Tampa Bay is up to some pretty cool shit, like a market on University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s campus to help fight off food insecurity for students, Amalie Arena’s Cigar City Taproom and that rumor of a Shake Shack popping up around here. Fingers crossed, everybody. Until then, here’s the food news around town.
OPENINGS
Bayou Market and Café The market — with fresh and frozen menu options — also offers a selection of local beers and select wines. Its cafe portion serves up lunch and dinner cafeteria-style. Diners will indulge in Cajun and Caribbean eats with a selection of vegetarian options. Signature sandwiches, Cubans, soups and salads can be grabbed a la carte. 6630 Central Ave., St Petersburg. bayoumarketandcafe.com.
Karma Juice Bar & Eatery After experiencing a devastating fire Karma was forced to move the concept and share space with Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails for nearly three months. Now the juice bar officially has new digs, right next door, at Baum Avenue Market. The juice bar is open at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 1113 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. karmaeatery.com.
Joella’s Hot Chicken A new chicken joint has nested in Tampa Bay. The menu carries chicken plates (jumbo tenders, wings, dark and light quarters), sandwiches, salads and southern sides like mac and cheese, fries, potato salad and slaw; there’s even a vegan chicken plate. 10150 Ulmerton Rd., Largo. joellas.com.
Support-A-Bull Market A new student-driven food pantry has debuted at University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The market raises awareness about, and help assist students who suffer from, food insecurity on and off-campus. The pantry will also collect and distribute non-perishable items and toiletries. Student Life Center at University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 140 7th Ave. S. St. Petersburg. usfsp.edu.
COMING SOON
Barterhouse Paying homage to Ybor’s mobster history, Barterhouse is set to host a mobster art piece in the dining room and lots of faux-marble. It’ll be an open concept, which allows guests to get a behind-the-scenes look at how their food and drinks are being prepared. Get ready for an intimate date night in honor of the mid-October opening. 1811 N. 15th St., Ybor City. bowerytampa.com.
Cigar City Brewing Taproom Amalie Arena will open a Cigar City taproom below the Pam Iorio Parking Garage for the 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning season. The team named CCB as its official craft beer and will pour signature brews like Jai Alai, Guayabera and Florida Cracker inside the arena as part of the partnership. 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. amaliearena.com.
Mr. and Mrs. Crab The latest location of the seafood joint is set to debut on Saturday, October 5. Slap on a bib to dive into a bag filled with a custom-spiced crustacean combo drenched in a unique sauce. 4426 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa. mrandmrscrabgandy.com.
La Pergola The Nocturnal Hospitality Group, alongside celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, is bringing a new high-end Italian cuisine concept to downtown St. Petersburg in spring 2020. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. nocturnalhospitalitygroup.com.
RUMORED
Shake Shack The burger joint may open a location in Tampa Bay, being that the TBBJS says developers are looking into spaces in Midtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg. If it’s true, get ready for a hefty signature burger selection, chicken sandos, hot dogs, and fries (with or without cheese sauce). Shake Shack is also focused on serving desserts like frozen custards, floats, concretes and hand-spun shakes. shakeshack.com.
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