Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune’s food writer since 2005, Jeff Houck covers the way people live through their food. He also hosts the Table Conversations food podcast and believes that everything crunchy is good.

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What To Do In Tampa When You’re Wet [Must-Visit Places During The #GOP2012 Rain Delay]

Posted Aug 26, 2012 by Jeff Houck

Updated Aug 26, 2012 at 11:13 AM

So.

The big bad storm known as Isaac is making the GOP pull the tarp over it’s event in Tampa.

Cue the sad trombone.

To me, if I’m in a place I’ve never been to, that’s a license to go have fun.

So here is a list of spots Republinerds and those who hate them need to visit on their rainy day off:

1. Go have a drink INSIDE the wine room at Aqua at the Westin on Courtney Campbell Causeway.

2. Buy dehydrated peanut butter at Duckweed Urban Market, then re-hydrate it with rain water.

3. Order the Fried Mullet plate at Mama’s Southern Soulfood Restaurant in Tampa.

4. Go tour Plant Hall at the University of Tampa. There’s nothing like it anywhere.

5. Go buy a chocolate alligator. Resist the urge to eat it before you get on the plane.

6. Ride the trolley car to Ybor City. It’s loud and expensive and uncomfortable. Just like Tampa.

7. Enjoy a bacon flight at Beachwood BBQ & Burger on St. Pete Beach.

8. Eat a chorizo pizza at La Gloria Bakery on Causeway Boulevard.

9. Pose with El Hombre at Taco Bus on Hillsborough Avenue.

10. Go have a spicy Bloody Mary at Mahuffer’s in Indian Rocks.

11. Drink a house-made beer at the Evander gallery in Pass-a-Grille.

12. Eat a PB&J pannini and a gelato at Sono Cafe inside the Tampa Museum of Art.

13. Eat brisket at Brady’s Backyard BBQ in Safety Harbor. In fact, eat two.

14. Throw down a 1/4-pound Mighty Mel wiener at Mel’s Hot Dogs on Busch Boulevard in Tampa.

Car sold separately.

15. Go jump yourself at Boing trampoline center in Brandon. But not after eating a Mighty Mel.

16. Eat a plate of shrimp fried rice and plantains at Arco Iris on Columbus Drive.

17. Slurp a bowl of pho at Saigon Deli in Tampa.

18. Eat Grilled Flatbread With Balsamic Figs And Brie and watch The Bourne Legacy” at Cinebistro in Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa.

19. Gnaw on Dr. Pepper Ribs with Asian slaw at Z Grille in St. Petersburg.

20. Play No. 53-1 at The Hub in downtown Tampa while nursing a Pabst Blue Ribbon.

For extra points: Start a sing-along.