ALEX'S SOUTHERN STYLE BAR-B-Q 5362 W. Village Drive, Tampa; 813-269-0050, alexsbbq.com. Nothing fancy here, but who needs a decked-out dining room to serve good barbecue? Alex's has made a name for itself, particularly for its ribs and pork, garnering faithful customers and becoming a Carrollwood staple.
ANTHONY'S COAL FIRED PIZZA 13020 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-265-2625, anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com. This South Florida based chain specializes in crispy, thin crust pizzas cooked in an 800-degree, coal-fired oven, but also serves a small menu of standard Italian dishes, like meatballs, calzones and eggplant "Marino."
BRITAIN'S YOGURT 3861 Northdale Blvd., Tampa, 813-968-5373, britansyogurtmill.com. The main attractions are the "Only 8" Frozen Yogurts: 8 calories per ounce, fat-free, sugar-free and gluten-free. They also carry 10 flavors of Working Cow ice cream.
BURGER MONGER 10412 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-968-6860, burgermonger.com. Taking a stab at gourmet fast food with "upscale burgers" made with Akaushi Wagyu beef, Burger Monger serves burgers and hot dogs "several grades above USDA Prime" with price tags to match. The menu also offers chicken burgers, hand-cut fries from Winnemucca Farms in Nevada, and add-ons like imported Brie and cherry wood smoked bacon.
DALE 1891 GASTROPUB 11742 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa, 813-961-2121, http://www.dale1891.com/. Dale 1891 embodies one of the most popular restaurant trends of recent years: the gastropub, featuring seasonal American fare in a setting that recalls Prohibition-era drink parlors. Chef Jason Dame creates gourmet variations on pub standards, including edamame hummus; three kinds of tacos (Korean Beef, Thai Chicken and Baja Fish); interesting salads and sammies; and entrees like fish and chips, chicken and biscuits, and pork chops with apple butter, spicy Asian cabbage and sweet fries.
GINO'S RESTAURANT AND BAR 10006 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-933-1089, ginosrestaurantbar.com. A small Italian restaurant that has some succulent burgers with cheese that melts on top of juicy beef. There is also a wide variety of Italian dishes to choose from and I have never been failed by the quality of their entrees. Prices are reasonable and the place gets quite a crowd.
GOT TEA? 2202 W. Waters Ave. Suite 4, Tampa, 813-930-0470, got-tea.com. A small shop located next to the popular Chinese restaurant Yummy House on Waters Avenue, with smoothies, brewed and bubble teas, including tea slushies, in every flavor imaginable. Also serving hard-to-find Taiwanese dishes and the ever-popular Momo Delite frozen yogurt (think: Pinkberry).
HOUSE OF BREWS 17683 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Lutz, 813-265-0300. houseofbrewstampa.com. Okay, so it's just on the border of the Carrollwood/Lutz dividing line, but this spot simply must be included because of its great neighborhood bar atmosphere, good selection of craft brews on draft and in bottle, and mouthwatering bar food. Each month they feature a different beer for $3, in addition to other weekly drink specials.
IAVARONE'S STEAK HOUSE & GRILL 3617 W Humphrey St., Tampa, 813-932-5241, iavaronessteakhouse.com. Iavarone's offers aged prime steaks, Italian favorites, cigars and more in an intimate setting. Be sure to check out the rooftop cigar and martini bar for a nightcap under the stars. $10 off bottles of wine on Tuesdays.
KAISEN SUSHI 14841 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-969-3848, kaisensushitampa.com. Topnotch sushi at reasonable prices. Just a heads up: they are closed between 2 and 5 p.m.
MICHAEL'S GRILL 11720 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-964-8334, michaelsgrill.com. Michael produces everything from New American to French, Italian and American classics nearly perfectly, at very reasonable prices. Not to mention, great service and atmosphere.
SAIGON DELI 3962 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-932-0300. Saigon Deli is a mecca for some of the best banh mi in the Bay area. Each of the four meat choices offers a slightly different tweak on the formula. Meatballs are salty and luscious, with flavors both similar and very different from Western versions. The sandwich is never rich, though, thanks to the mediating influence of the pickled garnish and bright herbs.
SCHNITZELHAUS 4333 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-884-5634, schnitzelhaustampa.com. A modest menu of well-done German favorites — bratwurst and wienerschnitzel, apple strudel and chocolate cake — make this family-friendly neighborhood restaurant a winner.
SUSHI ALIVE 15451 North Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-341-5483, sushialive.com. Sushi Alive sets itself apart from other Japanese/sushi joints with its hip, modern decor, packing in the crowds (literally) for lunch and dinner. The fresh, flavorful sushi creations and drink specials make up for the lack of space between tables, and no matter how crowded the place gets, the food is served promptly.
TAMPA TAP ROOM 13150 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa; 813-961-2337. Tucked away in a shopping center, Tank's is part beer garden, part restaurant and part sports bar, gathering an array of folks from beer snobs to college kids to sports fans. The large menu matches the long list of import and craft brews (over 50 taps), and with a full liquor bar to boot, there's something for everyone. Feeling adventurous? Try the mouthwatering, 2011 Best of the Bay Award-winning Blackened Bleu Burger. Karaoke on Tuesday and Saturday nights.
TERRA SUR CAFE 5358 W. Village Drive, Tampa, 813-269-2694, terrasurcafe.com. Terra Sur is a culinary journey to Peru, specializing in the country's traditional dishes of ceviche and lomo saltado. The interior's cozy, with bright, warm colors on the walls, and there's also a pretty extensive list of South American wines. A Tampa gem.
TOASTED PHEASANT BISTRO 14445 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-265-6700, toastedpheasant.com. Serving standard French lunch and dinner fare — steak frites, onion soup, duck confit, etc. — along with a smattering of Italian-inspired dishes that suit chef/owner Leonavicius' culinary philosophy. He keeps almost all of the entrees below $20, and the wine list is short, sweet and extremely well priced.
VALLARTA'S 13731 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-264-7691, vallartastampa.com. A local chain with a large menu of standard combo plates and sizable portions. But the pitchers of margaritas are the star menu item in my book.
VIZCAYA RESTAURANTE & TAPAS BAR 10905 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa; 813-968-7400, vizcayarestaurante.com. Food contributor Patrice Murphy calls Vizcaya, "One of the best meals I've ever had in Tampa. Real Spanish tapas from Chef Felix Piedra. Excellent wine list and service."
YUMMY HOUSE 2202 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-2828. Winner of Best Chinese Restaurant in the 2011 Best of the Bay Readers' Poll. Anyone who eats at Yummy House should be required by law to consume at least one portion of the salt-and-pepper tofu. Call your county commissioner …
This article appears in Dec 1-7, 2011.