By Sofia Aparicio-Gallagher
Tampa Bay has many divine eateries that won’t break the bank. With Valentine’s Day this week, spring break next month, and graduation at the start of May, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. As a college student, finding trendy restaurants with reasonable prices is difficult.
Typically, at overcrowded restaurants, waiting hours for a seat and having slow service is a common problem. Tampa has many underrated restaurants in the area that you should consider.
Jotori, located in Sparkman Wharf, is a fun taco joint with high energy and good vibes. The Mexican restaurant adds traditional Asian dishes, like egg rolls, to spice up the menu. The chef,
Joe Isidori attended the Culinary Institute of America and loved to experiment with Latino food. Jotori has a fantastic deal for Taco Tuesday: $5 tacos all day. In addition, Jotori has weekday happy hours from 3-6 p.m. with discounted chips, salsa, queso, and guac. Take advantage of the deals and look for seasonal specials. Another great feature is the location, which is perfect; customers can sit outside at one of the two patios and enjoy the view.
Acropolis Greek Taverna is a modern Greek restaurant with authentic meals. The area has five locations, including South Tampa, Ybor City, New Tampa, Riverview, and St. Petersburg. Some intriguing Greek appetizers include Saganaki, a grilled kefalograviera cheese, Spinach dip topped with taramosalata, and Spanakopita, a pastry dough stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. The menu includes wraps, salads, Greek specialties, sandwiches, and burgers. The staff is extremely friendly, and the environment is exciting, especially for a birthday celebration or a night out. Friday is Greek Night, and Saturday is International Night; during these events, there is Zorba dancing, plate breaking, belly dancing, and live DJs. Acropolis is a staple in the community and has been open for 20 years.
Hooch and Hive, located next door to The University of Tampa, is a locally owned cafe and cookery. Coffee, tea, and brunch items are now served on the weekends, a newly added service. The lunch and dinner menu includes original items like hive sliders, coconut curry cheese curds, garlic and herb fries, and hive wings. Hootch and Hive are unique because of the weekly live music. Local artists and DJs entertain customers as they eat and enjoy the show.
With outdoor seating, furry friends can enjoy the performance with their owners. The walkable restaurant is a different experience than the typical Tampa chain.
Ulele, located on the Tampa Riverwalk, is my most upscale recommendation. Ulele, which the Native American princess inspired, Uleleit, is the perfect place to bring family or out-of-town visitors. Gonzmart’s restaurant owners aim to use only fresh ingredients from Florida’s water and land. The menu includes gouda grouper, Juan’s snapper, waterworks meatloaf, and fire-roasted chicken. Ulele will occasionally have specials like their upcoming Valentine’s Day dinner and lunch menu.
SoHo and Hyde Park restaurants can be overcrowded and overpriced, so start exploring other options. Get out of your food comfort zone and try something new. Tampa restaurants have so much history and culture to offer. Start planning your next food adventure, whether it’s a first date, celebration, or a much-needed night out.