The Couyon Cook (Cajun for Stupid Cook): La Septima Cafe, A Taste of Old Ybor

Angela and I traveled down to Brandon, FL (right near Tampa) this weekend to visit my new baby niece. While there, my brother in law and his wife took us to a wonderful "authentic Spanish" restaurant called La Septima Cafe. The sign out front reads, "La Septima Cafe, A Taste of Old Ybor". Ybor is a historic neighborhood near Tampa, founded in 1880 by cigar manufacturers, and inhabited by immigrants from Spain, Cuba, and Italy. These folks brought more than their cigar-rolling skills - they also provided the area with a fantastic culinary tradition.

The establishment was voted "Best of Brandon" for 15 years in a row! Some of the featured dishes are Breaded Palomilla Steak, Jaiba Enchilada, Arroz con Pollo, Ropa Vieja, Picadillo Con Papas Fritas, Cuban Sandwich, Palomilla Milanesa, Lechon Asado, and the dish that I ordered, Boliche Ybor.

Boliche Ybor is described as "Tender slices of eye round roast that has been stuffed with chorizo and baked in a light tomato sauce." I added yellow rice, Platinos Maduras, and their homemade Sangria to my meal. I finished up with "un buchito", a shot of Cuban espresso!! Everything was delicious, and I'm sure we'll be back to La Septima on our next visit to the Tampa area.