Best food where you didn't think to look.

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Permalink Reply by Julia Gorzka on November 2, 2008 at 7:13pm

I love Cafe Hey on N. Franklin St in downtown Tampa. I never ate kale before starting to frequent Cafe Hey, and now I crave the Kale Yeah salad at least once a week. Local coffee shop with a funky atmosphere, delicious salads and sandwiches, free wifi and interesting local art on the walls. It's next door to Oceanic Restaurant Supply and Oceanic Grocery which are a trip to shop at. For anyone into food, shopping at both spots is a must. Aisles and aisles of STUFF. I marvel at the variety of sauces - types, brands - it seems there are 100s of varieties but the only ones I can recognize are soy, hoisin, chili garlic, oyster and fish sauces. Owner and Brand Tampa member Cheong Choi once described it to me as, "just enough info on the labels to pass FDA regulations." Go deeper in to the grocery and you'll find an aisle full of nothing but noodles - vermicelli, rice, egg, flat, wide, and more. Tons to explore.

Eddie, you and Choeng should team up and offer a shopping tour of the store - what's what and then we could go back to Chefs on the Loose and cook up an Asian Feast.

Cafe Hey also just got a fab review in Creative Loafing. that described it perfectly as, "an outpost of progressive ideas and progressive food just on the edge of downtown."

Cafe Hey
1540 N. Franklin St.
Tampa
813-221-5150
Tue.-Wed., 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Permalink Reply by Lynne Hansen on November 3, 2008 at 12:33am

I love Cafe Hey! I just had dinner there tonight before going to see Phantomo of the Opera at TBPAC. Absolutely delish. I had this yummy Virginia ham, pepper jack cheese, and hot pepper jelly sandwich on Cuban bread, pressed. Very good. And the cafe con leche was to die for. Oh, and I was told that Tuesday's soups are going to be Obama Bean and Beets McCain. lol

Julia Gorzka said:

I love Cafe Hey on N. Franklin St in downtown Tampa. I never ate kale before starting to frequent Cafe Hey, and now I crave the Kale Yeah salad at least once a week. Local coffee shop with a funky atmosphere, delicious salads and sandwiches, free wifi and interesting local art on the walls. It's next door to Oceanic Restaurant Supply and Oceanic Grocery which are a trip to shop at. For anyone into food, shopping at both spots is a must. Aisles and aisles of STUFF. I marvel at the variety of sauces - types, brands - it seems there are 100s of varieties but the only ones I can recognize are soy, hoisin, chili garlic, oyster and fish sauces. Owner and Brand Tampa member Cheong Choi once described it to me as, "just enough info on the labels to pass FDA regulations." Go deeper in to the grocery and you'll find an aisle full of nothing but noodles - vermicelli, rice, egg, flat, wide, and more. Tons to explore.

Eddie, you and Choeng should team up and offer a shopping tour of the store - what's what and then we could go back to Chefs on the Loose and cook up an Asian Feast.

Cafe Hey also just got a fab review in Creative Loafing. that described it perfectly as, "an outpost of progressive ideas and progressive food just on the edge of downtown."

Cafe Hey
1540 N. Franklin St.
Tampa
813-221-5150
Tue.-Wed., 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Shumard on November 3, 2008 at 1:40pm

You know thats not a bad idea. It is certainly something to consider. I would love to do like a supermarket challenge in the grocery part and the restaurant equipment shop. Or a mystery box challenge. So many ideas so little time, please keep your ideas coming. I am really interested to find out what people are interested in seeing, doing , and eating at Chefs on the Loose. Thanks for featuring the group I am glad to see that people are responding.



Julia Gorzka said:

I love Cafe Hey on N. Franklin St in downtown Tampa. I never ate kale before starting to frequent Cafe Hey, and now I crave the Kale Yeah salad at least once a week. Local coffee shop with a funky atmosphere, delicious salads and sandwiches, free wifi and interesting local art on the walls. It's next door to Oceanic Restaurant Supply and Oceanic Grocery which are a trip to shop at. For anyone into food, shopping at both spots is a must. Aisles and aisles of STUFF. I marvel at the variety of sauces - types, brands - it seems there are 100s of varieties but the only ones I can recognize are soy, hoisin, chili garlic, oyster and fish sauces. Owner and Brand Tampa member Cheong Choi once described it to me as, "just enough info on the labels to pass FDA regulations." Go deeper in to the grocery and you'll find an aisle full of nothing but noodles - vermicelli, rice, egg, flat, wide, and more. Tons to explore.

Eddie, you and Choeng should team up and offer a shopping tour of the store - what's what and then we could go back to Chefs on the Loose and cook up an Asian Feast.

Cafe Hey also just got a fab review in Creative Loafing. that described it perfectly as, "an outpost of progressive ideas and progressive food just on the edge of downtown."

Cafe Hey
1540 N. Franklin St.
Tampa
813-221-5150
Tue.-Wed., 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Permalink Reply by David Jenkins on November 3, 2008 at 2:13pm

Mr. Joe's Island Grill in front of Club 112 on Franklin St. He's there on Friday and Sunday nights. Delicious, delicious, delicious smoked meats. OM NOM.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Vela on November 3, 2008 at 3:11pm

Ha! Here I am wanting to comment on what Eddie asked and look what I find! : )

Eddie- I know you've been to the Taco Bus,..but there's a stall INSIDE the Hillsborough Produce Market with great tacos, made with LARD. ie: not vegetarian friendly. They also have freshly pressed juices like mamey and guava and papaya.

Down Armenia is the Chaat Cafe, at the Ganesh Market.

Sami's Bakery.

Three Coins Diner, probably not exotic enough for your question, but maybe a new one for some.

If you EVER have a reason to go to Plant City, Fred's Market Restaurant is the biggest southern buffet I've ever seen, with some truly southern choices. Fried green tomatoes you can get a lot of places, but stewed rutabagas? So many choices, so few holes in my belt.

I'll keep thinking. And you will have to count me in on the Oceanic Challenge.

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Shumard on November 3, 2008 at 6:56pm

Hello Friend, Nice shout outs. My question holds no judgement, any place serving up tasty treats, exotic or domestic is game. Par example: West Tampa Sandwich shop. Not such an unknown destination to some, and certainly not exotic, I mean Cuban food in Tampa, theres no shortage. But none the less a wonderful establishment, full of life and some pretty damn good food. Sweet Maria behind the counter will treat you like an old friend all smiles and cheek kisses. Cafe con leche super tasty, not to say the cafe at Cafe Hey isn't spectacular. a little FYI to anyone just reading the rambles of others in cyber space. If you haven't eaten at Cafe Hey you are missing out fo Sho.

I digress. Super stoked you joined and dropped some tasty spots to try.

Anne Vela said:

Ha! Here I am wanting to comment on what Eddie asked and look what I find! : )

Eddie- I know you've been to the Taco Bus,..but there's a stall INSIDE the Hillsborough Produce Market with great tacos, made with LARD. ie: not vegetarian friendly. They also have freshly pressed juices like mamey and guava and papaya.

Down Armenia is the Chaat Cafe, at the Ganesh Market.

Sami's Bakery.

Three Coins Diner, probably not exotic enough for your question, but maybe a new one for some.

If you EVER have a reason to go to Plant City, Fred's Market Restaurant is the biggest southern buffet I've ever seen, with some truly southern choices. Fried green tomatoes you can get a lot of places, but stewed rutabagas? So many choices, so few holes in my belt.

I'll keep thinking. And you will have to count me in on the Oceanic Challenge.

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Permalink Reply by Sally on November 7, 2008 at 9:01pm

Yummy House in West Tampa
2202 W Waters Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 915-2828
Really delicious Chinese food (not the take-out kind). Authentic delicous recipes with fresh ingredients like grouper and asparagus in black bean sauce. The Kung Pao chicken will be the best you've had if you like spice. Also, it is very reasonably priced and byob for those with their own wine and beer collections. Love the host and you definiately need a reservation on weekends or you could be waiting a while. Warning: decor is drab and the bathroom hasn't been cleaned in a while so go before you go.

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Permalink Reply by Maximillian Boehmer on November 8, 2008 at 11:04am

CC Carribe on Nebraska. Tasty treats for sure. Goat, tripe, Ackee & Saltfish, Cow Hoof, Jerk Chicken etc....Went as part of underbelly tour a couple months back, the whole idea behind the tour is to find diamonds in the rough. This was the first time for me, but third adventure for the group. If you haven't heard of the tour google Tampa underbelly tour and you'll find the articles, videos, pictures & misc. what not.

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Shumard on November 9, 2008 at 12:24am

So there is this little joint in St.Pete on Gulf Blvd.(6712 Gulf Blvd.) caled The Reef. Tiny Bar/restaurant or rstauranr / bar depends on how you see the world I guess. Anyway solid grub, cheap beers, and a must for me PBR, yes the abndoned son of beers Pabst. Tasty crab claws, garlic shrimp, chicken livers fried of course. Its the kind of place you would see on Diners , Drive INs and Dives. Great burgers and sandwiches and some neat treats like the Robert E Lee burger, basically a fried bologna sandwich. Its just one of those places where food and booze hold hands and play footsy all night, fun atmosphere, great service, and some money people watching, without spendiong a wad of cash.

After your evening of fine dining, head North on Gulf Blvd to The Old Oar House a dive of all dive bars. Beer and wine only and the real draw is the mens room. Full of some of the best smut and dirty jokes pasted to every surface of the walls. Tell them Eddie sent you...It won't mean a damn thing but Hey why not.

Dine On

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Shumard on November 9, 2008 at 12:25am

Sorry about the spelling

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Permalink Reply by Steve on November 9, 2008 at 12:08pm

Cesare's of New York Pizzeria‎ (on S. Dale Mabry) in honor of Cesare Bastone's death. Must try the spinage and tomato. For those who don't know, this place IS the best New York style pizza in Tampa.

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Permalink Reply by Brad deBeaubien on November 9, 2008 at 7:07pm

Anyone ever get food at the Rainbow Food Mart on Howard, near Ceviche? It's a little gas station and convenience store right next to Bella's, and, if you haven't been in there but know the location, you're probably thinking 'what's so great about a convenience store.' But it's not just a convenience store--it's what I like to call a "gourmet convenience store." They have sandwiches made fresh daily which are awesome and a super deal. They also make soups, pastries, baked goods--all kinds of great stuff. And rather than your usual convenience store offerings, they have 3 aisles of decent to good wines, all kinds of great beers, and a Bank of America ATM (so you don't have to pay that jacked up service fee if you're a BOA customer). And the people that work there are super nice. I can walk to Rainbow from my apartment and, whenever I do, it always makes me feel like I live in a really cool place and like I've discovered a hidden gem.

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