Iconic Korean supermarket H Mart files permits to build in Tampa America’s favorite Korean grocery store, H Mart, has filed work permits to start building out a store at 3908 W Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa, just a mile-and-a-half north of Raymond James Stadium. The location is in the review phase according to documents from the City of Tampa, which include a proposed demolition plan.—Ray Roa
King of the Coop returns to Seminole Heights with a new menu Seminole Heights is once again home to hot chicken. King of the Coop officially reopened in the neighborhood last Wednesday, taking over the former Nebraska Mini-Mart space at 4815 N Nebraska Ave. The menu still has its classic chicken sandwiches, but now there are some healthier choices like Coop’s Cobb salad and “It’s a Wrap,” which swaps its potato bread buns for a tortilla filled with chopped tenders and bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato and blue cheese crumbles tossed in dill ranch. You can also get your chicken tenders grilled instead of fried. For vegetarians, there are plant-based tenders and a veggie sandwich patty.—Sofía García Vargas
Pickle & Pint, Largo’s new indoor pickleball courts, cafe and bar, opens any day Pickleball is still booming in Tampa Bay, but players are tired of dilling with Florida weather. Pickle & Pint want to be part of the craze and the solution. Located at 13200 S Belcher Rd. in Largo, Pickle & Pint brings 12 indoor courts, a full bar, and an atmosphere that blends recreation with a social club sensibility. The new venue offers everything from casual drop-in play to league competitions and private court rentals, alongside food, drinks, and alternative games like ping-pong and cornhole.—SGV
Shaq’s fast casual Big Chicken finally opens in Tampa next month Big Chicken, O’Neal’s fast casual chain, opens Tuesday, May 6 at 725 W Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa’s Westchase neighborhood, several outlets have reported. The international franchise that started in 2018 is known for its “Big & Sloppy,” with mac and cheese, crispy fried onions and garlic BBQ aioli, and the “Uncle Jerome” with Nashville hot chicken, lettuce, mayo and pickles. If that’s not enough, you can get sides of loaded fries, mac and cheese and jalapeño slaw. For a little sweet treat, there are hand-spun milkshakes, thick ice cream sandwiches and cookies.—Selene San Felice
Maru, a new Japanese-Peruvian rooftop bar and restaurant, opens on Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard in May Rooftop caviar seems fitting for Bayshore Boulevard, and Tampeños will have a new place to indulge next month. Maru, a Nikkei-style concept from Charleston’s Indigo Road Hospitality Group, opens at Bayshore Gardens (formerly known as the Bayshore Center) on Friday, May 2, according to the spot’s social media. As previously reported, Maru, located at 2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd. near chef Jeannie Pierola’s Counter Culture, is one of two Tampa-bound concepts from Indigo Road and features Nikkei-style offerings that blend Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. The 21-and-up spot—which boasts about 90 seats between indoor and outdoor seating—will also offer a range of craft cocktails, wine and champagne, but focus on fresh dishes like ceviche, hand rolls and more.—RR
Closings
After two and a half years, Brandon’s Vine Vegan restaurant will close its doors this weekend A Brandon-based restaurant known for its comforting, plant-based fare is unfortunately serving its last customers this weekend. Vine Vegan at 2080 Badlands Dr. closes on Sunday, April 27—the latest Tampa Bay plant-based eatery that joins the unfortunate ranks of other shuttered storefronts like Golden Dinosaurs, Voodu Vegan Bistro and 3 Dot Dash. Vine Vegan—which made its debut in January 2023—will serve its full food menu of grain bowls, burgers, wraps, salads and sandwiches until its last day of service. Breakfast options like pancakes, avocado toast and egg sandwiches are also available through the weekend, in addition to its beverage menu of coffees and milkshakes.—Kyla Fields
ICYMI
Creative Loafing and Channelside Brewing release new Beermosa lager at Saturday ‘Brunched’ event A new brew is bubbling up in Tampa Bay. The “Brunched” beermosa—a sweet, crisp lovechild of hoppy craft beer and citrusy mimosas—makes its debut on Saturday, April 26 at Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s event of the same name. Channelside Brewing, makers of the guava wheat Best of the Bay Beer Can Building Beer, have done it again with with the strawberry-tangerine lager. The first sips will be available Saturday with all-you-can eat bites from local restaurants at Le Meridien.—CL Staff
Six Tampa Bay contestants chosen for 2025’s ‘Epic Chef’ competition kicking off in June To help celebrate the 10th installment of Epic Chef—Feeding Tampa Bay’s friendly cooking competition—the nonprofit is kicking things up a notch this year. The 2025 installment will feature six local chefs instead of the usual four, plus a boost in the winner’s prize money. Each summer, during the local industry’s “slow season,” Feeding Tampa Bay and its sponsors host a multi-week cooking competition between local chefs from both sides of the bridge. The chef that wins all three rounds takes home the grand prize, which is a whopping $10,000 this year—a sum that represents Epic Chef’s ten-year anniversary.—RR
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This article appears in Apr 24-30, 2025.