Tampa Food Influencer “Call Anthony” Gains Cult-Like Following With Tampa Gas Station Food Reviews
By sharing real-talk reviews of hidden spots, Anthony Gilbert has grown a following of 65,000 fans who trust his takes on East Tampa’s small eateries. The creator of “Call Anthony” left his job running an injury referral service to make viral videos about mom-and-pop restaurants. His feature on A&J Corner Store turned their lunch hour into a packed daily event.
Rather than upscale restaurants, Gilbert seeks out simple, delicious meals — from juicy burgers cooked at gas stations to crunchy chicken sandwiches and salty boiled peanuts. His down-to-earth approach attracts viewers from all over Tampa and beyond. What began as food reviews has evolved into a bigger purpose: Gilbert now showcases small businesses, from local car washes to neighborhood hair salons. His work brings attention to areas that major restaurant chains typically overlook.
Growing up in East Tampa in the 1980s gave Gilbert insider knowledge of where locals eat, especially in areas where many people walk to get their food. With contagious energy, he points viewers to neighborhood treats like icy cups packed with fresh juice and bits of sweet pineapple. His love for cooking started in his aunt Dottie’s kitchen. “You just squeeze it a little bit and push the bottom,” Gilbert said, expertly demonstrating to the Tampa Bay News as he freed his frozen hunk of juice and flipped it back into the cup upside down for ease of eating.
His popularity opened new doors: businesses now ask for his help with social media, while his channels draw advertisers. Though his CBD Eatz business in 2019 shut down during COVID, he came back stronger.
When evaluating food spots, Gilbert picks his words carefully. He understands negative comments could hurt the small shops he aims to support. Not every review is positive. Salem’s threatened legal action when Gilbert gave their wings a bad review.
These days, people stop him on the street, showing his growing impact. Through honest opinions and humor, he’s become Tampa’s go-to voice for finding good food in unexpected places.
