Welcome to this week’s roundup of food news. This go-round we have a few newbies, reopened rooftop bars, and exciting news of the McRib and Miracle at Mezzo’s returning to town. In the next few months, Tampa Bay will be swimming in food halls— The Joinery, NoHo Junction, On The Fly, Hall on Central, Central Park, Manhattan Casino—but it looks like we will be saying goodbye to Tampa Bay’s OG food hall, Hall on Franklin, which is scheduled to close its doors before the end of the year. Look below for more openings and closings, then bookmark cltampa.com/food to get updates in real time.
Openings
Donovan’s Modern American Eatery The founders of Datz, Roger and Suzanne Perry, have launched a steakhouse.The menu is loaded with an array of steaks, chops, seafood, duck, wild game and also hosts space for vegetable-forward dishes. The Perrys have been itching to launch the concept for 15 years. The name itself pays homage to Roger’s father, Russell “Donovan” Perry, and, according to a release, the concept is inspired by Roger’s childhood growing up on a modest family farm in rural Ohio. 11206 Sullivan St., Riverview. donovansmeatery.com
Florida Avenue Brewing Last month, the brewery opened its long-awaited location in Wesley Chapel. Its beer garden is equipped with plenty of Adirondack chairs and lounge furniture for drinks after work. What’s more is that Seminole Heights’ Brew Bus and Florida Avenue Brewing Co. will relocate to a new 3,000-sq. ft. space just a few addresses away from the old spot at 4315 N. Florida Ave. 2029 Arrowgrass Dr., Wesley Chapel. floridaavebrewing.com —Alexandria Jones
Tacos Las Californias A food truck that bravely launched mid-pandemic is filling the need for quesabirria in Tampa Bay (if you’ve been on social media, it’s clear that birria is having a moment). Not only can foodies snag quesabirria tacos, but also birria ramen and other eats inspired by California cuisine. Owners hope to one day open a brick-and-mortar. 7007 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. @tacoslascalifornias on Facebook
Reopenings
Edge Rooftop Lounge The lounge shut down on July 1 due to COVID-19 regulations and pandemic concerns. Edge is now back and operating every Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m.-midnight. Upon reopening, the lounge introduced a new food and cocktail menu, alongside menu staples and seasonal offerings. 1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com
Taco Bus The original Tacos Bus location reopened on Monday after extensive renovations. “We’ve invested close to $250,000 on a new state-of-the-art kitchen, ordering system, patio, and more!” stated Heather Chaudhry, Director of Marketing for Taco Bus in a release. “New booths and tables, flooring, and fresh paint have also been added to really make it shine." To celebrate, the Hillsborough location is offering 99-cent tacos the first week of reopening. 913 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. taco-bus.com
Vantage Rooftop Bar The rooftop bar offers both indoor and outdoor seating for guests. When it comes to eats, there’s a selection of grazing boards, freshly shucked oysters, burgers, alongside chef-inspired entrees. Upon opening, hours of operation for Vantage are set for 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. 2675 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. thekarolhotel.com
Coming soon
Lingr on 6th St Initially slated for a fall opening, celebrity chef Jeffrey Jew and his team have decided to hold off on opening until 2021 due to COVID-19. The projected grand opening is scheduled for January, so it won’t be too much longer until we get a taste of what the “Top Chef” competitor has cooking in his Nordic and Asian-inspired restaurant. 400 6th St. S., St. Petersburg. lingrrestaurant.com
Lucky Lizard Opening in the near future on Madeira Beach, the Lucky Lizard’s atmosphere will be a relaxing “beach chic” vibe with outdoor and indoor seating. Hosting two large outdoor seating bars with views of the sunset, the bar also plans to offer around 30 brews on tap, wine, bites and live music. 14953 Madeira Beach. @luckylizardtaphouse on Facebook
Muchachas Within the next few weeks Armature Works will welcome the new Mexican-inspired food stall. Stephanie Swanz, owner of Empamamas (fellow AW resident) is the mastermind behind the new joint set to offer birria quesatacos, street-style tacos, big ol’ burritos, street corn, and other Mexican-inspired dishes yet to be announced. 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa Heights. @hola.muchachas on Instagram
Pin on Cafe Last week CL reported that Chiang Mai Thai permanently shut its doors in St. Petersburg’s Edge District. Signage has already gone up for its replacement, Asian fusion restaurant Pin on Cafe. Damn, that was quick. The menu is set to feature curry bowls, rice bowls, soups, sandos, lunch boxes as well as smoothies. 1100 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. pinwokandbowl.com
Closings
Hall on Franklin Tampa’s Hall on Franklin won’t make it to 2021. Today, Jamal Wilson, who opened The Hall on Franklin in Tampa Heights in 2017, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that his Tampa Heights food hall is closing on Dec. 15. Wilson is still moving forward with Hall concepts in Midtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. —Colin Wolf and Ray Roa
Ya Boy’s BBQ The concept started out as a food truck before opening its brick-and-mortar location at 1901 N. Howard Avenue in 2016. Sadly, it’s closing doors for good. The first mention of a closure came in September when owners said they were “closed until further notice,” but now it’s official. “Thank you all for all of your support throughout our journey. We couldn’t have done it without you,” The Ya Boy's boys wrote in a Facebook posted this week. Looking through the comments—where loyal customers share their well-wishes and excitement for the future—it’s clear that Ya Boy’s BBQ will be missed. Drown your sorrows in sauce elsewhere, family. —Alexandria Jones
ICYMI
Miracle at Mezzo On Black Friday, a Christmas themed pop-up returns for its third year, but with a few COVID-19 tweaks. That includes distancing tables and seating, offering contactless payment, QR code menus, one-time use menus, outdoor seating, to-go cocktails, mask requirements for both staff and guests and sanitizer stations. 1111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. intermezzo.co
McRib It's here.
Pom Poms After six years, the restaurant’s co-owner Thomas Woodard is handing ownership over to Mike Crippin and his wife Alison. “We both are very excited to bring our own personalities and exciting changes including new menu items, drinks and extended operating hours to growing Pom Pom’s into a favorite neighborhood hangout for many years to come, meeting new and regular patrons that will soon be our friends too,” said the new owners. 2950 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. pompomsstpete.com
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This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2020.