The Fat Rabbit Pub — Restaurant in Tampa

I've been coming here off and on for the last 6 years that I've lived in Tampa Palms. There have been a few issues along the way with food however the service has always been good. Usually the issues my wife and I have with food is the Cuban. I always order mine well pressed and it comes out fine but my wife always has to send it back because it's ice cold in the middle. Tonight, on my way home from the office I stop in alone and order the Cuban well pressed. It comes out burnt black on one side. (obviously burnt) The tots are perfect as usual. I try to eat it but it tase burnt. My SERVER (NOT TONIGHT) comes over and when I tell her, not an I'm sorry you're not happy, Not a how can I help, not a can I get you something different, no, she says if you order well pressed that's the way its gonna be. (JUST LIKE THAT) I was burnt on one side lol. It was obvious. When I moved the plate to the other side of the table she took it and walked away without a word. She went back to the kitchen window talking to some guy that they then looked over and gazed at me then took the plate into the kitchen and came back to the window and they commenced texting and talking again. She never came back to say anything for about 10 minutes when she brought me another burnt on one side Cuban. (black on one side, that burnt) When I ask her to just take it off the bill, she just walked away with it talked to that guy again and then brought my tab. I was still drinking and planned to have another beer but It sure seemed like rather than trying to take care of a customer that was upset, they just wanted me to go away. (I wasn't creating a scene, no other customers knew I was having a food issue) and I was still hungry. I went to Millers Ale House, had another beer and sandwich. It's a shame because I live just about 1/4 miles from The Fat Rabbit. Now they'll tell the powers that be that it was just a customer that was un-reasonable and they did nothing wrong. I'm gonna tell you that everything I've written above is spot on and all The Fat Rabbit had to do tonight for me was deliver a Cuban that wasn't burnt black on one side. And remember, it's not about whether there's an issue, it's how it's handled that matters most. The Fat Rabbit server I had and kitchen failed miserably on both fronts tonight. I will add that this isn't a normal feeling for me after leaving The Fat Rabbit, normally I'm pleased. Tonight sucked and it is 100% because of the kitchen manager and my server. She deserved less that $0 tip. She should have paid me for putting up with her horrendous lack of service. That's how I feel whether you care or not. This review could've been avoided with a simple I'm sorry you're having an issue. And my server acting like she cared at all, and offer a Resolution rather than dig in that the Cuban was the way it was going to be if I wanted it well pressed. Believe it or not, I've had quite a few well pressed Cuban's and they are never burnt black on one side. (you know, there may just be something wrong with your press if it only burnt one side. Right? Stands to reason) I hope she was just having a bad night. If this is the way she always responds to a situation like this she is a cancer in...

I can't say much about the atmosphere as I usually don't go to sports bars, but as far as sports bars goes this one seems fine. I thought the mixed drinks were overpriced, but they do have a decent selection of beers. Lots of televisions if that's your thing. Inside is a bit loud due to all the seating and overall popularity, but there is outside seating as well which appears to be less frequently used. Anyway, we sat inside and got the buffalo shrimp, loaded tater tots, and classic burger.

I'm not one for seafood but the wife thought the shrimp was too salty and wanted to save for later for making fried rice.

The loaded tater tots were initially OK but quickly turned into mush. They didn't taste bad but was really unappealing after a few bites, kind of blending together into a homogeneous mass. Like all the toppings and seasonings were great, especially love the pickled jalapeno, but the tots tasted like the standard frozen tater tots you get at the store. If I could go back to do it again I'd get the fries, probably the same frozen store bought stuff but at least it'd hold its texture.

The classic burger I was especially disappointed with since I went in with some expectations. It was only adequate, nowhere near as good as my neighbor made it out to be. If there was seasoning on the patty at all, it was very light, and overall didn't seem like they add any condiments either -- maybe a pro or con depending on your perspective but for a classic burger I expect ketchup, and mustard would've been nice too. The pickles were left off to the side, if you want to include pickles please put it in the sandwich itself. Furthermore I was not a fan of the bun, my preference is a less hard and chewy bun, probably its one of those things they try to do different to stand out but for me it's kind of a miss.

All in all the burger was the most edible thing we ate and I ended up sharing half with the wife since her shrimp was too salty and the tots were a mess, so basically I ate half a meal and left hungry. That aside the waiter was nice and responsive. You can also tell they're working very hard to maintain a nice and clean establishment and I respect that, but based on my experience I'll probably go elsewhere for a more...

It's new! It's cool! It's locally owned and nearby and the type of place New Tampa needs more of! THIS is the neighborhood pub where you immediately feel at home and begin planning to make time on the calendar to come back before you take the first sip of beer! If The Fat Rabbit was in Hyde Park or Seminole Heights it would be painfully hip and just another well stocked bar serving food. In a Publix-anchored shopping strip in the 'burbs, it's a surprising gem. Elwood (yes, just like Jake's brother) greeted us as though he knew we'd show up. (He didn't. This was our first time.) We sampled a couple of beers on tap along with some friendly banter about a non-descript brew that rhymes with, um...bud, before settling on JDub's Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter (nicely chilled can, served in an icy chilled glass) and an Angry Chair Two Pump Chump Porter with Hazelnut and Coffee. My dad, a consumer of good, cheap lager in brown long-neck bottles, would have been embarrassed at the delight we took in the unorthodox ingredients blended into a non-golden beer but he's not around and we WERE delighted! Good libations require a little something to munch on. As it was close to dinner, we opted to split an order of fries. They arrived still sizzling, deep golden and crispy, salted and seasoned just right and making the porter taste just a little nuttier, a little sweeter. All too soon the fries (BEST FRIES IN TAMPA?) were gone and our glasses were empty and we had to say goodbye. But you can't come back if you...