OT: Central/South Florida Trip

dbCooper

Angie, her 89 year old dad and I arrived in Tampa on Sunday evening, we're staying there with her daughter and boy friend (two words) roommate.  Friday we all drive to Key Largo for four nights at a waterfront BnB on Manatee Bay.  This part of the trip is pretty much play it as it comes and see what happens.  We like to travel this way.

Once leaving the Keys we have two days to get back to Tampa.  I'm soliciting suggestions from those familiar with the area for things to see/do on the way back.  Seafood restaurant recommendations would really be appreciated, including the Tampa area.

Just by chance today we stopped at a place that had oysters where you buy a dozen, get a dozen on the house.  It was a happy day!

TideEggHead

Sounds like a fun trip! I’m no help on suggestions other than make sure y’all eat some lobster since spiny lobster is in season. I doubt Orlando is on your to do list but if you haven’t done the food and wine festival at Epcot, it is worth it. Food and wine fest runs through November 20th?

Staying tuned for more pictures!

Foghorn

It's 10 minutes out of your way not too long after you get back on the mainland, but Robert Is Here fruit stand is an interesting stop.  Best smoothies I've ever tasted and so much more.

https://www.robertishere.com/pages/about-us



Depending on the vigor of her 89 year old father you might consider:

By report, some of the best tarpon fishing in the world is found on the south end of Boca Grande - if that's your thing.

And it would be hard to top an airboat ride through the Everglades.

nolaegghead

Coral Castle

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Castle

Botch

TideEggHead said:

...if you haven’t done the food and wine festival at Epcot, it is worth it. Food and wine fest runs through November 20th?

We got to do this, great experience.  

fishlessman

its stone crab season, its a sin not to get some.

fishlessman

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

nolaegghead

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

I bet the jails are nice down there....

fishlessman

nolaegghead said:

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

I bet the jails are nice down there....

but we were already in the cage, that monkey broke in.  you have no idea how scary a tiny spider monkey can get

Florida Grillin Girl

Welcome to my neck of the woods. Looks like you already hit up downtown Clearwater.

Tons of great seafood places all over the bay area. Stone crab season just started on Oct. 15th. Cox Seafood on Dayle Mabry has them if you want to carry out and have them at home, it's way less $$ than restaurants. Call to check prices.
http://www.coxseafood.com/

Bait house on Clearwater Beach is awesome...order the drunken shrimp! 
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34141-d1638952-Reviews-Bait_House-Clearwater_Florida.html

Ted Peters in S. Pasadena... I've been going there since I was a kid, get the  smoked mullet spread, ask for crackers and hot sauce, then take it with you on your ride to the keys ~
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g11695415-d1105598-Reviews-Ted_Peters_Famous_Smoked_Fish-South_Pasadena_Florida.html

So much to do here, but I'm sure your daughter knows good places in Tampa

Ulele on Hillsbouough River 
https://www.ulele.com/

Armiture Works
https://www.armatureworks.com/

Riverwalk Tampa
https://www.piratewatertaxi.com/

Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help!

Legume

fishlessman said:

nolaegghead said:

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

I bet the jails are nice down there....

but we were already in the cage, that monkey broke in.  you have no idea how scary a tiny spider monkey can get

Was the monkey hanging out with a stripper?

dbCooper

@Foghorn

Allen still has plenty of piss 'n vinegar in him.  We took him to Ecuador two years ago and he was never a burden.  Thanks for the "Robert Is Here" info, we'll definitely stop there on the way to the BnB.  Antique John Deere out front is nice bonus!

@Florida Grillin Girl

Lots of good info you provided, thank you.

Crystal and Mike moved here in January, so they are not real familiar with the area yet.  Today we spent the morning at Honeymoon Beach, late lunch at Frenchy's (had a excellent grouper sandwich), then went to the riverwalk you mentioned.  We will be looking into taking the Pirate Taxi.

The Stone Crabs are for sure in our future.  Appreciate you and @fishlessman pointing them out.

stv8r

Sounds amazing. I envy her. My 83 yr old Dad has decided anything that requires airports or cruise ship terminals is too much now. Yet he bowls twice a week lmao. Have a great time

kl8ton

nolaegghead said:

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

I bet the jails are nice down there....

I've been in Florida many many times.  The correctional facilities, jails, and prison I've seen don't look great from the outside.... but they're probably much nicer once you get in. 

fishlessman

kl8ton said:

nolaegghead said:

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

I bet the jails are nice down there....

I've been in Florida many many times.  The correctional facilities, jails, and prison I've seen don't look great from the outside.... but they're probably much nicer once you get in. 

unlike up here, they have ac in the rooms. i dont even have that in the house

nolaegghead

At least they have AC for the screws.

fishlessman

nolaegghead said:

At least they have AC for the screws.

i chose home confinement at my waterfront home in Marco Island, Fla

dbCooper

Spent the morning wandering around an old part of Tampa called Ybor, lunch at a restaurant down there called Columbia.  Great experience all the way around.

Afternoon was spent in St. Petersburg, ended up at the Pier around supper time and decided we wanted Cuban fare.  Google found us a place called Bodega nearby.  Pulled into the public parking lot behind the place and damned if Dr. BBQ's joint wasn't right in front of us.  I said this is fate, we have to go there.  I got overruled 3:1.  Paybacks forthcoming.  Crystal and I got Cubans, Angie got the Lechon, Allen got vegan a Cuban.  Sides of plantains and sweet/spicy slaw.  Good eats!

Foghorn

Ybor is fun and The Columbia is awesome.  The show there at dinner is typically great.  Choosing between a Cuban sandwich in Tampa and Dr. BBQ is indeed a tough call.  

In addition to eating a lot of Cuban sandwiches, when I lived in Tampa we spent a lot of time at the 1 - and only - Hooters (in Clearwater) and the 1 - and only - Outback Steakhouse (on North Dale Mabry - they had the best $10 steak any of us had ever tasted).  Times have changed.

nolaegghead

Dr BBQ?  I think your companions made a good decision. BBQ is common in the great plains but you can't get an authentic Cuban everywhere.

dbCooper

@Foghorn

We hit Robert Is Here on Saturday afternoon, dropped about $80. there.  Great place!  Angie's daughter Crystal is the healthy eater enthusiast among us, made her very happy.  Thanks for the tip.

They have some nice vintage tractors on display.  Should maybe post the Oliver 70 in the exotic thread.  😊.  Angie's dad clued me in that the spreader back of the John Deere was known as a "turd hearse".  @alaskanassasin

Klose smoker on site turning out very high dollar bbq, we passed on that...

We have a Master Forge gasser at the AirBnB, I'm designated to cook on it as I have the most experience on them.  That is some number less than 10 and the last time was prolly more than 15 years ago.  Wish me luck...

That tri-powered Boston Whaler 345 on a lift in the background belongs to the owner of the house.  They did not provide the keys!  However, we do have four kayaks to use.

Foghorn

Glad that worked out for you!

Sweet100s

A couple suggestions; hope it's not too late for you @dbCooper

1. Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
   
   
2. Sunday Brunch or dinner at The Vinoy, a historic hotel with a serious Bloody Mary buffet for brunch. 
   
   
3. Salvador Dali museum
   
   
4. Mr. Dunderbak's Biergarten
   
   
5. If you make it beyond Tampa to Dade City, stop at Lunch on Limoges for lunch.   I love the massive oak trees with tons of moss hanging down on the drive there.   A great horror movie could be filmed in those fields at night :-).

alaskanassasin

@dbCooper turd hurst, good stuff never heard that one before!

WeberWho

fishlessman said:

back in college went to monkey jungle, they let us bring a cooler of punch. you CANT SNEAK OUT A SCREAMING MONKEY IN AN EMPTY PUNCH COOLER. bet they dont allow that anymore.

If you ever get the chance to talk to Ripnem he has a funny story about sneaking a monkey on an airplane.