Tampa's Cuban Restaurants along Boliche Boulevard

This Time We Explore Tampa's Plethora of Cuban Restaurants

Columbus Avenue in Tampa is known for its array of Spanish-Cuban restaurants, so much so it has a nick-name of "Boliche Boulevard". For those unfamiliar with the term, boliche is a beef roast, also known as an "eye-round", stuffed with chorizo sausage. More about specific menu items later, but first a note about Tampa-Cuban food.

Tampa is, of course, the home of many with Cuban roots, coming here as part of the cigar industry at or before the turn of the twentieth century. Cuban restaurants are, for the most part, known for excellent food and low prices, all with a family-friendly atmosphere. There are exceptions, the Columbia Restaurant was started in the old Cuban community, Ybor [pronounced "ee-bore"] City, at the turn of the century, has expanded to seven locations and the prices are higher than my criteria will allow, Valencia Gardens, on the fringe of downtown, is known for municipal movers and shakers' frequenting its tables. The food is excellent, but, again, not cheap enough for me!