In case you missed it, the Tampa Bay food scene popped up a handful of new concepts and some announcements of forthcoming restaurants. With two new taco joints (adding to the six other Tex-Mex restos within a half-mile radius) in South Tampa, we’re predicting a taco turf war on the horizon. But until then, we’ll dive into the new eats around town and patiently wait on the ones to come.
OPENINGS
Bar Hwrd The grand opening event is upon us. This weekend, you can slide by Bar Hwrd for handcrafted cocktails and to get a taste of Taco Bus founder Rene Valenzuela’s food truck, called Soho Fuego. The menu includes tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Hours for grand opening weekend are Friday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday. 302 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. barhwrdtampa.com
Slice Joynt Hyde Park Village officially has a pizza window serving up pies by the slice. The concept, Slice Joynt, is connected to Forbici and serves up select items from the modern Italian restaurant’s menu alongside slices of ‘za with limited counter and table seats along the service window. 1633 W. Snow Ave., Hyde Park Village. eatforbici.com
Xtreme Tacos Local food truck favorite, Xtreme Tacos has officially launched a brick-and-mortar in South Tampa. Truck classics like Xtreme’s newborn baby-sized burritos or fully-loaded tacos served up on homemade corn tortillas will be available along with bowls, quesadillas, tostadas, sopes, taquitos and nachos (all with vegetarian substitutes).We know what you’re thinking, what about the Seminole Heights location? That’ll debut once the South Tampa location is running smoothly. 223 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. xtremetacos.com
COMING SOON
Bento Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi quick-service resto will make its Terrace Park debut by early 2020. Diners can snag signature bowls, bento boxes, poke bowls and sushi rolls. There’s a St. Petersburg location at 330 3rd St. S. if you want to get a taste of Bento beforehand. 5103 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. linktr.ee/eatatbento
Chick’nCone The viral fork-free chicken and waffle concept has announced that the franchise is looking for another Tampa Bay location in the 813. The first of the two local concepts will open before 2020in downtown St. Petersburg at 425 Central Avenue, while the second should be debuting closely behind once franchisees Kyle Blanchard and Jennifer Hall lock down a space. chickncone.com
Rex Baron Although this post-apocalyptic themed restaurant won’t be in our own backyard, it will be just a short car ride away. Rex Baron’s slogan is “Where the art of food meets the art of survival,” will refer to diners as survivors and give them tasks in order to thrive within the post-apocalyptic themed experience alongside IV-bag cocktails and a virtual reality lounge. 6000 Glades Rd. Suite 1229, Boca Raton. therexbaron.com
Semolina David and Erica Benstock, the masterminds behind St. Petersburg hotspot Il Ritorno and forthcoming concept Greenstock, have announced their next venture — Italian pasta restaurant, Seminola. Opening in spring 2020, Semolina will add to the Sparkman Wharf lineup and offer indoor seating. The restaurant will also offer a service counter to grab your bites on the go. 615 Channelside Dr.,Tampa. sparkmanwharf.com
Toss Salads & Wraps Although we’re not loving the name, the idea behind Toss Salads & Wraps seems like it’ll be a new healthy option for locals who are looking to cut down on their burger intake. The fast-casual restaurant is set to make its debut this fall. 600 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. tossdtsp.com
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay’s food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
This article appears in Best of the Bay 2019.
