WINGIN' IT

Published: Nov 14, 2003

WHERE WING NUTS GO ON GAME DAY
Front Porch Grill & Bar, 5924 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; (813) 237-5511

The setup: Reader Christi Purpura (who we're pretty sure is related to the owner) initially told us about the Front Porch, but our Seminole Heights operatives confirmed the place to be ``Wingin' It'' worthy.

The story: Most everything about our favorite Tampa neighborhood oozes quirky charm and the Front Porch is no exception. You might remember this 1898 Victorian house - from a former incarnation as a tea room - as the bright pink eyesore just north of Hillsborough Avenue. A less conspicuous paint job frees the senses to appreciate the eatery's many other idiosyncrasies, chief among them the sort of neighborly sensibility that makes you want to become a regular.

Equally uncommon are their wings. Big and meaty, they're doused with a sweet, chipotle- tinged sauce. It's clear the Front Porch kitchen values flavor over spiciness, but their ``Porch on Fire'' version still brings plenty of heat. And we could've eaten a million of their jerk flavored wings.

With a couple of TV sets around an intimate bar, the Front Porch makes a nice, laid- back spot to catch some Buccaneers football.

Price: 10 wings for $5.95, 20 for $9.95

We ate: 30 wings

Drumstick-to-wing ratio: Average

Moist towelette? No

Heat index: 3-Alarm


Rommie Johnson