Two popular local restaurants have secured a spot among the Tampa Convention Center's food offerings. Big Ray's Fish Camp, based in Ballast Point, and South Tampa's Datz are both expected to start serving the downtown Tampa center in fall.
Taking over the former Bistro, Datz will feature a waterside pickup window for its spunky comfort food from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, plus a picnic basket on its menu. Other available items include the signature Cheesy Todd, Roger's Rockin' Reuben and a pork sandwich called Carolina on My Mind.
The 360-degree Sail Pavilion bar is where Big Ray's is planned. Patrons will down fresh seafood options — you-peel-'em shrimp, grouper Reubens and shrimp po' boys among them — alongside sack doughnuts and fried key lime pie.
New concessions and portable food carts are part of the Tampa Convention Center's updated fare as well. These "flexible dining venues," as they're billed, can change their theme and location while serving up a lineup that includes deli favorites and pizza by the slice.
This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 2, 2017.
