Slinging locally roasted coffee, specialty teas, and fresh Cuban bread from the kitchen next door as well as baked goods, the trailer has attracted quite the following since its debut in fall 2016.
Greg Spadaccini, also known as Spaddy — a traditional nickname for his family — launched the truck after the community fostered his passion for coffee-making and enabled the former medical field professional to turn his side hustle into a full-time venture.
Spadaccini started searching Craigslist; he found a trailer, and after a six-month build-out was ready for local events and food truck rallies.
Eventually he quit the medical field, made a deal with Faedo’s Bakery and set up shop permanently on their property, providing locals a low-key way to get their coffee fix.
“We offer superior product, in a relaxed, laid-back environment. Allowing our customers to feel comfortable in a specialty coffee scene without the sterile, pretentious vibes some have,” Spadaccini says.
Along with alternative milk options, such as almond and oat milk, Spaddy’s offers the option to add a shot of CBD to any of their beverages for $5. The CBD is odorless, tasteless, and doesn’t compromise the integrity of the drink.
The addition of the CBD option has been well-received within the community, with no drawbacks from Spadaccini’s perspective.
“Some regulars add it to every drink, while others add it when they feel a little on edge and want to chill out,” he says.
For having no previous experience running a business or making coffee outside of his home, Spadaccini and his crew have done well. They celebrated Spaddy’s two-year anniversary this past September, maxing out the capacity of the courtyard with 200 patrons.
If you can’t get enough of Spadaccini’s passion for quality and commitment to his consumer base, be on the lookout for his next venture — a fast-casual eatery called Florida Avenue Eats.
Teaming up with Ed Fernandez, he's taken over the previous location of the Chop Chop Shop in Seminole Heights, at 6605 N. Florida Ave., and is launching a fresh and healthy lunch concept.
That means bowls, wraps and salads will be on the menu, which is set to debut in just a few weeks.
Making waves on Facebook since the announcement of the project in late February, the duo has been posting shots of the soon-to-be restaurant, which has been refurbished with new floors, a new roof and completely stripped of the all signs of its previous owner.
The sleek redesign will have an industrial feel with heavy wood accents, with high-top and table seating.
Quick turnarounds seem to be Spadaccini’s thing.
Until then, Spaddy’s has the trailer up and running from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the week, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all weekend long for those who want a cup of joe without the extra shot of judgement.
Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for our Bites newsletter.
Related Stories
Spaddy’s, Now And Then, team up to host hurricane Ian fundraiser in Seminole Heights next week
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 4, 2019.