Bodega on Central

Absolutely delicious food. I had to come back to try their Frita sandwich again. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a good savory sandwich. The meat is perfectly cooked, moist, flavorful, and filling. The avocado is smooth and helps with the filling. The little fritas and spicy mayo come hand in hand, giving a good crunch & spice to the sandwich.

Casual Cuban restaurant with ample indoor and outdoor seating. Everything on the menu looked delicious but I went with the chicken plate which was seasoned well, a good size, and tender. Both the coconut white rice topped with black beans were generous portions and the sweet maduros on the side, which were perfectly done, added the perfect amount of sweetness. I liked that they added a slice of lime on the side to squeeze on top of the chicken, which made it even better. Overall, Bodega on Central was a great spot to enjoy a casual taste of Cuban food for under around $20/ person. The seating outside was good- although the flies attracted to my food were pesky as I had to keep swatting them away. One thing I did not get was their hibiscus drink/ Jamaica aqua fresca which they said they mix with soda water.

Yall... this place is a MUST HAVE on your trip to St Pete... I don't remember the exact name of what we ordered but I had mad beet juice hubby had carrot ginger something. My food was the grilled tempeh.. he had a pork plate and we shared a cuban... oh my my... not only was the food delicious, the juice was so fresh... and the staff.. they hired the right staff, they were all very friendly and outgoing... Maria general manager came over to say hi and make sure we enjoyed our food and Amy was super nice too.. but we appreciated Kira the most she was patient and kind with all the questions we had, as it was our first time there but not the last... PLEASE BRING ONE TO BRADENTON!!! my food was a little spicier than I like but it was still delicious..

If you're in the mood for a sandwich that actually makes you stop mid-bite, this is the place. Their Cuban is the real deal and the juices they serve on the side are fresh and sharp. It’s not a sit-down spot really, more of a grab-and-go with a couple outdoor tables. The line moves fast and it’s always worth it.

A tale of two plates: It was the best of times (the Cuban sandwich) it was the worst of times, (the pollo asado with burnt maduros) I have eaten here at least six times and this past time was very disappointing. The Cuban sandwich was delicious, perfectly toasted and great balance of flavors. The pollo asado plato was not good at all. For $16 plus tip you can have a tiny dry breast, a generous portion of rice and beans, and the worst maduros in the Tampa Bay Area. Service was not great, and we never got the water we ordered along with our food and beer and cocktail. Anyways, next time I’ll just get the Cuban sandwich.

As a Cuban, I always arrive with certain expectations, my husband and I came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. It was not too. Busy and we found plenty of seating. We ordered the Lechón Platter, Frita and I got a Hibiscus Soda Fresca ( Agua de Jamaica with bubbles lol) The Lechón left something to be desired but the beans were on point. The Lechón felt dry, and that it was relying on the Mojo for flavor. Ultimately a solid size portion. The Frita, I have mixed reviews on, the flavor profile was right, the size of the patty and the moisture was off. A Frita is the equivalent of a Cuban Smash Burger and the patty here was too dense , and a little dry. I think two smash patties with more "sauce" with the flavor they've already accomplished? It would have been a smash.... Pun intended. Overall good experience and would try again

Restaurant was so cute and service was great! My husband’s Cuban was delish! I got the sandwich with mango and avocado (i forget the name) that was also yummy. Extra points for Mexican Cokes!!!

Our lunch was delicious. My husband had the Frita of the month and Jicima slaw. I had the temph platter. Everything was perfect. The Jicima slaw was amazing and a must try. Workers were so nice and made us feel very welcome.

Second time I've been here. I really like this place. I've only had the CubSn sandwhich but it was good enough to make me a repeat customer. It's also large enough to share and they will split it and put it in two separate baskets. The vibe is great... this part of Central Ave has really come back from growing up here a couple decades ago. They have some juices and smoothies that look great... will try one next time. Also a great place to drink a beer

Have had multiple occasions where without warning they take over 45 minutes to get your food out. While some things are out of their control they could warn people if they are having troubles getting certain dishes out. They do minimal, if anything at all, to compensate for the delays and offer no updates unless you ask them directly where your food is. They food is yummy but if you're crunched for time or starving this is place not the move.

Been here 4-5 times now. The Cubano is the only thing you need to order and for a fair price. I've tried several cubanos in st pete and this one is the best yet. I've tried the Lechon 2 times now and every time it's a dry disappointment. Stick with the Cubano. Must order it with a michelada. Your tongue will twerk. We try to visit this place once a month and is also a part of the itinerary for out-of-town friends visiting. It's a no-fuss, good Cubano, and casual business.

Visiting from out of town and our friends brought us here. We ordered out of the window outside and sat on the patio with the dogs. VERY big and spacious inside. Everyone got the cuban and I got a lechon sandwich. We also got micheladas which really hit the spot in the heat. The cuban didn't really feel anything special.... The lechon was honestly pretty dry for a "fatty" meat and I really didn't see enough of the green garlic mojo sauce. The interesting thing was that it took a really long time. We came out of peak lunch hour so it didn't really make sense.

Food was delicious. I've been here a few times and it always is great. I ordered the Cuban and it came out quickly and was hot and tasty. I usually order outside but I actually went in today and they have a beautiful mural on the wall. Everything was so clean. Great place and a st Pete staple.

It was very mid food. The fries are great, they are like five guys fries. The Cuban was bland and the rice was not good at all, when we picked up in the Togo window we purchased water bottles and they ran out... the service was friendly and the location clean. It's not the best place ever, but it's decent

This casual vibrant Cuban restaurant located on Central Ave. in St. Petersburg has Vegan and Vegetarian options. We ordered at the counter outside. The open airy indoor dining has tables and bar seating. They also have outdoor sidewalk patio seating. I had the Temph vegan Cuban sandwich with spicy slaw and avocado $12. It was large and delicious. Open for lunch and dinner every day.

Love this place! Great Cuban mix, great sandwiches, and great salads. Everything was super fresh and flavorful. The service is great and the ambiance is lovely, with your choice of indoor seating in booths or outdoors on the sidewalk.

Really cool spot with great food. The lechon plate and salad were both plentiful and full of flavor Decor was bright and cheery and so were the staff. Only negative is the overuse of spicy chilies in both dishes. Despite my best attempts to take it all out including the seeds, It upset my stomach. The smoothie was great.

Casual atmosphere, good service, and quality food. Come hungry - the platters are filling. We got a lechón plato and a pollo asado plato, which comes with a very large portion of rice and beans. Added on a jicama slaw on the slide which was delicious and paired perfectly.

I find the foodie title to be something of a misnomer. Does the word denote someone who knows what they're talking about? Someone who simply likes food? In my definition, a foodie is one who tries a variety of delicious dishes, who is rarely satisfied with the same restaurant or same meal. Their palate is excited by the chance of new flavors at new destinations. I Like this description. I abide by it most of the time. Especially when I am on a work trip to a new city. So many places and things to try, right? But Bodega. My goodness. This place was so good, I had to go twice. Both times I said I should not eat all that was on the plate. And both times, I ate it all. Every last bite. The service was friendly and chill, the drinks tasty. If I know someone going to St Pete, I am always going to tell them to eat here.

One of the best Cuban sandwiches I've ever tried and definitely worth traveling outside of Tampa for it. The sandwich is packed with flavor. There's lots of parking and separate area for pick up.

This little spot is one of my favorite lunch places in the Edge District in St. Pete. Absolutely the best lechon I've ever had. And the lechon and Cuban sandwiches are enormous. But my favorite order at Bodega is the chopped romaine salad. The romaine is topped with so many different fruits and vegetables. There's mango, pineapple, red peppers, jicama, cucumbers, and much more. They have a fresh spicy lime dressing that's awesome. The service is friendly. I plan to eat there again and again.

Great Cuban flavor spot on Central Ave in St Pete. Had a large group of 8. Took a bit for food because they seem to have a lot of carry out orders, but we had drinks so it was fine. Really enjoyed the Cuban sandwich and the pollo asado sandwich.

We got the regular cuban sandwich and lechón sandwich. Both were very good in taste, but I'd say the lechón was more on the dry side. Adding some hot sauce helped with the dryness. Hibiscus drink something different and we're glad to tried it! Service was great, the woman in the front let us know how to order, and what she thought was best. Space is clean, spacious, and there's a patio as well

I was in the mood for a Cuban sandwich so figured, why not?! My sandwich was loaded with fresh ingredients and it was so big I needed to take the other half to go and enjoyed that for dinner. You order at the window and food is brought out. We scored seats on the sidewalk and had fun people watching.

All in all, the food was nice. The food came out quick but would have to say that I was underwhelmed with the portion of the "basket" of fries. For $8, it was the probably the amount of a medium fries at McDonalds. Service was quick and restaurant was spacious and clean.

Really good burger usually hate avocado, but tastes good on this fritta enjoyed the food

Best freaking Cuban sandwich I have ever had. Super fresh ingredients and fresh Cuban bread. Pair that with Green Bench Brewing that right across the street and you can not go wrong!

After a Rays game we were hungry so we decided to check out Bodega. The ambiance is great, made me feel like I went back in time to an old school diner. It reminded me of a great restaurant in Miami called El Rey de La Frita in Miami which has the same vibe. I ordered the Frita, while my fiancée ordered Lecho. Both of our meals were tasty but I can't help myself compare this Frita to the Frita from El Rey de La Frita. This Frita was more expensive and personally I don't think it's worth the price. The Lechón on the other hand was worth the price, but I believe it could have used a bit more seasoning Our server brought us waters as soon as we sat down which was thoughtful, but after taking our order we did not hear from our server again. We had to pay with another server

This was not a good place. Everything in the building smelled like dead rats they have fans going. The ACs were not working too much and the employees were so busy with their phones that they were not paying the customers any mind unless they need to be seated, but if they were there like me for a DoorDash, forget about it

Had an incredible lunch here with my friends friends. The coffee here is incredible. Sandwich is rocked. And the salad was great. Definitely a place to stop if you're hungry. Nothing but great food and a great atmosphere.

Average Cuban. Generous portion sizes and made in house but missing some flavor in my opinion. Very greasy roast pork. Service was good and not too long of a wait, but it really didn't seem like they enjoyed interacting with the customers. Cool counter seating but inside is pretty bare. Overall solid spot but I was a bit underwhelmed by the experience.

One of the best meals I had in Florida this trip. Simply outstanding Cuban food, with excellent vegan options. I stopped by around 6pm on a Tuesday to grab some dinner. I got their tempeh plate ($13.50 plus tax, which is vegan), which comes with a very generous portion of tempeh, spiced and cooked to perfection, with rice, beans, maduros (plantains), as well as sweet & spicy cabbage slaw. The food came out in about 15 minutes with a huge plate of food. Everything was simply outstanding. The tempeh was impeccably marinated, spiced and cooked -- I don't know what they to it, but damn. The rice and beans were well-flavoured, the plantains cooked wonderfully, and the slaw was incredible, smothered in this acidic and lightly sweet marinade. Hard to say enough good things about this plate. Friendly service and very comfortable interior (despite the shitty, obnoxious pop blaring). Highly recommended.

If you find yourself in st Pete with a craving for Cuban food, Bodega is the place to go! The lechon plato is not only filling but so flavorful with a side of rice and beans and sweet plantains. I highly recommend the soda Fresca on a hot day as well, my favorite flavor combo is hibiscus + lime - yum!

Great food! Wonderful service. Atmosphere is wonderful, but they have a major fly problem. Makes it not relaxing to have to wave at your food every few minutes. If they solve that, an easy 5 stars ;-) Or you can eat outside with a hopeful breeze.

So the fried pickles fantastic and not just your standard pickles. The maduros fantastic, not too sweet and extremely flavorful, squirt with the lime it comes with and it reaches a new level. The Cubano was fantastic and the mojo pork was flavorful and spiced just right!

Horrible service. Ordered online and it took over 45 minutes to get my order. They gave some excuse that it didn't come through while people after me were being served within 5 minutes.

It was my first time here. The service was great. Food was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and it was one of the best ones I've had in town.

Bodega is THE spot--perfect for a quick stop or a sit-down meal. You can tell the food is cooked all day with care, and every bite is packed with flavor. The atmosphere is fun and exciting yet laid-back and welcoming. Plus, there's a speakeasy in the back that you have to check out! Love this little gem as a local. Service is always great!

I love the ham & Swiss sandwich here. The staff is nice & it's a great casual spot for a quick bite. If you are ever passing by definitely stop in.

Right when you walk inside this place you know it's going to be good. The free smells were amazing. It's big, open, lots of light - great atmosphere. I loved that they had vegetarian options! My husband got the tofu plato and I got the tempeh plato and we shared so we could try both. We both liked the tempeh more but the tofu was still excellent and seasoned amazingly. The portions were great. I loved they gave you so many rice and beans. The maduros were just as good too. Would totally recommend!! Great food for the price!

Intro: I was doing a little research on restaurants in St. Pete and Bodega has the most reviews in the city. Located in downtown St. Pete, this Cuban restaurant was within walking distance from my hotel. I stopped by on a Thursday evening for dinner with my friend. Service (3/5): Even if you're dining in, as we were doing, you have to order at the outdoor kiosk. This is a bit of an awkward setup. Ordering from outside when you're dining in inside. I understand it adds some hype for the restaurant (as a line forms outside) but not the best for the customer experience. They will then bring your food to your table. The lady taking my order was friendly so at least there's that. After we ordered, we sat at the bar. Ambiance (4/5): Bodega has a modern feel to it with several booths and tables to sit at as well as a bar area with bar stools (without back support). It's a casual spot. Food (4.5/5): Bodega is known for its Cuban sandwiches so that's what I went with. Fun fact: The Cuban Sandwich was invented right here in the States, in Tampa, rather than Cuba. If you've ever had a Cuban Sandwich, Bodega's take on the classic sandwich is a little different. Rather than having ham and mustard in it, Bodega's version has Mojo (a Cuban sauce). The pork was tendered and the Mojo sauce made for a flavorful sandwich. The bread was crisp, which is what you want. They have two sizes for the sandwich, but the small one is large enough to fill you up. We also got a side of fries. Drinks (4.5/5): They have soft drinks and a full bar. Naturally, I went with the Cuba Libre (basically a rum and coke with lime). Nice touch on their end: they give you the rest of the Coca-Cola bottle in addition to your alcoholic beverage. Overall: If you're looking for a quick meal, and some solid Cuban food (which you should always do when you're in Florida!), check out Bodega. Insider's tip: They have a speakeasy called Bar Chica that is attached to the restaurant. Check it out after your meal!

Stumbled across this place after a Ray's game. I ordered the lechón plato (pork) and my partner ordered the frita. The food was tasty but not authentic Cuban food and a bit pricey for you're getting. There is a really cool retro vibe and lounge in the back that is worth checking out as well.

Some friends and I were going to a Rays game and we wanted to grab dinner beforehand. We found street parking nearby but there's also some paid lots. We ordered at the window and then sat ourselves inside. I loved the vibes inside and was so clean and cute! My boyfriend and I split a lechon platter and we got a paloma and margarita to drink. They were very generous with the portions so I was glad we decided to split! The pork was SO tender and juicy and I loved the beans and grilled onions it came with. My drink was super refreshing as well. Overall, really cute spot for a quick dinner!

Stopped here with some friends for a late night bite after a happy hour event. I got the pollo asada sandwich and enjoyed it. It came with avocado, mango, and jicama. It was a unique combo of flavors. I liked how light it was. Friends ordered the pork platter with rice and beans, Cuban bread, plantains, and black bean soup. I also enjoyed a cafe con leche which was a late night win to prep me for the drive across the bridge. The portions were pretty impressive. We all had leftovers. I was pleased with the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant. You order outside at the window and then they bring out the food. The staff was friendly. It's a good, casual spot.

The best Cuban sandwich in st. Pete! ( in my opinion) the chicken sandwich is also amazing if you don't eat pork. A must try spot!

Bodega is my go to casual Cuban spot in downtown st Pete! The food is always delicious and the service never disappoints. The Cuban sandwich is my favorite and I don't even typically eat pork but I will for this delectable sandwich! The pollo asado platter comes with maduros (fried plantains) that are cooked perfectly and help balance out the flavors of the whole platter, bringing a crispy sweetness. I love their cafe con leche and their agua frescas!

Bodega was one of the top 3 places we ate during our trip through Florida. We tried the delicious Cuban and Pollo Asado sandwiches, two different juices, and a cortadito. The cuban sandwich was great but the pollo asado sandwich which coconut milk marinated chicken was incredible and so unique! The sandwiches were a great size as well! The juices were great but be aware that they are fresh juices so they take time and are a little price-y. Parking is street parking so it could be a little difficult during busy times. Tip #1: Check in on Yelp for a FREE Cafecito or Cordadito. Tip #2: There is a hidden speakeasy in the back called Bar Chica.

This place was highly recommended by friends and it was worth the hype :). Lechon plate was flavorful and a great serving at this price point. Staff was friendly and there is even a bar in the back that I will have to try next time. I'll definitely be back when I'm in town!

Order at the window outside and your food is brough to you when ready. They have outdoor and indoor seating. Their menu consists of coffee sandwiches and plates. I had the lechon sandwich and I love how it was seasoned. I love how the bread was cooked so it leaves a perfect bite of sandwich. It was a good lunch for me with just the right amount of food.

Make sure to check out Bodega in St. Pete - it's an awesome spot. Despite ongoing construction in the area, don't let it deter you; this place is worth a visit. Street parking along Central is available. Opt for takeout or savor your meal inside at the stylish diner bar, tables, or booths. The staff is consistently friendly and helpful. Indulge in delicious options like the Lechon Sandwich, salads, and Plato's with white rice, black beans, and maduros. Don't miss out on their refreshing Soda Frescas, juice, coffee, beer or cocktails.

Meal came with rice and beans. Super salty. Food looked good (the juice was good) but looked better than it tasted.

This used to be one of my favorite places to eat but the prices have gone up considerably and the quality is no longer consistent. I was craving a lechon sandwich today but the meat was terribly dry. I ended up doctoring it at home with more butter. Considering a sandwich, a side of plantains (which are 50 cents per in the store, c'mon!) and a single shot of espresso cost.me over $30 now, this is no longer a "reasonably affordable" lunch.

I am a bit torn whether this should be 4 or 5 stars, but I am going to go for 4 compared to some Cuban sandwich spots I have eaten in. No apologies, as 4 is still great. I was in Webb City (the funkatorium for Green Bus) and the bartender said I should try Bodega. Looked up the menu, gave them a call, and went over to grab my Cuban with beans & rice about 10 minutes later. The storefront is conveniently located on Central and a block away from Green Bench/Webb City. It is light an airy inside, with ample seating. There is a bar should you want a drink, although I was doing beer tourism a block away, so I did not stay. The Cuban is very nicely done. Not the best I have ever had, but ranks as the best I have had in Pinellas county thus far. Black beans and rice were flavorful, but I would rate them the lowest point in the meal (this does not mean low, just lower than the sandwich). I lvoed the press on the sandwich and how it was cooked to a nice golden brown. Very nice. If you are in St Pete and seeking out a Cubano, I would put this place on your list. If you also want a beer, order to go and get a funk beer at Webb City.

We came here after a Rays game. You order outside and they'll take the food to your table or they'll call you're name if it's for takeout. The line was average in size, but the actual wait to get your food was pretty long. I ordered a cafe con leche con Azucar. Felt it was a little pricey for the size at $6, but it was sweet and yummy. My wife ordered their Pollo Asado which came with a coconut marinaded chicken, mango Mayo, avocado, fresh mango, cilantro and jicama. It sounded good, and I remember taking a few bites but honestly don't remember tasting any of these but the jicama. I ordered their Cuban. This one came with your traditional Cuban ingredients. Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and Mayo. The sandwich was good and very filling but nothing special. Overall a decent meal, but slightly overpriced. Not sure if I'd come back on my next trip.

I've heard wonderful things about Bodega and when I saw they were celebrating their 10 year anniversary with $5 Cuban sandwiches I knew this was my time to shine. You order at the window outside and they will either bring you your food or call your name to pick it up. Either way you can almost guarantee a line wrapped around which is usually a good sign. Except I wasn't blown away. I wish I was but it just didn't do it for me. I felt it was lacking flavor and seemed too dry for my liking. The maduros were a bit overdone and could've used some lime to juice it up. The service is what brought the experience up a notch. The staff was very friendly and welcoming and had a smile on their faces the entire time we dined in. I especially love their t shirts except they only had larger sizes in stock. We hope to be back to try the rest of their menu and to snag a cool t shirt.

Fast, good quality food. Good service. Beer/wine/seltzer is pricey. Cute decor. There also appears to be some sort of speakeasy hidden away in the back, but we were there too early to be able to go in.

I truly wanted to like Bodega but it's meh at best. Maybe I'm spoiled from living in Orlando for years and having lots of authentic Latin places to pull from. But Bodega just wasn't great. The food lacked flavor and that certain oomph. Everything was just kinda basic. I will keep looking for a good Latin place in St. Petersburg.