“Now hiring” signs for Shula Burger up in Tampa’s SoHo district

In Tampa, the sports and restaurant worlds have had their fair share of crossover. Look no further than places like Lee Roy Selmon’s, Ducky’s (Evan Longoria), Ava (Joe Maddon), or Cask (Vincent Jackson). And “now hiring” signs — and a big “coming soon” banner — for another dining spot with a sports connection, Shula Burger, have popped up in the SoHo district.

A new Tampa outpost for this Fort Lauderdale-based fast-casual burger franchise makes sense. Legendary former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula’s American steakhouse, Shula’s, operates a location on West Kennedy Boulevard, not far from the soon-to-open Shula Burger at 500 S. Howard Ave. (specifically, the space most recently occupied by Pita Pit) — not to mention Tampa International Airport also had a Shula Burger and a Shula’s Bar & Grill at one point, though they’ve since closed.

For the uninitiated, Shula Burger — owned by Shula’s Steak Houses, LLLP, the restaurant empire behind the aforementioned Shula’s Steak House and Shula’s Bar & Grill, among other concepts from The Don — specializes in gourmet burger combinations made with a mix of Black Angus beef, short rib and brisket. 

The laid-back menu, however, does feature alternative patties like chicken and veggie, as well as beer and wine, loaded fries, salads and milkshakes.

According to its website, Shula Burger SoHo — which joins the fast-casual, Florida-born BurgerFi on the buzzing entertainment district’s main drag — is slated to open this month. Supervisor, cashier, cook and food runner were available positions at the time of publication.

This article appears in Jan 4-11, 2018.