Last week was another doozy for bar and restaurant owners in Tampa Bay. Over the weekend the masses came out for the Pinellas Park grand opening of Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee. Today, Lakeland debuts its first food hall—The Joinery—and Take Three Cafe (FKA Little Donut House) is up for sale. Here’s what else new, coming, happening, closing and for sale in the Tampa Bay foodie scene.
Openings
Benedicts Family Restaurant The Largo Benedicts location offers the same menu as its other locations: large plates of classic American favorites. French toast, omelets, country skillets, biscuits and gravy, and quiches fill the breakfast menu, while various types of soups, salads and sandwiches are offered at lunchtime. 201 West Bay Dr., Largo.
Jollibee Over the weekend, the Filipino fast-food chain got a lot of local love when crowds came out with signage and empty stomachs for the arrival of Chickenjoy. A Florida man even waited in like for 16-plus hours to be the first to get a taste. 4057 Park Blvd. N., Largo.
The Joinery Lakeland’s first food hall has officially made its debut! Tampa Bay foodies will know how to navigate it as the floor plan is nearly identical to Armature Works. You’ll recognize some familiar names on the food lineup thanks to Tampa OGs like Gallito (taqueria), King State (coffee, teas, breakfast and small plates) and Ava (Neapolitan-style pizza.) 640 E. Main St., Lakeland.
Coming soon
Chile Verde Expect a menu similar to the original spot when the Mexican restaurant opens its second location in the Skyway Marina District. For the uninitiated, it’s chock full of traditional Mexican dishes like sopes, tortas, tacos, flautas, tamales, burritos and chimichangas. More details to come when an official address and opening date is announced.
Rumba Island Bar and Grill The seafood restaurant takes over the former Wing House space in the coming weeks. Standout dishes on its menu include the island seafood platter, crispy coconut shrimp, and mahi mahi skewers. 6445 4th St. N., St. Petersburg.
Sea Worthy Fish Bar Owners of St. Pete hotspot Brick & Mortar announced plans to open a seafood-forward restaurant that you’ll have to pay a toll to get a taste of. More details to come as the menu develops and an opening date is announced. 1110 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde.
Shake Shack We have confirmation that the popular joint will throw down its signature burgers, alongside chicken sandos, hot dogs, and fries (with or without cheese sauce) in Midtown Tampa come early 2021.
The Belmark Time to revive another culinary classic. The joint is paying homage to the OG Belmark that closed down in 1987. Shooting for old-school diner vibes with elevated diner dishes, The Belmark will sling eats like its namesake signature burger made up of a 6-ounce patty, cheddar cheese, mixed greens, pickled red onions and mustard sauce on grilled brioche. We can slide by the beginning of February to get in on the action. 1001 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Closing
Winne-Dixie Winn-Dixies have been steadily closing throughout the Tampa Bay area for a few years now, and the latest grocery store to fall victim to this unfortunate trend is its St. Petersburg location on 4th Street. The last day open will be February 10. 7489 4th St. N., St. Petersburg.
For sale
Take Three Cafe FKA the Little Donut House, Take Three Cafe is now up for sale after owner Stephen Schab switched over the concept a few months ago to mirror his new menu of lunch eats alongside mini doughnuts. Schab is hopeful that someone else is willing to pick up the Take Three Concept and run it as their own: “Although I have run out of time and capital, this concept is far from dead. We have had growth every year, I believe with a fresh infusion of marketing capital and fresh energy, this Take Three concept could become the multi-unit concept I always envisioned. With processes, procedures, equipment, and recipes in place, it just needs some gasoline to catch real fire.”
Events
Deep Fried Dash 5K On February 15 at 7:30 a.m., the very first Deep Fried Dash 5K & Fun Run happens throughout the fairgrounds. Runners will embark on a route through the Florida State Fair, winding in-between roller coasters and vendor stands. Deep Fried Dash participants get the greatest prize of all at the finish line—a single corn dog.
Dessert Wars Set for February 9 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at Armature Works, the family-friendly competition is between 50 local vendors including Astro Ice Cream, Cookie Munchers, and Jupiter Donuts.
Donut Fest On May 3, from 1.p.m.-5 p.m., Donut Fest is set to host various types of doughnuts, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks to sample as well as activities like a doughnut-eating contest, a photo booth, raffles, and a poll to find out who makes the best donut in Tampa Bay.
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck On February 15 the bright pink Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will park adjacent to Westshore Plaza’s H&M, near JC Penney, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and dish sweet treats like mini cakes, macarons, cookies and madeleines, as well as limited edition Hello Kitty merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, lunchboxes, plushies, keychains and water bottles.
Night at the Brewseum On January 31, St. Petersburg’s Great Explorations Children’s Museum teams up with local breweries throughout the Tampa Bay area and transforms its space into a boozy, but competitive, adult playground as part of its “Night at the Brewseum” fundraising party.
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This article appears in Jan 23-30, 2020.
