20 essential suburban restaurants in Tampa Bay you should've tried by now
These spots aren't located in the heart of the city, but they still have our heart.
Along with subdivisions, Tampa Bay's suburbs offer a wide variety of food options. If you're looking for American classics, the neighborhoods surrounding local metros are home to BBQ shacks, sports taverns and live-music-jamming country bars. If you're craving something from overseas, we've got a taste of Italy's pasta, a Russian grandma's dessert and authentic German beer, too.
Here's a handful of restaurants in the 'burbs you should check out with family and friends.
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6527 Park Blvd. N, Pinellas Park, 727-289-4153
This local Thai spot serves a variety of authentic street noodle soups, ranging from its signature tew nam tok marinated pork and spinach dish to its homemade tew ped toon duck and Chinese broccoli meal.
Photo via
Patti’s Kitchen/Facebook
4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, 813-995-0608
Alongside Uke’s classics like its seafood chowder, grouper sandwich and “Jammin’ Jambalaya,” the ”Old Florida” restaurant also includes unique dishes like gator tail and frog legs. The full-service bar and restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and features live music and trivia on select nights.
Photo via
Ukele Brand’s/Facebook
25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, 813-419-1351
Zukku had so much success in Tampa’s Armature Works that the sushi business is now spreading throughout the Bay, and thus, Lutz’s Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill was born. The high-end sushi experience has both a lunch and dinner menu, featuring a variety of rolls, edamame, nigiri, sashimi, tempura and more.
Photo via
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill/Facebook
640 E Main St., Lakeland, 863-337-4583
Not quite suburban, but still in burgeoning Lakeland, The Joinery food hall offers a wide variety of food and drink spots, including Ava’s wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, Āto’s poké bowls, Super Duper Spot’s “badass” burgers, Sābu’s ramen and The Bar’s craft brews and cocktails.
Photo via
The Joinery/Facebook
11218 Casa Loma Dr., Riverview, 813-405-8565
Jimmy Jo’s smoked BBQ wings, peel-and-eat shrimp, jalapeno poppers, cheeseburgers and grouper sandwiches are fan favorites among the small restaurant-shack’s menu.
Photo via
Jimmy Jo’s BBQ & Grill/Google
