tampa & surrounding areas meet...

[bradboyd80]

O'toole's only has like what, 10-15 parking spots? Hahaha. Another future avenue could be Buddy's Home Furnishings on 60. Large parking lot, not usually filled, and I've seen them host events on occasion. Perhaps???

 

[RhoadBlock]

Brad, we need to meet up and hit up some local restaurants/businesses to see if they'd mind us crashin their lot for a meet. And personally, if it's at any kind of food establishment, I'd at least order something from them while there to make it more reasonable.

 

[bradboyd80]

Brad, we need to meet up and hit up some local restaurants/businesses to see if they'd mind us crashin their lot for a meet. And personally, if it's at any kind of food establishment, I'd at least order something from them while there to make it more reasonable.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I would think that most restaurants would be more than willing if we're bringing them business. Perhaps Old Chicago, BWW, or Barnacles? TONS of parking in that area. Personally, I think BWW would be ideal. I mean, who doesn't like wings? LOL. But depending on the actual turnout, we could probably reserve that area on the bar side. I think it'll hold close to 20 people or so. And Barnacles has plenty of seating as well. Again, depending on the turnout, Old Chicago might be a bit tighter of a fit for anything more than 10-15.

 

[BillTheCat]

FYI, I've been organizing or attending car club meets in the Brandon/Tampa area since the mid 1990's. (Yeah, I'm getting old) Most any restaurant will be happy to have the business, assuming the group goes inside to sit & eat/drink. And many will set aside some seating for a group if you call a day or two ahead with head count, even if they don't technically take reservations. If all you want to do is hang out in the parking lot, not many businesses will be receptive. Oh, and getting some sort of priority or reserved seating naturally works better during the week when they need the business.

Just curious- how many people are you thinking we'd get for a local diner "meet & eat" type of gathering? I'd be amazed to see us overwhelm O'Toole's. Might have to fight for parking if we tried for a weekend, but during the week, it's smooth sailing there.

That said, though, there are plenty of good places to hold a gathering, and O'Toole's is just one of them. Just look for flexible seating (not booths) and a large parking lot- better if dedicated to the restaurant than when shared with a shopping center, if possible.

Four Green Fields in Tampa and Quaker Steak & Lube in Pinellas Park are probably ideal- dedicated large parking lots, and flexible seating. We've had as many as 20 MINIs and 30+ people take over the patio area at QSL on a Tuesday night.

 

[bradboyd80]

I'm really down for whatever. Never been to Four Green Fields or Quaker Steak & Lube. I only mentioned BWW because I love that place, and has ample seating and parking. Same goes for Barnacles. And since I've only attended one "meet" since I moved here, I wouldn't have the slightest clue how many would show.

 

[BillTheCat]

Like you, I'm pretty flexible, willing to show up wherever things get organized.

I can say from experience, though, that attendance is better if you hold a meet in Tampa. People from Tampa and Pinellas County seem to be afraid of traveling East of I-75. They think Brandon is only accessible via time travel or something.

That being said, whenever someone organizes a local gathering on a day/time I can attend, I'll be there. I've crashed local MINI club meets as far away as Orlando, Miami and JAX, so I'll darned sure make it to any Mazda meets in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, or Pasco. Probably Polk, Sarasota and Hernando, too.

That's why I am psyched about the Mazda BBQ. My work schedule keeps me from attending all the Sunday activities I see posted, so a Saturday event is just what I've been waiting for.

Just curious- how long have you been in Brandon, and where did you come from?

 

[RhoadBlock]

I've been in Brandon for the past 14 years. Granted that pins me moving here at 7 y/o.

I'm pretty much the same, if there's a meet that I can actually make it to...I'm there. And I suppose you're right, I don't think we'd get a huge meet goin on so we can probably easily do O'Toole's or something similar. Any night but Thursday would probably be good there. Thursdays they get kinda packed out. Hell, if you guys can do Tuesdays, Siniqual at the Brandon mall has $1 tacos and Fox & Hounds Irish Pub in Brandon on 60 has $2 drinks lol.

BWW would do well too since most ppl like they're food, and they definitely have the space to accommodate us.

I've been to QSL once for a charity car show. It was pretty cool and they are always having meets/shows there. Never heard of Four Greens Fields tho.

 

[BillTheCat]

I'd avoid Fox & Hounds for the total lack of parking. And last I checked, they still allowed smoking inside. That place is too darned cramped & poorly ventilated for non-smokers to mingle with the smokers. I used to go there all the time, but when the smoking ban went into effect & 96% of the places in town abided by it, all the hardcore smokers started flocking there. Made it impossible to breathe.

BWW would be decent. I'm not the biggest fan of their food, but the place is definitely big enough for any group. Never heard of Siniqual. Is that at the Westfield Town Center? I'll have to check it out.

Four Green Fields is an Irish pub with an actual, honest-to-gawd thatch roof and is usually staffed by real live Irish people. LOL

 

[RhoadBlock]

Yeah, F&H does have miniscule parking and they are one of the remaining few that still allow smoking. Not a plus but a cool little place if you can muscle past it. I only can cause almost everyone I work with smoke like a damn chimney so I'm used to it =/

I'm not a fan of BWW either, but most ppl I know for some reason love it. They have a fairly impressive bar tho lol

Yes, Siniqual is next to the Cheesecake Factory at the Westfield Shopping Center (I still call it Brandon Town Center or Brandon Mall lol). Pretty damn awesome food IMO. $1 Taco Tuesday is what's up tho!

And I definitely want to check out Four Green Fields!

 

[bradboyd80]

I've actually only lived in Brandon for a little over 2 years now. Moved here from Missouri (military); and will be moving to Kansas in November. So I need to attend as many meets as possible because, from what I'm hearing, the mazda community is nearly non-existent there. Haha.

Like you guys though, I'm down for whatever. As long as its somewhere in Tampa, and I don't have to work, I'm down.

 

[GSXkiller]

If there is a meet going on some time in the near future, could you send me a PM about it. I would like to be there and meet up with some fellow members. I am out of New Tampa.

 

[ToNeZ90]

As useless as this seems:
I think International mall, or Citrus Park mall are good parking places. Actually, Countryside Mall always has a lot of space too.

I think the sunshine drag strip is still doing their monthly $10 nights.

Doesnt Brandon have a track aswell?(uhm)

Causeway is too dangerous unless you park on the eastbound side. cops are cracking down on everyone spectating/racing down there.

It would be really cool to have a meet w/ the locals

 

[bradboyd80]

soooo......when is the next meet? I'm finally on a set schedule at work, with a 3 day weekend every other weekend. So making it to another meet should be easy.

 

[RhoadBlock]

Well, it's looking like there's gonna be another meet at the Courtney Campbell Causeway again this weekend, but this time open to all cars. Steve and I will be out there grilling again. From what I hear there's looking to be a big turnout.

We'll have to set something up locally tho, for us Mazda guys and whoever. Haven't been to an actually weekly type meet in a good while.

 

[bradboyd80]

That sucks. I actually have to work this weekend.

 

[topherdopher]

Hey, I'm just lookin to see what's goin on in the Tampa area. I live in Austin, Tx and will be on vacation for a week in the Oldsmar area. In Austin we usually have a meets once a week. It'd be nice to meet up with some of you and maybe grab some grub and talk cars. Maybe even get up some photo ops with our rides. Let me know!!

 

[bradboyd80]

Anybody want to get something together for next weekend? I'll be looking around for something to do since I'll have a 3-day weekend.

 

[RhoadBlock]

^Man, im booked solid every weekend this month lol. I don't understand how I've got so much crap goin on.

Topher, when will you be down in Oldsmar?

 

[topherdopher]

^Man, im booked solid every weekend this month lol. I don't understand how I've got so much crap goin on.

Topher, when will you be down in Oldsmar?

I'll be leaving Austin on the 13th and driving straight there. So early morning the 14th and I'll be leaving early morning the 19th.

 

[bradboyd80]

^Man, im booked solid every weekend this month lol. I don't understand how I've got so much crap goin on.

Topher, when will you be down in Oldsmar?

Well I'm finally on a set schedule. Getting 3 day weekends starting next weekend, so let me know next time you guys are ready for another photo shoot or bbq. With as nice as the weather has been, I'm tempted to take a drive to Clearwater or Daytona to get some beach shots. I also think I'll be putting all 4 brake pads on now that I finally got the Hawk rear ones in.