Neon Lunchbox debuts in St. Pete, South Tampa's Hao Wah closes, and more local food news

Openings

The Neon Lunchbox As if millennials didn’t feel old enough, a new “retro-themed” bar and restaurant is bringing all of the fun, nostalgic vibes of the late-20th century to Central Avenue this year. The Neon Lunchbox just opened its doors at 1756 Central Ave. and now serves a variety of sandwiches, eclectic entrees and craft cocktails out of its '80s and '90s pop culture-themed restaurant. The new Central Avenue concept made its debut earlier this week and is now open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, according to its Instagram James Castetter and Chelsey Andrew—the duo behind temporarily-closed restaurant Half Baked Potato on the same block—is bringing this new millennial-friendly concept to St. Pete's Grand Central District. Its menu consists of lunch options like perogies, fried mortadella sandwiches and steak fajitas in addition to entrees like panko-crusted Caribbean salmon, espresso-rubbed flank steak and pesto gnocchi. 1756 Central Ave., St. Pete. theneonlunchboxstpete.com

Welton Brewing Company & Oyster Bar After two-ish years of patient waiting, former regulars of Land O' Lakes' Welton Brewing Co. can finally indulge in fresh oysters and crisp IPAs once again. Welton Brewing Company & Oyster Bar took to social media to announce its long-awaited grand opening, set to take place on Saturday, March 23 at 11a.m. at its new facility across the bridge. The new brewery, taproom and seafood restaurant at 8098 66th St. N, Bldg. 2 in Pinellas Park will offer all of its classic brews—like the Crush on a Hot Blonde golden ale and Yellow Rose of Tampa Hazy IPA —plus an expanded food program. “We can’t wait to welcome you to our cozy corner of craft beer and ocean-inspired delicacies,” ownership wrote on social media earlier this week. The brewery’s food menu boasts a variety of different seafood options, from raw oysters, scallops and lobster to shrimp, clams and fish that can be ordered fried with a side of chips or served on a toasted roll. The family-owned brewery originally opened in Land O’ Lakes in January of 2020 and had an almost three year run before closing its doors in late 2022. 8098 66th St. N, Bldg. 2, Pinellas Park. thebrewcraftery.com

Closings

After 44 years, beloved South Tampa Chinese buffet Hao Wah will close After nearly-half-a-century, a staple South Tampa restaurant is ready to walk away. Hao Wah, located at 1713 S Dale Mabry Hwy., is one of Tampa’s institutional Chinese buffets. The restaurant—well loved by locals and a popular gathering spot for families and students of the nearby Plant High School—opened doors on April 1, 1980. It started as a humble spot, but doubled in size during an expansion in the early-2000s. For a long time Hao Wah was known for its all-you-can-eat buffet including dishes ranging from sushi to pho to Szechuan–nearly any Asian dish you could think of. Like most others, the buffet shut down during the pandemic but it's since returned to all its glory. An employee at Hao Wah's Pinellas Park location said that the Tampa's location will close after Sunday, March 24. The Pinellas Park location (10454 66th St. N) will remain open and the restaurant's famed catering service will also continue. Hao Wah patrons on Yelp commend the restaurant’s generous portions, great service and affordability, stressing the welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It has long been a place for community to gather, for friends and family to break bread and share a delicious meal, so its closing means a lot to South Tampa residents. 1713 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

Events

Bayboro Brewing Co’s 4th Anniversary Time flies when you’ve got a buzz, and for the last four years, Bayboro Brewing has been keeping pints full for St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District. This weekend co-founders James and Kelcy Coleman celebrate another turn around the sun for their business where Kelcy and James—a former U.S. Marine who runs a “Buy a Vet a Beer” program at his brewery—together with brewers Aaron Hutchings and Thomas Ludwig pour staples like the Full Bird American IPA, Teufel Hunden milk stout, Mosquito Juice double IPA and more. New beers include Bayboro’s orange wheat beer, Irish stout and king cake porter. Bayboro has also built a reputation as a much needed, mid-size music venue that hosts everything from acoustic duos and cover bands to hyperlocal music festivals and out-of-town touring acts, so live music comes along with the luau, care of Americana act Mercy McCoy, plus Rockstead and Dub Collectors. All day beer and food specials—including a 1 p.m. pig roast—are on deck, too. 2390 5th Ave. S, St. Pete. bayborobrewing.com

ICYMI

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater relaunches Gulp Coast Passport for craft beer lovers Wherever you find yourself in Pinellas County you’re never far from a locally owned brewery, and beer bods are in for 2024 thanks to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s Gulp Coast Passport. The passport program debuted in 2021 and has returned to guide visitors and residents alike to over 40 local breweries, tasting unique brews from talented brewmasters throughout the county. The passport is available on users’ mobile devices and comes with deals and discounts at the participating breweries. To sign up for a pass go to visitstpeteclearwater.com, then claim your pass via text or email and add it to your home screen for immediate use. To earn points and redeem discounts and special offers passholders just have to show their mobile pass to the brewery staff member. Must-visit stops for passholders include Florida’s oldest microbrewery Dunedin Brewery, St. Pete staple Green Bench Brewing Company, and both of 3 Daughters Brewing locations in St. Pete and Clearwater Beach. visitstpeteclearwater.com—Suzanne Townsend

‘Southern Living’ names Columbia Restaurant’s Cuban sandwich best in Florida Southern Living readers crowned East Tampa’s Big John’s Alabama BBQ best barbecue in Florida, and another storied local spot topped part of the listing, too. On the same day as Columbia Restaurant’s 104th birthday, readers of the fabled magazine voted the Tampa institution’s Cuban sandwich as best in Florida. “Their version is set apart by a few superior ingredients: glazed ham with subtle sweetness, pork shoulder instead of pork loin, and perfect bread made locally at La Segunda Central Bakery,” Southern Living writes. “My father would be proud to have read the article,” Richard Gonzmart, Columbia’s fourth-generation caretaker, wrote in a press release. The magazine tapped a third party to run its “South’s Best” survey, which saw more than 20,000 people chime in from July 12-Aug. 23 last year.—Ray Roa

Cigar City Brewing parent company reportedly lays off at least 12 Tampa employees Craft beer industry website Brewbound recently confirmed that 12 positions have been eliminated at Cigar City Brewing (CCB), as the recently-renamed Monster Brewing Company shifts the CCB “production hub to a cross-category innovation center.” The Spruce Street taproom, along with CCB’s outposts at Amalie Arena and Tampa International Airport will all stay open, according to the site. Last month, Wambles, who led the charge in creating iconic CCB beers like Jai Alai and Hunahpu, posted that his position had been eliminated and wished Monster Beverage Company, which purchased CCB’s then-parent Canarchy in 2022, as well. Without comment from CCB's parent company, it's hard to say which positions were eliminated, but remaining employees have the heavy burden of continuing the label's reputation for making some of the best beer in the country.—Ray Roa
ICYMI

Orlando-based BBQ chain 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which has two Bay area locations, will now ship meats, rubs and sauces anywhere in the U.S. 4rsmokehouse.com

The Cake Girl (aka Kristina Lavallee) was recognized by the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners on Thursday, March 21. The BOCC noted that Lavalee has been “recognized for her exemplary work in the baking and pastry field and has been featured on various TV programs and in prominent print publications.” thecakegirl.com

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is teaming up with Pier 60 and the Sugar Sand Festival to host an eclipse beach party on Monday, April 8 at Clearwater Beach, which expects to see about 66% of the sun covered during the rare celestial event. The first 2,500 sun and shade chasers “will receive specially designed collectible eclipse glasses, commemorating the 2024 solar eclipse” according to a press release. The eclipse is expected to run 1:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. @vspc on Instagram

The DoubleTree Beach Resort on North Redington Beach just wrapped an extensive renovation that includes a rebranding of the on-site restaurant, which is now the fourth location for local chain Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill. coconutcharliesstpete.com

Sarasota-Manatee’s “Set The Bar” cocktail competition returns on Sunday, April 14. The sixth edition of the event happens at Ed Smith Stadium and features 25 mixologists competing while ticket holders ($85.-$95) sample their wares. eatlikealocal.com

A new hotel, Moxy St. Pete, aims to open in mid-June, and will include the Bar Moxy concept in the central lobby, and offer specialty cocktails and light dishes at its Rose’s Coffee Bar location. Located at 1234 Central Ave. in the Edge District, the hotel also offers rooftop hospitality options including a poolside bar and Sparrow restaurant, due to open this fall. marriott.com

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