Inside The Box Cafe
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Inside The Box Cafe
At Inside The Box, we offer business and event catering services using fresh, local and delicious cuisine. Our menu includes the timeless classics you have always loved with unique takes and comforting flavors. We take pride on being a gourmet convenience where you live and work. All proceeds from Inside the Box go directly to Metropolitan Ministries.

Within the last year, over 2.5 million meals were served through their hunger relief programs. Founded in 1972, Metropolitan Ministries is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located within the Tampa Bay area. Our vocational job training program offers individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty with the ability to gain skills, work ethics, and lead a life of self-sufficiency.
Services
Roasted turkey breast, smoked gouda, avocado, applewood bacon, her aioli, tomatoes, organic greens, and pickled red onion on a wheat ciabatta. Prosciutto, grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, Roma tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette, spiced almonds, and greens on ciabatta. Roasted beef, applewood bacon, grilled peppers and onions, boursin cheese and chipotle aioli on a brioche roll.
Reviews (23)
Patrick H.
Patrick H.
Oct 24, 2020
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Saw their Thursday Supper take home family meals mentioned on IG. What a deal! Complete meal for a family only $55, even dessert for an extra charge. This week they had mojo pork, black beans & rice, and plantains. Everything was well seasoned and the meat moist and tender. Looking forward to trying another one.
Tango Yankee
Tango Yankee
Sep 19, 2020
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What an amazing company that offers items at the highest level of service and quality. I was able to enjoy first-hand the amazing catering experience.
This company sets the standard for how to do things right, and they are very supportive of the local community!
Jacqueline Hawk
Jacqueline Hawk
Nov 25, 2019
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The food was great and the customer service was was awesome. The chicken and goat salad and smoked pork loin ham sandwich were on point. The ladies here were amazing. Even threw in some cookies for the "baby" after seeing my pregnant belly.
Jeff L.
Jeff L.
Jul 15, 2019
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Updated review. After some communication with the manager, decided to give them a second chance. Glad I did, as this time I got the roast beef sandwich and it was everything I hoped for. Excellent sandwiches and they do really care about making things right with the customer.
Will definitely be back!
J. P.
J. P.
May 26, 2019
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VEGETARIANS!!!! Brussels sprout slaw!!! OMG. PERFECTION! Nothing more to saw about that. It's fresh & awesome. Not too saucy. Oasis at the end of the hall in this market. Do it!!
F.
F.
May 05, 2019
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I ordered a sandwich and a drink at this restaurant and the first time I gave me the food, they didn’t make it with what I asked for so they remade it and also gave me a voucher for a free meal for me to use next time. I was really happy with how they dealt with this initially. But later when I found out that they double charged my credit card, I realized that they were not remaking the food at goodwill. And they also didn’t ask me before they swiped my card for someone else’s meal. Be careful with this restaurant.
Jude B.
Jude B.
Jan 05, 2019
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Today's lunch was lamb and goat cheese salad over a spring mix. It was so delicious after my long bike ride from the The crosstown ferry ride from st Pete. It had candied pecans, craisens, pear slices and balsamic dressing. This was by far the shortest time I've waited for any lunch here so hands down for fast fresh and delicious!
Kellie M.
Kellie M.
Nov 15, 2018
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All I can say is YUM! I def made the right choice with this place!

While lunching with coworkers we had such a large choice of restaurants. I chose Inside the Box because I knew we were having a large dinner so wanted to keep lunch light.

I opted for the Apple Salad due to the amazing ingredients. It did not disappoint! The salad was so fresh! The apples, cheese, chicken, and dressing were amazing!

They also have some killer sammies to check out. Everything is so fresh! I highly recommend when visiting!
Toni T.
Toni T.
Aug 30, 2018
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Great food! Incredible attentive service with Diane and her comrades. I love the brussell sprout salad and garbanzo salad with a touch of Spice. Offering a variety of beverages, including Mother Kombucha local brew. How about all those gluten free, keto, paleo desserts??? Yum Yum guilt free chocolate!!!
Denise Goodrich Pfarr
Denise Goodrich Pfarr
Jun 10, 2018
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Amazing selection of local small business items. As well as the best fresh made sandwiches in The Tampa area!
Christina G.
Christina G.
May 25, 2018
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One of my favorite places to eat at Armature Works.

We originally came here with a group of Yelpers. During that outing, I got food from Surf and Turf (which I highly recommend). One of the other Yelpers, Dave W., got the Roast Porchetta from here. He raved about it. Enough so that when I brought my dad here for dinner I stressed that he should try the Roast Porchetta, which he did.

I got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. We also tried the potato salad and parmesan garlic chips. Everything was superb. You can really tell that they make their own meat. The meat was absolutely delicious. I couldn&apos
Jisoo B.
Jisoo B.
May 16, 2018
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EDIT: This is for the location inside the Armateur Works! So far we've ordered sandwiches and salads here and they have all been very good. The price point is slightly high for salads and sandwiches, but this is no subway, for sure. They are fresh, good quantity, with quality ingredients and definitely worth noting they are gourmet. My last meal here was steak and goat cheese salad and whatever salad dressing that came with on the side was very satisfying.
John Smith
John Smith
May 08, 2018
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My wife and I really enjoy going to the new Armature Works in Tampa. There is such a vast variety of unusual foods there. However, Inside the Box clearly stands out for us as the best place to eat there. I have never seen such unusual sandwiches with such unusual combinations of concoctions to tantalize the palate! This restaurant also operates the only bakery in the Armature Works which sits right next to it. If you go to the Armature Works, you MUST try out Inside the Box...You won't be disappointed!
Tony S.
Tony S.
Apr 29, 2018
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The turkey sandwich was good; the taste and value was a four star but customer service is poor.

If they provided more customer service they could rank very high.
Dave W.
Dave W.
Mar 11, 2018
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When I see porchetta available, I must try it and today I was not disappointed. This moist porky, herbal, savory yet crunchy goodness makes the best sandwich ever and Inside the Box delivered! Complete with pork cracklings, this sandwich made my day.

I also got some chips which where nicely homemade but needed a healthy dose of salt and fresh cracked pepper to complete the taste sensation.

Also amazingly flavorful was the serving of homemade pickles. They made for a wonderful contrast with the rest of the meal!
Susan Madix Dodd
Susan Madix Dodd
Feb 15, 2018
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I love the food here, and the story behind "Inside the Box"! I had a Roast Beef sandwich today with Black & Blue Cheese and tangy pickles from friendly staff. Thoroughly enjoyed it sitting communal style at Armature Works and did some great people watching. Then picked up some fresh flowers for my Valentine. This place has it all!
Caitie M.
Caitie M.
Mar 15, 2017
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I love the idea of this place and what it stands for but something is always wrong every time I get food from here.

I always get a wrap and hope that it will be better than my previous experiences but it never is. The wrap I received today was wet as if someone dipped it in water before putting ingredients inside of it. I had to pour the ingredients out of the tortilla for the wrap to even be edible.

I always return hoping the next time will be better because I love what inside the box stands for. The girls working in the front are so nice and always so welcoming too.
Mark P.
Mark P.
Sep 18, 2016
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I've been twice now to Inside the Box, a cafe owned by Metropolitan Ministries which employs qualified individuals from their Culinary Arts Program. All the proceeds from the cafe goes to helping the hungry so that's nice. They have two locations, downtown and Westshore. You'll find this location in the office building directly across from Ruth Chris steakhouse on Westshore Blvd. There are 4-5 spots on the first floor of the parking garage dedicated to patrons of the cafe. If those are taken, you'll have to park on the fifth floor of the garage. The cafe is really clean and
Dell Rabinowitz
Dell Rabinowitz
Sep 16, 2015
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AMAZING! I had my wedding catered by Inside the Box Cafe. The food was delicious; on time; fresh; and plenty. They gave us plenty of forks, dishes, napkins and serving utensil too. I'm eating their leftovers right now. Still fresh after 2 days. If you don't know how to order, Shelly will guide you through it. Thank you.
Kathy D.
Kathy D.
Mar 06, 2015
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Yes, I have been to the location downtown & no problems. This location, far surpasses downtown in cleanliness, compotrentworkers on the line, & food quality.
Today I got a #2, 1/2 a roast beef, bacon, red pepper sandwich, with 3 sides.
First the sandwich was medium rare roast beef with red peppers, sautéed onions , coleslaw & a sundried aloi mayo, totally delicious.
The broccoli slaw, had heads of broccoli, pumpkin seeds, onions & much more. It was not overdressed and was a healthy serving. My second side was fresh fruit, full of mellons, strawberries & grapes, all fresh
Jon Lowell
Jon Lowell
Aug 22, 2014
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I eat here 2-3 times a week. Their sandwiches are delicious with fresh ingredients, and reasonably priced. I always received the friendliest services from the girls up front. If you're in downtown Tampa looking for a great place to eat, this is for you. Supporting a great cause is the cherry on top.
Lauren Van Eepoel
Lauren Van Eepoel
May 28, 2013
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ITB is awesome!!! We recently had them cater a lunch meeting at our office and everyone was so impressed by the presentation of the Executive Box lunches and the delicious food! The staff was a pleasure to work with. My company will definitely be ordering from Inside The Box again! Overall amazing!
Stacy Daniels
Stacy Daniels
May 05, 2012
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Love this place! The food is always amazing - this week's special was a ham and salami sandwich with 2 types of cheese on chibatta bread. They also have healthier options like gourmet salads and lots of yummy desserts. A good price for all the food you get, plus all the proceeds go to Metropolitan Ministries. It's a shelter for homeless families in Tampa and one of my favorite local charities.