SOG: The New and The Old

Where to feel the culture when you’re south of Gandy.

Sadie Scheu, Opinion Editor

February 18, 2026

Robinson High School Building.

South of Gandy is a vibrant neighborhood, made up not only of the people that live there, but also the places they learn to call home. It’s full of cute cafes, award winning restaurants, and beautiful parks, so here are some to visit if you want a closer look at what really makes SOG the community that it is.

SOG

The door of the SOG cafe, welcoming people people in for coffee, food and community. “SOG is my favorite cafe in Tampa, their peanut butter latte is so good I recommend it to everyone,” Reid Taggart (‘26) said. (Photo Sadie Scheu)

SOG, by the same name as the community it’s located in, is a cute little cafe on Interbay and Macdill. It sells coffee, bowls and pastries, as well as local art that is displayed on the walls. Its staff and atmosphere are unmatched, and I always love supporting a small local business when I visit. SOG is definitely somewhere to go for a nice study session, or even just a pick me up latte.

Big Ray’s Fish Camp

Big Ray’s Fish Camp, also on Interbay, is a small seafood restaurant that sells all-American food from freshly caught fish. From grouper nuggets, to lobster corndogs, to fried Oreos, you’re sure to find a decadent, filling meal, no matter what you’re craving. On top of that, Big Ray’s Fish Camp was recognized by Michelin in 2025, cementing the true award winning nature of its food. If you’re looking for a fresh, local dinner, Big Ray’s Fish Camp is definitely somewhere to try out.

Strachan’s

Strachan’s is an ice cream shop on Bayshore with a large array of options, all of which are delicious. With more than 50 different flavors, there’s always something new to try out. In addition, their strange soda flavors and baked goods are definitely worth a try; their carrot cake was recently voted best in Tampa Bay. Next time you go out for some ice cream on a hot day, give Strachan’s a try.

State Flour Bakery

State Flour Bakery, located on Dale Mabry, is a small bakery that serves artisanal baked goods. Their sourdough croissants, breads and pastries are baked daily, and tend to run out pretty quickly in the mornings. Even though they can be on the pricier side, their pastries are beautifully decorated, and more than large enough for a filling breakfast. If you’re ever hungry on the way to school, I would definitely recommend giving State Flour Bakery a try.

Macdill 48 Park

Macdill 48 Park was opened in 2024, and although it’s a bit of a hidden gem, the beautiful walking trails make it something that is worth seeing for yourself. It was build to alleviate flooding by collecting and treating runoff, but has now become somewhere for the community to come together and exercise, spend time outdoors or even have picnics on the cooler days.

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About the Contributors

Sadie Scheu, Opinion Editor

Sadie Scheu is a senior at Robinson and serves as the opinion editor for the Knight Writers. This is her third year on staff, and with the experience comes new expectations of what to bring to the current year. “I obviously want to help the newer staff writers, learn how to write stories and participate in staff. We also didn’t get many print editions out, so I definitely want to make sure we get at least four out this year,” Scheu said. Aside from newspaper, she also includes herself in sports at the school, specifically soccer. Being her 4th year, she’s already experienced and well prepared for what’s to come. “What I like about soccer is half the game, and half the team. It’s really nice being able to hangout with my teammates after school, you get really close spending time together,” Scheu said. After high school, Scheu plans to attend college, though she is also considering a gap year to travel and explore new experiences. She hopes to study the humanities, with particular interests in history, english and psychology. “I don’t really know what I want to do in terms of a career yet, but I want to go to college out of state preferably a northern liberal arts school,” Scheu said. As the opinion editor, Scheu is vital to the Knight Writers bringing hard work and determination to newspaper. (Profile by Dahvnn Inthavilaysuk)

Grace Shafer, Print Co-Editor-in-Chief

Grace Shafer is a senior at Robinson high school and currently serves as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Shafer chose to join the newspaper because of her passion for storytelling and filmmaking. “I’m excited to work on print and digital content, especially for multi media,” Shafer said. Beyond her role in the newspaper, Grace is also an aspiring director. She showcases her creativity through photography and music videos on her online portfolio. “I want to create short films and hope to attend FSU for film studies,” Shafer shared. Shafer enjoys exploring the great outdoors, particularly through hiking. She visits to North Carolina allowing her to connect with nature and challenge herself physically. “A fun fact about me is that I love thrifting. I always look for unique finds and then grab a bite to eat with friends,” Shafer said. In addition to hiking, Shafer is a movie enthusiast. Her favorite genres are drama and horror, and she can often be found at the theater thanks to her AMC Stubbs membership. “My next concert is in October, and I can’t wait to experience more live music!” Shafer explained. Shafer’s goals for this year on staff are to bring her creative vision to life. “I hope to contribute by writing great stories and sharing my passion for film and photography,” Shafer said. (Profile by Jasmyn Mitchner)