The Pawn Stars Visit 2 Tampa Restaurants

Rick, Corey and Chumlee from The History Channel's "Pawn Stars" are in Tampa shooting their new series "Pawn Stars Do America." All that buying and selling must've worked up an appetite. Video has surfaced of the guys checking out two well known favorite restaurants here in Tampa.

An ad was posted a few months back offering Tampa area residents a chance to be a part of the production. If you've got an item to sell and would like to be on the show, they ask you to email PawnStarsDoAmerica@ITV.com. You need to be at least 18 years old. The new show goes beyond the bargaining we're used to on Pawn Stars.

On April 19, Rick, Corey and Chumlee dropped by the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor. Word is they tried the famous 1905 Salad, a Cuban sandwich and some gazpacho. The behind the scenes footage posted by the restaurant shows how "real" reality TV is. It looks like a full on movie set as diners were kept quiet as a choreographed entry into the restaurant was captured by enormous cameras. As the guys dined, a flamenco dance by Gabryele Carter and Rachael Nelson of the Tampa Bay Flamenco Dance Company kept them entertained.

The Columbia Restaurant says there was also a visit to Ulele. The Tampa episode of Pawn Stars Do America will air sometime this fall, according to the post to Facebook.

Whether you watch these shows or not, it's still pretty cool that local restaurants get national recognition. There have been a lot of Tampa Bay area restaurants featured on the Food Network. From shows like "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives," to "Man vs Food," and "America's Best." These are are just some of the shows that have featured local restaurants on the national level. TVfoodmaps.com as a whole list of 35 places in the Tampa Bay area that have been on the Food Network. Some of the places are closed now, so we only included the top 15 places.

Being in a melting pot of cultures in Florida means we have so many culinary options to choose from. The food scene in Tampa Bay has always been a focal point in visiting the city. A lot of these places mostly have American food, but you'll find great and authentic Caribbean, Indian, and Greek spots in the list. The Food Network loves to come to the Sunshine State to find hidden gems. TV Food Maps has a list of 292 places that have had a feature on a show. But we're only interested in the ones that are a quick drive away from home.

Shiso Crispy is a Asian fusion food truck that has two permanent spots at Unlimited Games and HOB Brewery. Ronicca was in a 5 week long Food Network Tournament on Guys Grocery Games. The episodes aired this past summer.

Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, FL is a popular seafood restaurant known for its delicious smoked fish, which has been featured on Man vs Food Nation and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich

Aguila Sandwich Shop in Tampa, FL is a family owned and operated restaurant specializing in Cuban and Latin cuisine. The shop has been featured on the popular TV show Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in 2012. Find them at 3200 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa

Columbia Restaurant is known for their 7 locations across Tampa Bay. The Sand Key location was  featured on television shows such as Drinking Made Easy in 2011, and offers a wide array of traditional Spanish dishes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Datz in Tampa, FL is a popular restaurant serving up comfort food and craft beers. It has been featured on TV shows such as Food Paradise in 2012. The theme of their episode was "meatloaf paradise."

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill in Clearwater, FL is an iconic seafood restaurant right on the beach. It has been featured on several tv shows, including Food Paradise in 2015.

Parkesdale Farm Market in Plant City, FL is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The farm market serves fresh produce, homemade jams and jellies, and other delicious treats. It was featured on America's Best in 2010 for the Best Drinkable Desert.

Mykonos in Tarpon Springs, FL is a local Greek restaurant that has been featured on the TV show Eden Eats back in 2012. It offers traditional Greek cuisine with a modern flair and was voted best Greek restaurant in Pinellas County.

Nitally's is a Mexican and Thai fusion restaurant located in St. Petersburg, FL. It has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and has even been featured on TV shows such as Food Paradise in 2014.

Tampa Bay Brewing Company is a popular craft brewery with a couple locations in Tampa Bay. It has been featured on the Food Network's TV show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" in 2011, and serves a variety of unique craft beers, ciders, sours, and stouts. The brewery also features an outdoor patio and live music.

Mandarin Hide in St. Petersburg, FL is a popular bar and restaurant that has been featured on tv shows such as Drinking Made Easy in 2011. 

Buya Ramen in St. Petersburg, FL is a popular restaurant that has been featured on the tv shows Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2017.

Ulele in Tampa, FL is a popular restaurant known for its contemporary take on Florida's native cuisine featuring locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. It has been featured in numerous tv shows such as Best Thing I Ever Ate in 2020.

Everyone in Tampa knows Bern's Steak House for their high quality steaks and wines. It has been featured on several TV shows, including Best Thing I Ever Ate, Drinking Made Easy, Guilty Pleasures, and Food Paradise.

The Original Crabby Bills in Indian Rocks Beach, FL has been featured on the tv shows Heat Seekers and is known for its delicious fresh seafood.