Tampa/Ybor recommendations

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

Hi all,

Going to be in FL for the holidays and I’m planning a ‘pilgrimage’ to Tampa Sweethearts.  Any recommendations as far as other worthwhile destinations while I’m in the neighborhood?

 

Thanks

[Glass Half Full]

Huge fan of Tampa Sweethearts!  

[bmac]

Columbia Restaurant for dinner is a must for me.Ybor City

[clickbangdoh]

Don't get over to Tampa much except for Lightning games and concerts, but I would recommend Ulele over by the Armature works for dinner.

https://ulele.com/

[JY0]

Definitely Columbia Restaurant. Try the Sangria. 

[Corylax18]

It's been 6 or 7 years since I was there, but Ybor City isn't all that big. Head for 7th Ave, Maybe start on the east end at 22nd St. where Columbia and Tampero Cigars are located and work your way west along 7th. There are 4 or 5 cigar shops, including an Arturo Fuente shop, lots of good restaurants and a coffee roaster that makes the whole street smell amazing. When you hit the requisite(for this part of the state) Church of Scientology at 8th and Avenida Republica de Cuba that's your signal to turn around and head back east again. 

[Hemclas]

Keep in mind that some of the cigar shops are closed on Sunday.

 

 

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

Thanks everybody for the replies 

[prshah25]

Grand cathedral Cigars is amazing place! 

[Mlw4428]

Tampa Sweethearts isn’t open to the public. Orders can be placed over the phone or online and they’ll be brought out to you or shipped, but they’re no longer allowing anyone inside.

Ybor has some local shops, but most these days roll outside the shop and occasionally will have people rolling inside. La Faraona for example, I think has rollers, but so many cigars I gotta think they’re importing many.

King Coroa is under a new owner and was remodeled into a better humidor that’s walk-in. A bit high on pricing, but sandwiched are great. NY NY Pizza will do walk up by the slice, one slice will more than fill you up. 

I strongly encourage a JC Newman tour…a bit of money, but really cool and you might bump into Eric or Drew.

Corona Cigars is awesome and highly recommend it.

A few homeless around Ybor, they’ll mostly leave you alone and even when not are more or less friendly. Be careful late at night though. 2-3am isn’t great time to be around on the weekends or generally during the weekdays. It can get chilly, bring a jacket.

Let me know if you want anymore info. When leaving Ybor, if driving, there’s a great shopping area called Wesley Chapel called Krate. Great Jamaican restaurant in there right next to a little cigar shop. Cigars International has a store/lounge about 15 minutes south.

[GP012]

27 minutes ago, Mlw4428 said:

Let me know if you want anymore info. When leaving Ybor, if driving, there’s a great shopping area called Wesley Chapel called Krate. Great Jamaican restaurant in there right next to a little cigar shop. Cigars International has a store/lounge about 15 minutes south.

Jumping on this as I'll be in Wesley Chapel on Wednesday for a business trip, followed by a few days in St Pete's. I'm assuming Rhythm Pon de Grille is the Jamaican place, any other suggestions at KRATE?

 

[Mlw4428]

On 12/11/2023 at 2:10 PM, GP012 said:

Jumping on this as I'll be in Wesley Chapel on Wednesday for a business trip, followed by a few days in St Pete's. I'm assuming Rhythm Pon de Grille is the Jamaican place, any other suggestions at KRATE?

Yes, I believe that’s what it was called. Tasty Ramen, I’ve not had personally, but have heard it’s pretty good ramen. We’ve only been to Krate twice, but it’s now a “must stop” for us.

The cigar lounge is air conditioned and while the selection is limited and a bit pricey, it’s a nice place to sit and break after a heavy Jamaican meal!

[Lamboinee]

I second the motion for the jc Newman El Reloj factory tour. I heard you can buy a Lego set there that is a model of the factory. Plus, it's old and has a clock and a trap door room. It might not be close to Tampa, but I'd also like to see the Corona Cigar Co. Owners Florida tobacco farms. 

I will also suggest Patrillos Tampa. https://www.portillos.com/locations/tampa/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=yext&utm_campaign=website

It's a franchise. It's from Chicago. It's quasi fast casual. Its stock isn't doing that well right now. And yet it's really worth a trip for an Italian beef sandwich. 

[Chibearsv]

6 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

it's really worth a trip for an Italian beef sandwich. 

Correct Portillo’s order is “beef, hot and sweet, dipped." Drink of choice. Cake shake and fries optional. 😁

 

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

On 12/12/2023 at 12:26 PM, Chibearsv said:

Correct Portillo’s order is “beef, hot and sweet, dipped." Drink of choice. Cake shake and fries optional. 😁

*Fries mandatory 😉

[Chas.Alpha]

I will always send people to Cutters Cigar in Brandon. Most of the other shopkeepers in Tampa always seem to end up there checking out what Alex is stocking. Best shop in Tampa IMHO.

If Alex is there, tell him Cuba Charlie sent you. I haven’t been in Tampa for some years, but would be surprised if that doesn’t get you into the “Endangered Species” cabinet. 🙂

Cheers!

[El Presidente]

...thanks "Cuba Charlie" 

 

[Chas.Alpha]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

...thanks "Cuba Charlie" 

Alex saved my life and more importantly my virginity after many mojitos at the Conde Villanueva. I tried to ride the chicken…😔

[Chas.Alpha]

Just now, Chas.Alpha said:

Alex saved my life and more importantly my virginity after many mojitos at the Conde Villanueva. I tried to ride the chicken…😔

That’s how I earned my nickname. 🙂