Viva La Frida
Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: (813) 231-9199
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Mon, Wed-Thu 5:30pm-10pm , Fri-Sun 5:30pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Viva La Frida – by Laura Reiley
The Scene
It's like that Joni Mitchell song in reverse--they took a paved parking lot and put up a paradise. On an inauspicious industrial strip, the restaurant beckons like a mirage, its wacky façade painted bold primary colors with colored-glass accents. It overflows with heavy-eyebrowed portraits, plants, beads, carvings and the flotsam of high-spirited, local artistic types who congregate here for the feisty, affordable menu and the eclectic lineup of jazz, poetry and dance in the adjacent theater.
The Food
Angelica Diaz and John Ames' Mexican food is wholesome, flavorful, attractively presented and pretty darn cheap. Dishes like portobello mushroom skewers or Mucho Macho nachos err on the side of simplicity (the former is basically mushrooms, slightly under-grilled and served with a sweet soy sauce; the latter, chips and melted Jack). But the enchiladas are hearty, filled with either fragrant mole chicken or gooey Brie and artichokes. The black beans are sustaining, and the chocolate chimichangas--sweet bliss.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyMonday-Thursday, get 2-for-1 sangria (5:30pm-7pm). For more bargains, stop in for the wallet-friendly "starving artist" menu on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Where to SitTake a spin around the inside dining room to see all the art, but then grab a table on the outdoor patio for some of the area's coolest alfresco dining.
User Reviews for Viva La Frida
10/23/2005 Posted by senatorwhitepig69
Excellent food, creative dishes at a reasonable price. Servers were lethargic and inattentive and made no attempt to deliver a pleasant dining experience to the customers. The art on the walls was interesting but a bit on the macabre side.
07/29/2005 Posted by mfrayn
The owners split up. There is a Honduran restaurant in the building now and it is awful. The food is lousy, the beer is warm and the place looks like a third world sports bar.
Pros: none
Cons: bad food, bad service
Users Like You Also Viewed
Clearwater Beach
100 Coronado Dr
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Saketinis
1625 E 7th Ave
Tampa, FL 33605
