Datz Deli

by Ashley Cotter-Cairns
(UNOB HQ)

Datz Deli, Tampa, FL

Datz Deli, Tampa, FL: great food!

Datz Deli, Tampa, FL: clever decor

Datz Deli, Tampa, FL: Ash with Datz owner Todd

Datz Deli
Tampa, FL
Visit the UNOB's Florida beer guide

During a four-day weekend in Tampa this April, I did some research on the local "good beer" establishments, and Datz came top of my must-see list. I wasn't disappointed!

Just perusing their incredible beer and food menus (you can download each in PDF form) made me begin drooling. There was a fair wait time, not terrible considering it was a Saturday, and we got our feet under the bar and waited for the SMS page to come through from reception.

Not a bad fate, considering this gave us time to sample from the 30+ draft taps and dozens of bottled beers available to us. Some highlights:

Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA
Blue Point Hoptical Illusion
Magic Hat #9
Left Hand Milk Stout
Old Rasputin Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Bell's Oberon

I met with the owner, Todd, who told me he is passionate about beer. No kidding! Datz Deli is an Aladdin's cave of delicious goodies, not just fridges full of great bottled beer but also cheese, wine, smoked meats, some of the best gelato I've ever tasted... and then the food arrived.

I'd call the menu solidly middle of the road. Not pretentious, with lots of interesting and freshly-made meals.

Shiner Bock baby back ribs
Fiorello's open-face Lasagne
Creole shrimp and grits
Waffles 'n Tweet
Amarillo ribeye

Plentiful servings without being ridiculous; just what the doctor ordered after two hours of high living at the beer bar. Just room for gelato!

We finished the evening by taking out a treasure trove of bottles for an after party back at the hotel.

Highly, highly recommended if you're in Tampa and need a great beer fix.

Datz Deli
2616 South MacDill Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
Tel: 813.831.7000

Comments for
Datz Deli

Average Rating

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Jun 01, 2011
Rating

Thanks!!
by: Datz Tampa

Datz here! Thanks for the great review, and we're so glad you had fun! Can't wait to link this to all our pages. Just wanted to comment on the comments. @Dana - Closing at 10pm isn't our idea. It came as a caveat to the full liquor license. We are re-petitioning... Keep your fingers crossed!! @Sue - we're actually just DATZ or Datz Tampa these days since we've evolved into a gastropub. But that's been a mighty battle. People love the word 'deli'; gastropub just doesn't flow as well, huh? And as much as we love Todd - and he does love beer! - he isn't the owner. The Perrys sure got a laugh out of that one!! (Maybe he'll pick up the mortgage next month!) We just got a shipment of 20 new bottled beers to cram into the case ... and the draft list is ever growing. Come back. UNOB is ALWAYS a welcome guest!

Apr 14, 2011
Rating

Very Unassuming
by: Dana

When you first hear about it you think "beer and good sandwiches, what's the big deal?" Well, when you first walk into the door your breath is taken away and you then think "WOW! This is Amazing!".

Walls and walls of beer to choose from. I counted 101 on their beer menu. And their wine menu was just as ovewhelming!

Aside from great "pubby" food they have many other unique selections. I personally enjoyed their Savignon Blanc and a great rare seared Tuna. Both were amazing.

If I had to say anything negative is that they close down at 10 p.m. on a Saturday. I don't quite understand that one. So get there early and make reservations!!

Dana
Owner:
Depression-Test.Net

Apr 13, 2011
Rating

Datz Deli is to Drool for. . .
by: Sue

The name is so deceiving! It's not like any deli I've ever encountered before. It's a full-fledge beer haven diners delight. Much more like a homey comfortable pub with a small deli tucked into the corner like an after thought.
The homemade open-faced lasagna was to die for and homemade gelato even better. . .

Apr 12, 2011
Rating

Ooohing and Ahhing
by: Sandee

That was me ooohing and ahhing in the background of the video over the beautiful beer labels (sorry Ash, thought you were taking stills).

Anyway, I absolutely loved the ambience in Datz Deli. The decor was so cool, I couldn't stop taking pictures. All servers were top notch and food was good.

Apr 12, 2011
Rating

I have to agree!
by: Melanie

Hey I was there that night!!!!

It was an awesome place to spend the evening with the singer/guitarist singing classic and current Dave Matthews Band (and others), the great bartenders and service, the size of the wine menu, the size of the beer menu, and the food was awesome!

They also had every kind of dessert you could ask for - I am not a big dessert person but love cookies and got to have those for dessert!

Loved it and will go back next time I am in Tampa!

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