My reason for the quick trip to Tampa, Florida, was to visit the Goody Goody restaurant on the 5th anniversary of its rebirth. Marcela and I were there for two things: Food (Me + kinda her) and Antiquing (Her + kinda me).
It rained every day, but we were taking it easy. Our Airbnb was just about a mile from LA Segunda, so that first morning, our breakfast had already been decided.
The restaurants are listed in alphabetical order so that they’re easier to find, and while we’re at it, let’s throw one of those tables of contents below.
Tampa Restaurant Eats + 1
I’ll continue to add Tampa spots I’ve eaten from to this page to keep this content together.
Angelito’s at La Caridad Bakery
When a fella on Instagram mentioned a Miami-style Cuban Bakery in Tampa, we were out and about. So, our next stop instantly became Angelito’s at La Caridad Bakery.
The pastelitos from Angelito’s at La Caridad Bakery are identical in style and taste to his cousins from Miami. The inside of the bakery has 1980s Miami Cuban Bakery vibes; it’s my kind of place.
Angelito’s at La Caridad Bakery
4425 W Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, FL
(813) 884-2822
The Boozy Pig
Chef Richard Hales (who now lives in Tampa) had eaten breakfast with us at Goody Goody the day before. He suggested I hit up the Boozy Pig, so I did.
Marcela had left early, so I was trapped at home watching TV. I’m not complaining, but it left me ordering delivery. It’s not my preferred method on the first try at a new restaurant.
🥪 El Mixto: Housemade salami cotto, smoked ham, mojo pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, roasted garlic & mustard aioli on pressed LA Segunda Bakery bread.
🍔 Boozy Burger: Two four oz. Grass-fed house-ground beef patties with blue cheese, bacon jam, caramelized onions & arugula on toasted brioche.
Ultimately, it made no difference. The bread on El Mixto was still crusty from the press, and the bun from my burger did not get steamed.
The Boozy Pig is at the top of my list on my next visit to Tampa-area restaurants. Eat-in only.
Boozy Pig
3255 W Cypress Street
Tampa, FL
(813) 488-5333
Cappy’s
The last time we ate Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at Cappy’s was in 2012; time flies. But the sauce was as great as I remembered it.
I was at our temporary HQ in TV zombie mode when Marcela showed up with Cappy’s—time stood still as she opened the pizza box to reveal this beauty.
It was so freakin’ good.
Cappy’s
4910 N Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL
(813) 238-1516
Flan Factory
This was my Instagram comment:
Olga’s Original 🍮 from Flan Factory in Tampa was 🔥 #supercreamyflan
I stand by my statement.
Flan Factory
1718 N Nebraska Avenue
Tampa, FL
(813) 402-2400
Goody Goody Burger
Every visit to the Tampa area is not complete until there is a stop at Goody Goody restaurant. We met up with Chef Richard Hales and Jeff Houck, co-author of the upcoming book The Cuban Sandwich: A History in Layers.
They kept it breakfast-y, but I went straight for the Patty Melt (Swiss cheese and sauteed onions on marbled rye) with their hand-breaded onion rings. They nailed it.
Another must-have is their signature dessert, the Butterscotch pie. Don’t like butterscotch? Neither do I, but I love this thing.
Thank you 🙏 to Goody Goody for all the hospitality; you always treat this BEAST well.
Goody Goody Burger
1601 W Swann Avenue
Tampa, FL
(813) 308-1925
La Segunda Bakery
I just had to have the breakfast sandwich from La Segunda in Ybor City. It was our first morning in town, and it needed to start right at a Cuban Bakery.
Their crusty bread houses scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon. Plus, the sammy is served on my favorite Cuban bread on earth; there, I said it!
La Segunda Bakery
2512 N 15th Street
Tampa, FL
(813) 248-1531
Sandrita’s Latin Eatery
A couple of friends wrote to me and suggested that I check out Sandrita’s while I was in Tampa. It turns out that they’re originally from Miami.
Most folks will gauge how great a Cuban sandwich spot is by their “Cubano,” but I use the Medianoche. A Medianoche has the same ingredients but with a sweet egg dough bread.
Sandrita’s hit it out of the park. The lechon was moist; there was also some sweetness coming from the ham, along with a toquecito (touch) of mustard and pickles that made this sandwich near damn perfect.
It’s one of the top three best Medianoches I’ve ever eaten in my sandwich-eating lifetime. What a gem.
Sandrita’s Latin Eatery
1412 W Waters Ave Suite 105
Tampa, FL
(813) 405-8775
Website – https://www.sandritastampa.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sandritastampa
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092523665205
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 am
Sunday CLOSED
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
On our way up, we took a detour to visit our friend Droolius. He was at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in Longwood, Florida. We were thrilled to see him and even more excited to discover that we all love the Orange Smash and Vanilla Gelati!
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
2491 W State Rd 434
Longwood, FL
(321) 972-9911