tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10435872988618746682024-03-05T22:55:14.759-05:00Exploring TampaWe bring you a mix of Tampa history with exciting events and cool hang outs.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-76850197705358235452023-11-14T11:33:00.003-05:002023-11-14T11:33:51.591-05:00Da'Shrine: An African Caribbean Restaurant<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>T</b>he building has been sitting for a while. Lets explore what finally took over. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtSVzUH6PAAyiafpUBvl2sxK57Xxd4-Ny29mGW3zs5ot8yBeltqpSE7OfD3XROolF6wfXM3SpiCnjy3KU0-_qxfUlElWGcl4xTcEP6iH8rPTROcpx-nEpKPCJ_an4HqZe80MncfyrxU0AOjP6RoXg1GNMPgSCirbmOyax2UzGG7BQaXgjDwjX3W6_1B0j/s4240/sh-ds-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtSVzUH6PAAyiafpUBvl2sxK57Xxd4-Ny29mGW3zs5ot8yBeltqpSE7OfD3XROolF6wfXM3SpiCnjy3KU0-_qxfUlElWGcl4xTcEP6iH8rPTROcpx-nEpKPCJ_an4HqZe80MncfyrxU0AOjP6RoXg1GNMPgSCirbmOyax2UzGG7BQaXgjDwjX3W6_1B0j/w640-h428/sh-ds-sign-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Da'Shrine, 2023</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>L</b>et me start this one off by stating that I am in no means an expert on Africa, their cuisine, or their culture. Da'Shrine claims to be a mixture of African and Caribbean cuisine. They are sporting a restaurant with a rooftop bar. If you had been to The Refinery prior to coming here, you'll know how the rooftop bar was set up. Unfortunately, the bar wasn't open when we went due to some maintenance that needed to be done before they could open. They did manage to use the space well, though, given how small the building actually is. They also have music playing from the TV, which is fine, but you can't hear the bartender over the bass. But that's not why you're here.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGZmE6iVhC2FaC4RwuREEME4BObaV6BPB1c_PhMywPeh5Zk7fusFxf5-JlEL_kSLuozZswLS-i10XQtilHfsgC1eYhI5TRZ-ESYx0pWpzHlGQ4eR36RV2aD57RbbQ3JbqqAF6ByMGyxkYiC7GcVebB_y3rUegKGALxeTz2GTeLRaAMEMauMxyBN9qwOXj/s4240/sh-ds-of-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGZmE6iVhC2FaC4RwuREEME4BObaV6BPB1c_PhMywPeh5Zk7fusFxf5-JlEL_kSLuozZswLS-i10XQtilHfsgC1eYhI5TRZ-ESYx0pWpzHlGQ4eR36RV2aD57RbbQ3JbqqAF6ByMGyxkYiC7GcVebB_y3rUegKGALxeTz2GTeLRaAMEMauMxyBN9qwOXj/w640-h428/sh-ds-of-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Old Fashioned, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>T</b>he bar is a square bar sitting against the back wall when you walk in. They have a decent selection with six beer taps as well. The bartender was telling us about some unique drinks that they had, when I asked what they were, he asked what I usually drink. I said an old fashioned and they went on to make me an old fashioned. A bit disappointing as I was looking for something unique, but alas. The old fashioned was good, the dried orange being a nice touch. I was not a fan of the two different bitters and there being way too many splashes, but it wasn't undrinkable. They do smoke their old fashioneds in this really cool smoker box. It's the first time I've seen one quite like it. While I was sipping on my whiskey drink, Stormy got a Mango Cart. Stormy never complains about Mango Cart. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsUGinetOhEBo2_JSuwEsnTDcU3TSfxqBErV2Q5TDundKtjLUOEtuA-sqGmDZZHJvyeqUEOnzIwgvQ8saCScpAoNbLZHvXFsr1VU3RVTk0AwegptFFlKaxGSiWQlLneXKLPkCkBZmOWKoUMw9SmVXq6ip6-JOlUd-T3urUqhzwSrXCh54SMB3iufdqmZZ/s4240/sh-ds-mp-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsUGinetOhEBo2_JSuwEsnTDcU3TSfxqBErV2Q5TDundKtjLUOEtuA-sqGmDZZHJvyeqUEOnzIwgvQ8saCScpAoNbLZHvXFsr1VU3RVTk0AwegptFFlKaxGSiWQlLneXKLPkCkBZmOWKoUMw9SmVXq6ip6-JOlUd-T3urUqhzwSrXCh54SMB3iufdqmZZ/w640-h428/sh-ds-mp-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meat Pie, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>W</b>e ended up going with a beef meat pie as our appetizer. The crust on the pie was amazing. Light and flakey. Had the perfect crunch to it. Unfortunately, the toppings on the inside were a bit boring. It lacked quite a bit of flavor (this will be the only time I complain about the food). On the bright side, it was a good enough size to split between both Stormy and I. We enjoyed it enough to finish it (mainly due to the crust). Stormy did say that this was her favorite part of the meal, so your mileage may vary.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2oxxNmPQbDfZZ-Lg3vLGtDcPmUEpOTLiVPIAOcDkEPjcEi-UP42Y9jaxMl8No-mjEe9GZz_8NJVsv9I8YwncsyEYocdgid6kVQEUrX_eeQsjiMHxFicsFuEpLRKr00kdwLs0_qgHVzPnzzAK_cQDNchnyocGJ1g5-w1LZxoA99aFhQymHbaEsFlBubVs/s4240/sh-ds-ss-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2oxxNmPQbDfZZ-Lg3vLGtDcPmUEpOTLiVPIAOcDkEPjcEi-UP42Y9jaxMl8No-mjEe9GZz_8NJVsv9I8YwncsyEYocdgid6kVQEUrX_eeQsjiMHxFicsFuEpLRKr00kdwLs0_qgHVzPnzzAK_cQDNchnyocGJ1g5-w1LZxoA99aFhQymHbaEsFlBubVs/w640-h428/sh-ds-ss-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spicy Spaghetti, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>T</b>his is where I started to question if the African cuisine was authentic or not, but between the oxtails and the goats, which all sounded interesting, the spicy spaghetti stood out most to me. This meal was calling my name before I even left my house (yes, I did my research). This meal was amazing. The noodles complimented the toppings just right. The red sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, beef, and sausage. There was a kick to it, but it wasn't offensive. Just enough to remind you that you will probably want to consider taking some Pepto before bed. The sauce spread nicely among the noodles and this meal went down quick. I will also say that this meal seems to expand the minute you finish eating. I'd go a little slower with it if you don't want to feel overwhelmingly full. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_EvTE7irr1fwWQMR7XIY4CzdiIIjJB4p_28ZaRYZg3kmxyNXrKDf0EEDra3kmEa6Lauon7Unilr8IyRAczndcRHrqj60xLPzUT3DuihMjOHj5pQmc7KNh5doY-iX23dv2T1zlokvpfDgQfGeAh2ghd5ltlpL3_cBjmJ2aOx3KnNCj6tsAKad1SQJcx9x/s4240/sh-ds-sc-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_EvTE7irr1fwWQMR7XIY4CzdiIIjJB4p_28ZaRYZg3kmxyNXrKDf0EEDra3kmEa6Lauon7Unilr8IyRAczndcRHrqj60xLPzUT3DuihMjOHj5pQmc7KNh5doY-iX23dv2T1zlokvpfDgQfGeAh2ghd5ltlpL3_cBjmJ2aOx3KnNCj6tsAKad1SQJcx9x/w640-h428/sh-ds-sc-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jollof Rice With Stew Chicken, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A</b>nd Stormy, ever the adventurous eater, went with the Jollof rice and stew chicken. I did not get a chance to try her rice, but she did say that the top layer of rice was crunchy, giving it a nice crust, something she wishes more restaurants would do. The chicken in this dish did remind me of a much better sweet and spicy chicken dish. The chicken was cooked to perfection, no chewy bits, and the sauce that covered the chicken had a nice, sweet (and apparently spicy) sauce. It was hard for me to detect any spice as my spaghetti had a kick of its own that was lingering. Stormy does not do spice well at all and had no problem getting through this dish. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4opKz-_vELvZTkjVqi0wRPq2INtbja5A1GxBe5H6hp8TLeOBFyzawnrqLYQBSmBhs1XNA03_gSPwO_VEaJ22AHiKirF4jvzJpqufuAwfdqUNeOkzFP3di21R6ErVrOriACKQ56Lf5J0vvw_MxjzLEErG5Gs_Qfj-Tc-2Ktv2ezm22h0EVbdQ7n065I6_/s4240/sh-ds-inside-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4opKz-_vELvZTkjVqi0wRPq2INtbja5A1GxBe5H6hp8TLeOBFyzawnrqLYQBSmBhs1XNA03_gSPwO_VEaJ22AHiKirF4jvzJpqufuAwfdqUNeOkzFP3di21R6ErVrOriACKQ56Lf5J0vvw_MxjzLEErG5Gs_Qfj-Tc-2Ktv2ezm22h0EVbdQ7n065I6_/w640-h428/sh-ds-inside-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bar, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>L</b>ets get to the elephant in the room. The food was really good. We did get alcoholic beverages. There is no world in which this meal should have come to $91 (this is including tip, to be fair). There is an automatic 18% service charge added to every receipt, regardless of party size, that is hidden at the very bottom of the menu. This wouldn't have been a problem except they only do digital menus and my menu wouldn't zoom in (I could barely read the entree's). At this price point, you can enjoy <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/08/iavarones-italian-steakhouse-tampa.html">Iavarone's</a>, which I always considered more of an event than a typical Friday night stop. It was a hell of a price tag with none of the experience that would go into justifying it. Especially given the rooftop bar wasn't open. The only real entertainment was the loud music coming from the TV and the two TVs above the bar, one of which showing soccer. If the food costs are that high, they need to find a new vendor. Will you get a good meal here? Absolutely. Will you get decent drinks? Arguably. Will you pay more than you should for them? Yes. Will you be able to hear? Absolutely not. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMImuyQkg4rgQX2UKf1uW2n2fmd_mnsuF-LoMe5rC4JrYDmkJwNbzf7Ncz3FjCarE1qW-j6NbCjGu3jqfCgcsCjAF9EjpmwmS9qWzF1ruA8NI1eIP831yii6RvjCwwjgDzRhAy8iFgx5iZwH79FlcI9jo__RxVXb1cJrs7gFHQfA8l8c5AY6BFwEqhdiuA/s4240/sh-ds-sb-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMImuyQkg4rgQX2UKf1uW2n2fmd_mnsuF-LoMe5rC4JrYDmkJwNbzf7Ncz3FjCarE1qW-j6NbCjGu3jqfCgcsCjAF9EjpmwmS9qWzF1ruA8NI1eIP831yii6RvjCwwjgDzRhAy8iFgx5iZwH79FlcI9jo__RxVXb1cJrs7gFHQfA8l8c5AY6BFwEqhdiuA/w640-h428/sh-ds-sb-01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Smoker Box, 2023</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- This is in Seminole Heights. You already know the parking is going to be less than ideal. They do have one of the bigger parking lots, but it does share with Forever Beautiful, so if you're going for breakfast or brunch, it might not be ideal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- The food is really good and they do offer some interesting meats if you're feeling adventurous. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Don't expect recommendations from the bar. You will be disappointed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- You will be paying for this experience. This is one of the more expensive restaurants I've featured on this site. You wouldn't expect it going in, but you will feel it leaving. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"><b>W</b>hat is your favorite African dish? Do you have another restaurant we should check out? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></span></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com15137 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603, USA27.9941137 -82.4592282-0.31612013617884571 -117.6154782 56.304347536178845 -47.3029782tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-76159866214136800952023-09-09T10:34:00.001-04:002023-09-09T10:34:16.903-04:00New World Brewing: A Drinking Staple<p> <b>N</b>o longer in Ybor, but no less funky. How has New World adapted to a change in scenery?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrRgSg50EH5L23qLMSCFe1o3_VcmNE9fvLEtTHAizOWcobwH2AUNkKUnBiuqLU0ikeh424gsRsH5_NhWcYkrolfJpfr-UkVhEfuNxcG_xfbeeooqE8DMbxEdp7tR1TsHPZRuIQBLEUqt6Clm8wCFYZOAg2imxMXAP-gm4hltZGb0RGYEmhNtYNWLAZTzk/s4240/nt-nw-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrRgSg50EH5L23qLMSCFe1o3_VcmNE9fvLEtTHAizOWcobwH2AUNkKUnBiuqLU0ikeh424gsRsH5_NhWcYkrolfJpfr-UkVhEfuNxcG_xfbeeooqE8DMbxEdp7tR1TsHPZRuIQBLEUqt6Clm8wCFYZOAg2imxMXAP-gm4hltZGb0RGYEmhNtYNWLAZTzk/w640-h428/nt-nw-sign-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">New World Brewery, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>F</b>irst off, I would like to explain my absence. This is a year that I have been taking care of some much needed medical issues. I thank everyone who has reached out. I will be disappearing again the first half of next year and then we should be in a good place. But you didn't come here for all that noise. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>N</b>ew World Brewery is not a brewery. It's a dive bar by every sense of the word. They were settled in Ybor before Darryl Shaw decided that Ybor needed to be "cleaned up" (just wait for the community Applebee's) and were a long standing establishment out there. Since the property was bought out from under them (while we eagerly await more overpriced housing), New World was able to find a new spot in an unexpected location. Now right off of Busch and Nebraska (AKA: My second least favorite traffic light in the city) in a building that used to have a pretty crazy Bob Marley mural on the side. While there's now a fence around the back to try to keep traffic sounds out, you can still see the strange reddish paint sticking out from the top, calling you to come in and drink. New World does also have a food menu, but that's not typically why you're there. Lets get to it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejK5AG-ve_u7Id9aw1aNSbXaLsRNI-Zksa4PUGNmql08HRh3sx2WBHqnRVzKTjwUep-44Kv_L67KxD_ca68zhxZxDt9z21QX2HJ54OZd_7DCsHaFQVZ8JyWWM00Msp9MU8zMnQ91ZispqWgqHB0ibXwHqZY_4MgtvZo7TPMBR4m4AeR_ulnkZj2lZPgD3/s4240/nt-nw-drinks-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4240" data-original-width="2832" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejK5AG-ve_u7Id9aw1aNSbXaLsRNI-Zksa4PUGNmql08HRh3sx2WBHqnRVzKTjwUep-44Kv_L67KxD_ca68zhxZxDt9z21QX2HJ54OZd_7DCsHaFQVZ8JyWWM00Msp9MU8zMnQ91ZispqWgqHB0ibXwHqZY_4MgtvZo7TPMBR4m4AeR_ulnkZj2lZPgD3/w428-h640/nt-nw-drinks-01.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mule and an Electric Lemonade, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>N</b>ew World's bread and butter, so to speak, is their drink menu. They have a solid selection of beers on tap, from local favorites to some harder to find specials. While there, I did have myself a Hiya Gourdie from Motorworks out of Sarasota (it is the season!). You can check out what they have on tap right now by <a href="https://www.newworldtampa.com/beer" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. If beer isn't your thing, no worries. They also have a solid cocktail lineup. Stormy settled on a blueberry mule (which she said she enjoyed, because it had a nice tang to it with the ginger beer) and I got myself a strawberry mango lightning lemonade. Both beverages had the fruit as the main flavor, which can be very dangerous in alcoholic drinks. I would suggest drinking these slow, especially if you have to drive home. I also would not go in expecting their bartenders to have a specialty drink. Most of them didn't seem to. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJWZq98G4flSVzZ8on9mpIWCCGsXs4FTKoNSLWGGh8haqETyx8loMzHtY3khRPRRQKYguqkQmVLNpAHTB2nJulghnoIkvbgHrZhQbD8mRY5nmFjKMakvC1lXCu3rHON3viKuzvIFpa32MaRwDxvpu0G-GqdQBtldcYqJjTQ3CoEmEQFcGgY4cGGh5Nr3k/s4240/nt-nw-pizza-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJWZq98G4flSVzZ8on9mpIWCCGsXs4FTKoNSLWGGh8haqETyx8loMzHtY3khRPRRQKYguqkQmVLNpAHTB2nJulghnoIkvbgHrZhQbD8mRY5nmFjKMakvC1lXCu3rHON3viKuzvIFpa32MaRwDxvpu0G-GqdQBtldcYqJjTQ3CoEmEQFcGgY4cGGh5Nr3k/w640-h428/nt-nw-pizza-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Pizza, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>he main food group that New World offers is their pizza. The pizza is actually pretty good, minus the crust. It kind of tastes like they bought premade crust and then added their fresh ingredients on top. The crust was especially disappointing because every other aspect of the pizza was so good. The crust was even cooked well. Stormy ordered the fish sandwich, which in itself was an experience as they have it listed on the menu, but the bartender claimed they don't usually have a fish sandwich. Stormy did state that the fish would've been better as fish & chips as opposed to the sandwich. She did state that the fish itself was really good, but the rest of the sandwich brought it down. Stormy, who likes sauces with everything, ordered a side of honey mustard with her fries and she was not impressed. It was an interesting experience as they mixed honey and spicy mustard together. I ain't mad at it, but it was weird and I figured you should know. If there were one thing I'd change about New World, it would be the food and I only say that because the food is so close to being good. It wouldn't take much at all. But, for the price, I'm not going to complain. It is an affordable night out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Cl8uORVxjbMFzvYv65ohzVsgANheHwikKBTGuNroi6rssKcQhr-fJxfYK9sJbBp-WN8GUvorMM92J8uH6PbV06CWouKTKr5cxk3s5XWiJmwMLi7BT7lvRE8FKZylkxFekOQ-ZtHEPxT18yvELSLFnDGYdlIkOfuqr7PM9YnzICdYupZb1ttnHajfodU/s4240/nt-nw-stage-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4Cl8uORVxjbMFzvYv65ohzVsgANheHwikKBTGuNroi6rssKcQhr-fJxfYK9sJbBp-WN8GUvorMM92J8uH6PbV06CWouKTKr5cxk3s5XWiJmwMLi7BT7lvRE8FKZylkxFekOQ-ZtHEPxT18yvELSLFnDGYdlIkOfuqr7PM9YnzICdYupZb1ttnHajfodU/w640-h428/nt-nw-stage-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Stage, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>N</b>ew World also hosts a lot of local bands. They have two very different experiences as well. Their free area (pictured above) usually has acoustic acts playing and entertaining those of us there to eat and drink. You can find some local talent who is practicing a solo set, or songwriters who are trying something new. The other side of the venue is where bands and artists can book their own shows. It's a separate entry with its own bar. Really tight, intimate space. It would be a good club for a band that has a solid following in the area, but there's always something going on. New World is a really solid date night spot. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqpyFiaQOKHikdL4ZJFpXI88-NhffkiSMy7UWkE8xg-KI98HrG-GRXfzvxUy_F1UuWr9f-xmYX7gScazaZwc0KQN2hOakPI0ntkT3A6fk4LRE4ElHeAM58ccAaYs6bpHyEXKWSRhiKwB0bEmee4P3cCuWAHf0Cx_XaHm53z2BCfwIXzLn2GvEYXfidui/s4240/nt-nw-is-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4240" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPqpyFiaQOKHikdL4ZJFpXI88-NhffkiSMy7UWkE8xg-KI98HrG-GRXfzvxUy_F1UuWr9f-xmYX7gScazaZwc0KQN2hOakPI0ntkT3A6fk4LRE4ElHeAM58ccAaYs6bpHyEXKWSRhiKwB0bEmee4P3cCuWAHf0Cx_XaHm53z2BCfwIXzLn2GvEYXfidui/w640-h428/nt-nw-is-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Inside, 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div>- The parking lot is across the street in a field. There is plenty of parking.</div><div>- If you're coming for a separately ticketed concert event, the stage will be to the left of the entrance.</div><div>- The bathrooms are located outside. Just figured I'd get this out of the way now. </div><div>- Most of the outdoor area isn't covered. If it's raining, you'll most likely get wet.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;"><b>W</b>hat is your favorite pumpkin beer? Do you like New World's pizza crust? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></span></div></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0810 E Skagway Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA28.0324123 -82.4524689-1.9197585278113927 -117.6087189 57.984583127811391 -47.2962189tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-89743846575688766252023-01-08T19:20:00.000-05:002023-01-08T19:20:21.043-05:00Gasparilla Guide 2023: Everything You Need To Know<p> <b>I</b>t's that time of year! Gasparilla season. The pirates have taken over. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbPeDhd--vxX13M2rkUaB7c6eO1tozmXHcjmD-RQYtC3JO5u3oFlVaoto-PcSCsBr1IEgE6oAKJyO5jbD6QZ2yRQThbr5m3KZysOzSNq8AO4Y79akPxasdxhIGecoJNQsyhGI0oJnFhXqMPksixI8jFZZz1dQQNxlu68QguxIqOXJSfK4PJZEyNb5JQ/s2048/gasparilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbPeDhd--vxX13M2rkUaB7c6eO1tozmXHcjmD-RQYtC3JO5u3oFlVaoto-PcSCsBr1IEgE6oAKJyO5jbD6QZ2yRQThbr5m3KZysOzSNq8AO4Y79akPxasdxhIGecoJNQsyhGI0oJnFhXqMPksixI8jFZZz1dQQNxlu68QguxIqOXJSfK4PJZEyNb5JQ/w640-h426/gasparilla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me and another pirate, 2017</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another year has come and that means it's time for another season of Gasparilla. Lets get some of the more important questions out of the way real quick:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How much does it cost?</li><ul><li>Nothing. Gasparilla is a free event. They do offer paid upgrades, but the parade itself is free.</li></ul><li>Where is it?</li><ul><li>The Children's parade and Day parade are off of Bayshore Ave in South Tampa into the Channel District in Downtown Tampa.</li><li>The Knight Parade is on 7th Ave in Ybor City.</li></ul><li>Where do we park?</li><ul><li>I've found that the easiest place to park is the parking garages in Ybor. They offer parking + a bus into Downtown for a reasonable price (note: This has not been announced for 2023 as of now. This will change as the event draws nearer.). </li><li>You can also park on neighborhood streets. You'll get a few individuals who will try to scare you away. Keep in mind that they do not own the road and you are free to park there. Follow the <a href="https://www.tampa.gov/special-events-coordination/gasparilla-parades-2023-information">link</a> for more details. </li></ul><li>When is it?</li><ul><li>The Children's parade is Jan 21, 2023 starting at noon and running until 7:30 pm ET.</li><li>The Day Parade (aka: The main Gasparilla parade) will be on Jan 28, 2023 from 2:00pm until 6:00 pm ET. This is just the time that the parade officially stops and ends, but there will very likely be people out and about partying well before the parade starts.</li><li>The Sant'Yago Knight parade is on Feb 11, 2023 starting at 7:00 pm ET. Again, the party usually starts earlier and it wont be unusual to see people dressed up and wandering the streets of Tampa during the months of January and February. </li><li>These three parades make up "Gasparilla season." That said, there will be many other events using the name. </li></ul><li>Who is invited?</li><ul><li>This is a free event and everyone is invited out. I would say that the Day and Knight parades tend to get a little rowdier. Bring your children at your own discretion. </li></ul><li>Why is this a thing?</li><ul><li>Long story short: Tampa's population was incredibly small when a town drunk starting telling the fantastical tale of one Jose Gaspar. The City of Tampa said, "Hey, we can market this!" and next thing you know, we have our own Mardi Gras, complete with pirates. </li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkULXIgYWxmHoAhaEb6sSLJh6XhEbDZ6ZkAgUMRVD1Ods1yYbtVWEI073YpdguFB71Q3E6HIvUCTfWzaFrY2Yhx_yq_oKjQOKYqqa8WFrA7Ol6ig1CT7S9Nf3gc35zVzzr-9Xtw7IRNnUKYRHgz_A2nhcNfiB2X4somsBH-nZ4EYc-JnNJp-qQe3Hr3w/s1600/Gasparilla7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkULXIgYWxmHoAhaEb6sSLJh6XhEbDZ6ZkAgUMRVD1Ods1yYbtVWEI073YpdguFB71Q3E6HIvUCTfWzaFrY2Yhx_yq_oKjQOKYqqa8WFrA7Ol6ig1CT7S9Nf3gc35zVzzr-9Xtw7IRNnUKYRHgz_A2nhcNfiB2X4somsBH-nZ4EYc-JnNJp-qQe3Hr3w/w640-h426/Gasparilla7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Knight Parade, 2019</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>here are a few things to know before you go. Yes, the streets will be wet zoned for the event. What this means is that you will be able to walk along the parade route while drinking alcohol. You are able to bring your own alcohol. The city has stated that you are not allowed to bring coolers, wagons, chairs, etc, however, I have never had a problem bringing any of these things. Do know that this is my anecdotal story and not a legal one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A</b>lso, I'm sure y'all are aware that <a href="http://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/06/street-preachers-warning.html">Street Preachers</a> aren't your friends, but they are out in full force during Gasparilla. To those who aren't aware: Street preachers are individuals with no moral compass, who stand outside and say the most offensive things imaginable hoping to get hit. They film everything. Once you hit them, they have worked out a deal with the police (money talks) that will get you arrested and then it will go to court. The best thing anybody could do is get really tall wooden fencing and stand around them so that they (and their moronic signs) can't be seen. The second best thing anyone can do is ignore them and keep walking. Do. Not. Engage. It's a game to them and they don't actually care.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>here will be a lot of drunk people out and about and they will do a lot of drunk people things. Yes, people do take their clothes off. Yes, people do puke on the streets. Yes, people do get creative with their selection of bathrooms. If you can't handle these things, this is not the event for you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>D</b>rink water. Wear sunscreen. Be prepared for it to be chilly. There is a lot of alcohol around. Do not go out dehydrated. This is still Florida. The sun is still out. It can and will get you if you let it. It's also January in Tampa, which is when Tampa tends to get a little colder than usual. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>I</b>f you're looking to go out in style, you absolutely have to check out <a href="https://piratefashions.com/">Pirate Fashions</a>. I'd advise stopping in their store to purchase as their sizing is a little wonky. The closer it gets to Gasparilla, the busier this place will get, and the less product they will have. Prepare early. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU0FQ01nhmY7c49Ni3AeUkyEWTp3KClcEV3bXonZ6XWgvue-PVKBbH2ChHJmrDwyXskVPpu_LBrgoyRh28EOjdhPgHKbczvHCF3D_JSpxKum1rg3xATF73JmrCeEA8Buc1KfPoKs__scZlEXD1vCj9nfP3S1yTK73mbyFYCAbDrSooo-9UN3yXzOyQA/s1600/Gasparilla6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU0FQ01nhmY7c49Ni3AeUkyEWTp3KClcEV3bXonZ6XWgvue-PVKBbH2ChHJmrDwyXskVPpu_LBrgoyRh28EOjdhPgHKbczvHCF3D_JSpxKum1rg3xATF73JmrCeEA8Buc1KfPoKs__scZlEXD1vCj9nfP3S1yTK73mbyFYCAbDrSooo-9UN3yXzOyQA/w640-h426/Gasparilla6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Knight Parade, 2019</div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>J</b>ose Gaspar is the fictional pirate in which the event is names after. <i>"But Mark, why are we celebrating a fictional pirate?"</i> Simple answer: Tourism. And it works! Hundreds of thousands of people come down to Tampa every year for the Gasparilla festivities and this year will be no different. Gaspar was said to be the last of the Buccaneers, of which our football team got their name. According to the story, Jose Gaspar sailed along the west coast of Florida during the late 18th, early 19th centuries. Gaspar was an officer in the Spanish Navy and didn't look like your typical pirate, allowing him to mingle with higher members of society. After his death, it was said that he buried a treasure along the coast of Florida that, to this day, has never been found. Happy hunting!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>W</b>hat is your favorite Gasparilla parade? How many beads did you catch last year? Leave a comment below.<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: transparent; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-51629491241250781572022-04-03T21:11:00.003-04:002022-04-03T21:11:42.599-04:00Sponsored Post: Florida Extravaganza! Next Weekend<p>The Florida Extravaganza had hit me up and asked that we help promote this event. I have been to it in the past and it is a really cool event. <u>Full disclosure:</u> I did get free tickets to promote the event. Truth be told, I would've paid to go even if I didn't. Come out and check it out. Come find us on Saturday and say what's up! Details below. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7tZGuYqGwYRzi1A-0STS4sLiOv4r95-3ppf1HPko2okeRVmi2IUYuzY3S9ewuNYKi9lKsK9f6B3ElFwHRMOiPvFHH2798Ao-DctBkSdQnKrI0l6LNfkaKfug6tyqUHIqvFdwXLVmerUDeVurGd3PUVlasrGkNFCHJrE-K0QQqAY-4sv4DF4XFIsGEQ/s800/toyfest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7tZGuYqGwYRzi1A-0STS4sLiOv4r95-3ppf1HPko2okeRVmi2IUYuzY3S9ewuNYKi9lKsK9f6B3ElFwHRMOiPvFHH2798Ao-DctBkSdQnKrI0l6LNfkaKfug6tyqUHIqvFdwXLVmerUDeVurGd3PUVlasrGkNFCHJrE-K0QQqAY-4sv4DF4XFIsGEQ/w640-h320/toyfest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Florida Collector Extravaganza is Back in Tampa for 2022 with new vendors, new inventory!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">150+ Tables of TOYS, COMICS, DIECAST, ARTISTS, AND MORE!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">TONS of POP CULTURE GOODNESS!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">2 DAY SHOW!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Saturday April 9th: 9-4pm</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sunday April 10th: 9am-3pm</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">KIDS under 12 are still FREE</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">+ Free Hot Wheels</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Tickets:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Saturday: $15 (all day)</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sunday: $10 (all day)</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Weekend Pass: $20</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Parking: There is a cost for parking at the Fairgrounds 🙁 ($8 per day)</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Some of the TOYS We will have:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">All toy lines covered from vintage to modern. Hot Wheels, GI-JOE, Godzilla, Star Wars, Transformers, Ghostbusters, Mego, Wrestling Action Figures, Funko Pop figures, Nightmare Before Christmas, Horror & Monster Figures, and tons more!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Plus! we will have Girl marketed toys like My Little Pony, Fisher Price, Barbie, and Strawberry Shortcake these are all here too.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Hot Wheels, Diecast & Slot Cars!</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">We will have tons of Hot Wheels, Matchbox including vintage redlines, modern cars, slot car tracks (new and vintage), plus a full selection of cars both packaged and loose from Tyco, AFX, Aurora, and others.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Retro Gaming:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">You can expect to see vendors with vintage and modern Atari, Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Sega Genesis and more. We have a great mix of vendors bringing retro games.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Comics & Artists:</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">We have several comic specific vendors that we have added to the show... plus we will have comic artists on-site doing live art and showing off their unique talents.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Tons & Tons of stuff... over 40,000 sq feet of awesome items. 150+ tables</p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com04800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610, USA27.9903452 -82.3590992-0.31988863617884533 -117.5153492 56.300579036178846 -47.2028492tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-29633076950937466252021-08-28T14:31:00.003-04:002021-08-28T14:31:17.571-04:00Xtreme Tacos: Tacos With a Kick<p> <b>Y</b>es, they're finally open. No, their parking isn't any better than anything else in Seminole Heights. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniY05exe46xND0U5n2PiWi03O70NwqyiHGuArJGW3KpQCAbYuobaTpJwHTXSVrhb_RwuUYlrfbuiyWLXf5IUUhXMqNs5VCekipEeaKe5PuIc5JtoojpQoOr9NjRfZPnmLwEZ89z36ZNCF/s2048/sh-xt-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniY05exe46xND0U5n2PiWi03O70NwqyiHGuArJGW3KpQCAbYuobaTpJwHTXSVrhb_RwuUYlrfbuiyWLXf5IUUhXMqNs5VCekipEeaKe5PuIc5JtoojpQoOr9NjRfZPnmLwEZ89z36ZNCF/w640-h428/sh-xt-sign-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Xtreme Tacos Sign, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>here is no secret that my favorite Tampa based food truck is Xtreme Tacos. That would be the deciding factor if I were debating between two different places. Lots of trips to C. 1949 and 7venth Sun were made because of this truck. You can imagine my delight when I heard that they were going to be opening a restaurant... And in Seminole Heights. This particular trip was actually Stormy's idea, which is funny because Stormy isn't a big fan of Tex-Mex food in general. This is Seminole Heights, so you already know the parking situation is the most ridiculous you'll ever see. You have to circle around the building down this incredibly narrow one way driveway to park your car. Once you have parked, you then walk through the front door. There is a cash register greeting you and you place your order there and are given a number. From there, you have your choice of one of three (very small) dining rooms. You have the quiet, dark, intimate room directly across from the register, the other indoor dining room if you continue on past the register, or the outdoor dining room that you can access by walking back out the front door. But that's not why you came here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OyCu-DUViY1voGkDCIbhBAg-hd094h-zrvJwY34TCS6VTFS1rXKf8GCsDxZOoMD8Oak4JjedudKuszsxSh9w3Kd6F7IRwd0AWKOn-g1SLWZYxpWxOVOvCv7q34Ob6Qj1S5zMmO8-3p0Q/s2048/sh-xt-eb-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OyCu-DUViY1voGkDCIbhBAg-hd094h-zrvJwY34TCS6VTFS1rXKf8GCsDxZOoMD8Oak4JjedudKuszsxSh9w3Kd6F7IRwd0AWKOn-g1SLWZYxpWxOVOvCv7q34Ob6Qj1S5zMmO8-3p0Q/w640-h428/sh-xt-eb-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Buffalo Shrimp Burrito, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>I</b> also love things that don't love me. Like buffalo sauce. So I decided to go full force into the buffalo shrimp burrito with yellow rice, black beans, sour cream, and cheese. The buffalo sauce is slightly hotter than usual (fine by me), and the rice and beans were delicious (the way to my heart is through yellow rice and black beans). The shrimp was good, if not a little tough. What bothered me most about the burrito is how little shrimp seemed to be in it. Most of my burrito was rice and beads with buffalo sauce. It was good, but could've definitely used more meat. I would not have minded paying more for the burrito if it meant more meat. That said, I still was unable to finish the burrito as the burrito was massive. If you are able to eat more than me, just know, the burritos and tacos come with no sides. This shouldn't be a problem for most, but I figured I'd throw it out there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALqZJKNBTD3JdICJVLronWdZuwCgUVDWQ9e-s1m9PbF5OZAdSem37jlPuVeDRESxg41oqXq7HrW7lzc1fWGcpEFrAgiEY4TsYOh05Su1L0TtlpuelMrfLUK-OpwKk0ZhmKFFzS54BY676/s2048/sh-xt-quas-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALqZJKNBTD3JdICJVLronWdZuwCgUVDWQ9e-s1m9PbF5OZAdSem37jlPuVeDRESxg41oqXq7HrW7lzc1fWGcpEFrAgiEY4TsYOh05Su1L0TtlpuelMrfLUK-OpwKk0ZhmKFFzS54BY676/w640-h428/sh-xt-quas-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Quesadilla, 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>S</b>tormy, on the other hand, being the purveyor of deliciousness that she is, ordered herself the kids chicken quesadilla. This culinary masterpiece brings together a 10" tortilla paired perfectly with shredded cheese, and the finest of shredded chicken. Ultimately, this is a children's quesadilla. There's not much to talk about here. She really enjoyed it, and when asked for comment, simply said "It was delicious!" There you have it, folks.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLIgk-PFOPagEke2DlNgiJpzHUe5X6n6he8aUNftbzwJul1JqKwM3A6X1W251PkOV343-0kQYr-fRAmjqByMUb5X24njjkegg-W0eeWKJGbGI9vgslTEACYflqLRuOtxTCtrGOvmMmAK0/s2048/sh-xt-is-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLIgk-PFOPagEke2DlNgiJpzHUe5X6n6he8aUNftbzwJul1JqKwM3A6X1W251PkOV343-0kQYr-fRAmjqByMUb5X24njjkegg-W0eeWKJGbGI9vgslTEACYflqLRuOtxTCtrGOvmMmAK0/w640-h428/sh-xt-is-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bar, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>U</b>ltimately, the food was amazing and everything I could've expected from this restaurant. If you're familiar with Seminole Heights, then you already know what challenges await you (Parking, restaurant size). I would strongly suggest with going with a burrito if you're hungry as you will not leave hungry. You can also sit at the bar and get yourself some awesome beers, with a decent sized selection of local brews. And that's all I have for you this time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The parking sucks, and this is probably my least favorite parking lot.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The restaurant is small which means it can fill up quickly during busy times. Be sure to get there during off hours.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The burritos are huge.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- This place gets even more fun with friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;"><b>W</b>here is your favorite place to get a burrito? Do you prefer the restaurant or the truck? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></span></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com06809 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA28.0100358 -82.45061849999999-0.30019803617884477 -117.60686849999999 56.32026963617885 -47.29436849999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-88948104136919426412021-02-27T11:32:00.001-05:002021-02-27T11:32:08.650-05:00Gangchu: Korean Chicken and Beer<b>T</b>ime for another trendy restaurant in Seminole Heights.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiNvsC8VzsqgaRZrlAmfAFC5SXdxYMjyZXYMO-GmtR8mOffBr32J_ZXMAofjWuEbS10mBN2HkU4jmoB8V_zOEq89bjQ9ihgW1tMyStCQNfZzbsd2u0EsK0DM3B3x8EFp9qaicvmwdf2Nd/s2048/sh-gang-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiNvsC8VzsqgaRZrlAmfAFC5SXdxYMjyZXYMO-GmtR8mOffBr32J_ZXMAofjWuEbS10mBN2HkU4jmoB8V_zOEq89bjQ9ihgW1tMyStCQNfZzbsd2u0EsK0DM3B3x8EFp9qaicvmwdf2Nd/w640-h428/sh-gang-sign-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gangchu, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>W</b>elcome to 2021. As you can imagine, as anyone living during this period can, new restaurants aren't as easy to come by, and the older favorites are much harder to enjoy. As someone who has taken to using their platform to showcase small, local business, you can imagine how excited I was to find out there was a new place opening. Rumor had been circling for a while that the mind behind <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/09/ichicoro-ramen-trendy-eats-in-seminole.html" target="_blank">Ichicoro</a> was in the process of opening a new restaurant. Then I saw it. On Instagram of all places. An ad for the soft opening. Should we check this out? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTjLcb_F8DdM2Z7c1juvUMUWrcPjqhzv0c1nVZYdfgwnDwrKK90Wd9SDKZOXKHsZftzWfXnuW3fxjJB9fRuJPUg4T9JaN4Y_CH1owQAVhJgsYuIbBrkL_MZdGuFN2d5pCXFu3U6gGpyoo/s2048/sh-gang-kitch-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTjLcb_F8DdM2Z7c1juvUMUWrcPjqhzv0c1nVZYdfgwnDwrKK90Wd9SDKZOXKHsZftzWfXnuW3fxjJB9fRuJPUg4T9JaN4Y_CH1owQAVhJgsYuIbBrkL_MZdGuFN2d5pCXFu3U6gGpyoo/w428-h640/sh-gang-kitch-01.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kitchen, 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>A</b>fter convincing Stormy to come along, we made the call over to Brian and Sharnese. We knew we needed experts on chicken to truly help us enjoy this meal. So, I booked a reservation online, or at least, I thought I did. They use an outside program for reservations and for whatever reason, it did not take my reservation. No big deal, they were able to fit us in. Just be aware that it may get a bit buggy online. I'd suggest calling it in. Right before we were seated, we were also told that they had run out of chicken wings. Well... This will be an interesting night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxeHBo60YBf9-84cuPnip4jbUeRNSPOWo7dsRX8uUFdPkm4zNIkBof-clRXkDEVz4e83MDHJJxSUDvFVQiIZi92Nn4gE75cG5dz14xzByBStbSByGSF5AWWeX30I7OnQAmrpZtsTznyJX/s2048/sh-gang-bar-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxeHBo60YBf9-84cuPnip4jbUeRNSPOWo7dsRX8uUFdPkm4zNIkBof-clRXkDEVz4e83MDHJJxSUDvFVQiIZi92Nn4gE75cG5dz14xzByBStbSByGSF5AWWeX30I7OnQAmrpZtsTznyJX/w640-h428/sh-gang-bar-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bar, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>S</b>eating is interesting. There is a main dining room, then a bar, then an outdoor area, and two private dining areas. With such little space, they managed to make quite a bit of room. The bar has a decent selection of beers and cocktails, and the dining room has decent spacing between tables. This concept was definitely created to be a social environment. Big, open windows compliment the inside, and the late night hours help people like me who work later. But you didn't come here for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrWMC9kOCN9h9qd2ZGniQVMIirexnrb7puLe-kqxVM-gb-LSB82PHJS0h2GM_yoEVq3mwwcgmycLsRn66TycNDt5uxT7vcgIdSZWLOvfWKFiqA24R4RHA59ejyBuLiT6jSsPM2VVCPHTg/s2048/sh-gang-cw-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrWMC9kOCN9h9qd2ZGniQVMIirexnrb7puLe-kqxVM-gb-LSB82PHJS0h2GM_yoEVq3mwwcgmycLsRn66TycNDt5uxT7vcgIdSZWLOvfWKFiqA24R4RHA59ejyBuLiT6jSsPM2VVCPHTg/w640-h428/sh-gang-cw-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken Wings, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>"M</b>ark, you said they didn't have wings?" Yes... So did they. So we get seated and Sharnese asks the waitress if they were out of <i>all</i> of their wings, or just the bone in. The waitress comes back and lets us know that they can do two orders of 12 wings. Ok... So, Brian and Sharnese get 12, and Stormy and I get 12. This is where Brian and Sharnese were much smarter than we were. You see, they ordered their wings as their meal. Stormy and I, being professional foodies, thought the wings would be much smaller, and decided to grab a meal on top of them. So, deal is, minimum of six wings, and every six wings can get their own flavor. So, Stormy and I got the honey mustard and the Korean BBQ. Brian and Sharnese got the pepper and one other flavor that is slipping my mind that I did not try. In order, I'd say the pepper was my favorite, followed by Korean BBQ, then honey mustard. What we weren't expecting was that the wings would be as big as they were. Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. I'm a big dude. Those wings would've filled me up alone. However, I am a man of conviction, so I ordered some more food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBmsarnxW-O_zgEfZnF1k3bGMiSgPvXH2DurQafJTFTWV28ar-D1eUF7cRT26jNLKc2W4_9-EiTlCJcLkznI_YdcPq6gScw3V53eHKcCUdWCshNWL2tY67XdzmkV8YfQZyDz7dBVf3Kf4/s2048/sh-gang-ss-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBmsarnxW-O_zgEfZnF1k3bGMiSgPvXH2DurQafJTFTWV28ar-D1eUF7cRT26jNLKc2W4_9-EiTlCJcLkznI_YdcPq6gScw3V53eHKcCUdWCshNWL2tY67XdzmkV8YfQZyDz7dBVf3Kf4/w640-h428/sh-gang-ss-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steak Sandwich, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>S</b>o I ordered myself a steak sandwich, which came with fries (naturally). The steak was so good. Cooked perfectly, nice peppery taste to it. The cheese the used complimented the steak in just the right way. And the bun, while it came apart easily, was also really good. This is not, however, a typical Philly Cheesesteak. They take quite a few liberties with the flavor in a way that is hard to put into words. I was worried about the fries more than anything, as fries are always so hit or miss, and they just look like typical fries. While the fries don't go above and beyond, they are definitely edible. Or professional fry eater, Brian, went through quite a few of them during dinner. Stormy, on the other hand, just got herself a plain chicken sandwich (Yes... chicken on a bun). She was content with it, but I can't really comment as I feel like it would be cheating to review this place based off of a sandwich that is supposed to be loaded with flavors and having none of them. If you do have this sandwich, by all means, leave a comment below and let us know how you like it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChASmbHymt3oTYiCkzR6llP0904Ny00-xOn_PhlA1JBXfmGDaYSEl0n-3wA37uTJu3gLsqQpBhH5pECdvPmkUZQgVvJtIvTb0Wci49f6fpuYMg-6qD4Hq7eReYQe2lOEjbChoXhdS_S7Z/s2048/sh-gang-is-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChASmbHymt3oTYiCkzR6llP0904Ny00-xOn_PhlA1JBXfmGDaYSEl0n-3wA37uTJu3gLsqQpBhH5pECdvPmkUZQgVvJtIvTb0Wci49f6fpuYMg-6qD4Hq7eReYQe2lOEjbChoXhdS_S7Z/w640-h428/sh-gang-is-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>O</b>verall, this place is good. The inside is really cool, the food is good, and Sharnese really enjoyed their cocktails. I said it while eating there: It's trendy enough to fit into any up and coming area (it wouldn't look out of place in L.A. either) and the food is inoffensive enough to cater to just about anyone. In the land of Seminole Heights, this wouldn't so much be a special occasion place. I foresee this restaurant becoming the local hangout for those in the area. It's also placed in an area of Seminole Heights without much else nearby, which means you can expect to see more places opening near it in the long run. The only real competition is Mermaid Tavern, and lets be honest, is that really competition? That said, make sure your reservations go through and enjoy some chicken wings!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F7GwK-idgmrPE4aQmjnzJ4uCAFM7MLCrJCPVyn1jIfXXy90fG01Y-cscG7vt8_9wX7YX5KhWGA3RlBdGtS8pObw8-eqyZWUGHXraiDAKniyvlxu1WNfnT_FY-6Lfjh8DNW_anwZM7qty/s2048/sh-gang-bl-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F7GwK-idgmrPE4aQmjnzJ4uCAFM7MLCrJCPVyn1jIfXXy90fG01Y-cscG7vt8_9wX7YX5KhWGA3RlBdGtS8pObw8-eqyZWUGHXraiDAKniyvlxu1WNfnT_FY-6Lfjh8DNW_anwZM7qty/w640-h428/sh-gang-bl-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Decor, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- This is Seminole Heights. It should go without saying that there is no parking. This parking lot, even if you find a space, is not fun to get in and out of. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- They do, at least at the time of this writing, frequently run out of chicken wings. I would have a backup plan if that is the sole reason for your trip. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- Their chicken wings are huge. Please be prepared if you order them. They really are big. I am not exaggerating here. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- Bring friends, and double check your reservation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"><b>W</b>here is your favorite place to grab chicken? Were you able to finish their chicken wings? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com16618 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA28.0076371 -82.4515639-0.3025967361788453 -117.6078139 56.317870936178849 -47.2953139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-83745783615254563312020-11-29T14:02:00.000-05:002020-11-29T14:02:01.167-05:00Wicked Oak BBQ: Another Stellar Restaurant in Seminole Heights<p> <b>O</b>nce you figure out how to get there, that is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MU0cwxFQ3SJj1_U-4g5cjl-3imoGMzuia3l-q3OmDZMEOFvSTaFph8MGBa-9zxI7OT6OpkmUplJ-8x8-BpodaJO_Kl7TWOXiz6anVmGn29u5sWDr8TY4VfvG29J-jIVt_bO3YKmO2TP-/s2048/sh-wo-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MU0cwxFQ3SJj1_U-4g5cjl-3imoGMzuia3l-q3OmDZMEOFvSTaFph8MGBa-9zxI7OT6OpkmUplJ-8x8-BpodaJO_Kl7TWOXiz6anVmGn29u5sWDr8TY4VfvG29J-jIVt_bO3YKmO2TP-/w428-h640/sh-wo-sign-01.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There May or May Not Have Been a Line, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>S</b>o, this is one place that I have been wanting to check out for months. With Covid going on, it's been incredibly difficult to leave the house and Stormy just took on a new schedule herself. Alas, Small Business Saturday comes and we now have a chance to check out a new restaurant. Let the games begin! Now, if you're familiar with King of the Coop, you know exactly where Wicked Oak is... Because King of the Coop moved next door. I did not get that memo, so it took a little longer than it should have to find this place. But once you get in, you'll see instantly that this side of the building got a new makeover. It's a much more pleasant experience now. We did have a chance to talk to Bubba, the owner, after we were finished eating, as he seems to make a habit of asking everyone how their meal was. He gave us a little bit of background. He has been competing in the world of competitive barbeque for the last seven years, and then he opened up a food truck. At some point, he came to the realization that a restaurant might work better for him/his lifestyle. He partnered with King of the Coop, who were renting out their old half of the building and a new BBQ concept was born. But that's not why you came here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_7m5XOq9TWiVphODgEq4QwbtO8MtAUMYU3cPOxozkGyrfzKCiBgvsOO5eQYw7Qvth7ij3Qy60aVcx1QuVWzEffwMsQuDIQmfVfRuykki2-OCW57YUKFt-pcCnQF-onV8ds7pcpaa65C8/s2048/sh-wo-dd-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_7m5XOq9TWiVphODgEq4QwbtO8MtAUMYU3cPOxozkGyrfzKCiBgvsOO5eQYw7Qvth7ij3Qy60aVcx1QuVWzEffwMsQuDIQmfVfRuykki2-OCW57YUKFt-pcCnQF-onV8ds7pcpaa65C8/w640-h428/sh-wo-dd-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dirty Dog, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>S</b>o I did my usual and asked the woman behind the counter what her favorite was and she informed me that I must absolutely try the dirty dog. To those of you not in the know, a dirty dog is a cheddar and jalapeno infused smoked sausage topped with slow smoked pulled pork, queso, and shredded cheese all on a brioche bun. The sausage itself was cooked to perfection, with a nice crunch when you took a bite. There was a really nice heat to the sausage, not too spicy, but just spicy enough. The cheese/queso mix is 100% sure to make a mess, but good BBQ always does. The real star of this meal, I'll argue, is the pulled pork, arguably the best thing on their menu. The pork was nice and moist, the flavor was kicking through the heat and the cheese during the entire meal. There was not a single bite I took that did not deliver a very nice, pork undertone. That is not to say the sausage was bad by any means. I thought the sausage was also amazing. However, that pork definitely stole the show. If you have never been here before, I would 100% suggest you start with a dirty dog. This sandwich (yeah, I'm going to start a debate) was the perfect lunch. I actually also got a side of tots that I didn't even touch as the sandwich had me so full. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInf7iLWnjCX8YSJa-OTYCpstoAFK-Ku5VmktP-ziArnokmsdZgR6cWjqxFBcwQlQBQy1l9njRf4AI3x24PlGO5GXeddXA3AS1hm2uzcMQjXDO7qAoJgQtx5NuUp1ekBYMYvKnPCbL9Q7Q/s2048/sh-wo-pp-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInf7iLWnjCX8YSJa-OTYCpstoAFK-Ku5VmktP-ziArnokmsdZgR6cWjqxFBcwQlQBQy1l9njRf4AI3x24PlGO5GXeddXA3AS1hm2uzcMQjXDO7qAoJgQtx5NuUp1ekBYMYvKnPCbL9Q7Q/w640-h428/sh-wo-pp-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pulled Pork, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>S</b>tormy played this a little smarter than me and got the pulled pork sandwich. Before she even sat down, she decided she wanted to deconstruct it. She had good reason and Wicked Oak also makes their own BBQ sauces. We had a mango, a guava, and a sweet sauce. Now, both Stormy and I will drown pulled pork in sauce as it always tends to be dry and unexciting. So, to say that we didn't use the sauces, just about at all, is a pretty huge leap and should tell you what type of quality we're dealing with here. The pork was far from dry, and it was far from devoid of flavor. The sauces were good (very good, actually), but the pork simply didn't need it. That and I found the sauces to be a lot sweeter than I would typically put on BBQ. I did make the comment that they would work a lot better as jelly that you could put on your corn bread. Actually, if we were doing a blind taste test, and I were to give you some bread with their sauce on it, you would probably think it was a jelly moreso than a sauce. But, Bubba is very proud of his sauces, and I will say that you should try them anyway! I will also say that, if you have a few people coming with you, go for the meat plates and you'll have plenty of food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvXTzfK0pdrtBPACdW_EDeGmp0IXTQKjh8AEBXK5yujTtXBiU1Jf0BKubidqaPbgk55Q-9L_fd5XA9mlVpFHzJ6Vz4hDMneqQ2YzPae-yNSgRI4o4Ht0wdF5p8bHDOGjDInppxQIg11xK/s2048/sh-wo-os-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvXTzfK0pdrtBPACdW_EDeGmp0IXTQKjh8AEBXK5yujTtXBiU1Jf0BKubidqaPbgk55Q-9L_fd5XA9mlVpFHzJ6Vz4hDMneqQ2YzPae-yNSgRI4o4Ht0wdF5p8bHDOGjDInppxQIg11xK/w640-h428/sh-wo-os-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Outside Seating, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">- This is Seminole Heights, you already know the parking sucks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- This is in the same space that King of the Coop was previously in.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Due to Covid (if you're reading this in the future, it probably wont be true), there is only outside seating, and it's very limited. You'll be making friends.</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The year may not be over, but I am naming this the Exploring Tampa Restaurant of the Year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"><b>W</b>here is your favorite BBQ joint? Do you think their sauces would work better as jelly? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0Wicked Oak Barbeque28.0078523 -82.4592643-0.30238153617884578 -117.6155143 56.318086136178849 -47.3030143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-20574599752307474582020-09-29T13:39:00.000-04:002020-09-29T13:39:14.360-04:00Howl-O-Scream 2020: An Experiment in Social Distancing<p> <b>B</b>ut was it really necessary? Lets weigh the pros and the cons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cgMjFCckb-jZ6jNPE5eU9q8C6J55y0TLcv-hpLpBHFqAVBD5P6RRTe9DZu3BjgmaUIcomOrg_Zl7Khg_qJ0MocFvbZRmpmFMCxDN3v89EBu4mRdoVgB0XwbKu8TOpJspnURIaBmZARu/s2048/hos-entrance-sign-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cgMjFCckb-jZ6jNPE5eU9q8C6J55y0TLcv-hpLpBHFqAVBD5P6RRTe9DZu3BjgmaUIcomOrg_Zl7Khg_qJ0MocFvbZRmpmFMCxDN3v89EBu4mRdoVgB0XwbKu8TOpJspnURIaBmZARu/w463-h692/hos-entrance-sign-02.jpg" width="463" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Howl-O-Scream, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2</b>020 has put us into some... Interesting times. A global pandemic has managed to bring the entire country to a halt and we're having to adapt to the new precautions and safety measures. Add to that, there is seemingly something new happening every day. With that said, Busch Gardens has decided to go ahead and run their yearly Halloween event, despite the pandemic, no doubt to try to cash in on Universal's lack of Halloween Horror Nights. They have taken away the free ticket for top tier passholders (so yes, we paid) and you are required a reservation to get in. Lets go over the event!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEoKdWC6uBKufPQTdUoSsUg3JAJPFF0Q4ZttFjlv527o9SpbzD_lq41IfG-Z7oZvStmEP-_EML3uz4d2g1KEXlmzz5zULmPsAv2tCNqFEe_TpjCZ5itpgyNGQrLZLOqWoTqksXLQVCLQI/s2048/hos-ps-band-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEoKdWC6uBKufPQTdUoSsUg3JAJPFF0Q4ZttFjlv527o9SpbzD_lq41IfG-Z7oZvStmEP-_EML3uz4d2g1KEXlmzz5zULmPsAv2tCNqFEe_TpjCZ5itpgyNGQrLZLOqWoTqksXLQVCLQI/w650-h426/hos-ps-band-02.jpg" width="650" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Howl-O-Scream Band, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A</b>lright, once you get off the tram, you get your temperature checked, then you go through security, then you go to the gates. If you get there before HOS begins, make sure the let the gate person know so you can get a wristband that will allow you to stay in the park during the transition. They will not ask you (as we learned). If you manage to forget, have no fear, they have wristband people scattered throughout the park to scan your reservation, ticket, and provide you with a wristband. There is no Fright Feast this year, nor are there any traditional houses. You are mainly paying to walk through some scarezones and to see Fiends. Ok, not mainly... That is all you're paying for. We did manage to check out the rock band they had (pictured above) as they jammed out to some Halloween favorites. I have my doubts as to whether they were actually playing or not, but that's another story. This show was a lot of fun, however, I feel like it was just kind of thrown in to say, "look! We added something." I feel like this show should run during daytime hours as just a normal Halloween experience. I also feel as though Busch Gardens should decorate the park and add a full daytime Halloween experience. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rh0GaeSpieyjaTnhf6YHTHs2ijmF9HzTQ8YS9RqFgxtCFo_jpKMOPwL6vGFA2j4TBprvYH7wxwS69YfQJR2eaXkP4iypg0V5Eex8RGPrFVz41ZhCjB17OmmEoawcduVtvvaMEWMKBmbK/s2048/hos-mh-dancers-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rh0GaeSpieyjaTnhf6YHTHs2ijmF9HzTQ8YS9RqFgxtCFo_jpKMOPwL6vGFA2j4TBprvYH7wxwS69YfQJR2eaXkP4iypg0V5Eex8RGPrFVz41ZhCjB17OmmEoawcduVtvvaMEWMKBmbK/w639-h428/hos-mh-dancers-01.jpg" width="639" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dia De Los Muertos, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Y</b>es, I know exactly what you're thinking. And yes, everybody's least favorite scarezone did make a return. Except, somehow even more lackluster than before. Due to the new restrictions, most of the scareactors are behind gates, with creative ways to not actually get close to you (see the rope in the picture above). This wasn't unique to this one scarezone, but it was most noticeable here. The one thing I do like about this zone, despite all of it's short comings, is the light that they've added. In the past, I have managed to trip over pallets that they inexplicably had laying around in the darkest parts of the path. It's nice to see that they have now illuminated it. This might actually be why they keep bringing this zone back.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWpJstb73ozZhPuctF-ZuSDIV9CRH71tpu31JYuM8gW43cLHZTZl7mHwvzN6T8kzEQjd6L4kikX3m5O0CxjqrdTG_ZGnBcXvw4qpXEAFuwJDjfeuLo3lA64Xj7byJh57ifVEmFq9ZuhR/s2048/hos-how-car-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWpJstb73ozZhPuctF-ZuSDIV9CRH71tpu31JYuM8gW43cLHZTZl7mHwvzN6T8kzEQjd6L4kikX3m5O0CxjqrdTG_ZGnBcXvw4qpXEAFuwJDjfeuLo3lA64Xj7byJh57ifVEmFq9ZuhR/w636-h425/hos-how-car-01.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Car, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>O</b>k, every scarezone isn't getting their own section here. Most of these zones you've already seen and already been through. Literally, nothing has changed. There are a few nods to some of the houses throughout. Two of the scarezones are acting as outdoor haunted houses this year, with lines to get in and everything. The Junkyard and The Shortcut. In The Shortcut, they managed to bring the funeral from Death Water Bayou out in the open. You'll find the four paul bearers carrying the casket, and I'm fairly certain that the house (the focal point in the middle) is also from Death Water Bayou. In The Junkyard, you will see the sign for Hotel Shellburn, aka: Motel Hell from years past. That makes sense as it's in Motel Hell's spot. The two zones with the lines will have six foot markers in place. Expect absolutely no one to follow that and no one to enforce that. Also expect a medical expert (Google Ph. D. candidate) to tell you about their personal feelings about the pandemic on at least one occasion, if not more. The Deadly Toys scarezone stuck out more than any other as all of their actors were behind the tree line. There were two or three out and about, but the focal points were all definitely behind the trees. Of course, they also brought back First Fear, and of course, if you came to Busch Gardens before Howl-O-Scream started or you didn't leave before it ended, you did not see this zone. Also beware the trees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOezmqEMoEywIgAoKnIxaup95pvGbyT-ZqOreOQ7K1ZDbrvQ32b-IlpQad3WrQygjGGedXr7scRn-c3t5s7PUFIY58AJGwo4ysJk08IkscgNMOQCsyqrfAN0PhUcrUbc5awpeveUp9pLl/s2048/hos-ll-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOezmqEMoEywIgAoKnIxaup95pvGbyT-ZqOreOQ7K1ZDbrvQ32b-IlpQad3WrQygjGGedXr7scRn-c3t5s7PUFIY58AJGwo4ysJk08IkscgNMOQCsyqrfAN0PhUcrUbc5awpeveUp9pLl/w591-h395/hos-ll-sign-01.jpg" width="591" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lycan Landing, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>L</b>ycan Landing was one of their new zones this year, and probably my favorite of the bunch. Campground, werewolves... What could go wrong? What makes this zone so interesting, outside of the fact that the actors in this one seem to actually interact, are all of the little nuances. There will be dogs barking, the camper has people inside, there's a ticket booth that has some animations going on (if you have the patience to wait), and there are cars going off, etc. The wolves will come crawling up to you, they will jump out of unexpected places, and this is what as cult of werewolves would look like if there were cults of werewolves out and about. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb0f2Em1SbNJ5T_8sAhoqFAsqlOVmLSLW1cMpV6YpcBw4-YMldbKbWx2xzcCtjZh3XYwlaqkB0xVxptVwnnAYHxnXEDuYPNpjV6GnGJ7tulLPUhp1xVPO_WmyVSDTWOOe3fzildjQa06/s2048/hos-mm-clown-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXb0f2Em1SbNJ5T_8sAhoqFAsqlOVmLSLW1cMpV6YpcBw4-YMldbKbWx2xzcCtjZh3XYwlaqkB0xVxptVwnnAYHxnXEDuYPNpjV6GnGJ7tulLPUhp1xVPO_WmyVSDTWOOe3fzildjQa06/w555-h830/hos-mm-clown-01.jpg" width="555" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maniac Midway, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A</b>gain, expect this zone to be stripped down from everything you remember it being. Gone are the interactive features (fortune teller being the most notable). This zone seems to be here mainly to mark a midpoint to the park and give everyone somewhere to gather. The beer and pretzel shop is a good place to stop and grab some refreshments. The beer selection is just as boring as you remember it being, but if you have a friend who's still new to craft beer, you'll find something inoffensive for them. The pretzels are delicious, and as much as I wanted one, they couldn't keep up with the number of people trying to get one (of which, people were definitely not six feet apart). I ended up getting a pretzel dog and it was just as exciting as it sounds. I'd strongly suggest it. There's also the Dragonfire Grill and Pub, of which seemed to be the only big dining hall open (Zambia Smokehouse closed seemingly before the park did). I take that back, Zagora is also open if you're looking for something a little... Simpler. There are also the usual carnival games in the area, which makes the whole circus theme come together. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNw8zYTDFHmA1_cetUQbuEo7J81Y1GZze_XJjMBKxrfZVeoZICd37WgObWd9R3_0mJsJxRqhw37yB53llSFn5Wb77NnQoOHhNoaPEf8ROG6f_FaqcPux4wtdgH_x7HuZMqx2BUmQFj6dP/s2048/hos-how-cage-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1286" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNw8zYTDFHmA1_cetUQbuEo7J81Y1GZze_XJjMBKxrfZVeoZICd37WgObWd9R3_0mJsJxRqhw37yB53llSFn5Wb77NnQoOHhNoaPEf8ROG6f_FaqcPux4wtdgH_x7HuZMqx2BUmQFj6dP/w472-h751/hos-how-cage-01.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hell on Wheels Inmate, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>W</b>hat would Howl-O-Scream be if it weren't for their signature drinks? In years past, we have always been completely disappointed with their liquor drinks, but this year seemed to be different. You'll have to forgive my awful memory, as I don't remember what it was that I got. It was a mized drink, I believe using tequila as the base. Was actually really good without being <i>too</i> strong. They're fine to be enjoyed (in moderation) during the night. Stormy, on the other hand, got both of the shots that they were offering. One was tequila based and one was vodka based. The one thing we will point out here is that the shots are supposed to be served cold. There were quite a few places around the park that weren't serving them at temp. As far as the snack booths around the park go, they seemed to start closing right around the time that you'd want to get a snack. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE7lxBFPTnl3JIZM-GMvdY0xpGu3sipAWyxstqWHg5OGGnKZ6CuT0pWtf6D5HccxhR-EQPRN6RBu8TLSlCWNxxGRDzHhCBUkYsahm1RZggfMc8kuufUAs0XLIycAp-LFOKSWbks49t0js/s2048/hos-nss-hw-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE7lxBFPTnl3JIZM-GMvdY0xpGu3sipAWyxstqWHg5OGGnKZ6CuT0pWtf6D5HccxhR-EQPRN6RBu8TLSlCWNxxGRDzHhCBUkYsahm1RZggfMc8kuufUAs0XLIycAp-LFOKSWbks49t0js/w621-h415/hos-nss-hw-01.jpg" width="621" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hand Washing Station, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>L</b>ets talk about safety and what Busch Gardens is doing to keep people safe. And that is, almost nothing. There is one handwashing station set up (not far from a bathroom at that), there are quite a few sanitzers set up throughout the park, but there is no six feet rule enforced just about anywhere (have fun at Fiends!) and seemingly only about half of the staff is enforcing the masks. Now, wearing a mask during this event sucks. There is no way around that. I don't mind wearing a mask and I found myself buying drinks just to have an excuse to get a break from wearing it every so often. It's hot and the mask relaxation zones are pretty sparse (as I suppose they should be). Most of the scarezones, the actors are keeping a good six feet away, however, in some of them, they aren't. Just be prepared for a lot of inconsistency when you go. Their website has a warning that pretty much says, "If you catch Covid, it's your fault!" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr3z8VSk_umjQCq6Pj1Q_6lNsV-VII0Si8Vw8KM8YLl5AlsTtjuaGh77WOxm2_3A7d2bCMGacaJ9k3NdqW0VEuGFYhUx7LFe4HdeD7lcV16ZJ1MHcHSEYJAcE6W8zi0IHq8gCKgGg75kg/s1568/covid+risk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="1568" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr3z8VSk_umjQCq6Pj1Q_6lNsV-VII0Si8Vw8KM8YLl5AlsTtjuaGh77WOxm2_3A7d2bCMGacaJ9k3NdqW0VEuGFYhUx7LFe4HdeD7lcV16ZJ1MHcHSEYJAcE6W8zi0IHq8gCKgGg75kg/w521-h150/covid+risk.jpg" width="521" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Covid Warning, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRs3wPqxBhJ-rlmZhHzHv-ro0bqUtbXNrcERJS178VlWO0Ux8EJWw0jvwaRSWCkEwJnpFdx7aULrqs2m4Rr2qveIMuTeDkY80SLc5bQmpwx5OSNgzDUT_Z7Ua5URtu2_necNskc0Um0-M/s2048/hos-fiends-vam-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="2048" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRs3wPqxBhJ-rlmZhHzHv-ro0bqUtbXNrcERJS178VlWO0Ux8EJWw0jvwaRSWCkEwJnpFdx7aULrqs2m4Rr2qveIMuTeDkY80SLc5bQmpwx5OSNgzDUT_Z7Ua5URtu2_necNskc0Um0-M/w631-h396/hos-fiends-vam-01.jpg" width="631" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fiends, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>N</b>ow lets talk about the real reason you are coming this year, Fiends. Last year we got a cryptic message that they were ending Fiends. It not only didn't end this year, but it seemed to gain in popularity. Of course, it probably helps that there were only two show times. To those of you who may be coming to Howl-O-Scream with your young child because they're "really mature" or "like scary things" or whatever, I would strongly advise against bringing them to this show. It is raunchy, it uses adult humor, there are a ton of half naked people. Everything that makes for a good show! Dr. Freakenstein has been missing since last year. They have found him quarantining inside the mansion. Just one problem: Igor wants to party. With appearances from Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein, Frankenstein himself, The Mummy, and of course, the nurses. There are many shots taken during the show, especially one directed at Universal for cancelling Halloween Horror Nights, which, to be honest, Howl-O-Scream should've done also, especially given that this was half of an event. The new outdoor venue was... Well, nowhere near as comfortable as the theater, but it seemed to fit a lot more people, which was needed because this show was packed. They do have markers on the chairs marking off three feet at a time, but no one near you will respect that. That said, I'd definitely make it a point to check out this show.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaG3M_7SNzQU9rhnJCG0EAad3hCUrhV6suh73yDB7jx_n2aHG4gdk_1VSwvRLZRwFujpxvGt4rQ_qm5kcCp_ItUpU1hbwK6BMX58nPwWzCZ6Xrn8bRXOCjZf91s8F_BVjBiaox1A-n1cs/s2048/hos-toy-giel-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="766" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaG3M_7SNzQU9rhnJCG0EAad3hCUrhV6suh73yDB7jx_n2aHG4gdk_1VSwvRLZRwFujpxvGt4rQ_qm5kcCp_ItUpU1hbwK6BMX58nPwWzCZ6Xrn8bRXOCjZf91s8F_BVjBiaox1A-n1cs/w512-h766/hos-toy-giel-01.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doll, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring your most breathable mask. Trust me, you will need it.</li><li>If you get there early and stay for the whole event, you will miss one of the scarezones.</li><li>You will be hard pressed to find food and snacks during the event. </li><li>If you're looking to finish the entire event in one night, I would suggest starting at the midway and catching the band inside Dragonfire as soon as the event starts (7:00), it's a 15 minute show. Go through Deadly Toys, Dia De Los Muertos, and Hell on Wheels and hit Fiends (assuming the times are the same every night, 8:30pm). Hit The Junkyard next, then circle back through the Garden Gate Cafe (grab a beer), and make your way to Little Nightmares. Go through The Shortcut, then circle back through Lycan Landing. If the line is short enough, go back through The Shortcut, or go back through Lycan Landing, through the midway, and catch the last zone The Escape over by Montu. </li><li>You are not getting a full Howl-O-Scream experience. Howl-O-Scream is one of my favorite events every year and this was... A bit dead.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjcCiWAAg4x-DWMt8tjA4mOMFCS8l_dGo6Wm-3kGBIRGM9LMdTbYzSERrmTetGNye22IYCnJYLWfm1rj8IyW7PmDmQeyIhM3vA3Ix2QRTdgvO5t6suGE1zHxsdJQKRA7MDD2-yCkXXr5U/s2048/hos-6f-sign-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjcCiWAAg4x-DWMt8tjA4mOMFCS8l_dGo6Wm-3kGBIRGM9LMdTbYzSERrmTetGNye22IYCnJYLWfm1rj8IyW7PmDmQeyIhM3vA3Ix2QRTdgvO5t6suGE1zHxsdJQKRA7MDD2-yCkXXr5U/w633-h423/hos-6f-sign-01.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Six Feet Please, 2020</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"><b>W</b>hat is your favorite Halloween attraction? Do you think Busch Gardens should've waited to do the full event? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span face="helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com010165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, USA28.0372251 -82.4194351-0.27300873617884491 -117.5756851 56.347458936178846 -47.2631851tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-75811802187850102072020-08-10T13:27:00.004-04:002020-08-10T13:39:38.560-04:00Esposito's: Carrollwood's Newest Italian Eatery<b>I</b>t's refreshing to see something local coming to the Carrollwood area.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI8197UQRKsUMRRMfFx6eQz3jfNMvef1NXc9clVW0NiRdnpBWquqs3egygAvWAPJbCjsoLIJur52mNSOriAT5UJLYDNkczNTNhgxSO0HoQnql-SRnW9DCJodE7f8OX3zoybUzRQVVULPL/s2048/nt-eik-sign-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI8197UQRKsUMRRMfFx6eQz3jfNMvef1NXc9clVW0NiRdnpBWquqs3egygAvWAPJbCjsoLIJur52mNSOriAT5UJLYDNkczNTNhgxSO0HoQnql-SRnW9DCJodE7f8OX3zoybUzRQVVULPL/w625-h419/nt-eik-sign-01.jpg" width="625" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Esposito's, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>"A</b>lright Mark, you have some explaining to do!" Yes... I do. During the middle of last year, I took on a job that was a lot more demanding than the job I had at any point during this blog. I thought this job was crazy until the virus hit and everything started shutting down. Then I was telling myself that I couldn't possibly update this blog while the virus had everything shut down. Then I came to the realization that this virus may not end at any point during my lifetime. This very well may be the "new normal" and it's time to adjust. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW_HyueWOqu99K3IX5tyAD6y0N1mIB_3NgSfaHSr4Qa81AF-58jfbORUfJsb2VgeU7UiiWdAiXdu1lxYSa_2dvui9NOtHLUxeqPQ0EuLFD8A-O68b0vPV6Liqihs_o-ZvA9sYxchZKxn6/s2048/nt-eik-menu-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW_HyueWOqu99K3IX5tyAD6y0N1mIB_3NgSfaHSr4Qa81AF-58jfbORUfJsb2VgeU7UiiWdAiXdu1lxYSa_2dvui9NOtHLUxeqPQ0EuLFD8A-O68b0vPV6Liqihs_o-ZvA9sYxchZKxn6/w625-h419/nt-eik-menu-01.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, this is there menu, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>S</b>o, my mom's birthday came around and there was a new eatery that had come to her attention. Actually, it was hard to miss, every time you drive past it, there's a new sign showing off the opening of the restaurant that would be replacing the already overhyped and underwhelming Carmel that was there. On a side note, what is the deal with Carrollwood and their love of chains? Outside of a handful of restaurants, local business never seem to last. So, we all get dressed up and head out for a nice meal at the new, locally owned Italian eatery. The inside is identical to Carmel's, right down to the bar. I was a bit worried by this point. The bar didn't change, the seating didn't change, the layout, still exactly the same. But you didn't come here for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIMHm1O3639fWygmgX3Lnh4bqOvk_0eslPy3q5k1NBVOrK1WPJuyeJBLgvN9w7GjuMLW8vREo5CJXT-sjGwdvJGSbI7dzrFXGOlNo6MhRAM-ujBPxr3uRVNBT8a3vMs_9aOSAmOrjFLEl/s2048/nt-eik-salad-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIMHm1O3639fWygmgX3Lnh4bqOvk_0eslPy3q5k1NBVOrK1WPJuyeJBLgvN9w7GjuMLW8vREo5CJXT-sjGwdvJGSbI7dzrFXGOlNo6MhRAM-ujBPxr3uRVNBT8a3vMs_9aOSAmOrjFLEl/w625-h419/nt-eik-salad-01.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salad, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>I</b>f you're solely reading to this paragraph and quitting, you're going to think I hated this place. And that couldn't be further from the truth. I do have to point out that I would probably skip on the appetizers and the salad, though. We got the artichokes and fried mozzarella, mozzarella being the better of the two, but it was so small it wasn't worth mentioning. The artichokes were just... Artichokes. There was nothing to them. I think they were breaded and came with a sauce that just did nothing for the flavor. Bland, boring, and seemingly just on the menu to say that they had appetizers. The restaurant did so much else right that it hurts me to say that they dropped the ball on the appetizers. The salad, was another miss. Just a few vegetables thrown together on a plate with almost no (if any) dressing. All wasn't lost at the beginning though, as their bread was amazing. Seriously, that was enough to keep the table happy until our food came out. Crispy, buttery goodness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4LVv6QNJTJ2-1G5rwA13CkJOlnqunVJtq7NbRE0tmd5YDkJ-ec_0PJaAmkgjVC-vsOHzY-lKYRW0OdKloH8pOFQFD2-4Wz7n-gzhtca32a8JyKH51Vq6KWsu_3Orpxm9CazTMlr8P9C8/s2048/nt-eik-las-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4LVv6QNJTJ2-1G5rwA13CkJOlnqunVJtq7NbRE0tmd5YDkJ-ec_0PJaAmkgjVC-vsOHzY-lKYRW0OdKloH8pOFQFD2-4Wz7n-gzhtca32a8JyKH51Vq6KWsu_3Orpxm9CazTMlr8P9C8/w625-h419/nt-eik-las-01.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lasagna, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>I</b>'ve fallen into this trap of judging how good an Italian place is based off of how exciting their lasagna is. And I do have to say that the lasagna at Esposito's didn't disappoint. It was a decent size to feed a dude as big as myself, and came with enough extra sauce to continue dunking (if that's your thing). The cheese to noodle to meat to sauce ratio was on point. There wasn't a single bite of this meal that disappointed. I also added a side of two meatballs on for good measure. By the time the lasagna was done, I could only fit one of the meatballs. I'll go out on a limb here and say that this is probably my favorite lasagna dish in the Tampa area. Stormy decided on a piece of salmon as her entree and right off the bat said it was too big. She somehow managed to put the whole meal down and was incredibly happy with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkQAVlw1IuK53KQcySu-cFcWffAUnfo4dccON_n0pdvojFBwVV1q6FF1loufCJdxUaqXpkhuLEo-5T2wDwVHiJTyXUM-mwbDJsNuQFOflfDYZVgS_W_-fIoooPL7syaJG64EcM8E5HiLJ/s2048/nt-eik-canoli-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkQAVlw1IuK53KQcySu-cFcWffAUnfo4dccON_n0pdvojFBwVV1q6FF1loufCJdxUaqXpkhuLEo-5T2wDwVHiJTyXUM-mwbDJsNuQFOflfDYZVgS_W_-fIoooPL7syaJG64EcM8E5HiLJ/s640/nt-eik-canoli-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cannoli, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>FULL DISCLOSURE:</b> I did not pay for this. My lovely mother kept mentioning that I review things online and this came out afterwards. It's possible that they were giving them out to every table as a "thank you" for coming out first day, or it could be because they were told they were being reviewed and I don't know which. Just know, I did not pay for this, it was provided by the restaurant, and no, I do not like to tell restaurants I'm reviewing them beforehand because of things like this. <i>However,</i> Stormy is a huge fan of cannolis. I, myself, am not the biggest fan. Everyone else at the table seemed to be ecstatic, though. So, this is a deconstructed cannoli. The whipped inside is served in the middle, with empty shells on the outside, and enough spoons to go to war. Grab a shell, scop some insides in, and you're on your way to Flavor Town (don't sue me, Guy). The cream is probably the best cream I've tasted in a dessert. The shells, while a little overwhelming at times (a bit too thick) complimented the cream. The best part about this dessert is that you can choose how much of the topping you want. If you prefer the shell, cool! If you want more of the cream, cool! There really is no wrong way to eat it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck7iGog2dgIL4mGxD9RC7jHZJGO88h25EOp96nrMpLd8qT2_4e76VBAuTSB88RQrh0tWxiNn6QFmExhyphenhyphendFEoFJB2nru73PrBOppJ6vqBadwNbrJd3PyWhbG6Pc61NWJGa7IuRoszxHGuR/s2048/nt-eik-mb-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck7iGog2dgIL4mGxD9RC7jHZJGO88h25EOp96nrMpLd8qT2_4e76VBAuTSB88RQrh0tWxiNn6QFmExhyphenhyphendFEoFJB2nru73PrBOppJ6vqBadwNbrJd3PyWhbG6Pc61NWJGa7IuRoszxHGuR/s640/nt-eik-mb-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meatballs, 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- This is located next to a Chuck E. Cheese in a smallish parking lot. There is also parking in the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Avoid the appetizers. Just save room for the (far superior) main course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- They do have a really nice Old Fashioned. I'd strongly recommend one of those. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- This is one of those restaurants that will add to the experience if you have an awesome group to go with. I wouldn't suggest going alone, bring friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"><b>D</b>o you enjoy a good Old Fashioned? Where is your favorite place to get a piece of lasagna? Leave a comment below.</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com014306 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618, USA28.0763464 -82.5077615-0.233887436178847 -117.6640115 56.386580236178844 -47.3515115tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-82780821458894417772020-02-20T11:10:00.001-05:002023-05-04T18:53:45.507-04:00CLOSED: Parks & Rec: No, not the TV show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>W</b>ell, at least it's not the 80's.</div>
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Parks & Rec, 2020</div>
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<b>I</b>'m going to start this blog with a disclaimer: I did not like this place, at all. "But Mark," I hear you shouting, "Then why should I even bother reading this?" Because I feel like there is a market for it. And a dude in his 30's who enjoys craft beer and more intimate spaces most definitely is not their target audience. </div>
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Coins, 2020</div>
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<b>B</b>ranching off of the popular Downtown St. Pete bar of the same name, Parks & Rec Tampa opened in (as far as I can see) 2019. The bar covers an outdoor area, mainly used for giant beer pong and Jenga, an indoor area with a handful of arcade games and a DJ, complete with TV's showing ESPN (because, of course you would), and an upstairs second story with pool tables, air hockey, and a few more games. I counted no less than four different bars, which was impressive for the size of the space used. The entrance to the bar is adorned with security who seem to be standing around the front, and a skeleton dressed for Gasparilla on a couch. But that's not why you came here.</div>
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Basketball, 2020</div>
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<b>L</b>ets talk about the positives here: The game selection is legit and the placement of those games is nice. When we went (Sunday afternoon) it wasn't too crowded either. While I would comment about the food, I didn't try any, so I can't. There did seem to be a game for just about everyone, from shooters, to sports, to pool and air hockey. You'd be hard pressed to be bored if you're coming solely for the games. The decor of the location was also nice. It wasn't trying <i>as</i> hard as <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2019/05/gen-x-80s-reborn.html" target="_blank">Gen X Tavern</a>, which is a massive plus. Unfortunately, that's about where the positives end. </div>
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Liquor, 2020</div>
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<b>F</b>irst, allow me to state that if I ask for a recommendation from a bartender, I don't really want to hear a "well, this is popular..." especially when you don't even sound confident in the selection yourself. I'm going to go on a limb here and say that the drinks that they make here have next to no alcohol... Which wouldn't be <i>as</i> annoying if they weren't so expensive on top of that. Their shots are $10.00 a piece, which wouldn't feel like as much of a slap in the face if they didn't taste like the bottom of a bag of sugar. To give you an idea of how weak the drinks are, I had my buddy Brian, who <b>hates</b> the taste of alcohol, try one, and he was able to put it down without any issue. On top of the weak alcohol, and it is entirely possible I just came on an off day, but none of the staff seemed very friendly, and seemingly all of them looked like they'd rather be <i>anywhere</i> else. Add to everything else, this incredibly goofy late 80's to early 00's theme. Complete with a menu that uses the Saved by the Bell background, music that nobody in there is old enough to remember (and if you are, you probably don't care), and overall generic tugs of nostalgia (Look everyone, we have a NES logo floating on the wall! Remember when those were big??). I love the 90's, but every bar that wants to pull off this 90's theme seems to be scared to fully commit to it. This bar is no exception. And if you like a good beer, good luck. I think Reef Donkey was the only beer worth drinking in the entire place (they claimed to have draft lines somewhere, but I never saw them), but hey... Truly (seriously... Who drinks those?).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXg7Hn4Nf7NnLw4RrUOMOCgBgxE0AdRWtFUS5V48o8yty-IBvEoco6mXr0QhQlu8rkaVV6UT9nsimzqlb0kCr2CLrKuSrLDqHR7X787Wlx914FU3AWw9dUhkPau9DWyoj2Yi1nP7SgjH_/s1600/dt-pr-shot-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXg7Hn4Nf7NnLw4RrUOMOCgBgxE0AdRWtFUS5V48o8yty-IBvEoco6mXr0QhQlu8rkaVV6UT9nsimzqlb0kCr2CLrKuSrLDqHR7X787Wlx914FU3AWw9dUhkPau9DWyoj2Yi1nP7SgjH_/s640/dt-pr-shot-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Shot, 2020</div>
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<i><b>"B</b>ut Mark, you said there was a market."</i> Indeed, I did. And I think that my experience here is more so just me being old and bitter (and having three overpriced, weak drinks). But if you are new to bars/drinking, and you're looking for somewhere to come with a big group of friends, I think this place would be perfect. I wouldn't necessarily suggest <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/06/red-star-rock-bar-drinks-and-music.html" target="_blank">Red Star Rock Bar</a> or the <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/07/ybor-city-wine-bar-not-just-for-wine.html" target="_blank">Ybor City Wine Bar</a> to a 21 year old. They're small, intimate, and meant to drink with the friends you already have, not so much to make new ones (not that you can't). Whereas other bars are dark, dingy, small, and intimidating, Parks & Rec is open, bright, and fun. There's no pressure to buy another drink, you don't have to go out of your way to befriend your bartender (you should, but this is a skill learned with time). Honestly, the whole time I was there, the only thing I was thinking was, "This is a great bar for students who go to UT or USF." This would be the type of place I could also imagine families bringing their kids to and letting them enjoy the games while you sit back and watch some ESPN (no, really... That's all that's on). You might even feel compelled to grab a drink and just remember how terrible the juice from your childhood really tasted... Especially once they add that one splash of alcohol. Unfortunately, you'd need to be rich to catch a buzz here.<br />
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Party Hard, Friends, 2020</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- There is no parking lot. You'll be parking in one of Tampa's infamous paid lots, or parking north of Kennedy and taking a hike.</div>
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- The space itself is actually put together really nicely. At no point do you feel like you're being suffocated. </div>
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- Bring a group of friends and have fun playing the games. There are no shortage of them.</div>
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- If you're over about the age of 25, probably best you find somewhere more your speed.</div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">W</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">as I way out of line with how critical I was of Parks & Rec? Do you have a favorite arcade game? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0290 S Meridian Ave, Tampa, FL 3360227.9661419 -82.49954842.4441074 -123.8081424 53.4881764 -41.190954399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-3625476612248417782020-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:002020-01-16T09:00:03.534-05:00Gasparilla Guide 2020<b>A</b>nother year has come and with that, the future of our city is at the mercy of the pirate invaders.<br />
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<b>H</b>appy New Year, Tampa! It's now January, and that can only mean one thing... It's GASPARILLA season! This is the most important season for the city of Tampa. Now, for those of you who are looking for information, or simply looking to impress your friends, lets discuss the details of Gasparilla.<br />
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<b>Dates</b><br />
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January 18, 2020, 11:00am: <a href="http://gasparillapiratefest.com/childrens-fest/" target="_blank">The Gasparilla Children's Parade</a><br />
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January 25, 2020, 11:00am: <a href="http://gasparillapiratefest.com/main-festival/" target="_blank">Gasparilla Pirate Festival</a><br />
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February 8, 2020, 7:00pm: Gasparilla Knight of Sant Yago Parade<br />
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February 29, 2020, 2:00pm: <a href="http://gasparillapiratefest.com/outbound-voyage/" target="_blank">Gasparilla Outbound Voyage</a><br />
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<b>Price</b><br />
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Gasparilla has, is, and will always be a free event to attend, hosted by the City of Tampa. Upgrades are available to add to the experience, and other aspects of the parade (parking, alcohol, food, etc) will cost money, but the parade itself is free. If you are looking for upgrades to this event, the best place to find them is the <a href="http://gasparillapiratefest.com/" target="_blank">official Gasparilla website</a>.<br />
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<b>Parking</b><br />
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This will be the most difficult answer to give. What I have done in the past, and what I strongly suggest, is the park in Ybor and to take the city bus there and back. In the past, there have been bundles worked out that cost about $10-15. I have heard absolutely nothing about this year, however. There is also the option of street parking. Just keep in mind that everyone else going to Gasparilla will have the same idea as you. Also, when discussing parking, we should also warn that this event encourages a lot of drinking. <b>You may want to think twice about driving at all</b>. Lyft, Uber, Taxi, the street car are all options to get to and from Downtown Tampa. If you would like a list of parking garages nearby, Tampa did put a list together and you can check it out <a href="https://www.tampagov.net/special-events-coordination/gasparilla-parades-2020-information" target="_blank">Here</a>.<br />
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<b>Where do I watch the parade?</b><br />
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There is no right answer here. What I can tell you is that if you're closer to the start of the parade (closer to Gandy), you will have access to more beads that are thrown and the parade will end a lot sooner for you. If you are closer to Downtown Tampa, the parade will end a lot later, but the supplies will dwindle down as well (not as many beads, if that's your thing). The best place I have found to watch the parade is at the Publix on Bayshore's parking lot. The bathrooms are kept stocked and clean, the store is open (if you run out of beer), they have a sub station set up outside, it's closer to the end of the parade route, and it's not <i>as</i> crazy as the beginning/middle of the parade. Outside of that, this is also where the local radio stations set up their tents (if that's your thing).<br />
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<b>Costumes</b><br />
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If you're going to go to Gasparilla, you have to do it right. And, while I would love to tell you how that's done, I feel like I did a much better job two years ago, so I'll simply copy and paste that.<br />
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<i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you're going to go to Gasparilla, you have to do it right! There are a couple of ways to do this:</span></i><br />
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<i><br />1) You can go dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and let everyone know that you're a tourist and/or don't take this event seriously. Seriously, don't be that person!</i><br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4365004547969919" data-ad-format="auto" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; margin: auto;"><ins id="aswift_5_expand" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: inline-table; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 810px;"><ins id="aswift_5_anchor" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 810px;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" id="aswift_5" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_5" scrolling="no" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; height: 200px; left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 810px;" vspace="0" width="810"></iframe></i></ins></ins></ins><ins class="adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4365004547969919" data-ad-format="auto" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; margin: auto;"><ins id="aswift_5_expand" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: inline-table; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 810px;"><ins id="aswift_5_anchor" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: block; height: 0px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 810px;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" id="aswift_5" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_5" scrolling="no" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; height: 200px; left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 810px;" vspace="0" width="810"></iframe></i></ins></ins></ins><i><br />2) Go to your local Party City and buy a cheap costume you'll probably never wear again and let people know that you take this event slightly more seriously than the common folk. If that's up your alley, <a href="http://www.partycity.com/category/halloween+costumes/mens+costumes+accessories/mens+pirate+costumes.do" style="background: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Men's Costumes</a> and <a href="http://www.partycity.com/category/halloween+costumes/womens+costumes+accessories/womens+pirate+costumes.do" style="background: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Women's Costumes</a>. I trust from there you'll be able to find children's and, if needed, plus size costumes.<br />3) Show your dedication to this city and our traditions by buying a fully customized costume. My two favorite places to go for Gasparilla are <a href="http://www.anarchistcloset.com/" style="background: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Anarchist Closet</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lafranceybor/" style="background: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">La France</a>. I will say this: When completing a fully custom costume, be prepared to shop around. Many stores will be out of the piece that you need, some wont carry the size that you need, and some just carry garbage. Also, you get what you pay for. The coat I'm wearing above (<a href="https://piratefashions.com/" style="background: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Pirate Fashions</a>) was worn for both the Day Parade and Knight Parade, and it tore both times I wore it. Your mileage may vary, but I'm going to throw the warning out there."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskqbXOKNKyybTU1yqXYVz25CmfsOnN0QFmKQ_sedmXoJoBIIy1ngjsqiLvo4LWJJfs_YfOeAvFrp-AtlsNywhDGzzU6pd34B_1b7DGaNIEi5i8dQjWRcoh47DIyVJH0CrK7Oku0A99cxG/s1600/Gasparilla14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskqbXOKNKyybTU1yqXYVz25CmfsOnN0QFmKQ_sedmXoJoBIIy1ngjsqiLvo4LWJJfs_YfOeAvFrp-AtlsNywhDGzzU6pd34B_1b7DGaNIEi5i8dQjWRcoh47DIyVJH0CrK7Oku0A99cxG/s640/Gasparilla14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Proceedures</b><br />
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As a representative of this great city, I do have to tell you that coolers, wagons, chairs, etc are "strictly prohibited."<br />
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As a Tampa resident, I have to state that this is complete and utter nonsense. Here's the deal: be courteous. Don't walk through people's yards, don't use their yards as your bathroom, don't leave your trash laying around, don't puke on yards, and don't pass out in yards. Gasparilla has been around for over 100 years now and we want to keep it around for as long as Tampa is a city. Be respectful of everyone around you. <b>I will also state that, outside of the children's parade, Gasparilla is <u>not</u> a family friendly event</b>. You have been warned.<br />
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Also, be sure you are aware of the games that the <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/06/street-preachers-warning.html" target="_blank">Street preachers</a> play. Don't get suckered into it.<br />
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Most importantly, have fun! Gasparilla is meant to get people out into the world and interact. Go out, make friends, have some drinks, eat some food, catch some beads... The world is your oyster.<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">W</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">hat is your favorite Gasparilla parade? How many beads did you catch last year? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, FL, USA27.8865876 -82.485732627.7743096 -82.6470941 27.9988656 -82.324371100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-36608962454775302632019-10-15T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-15T11:00:10.006-04:00Chamber of Terror: Tampa's Fall Carnival<b>I</b>t may not be Bozo, but have you met Bubba?<br />
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Banner, 2019</div>
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<b>W</b>elcome to Tampa's only fall festival. After the fall of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7xZZlEmlYo" target="_blank">Last Laugh Toy Company</a>, the residents have struggled, looking for some form of refuge... Somewhere to call home. That refuge was found just south of Gandy, at a civic center off Oklahoma. There's tents of fun, games of chance, and even a kissing booth. Do you dare take a step inside and experience the fun for yourself?<br />
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Truck, 2019</div>
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<b>C</b>hamber of Terror has consistently been one of Tampa's most terrifying haunted houses since their pro debut on the scene four years ago. Prior to becoming a pro haunt, Chamber of Terror spent many successful years as a backyard Halloween event. After taking a year off to reinvent themselves, Chamber of Terror is back and it's time for an entirely new concept.</div>
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Bubba, 2019</div>
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<b>R</b>ight off that bat, I'll say that I've been critical of Chamber of Terror's sets in the past, mainly using the location they've been in as the set itself. This year, I'll gladly admit, I was wrong. The sets are absolutely beautiful. The tents that are set up, the midway, and even the fortune teller were all beautifully designed. That said, the characters are where Chamber of Terror has always been the strongest. Before you even go into the house, you're met by Bubba, a laughably unfunny clown who tries his hardest, but can never truly catch a break. </div>
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Party Hard, 2019</div>
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<b>O</b>nce inside the house, the fears come to life. Perhaps these carnies weren't as friendly as originally believed. Expect the house to take you roughly 15 minutes to complete. Make sure to take your time and appreciate all of the detail put into this event. And, if you're claustrophobic, might I suggest taking the crawl space? There are some decent frights in places that you would never expect to see. Scenes you should definitely look out for: Any indoor scene, the camper, and the entire exit out of the first building. </div>
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Ticket Booth, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- The event runs every Friday and Saturday in October. Tickets start at $13.00.</div>
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- There is a parking lot on property, as well as food, (soft) drinks, and bathrooms. </div>
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- Money from this events benefits the Boy Scouts. </div>
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- I would not bring my young children. </div>
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<b>W</b>ere you excited to see Chamber of Terror back this year? Is Bubba the best clown you've ever met? <span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com44207 W Oklahoma Ave, Tampa, FL 33616, USA27.8844439 -82.51512730000001727.8842244 -82.515442300000018 27.8846634 -82.514812300000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-34132415318611987102019-10-06T20:56:00.000-04:002019-10-06T20:56:49.037-04:00Howl-O-Scream 2019: Spooky Season Starts Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>A</b>nother year in the books. Time to talk about it.<br />
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Howl-O-Scream, 2019</div>
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<a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2018/09/howl-o-scream-2018-back-again.html" target="_blank">Howl-O-Scream</a> has officially been a staple of the Tampa Halloween scene for 20 years! My first year going was all the way back in <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/09/halloween-fun-howl-o-scream-2017.html" target="_blank">2017</a>, and it's only gotten better since then. This year brings forward one brand new house, nine scare zones, and a new Fiends show (featuring Dr. Freakenstein, Igor, and everybody's favorite naughty nurses). But Stormy, Ryan, Chris, and I, along with our new friends Gina and Jenny, made the trip and have some opinions. Before we begin, full disclosure: Stormy and I are platinum level passholders. We did not pay for the entry ticket. We did pay for our Fright Feast upgrade. We were not paid by Busch Gardens to write this review (we'd be very surprised to find out that Busch Gardens even knows who we are). The opinions that follow are Exploring Tampa's alone. Lets get this started!<br />
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Fright Feast, 2019</div>
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<b>B</b>efore we even get into the event, it should go without saying that the Fright Feast is the absolute best bargain you will ever get out of a theme park Halloween event. Pictured here are some buffalo chicken strips with mac & cheese and the shrimp creole I believe it was. Look, the food is typical theme park food. It is what it is. But the upgrade was cheap enough (I have a top tier pass, so I'm not sure what the normal price is) and it comes with some really cool perks. The first perk is in the name. You do get an all-you-care-to-eat "buffet." I say "buffet" because the plates are already made, you just walk up and grab the plates that you want. There are six different plates you can grab from and a multitude of desserts, as well as an unlimited soda cup (good while the feast is going on). While you eat, the characters from the famed Fiends show come out to keep you entertained, and to give you a glimpse of what's to come later in the event. But on to the best part about Fright Feast. Now that you're nice and full and wont need to eat for another hour or so, you get into the event a half an hour before the gates open. This means that you get into the houses a half an hour before the gates open. Read that one more time: You will be the only people in the house. Once that half hour is up, you then get a full hour of fast pass access. So, you're still one of the first people in the houses, and still one of the only people in the houses (this is true for every house except for seemingly Death Water Bayou, which is their most popular house). In that hour and a half, we managed to get through every house and still had time to go back through one or two more if we wanted. If you're going to go to this event, get the Fright Feast. Just trust me. </div>
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Bunny, 2019</div>
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<b>N</b>ow lets talk about the scarezones. Yes, all nine of them. Most of them were really good... Some were severely lacking. </div>
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The 20 Years of Fear scarezone was one of the coolest concepts HOS has had over the years. Problem being, if you were already in the park when the park closed, if you had Fright Feast or some other upgrade, or for whatever reason weren't by the main entrance during opening, you missed it. And it's not like you can leave the park to experience it, then go back. The idea was cool, and I understand the idea behind it is to get people coming into the park excited, but it didn't work for everybody. And, if you're like me, you stay until the end of the event... You wont get to experience this scarezone. </div>
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Then you have the Little Nightmares scarezone, which I believe to be one of the newest. It was a really cool concept, but it was really, really bare. There is one good scare involving a bungee rope, but outside of that, there's not much. It had a very "Trick Or Treat" vibe to it, minus Sam and his sucker. </div>
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Dia de los Muertos is still, to date, not only my least favorite HOS scarezone, but my least favorite haunted attraction scarezone, ever. I don't understand why this was a thing in the first place, nor do I understand how a team of people thought this was a good idea. Take a well established cultural holiday that has almost nothing to do with Halloween, then turn it into a happy go lucky dancing section complete with bright colors and a lot of light and you get this scarezone. You also get the same experience at the Sesame Street area of the park during the day.</div>
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The Carpe Noctem zone was... Well, it was there. Not much else to say about that one. There wasn't much to the zone (at all), but the costume design of the characters was interesting. It has a lot of potential. but needs more to the actual set. Gothic vampires are traditional, if not predictable, but every good haunt can pull this one off. </div>
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Camp D.O.A. hit the ground running when I first saw it, and it has gotten even stronger this year. With a ton of set design, a ton of costume and makeup work, and a low visibility due to fog, it all works perfectly together. This is also one of those scarezones where the story makes sense, something that a lot of the newer zones are lacking. </div>
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Hell on Wheels was a zombie outbreak scarezone. I went through it last year and wasn't even sure if it was a scarezone, it was THAT empty. This year, that problem no longer exists. The sets are gorgeous, the actors play their parts really well, and the story blends together seamlessly. My favorite set piece had to be the doll that was manning the gun on the car. </div>
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Meat Market is, above and beyond, HOS's best zone to date. The cannibals are serving up dinner. And it's you. They are lurking in every corner, looking for fresh meat to sell in their stalls. Will you be brave enough to shop? This set is meticulously pieced together, with even the most basic of pieces looking like they belong. The actors in the area work really well together, with some actively chasing you and others simply running shop. </div>
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There was also the unofficial scarezone of the pest control peeps from Motel Hell and one of their insects wandering around by the Meat Market and trying to scare people as well. Cool idea... Would've helped to have had the bugs vs the pest control. </div>
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Overall, the scarezones that are good are really good. One huge problem I did have is that there were three or four scarezones that would merge together in front of the Meat Market. They didn't always make sense. It was a minor complaint, though. </div>
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Scareactor, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>he houses, on the other hand, are some of HOS's strongest features. Over the last three years, I've only really been in one or two really weak houses. While HOS typically has seven houses, with the construction to Iron Gwazi going on, this year there were only six with one brand new house. Now, full disclosure: I went though these houses using Fright Feast. That means that some of the houses we were the only people in. This also means that some of the houses I went through were still preparing for the night. That said, this is what I got out of them.<br />
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<b>Insomnia: Patient's Revenge</b>: This takes the house from last year, with the sleep clinic, and adds the concept that the patients are now running the clinic. Honestly, it felt like an unneeded change, but they added it. There were some really cool added features, and some that didn't work so well. The spider scare from last year has been dulled significantly, but there is a killer new scene that can't be described, but you will know it when you see it.<br />
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<b>Death Water Bayou: Wrath of the Queen</b>: This is the same voodoo inspired house it is every year. Nothing has changed and that is ok with me. It is still the most popular house at HOS, so if you're doing Fright Feast, make it a point to get this one done early.<br />
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<b>Motel S(hell)burn: Infestation</b>: This was my favorite hotel to stay at prior to the bug infestation. If we're talking about unnecessary changes, the addition of the infestation was just... Rough. While the changes in the house brought the feel of the house down for me, it's still a solid house in its own right. Worth a walk through or two.<br />
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<b>Simon's Slaughterhouse</b>: This was probably my favorite house this year, and I can't believe I'm actually saying this. Undead Area: Live and last year's incarnation of this house were my two least favorite houses at HOS ever. That said, this year, the cannibals are alive and well. The house is now full of actors and ready with the scares. If you don't like a lot of blood and gore... Well, this isn't the house for you.<br />
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<b>The Black Spot: Bloodshed</b>: Was one of the houses that was so dark I couldn't see anything in. I spent the overwhelming majority of my time in this house looking at the floor, trying not to trip over props or actors. But pirates always make me happy, so this house is a must hit anytime I go. Do you have the black spot?<br />
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<b>The Residence</b>: I was fortunate enough to see the opening scene, which gave off a very heavy Resident Evil 7 vibe... And that was it. There was NO light in this house and I spent the entire time tripping over every prop they seemingly had in the house. Actors were jumping out and attempting to scare me, but I was so focused on the ground that I couldn't tell you anything more about this house.<br />
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That said, I do intend on going back, so I'll update the reviews as I see fit.<br />
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Howl-O-Scream, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>ome of the new features this year were really cool, from the photo ops to the alcohol booths, and everything in between. One of my new favorites was the Pick Your Poison bar. Four tarot cards are laid in front of you. You pick one of the cards and get the drink that is on the back. After you take your shot, you then go to the board in the back, pull your card off the wall, and the card will predict your future. Once again, passholder discount. Not sure how much this costs a regular person. Add to that, another year of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfBNXGIDHrA" target="_blank">Fiends</a> (link is not safe for work), where Dr. Freakenstein is preparing for the apocalypse. Fun little show with lots of dancing, singing, and raunchy humor (if that's your thing). Add to that, riding coasters (and other rides) in the dark and with zombies is always an interesting experience. </div>
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I Saw The Sign, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>ome suggestions I have for the event itself, as someone who has absolutely no pull once soever, are as follows:</div>
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- Create a signature drink for the event. Lets be completely honest here, the mixed drinks you do sell kind of suck. They aren't good. At all. This could EASILY be solved by bringing in a mixologist with experience in batching. When the drinks taste good, you can charge more, more people buy them (at the higher price), and there's a lot less complaining. You did really well with the pick your poison, but you need to go all in on a single drink that's unique to the event. Batch it, create a tacky plastic cup for it, sell it. Make it happen!</div>
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- Turn the lights on in the houses. Seriously. I don't want to be tripping instead of enjoying the houses. I'm not talking about bringing in a massive flood light either. Something simple that, at the very least, marks the path could work wonders. I did trip over props my first year there, I don't want to do that again any other year because something isn't lit just right. </div>
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- When it comes to upgrades (Fright Feast, Front of the Line, etc) offer up some sort of promotional upgrade (upgraded lanyard?). It will help you push the upgrades and make patrons of your event feel a little more special. </div>
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- More. Shows. Please. Fiends is great. Unfortunately, it's only Fiends. Otherwise, you can go dance with the DJ's (which I also like, but alas) but there's nowhere to just sit and be entertained. You have plenty of theaters, even if it's just a RHPS show or a dancing show... Something that will draw some people away from the houses and scarezones and allow you to bring in more people. There is no shortage of ideas either, and you have the talent to pull it off. A live band playing Halloween inspired songs? A stunt show? I'm sure you could even pull off an awesome ice skating show, assuming you're able to bring in talent. </div>
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Overall, this was a really strong event. You're now 20 years in. Lets make the 21st year the craziest it's ever been. And I know you can pull it off!</div>
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Fiends, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- While there are designated "scarezones," there are actors all over the park. Some are more obvious than others. </div>
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- Fright Feast is easily the best upgrade you will find at a theme park. Buy it, use it, enjoy it. </div>
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- Try to park as close as you can to the exit. You're welcome.</div>
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- If you're going to drink, stick with the craft beer. Their mixed drinks aren't worth it. </div>
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<b>H</b>ave you been to Howl-O-Scream this year? What are your favorite houses? <span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com010165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, USA28.0372161 -82.4194900999999622.5151815999999982 -123.72808409999996 53.5592506 -41.110896099999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-50463164299914806622019-09-07T12:50:00.000-04:002019-09-07T12:50:12.316-04:00Hattrick's: An Upscale Sports Bar Downtown<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>B</b>ut is it really Irish? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hattrick's Entrance, 2019</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>O</b>pening it's doors in 1997, Hattrick's was one of the few places you could actually hangout in a dormant Downtown Tampa. The Lightning were merely five years old, they had just moved to the Ice Palace, USF hadn't played their first football game yet, the Rays weren't even a thing, and the Bucs were still five years away from winning the Superbowl. In other words, sports in Tampa were fairly nonexistent. Somehow, through Tampa having no decent teams to root for, and Downtown having no reason for people to stay in, Hattrick's managed to survive, and thrive, and is now one of the premier Downtown Tampa hangouts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bar, 2019</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>O</b>nce you enter, you're greeted with a large bar to your left, enough TVs to seemingly show every sport on the planet, sports memorabilia all over the walls, and a moderately sized dining room to your right. It was St. Patrick's Day of this year that Chris, Stormy, and I decided we were going to go out for some food and drinks. I couldn't tell you what we had then, but we were impressed. Unfortunately, I don't go into Downtown as much as I should. Regardless, Stormy and I made it a point to go back. Was it a fluke? Was the food as good as we remembered? Is it always as busy as it was then? But you didn't come here for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wings, 2019</span></div>
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<b>L</b>ets start with their wings, as this is where we started. I will state, for the record, I have never been a huge fan of the chicken wings. I find them pointless, to be honest. Too small to get full on, but big enough to ruin your appetite. Now let me state that Hattrick's wings are worth ruining your appetite for. With seemingly endless options for flavors, Stormy decided she wanted them "shake & bake" style tossed in Garlic Parm flavoring. You'll smell the flavor bouncing off the wings before the wing ever hits your tongue. They are cooked to perfection, as much as a small piece of chicken can be. And while the garlic parm was delicious (and if you don't like spice, I would strongly recommend them), I would stick with one of the spicy options. Call me a purist. </div>
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Dranks, 2019</div>
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<b>"W</b>ould you all like to start off with some drinks?" Sure, why not? I opted for the Lightning Lemonade, and Stormy went for the Long Island Iced Tea. The Lightning Lemonade was strong, with the perfect amount of tart. When I drink sour, I want to be able to feel it. I love that mouth puckering taste and this drink definitely had it! Stormy says that her Long Island Iced Tea was really good, and smooth. Easy to put down. Also says that the name of the drink was possibly the "Harbor Island Iced Tea." </div>
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Meatloaf, 2019</div>
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<b>N</b>ow, meatloaf is one of those dishes that is either spot on, or a complete disaster. My favorite meatloaf, by far, comes from <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/08/the-front-porch-not-your-mamas-porch.html" target="_blank">The Front Porch</a>. Hattrick's has an interesting take on their meatloaf as it's very sweet. Same with the potatoes. And, when separate, they become overly sweet. Almost too sweet. But once you mix the meatloaf with the potatoes, this becomes one of the best takes on meatloaf that you can find in this city. The mashed taters also still have the skins on, and they are mixed into the delicate potato mixture. The meatloaf is tender, easily cut with a fork, with a nice, creamy gravy over the top. The weakest part of this meal was the steamed vegetables, which seem more like an afterthought than intentional. "What veggies do we need to get rid of today?" They simply weren't good. There was very little flavor to them. Maybe had I mixed them in with the potato and meatloaf meal I had constructed, they would've been better. Alas, I was not impressed with them. I would've preferred just straight broccoli.<br /></div>
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Mojo Pork Sandwich, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy seems to have a better memory than myself, and recalled that on our first trip, she ordered the mojo pork and thought it was delicious. It is exactly what you think it is. Mojo pork, mozzarella cheese, piled high on a hoagie. I tried to take a bite of Stormy's food, but she tried to bite me when I got close. I take it that's a good thing. She says it was just as delicious as she remembers it, and she is one of the pickiest people I know, so take it for what it's worth. I will have to try it myself sometime.</div>
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Cuban, 2019</div>
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<b>D</b>on't judge us, we may have gone back twice in a row. On the second trip, Stormy just ordered wings. I, myself, saw a Cuban on the menu, and you know I had to try it! The one downside to this sandwich, right off the bat, is that they used sliced pork, which makes no sense as Stormy had a mojo pork sandwich the day before. We know they have legit pork. But there is salami, there is ham, and the fries are also pretty legit. The flavor is there and this is definitely in my top five Cubans of Tampa! If I could just pass on one suggestion: Put your mojo pork on this sandwich! </div>
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<b>L</b>ets start by apologizing for the infrequent uploads. I have started a new job which gives me less time to dedicate to this blog. Now, allow me to state that if you're in Ybor, and you're looking for something to eat, the street car's last stop is right out front of Hattrick's. Simply hop on and ride it away. It's worth the trip, and you'll get some pretty awesome food for a sports bar. This goes both ways also, if you're at Hattrick's and want to go to Ybor... </div>
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Out Front, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- They do have a (small) parking lot, however, they are not north of Kennedy, so street parking is <u>not</u> free near this location after 6pm or on weekends. </div>
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- This bar gets <i>packed</i>. There has never been a time (day or night) that I have not had trouble finding a seat. It is very busy. That's a good thing! They're not slow because of it.</div>
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- This is more of an upscale sports bar, but I wouldn't think of it as Irish (despite how they try to market themselves). </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>W</b>here is your favorite Cuban sandwich in Tampa? What is your favorite sports bar? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com2107 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA27.9448659 -82.45697580000000927.9446469 -82.45729080000001 27.9450849 -82.456660800000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-65605025284513266542019-05-27T14:33:00.000-04:002019-05-27T17:54:33.244-04:00Ducky's: Sports Bar and Bowling Alley<b>I</b> don't do a lot of reviews in this area. Lets fix that!<br />
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Mural, 2019</div>
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<b>O</b>pened in December of 2013 by Evan Longoria of (at the time) the Tampa Bay Rays baseball fame, Ducky's is an upscale sports bar located on Kennedy Blvd just outside of Downtown Tampa in a neighborhood that is called West Tampa. The idea was to bring a sports bar to the bustling area around the University of Tampa, and to provide a slightly different offering than anything you could find in the South Howard (SoHo) district. But that's not why you came here.<br />
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Mini Bowling, 2019</div>
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<b>O</b>ne other notable feature includes a mini bowling alley, perfect for small hands, children, or just someone too drunk to handle a real bowling ball (we've all been there). The bar has a nice outdoor patio, decent amount of indoor space, and a pretty crappy parking lot. You'll know you're at the right place when you spot the graffiti mural on the side of the building. There are TVs everyone showing the hottest sportsball games with a crowd there to cheer on their teams. </div>
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Deviled Crab, 2019</div>
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<b>L</b>ets get to the food! First off, Stormy and I started with the Deviled Crab because, naturally. This is one of the very few places (sadly) that I have found that you can even order one. And while most places give you the deviled crabs in a burnt, hard shell, Ducky's manages to bring the flavor of the crab out nicely, with a breadcrumb crust that isn't overly dry and definitely not burnt. It was a delightful surprise. They also brought some Louisiana Hot Sauce to dip it in, and that just added to the experience. They did not skimp on the crab meat, either. Each bite was loaded with flavor. Definitely worth starting off with.</div>
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Cuban Sandwich, 2019</div>
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<b>F</b>ull disclosure: They do <u>not</u> actually offer a Cuban Sandwich on the menu. They have a Cuban wrap and they have meals served on Cuban bread, so I asked to get the wrap on the Cuban bread. That said, the bread was a little thin for my liking, but it did have a nice toast to it. The ham, on the other hand, was way too thick for a Cuban sandwich and I found it very distracting. They did have salami on it, so they do know what a Cuban Sandwich is, but I'd venture to say that this is just a standard Cuban sandwich. Nothing I'd go out of my way to order again.</div>
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West Tampa Bowl, 2019</div>
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<b>U</b>sually when I do reviews, I have to summarize what Stormy thought of her food through whatever she tells me. On this particular occasion, she disliked this meal so much that her and I traded. So, I got a decent amount of the Cuban and I got more than enough of the West Tampa Bowl. The rice in here was <i>very</i> bland, so make sure that you get a bite with some of the other goodness mixed in. The pork was marinated very nicely, the only downside being that it was really difficult to cut. The flavor was there, though, and I made it through. The beans seemed to have some ham fat in them (don't quote me) which was also a pleasant surprise. The plantain chips were also a nice touch. Next time I go back, I'll definitely have to order this. </div>
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Bar, 2019</div>
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<b>O</b>verall, the food here is really good. I imagine the drinks were just as good, but we were headed to <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/11/the-independent-halloween-fun-craft.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a> afterwards and decided to withhold drinking here. The one downside that I had is that the waitstaff here is VERY slow and not very observant. Our waters had gone empty pretty quickly and, despite walking by our table multiple times, and despite me trying to get our waitresses attention, it took a good 20 minutes to get a refill (of some pretty nasty tasting water, on top of that). Do know that you will be waiting a bit for refills. Luckily it was someone from the kitchen who was running the food, and we managed to get that in a decent time.</div>
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Sign, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- Parking is a pain. There's a lot behind the building that's also a really popular walking path for the students at UT, so keep your eyes open. There is always someone walking in the parking lot. </div>
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- They do have a mini bowling lane. If you're looking for a way to keep your kids occupied while enjoying a game, here it is.</div>
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- They try to put a modern twist on classic Tampa dishes. Sometimes it works better than others.</div>
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- The waitstaff is <i>very</i> slow. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>W</b>hat is your favorite Tampa dish? Do you like playing mini bowling? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com01719 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606, USA27.945018 -82.4778999999999772.4229835000000008 -123.78649399999998 53.4670525 -41.169305999999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-715906647223039122019-05-06T15:50:00.000-04:002019-05-06T15:50:17.819-04:00Gen X: The 80's Reborn<b>I</b>f you thought this concept was dead, think again.<br />
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Sign, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy and I were sitting at the Riverfest the other day, stopped by the <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/06/tampa-pizza-company-making-tampa-proud.html" target="_blank">Tampa Pizza Company</a>, then decided we'd head into Seminole Heights for a bit before our friend Brian hit us up. His girlfriend, Sharnese, wanted to check out this new 80's bar Downtown. We just came from there! But we're also right up the road, so sure. We finished our drinks, said our goodbyes, then headed into Downtown again. Gen X is in the same block at Hattricks and Pint & Brew, a very strange little area between Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Convention Center. The parking is typical Downtown parking, street parking or one of the few garages in the area. Unfortunately, south of Kennedy no longer hosts free parking after 6pm. Anyway, we found a street spot, parked, and made our way to the bar. But you didn't come here for that.</div>
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Lounge, 2019</div>
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<b>L</b>ets get it out of the way: This place is huge. I'm used to the Seminole Heights bars that have very little space. This space has plenty of room. The walls are all somewhat decorated with an "80's and 90's theme" (though every 90's reference seems forced and this was definitely more of an 80's theme). A Britney Spears CD sits next to a picture of N*Sync in a box on the wall, the main wall is painted like a high school locker with all the 80's references you can shake a stick at. The bar has created cutesy little drinks with pop culture references, including a shot made with Tang. I went with beer, of which, their beer list is greatly lacking. There are so many bars doing this theme right now with a killer beer menu that it's hard to justify having one as bad as this.</div>
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Arcades, 2019</div>
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<b>N</b>ow on to our actual experience while here. It felt like the air conditioning was broken the whole time we were there. I never get hot. Ever. And I was sweating pretty badly while in here. The amount of noise in this bar is deafening. You will be screaming at each other. This is something I feel could be fixed pretty easily with some strategically placed foam. Then we can get into the food... Wait, no we can't. Their kitchen was closed on the day we were here. This is a brand new bar with brand new bar problems, but it doesn't make those problems any less annoying. And that arcade theme that I'm sure you all think they're going for... Well, there's like four machines. Honestly, if you're looking for an arcade with a killer beer list and free parking, might I suggest <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/10/lowry-parcade-tavern-90s-never-died.html" target="_blank">Lowry Parcade</a>? This bar has potential, and will be a cool little spot Downtown once it gets where it needs to be... But it's not there yet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFIRzJt6PkPbAdc7b4ghYQfDCXivkVnB-dahxkNLUhYowDR5Ls016utFWmxosbi3hfhVD3QdHQyGgfYDS1aGxyx8UTbbGHhfcKM3JIZGmLcDyOZA4dn-ogx5QSEV5OTXNe2fTVzXi35N_/s1600/dt-gx-arcade-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFIRzJt6PkPbAdc7b4ghYQfDCXivkVnB-dahxkNLUhYowDR5Ls016utFWmxosbi3hfhVD3QdHQyGgfYDS1aGxyx8UTbbGHhfcKM3JIZGmLcDyOZA4dn-ogx5QSEV5OTXNe2fTVzXi35N_/s640/dt-gx-arcade-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pinball, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- There is no dedicated parking lot. On nights where Downtown is hosting an event, parking will be hard to come by.</div>
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- The 80's theme kind of dies when you start to realize that most of the patrons there weren't born in the 80's (it's ok. We can all get old together.).</div>
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- Their kitchen may or may not be open when you go... I'll need to go back after they get on their feet to see what the deal is there.</div>
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- Bring your phone as texting the people you're with will be easier than trying to talk.</div>
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<b>W</b>hat's your favorite arcade game? Is a good beer list important to you? Leave a comment below.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0103 E Jackson St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA27.9464135 -82.458964799999992.4243789999999983 -123.76755879999999 53.468447999999995 -41.15037079999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-57204046492241768662019-05-01T07:30:00.000-04:002019-05-02T16:35:53.005-04:00Heights Seafood Co: A Not So Traditional Raw Bar<b>Y</b>eah, poke is trendy, but some places do it better than others.<br />
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Heights Seafood Co, 2019</div>
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<b>F</b>aceBook is amazing. The community pages around Tampa inform me of all sorts of cool things opening around the city. Heights Seafood Co was one such discovery. As Stormy and I were sitting around and looking for something to eat, we realized that we had heard some amazing things about this place and that we should probably check them out. That time was now! Fun little side note, if you look the address up on Google Maps, the building will show while you're traveling down Florida Ave, but it will not show if you go down one of the side streets. Created a fun experience when the time came to actually go to this place. But you didn't come here for that!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15xXAPNBQC6ARd-pkpMX_6JIefPCfsIjr1uSN7Mf1P8vqIQw8KwYDkk8d8GIPv-KbU57DavlajEoMxbGBTHajxLyqMPohq-gNfD6lHMRdNKOCwTUAmt2wqmBAgRp7oNPAoRplavo0H138/s1600/sh-hsc-meats-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15xXAPNBQC6ARd-pkpMX_6JIefPCfsIjr1uSN7Mf1P8vqIQw8KwYDkk8d8GIPv-KbU57DavlajEoMxbGBTHajxLyqMPohq-gNfD6lHMRdNKOCwTUAmt2wqmBAgRp7oNPAoRplavo0H138/s640/sh-hsc-meats-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Seafood, 2019</div>
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<b>H</b>eights Seafood Co is more of a meat market than it is a restaurant. They have an amazing selection of seafood and the gentlemen behind the counter can tell you exactly where it is from. We were informed that they try to stay as local as possible, but that can't always be the case. Fair enough. One thing is for sure: Their seafood is very fresh! However, as with most businesses in the heights, their parking is awful and the space is small (though they managed to get quite a bit in there given the size). There are two tables inside to create the "restaurant," while the rest is used as a market. They sell a lot of different teas, lemonades, and flavored waters that fall under the "organic" labels. I'm not complaining, as the teas I had (in the rare instance that I allow myself some caffeine) were really good. </div>
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Spicy Tuna & Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl, 2019</div>
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<b>I</b>f you do choose to eat here, keep in mind that the menu is very small, but the combinations are seemingly limitless. And since I always have trouble finding the menu, I'll post it here for you to find online: </div>
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<a href="https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53694002_476954606174070_223891366625673216_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=41cdd2145436e374e1a893a2579c28b5&oe=5D2A3F9C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53694002_476954606174070_223891366625673216_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=41cdd2145436e374e1a893a2579c28b5&oe=5D2A3F9C" width="480" /></a></div>
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Menu, 2019</div>
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Stormy and I both chose to do the 1 base, 2 scoop poke. I started with the rice and added spicy tuna and shrimp to my bowl, then topped it with radish, jalapeno, avocado, seaweed salad, among other leafy goodness, and topped it with the citrus ponzu. Allow me to state, for the record, that my meal was incredibly spicy. That comes from a guy who can handle a moderate amount of spice. The heat did not stop me from eating, however, and I managed to get it all down. Now, keep in mind that this is essentially deconstructed sushi. The fish is served raw (except for the shrimp, which is steamed). The easier drinking drinks that they served (lemonade and waters) complimented the meals nicely, while I found the teas to be a little on the heavier side. This is just me and your experience will probably vary. </div>
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Salmon & Tuna Poke Bowl, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy, being the picky eater that she is, decided on a tuna and salmon poke bowl with rice, complimented with wonton crisps, almonds, avocado, among other things, and topped with a toasted sesame soy sauce. We did find that the salmon had more flavor than the spicy tuna did, but both were excellent additions to the shrimp. I found the rice base to be a bit on the boring side, so I'd personally suggest the mixed greens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieiAgDGnmXInm59kNH_93MgWlSVWWIfJ716MzCNiGYT1VxoZiRz-HEIampX1sq4K9VMVBC47E6cmjBd_Xfo6IWf66a8jqOByHfRexZiouxl8AZRZ2V2lopzOyfK-vwqbtjrM1CfbXIP2V/s1600/sh-hsc-inside-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieiAgDGnmXInm59kNH_93MgWlSVWWIfJ716MzCNiGYT1VxoZiRz-HEIampX1sq4K9VMVBC47E6cmjBd_Xfo6IWf66a8jqOByHfRexZiouxl8AZRZ2V2lopzOyfK-vwqbtjrM1CfbXIP2V/s640/sh-hsc-inside-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- This is Seminole Heights. The parking, as always, sucks.</div>
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- The restaurant portion is really small. This is more of a lunch counter than a stay and eat.</div>
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- Try the jerky while you're there.</div>
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- Stormy says eat the avocado.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>W</b>here is your favorite place to get poke? Did you try the spicy salmon? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted. If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a>. Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com26415 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA28.0056154 -82.4593244000000142.4835808999999998 -123.76791840000001 53.5276499 -41.150730400000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-59162405852564403692019-03-04T08:42:00.000-05:002019-05-02T16:36:24.107-04:00Mr. Dunderbak's: Oktoberfest Year Round<b>S</b>chnitzel and a pilsner, coming right up.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Dunderbak's, 2019</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/05/university-mall-mark-sharpe-and-tampa.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">University Mall</a><span style="text-align: left;">,was a very different place in the 70's. Disco was still raging (probably), bell bottoms were considered cool (I imagine), and Dunderbak's was a franchise store with over 30 locations, one of which was located in University Mall (fact). Of the original 30 stores, three remain. Lucky for us, one of those three stores is right here in Tampa. In 1997, the current owners bought the University location and turned it into a new type of restaurant. One that fuses traditional German foods with American favorites. The beer list grew, and in 2016, Dunderbrau opened (joining a growing list of craft breweries). In 2019, Dunderbak's now serves over 500 different beers by the bottle, 65 on their draft list, their menu is as diverse as one could hope for, and they host weekly homebrew meetings. As a matter of fact, they seemingly have something going on every day of the week! But that's not why you came here.</span></div>
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Inside, 2019</div>
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<b>A</b>s soon as you walk in, you're greeted by the smell of malt, used to make their amazing, German inspired beers. A very pleasant, bready smell. As you make your way down the hallway to get to the main dining area, you pass a room that looks to be a smaller, more intimate bar. On the other side, there is more picnic table style seating. Once you make it to the main hall, the first thing you notice is the gazebo that is planted dead center in the room. You will more than likely be sat at a picnic table, which is a great way to make new friends, or you can chose to sit at the bar and enjoy one of the almost (if not more than) 600 different beers that Dunderbak's carries, from their own brewery, to local favorites, to some European favorites that have been shipped to the U.S. Regardless of your taste, Dunderbak's will have a beer for you. But beer isn't all they do!</div>
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Stein, 2019</div>
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<b>W</b>elcome to your very own German shop, complete with steins and endless amounts of mustard. If you're looking for a unique gift, this is definitely the place to come. Along with the candies, glassware, and condiments, Dunderbak's also operates as a German deli, providing you with meats and cheeses that are hard to come by here in the states. </div>
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Der (old) Alte Rote Baron, 2019</div>
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<b>O</b>n my last endeavor out to Dunderbak's, I started with one of my absolute favorites: The pretzel with mustard. Did I mention that Danderbak's is also a store? Well, they also sell a lot of different types of mustard. In order to promote this fact, you will get a handful of mustards with every meal that you order. I chose to go with the jalapeno mustard for this pretzel, as I can handle a little kick... Or so I thought. The mustard was sometimes overwhelming, but I am not one to back down, so I kept going back. The pretzel is as close to perfection as you can get, soft, warm, doughy, with the only complaint being that it does lack salt (or I just like my pretzels really salty). But alas, I needed something with substance. I chose to go with the Der (old) Alte Rote Baron, a roast beef sandwich with tomato and a chive cream cheese on pumpernickel. Right off the bat, the roast beef looked to be expertly cooked, with more than enough pink still showing for my liking. I've never been a huge pumpernickel fan, but sometimes you just have to take the plunge. One thing that needs to be said about this sandwich early: It is messy. You will need extra napkins as your hands will be covered in cream cheese by the end of it. The roast beef was moist enough to cut out a lot of the pumpernickel's dry character, and the cream cheese and tomatoes gave the sandwich a little kiss for good luck. If you are as daring as myself, you might even dip your sandwich into a bit of the jalapeno mustard. Perfection. Each bite managed to build off of the last, and once the sandwich was done, I was left wanting more, but unable to fit anymore. Until...</div>
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Apple Strudel, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>o the waitress saw me and must have known that the fat guy would go for dessert. I decided to try the apple strudel as it seemed like the smallest dessert and I could get my fill in. The one thing I will say about this dessert is that it's nowhere near as sweet as I would've liked it to be. I actually found it to be a little on the dry side. Luckily I like apples, but it definitely needed some sugar. Once you get past that fact, though, you can enjoy what essentially becomes a slightly sweetened apple sandwich. The cinnamon did add a nice touch. </div>
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Pretzel, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- The parking lot, while huge, is seemingly always full. It kind of sucks to park here.</div>
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- There aren't a lot of tables and they do tend to get busy. Expect to wait during peak times.</div>
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- Their beer menu can be kind of intimidating. Check their website for the most up to date beer list.</div>
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- They operate as more than a restaurant, also offering a deli and a shop.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>C</b>an you name a better restaurant for German food? What is your favorite style of German beer? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com014929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33613, USA28.083089 -82.4119069999999852.5610545000000009 -123.72050099999998 53.605123500000005 -41.103312999999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-91346536366030991582019-01-30T15:51:00.000-05:002019-05-02T16:36:41.862-04:00CLOSED: Mortar & Pestle: Coffee, Food, Alcohol? Sounds Like a Good Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>T</b>here are a lot of opinions about this restaurant. Lets see what the Exploring Tampa crew thinks!</div>
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Mortar & Pestle, 2019</div>
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<b>C</b>oming from the ashes of a popular food truck, Mortar & Pestle is a concept that thrives to bring back the old timey pharmacies. You know the ones... You go to get a soda from the fountain, you wander the aisles, make your way to the lunch counter, then leave with your prescriptions. Located on the same block as local favorites Angry Chair Brewing and <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/12/trips-diner-welcome-to-heights.html" target="_blank">Trip's Diner</a>, there's no lack of business to be had. This is also one of the few places in Seminole Heights with a real parking lot. Had you never read a review of this place and had you not heard about their filing for bankruptcy, you'd be impressed. The inside of the building is a hipster's paradise, with the industrial looking tables and chairs, the high ceiling, the steampunk-esque inspired decor. The inside of this building is cool. Next door is also a fully functional pharmacy that I wasn't aware was there until well after I left. There's also a rooftop bar, which would've been cool to check out had it not been so cold. But that's not why you came here.</div>
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Inside, 2019</div>
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<b>I</b>f I had to describe this place in one word, inconsistent would be that word. I had read multiple angry reviews, and I've read the reviews praising this place, and I can see exactly where both are coming from. I do want to take a minute to point out that the picture above was a Saturday around lunch. We were three of seven costumers. I wasn't even sure the place was open until I pulled on the door. We had two waitresses (I guess because it was so slow?), one of which was incredibly rude and the other who was a sweetheart, but had absolutely no knowledge on what was on the menu. On the bright side, I was tipped off that their smoothies contained absolutely no fruit and they charged premium pricing for them, so thank you for that. There was a lot of waiting around for a server during our visit. I can't say for sure that this is a common occurrence, but I can say that everyone I've brought this issue up to has agreed that the service is severely lacking.</div>
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Beer, 2019</div>
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<b>Y</b>ou're going to notice the weird quirks more than anything. Stormy ordered herself an iced coffee and they brought her a hot coffee. When she mentioned it was supposed to be iced, they brought her a cup of ice. I'm no expert on the nuances of iced coffee, but according to her, you're supposed to brew it with ice. She was incredibly unhappy with the coffee. I, myself, decided to order a beer from their modest list of Florida beer. I don't remember what I ordered, but it came I got this ridiculous measuring cup (pictured above). I inquired about this and was told that people were complaining that they were being shorted on beer (what?), so they started putting their beer in a measuring cup (this is just a taste of what you can experience, service wise). I asked if I could get a pint glass instead and was given a dirty glass. I brought it to the server's attention and asked for another... And received another dirty glass. I tried one more time, was given a third dirty glass, and decided to just drink it out of this stupid measuring cup. Stormy had asked the server about two different meals, then settled on one. When the food came out, the server brought Stormy both meals. The napkins and utensils came out covered in coffee grounds. The bathrooms have a full sized window in them. There are a lot of little quirks that you have to deal with.</div>
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Pork Sandwich, 2019</div>
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<b>W</b>hile this review may seem incredibly negative, lets get to the one highlight: The food. I didn't necessarily come here to be wowed by the waitress or to figure out where to put windows in my bathroom, so the food was the important thing. And the pork on this sandwich was absolutely amazing. I usually smother my pulled pork in bbq sauce to make it edible, but this pork was so tender I didn't have to do that. The coleslaw added just the right touch to the sandwich, and the bread complimented everything nicely. The real upside was the size of the dish. I'm a big dude and this was more than enough to fill me. The fries were also really good, had I had more room to finish them. If only they managed the rest of the restaurant like they did their food, they may not be in bankruptcy right now.</div>
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Chicken & Waffles, 2019</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy settled on the Chicken & Waffles and, as you can see from the picture, she was more than full by the time she was finished. The waffle was easily the best waffle I've ever eaten, with a nice crunch and just the right sweetness. The whipped cream was also fruit loop whipped cream which, according to Stormy, was "cool.". The chicken used was a nice cut of chicken breast, fried to perfection. The potatoes good, but the veggies they put into the potatoes gave off a little kick, which Stormy wasn't into. She did state that the potatoes were decent, though she wishes they had sour cream because she's a heathen. </div>
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Inside, 2019</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- They do have a parking lot.</div>
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- There is no "typical" experience here. Inconsistency is key.</div>
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- The service is easily some of the worst you'll get in Tampa, much less Seminole Heights.</div>
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- Patience is a virtue.</div>
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- The food will make up for any other negative experience you may have.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>W</b>hat restaurant would you say has the best service in Tampa? Do you drink your coffee with ice? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com06310 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604, USA28.0048524 -82.4596477999999712.4828179000000006 -123.76824179999997 53.5268869 -41.151053799999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-68308733875188119682018-12-17T11:00:00.000-05:002019-05-02T16:36:57.450-04:00Bern's Steak House: Break Out Your Wallet<b>S</b>teak? Check. Wine? Check. Desserts? Check. I think we've got it all covered!<br />
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Bern's, 2018</div>
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<b>D</b>isclosure: I am by no means rich. This review is not a "look at me and how much money I have!" I can assure you, you would laugh if you saw my bank account. Stormy and I saved up to go here like I imagine most people who go here do. We decided to document it so that you can make an informed decision about going here before dropping ~$300.<br />
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<b>S</b>o, a little back story here: Stormy and I met up with our buddy Brian and his girlfriend Sharnese at Chili's a while back. I made mention that I wanted to check Bern's out one day, and then that my birthday was coming up (two different conversations). I didn't think twice about it. Next thing I know, Sharnese is telling me that we have reservations to Bern's at 9:00 on my birthday. Wai-- What? Is this actually about to happen? The answer was yes. I've never been to this caliber of restaurant before, so I had no real idea what to expect. The day arrives and my first impressions of the building itself, from the outside: "Oh, this place is small." Also note, if you decide to come here, valet parking is $5 (or was on the day we came. It may fluctuate.). The fact that the building only has one window is also a bit on the strange side. There is very little parking in front of the restaurant, and I imagine most of that is for the employees. The SoHo neighborhood has a lot of restaurants and seems to have quite a few of the higher end. Bern's fits in the neighborhood perfectly, albeit a bit further outside the main strip than the other restaurants. But you didn't come here for that.<br />
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Filet, 2018</div>
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<b>O</b>nce you do make it inside, you quickly notice that Bern's loves the color red. It is very hard to take a picture in their lobby. To the right of the lobby, you have their lounge, a bar where you can order drinks and where they stick people who didn't meet their dress code. To the left, and just behind the host stand, there are two dining rooms, both of which seemed to be bigger than their other dining rooms. Straight ahead, there was another two dining rooms (one of which we were seated in), the entrance to the kitchen and wine cellar, and the entrance to the dessert room. Once you're inside, you realize how deceptively big this restaurant really is, and then you see how small they like to keep each dining room. Each dining room (we were meant for one of the bigger ones, but were later seated in a smaller one) were meant to feel like an intimate dining experience. As has been famously stated, there are no windows that diners at this restaurant can actually see. The decor inside gives off a very ancient Roman vibe, with ceramic busts, paintings, color schemes, and wood trimmings you'd hope to find in a well preserved mansion of the era. The one humorous thing about this restaurant was that, under the fancy table cloth and behind all of the decor, suits, and wine, there was nothing more than a plastic folding table. We are seated and introduced to our waiter, whose name has escaped me.<br />
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Kitchen, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he one thing I wasn't expecting was exactly how much food came with your steak. You get a soup (French onion on our trip), a salad, a baked potato (we made ours loaded), steak, green beans, carrots, and onion straws. This was all included in the price of the steak. Their wine list ranges from economically responsible to outrageously expensive. I asked our waiter for a good wine in the $50-100 range. He did not disappoint, while also managing to find us a wine that pleased the table on the lower end of my wine budget. I can't speak for every waiter there, but ours definitely added to the experience. Think a wiseguy from any mafia movie you've ever seen, complete with personality and knowledge of steaks and wines. When it comes to the steaks, they separated on the menu by cut, and then by size. If you're looking to head here, and you're looking to save a little bit of money, go for a cut of steak that serves two people. There are ways to save a little money while here. I just wish we knew before going.<br />
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Filet Cut, 2018<br />
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<b>L</b>ets get to the beef (eh... Eh?) of Bern's. Bern's is a world renowned steakhouse. You already know going in that you're going to have one of the best steaks of your life. Knowing that going in, I was afraid that this was going to set the bar impossibly high. Fortunately, it did not. But first, we received our soup and salad. I have a weird thing against soggy bread, so my soup was passed over to Stormy who devoured her own and didn't touch mine. Great... I look like the picky one. The salad, on the other hand, was amazing. The greens were fresh, the tomatoes had just the right crunch, and there were plenty of olives. You get your own choice of dressing, and I went with a vinegar based dressed. Pristine. Then the loaded baked potato came out and loaded it was. Sour cream, cheese, bacon... Not your typical luke warm potato with unmelted Kraft cheese scattered on top. And then the steak came! The steak was everything you could've imagined, plus more. I'll also make a really strange observation, while also acknowledging that it's strange now: The green beans were to die for. I honestly wish that they had provided more of them on the plate. The carrots, on the other hand, were not my favorite, but that's such a minor complaint given how small the portion was. The steak was incredibly tender and the flavor was on point. We also had them cook our steak in a garlic butter sauce that our waiter suggested. He did not steer us wrong. While the flavor wasn't as pronounced as you would probably like, when you did get a nice bite of it, it was a nice kiss to add to an already amazing steak. As the meal wound down, and we all started filling up, we were then asked if we'd like to visit the dessert room. I'm never too full to say no to dessert!</div>
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Wine Cellar, 2018</div>
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<b>B</b>ut first, you have to take the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar. After your meal, you're lead to the kitchen and told that your tour will begin shortly. You're in a group slightly larger than your party (I think we joined about two other parties) and you're led on a tour through Bern's extensive kitchen. No, really... It's huge. And in order for a restaurant to offer tours of their kitchen, it has to be spotless. I was impressed with the size, the cleanliness, and how well the kitchen seems to manage at all hours with random people walking through every 15 minutes or so. The waitress leading us through the tour claims that their grill can fit 300 steaks and I thought it was a cool enough tidbit to leave in here. Their grill was massive. You also get to see the inner workings of the kitchen and how they go about preparing your meal, which was a nice change. I need to start going to higher end restaurants and doing these types of tours. After your tour of the kitchen (which is maybe 10 minutes, if that) you're put into a line for the wine cellar. Now this is what you hear about most often. Bern's is known for having the largest private wine cellar in the world. Let me state one thing for the record: This is still Florida. If you think this cellar is going underground, you will be very disappointed. IF the cellar is underground at all, it's just barely there. You start the tour and the tour guide tells you that the cellar you're standing in only has about 15% of Bern's massive wines in it at any given time. You're then led deeper into the cellar until you get to the most expensive bottle they have on site, which they are aging. Honestly, of everything with a reputation that you could build up to the point of disappointment, I'd say the wine cellar was it. It was cool to go into, it was cool to see how they stored everything, but I found it paled in comparison to my own expectations. That's on me, but there it is.</div>
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Fire, Fire!, 2018</div>
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<b>Y</b>ou're then led to a staircase that brings you up into the dessert room. You have another hostess stand with a hostess who will then seat you. We had to wait roughly five minutes while they cleaned out a booth and prepared it for us. The booth was an interesting concept as it felt like we were sitting inside of a barrel. Every party there had their own private barrel. Even as you were walking by to use the restroom or what have you, you really didn't find yourself in anyone else's space. They had a guy playing the keyboard and singing upstairs, the lights were down low, and the room was set up like a whole other restaurant. The waitress came up and asked what we would like to drink, I stuck with water at this point, and I informed her it was my birthday (after the rest of the party kept telling the waiter and he told us to tell our waitress upstairs). I was told they'd bring me a birthday surprise. Cool! So I ordered the strawberry key lime tart, Stormy ordered a bananas foster, and Brian and Sharnese ordered ice cream. I will say this from the start: I didn't care for any of the desserts. I found the strawberry key lime tart to be lacking something that I still can't put my finger on. The bananas foster, while cooked to order at the table, didn't even come close to the bananas foster at <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2018/04/ginos-hidden-italian-gem.html" target="_blank">Gino's</a>. The sauce was watery, the flavor was lacking, and it lacked any sort of crunch that I like when I bite into the foster sauce. It tasted like eating bananas and ice cream, with no real caramelized sauce to speak of. Keep in mind, this was an expensive lesson as the bananas foster was $28. The birthday dessert they brought out was probably my favorite part, but it was seemingly just whipped cream and a few chocolate chips. Finally, after about three hours at Bern's, it was time to leave.</div>
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Birthday Surprise, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- It is expensive! I treated myself and Stormy and the bill was just over $300. </div>
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- You will probably need a reservation. This place is seemingly always full!<br />
- They only offer valet parking. It cost $5 while we were there, but the price may fluctuate.</div>
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- Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time here. It's an experience, and you'll be experiencing it for a good three hours.</div>
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- Your waiter makes his money by a 12% service charge added to your bill. I have no problem tipping the waiter (he was excellent), I did have a problem with Bern's not giving their waitstaff a salary and pushing that burden onto you.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>W</b>hat's your favorite cut of steak? Do you have a particular budget for wine? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com01208 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, USA27.9316028 -82.4828517999999922.4095683 -123.79144579999999 53.4536373 -41.174257799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-85305897851229066672018-11-19T11:00:00.000-05:002019-05-02T16:37:12.296-04:00Christmas Town at Busch Gardens<b>T</b>he holidays are quickly approaching. It's time to meet Santa!<br />
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Christmas Town 2018, 2018</div>
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<b>L</b>et me start this post by saying that I now have a new camera/lens combo. I'm still learning how to use it. I will apologize for the inconsistency in photo quality. Let me also state that this post is bound to change with each stop we make to the event. Stormy, Chris, Matt, and Ashley made our yearly trip to Busch Gardens' Christmas Town over the weekend and it's time to tell you guys all about it! There were a lot of changes to this year's lineup, from Jungala being closed, to a new show at Dragonfire Grill. Lets discuss the new changes, what you need to know, where to go, etc. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the end of the year in Tampa! We will be making posts about a few of these events, along with a bunch of other things that you will need to know about throughout the end of the year. Lets get it started!</div>
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Decorations, 2018</div>
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<b>B</b>usch Gardens recently announced their dates for Howl-O-Scream for 2019 and they are extending the dates and (seemingly) the times as well. After coming to Christmas Town, it looks like they're pushing their events a lot harder than they used to in previous years. This year's Christmas town seemed to have a lot more lighting and a lot more in the way of decorations, along with a lot more cohesion. The penguin trail is a good example, as you walk through the walkway with a bunch of lit up penguins that eventually lead to the penguin enclosure. The biggest advantage of Christmas Town is that you never forget that you're at a special event at Busch Gardens, the entire park is themed. There are, of course, some areas of the park that are more heavily themed, but there are none that are lacking. They do offer front of the line passes for the meet & greets, guided tours around Christmas Town, and a brunch with Santa option as well. Christmas Town <b>is</b> free with admission into Busch Gardens. There is <u>NO SEPARATE TICKET</u> to get in! </div>
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Snoot Boopin' Rudolph, 2018</div>
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<b>"B</b>ut Mark, I'm bringing my kids and they want to meet the characters!" Ok, lets talk about how this is set up. It is weird. So, you show up to a ticket window area (again, this is free with park admission) and you get a ticket with a return time on it. You're free to wander the park, get something to eat, get some of the craft beer in the area, ride some rides... Do whatever you like until your return time. Once your return time comes, you simply show the ticket to the staff and they let you down a decorated pathway that leads to... Another line. The idea is that you're not waiting in an hour+ line. Once you're in line, it takes about 15 minutes to get into the character meet & greet (this can obviously change on busier nights). Now Santa's house and the area with Rudolph, Sam, and Bumble are two different meet & greets (you'll need to get separate return times for both). Santa's house is, obviously, the bigger of the two. This doesn't mean that the others aren't worth visiting, though. If you have smaller children, I imagine this will be one of their favorite parts of the event.</div>
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Christmas Train, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he singalong train is back again this year for a good 10-15 minute loop of all of your favorite Christmas carols. The one downside to this is that, during Christmas Town, the train will not drop you off at any of the stops. The upside is that if you're like me, and enjoy seeing the animals, you can ride the train without stopping at every stop. If you prefer a less crowded ride, catch one of the later train rides. If you want to see animals, catch a ride during the day. If you did this train in previous years, it hasn't changed. If you enjoy singing along to Christmas songs, or you just enjoy riding on the train, it's worth the trip.</div>
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Christmas Is..., 2018</div>
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<b>L</b>et me now discuss my least favorite part of Christmas Town: The new show. These are the same singers and dancers you see at every special event show at Busch Gardens, so their talents are obvious... If you're not familiar with these faces, and this were the first time you saw them, you wouldn't know how talented they really are. The show had promise when it started off with the piano opening, but the minute the singing and dancing started, it fell apart. It all seemed thrown together last minute, the dancing seemed lazy, and the song choices were boring at best. We've seen this cast before and we've seen them do some amazing performances. Why you'd take such a veteran cast and waste them on a show like this baffles me. If you're considering seeing this show, I would suggest doing so while you eat so that you have more of an excuse to be there. It might be more entertaining if you're there to eat and just happen to have a show going on than it is if you're going for just the show. That said, everyone agreed that it was the weakest part of the event. </div>
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Nutcracker, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he merchandise this year didn't change all that much from last year and the shop they use as the horror shop for <a href="https://www.exploringtampa.com/2018/09/howl-o-scream-2018-back-again.html" target="_blank">Howl-O-Scream</a> becomes the Christmas shop. The prices of merchandise, considering it's a theme park and these are holiday sales, aren't as ridiculous as I was honestly expecting them to be. There was some cute and clever merchandise on sale during the event, though I would say that this single shop had the most interesting pieces. Don't expect this shop to be set up as creatively as it was for HOS though. There are a lot of really cool things to check out though. Get yourself a stuffed Bumble, or a miniature nutcracker, or even a new ornament for your tree. </div>
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Decorations, 2018</div>
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<b>O</b>verall, this is a great family event, as are most held by Busch Gardens. Busch Gardens has been upping their game recently when it comes to events and I think we might be seeing them try to take on some bigger companies (Universal, Disney...) in the way of productions. 2019 will be the year Busch Gardens proves that they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the big guys. Between their announced two new coasters and the extension of Howl-O-Scream next year, we're going to see a big push. This may also be a case of Busch Gardens trying to pull an Epcot wherein there's an event seemingly going on year round. I guess we'll see how the next year plays out. If you're looking for a nice, family-friendly event that encompasses everything that you could possibly want to do Christmas related, then Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is your event. </div>
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Bumble, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- This event is <u style="font-weight: bold;">FREE</u> with park admission. There are no extra charges to experience the event (there are upgrades, however).</div>
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- This is an incredibly family friendly event.</div>
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- The event encompasses the entire park.</div>
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- Jungala is down during this event, as is Gwazi Park. </div>
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- This post is bound to be updated during the event.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>D</b>o you enjoy looking at Christmas lights? Who's your favorite character to meet? Leave a comment below.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background: white; color: #edb72d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com010165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, USA28.0372161 -82.4194900999999622.5151815999999982 -123.72808409999996 53.5592506 -41.110896099999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-74335016404301295032018-10-11T11:00:00.000-04:002019-05-02T16:37:34.314-04:00The Attic: Downtown Tampa's Upstairs Cafe<b>D</b>owntown Tampa is growing. There are some cool new additions!<br />
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The Attic, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>here are some businesses that are simply hard to find information on. The Attic is one of them. I had heard about the Fly Bar a while back and had been to The Refinery at their old location and loved the idea of an upstairs bar overlooking the city. I just found that the second story was never high enough. So, I got on the Google and looked up rooftop bars in Tampa. There weren't many. The Attic was one of them. I could never find time to go. That was until I hit up a good friend of mine, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tampa2019/" target="_blank">Walter Smith</a>, told me that he's going to try to meet me up over there between his events. Long story short, he wasn't able to make it. Stormy and I, on the other hand, decided that this was the day we were going to make our long awaited trip. Unfortunately, it was very rainy, and parking Downtown kind of sucks. Side note here: The parking lot directly west of The Attic tells you you pay by the space number. What they actually mean (and don't say until you get to the machine to pay) is that you need your license plate number. This is fun to figure out when you're standing in the pouring rain. It also costs $9 to park for up to four hours. Long story short, on principle, park on the road. It cost me 50 cents with free parking after 6pm. But that's not why you came here.</div>
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Seating, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he cafe is both small, yet much bigger than I expected it to be. It has this very weird L shape to it. The seating is actually quite sparse, with a lot of standing room. The bar had a handful of chairs, there was a single couch (that I saw), a few high tops, and a few tables. There were also about four tables outside. Let me also state that the outside area is much smaller than one would expect and the door to get to the patio makes even less sense. There's a table right next to the one door that leads to the patio, and if someone were to be using it, getting outside would be a much harder endeavor. Once outside, you do get an amazing view of city hall and the western side of Downtown. The Attic is situated on the fourth floor of an old, historic building of Downtown Tampa. The artwork is limited, but provides some entertainment to look at while trying to figure out who's who on the paintings. And while the balcony provides nice views of Downtown, some of the indoor seating does not. But lets talk about why we're really here!</div>
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Chicken & Waffles, 2018</div>
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<b>S</b>o, Stormy settled on the chicken & waffles and seemingly really enjoyed it based on the speed in which she ate it. There was chicken, cheese, bacon, and waffles. I did see some reviews that stated that the waffles were frozen and from a box, but I can vouch that this is no longer the case. They have a waffle maker right next to their flat top. They do offer up a spicy syrup, which Stormy decided against. Her biggest complaint with this meal was that her bottom waffle got soggy as she was eating it. She was also pleasantly surprised to see that they added bacon to the sandwich. She was a bit thrown off that they made a sandwich out of this meal (I'm not sure how else they'd serve it as I've never ordered it). Though I did not eat it, the chicken looked perfect. I just wish it hadn't come out of the microwave. To be fair, they didn't try to hide that fact (the microwave was also next to the flat top).</div>
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Cuban Sandwich, 2018</div>
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<b>P</b>lease be good, please be good, please be good... I was worried ordering this. I was even more worried ordering this and seeing the chicken for Stormy's dish going in the microwave. I was feeling sick when I saw the sandwich already premade, pork and all. I almost left when I saw how they heated it (which I couldn't put into words if I wanted to). It was cut, then the long walk started as it came to me. On the bright side, they didn't forget the salami. The plate hit the counter, I looked the waitress in the eyes, she smiled, I picked up the sandwich, it touched my lips, I bit down... And there was no reason to worry. This Cuban is delicious. It's not hard to find a bad Cuban. It is very difficult to find a good one. The bread was nice and crunchy, the pickle wasn't overwhelming, the pork added just the right touch. There wasn't too much or too little. The ham and mustard really added to the sandwich, which is a good thing as that's what you'll be getting the most of. The salami was subtle, but it was there with that little sting of flavor to remind you. The biggest disappointment I had was with the fries, which were frozen. I found them to be soggy, there were a few that were still cold, and they were, for the most part, flavorless. Even a generous coating of ketchup couldn't save it. </div>
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Pastries, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he way to a fat man's heart is through dessert. After our meals, I splurged and got myself a cheese danish, and I'm assuming the other was cherry though the waitress couldn't tell me what flavor it was either. Stormy was done eating, so that left me to enjoy these on my own. I did end up taking the cheese home to eat the next day. I will say that these are very rich. The bread used is very filling, and it's very hard to finish one of these unless you're still hungry after eating. I was just looking for a nice compliment to my meal. This would be the perfect breakfast if you're in a hurry. If you're like me, you'll eat the breaded part first and save the fruit until the end. That is not a good move with these as the bread helps tame the flavor of the middle filling. My suggestion is to buy one after your meal and split it. </div>
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Jai Alai, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- This is Downtown. There is no parking. You'll have to park on the street, in a garage, or on a lot. Some are more expensive than others.</div>
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- While Downtown is becoming a more happening place, not everything is open late. The Attic is only open until 7pm during their later running nights.</div>
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- They support local. Their beers, whatever isn't owned by InBev, is local. They use Buddy Brew for their coffee needs. I'm pretty sure their pastries are from another local business. Long story short: You'll be getting the best of Tampa when you come here.</div>
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- You can get some amazing views of Tampa from here, or you can sit further inside and keep that small, intimate feeling. The choice is yours. </div>
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<b>D</b>o you enjoy going to rooftop bars? Do you eat the bready part of your pastries first? Leave a comment below.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0500 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602, USA27.9485927 -82.45608720000001327.948154199999998 -82.456717700000013 27.9490312 -82.455456700000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-63637247443154418262018-10-01T11:00:00.000-04:002022-01-05T18:27:10.306-05:00CLOSED: The Bodega: Another Interesting Place in Seminole Heights<b>L</b>ooking to play some shuffleboard? I think I found a new place for you!<br />
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The Bodega, 2018</div>
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<b>I</b> started Exploring Tampa to suggest new places for people to go. I never thought there would come a day in which I would be asked my opinion on a place before someone checks it out. Alas, it's 2018, and here we are. The future is now! Stormy and I were planning on going to The Bodega a while back and it ended up raining. And by raining I mean downpouring. I had called The Bodega to see if they had any inside seating and I was told that they had like four indoor tables and they couldn't guarantee they'd be available. I wasn't about to bring my camera into that type of environment. I found myself driving around Seminole Heights the other day and passed Bodega, remembering that I had a request to review it and I decided to stop in. I was a bit early, so I waited until they opened. That said, I was one of the only people there. I went for lunch on a Thursday. I can't vouch that it will always be this dead, and the bartender (Jason) informed me that a lot of people show up on Fridays to play shuffleboard, which is apparently the new activity in Seminole Heights. But you didn't come here for that!</div>
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Bar, 2018</div>
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<b>S</b>o, Jason had informed me that the Bodega is another concept from St. Pete that moved opened a second location in Seminole Heights and they partnered with another St. Pete bar (that's open next door) to secure a liquor license. Let me state that this is one of the few places in Seminole Heights with a parking lot. During lunch, there is no shortage of seating, though I can see seating being a big issue during peak hours and busy nights. There are two shuffleboard courts, though I don't understand the appeal right now. The shuffleboard is free, as opposed to another shuffleboard place that charges "$12 a person an hour." I'm not sure what place that is. I did not go inside to see the seating they had there, so I can't vouch for how small it is. I can say that they have one bar for beer and fresca, then another bar for liquor. The one constant about this place is that everything is very small. </div>
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Lechon, 2018</div>
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<b>L</b>ets start with the least impressive part of my experience and work my way up: I did not like their food at all. Let me start with their, ahem, "Cuban" they put on the menu. It's 2018 and it's apparently too difficult to Google where the Cuban was invented and what's on it. They do a "Miami Cuban," (Read: Fake Cuban)... In Tampa. Ybor City predates Miami, a Cuban sandwich wasn't invented in Cuba (as every sandwich made in Cuba is considered a "Cuban sandwich," there'd be no reason to call it a "Cuban sandwich" in Cuba!), and the Cuban sandwich was named by the Italians that came to Tampa and asked, "Hey, what are those sandwiches those Cuban boys are eating?" The fact that you'd come to Tampa, birthplace of the Cuban sandwich, and disrespect the sandwich by putting that on your menu speaks volumes. So, I obviously didn't get their ham and pork sandwich, I decided to go with the lechon. Lechon being roast pork with onions, with a side of white rice and black beans, and plantains. I was told that the fresno chili on top was pickled, which cut down on the heat. That was a lie. The pork itself was on the dryer side, but had a nice citrus flavor to keep it bearable, however the onions were overpowering and I'm not really sure why they used so many. The white rice and black beans were literally just there, they had no real flavor to them at all, and I felt the same way about the plantains. Luckily their food is cheap, so I can't complain too bad.</div>
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Fresca, 2018</div>
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<b>B</b>odega is known for their fresca sodas as well. They have four flavors at any given time and the flavors rotate. They had a lime flavor that I decided to go with. Their fresca is essentially half soda and half water. The soda part was really good, but when it started to water down, it had a really funky flavor. To be fair, I'm not a fan of fresca, so take this part of the review with a grain of salt. I imagine that if you're a huge fan of fresca, this will be your favorite drink here. It's also not a small glass, which is a benefit. I could see this being a refreshing drink if you're on the shuffleboard courts in the beating sun. I was in the shade and had just consumed a mojito. Speaking of...</div>
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Mojito, 2018</div>
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<b>I</b> have been to many places over the years and had many mojitos. I've had many (<i>many</i>) bad mojitos. When I was told that the liquor bartender made a killer mojito, I was skeptical at best. I had no reason to be. This mojito is one of the best I've had in Tampa. For as unauthentic as their Cuban is, their mojito makes up for it. The mint isn't overpowering, there's enough lime flavor to actually taste, and there's enough rum to give it a bite. If there is one reason to go to The Bodega, it's their liquor bar. </div>
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Outside, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- This is a total hipster hangout. Cheap eats, homemade soda, cheap macro beer you can drink ironically, and shuffleboard.</div>
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- The menu is very small. I think, in total, there were nine items on it.</div>
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- For as bad as the food was, the bartenders and staff were all really cool. The drinks were also much better. </div>
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- There is a parking lot. One of the few Seminole Heights places that does have one.</div>
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<b>A</b>re you just as annoyed as I am about fake Cubans? Is shuffleboard your type of sport? Leave a comment below.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-59916603385525107682018-09-23T20:33:00.000-04:002019-05-02T16:37:56.646-04:00Howl-O-Scream 2018: Back Again<b>Y</b>es, it's that time again! Halloween is starting now.<br />
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Stormy, leading us in, 2018</div>
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<b>L</b>ast year was my first time experiencing Busch Gardens' annual <a href="http://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/09/howl-o-scream-halloween-is-finally-here.html" target="_blank">Howl-O-Scream</a> event, and I had a lot of fun. Since then, I've decided to do a ranked list every year of my favorite houses, which ones were misses, which scarezones were the most fun, etc. It is important to note that Stormy, Chris, and I paid for 100% of this event. We were not given media passes, we were not comped in any way (and if you're a higher up at Busch Gardens and would like to comp us tickets, I'm always willing to discuss it!). These opinions are all ours and we got absolutely no special treatment. It should also be noted that I will go back during the season and pictures are bound to change. Some of the pictures this time around will be very generic. Sorry about that. It should also be said that 100% of the opinions on this page are mine and mine alone. Some opinions will differ from mine and that's ok. Different strokes make the world go around. Now that we've gotten the technicalities out of the way, this is Howl-O-Scream!</div>
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Howl-O-Scream, 2018</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy and I are platinum passholders at all Seaworld Entertainment parks, which means that we get into the first two nights of HOS for free. Unfortunately, I had to work on Friday, so Saturday is my first day. Let me state, for the record, that Fright Feast is, by far, the best deal you will ever got at any Halloween event. For $36 (a person, I believe this is with our discount), we got all you can eat, the preview to Fiends (or so they say), and an hour and a half of front of the line access. While the food is typical theme park fare (read: Not very good), the chance to sit down and relax before the event is nice. Having the scareactors come around and interact with you is... Unique. The real cool part about this deal is that you get into the event about a half an hour before the general public. This means you get to be the first group through the houses. In the first half hour/45 minutes, Stormy and I were able to easily get through three houses and were on our way to the fourth. I was a bit worried this year as we weren't able to catch the last house using our front of the line access last year. This year Busch Gardens decided to take one house away and focus on improving the other houses. Without that seventh house, we were able to make it through all six during our fast pass period. Chris, on the other hand, being the slacker he is (we love you Chris, even if you did snooze on this one), didn't get a Fright Feast pass, so Stormy and I decided to chuck out another $40/person to get a "front of the line" pass. I'd like to state, for the record, that I hate the way they do those passes. It's more expensive than FF, you only get six punches on your card, and that's it. You can use one per house or all six on one house, but once the six are gone, they're gone. I'd buy it again, but I wish it at least came with more punches. Maybe two per house? $40 is kind of steep for one skip per house. Lets talk about the houses.</div>
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People in the Fog, 2018</div>
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<b>A</b>s was stated earlier, Busch Gardens scrapped a house this year and decided to focus all of their attention on the rest of the houses. This was an incredibly smart decision as I found only one <i>really</i> bad house. So, these houses will be ranked, in order, of least favorite to my favorite. Also important to note that just because HOS repeats houses doesn't mean that the houses are the same year after year. They did a lot of reworking this year and a few houses were brought to a higher level this year. Again, this list is based on my opinion. If you disagree with me, leave your list down in the comments! Lets kick this off!</div>
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<b>#6 Simon's Slaughterhouse</b></div>
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Meat Market, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>his house is in the same location that my least favorite house from last year was located. It's seemingly the one spot in the park that you put lackluster houses. I'm not aiming to completely trash someone's hard work, but I found this house incredibly lazy. You start out by being "separated" from your group, and by "separated," I mean you're each told to go through a different door and you all meet up on the other side. There is absolutely no separation. You're then lead through an all wood house that smells awful until you're just... Out. There's really no story to follow, and if there was, I missed it entirely. This is disappointing as it was one of the new houses and I thought for sure that it was going to be one of the stronger ones this year. If this is the same team behind this house that did Undead Arena: Live last year, then I'd love to see Busch Gardens team them up with a member of the team on Motel Hell, Death Water, or even Black Spot to get the story part of their houses down. Overall, a very underwhelming house.</div>
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<b>#5 Insomnia</b></div>
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Insomnia, 2018</div>
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<b>A</b>lright, crucify me now. Let me start off with this: Insomnia was a beautiful house. There was a lot of detail in it. The story was flawless: A doctor trying some unconventional techniques to make his patients better. The sets were movie grade, the actors were perfect... But there were no scares to be had. It was a lot of fun, yes, but it wasn't scary. It had a creepy, Requiem For A Dream like vibe to it, I will give it that. The actors in the house played their roles really well, and that mattress scene was really cool... But it was severely lacking in scares. Which hurts to say, because the house was SO pretty!</div>
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<b>#4 Motel Hell</b></div>
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Motel Hell, 2018</div>
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<b>I</b>t hurts to have to put this one so low. It was, easily, the best house HOS had last year. Unfortunately, there were very few changes. Which isn't a bad thing, but as I said earlier, some of the other houses did some really cool changes and really brought themselves up from last year. It's like HOS knew this was their best house and said, "We don't need to worry about this one, focus on the others!" I am glad to see that they took out a lot of the outside area from last year and replaced it with, well... A scene that makes a lot more sense. There are still a few quirks left over from last year, like a single room in this house that's so out of place that it'll completely pull you out of the mood, but other than that, this was a solid house. Still one of my favorites.</div>
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<b>#3 Unearthed</b></div>
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Boys Just Wanna Have Fun, 2018</div>
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<b>Y</b>es, this is one of the houses I need a picture of. Sorry. That said, Unearthed was so vastly different this year that it should've used a different name. In the past, Unearthed was about a house with some supernatural things going on and a house literally trying to eat you. Those are still present in this house, but it's such a minor detail it's not worth talking about. This house you're given a flashlight (one that flickers as you go through the house) and you're looking for a lost Busch Gardens team member in the house. He, unfortunately, didn't make it. The only real issue I had with this house is that there was, at absolutely no point, a need for the flashlight you were given. There was no dark room in this house, there were no clues to be found, there was no light trigger, the flashlight wasn't marking you for a special scare... Nothing. Outside of that, the changes made to the house were refreshing, and it was able to breathe life into a house that was starting to feel stagnant. </div>
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<b>#2 Black Spot</b></div>
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Skull, 2018</div>
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<b>A</b>lright, look, it's no secret that I love pirates, but this house did a lot of work to fix up any issues I had with it last year. The pirate ship has caught the plague and everyone's dead... Or are they? You're thrust into a ghost ship with pirates who are trying to warn you that everything isn't as it seems. There are floor tricks, jump scares, dark rooms, strobes, you name it. Any scare you could this of. Look up, you may even come face-to-face with the captain. Whatever you do, don't catch the black spot. </div>
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<b>#1 Death Water Bayou</b></div>
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Death Water Bayou, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>he queen is dead! This house was one of the best houses last year, but I put Motel Hell over it. This year, I'll say that Death Water Bayou was the strongest house here. The story was a lot of fun to follow and the scares came so naturally. You're told about the queen's death from the beginning and you follow the twisted tale all the way to the funeral... And beyond. The best part about this house is that not all of the actors in it are jump scares. They have some people here that are just meant to add to the creepy ambiance. Every room in this house fits right into the theme and keeps the story progressing. The scares are there and the story is easy to follow. The actual design and level of detail that went into this house is pristine. When you reuse a house as often as this one, you have to keep it fresh, and HOS managed to add to it from last year, making it the Exploring Tampa favorite house of the year (yes, Stormy, Chris, and I all agreed on this house. A rarity.).</div>
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Hearse, 2018</div>
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<b>B</b>usch Gardens also did something new when it came to scarezones. While there were scarezones in the usual spots and props, and scareactors, etc, they also put actors in areas well outside of scarezones. Not all of them were a hit (I'm talking to you, tree lady), but they were there! From the clowns outside of Dragon Fire to the toys outside of Sesame Street, there was something for every fear. Unfortunately, I didn't have as much time as I would've liked to have gone through all of them and really explore. I also need to go back and get a lot more pictures. Since I didn't have a chance to get pictures, or to experience most of the scarezones this year, I'll hold off on my list. Keep checking back for updates.</div>
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Nurses, 2018</div>
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<b>A</b>nd finally, the show Fiends was held at the Stanleyville Theater. I thought that the show last year was pretty... I'll just say it, I wasn't very excited to see this year's show. This year's was a lot better than last year's. If you're unfamiliar with the show and you couldn't tell from the nurses above, this show is incredibly raunchy, poking fun at celebrities, politics, and pop culture. It is a must see, and every year (lightly) touches upon the last. Come celebrate Dr. Freakenstein's birthday with the help of Igor, the Wolfman, Dracula, the Mummy, the nurses, and the batgirls. Expect lots of dancing, bad jokes, and, well... Nurses. </div>
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Gift Shop, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- If you're not a passholder, parking costs $22. It might go up as the season goes on. There are also certain dates where the crowds will be bigger. </div>
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- They stop selling Fright Feast the day before (unless it sells out before then). Be sure to get it early!</div>
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- The suggested age for this event is 13+. No, ten year old Timmy probably wont enjoy himself.</div>
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<b>H</b>ave you been to Howl-O-Scream this year? What are your favorite houses? Leave a comment below.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com010165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, USA28.0372161 -82.4194900999999622.5151815999999982 -123.72808409999996 53.5592506 -41.110896099999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043587298861874668.post-33561926366378771192018-08-27T12:00:00.000-04:002019-05-02T16:38:08.869-04:00Ulele: Beer + Eats in Tampa Heights<b>T</b>he Heights have had no shortage of restaurants opening over the years. Meet Ulele.<br />
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Ulele, 2018</div>
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<b>I</b>f there's one other Tampanian who loves this city as much as I do, it's Richard Gonzmart. You may know the name as the man behind The Columbia, or perhaps <a href="http://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/07/goody-goody-tampa-tradition.html" target="_blank">Goody Goody</a>, or maybe even heard his name from some of the other restaurant plans he's made around town. One thing is for sure, Gonzmart loves the history of Tampa. The Columbia is the oldest, continuously running restaurant in the southeast, and the food takes you back to the early days of Ybor City. While that's cool, Ulele's menu takes you back to a time before Tampa. But before we can get to the food, allow me to introduce you to the legend.</div>
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Princess Ulele, 2018</div>
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<b>F</b>irst thing's first, the legend dates back to the 1500's, during Spain's initial run through Florida. The name "Ulele" was first written in 1859. In other words, the name Ulele was, more than likely, not actually her name. And, like Gasparilla, the majority of the details have nothing backing them up. <b>WARNING: Graphic story</b>.The Tocobaga Chief at the time had his nose cut off by a group of Spaniards and his mother was fed to dogs. When a new expedition came through, and three Spaniards stepped foot in modern day Safety Harbor, the chief had his men use two of the men as target practice and ordered the third man (Juan Ortiz) roasted alive. Not wanting to see the man tortured, Princess Ulele threw herself on top of the man and refused to let her father kill him. The chief decided that, instead of killing Ortiz, he would simply make him a slave of the tribe. Ulele later had a friend sneak Ortiz to another tribe where he learned to communicate with the natives and ended up joining de Soto as a translator, dying during the expedition. <b>End graphic story</b>. It is possible that Juan Ortiz did exist, and that a princess of a chief did take pity on him, but it's not realistic. De Soto brought 1,000 men with him and there aren't enough artifacts to prove there were ever that many men in the area. While it's possible Ulele helped Ortiz escape, it's more likely that he was traded to another tribe. This is a very romanticized story.</div>
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Outdoor Bar, 2018</div>
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<b>A</b>las, while the story may not be true, the food certainly is. You will get the same artisan concept that you get at most restaurants opening in Seminole Heights, but Ulele does it a bit differently. For one, the food isn't <i>so</i> off the wall that it will turn off picky eaters. This is another restaurant that claims to be farm-to-table, though we all saw how that played out <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/food/farm-to-fable/restaurants/" target="_blank">last time</a> a few restaurants made the claim. If there's one thing that this place doesn't lack, it's seating. There's the outdoor bar (pictured above), outdoor tables next to that, more outdoor tables around the corner, an indoor bar (and bar area), the main dining room, and then an upstairs portion. In other words, the building is huge and it cane fit even more people. The building's history dates back to 1903 when it was used at the Tampa Water Works pump station, which provided drinking water to a <i>very</i> new Tampa. But you didn't come here for that!</div>
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Crab Mac & Cheese, 2018</div>
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<b>R</b>ight around the time Ulele opened, and after hearing the hype from everyone around us, Stormy and I managed to talk my parents into checking it out with us. This was a few weeks after they opened. Needless to say, it was one of the worst meals I had ever been served. Ever. Stormy and I knew we had to go back, but we wanted to give them time to work out the kinks. Four years is enough time, right? The crew was Stormy and I and we decided now was the time to give them their shot of redemption on a whim while heading to Green Lemon. Sorry Green Lemon! We'll be there soon. We were seated quickly and noticed that the restaurant was pretty busy for a Wednesday afternoon. This seemed to be a popular hangout among the businesses in and around Downtown, Ybor, and The Heights. Our waiter was Rick and we quickly ordered some drinks and the crab mac & cheese. I had an IPA and Stormy had a glass of wine. The IPA was brewed in house and, I must say, was <i>significantly</i> better than the beers we were served four years ago. While I wouldn't put Ulele Brewing on my top 50, the beer is a solid choice to compliment your meal. The crab mac & cheese was also really good. It wasn't overly fishy tasting, and it had a good amount of crab in it. The cheese used complimented the noodles, and while there were breadcrumbs, they weren't overwhelming the dish. This was a good start. </div>
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U Club, 2018</div>
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<b>S</b>tormy decided on the U Club sandwich, which was a heaping pile of turkey, a thick cut of bacon, and a smaller pile of ham on a bed of lettuce and tomato. Stormy, being the picky eater that she is, got it without the sauce. Alas, I can't comment on that. I can say that, the bacon and the Swiss cheese were the standouts of this sandwich. The bread was also a nice touch. The problem I seemingly had with it is that the sandwich was <i>way</i> too sweet, at times giving the back of my tongue that tingling feeling. I only had a bite or two, so I can't comment as to whether I could eat the full sandwich, but I can say that Stormy did and she really enjoyed it. That's all that matters. The sandwich is also a nice size, much bigger than any club I've seen in a local restaurant. The fries were also very good, but I can vouch that I am not a fan of the homemade ketchup. I have a feeling this sandwich will be very divisive. </div>
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Water Works Meatloaf, 2018</div>
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<b>B</b>eing that I now work overnights, my eating schedule has been a bit wonky. Is it breakfast or dinner? Lunch? Better eat something big! Alas, I settled on the Water Works meatloaf plate. Ground strip loin, Cabernet garlic demi glace, complete with onion straws, white cheddar popcorn mash potatoes, and green beans. Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite meatloaf is at <a href="http://www.exploringtampa.com/2017/08/the-front-porch-not-your-mamas-porch.html" target="_blank">The Front Porch</a>, so anything else will always be second tier. That said, this piece of meat was so tender. While (badly made) meatloaf tends to be dry, this piece never left me reaching for my beer. The meat itself was really, really good. However, the demi glace they put on it was also on the sweeter side. For the most part, it was really good, but there were a few bites where the sauce was simply too much. I enjoyed it, but I would've preferred less sauce. The sides are what I had the biggest issues with as the cheddar potatoes were almost nonexistent after eating the meatloaf. You couldn't taste them over the meatloaf. The green beans had a nice flavor, but were a little too crunchy for my taste. That said, Stormy really liked my potatoes, which leads me to believe that they would make an awesome side for a meal with a less dominating flavor. While this paragraph makes it sound like I didn't enjoy my meal, that's not the case. I had a very good meal with a few issues that I'd like to point out.</div>
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Beverages, 2018</div>
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<b>W</b>hile I can't tell you what I ordered (outside of it being "the IPA"), I can tell you that the flavor was perfect for the meal that we were having. It went down easy and there was no off putting flavors. Here's the thing with Ulele Brewing, and this was true the first time I went and it was true this last visit: Their beers are all non offensive. While you're always guaranteed to get a solid beer here, easy drinking, and flavorful, none of it is going to push any boundaries. You're not going to get a Hunahpu here. In other words, this isn't a brewery you're going to visit to grab a beer. You're going to grab a beer because you're eating. And I'm not doubting head brewer Timothy Shackton's ability to brew. I'm sure he's fully capable of making crazy beers, but he'd prefer to pull back and allow the beer to pair with the food. You can have a good beer here, but if you're looking for boundary pushing, crazy flavors, and out there beers, I'd look elsewhere. </div>
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Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie, 2018</div>
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<b>L</b>ets talk about the one thing that every Gonzmart restaurant does well: Pie. This was no exception. Stormy and I decided to share a piece of the Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie, which was an excellent decision because the pie is <b>huge</b>. I am one who does not tend to like the crust on a pie, but I found myself going out of my way to enjoy another piece of this crust's shortbreaded goodness. The guava is whipped up with some cream to give just the right guava taste without being overwhelming. If you'd like a little more guava, there's the guava jelly that sits next to it on the plate. If you do manage to make your way here, I'd strongly suggest getting on of their pies. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it's the one thing Gonzmart is most proud of. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeTIYsTFdhVx0GMNyuexT-haF9bNbpxIGQmeAaowu-vgzSCflQMJHLcts5LKubviQVxGAns9kGDAsUpnOaA405RSug0UTDqPHN4lA1RSYNI5mtRSwrcK0BcnoB5yFPxGDhlzf8e3ma027/s1600/th-ul-horse-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeTIYsTFdhVx0GMNyuexT-haF9bNbpxIGQmeAaowu-vgzSCflQMJHLcts5LKubviQVxGAns9kGDAsUpnOaA405RSug0UTDqPHN4lA1RSYNI5mtRSwrcK0BcnoB5yFPxGDhlzf8e3ma027/s640/th-ul-horse-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Horse of Course, 2018</div>
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<b>T</b>hings to know before you go:</div>
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- Tampa Heights is a very interesting area, one of the older Tampa neighborhoods, which means that the idea of you and me owning a car wasn't a thought in anyone's mind. Ulele does have parking, but it's not as close to the restaurant as some would expect. They also offer valet.</div>
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- Ulele does get busy. It was half full on a rainy, Wednesday afternoon. I can't even imagine the crowds that show up on a Saturday night. Make plans accordingly. </div>
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- The guava pie is amazing. As Stormy puts it, it's the freshest guava she's ever had.</div>
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- The view is amazing. If you have the chance to sit outside, by all means, do it. Awesome view of the Hillsborough River, nice view of the Riverwalk, and an amazing view of Waterworks Park.</div>
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<b>D</b>o you like the artisan style food venues opening in The Heights? Have you had the guava pie? Leave a comment below.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/exploringtampa" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from </span><a href="http://shop.spreadshirt.com/ExploringTampa/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">our Spreadshirt</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (we have new designs!). Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;"> If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExploringTampa/" style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Thank you all and I will see you next time!</span></div>
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Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110486525223332591noreply@blogger.com01810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602, USA27.9598921 -82.462903699999972.437857600000001 -123.77149769999997 53.4819266 -41.15430969999997