Shelly's Cafe
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The food was amazing and fresh! So many good options I couldn't choose just one. I loved that they had fresh fruit that topped the pancakes. Servers were friendly and quick. They have tried to maximize the number of tables in the restaurant, but it does not feel overly crowded. Shelly's Cafe is an under the radar gem you shouldn't miss!
Maya, her Mom and family/friends are amazing. From the moment we entered until we left we felt like we were visiting friends. We were welcomed and told to sit wherever we liked. Maya and her Mom provided great service. Maya answered some questions and made great recommendations. Once we decided what we wanted, Maya took our orders. Her suggestions were spot on from the home fries to the caramel for the fresh fruits. I ordered the 3 Egg Combo (scrambled) with Home Fries, Turkey Bacon, and Fresh Fruits. I had Coffee to drink. The food came out quickly. We were served a generous portion of food. It was delicious. In the end, I didn't feel overstuffed or bloated after eating most of my food. We learned the restaurant has been around for about 10 years and is named after the former owner. I would definitely return to Shelly's for breakfast when in the Tampa area.
The food is delicious! A nice spot to frequent if you stay in north Tampa or if you love somewhere else, this is a spot worth checking out. The beignets were really good, reminded me of my time in New Orleans and the pancake combo was my go to. Great service and the food comes out pretty quick so not much of a wait.
A local gem and a must visit for breakfast. Splurge and get the Shelleys fresh fruit version of Pancake or French Toasts, and make it into a combo for a savory and sweet delight. The place is not fancy but has a calm and breakfasty-vibe. The servers treat you like its a family joint - welcoming and warm. You will enjoy this!
I've been driving past this place for years and finally got the chance to stop by with a friend. I'm mad at myself for taking this long cause it was so delicious! It gave a very welcoming and small town local vibe. I enjoyed the straightforward menu and the huge plates. The pancakes were soft inside and crispy on the outside. The orange juice and fruit were so fresh! We came for the beignets, but forgot to order them because we were so full. So we can't wait to return and try them! We loved our experience there and highly recommend it.
Stopped here after my daughter's soccer tryouts. Delicious, friendly staff, huge portions! We will be back again
The menu is small but that allows them to ensure that all of the dishes are always consistent and tasty. We both ordered Shelly's French toast and it was just perfect. The French Toast was cooked to perfection with no soggy spots. The food came out pretty quickly as well. I noticed that even though there were a few open tables, they still had people waiting which shows me that they're managing the pace to NOT overwhelm the kitchen staff. Again, this was evident with the quality of the food and the speed at which it came out after ordering. This a a great spot for a casual meal, nothing fancy about the place so don't expect violins and a sommelier.
I do enjoy a weekend brunch and Shelly's Cafe in Tampa has become my go-to place... I've visited many times over the last year that I've been in Florida and they are consistently serving up farm fresh everything! Aaand their fruit bowl is as beautiful as it is fresh and delicious! If you're looking for a locally owned and operated breakfast cafe, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed! In fact, when my high school besties came to town for a girls weekend, this is where I chose to bring them for breakfast. They loved it as much as I do.
I was driving home through Tampa, starving! I asked Siri for breakfast places near me. I like to try 'hole in the wall' places because they are typically the ones with the best-tasting food. Upon arrival, the area of town was quite sketchy! It looked to be vacant & rundown. Can't really blame that on the business owner, tho. There were people standing outside the restaurant waiting to be seated. I stepped inside the door expecting to be greeted by staff. That was the first mistake -- expecting anything! I locked eyes with two of the three visible employees, so I know my party was noticed. Not one of them approached me for any reason. After about three minutes, I decided to go to the counter and ask what I needed to do in order to be seated. Apparently, patrons must walk to the back counter, find the yellow steno pad and add their own name to the list. How would anyone unfamiliar with the restaurant know this??? I was told there was a 20 min wait... it ended up being about 35 mins JUST to be seated, which included 2 sets of guests leaving before their party was called. After being seated it took another 15-20 mins just to have our order taken. The food AND beverages all arrived together another 30 minutes after the order was taken. When the food arrived, it WAS appealing to the eye! It was flavorful & precisely prepared. The drinks were canned soda --- so absolutely NO reason they couldn't have been served in a more timely manner! Our waitress was very polite but seemed quite disorganized and spread extremely thin with all she was doing. The table next to me had to ask for a to-go box 3 times for a to-go order that she also forgot to have prepared for the customers at said table. While the food was tasty, it was absolutely not 'to-die-for! The service was lack-luster at best. The cleanliness left A-LOT to be desired (literally saw the person bussing tables wipe the food left on the table onto the floor instead of into the bus pan. Patrons had to walk on/over the food in order to leave the restaurant. And the bathroom --- disgusting..... overflowing toilet, rust, and mildew all around the sink! Not sure I'll ever visit again.... But if I were you, I'd wait until they have more or at least better staff before visiting.
Read the reviews and Shelly's Cafe was a must try. Their breakfast is the best! Service: Upon entering, we were greeted. The entire staff was very friendly and welcoming. Such a wonderful diner experience and highly recommend everyone in the area to try. Will be back!
We are from South Carolina ! And this is by far the best food we had while visiting Tampa we came for breakfast twice ! The service was exceptional everyone of the staff was great ! And the place had a homie vibe to it welcoming since we stepped foot inside 10/10 recommend it ! Also they have beignets ! My girlfriend has been craving them forever and they have them here they are 10/10 as well !
Shelly's is our go-to spot now. It gives a mom and pop vibe in a little strip mall. From the first visit we were hooked! I'm not a pancake person usually for breakfast but I dream about these pancakes every single weekend. They are perfectly soft in the middle, crisp on the edge, and not too sweet. My MIL who is a FIEND for pancakes loves them too! My wife always gets the chicken and pancakes and it's always consistently delicious. Also, if you are like me and pine for the days of Sweet Tomatoes, come here and get the strawberry lemonade!! It will speak to your soul! Prices are super reasonable and we don't normally have to wait unless you get there in the early morning on the weekend. But they have quick turnaround so even if we do have to wait, it's not long and it's VERY worth it.
Love that they open 7:30am on the weekends. I stopped in Saturday morning with my nieces and they had plenty of seating still available and also plenty of parking spots out front. Our server was super nice and attentive. I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes which were so yummy. They put the chocolate chips on top which I really like because on warm pancakes they melt and spread so good with the syrup.
2 months ago
I love a good mom and pop. Let me just say this place is SO good...I went two days in a row! The staff was wonderful. The owner was working both days and introduced himself. He was really sweet. We felt like we were with family. These pancakes have to be the best I've had in Tampa. Just the right amount of sweet with crunchy edges. No bland chicken here! It was hand breaded and seasoned well. My friends tried the chocolate pancakes and the veggie omelet, they loved them both. Shelly's will definitely be my breakfast go to. read more
15 days ago
The food was amazing! The pancakes were fluffy, warm, and delicious, especially with the chocolate chips and powdered sugar. The omelette was cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. But those seasoned potatoes really stood out -- crispy, seasoned just right, and tasted awesome! Everything came out fresh and flavorful. Definitely a breakfast spot I'd come back to! read more
12 days ago
6 days ago
The food was amazing and fresh! So many good options I couldn't choose just one. I loved that they had fresh fruit that topped the pancakes. Servers were friendly and quick. They have tried to maximize the number of tables in the restaurant, but it does not feel overly crowded. Shelly's Cafe is an under the radar gem you shouldn't miss! read more
Maya, her Mom and family/friends are amazing. From the moment we entered until we left we felt like we were visiting friends. We were welcomed and told to sit wherever we liked. Maya and her Mom provided great service. Maya answered some questions and made great recommendations. Once we decided what we wanted, Maya took our orders. Her suggestions were spot on from the home fries to the caramel for the fresh fruits. I ordered the 3 Egg Combo (scrambled) with Home Fries, Turkey Bacon, and Fresh Fruits. I had Coffee to drink. The food came out quickly. We were served a generous portion of food. It was delicious. In the end, I didn't feel overstuffed or bloated after eating most of my food. We learned the restaurant has been around for about 10 years and is named after the former owner. I would definitely return to Shelly's for breakfast when in the Tampa area. read more
The food is delicious! A nice spot to frequent if you stay in north Tampa or if you love somewhere else, this is a spot worth checking out. The beignets were really good, reminded me of my time in New Orleans and the pancake combo was my go to. Great service and the food comes out pretty quick so not much of a wait. read more
11 months ago
A local gem and a must visit for breakfast. Splurge and get the Shelleys fresh fruit version of Pancake or French Toasts, and make it into a combo for a savory and sweet delight. The place is not fancy but has a calm and breakfasty-vibe. The servers treat you like its a family joint - welcoming and warm. You will enjoy this! read more
6 months ago
I've been driving past this place for years and finally got the chance to stop by with a friend. I'm mad at myself for taking this long cause it was so delicious! It gave a very welcoming and small town local vibe. I enjoyed the straightforward menu and the huge plates. The pancakes were soft inside and crispy on the outside. The orange juice and fruit were so fresh! We came for the beignets, but forgot to order them because we were so full. So we can't wait to return and try them! We loved our experience there and highly recommend it. read more
3 months ago
Stopped here after my daughter's soccer tryouts. Delicious, friendly staff, huge portions! We will be back again read more
The menu is small but that allows them to ensure that all of the dishes are always consistent and tasty. We both ordered Shelly's French toast and it was just perfect. The French Toast was cooked to perfection with no soggy spots. The food came out pretty quickly as well. I noticed that even though there were a few open tables, they still had people waiting which shows me that they're managing the pace to NOT overwhelm the kitchen staff. Again, this was evident with the quality of the food and the speed at which it came out after ordering. This a a great spot for a casual meal, nothing fancy about the place so don't expect violins and a sommelier. read more
I do enjoy a weekend brunch and Shelly's Cafe in Tampa has become my go-to place... I've visited many times over the last year that I've been in Florida and they are consistently serving up farm fresh everything! Aaand their fruit bowl is as beautiful as it is fresh and delicious! If you're looking for a locally owned and operated breakfast cafe, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed! In fact, when my high school besties came to town for a girls weekend, this is where I chose to bring them for breakfast. They loved it as much as I do. read more
1 year ago
I was driving home through Tampa, starving! I asked Siri for breakfast places near me. I like to try 'hole in the wall' places because they are typically the ones with the best-tasting food. Upon arrival, the area of town was quite sketchy! It looked to be vacant & rundown. Can't really blame that on the business owner, tho. There were people standing outside the restaurant waiting to be seated. I stepped inside the door expecting to be greeted by staff. That was the first mistake -- expecting anything! I locked eyes with two of the three visible employees, so I know my party was noticed. Not one of them approached me for any reason. After about three minutes, I decided to go to the counter and ask what I needed to do in order to be seated. Apparently, patrons must walk to the back counter, find the yellow steno pad and add their own name to the list. How would anyone unfamiliar with the restaurant know this??? I was told there was a 20 min wait... it ended up being about 35 mins JUST to be seated, which included 2 sets of guests leaving before their party was called. After being seated it took another 15-20 mins just to have our order taken. The food AND beverages all arrived together another 30 minutes after the order was taken. When the food arrived, it WAS appealing to the eye! It was flavorful & precisely prepared. The drinks were canned soda --- so absolutely NO reason they couldn't have been served in a more timely manner! Our waitress was very polite but seemed quite disorganized and spread extremely thin with all she was doing. The table next to me had to ask for a to-go box 3 times for a to-go order that she also forgot to have prepared for the customers at said table. While the food was tasty, it was absolutely not 'to-die-for! The service was lack-luster at best. The cleanliness left A-LOT to be desired (literally saw the person bussing tables wipe the food left on the table onto the floor instead of into the bus pan. Patrons had to walk on/over the food in order to leave the restaurant. And the bathroom --- disgusting..... overflowing toilet, rust, and mildew all around the sink! Not sure I'll ever visit again.... But if I were you, I'd wait until they have more or at least better staff before visiting. read more
Read the reviews and Shelly's Cafe was a must try. Their breakfast is the best! Service: Upon entering, we were greeted. The entire staff was very friendly and welcoming. Such a wonderful diner experience and highly recommend everyone in the area to try. Will be back! read more
3 months ago
We are from South Carolina ! And this is by far the best food we had while visiting Tampa we came for breakfast twice ! The service was exceptional everyone of the staff was great ! And the place had a homie vibe to it welcoming since we stepped foot inside 10/10 recommend it ! Also they have beignets ! My girlfriend has been craving them forever and they have them here they are 10/10 as well ! read more
1 year ago
Shelly's is our go-to spot now. It gives a mom and pop vibe in a little strip mall. From the first visit we were hooked! I'm not a pancake person usually for breakfast but I dream about these pancakes every single weekend. They are perfectly soft in the middle, crisp on the edge, and not too sweet. My MIL who is a FIEND for pancakes loves them too! My wife always gets the chicken and pancakes and it's always consistently delicious. Also, if you are like me and pine for the days of Sweet Tomatoes, come here and get the strawberry lemonade!! It will speak to your soul! Prices are super reasonable and we don't normally have to wait unless you get there in the early morning on the weekend. But they have quick turnaround so even if we do have to wait, it's not long and it's VERY worth it. read more
2 years ago
Love that they open 7:30am on the weekends. I stopped in Saturday morning with my nieces and they had plenty of seating still available and also plenty of parking spots out front. Our server was super nice and attentive. I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes which were so yummy. They put the chocolate chips on top which I really like because on warm pancakes they melt and spread so good with the syrup. read more
We arrived there was a short wait. As we were seated, order beverage request were taken. As we waited we were asked to switch tables, because of a 6 person reservation. I wasn't pleased with the request however my sister said sure. As we sat at the new table for 4 close to the restroom, the party of 6 never arrived. A couple was sat at our previous table. Anyway .... Let's talk about why I rated it 4. The server was nice, the restaurant was clean & the food was served fast. I enjoyed my omelette & the coffee was good. The server kept my cup full. The BLT looked like plenty of bacon. However the bacon appeared extra crispy.. I would return. read more
2 years ago
This was my first time visiting Shelley's Café. When I arrived, there was no one at the front or any signage about seating, so we stood by the entrance for a bit until someone noticed us. Once we were finally seated, I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes with scrambled eggs and extra crispy bacon. The bacon was perfectly crisp, which can be hard to get right, and my little one had the home potatoes, which were surprisingly delicious--he ate every bite! The atmosphere was pleasant, and the staff were friendly, although the place was packed, with every seat taken. When it came time to pay, we had some trouble flagging someone down since it wasn't clear who our server was. We assumed we could go to the counter, but were told someone would come to us. Despite the slightly higher prices, I would return because the food was really good. read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
10 months ago
The food was so good I can't even describe. The pancakes,The fries, The chicken, The fruit salad, THE BACON?!?!?!?! OMG I was in my chair dying for more! The bacon was crispy with NO FAT STUFF... IT WAS CHEFS KISS the pancakes were as soft as my bed and my bed is not even that soft! THE PLACE AND A GOOD ONE HOUR NAP?!?!?!. This place deserves a Gordon Ramsey visit ASAP! I should gatekeep this but ITS TOO GOOD!!! 100000000/10 read more
Kickin 'A' Cafe! A sweet Sunday morning on this third rock from the Sun. The August heat relentlessly returning to triple digits once again. We stepped in, out of the Florida Ave oven, into a really cool cafe. Right off the bat I've gotta say SERVICE! This place is teeming with a football jersey clad team that scores big points in my book. Greeted by all, seated by one, checked on by many. Wow! Izzy M was the running back for our game. She's fast with no fumbles. No 'hurry-up offense' as we broke from the huddle with a winning game plan. We knew we were Super Bowl, or at least Super Platter bound! My formation consisted of me and my Fav Fab One, whom I'll simply call my flanker. Ain't no way I'd call her my tight end or tailback! You think I'm crazy??? Our Hail Mary play turned out to be the game winning touchdown. That is, we both ordered BLT's. Hers with fries, mine with home fries. BACON. Six crispy, crunchy bacon strips stacked on some Brioche bread for the win! Brioche, the perfect bread for this sandwich, with that inherent buttery & egg taste. Yum for the tum. Shelly's Beignets for the Extra Points! Think little golden round sugar-coated mouth pleasing flavor bombs! I'm SURE a LOT of people come in JUST for the Beignets! Shelly's would be smart to give one 'teaser' Beignet to each customer as a Welcome Gift....I'm sure they'd be selling more of them, like hotcakes! LOL Shelly's playing field is spotless and well maintained. With a great coaching staff, they've found the way to consistently win. They won us over! IF you want to be in on something big too, just tell them John & Fab One sent ya! read more
9 months ago
A really good small place to have breakfast at! The employees were very welcoming and attentive as well. I definitely would recommend the pancakes, they just remind me of home-style pancakes, nothing too low quality and nothing too fancy, just perfect normal style pancakes! I didn't get to try the French toast but my boyfriend said they were good :) read more
One of the better breakfasts I've ever had especially for the price. I never order omelettes but for whatever reason decided to go with the Tampa omelette. Best I've ever had. It was perfectly made. Fluffy inside and crispy outside and the perfect mix of meat and veggies. Delicious! The potatoes on the side were insanely good. Thin sliced perfectly seasoned and crispy with still softness inside. So, so good! Service was great and prompt. Food came super quickly and server was very friendly. Tampa does not realize how lucky they have it with this breakfast spot! read more
5 months ago
11 months ago
Very clean with nice employees. They welcome you soon as you walk in the door. My husband and I came to have breakfast. It was our first time here. Kylie was our waitress. She is super sweet and very attentive. She made sure we always had a full cup of coffee and all the condiments we needed. she gave suggestions on what to have, because I couldn't decide on a couple of things to try. They have a wide variety of dishes to choose from. I had the French toast with bacon. It was was mediocre. The bacon was cooked to perfection. My husband had an omelette, toast, Turkey bacon and potatoes. He said it was ok. There are plenty of employees. So you don't have to worry about waiting on anything. I can't say enough about how nice and always smiling the employees were. Service means everything. We will come back to try lunch. They also have lunch. read more
3 years ago
Cute little small cafe ! The service was great. Pancakes- 4 star were soft in the middle and crisp on the edges. Need better quality syrup Bacon - 3 star not the best quality ! Potatoes- 5 star were good and seasoned I like cut. I don't live on this side of town . I will only go back if I'm on this side of town . Nothing to make me want to drive always across Tampa . But if you live in the area give them a try . Cost $14.95 read more
2 years ago
We arrived here on a Sunday morning, like a lot of folks, and had a mid morning breakfast. We ordered chicken and pancakes, a combo with an egg and potatoes and pancakes, and one egg combo. Service was friendly. We like visiting local places with charm that the chain spots don't deliver, so it fit the bill. It's a smaller place in a non assuming strip mall location on Florida Avenue in Tampa, so don't pass it up based on the area. The food is good! I appreciated the potatoes that were crispy and hot. I wish the pancakes didn't have an oily grill flavor, and that the scrambled eggs weren't so flat, and had a more fluffy "scrambled" texture, but this would not make me avoid visiting here again. There is enough of a variety of items on the menu to satisfy everyone. Portions aren't too big or too small. You'll like it here! read more
I've been going here for years. Servers are on point and attentive. Limited menu but an ideal local breakfast spot. But they used to have very good grits that they no longer offer at all. I wish they would bring that back! The decor is really cute with symmetrical art and very complementary color. It's kind of one of those local places that you will frequent when you are a local. read more
I absolutely loved this breakfast/brunch restaurant. The staff is friendly, the food was delicious and cooked to perfection and it has a cozy diner atmosphere. Highly suggest getting their French toast with the fresh fruit on top. You can add protein such as eggs, bacon/sausage with your meal. The bite size beignets are light and airy, perfect for sharing. They make the food when you order it, which includes their fluffy delicious pancakes. You gotta try this place out. read more
2 years ago
Food is terrible and high priced. Sausage links are microwaved, mini pancakes are frozen and heated on the grill. $8.95 kids breakfast with omelets and other combos $15 and up. New owners are failing miserably. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Aside from that, we will continue to go to brunchies read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
The food and service was EXCELLENT! The fruit was super fresh, and everything was seasoned to perfection! Great experience! read more
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More info about Shelly's Cafe
14837 N Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33613
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(813) 373-6108
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