Since COVID-19, many Tampa Bay spots have closed, re-opened, instituted changes or debuted for the first time. It’s been a tough few months for local eats, but big things are happening. Here are a few Tampa Bay spots that have made a recent splash. Be sure to check the restaurants’ website, which are linked in each slide, as many have differing COVID-19 safety procedures.
Bake ‘n Babes
103 E. Jackson St., Tampa, (813) 694-7001
Bake ‘n Babes moved from its location into GenX Tavern on March 23. The tavern, with its ’90s themed interior is a great backdrop for Bake ‘n Babes’ classic Freak Shakes, often topped with giant pieces of cake, waffles, sparklers and Oreos.
Photo via Bake ‘n Babes/FacebookChick’n Cone
425 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Chick’n Cone made a big opening weekend splash recently with $5 cones, likely the reason for its out of the door line. Some key menu items include the Traditional BBQ, Cinna-Maple, Kick’n Ranch, Buffalo Blue and Peri Peri, a spicy South African chili sauce. Each cone is $8, another $4 for Cajun fries and $2 for a drink. The spot has both indoor and outdoor seating, and a dog-friendly patio.
Photo via GoogleKing of the Coop
6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, (813) 232-2667
King of the Coop has gone through significant changes since the beginning of the year. The classic Tampa joint began a delivery service and opened its doors to two other spots, Empamamas and Wicked BBQ. Hot items at King of the Coop include their essential chicken tender meal, which comes with three hand-breaded tenders at the customer’s preferred temperature as well as fries for $9.99.
Photo via King of the Coop/FacebookThe Restorative
420 Patricia Ave., Dunedin,
Named Tampa Bay’s Best Restaurant in 2019 by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s food critic Jon Palmer Claridge, The Restorative has been busy in 2020 amid the novel coronavirus. Earlier in the year, the restaurant rebranded itself as The Temporary, serving a limited menu that changes up each week. Subleasing at Caledonia Brewing in downtown Dunedin, the owners also started up a casual concept, Side Piece. Its limited menu focuses on paninis and some desserts. Meanwhile at The Restorative, patrons can now dine-in and eat favorites like the chilled pork and noodle salad.
Photo via The Restorative/FacebookJake’s Coastal Cantina
500 1st St., Indian Rocks Beach, (727) 595-6777
The recently moved restaurant, which has been serving its Mexican eats since 2011, offers pork tamales, Mexican pizza, street corn, beef empanadas and crispy squash blossoms stuffed with Chihuahua cheese, fried, and served with chipotle ranch. Daily specials include deals like $2 taco Tuesday, buy-one-get-one burrito Wednesday, $4 drink specials on the weekend.
Photo via Jake’s Mexican Cantina/FacebookGratzzi Italian Grille
211 2nd St. S., St. Petersburg, (727) 623-9037
In March Gratzzi decided to help fellow restaurant or hospitality workers, who were laid off as a result of the coronavirus. In doing so, the Italian restaurant gave out well over 500 meals and did so until supplies ran out. The St. Pete Italian spot is known for its delicious entrees including calamari and Gratzzi steak tartare.
Photo via Google Street Screen GrabFo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz
6305 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, (727) 498-3205
The brainchild of Celebrity Chef and Food Network contestant Robert Hesse, Fo’Cheezy serves up signature grilled cheese sandwiches like the Cluck Norris “Ass Kickin Chicken” served with smoked gouda, aged cheddar, Nashville hot sauce, southern fried chicken, pickled red onion, dill pickles and cut slaw.
Photo via Fo’Cheezy/Facebook Credit: Fo'Cheezy Twisted MeltzFly Bar and Restaurant
442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, (813) 803-8550
The long-awaited Fly Bar and Restaurant made its return to Tampa Bay after two years of being closed. The new location near the University of Tampa is serving its jazz-inspired cocktails and American cuisine. There is an outdoor patio perfect for social distancing; indoor seating requires a reservation.
Photo via Fly Bar/Website7venth Sun Brewery
6809 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, (813) 231-5900 and 1021 Broadway, Dunedin
To combat its closing due to the fluctuating coronavirus safety regulations, 7venth Sun Brewery’s Tampa and Dunedin locations are now operating as restaurants. Patrons can still enjoy its specialty beers like the mangrove, a double IPA or the I am your creator, which is a baltic porter.
Photo via GoogleCass Street Deli
1331 W. Cass St., Tampa, (813) 609-6316
Cass Street Deli teamed up with Lee Initiative to feed more than 5,000 laid off Tampa Bay restaurant workers in April, making headlines. The Jewish deli, acquired by the Blind Tiger in January, is a staple for any Tampa Bay native, especially its delicious pastrami sandwich.
Photo via Cass Street Deli/FacebookBamboozle
109 N. 12th St., Tampa, (813) 228-7500
After a closing for remodeling and cleaning, Bamboozle is open again in Tampa. The menu includes fresh rolls from veggie and tofu to shrimp and pork. The ahi tuna roll is filled with jicama, pineapple, red bell pepper, and mint served with a citrus vinaigrette. Customers can also grab pho soups (beef, chicken or vegan), salads as well as banh mis.
Photo via Bamboozle/InstagramThe Naked Farmer
200 Central Ave. STE 150, St. Petersburg, (727) 826-0338
Due to coronavirus making scarcity likely in a grocery store, Naked Farmer set up a direct supply chain between farmers and consumers while building a better food system one meal at a time giving farmers the opportunity to share their harvests outside of canceled markets. The veggie-forward concept sources food from vendors within a 500-mile radius. Customers can choose from grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and salmon or select from a list of healthier vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives. Along with its St. Pete joint, The Naked Farmer secured a nice spot in Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf.
Photo via Naked Farmer/Facebook Credit: NakedFarmer/FacebookBodega
1180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 623-0942
Bodega returned to St. Pete’s Central Ave, but in a new spot and the same great menu. There is also a Bodega location in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa.
Photo via Bodega/FacebookOronzo Honest Italian
18027 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., Tampa, (813) 730-0100
Oronzo Honest Italian opened in July and specializes in made-from-scratch recipes with origins dating back to the 1800s in Rimini, Italy. This means patrons can expect offerings like homemade pasta while incorporating options for all dietary preferences like gluten-free zucchini noodles and vegan options.
Photo via Oronzo Honest Italian/FacebookPinoy
1113 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 281-0072
Pinoy is a traditional Philipino restaurant that arrived in St. Petersburg’s former Baum Avenue Market space this month. Karma Juice Bar Owner Josie Barber recently took over the property and now shares the space with Pinoy. The owners of each respective spot are also brother and sister, making it a family affair. Appetizers at Pinoy run from $2-$6 with bites like adobo rice balls and pork lumpia. Entrees include adobo chicken and a beef afritada plate consisting of fork-tender beef, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers in a tomato sauce with jasmine rice.
Photo via Pinoy/FacebookRed Mesa Quatro
128 3rd St. S., St Petersburg, (727) 527-8728
The owners of Red Mesa Cantina are quickly adapting to the post coronavirus world. Its latest addition is the ghost kitchen, Quatro, which is inside of the former event space on the second floor of Red Mesa Cantina. Everything from Cubans to Pad Thai are available at Quatro and for ranging prices.
Photo via Red Mesa Quatro/FacebookRooster and the Till
6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, (813) 374-8940
Rooster and the Till has made headlines recently for its partner project with King of the Coop. Together the two local favorites are offering a Sunday Supper Club. The pick-up three-course menu was $60 (and is now unavailable since the Sunday Supper Club menu changes weekly), but the meals say they generously feed two. New menus are available each week and center around themes that highlight the current season and locally sourced ingredients. If you feel like dining in, the chef’s tasting is a no-brainer homerun.
Photo via Rooster and the Till/FacebookSus Hi Eatstation
2309 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, (813) 462-9100
This ninja-themed sushi spot near USF opened this month. Its menu is filled with options like build your own sushi bowls, burritos, and rolls. The “Fry Me a River” burrito is packed with white rice, salmon, tuna, spicy krab, cream cheese, avocado, edamame beans, purple cabbage and cucumbers.
Photo via Sus Hi Eatstation/FacebookTiki Docks River Bar and Grill
3769 50th Ave S, St. Petersburg, (727) 810-8454
The former location of Getaway in South St. Petersburg’s Maximo Marina was transformed into the new Tiki Docks Skyway Bar and Grill in late July. The St. Pete location has plenty of outdoor seating and serves up drinks like the Perfect 10 Dockwich, a raw bar and colorful cocktails served in tiki glasses.
Photo via Tiki Docks/FacebookWild Child
2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 954-7425
Opened last week, Wild Child is a concept restaurant serving up a seasonal menu like a tomato and peach salad made up of burrata, almond mint pesto, pickled cherries, chives and topped with sourdough croutons. It is the brainchild of The Bends owner Matt Kaye alongside Rob Reinsmith, former executive chef at Noble Crust.
Photo via Wild Child/Instagram
