Cigar City Brewpub--one of our favs

Cigar City Brewpub is one of the first restaurants we visited in Tampa. It's become a tried-and-true standby, and we always take friends who come to visit. What I didn't learn until later is although CCB is a staple of Tampa brewing, The restaurant itself opened just a month before I moved to Florida! Perfect timing!

On our first visit, the hubby insisted we try the Black Bean Cakes, so I could try some of the Cuban-style dishes Tampa is known for. Didn't sound like his taste, but since I'll try anything, I agreed. Delicious! The salsa verde and chipotle sour cream are just the right hint of flavor, even for those who don't like spicy foods (i.e. The hubby). We order this as an appetizer every time we come. I always think our friends or family won't like it as much as we do (yay, more for us!), but I'm always wrong!

Hubby's favorite is the Providence Cattle Co. grass-fed burger, which is topped with plantains.

I am slowly trying to make my way through the whole menu. So far, I love the roasted veggie 'Cuban' and the ropa vieja. My go-to beer is the Florida Cracker Wit, but they introduce new beers so often that I always have something new to try!