Sure, there are some in the Bay area who turn up their nose at the mere suggestion of a trip out to the eastern reaches of Hillsborough County. Never mind the naysayers; Brandon, Valrico and Riverview offer some top-notch dining hidden amongst the roadway congestion and strip mall facades.
ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA 6108 Winthrop Town Center Ave., Riverview, 813-654-2255, acropolistaverna.com. Go Greek and enjoy authentic cuisine and entertainment. Try Greek meatballs or grilled red snapper, an Acropolis favorite. Live Greek music every night. Feast your eyes on the belly dancer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (at 7 p.m.). Take advantage of the 2-for-1 margaritas and sangrias (all day, everyday), or 2-for-1 happy hour from 3-7 p.m.
ANTHONY’S COAL-FIRED PIZZA 1912 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-409-3830, anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com. Specializing in gourmet pizza and Italian soul food, this eco-friendly establishment cooks its pizza and roasted wings in a trademark 800-degree coal-burning oven, fueled with super-clean, “green” anthracite coal.
BUBBAQUE’S 957 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-685-1800, bubbaquesbbq.com. For finger-lickin’, messy barbeque, look no further than Bubbaque’s. Smother your baby back ribs, pork or chicken with a choice of six barbeque sauces, such as Tractor Grease or Ole Yeller, or order the funnel cake fries and pretend you’re at a carnival.
CAMPBELL’S DAIRY LAND 200 S. Parsons Ave., Brandon, 813-685-1189. Campbell’s has become a Brandon institution over the last two years thanks to a 1950s nostalgic vibe, classic American fare like chilidogs, and ice cream and specialty shakes that are popular with the local suburbanites.
JO-TO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 905 S. Lithia Pinecrest Road, Brandon, 813-684-0221, jotosteakhouse.com. Visit this Jo-To (Japanese translation: excellent) destination the next time you’re craving sushi, hibachi and specialty drinks. Seafood fans will be delighted with the seafood delight deluxe combination. Sip a specialty drink, such as Karate Punch, in a unique figurine mug that you can take home with you. Be sure to check out the “fishy” entertainment, courtesy of the huge saltwater fish tank.
MELLOW MUSHROOM 10959 Causeway Blvd., Brandon, 813-685-1122, mellowmushroom.com. A good bet for gourmet pizza in a fun environment, Mellow Mushroom has something for all tastes. For example: meatheads will love the Mighty Meaty pizza, while vegetarians can veg out with a Mega Veggie. Thursdays in February are Steal the Pint nights, featuring Sam Adams, or check out the daily happy hour (3-7 p.m.) for $2 discount on all drafts, wine, sangria and wells.
MIMI’S CAFÉ 804 Providence Road, Brandon, 813-684-1184, mimiscafe.com. A World War II airman inspired by his memories of the bistros and cafes of France, and of a woman named Mimi he met along the way, inspired this eatery. If you are a bread lover, be sure to try the Signature Bread Basket. The Fresh and Fit menu is available for the health-conscious, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
OLDE TOWN PIZZERIA AND PASTA 115 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, 813-684-4200, oldetownpizzeria.com. Kick it “olde school” with a Chicago-style pizza, the kind where the cheese and sauce are flip-flopped, or combine breakfast and dinner with the Breakfast Pizza. Feel more like dinner? Try the White House Pizza and eat like a president. Catch the game on one of the flat-screen televisions.
RYUU JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 773 Brandon Town Center Mall, Brandon, 813-438-5934, ryuujapanesesteakhouse.com. Gather around a teppanyaki table and choose from an extensive list of sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri. Typhoon Dinner for Two features sirloin, chicken and Shrimp, and includes soup, salad, noodle and shrimp appetizer, vegetables and fried rice (Mon.-Fri. after 5 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday). Happy hour is all day, every day, with daily drink specials at the enormous bar spotlighted by an LED chandelier that changes colors.
SHRIMP BOAT GRILL 716 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, 813-571-7860, shrimpboatgrille.com. All aboard! This seafood spot will take care of your fish fix. For those with a whale of an appetite, the four-course Category 4 menu is an ideal option. Shrimp Boat Grill isn’t just for seafood fans, either. For a prime time on Saturdays, don’t miss Prime Rib Saturdays, in which slow-cooked prime rib is on special (from 6-9 p.m.).
STONEWOOD GRILL AND TAVERN 612 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, 813-655-9561, stonewoodgrill.com. Comfort food in a comfortable yet classy setting. Try the chef-recommended grilled rosemary and garlic lamb chops or award-winning chicken pot pie. Enjoy half-off house cocktails and wine during daily happy hour (from 4-7 p.m.). Gluten-free menu is available.
SUMATRA BISTRO CAFÉ AND BAKERY 1602 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, 813-655-6200, sumatrabistro.com. Organic items are spotlighted at this neighborhood café and bakery, which serves fair-trade, certified organic coffee or tea, along with freshly baked pastry. Bring Fido and enjoy your meal on the pet-friendly patio. Daily chef specials and vegetarian options are available. Brunch is offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sunday.
TANDOOR INDIAN CUISINE 805 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-654-7300, indiancuisinebrandon.com. This destination offers items from northern and southern India. Choose your desired spice tolerance from their “spice levels” (mild to Indian). Vegetarian options are available.
THAI X-PRESS CAFÉ 921 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Brandon, 813-643-8424, thaixpresscafe.com. This family-owned Thai destination reeks of so much authentic that even the online menu has Thai translation. Try the beef waterfall soup and enjoy a waterfall of beef, then select one of the noodle, stir-fry or curry entrees. For dessert: pretend it's Halloween and try the pumpkin curry.
WILLIE’S THE PLACE FOR SEAFOOD 1912 Front St., Valrico, 813-571-7630, williesseafood.com. If you’re pondering a place to go for seafood, the answer is Willie’s. This nostalgic destination — previously known as Fat Willie’s — was built in 1915, and served as a general store and post office, and is still standing tall. Today, the sole draw is seafood. Enjoy all you can eat catfish, clam strips, mahi mahi, tilapia, white fish or shrimp for $15.99, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2012.