Plus, a new Gateway Subs location is on the way.
 
06.20.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

Bring on the salami, ham, and mojo pork

Tampa Bay Cuban sandwich spots
Snapinsta.app_295962016_599465318416443_8166853842334771800_n_1080.jpg
The Columbia has a host of locations to pick up a sammie, even in the Tampa International Airport. | Photo via @columbiarestaurant
Tampa natives know we’re pretty passionate about Cuban sandwiches around here. Some argue ours — made with pork, salami, ham, Swiss cheese, mayo, mustard, and pickles — is better than Miami’s. But we’re not here to argue.

We’ve rounded up some must-try sandies across TBAY. Comamos (let’s eat).

Bodega, 1180 Central Ave, St. Petersburg | Looking for a date night spot to impress? Go here for trendy vibes, an excellent Cuban (with roast pork, ham, swiss, pickles, mayo, and mojo), cafecito, sodas frescas, and beers.

The Columbia Restaurant, various locations | Ybor City’s legendary The Columbia Restaurant has served up its signature Cuban sandwich since 1915, crafted with Genoa salami, mojo-marinated roast pork, and fresh bread from La Segunda Central Bakery. The popular spot has locations everywhere, from the Tampa International Airport to Sand Key.

Habana Café, 5402 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport | The eatery has a massive menu loaded with Cuban staples, including a standout Cuban sando. Pro tip: The portions are massive, so order a few dishes to share amongst the group.

Snapinsta.app_344565032_931715284544413_908748488078026976_n_1080 (1).jpg

Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen also features a mural and a bright modern design.

|

Photo via @food_a_love_story

The Cuban Sandwich Shop, 10434 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | If it’s in the name, it’s gotta be good. The Cuban Sandwich Shop serves three varieties of the iconic sandwich: one on an egg roll, a standard style, and one with an extra portion of sweet ham. The North Tampa spot also offers breakfast, other deli sandwiches, and catering options.

Trip’s Diner, multiple locations | Local fave Trip’s Diner boasts another standout rendition, pressed flat and crispy. We recommend adding on a cup of French onion soup to wash it all down.

Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | This spot delivers “a modern twist on Cuban classics.” The menu comes through with a classic pressed sandwich, bowl options, and yuca churros covered in a delectable cinnamon dipping sauce. Best of all, the Armature Works eatery has prime views of the Riverfront for ultimate lunchtime people-watching.
Southeastern University
 
Events
Tuesday, June 20
  • Taco Tuesday at Big Easy Ybor City | Tuesday, June 20-Tuesday, July 9 | 4-10 p.m. | Big Easy Bar, 1704 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Price of purchase | Dine-in guests can enjoy $2 tacos all day and $2 off all margaritas from 4-7 p.m.
  • Trailblazer Special Exhibition Tour | Tuesday, June 20 | 6-7 p.m. | The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $0-$23 | Join other art lovers ages 21-35 for a docent-led tour of the special exhibition, “Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art” — registration required.
Wednesday, June 21
  • Design Charette | Wednesday, June 21, Wednesday, June 28 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | SPC Midtown Campus, Jamerson Community Room, 1048 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Share ideas and ask questions about potential development around the existing SunRunner bus stations located on 32nd and 22nd Streets.
  • To Dream of Florida | Wednesday, June 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Florida Humanities Executive Director Nashid Madyun will interview authors Gary R. Mormino and Christina Diaz Gonzalez — who both write about Florida.
  • Bryan Adams w/ Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | Wednesday, June 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $55.75-$1,170 | The legendary performers take the stage for the “So Happy It Hurts” tour.
Thursday, June 22
  • “Pippin” | Thursday, June 22-Sunday, June 25 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $28.75 | Students ages 13 to college perform this age-old musical about a young prince’s journey to extraordinary.
Friday, June 23
  • Calligraphy Workshop - Brush Pen 101 | Friday, June 23 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa | Free | Learn how to script for all of your crafting and invitation addressing needs — registration recommended.
  • St. Pete Pride Friday Night Concert | Friday, June 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $35 | “Frozen” star Idina Menzel headlines the Downtown St. Pete venue event — the show is for ages 18 and older.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Announced

Earn prizes for referring friends
TBAY-Referral-Announcement.jpg
Are you ready to get rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter? | Graphic by 6AM City
We’re excited to announce that our referral program has been revamped. Yes, you can be rewarded for spreading the word about the newsletter.

How does it work? You can find the referral section near The Wrap in the newsletter. One referral is equal to one point. You’ll receive the point when your friends confirm they want to be signed up for the newsletter. It’s a tiered reward system — as you earn more points, you unlock bigger and more rewards. Look forward to receiving exclusive products you won’t find in our online store such as hats, mugs, blankets, a paid-for night out on the town, and more.

As part of our new and improved referral program, we’re offering all newsletter subscribers an additional 15% discount to our online store (Six & Main), just use coupon code REFTDY23 at checkout. The offer is good until Monday, July 24, 2023.

Questions? Send us an email here.

See giveaway terms & conditions.
Share TBAYtoday
 

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_2}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_2}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
News Notes
Open
  • Craving a salad on the go? Go Green Lane just opened in South Tampa (4495 W. Gandy Blvd.). The drive-thru salad spot has options like a ginger sesame crunch or a Tuscan Sun chopped salad. Plus, 48 ounce salads are under $10. (That’s So Tampa)
Coming Soon
  • Fat Burger opens this Thursday, June 22 in Riverview (9950 Upper Alafia Ct.). The chain is famous for its massive burgers (like the King Burger or Double King Burger), milkshakes, and wings. Stop by the grand opening Saturday, June 24 where the first 100 customers will score a free burger.
Announced
  • The Gateway Subs takeover continues. The Pinellas-based sandwich spot is opening a third location at 5931 4th St. N. The new store will be the biggest yet + should open in late summer. (St. Pete Rising)
Arts
Community
  • Alerting all Gandy Beach regulars. Leaders expect the pipeline construction to take a few more weeks, meaning the popular beach doggin’ spot won’t be open for Fourth of July access. The beach should reopen in mid-July. (Tampa Bay Times)
Outdoors
  • Ever spotted those LED-screen ads floating on by from your beachside perch? Now, Ballyhoo Media’s ad-pulling boats will be outfitted with technology to map the seafloor and collect data. The company’s partnership with the International SeaKeepers Society is part of the Seabed 2030 effort to help beach erosion + reef degradation. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Number
  • 56. That’s how many Burg-based small businesses received grants in the South St. Pete CRA Microfund Program. The local entrepreneurs will now work on plans for their businesses, surveys, and then create final reports. Grantees will receive up to $10,000 for their business once they complete the program.
Eat
  • #TabletopTerrace. Looking for a place to celebrate? Make your celebration memorable by making The Terrace Grille your meeting place. Lakeland’s prominent upscale dining location in the heart of Downtown is known for its historic floor-to-ceiling arched windows, black and white patterned floors, and dramatic pecky cypress ceilings. Book a reservation.*
Travel
  • Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).*
 
Eat

🍦 Scoop, there it is

What ice cream flavor best embodies Tampa Bay?
Five ice cream cones and lots of sprinkles.
If the ice cream is strawberry, that means it counts as a serving of fruit — right? Asking for a friend. | Photo via Unsplash
Calling all lovers of Tampa Bay, warm weather, and ice cream. We want to know — if our city was a flavor of ice cream, what would it be? What local ingredients would it contain? Would it be ribboned with locally procured sea salt caramel or crumbled cookies from Wright’s Gourmet House?

Share your locally inspired ice cream flavor with us by Friday, June 30, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter — just make sure it includes one to three local ingredients (bonus points if you list the local spot to source the ingredients and include a catchy name for your frosty concoction).

Need some inspiration? Here are two examples to get your stomachs grumbling:

🇺🇸 US: A waffle cone of vanilla bean ice cream laden with chunks of apple pie.

🇯🇵 Japan: A taiyaki filled with taro soft serve and topped with a black sesame cookie.
Submit your Tampa-inspired flavor
 
The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Green Bench Brewing Co. just released a new brew in the Don CeSar’s honor. We tried out the “Pink Palace Daze,” a hazy IPA with notes of orange and late summer beach days.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Subscribe     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY