Finally after two years, I made it to Tarpon Springs.

Heard so much about the Sponge Docks and this authentic Greek village, that literally, it has taken 2 years to travel the 79 miles—which as it turns out, Waze, has it all wrong. It’s more like 110 miles at least.

As you enter the main street leading to the docks, right away you will notice, you may not be in Florida anymore. And as you slowly drive through the cozy little street, you will feel as if you have landed in one of the many Greek Islands.

So what happens after you quickly end up at the end of the docks, well you turn around and head back to the beginning. It is then when you see all the parking lots lined up at one side of the street.

With prices ranging from $3.00 to $10.00 for all day parking, we opted for one closer to the entrance to the Sponge Docks @ $5.00 for all day.

It is then when you’re quickly indoctrinated and realize, the sidewalk hustle is actually a thing.

At parking lots and in front of just about all the stores and boat cruise establishments, there are people handing coupons and as a broken record, repeat the same thing to everyone who passes by and is willing to listen.

So here are my thoughts.

First and unfortunately, taking pictures of the main drag at the sponge docks, turns out to be a very disappointing event. You can not capture the uniqueness of the docks and all the stores, bakeries, restaurants and available boat tours. That feeling of arriving in Corfu, Mykonos or being close to Santorini totally disappears when you’re taking pictures and are no longer seating in a convertible car.

Then—and please be aware—the very best thing you can do so you don’t become confused as you try to recall who said what and where to go is, forget the coupons—forget who said, there was all you can drink free sangria; forget who said, here’s a coupon for flaming cheese; forget who said, this one or that one is the best restaurant here and I don’t work for them; forget who said, you will love it, he’s my uncle, or my sister… and forget who said, there, you can get second dish at half price.

Forget all of that. And just go to Hella’s—period.

Unfortunately we didn’t because we didn’t know, the sidewalk hustle was exactly that. There’s no all you can drink free Sangria; there’s no half price of anything anywhere. There’s however about a two square inches of flaming cheese which in the menu shows to be @ $10.00. And overpriced seafood —$43 for a Snapper full of bones—

If you go directly to Hella’s you can bypass all the con jobs and just go straight to the best—but with a slight wait time for a table. And as to coupons, don’t know if they have a ‘rep’ roaming the streets, because Hella’s is right on the strip and is the biggest restaurant there.

I would’ve loved to return to Tarpon Springs at some point, but the con jobs did it for me! So buyer beware, those coupons are worth nothing!—More about my eating experience when I review Mama’s Authentic Greek Restaurant.🙄