This used to be a childhood staple of mine. I stopped in today to get a cuban sandwich, and decided to leave without one. The building was dark and empty no employees to help us, it was unorganized and had a faint smell. I didn't like the ambiance in there... we left and went to Cuban sandwich shop around the corner. read more

This place is disgusting! I used too come here all the time as it was a nice little spot, the Indian people bought it and it's selling vapes and cigs and lotto scratch offs and the food is horrible, it's pretty smelly and dirty too, nothing is organized and it's super dirty people have a thick accent so I can't understand them when checking out either terrible service. read more

I hope they get back on their feet again after the fire. I look forward to seeing a deli. Please update a recent menu, so customers know the prices. Good cuban pressed. Convenient to area. read more

Trash! I've been coming here for years but I won't anymore. The Cubans use to be the best Cubans in tampa hands down but after they came under new management they are straight garbage. The Cubans use to be piled high with ham, pork and salami now it's all bread. The meats and cheese they use now days are a lower quality and it's not worth the money. I really do hope they can turn it around but as of now I won't be back there for a long time. Save yourself the haste and go to Publix. read more

I stopped by Forest Hills Grocery because someone told me that the Cuban sandwiches were authentic. There was a long line at the deli counter and I was sort of in a hurry, so I grabbed one of the pre-made grab-and-go sandwiches that were stacked above eye level on the counter. I was in and out pretty quickly, but color me unimpressed. The bread was ok, but the ham was obviously of the cheaper variety and the cheese tasted processed. One of my pet peeves when ordering sandwiches is I DO NOT like for other people to put my condiments on. There was so much mustard and mayonnaise on the sandwich that it literally squirted out between the bread. I did kick myself for being in to much of a hurry to ask for my sandwich to be pressed. If I do try anther sandwich from Forest Hills Grocery, I will skip the pre-mades and be sure to wait in line with everyone else. read more

Forest Hills Grocery - Grocery Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Finally stopped by this little grocery today and I wasn't disappointed. My daughter and I were looking for a non chain sandwich shop and I remembered Forest Hills grocery. It is a small grocery that makes sandwiches and has a big dessert case. I ordered an Italian. A little pricey, but huge portions.The bread was fresh. The meat was fresh and the fixins were.....fresh. My daughter had a BLT, which was equally FRESH. Don't let the shopping center deter you. The sandwiches are great. They also have really good.looking Chef and Greek salads and Pressed Cubans. They do a huge to go buisness. read more

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I'm 5 th generation in Tampa & at 62 yrs old this tired nurse knows a good Cuban & like always forest hills made a Cuban sandwich I can co-sign as one of the best! The customer service was stellar & when I called the phone was promptly answered. We've been coming here for decades & will continue as this sandwich was great!! As was my hubby's Italian sandwich. read more

Forest Hills Grocery - Cuban sandwich - Grocery Near Me - Tampa, Florida

For the past 22 years we've driven by this place at least twice a day. And it used to be really good - especially for the prices. The parking lot was almost always packed and they did a solid business. Then it was sold. Sold to someone with an attitude of "I don't care about you" and a CHEAP mentality. And since then, the quality (and quantity of ingredients in the sandwiches) have gone way downhill while the prices have increased $1 to $2 per sandwich. How does that make sense?! Their grocery-styled fresh meat section has lost a lot of variety, again while prices have gone up and quality dumped in the crapper. Is it any cleaner? No. Friendlier? No. They got rid of many of the happy / smiling team members and replaced them with people (and a culture of people) that don't seem to know how to smile, say hello, say thank you, etc. Better food / higher quality? Hell no! We figured it out - our office staff (8 people) purchased lunch there 75 times a year. Average ticket: $50. $50 x 75= $3,750. Now - they'll be lucky to get 6 purchases a year, and that must be when everyone is desperate. $50 x 6=$300. I'll personally never go back and neither will my wife after the owner (or perhaps manager) has ignored her several times. We are proponents and customers of locally-owned businesses and much prefer "mom and pops" to chains, big brands, etc. We don't wish harm on anyone, and in this case we don't have to. They have quite the propensity to create all the adverse reviews that are now here on Yelp. Forest Hills Grocery: YOU SUCK. YOUR ATTITUDE SUCKS. And until you change, we won't be back. Guaranteed. Prospective "customers" of Forest Hills Grocery: You've been honestly and fairly warned. Caveat emptor. read more

love this beautiful place it's small and perfect ! I'm never disappointed and I mean that , everyone has there own opinion based on a bad or good day either or on my worst or best days I come here and I even joy every bit of the food . this deli is part of my childhood memory ! read more

Awesome sandwiches! I've been getting their Cuban sandwiches for years and never tire of them

The prices are way to high for these sorry sandwiches. Even the stuffed potato ball and deviled crab were cold and undercooked, just sitting in the warmer. This place used to have really good sandwiches but since the owners changed, the passion that went into these sammies just isn't slapping. Don't waste your money on this spot, find another one. Literally only could go here because my other order was cancelled and this place is close to the house. AND EVEN THEN I want to throw up the food I just ingested. FIND ANOTHER SAMMIE SPOT. read more

Forest Hills Cuban Deli is a staple in my neighborhood as well as everyone's lives. The customer service has changed because new people are being trained to work there, there's new management, and all around craziness. The sandwiches are amazing! People complain that the prices are changing but don't realize that so are the prices in most places. They have deals for students that they didn't have when I was a student and would visit the deli, and I'm so proud of them. They're growing into the times as well as their spacing. I'm proud to call this deli my personal favorite. However, wait times are a bummer, especially during lunch rush. Call before 11am and your sandwich WILL be ready for your lunch break, teachers. read more

This place was recently purchased. They used to have the best cuban sandwiches. Got some today and noticed 2 things: 1. They are now scrimping on ingredients, especially the meat 2. They have raised the prices. The small (regular) now costs what their super cubans used to sell for From now on, I'll be going to the Cuban Sandwich Shop on Florida Ave. Sad that the new owners couldn't leave well enough alone. read more

Local corner store/deli variety meats, cheeses, and chips with the best sandwiches, corner of North Boulevard/Armenia, Forest Hills district. Tan, egg shell, strips inter-mingle on faux  linoleum floors, wood grained. 70's styled wood paneled walls encircle the room and open kitchen. Whitewashed pipe thrust through the stained white suspended cork ceilings. We'll have a 12 inch turkey Cuban, all the way, drizzled with chipotle southwestern, banana peppers and jalapenos on half. Monetary sacrifice from $ to $$ read more

If you live close enough to use this place as your walking distance or "I don't want to drive all the way to Publix" grocery store, perhaps it's more like four stars from a convenience perspective. Or, if you visit during slow hours, perhaps three stars because their sandwiches use freshly sliced deli meat; not what Subway serves that's been sitting around for a day. Other than that, Forest Hills Grocery is the dictionary definition of inefficiency and lack of planning and management, so so prices, no real redeeming qualities. I live close by, so I tend to go in for lunch from time to time. Sometimes I just really want a deli sandwich so I suffer though this process. Their sandwiches are great from a deli meat perspective. They're fresh, typically they give you a pretty hefty helping and most sandwiches fall in the $5 to $7 range. They have hoagies too if you prefer a ton of bread. Where they fall short on a sandwich perspective is toppings; those are fairly limited outside of your common ones like lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, onions, etc. Garlic? No. Spicy mustard? Nope. Oil & vinegar? Nope. Jalapenos? Nope. They can toast the sandwiches though so there's that. Other than sandwiches, they do have a full assortment of essential grocery items like pasta, canned fish, soup, sauces, a very small assortment of produce, and a full selection of beef, etc. The place is not particularly clean, so your mileage may vary on whether your significant other drags you back out of the place. It's been there a long time and very clearly shows it. Sometimes you see less than ideal things, such as deli meat and cheeses randomly stacked on parts of the prep line you didn't expect to find them. Or sandwiches left in the press for five or ten minutes. Or pricing stickers applied across the part of the soda can you drink from, along with dirt. Now, here's what you need to know if you're ordering to-go at lunch time: 1) Plan to waste at least 20 minutes of your day from turning your car off to turning it back on. The reason for this is because the person who takes your order will handle your order from start to finish. There will typically be from three to six people performing this job function and they'll all be constantly stepping on each other and bumping into each other while trying to get at the same area of the prep line in very cramped quarters. For example, if one person has 20 of the same thing to make for a big order and they need an ingredient for each item from each of five places on the prep line, well, they're going to go up and down the line over and over getting those ingredients. The staff won't join together to put one thing on and pass it down to the next person; that would make way too much sense. Instead they'll create five times more work to ensure nothing gets done quickly. Also expect to hear them bitching about when their five minute smoke break is coming; apparently during lunch rush each employee gets a five minute smoke allocation to ensure they have enough nicotine to make it through till 1pm. 2) Once you're inside, the place has random hand written signs, printed signs, stickers and everything else scattered all over the counters, aisles, hanging from the ceiling, etc. Some of these may be important, so waste your time looking at all of them so you don't make the mistake of doing something you shouldn't and being forced to start over. 3) If you see patrons randomly standing around, they may be in one of three states; waiting to order, waiting to pay, waiting for food they've paid for. You'll have absolutely no way of knowing what state of progress these people are in, so you should ask or you could lose your place in the line that may or may not exist and may or may not be obvious. Look for people with plastic bags in their hands; those are typically the ones who have already paid. 4) About a year ago, they did add a hanging sign from the ceiling that says "Order Deli Here"; it only took them "32 years in business" (which the owner loves to mention) to add that sign, but because the line forms in front of the same counter you order meat from, you have no way of knowing if someone is or isn't in line for deli until you ask everyone reasonably close to the sign. 5) If you attempt to order from a location not near the deli ordering sign, there are three possible outcomes. A nice employee who knows there is no line will take your order anyway, probably ruining your next visit when you attempt to do the same thing again. A grizzled employee who looks and talks like they smoke about a pack a day will yell at you for not getting in the line you couldn't tell existed because people are standing everywhere. A customer will yell at you for cutting the line even though they were nowhere near the sign that you missed because there are random signs everywhere. 6) Order deli sandwiches from under the ceiling mounted sign; see above if confused. read more

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When I want a amazing sandwich from a amazing deli I come here! These guys don't hold back on the meat at all. If you ask me I say the meat they use is just as good as boar's head lunch meat if not better. It also helps that their Cuban bread is brought in fresh daily! If your not a sandwich person it's okay they have other things on the menu such as salads,crab cakes,wraps etc.. You can also get out the door without going broke witch is a plus. Most of the time and for sure on the weekends you may have to wait a bit. These guys do get really busy and it's not the biggest store but I promise you it's worth the wait. They do take call in orders so if your getting more then a couple things I'd suggest calling ahead to miss long lines. With all that being said you'd think they earned a five start but no there is a few small problems. One I use come here when I was younger well over 18 years ago and the place hasn't been updated since. Everything has a very old look to it and they can really use a good cleaning. That's the only thing I can find that's bad about this place. I'll always continue to visit these guys for a sandwich and I highly suggest you try them as well. read more

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My son ordered via the uber app from this place. I told my son I think we should just go there to pick it up, but he said mom it's raining really bad. We ordered 2 salads, 2 Cuban toast , a kids rib meal, and a sandwich. After my son placed the order they called and said they currently out of ribs, (it's 11 o'clock in the morning, but ok ) so i ordered the chicken wings. Well 30 so minutes later we received the sandwich and the kids plate. My son called to ask what happend to the rest of our order, they said the person who took the order to the Uber driver forgot to all the food together. Now my issues is you called to tell us that you were out of ribs, but you didn't call to say that you only sent partial of our order. Now they did refund our money , once we called, but we don't want the money we wanted the food. ...... The wings were pretty good, macaroni n cheese was ok but my son enjoyed the sandwich. Please check the bags before sending the order out please. read more

I really want to like this place but every single one of the 7 times i have had food from this place i have gotten food poisoning. The food (sandwiches, potato salad, cubans) has always been good but i cant continue to try a place where I have had the same result without fail over and over. read more

Came in for a Cuban, tried to sell me a pre made Cuban sitting on the counter instead of making one from scratch. I asked for extra Mayo, and I was charged .75 for that. 1/10 would not recommend!! read more

New owners do not care at all about the quality of the food. I ordered the rancher and there is hardly any meat in the sandwich anymore. They replaced the fresh meat case with Restaurant Depot thaw and eat desserts. Label them as "fresh" Seriously ruined this Tampa icon, sad to see.... read more

A very solid corner store in the Forest Hills neighborhood, within easy walking distance of the Babe Zaharia golf course. I love their blondes and Cuban sugar cookies, but my biggest secret is their Cubans. They prep them continuously all day, in at least 3 sizes, and have them on the counter. Strapped for dinner? Need something for a Potluck? Quick lunch on the way to work? They've got you covered. And they might be the best Cubans in town! read more

This place has been around forever. I used to get candy from here when I was in middle school. Friendly staff. Good sandwiches for reasonable price. Good location. read more

The New owner has absolutely killed this place in my opinion. Anyone that knows anything about food can obviously see that the meat is old. It's like there not even trying, everything has a kinda tan haze on it. The Cuban sandwiches cost more money with cheaper ingredients. The place just feels dirty. Half of the staff are awesome the other half are just terrible employees. read more

I have lived in forest hills for almost 3 years now and used to come here all the time for sandwiches and it was great. Since it has been bought by new owners I'm so disappointed to see how downhill the quality of the food and care of the employees has gone. The only person that actually seems like they care in here is a tall thin man with glasses who has been working here since i started coming(don't know his name). I went about 2 weeks ago to pick up a quick a quick dinner and grabbed a meatloaf that is at a set price of $8 and they were trying to charge me by weight for it which came out to $16! Luckily the man i described before came out and corrected the price letting the new employees know how to charge it. I then came this morning to grab a breakfast sandwich and couldn't believe what i saw when i got home and opened it up. Half of the "sandwich" was just bread i had to rip off the outer edges to actually get to the bacon, egg and cheese. The picture says it all, just sad. read more

Forest Hills Grocery - Bacon egg and cheese sandwich - Grocery Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Just sad, I grew up here, was a spectacular experience, not now. computer screens and scales is not why there used to be a line out the door. read more

Let me 1st say GREAT sandwich! The cleanliness is lacking especially during a pandemic.

This place used to be a great place. Good sandwiches, great meat selection, good customer service. It sold maybe 5-6 years back and ever since it has never been the same. Everythkng has gone down hill there and fast. First it was the meat, then the sandwiches and now altogether the place isnt worth going to anymore. To top it all off the prices and jumped big time. Two thumbs down on customer service. read more

After 30 years of great food and service"No more". Food quality, well there is no quality. Salad was slime and Devil Crab was all bread. The new owners are rude. Not going back. If your not middle eastern your not welcome. read more

I have been going to this store for 16 yrs. Always good, never got bad food or sick f/ what I have ordered. Andrew - you and I must go to a different place. Nice, friendly people who are always willing to help you. several folks f/ my office go here and have never had a problem. Sorry Andrew - you must have been to another place then where we go! Karma can be such a bear! They are all hard working people.............. read more

The staff is not friendly, and the wait time for a simple sandwich was way to long. The food did taste good when you finally did get it. Definitely not the best place in town. read more

They use to have great customer service and good sandwiches but since they changed ownership they have sucked!!! They are spending money improving the store look but loosing the quality of the sandwiches! Today I ordered a wild turkey! The meat was burnt which made the whole sandwich taste horrible!!! I called and they said they got a new turbo oven to heat the meat up. You would think the person who made the sandwich would have just started over but instead they thought it was ok to fix that and give it to someone. Smh will not be returning!!!! read more

This USED to be our go to place. Today we ordered two sandwiches. We ordered a chicken salad on Rye bread and a chicken salad on White bread. Both sandwiches with tomato, lettuce and cheese. These were the worst sandwiches we have had in some time. The bread was almost stale, and the Rye bread was approximately 1.5" thick, per slice! Really?? If I wanted a sandwhich with bread only I would have ordered it! The chicken salad was about 2 tablespoons at best. Oh yea baby, stack that lettuce to the moon and add a tomato slice! Forrest Hills Deli has went so far down hill after being sold, that we will NEVER, and I mean NEVER go back. Have been going here for 30 years....I predict it will close this year due to cutting corners, loss of patrons and pure greed by the owners! The kick in the A$$ Is everything has gone up a dollar or so...SMDH! read more

Forest Hills Grocery - Comparing the Rye bread to a normal slice of white bread! - Grocery Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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As a Tampa visitor, I was initially apprehensive about ordering food from this establishment. The location is run down and definitely wasn't the cleanest store I've ever visited. The location is more of a convenience store/deli and less of an actual grocery store. You'll find most items that are typically available at a local gas station. The deli offers an expansive selection of sandwiches and wraps. I ordered a ham & cheese sandwich on a hoagie roll. The meat was generously proportioned and high quality. It was quite tasty and honesty exceeded my expectations. The full size sandwich is quite large so I only ate half of it. I placed the remaining half in the refrigerator and ate it the following day. It was just as good too. To my surprise the bread didn't get soggy or anything. The staff was extremely friendly and professional as well. Ignore the hole-in-the-wall vibe this place gives and go for a sandwich. It's worth it. read more

We like to call their Cuban "The American" because it doesn't taste like a Cuban despite using all the right ingredients (real Cuban bread, sliced roasted pork, ham, salami). Worth trying at least once. Grab a devil crab while you're there too read more

Friday the 6th i ordered a pressed cuban and instead got a barely toasted turkey sandwich. Cut improperly and condiments wrong. Monday 9th, Robert gave me a 20%. I mean the gesture was ok I guess. I saved 1.20 off a potato ball and empanada. Today, Tuesday 10th, I ordered a pressed cuban. But the salami and pork was SO very thinly sliced it was hard to taste. The pork wasn't even real pork and the condiments not correct or cut as i requested. I dont know if the manager has been unaware, but these last two orders haven't reflected their quality of sandwiches read more

Placed an order over the phone for 2 cheese Cuban rolls and 1 buttered Cuban roll. Waited in store for 10 minutes before I was helped while my order sat there ready. Come home to open my sandwiches and two were buttered, one was cheese. This was about the simplest order possible and they still found a way to screw it up. Will not be returning for a long time and when I do I will be opening my order in store. read more

Horrible service, everyone in the place argues while making your food. Stretch the phone cord over the machinery while making my food. Left my food uncovered out in the open to answer a call in the back for 7 minutes while all the workers work around my food. Lastly they over charged me by $10 because the cashier was paying attention to an dispute between a customer and a employee. Luckily, I caught it and they refunded my $10. Would never recommend this place. read more

A Decent Cuban, not like central Tampa, FL. If you want authentic go to Ybor/Central Tampa. This is just if you're passing by, & hungry! It is good though. 3/5 for me. read more

Two subs sm bag of chips $22 the bread was stale the turkey was sopping wet and very salty the provolone was so thin there was no flavor over the salt turkey the tomato barely present mayo barely skimmed over stale bread and two hands full of shredded lettuce last trip never another dollar bye bye not the same place order check out system broken everyone standing around room no one knows how or when to approach register need a manager. read more

Way to long of a wait and it seems they are ok with possible customers walking out because of the line. Someone with structure should step up and get them a working formula. read more

Forest Hills Grocery - One sub one hour - Grocery Near Me - Tampa, Florida