This mini-market with a bustling lunch counter is an iconic South Tampa institution. Breakfast…read morewith scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, sausage, and other items (hamburger gravy was offered last I was there and it was pretty big time). Lunch includes chicken and friend fish. People were getting liver and onions which may be a specialty? I think they do daily specials. Staff is always helpful and friendly. It always seems to be busy. There are also people standing around outside, sometimes shouting at friends or passing cars, so it's def a place to see and be seem with a boisterous feel. This institution is in South St. Pete. A candy store opened by it in 2024. It's across from a community center named for St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch and a thrift store. Traffik Jam a Jamaican eatery is in the same strip. This is the African American section of St. Pete. Heavy's, the Woodsen Museum, Lorene's for seafood, and Big C's for BBQ especially their chopped chicken special are also worth checking out. War hero and inventor John F. Chase's gravesite is nearby. Blue Nile is another awesome lunch counter place in the area and a little more relaxed and comfy. But you can't go wrong here! I have survived every visit so far. Cultural experience and great, delicious, rich food among friends and neighbors.

Started going here a few years ago for their breakfasts. Full breakfast w/ eggs, grits or taters,…read moremeat & biscuit is $4 - $5. I just discovered their delish wings. When they have the wings on the menu - buy 20. Not smothered in Louisiana hot sauce, but full of flavor. Their fried fish is also very good & I'm not a big fish guy.

I stopped by Heavy's right as they were opening one Sunday morning right as they were opening. A…read morecouple people were in line and the staff greeted me in a friendly manner. I ordered the yams, collard greens, turkey legs, yellow rice, and cornbread came with it. Everything was delicious!! I first tried Heavy's several years ago (pre-pandemic) when they stopped by my apartment complex and I couldn't believe how good the food was. I lost track of where they were located for a while and so happy when I found out they were still established in Tampa Bay. It's a drive for me to get to St. Pete but so worth it! I can't wait to try their other options next time I'm in the area. Also, their price compared to the portion size is very good!

Support your locals (even when you're out of town):…read more A local recommended Heavy's to me and I went three days in a row! I took some photos of what I had that I feel speak for themselves. The people serving you are genuine and everything is made daily. The story of how they got started is also very touching. If you're visiting St. Pete it's worth it!

Many years ago, when we lived in Atlanta Georgia my family had an absolute favourite spot to dine…read more That place was called Po Folks. It had family style meals on long tables that felt like you joined multiple families at a big feast. We were giant fans of their fried chicken and their hush puppies. Unfortunately, like so many restaurants Po Folks closed their doors forever and our favourite dining place became only a memory. That was until we visited my sister in Saint Petersburg, Florida. While looking for a local restaurant, lo and behold, we found a Po folks! Upon further investigation we found that there are five Po Folks restaurants still in existence and except for the Saint Petersburg location all are in northern Florida. With our expectations off the chart, understanding that memories are often better than the actual events, we visited the Saint Petersburg's Po Folks Restaurant. Although the decor was somewhat different (not as large and the old white and blue chequered design is now red and white), we're happy to report that the food was just as good. The Service: Our server was delightful and happy to hear about our previous experience. She made sure our new experience was just as delightful with our glasses always full and our every request fulfilled in a timely manner. The ambiance.: Po folks is set up to feel like a family dining picnic. Designed to feel like a family dining picnic, it's feel is quite a change from the typical Metro Restaurant experience. The design matches the type of 'cookin' and friendly service to a tee. The food: How we initially found the Saint Petersburg Po Folks came about by a challenge we have faced since our move to Florida and that is finding a well-made whole catfish. In Texas there were many restaurants that offered whole (not filets) catfish to choose from. Not in Florida where we have not found a single restaurant that offers whole catfish. But lo and behold, Po Folks came up when we made our "whole catfish" search. Although not quite as large a catfish as what we are used to in Texas, the catfish was delightfully moist and flaky and easily came off the bone. The fried chicken and fried okra were just as fantastic as we remembered and the hush puppies were moist and a bit sweet, just as we love them. We also tried their lemonade which was well balanced (not too tart or too sweet.). We're sad that there is no Po Folks down in the south Florida area but as my sister said "we'll now be seeing a lot more of you, just be sure to stop in and visit with us along with your visit to Po folks."

The food was fantastic! The food came out very quickly for a party of more than 30. I had the…read moreblackened fish samwich which I would eat again. The sweet tea isn't so sweet. The service was great. It feels like home inside. The bathrooms were clean although still older. I definitely would come back to try more food and recommend anyone to eat here. I was very satisfied.

Amazing Bbq.Defintley a take out place. The prices were amazing. Best BBQ. We get it and bring it…read morehome. Pretty fast also.

Place is LEGIT. Best BBQ spot I've found in St Pete. Friendly guy that takes the orders and talked…read moreme through the entire menu. And not to forget, the deserts are the SHIT. I'd eat here everyday if I wouldn't gain weight

Like a lot of people, I've driven past Side Door Deli plenty of times, noticed the signage, and…read morethought, I need to check that place out. I'm a sucker for a good NY-style deli, so I finally made the trip. It's a little out of my way from the south side, but I'm glad I made the effort. Side Door Deli is tucked into an office complex, which sounds a little strange for a deli, but once you're inside, you'd never know it. The place is clean, comfortable, and has none of that "office building restaurant" feeling. I went with the Reuben, getting both corned beef and pastrami on marbled rye. Naturally, I paired it with a Dr. Brown's root beer. The sandwich was good, although I thought they were a little light on the meat. The meat is Boar's Head, so don't expect the kind of enormous, overstuffed deli sandwich you might get at some old-school New York joints. They have a pretty impressive selection of sides, and everything is made in-house. I went with the macaroni salad, which surprisingly had carrots in it. Not exactly what I was expecting in my macaroni salad, but it actually worked and was pretty darn good. The service was excellent. Everyone was extremely friendly, and the proprietor even came by personally to check on me and make sure everything was OK. He asked if it was my first time visiting, and he gave me my drink "on the house". That kind of personal attention goes a long way. A couple of things to know before you make the trip: they're closed Sundays and close at 3 PM during the week, so this is definitely more of a lunch spot than somewhere you're going to grab dinner, but they do serve breakfast in the mornings, so keep that in mind. Overall, Side Door Deli is a good little neighborhood deli that's worth checking out if you're in the area. I'd like to make it back and try some of their other sandwiches and sides. Good food, friendly people, clean spot. Just get there before 3.

Date of Visit: 03/112026 1:30pm…read more I have driven by this place dozens of times and just didn't take the time to stop because it was the weekend. On this day (Wednesday) I found myself working from home and said to my self, "Self, today we eat at the Side Door Deli". As I pulled in from Central I could see the lot was busy but spots were available. I believe I entered thru the front door, but as I looked the place over I could see "The Side Door". My order for today was to go and a nice lady was there ready to take it. I looked the menu over and decided on the "Kevin" a corned beef, lettuce and tomato club with Russian dressing. I had a slice of cheese on mine. With it I got the potato salad. Under $14 with a 12oz drink. Having only a short wait, I received my order and made my way home, could not wait. I have been waiting a long time to find this type of deli / luncheonette place to eat. Opening the box it came in, it was put together right. I first hit the potato salad first and it was awesome. Just the right amount zing. Now it's Kevin's turn...Wow, this is my new go place for a club. I wasn't sure if I wanted it toasted or not and the nice lady taking my order said,"lightly". I says yes. Next time full toast. I totally recommend this place, won't be disappointed. And I do see they are open on Saturdays. Breakfast? Peace.

For was incredible! Delicious and very reasonably priced…read more Our waitress, Red, was fantastic. She was very welcoming and attentive. A complete sweetheart. We will be looking for her on every upcoming trip out. Restaurant was very friendly and the ambiance was warm.

Had breakfast here this morning and Kevin was our server. Great diner food and quick service with a…read moresmile. I ordered bananas with my pancake and there were like 4 slices but as they put it down Kevin was already on it to get more lol Hubby got shrimp n grits and said they were delicious with creamy grits but needed a bit of seasoning. We shared the pancake and it's definitely huge but I wouldn't say it's a hubcap unless it's a small tire. Nice flavor, average pancake overall. Egg platter with white cheese grits and wheat toast. Again pretty decent but average overall. Quick trip here and I'd come back.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I am very picky with breakfast food, and try to avoid…read moreplaces with added preservatives, batch pre made food and mediocre entrees. This place was far beyond my expectations. This place blew me away. Seriously. The outside is a bit deceiving, it seems like your everyday middle of the road breakfast restaurant but the food is actually so well made with lots of love and care and super fresh. The avocado toast and everything else on the menu is made to order, and most of the kitchen items are made completely from scratch. The prices are unbeatable and it's everything I wanted and needed this morning. Service was wonderful and very quick and ambiance is quiet and relaxing. Every time we come to visit this town, we will get breakfast here :) try their French toast and avocado toast!!

I seem to be in the minority, but I found it too loud (acoustics?) and my friend and I could not…read morehear each other, pretty pricey - they don't skimp but I don't want leftovers and would prefer lower prices / less food. The fake butter was a big no for me. The bench in my booth was too far from the table. I don't think I would go back. For me, I would rather go to an actual diner and pay less or a quieter restaurant.

Enjoyed my mom's Birthday here.She had a snow crab cluster & a shrimp tray & I had a fried talapia…read moresandwich w/fries. Everything was good & fresh. The food took soooooo long to come out but it was all good!

This was the worst barbecue I had in my life. Could barely chew it. I ordered online and they gave…read moreme some incorrect items. For instance I ordered greens and instead I got potato salad. The sides of Potato salad and baked beans was the best part of the meal. I won't be ordering from here ever again and suggest that others don't either.