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Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time. #GenoAteTampa began as a hashtag so I could quickly point listeners to places I've recommended on my Tampa radio show and social media channels. Now, "Geno Ate Tampa" has become the chronicles of my never-ending quest for great burgers, sweet and sour chicken, buffalo wings, fajitas, chicken parmesan, pizza, apple pastries, cheesesteak, grouper nuggets, french fries, lobster rolls and ice cream in the Tampa Bay area. And that's just what ...
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You still have time to devour some truly awful things before those New Year’s resolutions ruin your life. And the timing couldn’t be better. My favorite South Florida junk food spot is coming to St. Pete for 2 days this week. What do they serve? Hold your arteries. Deep fried cheesesteak eggrolls dipped in a ranch sauce with a sweet and sour kick. …
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There are not a lot of great Italian restaurants in Florida. So when one pops up, it's worthy of a podcast episode. This particular one is located in Clearwater where there are so few good restaurants. It just opened about a month ago and you've gotta check it out if you're a chicken parm lover like me. Vinny Fortunato has opened his new restaurant…
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Florida still doesn’t have an In-N-Out. So you can’t get a Double Double Animal Style. So what are the best fast food burgers you can order at the drive thru for lunch today if you live around here? A new USA Today ranking is out and here are 7 of Florida’s best fast food burgers. I think the most surprising thing is who’s NOT on their list. McDona…
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Pizza is on everyone's mind lately because Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports was recently in Tampa trying different pizza places. Among the ones he tried was my favorite spot for the best pizza in Florida: Cristino's in Clearwater. I don't know what score Portnoy gave Cristino's, but it got me in the mood for a Margarita with extra sauce because I …
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The Florida State Fair opens February 8 and runs through February 19th at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. It’s that time of year when it’s time to finally do away with those New Year’s resolutions. Counting calories is strictly forbidden and carbs are king. This year, there are the usual things on the menu like cotton candy, popcorn, deep f…
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Kelly’s Roast Beef is a landmark in the Boston area just as much as the Freedom Trail and Boston Tea Party ship. Boston isn’t known for its beaches. And for good reason. They’re nothing like ours. First of all, there are about 3 months of actual beach weather in New England if you’re lucky. The quality of them is quite low too. BUT Kelly’s on Rever…
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“Mama Jane” Harris is a favorite on TV shows like Carnival Eats. There’s always a line for her fair food creations for the Florida State Fair and Florida Strawberry Festival. Today she let me in on her two new creations for Tampa and Plant City next year. The Florida State Fair Head to the Florida State Fairgrounds between February 8 and February 1…
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The Bolts invited me over to Amalie Arena to check out the new stuff you can chow down on between periods during the 2023-2024 season. From flatbreads to tacos to pork bowls and loaded nachos, there are some creative new items to check out. If you'd like the visual to go along with this audio, head to my Q105 page and check out photos of all of the…
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Ever had a meatball sub salad? Sounds interesting but I'm hooked on the Number 5... the Hot Italian sub with the capicola, ham, salami with hot giardiniera and house dressing. DeCosmo opened their new Italian market in Pinellas Park in September 2022. But the family already had legions of fans from their sub shops back in the 80s. I had a chance to…
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Got to catch up with Brad Scholten from Disney Water Parks as they get ready for another summer of H20 Glow Nights. It's where you can get back in the Disney parks with smaller crowds, shorter lines and free ice cream and popcorn. Brad always creates fun colorful options to stick with the neon glow theme. Brad says many of the easiest foods to make…
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Fried chicken fingers, hot buttered Texas Toast, crinkle cut french fries and sweet tea. That's the magic combo in the South. Stephanie Wielinski from Raising Cane's joins me to talk about their first location in Tampa Bay. It's on Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater between Home Depot and Sam's Club. The chain will open in Largo next, followed by …
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Best Chicago style, Detroit style, Fast/Cheap, New York style and Overall Best Pizza in Tampa Bay
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The people of Tampa have spoken... often. They LOVE Eddie & Sam's Pizza downtown Tampa. I've had it. I like it. But I have found better. Another year has gone by... and my list of the best pizzas in Tampa Bay hasn't changed much.Di Geno Knight
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I'm bummed to see this is a "limited time" thing. Ever since the supply chain issues began, it's been impossible to find the Coffee flavor of those little bottles of Starbucks you see at Publix. They always have caramel, vanilla and mocha. But you never see the coffee flavor anymore... EXCEPT if you want to buy the big bottles. But even the little …
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I finally got to visit Chicago this year. I'd had connecting flights for years through O'Hare, but I never had a chance to wander around one of the best food cities in the world. Within an hour or two of landing, I was sitting at a Lou Malnati's. For years I wondered... how does Cappy's deep dish pizza measure up against the real deal in Chicago? I…
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Chicken Parmesan, Wine, Meatballs, Gelato and Cannoli at Mandola's Italian Kitchen in Oldsmar
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It was a night of wine, Chicken Parmesan, cannoli and wonderful Italian restaurant smells Friday night in Oldsmar as I checked out the new Mandola's Italian Kitchen. I haven't had a chance to check out the Tampa or Riverview locations yet, but word spread fast in Oldsmar about this opening. Thanks to Shawn Tegtmeyer and the staff for inviting us ov…
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With Kids Day Tampa coming up at Raymond James Stadium Sunday, I did a list last week of 5 great places to grab a bite to eat after the kids have their fun with the super heroes, alligators and water slides. Mom and Dad are going to need to chill out and refuel. One of the spots I picked I haven't visited yet, but I included them because so many fr…
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Julia Childs I am not. I’m more of a lesser-known Guy Fieri. Except I can’t cook. But I’m pretty proud of my creation – Geno’s Ruffles Cheesesteak. There’s a little bar near the radio station that I frequent for lunch after my show. Brewer’s Tasting Room in St. Pete is mostly known for their selection of craft beers, but I usually have to be respon…
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Did a road trip for this episode of Geno Ate Tampa. I did that awful drive on I-4 over to Orlando Sunday to check out the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. But it's always about food with me so I also got a chance to head over to Typhoon Lagoon to chat with Disney Chef Brad about new items his team has created for Disney's H2O Glow at the water par…
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I had a chance to chat with Niki Austin from 3 Sheets Events today. She brought by some of the food creations as well as some microbrews and wines you'll see at the first Annual Backlot Wine & Beer Weekend. The event happens May 20 and 21 in the lot between 3 Daughters Brewing and the Old Train Station in St. Pete. The weekend raises funds for two …
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If you've been in the pizza game for over 40 years, chances are you're doing something right. Many times when I have talked about pizza, listeners from the Brandon area tell me I've gotta try Babe's Pizza. I used to live nearby, but somehow it never hit my radar and now that I live on the Pinellas side, I'm not over in that area often. But after a …
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Italia Mia Has Closed But Good News... You Can Still Get the Best Chicken Parmesan In St. Pete
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I was CRUSHED when I walked up to Italia Mia in St. Pete last month and the doors were locked. The pandemic has been a nightmare for Tampa area restaurants. Labor shortages and costs going up… it’s led to some great places closing their doors. The one that crushed me last month was when I visited Italia Mia in St. Pete. It has been my go to spot fo…
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I speak with "Mama Jane" Harris from Carnival Eats. Every year for Plant City, she creates something new for fair food fans to try. I first fell in Mama Jane's desserts about 5 or 6 years ago when she invented "Funnel Bacon on a Stick." She took a stick of thick bacon, dipped it in funnel cake batter, fried it up and topped it with powdered sugar a…
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French fries are such an underrated food. We always talk about who has the best pizza or Chinese food. But sometimes a french fry can be the highlight of your meal.Di Geno Knight
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Want a great steak or the perfect Italian restaurant? The last person I'd ask is some 20 year old hipster in skinny jeans. The free newspaper for college kids and 20 somethings does a web poll every year and quite honestly, I think people take it far too seriously. They got a few things right, but I'll tell you were to get a great burger and wings.…
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It's not easy to find great Chinese food in Florida. Here are 3 on the Hillsborough side and 1 on the Pinellas side. 2 are good dine in sit down spots. 2 are just take out. In this episode we talk about Zom Hee in Seminole, Yummy House in Tampa, Shang Hai in Tampa and China One in Brandon.Di Geno Knight
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My pal Shiner from Tampa Bay Today invited me on to help interview Shake Shack Area Director Erik Hugley about the opening plans for the chain's first area location in Midtown Tampa June 7, 2021.Di Geno Knight
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There are some "gotta try that" creations and a few "uh, no thanks... hard pass" items on the menu at this year's Florida State Fair in Tampa. My bias for apple desserts will be a big factor here. The one item that has made headlines more than any other this year is one in my "hard pass" column... the pickle pizza. I like unique. But maybe not THAT…
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Two newcomers to my list this year. If you're heading to Plant City, don't eat the foods you can easily find the other 51 weeks of the year. Live a little. Try something unique that is a once-in-a-lifetime creation by one of the fair food aficionados. I spend most of my time at Mama Jane's truck. Her creations have been featured over a dozen times …
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Sunday is going to be a monumental day in Tampa Bay sports history. After an incredible year of success with the Lightning and Rays, it's the Bucs turn to make us proud. No one is more pumped that NFL Hall of Famer and Buccaneers Super Fan "Big Nasty" Keith Kunzig. He'll of course be at Raymond James Stadium but I asked him for his picks for places…
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It's a big deal. She's a regular on the cable TV show Carnival Eats but her fair food masterpieces have been featured on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and The Travel Channel. Every year "Mama Jane" Harris creates something new for the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City and this year, it sounds like she's got another winner. The Strawberr…
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