-
With Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Hoping For 2024-25 Comeback, Nikola Vucevic Weighs In - 16 mins ago
-
Michigan State vs. Maryland Highlights | FOX College Football - 18 mins ago
-
National Gallery of Art set to open “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Movement” - 41 mins ago
-
5 Rookies Who Will Stand Out in Week 1 of NFL Season - 57 mins ago
-
Utah Utes vs. Baylor Bears Highlights | FOX College Football - about 1 hour ago
-
Popular YouTube gun expert Paul Harrell announces own death at 58 in video: ‘If you’re watching me, I’m dead’ - about 1 hour ago
-
Israeli strike kills three Lebanese medics, Hezbollah retaliates - about 1 hour ago
-
Two-Time All-Star Infielder Activated From 60-Day IL Stint - 2 hours ago
-
Billy Edwards Jr. finds Dylan Wade deep for a 28-yard touchdown to give Maryland a 24-17 lead over Michigan State - 2 hours ago
-
Video of Kamala Harris Embracing Crying Woman Takes Off Online - 2 hours ago
Big Ray’s Fish Camp in Tampa serves flavor-bomb seafood from cinderblock fry shack
Chef Nick Cruz says his homage to his late fisherman grandfather Raymond offers “A+ food in C-minus real estate.”
Big Ray’s Fish Camp has become a tradition in Tampa, Florida, ever since it opened in 2014, while generating nationwide acclaim for its world-class preparation of fresh local seafood served from a no-frills cinderblock fry shack.
The signature blackened grouper sandwich is the star of the sea, as this reporter can attest.
TAMPA IS TOP OF MIND: WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO EAT, AND WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
The locally caught fish is seasoned heavily, seared until blackened and served with housemade tartar sauce, lettuce, onion and tomato on a bun.
Sounds simple. But the flavor of each cool, fresh ingredient pops amid the blackened spice bomb of the thick fish filet.
The blackened grouper sandwich is the signature dish at Big Ray’s Fish Camp in Tampa, Florida.
“To us, every element has value,” Cruz told Fox News Digital.
“We’re chopping pickles every day for the tartar sauce. We want the freshest lettuce, tomato and onion.”
TAMPA IS BIRTHPLACE OF THE CUBAN SANDWICH, AMERICAN CULINARY CLASSIC FLAVORED BY MANY CULTURES
“We put a lot of love into it.”
The grouper Buffalo nuggets are equally craveworthy, with the traditional wing sauce packing punch in the place of the Cajun seasoning on the sandwich.
![Popular Tampa eatery](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1200/675/Big-Rays-facade-angle-2023.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Big Ray’s Fish Camp is an acclaimed no-frills seafood shack in Tampa, Florida. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
The most buzz-worthy bite at Big Ray’s Fish Camp is its lobster tail corn dog.
SOUP QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT THE WARM, COMFORTING DISH?
Lobster tails are split, powdered with flour, bathed in corn meal batter and “deep-fried to perfection,” said Cruz.
The lobster tail corn dog, he said, “really put us on the map.”
![Tampa fish shack](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/03/1200/675/IMG_8394-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Big Ray’s Fish Camp in Tampa is a no-frills seafood shack famous for its Buffalo grouper cheeks (pictured) and blackened grouper sandwiches. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
The original Big Ray’s Fish Camp, in the Ballast Point neighborhood, lives up to its name.
Guests eat outdoors at communal picnic tables.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Cruz opened a second Big Ray’s with a more upscale vibe but with the same food, on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa.
“The original place has soul,” said Cruz.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“We just want to provide the neighborhood with the best grouper sandwiches and freshest po’boys we can make.”
The downtown location thrives on a “city that is literally buzzing right now.”
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Source link