interbay meat market
mattNow if you’re looking for an upscale deli in a fancy neighborhood then Interbay Meat Market is definitely not your place. However, if you’re looking for oversized and tasty sandwiches at great prices (one of the specials on Saturday was a large fried chicken sandwich, fries and a drink for $4 bucks!) than you’ll love Interbay. The place is a combination grocery/butcher shop/deli and it was busy on Saturday when we stopped by for lunch.
I ordered the grouper sandwich “all the way” in Interbay lingo and my fiancee Traci ordered an Italian sausage sandwich. We also split a side order of black beans and rice. The crispy Cuban bread Interbay uses is some of the best I’ve had and the black beans and rice were tasty. Next time I plan to try one of their Cuban combo plates. I had a few bites of Traci’s sandwich and thought it was good too, although the sausage was milder than I like. Both sandwiches were stuffed and for being “regular” size were more than enough to eat.
My grouper sandwich was easily one of the best I’ve had since I’ve lived in Tampa (keep in mind I’ve been here about a year now after living in Orlando for seven years), although I must admit that I’m just not a big fan of the grouper sandwich. Fish sandwiches to me in general tend to not have enough flavor and are too mild. Now fried shrimp, oysters or soft shell crab (when done right) sandwiches (on French bread of course for this New Orleans native) are a different story.
Let me know in the discussion below which other Tampa Bay delis you think I should check out.
Bottom-line: This no-frills sandwich shop & deli serves up great sandwiches at equally great prices. Most people get their sandwiches to go, but there are also picnic tables outside.
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August 1st, 2006 at 2:04 pm
I live a couple of blocks from this place and it is good. Had some friends complain of food poisoning from the meats though and the con leche is not very good. Good fresh vegetebles though. How many places can you buy a plate of plantains with rice and beans, a jumbo pack of toilet paper, lotto ticket, and a “Stop Snitchin” T-Shirt?
August 1st, 2006 at 2:15 pm
We buy sausages from there, and I can tell ya, the quality is some of the best in town.
August 1st, 2006 at 2:35 pm
I haven’t tried it because I’ve heard too many “bad” stories about it.
August 1st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Well, lets just say I needed the tp after my sandwich there. But it TASTED great!
August 1st, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Thanks for this post. I’m still looking for the best Cuban Sandwich in Tampa Bay, so maybe I’ll check out Interbay if we’re in the area. I’m in Pinellas, so it will have to happen at a time when we’re over the bridge!
Last week we went to Tampa Bay Cubans on East Bay in Largo. The food was good, but wasn’t that exciting. I didnt get the experience of biting into the sandwich and saying: “wow!”.
I will give them a second chance, however. The food wasn’t that bad. The black beans could use some spice.
My hub and I really like a good grouper sandwich and we’ve heard that Dockside Dave’s on Redington Beach has the best one around. they’re on our list of places to check out too.
August 1st, 2006 at 4:49 pm
only eaten there once, and im not sure why i dont go back. its obviously very good cheap grub, which counts highly.
tampa has a number of other similar ‘meat markets’ - and im not talking hyde park cafe - including one on sligh blvd and several along n armenia. curiously, the neighborhoods are devoid of cats and dogs….
as for good delis, henderson blvd’s ‘castellano & pizzo’ is hard to beat for real italian staples, and their hot lunch buffet is sublime. your gut will bust for 6.99.
August 11th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
I eat here often and love it. Great chicken, rice and black beans. Breakfast burritos, chorizo and eggs are excellent.
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Their fried chicken is, by far, the best I’ve ever had. I’ve also purchased meat from their meat market on numerous occasions. While living on Bayshore, we used to be what one could call “regulars” there. Now that we’ve moved to Palma Ceia, we routinely make the trek south of Gandy just to purchase fresh chicken cut-up and their fresh “home-made” sausage. Always super polite service. What’s not to love?!
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Michelle-
Thanks for the heads up on the fried chicken- now I’m not sure what to get next time we’re there- so many choices
matt
September 15th, 2006 at 9:25 am
If you really want the best cuban in FL, youll have to go to a little town north of tampa called Land O’ Lakes.
On US 41, just north of SR 54.. there is a deli called Larry’s Deli. It has been there since i was a kid (20+ years). The cuban sandwich’s there are unmatched. They pile on the meat and coat the outside of the bread of butter and garlic.. then have it pressed on the hot pres to make a goldeny crust with melted cheese… oo the goodness is making my mouth water now. If i can suggest a sandwich there i would say. Spiced Porl, on a sub roll with pepperjack cheese, garlic butter pressed.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Greg-
Larry’s Deli in Land O’ Lakes sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing!
Have a good weekend-
January 17th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
[...] We were in the mood for something new and different this past Saturday, so we decided to try the misspelled-but-correctly-spelled Gengiz Khan, a little Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant located South of Gandy (SOG) on MacDill. We had never been to Gengiz Khan before, but were familiar with it since it is located in the strip center (Shoppes of Interbay) across from Interbay Meat Market. [...]
October 29th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
If you really are a true sog, you might know about a small sandwich shop in Port Tampa called VT Clarks on the corner of Interbay and Westshore. You have to park around back. It used to be a general store when Port Tampa was a city. Great, fresh sandwiches to go!!!