Upcoming food and drink events throughout Tampa Bay lead this week's foodie review—as Taste of South Tampa, Pinellas Pepper Fest and Margarita Wars return for another year of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and most importantly—unlimited samples from participating restaurants. Downtown Tampa's beloved Bamboozle Cafe moves to Seminole Heights, Don't Kale Me Crazy brings superfoods to MidTown Tampa, as more from this week's foodie roundup can be found below.
Openings
Bamboozle After 14 years at its flagship restaurant at 516 N Tampa St.— adjacent to downtown’s Curtis Hixon Park— health-forward eatery Bamboozle will move to its new location in Seminole Heights. In a recent social media post, Bamboozle owner Lynn Pham previewed her new location, stating “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring Bamboozle to the neighborhood I have lived in for over a decade. However, sharing this news is somewhat bitter-sweet for me.” There is no specific timeline mentioned in the post, and it is unsure when Bamboozle will make the eventual move to its new home in Seminole Heights, but Pham says that she will make the formal announcement soon. 7107 N Florida Ave., Tampa. Bamboozlerestaurants.com
Don’t Kale Me Crazy This new and extra punny juice bar and superfood cafe is now open at the Midtown Tampa development. The chain's second Florida location aims to provide “real food” to its clientele—and features juices, smoothies like the “Green Dream,” poke bowls, salads and wraps prepared with fresh and organic ingredients. And if you need a little pick-me-up, Don’t Kale Me Crazy’s wellness shot with ginger, oil of oregano, turmeric, garlic, lemon and cayenne might wake you up. 1110 Gramercy Lane, Tampa. Kalemecrazy.net —Sofía García Vargas
Events
Taste of South Tampa Fest With the Tampa food scene growing at a mile a minute, having some of the best restaurants in one place is convenience at its finest .Hosted by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Taste of South Tampa food festival returns to the Tampa Garden Club for its 16th annual event. The festival happens on April 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature samples from popular restaurants like 7th + Grove and Luv Child. 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. southtampachamber.org
Pinellas Pepper Fest This spicy festival hosts its 15th annual event at England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park next month, with activities for pepper-lovers from every level of the Scoville scale. The weekend-long festival happens on April 9 and 10, with Saturday's festivities happening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday's running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adrenaline-pumping activities at this year's Pepper Fest include axe-throwing, a jalapeño eating contest and the crowd favorite—an extreme lolly lick-a-thon where competitors are pit up against an insanely spicy lollypop. Food trucks, fun activities and live music will also be present. 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. pinellaspepperfest.webs.com —Brandalynn Nuñez Cepeda
Margarita Wars 2022 If you’ve ever watched a cooking competition show and secretly wished you were the judge, then Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Margarita Wars might interest you. On May 19, several Tampa Bay-based bartenders will compete for 2022’s Ultimate Margarita, as each guest will vote on their favorite buzz. This year’s Margarita Wars will take place at the scenic Tampa River Center, overlooking the Hillsborough River. After sipping on margarita samples and snacking on light Mexican-inspired bites from participating bars and restaurants, guests can vote on which cocktail is their favorite. 402 W Laurel St., Tampa. margaritawarstampabay.com
Tampa Bay Taco Week Creative Loafing Tampa Bay and WUSF Public Media are teaming up for this year’s Tampa Bay Taco Week—set for March 31 to April 10—to make sure you get the best taco and drink specials in the Bay. Each participating restaurant or cantina will offer its own taco special, as well as deals on booze like Corona, Hornitos and Tres Generaciones tequila and Zing Zang cocktails—the four sponsors of 2022’s Tampa Bay Taco Week. Affiliated restaurants include American Social, Datz, Dr. BBQ, Los Chapos Tacos, and Red Mesa Cantina—as the full list can be found at the link below. Multiple locations throughout Tampa Bay, tampabaytacoweek.com
Bamboozle heads to Seminole Heights, Taste of South Tampa Fest returns this weekend, and more Tampa Bay foodie news
Tampa Bay Taco Week starts in a few days, so plan your taco runs accordingly.
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