SANDWICHES/ SALADS ABELLA'S SANDWICH SHOP, 2141 34th St., Tampa; (813) 247-2231. Chicken dishes are popular, and no wonder. Large, meaty breasts come covered with a tangy tomato sauce or Cuban-style with thick slices of sauteed sweet onions on top. Daily specials include stew beef, curry goat, ox tails, barbecue ribs, pork chops, meatloaf and pepper steak. Entrees are served with red or black beans and rice, a simple shredded iceberg lettuce and tomato salad, and Cuban bread and butter. Many of the meat entrees also are available in sandwiches. ($) ...more

October 17, 2008

SANDWICHES/ SALADS ABELLA'S SANDWICH SHOP, 2141 34th St., Tampa; (813) 247-2231. A large sign next to Abella's grocery store warns drug dealers, muggers, prostitutes and thieves to stay away. Don't let it discourage you. Continue north to Abella's, the sandwich shop, about 200 yards down the road, and you won't be disappointed (unless, of course, you are one of the aforesaid). Although they carry the same name, the two businesses have different owners. Chicken dishes are popular, and no wonder. Large, meaty breasts come covered with a tangy tomato sauce or Cuban-style with thick slices of sauteed sweet onions on top. Daily specials include stew beef, curry goat, ox tails, barbecue ribs, pork chops, meatloaf and pepper steak. Entrees are served with red or black beans and rice, a simple shredded iceberg lettuce and tomato salad, and Cuban bread and butter. Many of the meat entrees also are available in sandwiches. ($) ...more

June 20, 2008

SANDWICHES/ SALADS BEARSS SANDWICHES, 14022 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 961-9486. This tiny, bustling deli specializes in piled-high sandwiches, about two dozen combinations, each around $4. Diners get their choice of bread: Cuban, rye, egg bread, wheat, hoagie rolls, pumpernickel and onion rolls. Popular choices include the porkless Cuban, with salami, cheese and ham; the Cordon Bleu sandwich, with a thick, lightly breaded chicken filet; and a Brazil Cariocca, which is a combination of hard salami, ham, American cheese and oregano. ($) ...more

February 20, 2008

SANDWICHES/ SALADS BEARSS SANDWICHES, 14022 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 961-9486. This tiny, bustling deli specializes in piled-high sandwiches, about two dozen combinations, each around $4. Diners get their choice of bread: Cuban, rye, egg bread, wheat, hoagie rolls, pumpernickel and onion rolls. Popular choices include the porkless Cuban, with salami, cheese and ham; the Cordon Bleu sandwich, with a thick, lightly breaded chicken filet; and a Brazil Cariocca, which is a combination of hard salami, ham, American cheese and oregano. ($) ...more

January 2, 2008

SANDWICHES/ SALADS BEARSS SANDWICHES, 14022 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 961-9486. This tiny, bustling deli specializes in piled-high sandwiches, about two dozen combinations, each around $4. Diners get their choice of bread: Cuban, rye, egg bread, wheat, hoagie rolls, pumpernickel and onion rolls. Popular choices include the porkless Cuban, with salami, cheese and ham; the Cordon Bleu sandwich, with a thick, lightly breaded chicken filet; and a Brazil Cariocca, which is a combination of hard salami, ham, American cheese and oregano. ($) ...more

November 7, 2007

SANDWICHES/ SALADS BARROW'S GOURMET FOODS, 3660 Henderson Blvd., Tampa; (813) 870-0950. This friendly, family-owned restaurant stacks up against the competition. In addition to an array of hot and cold sandwiches, the menu features soups and salads. There's also a salad bar with olives, beets, tiny pickled corn, peas, garbanzo and kidney beans, pasta and potato salad, and fresh and dried fruit. Catering is available. ($) ...more

September 26, 2007