08.14.2025

From our friends at

92º | 50% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:59 a.m. | Sunset 8:08 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 6:42 a.m. + 8:04 p.m. | Low: 1:38 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 4:13 p.m. | Low: 10:02 a.m. + 9:39 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🎶 Lunch is short, make it cheap

A chef prepares Brussels sprouts in a big silver metallic bowl. Two hands are visible, one holding the bowl, and the other stirring the charred sprouts with a spoon.

Pass the Brussels sprouts. | Photo by @eatnakedfarmer

Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, TBAY. Check out this list of 14 places where lunch for one costs $15 or less.

We know cravings are key when it comes to a midday meal, so we’ve broken up these spots into their respective food groups. Think: bowls, sandwiches, and pizza.

Pizza

Santoro’s, Tampa
Indulge in one plain slice and one specialty slice, plus a refreshing fountain drink, all for a wallet-friendly $7.

The NONA Slice House, Safety Harbor
For $9 flat you’ll score three meatballs in marinara — a whole Italian moment.

Fast and casual

Greenlane, Multiple locations
“Thank you, Gronk,” we all say in unison. The football star-owned spot serves up wraps, salads, and sides aplenty all from the drive-thru. We recommend the Golden Greek wrap.

Naked Farmer, Multiple locations
Think Cava, but local. With locations on both sides of the Bay, Naked Farmer is always there for your lunchtime needs with a la carte mains and sides like rosemary roasted chicken, macaroni and cheese, cucumber ranch salad, street cart corn, and other seasonal goodness.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Cheap pizza, noodles, and burgers oh my

Asked

Have you heard of Unison?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure

Answer here

Events

Thursday, Aug. 14

Friday, Aug. 15

Ybor Chamber School Supply Drive | Times vary | Locations vary | Donation | Drop off dry erase markers, composition books, pencils, pens, notebook paper, and other supplies to ensure local learners are equipped with all the tools they need.

Color Me Mine Date Night | 5-8 p.m. | Hyde Park Village | Price of purchase | Couples, besties, and even Hinge dates get BOGO studio fees to paint their own plates, mugs, and other customized pottery at this cozy spot.

The Sounds of ’97 | Crowbar Ybor City | $12 | Transport musically back to the summer of 97 with tributes to Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Save Ferris, The Slackers, MU330, RX Bandits, and Blink 182.

Saturday, Aug. 16

Ybor City Saturday Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Centennial Park | Free entry | In case you somehow forgot, Ybor’s weekly shopping palooza is the largest continually operating outdoor market in TBAY with fresh produce, handmade goods, and plenty of surprises.

Plunge & Pour | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Orange Theory Fitness, Tampa | $35 | Reset your mind and body by cycling through 15-minute workouts, cold plunge, and sauna sessions — then enjoy some fuel from Pete’s Bagels.

Alter Ego X Over-Easy Brunch Pop-Up on the Terrace | 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Market at The Edition | Price of purchase | Skip the soggy homemade pancake breakfast (just a joke) and luxuriate in an al fresco brunch at one of Tampa’s bougiest hotels.

8th Annual Bulls Block Party | 2-4 p.m. | 1920 Ybor | $35+ | Pull on some green and gold and meet new Bulls alums to tailgate with this football season over drinks, eats, tunes, and inspirational words from Coach Golesh.

Sunday, Aug. 17

Understanding Directors | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts | $82 | Become the student of director Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Alfred Hitchcock — sike, a Ringling College of Art & Design professor.

Daylight is literally fading

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Tropical Storm Erin is still tracking west. Forecasters say its too early to tell whether the storm will hit Florida. It’s expected to intensify into a hurricane later today or early tomorrow. Our friends at WTSP will keep you in the loop. (WFLA)

Announced

It’s not Amalie anymore, it’s Benchmark International Arena. The Tampa-based merger and acquisitions firm just bought the naming rights to the Lightning’s ice palace (get it?) after Amalie’s contract ended this year. The deal also includes a $3 million donation to the local nonprofit community. (Tampa Bay Times)

Civic

St. Pete City Council is trying to fund key stormwater projects without putting more costs on Sunshine City residents. The latest proposal would increase stormwater rates by 22.6% in fiscal year 2026 — which starts next October. We’ll keep you posted on the final rate increase. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Development

A paved parking lot becomes paradise? Plans are moving forward to turn a long vacant Dunedin parking lot into a new mixed use community. JAMAP Home Builders LLC just filed plans to build 12 townhomes, a seven-unit hotel, and a winery right off the Dunedin Causeway. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Listen

Do you feel like popular music has been a summer bummer recently? The lack of upbeat hits has resulted in many people deeming 2025 a year without a song of the summer. Luckily, Tampa Bay has many upcoming concerts that will give us something to listen to in the fall. (CNN)

Community

Everyone can benefit from a grandparent’s love. Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay are looking for more older adults to help volunteer in Tampa Bay schools. Sign up to mentor, read with, and show up for our local kids. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Quoted

“According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly.” But this Saturday, Aug. 6, on National Honeybee Day, we celebrate that marvel so eloquently stated in “The Bee Movie.” Shop local honey or go full bee-lover and start your own beekeeping journey.

Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays put up one of their worst performances of the year, losing to the A’s 6-0. Tampa Bay Rays experts break down what went wrong on Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Giveaway

We’re partnering with Hack Your Health to give away two VIP tickets to the conference, happening Nov. 14-16. Enter to win now through Wednesday, Aug. 20.*

Beauty

Restore thinning hair with Happy Head’s dermatologist-developed, customizable treatment plans. See how good customer results are + take 45% off your first six Rx orders with code 6AM.*

Jobs of the Week

Today, we’re focusing on medical and hospital system jobs.

Nursing Supervisor, PRN, Nights at Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
Clinical Documentation Liaison at HCA Healthcare
Business Development- Healthcare Sales at Doctor Referral Institute

Don't like those?

Looking to hire? Post jobs online for free &

upgrade for newsletter promotion!

The Buy

For jam-packed days, these five on-the-go essentials keep us sane:
👜 This stylish + functional crossbody boasts multiple pockets and a soft leather feel for under $35.
💦 We stash these deodorizing body wipes in our car + purse because you never know when you’ll need a quick refresh.
👟 When rushing out the door, these slip-on canvas sneakers are our go-to kicks.
🌬️ This styling cream + wand stays in our purse to quickly tame frizz and flyaways that pop up on humid days.
🪫 We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once.

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

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Bailey

Massive floor-to-celing windows look out at a patio with yellow umbrellas and tables. — C’mon, some folks must know where I’m at.

Where am I working from “home” from? I’ll share the first person who correctly guesses in Friday’s wrap.

And on that note, I’m always looking for new places to knock out some click clacking at. So please send me your recommendations for spots with tasty pasteries, solid Wifi, and cute late 20s guys? Haha.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

† Disclaimers and Legal | * Advertising Policy

The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602