Over the Skyway and Into Mazzaros - The Secret World of Italian Market in St. Pete, FL

Once a month we take a trip over the Skyway Bridge to have lunch and coffee at Mazzaros.

Today we faced severe rain over Skyway. Traffic slowed down to 40 miles an hour. But knowing Florida weather we just had to get through it because within 10 minutes it was sunshine, dry roads and clear skies.

On the outside Mazzaros doesn't look like anything you'd stop by to visit unless you knew about it. But I think it works to keep people away who shouldn't be there.

Looks are deceiving.

View of Mazzaros from Main Road (22nd Ave N.) as you drive by it

Park and go around the building.  Enter through the back. You're on the right path when you see painted artwork on the walls, statues, panda in the tree and old vintage Mini Cooper.

Vintage Mini Cooper

We've taken many pictures when we first came to Mazzarros, including these wooden board cutouts.

It's picture taking time...

As we get inside, me and Stacey waste no time. Walking past the meats, we usually detour to get samples of cheese and wine.

Then it's on to get deli sandwiches.

Enjoying the mayhem of ordering from the Deli

It is usually busy and if you never ordered at the deli before it's overwhelming. Here is what we do.

• Decide what you want, choose from the menu above or from the glass case
• Grab a number and wait to be called
• Once called, say what you want and put your order in
• Then wait; your number will be called when the order is ready

While waiting we stand back and enjoy the mayhem.

Today we were lucky number 25!

Lucky 25

You can pay for the deli sandwiches on the way out (same way you came in), at the coffee bar or at the outside patio.

We usually arrive before 4pm so we can sit and eat outside at the patio (patio closes at 4pm). Outside has a lot of tables and if it's summer, misting fans are on full blast to make Florida heat bearable.

Today I got #14 Chicken Caesar Wrap with tomatoes and light sauce; Stacey got #18 Sesame Tuna Wasabi Sandwich (fully cooked) and extra ginger.

Lunch!

After enjoying great lunch we head back inside for dessert and coffee.

The coffee at Mazzaros is better than anything I've ever had. Better than any Starbucks.

How do I get one of these espresso machines into Stalex House?

"Fuckin' expresso, cappuccino. We invented this shit and all these other cocksuckers are gettin' rich off it." - Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri from The Sopranos

We always sit at the bar to have coffee but seating is limited. You'll need to be quick to get the seats.

One seat left

I always get large cappuccino and Stacey gets gelato with large espresso.

By the time we are done, Mazzaros is getting ready to close (6pm Mon - Fri; 2pm on Sat).

Trip to Mazzaros is always a mini vacation for us and we always look forward to our next trip over the Skyway.

PS. Driving North or South on I-275, take exit 24 towards 22nd Ave North. Then head West for 1 mile. Mazzaros will be on the right.

PPS. Mazzaros has been around since early 1990's.

PPPS. Mazzaros even has a book "Meet Me At Mazzaro's" on Amazon

Mazzaros Address:
www.mazzarosmarket.com
Address: 2909 22nd Ave N, St.
Petersburg, FL 33713
Phone: (727) 321-2400

Mazzaros Deli Sandwich Menu: Mazzarosmarket New Lunch Menu 2019