25 Tampa Bay dishes you need to eat before you call yourself a local

Lechon Sandwich at Bodega

1120 Central Ave, St. Pete
Fuck, man. If there was a place to eat alone at Bodega, then we’d eat the frita, Cuban and lechon in one sitting. There’s no secret room at the St. Pete food window and courtyard, however, and if we had to pick one, we’d go with the simple, garlic mojo pork sando with onions.

Photo via Bodega/ Facebook

Macadamia Nut Ice Cream at Bern’s Steak House Dessert Room

1208 S Howard Ave, Tampa
Bern’s Steak House opened back in 1956, and quickly became a staple in town. But the Macadamia Nut ice cream has become an addiction. This scoop is Bern’s signature recipe, which took Bern Laxer seven years and more than 300 iterations to perfect.

Photo via Bern’s Steak House/ Facebook

Lobster Corn Dog at Big Ray’s Fish Camp

6116 Interbay Blvd, Tampa
Tampa Bay is nuts over fish shacks, and Big Ray’s knows what’s up. Although there is a second location at The Sail in downtown Tampa, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not going to the original location and grabbing a massive lobster corn dog. While your at it, order a fresh grouper sando to really call yourself a local.

Photo via Big Ray’s Fish Camp/ Facebook

Paella at Columbia

2117 E 7th Avenue, Ybor
This joint has been around for over a century, and once you go, you’ll get why. Locals know that eating at it is a rite of passage. So go big and get the paella for the table, because this visit should always be an experience.

Photo via Columbia Restaurant Group/ Facebook

Bolognese at La Terrazza Ristorante Italiano

If you’ve ever had a real goomba in your life, then they’ve made you bolognese. Everyone makes it different, and there are a few good ones in town, but nothing beats actually scoring a reservation at this relatively-affordable 23-year-old Ybor City staple where the the fettucine bolo is just one of many stars on a menu full of northern Italian classics. 1727 E 7th Ave, Ybor

Photo via Google Maps

Goody Goody burger with POX Sauce

1601 W Swann Ave, Tampa
Oh damn, talk about a classic. If you don’t have time to sit down and dine at Goody Goody in Hyde Park, hit the take out window. The burger is served with pickles, onions, and their signature tomato-based secret sauce. Simple, but a must.

Photo via CL Tampa

Steak Bomb Sando at Chubby’s Super Subs

3500 4th St N, St. Petersburg
That seven-mile stretch of sidewalk between downtown Tampa and Ballast Point is picturesque, but keep going, walk into South-of-Gandy hidden Chubby’s and order two juicy steak bomb sandos — one for yourself now, and another to eat on your couch when the weed kicks in.

Photo via Chubby’s Super Subs/ Facebook

Mofongo at La Casona

5709 N Armenia Ave, Tampa
Puerto Rico is going through some shit right now, but that doesn’t mean that your cravings for pinchos and roadside mofongo should have to suffer. All seven of La Cosona’s are dressed in creole tomato sauce and made irresistible with onions, peppers, garlic and white wine, so you can’t really strike out when picking between the options (our favorite: the pulpo with conch).

Photo via La Casona/ Facebook

Fried Fish Sandwich at Rick’s on the River

2305 N Willow Ave, Tampa
This one’s tricky. A “fried fish sandwich” isn’t quite the same as a legit grouper sando, but the setting at Rick’s is a must-experience if you want to rep the 813. Get a table close to the Hillsborough River, order a beer and oysters, then take on the rest of the menu before your buzz kicks in.

Photo via Rick’s on the River/ Facebook

Barbacoa Tacos at TacoSon

7521 N 56th St, Temple Terrace
You know that friend who always talks about how Taco Bus used to be the shit? This is where they go instead. The food here is inspired by the owners’ time in Sonora, Mexico, and you’re pretty much not going to lose with anything on the menu (including that Sonoran hot dog). The tacos, however, are required reading. Bring a friend, and get one or two of each.

Photo via CL Tampa

Cuban Sandwich at La Segunda

2512 N 15th St, Ybor
Tampa has to represent when it comes to the Cuban sandwich, and La Segunda is one of the OGs in town who is keeping it traditional. Make sure to go to the Ybor location for your authentic Tampa Bay experience. Wouldn’t hurt to also grab a cafe con leche.

Photo via La Segunda/ Facebook

Spicy collards at Big Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que

1609 Angel Oliva Senior St, Tampa

Big Al’s is the truth and the true king of barbecue in Ybor City (maybe in all of east Tampa). Al has your Tennessee-style meats (dry rub, tomato-based sauce) covered, but heed the staff’s warning when they tell you that the collards are hot. It’s the sweetest heat on that side of Seventh Avenue; just have water nearby.
Photo via Big Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que/ Facebook

Deviled Crab at Brocato’s Sandwich Shop

5021 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa
An eater’s gaze goes directly towards the sandwiches on the Borcato’s menu board, but don’t forget to add one of the 71-year-old establishment’s famous homemade deviled crabs (we like the 2 small crabs option, but the big crab works, too) to your order. Drinks and chips come with the order so you can turn your brain off and enjoy this Tampa staple after you play at the counter.

Photo via Brocato’s Sandwich Shop/ Facebook

Sauerkraut Schnitzel at Mr. Dunderbak’s

14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Temple Terrace
Real tamp OGs remember when Dunderbak’s was tucked into a corridor of the University Mall. It’s found a new home, but the schnitzels (pork, pounded thin and perfectly crusted; herb-breaded Wiener Schnitzel in brown mushroom gravy; one served with two eggs; our favorite, the sour cream with herb gravy) are the way to go. You’ll never be able to try them all in one sitting, so repeat visits (and an Uber, since you’ll probably drown in German bier) are gonna be required.

Photo via Mr. Dunderbak’s/ Facebook

World Champ Burger at El Cap

3500 4th St N, St. Petersburg
El Cap has been holding down 4th street for decades and their decor and old school menus show it. Locals swear by it, that’s why getting their traditional World Champ burger is a must. A pitcher of beer on the side is a solid move.

Photo via CL Tampa

Red Sauce with Jerk Chicken at Jerk Hut

513 N Franklin St, Tampa
A trip to Cepha’s Ybor City hot shop isn’t always a quick in and out, so head to downtown Tampa where a helpful Jerk Hut-er will pile your to-box with red beans and rice, cabbage and a smoky half a chicken decorated in a secret house seasoning. Always ask for an extra scoop of the spot’s not-too-sweet, and not-too-thick red sauce, too. A call ahead to check on availability is recommended.

Photo via Jerk Hut/ Facebook

Key Lime Pie at Kojak’s House of Ribs

2808 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa
If you want to impress visitors, then order one of these pies in advance and serve it at a dinner party. If you’re a savage like me, then go to Kojaks by yourself, request a table in that secluded, sorta-steamy back dining room and then pound just enough spare ribs and smoked sausage to leave room for Aunt Shelby’s tart Key lime pie (the chocolate and apple cake are good, but do not deviate from the plan).

Photo via Kojak’s House of Ribs

Torta at Loli’s Mexican Cravings

8005 Benjamin Rd., Tampa
Yes, it’s true the tacos are legendary, but make sure that one of the mammoth tortas (we like pastor and carnitas) are on the ticket, too.

Photo via Loli’s Mexican Cravings/ Facebook

Banh mi at Saigon Deli

3858 W Waters Ave, Tampa
Cheap, good eats is what Saigon Deli is all about. It’s a safe bet for a chicken liver Banh mi and a steaming hot bowl of pho. Just order at the front and grab a seat for it to be delivered. Look like you’ve done this before.

Photo via Saigon Deli/ Facebook

Fried Chicken at Southern Fresh

122 3rd Ave N, Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor is a hidden gem that’s often overlooked but one of our favorite pizza spots (Pizzeria Gregario) is there and so is Southern Fresh, which does fried chicken right. Two big pieces of bird, pan fried in a cast iron skillet and then served with two sides. Get the breast-wing option and go with collards and mashed potatoes.

Photo via Southern Fresh/ Facebook