Esther’s Tacos opens mew brick-and-mortar, Cook Out heads to Tampa, and more local food news

Openings

The Fold A new pizza spot with a sweet counterpart just opened at 601 S Harbour Island Blvd. The Fold’s new Harbour Island location dishes out a menu that its Armature Works patrons will surely recognize, plus a few more Italian-inspired entrees. It features classic flavors of hand-tossed pizzas like pepperoni, sausage and peppers and Sicilian, as well as unique options like The Fold's "Firebird" za’ with tomato sauce, mozzarella, buffalo chicken, jalapeños and hot honey. In addition to a variety of pies and its “pizza of the day” special, The Fold’s new location also dishes out calzones, chicken and meatball parmesan sandwiches, cheesesteaks and pastas like baked ziti and rigatoni. A few sides include garlic knots, antipasto, fried mozzarella and Ceasar salads. The Fold is one the several Tampa-based concepts that local restaurant group Three Oaks Hospitality operates, in addition to Hyde Park’s Ro, Sesame, Jekyll and Armature Works’ M. Bird, Stones Throw, Butcher & BBQ and Kipos. It also owned the popular speakeasy Ciro's, which closed in South Tampa last month. The Fold shares its Harbour Island space with newly-opened dessert shop Lily’s Sweet Treats, which is also owned and operated by Three Oaks. Lily’s dishes out unique ice cream flavors that can be mixed with a variety of different cereals and toppings like Oreos, fresh fruit, pretzels, Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. thefoldpizza.com

Esther’s Tacos One of Tampa's beloved, hole-in-the-wall taco trucks is expanding to a much bigger space. As any Tampa taco fan will admit, the original Esther's Cafe has been a local favorite for nearly 12 years, but the truck is somewhat hard to find, since it's tucked away behind the produce stands at 3001 E Hillsborough Ave. But a couple week's ago, owner Jorge Castellano debuted an easier to locate, new brick-and mortar outpost just down the street. Located at 2115 Hillsborough Ave., the new Esther's Tacos officially opened May 12, and offers the same menu as the original, except with air conditioning, more seating and parking. Castellano told CL that the original truck will remain open with slightly different hours of operation (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), while the new spot will operate from 10 a.m to 10 p.m., seven days a week. "People love our food, and so we just want to continue to do the same thing, but at a place that's easier for the customers," said Castellano, who added that the new spot will also make all their tortillas by hand. "For me, it's important that we continue to do that," said Castellano. "It's difficult to make tortillas, and not everyone likes to do it. But for us, that's the difference." For the unfamiliar, Esther's offers a full menu of traditional Mexican cuisine, including tacos, sopas, burritos, tostadas, enchiladas and more. orderestherscafe.com

Closings

Bacon Bitch A popular brunch restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg (with a somewhat contentious reputation) recently closed its doors. After about 4 years at Bodega's former location at 1124 Central Ave., Bacon Bitch has closed. “Sad to inform you that this location has closed. Bacon Bitch locations continue in Orlando (UCF), South Beach (Miami Beach) and Bayside (downtown Miami),” a sign on Bacon Bitch’s closed doors read. “We are sorry about the short notice and we will miss St. Pete. Best Wishes!” While it's not exactly sure what day Bacon Bitch closed its doors, it seemed to have quietly shuttered sometime within the past two weeks. Although Bacon Bitch is still listed as "open" on Google with its normal hours, all signs of its St. Pete location has been taken off of its website. The abrupt closure has not yet been addressed on any of the restaurant’s social media pages either. St. Pete’s Bacon Bitch location made its debut in the fall of 2020. It was known for its menu of breakfast sandwiches, avocado toasts, salads, burgers, BLTs, plus champagne, beer, wine, daytime cocktails and sangrias for its “thirsty bitches.” While some were captivated by its quirky and “bitchy” service, neon signs and straightforward brunch options, others detested the Miami-based business for animal abuse allegations that date back to 2017. 1122 Central Ave., St. Pete. baconbitch.com

Coming Soon

Cook Out A Tar Heel favorite will soon make its debut in the Tampa Bay area. North Carolina-based fast food chain Cook Out will open locations in Temple Terrace and Carrollwood, according to Hillsborough County property records. Earlier this month, the company purchased two former Boston Market locations, one at 5501 East Fowler Avenue in Temple Terrace, and the other at 16215 North Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, as first reported by WFLA. The popular 35-year-old chain has over 300 locations mostly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Mississippi. The two new Tampa outposts will be among Cook Out's first locations in Florida. Last year, the company announced plans to open spots in Tallahassee and Pensacola areas. For the unfamiliar, Cook Out is known for its "trays," or combos, which includes everything from burgers, barbecue, corn dogs, quesadillas, milkshakes, and more. As of now, it's unclear exactly when the two locations will open. cookout.com

Events

Meet the Chefs 2024 Every summer, Creative Loafing hosts Meet the Chefs as a kicking off party for Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, and 2024’s rendition is right around the corner. A cocktail-style sampling event, guests can indulge in small bites and beverages from a variety of participating restaurants and bars and also get a chance to chat with popular Bay area chefs (when you’re down chewing, of course.) Meet the Chefs returns to downtown Tampa’s The Vault (611 N Franklin St.) on Thursday, June 6 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. While the entire lineup of participating restaurants, bars and brands have yet to be released, a few local eateries you can expect at Meet the Chefs this year include: Caracara, The Tides Seafood Market, Birch and Vine, Bright Ice, The Brisket Shoppe, Gin Joint, Melting Pot Social, The Brinehouse, Sea Salt and Good Intentions. General admission to Meet the Chefs runs for $75, but up upgraded $110 VIP ticket can get you early entry (aka an extra hour of snackin’ and drinkin’). Meet the Chefs (and Creative Loafing’s annual “Food Issue”) helps kick off Tampa Restaurant Week every summer, which runs from June 13-23 this year. Dozens of restaurants on both sides of the bay are participating in festivities by offering exclusive “Restaurant Week” prix fixe entrees and/or cocktail specials. meetthechefstampabay.com ICYMI

St. Pete Youth Farm unveils new outdoor kitchen at its inaugural 'Community Meal’ this week For almost five years, a community-run farm on a city-owned .83-acre lot has brought folks together and given the teens of St. Petersburg a chance to grow—in a literal sense, but also as future leaders. When you walk through the gates at 1664 12th St. S, the air feels noticeably fresher. St. Pete Youth Farm was launched in 2019 and has expanded programming, the number of volunteers and employees, and ecological diversity since. The youth-lead farm’s newest addition is the center of attention this week at its first community dinner. The free-to-attend dinner featured a collaborative curry courtesy of local restaurant Thai Wok, plus a variety of dishes created from freshly-harvested produce. The gathering marks the first time the farm’s newly-completed outdoor kitchen and gathering area is unveiled to the public. St. Pete Youth Farm’s new kitchen and gathering space was funded and physically built by Leadership St. Pete, organized each year by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. In 2024, southside’s St. Pete Youth Farm benefited from its intense fundraising (with a goal of $50,000) and hands-on work that ultimately resulted in leveled ground for its gathering area, a new outdoor kitchen, waterproof rain sails and over 100 chairs.

Specialty roaster Look Alive cements itself in St. Pete's bustling coffee scene In a city where residents have made it clear how much they love specialty coffee, Look Alive coffee roaster is a welcome addition. Located at 1920 1/2 1st Ave. S, the coffee roaster made its online debut in February. Customers can order beans online through letslookalive.com, and wholesale partners can visit the roasting space in person to see owner Kelly Packard in action. Packard, the one-woman force behind Look Alive, recently gave an exclusive look at what it’s like to be a newcomer in the St. Pete coffee scene. "We’re really passionate about staying involved with the community and trying to help it grow and flourish. There’s so many amazing roasters and coffee shops here and we are just very into that collaborative effort,” Packard says. Look Alive’s beans are currently featured at several eateries and cafés in town, like Pete’s Bagels (St. Pete location), Little Tina in downtown Tampa and The Crumb Factory.—Mahika Kukday

Big Storm Brewing Co. recently announced the closure of its Pasco County taproom at 2330 Success Dr.—the city where the popular brewery got its start over 12 years ago. “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of Big Storm Brewery in Pasco, which saw its last day this past Saturday,” the brewery wrote on Facebook earlier this week. “We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support over the nearly 10 years we've been part of the Pasco community. Your patronage has meant the world to us.” The local brewery and distillery still operates taproom locations in Clearwater, Ybor City and Orlando.

Grillaking, a “Korean-Mexican confusion” food truck from Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz owner Robert Hesse, made its Tampa Bay debut a few weeks ago. Featuring fusion fare with a rock and roll-themed twist—offering tongue-in cheek-dishes like the “Judas Beef Gogi Hoagie” and “Deadhead Dawg”—Hesse’s new 15-foot-long food truck dishes out a variety of burritos, bowls, tacos, loaded nachos, burgers, sandwiches and Korean-style chicken wings. “I understand that we’re doing fusion, but it may be confusing, too. But I think we’re paying tribute to the techniques, traditions and chefs that came before us in order to get the flavors right,” Hesse, who recently survived two heart attacks, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in April. “This new concept is all about having fun and creating food that we love to eat. With all of the health issues I had last year, I really want to focus on creativity and doing what I enjoy." Head to @grillaking on Instagram for the latest updates on Grillaking’s whereabouts in St. Petersburg and Tampa.

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