
Wright's Gourmet House
A beloved Tampa institution since 1963, Wright's Gourmet House is famous for its creative sandwiches and mouthwatering, decadent desserts.

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Must-see attractions
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Wright's Gourmet House

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Tampa institution since 1963, Wright's Gourmet House is famous for its creative sandwiches and mouthwatering, decadent desserts.
"Wright's Gourmet House offers an impressive selection of freshly baked goods and delicious sandwiches made daily with care."
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive before 11:30 am or after 1:30 pm to avoid long lines, especially during peak lunch times.
Consider sharing a sandwich
Sandwiches are generously portioned and can easily be shared, making them a great value.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cafe, Deli, Bakery
Price
Mid-range to Upscale
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Beef Martini
Indulge in this legendary sandwich featuring tender roast beef, garlic & herb spread, crispy bacon, and mushrooms.

Decadent Desserts & Cakes
Savor renowned rum cake, pecan bundt cake, and massive slices of chocolate cake. Desserts are a must-try!

Creative Sandwich Creations
Beyond classics, explore unique sandwiches like the Paris with apple slices or the Golden Gate with peach chutney.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive before 11:30 am or after 1:30 pm to avoid long lines, especially during peak lunch times.
Consider sharing a sandwich
Sandwiches are generously portioned and can easily be shared, making them a great value.
Don't skip the desserts
While pricey, the cakes and rum cake are highly recommended and worth the indulgence.
Explore unique menu items
Try lesser-known delights like the Paris Sandwich with apple slices or the Greek potato salad.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive before 11:30 am or after 1:30 pm to avoid long lines, especially during peak lunch times.
Consider sharing a sandwich
Sandwiches are generously portioned and can easily be shared, making them a great value.
Don't skip the desserts
While pricey, the cakes and rum cake are highly recommended and worth the indulgence.
Explore unique menu items
Try lesser-known delights like the Paris Sandwich with apple slices or the Greek potato salad.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Wright's Gourmet House is celebrated for its high-quality, creative sandwiches and decadent desserts, with the Beef Martini and rum cake being frequent highlights. While the food is consistently praised for freshness and flavor, some find the prices on the higher side. The efficient service and clean environment contribute to a positive dining experience, though occasional complaints arise regarding bread toasting and the discontinuation of certain beloved items like coconut cream pie.
"Wright's Gourmet House offers an impressive selection of freshly baked goods, including cakes and cookies, as well as a variety of sandwiches and salads made daily with care. The quality of their offerings is evident in every bite, with flavors that are both rich and satisfying. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or picking up a dessert for a special occasion, the freshness and attention to detail are consistently outstanding.
However, it’s important to note that the high quality comes with a premium price tag. While the food is undoubtedly worth it for those seeking top-notch ingredients and preparation, budget-conscious diners may find the prices slightly steep.
Overall, Wright's Gourmet House is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for freshly made, high-quality meals and baked goods. Just be prepared to pay a bit more for the exceptional experience."
Kamal Patel
"Absolutely delicious! The place itself is huge. Plenty of seating. It was well staffed and super clean. The lady who took my order at the counter was pleasant, as was every other staff member I interacted with. But the FOOD is where it's at! I had a raging hankering for a good pastrami sandwich and Wrights did not disappoint. Absolutely amazing. Also snagged a slice of peanut butter chocolate cake and not only was it delicious, but MASSIVE as well! Without a doubt will be back soon!!!"
Meagan Johnson
"Much has already been said of Wright's Gourmet House - you can expect great food at reasonable prices. Portion-wise, I can tell you that I couldn't finish my sandwich, and I have a decent appetite. I had the Golden Gate, which was excellent. Great flavors and a unique twist with the homemade mustard sauce and their own peach chutney. My friend had the Monte Cristo, and he was surprised to find out that jelly wasn't included in the ingredients, but he still like it a lot. His standard fare is the Beef Martini. The deserts are decadent and expensive, but they're worth it. Expect to pay no less than $50 for a cake, $43 for a tray of 12 cupcakes and $14 for a loaf of banana bread, but they are guaranteed to be delicious. You will order at the counter and know when your order is ready by text message. The line was acceptable for prime time. I would pick out any deserts you want to take home while you're waiting."
Tom Simon
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Beef Martini, Cuban Sandwich, and Golden Gate are frequently recommended, along with unique options like the Paris Sandwich.
Many reviews highlight the decadent cakes and rum cake as being exceptionally delicious and worth the premium price.
Visiting outside of peak hours, such as before 11:30 am or after 1:30 pm, can help you avoid the longest lines.
Yes, Wright's Gourmet House offers catering services and has a separate area for pre-ordered pick-ups.
Yes, there is free parking in front, street parking, and a private lot with van access.
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For close to 60 years, this deli (known simply as “Wright’s” by locals) has hung its hat on two things: generously loaded sandwiches and decadent cakes. On the list of 27 specialty sandwiches—each prepared cold, grilled, hot, or toasted—standouts include the classic double-decker Club, the Golden Gate (roast pork, bacon, peach chutney, secret mustard sauce), and the Hot Pastrami on pumpernickel. For sweets, slices of Alpine (yellow cake with chocolate frosting) and Hummingbird (banana layer cake, pineapple, nuts, cream cheese frosting) are a sure bet to accompany your savory selection.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.
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Husband and wife Pete and Marjorie Wright opened what was then just a 500-square-foot coffee and dessert spot back in 1963. Since then, the popular bakery, deli and catering operation on S Dale Mabry Highway has gone through several expansions and renovations, including tripling the seating and creating a more efficient deli counter queue, which has helped speed up operations. The bakery offers signature “bucket bread” (round and quartered) sandwiches, including the Beef Martini, loaded with rare slices of tender roast beef, tangy mushrooms, crispy bacon and a schmear of garlic and herb butter.
Tampa Bay's best places to eat, according to Yelp's 'Top 100 Florida Restaurants' of 2022
Wright’s Gourmet House 1200 S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-253-3838 ”Being a self appointed sandwich connoisseur, I can say that Wrights makes some the highest quality, creative and inspired sandwiches I’ve had the pleasure to eat. My personal favorite is probably the Monte Cristo, a unique take on a traditionally fried sandwich, instead is presented here on a double decker stage of Wrights house made pumpernickel, with healthy portions of salami, turkey breast, and melty jarlsberg cheese, topped with dill pickles and a mustard sauce.” – Matt S. Photo via Wright’s Gourmet House/Facebook
Our Daily Bread
While most of Tampa is still asleep, the bakers at Wright’s are already busy spinning cakes on turntables and festooning them with frosting. The South Tampa bakery and café is known for its classic yellow Alpine cake, rum cake, strawberry cake and so much more. “We have so many regular customers who come in for cakes for things like baby showers, first birthdays, you name it,” says Tracy Morley, who’s been the shop’s bakery supervisor for a decade.
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While gourmet entrées for take-out have been the rage of the last decade, Marjorie and Pete Wright offered gourmet entrees To-Go in 1963. They didn’t have any great insight into the future, but they did believe that if their customers asked for an item, Wright’s would be the first and the best at offering it. Their menu rightfully boasts, “You haven’t lived ‘til you’ve treated yourself to one of our extravagant desserts.
The Best Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa
Wright’s Gourmet House offers a delicious Cuban sandwich, but you can also find a variety of other sandwiches at the eatery as well, like the veggie sandwich and the Bahama Baby. The roast beef and Turkey Martini sandwiches are a hit as well. When you’re done with your savory meal, check out the impressive selection of cupcakes at Wright’s Gourmet House like red velvet, peanut butter chocolate, and Hawaiian Princess.
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Wright’s Gourmet House had their first location in a tiny storefront. Now located in South Tampa, Wright’s Gourmet House promises to serve the “best of the best” to their customers by offering imported and domestic delicacies, fresh coffee, and big wheel sandwiches. We promise that you will fall in love with their food so much that you will want to take it home… and that you can!.
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This café deli has been around since 1963 but don’t let its age fool you. While this spot has been around for forever, guests are greeted by a modern and clean layout complete with chalkboards and ordering straight from the counter. Watch as your sandwich is prepared with fresh sliced meats, homemade spreads, and bucket bread baked in house.
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For more than 60 years, Wright’s Gourmet House has served the community fresh sandwiches and salads for lunch. They even developed a special dough to create bucket bread and serve hundreds of sandwiches every day. Gourmet sandwiches include turkey martini, Rubens, golden gate with pork, grilled cheese and tomato, and veggie, to name a few.
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Again: not the real deal, but that's the only way you can argue about this. Wright's is as much of a South Tampa institution as hoity-toity air kisses and people running red lights on Henderson Blvd. There's often a line down Dale Mabry Blvd. for lunches, but in addition to roasted pork with ham, Genoa salami...
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Wright's Gourmet House 1200 S Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, FL 33629 (813) 253-3838 Yelp: 4.5 stars, 282 reviews. Wright's Gourmet House might not specialize in vegetarian dishes, but they do have some great veggie options on the menu. The bread is soft, the salad is fresh, and the desserts are life-changing.
Tampa Offers Tempting Takeout Options for Any Meal
For 40 years, this cafe and deli has provided Tampa with the freshest, tastiest food imaginable. Everything is homemade, and Wright's is as quick to provide corporate catering as it is to make your individual lunch order. Soups, salads, and quiche are on the menu, as are a host of sandwiches.
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It’s a famous lunch spot that has some of the best food you’ve ever eaten. We always order the Beef Martini sandwich with a bowl of their Tomato Bacon Brie soup. Remember their soups change every day but you can easily call, and find out what soup they’re serving that day.
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The cafe deli has been serving the city of Tampa since 1963. Over 1,000 patrons have left reviews of their experiences here, with more than 800 of those reviews acting as a perfect 5 stars. So, what has Tampa residents and visitors buzzing?
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A South Tampa institution, Wrights has been serving up their sandwiches, salads and cakes with gourmet ingredients for more than half a century. If you're in a hurry, beware, Wright's popularity might have you waiting in line.
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Wright’s Gourmet House | If you’ve attended a birthday soiree, wedding, or going-away lunch, you’ve probably had one of Wright’s legendary cakes. We recommend the alpine cake, topped with white chocolate shavings.
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1200 S Dale Mabry HwyTampa, FL 33629(813) 253-3838 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Wright’s Gourmet House has been happily crafting irresistible gourmet sandwiches since 1963.
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Good luck to you if you can get out of the line without grabbing a HUGE piece of cake. We recommend the Grilled Reuben. It’s worth the couple of extra minutes it takes to prepare.
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