They’re popular in Texas, but this will be the first location in the Tampa area, or Florida for that matter. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that a more casual chain called Mandola has four locations right now in Texas. The fifth will be in Riverview. They say it’ll open Mandola’s Italian Kitchen at 12926 US 301 near the Sprouts Farmers Market shopping center.

They plan to open for business October 26 but a second location is already planned for North Tampa. The chain features pasta, pizza, salads, pastries and gelato. The Texas locations have pretty good reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor so we’ll see how they do here in Tampa Bay. [Source: TBBJ]

#GenoAteTampa: Geno’s favorite spots to eat in St. Pete

Just in case you’re across the Bay from Tampa…

• Engine No. 9

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  They're a bit pricey. You'll pay about $20 for a burger, tots and a Coke. But their burgers are creative and top notch. The goat cheese burger is my usual.

• Big Stein’s Deli

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  This monstrosity you see in the photo is the "Park Avenue" triple decker. Roast beef, turkey, Swiss cheese, cole slaw pilled high with Russian dressing.

• Mazzaros

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  It gets no better than Mazzaros. The Hot Italian #20 sandwich is my must get. But they have fresh pasta, pastries, wines, cheeses and it's the only place you can find the blueberry soda from Maine I love.
• Fresh Kitchen

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  It's on 4th not far from the radio station. It's a healthier choice and I'm not known for healthy eating so you know it's good. Only strike against this place is the portion size is kind of small. But it's one of those places most go to eat healthy. I'm 6'4 and about 300 pounds so I'm probably not their usual customer.

• Italia Mia

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  Their chicken parmesan is probably my favorite in all of Tampa Bay. It's so good that I probably visited 2 or 3 dozen times before I finally tried their pizza, which is fantastic too. But stick the NY style. The Sicilian pizza wasn't so great.

• Tropicana Field

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  I know it sounds crazy but seriously this Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich they served at Rays game could be the answer to the attendance problem.
• Red Mesa

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  They usually serve a steak burrito for lunch that'll be your last meal of the day. Don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu here though.

• Metro Diner

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  OK, I said I'm not a chain restaurant fan. However, the cinnamon roll pancakes are epic.