Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Every good neighborhood needs a good pizza joint. Not the 'franchised, plastic cheese with a sauce that would give ANYONE heartburn' pizza joint. No! A joint that is owned and operated by the same people who take the trash out at the end of the night. A joint where you know EVERY time the pizza will be fresh, hot, and good. A place where you can get a cheesy, greasy Pepperoni and a white Spinach pie. A joint that has been around forever with good reason.
I was desperate for this very place in Seminole Heights. In Hyde Park, I had my pick. But the streets of Seminole Heights seemed to be littered with Domino’s and other "chains". Then (insert angels flying through the sky carrying little pizza condiments) my husband said "What about Ybor Pizza and Subs?" I knew at that very moment I HAD married Mr. Right!
Of course! Ybor Pizza and Subs! But is it still around? Has it survived the 4 long years I had been away? A quick Internet search proved its existence, it was open for business!
I was very excited when the delivery driver pulled up with two pies piping so hot the driver was alternating her bottom grip. I ordered my staple and my husbands staple, 1 cheese and pepperoni and one white spinach. Both pizzas where hot, loaded with toppings, and smelled incredible. The pepperoni was just what I wanted, good old fashioned greasy with a perfectly thinner (not thin) crust, and simple yet very aromatic marinara to cradle the beloved toppings. The intoxicating smell reminded me of slumber parties and horror movie nights from my childhood. Staying up until the crack of dawn eating first hot, then cold pizza. Glorious Pizza!!! The spinach pie was even BETTER! A thick line of mozzarella encased a large amount of spinach resting upon a delicate olive oil base. The crust itself was perfectly baked to a light crisply crack upon ever bite.
America's favorite food is pizza and Ybor Pizza and Subs is only driving that fact home. Not only was the pizza great but the folks who operate it are just as great as the food. Funny, service oriented, and fast. Very Seminole Heights! Its not just pizza either (as the name says) they have subs and wings, too. Both of which I look forward to trying.
I highly recommended trying this place out, 4 possums!!!
Ybor Pizza and Subs
4703 N Nebraska Ave
238-3150
*Closed Sundays/ Cash Only

Casa de Carnes.....

Funny someone should mention this one.....
I must admit I was a little leery pulling into the "Casa de Carnes" on Sunday. There were a few questionable gentlemen strolling about and the parking lot and exterior building seemed to have been neglected through the decades; but fear not I say. The best Mexican food I have ever eaten was from a little restaurant on the outskirts of Austin, TX. You needed a gun, sunglasses (I guess they thought the 10ft fluorescents scared the cockroaches), and your own fork. But I digress.
Upon entrance, my first impression was to turn around for fear of some strange food disease only found in remote parts of Borneo, but I kept thinking of my friend who "highly" recommended this market. "You just can't find a better deal in town,” he said. "The place is always clean and cheap, with quality meats". I trusted him. After all he was an Executive Chef, right?
My mission was simple, Country style pork ribs. Ya know, the big fat ones that can be smoked for hours.
As I approached the butcher's counter, three men greeted me. I scanned the case for the prize ribs and found my target only to be teased by seven lonely ribs. They had been cleaned out!!! I choose five out of the remnants. I examined each closely. They were cut a bit on the thin side for my taste, but the cuts were clean as was the meat (1.39lb). The butcher was also very patient with my demands as I smelled and examined the specimens, but handed me my bloody bag with the same gloved hand as he had used to pick the pork up with. I grabbed the bag with two fingers and decided to take a look at the packaged case. My friend was certainly right about the price! $5.49lb for Delmonicos? I couldn't believe it and almost bought five packages thinking there had been a pricing mistake. After all, they were Delmonicos!
My check out was quick and easy and I decided not to wander anymore.
House of Meats carried everything from meats to frozen fish to veggies and bread.
The Country style pork ribs were good, no weird food disease from Borneo, but nothing special. The meat was definitely NOT prime, but it was inexpensive and convenient.
My overall is that the owners are sitting on a gem, but they need to invest into the interior and exterior. I'll go back just for a second opinion. No possums on this one. I need to do more "research".
House of Meats
502 E Sligh Ave.

New Chinese Restaurant in Seminole Heights

I just tried the new Good Taste Chinese Restaurant last night and was very impressed. I ordered at 10:45 PM for delivery thinking I would get the left overs for the day. To my surprise, the owner pulled up with his entire family (I was the last delivery for the night) and delivered the very hot and very fresh meal to my door. This is very much an American Chinese style restaurant. Don't expect pure authentic cuisine (most Americans wouldn't like authentic Chinese anyways). I ordered the veggie lomein which was surprising filled with various crisp veggies, steamed dumplings overstuffed with savory pork, a sweet version of General Tso's chicken (if you like hot, tell them to spice it up) and crisp, succulent eggrolls. It was all very good, I didn't even care that the General Tso's chicken was not spicy. I rate them 3 out of 5 possums (the unofficial mascot of Seminole Heights) for excellent service, good pricing, and above average take out cuisine.
Good Taste Chinese Restaurant
8221 N Florida (next to Kmart)
990-8018