ ribs, sautéed string beans (I order them spicy) and sizzling Shanghai steak, our readers always mention Liang’s signature dishes — like General Tso’s, sesame, orange, pineapple or tropical chicken — as their favorites.

Liang’s also offers lunch specials and currently is the only sit-down Chinese place in New Tampa, where you can enjoy a variety of wines and bottled beers. — GN

4. VIA ITALIA
Outstanding pizzas and pasta, and the charcuterie is a treat.

5. ACROPOLIS
New Tampa’s favorite Mediterranean returns to the top-5.

6. FIRST WATCH
New location, same old results for bougie breakfast fans.

7. CALI
Tampa Palms staple drops after 4 straight years at No. 2.

8. SUSHI CAFE
The best sushi in New Tampa, according to our readers.

9. GLORY DAYS
The place to go for good food, football & beer. Nice patio, too.

10. FRESH KITCHEN
Another newcomer bowls into our Top 10, for good reason.

11. FAT RABBIT
Tampa Palms hangout has all the ingredients of a perfect bar.

T12. KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
New Tampa’s only teppanyaki tables moves south on BBD

T12. LAS PALMAS
Fabulous pork and Cubans sold from a food truck, for now.

14. BRUNCHERY
Super specials for breakfast & lunch, tasty skillets and more.

T15. CANTINA REAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Has built a loyal following on Cross Creek Blvd.

T15. CRACKER BARREL
Still attracting attention & votes despite more competition.

T17. BURGER 21
The last to finish No. 1 ahead of Stonewood, back in 2015.

T17. FRAMMI
Area is flush with delish Italian food, don’t sleep on Frammi.

T19. CAPPY’s
The Chicago- and New York-style pizzas are reader favorites.

T19. RED LOBSTER
In an area lacking seafood, Red Lobster remains popular.

21. PANERA
Fast & healthy breakfast & lunch options. Pastries, too!

T22. CHIPOTLE
Hit or miss, but folks like their big bowls & big burritos.

T22. LITTLE GREEK
Falafel pita, hummus, gyros & Greek salad popular choices.

T24. OLIVE GARDEN
The Garden is always packed & not just for the breadsticks.

T24. CHILI’S
Not a great location, but folks like what they like.

25. MICHI RAMEN
New Tampa’s first ramen place also has great appetizers.

bruce b. downs blvd. food New Tampa Nibbles & Bytes Wesley Chapel

Bosco’s Italian-To-Go — Great People Serving Great Value!

I consider Bosco’s Italian-to-Go owners Nancy and Charles Frankulin to be my friends, even though they know that because their thin-crust pizza is made “Detroit style,” or on a conveyor belt oven, instead of on a traditional New York-style stone, their pizza is never going to finish at the top of my list of local favorites.

Even so, I give them high marks for quality ingredients (I do love the taste of their pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese), super-fair prices and for being quality people who genuinely care about their community.

These Wesley Chapel High graduates have seen a lot of local pizza places come and go in their nearly five years since taking over the Bosco’s location in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54 from original owner David Bosco.

And, while many more restaurants failed because of the Covid-19 pandemic the last year+, Bosco’s has maintained its clientele and has continued to deliver (more on that below) its Italian fare to more and more people in every community in Wesley Chapel.

Plenty Of Favorites…

I do want to make it clear that although Bosco’s isn’t my favorite pizza locally, there are plenty of options on their menu that I do genuinely enjoy.

First of all, the pepperoni on the hand-tossed pizza (above) is delicious, and I also like their plain cheese and “meat feast” pizzas (the latter with pepperoni, Italian sausage and bacon). Photographer Charmaine George, who took all of the photos on this page, said the Buffalo chicken pizza had just the right amount of spice and there also are veggie, “Honolulu pineapple,” white winter spinach and chicken Alfredo pizzas on the menu, starting as low as $11.50 for a 14” plain cheese and going up to no more than $20.99 for the 18” meat feast and “Works” pizzas.

I also genuinely like Bosco’s crispy, naked baked chicken wings (I get them plain, as shown below, with the sauce on the side; 8 wings for $7.99, 16 for $14.99 and 40 for $35.99), the sides of homemade meatballs or sausage ($3.39), the chicken Alfredo pasta dinner ($8.49) and especially, the chicken parmigiana dinner ($8.99, it also comes with pasta) and hot sub sandwich ($8.49). The cut-up strips of chicken parm aren’t breaded, and the thicker tomato sauce is extra zesty, so you can enjoy the entrée even if you’re on a low-carb diet (although you’ll probably want to try it with one of Bosco’s fresh salads instead of the pasta if you’re keto-ing).

As for the subs, the bread does come out with a crispy edge, so I do recommend not only the chicken parm, but also the meatball ($8.49) and sweet Italian sausage (with onions and peppers) subs (also $8.49). There also are cold Italian ($8.49) and ham and cheese ($7.49) subs that Nancy says are very popular but I haven’t tried. All of Bosco’s subs come with a bag of chips and a can of soda, too.

Speaking of salads, Bosco’s has a very tasty Greek salad, with olives, feta cheese and banana peppers ($8.99), as well as Caesar ($6.49), chicken Caesar ($8.99), grilled chicken or chicken tender salads (both are $8.49) and an antipasto salad ($8.99) I’ve never sampled.

I do also like Bosco’s garlic bread sticks ($4.99) and garlic cheesy bread sticks ($5.99), as well as the lasagne ($9.49), baked ziti ($7.99) and stuffed shells ($8.49). All dinners are served with a small salad and garlic knots. I’ve also never tried include calzones (with one topping of your choice, ricotta and mozzarella, for $11.49), strombolis (stuffed with 3 Italian meats & 3 Italian cheeses for $12.99). Add $1.75 for each additional topping with your calzone or stromboli.

Save room for dessert, as Bosco’s offers hand-piped cannolis ($3.39) and delicious CinnaStix ($5.50). “There’s a baker in New Port Richey who provides our cheesecake ($3.39), tiramisu ($3.99) and cannolis,” Charles says.

Helping Those In Need

Charles and Nancy also enjoy doing their part to help the local community, as they have done school supplies drives in years past and now have a small food pantry on at Bosco’s to help local residents in need.

“We collect non-perishable food items and offer them to anyone in the community who says they need help, no questions asked,” Nancy says. “There is no stigma here. We’ve only been collecting items for a few months, but already have had a lot of locals thanking us for the help.”

Bosco’s also provides its own pizza delivery, instead of using Grubhub, Uber Eats or other delivery services. “We deliver to all of Wesley Chapel,” Charles says proudly.

Bosco’s Italian-to-Go is located at 30122 S.R. 54 and is open Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. For more information, call (813) 907-2440 or visit BoscosItalianFL.com.

Bosco's food

Bubba’s 33 In Wesley Chapel Adds More Italian-Inspired Fare

I have been a fan of Bubba’s 33, located next to its sister restaurant, Texas Roadhouse (just east of the S.R. 56 exit off I-75), since before the location officially opened at the end of 2019. We attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Bubba’s 33’s first Florida location in September of that year, and even though we didn’t get to sample any of the delicious food at that event, there was a great energy that day that I have personally seen flow through the restaurant’s management, employees and patrons ever since.

Our first sample of the Bubba’s 33 menu came in December of that year and the burgers, wings, pizza and other predominantly sports bar-oriented fare we were given that day gave us a pretty good idea of what to expect — always-made-from-scratch food at very fair prices, with great adult beverage prices, too.

New managing partner Joe Vergona has only been with Bubba’s 33 since January of this year, but as a fellow New Yorker, he and I were both excited to see Bubba’s recently expand its Italian options beyond its not-quite-New-York-style (but still delicious) tin-crust pizzas, which definitely are made with fresh ingredients and served extra crispy (the way I prefer).

“We have added an Italian-style meatball appetizer,” the native Brooklynite says, “as well as both a chicken parmigiana sandwich and a chicken parmigiana pasta option. They’re all already doing very well.”

And for good reason. The Momma’s Homemade Meatball starter offers three nice-sized beef-and-pork meatballs in a semi-spicy tomato sauce, covered with melted cheeses and served with spot-on garlic bread for dipping up the extra sauce and cheese. It definitely has been added to mine and Jannah’s ever-expanding list of Bubba’s favorites.

I haven’t sampled the chicken parm pasta dish yet, but the sandwich is a generous portion of breaded chicken strips, topped with a slightly different-tasting tomato sauce and mozzarella and provolone cheeses (I might order the pickle slices served on top on the side instead), plus a generous portion of crispy French fries (or your choice of sides, including fresh broccoli, sweet potato fries, mac n’ cheese, chili and more).

Speaking Of Favorites…

Although we had tried several of Bubba’s pizzas before, on our most recent visit, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I were all really excited about The Dickie V pizza, named (of course) for long-time college basketball commentator and Tampa Bay-area resident Dick Vitale.

This zesty, flavorful pizza includes Italian sausage, a hint of cherry peppers, fresh basil, grated parmesan cheese and a garlic buttered crust. As Dickie V himself would (and the menu does) say, “It’s awesome, baby!”

And, for every Dickie V “Pizzas for Victory” sold, Bubba’s 33 donates to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, so it’s a super-tasty way to support a worthy cause.

Other Italian-oriented items on the Bubba’s 33 menu include strombolis (the “Super” version includes pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, mozzarella, provolone and marinara; there’s also a meatball stromboli), garlic knots (with marinara and cheese dipping sauces), “Crooked” fried cheese, really good lasagne and even an Italian chopped salad (with salami, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, smoked turkey and mozzarella).

Other great pizzas on the menu include an Italian margherita (with smoked tomatoes and basil), the Meaty Meaty, the fresh veggie and the pepperoni. There’s even a goat cheese arugula option I’ve never tried.

And, I also really love both the grilled ribeye and the Signature ribeye Texas Roadhouse-inspired steaks. The Signature is marinated in a Starbucks® espresso blend and both steaks are hand-cut and served with two sides.

Our other favorites include the crispy traditional and boneless wings (try the raspberry chipotle or Habanero Heat sauces), the California chicken (grilled chicken with avocado and pico de gallo), bacon grind double-patty and half-pound Angus beef burgers, the bacon mac n’ cheese and Charmaine also offers a happy shout out to the chipotle chicken and shrimp pasta.

A True Community Partner

Bubba’s 33 also is one of our area’s best community partner eateries, offering fund-raising events to local PTAs and other nonprofits, and working with the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, where there’s a Bubba’s 33 MVP of the Month board honoring young athletes, as well as AdventHealth Center Ice and more.

“We really do have something for everyone,” Joe says proudly, “so come check us out!”

Bubba’s 33 (26340 Silver Maple Pkwy.) is open Mon.-Thur., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat.; and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call (813) 522-5090 or visit Bubbas33.com.

Bubba's 33 food Italian

Double Branch: Finally Cooking!

The kitchen at Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA), the first business to sign a lease at the new Village at The Grove development, is finally open.

Travis Glenn and his wife Tammi (photo) are renting the space from DBAA co-owner Ryan Clarke and will manage the food side of the micro-brewery, which is called “Omnivorous.” Travis has been a general manager of various restaurants in his 30 years in and out of the business, including eight years at the Dark Horse Brewing Company in Marshall, MI.

Travis has been with DBAA since the day it opened, working as a bartender, but when the original kitchen manager backed out, he applied to take over.

That’s good news for the pub, which has weathered Covid-19, and the lack of a kitchen, from the day it opened. Travis says you could just see the money floating out the door as patrons stopped by for a beer on their way to dinner somewhere else. “It’s been a huge loss,” he says. “People pop their heads in and ask if we have food. I feel like I’ve turned away 30-35 people a day. It happens all the time.”

The menu at Omnivorous features wings, burgers and “good, honest, straightforward bar-type food” with some personal touches, like amazing Brussels sprouts. Everything is made from scratch, his brisket is smoked in-house, the burgers are smash-style and one of Travis’s goals is to have the best chicken wings in the area, with some unique sauces.

One of his fryers is dedicated to only vegan and gluten-free options, like French fries and those delicious Brussels sprouts.

DBAA has other plans as well. There’s a new brewer, Robert Hunt, who used to work at Tampa Beer Works, in charge of the beers. Ryan says they will continue to produce the wide variety of pilsener, IPA, Hazy and Sour beverages, including a soon-to-be released Grove Gold Florida pilsener, named after Grove developer Mark Gold.

Ryan also had added video and board games to the selection of entertainment, and is already hosting events like yoga, where an hour of Sunday yoga is followed by a beer. The first yoga class was held last month, drawing 23 people. And, while Omnivorous isn’t currently open on Sundays, adding brunch on the weekends also is being considered.

Ryan also would like to put together a Father’s Day beer festival.

“The (Covid) delays have definitely created challenges,” Ryan says. “We’re still very excited about the things coming to The Grove, like the container park, and the new apartments across the street, and looking forward to what this can be.”

For more information about Double Branch Artisanal Ales (5956 Wesley Grove Blvd.), call (813) 492-8800 or visit DBAA.com. — JCC

DBAA food