Editor's note: Know any restaurants, bars or other food businesses that're contributing to Irma relief? Send the details to CL Food & Drink Editor Meaghan Habuda at meaghan.habuda@cltampa.com.
Restaurants and taprooms around the Bay area have started helping with Hurricane Irma relief efforts, whether that means hosting fundraising events, offering a free meal or acting as an air-conditioned haven for those without power. Here's a running list of where locals can make a contribution, or score their own kind of relief.
81Bay Brewing Co. This South Tampa brewery has opened its home (read: tasting room) to the public as a workspace, starting at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. There's AC, WiFi, cable, and lots of outlets and seating. But the beer doesn't start pouring until 3 p.m. during the week and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Even better: 81Bay hosts a hurricane relief party from 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, with raffles, $1 of every beer sold, $5 of every 64-ounce growler fill, and a percentage of Surf and Turf Truck's food sales benefiting Convoy of Hope's Hurricane Irma response fund. 4465 W. Gandy Blvd. #600, Tampa, 813-837-2739, 81baybrewco.com.
Buddy Brew Coffee Buy an Old Florida Roast — online or in person. For each bag that's sold, Buddy Brew donates $2 to Irma relief programs across the state. 2020 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-258-2739, buddybrew.com.
Chill Restaurant & Bar Nurses, EMTs and first responders who flash their employment badges receive 25 percent off anything on the menu, anytime, through September. 357 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-2445, chillstpetebeach.com.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Fifty percent of every sale at the Mexican restaurant chain's 140-plus locations goes to United Way Irma Recovery all day Sept. 25. The funds support storm-related needs and mid- to long-term recovery throughout affected regions. 2662 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, 727-724-1768, chipotle.com.
Irish 31 Tampa's hometown Irish pub and eatery invites first responders (EMS, healthcare, police, fire and military personnel) — who left their families behind to help the community during and after Irma — to any of its five restaurants, including Ferg's Live downtown, from 11 a.m. to midnight Sept. 18. They'll enjoy two complimentary drinks and one appetizer by presenting a printed voucher and their credentials. 1611 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0031, irish31.com.
The Island Grille & Raw Bar The parking lot of this seafood joint serves as a donation drop-off location for South Florida Irma recovery from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21 (look for the Low Slope Solutions trailer). Needed items include socks and T-shirts, cleaning supplies, baby items, tarps, water, nonperishable foods, toiletries, pet food and batteries. 210 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde, Florida, 727-767-0020, islandrawbar.com.
Locale Market This gourmet foodporium and its upstairs restaurant, FarmTable Kitchen, hope to help hospitality workers who've been displaced by the storm get back on their feet. A job fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at Locale, which is looking to fill retail, back-of-house and front-of-house positions with seasonal, part- and full-time employees. Applicants are interviewed on the spot and should bring two copies of their resume. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6300, localegourmetmarket.com.
The Mill On Sept. 19 and 20, donations are being collected at the downtown St. Pete and Brandon locations for Florida Keys residents impacted by the storm. Those who make a contribution (leftover provisions are accepted, too) snag 50 percent off food items, excluding happy hour specials and charcuterie plates. Managing partner Jason Griffin planned to celebrate his bachelor party in Key West over the weekend, but will instead drive over The Mill's donations, distributing them to relief organizations in Marathon Sept. 22. 200 Central Ave. #100, St. Petersburg, 727-317-3930, themillrestaurants.com.
New York New York Pizza As a way of saying thank you for their hard work and assistance during the storm, New York New York owner Fred Mamudi, with partners and crew, is delivering pies to Hillsborough sheriff's and fire departments, plus hospitals, linemen and whoever else they can help. They're trying to reach as many people as possible. 1512 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-248-1845, nynypizzeria.com.
Ocean Prime To support those affected by both Hurricane Harvey and Irma, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants — whose coast-to-coast portfolio includes Ocean Prime — plans to donate all profits on Sept. 18 to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. The restaurant group's goal is more than $150,000, which will help provide food, shelter and other emergency supplies. Customers land a $25 Cameron Mitchell Restaurants gift card (valid on their next visit) for every $100 donation they make to the Red Cross as well. 2205 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-490-5288, ocean-prime.com.
Tijuana Flats Ten percent of all proceeds from each of the Central Florida-based restaurant brand's outposts are donated to Irma disaster relief efforts Sept. 15 through Sept. 17. Alongside the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Florida's Emergency Operations Centers, T-Flats is even working on coordinating much-needed food deliveries to shelters and communities around the state. Employees working at locations in Tampa, South Florida and other areas impacted by the hurricane will prepare hot meals for displaced residents and shelter volunteers. 10019 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-849-6900, tijuanaflats.com.
This article appears in Sep 7-14, 2017.
