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The 3 Most ‘Legendary’ Restaurants In The Tampa Bay Area

Author Jen Glorioso

The people of the Tampa Bay area are very passionate about our local food scene. Everyone has an opinion on the best or most overrated restaurants in the area. Well Southern Living just dropped the most legendary restaurants in Florida, and a few of those iconic restaurants are in the Tampa Bay area.

What makes a restaurant “legendary”? It’s not following trendy Instagram eateries or fads. These spots are cultural icons and have been around for decades. Many of these restaurants in Southern Living’s list are interwoven n Florida’s history and spirit.

What Are The 3 Most ‘Legendary’ Restaurants In The Tampa Bay Area?

Southern Living’s list features 17 legendary restaurants across the Sunshine State. But only 3 in the Tampa Bay area made the list.

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Don’t call yourself a local if you’ve never been to Ted Peters. They’re located at 1350 Pasadena Ave S, St. Petersburg and have been around since 1947. They’re known for its smoked mullet and hearty German potato salad.

The Columbia Restaurant

Of course Florida’s oldest restaurant would make the list of most legendary restaurants in the Tampa Bay area. It is known for beautifully tiled interiors, open-air patios, and signature dishes like the “1905 Salad”. They have 7 locations around Tampa Bay but the Ybor location is the most widely known.

@columbiarestaurant

Fascinating things you didn’t know about the Columbia Restaurant, part 1. Enjoy this series of fun facts and insights on our traditional Spanish restaurant that dates back to 1905. Comment or stitch this video with questions you may have about Florida’s oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in the world. ❤️ For more information or to make a reservation at one of our locations visit ColumbiaRestaurant.com. #series #funfacts #Tampa #Ybor #Spanish #columbiarestaurant #cubanspanish #food #foodie #history #authentic #cubansandwich #sangria #restaurant #reservation

♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

Bern’s Steak House

We’ve always said that Bern’s is a must-experience at least once in your lifetime. It’s been known as Tampa’s go-to steak house for YEARS. And even more people would recommend the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, where guests indulge in decadent cheeses, aged whiskeys, and house desserts.

Tampa Bay Locals Seem To Disagree

After we saw this list from Southern Living, we hopped on the Tampa Reddit thread to see what locals thought about the “legendary” picks. And most people did not hold back.

Lots of Tampa Redditors commented that these spots are more hyped up and overrated than they are “legendary”. But I think many missed the mark on this. Southern Living wasn’t saying these are the best restaurants in Florida, but the most memorable or iconic places that have been around for decades, which they are.

Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.

The 5 Most Overrated Restaurants in Tampa

Tampa’s restaurant scene is scorching hot, but some of the most well-known spots are just overrated tourist traps. That’s the opinion at least of our listeners. Recently on the show, I asked which Tampa area restaurants are overhyped. There was an overwhelming choice for the #1 spot. And I disagree. But this is your list not mine.

Of the 5 restaurants that made this list of the 5 most overrated restaurants in Tampa, I was surprised you named 2 fast food style spots. One had subpar burgers according to you. The other you said has drive thru lines that just make visiting a hassle. Some restaurants that made the list come with a pretty hefty bill at the end of the meal.

The biggest debate among Tampa foodies is always where to find the best Cuban Sandwich. All of us in Tampa Bay generally agree our Cuban is far superior to the runner up version in Miami. But when it comes to declaring which is the best, that’s when the debate heats up. Bodega, Columbia Restaurant, Brocato’s, or the West Tampa Sandwich Shop all usually come up in the discussion. But one of those spots was deemed the most overrated restaurant in Tampa by our listeners and online Tampa area friends I polled on Facebook and on the Tampa Reddit.

Here’s a look at the 5 restaurants that you said are just too overrated. The #1 pick shocked me. It’s the only place on Earth where I enjoy a salad as a full meal. So for you to pick this one hurts Tampa. It really does. Let’s dive in.

  • #5: Meat Market

    Meat Market is one of those South Tampa spots for the fancy and fabulous. They make it clear on their website. Don’t stroll in wearing a tank top or beachwear.  As reddit user Gator_farmer said, Meat Market is where you go to be seen… going to Meat Market. MSH0123 on reddit says the only redeeming quality is their Espresso Martini.  Cocogator adds the cookie is a must.

    The Hyde Park steak house has only a 3.5 star rating on Trip Advisor. It’s on my gotta-try list at some point so I can’t guide you either way. But it’s popularity can’t be denied.  Is it worth the price? Guywithcoolsocks said he got a mediocre pulled pork sandwich for $40.

  • #4: Goody Goody

    While many love their brunch, the burgers aren’t worthy of the hype according to my listeners.  I can’t vouch for Goody Goody.  I’ve meant to try them, but just never have.

    The Hyde Park diner has a deep history going back to the 1920s.  The milkshakes, the homemade baked pies, and the giant pancakes are are pretty popular.  Goody Goody goes back so far that the diner once had servers on roller skates.   Inside, the checkered floors and unique green and yellow color scheme takes you back in time.

    But some Tampa reddit users were not fans.  Koderdood said “never again.”  AdFirm3593 said the food is bad, the staff isn’t friendly and it was just an all around awful experience.  JungleJims4322 was told to go drunk… and “it was still so bad.”

  • #3: Chick-fil-A

    Really!?  You never see the drive thru empty at any Tampa area Chick-fil-A.  So this one making the list came as a total shock to me.  But that was the most common complaint among listeners: the drive thru line.  They say even though the lines move fast, it’s not worth the effort when the line is wrapped around the building.  I get it. The lines can get long, but my pro tip is to avoid the drive thru completely.  The Chick-fil-A app is so easy to use.  I start tapping on my phone when the craving hits.  And then just walk in and pick up my order inside the store while the people stuck in the drive thru are breathing gas fumes.

  • #2: Bern's Steak House

    When I told friends I was moving to Tampa, one restaurant was unanimously suggested to me: Bern’s.  Even the guy who performed an oil change for my 1,000+ mile journey to Florida suggested I go the first week I arrive.  I’ve still yet to do the full Bern’s experience.  Downstairs in the bar, you can get a steak sandwich for a budget friendly $20.  Or at least you used to.  This was years ago that I did that.  But between the cost and reservation process being such a challenge, I’ve never gone through the whole complete Bern’s experience.  So I can’t say it’s overrated… but you did. It came in at #2.

    One listener suggested to get a better experience at Bern’s, go on a weekday.  You’ll have more time with the server to get good suggestions.

  • #1: Columbia Restaurant

    I’m shocked that this was the #1 pick for most overrated restaurant in Tampa. The 1905 Salad alone makes a trip over the Howard Frankland to Ybor worth the trip for me. As mentioned earlier, it’s the only restaurant in the world where I can enjoy a salad as a meal. Honestly, the Cuban sandwich at Columbia isn’t my favorite in town. But that 1905 Salad more than makes up for it. I love the half and half lunch special where you can get the smaller salad and half Cuban combo.

    On Reddit user said it’s a “pretty tourist trap with overpriced ‘meh’ food.” Another said that the Ybor location is the only Columbia one where they’ve had a good meal.

    Most agree, however, that the atmosphere, architecture and history are reason enough for a visit to Columbia Restaurant. It’s a no-brainer if you need a spot to take a visitor from out of town.

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Author Jen Glorioso
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