If you're not spending the weekends on or around Sunset Beach like at least one of our CL editors, 1) What are you doing? And 2) You might not have noticed the signage that now wraps around the former building of Keel & Curley Winery's short-lived Vino-N-Brew. The signature yellow branding indicates that Taco Bus's latest location is set for the Treasure Island space at 9641 Gulf Blvd.
Tampa Bay is familiar with Taco Bus's fast-casual bill of Mexican food favorites, which includes everything from tacos to combination plates. The local chain — whose original restaurant-on-wheels on Hillsborough Avenue is getting a facelift, complete with a drive-thru and state-of-the-art kitchen — operates additional locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Brandon, Lakeland and Miami.
The Aug. 4 announcement of the flagship's $2 million renovation plans on Facebook was also accompanied by: "We have always appreciated feedback from all of you and are making massive changes across the board to improve the quality of the Taco Bus experience." But some of the restaurant's fans, whose comments you can check out in the post below, have their doubts.
• As of Aug. 1, St. Pete's Engine Rose is temporarily closed for repairs on its kitchen. The Grand Central District restaurant, known for its dog-friendly outdoor seating and prime burger-forward menu, is set to reopen at the end of the month, offering lunch and more of a focus on large sandwiches and house-made specials, according to owner-chef Jason Esposito.
• Construction has started on the coming-soon Palm Harbor site for Detroit Coney Island. The restaurant's newest location at 661 U.S. 19 Alt., neighbors with Stilt House Brewery, is set to be the model for its franchise concept, which aims to bring a taste of Detroit, including those chili, mustard and onions-smothered hot dogs, to other Bay area cities — and beyond.
• Whether you like your boiled peanuts Cajun hot or mild, salted or sweet, a new snack shop called none other than Tasty Nutz has got you. The roadside-operation-turned-Tampa-storefront, founded by Albion Williams Jr. in 2012, recently launched at 14930 N. Florida Ave., specializing in jumbo, flavor-packed boiled peanuts made fresh daily.
As far as we can tell, Tasty Nutz, which held its grand opening bash Saturday and regularly sells out of its nutty stockpile, is doing well. Here's a Facebook update from the store last week: "Due to an amazing turnout today, we have sold out of everything!! We are unfortunately closing early for the day. Thank you to everyone that stopped in to put our tasty nutz in your mouth!"
Do you realize how lucky we are??
• ICYMI: Trip's Diner debuted its anticipated restaurant to Seminole Heights. Diners can find Tropical Rhythm's Caribbean delights in Brandon. The popularity of Thai-style rolled ice cream continues locally with Tampa newbies Snowman Ice Cream and Snowrolls. And Tampa's Carrollwood neighborhood saw the opening of Chronic Tacos, as well as Freshii (there's another Freshii outpost planned for Palm Harbor at 654 E. Lake Road as well).
This article appears in Aug 3-10, 2017.