Mel's Hot Dogs

outback's bloomin' onion

this tampa chain made the deep-fried onion bloom into a sinful appetizer.

hot dogs

with all the trimmings and fries

hamburger

on sesame roll

cheeseburger

on sesame roll

polish sausage

with fries

soul food

one of the city's most popular restaurants for home cooking and local political debate. try the fresh-squeezed lemonade and indulge in a biscuit — or two.

seaside slam

and split it with someone. pancakes are huge, and so is the view from the rustic picnic tables. watch for dolphins cavorting in the gulf.

mozzarella, tomato and roasted red pepper sub

enough sandwich to feed two, maybe three, lunchers. slender-cut cole slaw and wafer-thin onions piled high are the unique spin here.

baklava

most restaurants and bakeries in pinellas county's greek village serve the honey-nut sweet baklava, making it almost impossible to pass up dessert.

working cow ice cream

real berries in the strawberry ice cream and plenty of caramel when it's called for. there is nothing stingy about the ingredients in this luscious ice cream.

ruskin tomatoes

when the time is ripe this spring, our tomatoes fresh from the roadside will win back florida's good name. meanwhile, try our grape tomatoes.

chopped liver

as good as you've had in delis up north. get it on rye with thin slices of red onion.

hooters hot and spicy wings

strawberry shortcake

shortcake, strawberries in sweet syrup and whipped topping piled high

potato and mushroom focaccia

it's the thin slices of potato that pack the surprise here. the soft, flavorful focaccia is memorable, too.

deviled crab

though they are more devil and breading than crab, these stuffed dumplings are standard bar food and convenience store pick-me-ups. add hot sauce.

tampa roll

the sushi dedicated to our little bit of florida is fried grouper, mayonnaise and seaweed rolled in rice and sesame seeds. not traditional, but just right.

chocolate-covered potato chips

pure decadence, these salty chips enrobed in rich chocolate. you'll never be able to have just one.

cuban sandwich

a lunchtime favorite at delis, dives and famed cuban joints, this sandwich has a history that goes back 100 years to ybor city cigar rollers. three varieties of pork pressed between crusty cuban bread...

grouper sandwich

with cheese or without, fried, grilled or blackened, the ubiquitous grouper sandwich is to the tampa bay area what the cheesesteak is to philly.

1905 salad

it's more than a chef salad once you add olives, garlic dressing and almost a century of tradition. garnish with spanish tilework and flamenco guita

burger

a thick, old-fashioned hamburger made right.

cuban toast and coffee

it looks like a loaf of white bread with butter and coffee heavy on the milk, but it's all cuban tampa needs for breakfast, the warm taste of home.

greek salad

legend has it that greek salad garnished with a scoop of potato salad was invented here. on the pappas version, you have to dig to find the potato salad buried under veggies, feta and anchovies.

scacciata

big square pies with tomato and spice, brought to ybor from italy long before pizza. a party staple.

beef martini sandwich

the most beloved sandwich on wright's extensive menu is extolled on the deli's marquee. it's roast beef adorned with marinated mushrooms, bacon and a buttery herb sauce, stirred not shaken.

checkers french fries

another chain, this one a fast-food outlet, that got its start in the tampa bay area. the fries are the standout item, crispy and spicy with just the right amount of grease.

key lime pie

the tart and tang of the unofficial dessert of florida can be found in many restaurants and stores. look for yellow color and take a bite: if your lips pucker, it's the real deal.

stone crabs

who needs joe? we've got plenty of crabs up our coast and plenty of places serving florida's luxury crustacean. eat 'em cold.

polish sausage basket

vienna pork kosher style polish sausage on a fresh steamed poppy seed bun with hot crispy french fries, trimmings (mustard, onions, relish, kraut & kosher dill pickles)

mighty mel basket

our renowned 1/4 lb. vienna pure beef kosher style hot dog with poppy-seed bun elusiously crisp french fries and all the trimmings mustard, onions, relish, kraut & kosher dill pickle

chili dog basket

includes vienna pure kosher-style hot dog on a freshly-steamed poppy-seed bun with crispy french fries plus our famous chili

french fried | fries

kosher dill pickle

mel's special hot dog basket

includes vienna puri beef, kosher-style hot dog, freshly-steamed poppy seed bun with crispy french fries and trimmings (mustard, onions, relish, kraut & kosher dill pickle)

corned beef on rye

pastrami on rye

french fries