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60 INTERVAL WORLD Spring 2015 IntervalWorld.com
“Biff” is actually an acronym — “best in fast food” — but make no
mistake, this place is far more drive-in than drive-thru, which is pre-
cisely the way its many regulars like it. Wednesdays and Saturdays
are typically dedicated to Bike Night, but there’s nary a son of anar-
chy here, just loads of families and motorcycle enthusiasts who
come to show off their rides, gawk at others, and grab a burger
and fries while doing so.
The Cruise In — essentially car night — takes place most
Fridays, and it is, quite literally, like grabbing a meal in a vast auto-
mobile museum. Proud owners sit outside, enjoying the car chat
and camaraderie. Inside, the menu is just as expansive as the motor
vehicle display — burgers, dogs, sandwiches, and barbecue. On
happening nights, kids get in on the action, too, with games of corn
hole and other hosted activities amid the autocentric festivities.
Since the littlest travelers in your party will have plenty to do
(and eat), and the oldest will certainly enjoy the veritable time
machine back to high school, Biff’s makes a great stop for multi-
generational vacationers.
Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood is no less nostalgic,
though it is a bit more serene. With charming bungalows and old-
growth trees, its steady regentrification has sparked an increase in
food and drink venues for the farm-to-fork set. The intimate, 40-
seat Rooster & the Till fits right in with the area vibe, offering
modern American cuisine sourced from regional gardens, brew-
eries, ranches, and so on.
Raw and cured shellfish and charcuterie boards pair beautifully
with local beers and wines. Small- and large-plate offerings —
squash with brown-butter molasses, smoked almonds, and cin-
namon marshmallows; Brussels sprouts and tasso ham; pork jowl
with corn pudding, crisp pig ear, and pickled turnips served with
porky jus — make for more ample eats. If possible, consider for-
going a table for a ringside seat at the bar where you can watch
the artful prep and finish on your meal — and everyone else’s.
Wherever you decide to sit, just be sure to make reservations.
G. Louis
RESORT DIRECTORY:
or pages 90
to 91 and 93
CLIMATE: Average daily
highs hover right around 90°F
through the summer months,
but after the beautiful sunset,
temperatures tend to cool
down into the mid 70s.
DON’T MISS: Smoke ’em if
you got ’em. And in Ybor City,
they do. A onetime ground
zero for Tampa’s lucrative
cigar industry, the now-trendy
entertainment hotspot still
holds onto a bit of its history.
Check out a demo at one of
the shops or kiosks, and, if
you’re so inclined, find a place
to enjoy a good stogie.
INTERVAL TRAVEL:
RENTAL CAR:
Recommended
CONTACT: Dunedin
Brewery, dunedinbrewery.com;
7venth Sun Brewery,
7venthsun.com;
Cigar City Brewing,
cigarcitybrewing.com; Tampa
Bay Brewing Company,
tampabaybrewingcompany.com;
Tampa Theatre,
tampatheatre.org; Biff-Burger,
biffburgers.com; Rooster & the
Till, roosterandthetill.com;
Taco Bus, taco-bus.com; The
Ringling, ringling.org;
Edison & Ford Winter Estates,
edisonfordwinterestates.org
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Visit Tampa Bay
800.448.2672
fastFACTS
Bite into a juicy
burger at local
favorite Biff-Burger.