Wright's in South Tampa: Top Sandwiches in Tampa

On Saturday we decided to pick up lunch at Wright's Gourmet House on S. Dale Mabry.  I had just received two complimentary gift certificates from Wright's and they were already burning a hole in my pocket.  Wright's owner Jeffrey Mount graciously mailed out gift certificates to the Diploma-see volunteers (of which I was one recently) for Franklin Middle School.

Wright's has been serving up some of the best sandwiches, salads and desserts in south Tampa for over 40 years.  The restaurant was founded by Marjorie and Pete Wright in a tiny storefront and is today run by grandson Jeffrey who has significantly expanded the restaurant's operations. 

When we arrived at Wright's on Saturday, the line was long as usual but moving at a solid pace.  I ordered a turkey & pecan salad sandwich on wheat and Traci ordered a turkey breast sandwich on white.  We also picked up two bags of Zapp's potato chips.  I had my fair share of Zapp's spicy kettle-cooked chips growing up in New Orleans.  If you've never had them, you should try them.

We were "forced" into selecting two dessert items as well since they were included with the gift certificate.  We picked a brownie and a slice of chocolate cake.  Wright's registers are set up so you have no choice but to walk past the refrigerated case filled with desserts begging to be bought.

When we got home we realized that we had received two turkey breast sandwiches instead of a turkey and a turkey & pecan salad.  After a few bites of the turkey sandwich I forgot all about this mistake.   The brownie was solid, but not outstanding.  The slice of chocolate cake, on the other hand, was knock-out.  We liked the peanut butter frosting even more than the moist cake.

Wright's remains my favorite sandwich shop in south Tampa.  I'd have to give second place to Interbay Meat Market on Interbay.  You really can't compare the two, though.  On my short list of sandwich shops and delis to try out next is Castellano & Pizzo Italian Foods on Henderson Blvd. 

Bottom-line:  If you want big delicious sandwiches and great home-made desserts, it's hard to beat Wright's Gourmet House.  Here's hoping they're around for at least another 40 years. 

Inspection Scorecard: Last Inspection - June 2006 - Critical (1), Non-Critical (6).

Comments

[Deb Eisen]

Wright's was indeed good. Now there is any equally great deal over in Pinellas County. Ronnie Pastrami's Deli on 66th St in Pinellas Park. www.ronniepastramis.com

[matt]

Hi Deb,

Thanks for the feedback and the new idea. I'm not familiar with Ronnie Pastrami's - how long has it been there? how many times have you been etc?

Have a nice week-

[Deb Eisen]

Ronnie Pastrami's has been opened about 7 or 8 months and continues to grow. Last time my husband and I were in was the end of February and the place was packed. More than that delivery drivers could be seen going in and out the back door with boxes of food that they were apparently delivering. I understand that they deliver upwords of 50 to 60 lunch orders each day to local businesses and homes.

Thanks, Deb

[matt]

Deb, thanks for the additional info on Ronnie Pastrami's. Sounds like a good place. Have a nice week-

[Carl in Clearwater]

Bad experience at Ronnie Pastrami's. 4/17/07 I ordered a sandwich to go, I had the "Ronnie's Special", which was hot pastrami, corned beef, and swiss cheese on marble rye bread with brown mustard. No prices were listed on the overhead menu, so when the cashier took my order and told me the sandwich was $9.63, I was really expecting a superior product for that pricepoint. The staff there was pretty friendly, but the sandwich left much to be desired. The bread was fresh tasting, but Texas toast thick cut, and three slices of it made the sandwich more bread than meat. The sandwich was assembled in such a way as to present as a New York deli style overstuffed, but that was a bit deceiving after the first bite. The pastrami and corned beef were both very fatty and poorly trimmed, if they were trimmed at all. I worked summers in a deli years ago, and I know how time consuming it is to closely trim pastrami and corned beef briskets, but this is not a process that can be skipped. I also know that a certain amount of fat is necessary for flavor, especially on a hot sandwich, but the amount of fattiness on Ronnie Pastrami's offering was just not acceptable. Save your money; Ronnie Pastrami 's premium pricing and poorly trimmed meat left this diner feeling unsettled.

[Jack]

Carl....not sure what deli you worked in, but there is no way it could even come close to Ronnie's. I eat in there at least twice a week and let me tell you, I haven't had anything bad. Been to the supermarket lately...food is expensive and to get the quality and quantity that Ronnie's gives you is going to cost you a bit more than the local subway, not to mention a superior product you don't find in most places. Next time ask for lean meat and see how dry that tastes....some fast is necessary or you will be eating something very dry indeed!!!

[Jack]

Carl....something additional...they must not have taught you much in that deli years ago, as Ronnie's pastrami is not brisket cut and therefore there is no trimming to be donw. It is a marbled cut of meat in which the fat adds flavor and keeps the meat from drying when heated. I have even found it to virtually melt in your mouth like butter, even cold. I think you owe it to yourself to give it another try. But then that's just me. Good luch Carl, hope you find something more to your liking.