Basically, there are two iconic sandwiches in Tampa Bay, the Cuban and the grouper. And, since we’ve already ran down our favorite poultry sandos, it’s the grouper’s turn. Tampa Bay is home to some of the best grouper in the country, and while some restaurants may pass off cheap imitations (get outta here with that Asian carp), here are a few local spots serving up the real grouper sammies.

The Getaway 727-317-5751, 13090 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg facebook.com/thegetawaytampabay Bayside tiki bar The Getaway offers a red grouper sandwich for $18, served grilled, blackened or crispy. It comes with lettuce, tomato, onion and a citrus remoulade, but they recommend adding avocado and smoked mozzarella. Photo via The Getaway/Facebook
Trophy Fish (727) 258-7883, 2060 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, trophyfishstpete.com Trophy Fish in St. Petersburg is a wild card when it comes to what kind of grouper you get since it offers different kinds (red or black grouper) depending on the day’s catch. Customize your sandwich to your liking or stick to the classic lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce. Photo via Trophy Fish/Facebook
Big Ray’s Fish Camp 813-605-3615, 6116 Interbay Blvd., Tampa bigraysfishcamp.com Big Ray’s claims to have the “freshest seafood in South Tampa.” Big Ray’s red grouper sandwich is $15 and comes grilled, blackened or fried with lettuce, tomato, onion and tartar sauce. Big Ray’s also has a location at the Sail Pavilion in downtown Tampa. Photo via Big Ray’s Fish Camp/Facebook
The Tavern (727) 821-1418, 120 6th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. thetavernatbayboro.com Fresh from the docks, the red grouper The Tavern uses is filleted fresh every day. Try one of their variations of a traditional grouper sandwich, one being The Adventurer, with grilled grouper topped with seaweed salad and cucumber wasabi dressing. Photo via The Tavern/Facebook
Harpoon Harry’s Crab House (813) 321-4040, 225 S. Franklin St., Tampa. harpoonharryscrabhousetampa.com Enjoy a seared gulf grouper sandwich at Harpoon Harry’s Crab House in Tampa for $18. With Old Bay Fries on the side, enjoy sandwich toppings like vine ripe tomatoes, red onions, tartar sauce, and a garlic dill pickle, all laid out on a crisp challah bun. Photo via Harpoon Harry’s Crab House/Facebook

Best Neighborhood Bar, Pinellas

Harvey’s 4th Street Grill
Finalists:Bauser’s, Rosie’s Tavern Credit: Photo via HarveysStPete/Facebook
Frenchy’s Original Cafe 727-446-3607, 41 Baymont St., Clearwater frenchysonline.com Like Frenchy’s Rockaway, this location serves six varieties of red grouper sandwiches for $12.95. It even has a special grouper cheek appetizer for $8.95. Photo via Frenchy’s Original Cafe/Facebook
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill 727-446-4844, 7 Rockaway St., Clearwater frenchysonline.com Choose from six different red grouper sandwiches at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill for $12.95 each. Options include grilled, fried, Cajun, Caribbean, buffalo and a grouper reuben. Want even more? Choose from appetizers like the grouper nuggets or grouper egg rolls. Photo via
Crabby Bill’s 727-360-8858, 5100 Gulf, Blvd., Saint Pete Beach stpetecrabbybills.com Crabby Bill’s on St. Pete Beach is serving up “100% real” black grouper sandwiches for $15. The fish comes on a butter bun with lettuce, tomato and onion. For $14 you can also grab the grouper nuggets which are served with tartar and lemon and can be prepared spicy or original. Photo via Crabby Bill’s St. Pete/Instagram
The Hurricane 727-360-9558, 809 Gulf Wy., St. Pete Beach thehurricane.com The Hurricane serves both black and red grouper, depending on the day. The “world famous fresh grouper sandwich” has been The Hurricane’s specialty since 1977. It consists of a half pound of fish, prepared one of 12 ways for $13. Photo via The Hurricane/Facebook
Dockside Dave’s 727-392-9399, 14701 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach docksidedaves.com Dockside Dave’s boasts a world-famous black grouper sandwich. The price of the sandwich varies, depending on the market price, but it’s always a half pound of grouper with lettuce, tomato, onions, pepperoncinis and pickles. The fish can be prepared seven different ways including buffalo, blackened or lemon peppered. Photo via Dockside Dave’s/Website
Jimmy Guana’s 727-595-8356, 401 2nd St, Indian Rocks Beach jimmyguanas.com The Jimmy Guana’s red grouper sandwich is $16.95 and caught fresh from the Gulf. Order it grilled, fried, blackened or jerked. Photo via Jimmy Guana’s/Facebook
4th Street Shrimp Store (727) 822-0325, 1006 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. theshrimpstore.com 4th Street Shrimp Store in St. Petersburg offers a sandwich with red grouper, lettuce, tomato, and a roasted bun. The sandwich costs $16.99, with options for sides including cole slaw, black beans & rice, and steamed broccoli. Photo via 4th Street Shrimp Store/Facebook
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill (813) 281-0770, 7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. thewhiskeyjoes.com Whiskey Joe’s Courtney Campbell location offers up a delicious red grouper sandwich you can get beer-battered, grilled, or blackened. This sandwich will cost you $17.99 and is served with crispy fries and a garlic dill pickle. Photo via Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill/Facebook
Salt Shack On the Bay (813) 444-4569, 5415 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa. salt-shack.com Enjoy a Day Boat Grouper sandwich from Salt Shack On the Bay in Tampa, made with gulf grouper. The sandwich, served with Caribbean tartar and marinated onion straws, goes for $18.95. Photo via Salt Shack On the Bat/Facebook
Hula Bay Club (813) 837-4852, 5210 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa. hulabayclub.com Hula Bay Club offers a gulf grouper sandwich you can get blackened, grilled with citrus butter, or “crunchy style.” Enjoy the $20 meal while overlooking the Tampa Bay waterfront. Photo via Hula Bay Club/Facebook
Mid Peninsula Seafood Market & Grill (727) 327-8309, 400 49th St. S., St. Petersburg. midpeninsulaseafood.com Chow down on a gulf grouper sandwich for only $9.99 at Midpeninsula Seafood Market & Grill. Add a side of cornpuppies, beef garlic onion rings, or rice pilaf while you’re at it. Photo via Mid Peninsula Seafood Market & Grill/Facebook
The Chattaway (727) 823-1594, 58 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. thechattaway.com The Chattaway’s Fresh Grouper Sandwich is a customer favorite at $14.75, but be mindful the restaurant only takes cash. The restaurant uses black grouper for its sandwich. Choose from an expansive list of toppings including bacon, grilled onions, and mushrooms. Photo via The Chattaway/Facebook
The Wharf Restaurant & Bar (727) 367-9469, 2001 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach wharfrestaurant.org Enjoy The Wharf’s red grouper sandwich while enjoying a perfect view of Tierra Verde and Shell Island. Coming in at $14.95, their sandwich comes ready with beans & rice or slaw. Photo via The Wharf Restaurant & Bar/Facebook
The Boardwalk Grill 727-391-8947, 204 Johns Pass Boardwalk E., Madeira Beach facebook.com/theboardwalkgrill For $14.99 you can snag yourself a red grouper sandwich from The Boardwalk Grill at John’s Pass. Get it grilled, Cajun-style or fried and make it a combo meal for a drink and a side of slaw, fries, onion rings, fried pickles or a house salad. Photo via The Boardwalk Grill/Facebook