Local Finds
Restaurants and stops that stood out—good, mixed, or skip. These are visits, not paid placements.
Recent Florida
Chipotle (Largo)
Worth it, with a caveat ★★★★☆
First time here. Food and service were good. We will go back. It is still Chipotle—go if you want a known bowl, not a destination meal.
Sonny’s BBQ (Largo)
Worth it ★★★★★
Food and service were great. Much better than my last visit to this store. I would recommend it.
Five Bucks Drinkery (Seminole)
Worth it, with a caveat ★★★★☆
Seated right away. Food was good. We had trouble finding the server when we were ready to leave. We would go again.
Nana’s Kitchen and Grill (Tampa)
Worth it, with a caveat ★★★★☆
The location threw us off—it shares space with a smoke bar and gas station. I wanted good local food, and it delivered.
Roberts Smokin BBQ 2 (Holiday)
Worth it ★★★★★
Small roadside BBQ. Excellent food and service. The ribs were awesome. I will stop again when I am in the area.
Fortunato’s Italian Pizzeria (Seminole)
Worth it, with a caveat ★★★★☆
Subs were good. The pizza that day was not—short on sauce, cheese, and toppings. This shop is usually better. I would try a sub again before another pie.
Cincinnati trip
Sugar n’ Spice
Worth it, with a caveat ★★★★☆
Atmosphere beat the food. I had the breakfast special and did not care for the whisked pancakes. Locals recommended it, so I tried it. They give away free toy ducks.
Lucy Blue Pizza OTR
Worth it ★★★★★
Found by chance. Great food and service. A must-try if you are in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Worth it ★★★★★
Fantastic. Better than ZooTampa at Lowry Park, which we still visit.
Findlay Market
Worth it ★★★★★
City market with a lot of food to buy. Limited pre-cooked options. Worth a walk-through.
More Florida
Pipo’s Cuban Cafe (St. Petersburg)
Worth it ★★★★★
Good sandwich and a good meal.
Buoys Waterfront Bar and Grill
Worth it ★★★★★
Great atmosphere, food, and service.
Square Plate Family Restaurant
Worth it ★★★★★
Nice family-owned restaurant. Good food.