ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Check out this list of iconic Tampa-area restaurants featured in our partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times on January 30, 2020:

Helen Freund, who compiled this list, moved from New Orleans the summer of 2019 to join the Times as its food critic.

We sat down with Freund at Munch’s in St. Petersburg to learn more about her and her list.

How were the restaurants chosen?

Freund said longevity is important, adding how long a restaurant has been around and how it has impacted a community. 

“We asked readers, that was our first step," said Freud. “We said, 'what are the most iconic restaurants?' Let us know."

"I’ve never received so much feedback on a story in my career," she went on. "I received hundreds and hundreds of emails."

The Columbia Restaurant's iconic cuban sandwich. (Courtesy Tampa Bay Times)

Why did you want to be a food critic?

“I come from a journalism background, but I also went to culinary school, so I always loved to cook, I loved restaurants," said Freund. “I worked in restaurants for most of my life when I was younger, but I also had one foot in the door as far as journalism went, so I wanted to do both.”

What do you want readers to know about you?

“I am always hungry and my favorite thing is hearing from readers," she said. "Even if it’s something I did that you didn’t like, reach out to me.”

“Tell me about your favorite place to eat, tell me about why you don’t like this dining trend. I couldn’t do my job without reader feedback, it means so much to me,” said Freund.

What is it about food and the dining experience that is so special to you?

“For me it’s been the people behind the restaurants,” said Freund. “I’ve always loved telling the stories about smaller restaurants that might have a really interesting story that otherwise might not get told or a person there that might get overlooked.”

 

 

Diners enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine at the Yummy House in Tampa. (Courtesy Tampa Bay Times)

Walk us through a review; what’s it really like?

“I tell everyone it’s 90 percent planning because I’m constantly, 'where am I gonna go on what night? And who’s going to go with me?'” explained Freund.

“I look at service, I look at lighting, I look at how creative the chef might be with the dishes, certainly taste and yeah, I go back twice, I always eat at a place twice, sometimes three times,” she added.

What are you most looking forward to being in the Tampa area?  And what can we expect from your column?

“Telling our readers about restaurants that maybe they never heard of but maybe they should try out,” said Freund. “I like diners to push themselves a little bit, just like I like to pushing myself, so try out new cuisines, you know,  try out this new neighborhood spot that maybe you wouldn’t have thought of before.”

Helen Freund’s food reviews appear in the Tampa Bay Times Wednesday’s in the Taste section. You can find them online  every Monday.