Megs Travels: Tampa Bay Edition
This next edition of Megs Travels, I take you south of the Canadian border to … Tampa Bay, Florida! I have family members located pretty much everywhere around the globe so I love being able to travel and visit them wherever they may be. However, the biggest perk to having family worldwide is that I am guaranteed to know about the best local restaurants a city has to offer!
As a girl who lived in Texas for a handful of years, you can say I have some pretty high standards when it comes to good, authentic Mexican food. So when I was in Tampa Bay my uncle said he found one of the best Mexican restaurants he’s dined at since he moved from Texas. So of course our family made our way out to Don Pancho Villa, a small Mexican grocery store with a hidden gem of a restaurant.
The aroma of freshly made tortillas was the first thing that hit my nose and I knew I was in for a treat. Don Pancho Villa makes handmade corn tortillas, which is not my favorite as I prefer flour tortillas. However... there is something about warm corn tortillas that make them the perfect pairing with any Mexican dish. The first thing we do after being seated is picked our drinks from their vast choices available ranging from the typical sodas to Mexican favorite drinks.
As for their menu, Don Pancho Villa offered such a long list of dishes, it was almost impossible to pick! Each of my family members decided to try a different menu item each and here are everyone’s ratings for the dishes they tried!
Mar y Tierra Encebollados
Dad’s Rating: 4/5
"I loved the authenticity and homemade taste of the food here! The colorful restaurant had a overall good atmosphere and was packed with locals."
Sopa de Mariscos
My Rating: 4/5
"This seafood soup was loaded with mussels and other seafood. However nearing the end of the bowl it got very spicy!"
Menudo
Uncle’s Rating: 5+++/5
"Don Pancho Villa has truly authentic Mexican food. This is also the BEST menudo I've ever had!!! I always love coming here and bringing people"
Pollo y Carne Fajitas
Brother’s Rating: 4/5
"Muy Bien! The meat was seasoned perfectly with the right amount of heat to it!"
Molcajete
Mom’s Rating: 3/5
"It wasn’t what I expected, but I did enjoy trying a new dish!"
Other Attractions to See in Tampa Bay...
It's not a trip to Florida without visiting one of the many beaches! Tampa Bay is known for being home to some of the top-rated beaches in the world. I recommend checking out Kissimmee Beach, Honeymoon Island, Clearwater Beach and of course Seashell Island to find a never ending supply of seashells.
If you make your way down anytime after late February to Florida, more specifically anywhere near the gulf of Mexico, I highly recommend you try to find a restaurant that will make you the classic Creole style Crawfish. Other than Mexican food, this is something else I really miss eating when I lived in Texas. This dish screams summer to me when you pair it with sweet corn on the cob and a nice ice cold Coca-Cola!
Thanks for checking out another edition of Megs Travels! If you do end up travelling down south to Florida, let me know if you check out this restaurant or any of the amazing beaches! If you haven’t already, go and read my other edition of Megs Travels as I explore Montego Bay, Jamaica! As always come back for more of a Glimpse of Meagan’s Journey!
