20 Black-owned restaurants in Tampa Bay you should've tried by now

Pop Goes The Waffle

Sara Gerald Fludd
Location varies
Sara Gerald Fludd has been crafting different waffle concoctions since receiving a Belgian waffle iron for Mother’s day. Founded in 2017, Pop Goes the Waffle is a food truck, so you’ll need to check their schedule if you want to try sweet or savory waffles.

Photo via Pop Goes The Waffle website

Cephas Hot Shop

1613 E 7th Ave., Tampa
Last fall, Cephas closed his Fourth Street location following nearly four decades on the block, and now inspectors have finally approved Cephas’ juice and aloe bar inside Tequila’s Mexican restaurant, and the bar made its debut in February 2020. Owner Cephas Gilbert, who has a bit of a reputation for pushing people to eat healthier, will be serving aloe, tumeric and powerhouse tea.

PHOTO BY KIMBERLY DEFALCO

7th+Grove

1930 E. 7th Ave., Ybor,
After noticing Tampa’s lack of Southern food options, Dr. Vondalyn Crawford, Dr. Jamaris Glenn, and Khalilaa McDuffie decided to open 7th + Grove. The restaurant and bar began serving food in July 2019 serving up Louisiana, Georgia and Carolina-based bites like collard green cigarillos, pimento cheese fritters and shrimp and grits. The concept was rated 4 out of 5 stars by CL’s food critic Jon Palmer Claridge.

PHOTO COURTESY OF 7TH+GROVE

COPA

1047 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Making its debut in October 2019, COPA offers an international selection of dishes, from fried ravioli to pork tostones, alongside a variety of wine and beer. The joint also doubles as a hookah lounge for you smokers. Owners, and brothers, Maxim and Sebastien Thuriere are St. Pete natives and wanted their wine bar to be vibrant, rather than dark and somber.

ALEXANDRIA JONES

Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que

1609 Angel Oliva Senior St., Tampa
Al’s got its start in a concession stand in 2003, before evolving into a sit-in restaurant in Ybor in 2009. The restaurant makes Tennessee-style barbeque. Slide by for a taste of Al’s ribs, which are smoked for at least two hours.

Photo via Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que/Facebook

Jerk Hut Island Grille and Beach Club

1241 E. Fowler Ave.,Temple Terrace
In 2019, Jerk Hut pulled a fast one on locals by relocating one of their locations directly across the street, but that didn’t stop its cult following from that buffet. The restaurant has four locations and the menu includes beef patties, ox tail stew, and, of course, jerk chicken.

JENNA RIMENSNYDER

Island Crew Restaurant and Sports Bar

2210 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
Island Crew serves a variety of Carribean food, like jerk chicken, curried goat and oxtail. The owner, who calls himself Chef Pappy, travels to Haiti once a year to donate clothes and school supplies.

Photo via Island Crew Restaurant and Sports Bar/Facebook

Flavaz Jamaican Grille

6467 US-301, Riverview
Flavaz was opened in 2017, after its owners were unable to find authentic Jamaican food in the Brandon/Riverview area. The restaurant offers oxtail, a variety of curry and jerk chicken wings. Vegetarian options are also available.

Photo via Flavaz Jamaican Grille website

Mama's Southern Soul Food Restaurant

3701 E. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., Tampa
Mama’s has been serving proper soul food, like oxtail and fried catfish, in Tampa for over 15 years. The restaurant’s website says customers shouldn’t be too surprised if Chef Reaves, the owner, visits their table.

Photo via Mama's Southern Soul Food Restaurant/Facebook

Mr. B's Southern Cuisine

3401 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa
Mr. B’s offers Southern-based breakfast and lunch, with dishes like fried catfish and fat plates of honey chicken and waffles. Restaurateur Calvin Jefferson developed the menu to reflect the meals he grew up with.

Photo via Mr. B's Restaurant/Facebook

The Rib Shack BBQ

426 W. Bay Dr., Largo
Voted best BBQ ribs by Reader’s Choice Pinellas in 2017, The Rib Shack BBQ also serves chicken, chopped pork or beef, sausage and wings. All of the lunch specials cost less than $10 and are served until 3 p.m.

The Rib Shack BBQ website

Ya Boy’s BBQ

1901 N. Howard Ave., Tampa
Ya Boy’s serves southern favorites like deviled crabs, ribs and smoked chicken wings. The restaurant’s lunch special comes with your choice of meat and two sides.

Photo via Ya Boy’s BBQ/Facebook

Grant’s Crabs and Seafood

13030 Starkey Rd., Largo
Grant’s offers plenty of seafood options like crab, shrimp, muscles and fish. If you aren’t in the mood for seafood, the restaurant also offers chicken wings. Owner Will Grant has had more than 32 years of Floridian restaurant experience and has cooked for celebrities like Angela Bassett, Dick Vitale, Michael Alstott and Randy “Macho Man” Savage.

Photo via Google Maps

The Hall on Franklin

1701 N. Franklin St., Tampa
The Hall on Franklin houses seven different food concepts including Kôf?, which serves coffee, and Bake’n Babes known for signature Freak Shakes that Lizzo herself slide by for a photo op. Jamal Wilson, who owns the food hall, has a real estate background and has owned property on Franklin Street since 2006. Wilson also has two more food halls in the works.

Alexandria Jones

Heavy’s Food Truck

Location varies
Owners Rob Lancaster and Kendrick Scott are used to serving comfort food out of their red, white and blue food truck. Whether you’re in the mood for beef, pork, poultry or seafood, the two entrepreneurs have plenty of choices. Check their Facebook or give them a ring to see where they’re parked.

Photo via heavysfoodtruck.com