Inside the Box Café

While at the Gasparilla Music Festival, I had the pleasure of having the gigantic multi-​layer Swash Un-​Buckler sandwich from Inside the Box Café. The Swash Un-​Buckler Burger consisted of a Brioche top, cherry mustard, arugula, grilled pineapple, black forest ham, smoked gouda, french toast, herb aioli, roma tomatoes, onion rings, apple-​wood bacon, cold smoked fried chicken, sharp cheddar, and a brioche bottom and was very tasty. On another occasion, I had their «Outside the Box» Cuban sandwich which featured Mojo roasted pork loin, soppressata, Black Forest ham, manchego cheese, black bean hummus, spicy cucumbers, and plantain chips with a mustard aioli, pressed on Cuban bread. My buddy had their Mojo Pork Tostones with slow-​roasted mojo pulled pork, black bean humus, queso, and chimichurri sauce, pressed between tostones and really liked it. Inside the Box café is also one of the few places that you can get Chicken & Waffles and a spicy cucumber salad but I haven’t tried those yet. Inside the Box Café is located in Downtown Tampa off N Tampa St & E Madison St, next to Urban Cantina, Old Tampa Book Company, Spain Restaurant, and Pita’s Republic. Unfortunately they are only open during lunch time during the week 10AM-​2PM Monday through Friday and not open on the weekend or I would come here more often. Their Westshore blvd location has slightly better hours 8AM-​3PM. The atmosphere of this sandwich shop is casual and pretty much only serves lunch. The décor was pretty basic, staff was friendly and quick, and the prices were pretty reasonable. With its downtown location, there is only limited street parking available.
Inside the Box Café not only offers food but serves a side of hope with it! Inside the Box Café provides vocational training opportunities for men and women transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Inside the Box is the social enterprise of Metropolitan Ministries, a local Tampa Bay facility for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. By offering a residential program to clients at Metropolitan Ministries, those that had little hope before now have an opportunity to train and work in Inside the Box’s Culinary Arts Program.

Came from out of town and saw this shop, stopped by to check me the workers there greeted me so welcoming and it made me want to eat there and the people who greeted me was Shelly, Eric and jasmine and they told me all the details of the store and it was awesome food and loved it! Definitely recommend this place to anyone.

Chae is your first reason why this place is great! She’s friendly and believes in what she is doing and serving! The food is AMAZING! Which is the second reason why you will want to stop in for lunch. Lastly, where else can you get a wonderful, chef prepared meal and give back to the community? All proceeds from your purchase go to feeding those in need. Well done Chef Cliff!

Great food and awesome people! Friendly staff brings the experience to the next level!

Cool spot in the west shore office building. The sides steal the show. I had the spicy cucumber salad which is essentially a spicy bread butter pickle. I also had the roasted chickpea salad which was fresh and flavorful.
The entrees were so so. The mojo pork was really oily and just didn’t taste as I would expect. The tuna salad was pretty basic. Nothing flashy or special about it. I’ve previously had the chicken and waffle sandwich which was delicious so maybe I just ordered the wrong things.

The staff was very friendly and the food was amazing.
A previous review stated that the cheesecake brings more happiness than Disney World– which is true, however, the soup brings even more happiness than the cheesecake! It was amazing. Highly recommend the stuffed bell pepper soup.

The main draw of ITB is the philanthropic concept on which its founded (where they donate a portion of proceeds to the homeless), followed by the consistency of the food quality (lots of things here, especially the sides, are pre-​made guaranteeing the same thing every time). However, the food is just average (not memorable) and the service leaves a lot to be desired.
Food is just okay, but the prices are very reasonable at $ 4 for a half sandwich or salad. Their chips are home made and tasty and are probably the best thing about this place. I got a Turkey Club and while I didn’t have any issues with the sandwich itself, it wasn’t that good. Publix has better subs.
Service is below average. ITB, true to its mission, hires men and women transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. While great in concept, more training is needed for these workers. When I got my food, I let the gentleman know it was missing chips, and he replies, «If you say so…» and carelessly hands me a bag of chips. I point out the order slip and say, «I think the order is listed here and it lists chips and roasted vegetables, which I think I’m also missing.» He goes, «Oh, I didn’t even see that» and gets the roasted vegetables. His lack of attention in putting together the orders and his attitude was off-​putting. When I return to my table, my companion also notices she has chips missing. When she receives it, they are plain and lacking the spices she ordered.
I’m all for eating at ITB, but if eating here comes with a side of attitude and lack of detail to what is ordered, I’ll take my money elsewhere. A philanthropic angle, on its own, is not a sustainable business model.

Always looking for Cobb salads! This place has the most generous portion for $ 4. The menu consist of half salads and sandwiches. Ingredients all fresh. Definitely coming back here to try different things on their menu…

Delicious. All you need is a half. A half of a salad or a sandwich. The staff was the best, very polite, friendly and helpful. I had a Rustic Cobb but switched to a spicy dill dressing. Yummy!

Tried for lunch and order by phone. Order was ready waiting for me when I went to pick up. The workers were friendly and helpful. I had the Cuban sandwich, couscous salad and home made chips. The food was amazing!!!

Great food, good portions, good and fast service. I enjoyed the veggie sandwich on French baguette with spicy cucumber that was just the right combination between sweet and spicy and couscous that was perfect blend with the almond and craisins! My first time here and can’t wait to go back and try another item on the menu!

Had the Metro Deli sandwich… Nothing at all to write home about. Maybe other things on the menu are good but this was not it. Very disappointed and will be back, which might be unfair due to the fact the I ordered the wrong thing. But it was a small sandwich that did nothing for me

Rustic Cobb or Cuban are the way to go. Add a side of friendly fast service and this is the perfect place for lunch. You can’t go wrong!

For lunch in downtown Tampa, this place is legit. Not only do they serve up some wonderful food, but when you dine here, you’re helping out metropolitan ministries.
While servings civic duty and partaking in jury duty, I went to Inside the Box for lunch. I had their Cuban sandwich at a food festival this past year and thought it was excellent. They put a black bean spread on theirs, which makes it divine. I ordered a half sandwich (huge portion) and a cup of their lentil soup. Both were outstanding and for $ 7.50 a great value.
I would definitely visit again and would love to try their salads next.

Cute place with a cool idea. Nothing fancy or special about the food aside from the concept. Nothing more then the food prepared by mom growing up!

Prices are great for what you get! You have plenty to choose from and your order will definitely fill you up.
My only problem was the taste of the sandwiches. I could tell the ingredients were of quality but I was also expecting a sandwich packed with flavor. I’m not sure if they do this, but I would request having my sandwich toasted. I assume it would taste better that way.
Staff is friendly and very patient. The girl working the counter gave us plenty of time to decide our combo and even gave us some tips.
They have a great concept going, too. Each meal purchased means a meal for a homeless! =)

Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… WITH BACON, SYRUP AND CHEESE… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… DID I MENTION BACON, SYRUP AND CHEESE… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich… THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED… Chicken and waffle sandwich… Chicken and waffle sandwich…
…End of review.

I highly recommend checking out this place. Great food, great service, and great purpose all for a great deal.
I ordered the weekly special, which was a full ham sandwich with two extras, for around $ 7. The sandwich was great, and I really enjoyed the extras. «Extras» are sides, desserts, or drinks. I got the broccoli slaw and the potato-​asparagus salad. The broccoli slaw was fresh, crunchy, and just slightly sweet. And the potato-​asparagus salad was great too, though I would have liked the asparagus slightly crunchier. I also sampled my friend’s spicy cucumber salad and strawberry cheesecake bar. Both were great.
The two young women working were very friendly. They made nice conversation as they cleared our trays.
Next time I go back I want to try the frozen treats.

The concept is awesome. Buy food, and the proceeds go to feed the homeless. And the food is great to boot!
It’s sandwiches and salads, and it’s only open weekdays for lunch. Prices are reasonable, and the food is outstanding quality and taste. Their «out of the box» Cuban is outstanding!
The place is neat, sits about 40, and is located right in the middle of downtown.
I didn’t try the salads but they had a very yummy appearance. They have all sorts of extras to go with your meal, like an edamame and vegetable mix, chips, cookies, and what looked like brownies. There is no soda machine, but all manner of Coke bottled products. They have Coke Zero. Yay!
I’d give this place 5 stars for the concept alone. But setting that aside for a second, this place is a great little sandwich and salad shop. Beats Subway by mile and a half. So on its own merit as a sandwich shop, it’s as good as it gets. The fact that proceeds go to feed the homeless is reason enough to go a little out of your way to come here. And when you get here, not only are you doing a good thing, you’ll eat great as well. Win win all around!

I was lured in by the promise of a chicken and waffle sammich. I ended up getting a pulled pork sandwich with fried plantains as bread, and a small salad. The sandwich fell apart because it was so greasy. The grease bled thru the paper wrapping and all over everything. I’m not much of a finger licker, but I considered it. With oil running down my hands and arms I went and washed up considering an alternate attack plan. Deciding the flavor wasn’t worth the squeeze I gave up on it, but transitioned my attention to the salad. There was fresh broccoli, nuts, and raisins in a sweet sauce. Delicious! I will probably be back for the chicken waffle sandwich next time, but I am certainly getting that delicious salad again!