One of the best finds in the area, I'm so glad I stumbled into this place! I was immediately greeted by Kenny and given a background on this cozy establishment after which we sat down on the outside patio where we received our food right away cooked fresh on the dot and proceeded to get checked on by the amazing staff including one from the very kind chef Dominic who was rooting for us with the large I'm starving plate awarding us with complimentary cookies :)! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - I AM STARVING MEAL - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Great breakfast and lunch food! Beautiful scenery! Turtles, ducks, and fish in the pond to view and take pictures. Service was amazing with super sweet people. One of the workers even called some turtles to the surface of the pond so we could feed them with turtle food(provided by the cafe). If I lived in Florida, I would come here all the time. read more

Great food, service, and nice outdoor area to enjoy your food! Everything was made to order and super easy. The staff care about your experience there! read more

Over on this side for Busch Gardens and looking for something new to try before heading home. This place had lots of good reviews and the food choices sounded yummy too I landed on the Gabagool & Friends. Great sandwich with fresh ingredients. Bread was really good. Their version an Italian. Large sandwich. Deb grabbed some curry chicken salad. Very tasty and fresh as well. A great spot for some really good food and friendly folks. read more

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Service first and foremost was excellent, the man was very welcoming and assisted my group of 4 (for which it was our first time). The food was more than satisfactory and they have plenty of options to choose from. With nice outdoor sitting and florida spring weather, it's definitely at least worth having once. Food- 3.8/5 Service-5/5 Ambiance- 4.0/5 read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Winning Cuban - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

If you're looking for a clean, welcoming cafe with fantastic food and friendly service, Cracked Pepper Cafe is the place to go. I ordered the Red Bomber - a breakfast sandwich - Kaiser roll with home fries, egg cooked your way, choice of protein and cheese. It was served piping hot and absolutely delicious! Every bite was packed with flavor--the roll was perfectly toasted, the egg was cooked just right, and the combination of ingredients tasted amazing. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Red Bomber - Kaiser roll with home fries, egg, and your choice of protein and cheese. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Great little place to come and have breakfast or lunch. Can sit out on the dock by the large pond. Located in an office park so there is plenty of parking. Staff was super friendly. You order at the register and they bring you the food. Beverages are self serve. I ordered The Ordinary which is 3 eggs, protein and toast. I also ordered potatoes o'brein on the side. I asked for extra crispy bacon and it wasn't but overall good food. The place seems to be a hit with others because 4 more families showed up after us. I'll definitely be back to try lunch. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - The Your Ordinary - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Great little hidden spot not far from Busch Gardens. Easy ordering at counter then you bring your food to ya. I had the Jimmy The New Yorker, over well eggs w bacon. Was a light and tasty breakfast. They have seating inside (though it was kinda cool inside) so we sat outside by the lake. Very nice spot for grub. Friendly staff and reasonably priced!! read more

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The food and service were delightful! Great prices, tasty food, and very friendly and helpful team. I also like how fast the food came out and that it is kind of a hidden gem. I am really digging these restaurants tucked away in office parks. The parking was very easy too. I want to provide constructive criticism because I like these folks and want them to continue to do well. Here are my recommendations: 1. You need shade outside or fans or both. I was sweating through the breakfast even with the cafe umbrella. You need to drape some of those fabric sunshields across those wooden beams and add fans. Also, the coffee needs work. I think it tasted ok but the presentation and options were lacking. You also need some non-dairy options milk wise by the coffee. read more

A True Hidden Gem off Busch Boulevard The Cracked Pepper is one of those local spots that reminds you why neighborhood restaurants are the best. Tucked away off Busch Boulevard in Tampa, it's unassuming from the outside, but once you're inside, you're greeted with warm service and seriously good food. The menu is packed with comforting, flavorful options that are clearly made with care. Portions are generous, ingredients taste fresh, and everything feels homemade in the best way. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast or lunch, it's the kind of place where every plate comes out hot, hearty, and satisfying. What really sets The Cracked Pepper apart is the service. Friendly, welcoming, and genuinely attentive, the staff makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. There's a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere that makes it easy to linger and enjoy your meal. If you're looking for a reliable, delicious spot that locals love and that doesn't try to be trendy just to impress, The Cracked Pepper is absolutely worth the stop. read more

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Wow! Went there on a whim. Where did you guys get?We had the Cuban, the curry chicken salad and the Kentucky high top. All were amazing. So impressed! They were all so friendly and helpful as well. read more

Wow. The moment we opened the door we were greeted and welcomed into the restaurant. The food was hot and delicious. You cannot go wrong by trying thos place. read more

So I'm pretty upset that I just discovered this place being that I live only 10 minutes from it. It is truly a hidden gem off of Busch that has amazing food. They have everything from breakfast items to lunch menu items such as sandwiches and skillets. There is honestly nothing on the menu that does not taste amazing. The chef who curates the menu does his thing and the staff is always so nice the moment you step in this café. There's a gentleman named Kenny that works there and he has such an upbeat soul- always so kind and willing to recommend anything The moment you step through the door. They do offer indoor and outdoor seating which makes for great ambience since there is a cute lake behind the establishment that has ducks and turtles in it. If you haven't tried this place, definitely add it to your list as a must try!! read more

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We stopped by this place after the zoo for lunch and so glad we ate here. The workers are so so friendly and the food was delicious. The food came out quickly and they bought it out to our table. I got the slim daddy and it was a huge portion. The turkey was a little smoked and salty. So good with the pressed wrap. My only complaint is the avocado was very hard and not soft the way I prefer. But I would totally get this wrap again if I came. We ate outside by the big pond where there were turtles and ducks. It's perfect for little ones to look at. read more

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A hidden gym! Stopped by for lunch after the zoo and so glad we did! The staff were super friendly and the food was delicious. We had the "slim daddy" and it was a 10/10. There was nothing "slim" about it haha - so flavorful and fresh! Great prices and plenty of parking (can sit inside or outside). Outside seating is on a deck on the water with tons of turtles. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Slim Daddy - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I finally went to The Cracked Pepper Cafe recommend to me. It's a little gem on Busch blvd. The inside, clean, cozy and nice atmosphere. Service was great and I met the owner as well. Nice guy and loved how he treated his staff. I tried the turkey wrap and it was a fat one too. I'm giving them a 9.0 . Get there before 3:00 pm because they don't serve dinner, breakfast and lunch only. chef Chris read more

The food was outstanding... loved the traditional Cuban sandwich and freshly made steak fries! The service was perfect and we sat outside by the pond on a beautiful day. We have found our favorite Ian sandwich spot and will definitely try some other items next time! read more

One of the best breakfast Cuban sandwiches! The staff is very friendly. No wait, and there's a nice outdoor patio seating area overlooking the pond. read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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The owner is AMAZING!!! Friendly, knowledgeable, and truly loves what he does. Everything made to order and fresh. He fully explains everything. Greets you, rings you up, serves you, and has a smile from ear to ear. The food was fast and DELICIOUS! I got the famous Cuban, not spicy. It was DIVINE. Got a side of the seasoned steak fries and they did not disappoint. Perfectly crispy n the outside and soft and meaty on the inside. Didn't even need ketchup - the spice wasn't too much, just right. Whenever I'm back in the area, I'll be back. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a no fuss, good food friendly place near USF or the numerous medical facilities in the area. read more

Omg the food was amazing the staff was super friendly definitely will be back! Large Menu And they bak cookie fresh read more

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As always, the food here is a home run! We love this little hidden gem. I tried the special of the day, fish sandwich with tartar sauce. The fish was flavorful and the tartar was 100% homemade and some of the best I have had in a long time! This place is adorably tucked into a corner by a cute little pond with turtles. It is well-maintained and clean. No doubt we will be back read more

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What a pleasant surprise! Did a quick Yelp search for "lunch" near me and this popped. It had great reviews and now I understand why. My Cuban was delicious. The staff was excellent. If you're anywhere nearby do yourself a favor! Will go again. read more

Went here recently as I kept hearing amazing things I thought the food quality was very good but I did think it was expensive and smaller than I thought inside! read more

Just what we needed! Hot, fresh, really GOOD breakfast. Kids shared pancakes and side of bacon. The pancake order was huge and thankfully the lady that took our order warned us that it was going to be a large serving so glad the kids split it. Fluffy, sweet, crispy on the outside, and cushy on the inside. Kids rated it 8.5-9 out of 10 and said "it's bussin'." They could only eat about half of their single pancake. Husband had the Pigs and Chicks omelette; he hates to say this but it was actually too much meat (and yet it wasn't!). If you're looking for egg, it was there, but the meat over powered it in a nice delightful meaty way. Finally, I had the Southern Charm which was another huge serving of creamy cheesy grits topped with 3 eggs cooked to order and bacon (protein of your choice). The seating area was quaint, with mini wooden tic tac to games on each table. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating by a lovely pond full of turtles and other pond life. read more

First time here. Food was delicious but Kenny brings the place to life. He wants everyone to feel at home and you will. Lots of lunch patrons. Open 7 days a week for breakfast or lunch. Enjoyed!! read more

Just enjoyed lunch at The Cracked Pepper. It was fantastic!! The food and service was amazing. Can't wait to go back!!

The cracked peppered El Cubano sandwich was seriously good. The bread was warm and everything on it was super flavorful. The staff was friendly, the vibe was laid-back, and the food came out fast. Definitely glad I listened to the suggestions--this one's going on my go-to list! And as if the sandwich wasn't enough, my favorite part was watching the turtles. Great food, friendly staff, and turtles? Unexpectedly perfect combo. read more

Came on a Saturday morning around 11am - greeted promptly. Food is A-ok only for me. Basic Betty. The vibes are totally new - remodeled inside / clean & quiet. They do have outside patio seating. Family friendly & overall just ok. The food lacks depth. The customer service is 4 stars worthy. I prefer many other spots instead. I ordered the Cuban & it's was cold. I ordered the Pig & Chick & the meat was salty. The Pancakes had absolutely no butter / besides being large - they use packaged syrup... and ... they only gave me one for 2 huge pancakes ( sadly ) I'm being generous with a 3 star review because the parking is spacious and customer service is nice. read more

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Went here for breakfast and it was fabulous! Large portions and affordable prices. You also get some turtle food to feed the turtles in the pond!! Service is counter order and deliver to table. Staff is extra friendly. read more

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Immediately upon driving up and walking in - it felt like home with some good homemade cooking. Kenny greeted me with his energy and made me feel super welcome brought me out a sample of the pork... very lemon like with mojo mixed.. super good. Went for the Philly with a scrambled egg inside and it didn't disappoint. Really good and incredible view. Very relaxing to sit by the water - get some work done - eat a good meal and have great service! read more

I love that they are open for breakfast and have lunch items on their menu. Their salads are filling, and their sandwiches are made to order. My favorite sandwich is the Pilgrim. I'm not sure what kind of turkey they use but it's pretty darn delicious. It's not wet or salty which is what I find at other sandwich shops. Ordering it on marble is a win-win! Would recommend Cracked Pepper Cafe! read more

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My sister and I were delighted to find this hidden gem just 15 minutes from our home. It is hidden inside of a business park so it was nice and quiet. We met for breakfast and received a warm greeting from Mr. Kenny right away. He explained the menu and insisted that we try the grits. My sister was delighted with her selection of cheese grits and the Havana. I enjoyed a cafe con Leche and the Belle. My eggs were cooked exactly as specified and the bacon was nice and crispy. We had a great time trying to feed the turtles and stayed to chat for over two hours. During our visit we also observed they are pet friendly. Kemny came out with dog treats and water for two furry visitors that arrived with some other diners. I am looking forward to bringing my husband on our next lunch date. read more

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I have a dentist appointment today and it was running late. My dentist recommended I go to the Cracked Pepper while o wait for my appointment. To say that the food and service were the BEST would be an understatement. AND it overlooks an adorable pond where they provide turtle food! It is a little hidden in a business complex, but well worth the trip. I will definitely come again! read more

Had to come back but this time with the whole family for a nice brunch meal. Girls loved to hand out by the pond and feed the turtles. But once again The Cracked Pepper Cafe is the place for fresh and flavorful food. Girls shared a pancake because it is huge and a omelette. They devoured most of each of them but absolutely loved them. I had for get another Cuban sandwich as the crunch of the bread and over all flavor profile is fantastic! Love everything about this place! A must stop if you are near by. read more

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I called ahead for a party of 13 and they were able to accommodate easily and were eager to have us come by! We ate and the food came out as it was ready. It was high quality and great service. Had something for everyone! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

First time here, their big bad omelet is delicious. Great customer service, friendly staff, and a cozy environment too. I'll definitely be coming by frequently. read more

An absolute gem of a breakfast & lunch restaurant that's tucked in a professional office plaza. I had the Athena's Dream stuffed egg (omelette) with roasted pork added. It was literally one of the best omelettes I've ever eaten! I've heard the sandwiches are equally as good. My server, Jessica, was extremely friendly, patient & accommodating. This is a spot you will drive out of your way to enjoy! Thank me later... read more

This place was great. Very friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the nice outdoor seating really made it lovely. our group had a mix of breakfast and sandwiches that everyone enjoyed. Servings were suitable for hungry people and we brought quite a bit home. Saw food others ordered that made us want to definitely come back! read more

Delicious breakfast spot with a calm setting. The portions are great and the food never disappoints. The staff are always great and quick. Of course, it's always fun to sit outside and see the turtles in the pond. Great spot! read more

This was one of the most amazing breakfast experiences I've ever had!! Kenny is so wonderful and the food was amazing!!! We got to feed the turtles. 10/10 will definitely be coming back! read more

The Cracked Pepper Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida