Datz Deli

Sammies, foot longs, burgers and beer - Oh, my! Parking is a B---h! Oh, well. Need exercise anyway.

The first level of Datz had a gourmet deli/ grocery store feel to it. You could buy bagels that were made by a local Tampa bakery, coffee that was roasted just hours before it got to your table or you could create your own six packs of beers, choosing from over 62 different beers from all over the world. I sampled a Serrano ham that was 125$ lb, picked up a few different cheeses and bought some olive oils that I haven’t seen in local grocery stores.

I found the second level of Datz to be hip yet relaxing. With local guys playing live music and wine and cheese flights that were simply amazing. I got a Reuben sandwich that I thought was the best Reuben I ever had. It was so good I had to ask the owner of Datz; Roger Perry what his secret was. He told me that once the brisket is brought in Datz makes there own corned beef in house with a recipe they’ve perfected. He wasn’t kidding. The rye bread is home made and the sauerkraut is made daily in house as well. The sandwich was piled high, to high in fact to get my mouth around it. The menu is fun and creative just like the atmosphere that surrounds it. The servers are fun and knowledgeable to.

It’s easy to read and get caught up in negative reviews online or listen to the lady “who lives down the street” complaining about omelets and Reuben’s. It’s also hard to find parking ANY WHERE in TAMPA let alone Datz. I walked into Datz with an open mind an appetite and some time to kill, and I’m glad I did. This place is only a few weeks old so for those of you who may be skeptical give it another try it’s worth it because Datz the place to be!

My husband and I stumbled on to Datz Deli quite by accident this weekend, and we enjoyed it so much that we went back... three times. With great music in the Loft on Friday, we sampled wine, beer and cheese flights and chased it with two absolutely insane sandwiches. The service was friendly and entertaining, maybe a bit leisurely for some, but I thought it added to the enjoyment. Besides, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that these sandwiches and cheese boards are all made to order. Totally worth the wait. Anyway, we decided to try breakfast the following day - the promise of the area's best coffee enough to lure us away from the usual suspects. And that, too, delivered on its promise. So much so that we took 3# home with us. The corned beef (on the reuben, in the hash) is out of this world, and I'm not quite sure how southtampa1 likes his bagel, but crispy on the outside and chewy in the center spells perfect to me. We came back a third time, before heading home, to stock up on the great selection of gourmet products. From what we gathered the restaurant is only a month old, so hiccups are sure to happen. And if ufksc and southtampa1 aren't willing to give it a second chance... well, that's more parking for the rest of us!! Next time we're in Tampa, we'll be sure to come back!

Datz has an incredible menu and a great atmosphere but the service was horrible. We waited over an hour for a sandwich and an omelet. The omelet was brought out incorrect TWICE. When the initial order was delivered not one of the ingredients was correct, so we sent it back assuming it was someone else's dish. Easy mistake... However, it turns out the correct omelet wasn't even made so our server put another order in. We had waited over an hour already but were pleased when the second omelet was delivered within a few minutes. So it is possible... However it was the wrong omelet again (not one of the correct ingredients was on this one either)! The server and manager did apologize, but we cancelled the order. I think the table next to us was having a similar experience. We understand a bad server can ruin a dining experience but I was really disappointed with the way the problems were addressed. We would have never asked to speak to a manager, but when the manager stopped by to apologize he explained them as communication problems between the server and the kitchen. We didn't need the manager to explain that. If you're coming to my table to apologize for something bring me more than an explanation. We spent 2 hours and $20 in a deli and left hungry. The server promised, "If you come back we'll get it right." We will not be back.

I just have to say that as an employee and fan of Datz Deli that although we are going through the usual growing pains with our opening that we WILL be fixing all the glitches as quickly as possible!
The parking for Datz is in front of the building AS WELL as just behind the building on Barcelona. The side lot behind Kalupa's is not intended for customers at this time and we are working on alternative parking for employees in order to free up that space.
Every menu item that I have tried was remarkable in taste, texture and quality! The portions are bigger than even I can manage by myself, so two can easily share a plate & still be full. With pricing around $10 per sandwich I believe that for the quality & quantity they are RIGHT IN LINE with the neighborhood in the pricing, yet you get so much more.
As for the retail selections, I know that some of the items seem higher than you might expcet, but they are continually "shopping" other retailers in order to adjust pricing to be in line with the average costs in the area. Keep in mind, however that a LOT of what they offer is IMPORTED and cannot even be found anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.
We want everyone's experience to be great, so please bear with us as we work through to make Datz Delicatessen & Foodie's Market your destination for excellant food and service!

The parking lots are full -- but with employee cars, so don't bother waiting for a space to open up.

The menu looks good but is extremely overpriced. Breakfast sandwiches are about $10 on average. Fancy bottled drinks average $3. Sides are $4. While Gourmet olive oils, balsamics, gourmet sauces, etc. line the walls but are way too expensive for any practical use.

I went on opening morning. The staff outnumbered the guests about 6:1, but service was still terrible!! Several staff were talking amongst themselves and sampling coffees. They gave conflicting directions on where I could order a bagel and a soda. I was told to go to 2 different counters. No one knew what cream cheeses were available (turns out it was just regular plain because the chive had already expired, I was told). I ordered a bagel toasted, with cream cheese and a slice of tomato, open-faced to go. They (1) did not toast it, (2) added the thinnest discernable spread of cream cheese, (3) put it on a plate instead of a to-go bag, (4) smashed it together instead of serving it open-faced,and (5) added a 3/4 inch thick piece of mealy tomato to each side, making it too big to even take a bite. And It took 15 minutes, in an empty restaurant, to get in and out with one bagel and a self-serve soda. the bagel itself was terrible!!! Frozen Lenders are better. I ate a few bites and threw the whole thing out.

I can walk to Datz in about 2 minutes. But I won't be back.