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OT: Central/South Florida Trip

dbCooper
dbCooper Posts: 2,480
in EggHead Forum
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!

LBGE, LBGE-PTR, 22" Weber, Coleman 413G
Great Plains, USA
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Comments

  • TideEggHead
    TideEggHead Posts: 1,345
    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!
    LBGE
    AL
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,092
    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.

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    Coral Castle

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Castle
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 16,362
    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.  
    ___________

    "When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set."

    - Lin Yutang


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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,587
    its stone crab season, its a sin not to get some.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,587
    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.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    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 love lamp..
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,587
    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
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Florida Grillin Girl
    Florida Grillin Girl Posts: 4,987
    edited November 2021
    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!

    Happily egging on my original large BGE since 1996... now the owner of 5 eggs. Call me crazy, everyone else does!
     
    3 Large, 1 Small, 1 well-used Mini
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,338
    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?
    Love you bro!
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  • dbCooper
    dbCooper Posts: 2,480
    edited November 2021
    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!
    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.
    LBGE, LBGE-PTR, 22" Weber, Coleman 413G
    Great Plains, USA
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  • stv8r
    stv8r Posts: 1,127
    edited November 2021
    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
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  • kl8ton
    kl8ton Posts: 5,829
    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. 
    Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
    Grand Rapids MI
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,587
    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
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    At least they have AC for the screws.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,587
    nolaegghead said:
    At least they have AC for the screws.

    i chose home confinement at my waterfront home in Marco Island, Fla ;)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • dbCooper
    dbCooper Posts: 2,480
    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!

    LBGE, LBGE-PTR, 22" Weber, Coleman 413G
    Great Plains, USA
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,092
    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.

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    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.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,092
    Glad that worked out for you!

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • Sweet100s
    Sweet100s Posts: 553
    edited November 2021
    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 :-).
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  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,330
    @dbCooper turd hurst, good stuff never heard that one before!
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,311
    edited November 2021
    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. 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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