So why has the neon PIZZA sign been removed from the side of the building? It wasn’t to code, but it was to code when the Copa Cabaña guy put it up when he bought the place last summer. All of a sudden, the sign is a problem? Because it doesn’t look like a partially rotted sign? Or perhaps because it was obstructing the view? Oh, that’s right, it was on the side of a big ass wall!!!!
I fondly remember Ybor Pizza and Subs when it was located in Ybor. The countless $1 slices of pizza I ate in that square block. Ybor Pizza (Punk Rock Pizza to the loyal) was forced out by Centro back then and moved to the present location. The original owner; Kerry, sold the biz, then it got sold again to the creepy Copa Cabana guy last summer. When the creepy Copa Cabana guy left in the middle of the night, Kerry stepped back in, painted the urine yellow back to white and called in the old Ybor Pizza gang, many of which agreed to work for free and still are.
If you have never tasted Ybor Pizza, you need to. I find it to be in the top 3 of pizzas in the City.
The Spinach is amazingly good and the Pepperoni brings back great memories. The crust is thin and perfect. Ybor Pizza is a place that ignites late nights long passed. Don’t go there expecting shadow boxed tables with games pieces inside or a Mexican inspired pie. There is a reason why it is called Punk Rock Pizza. Hell, don’t even bother going there. Just call for delivery (813-238-3150) and don’t expect to spend a fortune either. A gi-normous X-Large 1 topping or Spinach will set you back $11.75. You’ll be eating it for days. Oh, and don't forget the Good As Hell wings. They trully are Good As Hell. So, let me get back to this bitching part. What is the deal with you people who are after Ybor Pizza? Did your pepperoni not get cooked properly one night? Why is it, that we Seminole Heights residents say we want commercial success but yet, we try to put one out of business? Go after a car lot if you are bored. Leave my Pizza alone.
This little birdy also told me that he was thinking of having Punk bands play for a fair-the-well, just like in the old days. I’ve already made some calls and have Flat Stanley signed up. It’s rumored the Dukes of Hillsborough and The Tim Version will also be on board. Just like old times.
Word to the wise all of you people bitching out there. Don’t piss off old Punk Rockers and never touch our Pizza.
For everyone else, support Ybor Pizza. There is still a chance he can stick around, but we gotta get some pizza.
Ybor Pizza and Subs
Dirt Cheap
813-238-3150
4703 N Nebraska Ave.
Delivery available
Pizza, Subs, Salads, Pasta, Calzones, Wings, Fries
Mon-Sat
11AM-10PM
22 comments:
How about a Grand Opening-type of event, and invite the neighborhood over for free slices and some punk rock in the parking lot?
Let people know that it's not owned by the creepy copa guy, and that it's delicious pizza that needs to be supported.
Good luck to the birdy, I'll try to get over there for some pie asap.
I have great (and a few fuzzy) memories of the old YC Pizza, and have supported the new location for years. My biggest complaint is lack of consistent hours.
Tampa's biggest problem is Tampa, as in the City of. It looks like the bureaucracy might squash YC Pizza and Cappy's. The city's red tape has killed more honest entrepreneurs than i can count.
Do you hear me, Mayor Pam? Just a few months ago, she wanteed to meddle in Ybor bars' drink specials. The bar owners didn't make Ybor a nighly drunk tank, the CITY did. Tampa will always be mediocre until it stops supporting behemoths like Centro Ybor and the Glazers instead of small businesspeople, who are the backbone of this city's commerce and culture.
Well said Andrew, well said.
I wish to comment about the SESH Association and Ybor Pizza.
Ancient History! Previous owner. Previous situation!
Think you should start talking to people and not birds. I highly suggest you talk with any member of the Association's Board. Perhaps then you would get your facts straight. We not only have NOT been working on any code issues for Ybor Pizza, but also, we have used Association money to buy food there. SESHCA provides lunch for the workers of SWEEP when they are in the hood....This year, it all came from Ybor Pizza. Pizza's and salads, and it was great! They were kind enough to give us a bit of a break and to say thank you, we placed a free ad for them in our newsletter.
At my place of business, which is west of Dale Mabry, we had an occasion to provide lunch for the employees......passing up a myriad of more convenient Pizza places, we purchased from Ybor Pizza. Again, salads and Pizza. Again it was great and we will go there next time.
As a household we do not eat Pizza, but we do eat salads and have enjoyed more than one of their Chef Salads, and recommended them to others who have also gotten them.
I am not sure who complained about the sign, but it was not the Association. I suspect the building, when occupied by the Copa people, was in violation for the painted building signage, that drew attention to the neon and caused code to make it all comply. You may not believe in the signage regulations, but they are not new and the city is within their rights to enforce them. None of which had nothing to do with the Association in any way.
So I would very much appreciate it if you would talk to that birdy and tell him to close his beak if he simply makes things up and spreads groundless rumors!
Sincerely,
Sherry Genovar-Simons, President
Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association
sorry, typo....
"None of which had ANYTHING to do with the Association in any way."
The great thing about journalism is you have an editor. The great thing about blogs is that you can say whatever the hell you want.
Sherry, you seem to have gotten your feathers ruffled over this one. Are you 100% positive that no one from South East Seminole Heights has put pressure on Ybor Pizza? I think Kerry might disagree with that. Why does it have to be a member from your board? Couldn’t it have been a resident? Is it right for Ybor Pizza to assume that if a resident is giving him flack, then that resident must have the support of the neighborhood association? Well, no. Duh. But it happens, all of the time. That’s the burden neighborhood association’s carry.
Anyhoo, hopefully all of this ruckus will get some business over to Ybor Pizza and you all can meet the Birdy himself. Remember, Spinach Pizza. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
we don't care about typo's on this blog. Everyone is welcome in their most unperfect form.
"You may not believe in the signage regulations, but they are not new and the city is within their rights to enforce them."
Unless the business is Cappy's.... It must be the ferns.
cappy's isn't in sesh so that point would be moot if we're going with the argument that sesh residents complained. i think the initial sentiment in the article is that the complaint came from the association. so when you say something like that and it's not true that as an "association" we collectively sought out to "punish" ybor pizza than i can see why sherry would get defensive. and how does kerry know it came from the association? and worst of all michelle was TOLD specifically that the association had no current issue(s) with ybor pizza. and if he hasn't been cited for anything what's the friggin problem? why didn't kerry come to the board or the last meeting and say "WTF?" he buys ads in the newsletter, he knows how to get ahold of people. he came to a meeting when he took over the business again (and was warmly received) and then less than a month later took a haul ass and let copa set up overnight. so forgive me if i have sympathy for him when he should know that he could come to them and begin a reasonable dialogue instead of going to you michelle. it's all so very silly. now it seems feelings have been hurt and name calling will begin. i heard a rumor from another little birdy there might be a fight after school in the parking lot.
"cappy's isn't in sesh so that point would be moot if we're going with the argument that sesh residents complained."
-Well, yes indeed, it does speak volumes about selective enforcement in the neighborhood in general.
"and worst of all michelle was TOLD specifically that the association had no current issue(s) with ybor pizza"
-AFTER the blog posting - check the date your email. Your anonymity is blown.
"and if he hasn't been cited for anything what's the friggin problem?"
-Do you want code enforcement constantly on your back, even if they don't cite you? I do believe that it would get old after a while. Paint over the school bus yellow and get rewarded with someone snapping pictures of the process? Given history, I might come to the conclusion that I'd be getting a visit from Mr. Lane's people, shortly, too.
"so forgive me if i have sympathy for him when he should know that he could come to them and begin a reasonable dialogue instead of going to you michelle."
-No one went to anyone. Merely a conversation that took place between the owner of a business and long time customers. I do believe that the perception of this conversation is far more damning than what actually took place or was blogged. So why doesn't everybody take their panties out of a bunch, 'kay?
And do remember, this is a food blog, there's plenty of outlets for SH issues on the web.
ttfnhand
Well Anon, you are correct that I emailed to find out what the scoop was, after I posted my blog and not before. Perhaps my investigational skills need to be honed a bit.
My feelings aren't hurt.
Enough on the topic people. No "Board Member" from SESHA was the whistle blower, Sherry's feelings are hurt, go eat Pizza at Ybor Pizza & Subs, Michelle is a bad investigator.
Next topic.
Why is it always the board members of all of these neighborhood associations that stir the pot? Shut up already.
I've been eaten Ybor for years. Love that place and hell yeah! I'd go to the fair well show. Wish it wasn't a fair well.
See Urban Eater, that is exactly how things get twisted around. Even though you've just "off-handedly" apologized for making it sound like the association had complained about YCpizza, the next commenter goes on to tell the assn to 'shut up already". Puts a bad taste in neighbors' mouths about the civic assn. We are fortunate to have an assn of dedicated folks working towards the betterment of the neighborhood, and trying to get more neighbors involved. But why would anyone want to if they think that all the Board does is "stir the pot"? I've been to many meetings, porch parties, etc, and am ashamed to say that my involvement in this neighborhood is minimal, at best. But I have never heard anyone, especially any of the board speak ill of Ybor Pizza. As a matter of fact, when I moved here, I asked one board member at a party if Ybor pizza was any good. I got an earful about how their pizza is the best this side of NYC and the "good as hell" wings were highly recommended. Stupid me, I should have told them that when I went there to order dinner, but it didn't occur to me until after I left. The new owner should be glad that the neighborhood leaders support him in such a positive way, and not rely on what seems to be rumors about who is reporting him. For all he knows, it could have been an unsatisfied customer.
I'm glad I went to that party and I'm glad that the assn people told me to try them, and it's because of them that Ybor Pizza has one more happy customer, hopefully for a long time to come.
And as for you, last anon poster, go back and really read before you go making more incorrect comments and assumptions.
If this all about “food” then why the direct hit at the SESH Association? And pardon me, but I think Michel put the pot on the stove and stirred it herself. Being told the Association had nothing to do with it and putting it out there anyway, has little to do with food.
The Association did not stir this up and has had absolutely no ill feelings towards Ybor Pizza, quite the opposite. Neighbors might have issues, who knows? But just because a person is a member of the association, does not mean that when they speak out, they are Association representatives. These same people might be members of the Y, a golf club, or the Lions Club. When they speak they don’t represent them either.
Trust me, my feelings aren’t hurt. This isn’t about me. It is about the hood and working together rather than against one another.
Enough with the assn the business resides in. What about the pizza????
Will kickcat rehab be playing at the farewell? and hunky kirk? ~swoon~
Boo Hoo, Wahhhh. This business has not been the "ideal" neigbor either. It is very simple, the city has codes in Black and White. We all must follow them. Why does Kerry think he can skirt the code and that they do not apply to him.
I eat thier wings regularly, yet, I do agree that this establishment has brought thier troubles on themselves. He has awesome food, but I guarantee that his business would double if he would clean up, remove the rusted fence and look like a respectable, caring neighborhood establishment.
The comments above have made me want to try this place. Hope I'm not too late. Isn't this a food blog?
Yes Bunny. Yes, it is. However, apparently, I have opened the gates of Hell.
I drove from Carrollwood just to try the wings and Pizza, I was NOT Disappointed, The "Good as HEll" wings are as the name states......
We tried the Pepperoni pizza AND The Garlic wings! YUM-EE!!!!!! I will make the trek from CW to SH for YBOR Pizza, I hope they do not close, Don't Judge this book by its cover, you will be missing out!!!!
Indeed Sue. Indeed.
I've been a loyal customer at Ybor Pizza since I last posted. This place was a find! Unfortunately, I was told during my last phone order that the restaurant was to close yesterday. Oh no!
Ever since I tasted their food I wanted to support this local business. Sure, they weren't pretty in the usual sense, but the tasty food and witty employee repartee more than made up for any deficiency in atmosphere. The restroom was always clean. The employees were always friendly and pleasantly quirky. The food was always hot and flavorful. They made me feel welcome and like a regular long before I earned the status.
Too bad Tampa didn't support this business. It's places like these that make this town interesting. Another one bites the dust.
Post a Comment