Yellow tape has the parking lot entrances of South Tampa's Drama Burger blocked off, and the marquee now displays the word CLOSED under a sign with its signature slogan: "All is better with a bit of drama."
Needless to say, as a fan of practically every veggie burger the restaurant at 2420 W. Kennedy Blvd. offered (and the funky doodles on the outside and inside of the place itself), I'm a little bummed. But a flier posted to the pastrami and burger peddler's doors on Friday morning sounds promising. So at least there's that.
"Drama Burger is relocating," the poster reads. "Future location will be announced soon. Follow us on www.facebook.com/dramatampa/."
• The Hyde Out has closed nearby as well. The Hyde Park restaurant and lounge took over the old Rack space at 1809 W. Platt St. in 2015, specializing in sushi, American fusion bites and craft cocktails. A spilt Jekyll-Hyde personality made the hangout well-suited for daytime patrons as well as those looking for an energetic late-night setting with live music.
• Another hideout, Brandon's Hideout Coffee House, officially started slinging roasted coffee at 218 Oakfield Drive last month, step by step. No, seriously. Pick your caffeine, then milk, then flavor (think caramel and white mocha) to create your ideal coffee drink — and maybe even a little snack while you're at it; there's a case of fresh baked goods, including gluten-free items, to choose from.
It doesn't matter where you sit, though. The Hideout features a cozy semicircle of couches as well as cafe-style tables to relax at.
• Those who attended the recent Mayor's Mac & Cheese Throwdown likely got a taste of Hott Mess Cafe from owners Heather and Damion Davis. But if you haven't stopped by the Hott Mess food truck's new brick-and-mortar location in Tampa's Ballast Point neighborhood, hop to it.
The cafe, which celebrated its grand opening at 6102 S. Macdill Ave. on March 4, cooks up the Midwest comfort food Hott Mess has become known for since 2012. The menu spotlights create-your-own options alongside popular street food offerings, or, to put it simply: a "modern twist on old traditions."
• Also in Ballast Point, Teepee Taco — the brainchild of Big Ray's Fish Camp owner Nick Cruz — is coming along. Next door to Big Ray's at 6118 Interbay Blvd., the Tampa restaurant's focus is Mexican and Yaqui Indian fusion.
This article appears in May 4-11, 2017.