Tampa Bay Cafe - Clearwater

If you're in need of coffee, I recommend stopping by Starbucks on your way. The coffee here had a smoky, burnt taste, and they only offer artificial creamer—no half-and-half available! The only real milk options are 2% low-fat or chocolate, and using the 2% actually made the coffee taste worse. Additionally, the banter among the staff was distracting; I found the bartender's repeated comments about not allowing religion, politics, or Alabama fans at the bar particularly off-putting. Overall, we were left quite unimpressed.

This is the only spot in the airport where you can find food and drinks. There's a bar nearby that seems to be a separate entity, but regardless, this is definitely the lone option for meals. Just to clarify: this is the *only* place at the airport serving food, which means the prices are pretty steep. I ordered a pressed Cuban sandwich, and it was just... okay. Given that it’s an airport, I didn’t have high expectations, but I still thought it would be better for the price I paid. The sandwich had only a thin layer of the usual Cuban ingredients—it barely resembled a true Cuban sandwich. The vibe here feels a bit like a food stand at a baseball game. They offer more than just hot dogs and hamburgers, but the overall atmosphere feels a bit cheap. Service is decent enough, but since they’re the sole option around, that's unlikely to change. So, overall, it’s best to arrive at the airport with a full stomach. However, if you do find yourself hungry, make the best of it. Safe travels!

On Sunday afternoon, I encountered the rudest bartender I've ever met. My five-year-old autistic son and I stopped by for a quick snack before our flight. We grabbed a bite to eat and settled at one of the open tables. When my son became frustrated with his game and let out a small scream—something many autistic children struggle to control—the bartender approached us, slammed down an unrequested Shirley Temple in front of my son, and loudly remarked, "Thanks for not screaming," before walking away while shaking his head. I apologized for my son's behavior, and he responded, "Yeah, he's a wild child." Even other customers seemed taken aback by his attitude. I felt humiliated and upset. Thank you, sir, for adding to the stress of an already challenging vacation. Bravo. P.S. He also refused to turn on the basketball games because he didn't like the sound of the squeaking. What a shame.

This place is quite disappointing. It’s managed like a concession stand at a high school football game—overpriced for mediocre food. However, the food itself is decent. I received exactly what I ordered, and the customer service was good. I just expected more from an airport restaurant and wish the prices were about half of what they are. I could get three times the amount of food at any other restaurant for the same price. Still, since it’s the only dining option available, it’s not terrible. I had the turkey and cheese panini, and it was just as good as I anticipated.

I was reluctantly forced to spend $5 on a cup of yogurt during my flight delay. While I typically anticipate inflated prices at airports, this feels like outright exploitation, and it seems they can get away with it because they have a monopoly in this small airport.