Ybor City is already home to TBBCo., Zydeco, Coppertail and Barriehaus, but that’s not stopping Big Storm from planting a flag at the old Hamburger Mary’s where it plans to open a 5-barrel operation. Sip on that bit of food news then tilt the glass back and take in the rest from this latest roundup.
Open
Bright Ice Tampa Bay scoop shop expands with third outpost located at the downtown Tampa Marriott (not JW Marriott, by the way). Find it on the ground floor of the Water Street hotel, then dig into flavors like Deepest Darkest Chocolate Secret, orangesicle with caramel ribbons, and roasted strawberries with brown sugar and balsamic. 505 Water St., Tampa. brighticeisnice.com
Cocktail A new St. Pete gay bar’s signage puts the emphasis on “COCK” and features a slogan that promises stiff drinks, hard liquor and raging good times. Drink titles—”Pencil Dick,” “Dos Cajones,” “Blue Balls” and my personal favorite “Any Dick Will Do”—double down, and local drag favorite Ariana Sparkle is the director of entertainment. Give it to me. 2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. cocktailstpete.com
Re-opened
Sweet Mama’s Ice Cream The truck opened in February, but immediately shut down for a few weeks to work out some unforeseen technical difficulties. Now co-owner Akwi Njoh says she’s in a groove and loving serving folks both in Tampa Heights and whenever the truck gets called to private events. Located caddy corner from the CL offices, customers walk up and choose to pair ice cream with warm cookies, brownies, and waffle cones or turn the scoops into custom shakes. 1630 N Franklin St. @sweetmamastampa on Instagram
Coming soon
Big Storm Brewery Co. The maker of beers like Bromosa and Palmbender IPAs is opening its first Tampa location in Ybor City within the space formerly home to Hamburger Mary’s. A press release says Big Storm is moving an oversized 5-barrel brewing system into the 11,000 square-foot space in Centro Ybor with plans to open by the end of the year. The taproom will have Big Storm’s core beers, but co-owner L.J. Govoni said the Ybor location—literally a block away from long-running TBBCo.—will also brew small batches of dark and barrel-aged beer with an emphasis on aggressive imperial stouts. 1600 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. bigstormbrewery.com
Daddy O’s Patio The folks from Slap Yo' Mama are eying a Memorial Day weekend opening for their restaurant moving into the parcel once occupied by the historic La Tropicana Café. 1822 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. @daddyospatioybor on Instagram
Union New American Set for a fall opening, a new two-story concept from Jeff Gigante—formerly of Ciccio Restaurant Group and co-founder of Hyde Park Village’s Forbici Modern Italian restaurant—will have indoor and outdoor seating all packed into 9,358 square-feet. 1111 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa. nxtlevelbrands.com
ICYMI
After the city shut it down, another Tampa free fridge finds a home at Sulphur Springs dojo It serves the neighborhood surrounding Yung Ho Martial Arts Center and is cared for by volunteers and donors. Organizers are asking for volunteer shoppers (funds are provided to the shopper) and they’ve set up a Patreon for monetary support. 1303 E Busch Blvd, Tampa. @tampafreefridge on Instagram—Justin Garcia
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2021.