hidden gems in the area.

Joe Davola's - Mushroom soup - buttery, with huge chunks of 'shrooms.

Shady Lane - dressed cheeseburger (not really "hidden," but a gem, nevertheless.

migas at north end cafe. my breakfast staple
the king at toast. another great way to start my day.
the french fries at mozz. i must say i was a little discouraged when i saw french fries come with my steak, but these are duck fat fries of the gods. best ever.
aloha roll at sapporro, not on the menu, but made with a smile if you ask.
weekly cheese course at wiltshire. always different but always amazing and a great value.

I also have to second the mussels at l&n. hands down the best i've had. not even a close second.

I'm taking notes!

Mussels at Seviche rock

Skirt steak chimichurri Havana Rumba

but the best gem I've found- the Bison Tenderloin with bone at Proof only on Saturday nights (special). They raise the bison and it's the best piece of meat I've ever tasted.

the french fries at mozz. i must say i was a little discouraged when i saw french fries come with my steak, but these are duck fat fries of the gods. best ever.

Seriously??? They cook them in duck fat??? MORE of a reason for me to go to Mozz!!!!

The Philly Cheesesteak @ Zeppelin Cafe is the real deal, and maybe the best in town.

...made the authentic way w/ Steak & Cheese Whiz. Only wrinkle is that it comes on fresh pretzel bread hoagie roll instead of a typical Philly style roll...........and trust me, that's not a bad thing here!

The Philly Cheesesteak @ Zeppelin Cafe is the real deal, and maybe the best in town.

...made the authentic way w/ Steak & Cheese Whiz. Only wrinkle is that it comes on fresh pretzel bread hoagie roll instead of a typical Philly style roll...........and trust me, that's not a bad thing here!

Awesome! I'll check it out - been craving a real "whiz, wit" steak for months!

Yeah, check it out.

There are a few other options in town for a Whiz Philly as well.

DiOrio's does a good version, although it's toasted in their pizza oven

Spinelli's is probably the closes thing to a real philly when you're talking Roll, Steak, Whiz.....but that place is hit or miss w/ quality, service, etc.

And although it's a chain, the food courts that have the 'Great Steak & Potato Company' also make a really good one, and most offer Whiz as an option as well.

We just had the falafel, hummus and baba combo at Zaytun. BEST falafel I've had ANYwhere. the 2 styles of hummus are delicious as well.

White bean burger at Meridian cafe

Chicken Salad @ Hillbilly Tea - Classic prep, delicious taste

White Bean and Sage Fritters @ Hillbilly Tea - I could eat at least 100 of these

Masas de Puerco @ Havana Rumba - I'm from Tampa so I've grown up on Cuban food and this is delicious

Huevos Motulenos @ Mayan Cafe - Divine

Cheese and Onion Hot Dog @ Lonnie's - Great stuff at Lonnie's

Corned Beef Hash @ North End - I try and get there for this at least a couple times a month

I'm excited to try Morris Deli tomorrow because I'm a bit disappointed in the Deli's in this city thus far; one of the few things I miss about all the NY transplants in Tampa.

I'd say my Fox Hollow Burgers @60 West are my favorite, but I'm a bit biased.

Cheese and Onion Hot Dog @ Lonnie's - Great stuff at Lonnie's

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I am not a fan of lonnie's I used to work in that area and would eat there. Everything is soggy and quite undesirable IMO.

Cheese and Onion Hot Dog @ Lonnie's - Great stuff at Lonnie's

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I am not a fan of lonnie's I used to work in that area and would eat there. Everything is soggy and quite undesirable IMO.

Well - I love Lonnie's - the beef combo is a monster.

Cheese and Onion Hot Dog @ Lonnie's - Great stuff at Lonnie's

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I am not a fan of lonnie's I used to work in that area and would eat there. Everything is soggy and quite undesirable IMO.

Well - I love Lonnie's - the beef combo is a monster.

Lonnie's ain't doing it wrong—Italian beefs are supposed to be soppy. As a kid in Chicago I never liked the way they'd drip over your hands as the bread turned to mush, but as I got older I came to love them.

It's an acquired taste.

That's why I get mine dry, with jus on the side.