Brocato's Sandwich Shop

Love the deviled crabs. They are huge and full of actual crab. The Cuban is yummy too. Also they do press them ! They keep this place clean, everyone is friendly and keeps things moving even when busy. After eating their deviled crabs I won't eat them anywhere else.

The establishment was clean. The employees were all very friendly, especially the guy handing you your food. The portion sizes are great, and you get a bag of chips and a drink (can or fountain) with your meal. I don't eat deli meats, but I saw the vegetarian sandwich on the menu and tried it. It was not what I expected. It was basically a cheese sandwich bc there looked to be about 5 different types of cheese on this one sandwich. The sandwich consisted of Swiss, cheddar, and provolone stacked on top of each other. Then tomato, red onions, a little lettuce, a little roasted red bell peppers, banana peppers shredded mozzarella cheese, and what looked to be feta crumbles. I took off the cheeses except the feta and Swiss, and it was better. I was expecting something more, but I'm going to give them another chance and go back, and I'll create my own sandwich and then update the review. The devil crab egg roll was really really good! And I can tell you that their devil crabs are really good as well!

Cutest restaurant in Tampa!! Highly recommended!! The best people and best crab cakes! A lot of real crab meat in deviled crab!! Wish the restaurant all the best🫶

After going here for 40yrs it is sad to not see joe there , i realize its been years since his passing but still miss him. Havent seen Michael there the last few times and it shows. This place used to be PACKED from the time they opened till close , i said years ago that as changes were being made to the cuban (garlic pickle ? Romaine leaf ? Deli mustard ?) NEVER on a cuban !!!! In general ..no dinners , streamlining menu , no pressing !! That it would impact business, its almost like Micheal has checked out and lets the old grumps run the place IYKYK , they're horrible, not welcoming at all just adds to a negative nostalgia for us tampanians and a bad impression for 1st timers. I NEVER say times have passed and it doesn't need to be reinvented, just harken back to what made it what it was from early 90's to about 2010 , they blame the pandemic but hubris and arrogant changes , defying traditional norms in my opinion is what has contributed to the diminishing business, i was there today at 11am and more workers than customers, NEVER did i think I'd see that !!! Used to seeing Michael scurrying around yelling hi to people, I haven't seen that in years !! I sure pray it comes back to those glory years. Also the crabs & balls are STILL the best since Rose retired , but whats with the fajita size veggie's??? Never been like this

Way too overhyped. A few people throughout the years have mentioned this place for having amazing sandwiches and deviled crab. I got the 6' cuban and deviled crab combo. -Cuban: Bread was great, and that's about it. Deli meats weren't of the best quality. The meats were still really cold in my pressed sandwhich. The "pulled pork" had the consistency of tuna salad. The cheese was borderline frozen. There is a lot to improve here. -Deviled Crab: The deviled crab is $14 + tax. It was super crispy on the outside, but the breading tasted kinda stale. They use real crab meat on the inside; it's nice and juicy but seems to lack much flavor. Ordered it to try it and see the hype, will not be ordering again. Food: 2.5 Needs major improvement. Staff: 4.5 Nice and works with any accommodations, orders come out in a decent time. Setting: 3.5 Just a rinky dink older shop preserving it's history, but defenitly needs some updates.

First time visiting this local restaurant. I have no words to explain how good the potato ball was. I have no idea what to expect. I cut into this crispy ball, and this meat comes out. Instantly, my mouth starts watering. I went to take a bite, and an explosion of flavors goes off. It was so delicious I bought another order to go. You definitely won't be disappointed if you stop by and try this great and amazing food.

Excellent food ! Cuban sandwich was amazing the taste and the fresh ingredients it was perfectly made. The devil crab was huge didn’t expect that and it was so well seasoned! With a little bit of touch of spicy it was perfect. And the service was so friendly, the atmosphere inside and outside felt like home.

From what I'm told this is a must hit local spot. So as I was passing through I stopped for lunch. This establishment is small inside and has additional seating outside and a medium to large parking lot beside it for additional parking. Apparently you cannot just buy a sandwich, you pay for and get chips and a drink. (What I was told when just trying to buy a sandwich). That being said I ordered a Cuban sandwich, it was picture perfect, portioned neatly, clean, and almost felt like I was getting a premade hospital sandwich. With a local "mom and pop" place I was kinda expecting something exploding at the seams with meat and toppings and bursting with flavor that left a mess. Or maybe even just required a napkin. The homemade devil crabs and the stuffed potatoes did not disappoint. If I ever get the chance to go back these items would be the only items I would order. This is the "mom and pop" item I was looking for. Crispy outside and full of flavor. This place also seemed like it would or could have a good atmosphere, but it was not busy at all and just seemed lonely for all the hype it received.

Craving Authentic Cuban Flavors? A Cuban sandwich is a mouthwatering masterpiece--crispy Cuban bread filled with savory roast pork, ham, cheese, pickles, and mustard, then pressed or non pressed to perfection. Paired with the irresistible deviled crab, a delicious blend of crab meat, spices, and seasonings baked into a crispy golden crust, it's a flavor combo you can't miss! Looking for the best place to satisfy your cravings? Head over to Brocato's Sandwich Shop at 5021 E Columbus Dr. in Tampa Bay. Whether you're a local or visiting, their Cuban sandwiches and deviled crab are the stuff of legend! There are other delicious items on the menu. Don't wait--give it a try and taste why they're a Tampa Bay favorite. I was not disappointed!

Please cancel. Brocato's says they do not honor grubhub orders. I do not want to get double charged

Hands down an amazing spot to eat as far as value! You get an awful lot of food for the price. The Cuban sandwich is pretty good. But the deviled crab is amazing! Worth going to try just to eat the deviled crab!!!

The stuffed potatoes here are amazing and delicious, and I would personally recommend the devil crabs as well. You can sit indoors or outdoors.

So sad this used to be the go too now it's for the tourists I know the owner he let his son and he run it into the ground so sad I literally could cry years of family memories gone

Amazing food and even better service. Staff is always so friendly and Michael is the best. We really enjoy coming here and getting the deviled crab and Cuban sandwich. Ambiance is old school memorabilia and so nice to sit and look at all the pictures. Quality of food and service has not declined over the years. Always a pleasure stopping by.

Their devil crab and stuffed potato seem to be quite famous. The kids really enjoyed the stuffed potato The filling is incredibly rich, with each bite a fusion of green and red peppers with fresh, sweet crab meat, coated in crispy breadcrumbs that aren't greasy. For those who love a croquette packed with plenty of crab meat, don't miss out. It's around $15, and you can also choose a drink and a bag of chips. You can even pre-order online, and there are great deals if you buy by the dozen. There's plenty of parking, but seating might be a bit tight when it's crowded.

My wife has been talking about the famous deviled crab from Brocatos since we last came five years ago and I've been arguing that the Maryland crabcake style can't be beat so we made a special detour to satisfy her craving and resolve the debate. Wow! Idk how I couldn't remember how delicious it was the first time, but this time I will not forget! I recommend you add mayo and hot sauce to round out the perfectly crunchy fried outter shell which is so perfectly complimented by the inner soft juicy crab loaded center with some stewed tomato and herbs. There is really no filler at all and that's the advantage I give to the Florida deviled crab. If you like crab cakes this is a great spin off a classic.

Five stars for the food; one star for the slow service. First the good: perhaps the best Cuban sandwich I have ever enjoyed. Stuffed full of sweet pork, smoky ham and salami with just a hint of heat. Loaded w pickles and generously dressed w mayo, mustard, lettuce and tomato. Fresh bread perfectly pressed. A massive slab of classic Tampa. Hard to believe the Cubano is only the second-best item on the menu, but the softball-sized Deviled Crab surpassed. Lean clean seasoned crabmeat with a thin crisp batter. Another Tampa gold standard. As good as I remember from my time in Tampa 30 years ago. However... The 40 minute wait from placing the order to receiving a simple order of one sandwich and one devil crab is simply unacceptable on a Saturday at 1pm. No way I would have placed and paid for the order had I known beforehand that I would have to wait 40 minutes for a sandwich. As good as the food was, I'll think twice before going back anytime soon. Hoping this Tampa legend can smooth out its service problems and serve up its tasty generous portions in a timely way.

It was just ok and the ridiculously long wait was definitely not worth the food we got. Sad because we heard it was once the sandwich spot to stop at but just would not go back.

So not good anymore. Not sure what happened but won't be back. We used to come ever winter while in Tampa. Guess that tradition is gone.

It was ok. Big 12" 'Cuban' that was not our preferred pressed. More like a sub. Ingredients were stacked haphazard. Too much meat stacked on one side; hardly any meat on the other of the same 12" sub roll. No consistency in food prep tells us the owner's family wasn't making our sandwiches. The deviled crab was good. But eye-wateringly expensive in our opinion. Blue crabs are everywhere in FL. Very easy to catch. Almost hard not to pull them out of any coastal waters. Beyond plentiful. Very expensive. This place is having financial problems right now. The crowd was much less than we remember from when we last ate here 20+ years ago. Perhaps adjusting prices downward to a more reasonable level will restore their old busy traffic and restore some sanity to an affordable lunch of a simple sandwich & crab ball?

Their sandwiches are good, but the real reason we go here is for the devil crabs. But...I heard they are closing their doors. I'm hoping that is incorrect.

You can taste a full of crab meat! And it's reasonable price . Either you have indoor or outdoor to dine.

The food was amazing. The sandwiches are HUGE. and they're delicious. The workers are super sweet and friendly. The crowd during the lunch rush was mostly blue collar workers vibe.

I first visited Brocato's in the late Eighties all the way through to 2015 working close by on either Adamo Drive, Broadway or N70th Street. This place has been a lunchtime sandwich staple for me for over 25 years. Haven't been in to eat in over 9 years after retiring so being in Tampa close by on business, we simply had to stop for lunch. We both got the 12" Cuban Sandwich Special with Chips & a Drink at about $15 each and a side of Black Beans & Rice for another $5.. A straight forward process of placing your order & paying - then waiting for your number to be called. The portions are quite large and we ended up taking a whole Cuban sandwich home, splitting one our two 12" Sammies and the Black Beans with Cuban Toast. Their sandwiches are alway delicious, chocked full of several meats, tomato, cheese & pickle. It's slightly different than traditional Cubans but boy is it good tasting and filling! The Black Beans & Rice were very delicious and Cuban Toast spot-on. A very casual come as you are family operation since 1948 that they do very well and it shows. Weekday lunch hours expect a line but their production line precision makes short work of it! They have limited indoor and plenty of outdoor seating and a long history of crafting mouth watering, stomach filling comfort luncheon fare. Definitely worth a stop, I can't even begin to fathom my total number of visits since starting work in E Tampa way back in 1988.... We finished the second Cuban later in the evening for Dinner! Wish we had a Brocato's in St Pete! Almost As Americana as Apple Pie, a working mans grazing place!

I haven't been here since before Covid. However, the menu is smaller, but the sandwiches are still delicious.

Me and my partner in crime decided to try this local classic and it did not disappoint. We got the 12" Philly Steak and Chicken Parmesan with a side of fries. The food was deliciously seasoned and cooked to perfection with portions that were HUGE for the price that we paid. The atmosphere of the deli was very comforting and inviting even to people that have never been there such as me and my partner. The service was very fast and we also unexpectedly got a portion of cuban bread while grabbing our order! (the bread was very nostalgic to the cuban bread that i grew up eating) We also met one of the regulars and had an amazing conversation that we'll carry forever, shoutout to Rich! All in all, if you're in the area and want to be full for a day and a half from one sandwich try Brocato's, we'll be back for the devil crab and stuffed potatoes!

I was told years ago this was the best Cuban sandwich spot in Fl. The first time i had it, I had them ship the sandwich's to MN. They were delicious. Crab rolls are also delicious. A couple years later i visited for the first time in Fl and was super excited and not disappointed. Well at my last visit i found out they don't press their Cubans anymore. Customer service was ok. I don't understand why they wouldn't stick with the original deal. Don't get me wrong it well worth trying but I've found better in the area.

Wow going through my photo album and didn't realize I didn't review this amazing sub! My Airbnb was across the street and of course I Yelped what was nearby. Brocato's had great reviews and even better looking subs! The sandwiches have quality meat and are loaded with toppings! I had the Cuban and the Italian and both were delicious.

Great food - but beware they don't heat, press, or toast the Cuban sandwiches - if that's the way you like'em Always a must stop if traveling to Tampa

Best real devil crabs in Tampa! Easy on off from I4 East N 50th st too! I love the Cuban sandwiches! Get there early, they draw a big crowd for lunch. They serve breakfast too!

I can see why they're going out of business. I ordered a devil grab and potato ball. $24 for the nastiest meal I've ever had. And the portions were comically large. I would rather get a smaller and more reasonable portion for waaayyyy less money. I also would rather go elsewhere for my devil crab and potato ball craving.

The devil crab and potato ball were very delicious. My disappointment was with the Cuban. The bread is so thick not like local Cuban bread I have had in the past. I'm not sure if they changed bakeries, but I prefer. La Segundo bread. I don't remember it being that thick. All in all great service good food.

Brocato's is located in my old neighborhood in Tampa! This is a mom and pop type establishment that's been around for a long time! Their menu definitely shrank but it seems everyone goes here for just the Cuban Sandwiches and the deviled crabs. I stopped by here to pick up some deviled crabs( A tampa original!) to bring back to LA. At $10 a piece now , it felt just a littttttle expensive for its size but worth trying. The wait took about 30 mins. This place is packed with locals. Customer service is also very dry and straight to the point . Good food though so go try it.

This place has been around forever. I must say Joe has the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa. If you're more of a meat then bread kind of person, this is the place for you. Don't be surprised if you pay 12 to 15.00 per Cuban sandwich. I promise you it's well worth it.

After 20 years finally trying the famous Brocato's Cuban. Wasn't sure how I would like unpressed. They profess to serve original style. The absolute star is the bread. If it wasn't so good it would need the pressing. I believe they use the holy grail of Cuban Breads La Segunda. It was a standard Cuban "all the way" with Ham, Salami, Roast Pork, Swiss, Mustard, Mayo, Pickles, Tomato and Lettuce. For 10 that included a drink and bag of chips it was very large at a foot long. This was an absolute solid Cuban and worthy of a 8.5/10. Only complaint was not enough roast pork but all other cold cuts were adequate and the L & T were very fresh. I can see why they have been around since 1948. I got there at 11:45ish and by the time I just left it was packed. I will be back!

I've been here 4 times already and today is my last. The food is okay but the service here is atrocious! It's counter service, therefore, should be uneventful. But not here.

It's with a great deal of regret that I've deleted my previous 5 star review and changed it to 2 stars. For years if you came here the lines were out the door, the place was hopping, and the food was delicious. Well, no longer. Gone are the days that we long time fans remember, replaced now by the same meats you can get at the Publix deli counter, bread that is not authentic, and they no longer press them. Whoever is running the place now claims that the pressed Cubans made for generations here are no longer authentic, so they are only unpressed. To add insult to injury, they drown the sandwich in mayo. You'll get a better sandwich at Publix. It is sad when someone takes something that's been successful for so many years and ruins it this way. We won't be back.

Bad: 1.) Long wait (about 15-20 min) for a sandwich that wasn't freshly made and sat in a container in a fridge. 2.) Really unfriendly counter-lady. She didn't make me or the other customers feel welcomed there. Recommend immediately replacing here if you want return customers. The guy prepping the orders was nice though. 3.) Food was mediocre. Not bad, but not great. I would possibly return one more time to try the chicken parm. I don't think there Cuban deserves any awards, but I've had its fine if you don't mind its cold, not freshly made in front of you, and not pressed. Good: 1.) I liked the old school vibe of the place. 2.) Prices were reasonable. 3.) They offer a decent selection of sandwiches and they come with chips and a drink. All in all, this place is just ok. I'll give it another shot and possibly change my review if my second experience is any better.

Super fresh & GIANT portions. Highly recommend calling ahead as line can get extremely long during lunch hour. Must try the Deviled Crab!

First of all we did not feel welcomed at all in this place. We just seemed rushed, but hey it's a fast pace atmosphere so I get it...... The Cuban sandwich here is ok at best...... I'm more of a fan of a pressed Cuban, but was willing to try this one. I give it a 3 out of 10...... My wife's Club Sandwich was pretty good but the peppered turkey on it kinda overpowers the whole sandwich...... These sandwiches are huge though so you do get a lot for what what you paid I guess...... Don't think I'd return..... Just not my cup of tea......

Real disappointment. recommended to me by a person I just met. Walked in and said this has to be good. Place filled up fast. I ordered a sandwich at 12:16. After multiple inquiries where they just told me they were busy, I received a sandwich at 12.58. Sat there for 42 minutes for a sub sandwich!!!!! Had enough time to take a few bites before I had to head to a funeral down the street. Threw the sandwich out I was so mad. Sadly, I could have fed all the pallbearers it was so big. They need to hire more help. And learn that good customer service is not saying, we are busy.

A rather drab building inside and out, but Brocatao's more than makes up for that with the food! The deviled crabs are euuuuge, and filled with deliciousness inside a crispy crust. The stuffed potatoes are an excellent side to go with the crab or one of their Cubans. Service is quick and it helps to know what you want before stepping up to the counter. Small area for eating in, but there is room to eat outside.

My good friend Rafael would be rolling in his grave if he knew how bad this place is now. I didn't recognize any signs f the food! They stopped selling the palomino steak and the Cuban had some sort of horseradish sauce on it! I was sad and disappointed. Even my chips tasted weird. This use to be one of my husband and i's favorite restaurants. When I brought this home today, he was in shock as well! So sad and so hard to find good food anymore. The employees were amazing though!

Stopped in for a breakfast sandwich for the first time in probably over a year and it was just like I remembered! Actually, I feel like the quality has actually gotten better with time! I ordered the bacon, egg and cheese. It was made fresh to order, the bread was buttery and the bacon was thick and cooked just right! You get a lot for under ten bucks! The sandwiches are 12 inches and come with chips and a drink! Needless to say what I thought would be breakfast for the day turned into breakfast for 3 days!

..When I'm back home in tampa a must stop will always Brocato's sandwich shop. This family run staple has been here for ions and I hope they never go anywhere. They have been voted and have the best stuffed deviled crabs and potatoes...dare I say in all of Florida?

I wanted to check out this place for the deviled crab. Super tasty and it was served with hot sauce, chips, and a drink! I would definitely be back.

Came by here for a late lunch on a Monday. Given it was around 3p on a Monday afternoon I was surprised about half the tables were taken, but no issues at all getting a seat outside. I went for the mini deviled crab and mini stuffed potatoes since that's what they're best known for. Before getting to the taste definitely note that the menu pictures on Yelp are well out of date. The price on these two items had DOUBLED to $11 each when most of the photos on here had them at $6.50. Not being critical on the price change, totally understand businesses need to do things like this to survive, only providing more up to date information. With that said, you do get quite a lot of food for your money. Even as a very hungry person it was a challenge to get through all of it. You very easily could share a couple of these minis with a group and be happy. Also, good luck to anyone attempting to get through the full sized version if these are "minis" I thought the deviled crab was tasty, it had a nice rich flavor, but I thought the breading on the outside was a little too heavy and took away from the flavor the crab, onions, and peppers brought. I felt pretty similarly on the stuffed potato, the potato and beef were quite good, but the breading really overpowered it.

I tried to stop in here a few weeks ago and it's unbelievable on how expensive it is to order a sandwich there now this seem to be a good place at one time but I think there's other places I can go to and it's really out-of-the-way to get there maybe for the localpopulation it might be OK and somewhere close for any of the businesses are around here looking for a lunch but you will pay

Love the history of this place! The Italian sandwich was huge and the ingredients fresh! The deviled crab is so good and made even better with a side of hot sauce. The staff was working hard to make sure everyones order was taken care of. Only thing I would change is is I would have liked to have a fresh brewed sweet tea.

The food at Brocato's is always very good and consistent. The portions are huge. The deviled crab and the potatoes are a meal in and of themselves. Both the Cuban and turkey sandwich are also very good. It is a quick in and out spot to grab lunch or breakfast. It can get very crowded around lunch. I definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area.

Be hungry when you go. Portions are as big as they are good. Make sure to try the crab! Great place to grab a sandwich! The devil crab: kind of like a hot pocket but so much better! The outside is crispy, the filling has chunks of mild blue crab, some chopped bell peppers, what seems like a light tomato sauce, and some spices (not very hot). I don't need any extra seasonings. This is the spot that locals eat, including workers from the industrial district. No need to dress up, just come hungry!

This is a long time Tampa restaurant serving what some would say are the best cuban sandwiches. They're also famous for their deviled crab cakes, baked potatoes, and cafe con leche among other things. There are 6 seats indoors, and more seating outside. If you're inside, you will be eating with a bunch of customers standing around waiting to order, or waiting for their food to go. I ordered the #1 special which includes a 6" cuban and a small crab cake. The sandwich is a good size and comes with typical cuban ingredients, lettuce tomato, pickles, thousand island? The sandwich is not pressed and is basically served cold. This is on a hoagie roll, and I just prefer my Cubans to be warmed or pressed so the cheese can melt a little. Also, the bread is more northeast style...instead of a cuban bread that's more easier to pull apart, like you will get in Miami. I've had better. The devil crab cake is a good size to go along with your sandwich. Plenty of crab meat on the inside along with red bell peppers and other things. I liked it better than the sandwich since it's served with a cup of hot sauce, similar to Louisiana hot sauce. Chips are your typical frito lay variety. I also didnt care for the canned beverages. I was so thirsty and nearly half finished with my lipton iced tea in a can before my number was even called. No refill of course. I'd still come back though because they have even more specialty items to try and to support local businesses.

You'll have some of the best sandwiches in Tampa Bay here at Brocato's. Just mention the name and those who instantly start drooling. Hey, it's a Tampa culinary institution, yeah I said it!

It's not what it used to be. Back 10 years ago it was a madhouse. People all over, waiting for orders, bags of ships and cookies lines the border along with drinks up the wazoo. sadly much of the flair (and much of the menu) is gone. I don't know if its the same owners, but no one looked familiar. I hope this is a pandemic precaution and its only temporary. On a super positive note, I picked up 6 huge delicious sandwiches. Two Cubans, an Italian, a club (MY favorite) and something else, someone else wanted, and they very much liked it. I like the place, it deserves four stars, because the food is good, and if you've never been, you don't know the circus you've missed, it was awesome.

Today was a horrible experience at this place after I paid by card for my food the lady throws the pen my way and walks off and she know exactly what she was doing , both older women who take your order are extremely rude and nasty to people of color the only reason I didn't demand my money back was the fact that I drove from valrico for my pregnant wife for crab cakes, so even though I've had horrible experiences in the past at this place she's what matters the most in this situation but I will not ever go back there ever again I served this county proudly as a veteran and I will not be treated in this manner no matter what the color of my skin is ! The owner's daughter Kathy was my real estate agent years ago so just out of loyalty I continued to come but that's done those two older ladies that take your order in such and nasty and rude way KARAMA is on the way !

Brocato's is 'Home of the best devil crab in Tampa Bay!' It's also a famous, family-owned, and all-in-all a very friendly sandwich shop! They sell Cuban sandwichs along with their legendary devil crab balls. I fell in love with their potato balls - which are filled with a mashed potato that is so savory and delicious... you can tell it's a homemade recipe and is made, as the restaurant says, "Just like Aunt Nina used to make!". You'll also find amazing deals here at this legendary lunch spot, such as this classic special: 2 potato balls and a Cuban sandwich (not pressed) for $15.99! Perfect meal for two people :)

Found this place while in the area for a soccer tournament. A friend told us about it. We would have never found it on our own. So glad we went. Great quality and affordable. I was able to eat this sandwich for three meals!