It was a night of wine, Chicken Parmesan, cannoli and wonderful Italian restaurant smells Friday night in Oldsmar as I checked out the new Mandola's Italian Kitchen.  I haven't had a chance to check out the Tampa or Riverview locations yet, but word spread fast in Oldsmar about this opening.  Thanks to Shawn Tegtmeyer and the staff for inviting us over to check out their creations! Let's eat! 

It was a night of wine, Chicken Parmesan, cannoli and wonderful Italian restaurant smells Friday night in Oldsmar as I checked out the new Mandola's Italian Kitchen.  I haven't had a chance to check out the Tampa or Riverview locations yet, but word spread fast in Oldsmar about this opening.  Thanks to Shawn Tegtmeyer and the staff for inviting us over to check out their creations! Let's eat!

Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time. #GenoAteTampa began as a hashtag so I could quickly point listeners to places I've recommended on my Tampa radio show and social media channels.  Now, "Geno Ate Tampa" has become the chronicles of my never-ending quest for great burgers, sweet and sour chicken, buffalo wings, fajitas, chicken parmesan, pizza, apple pastries, cheesesteak, grouper nuggets, french fries, lobster rolls and ice cream in the Tampa Bay area.  And that's just what I have for breakfast.

Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time. #GenoAteTampa began as a hashtag so I could quickly point listeners to places I've recommended on my Tampa radio show and social media channels.&nbsp; Now, "Geno Ate Tampa" has become the chronicles of my never-ending quest for great burgers, sweet and sour chicken, buffalo wings, fajitas, chicken parmesan, pizza, apple pastries, cheesesteak, grouper nuggets, french fries, lobster rolls and ice cream in the Tampa Bay area.&nbsp; And that's just what I have for breakfast.

Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time.

Geno Ate Tampa

Chicken Parmesan, Wine, Meatballs, Gelato and Cannoli at Mandola's Italian Kitchen in Oldsmar

There are not a lot of great Italian restaurants in Florida.  So when one pops up, it's worthy of a podcast episode.  This particular one is located in Clearwater where there are so few good restaurants.  It just opened about a month ago and you've gotta check it out if you're a chicken parm lover like me.  Vinny Fortunato has opened his new restaurant Antico Fornaio.  

There are not a lot of great Italian restaurants in Florida.  So when one pops up, it's worthy of a podcast episode.  This particular one is located in Clearwater where there are so few good restaurants.  It just opened about a month ago and you've gotta check it out if you're a chicken parm lover like me.  Vinny Fortunato has opened his new restaurant Antico Fornaio.

I think I found my new favorite spot for Chicken Parmesan in Florida

Florida still doesn’t have an In-N-Out. So you can’t get a Double Double Animal Style. So what are the best fast food burgers you can order at the drive thru for lunch today if you live around here? A new USA Today ranking is out and here are 7 of Florida’s best fast food burgers. I think the most surprising thing is who’s NOT on their list.

McDonald’s, certainly the most consumed burgers in Florida, has NO picks on USA Today’s top 10. Not even the Big Mac. Also not on the list? Wendy’s! Of the fast food chains, those are probably the two most visited Florida burger joints, but neither made the list. I would argue that Shake Shack deserves to be on this list way more than USA Today’s #7 pick.

Florida still doesn’t have an In-N-Out. So you can’t get a Double Double Animal Style. So what are the best fast food burgers you can order at the drive thru for lunch today if you live around here? A new <a href="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-fast-food-burger-2024/">USA Today</a> ranking is out and here are 7 of Florida’s best fast food burgers. I think the most surprising thing is who’s NOT on their list.
McDonald’s, certainly the most consumed burgers in Florida, has NO picks on USA Today’s top 10. Not even the Big Mac. Also not on the list? Wendy’s! Of the fast food chains, those are probably the two most visited Florida burger joints, but neither made the list. I would argue that Shake Shack deserves to be on this list way more than USA Today’s #7 pick.

USA Today's 7 Best Fast Food Burgers in Florida

Pizza is on everyone's mind lately because Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports was recently in Tampa trying different pizza places.  Among the ones he tried was my favorite spot for the best pizza in Florida: Cristino's in Clearwater.  I don't know what score Portnoy gave Cristino's, but it got me in the mood for a Margarita with extra sauce because I hadn't dropped by in a while.

When I pulled in, there were dozens waiting for a table.  That's always a good sign.  I posted the photo on my Instagram and Facebook of everyone waiting in the parking lot and mentioned that these people don't need Dave Portnoy's endorsement.  They know Cristino's Pizza is worth the wait.  In the comments, most listeners backed me up - but a few instead suggested other pizzas.  And that's where I made my crucial mistake.

There's nothing worse than getting your hopes up about trying a new pizza someone is raving about... and the pizza is just underwhelming.  I made the big mistake I don't often make yesterday.  In those comments, a listener suggested a popular pizza spot in Largo that I had never tried.  I'd heard of it and initially I thought I'd even tried it.  But when I looked them up online, I realized I had not been there... and since I was in the area yesterday, I dropped by.  After 4 or 5 bites, I got angry with myself.  I broke my rule.  I forgot to ask the guy who recommended this place 2 important questions before I took his suggestion seriously.

Pizza is on everyone's mind lately because Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports was recently in Tampa trying different pizza places.  Among the ones he tried was my favorite spot for the best pizza in Florida: Cristino's in Clearwater.  I don't know what score Portnoy gave Cristino's, but it got me in the mood for a Margarita with extra sauce because I hadn't dropped by in a while.
When I pulled in, there were dozens waiting for a table.  That's always a good sign.  I posted the photo on my Instagram and Facebook of everyone waiting in the parking lot and mentioned that these people don't need Dave Portnoy's endorsement.  They know Cristino's Pizza is worth the wait.  In the comments, most listeners backed me up - but a few instead suggested other pizzas.  And that's where I made my crucial mistake. There's nothing worse than getting your hopes up about trying a new pizza someone is raving about... and the pizza is just underwhelming.  I made the big mistake I don't often make yesterday.  In those comments, a listener suggested a popular pizza spot in Largo that I had never tried.  I'd heard of it and initially I thought I'd even tried it.  But when I looked them up online, I realized I had not been there... and since I was in the area yesterday, I dropped by.  After 4 or 5 bites, I got angry with myself.  I broke my rule.  I forgot to ask the guy who recommended this place 2 important questions before I took his suggestion seriously.

Chicken Parmesan, Wine, Meatballs, Gelato and Cannoli at Mandola's Italian Kitchen in Oldsmar

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