AVLIJA GRILL 4105 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-231-7952, avlijagrill.com. Sandwiches, salads and more with a Bosnian flair. The menu is small, but the portions are large and the prices are low. Also serving espresso drinks and veg-friendly fare.
BLUE SEA FISH MARKET 7110 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-5085. This simple and inexpensive fish shack serves up broiled, fried and sauteed seafood ranging from Dungeness crab to Gulf grouper, all with sides of starch and veg.
BO’S ICE CREAM 7101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-234-3870. A landmark in south Seminole Heights, Bo’s has served dip-top cones, mile-high soft serve and upside-down banana splits since the 1950s.
CAPPY’S PIZZERIA 4910 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-238-1516, cappyspizzaonline.com. One of four locations of this locally-owned pizza joint favorited by locals for their deep dish, Chicago-style pies. And being the winner of CL’s 2007 PZZA Tournament of Slices, we can see why.
ELLA’S AMERICANA FOLK ART CAFE 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-1000, ellasfolkartcafe.com. An impressive display of folk art and a beautifully converted house — complete with a big outdoor deck under the trees — highlight a menu that’s an interesting melange of upscale fair food, American classics, Tex-Mex and Asian-fusion, often with a vegetarian bent. Small but nice beer list and some of the best burgers in Tampa. Good for both hipsters and non-ironic truckers.
FRONT PORCH GRILL & BAR 5924 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-237-5511, frontporchgrill.com. Front Porch serves relaxed but modern food — along with some bar nosh classics — in a wonderful converted two-story house. Plan on taking a beer and a plat out on the veranda to watch Seminole Heights go by. Karaoke on Thursdays and Saturdays proves to be quite entertaining to watch.
INDEPENDENT 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independenttampa.com. Offering a dozen taps with exceptional imported and American craft brews along with a fairly extensive array of bottled beer and a small menu with sandwiches and gourmet bar fare. There’s also a coffee shop attached to the side — open at 7 a.m. — serving the same menu as the bar along with the usual caffeinated beverages and baked goods. Free wi-fi, too.
LOS HERNANOS 7700 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-237-5599. A no-frills Dominican cafeteria-style lunch counter.
MARTHA’S PLACE 5202 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-239-1819. Simple Southern breakfast food that will stick to your ribs, with a “Country Cookin’” vibe. And where else can you find fried catfish and grits for breakfast?
NANI’S SANDWICH SHOP 5921 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-849-1336. More than just a sandwich shop, Nani’s offers breakfast dishes, Cuban and Latin items like Devil Crabs, tamales and tostones. And of course, they serve Cubans and Medianoches.
NICKO’S FINE FOOD 4603 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-234-9301. This Greek/American diner exudes a patina of history, helped by the claim that “Elvis ate here!” (I think he ate at almost every Florida diner that’s been open long enough.) You’ll find the usual Greek standards like souvlaki and moussaka blended with burgers and pancakes.
THE REFINERY 5137 N. Florida Ave., Tampa 813-237-2000, thetamparefinery.com. Opened by Michelle and Greg Baker in the old Bungalow spot, The Refinery is a foodie haven. A dedication to sourcing local ingredients? Check. A small menu that changes often? Check. Beer and wine options that are as flexible as the menu? Check. Reasonable prices? Check. Be sure to take advantage of their “Cheap Date Night” deals on Wednesdays and their mouthwatering Sunday brunch offerings.
RESERVATIONS GOURMET TO GO 4703 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-231-6800, reservationsmenu.com. Serving up homestyle Italian fare for lunch or dinner, Monday through Friday. Dine in or, as their name states, take it to go. Try one of their ever-changing weekly specials or call in and make a special request (with at least 24 hours notice). Be sure to check out their decadent, homemade desserts.
SMOKIN’ A’S BBQ 6203 N .Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-238-7665. This family-run ‘cue joint offers an array of meat to choose from: sausage, chicken, barbecue pork, beef brisket, ribs and even burgers. Southern-style sides include collards, fried okra, mac n’ cheese and more.
STEPHANNO’S PIZZA 6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-232-9486, stephannopizza.com. Serious New York pizza, along with a wide variety of sandwiches, salads and oven-baked pasta dishes.
TACO BUS 913 E. Hillsborugh Ave., Tampa, 813-232-5889, tampatacobus.com. For the three people out there who still aren’t familiar with the Taco Bus, expect incredibly tasty tacos still cooked out of an old taco truck, albeit with an attached dining room that makes it easier to nosh in comfort. Wallet- and vegetarian-friendly food.
THREE COINS 7410 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa 813-239-1256. Another Greek/American diner in the Heights, this time with some killer corned beef cooked in-house. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
VIITALS SPECIALTY BAKERY & LIFESTYLE CAFE 6605 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-443-4567, viitals.com. This healthful bakery and cafe is dedicated to gluten-free, vegan and high-protein foods in the form of sandwiches and salads. Cake, too!
This article appears in Jun 9-15, 2011.