The Short List: Best grouper sandwiches

Welcome to The Short List, where each week we pick a topic and share our favorite things about the Tampa Bay area.

It's a Florida thing, this fascination with the grouper sandwich.

While grouper is featured at restaurants throughout the Sunshine State it is most revered along our Gulf coast. There are seafood shacks from Pensacola to Fort Myers that claim to have the best grouper sandwiches.

There is no shortage of places in the Bay area that brag about their creations. We've picked five, and some of you may pick our choices apart. But this sandwich is going to set you back from about 10 to 13 bucks so you might as well eat it at a place that has character.

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The Colonnade: A South Tampa landmark since the 1930s, the restaurant boasts six entrees on its "House of Grouper" menu. And the fried grouper sandwich is a monster meal that comes with a mountain of fries. As an added attraction, you chow down while looking out over Hillsborough Bay and a spectacular view of the city skyline.

Frenchy's Saltwater Café: The king of grouper sandwiches, Mike "Frenchy" Preston opened his first seafood joint in 1981. Now there are four Frenchy's, all within a few blocks. Grouper sandwiches are served fried, grilled, Cajun, Buffalo, jerk and Reuben-styled. Some regulars like the beachside Rockaway location, but we prefer the cozy open-air Saltwater Cafe.

Dockside Dave's Grill: In 2002 when Southern Living magazine wrote that Dockside Dave's had the best grouper sandwich in the South, the place was a tiny greasy spoon dive almost hidden on the Intercoastal Waterway. It has since moved and added a second location on St. Pete Beach, thanks to the fame. The grouper sandwich is still mouthwatering. And try the grouper fritters (with a touch of jalapeno).

Harvey's 4th Street Grill: Another place with character, this small neighborhood eatery has decor salvaged from historic St. Petersburg hotels such as the Vinoy, the Soreno, and the Albermarle. A favorite of locals for more than 25 years, Harvey's hamburgers as well the grouper sandwiches are big sellers. Grouper entrees come fried, broiled or sautéed, Florentine-style, lemon-peppered, or covered in salsa.

Skipper's Smokehouse: Another place with a 30-year history, this ramshackle seafood shack and outdoor concert venue is known for smoked mullet and fried gator. But the deep fryer here gets a workout (the onion rings are to die for). And the fried grouper sandwich is mighty tasty, especially when you're listening to live music at what many have dubbed as "the best blues bar' in Florida.