We were actually on our way to Pal Campo (a favorite of ours) when we decided to make an impromptu stop at El Tablado, a place that's been on our list for a while. First impressions were good: the entrance, patio, and signage are lovely. The interior features a lot of wood, which fits the theme nicely. We were seated in the front room near the bar/register and, at the time, seemed to be the only customers. Our waiter was pleasant, though I did notice a few misspellings on the menu (e.g., "asparage" instead of asparagus, and "bacon" missing the 'b'). The Food: Jamón Croquetas: These were okay on their own but definitely relied heavily on the dipping sauce. As someone who loves croquetas (my gold standard is Isla de Canarias in Miami or my own homemade batch), I felt these were a bit too mushy and lacked independent flavor. Personally, I don't think a great croqueta needs a sauce to shine, but that's just my bias. Shrimp & Potato Balls (Camaronas?): We ordered the shrimp wrapped in shredded potato balls, served with sweet plantains (maduros) and asparagus wrapped in bacon. Visually, the dish was interesting and pleasing. However, the execution fell flat. The shrimp was bland and desperately needed seasoning. It came with a sauce that I couldn't quite place--it tasted overly seasoned, almost like they just mixed in Badía Sazón Completa. It tried to be sweet but ended up tasting strange; after three tries, I gave up on it. The sauce actually overwhelmed the dish rather than enhancing it. I would have much preferred the remoulade-style sauce from the croquetas. The Sides: The asparagus wrapped in bacon was listed as "saparagus bacon" on the receipt (maybe intentional, maybe not). The plantains were standard. The Atmosphere & Service: While the service was polite, it was a bit slow to get our order taken (though perhaps they were giving us space to decide, which is respectable). A bigger issue was the smoke. They were smoking wood chips in the front room for someone's sangria, and the smoke drifted directly to our table. It was quite bothersome, though luckily it happened right as we were finishing up. The Verdict: To be fair, the restaurant was clean, the service was okay, and the food looked decent on the plate. However, for the price point, I expected much better seasoning and flavor. The bland shrimp and the overpowering, strange sauces were a letdown. Unfortunately, El Tablado goes on my "do not return" list. We'll stick to Pal Campo for our next outing for a reliably better dining experience. Sorry, El Tablado, but this just wasn't for me. If you enjoy mildly seasoned food with "interesting" sauces at a higher price point, you might give it a try, but it's not our scene. I wish the team the best. read more

El Tablado - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

It is as ours first time at that restaurant. Inside doesn't have a lot of seating. It mostly outside patio seating. Service was good. Fast and friendly. Food was good. Nothing really to say "WoW " but still good taste and nice presentation on the plates. We got there around 5:30-5:45pm and till we left around 7 pm still wasn't no one besides us. I drive a lot by that restaurant and I saw often at late night pretty good crowd there. Maybe more people go there later at night. Big convenience parking also. read more

El Tablado - Deep fried red snapper with yuca fries and asparagus wrapped in bacon - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

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El Tablado Restaurant and Patio Bar is our new favorite restaurant. It's on Linebaugh, in between Anderson and Gunn. Everything we ordered was made fresh with so many creative ingredients. We had blackened snapper, grilled octopus, and the chicken soup. We are picky about our sangria and theirs is the best we have had in the Carrollwood area. The description read like a sweet fruit salad and it's nothing like that. Perfectly balanced and not sweet. They have a large patio and live music in the evening. We were there early on a Monday evening, and the only guests there. I'm hoping they are busier at other times. Please support them read more

El Tablado - Grilled snapper with bacon wrapped asparagus and side salad - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

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Service was nice but the food is mediocre. We shared a churrasco steak and for $45 we got two little slivers of steak. For those prices I will visit south tampa. read more

food was good and the vibe was even better. Patio setup is really nice and ggood for nights out with friends

The food was decent with good flavors, but nothing really stood out. Portions were fair, and service was okay but a bit slow.

Passing by from Busch Gardens and this restaurant looked nice so we stopped. Nice look, nice inside although small. They were about to play live music outside in the patio area. Polite service. We ordered drinks and then looked at the actual food menu, $45 for steak...$20 for ceviche that on the picture looks like a small portion, other meals $30. Only reasonable prices were the kids meals and some of the appetizers. We were 2 adults, a hungry teenager, and a young boy. Our check would've been around $200. For location and description of the quality of the food on reviews (which I saw afterwards), it's way too pricey. We paid for our drinks and left. Maybe one day if we feel like a couple's date we'll venture from Westchase all the way back there...or maybe we'll go to Berns or South Tampa... read more

Where to start... this is our 3rd time here in less than a month. Everything we have ordered so far has been excellent. My first trip I ordered breaded fish fillet with plantains with the bacon wrapped asparagus. Yum!!!! For starters ordered the pork belly and also the croquettes. Yum-Yum. Did I mention that they also have chocolate lava cake (note: if you want this you need to order it with your main course because it takes about 20-25 minutes to make). Anyway, my 2nd and 3rd time here I just had their burgers. The combination of meats used in the burger along with special seasonings make it just perfect. No condiments needed. Now they do have outside dining which is nice, downside is you hear all the road noise. Inside is also really nice. Love all of the live edge woodworks. Staff is very friendly and wants you to have a great experience. If the chef is there he will probably come out and visit for a while. read more

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The food was so-so. My New York steak was cold and full of fat. The tostones were salty. The maduros were from a frozen bag from a grocery store. The guacamole tasted like too much lime. It was freezing inside at 71 degrees. It was super noisy inside. The chairs could have used some sliders to decrease the noise. My husband's pork belly was overcooked extremely hard like a rock. He didn't eat it. The bill was over $114.00. I could have gone to Berns for the same money and much better quality steak. The service was ok. They left our water empty twice. read more

El Tablado - New York steak and tostones. - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

What's an awesome spot. Friendly staff and they speak both Spanish and English. This place is relax and casual yet intimate and romantic. Food was delicious. I started with the pulpo (octopus) with malanga (root vegetable) puree, it was delicious and surprisingly a larger portion size than I expected. For my entree i had the ribeye steak with bacon wrapped asparagus and vegetable. The cook on the steak was perfect and accompanied by an oil/butter that was great. I finished it off with a café con leche. It's Saturday night and as I was eating they were setting up the outside patio for love music. Great place to break out and dance salsa, bachata, merengue! Definitely coming back to try so many more dishes. Come check them out as they just opened a week ago. I believe they will be a new spot to bring a date or enjoy with family. read more

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El local es muy lindo y acogedor , el servicion fue bueno , lo malo es la relacion precio porcion , muy caro comparado con el promedio de otros similares , las porciones parecian para niños y super caro cualquier plato . Para celebrar cumpleaños no creo sea buena opcion y para repetir tampoco vale la pena read more

We were greeted with smiles at the entrance. The decor is clean, modern and beautiful. We had the Maduro Skewers for a starter. It was delicious. Plump maduros and juicy chicken with a tangy sauce. For the main entree we had the New York strip and the Avocado Grilled snapper. I WISH I had taken a picture but we were starving and it smelled amazing. Steak came out medium, juicy and seasoned to perfection. There was a chimichurri sauce but I dipped my yucca in it (yum). Our waitress recommended the bacon wrapped asparagus and I'm so glad she did. Delicious The snapper was perfectly cooked and was refreshing. Don't hesitate on trying this place out. I can't wait to come back at night, for a date night. read more

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Absolutely loved this place! The food was delicious, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Everything we ordered was fresh and full of flavor. The staff was friendly and made us feel right at home. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a great dining experience! read more

El Tablado - Squid ink pasta - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

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Went in with high hopes. The menu had great options and the pictures were very enticing. Went in on a Saturday night for dinner, it was a nice crowd and live music. The decor was nice and partly funky but like everything else I found in this restaurant, it was missing something. I started with a sangria which they had multiple options for; I went with the classic red. It was horrible. It tasted like watered down spoiled wine with no flavor at all. As soon as I taste it I tell the waitress and ask for a soda. My wife's wine was good. I ordered a steak medium and as you see in my picture it came out more rare, but still great flavor. The chimichurri also was not good at all. Tostones were frozen and potatoes tasteless. At this price point I expected better. My wife's was not much better. She ordered a grillled grouper in an avocado sauce. She couldn't find anything avocado about it at all saying tasted like mayonnaise. As a side she had malanga mash which was also bad with no flavor and weird consistency. Only thing she liked was the bacon wrapped asparagus. When we received the bill of course the sangria was still on there and when I asked the waitress she said it was bad but you ordered it. lol I said ok sure sarcastically and she came back and said she had it removed. Which brings me to the service. Very nice but you can tell completely inexperienced, very very slow, and didn't know menu. I'm not one to post many negative reviews but this was a let down. Felt more like eating at a catered event than a restaurant. read more

El Tablado - The Churrasco was the highlight of the meal though undercooked. The chimichurri was a let down. - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

The food was cold, tasted bad, and was very expensive. The only positive aspects were the friendly staff and the pleasant atmosphere. . read more

I love El Tablado. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is wonderful, with live music, and the staff makes you feel right at home. The food is delicious, and the portions are generous enough to satisfy you and even have leftovers to take home. I highly recommend it. read more

El Tablado - Dinner - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

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The food and the atmosphere was amazing! So was the service! Definitely recommend! Will for sure be coming back! read more

El Tablado - Churasco! - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

I've never written a bad review or many reviews in general, this is the first time I have ever disliked a restaurant. We went for Mother's Day and it was a complete disappointment. I felt so bad for my mom. The service was kinda bad, we barely saw our server in our time there, and I guess it makes sense since at the end we saw that the service fee was included (18%) . It took more than two hours for us two when the restaurant was almost empty. Also, the server did not mention they don't do free refills and we ended up paying $16 dollars because one glass of lemonade was 8 dollars. We ordered the Caribbean Ceviche to start. It took forever and when it did arrive it looked like the plantain chips that came with it were store bought so no idea why we had to wait so long. It tasted okay, nothing great but we ate it all because at that point we were super hungry. The worst part though was my mom's lobster pasta. Even in Applebees' fettuccini Alfredo has some flavor. This one was just completely bland. How does one manage to mess up pasta so much to the point it has no flavor? Anyway, the server did offer to have them remake it but we didn't want to wait another thirty minutes so my mom took it home to make it better but I don't think there's anyway to save it. The only good part was the love music. But either way, would not recommend. Stay away! read more

El Tablado - Lobster Pasta - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

A few weeks ago I ordered the pork belly chicharrones to go. $20. Which they tasted great, light golden crisp and meaty. Today I ordered the same thing but it looked darker and overcooked, the meat was tough And chewy and what seems to be cooked in old oil which left us disappointed. I also ordered side of jamón croquetas which they were small Considering regular normal sizes that we're all used to eating and 9.25 for tiny croquetas? C,mon. The prices are a bit extreme for the quantity and quality of food imo. I like to support local business but Not being consistent with your food is disappointing. The atmosphere looks pretty cool but charging almost berns steakhouse prices. Yikes Even after looking at the negative reviews from 2 months ago om google, you would think things would change....but no. read more

Why would I rate a brand new restaurant on an otherwise unremarkable street that opened with no fanfare a FIVE Star? Because it is amazing, that's why! So, this location has been other restaurants before / I don't recall the specifics as they were unremarkable. We live nearby and have been quietly stalking to see what was coming next - and recently, El Tablado opened. We decided to give it a try on a Friday evening but came early just so we could ensure we wouldn't be rushed or during the crowd. Sit down and savor these pictures because I'm telling you, the food was absolutely amazing. I love the blend of flavors and the fact they include so many seafood options. We chose to sit on the open air patio as it was bit of a cool Florida evening and we loved the atmosphere. Also, I love the fact the head Chef came out to greet us and spend some time interacting with us beyond just a simple query of how is the food. The chef's table type character of restaurants is rare to find these days. Grateful it is close to home and looking forward to many more evenings enjoying this delicious food. read more

El Tablado - Pork belly app - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

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Amazing Experience & Food. My wife and I were joined by our adult children for our anniversary dinner(6 of us). Started with the complimentary appetizer with a salsa that had us ready to lick the bowl. Added a guacamole appetizer which was also good. Main food items we ordered were steaks, ribs and fish. Steaks were perfectly done - NY, Ribeye and Churrasco. The churrasco is unique and a taste you are unlikely to have had before. The ribs were meaty and delightful. The fish was breaded and presented very well. Desserts - a cheese cake like I have never had before with tastes that make you reach for another bite. The same with a lava cake which had a chocolate that my son-in-law felt was the best chocolate he has had. Both come out in a closed container and when open give a waft of steam/smoke which makes the whole experience great. As a bonus, the sangria is great. Only downside is the inside seating is not super comfortable. The ambiance is a dressed-up, woodie vibe which feels very clean and crisp. The food is so good that you tend to forget the rest. read more

El Tablado - NY Steak - Caribbean Near Me - Greater Northdale, Florida

A location that is easy to miss but food that is hard to resist! We will be back. Tasty sangria, great attention to detail in food preparation, authentic flavors, interesting menu and nice portions. Great service from Henry and a friendly staff. Live music on Friday when we were dining. Give El Tablado a try. read more

Overpriced, place doesn't even have a full bar, not enough seating inside for big groups. Food is decent, but scattered everywhere (a fusion of different foods, no speciality), there are better places to dine. Anyone who posts 4/5 star ratings, are really getting their meals comped or close friends and family. Anything's looks better in social media, save your time and go to other places dining. It's a wallet trap!!! read more

I would no eat at these restaurant again prices are crazy for the hard and cold food they give you they charge you for even breathing in there. The food on a rate 1-10 was a 2.5 the service is the only reason why I decided to stay in I felt bad for the lady I even left a tip even do I didn't like the food just a waste of money would not recommend at all. read more

El Tablado is an absolute delight! I appreciated all the handmade wood seating and decorations that mirrors traditional Honduran architecture. We loved everything we ordered! The octopus was tender and presented in a very tasty creamy puree. The grilled beef medallions were juicy and flavorful. I would also recommend the lobster bites either for a meal or an app for the table. My family also enjoyed the croquettes. The staff was warm and attentive. The care and attention to detail in every dish truly set El Tablado apart. We can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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This restaurant is absolutely amazing! The service, atmosphere and food are spot on! The night we went there was live music and we were treated absolutely amazing! This little place is a must try!!!! read more

The only good thing was the service. Our waitress was very nice however the food wasn't. We order some chicharrones "pork cracklings" they were the worse we ever try. Let's put it this way jello will be crispy in comparison. We also order a ceviche. That was ok. Nothing great but also nothing wrong. As my experience with the chicharrones was so bad we decided to ask for simple entries to avoid another frustration. I order a fish sandwich that was ok but the bread was crumbly and old at the same time if that is even possible . Wife order a soup that was ok. Now where i struggle the most. Is when i realize the worst chicbarobes ever cost me 20+ dollars ouch. So the place is new j may try one more time to be fair. However for now they score very low read more

Expensive - the food is not bad, but pretty average, considering the price. The service was not bad, however, it was not very busy either. The establishment looks nice, it's just located right on Gunn Hwy. we sat outside and it wasn't beautiful to sit in front of a busy road. It is also located in a commercial/warehouse area. Our experience was not bad, but we will not be going back. read more

I was very excited to come to this restaurant after viewing the instagram page. I gave 2 stars for presentation of the food and the entertainment. The food and drinks were very disappointing. I had the shrimp Tequila which was really bland tomato sauce with lime and cold shrimp and no tequila flavor and the Sangria was watered down. read more

Well, before anything I will thank them for accommodating 14 of us. We had our Mother's Day early dinner there. Their phones don't work. We called all day Friday to get a res, my dad had to drive there a day before to set it up. Bad start. I understand it was a busy day and it was a lot of us. I won't complain about the service too much but they did seem a little overwhelmed assisting us. I got my beer and that was the only drink I got. Not a lot of attention at least to my side. That being said, the ambience was ok. Place was clean and is new, so it was fine, nothing fancy, just adequately decorated. Now, the food.... Abismal. Honestly some of the worst I've eaten especially for the premium prices they are charging. I tried EVERYONES dish, all 12 adults disliked what we ordered. The fish my wife ordered was overcooked and lacked flavor, the sautéed vegetables were almost raw, and her yuca fries were bland and hard. The ceviche you could tell had been sitting for HOURS as it had overcooked in the now bitter lime, and had that bad "fishy" taste. The octopus is NOTHING like the picture, no sear, weird gamey taste, on top of overcooked mashed potatoes (the "chimichurri" tasted like it was rotten). My chicken was dry and over limed with what seemed like an after thought of a tomato sauce on top. It came with potatoes that were almost raw in the middle. Everyone in my family said the food was horrible and will not come back. What seemed promising as a "grill" was nothing of the sorts. Disappointed 3 generations of a family with one meal. Would not recommend unless the fire that cook. read more

Service-the staff was very friendly. Unfortunately service staff needs more training. No silverware at table where we sat, no water brought out. Came took our during order and asked if we wanted a starter. All were over $20 bucks so we ordered the croquettes for $9 bucks. Entrees were pretty pricy as well . My husband ordered blackened fish and sides were tiny , fish was salty. My fish sandwich was tasty. Fries were ok. Not coming back. Will try out other new spots to try. read more

This looked promising. Then it started with bad service. Waitress smiled super nice, but did not speak one word English and was always on the phone. Although there were just 4 guests, food took 40 minutes! It looked very nice but fish was chevy like rubber. Then some guest or business partner was arguing loud next to me with an employee almost spitting into my foo. Food is also overpriced. 45$ for a 10 ounce steak, for 10$ more i can go to a good all you can eat brazilian churrascaria. So first and last time at that place. read more

Delicious from the appetizers to the desserts. Amazing flavors and presentation. Ribs, steaks, sides, fish, all done expertly and as fresh takes. Cheesecake and lava cake were superb. Can't wait to come back and try everything else on the menu! read more

First visit today and everything was fantastic. We tried a few different dishes including lobster , steak and octopus. Everything was delicious . Staff was very friendly and gave us great suggestions. read more

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Love the food, love the service, love the setting. Everything about this restaurant is spectacular. I recommend to anyone and everyone.

Great staff, great food,great ambiance. Perfect for the whole family to share and have an amazing time.

The Octopus was delicious, the service with Julio was perfect and the vibe of the place so nice. I will continue coming with family and friends. read more