Electric car services in downtown Tampa

Tampa's Downtown Shuttle Services:


Hop Tampa
Mulligan Shuttles
Green-Go
Joy Ride 


After an emergency meeting held by the Public Transportation Commission today, the ruling to ban the NEV's from the streets has been rescinded.  Ultimately, the boards authority over the matter is in question, and the PTC has asked the Florida Attorney General if they are the body to regulate them.

So as of TONIGHT, Hop Tampa, Green-Go, Mulligan Shuttle, and Joy Ride all are back in business!


Once the AG comes back with a ruling, some legislative or administrative body will have some oversight into the NEV industry.  It will be our job to make sure they get a fair shake and that this eco-friendly business succeeds in Tampa Bay!



Image taken from Mulligan Shuttle webpage

Fort DeSoto Park

Fort DeSoto Park has the best beaches out of all those I've visited in the Tampa Bay area.  It is the best for the following reasons:

- Free parking
- Super cheap! (there's no entrance fee aside from the toll roads - the total cost adds up to about 80 cents)
- Plenty of space for everyone on the beach
- Lots of activity options (a lot of people like to go fishing, boating, swimming, camping, check out the old fort, etc in addition to just lying on the beach)
- Great facilities (showers, restrooms, snack bars, gift shop, picnic tables, well marked paths, etc)
- Away from the metro area (there are no hotels bordering these beaches)
It's also been named "America's Top Beach" in 2005 and 2009. So go check out Fort DeSoto!

Fort DeSoto Website
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Park Office- 727-893-9185
Campground Office- 727-893-9185
Automated Information Message: 727-582-2267

Sand Key Beach

This is a somewhat negative review of Sand Key Beach, but I feel I'm justified in my feelings:

1. Sand Key beach is not sandy!  It is coated in coarsely ground shells that are not fun to walk on barefoot. Isn't that part of the allure of the beach?  To walk barefoot?
2. Parking is not free!  When there are more lovely beaches with free parking (think Fort DeSoto), why on earth would I ever go to Sand Key? (which is not sandy...)
3. Sand Key has a healthy population of sting rays!  I know this because I was stung last weekend.  AND while I was sitting on the beach with a bucket of hot water (waiting for the venom to be drawn out of my foot), a German couple approached and told their story of being stung on this very beach just 3 days before.

Thus, I recommend checking out some of Tampa's other beaches before you dive in at Sand Key!

Qachbals Chocolatier

Screen capture from Qachbals website

Ever find yourself at Channelside in downtown Tampa, and wonder what to do in this highly commercial area?

Well, there's a little chocolatier that you shouldn't miss - Qachbal's (pronounced kash-bell).  I stopped by about a week ago and sampled their chocolate coated toffee and a chocolate smoothie topped by a truffle - all fantastic!  I've tasted a lot of chocolate, and these items were of excellent quality.  It's also nice to know you're supporting a local business.

615 Channelside Dr
Tampa, Fl 33602
813.223.5919
http://qachbalschocolatier.com 

Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar

Photo Credit: Wood Fired website

What a great little find!  Having come from Minneapolis, a city of many Neopolitan/Wood-fired pizza places, I was super excited to give Wood Fired a try.  What a pleasant surprise to find how friendly and attentive the staff were!  The pizzas are a few bucks more expensive than your regular take out place, but it's well worth it for the flavor pay off.  I recommend splitting a salad and a pizza with your friend - delicious!  The pepperoni and artichoke is my favorite so far.

Go try creating your own combo of toppings - you can't go wrong with that amazing wood fired crust.

http://wood-firedpizza.com

2822 E. Bearss Avenue

Tampa, FL, 33613

813.341.2900

 

HOURS

Lunch: Noon - 2:00 pm

Dinner: 5 pm - Until Sold Out of Fresh Dough

Tuesdays: Open for Private Events & Catering Only. Call 813.341.2900 to Book Your Event.

Avacado Cafe and Bakery

Whenever I have company in town, and they want a taste of Cuban food, I like to take them to Avacado for a Cuban sandwich.  I love Avacado's intimate atmosphere and comfortable neighborhood feel.  They also have an excellent Daily Special (I recommend getting the shredded pork - delicious!).

14941 Bruce B Downs Boulevard

Tampa, FL 33613

813-631-9703

Mr. Dunderbak's Restaurant, Biergarten, and Marketplace

Mr. Dunderbak's is a great place for a beer and a bratwurst.  They also have an excellent selection of sandwiches, including a tasty ruben.  With a wide variety of beers (obviously), they offer pint glasses or liter mugs.  Anyone can find tasty treat within their great selection of European foods and confections (everybody knows the best chocolate comes from Belgium and Switzerland!).  Plus, it's a fun place to meet a group with their long picnic-table-style seating (they have regular tables too).  See you there!

(Photo credit: Dunderbak's)

14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd

Tampa FL 33613

813.977.4104

 

Hours:

Mon 4 - 11pm

Tues - Thurs 11:30am-12am

Fri - Sat 11:30AM-1am

Sun 12pm-7pm

http://www.dunderbaks.com

[menus are posted on their website]