Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe

We really had a good time with really good food. The ribs were super tasty but found out they only do the Bloody Mary drink with the rib on top on Sundays only. Sunday they have live music too. The steak salad was awesome with homemade dressing. The pizza is cooked on a stone. Prices were above average I would say $23+ per person without alcohol. I had the steak salad I highly recommend that. Only two bathrooms and they are single ones. The neighborhood is a little sketchy too. The wine list is not that great but the liquor drinks are good.

Went with a group for brunch. Everything I ordered was delicious and I had some left over to snack on later. The smoky BBQ vibe of my brisket was on point. I got the veggie greens and the way they were seasoned was different than I expected, but complemented everything nicely. I recommend the side of cornbread too. It's enough to share with another, if you choose. The artwork is a medley of sorts, some lovely some strange- but I'll leave it for you to decide which is which. The live music sometimes made conversation across the table challenging, but the service and food were 👍🏽

You must come here!! Food was amazing, vibe was amazing and everyone working was wonderful. We'll be back for Sunday brunch. Bacon wrapped meatloaf was everything you can imagine. Shrimp and Grits gave me exactly what I needed. Wings for the starter scrumptious. Wonderful job!

This place was awesome. Great outdoor vibe! Our server was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the drink and food menu and offered suggestions. We all has burgers with different sides. We don't regret a thing! Absolutely recommended this place and we'll definitely be back!

What a great way to spend an early Sunday evening. My wife and I, along with our 2 daughters, enjoyed live music, a lively atmosphere, and really good food. I definitely recommend the ribs and fried green tomatoes! Everything was good, but those stood out the most. The drinks were good and strong! It was like a Nola vibe with a little TX smoked meats.

Visited today for brunch. Best biscuits and gravy I’ve had! Austin was a great waiter. Very pleasant. Cheesecake is the best I’ve had. It’s definitely homemade with love. The brisket was okay. I think it goes well with the cheese grits.

The staff was so friendly and the food was amazing! I would definitely say this is the best restaurant in Seminole Heights and anyone in the neighborhood should try it! The burgers were incredible and the cake was huge!

One of the best restaurants we have been to. The vibe is perfect. The staff is wonderful. The food is amazing. We had the Ole’ Mole’ and Henry the Loaf from our server, Viet’s recommendation and were not disappointed. I managed to save half so we could have dessert and the key lime pie is one of the best I’ve had. I highly recommend this place and they have live music some nights, which I’m sure is awesome. It’s a great spot and I’m glad we tried it.

I came here for a Sunday date night with my boyfriend! This has been one of his favorite dinner spots so definitely bummed this place is closing. We had such a great visit. We made reservations, but it wasn't super busy when we entered and we were seated pretty immediately. On Sundays, they usually do a barbecue menu. I got a Manhattan while my boyfriend got a bloody mary. The Manhattan definitely packed a punch and was so smooth. For our mains, he got the ribs, while I got the fried catfish with bacon mac n cheese and baked beans as my sides. The fried catfish was light and delicious and I loved the lemony sauce it came with! The mac n cheese also was to DIE FOR. Overall, really cute spot and wish they weren't closing!

Cute little soul food/bbq spot in Seminole Heights. There's lots of local art in and around the building giving it a chic local vibe. It was a little popping for a Sunday but we were able to get a table pretty easy. Only problem was that there was live music and honestly the tables available were all right by it so we opted to sit outside. They were out of a couple things, which to me means it's probably fresh and good so that was a green flag. We each got a half slab of ribs that were delicious. My only real complaint is the server took his time getting around to us but I think we were his only table. Definitely could've used a "5 minute into meal" check-in because we needed some things. All-in-all this place is a neighborhood staple I gather and I would come back to try again.

Family dinner night outside on the patio with the dog. We ordered the shrimp and grits, meatloaf, with mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, along with a chimichanga. Charles, our waiter was outstanding spot on with service and attention. The outdoor patio is roomy and casual under a large old tree. Plenty of parking in the back and along the sides, so no worries on that. Food was delicious very southern flavor. We enjoyed the scenery on Nebraska Avenue as well. Must visit for some good Southern food .

Love coming here. I enjoy the atmosphere, service & the food is great. The food today was delicious. Get fried pickles & the fish & grits

I read a headline that said this Seminole Heights neighborhood gem was closing at the end of August 2025. I had never been, but I thought I had better try it while I can, if it is so well reviewed by the community. Because Ella's was closing down, many menu choices were not available. They did not have the wine Susanna wanted, an appetizer we wanted, chicken and waffles, or a few burgers. We liked the hummus plate (Spread the Love). Susanna's catfish and chips was very good. I had The Don pizza, which had more of a bread-y crust than a real, crispy crust. The restaurant had a band playing. There was sound absorbing material on the walls and ceiling, but it was way too damn loud. I do not know why Ella's is closing, but it was a terrible experience with live music. There was also a noisy table next to us. We hoped that we could enjoy the evening once they left, but the band started up again. We couldn't get out fast enough. You probably won't be able to try out Ella's, but you shouldn't feel bad about missing out.

Loved Ella's! So sad they are gone but have fond memories with family here! Thanks for the good times!

What a unique spot!!! Our waitress was lovely and made sure our drinks were always full! Food menu was great with fun items like pizzas with mango salsa, thyme French fries, curry and Asian inspired burger specials! Fried pickles with that aioli was amazing along with their house bread and pesto butter! YUM All the different curry dishes were also a need to try. The restaurant is selling... BUT they will notify via socials when closing so get the food while you can! Waitress also said it should be open for quite some more time.

Came here for happy hour but the food is the why I will be back. The drinks are a little strong and I like more fruity cocktails. The server recommend I get the Kiss my grits but get fish instead of shrimp which was a great suggestion. I have been here a few times and the food is always flavorful and tasty. Will definitely have to come check out brunch.

Last night of this cultural focal point for the thinking feller. Can't believe this is it, will miss everyone here with a crushing sadness. We got married here FFS.

My associates and I came here when looking for a local bar. I won't have much to say except the staff was largely inhospitable. To us at least. They chatted with other patrons but the bartender was annoyed with my party. I don't know the role of some of the other workers I encountered, but I just did not feel welcome and it wasn't a good feeling when you can see kindness to other bar goers. Who knows maybe they knew them and that's why they were kind. I'll say the drink that was made was what I wanted and made up the 3/5 stars. Other than that I wouldn't be returning.

Amazing!!! Everything about this place, from the excellent service to the mouth watering food to all the fun decorations!!! My partner and I were lucky enough to have been seated at the King's seat! Decorations are so fun! They even have a search and find book to look through while waiting for food! Our server was so kind in giving suggestions and she was quick to fill up our glasses. We got the ole mole and the skirt steak salad to share! We started with the salad, which is they were so kind enough to split into 2 bowls. The steak was well seasoned and tender. The veggies were very fresh and that chimichurri sauce was soooooo gooodddd! It's also served with sweet plantains, which is a nice sweet addition to balance out the salad. The ole mole had perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken, with sweet plantains. The mole sauce wasn't too strong and paired with the meal very well. The had little bready things with cheese in it - soooo good! They also have a lot of fun drink items! I got Flor de Flaca, which is more or less a hibiscus margarita - delicious! They had other options that I'm excited to try next time =))) They also have happy hour and live music!!! They have a cute little stage!!! Great vibes!!! Highly highly recommend!!! Def gotta give this place a shot!!

Lovely service good food able to handle a party of 12 so sorry to hear they are closing because it's a definite recommend

Might be my new favorite Tampa restaurant! A completely scratch kitchen with good quality food! Our server was so sweet and informative. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather. They make a great job making the outside cute. I ordered The Hippy and they were so kind when making adjustments. My friend got the Chicken and Waffle Sammy and if you like your Chicken and Waffles on the sweeter side this is perfect. The fries were incredible. I will be back to try more menu options.

Everything that seemed as if it would go wrong tonight went right. Parking was crazy -even overflow parking was busting at the seams. Luckily, on my third drive around the area I got a great spot. Ella's was packed due to the concert going on inside. I made a reservation for 2 people inside, later asking the staff to do the unthinkable and change it to 6 people to accommodate friends and they literally moved heaven and earth to make it happen. We ended up seated near the stage just in time to see Shelby Sol. Live music is a treat while you eat; especially when the food is made fresh. The El Diablo Pizza is the best thing I've eaten in a while. After sharing a pitcher of Sangria and Shelby Sol serenading us with her soulful vocals, I just needed someone to roll me out of there. What a great night.

We hadn't been to Ella's in a couple years, so we decided to stop by for dinner last night. And EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING! It was later in the evening and cooler out, so the outside seating was pretty empty. I feel like they have the best outdoor space and you don't even realize you are on Nebraska most of the time. We got the Spread the Love (smalls appetizer. It was wonderful. I especially loved the pickles and pimento cheese. The pimento cheese was the best I have ever had. I might have licked the dish. My husband got the Sulu Curry. He ordered it at the HOT spice level. LOL. And surprise...it was very hot. He loved it though. The flavor was wonderful, and the portion was huge. I got The Doghouse salad. It was soooooo good. The piece of salmon was cooked well and a generous portion. Everything was fresh and the mushrooms/aspargaus addition were a nice warm element. That made it feel more like a dinner salad. I have to also add that our waiter, Jacob, was a doll. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and funny. We had such a nice experience and will definitely be back soon.

Quoting my sister Stacey's reaction, "Like isn't the proper word. This food was like a religious experience in my mouth." She was so right! The service from Hana was impeccable and informative and the ambiance left us in a relaxed mood to talk and enjoy our delicious meal. Sorry I didn't get more photos, but I had to dive into the food as soon as I saw it ! Thank you Hana, Ella's, & Staff!

Reservations made via Open Table and selected upstairs dining. Parking in their lot that is attached to the restaurant is TIGHT and limited. However there is additional parking just across the street. The vibe is hip and there is seating inside (downstairs and upstairs) as well as outdoor seating. We chose indoor upstairs which was a great decision. It gets away from some of the loudness from downstairs. Downstairs also has a bar where there is seating available. Our waiter was Joshua and he was nothing short of SPECTACULAR! I can count on 1 hand the experiences we've had with great service and he's at #1 on that hand. Kept our drinks filled, checked in on us several times and kept us up to date on food progress. So friendly and when he greeted us, filled us in on the restaurant history. They've been around 12 years and makes all their food/sauces in-house. Also barrels their own alcohol. They bring freshly made bread to the table that was actually pretty darn good. We got 2 lol. We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and drinks we got the red sangria and old fashioned. My hubs loved his old fashioned and I thought the sangria was great! The fried green tomatoes were served with peppercorn ranch and came out piping hot. They were actually really good!! I loved that the breading didn't fall off upon biting or cutting into them. And the peppercorn ranch made for an overall great taste. For entrees: Ole Mole - this was actually REALLY good. The chicken was so tender it cut shredded with my fork. The mojo flavoring of the chicken was spot on. I think this was the winner of the table...However they need to give more mole sauce. It's not even enough to have with all the chicken. Disappointed with that because I wanted more! It was like a smear on the plate rather than enough sauce to enjoy with the chicken. Even my hubs and daughter were like where's the mole sauce. Henry the Loaf - this was ok. ALOT of meat however we thought it needed a different sauce than the one served with it. It lacked something! The flavors of the meat were good though. Seminole Heights Strong - this was good, needed more salt. There were TONS of mushrooms so if you're not a huge fan of them I'd recommend getting it with either light or none. The chicken was tender and juicy but the alfresco sauce was just missing the mark slightly. Overall great to try this place!

Great decor and space! Was on work travel this week. A group of us dined here. Reservations recommended. Large outdoor seating. We sat upstairs with two tables since the group was so big. Our food took awhile since it was alot of us but it was worth ipt! I enjoyed the fried green tomatoes appetizer and the "Seminole Heights Strong" entree (if you don't like mushrooms don't get this dish). It didn't look like much but it was actually quite filling. The price was a tad high but I was happy with my choice. Service was good!

I'm going to give Ella's Americana 5 stars eventhough it was more like a 4 star ... I will explain. Ella's ambiance as you walk in is incredible. Inviting, fresh, casual, family and friends oriented. Cool place for sure. I called Ella's maybe like 7 minutes before showing up with a group of 16. They said no problem... come in and we will accommodate you, and they did! When we arrived they had a few tables outside ready for us with cold water waiting and everything. Our waiter was very patient and quickly understood that some of our group wanted separate checks and was able to do it in an effortless manner. Ordering was a simple process for him and drinks came in a timely fashion. Same goes for appetizers. The 4 stars reference at the beginning of the review comes at the time of main dishes... eventhough all food came at the same time and everyone got their order, some dishes did arrive cold or at least not the way they intended. I'm assuming that because they wanted to bring all orders together ... caused that some dishes were not brought out hot as they waited for the rest of the order to be ready. Having said that, food is good and it shows that the kitchen is striving to put out great flavors. The menu has a variety of dishes and cooking styles that has literally a little something for everyone. The outdoor area is super nice ... very eclectic. They even had a basketball hoop outside to play while we waited for food. Definitely worth coming here and I wish I had a restaurant like this in my neighborhood. Thumbs up

I can't believe I waited so long to come to this place ! My husband and I were starving and we were checking online to see what places nearby had availability for dinner. Luckily, we came across this place and we are so glad we did! The place is very different from other restaurants in the area. They have different artifacts around and pictures and old school characters all around the restaurant. When we arrived our server, Charlie, came over and greeted us right away. Since it was our first time he offered us some recommendations. My husband ordered the peach sweet tea. He loved it so much he had 2 orders :) I ordered the Havana morning and it was delicious! For our appetizers, we had to try the ceviche. The ceviche special the night we were through was grouper and it was amazing ! The flavors blended so well together and it was just very good. We were both impressed! We also ordered the chicken wings. They had a slight hint of spice and the sauce they offer for dipping is called Lime Crema. Normally I have to have ranch with my wings regardless! However, this sauce was so good that I didn't even care that I didn't have ranch! For our entrees, my husband ordered the domino burger with fries and I ordered the Mel-Dallion. We both enjoyed our meals very much and they went hand in hand with the flavors. This place definitely knows how to hit it out of the park with the flavors on their food. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the bacon wrapped asparagus that I got with my Mel-Dallion meal. I love asparagus and I love bacon, but I feel like the bacon was a bit over powering with the asparagus. I couldn't really taste the asparagus because it was just a lot of bacon, and I love asparagus especially with steak! Overall, this place was great and I will defiantly be back to try them out for brunch and try their infamous Bloody Mary !

Everything was fantastic. From the extra parking, the lovely hostess, hilarious server, talented musician, cool atmosphere,and certainly the unbelievable food. We ordered every small plate on the menu and each was better than the next. We also ordered 3 entrees. Again, all amazing!!!! Can't wait to go back!!

What a fun spot! My friends living in Seminole Heights took me here on a Sunday for a late Brunch. When rolling up to Ella's you are met with the fun artsy decor, including an outdoor mural and metal statue. The "stones" lining the walkway are in fact old bowling balls! They have an ample outdoor patio, and in door area with booths and tables around their stage! When we were there there was a live blue grass band playing old covers, they were awesome! On Sunday they have their Southern Inspired Brunch. We got the Bloody Ella's to start which came with a delicious smoky BBQ rib on top! I got the shrimp over cheesy grits and collard greens, whereas my friend got the same but with the fried catfish on top. The catfish was delicious, perfectly crispy and well seasoned. The shrimp was a little less exciting, next time I would definitely get the catfish instead. My other friends got the fries, a salad and the biscuits and gravy. The biscuits were huge, definitely big enough to share! Our server was very attentive and generally we had a great experience!

Low key a really great spot! The service is great, the ambiance is super creative with all kinds of decorations, and the live music was fantastic! As for the food, it was delicious! We ordered the skirt steak salad and there pesto pasta and they were both amazing! I'm not a salad person but this skirt steak salad is my new favorite food! The steak was flavorful and juicy and the dressing for the salad was phenomenal! The pasta was also super flavorful and not to heavy. There homemade bread is also to die for! 10/10 highly recommend!

We came to this restaurant for lunch-brunch on a Sunday. Their weekend menu is different than their weekday lunch/dinner menu. I recommend making a reservation in advance because they get really busy. Even though we had a reservation we were seated outside. Luckily we had some shade otherwise it would have been too hot to eat there. Their inside seating area appeared to be rather limited. We had the chicken and waffles with a side of apple coleslaw and the bbq meat combo (we chose the ribs and brisket) with cornbread and a side of bacon collard greens. Everything was delicious, but the apple coleslaw was especially good. The cornbread was huge, the size of a side plate, not too sweet by itself but it's served with a side of honey butter to satisfy a sweet tooth. We also tried their red sangria, it was not very sweet and it had a nice amount of alcohol. Service was very attentive and the prices were reasonable. Will definitely be coming back to try their weekday menu.

Great service. Drinks were amazing. Food came out quick and was really good. Amazing wait staff. Excellent evening

Ellas I love visiting your ecclectic house on Nebraska It always delivers from food to drinks in a way that makes me happy and full. On a whim, let's go grab some soul food Sunday - the menu is delightful the ribs on my Bloody Mary are fantastic the portions are huge and your cornbread, nice and classic. Thank you again. It's been since 3/17/2020 we visited

I found the place to be very eclectic, funky and uniquely cute. The decor is what brings life to this place. We ordered drinks and took an old fashioned kit home with us. Next time, we'll come on a Saturday or Sunday to enjoy the food and live music.

Loved the food and the eclectic charm. Food is good as always and the sangria was flowing. Everyone enjoyed their meals and the service was great. Wish I would have taken the servers name down but he reminded me of a younger Stephen Colbert. It was not busy for a Wednesday but if you are unsure I suggest making a reservation. You can also do this on the Open Table app for your convenience. Overall great experience.

Fun place with some really great specials! Loved their ceviche special, with so many fresh ingredients (dragonfruit, watermelon, mandarin oranges, etc) and 3 types of chips (lotus root, potato, and cassava)! The staff was super welcoming and upbeat, and knowledgeable about the specials and recommendations. Loved the fun, casual, "repurposed" decorations (like the Pez dispenser display!) and the shady outdoor seating! Will definitely be back

Food was great and super original recipes. Flavor were fantastic. Service was ok nothing special, we mentioned it was our first time made no suggestions... came back to ask if all we were having was water... really??.. anyways food was great!! The location and the vibes were amazing! Love the outdoor seating around the great florida oak tree. Live music was a huge plus!!

Ella's Folk Art Cafe is still my Seminole Heights favorite! The menu of both food and drink and stayed consistently fantastic over the years. My last visit was a Saturday for lunch with a group of 5. We were seating outside and it was a little hot and buggy. Our server brought us a candle (maybe citronella) to help deter the bugs from stealing our delicious food. Since it was lunch I went with the burger of the day. I can't say no to pork belly on a burger with an in-house compote on top. My menu favorites for dinner are the meatloaf and the pork chop. Best option is to find someone to share both with you! Then get a pizza as an appetizer! The beer selection serves up lots of locally brewed options and the make a mean Bloody Mary. The service and vibe are great as well! I highly recommend a visit or 10 to Ella's!

If you're coming on any day other than Sunday for the "soul food" brunch, I'd say skip Ella's as your choice in dining for the day. We arrived at exactly 11:51am on a Saturday and the restaurant wasn't busy at all. We were a party of 6 and advised we'd likely have about a 20 minute way to give the server on duty the opportunity to address the immediate needs of the other party of 6 who would be arriving in 10 minutes priority because they had a reservation. Perfectly understandable. We wound up getting seated about 40 minutes later. But that was cool because there were zero patrons at the bar so there was ample seating there for us. The bartender was very sweet and made a mocktail for my friend who wasn't drinking. I thought that was cute. I decided to order a bottle of brut champagne ($30) and have mimosas. The bartender said since i was so nice, he'd let me try all the fruit juices to experience different mimosa flavors for free. Once we were seated, we ordered our food immediately. By this time, it's 12:45 or so. Around 1:30, 5/6 orders came out... but not the 6th, mine. I had somewhere to be by 2:30 and absolutely had to leave by 2:10 so i asked to have my food come out already boxed with the check so i could leave as soon as possible. Turns out, they had never even made it and it was just chicken Alfredo! Another person at my table ordered the same exact thing, but made modifications and they got theirs and i didn't (the pic i posted). How did that make sense? I'm an easily hangry little heifer so all of my friends let me try their food while mine was still being cooked. I tried 2 different pizzas, wings and fried green tomatoes. Everything was good but nothing was GREAT. My food finally came boxed right at 2:10pm and the manager comped it. 2 hours and 20 minutes for so damn chicken Alfredo!!! Lol Try the catfish on the Sunday brunch menu tho! It's great!!

Was visiting from out of town and found this place on Yelp. It seemed like a perfect spot, eclectic with interesting menu options. It was a busy night but service was pretty slow. Had we not been a group that was together for the first time in a long time and enjoying the conversation we probably would have been annoyed. Food was ok. Not bad but no one was raving about their dishes. I didn't take a photo of it but ordered the Chicken and Biscuit pot pie (it wasn't photogenic at all). There was too much biscuit and it was over cooked and a bit burned and dry. The pie filling was good but there wasn't much of it. I'd have asked the waiter for some black pepper or hot sauce to try and give it a little kick but he didn't come back. We originally ordered a few desserts for the table to share, key lime pie, red velvet cake and churro cheesecake. The others were decent but the cheesecake was so good we had to order another few slices for the table (which took another 15 minutes to come out). To be honest the cheesecake was so good it saved the review of the restaurant.

My favorite for brunch on Sundays! Their biscuits and gravy are so good. Love the flavors and atmosphere of Ella's.

Came in for a late night dinner over the weekend. We were seated right away and there was a live band playing music in the corner. Music was a little loud to talk over but still a nice touch to listen to. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. We came for the Mac and cheese we saw on the menu but he explained it's only available on Sundays for their soul food menu. He brought us over complementary bread and butter and omg it was so good. I only anticipated eating one but ended up eating two. The rolls were warm and fresh. The butter was delicious too. Sadly, that's were that feeling ended. I got the "Seminole Heights Strong" stuffed chicken entree and the chicken was rubber. I'm not a complainer but I could barely cut the chicken with my steak knife let alone chew it. Unfortunately the kitchen had closed when I brought it up to my waiter so I just ate the pasta that accompanied the dish.

This is my second time eating here for Sunday soul food brunch and my first experience was better. I ordered the fried chicken with waffle and I chose the bacon macaroni and cheese as my side. The fried chicken and fried catfish were not very seasoned but were freshly made. The waffle, bacon macaroni and cheese and corn bread were dry. The brisket and ribs had a nice smoky flavour. I ordered the ribs the first time I went to the restaurant and it was good. The service was great everyone was warm and friendly and our sever was very attentive.

What a gem in the rough! I'm so happy we followed our Yelp instinct. This place is amazing!!! Great Bloody Mary with some heat, a short rib on top and a spicey rim! You can even grab a bottle to go. I had the salmon salad which was to die for. Our server was incredible and it as super clean and fun! A must try!

This was our first time coming here, but definitely won't be the last. From the moment we got out of the car and smelled the amazing smells in the air, we knew this was going to be good. Great outdoor seating, eclectic decor and amazing food will definitely bring us back. The food was a little "heavy" but thankful for to go boxes. Hands down some of the best Bloody Mary's I've had. Only complaint is the service was a little slow and the server wasn't very engaging.

Amaaazingggg best service good foooddd they only serve water though. But I ain't complaining 10/10

We stumbled across this funky place by accident and couldn't have been more excited about it. We were immediately greeted and seated at a table outside. Our waitress, Hannah, was attentive and gave us awesome suggestions since my husband and I couldn't decide what we wanted. We ended up splitting the bacon wrapped meatloaf and their special of the day, which was a veggie burger, made from pinto beans and chick peas. Make no mistake, this was not a dry, bland burger. It had great flavor! The two things that impressed us the most was the fact that they try to make as many of their items, including dressing and sauces, from scratch and the prices were very reasonable for the quality and quantity you received. Even our ultra picky son completely cleaned his plate! If you're visiting the Tampa area or you're a local who is just looking for a new joint to try, this place is a must!

First time at Ella's. Stopped by after running a few errands. I stumbled upon it while browsing yelp, noticed it has a lot of (great) reviews and decided to try it. The overall ambiance and aesthetic is in the name (folk art). Love it here! They have indoor and outdoor (patio) seating. I opted to sit/eat inside. Viet sat me by the bar where he was taking drink orders and was still so attentive to my needs. I ordered the veggie burger with a side of fried pickles and both were absolutely delicious. The pickles however, were some of the best I've ever had! The perfect ratio of pickle and batter and to top it off, It came with an incredibly delicious side of peppercorn aioli (I ordered extra). Just when I thought my meal couldn't get better, I noticed they had cheesecake on the dessert menu (I have the biggest sweet tooth). I ordered it and Viet told me it comes with churros and a guava sauce. My eyes instantly lit up then I was speechless when I saw it and tried the first bite. I told another one of the servers that 1)the pastry chef needs a raise and 2) that cheesecake needs an award if it doesn't already have one! By far my favorite item at Ella's!!! I will be returning for their brunch on a Sunday. They have a separate/special brunch menu on Sunday's and they also have live music Friday and Saturday evenings. Absolutely recommend and cannot wait to return. Thank you SO much for taking care of me Viet! You're the BEST! :)

Always my go to spot when I show out of towners how COOL and FUNKY our city is. One thing I have learned in life... whenever you walk past bowling ball "lawn edgers", you know you have arrived at someplace special. Always love asking the server for one of their favorite drinks so I can try something new from their always exciting drink menu. So far, I have never had to send one back and there is nothing that I tried that I would not order again. Everything was expertly crafted and SUPER tasty. Now on to the GUUUUUURRRRD stuff... If you are going any other day than Sunday, here are my recommendations: Carnivores: You won't find a tastier meatload than Ella's version... she calls it "Henry the Loaf!". It is a bacon wrapped Meatloaf covered in Beef Gravy & Onion Rings, and it is every bit as phenomenal as it sounds. Comes w/ whipped Potatoes and sautéed Seasonal Veggies Vegetarians/Vegans: For me this is a toss up, their veggie burger is something wonderful for sure. It's called The Good Burger and is assembled as follows: Ella's Fried Veggie Patty with Sweet Mustard, Guacamole, Lettuce, Tomato & Fried Onions. When I don't want a burger, I always choose her Hippy Pizza. This trippy concoction is a delightful mix of Roasted Garlic Purée, Arugula, Portobello, Sundried Tomatoes, Toasted Almonds, Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Basil, & Mozzarella (Vegan Option) If you come for Soulfood Sunday, you are one lucky dude or dudette. Start with one of her famous Bloody Ella's... Ella's Ancho Vodka, BBQ Rub Rim, w/ a Hickory Smoked Rib! You will not regret it... unless you are vegetarian... then ask them to donate your rib to a carnivore at your table. They will thank you for it. If Bloody Marys aren't your thing, then try one of the amazing mimosas (Guava, OJ, Watermelon, Peach, Mango, or Cherry). Or if you dig Sangrias, Ella knows how to make them. An amazing blend of Red or White Wine, Brandy, Triple Sec, Orange & Pineapple juice, and Cinnamon... available by the glass or pitcher or wheelbarrow... I can dream can't I?!?!? Pretty much anything you order off the Sunday menu will trigger all of your dopamine sensors at once... Chicken and Waffles, Southern Fried Catfish, Biscuits and Gravy, Shrimp and Grits, Kansas City BBQ. And for vegetarians, Ella adds one of my favorite choices: The VBQ Sammich It's Smoked Portabella with Tofu, Zucchini & Roasted Red Peppers & BBQ sauce, served on Ella's Bun... and that woman has got some nice buns!!! Then you arrive at one of our favorite parts... DESSERT Ella keeps bringing her A-Game with three favorites and a rotating surprise guest list that would make fans of the Love Boat blush. The Three Favorites: Triple Red Velvet Cake, Ella's Key Lime Pie, and Ella's Cheesecake Pick one and thank me later... Now get your butts on down to Ella's and get busy living!!!

Soul Food Sunday's babbyyyy! Ella's offers a unique Sunday Brunch menu including a delicious bbq menu with vegan options as well. Anytime I come here I always go for their Bloody Ella which is a Bloody Mary with a rib on top! It also has a chipotle spiced rim that is so good with every sip. Ordering this drink is probably the quickest way to get a bite to eat as well ;) I had their chicken biscuit pot pie and it was delectable! The warm and creamy goat cheese bèchamel and the biscuit crust was amazing. I added in a wee bit of sriracha for some spice but trust me this fish does not need anything. It stands on its own just fine. I also had their hickory smoked baked beans. Having grown up in Texas I can tell you I know bbq and these pass the test with flying colors! Specifically red white and blue lol! They have plenty of outdoor seating and are dog friendly as well! I would probably call ahead a d see what their wait times are as they can get very busy. One last addition, they also have live music from time to time! This place rocks!

I went here a while back because my ex's band played a gig here. Fantastic decor. I was a fan of the spin on the Bloody Mary they had. The Ella's version of a Moscow mule is excellent as well. Service was perfect. Only complaint--one member of our entirely 21+ party had lost his wallet, and they would not serve him any alcohol, unfortunately...but that's just following policy, I suppose, so no offense taken. I strongly recommend Ella's!

My first visit was to meet a library friend visiting Tampa on March 20, 2022, a Sunday. He picked Ella's and what a great call! Sunday's menu is "Soul Food Sunday" and it's quite different from the rest of the week. He and I had smoked brisket, it was just fantastic. The brisket was literally melting in my mouth, superb flavor. He got cheese grits for a side & kept on about how perfect those were; I had the Fried Green Tomatos, those were among the best ever. His GF got the Dog House salad, & she loved it. We had a round of Ella's-Old Fashioned, perfect on a lovely Sunday afternoon. Returned to Ella's with my son & wife on a visit to Tampa. We arrived a little after 8 and were seated after a brief wait (~2 min). It seemed busy but after we got our drinks (~5 min at the table), it thinned out a little. We ordered apps & dinner. The apps came out about 10 minutes after drinks, Jerk Chicken Wings & Tuna Cracka' Smacka'. Clever! The wings were beautifully smoked, not dry at all. I liked their take on the jerk flavors and how it left the skin a little sticky, well-coated but not too much. I think maybe a little more prominent lime flavor would be welcome in the crema, grated peel maybe? Still, the crema worked with the jerk flavor - I just love lime! The Tuna was seared ahi, really good sear, it just tasted fresh, like good sushi. The combination of the ahi, slaw, and sriracha-wasabi sauce on the crispy giant wonton triangle was just brilliant flavor and texture when taken together. I've never had tuna this way and thought it amazing. As an appetizer, diners get 4 crackers, each with 4 slices of ahi on the slaw. It takes a little skill to gather it all & keep the bite together, but it's worth it! Dinner came out at the 30 minute point. I had the "Olé Molé," son the Burger of the Day, and my wife went for "The Hippy" pizza. I liked my plate the best - house-made mole poblano (creo) under a grilled mojo chicken thigh, half avocado relleno (like homemade pimento), three arepas, & 4 maduros. The mole was brilliant, everything dipped in it came up with chili-chocolate magic. My wife thought her pizza was nice, but wanted more sun-dried tomato, the flavor tended to the briny olives over everything else, subsuming the mushrooms, SDT and garlic. My son's burger was just huge with onion rings and sauce on top, I don't think he was able to finish it. The side of fried pickles went really well. Overall, we were very happy. Service was excellent, a team effort led by Adriana. Restrooms were clean and ready. On our visit, our meal ended with a live band, 6 young players I believe they said they were from Orlando. If you have an event coming up, get a hold of Ellas and find out who played Friday, May 13, 2022. The three numbers we stayed for were really well done. If we didn't live so far, I'd have loved to stay for the rest of the set.

What hidden gem! I have had this restaurant on my list for quite some time and finally had the chance to try it out! I was pleasantly surprised by the inside and outside decor! I did not feel like I'm was in Seminole heights at all! It was also a surprise to me to hear this restaurant is a scratch kitchen... the best!! All the company I was with and myself really enjoyed our meals with different items on the drink and food menu! I look forward to coming again and trying their brunch!

Was sad to hear this place is closing. Menu is expansive which I typically take as a bad thing but the mole here is great even as takeout

This is a cute little spot for Sunday brunch. Live music on Sundays as well so that was a nice touch. We got there around 2pm and chicken & waffles were running low but luckily we were able to put ours in. It was a big portion but the chicken was a bit on the dry side with no flavor. The waffles weren't bad but I wasn't a fan of the crystallized sugar in it. We also got a pitcher of red sangria, which was nice and refreshing. The fried pickles with ranch sauce was good. The ribs and Mac & cheese were okay. The shrimp & grits weren't the best we had. The collard greens and tomatoes should've been on the side instead. Service was great, the waiter made sure he put in our chicken and waffles first before it ran out so that was nice of him. Overall, I do recommend this spot to try out their Sunday southern brunch.

The service at Ella's is always amazing. I've been back several times and enjoy sitting on the patio for a good breeze on a warm evening. All the food I've tried has always been amazing. The edamame is a favorite!