We visited the Pine Grove Family Restaurant at 9399 N Florida Ave on Father’s Day, June 21st. Most things on the menu are very nicely priced, though the omelets seem to be a bit on the high side. Marek and I have been here a few times before and have always been treated well. The people are always very friendly and the customers have the look of folks who sit in the same booth every week, if not every day. This is a classic Tampa mom and pop greasy spoon.
On this visit our waitress recognized us immediately and remembered that Marek gets his own coffee cup. Automatic plus-up of 1/2 a pancake on the rating! The most unique thing about Pine Grove is the “Goody Goody Burger” … a Tampa specialty for 80 years, though I’ll admit we’ve never tried one as we stick to what we know (that’s breakfast!). The inside is very spacious and even has a great lunch counter. Maybe next year Marek will be tall enough for us to try it.
This was a very special Tampa Bay Breakfast, as we had an array of guests with us. We had Grandma and Huppa, who drove all the way from Inglis.
And we had mom! Tampa Bay Breakfasts got its start as a project to let mom sleep. We were very excited that she joined us today.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Tampa Bay Breakfast without Marek.
We started out with coffee. It was hot and black, the way we like it.
We had breakfast. This requires some history to put in perspective. Marek and I had a really good breakfast here a while back. Then we came back one afternoon for pie. Because, to be perfectly frank, I just really like pie. Several of the chairs from the lunch counter were missing seats and the pie itself was just not very good at all. So we thought, meh, this isn’t such a great place after all. Today’s breakfast made up for that sketchy visit. The bacon was a little under-done, but the eggs were great and the pancakes were top-notch.
Marek promptly got down to business. That’s pancake business.
For the five of us the tab was just under $30. That’s not bad at all. When we were done, Marek paid the bill. He’s started chanting “pay, pay, pay” whenever he sees the check come. He’s good at what he does and he knows it!
Like a shot, he’s off across the dining room.
Where he caused a bit of a stir. I was on the other side of the room so I’m not sure what was said, but it appeared to be along the lines of, “Hey! Where’d this kid come from?” “Heck, I don’t know, but he’s got money.” “Oh, well, OK then. Here’s your change, kid.”
Marek made friends with the good folks at Pine Grove, even though there weren’t any pops for him. I’m sure we’ll be back!
We all went away full of good food for a great price and we all had a great time. This is what breakfast is all about. We’re pleased to give the Pine Grove Family Restaurant a four pancake rating.
Andy, Just wanted to say I love these reviews too..Happy Fathers Day to you and your dad!!
This was the best breakfast….Great place…. would definately go back! Thank you Marek, Heather and Andy for a great time.. and zoom zoom…go the cars…. Happy Father’s Day to Andy and Ray…( and Patrick too!)
Awwwww, it was really nice to see the whole family having breakfast. Hope you had a good Father’s Day. BTW … Marek was adorable with the glasses on.
I ate here a few times when I visited Tampa. It has since been renamed the Forest Hills Diner. Everything is still the same though. The staff is always very friendly, and their food is excellent. I had their Goody Goody Hamburger they advertise on the sign outside, and it was so good that anytime I am in Tampa, I make it a point to come here. The first time I ate here I was surprised on how similar the inside and outside looked like the Four Coins Restaurant did prior to 2008. They had to completely remodel Four Coins because it burned down right around Thanksgiving in 2007.