Tampa Native Eats

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

10/01/2026

The finished Croque Glacé...and THIS is what’s hiding inside. 👀🇫🇷🍦

That golden, toasted brioche on the outside gives you the first hint of what makes this EPCOT treat so different.

Cut it open and you get cold, creamy French ice cream sandwiched between warm, pressed brioche.

Warm + cold.
Crispy + creamy.
Sweet + buttery.

It’s a combination that sounds a little unusual until you actually see it.

And after watching this thing get pressed and then seeing that cross-section...I completely understand why this is such a fun stop in the France Pavilion.

The Croque Glacé from L’Artisan des Glaces is definitely not your average ice cream sandwich.

Would you take a bite?

09/22/2026

🇩🇪🌭 THIS is where my EPCOT bucks are going.

The Bratwurst from Sommerfest in the Germany Pavilion is a bratwurst served in a soft roll, topped with sauerkraut and served alongside paprika chips...and at $12.69, this one is worth every single penny.

As a German, Czech, Irish, English kid, I’ve eaten my fair share of sauerkraut over the years.

And if you’ve had enough sauerkraut in your life, you already know...

Not all sauerkraut is created equal.

How it’s prepared, how it’s cooked, the seasoning, the texture...all of it matters.

And this one?

Delicious.

The bratwurst had great flavor, the soft roll worked perfectly with it, and that sauerkraut was exactly what I wanted. It wasn’t just something thrown on top of the bratwurst to check a box. It actually brought something to the dish.

Then you’ve got the paprika chips on the side, which are a great complement to the brat.

For $12.69 at EPCOT, I’m calling this one a win.

My family absolutely loves exploring the food around EPCOT. China? Absolutely. 🇨🇳

America? Of course. 🇺🇸

There are plenty of countries where I can find something we’ll all enjoy.

But when it comes to where I’m spending my EPCOT food budget...

🇩🇪 I’ll be in Germany.

Give me the bratwurst. Give me the sauerkraut. Give me the paprika chips.

And maybe go ahead and pour me something to drink while you’re at it. 😂

Have you tried the Sommerfest Bratwurst? What’s your favorite EPCOT World Showcase food stop?

09/15/2026

Fall has officially made its way onto the Chick-fil-A menu...and that means it’s time for another seasonal milkshake. 🍫🔥🥤

This time, Chick-fil-A is bringing back the S’mores Milkshake, blending their signature Icedream dessert with toasted marshmallow syrup, chocolate shortbread crumbles, and graham cracker crumbles.

Now, I’m always willing to give a new Chick-fil-A milkshake a shot.

And this one was...okay.

You definitely get the s’mores-inspired flavors. There’s the sweetness from the toasted marshmallow, the chocolate coming through from the shortbread, and the graham cracker adds that familiar s’mores flavor profile.

But after trying it, I can say pretty confidently that this one isn’t taking the top spot in my Chick-fil-A milkshake rankings.

For me, Peppermint is still #1. ❄️🌿

The Caramel Crumble is a very close second, and Cookies & Cream takes third.

And honestly, I’d put all three ahead of the S’mores.

That doesn’t make the S’mores Milkshake bad. It’s not. If you love marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker, there’s a good chance this one will be right up your alley.

It just didn’t have that “I need to get this again before it disappears” feeling for me.

And that’s an important distinction.

Sometimes a seasonal item can be perfectly enjoyable without becoming a favorite.

S’mores: 👍
Peppermint: 🥇
Caramel Crumble: 🥈
Cookies & Cream: 🥉

So if you’re heading to Chick-fil-A for a fall treat, this one is worth trying if you’re curious...but if I’m choosing my milkshake?

I already know what I’m ordering.

What’s your favorite Chick-fil-A milkshake flavor? And where does S’mores rank for you?

FoodReview

09/15/2026

Chicken and waffles is one of those combinations I’m almost always going to say YES to.

So when Chick-fil-A puts their own spin on it with a Chicken & Waffles Sandwich, I had to give it a try. 🍗🧇

This seasonal sandwich features a Chick-fil-A chicken filet tucked between maple-flavored waffles, with applewood smoked bacon and a honey butter spread.

On paper...this sounds like it should be right in my wheelhouse.

And honestly, it was okay.

The maple waffles bring some sweetness, the chicken brings that familiar Chick-fil-A flavor, and the bacon and honey butter add another layer of sweet and savory. There’s definitely nothing wrong with the combination, and I can absolutely see why someone would love this sandwich.

But for me, it just didn’t knock the original chicken-and-waffles combination out of the top spot.

I’m a HUGE chicken and waffles fan, so I went into this one with some pretty high expectations. After trying it, I found myself thinking that I’d rather stick with the Chick-fil-A sandwiches I already know I love.

Give me the original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich or the Grilled Chicken Club and I’m a happy guy.

That doesn’t mean this is bad. It’s not.

It’s actually a pretty interesting seasonal option, and if you love sweet-and-savory sandwiches or you’re a serious chicken and waffles fan, I think it’s worth trying at least once.

For me, though?

Okay...but not a new favorite.

And that’s the thing about doing honest reviews. Sometimes a limited-time item can be perfectly good and still not beat the classics.

Have you tried Chick-fil-A's Chicken & Waffles Sandwich? Is this something you'd order again, or are you sticking with the classics?

09/12/2026

Cook Out is officially in Tampa...and this time, we’re talking North Dale Mabry. 🍔🍟

The newest Cook Out location just opened on North Dale Mabry, and I made it over yesterday before the crowds really had a chance to take over.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know my family has a history with Cook Out. We lived in North and South Carolina for a few years, and the kids basically grew up eating Cook Out whenever we were traveling through the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and beyond.

So seeing another location open here in Tampa is pretty cool.

I actually visited the USF-area Cook Out when it first opened a few weeks ago. It was absolutely slammed, and unfortunately, that visit just didn’t live up to the Cook Out experience we’ve had over the years. I didn’t post about it because I’ve already shared how much we enjoy Cook Out.

But this location is right in our area, so I wanted to give it another shot.

And this time...they nailed it.

The food was great.
The service was great.
And everything came together the way I expect from Cook Out.

I stuck with some trusted favorites this time around: the Big Double Burger with Cheese, loaded up, a Corn Dog, and Hush Puppies.

And honestly, The Tray is still one of the best deals on the menu. You get a lot of food for the price, and when everything is fresh and cooked right, it’s hard to beat.

This is also Cook Out’s 5th Florida location and the 3rd one my family has visited. We still haven’t made it to the Pensacola or Jacksonville locations, so we’ve got a couple more to check off the list.

Welcome to North Dale Mabry, Cook Out. 👊

Have you tried the new location yet? What’s your go-to Cook Out order?