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Best BBQ Restaurants in Tampa, FL

Barbecue in Tampa, FL
If you're in the mood for tasty BBQ, you can find a number of eateries in the Tampa, Florida, area that offer flavorful menu options. Instead of trying to fire up your own grill and start cooking, head to one of these joints to enjoy a delicious meal.

Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que 

The name of this BBQ spot says it all – you'll be licking your fingers to enjoy the saucy flavors. Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que was named one of the top barbecue joints in the state, as well as one of the city's top restaurants on both Tripadvisor and Yelp. The BBQ spot is open Wednesday through Saturday, serving up tasty options. On the menu, you'll find sandwiches served with bread and sauce and featuring ribs, pulled pork, smoked sausage, chopped beef, chicken, turkey breast, or turkey leg. You can also get a plate of just meat or enjoy one of the smoked meat options with sides. Try some baked beans, Southern-style potato salad, yellow rice and chicken, creamy slaw, collard greens, black-eyed peas, okra and tomatoes, mac ‘n' cheese, or cornbread. Save room for dessert, as the homemade banana pudding, pies, and OMG cake are decadent treats.

Bruh Mans BBQ

For a unique experience, locate the Bruh Mans BBQ food truck, which parks at various locations around Tampa. The owners started this family-owned eatery in 2008, using their grandfather's recipes that he used when smoking hams and turkeys for Thanksgiving. The food options available at the truck still use the same family recipes, putting their soul into what they prepare. Additionally, Bruh Mans BBQ has a passion for feeding the local community. Smoked meat options include ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and brisket, while sides include baked beans, slaw, mac and cheese, and potato salad. Ya Boy's BBQ Ya Boy's BBQ is open Thursday through Saturday, serving up flavorful smoked meats and side dishes. It's best known for its chicken wings and BBQ ribs, although the menu includes several other choices as well. You can enjoy a sandwich topped with chopped beef or chicken, sausage, or pulled pork, a plate with your choice of meat and two sides, or a family meal that has enough to feed a group. The sides rotate on occasion, but some of the top choices include mac and cheese, yellow rice, baked beans, potato salad, seasoned curly fries, green beans, and collard greens.

Mel's House of Smoke BBQ & Catering

Mel's House of Smoke is another food truck that only serves on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for lunch and dinner, but it's a popular place to eat. On the meat list, you'll find ribs, thin ends, chicken, sausage, and pulled pork. You can get your meat on a plate with side dishes, piled on bread as a sandwich, or on its own in various size options. The menu even includes smaller options for kids, along with side dishes like potato salad, collard greens, and dirty rice. With so many places to eat BBQ in Tampa, it's easy to pick out a new favorite joint. Take advantage of the comfortable atmosphere that each offers, along with the tasty menu options. Image via Pixabay.com
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Spas in Tampa, FL

Indulge at These 4 Tampa Spas

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A Dinosaur from Dinosaur World Tampa FL

3 Family-Friendly Activities Around Tampa

Tampa, Florida, is full of fun activities to do with the family. Whether you are looking for some adrenalin pumping excitement or something a little more educational, there is something for everyone in Tampa Bay. Here are some activities you might want to try the next time you are looking for a new adventure. Busch Gardens At Busch Gardens, you get two experiences in one visit. This safari-themed park gives you exciting rides and an opportunity to visit over 200 different species of animals. Busch Gardens has some of Florida's best thrill rides, such as the Tigris, which is Florida's tallest launch coaster. There are other coasters, such as the Cobra's Curse, 2020 Hybrid Coaster, Cheetah Hunt, and Sheikra. If you want to cool down with a water ride, you can do the Congo River Rapids or Stanley Falls Flume. more For younger children, the Serengeti Express takes you on a train ride through the Serengeti as you look for different animals. You can also do the Air Grover, which is a Sesame Street themed roller coaster for smaller children. This theme park is also home to hundreds of animals, such as cheetahs, tigers, lions, elephants, and giraffes, to name a few. There are animal experiences that you can do, such as animal feeding opportunities, or animal connections, which lets you see the animals up close. There are also tours you can try that take you through different animal exhibits. Dinosaur World Dinosaur World takes you to the land of the dinosaurs. This park lets you see hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting. There are plenty of interactive exhibits that kids can experience, such as a fossil dig, dino gem excavation, and a boneyard. There is also an Exploration Cave Show that takes you on a guided tour with a Paleontologist. A unique feature of their Prehistoric museum is the motion-activated animatronics that brings the dinosaurs to life. Dinosaur World is the only dinosaur-themed park around Tampa and is a must-see for any dinosaur lover in your family. Adventure Island For hot days, you may want to find a place with water to keep you cool. Adventure Island is guaranteed to cool you down with their 10 water slides, 17,000 square foot wave pool, and lazy river. For the adrenalin junkies, Vanish Point sends you free-falling down into the water. Younger children can try the Calypso Coaster which takes two passengers down on a tube for a fun, wet ride. In addition to the wave pool, Paradise lagoon is a 9,000 square foot pool that incorporates slides and waterfalls. There is also the Rambling Bayou that is a half-mile tube trip through a lush rainforest where you can relax while keeping cool. Be sure to check out the website for ticket prices and more information about their many activities. These are only three activities out of many that are found around Tampa. For more ideas, you can visit USA Today's list of the 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Tampa. Image via Flickr by Richard Elzey under use of CC BY 2.0

Golf Courses Tampa, FL

Where to Play Golf in Tampa, FL

If your idea of a good time includes playing 18 holes of golf, Tampa, Florida, is a great place to live or visit. This city houses a number of golf courses of varying levels of difficulty, many of which offer beautiful views of the green, lush natural surroundings. more Saddlebrook Resort At Saddlebrook Resort, golfers can enjoy spending the day on an Arnold Palmer-designed course. Palmer is a legend in the golf world and designed one of the courses at this high-end resort, featuring well-maintained greens and rolling fairways surrounded by palm, pine, and cypress trees. If you need a lesson, check out the classes offered at the state-of-the-art training facility, where courses are taught by professional golfers. The Palmer-designed course is a par 71, while the Saddlebrook Course is a par 70. Additional amenities include the Saddlebrook Preparatory School for junior golfers, a pro shop offering sportswear, accessories, and golf essentials, club cleaning services, rental equipment, and the 16-acre training center. Pebble Creek Golf Club Pebble Creek Golf Club is a popular place to play a round of golf in Tampa. It's also a place where golfers can enjoy great value when participating in their favorite sport. The championship course is open to both skilled and novice golfers, featuring pristine greens, mature oak trees, and a plethora of wildlife. You may even spot an alligator or sandhill crane as you stroll or drive the course. After your golf game, enjoy a meal at Mulligan's Irish Pub, an upscale eatery located near the clubhouse. Food and drinks are also served within the course clubhouse, which is a family-friendly location offering casual dining options. The Claw at USF The Claw at USF is one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in Tampa. It is situated on the University of South Florida's picturesque campus and offers stunning views of the area's natural landscape. The university's nationally-ranked men's and women's golf teams use the course for practice and events, but it's also open to the public. Throughout the course, you'll find tight, long fairways lined with mature trees, as well as enough wildlife to make you feel like you're teeing off in a nature preserve. In addition to the 18-hole course, this location features a grass tee driving center, a large chipping/putting green, and a learning center for newcomers to the game or those who want to continue improving their skills. Don't forget to grab a bite at Rocky's Sports Grill, a newly revamped restaurant located near the end of the course. Rocky Point Golf Course The city of Tampa took over Rocky Point Golf Course in 2003, and its location across from the airport makes it a great option for those traveling in and out. Of the course's 18 holes, 12 feature water features, while the wind in the area can add to the challenge. The Pointe Grille is on the property and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar bites, alongside its selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Book a tee time at one of these Tampa golf courses on your next day off. You're sure to enjoy the challenging terrain, beautiful scenery, and amenities offered at each location. Image via Pixabay.com