Food

Chicken Shawarma, Cuban Sandwiches + Bagel Shmears

Good Fortune’s 12-person sushi bar shown coated in Neo-Tokyo neon lights. | Photo provided by the author

Hey, Tampa Bay. TBAYtoday’s newest City Editor Brad here. 👋 As a former picky eater turned tasty treat enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for fresh + exciting international food around town.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite authentic restaurants from six global regions — that will 100% take your taste buds on a wild ride to flavor town.

Latin American + Caribbean

🌎 Copa, 1047 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Foodies can find a fusion of Latin American flavors with a Caribbean and Mediterranean twist. Try the empanadas which hit the spot with their perfectly flaky outside and flavorful chicken inside.

🌎 Bodega, 1180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Inspired by the islands, Bodega offers flavorful Latin street food in a clean environment + the Cuban Sandwich is impressive for the price.

The Mediterranean

🇮🇹 Frankie’s Italian Deli, 3930 U.S. Hwy. 301, Riverview
This Deli makes you want to push back your diet. Frankie’s Corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand island dressing on rye is a must try. We order the Dirty Jerz bagel sandwich, the Black and White cookie, and the Napolean Slice.

🇬🇷 Psomi, 701 N. Howard Ave., Tampa
From the Greek sourdough bread to the stunning Santorini decor to the refreshing cocktails and baklava coffee cake — Psomi feels wholesome, clean, and put together.

Middle Eastern

🌍 Abu Omar Halal, 12208 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace
From Houston’s first halal food truck to brick-and-mortar locations across the country, Abu Omar’s signature chicken shawarma is a must-have.

🇮🇱 The Nosh Pit Deli and More, 4040 Park St. N., St Petersburg
This deli imports meats directly from the Big Apple + has all the deli favorites — latkes, knishes, desserts, and even Dr. Brown’s soda. Order off the Messugganah menu and get a slice of NY Cheesecake + a NY Egg Cream Soda with U-Bet chocolate syrup.

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Today

Hyde Park Village Pumpkin Patch | Mon., Oct. 24 - Wed., Oct. 26 | 3-6 p.m. | Hyde Park Village, 744 S. Village Cir., Tampa | Free | Peruse hundreds of pumpkins for fall decor + take fall family photos in two pumpkin carriages.
Intro to Argentine tango| Mon., Oct. 24 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Warehouse Arts District/Sylvia Rusche Studio, 515 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | $12.00 - $15.00 | No need to bring a partner, just wear socks or leather-bottom shoes and prepare to dance.
Movie on the Lawn - Hocus Pocus | Mon., Oct. 24 | 7-9 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Enjoy a showing of the 1993 classic, Hocus Pocus, to get the whole family in the Halloween spirit + stay for a classic thriller, Scream at 9 p.m.

Tuesday,

Carnivorous Plant Sale + Book Signing by Tampa author, Kenny Coogan | Tue., Oct. 25 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Coogan will share from his new book Florida’s Carnivorous Plants + the plant sale pop-up will feature pitcher plants, sundews, and more.
Stevie Nicks | Tue., Oct. 25 | 8 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4801 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa | $49.50 - $199.50 | Songstress Stevie Nicks has soon millions of albums on her own — and as part of legendary soft rock band Fleetwood Mac.

Wednesday

Halloween Bingo | Wed., Oct. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | C. 1949 Florida Beer Garden, 6905 N. Orleans Ave., Tampa | $5.00 | Wear a costume for a night of Bingo with prizes, raffles, a stop by the Taqueria Emanuel Food Truck and a PG-13 costume contest benefitting the Hillsborough High School Rowing Club.

Thursday

48 Hour Film Project Film Screening Premiere | Thu., Oct. 27 | 6:30-10 p.m. | AMC West Shore 14, 210 Westshore Plaza, Tampa | $17.00 - $148.00 | Support filmmakers and vote for your favorite films + ask questions after the screening.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Meet Tampa’s first five-star hotel: The Tampa EDITION 👀

Panoramic view of a hotel room with a King-sized bed flanked by black sconces and two walls of windows that reveal a Tampa sunset.

The property is designed by acclaimed New York-based architecture practice Morris Adjmi in collaboration with Florida-based firm Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates under the creative vision of Ian Schrager + Ian Schrager Company. | Rendering provided by The Tampa EDITION

Join us in swooning over Tampa Bay’s first five star hotel: The Tampa EDITION.

With culinary experiences by Michelin-star chef John Fraser, and a full suite of premium amenities including a pool, spa + fitness center, the property is designed to the nines.

Situated within the new 56-acre Water Street Tampa neighborhood, the hotel is home to 172 guest rooms and suites, and seven food + bev outlets (think: a signature restaurant, rooftop bar, and premium nightlife venue).

Did someone say staycation? 🍸*

LEARN MORE

Weather

85º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain
Where are you winter? Why can’t I find you? Forecasters predict Florida will have another warm winter — saying there’s a 40-50% chance the state will see above average temps. ❄️ (Tampa Bay Times)

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:35 a.m.
Set: 6:51 p.m.

Tide
Old Tampa Bay

High: 2:26 a.m. + 3:32 p.m.
Low: 9:01 a.m. + 8:56 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 11:56 a.m. + 11:27 p.m.
Low: 5:32 a.m. + 5:40 p.m.

Transit

The SunRunner is finally here. The Beach to Burg bus launched on Friday and is offering free rides for the next six months. The line could mean transformational change for the city’s traffic issues + growth. Take a look at how the project came to be here. 🚍 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

Tampa Bay’s first energy-efficient community is coming to 4th Street. Located at the corner of 4th Street N. and 87th Ave., the Terraces at 87th townhomes will be enabled for solar panels, gas stovetops, and are pre-wired for electric vehicle chargers. (iILove the Burg)

Holiday

It’s Diwali, the “Festival of Lights” in Hindu tradition. Celebrated on the darkest day of the lunar month, candles, lanterns + fireworks are lit to reflect the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a five-day festival, but outside of India usually only the third day is observed.

Seasonal

One of our favorite St. Pete traditions, Movies in the Park, is back again this week for its final October showing. Bring the kiddos over to North Straub Park for “The Goonies” and a musical opener this Thursday. Pro tip: Bring camp chairs instead of a blanket for extra support and a better view. 🎥

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

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The Tale of José Gaspar + Ye Mystic Krewe

The Tale of José Gaspar + ye mystic krewe 🏴‍☠️

The Jose Gasparilla pirate ship floats in Downtown Tampa. | Photo by Jerry Glaser, Wikimedia Commons

Let us spin ye a haunted tale...

Legend has it that near the end of the 1700s, the greedy buccaneer José Gaspar and his Krewe terrorized our tarpon-filled waters. From 1784-1795, they allegedly captured over 35 ships.

However, upon jumping aboard their final target, US Navy men rose from under the deck and attacked. Allegedly, Gaspar went overboard and was never seen again.

Nowadays, every January, the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla storms Tampa in search of their leader’s buried treasure. They demand the key to the city and transform the Bay area into one massive extravaganza.

Gasparilla is like a second Halloween... but just for Tampa Bay. Instead of cats and bats, thousands of Tampanians don pirate costumes and beads to celebrate our quirky city with their neighbors. Last year, more than 300,000 people invaded Bayshore Blvd.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: I’ve got a case of the Mondays and while I want to binge a quart of Bright Ice’s Deepest Darkest Chocolate Secret, today, I’m making a big boy decision to opt for a healthier favorite. I’m loyal to Clean Eatz’s Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie.

Missed the last newsletter? Dive into what it takes to live in Tampa Bay, here.

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Editorial: Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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