Geno Ate Tampa

Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time. #GenoAteTampa began as a hashtag so I could quickly point listeners to places I've recommended on my Tampa radio show and social media channels. Now, "Geno Ate Tampa" has become the chronicles of my never-ending quest for great burgers, sweet and sour chicken, buffalo wings, fajitas, chicken parmesan, pizza, apple pastries, cheesesteak, grouper nuggets, french fries, lobster rolls and ice cream in the Tampa Bay area. And that's just what I have for breakfast.

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Episodes

Microbrews, sliders, street corn and wine in St. Pete

I had a chance to chat with Niki Austin from 3 Sheets Events today. She brought by some of the food creations as well as some microbrews and wines you'll see at the first Annual Backlot Wine & Beer Weekend. The event happens May 20 and 21 in the lot between 3 Daughters Brewing and the Old Train Station in St. Pete. The weekend raises funds for two important local non-profits: Hero to a Child which advocates for children of abuse and neglect as well as Operation Craft Beer Deployment which is...

May 18, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 12

I Tried Babe's Pizza in Brandon

If you've been in the pizza game for over 40 years, chances are you're doing something right. Many times when I have talked about pizza, listeners from the Brandon area tell me I've gotta try Babe's Pizza. I used to live nearby, but somehow it never hit my radar and now that I live on the Pinellas side, I'm not over in that area often. But after a Lightning game a few weeks ago, I did the drive and gave their double decker approach to pizza a try. Did Babe's find a spot in my top 10? Take a list...

May 03, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 11

Italia Mia Has Closed But Good News... You Can Still Get the Best Chicken Parmesan In St. Pete

I was CRUSHED when I walked up to Italia Mia in St. Pete last month and the doors were locked. The pandemic has been a nightmare for Tampa area restaurants. Labor shortages and costs going up… it’s led to some great places closing their doors. The one that crushed me last month was when I visited Italia Mia in St. Pete. It has been my go to spot for great Chicken Parmesan ever since I moved to Florida 10 years ago. Truth be told, the last few visits were not so great, but I kept going thinking t...

Mar 21, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 10

The New Funnel Cake for 2022 at the Florida Strawberry Festival

I speak with "Mama Jane" Harris from Carnival Eats . Every year for Plant City, she creates something new for fair food fans to try. I first fell in Mama Jane's desserts about 5 or 6 years ago when she invented "Funnel Bacon on a Stick." She took a stick of thick bacon, dipped it in funnel cake batter, fried it up and topped it with powdered sugar and a maple butter glaze. It was something. Last year it was eclipsed by a strawberry lemon ricotta funnel cake . But this year, she might even top th...

Jan 27, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 9

The 5 best french fries in Tampa Bay

French fries are such an underrated food. We always talk about who has the best pizza or Chinese food. But sometimes a french fry can be the highlight of your meal.

Nov 10, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Geno's Take on the So-Called "Best of the Bay" Restaurant Winners

Want a great steak or the perfect Italian restaurant? The last person I'd ask is some 20 year old hipster in skinny jeans. The free newspaper for college kids and 20 somethings does a web poll every year and quite honestly, I think people take it far too seriously. They got a few things right, but I'll tell you were to get a great burger and wings. Or you can listen to the kids whose major priority is taking an Instagram selfie.

Oct 09, 2021•13 min•Season 1Ep. 7

4 Spots in the Tampa Area For Great Chinese Food

It's not easy to find great Chinese food in Florida. Here are 3 on the Hillsborough side and 1 on the Pinellas side. 2 are good dine in sit down spots. 2 are just take out. In this episode we talk about Zom Hee in Seminole, Yummy House in Tampa, Shang Hai in Tampa and China One in Brandon.

Oct 03, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Shake Shack Tampa Grand Opening Announcement

My pal Shiner from Tampa Bay Today invited me on to help interview Shake Shack Area Director Erik Hugley about the opening plans for the chain's first area location in Midtown Tampa June 7, 2021.

Jun 03, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 5

The Top 10 New Florida State Fair Foods for 2021

There are some "gotta try that" creations and a few "uh, no thanks... hard pass" items on the menu at this year's Florida State Fair in Tampa. My bias for apple desserts will be a big factor here. The one item that has made headlines more than any other this year is one in my "hard pass" column... the pickle pizza. I like unique. But maybe not THAT unique.

Apr 22, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Top 10 Florida Strawberry Festival Foods

Two newcomers to my list this year. If you're heading to Plant City, don't eat the foods you can easily find the other 51 weeks of the year. Live a little. Try something unique that is a once-in-a-lifetime creation by one of the fair food aficionados. I spend most of my time at Mama Jane's truck. Her creations have been featured over a dozen times on Carnival Eats on The Cooking Channel and she always whips up something new for the Florida Strawberry Festival. Several years ago she made what, un...

Mar 13, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fan's Picks For Where To Eat on Sunday

Sunday is going to be a monumental day in Tampa Bay sports history. After an incredible year of success with the Lightning and Rays, it's the Bucs turn to make us proud. No one is more pumped that NFL Hall of Famer and Buccaneers Super Fan "Big Nasty" Keith Kunzig. He'll of course be at Raymond James Stadium but I asked him for his picks for places to hit up if you won't be able to be there in person. Beyond his picks for great Tampa area sports bars, Nasty also shared his game day plan for wher...

Feb 05, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Mama Jane reveals her creation for the Florida Strawberry Festival for 2021

It's a big deal. She's a regular on the cable TV show Carnival Eats but her fair food masterpieces have been featured on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and The Travel Channel. Every year "Mama Jane" Harris creates something new for the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City and this year, it sounds like she's got another winner. The Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Funnel Cake has a crunch factor that's "phenomenal" according to Mama. The crazy thing is Mama doesn't even have a sweet tooth herself...

Jan 11, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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