We'll get this out of the way first. When it comes to pre-Lightning game dining and drinks, it really doesn't get much more convenient than The Luxury Box. Located directly across from the St. Pete Times Forum in Channelside, The Luxury Box is a modestly sized bar and grill with an outdoor patio perfectly situated for pre and post game libations. Their success as an establishment could be easily carried on their fantastic location alone. Luckily, there's more to The Luxury Box than that.
If you're looking for lunch in Channelside and want to avoid the clutter and widespread priciness of restaurants inside the actual Channelside complex, The Luxury Box is a suitable option. Their menu boasts a modest, but suitable selection of classic, American entrees including burgers, sandwiches and wings, as well as an assortment of appetizers and deserts.
For lunch, The Luxury Box boasts a rotating selection of a certain entrees and a fountain drink for $5.99. With a half pound char broiled burger or ginormous bowl of creamy, vegetable pasta like they had today, that's a great steal.
I opted for a Philly cheese steak with fries while the other 813area guys ordered their new rodeo burger (more on that later), the pasta special, onion rings, and something that looked like a fried, caramel-y cheesecake eggroll, in other words, absolutely mouthwatering.
The Philly was pretty big and came with a hefty portion of crisp, shoestring fries to round out the meal. Next to a pint of icey Yuengling, it's hard to complain about a classic lunch like this. The meat was tender and well seasoned, a little skimpy compared to some monster Phillys I've had before, but worth the price. Pressed between a warm bun with melted American cheese, green peppers, and onions, The Luxury Box Philly is a treat.
In addition to this tasty fare, The Luxury Box is premiering a collection of new menu items before the contentious Lightning game against the Islanders tomorrow night. New items will include a chicken version of the Philly, a rodeo burger with cheese, bbq sauce, and onion rings (see photo), a mushroom swiss burger, buffalo chicken dip, and more.
If you're looking for a quality, pre-game experience or quick, affordable lunch in Channelside, The Luxury Box should definitely do you solid.
