07.23.2025

From our friends at

87º | 80% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:47 a.m. | Sunset 8:24 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 1:43 p.m. | Low: 10:08 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 10:35 a.m. | Low: 6:16 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

We like ours with mustard and mayo

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The Columbia has a host of locations to pick up a sammie, even in the Tampa International Airport. | Photo via @columbiarestaurant

Tampa locals 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, multiple 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.

Habana Café, Gulfport | The eatery has a massive menu loaded with Cuban staples, including a standout Cuban sando.

Snapinsta.app_344565032_931715284544413_908748488078026976_n_1080 (1).jpg — Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen also features a mural and a bright modern design.

The Cuban Sandwich Shop, 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.

2 more standout sandwich spots

Asked

Do you think the Cuban sandwich really originated in Tampa?

A. Duh
B. No, Miami all the way
C. I’m not sure

Have at it

Events

Wednesday, July 23

Water Conservation Workshop: Intro to Micro Irrigation | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Cut down your water bill by 60% — do we have your attention now? — with tips from this micro irrigation info session.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox | 7:35 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $28+ | They might be 4th in the AL East right now, but the Rays are still playing some record-breaking baseball this season.

Thursday, July 24

Economic Workforce Development Committee Meeting | 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in to watch the Burg’s representatives discuss economic initiatives, issues, and more.

Friday, July 25

Taste Of Asia Summer Food & Music Festival + Food Competition | Friday, July 25-Saturday, July 26 | 4-10 p.m. | England Brothers Park | $12 | Pack in dishes from 75+ vendors, sit back for robot and hula dance performances, and watch the judges sweat as they crown the best local spicy papaya salad.

Saturday, July 26

Bullard Family 2025 Back 2 School Bash | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium | Free | Don’t expect a WWE throwdown, there’s enough free food, haircuts, eye exams and glasses, and medical screenings for all at this RayJay blowout.

National Day of the Cowboy & Cowgirl | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The James Museum | Price of admission | Enjoy half-off admission to the renowned Western art museum + check out their latest exhibits on endangered birds and a journey on the Oregon Trail.

Sunday, July 27

‘Natives in Focus’ Plant Walk | 7-10 a.m. | Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg | Free with registration | Throw back some cold brew and set out explore one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast.

Scones Workshop | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Armature Works | $89 | Mix, fold, and bake your slew of savory or vanilla scones, then take home your own starter and newfound confidence.

727 Day Epic Drone Show: Celebrating 5 Years of ExPIERences | 9 p.m. | St. Pete Pier | Free | Keep your eyes trained on the sky as 1,000 synchronized drones light up the night sky to tell the story of the Sunshine City from the Million Dollar Pier to the modern-day St. Pete Pier.

Amp up your weekend

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Real Estate

Stock Development just bought 601 North Ashley Dr. for $40 million. The Naples-based developer plans to build luxury condos on the .97-acre downtown plot. Stock is still working out the design for the project. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Outdoors

Here’s a pertinent hurricane season update: A next-gen federal database that will predict extreme rainfall that leads to dangerous flooding might be saved from budget cuts after the devastating Texas floods. The system will be used by local builders and planners to manage + recover from our storm-related flooding. (WUSF News)

Opening

Nothing hits quite like a smoothie in this steamy late-summer heat. Pure Green Juice Bar celebrates its grand opening this Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m. and will feature live music, local collabs, and giveaways. The menu is packed with blended salads, acai bowls, toasts, juices, and oatmeal. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Coming Soon

From Philly with love. The Violet Stone officially opens its new location next Wednesday, July 30. Stop by the City of Brotherly Love-born spot for thin pizzas, Philly cheesesteaks, sandwiches, and other fried goodness. (I Love the Burg)

Number

$280,250. That’s how much WMNF Tampa 88.5-FM listeners just donated to the station after it lost $250,000 in federal + state funding. WUSF, our local NPR affiliate, is asking for donations to make up for $800,000+ in lost funding.

Try This

Yes, plans for Airside D are still in the works. But Tampa International leaders want your input on the $1.5 billion expansion. Share your ideas + feedback on the project tomorrow, July 24, from 6–7:30 p.m. at the EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater. (That’s So Tampa)

Sports

Can the Rays come back from their disastrous start against the White Sox? Stay tuned to the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Did you know? Endowment life insurance offers peace of mind and a payout you can use in retirement. It’s a financial strategy to care for loved ones and invest in your future. See if it’s right for you.*

Community

Do you need hiring help? We’ve got your back. Post your open roles on the TBAYtoday Job Board + get connected with local candidates quickly and efficiently. Pssst — did we mention it’s free?

Try This

A gourmet burger bursting with tempura shrimp, pepper jam, smoked pork belly, and pimento cheese. Polk County Burger Week is back through Sunday, July 27, with plenty more juicy + delicious burgers around the region. Dig into the local lineup.*

Finance

From Italy to a Nasdaq reservation

Presented by Pacaso

a man and woman clink champagne glasses on a balcony overlooking an Italian city at sunset

Pacaso plans to expand to Italy. | Photo provided by Pacaso

How do you follow a record-setting year? By getting stronger.

Take Pacaso. Their real estate co-ownership tech set records in Paris and London in 2024. No surprise. Coldwell Banker says 40% of wealthy Americans plan to buy abroad within a year, so Pacaso’s planned Italy expansion is big.

They’ve already made $110 million+ in gross profits to date, including 41% YoY growth last year. (They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.) And you can invest for $2.90/share. †‡

Invest

The Buy

Teva’s original universal sandal, now 50% off on Nordstrom Rack. A cushioned footbed + adjustable canvas straps make this a hikeable, wadeable, walkable sandal that will see you through all of your outdoor summer adventures.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Do you feel like there’s sufficient parking in TBAY?”

Looking up at Pam Iorio Parking Garage in downtown Tampa. The yellow building has several stories and a mural of a person with blue coloring on its front wall. A palm tree is on the right, protruding almost as high as the garage, and the cloudy sky sits behind. — Maybe we should ask how much you spend on parking per year.

83% said nope, it’s always hard to find a spot
13% said yes
4% think there’s not enough for bikes or golf carts

Missed the vote?

The Wrap

Five years of the Pier marks a significant anniversary for me too — five years since I moved to St. Pete. Five years of feasting on Eddie & Sam’s on the riverfront, Pass-A-Grille dips, and Tombolo browsing afternoons.

There’s far too much loveliness here in TBAY to mention. I’m so grateful for this wonderful pocket of Florida and all of the kind, funky people who call it home.

Two of the Sunshine City’s most animated residents (Bailey and Sage).

‡This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.

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