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Front Porch Grille
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
5924 N Florida AveTampa, FL 33604
(813) 237-5511
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Front Porch Grille
Review Highlights
"...is a stop in the upcoming Bike Pub tour of Seminole Heights."
(in 4 reviews)
"...plus the freshly-baked banana bread and cornbread literally..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...a fun brunch drink menu if you're not a bloody mary fan."
(in 2 reviews)
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Joel B.
Tampa, FL
10/16/2011
This is a great find. Moderate prices and great food! The bouillibase was to die for.
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Review from Ashley S.
Tampa, FL
12/28/2011
I have never had a bad experience at the Front Porch. From brunch to dinner to drinks and dessert, everything is outstanding.
The staff, more times than not, has been attentive and helpful and the ambiance on a breezy Florida night can't be beat. I would highly recommend this! -
Review from Diane C.
Tampa, FL
11/13/2011
My husand and I went there Saturday night before we went to the drive in movies. It was great. He ordered the meatloaf and loved it!! I had
an appetizer only. We both had cocktails.
Great atmosphere and great service. We will come back. -
Review from Mike S.
Tampa, FL
11/12/2011
Finally stopped to eat here and glad we did. I had the impression this is a sports bar/grille, which we dislike. There were a few TVs above the bar showing football, but no sound or loud fans.
The restaurant is an old multi-story house with a wrap-around porch so you can choose to sit inside or out. Great old architecture, wooden floors, fine trim and bar that fits in well. Inside seating is limited, but options to sit at low tables, high tables or bar stools. Beer and mixed drink selections are more extensive than most similar places and good drink specials & happy hour prices.
Nice apps menu and we very much enjoyed the Greek hummus/veggie platter. Lots of burger, pizza & entree choices. Good meatloaf with wine sauce, and my wife very much liked the very cheesy vegetarian lasagna. We indulged by splitting a super dessert with banana bread, banana slices, foster sauce, home-made ice cream, and whipped cream. All was well served with casual efficiency.
Another keeper/repeat in the Seminole Heights neighborhood, meriting 3 stars in my rankings, reserving 4 for best in class (e.g. best Italian like Bella's) or 5 stars for best of best in my books (the La Teresita food mega-plex ).
Noticed it is a stop in the upcoming Bike Pub tour of Seminole Heights. Since I do not have a bike, does that mean I must crawl? -
Review from Rachel M.
Lutz, FL
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yelp you told me to come here. It was your fault! I'm soooo...happy you told me to come.
This area is outside of our traveling box, well not really my husband and I drive everywhere, but don't usually come to this area, but we did last night!!!
We sat on the pet friendly porch very cute. Don't let the surroundings sway your decisions differently bc this place has been here since the 1800's so you know everything else came afterwards.
Food was super memorable. Hubby had Pot roast with veggies all very tasty, and I had the Chicken Chevre. So flavorful...I can dream about it, and then come back later lol..
Glad Yelp told us too come on down!!!!:-)
4 stars bc we were bitten up by mosquitoes. bring your OFF so you don't get bitten up.Listed in: Pet Friendly…
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Review from Ariana L.
Tampa, FL
5/12/2011
Went here last night for dinner after reading reviews on Yelp. It was as good as the reviews says, most certainly.
Since we were in the Brandon area, we wanted to go to Brocato's Sandwich Shop...went there to find out that they close at 5pm...I was really disappointed...but on the way home-I yelped and found Front Porch.
The parking situation isn't so great...not many spots on Wednesday night at 8pm...when the restaurant is hardly full at all...not a good sign. Nevertheless, we found a spot and as we walked up the porch steps, it really seemed like a great place with a fun atmosphere.
We decided to eat inside-near the bar...it was too hot out to eat outside, but the ambiance out there was really nice. In the bar area, they had music playing and it was absolutely perfect. They played great music, and it seemed really homey...like everyone there knew each other-but no one bothered us...which was really nice, as well.
The waitress, well...she was a little distant, not nasty-but not exactly friendly...either. I believe she was training someone, so I'll give her a break.
We ordered the $8 wings...medium for our appetizer. They were very, very good. We got 9 wings for $8...at almost $1 each, they were a little pricey...but I'm not gonna lie, I'd probably order them again. They were prepared perfectly and came with blue cheese and celery..so I can't complain.
I ordered the salmon since I read a previous yelper's review and they said it was amazing...they weren't lying. It's a blue crab stuffed salmon and it's served with fresh vegetables...wow. It was so delicious...served over a bed of rice. The salmon was prepared perfectly and the skin was crisped ever-so-gently. It was absolutely amazing. Well worth the $17 it costs.
My husband got the bacon cheddar burger. He wasn't feeling good at the beginning of the meal...so he couldn't fairly judge it. But he said it wasn't bad. Eh, a burger is a burger to me...so...nothing special. But it did come with fresh cut french fries and those were very, very tasty.
With our entrees, they also gave us complimentary in-house-made corn bread. 4 little squares of warm deliciousness. A perfect compliment to our meals.
Overall, everything was sensational...aside from the service, but that wasn't that bad, either...so I'll definitely be returning. Probably within the next 2 months. :-) -
Review from Mihae C.
Rockville, MD
4/17/2011
I wasn't impressed with this place. My first choice to eat at while in Tampa was Ella's, but it was unfortunately closed when we went. As a last minute switch up, my bf picked this place by looking through yelp.
We initially chose to sit inside when we got here. I had to use the restroom upon arrival and it was one of the dirtiest looking restrooms. It was a bad first impression. Then, sitting inside at the restaurant (which was mostly empty except for one middle aged guy at the bar, and a couple at a table, and so quiet you could hear a pin drop) made me feel very uncomfortable. Due to this, we chose to move our seats outdoors to the porch tables.
I felt a little more at ease at the porch tables and it was nice weather for sitting outside. As with any outdoor seating though, there were bugs flying around, and I felt like I had bugs on me half the time. I kept swatting at my legs and stamping them on the ground from the feeling that bugs were on me.
We ordered burgers. They were okay. Really nothing to write about.
I think if people enjoy drinking, this may be more of their type of spot. My bf doesn't drink at all and I don't really drink much either, so this wasn't our type of atmosphere. Most of the reviews I've seen seem to have good reviews on the drinks here. We actually didn't do much research before picking this spot, which may be our fault. My bf merely saw the good amount of stars and without reading the reviews, picked this spot. We're probably partially to blame for not being very informed before coming here.
Our server was pleasant and friendly though, even with my last minute switch to change tables from inside to outside, which was a plus. She's probably the reason I'm giving two stars at all to this place that really didn't fit my taste buds or my liking. -
Review from Sarah P.
Tampa, FL
6/26/2011
Front Porch Grille has a beautiful setting, in a converted historic house, great outdoor seating, and a fine selection of beers. On my recent Saturday afternoon visit, I received very prompt, attentive service (which isn't surprising, as my companion and I were the only two people, but still, good service is worth noting).
I ordered the appetizer portion three cheese lasagna, and my friend ordered the goat cheese and spinach hamburger. His burger was excellent, thick and juicy, cooked medium rare, just the way he'd asked (it's funny how few places will accommodate that request on hamburgers). The goat cheese was creamy and tangy, and I loved that they really minced up the spinach, it's annoying to take a bite of a burger or salad and find that you're awkwardly dragging a giant glob of greens across your face. The burger came with a nice dill pickle and some really tasty fries. His order was definitely a win.
My lasagna, however, was a different story. I loved the portion size, just right for a light lunch, and the price was very good for that portion, but unfortunately, the dish itself wasn't very good. It seemed to have been left to reheat too long. The pasta noodles had become tough, and the cheese had crossed beyond the point of being gooey and melty, instead having separated into oil and whatever's left of cheese that isn't oil. There were no distinct layers left in the lasagna, the cheese having all but vanished and the pasta sort of slumping together. The overall impression was of a reheated leftover. Plus two of the three cheeses in the lasagna, as described in the menu, should have been goat cheese and Gorgonzola, both of which are very distinctive, but I couldn't taste even a trace of those flavors.
This still made three stars for me for the pleasant setting, good service, and seriously awesome hamburger and beer. The menu was interesting, so I'll definitely go again and see if the lasagna was just a fluke. -
Review from Sylvia P.
Denver, CO
4/5/2011
Front Porch recently started serving brunch and I highly recommend checking them out for these new treats. All around great food, i've tried several different items and have never been disappointed.
Extra bonus is the free mimosa or bloody mary that you receive with your order, plus the freshly-baked banana bread and cornbread literally melts in your mouth!
Front Porch is dog friendly too, which is always something that is important to keep in mind!
Outstanding food, service and just a great atmosphere in the converted old-style home. Make sure to check them out! -
Review from Linda B.
Tampa, FL
Kudos to Front Porch for a good Sunday brunch. If you like your Sunday brunch with a mimosa or bloody mary, this is the place to go. I love a good bloody mary and theirs is good and only like $4. They have a fun brunch drink menu if you're not a bloody mary fan. Oh and the food is good too! My fave eggs bene plus omelettes, crepes, etc. Nice! I've had the wings too and they were really good - nice and crispy and lightly sauced with a kick. Check it out!
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Review from Melissa M.
Tampa, FL
7/9/2011
I really hate to say anything bad about any restaurant in Seminole Heights because I love the area so much. However, I have eaten at Front Porch about 7-10 times over the last few years. Last night being the most recent. And I find a consistent problem with their food. The chicken/fish is ALWAYS over cooked. I have yet to order a steak, because I like mine medium rare and I'm afraid they'll kill it. I've had the Chicken Chevre on multiple occasions and it's cooked to the point that I have trouble getting the steak knife to cut it. The same applies to the fish. Totally dried out. I love the atmosphere there. The servers are always quirky and nice, but the food just straight up stinks. I will continue to frequent the restaurant because I have so many friends who live in OSH, but I will restrict myself to salad and pasta.
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Review from A K.
Lutz, FL
2/15/2011
I went here for lunch on a weekend afternoon and it was very quiet and empty. The weather was nice so we sat out on the porch to eat. There were some nice beers on tap so we ordered those and shared a plate of cornbread, which was absolutely delicious.
I ordered the Penne Milano and I liked the portion size but I wish I would have asked for it without the balsamic glaze because I feel like that took away from the dish. Other than that, the food was good and we enjoyed being out on a porch. Our service was a bit slow considering we were the only ones there but we had a good time. -
Review from Joda D.
Tampa, FL
12/10/2007
I've driven by this place a thousand times and have never seen it. Until I read a review here I had never heard about Front Porch Grille. I went Friday night and was not disappointed.
The view is not that great (Florida Ave) and the service isn't stellar, but atmosphere and food like this aren't sitting around every corner in this neighborhood. This would be the perfect casual restaurant to catch up with a girlfriend, drink cocktails and order one delicious appetizer after another... oh wait, that IS what we did... and it WAS perfect.
This restaurant is built from a converted Victorian house (my father actually dated a girl that lived in the house back in the 70's- she cheated on him BTW) and aside from a bar inside the living room, the majority of the seating is on the front porch, hence the name. It's defiantly a hole-in-the-wall, but the food was a pleasant surprise: I was expecting the usual fried munchies, but we ended up with Quattro Formaggio flat bread and escargot en croute.
It's just great. You should go there. Like tonight.
Warning: this is the kind of place that the regulars sitting behind you will try to strike up a convo and will not stop. For better or worse.
At the end of the day: I really felt like I drove out to Florida Ave to pick up a tired hooker and I ended up with Julia Roberts... MERCY! -
Review from Dale O.
6/15/2008
An acquaintance who lives in the neighborhood took me there.
Most of the diners and the wait staff seemed to know each other, and that made me, a somewhat frequent visitor,, feel just a tad uncomfortable at first.
But not for long.
Friendly, attentive wait staff, comfortable surroundings, and oh yeah, the food.
Great food, and some items were even pleasantly creative, using mostly fresh ingredients, and at very friendly prices.
They have burgers and hot wings, too, although I didn't have the chance to try them.
I recommend it if you're anywhere nearby, or even across town. -
Review from Charles C.
Tampa, FL
3/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Had the Salmon, very tasty & fresh!! Love the outside porch where one can sit and enjoy. Can wait to come back and try their other items on the menu!
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Review from Martin M.
Chicago, IL
11/24/2010
In October my girlfriend and I were in town for a wedding. We spent a couple days around Tampa and Clearwater and had some pretty forgettable meals (including the the "fancy" Italian restaurant in the mall ?!?). So on our last night in town we were looking for some place to have a nice, but not necessarily expensive dinner. Living in Chicago we are very spoiled with the dining choices we have available, even if we don't often take advantage of them. So after looking around websites and Yelp my girlfriend picked ut the Front Porch Grille. I have to admit I was a little suspicious of name and after finally finding the nondescript house after driving past it I was even more suspicious. Little did i know I was in store for one of the most memorable meals I've ever had!!!
It was fairly late on a Tuesday evening so there was only one other table there when we arrived and that made me even more nervous. But once we sat down I was pleasantly surprised by their choices of beers and ordered a seasonal Abita. My girlfriend and I were pretty hungry and everything on the menu looked SOO good so we ordered some Calamari which was excellent! I really really like seafood but was less than impressed with the fresh grouper and conch that is the regional specialty around these parts. Regardless,I decided to order the Mahi-Mahii Southern Style and it was AMAZING. I couldn't believe how well prepared this dish was and only $15!!! The same plate would have easily cost at least double the price anywhere in the city. The mango salad combined with the butter sauce on the fish was phenomenal and the rice was a perfect complement. The portion size was also very generous.
Now for the steak that my girlfriend won't stop talking about: My girlfriend can never decide what she wants when there are several items on a menu that look good so when she ordered the Steak with Champagne sauce she was nervous if she would like it or not. She ordered a soup as well and both of us were very impressed with the Gumbo. From the first bite to the last she could not stop saying "Wow! This is amazing!" I had to try some and of course all I could say was "Wow, that's amazing!" Looking on their website now I don't see the steak with the champagne sauce on there anymore but I'm sure the Steak au Poivre is just as good.
Even though we were stuffed we fought on and order dessert thinking that maybe, just maybe there was something this place might get wrong. Not a chance. The Banana Heaven with home made banana bread was exactly what I wanted and my girlfriend's flour less raspberry chocolate cake was ridiculously good.
And after ordering almost everything on the menu and having a few drinks out bill was still under $100!! I've definitely spent twice as much and not been half as satisfied at other restaurants many times.
Every single thing we ate here was GREAT, not just good or passable, but great. Whoever the chef is deserves my regards for making amazing food with bit of souther styling that can't get any better. The service was great, our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Dining outside on the porch of an old house was really charming and made the experience feel more genuine.
I don't know that I'll ever find myself back in Tampa but if I do I know where I will be eating every meal, the Front Porch Frill. -
Review from Dena S.
Gulf Breeze, FL
2/11/2011
WOW... I LOVE this place. Everything I've ever eaten here has been just spectacular. The atmosphere is great, servers are friendly, and the food is fabulous! Given my penchant for fish tacos, I had to try the Baja Fish Tacos. I found them quite good with fresh grouper and a nice slaw with baja sauce... yummm. I'm looking forward to trying the Blackened Bleu Ahi Tuna Tacos soon. I just keep getting sidetracked by all the other delicious choices. There's a nice wine selection and a great beer selection too that includes some craft beers.
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Review from Dave K.
Zephyrhills, FL
6/24/2007
This place is one of Tampa's best kept secrets. The food is always great, the beer always cold with a great selection, and the atmosphere is quintessential Tampa!
Its not too upscale but its a very nice restaurant for any occasion. -
Review from Ben V.
Philadelphia, PA
1/11/2011
Used to frequent this spot a lot with a friend who lived close by. Crabcakes and Ahi tuna were well done.
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Review from mark s.
Tampa, FL
12/14/2009
Great restaurant with historic ambiance. The house that the front porch is in was built sometime in the late 1800s i believe, and theu have various pictures around the restaurant to prove it. Their faire has always been top notch every visit also, if you fancy a good burger look no further. They have sandwiches as well as more elaborate platter style selections and as mentioned oN the previous review a very nice full bar. The front porch truly is a hidden gem, its one of those places you want to tell everyone about, but is so good you also want to keep it just for yourself.
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Review from Denise V.
Tampa, FL
7/31/2010
Upon moving to Seminole Heights, everyone we spoke to told us to give this place a try. At the spur of the moment, we decided against cooking dinner and gave it a try. I had the Mahi-Mahi, which was awesome! The food took a long time to come out, but I think it's just part of the laid back ambiance. Definitely a local hang out.
Great drink specials! -
Review from Rob C.
Tampa, FL
2/11/2011
I love this place. Such a warm homey feeling. Everything on the menu is always good, and I am never disappointed (except for the one time my g/f ordered the small ravioli portion that was $9 and it included 3 raviolis). But other than that, I have no complaints about Front Porch and think it is one of the best, if not the best, stop in Seminole Heights.
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Review from Courtney B.
Tampa, FL
6/28/2007
I love the atmosphere of this place! Feels like a throwback to old Florida; even being on a busy street doesn't obscure that. The menu is very diverse -- I kind of had low expectations that everything would be good because of that, but the food is actually very good. We loved the caprese salad and the pizza. The beer selection is great, too! I'm only giving it 4 stars because our service was not very good when we went -- it felt like the waiter we had was a busboy filling in - not friendly, not helpful, etc. Will definitely go back anyway, though.
