The Best Sandwiches in Tampa

Nazca Express

★★★★☆ 4.3 (7)

"Nazca Express just opened on June 8, 2024, and I just tried it for lunch today. Let me just tell you it's been forever since we had some AMAZING Peruvian Chicken. This is it right here. So legit. So much flavor and not dry. Also died and went to heaven for the the chimmichuri sauce. It was the cherry on top! With the Order of whole chicken, it comes with two sides so we chose Papa a la Huancaina (Boiled potato with cheese sauce), and 8 tasty tostones. I love to make my own little stack with a tostones, lettuce, and chicken and sauce. So so good.You will order with them at the register, and pay and they bring your food to you.I would definitely recommend the chicken. They also have typical Peruvian dishes - Lomo Saltado, noodles, ceviche, fried rice. This place is new, clean, spacious, & they are friendly and helpful! Give them a try!"

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (3)

"It's a Louisiana based fried chicken chain found mostly in convenience stores and gas stations. The Krispy Krunchy Chicken sign at the Lithia Food Mart always looks so enticing. I've passed by it so many times over the years. But it wasn't until recently that I decided to try it after seeing many reviews from Yelp friends at other locations. I don't really know much about this location. All I know is that they are closed on Sundays. I attempted to go there twice in 2 days. That's my bad for not checking the hours of operation.Anyway, I walked in on a Monday to fresh chicken and honey biscuits. Their online menu appears to have more items than what they have on a given day. Be mindful of that when ordering online. I'm glad I visited in person just to see what was available. It was an easy decision. I selected the 2 piece white meat (breast and a wing) chicken that comes with a honey biscuit. They put both of our orders in one box. It was still hot when I got home. The breast meat was actually the best part. It was juicy and tender inside, with a mild taste of Cajun marinade. The outer breading on the skin was crispy and crunchy. There was no kick of spice (like Popeyes), but it was still very tasty with whatever blend of seasonings that they use. They may have spicier options. I didn't really ask. My husband said that the Publix chicken is better. Maybe it is, but I'm actually sick of eating Publix chicken and needed a change of pace. The breading and the spices are different enough from other fast food chains. This was a welcomed change. So much so, that I will be going back for more. If anything, I'll go back for the biscuits. They were also kind of crunchy, but not in a dry way. I can't explain it. I love that I could taste the butter with the sweet honey glaze. Hey, it was different! I'm also hoping to try the blueberry biscuits the next time they have them available. I see that they also have fried shrimp and chicken tenders. I'll update the review once I try more items. I'm actually happy that there is a location nearby. It gives me more options for fried chicken. It's in a Food Mart that also appears to be clean, and the service was quick. I'm not sure why I didn't try it sooner."

Ginger's Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (7)

"It's delicious! I'm so happy to give another food truck a 5 star review. It's not always about the lighting or décor of a place. The food and service matters the most to me, and Ginger's Café deserves lots of praise for a quick and hot meal that was so wonderful and comforting.First of all, definitely try to get the bibimbap if you happen to see it posted. It's not on the regular menu, but you'll see it as the daily special posted on the counter window. It was delicious, and a very big portion of ground beef bulgogi on top of rice and all different kinds of veggies including spinach (all kinds of goodness). You get your choice of beef or pork. You can also skip the rice and get all meat and veggies if that's what you desire. They will also add a fried egg for an extra $1. I didn't ask for the egg but it was the best mistake ever. The yolk mixed with the rice and beef made it an even tastier treat for me. It reminded me of my mother because she used to love her fried egg on top of white rice. I never could understand it until now. It completed the whole experience. They give you gochujang sauce on the side, but it really didn't need it. They also give you a small side of mild or spicy kimchi. I got the mild one and it was very tasty. I'd get the bibimbap bowl again in a heartbeat. The fresh lemonade was also what I needed to wash it all down. It took me a while to write this review because I had to go back a second time just to try the egg rolls. These were huge rolls filled with cabbage, carrots, glass noodles and bits of pork here and there. It can be its own meal. They give you 2 very large rolls. They were hot and crispy as an egg roll should be. This is something else I would order again but I would need to share it with someone else next time. I want to go back to try the sweet & spicy pork bites as well as the bulgogi burger.The food truck is in front of the Brandon Oriental Market on Saturdays. I haven't been to their primary location at 127 N Moon Avenue yet. I just happened to see the schedule posted on Facebook. There is also a nice article in the Osprey Observer about the Korean/American family who owns this local business. The food is great, the price is reasonable, and Ginger and her family provide great service. I can't wait to go back."

CAO Bakery & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (14)

"Welcome Cao Bakery from Miami! So glad you are here! I had to check this out, and let you know we were very happy. It was packed on a Saturday and this place use to be a Latin chicken shop, so we had been to this location before.We ordered a guava and cheese tequeno which was my fave, two chicken croquetas, received a free pastelito from signing up for coupons and picked coconut. Also a media dia sandwich and cafe con leche.Very happy with everything. It did take a long time but I can tell that the place was popular. The location is nice and spacious and has the same decor as the previous place which is also comfortable and clean.Definitely check it out for your fave Cuban snacks."

The Carambola

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (30) • $$

"Let me start out by saying I don't normally complain, but when I do it's justified. So here's my take on this restaurant: 1. The food was okay. The portion sizes were very small. I ordered the Grouper sandwich and thought they forgot the fish because the filet was so small it was hiding under the lettuce. For $18 I would expect way more. That said, the small amount I did eat was good. 2. The service was terrible. It took 20 min for someone to take our drink order. 40 min to get our food and without exaggeration there was only three full tables total in the entire restaurant (both in and out). We had to ask for refills numerous times. Remind them of things they forgot to bring us. When we asked for refills on two waters and iced tea (it took 15 min to get them) and they never brought the tea. 3. They served us a cold hamburger, stale chips as a side with nothing to dip it in (no salsa, no nothing). The ranch tasted very cheap. Overall the best thing about this place is the outdoor view. Wouldn't coming back - over priced for sure."

Pita's Republic

★★★★☆ 3.9 (33) • $

"Pita's Republic is a fusion of classic Greek specialties along with fresh & healthy Mediterranean choices. The Pita's Republic chain began as the brainchild of Moe Elkasri who founded this Mediterranean fusion restaurant while studying for his MBA at the University of South Florida here in Tampa back in the 80s. Since that time he has opened more than a dozen Pita's Republic restaurants around the Tampa Bay region.This particular branch of Pita's Republic can be found on N. Dale Mabry Highway, less than a mile south of the intersection with Ehrlich / Bearss. The restaurant is located directly across the highway from Sweet Tomatoes, and in the same small shopping center with a Shapes health club and a mattress store.The restaurant has many favorite Greek specialties including pitas. gyros, pocket pitas, wraps, salads, and flat breads. But add to that some interesting choices such as pitas with grilled fish, shawarma (grilled beef), Philly-style steak and cheese, deli meats, tuna or chicken salad, and a big selection of vegetarian pitas. They offer wraps with Middle Eastern, Asian, Greek, Tex-Mex, and American fillings,If you prefer salads you'll find the traditional Tarpon Springs-version of a Greek salad with a scoop of potato salad, as well as several variations of chicken, and gyro meat salads. You can also have a chop which includes your choice of proteins along with lettuce, tabouli salad, rice, feta cheese, Kalamata olives and homemade Tzatziki sauce.For flatbreads you can order the typical Mediterranean choices with hummus, vegetarian, and grilled meats, or you can jazz it up and order BBQ chicken, Tuscan chicken, or Pesto chicken flat bread pizzas. They offer sides of hummus, avocado spread, falafel, tabouli salad, stuffed grape leaves, spinach pie, baklava, and a big assortment of fruit smoothies.The lady behind the counter told me that everything is made fresh to order, and all of their sauces are homemade. She said that even the pita bread is their own special recipe as a result of the owner's passion to perfect the mixture of flavor and nutrition.I had a tasty gyro pita sandwich with a small side salad, and very much enjoyed my meal. The cost was about $10, and that seemed fair given the quality of the food. Now that I know some more about this chain I will add them in to my rotation of lunch places to grab a quick, nutritious, and delicious meal."

Eggs Up Grill -Clearwater

★★★★★ 4.5 (38) • $$

"This was our first visit to this location. We have been to the one in Riverview and liked it, but it is too far. This location is nice and located not too far from us in Clearwater. The service was great, and our server Angelo was so nice and attentive. The food was good, however, I wish my pancakes would have been a little warmer. They weren't cold, but when served with syrup that has been sitting on the table, they weren't hot enough for me. I also would have liked to have fresh syrup no get the idea of having it at the table and not have to worry about asking for it, but it's now room temperature and don't go well with my lukewarm pancakes. I also ordered a side of bacon, and thinking it would have been 4 pieces but it was only 2. I do think a side of bacon should be 4 slices since everywhere else you go for breakfast it's 4. I ordered a side of sausage and it came with 4 links so not sure why the bacon doesn't. My husband ordered the Southern Bowl and he loved it. He said it was delicious but next time will get the potatoes on the side. It was a large serving and the potatoes and grits took it over the top. I do wish they offered a flavor creamer for coffee because it needed it. I am a true coffee lover and theirs could be a little better; it took me too many to get the bitter coffee taste out. We loved the inside of the restaurant, it was bright, open and clean. We will be back soon as it is nice to have a nice breakfast spot to drive to that isn't too far away from our house."

German Knodle

★★★★★ 4.8 (295) • $$

"We let Yelp pick this place for us. I honestly had no idea it existed, but I'm glad i know it does, now! We drove from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete, and got Princess Parking right in front of the eatery. As the weather was beautiful, we opted to sit outside, and the waiter was wonderful, he made sure to get our drinks, i got a can of coke and my friend got a dark german beer. Both were good.We ordered off the menu, i ordered the Vienna Schnitzel, pork with their Best of the Bay fries my friend got 2 different kinds of sausage, some fries and sauerkraut.The food didnt take long to cook and was delivered piping hot. The fries? They live up to the best of the bay. They are delicious and crispy with a hint of garlic. Absolutely amazing. My schnitzel was a huge serving and I ended up taking 1/2 home.My Friends platter was large, the sausages were served with a good ground mustard, and we got curry sauce, which turned out to be delightful! This place is a hit! When in St.Pete, I'd find this place again. My belly was very happy!"

Captain D's

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (9)

"I see a couple negative reviews. Okay. So, how was MY visit?Perfect. I was greeted the moment I stepped foot in the door by Lisa (Miss Bubbly)!She then took my order and totally made me feel welcomed. I got a 2-piece Fish Meal. My choice of sides were Fries and Corn on the cob. As always I'm completely honest, so I will say the fish fillets I received were about half the size of what I ever remember getting. But, it's been years since I was able to visit any Captain D's AND things have changed drastically since then!The fish was delicious, no change in crispness or taste. The hush puppies excellent. Fries and corn just right. I've gotta mention Lisa again! She is a whirlwind of activity! Her multi-tasking really impressed me. She was taking orders at the register AND from the drive-through! Talking to customers face to face and in their cars. She came out to clean and tidy up the dining area. She double-checked diners desires.She was the epitome of polite! Lots of Sweeties, Thank you's, Honeys and just plain overall joy! ALL service providers could take a lesson from Lisa! Thank YOU!"

Chicago Deli & Coney Dogs

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (26) • $

"Wednesday lunch time makes this a busy place, because the food is very good.I usually have the ham and provolone sub with the Greek dressing, very delicious!"

Mountaineer Coffee

★★★★★ 4.7 (76) • $

"I'm a coffee snob. I roasted my own coffee for about 15 years. I never expected to find a good coffee shop in Brooksville, but here it is. Mountaineer not only met but exceeded my expectations."

Pita's Republic

★★★★☆ 3.7 (55) • $

"This is a very nice place to grab a quick bite to eat and be on your way. The place was clean, including the restroom. And the gyro was made quickly and fresh to order, the pita and tzatziki sauce were excellent. The place can be a bit hard to notice as it's in the corner of a large strip mall center, so be sure to watch for it. The staff was friendly and talkative in a helpful way. For something different that a burger, stop in here and get a tasty hot meal. I will eat here again, and you should give them a try if in the area."

Melanie's Seafood

★★★★★ 4.6 (58)

"Came here with a friend. Nice menu, good variety, reasonable prices. Everything we had was fresh made. The blackened whole pompano was perhaps the best fish I ever ate. A religious experience, minus the holy water. Great friendly competent service. Definitely will return."

Bocao Bakery & Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.9 (18)

"A welcome treasure in Clearwater for Puerto Rican food. We went for lunch and had the avocado salad which was so flavorful and refreshing w a great dressing.The shrimp mofongo would've made Bad Bunny jump! it was by far the best i've ever had.The pernil was super well seasoned and w the white rice andbeans paired very well. Even the coffee was excellent. I had a colado to go. Don't miss this spot they also have bakery items which i'll have to try next time. The interior is super cute andnot sketchy at all my bride says."

Your Mother's Back Yard

★★★★★ 4.6 (64) • $

"This is a childhood favorite of mine. The sandwiches / subs are amazing. The bread they use is English muffin based , so yummy and delish."

Yankee Bean

★★★★★ 4.5 (40) • $

"Such an awesome little sandwich and soup shop! Honestly you would never know where it is unless you google this place first, or have been to the Salvage Store that is in front of it!Today I went in for the first time and ordered some takeout Gnocci Soup. Inside is small with a few tables set up, and I ordered from a window where you can see straight into the kitchen.The ladies there taking my order were exceptionally nice and you could tell they were all hard at work. The food being served looks spectacular. Super fresh salads and sandwiches were coming out.My soup was phenomenal! It was just what I needed for an at home sick day. I will definitely be back."

H&H Family Bay BBQ

★★☆☆☆ 2 (24)

"I only came here for the sides because I was told they were . I tried the green beans, greens & Mac n cheese. They all were deliciousness's!!! I believe I have had the ribs or brisket maybe from here at a get together and it all . Service is great"

Dice's Dairy'n Dog

★★★★☆ 3.5 (18) • $

"Although Dices has new owners and a new location, they seem to have to retained excellent service and delicious products! The prices are fair and the shakes are much better than dairy queen or any fast food restaurants. They have dozens of flavors and seem to add more every so often. Definitely recommend."

Al Stilo Peru

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Had the traditional ceviche and it was soooooo good! Definitely coming back to try everything else. A++++++"

Maggie Mae's on the Bluffs

★★★★☆ 4 (322) • $

"Great service and good food. I enjoyed the diner and had a really good breakfast at a reasonable price. I couldn't ask for more! Nice to have a place here that's not overpriced and the atmosphere feels like a local establishment with real people. I'll be back again for sure."

Apollo Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.6 (136) • $$

"Order a large meat lovers pizza yummy and also ordered gyro yummy we've been trying desperately different pizza places this one by far has been the best Service was great too thank you"

Little Italian Pizza

★★★★★ 4.7 (32)

"We only live a few blocks away and this place has changed so many hands it's almost unfathomable. A group of six of us stopped in on Friday night and were amazed at how different the place felt. Same decor, same tables but, it definitely had a positive upbeat atmosphere, it hasn't had in several years. We met the current owner who stopped by each table checking in and making sure patrons were satisfied. Our server was sharp, he knew the menu well, he knew what the ingredients were and he knew how things were prepared. We were a bit concerned when he took our orders because he didn't write anything down but, everything came out perfectly. He checked on us several times and made sure we had everything we needed.Our food was absolutely, spot on delicious.Sandwiches were large and filling and expertly prepared as though some little grandma was preparing them. The dinners were large and well seasoned, needing a box for leftovers. The pizza was the star of the show, thin, crispy crust with toppings edge to edge and flavor that was as robust as anything in Chicago. The sausage had that scrumptious fennel taste that distinguishes it from any other place in the country that, and the fact it's cut into squares. Having lived in Chicago over 20 years, it was an awesome experience when requesting the gahlick and the 'regano and it came out in shakers. That really seals the deal!! The only thing missing from this place compared to those in Chicago was the addition of ordering homemade creamy garlic salad dressing on the salad.All in all, this place is top notch, give it a try and tell Joe, Jack sent ya!!"

The Mexican Hot Tacos Traditional & Authentic

★★★★★ 4.7 (7)

"I'm very impressed. I had the birria and lengua tacos and they were delicious. This place is very authentic and well priced. I highly recommend it!"

The Brinehouse

★★★★★ 4.6 (162) • $$

"We had another great meal at the Brinehouse last night. I'm glad we got there at 5:30 because the restaurant quickly filled up. I had the Gorgonzola Mac and cheese with my steak entree, and it was divine! Also found out they own the Smokehouse in Dunedin, my town, so I will definitely be checking that out too!!"

Cali Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (197) • $

"Love having breakfast here! Love their pan de bono, Colombian cheese bread, to start & the breakfast Cuban with bacon. Coffee is good & la arepa, sweet corn flat bread, is also delicious! Still have more to try but definitely recommend!"

Felicitous

★★★★☆ 4.4 (329) • $

"Felicitous is a great local option for an amazing cup of coffee. The ambiance is very relaxing and comfortable and the staff are friendly and professional.Felicitous is a vital and active part of the community and this is certainly a great thing for a business to do. It is one thing to do business in a community and it is a far better thing when a business is PART of the community. I would definitely recommend Felicitous and I will give it five stars overall."

Selfie Subs

★★★★★ 4.5 (117) • $

"Food is just as good as I remember when we lived in NJ where my husband was stationed for the Air Force. I ordered their onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and a steak and cheese with the works. Definitely will be back. This will be my go to for steak and cheeses. Friendly service and knowledgeable."

Cafe Caribe

★★★★☆ 4 (112) • $

"Great value and friendly service. Came here for breakfast on a weekday. I ordered the Caribe special: eggs, sausage, bacon, and potatoes. Tried the chorizo from my friends plate and it was a little too oily and salty for me. Their cafe con leche is pretty good and is included with the breakfast special. Will definitely be back to try lunch one day."

Turnpike’s Neighborhood Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (83)

"First time here. Found out they have new owners and menu. Can't compare it to the old one. I had the southern chicken sandwich and it was soooo good. Has coleslaw and remoulade on it. Fries were crispy and yummy. My husband had the fish/chips also very good. They serve Pepsi, but I'll let that slip as their tea is really good. Service was excellent and fast. I can't wait to come back."

Larry's Deli Land O Lakes

★★★★☆ 3.7 (185) • $

"Best Cuban you'll ever have Period. Garlic butter press is the only way. They new owners have kept the quality and added upgrades and new equipment to the slightly older building. Larrys will be a staple for many years to come."

Hott Mess

★★★★☆ 4.3 (38) • $$

"We discovered HOTT MESS while I (my sidekick Law just kept saying yum or not for me as I did due diligence for our wknd in Tampa). We were going for the Worlds Largest Food Truck Festival. I knew with 208 trucks and so many choices I wanted to try all the trucks that truly offered something that had a UNIQUE TWIST. So I looked for every truck on FB or the Web/Yelp/UP, many nights of food porn let me tell you.I had my GREEN LIGHT list and my LOOK AT list. Finding HOTT MESS on FB gave me chance to see some of their food as well as a sample of their menu.They were MY first truck to visit.They had many wonderful choices that day, but I ordered the Tots Ziki...HOT, CRISP tots topped with all the WONDERFUL makings of a GYRO. Not only was it a good looking dish, it was one of the best uses of tator tots that we have ever had.But its not just the food that will draw you in, its the GREAT ENERGY that the crew has;Friendly and Creative. A combo that will bring us back to try many more options of their ability to take the simple and jack it up to be a HOTT MESS of YUM. We are proud to be HOTT MESS GROUPIEs :-)"

Moxie's Too Cafe & Deli

★★★★☆ 3.6 (49) • $

"To say that I am a creature of habit is an understatement. I have been eating my lunch at Moxies Too for YEARS. You see, their front door is only about 200 feet from my office door. I've been there a few times.The Moxies Too team works well together and they are quite friendly. Orders are taken quickly, smooth and efficient. The line moves fast. Seating is abundant. The dining room is always clean. My typical order is the Tampa Cuban. The Moxies Too version comes with lettuce and tomato, so if that ain't your thing, be sure to let them know. A little too liberal on the mayonnaise, and the meat is a little lighter than some other local restaurants that sell the same sandwich, but overall it is a tasty version of the sandwich that made West Tampa famous.Ive tried most everything on the menu, but some of my other favorites are The Boss, Blue Mox and the Sears Tower. If you find yourself in the area, give it a shot, but keep in mind that they are located in the airport commercial district; Moxies Too closes at 3PM and is only open Monday - Friday. Holidays? Forget about it!"

South Tampa Sandwich

★★★★☆ 3.9 (15) • $$

"I had the Cuban with fries which was a great value. The sandwich was good and the fries came out hot and crispy. This is a good truck outside of Home Depot and there were a couple picnic tables for dining on site. The prices for everything seemed very reasonable and the truck appeared to do a good lunch business with lots of people placing orders as I ate. If you are in the area and looking for something quick, you should definitely swing by here."

Two Pops Sandwhich Shop

★★★★★ 4.7 (21)

"So glad we stopped here to have lunch, the staff/owners were very friendly. And the sandwiches were great.It was a beautiful day so we sat outside on one of their picnic tables. They've created a very nice atmosphere, people coming and going with the boat trips. Trees surrounding the property giving it the feeling of privacy.If you like a good sandwich, I would definitely recommend eating here!"

Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop

★★★★☆ 4.1 (57) • $

"My go to for quick breakfast Cuban sandwiches. Fresh...affordable...and just all around great. Would always order something when on that side of town for breakfast."