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Hometown U for U?

By Julie Garisto
Published June 8, 2007

Gator's Dockside

Vitals: 5840 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday. Major credit cards accepted; wheelchair accessible. (813) 514-2753.

Hometown U for U? The atmosphere at Gator's Dockside feels like a Florida college sports bar by night, a family-friendly and professionals lunch spot by day. A once jinxed location now thrives, taking one more step toward University of South Florida becoming a bona fide college community. Gator's is a clean, well-managed (with minor kinks), spacious and comfortable indoor-outdoor establishment that started in Jacksonville in 1991 and now has several locations throughout the state. There's a lot to choose from on the menu, both food and alcohol. The collegiate, athletic atmosphere at Gator's is fun and refreshing if you like that sort of thing, but if you have a low threshold for sports, preppy types and boisterous college kids, then you might want to seek out a spot in South Tampa or one of the nearby ethnic eateries. Gator's is an All-American, everything-Sunshine-State, Parrothead kind of joint.

Getting there: It's a little difficult to enter the parking lot if you're heading east on Fowler. You've either got to make a U-turn past it or turn left onto the street immediately preceding it, where you can access the rear of the parking lot.

Woodsy-like getaway: Like an alligator hunting lodge meets modern Florida retreat. Polished pine and oak combine with an odd display of artificial but real-looking gators suspended from the ceiling. Flatscreen TVs surround you, with two jumbo theater screens at the front.

Playing faves with the Florida teams: You'll feel most at home if you're a University of Florida grad - obviously; almost as comfy if you're a USF Bull. If you're a Seminole or Hurricane fan, not so much. Their Gators preference is highlighted by the Orange and Blue specialty cocktail, which includes OJ and Curacao.

Cool spot: The air-conditioning is cranked low; bring a light jacket or sweater if you're temperature sensitive.

The grub: The food's good and there's an extensive menu of surf and turf, salads, soups and sandwiches. There's a quirky selection of appetizers, called "Gatorizers." Some glitches were attributed to an overworked server, who attempted to accommodate the entire outdoor patio. On our visit a hamburger ordered medium, no tomato came with a slice of one, plus cooked well-done. A shrimp was hiding in the gator bites, too. You can't go wrong with the fried pickles - sliced thin and batter-fried: Yummy, salty, fatty snack goodness.

The juice: Great selection of specialty drinks. Try the "You're Fired, " tribute to that annoying rich guy on The Apprentice. It's pink like his ties - with vodka, rum, gin, peach schnapps, sour mix and cranberry juice. So good and strong, your brain will seek unemployment compensation.

[Last modified June 7, 2007, 16:19:58]