Hidden gem in the office park! Food was amazing and great service. When we walked in we were greeted with a smile, asked us whether its our first time and explained how to order. Great system, and for beverage you just grab a cup and get whatever you ordered. Great ambiance and generous portion too. We will be back! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - CPC S.O.B. Skillet, Jimmy the New Yorker - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Google maps has it's ups and downs. Many times I peruse an area looking for food spots and find new places and other times I look at an area dozens of times and google seems to hide some good spots from view. The Cracked Pepper Cafe is one where googled failed miserably. Established for many years, close to home, and a highly rated sandwich shop which has been hidden from my google view for years. Tsk. Tsk. I spotted the place due to a sidewalk sign once I was in an office park on another errand. Lo and behold, a promising sandwhich menu, a breakfast menu and a cozy little place with indoor and outdoor seating. Good vibes, a nice lakefront ambiance and New York flair. Plenty of parking, a short walk to the backside of the office building which are a few long one story structures if memory serves. I ordered to go, the Gabagool, an italian sammie and a Cuban with lettuce and tomato to try their wares. I also ordered an omelet, the Tombstone, for the wife. Now, for me, when an italian has mortadella and capicola (gabagool) in it, you are my kinda soulmate. All the right stuff and packed skyscraper high. All the fixins that come with it do not fit in the "sandwheech". Spoon them into your mouth as you eat or save for after. I was suspicious of the dressing because instead of italian it was roasted red pepper sauce, I got it on the side just in case. Loved the Gabagool, excellent flavor profile, meaty and a nice blend of textures. The sauce had me on the fence at first but found myself more attracted to it as I ate. The cuban for me was nothing special, the same issue I encounter most places. I prefer sliced pork to pork chunks. Pork chunks ruins the balance of ingredients for me, I feel like I am eating a pork sandwich dressed like a cuban. That's my take on it and there are thousands who would disagree. I just grew up with cuban sandwich perfection (hand sliced meats off a ham leg and pork leg) throughout my childhood. The omelet was excellent. It's now the wife's favorite place to get "Stuffed Eggs" as they call it. This place will be added to the rotation, likely twice a month at least. The one disappointment is I can not convince them to add Vickie's Jalapeño Chips. The carry the Vickies brand but not the top selling flavor, by far, I looked it up. Not sure what the issue is but my sandwiches are consumed sans chips. I guess that is their perogative. Ergo, I go chipless. But don't let that stop you, the food here is great! Come get ya some! read more

See all

Can this place serve anything bad? Nope! We have tried quite a few items here and each one has been SO GOOD! My favorite is their tuna melt (when they have them) and their chicken salad is a home-run! This place knows how to season and cook everything perfectly! Their service is also wonderful! We had some young fellas at the cash register and running food today. They were very friendly and fast We also LOVE that the menu has specials and LOVE that you can feed the turtles here too. The outside eating area is SO cute and peaceful. This place wins best brunch spot in Tampa in our book. We will most certainly be back!! read more

See all

Over on this side for Busch Gardens and looking for something new to try before heading home. This place had lots of good reviews and the food choices sounded yummy too I landed on the Gabagool & Friends. Great sandwich with fresh ingredients. Bread was really good. Their version an Italian. Large sandwich. Deb grabbed some curry chicken salad. Very tasty and fresh as well. A great spot for some really good food and friendly folks. read more

See all

Continuing the quest for best breakfast in Tampa I came to this joint with mild expectations and left completely satisfied. It's a little hidden in a business park off Busch Avenue but worth the journey. I got the big bad omelette with a choice of six veggies, cheese and protein. I opted for the brisket with provolone cheese, brisket, black olives, pickles, peppers, mushrooms, spinach and cherry peppers. I thought I would have to get a extra cheese but not on this bad boy. Cheese pull was legit the brisket was tender and all the veggies added a perfect crunch tasted fresh with plenty of seasoning. This is a huge 4 egg omelette and I opted for a side of potatoes O'Brien which were also seasoned well, along with there side of so cheesy toast. Staff was very helpful and they have a cool outdoor seating area next to the water, the choice of condiments is super legit to go or in house. If you're looking for a good breakfast place I would highly recommend! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Side of oh So Cheesy Toast - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

See all

Great little place to come and have breakfast or lunch. Can sit out on the dock by the large pond. Located in an office park so there is plenty of parking. Staff was super friendly. You order at the register and they bring you the food. Beverages are self serve. I ordered The Ordinary which is 3 eggs, protein and toast. I also ordered potatoes o'brein on the side. I asked for extra crispy bacon and it wasn't but overall good food. The place seems to be a hit with others because 4 more families showed up after us. I'll definitely be back to try lunch. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - The Your Ordinary - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

See all

Great little hidden spot not far from Busch Gardens. Easy ordering at counter then you bring your food to ya. I had the Jimmy The New Yorker, over well eggs w bacon. Was a light and tasty breakfast. They have seating inside (though it was kinda cool inside) so we sat outside by the lake. Very nice spot for grub. Friendly staff and reasonably priced!! read more

See all

A True Hidden Gem off Busch Boulevard The Cracked Pepper is one of those local spots that reminds you why neighborhood restaurants are the best. Tucked away off Busch Boulevard in Tampa, it's unassuming from the outside, but once you're inside, you're greeted with warm service and seriously good food. The menu is packed with comforting, flavorful options that are clearly made with care. Portions are generous, ingredients taste fresh, and everything feels homemade in the best way. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast or lunch, it's the kind of place where every plate comes out hot, hearty, and satisfying. What really sets The Cracked Pepper apart is the service. Friendly, welcoming, and genuinely attentive, the staff makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. There's a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere that makes it easy to linger and enjoy your meal. If you're looking for a reliable, delicious spot that locals love and that doesn't try to be trendy just to impress, The Cracked Pepper is absolutely worth the stop. read more

See all

So I'm pretty upset that I just discovered this place being that I live only 10 minutes from it. It is truly a hidden gem off of Busch that has amazing food. They have everything from breakfast items to lunch menu items such as sandwiches and skillets. There is honestly nothing on the menu that does not taste amazing. The chef who curates the menu does his thing and the staff is always so nice the moment you step in this café. There's a gentleman named Kenny that works there and he has such an upbeat soul- always so kind and willing to recommend anything The moment you step through the door. They do offer indoor and outdoor seating which makes for great ambience since there is a cute lake behind the establishment that has ducks and turtles in it. If you haven't tried this place, definitely add it to your list as a must try!! read more

See all

If you're looking for a clean, welcoming cafe with fantastic food and friendly service, Cracked Pepper Cafe is the place to go. I ordered the Red Bomber - a breakfast sandwich - Kaiser roll with home fries, egg cooked your way, choice of protein and cheese. It was served piping hot and absolutely delicious! Every bite was packed with flavor--the roll was perfectly toasted, the egg was cooked just right, and the combination of ingredients tasted amazing. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Red Bomber - Kaiser roll with home fries, egg, and your choice of protein and cheese. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

We stopped by this place after the zoo for lunch and so glad we ate here. The workers are so so friendly and the food was delicious. The food came out quickly and they bought it out to our table. I got the slim daddy and it was a huge portion. The turkey was a little smoked and salty. So good with the pressed wrap. My only complaint is the avocado was very hard and not soft the way I prefer. But I would totally get this wrap again if I came. We ate outside by the big pond where there were turtles and ducks. It's perfect for little ones to look at. read more

See all

A hidden gym! Stopped by for lunch after the zoo and so glad we did! The staff were super friendly and the food was delicious. We had the "slim daddy" and it was a 10/10. There was nothing "slim" about it haha - so flavorful and fresh! Great prices and plenty of parking (can sit inside or outside). Outside seating is on a deck on the water with tons of turtles. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Slim Daddy - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Service first and foremost was excellent, the man was very welcoming and assisted my group of 4 (for which it was our first time). The food was more than satisfactory and they have plenty of options to choose from. With nice outdoor sitting and florida spring weather, it's definitely at least worth having once. Food- 3.8/5 Service-5/5 Ambiance- 4.0/5 read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Winning Cuban - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food and service were delightful! Great prices, tasty food, and very friendly and helpful team. I also like how fast the food came out and that it is kind of a hidden gem. I am really digging these restaurants tucked away in office parks. The parking was very easy too. I want to provide constructive criticism because I like these folks and want them to continue to do well. Here are my recommendations: 1. You need shade outside or fans or both. I was sweating through the breakfast even with the cafe umbrella. You need to drape some of those fabric sunshields across those wooden beams and add fans. Also, the coffee needs work. I think it tasted ok but the presentation and options were lacking. You also need some non-dairy options milk wise by the coffee. read more

As soon as you step in the door the service is amazing! Everyone was so helpful and friendly! The food was outstanding and amazing quality! Quite possibly THE largest pancakes I've ever had! We will definitely be back. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Pancakes - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Just what we needed! Hot, fresh, really GOOD breakfast. Kids shared pancakes and side of bacon. The pancake order was huge and thankfully the lady that took our order warned us that it was going to be a large serving so glad the kids split it. Fluffy, sweet, crispy on the outside, and cushy on the inside. Kids rated it 8.5-9 out of 10 and said "it's bussin'." They could only eat about half of their single pancake. Husband had the Pigs and Chicks omelette; he hates to say this but it was actually too much meat (and yet it wasn't!). If you're looking for egg, it was there, but the meat over powered it in a nice delightful meaty way. Finally, I had the Southern Charm which was another huge serving of creamy cheesy grits topped with 3 eggs cooked to order and bacon (protein of your choice). The seating area was quaint, with mini wooden tic tac to games on each table. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating by a lovely pond full of turtles and other pond life. read more

I finally went to The Cracked Pepper Cafe recommend to me. It's a little gem on Busch blvd. The inside, clean, cozy and nice atmosphere. Service was great and I met the owner as well. Nice guy and loved how he treated his staff. I tried the turkey wrap and it was a fat one too. I'm giving them a 9.0 . Get there before 3:00 pm because they don't serve dinner, breakfast and lunch only. chef Chris read more

The food was outstanding... loved the traditional Cuban sandwich and freshly made steak fries! The service was perfect and we sat outside by the pond on a beautiful day. We have found our favorite Ian sandwich spot and will definitely try some other items next time! read more

One of the best breakfast Cuban sandwiches! The staff is very friendly. No wait, and there's a nice outdoor patio seating area overlooking the pond. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

See all

Omg the food was amazing the staff was super friendly definitely will be back! Large Menu And they bak cookie fresh read more

See all

The cracked peppered El Cubano sandwich was seriously good. The bread was warm and everything on it was super flavorful. The staff was friendly, the vibe was laid-back, and the food came out fast. Definitely glad I listened to the suggestions--this one's going on my go-to list! And as if the sandwich wasn't enough, my favorite part was watching the turtles. Great food, friendly staff, and turtles? Unexpectedly perfect combo. read more

First time here. Food was delicious but Kenny brings the place to life. He wants everyone to feel at home and you will. Lots of lunch patrons. Open 7 days a week for breakfast or lunch. Enjoyed!! read more

Came on a Saturday morning around 11am - greeted promptly. Food is A-ok only for me. Basic Betty. The vibes are totally new - remodeled inside / clean & quiet. They do have outside patio seating. Family friendly & overall just ok. The food lacks depth. The customer service is 4 stars worthy. I prefer many other spots instead. I ordered the Cuban & it's was cold. I ordered the Pig & Chick & the meat was salty. The Pancakes had absolutely no butter / besides being large - they use packaged syrup... and ... they only gave me one for 2 huge pancakes ( sadly ) I'm being generous with a 3 star review because the parking is spacious and customer service is nice. read more

See all

Wow! Went there on a whim. Where did you guys get?We had the Cuban, the curry chicken salad and the Kentucky high top. All were amazing. So impressed! They were all so friendly and helpful as well. read more

Immediately upon driving up and walking in - it felt like home with some good homemade cooking. Kenny greeted me with his energy and made me feel super welcome brought me out a sample of the pork... very lemon like with mojo mixed.. super good. Went for the Philly with a scrambled egg inside and it didn't disappoint. Really good and incredible view. Very relaxing to sit by the water - get some work done - eat a good meal and have great service! read more

Love this place, tucked away behind some offices. Food was great, service good too - but you do have to order for yourself. Nice deck in the back of you so choose to sit there, but for us it was too warm on the day we went. Nice hidden gem but won't be for long. read more

Cozy cafe with good coffee and well prepared comfort food. friendly service and a relaxed vine make it nice to hang out.

Went here for breakfast and it was fabulous! Large portions and affordable prices. You also get some turtle food to feed the turtles in the pond!! Service is counter order and deliver to table. Staff is extra friendly. read more

See all

Wow. The moment we opened the door we were greeted and welcomed into the restaurant. The food was hot and delicious. You cannot go wrong by trying thos place. read more

I love that they are open for breakfast and have lunch items on their menu. Their salads are filling, and their sandwiches are made to order. My favorite sandwich is the Pilgrim. I'm not sure what kind of turkey they use but it's pretty darn delicious. It's not wet or salty which is what I find at other sandwich shops. Ordering it on marble is a win-win! Would recommend Cracked Pepper Cafe! read more

See all

My sister and I were delighted to find this hidden gem just 15 minutes from our home. It is hidden inside of a business park so it was nice and quiet. We met for breakfast and received a warm greeting from Mr. Kenny right away. He explained the menu and insisted that we try the grits. My sister was delighted with her selection of cheese grits and the Havana. I enjoyed a cafe con Leche and the Belle. My eggs were cooked exactly as specified and the bacon was nice and crispy. We had a great time trying to feed the turtles and stayed to chat for over two hours. During our visit we also observed they are pet friendly. Kemny came out with dog treats and water for two furry visitors that arrived with some other diners. I am looking forward to bringing my husband on our next lunch date. read more

See all

The owner is AMAZING!!! Friendly, knowledgeable, and truly loves what he does. Everything made to order and fresh. He fully explains everything. Greets you, rings you up, serves you, and has a smile from ear to ear. The food was fast and DELICIOUS! I got the famous Cuban, not spicy. It was DIVINE. Got a side of the seasoned steak fries and they did not disappoint. Perfectly crispy n the outside and soft and meaty on the inside. Didn't even need ketchup - the spice wasn't too much, just right. Whenever I'm back in the area, I'll be back. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a no fuss, good food friendly place near USF or the numerous medical facilities in the area. read more

Went here recently as I kept hearing amazing things I thought the food quality was very good but I did think it was expensive and smaller than I thought inside! read more

This little gem provides an amazing outdoor space next to a pond with Lilly pads. We visited on a warm spring day and sat outside. AMAZING!! As for the food, I ordered the breakfast plate with grits and sausage with a side of bacon. The grits were creamy and cheesy and delicious while the bacon and sausage accompaniment were perfectly seasoned and savory. The richness of an over easy egg that was cooked to perfection was the icing on the cake! YUM!! If you're looking for one of the coolest places to eat in Tampa, then you MUST TRY The Cracked Pepper Cafe!! read more

See all

Had to come back but this time with the whole family for a nice brunch meal. Girls loved to hand out by the pond and feed the turtles. But once again The Cracked Pepper Cafe is the place for fresh and flavorful food. Girls shared a pancake because it is huge and a omelette. They devoured most of each of them but absolutely loved them. I had for get another Cuban sandwich as the crunch of the bread and over all flavor profile is fantastic! Love everything about this place! A must stop if you are near by. read more

See all

The omelet was good but the bacon egg and cheese only has one strip of bacon which is ridiculous. Would it have killed you guys to put at least two. read more

We've been coming here since they opened. Then our office moved 20 miles away, however we still drive over here to get lunch!!! Breakfast and lunch both are so good! The portions are usually way more then we can finish so win win we have a snack for later. One of my faves is the Annabell Salad, sooooo good. I know you're saying "it's a salad", well I'm telling you this is an amazing one. You've got to check this local eatery out you won't be disappointed!! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Interior wall of old Tampa! - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

See all

I have a dentist appointment today and it was running late. My dentist recommended I go to the Cracked Pepper while o wait for my appointment. To say that the food and service were the BEST would be an understatement. AND it overlooks an adorable pond where they provide turtle food! It is a little hidden in a business complex, but well worth the trip. I will definitely come again! read more

One of the best finds in the area, I'm so glad I stumbled into this place! I was immediately greeted by Kenny and given a background on this cozy establishment after which we sat down on the outside patio where we received our food right away cooked fresh on the dot and proceeded to get checked on by the amazing staff including one from the very kind chef Dominic who was rooting for us with the large I'm starving plate awarding us with complimentary cookies :)! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - I AM STARVING MEAL - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food was amazing. A worker gave my kiddos turtle food to feed them. After they ran out of food, the worker gave them another cup!!! The service is amazing and everyone is so nice. I recommend it to anyone who wants to eat the best food ever. read more