It was 10:00 AM in some forgotten corner of Florida, the kind of place where time is just a rumor and the heat sits on your chest like a drunk girlfriend. I pushed through the door of "Martha's Place" and the smell hit me, a greasy fog of bacon grease and desperation. The air conditioning rattled, a dying insect on its back. ​I slid into a table, the color of a faded bruise. The waitress, a woman sculpted from forty years of early shifts and unfiltered cigarettes, dropped a menu in front of me with a clatter that sounded like a death sentence. The menu itself was a battlefield of red ink, promising salvation for twelve dollars. ​"Coffee," I said. "Black. As black as my soul." ​She poured it, hot and bitter, the fuel for another day of bad decisions. I looked out the window, watching the cars pass, wondering where they were going and why they were in such a hurry. ​The food arrived, a heap of it. Country Fried Steak, smothered in a gravy that looked like something you'd scrape off a highway. Two eggs, cooked sunny side up, staring at me like accusatory eyes. A pile of grits, soft and yielding, waiting to be overwhelmed. And two biscuits, hardtack for the soul. ​I ate it. What else was there to do? The steak was tough, a fight from the first bite. The gravy was bland, a soothing blanket for the steak's rebellion. The eggs were rubbery. The grits were, well, grits. The biscuits were dry, requiring a generous dunking in the coffee. ​I reached for the bottle of Cholula in my pocket. The little wooden cap was stuck. I wrenched it off, a small victory. I doused the food, hoping to hide its mediocrity with heat. ​It didn't help much. ​I finished the coffee, the cup leaving a ring on the cluttered table. The check came. The price of a cheap meal and a cheaper existence. I left a tip on the table, because that's what you do. ​I walked back out into the Florida sun, the heat wrapping around me like a shroud. I fumbled for my keys, realizing I'd left my copy of Dostoevsky on the booth. I went back in. The waitress was already clearing the table. I grabbed the book, nodded, and walked out again. It was the most excitement I'd had all morning. ​It's a strange world, I thought. And sometimes, it comes with gravy. read more

Hours were incorrect online and they closed early when we had a confirmed reservation.

Toast placed in hot container, so always limp, 3rd time in which salmon croquettes were obviously pre-cooked to the point of being tasteless, hubbys corn beef hash had tangy taste nor usually common to CbH & upon allowing our trusty steed (chihuahua) who wouldn't tough it, so we notified restaurant to check the quality as it appeared sour. Stick with their ham steak, eggs & grits. The don't fumble those. Ugly pictures read more

It was terrible don't do it. I don't understand how it's possible to mess up breakfast potatoes but they figured it out.

Photo like the one I took is what drew us here. The food was delicious!!!!! My ADHD brain really enjoyed the experience. The menu and decor is straight out ADHD and I'm here for it. We enjoyed it read more

Martha's Place - Pork, Eggs, and potatoes - Diners Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Affordable and seriously yummy. They are also really quick with your order to go pick up. Nice vibe inside, good people.

Stay far, far away! I have given them 3 chances thinking they were merely having a "bad day" but all week?! Foods are served old & taste like the fridge they were in (I'm sending the inspectors to see if fridge needs cleaning. Half of the things shown on menu they don't have & I'd check in a tree branch before I eat their greens. This place has gotten by for yrs serving substandard food in da hood. Those folks also deserve better & should stick with three coins. Excuse me, but as a nurse I find it deplorable. Then when I called to calmly discuss -the owner hung up on me. My hubby works for the port, and will be telling his union brothers. All things said they just lost about 410 customers by serving old food. I should have read the last inspection on YELP. read more

The food was good but we were not given an itemized menu, so when the bill came it seemed pretty steep considering this is a fairly dingy diner with a bathroom that smells like a cat box. read more

it was bussin frfr it was delicious get the breakfast meal service was good french toast, hash browns, and potatoes are good would come back read more

Good breakfast! Take a look at that ham! That's real ham! I was good and I didn't eat the potatoes, or the toast. But I take myself to breakfast every payday, and also every Saturday. And today was this place in Tampa. A bit "rustic" which is a kind word of saying that it's old, and in a horrible neighborhood. In fact, it's the same neighborhood that the Seminole Heights serial killer stalked last year. But it was well worth the trip. Dodge a bullet or two, and you can have ham like this!! The waitress was extremely friendly and had a nice conversation with me. The food was excellent. read more

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Order came with drinks owner did not honor order and what was paid for. Total was $17 the drinks were listed as $1 and the owner would not provide the drinks after realizing his error. Poor customer service at its finest. read more

Wonderful breakfast. Huge plates of soul food with eggs and hash browns. I got a smothered pork chop, my partner had fried livers and gizzards. Very friendly, excellent service. Local, casual atmosphere. read more

I never give a bad review but the service I got here was not good. Food was not picture worthy and the taste was equal. I remember going here years ago and everything was great. I try to support smaller establishments as much as possible, but I won't be back to this one. read more

Love this place! I'm now a driver and don't get home often but this is a must hit stop when I am in town. Neighborhood place that's been here for years and everything is good. If you are going to be turned off by a place that is a little worn or you get offended by local color then just piss off and go to a trendy hipster place on Florida ave, we don't need your BS here. read more

Excellent food good feeling when coming in, it feel like your part of a family reunion, feel like known everyone there for years. Highly recommend. read more

I was a little skeptical-about this place because the place looks so old but I heard so much about it. The sitting area is a little tight- tables weren't cleaned when we first walked in. However, when we sat down we were greeted , given menus we ordered the chicken and waffles- waited about 15 mins for our food to arrive and OMG!! I almost passed out at how great tasting everything was. The chicken was so fresh and crispy and I mean big piece of chicken and fluffy waffles. I had to get to go plates because I was stuffed. Don't let this little place fool you I love this place and I will definitely be back!! read more

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I just left this restaurant, THE FOOD IS DISGUSTING!!!! I found roaches in my grits! The service was slow also. When I called back to let them know the guys said so what I can't do anything about it. Don't go to this place or you will regret it. read more

PROS: -Diverse menu -Decent prices CONS: -Poorly prepared food -$1 surcharge for using debit/credit cards -Pack your gack LOCATION: On Nebraska just a couple blocks south of E Hillsborough Ave. It's a corner lot and parking is is on both sides. FOOD: Pretty expansive diner-centric menu with a soul food flair. There are lots of breakfast choices/combos plus burger, fried fish, chicken and steak options. There is also an ice cream station. Smoked sausage is a prevalent option in the breakfast choices so I went with that, a single egg and a couple of pancakes (about $6.5). The girl had a ham and cheese omelet with home fries. My sausage was good flavor-wise but cold and the pancakes were just meh - the kind that are tough to cut, know what I mean? The omelet was the best part of our breakfast as the home fries were really just deep fried potatoes. The portion sizes were on the large ende and neither of us finished our plates. We eat lots of breakfasts at diners and this was definitely at or near the bottom of our list. Just 2 Stars for Food. SERVICE: Our waitress was efficient if not exactly friendly. I definitely got the "we have a lot of regulars here and I don't recognize you" vibe from her when we first sat down. She warmed up a little during the visit and drink refills were timely. Only 2 stars for Service since I didn't get that warm welcoming feeling. VALUE: I didn't spend a lot of time reviewing the menu but the prices seemed a little better than your average diner. Our two meals with a good tip (I can't help myself) and the $1 debit card charge was $16 and change. I'll give 3 stars for Value. ATMOSPHERE: The look of the place is definitely divey...in fact, way divey. I have no problem with that. What I did have a problem with was the gunfight I thought was going to break out mid-meal. Everyone (6 or 7 tables) was quietly eating when a guy walked in and started talking junk to a table of three out of the blue. He kept asking one of them to go outside and throw down with him. Every time he returned, I was expecting him to be gack'd up. Fortunately, nothing happened - at least while we were there. 2 stars for Atmosphere (being in crossfire automatically costs you a star...) With all the good diner choices in the are (Nico's, Three Coins, Taco Bus, etc), I can't see us going back. Food: 4/10, Service: 4/10, Value: 7/10, Atmosphere: 2/10 read more

The prices were very reasonable but I was disappointed for a place that calls itself home cooking. I ordered an omelet. The menu clearly states that hash browns are one of the choices that are included. My server informed me that hash browns were a $1 up charge. When they were brought to my table, they turned out to be 2 Patty- type hash browns just like McDonald's - not homemade at all! The omelet was flat with no fluffiness. They do not offer real butter for the toast. Only a buttery spread. The server was very nice food came out promptly for a very fair price. read more

Martha's Place has been around for quite a long time. They used to be located on Hillsborough Ave just East of 56th street. A while back they relocated to their current location. A simple little hole in the wall that sits off Nebraska Avenue. The looks of the establishment is not an eye catcher, in fact, some may frown at the old run down building. Haven't you learned, don't judge a book by it's cover?? Well, that's the case here. Martha's Place offers good southern food at great prices! You can dine in or order your food to go. I typically order, cheese grits, scrambled eggs and corn beef hash. I have had their smothered pork chops before and they were very tasty. If you're in the area stop by. They also serve lunch, but I have not had their lunch so I can't comment on that. read more

Sunday Meatball Chronicles I can't say it was the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had in my life, but when breakfast can be traded for pocket change, how can you complain? Read more at: http://www.sundaymeatballchronicles.com/?p=431 read more

This is great food at a really good price. It's quirky and cute. The service was great. It has a neighborhood diner feel, and its definitely casual. Nothing fancy, but definitely worth a try. read more

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The food was made to order and quick. The sausage gravy was quite good, however the Corn beef hash was straight up out of a can and tasted like old grease. I only took 3 bites. Didn't like the hash at all. Took 1st bite to try. Second one was to confirm. Then came back at the end to make sure I gave it a fair shot. Wouldn't order corned beef hash again. Will come back and try the French toast (they looked good on another patrons plate). Service was very good. read more

Martha's Place - Just a quant little "joint" for good hearty breakfasts - Diners Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Good, reliable, cheap Southern food, and great people. Zero pretense, so it's comfortable for people who have long been comfortable in the neighborhood. Last of a dying breed. read more

Been in nicer public restrioms. Surprisingly did not develop food poisoning. DISGUSTING. read more

Aesthetically, nothing special. Looks like an old diner. I got the meat lovers skillet. Under the eggs was a ridiculous amount of bacon, ham and sausage over home fries. Two thumbs way up. read more

Pancakes were awesome! Sausage patties were good. Eggs were eggs. Service was slow but I think this was attributed to the kitchen not the waitress. Kid friendly. Atmosphere is very basic. If your craving pancakes Martha's is a good bet. You could smell the vanilla and butter in the cakes when they hit the table. read more

Great little hole in the wall neighborhood diner. The service is always great, prices are low, and portions at large. I have early morning meetings here almost every week! read more

Wow, this establishment impressed me tremendously. you talk about great breakfast and you get it here. this place is greatly priced and your definitely going to get full. with two people we had a $18 bill which is a average of $9 per person. they open 5am-4pm. read more

Good, neighborhood diner-like place serving fine breakfasts and lunch diner standards. Very low prices and some specialties like sausage gravy on biscuits......combined with some eggs, sausage and butter, it qualifies for the coronary overload award. Not big on diet food, but catering to the blue-collar, working class folks who need a hearty meal to start a work day where they a doing more than keyboard stroking. Easy on & off of Nebraska Ave., just south of Hillsborough Ave. read more

Nice little place, nothing fancy at all, but food is good and prices are right. The club sandwich was great. Service was very friendly. Love these little greasy spoons....Will def stop in again. read more

Great little place. Server was nice and funny and owner too. in the neighborhood for a basketball tournament, tried to get into Ellas but wait was too long. This was a surprisingly great plan b. Serves breakfast and their ice tea is great. Ordered biscuits and gravy and they were the best i have had in a diner and i have tried them many many places. Sorry no pictures to post. But my kids had french toast and they loved it and my husband had a cheeseburger and said it was good. Only reason not 5 stars because it was really good just not exceptional. read more

Pretty tasty. Good bacon. My hash browns must have been deep fried because there was a hint of what was probably catfish.

The only thing that is stopping me from getting it 5 stars is that I ordered a side of rice and it had absolutely no flavor and the decor was simple which isn't bad read more

Once was enough!! Service was s-l-o-w..... Nothing was ever said-- but the kitchen had to be understaffed! By the time our order came up to be prepared (40 minutes after our order had been taken!) they were out of over half of what we ordered. Like why bother!! it was a big decision to decide what to order in the first place--and then the real question should have been-- well what's left back there? Never again-- and no recommendations to give it a try! read more