Commercial Truck Insurance in Clearwater, FL

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Clearwater, Florida, has much to offer visitors. The gulf waters influence the dining scene, which sets the tone for an incredible vacation. This year, Clearwater Beach was named the “Number One Beach in the South” by USA Today for its 35 miles of silky soft sugar sand and azure water found in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s an oceanfront playground where water sports reign supreme while dolphin-spotting tours and fishing charters dot the marina.

Commercial boats bring in the freshest seafood, making this city a seafood lover’s paradise. But there are plenty of options for world cuisine here. When you visit, book a table by the Gulf of Mexico to sample this area’s bounty and witness the gorgeous sun setting on the water. The following are seven suggestions on and off the water for delicious dining options found in this stunning destination.

My 7 Favorite Restaurants In Clearwater Beach, Florida

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a casual “toes in the sand” restaurant in Clearwater Beach. It’s one of six “Frenchy’s” around Clearwater. Each restaurant serves fresh-from-the-gulf seafood caught by Frenchy’s own fishing fleet. Owner Michael Preston wanted a laid-back place to sip a cold drink and dine on reasonably priced seafood, and that resonates here. His first humble spot opened in 1981, and today, his multi-restaurant and seafood company assures you’ll dine on fresh, local fish.

They are known for their “World Famous Grouper Sandwich” that you can order in a 4-, 6-, or 8-ounce portion and have it prepared blackened, grilled, or fried. Pair this with the garlic crab fries in a half or full-sized order. The beer-battered fries are tossed in garlic butter and topped with garlic aioli, bay seasoning, and snow crab. I ordered the half-portion and it was packed with delicate crab.

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The Palm Pavilion is another Clearwater Beach must-visit spot, especially for sunset views. Owned and operated by the Hamilton family, they’ve kept that original charm and hospitality, serving customers since 1926. This family-friendly restaurant caters to every family member and their slogan is “a free sunset with every meal.”

There are no reservations, but the local craft beers and live music will keep you entertained while you wait. You can choose fresh seafood selections when you order, but the burgers here are touted as “the best burger on the beach,” — a half-pound blend of angus beef, sirloin, and brisket on a toasted brioche bun. If you still have room for dessert, order the “Almost Famous” Key lime pie with whipped cream and raspberry sauce, a local favorite.

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Caretta On The Gulf is one of “Clearwater’s Best Dining Experiences” and its only AAA-Four Diamond Restaurant. Located inside the Sandpearl Resort, dinner jackets aren’t required, but this upscale spot oozes elegance. The views of the gulf are breathtaking indoors or out, and the extensive wine menu pairs beautifully with the fresh, seasonally inspired American dishes.

Caretta is known for its inventive sushi menu. Fresh lobster and beef tenderloin rolled together makes their surf and turf roll sublime. Or savor the sashimi sampler with tuna, king salmon, yellowtail, ika sansai (squid), and wakame (seaweed salad). The steaks and chops are delicious and accompanied by organic vegetables, Havarti potato soufflé, or fingerling potatoes. Pair any one of the steaks with an 8-ounce lobster tail and you have an indulgent meal with the perfect romantic ambiance for a coastal dinner.

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Badfins Food + Brew was voted the “Best Mexican Seafood Restaurant in Clearwater Beach.” It sits across the street from the water but still offers beautiful views of that snowy sand. The food is delicious and it has a low-key family-friendly vibe. There are 34 craft beers on tap and many are local, but the stars here are the tacos.

Badfins has burgers and other handhelds like a grouper or chicken sandwich, but the taco selection is inventive. They have favorites like “El Pastor” — pork with pineapple — and seafood varieties that should not be missed. The sweet tuna tacos were my pick and were fresh and flavorful. The poke-style ahi tuna is tossed in sweet soy and topped with slaw, pineapple pico, and guacamole with tomatillo salsa verde. These tacos were fresh and the beer menu offers great brews for pairing.

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Salt Cracker Fish Camp is a dockside restaurant where you can watch boats sail in and out of the marina, or charter their boat and they’ll cook your catch. The all-day happy hour where two cocktails cost $10, a raw bar, and fresh fish caught by the “Salt Cracker Charter Boys” make this a popular perch in Clearwater Beach.

This dockside restaurant is casual and fun. I had to try the grouper sandwich here because the charter boat docked beside my table influenced my choice. It’s good, it’s fresh, and if you have it blackened, it’s got the right amount of spice to tantalize your taste buds. They offer a flavorful plate of fish and fries with great cocktails and live music every day.

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Cristino’s is a family business where three brothers born in Italy but raised in Brooklyn opened a trattoria in Clearwater, Florida. While this is Clearwater Beach adjacent, the pizza is thin crust in a 12-inch or 16-inch size that feeds a crowd. Along with the tantalizing pizza, the menu features paninis, salads, pastas, and entrées.

When we arrived, the coal oven was warming up, preparing to churn out incredible pizza for evening diners. After it was hot, we had our large-sized Margherita pizza on the table and it was worth waiting for. This pizza ranks as one of the best I’ve tried in the gulf area, plus the selection of gelato made for an incredible finish to an authentic pizzeria meal.

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Clear Sky on Cleveland is a global bistro on historic Cleveland Street that has a dynamite brunch on the weekends. The front dining room is dark and pubby with wood paneling on the walls and an old-fashioned brass rail bar. In the back, there’s a garden dining room brimming with potted plants and rays of sunlight. In either space, diners enjoy a menu of Mexican, French, and American dishes that are inventive and satisfying.

We arrived for brunch, so I selected the beignets and berries entrée. This deep-fried puff pastry is rolled into cylinders and topped with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and a caramel drizzle. My husband ordered fried chicken on a biscuit and the portion was huge. We shared both to get a sweet and savory meal that satisfied our cravings. I also tried their “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” and chose the heat level and fixings from a list that spanned from olives to bacon to add to my glass. It was a fun experience to craft my own cocktail and the food hit the spot.

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Bonus: Chiang Mai Thai And Sushi Bar

Chiang Mai Thai and Sushi Bar is lavishly decorated in authentic Thai furnishings and décor. The restaurant is located around the corner from the Capitol Theater, which makes it a delicious stop before or after a concert. We arrived for an early dinner and were welcomed by attentive and helpful servers. We asked a few questions to help narrow our choices and the feedback was excellent.

We began with pan-seared dumplings served alongside a sweet soy dipping sauce. For entrées, we chose green curry with chicken-milk; you can adjust the heat to your taste. We also chose shrimp pad Thai and basil chicken. Every dish arrived on beautiful animal-shaped pottery platters and was addictive. The fresh ingredients and authentic Thai options were sensational. If you enjoy Thai, this is a terrific place to savor it in downtown Clearwater.

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater rose 0.5 percent from November to January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table A.) Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that the bi-monthly increase in the all items index was largely attributed to an increase in the shelter index. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, bi-monthly changes may reflect the impact of seasonal influences.)

The all items CPI-U advanced 3.9 percent for the 12 months ending in January. (See chart 1 and table A.) The index for all items less food and energy rose 4.8 percent over the past year. The food index continued to increase, up 4.1 percent over the last 12 months. In contrast, the energy index fell 6.3 percent over the past year. (See table 1.)

Food

The food index increased 1.2 percent from November to January, largely due to a 1.3-percent rise in the food at home index. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the bi-monthly period, including cereals and bakery products (+4.3 percent) and other food at home (+2.0 percent). The index for food away from home also increased over the bi-monthly period, up 1.1 percent.

The food index advanced 4.1 percent for the 12 months ending in January, led by a 6.5-percent increase in the food away from home index. The food at home index also increased over the past year, up 2.4 percent. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the last 12 months, including nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials (+8.2 percent) and dairy and related products (+6.7 percent) indexes.

Energy

The energy index increased from November to January, reflecting an increase in the index for gasoline (+0.3 percent).

The energy index declined 6.3 percent for the 12 months ending in January. The gasoline (-7.6 percent) and electricity (-6.0 percent) indexes contributed to the decrease.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.4 percent from November to January. The shelter index increased 1.8 percent over the bi-monthly period, reflecting increases in the owners’ equivalent rent (+1.2 percent) and rent of primary residence (+1.5 percent) indexes. Among the indexes to decline over the two-month period include education and communication (-6.1 percent) and the index for new and used motor vehicles (-1.9 percent).

The index for all items less food and energy advanced 4.8 percent for the 12 months ending in January. The index for shelter (+7.2 percent) was the largest contributor as owners’ equivalent rent (+7.3 percent) and rent of primary residence (+6.5 percent) continued to increase over the past year. Other indexes with notable increases over the past year include medical care (+6.3 percent) and household furnishing and operations (+5.2 percent).

The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Consumer Price Index for March 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).

Technical Note

The Consumer Price Index for Tampa is published bi-monthly. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes CPIs for two population groups: (1) a CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) which covers approximately 93 percent of the total U.S. population and (2) a CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which covers approximately 29 percent of the total U.S. population. The CPI-U includes, in addition to wage earners and clerical workers, groups such as professional, managerial, and technical workers, the self-employed, short-term workers, the unemployed, and retirees and others not in the labor force.

The CPI is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation fares, charges for doctors' and dentists' services, drugs, and the other goods and services that people buy for day-to-day living. Each month, prices are collected in 75 urban areas across the country from about 6,000 housing units and approximately 22,000 retail establishments—department stores, supermarkets, hospitals, filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments. All taxes directly associated with the purchase and use of items are included in the index.

The index measures price changes from a designated reference date; for most of the CPI-U the reference base is 1982-84 equals 100. An increase of 7 percent from the reference base, for example, is shown as 107.000. Alternatively, that relationship can also be expressed as the price of a base period market basket of goods and services rising from $100 to $107. For further details see the CPI home page on the internet at www.bls.gov/cpi and the CPI section of the BLS Handbook of Methods available on the internet at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/cpi/.

In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each location are averaged together with weights that represent their importance in the spending of the appropriate population group. Local data are then combined to obtain a U.S. city average. Because the sample size of a local area is smaller, the local area index is subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error than the national index. In addition, local indexes are not adjusted for seasonal influences. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are quite similar. NOTE: Area indexes do not measure differences in the level of prices between cities; they only measure the average change in prices for each area since the base period.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Core Based Statistical Area includes Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

On a day where high school football players from all over the state signed where they’ll be playing collegiately, one program that sent countless athletes onto the next level is closing up shop.

In an announcement made via X, formerly known as Twitter, Clearwater Academy International announced they are effectively shutting down football operations after 16 years.

Down below is the release from Clearwater Academy International’s Board of Trustees on ending the football program at the school.

“Clearwater Academy has a 16 year history of football. From its beginnings as a 6-man team in a 40 student high school to what it is today: a nationally known and ranked program that has sent over 80 players to college programs including some of the finest institutions in America such as Stanford, Notre Dame and Alabama.

We never conceived that Clearwater Academy could become the football powerhouse that it is today. The success of the program, given the odds that had to be overcome, is truly astounding. Head Coach Jesse Chinchar's determination and hard work has created growth and success far beyond anything that we ever imagined.

Because of its unprecedented success, the program has outgrown Florida. The future requires us playing at a national level on par with some of the top sports academies in America. After an exhaustive attempt and despite looking at all possible options, we have come to the conclusion that we cannot devote the resources to operate on this national scale. Therefore, we are unable to pursue the football program going forward.”

The Knights closing down comes as a shock to the high school football community throughout the Sunshine State, as Clearwater Academy International has been recognized as one of the top independent programs around.

Under the guidance of head coach Jesse Chinchar, the Knights continued to make strides in collecting some of the top talent in the Tampa Bay area and also had a wealth of players coming from Canada as well.

This past season, the Knights finished the regular season with a record of 5-5 and were slated to return a couple of the area’s most talented players like junior running back Antwan Raymond and freshman quarterback Joaquin Kavouklis.

Since the program’s inception back in 2008, between playing 6-man, 7-man, 8-man and 11-on-11 tackle football, the Knights compiled 140 victories.

“It’s been the greatest honor of my life to be able to be called Coach by these amazing kids,” Chinchar said. “It’s been a life changing opportunity to be apart of the journey for the program and the players. Our program will live on in the legacies left by our players and alumni.”

We will have more on this breaking story as we receive more information

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl

What is the best internet provider in Clearwater?

Clearwater boasts many broadband options for residents, but CNET recommends Spectrum as the best internet service provider for most households. Spectrum has the widest coverage in the area and provides reasonable pricing for speeds up to a gigabit. If your address isn’t serviceable under Spectrum’s network, check out our other top picks, including WOW Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet.

We’ve also found the cheapest and fastest plans in Clearwater to help make your shopping easier. WOW Internet offers the most affordable service in the area, costing only $20 per month for download speeds up to 100 megabits per second. For speed, Frontier Fiber’s $155 per month plan provides customers with symmetrical speeds up to 5 gigabits per second.

Our methodology

CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Clearwater across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.

Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.

Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what's available in Clearwater. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services.

To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.

3 Internet providers

Best internet provider in Clearwater, FL

Our take - In Clearwater, Spectrum takes the gold for its wide availability. About 92% of addresses will be serviceable under Spectrum, according to Federal Communications Commission data, meaning it’s probably an option at your location. Offering speeds up to 1,000Mbps, Spectrum also provides unlimited data and a free modem with all plans.

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Connection

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Speed range

300 - 1,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 - $80 per month

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Cheapest internet in Clearwater, FL

Our take - Are you looking for the cheapest plan in Clearwater? WOW Internet offers speeds up to 1.2 gigabits for all residents, but its $20 per month plan is particularly enticing. While you will see a 1.5-3TB data cap on all plans except the highest tier, WOW doesn’t require you to sign a contract to receive the lowest prices possible.

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Speed range

100 - 1,200 Mbps

Price range

$20 - $95 per month

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Best fixed wireless internet in Clearwater, FL

Our take - This fixed wireless provider might be the perfect fit for those who don't need a lot of bandwidth. T-Mobile Home Internet costs a flat rate of $50 per month -- or $30 for eligible mobile customers -- and offers speeds up to 245Mbps. Plus, unlimited data and equipment are included, free of charge.

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Clearwater

The best internet deals and top promotions in Clearwater depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Clearwater internet providers, such as Spectrum and Mediacom, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including T-Mobile, Frontier and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Clearwater

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Internet providers in Clearwater FAQs

What is the best internet service provider in Clearwater?

With availability to over 90% of the area, Spectrum is Clearwater’s top internet provider. Spectrum also offers fast speeds, low prices and simple service details.

Is fiber internet available in Clearwater?

Frontier Fiber is the largest fiber provider for Clearwater residents, but select households may be serviceable under Spectrum’s fiber network.

Who is the cheapest internet provider in Clearwater?

WOW Internet offers the cheapest internet service in Clearwater: $20 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps.

Which internet provider in Clearwater offers the fastest plan?

Frontier Fiber’s 5-gigabit plan is the fastest speed offered to Clearwater households, which costs $155 monthly for symmetrical speeds and unlimited data.

Home Internet Guides

CLEARWATER, FL — As Clearwater gets ready to ring in the new year, there are a number of events going on around town for those looking to celebrate.

On Dec. 31, the annual Light It Up New Year’s Eve fireworks display at midnight on Clearwater Beach takes place on the most northern part of Sand Key Park. The best viewing area is the southern part of Clearwater Beach but the fireworks will be visible along the beach.

Here is a look at some additional events happening in Clearwater:

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have adopted iterations of the ball drop — the Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho, for example.

The end of one year and beginning of another is often celebrated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.

Find out what's happening in Clearwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The history of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who would make promises to return borrowed objects and pay outstanding debts at the beginning of the new year, in mid-March when they planted their crops.

According to legend, if they kept their word, pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. If they broke the promise, they would fall out of God’s favor, according to a history of New Year’s resolutions compiled by North Hampton Community College New Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.

The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are myriad reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude and a plan to meet the stress and discomfort of changing a habit or condition.