A 4.9 rating is pretty rare on Yelp for a place with hundreds of reviews. I think if I mention names, the review gets flagged, but there are places in Tampa where you can spend $hundreds for dinner for two, or where the U.S. President goes when he comes to Tampa, or places with a Michelin star (I think we spent more like $400 at one of those in Tampa). And they don't come close to a 4.9 rating on Yelp. But Paulies beats them all with a 4.9, and it's well-deserved. I didn't see any seating there today, but from the pictures on Yelp, there were a couple of bar stools in front at some point in the past. So if you're not getting takeout, bring a lawn chair. Or a newspaper as a tablecloth to eat in the car. The sausage, the frank, and the Chicago beef. All great, and the accompaniments make them even better - peppers/pickles/onions/tomatoes/etc. Au jus gravy. As a first-time visitor, Paulie offered a free side, and I got the french fries, which were as good as it gets. There's a style of fries which are thick, but crispy on the outside - they might be fried twice. Belgium is known for it's fries, and there's a Belgium-chef restaurant in Dunedin, and I've had the Belgium fries in Belgium, and Paulies' fries are better than either of those. And Paulie's a nice and social guy - I already know something of his family and his medical history - even his daughter's friend who was working there today...
Arvid Lee
DON'T LET THE SETTING SCARE YOU!!! This is one of those diamonds in the rough that you always hear about, the place you would never stop unless you had to... let me tell you, YOU HAVE TO. First of all the owner is amazing. Great conversation that goes with great the absolutely amazing food. The hot Italian beef was so good, from the pickled toppings, to soft, amazing roll. The Chicago dog was just as amazing.I have passed this place a thousand times and I regret that I didn't stop before. Hours are short, but worth it if you make it on time. You won't be sorry you stopped, you will just be sorry you haven't gone before. Enjoy. Let me know what you think.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Beef and Chicago Dog
Kaysey P.
Absolutely best place in the world, after my sister gave birth we made sure her first meal was an Italian beef sandwich. Paulie is amazing!
kevin rudolph
This is a joint, Chicagoians know what I mean. 100 % like it was picked up in Chicago and dropped on Howard Ave in Tampa. I grew up eating at Mages on Dempster, Mustards Last Stand, Flukies and Herm's place. Paulie does a great job. If you're homesick for Chicago food this is your answer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Beef Sandwich, Polish Sausage, Italian Beef and Chicago Dog, Chicago Style Beef Sandwich
Alyssa Fiedler
As a Chicagoan, I’ll def be back. Paulie is awesome ????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William Sefton
Love this new spot! I'll be back soon?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
sidor991
I’m from Chicago. This place brought me home. Awesome food and great people! Thanks for the memories. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cutting Edge Curbing L.
Food is great, service is amazing and prices are reasonable. Paulie's is our taste of Chicago in Tampa.
Marshall Shepard
Wonderful people working there, extremely kind. Great atmosphere.Food is great too! Five stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica N.
Holy smokes! If you know Chicago hot dogs and Chicago Italian beef's like I do, this place does not disappoint! Can't believe I just tried it. Absolutely, hands down best hotdogs, Italian beef, polish sausage, etc in Tampa. Right off Armenia, if you're looking for delicious food in Tampa this is a must! Get it before they sell out!
Great food. Great service from people that genuinely seemed to like their job. The Italian beef was ahmazing!
Chateau Apartments Property Manager
Love this place ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris M.
Paulie is a great guy with a sense of humor and just loves put a smile on everyone's face. I've had the chili dogs with cheese mustard and red onion sauce and he how dared me putting onion sauce on his chili. And my reply was after all the crazy shit you put on a Chicago dog you want to talk about onions ? He knew I was from the NYC Area right away. The dogs were great and the following week I had his Italian beef sandwich with all his crazy shit spicy and dipped. Delicious I will definitely be back to this little hole in the wall in a gas stations property once a week at least , for the mutual banter , friendship and most of all the food. So go get you a chili dog with red onion sauce and tell him Chris sent you
Troy G.
Was in Tampa around riverwalk and looked up Chicago Paulies. Ordered the best of both worlds and was very pleased. There is limited seating, so we walked back to the river and enjoyed great food with a view. Food looked beautiful and tasted great. Chicago dog was solid with all the fixin's,but the spicy italian beef was the star of the show: super fresh bread, great tasting meat and peppers. Ordered the sauce on the side and then poured it over the sandwich before eating: This is a must ! You have to put the Au Jus on the sandwich (whether it's before, during ,etc doesn't matter): That completes the flavor equation ! I like doing it during so the outside of the bread doesn't get soaked. I would say "spicy" was about 3.5 stars on a 1-5 scale. Pauli & staff were super friendly as well. Will be back for more next time we're in Tampa !
A 4.9 rating is pretty rare on Yelp for a place with hundreds of reviews. I think if I mention names, the review gets flagged, but there are places in Tampa where you can spend $hundreds for dinner for two, or where the U.S. President goes when he comes to Tampa, or places with a Michelin star (I think we spent more like $400 at one of those in Tampa). And they don't come close to a 4.9 rating on Yelp. But Paulies beats them all with a 4.9, and it's well-deserved. I didn't see any seating there today, but from the pictures on Yelp, there were a couple of bar stools in front at some point in the past. So if you're not getting takeout, bring a lawn chair. Or a newspaper as a tablecloth to eat in the car. The sausage, the frank, and the Chicago beef. All great, and the accompaniments make them even better - peppers/pickles/onions/tomatoes/etc. Au jus gravy. As a first-time visitor, Paulie offered a free side, and I got the french fries, which were as good as it gets. There's a style of fries which are thick, but crispy on the outside - they might be fried twice. Belgium is known for it's fries, and there's a Belgium-chef restaurant in Dunedin, and I've had the Belgium fries in Belgium, and Paulies' fries are better than either of those. And Paulie's a nice and social guy - I already know something of his family and his medical history - even his daughter's friend who was working there today...
DON'T LET THE SETTING SCARE YOU!!! This is one of those diamonds in the rough that you always hear about, the place you would never stop unless you had to... let me tell you, YOU HAVE TO. First of all the owner is amazing. Great conversation that goes with great the absolutely amazing food. The hot Italian beef was so good, from the pickled toppings, to soft, amazing roll. The Chicago dog was just as amazing.I have passed this place a thousand times and I regret that I didn't stop before. Hours are short, but worth it if you make it on time. You won't be sorry you stopped, you will just be sorry you haven't gone before. Enjoy. Let me know what you think.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Beef and Chicago Dog
Absolutely best place in the world, after my sister gave birth we made sure her first meal was an Italian beef sandwich. Paulie is amazing!
This is a joint, Chicagoians know what I mean. 100 % like it was picked up in Chicago and dropped on Howard Ave in Tampa. I grew up eating at Mages on Dempster, Mustards Last Stand, Flukies and Herm's place. Paulie does a great job. If you're homesick for Chicago food this is your answer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Beef Sandwich, Polish Sausage, Italian Beef and Chicago Dog, Chicago Style Beef Sandwich
As a Chicagoan, I’ll def be back. Paulie is awesome ????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this new spot! I'll be back soon?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m from Chicago. This place brought me home. Awesome food and great people! Thanks for the memories. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is great, service is amazing and prices are reasonable. Paulie's is our taste of Chicago in Tampa.
Wonderful people working there, extremely kind. Great atmosphere.Food is great too! Five stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Holy smokes! If you know Chicago hot dogs and Chicago Italian beef's like I do, this place does not disappoint! Can't believe I just tried it. Absolutely, hands down best hotdogs, Italian beef, polish sausage, etc in Tampa. Right off Armenia, if you're looking for delicious food in Tampa this is a must! Get it before they sell out!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food. Great service from people that genuinely seemed to like their job. The Italian beef was ahmazing!
Love this place ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paulie is a great guy with a sense of humor and just loves put a smile on everyone's face. I've had the chili dogs with cheese mustard and red onion sauce and he how dared me putting onion sauce on his chili. And my reply was after all the crazy shit you put on a Chicago dog you want to talk about onions ? He knew I was from the NYC Area right away. The dogs were great and the following week I had his Italian beef sandwich with all his crazy shit spicy and dipped. Delicious I will definitely be back to this little hole in the wall in a gas stations property once a week at least , for the mutual banter , friendship and most of all the food. So go get you a chili dog with red onion sauce and tell him Chris sent you
Was in Tampa around riverwalk and looked up Chicago Paulies. Ordered the best of both worlds and was very pleased. There is limited seating, so we walked back to the river and enjoyed great food with a view. Food looked beautiful and tasted great. Chicago dog was solid with all the fixin's,but the spicy italian beef was the star of the show: super fresh bread, great tasting meat and peppers. Ordered the sauce on the side and then poured it over the sandwich before eating: This is a must ! You have to put the Au Jus on the sandwich (whether it's before, during ,etc doesn't matter): That completes the flavor equation ! I like doing it during so the outside of the bread doesn't get soaked. I would say "spicy" was about 3.5 stars on a 1-5 scale. Pauli & staff were super friendly as well. Will be back for more next time we're in Tampa !
Fantastic food!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5