A friend emailed me a link to an April 26, 2011 article in the New York Times Dining & Wine section by John T. Edge, In Tampa, the Street Food That Crawled From the Sea, and asked if I’d ever eaten at the Brocato’s reviewed in the article and, if not, did I want to go try it.
Well, as it happens, I’ve eaten dozens and dozens of Brocato’s sandwiches at parties I’ve been to, but I’ve never been to the restaurant itself, nor have I ever had their crab cakes, so there was no hesitation in my saying yes. Although Joe Brocato is an acquaintance–I was once a consultant on the design and purchase of one of the many, generous philanthropic gifts he has made to the community–I don’t really know him well. However, I have a good friend who knows him extremely well, so she and my other friend and I made plans to go eat there. Even though it’s a 50 minute, one way, drive for me, it was worth it. Brocato’s crab cakes, pictured below, are gourmet crab cakes. They are so far beyond any other Tampa crab cakes I’ve had–and I’ve had many–they deserve some additional name to distinguish them from all other Tampa crab cakes.
One of the first things you’ll notice about a Brocato’s crab cake is its size. A typical Tampa crab cake, is only about the size of a hardball but squished to have pointy ends so it resembles a 19th Century submarine. But, a Brocato’s crab cake is the size of a large softball and only slightly flattened. They’re huge!
Secondly, when you cut into a Brocato’s crab cake to douse it with Crystal hot sauce, you’ll notice what really sets them apart the most: there is almost no breading. What breading there is, is only about an eighth of an inch thick, whereas run-of-the-mill Tampa crab cakes typically have at least a half-inch, or more, of breading with just a little crab mixture in the center. The Brocato crab cake is 95% crab filling with just a skin of breading.
Thirdly, the crab mix itself is uniquely delicious. I can’t tell all of what’s in it, but I detected what I believe were small, soft bits of red and green sweet peppers scattered throughout. I suspect they were what lends the slightly sweet taste to the mix. Nevertheless, the main ingredient is clearly high quality, real crab meat.
If you are a visitor to Tampa, say for instance someone attending the Republican party’s nominating convention here next year, get yourself to Brocato’s Sandwich Shop, 5021 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33619, 813-248-9977, fax 813-242-4191. It’s not far, at all, from the convention center by car or cab and you’ll not be disappointed. You’ll be eating the finest example of an archetypal Tampa food. If you’re a local, then you know to go there already!
Their hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday, 7:30am to 3:00pm, closed Sunday. You can fax your order if you want. Unfortunately, there’s not an online menu to which you can refer, so pick up a fax order form and a take-home menu when you go.
While you’re there, try one of their papas rellenas (stuffed deep fried potato balls), another uniquely Tampa food. If you’re not a crab cake fan, try one of their sandwiches; I can personally attest to their quality. I recommend getting two of the crab cakes and taking one home. They refrigerate well and they microwave very successfully.
Brocato’s is very popular so it will be crowded, just accept that; but the line moves quickly, and there is plenty of seating inside and out. One taste, and you’ll know why it so popular. Brocato’s get the maximum number of stars on almost every travel site with user reviews.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I may have to move to the Tampa/St. Pete area, Hilton, just so I can eat at all the fabulous places you feature. Now you’ve got me hankering for a crab cake, but have no idea where to find one out here in the desert.
As usual, I enjoyed this post. It gives me something to look forward to when I’m next in Florida. I’m making a list!
when I worked in that area of Tampa this was one of my favorite spots to eat lunch, one problems the crowds, the place is so good its always crowded!
yum. I wanna go get me some Brocato’s!
I am a wine retailer in Jackson Ms and a couple came into the store today that just flew in from Tampa. After helping them pick a giant pile of wine for Thanksgiving and carrying it out to their car, the husband asked me “You like crab cakes?” YEA, I said. HE opened a fill size suit case that was filled with still frozen crab cakes from Florida wrapped in foil pans and then with clear plastic wrap. I bet there was 60lbs of crab cake in there. He gave me 2 crab cakes and one papas rellenas (stuffed deep fried potato ball with beef filling). He said they were hand made at a place named Brocato’s and each crab cake has 8oz of crab in each cake. These things are HUGE! My wife and I couldn’t finish the three. Totally amazing!