Geno Ate Tampa

Geno Knight

Devouring the 813 and 727 one neighborhood at a time. #GenoAteTampa began as a hashtag so I could quickly point listeners to places I've recommended on my Tampa radio show and social media channels. Now, "Geno Ate Tampa" has become the chronicles of my never-ending quest for great burgers, sweet and sour chicken, buffalo wings, fajitas, chicken parmesan, pizza, apple pastries, cheesesteak, grouper nuggets, french fries, lobster rolls and ice cream in the Tampa Bay area. And that's just what I have for breakfast.

Radio: WQYK 99.5 QYK

Categories: Arts

Listen to the last episode:

Pizza is on everyone's mind lately because Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports was recently in Tampa trying different pizza places. Among the ones he tried was my favorite spot for the best pizza in Florida: Cristino's in Clearwater. I don't know what score Portnoy gave Cristino's, but it got me in the mood for a Margarita with extra sauce because I hadn't dropped by in a while.

When I pulled in, there were dozens waiting for a table. That's always a good sign. I posted the photo on my Instagram and Facebook of everyone waiting in the parking lot and mentioned that these people don't need Dave Portnoy's endorsement. They know Cristino's Pizza is worth the wait. In the comments, most listeners backed me up - but a few instead suggested other pizzas. And that's where I made my crucial mistake.

There's nothing worse than getting your hopes up about trying a new pizza someone is raving about... and the pizza is just underwhelming. I made the big mistake I don't often make yesterday. In those comments, a listener suggested a popular pizza spot in Largo that I had never tried. I'd heard of it and initially I thought I'd even tried it. But when I looked them up online, I realized I had not been there... and since I was in the area yesterday, I dropped by. After 4 or 5 bites, I got angry with myself. I broke my rule. I forgot to ask the guy who recommended this place 2 important questions before I took his suggestion seriously.