While the restaurant industry can be a beast, you wouldn’t have guessed it driving around and seeing new joints pop up daily—more are on the horizon, too.
Included in the latest batch of concepts Tampa Bay can look forward to is Grace Hospitality' Society BBQ run by Miami Chef and ex-Tampeño Richard Hales. In other news, Datz launched another ghost kitchen, Let It Be Ice Cream leveled up in space, and Jack Pallino’s is weeks away from making its debut in Dunedin.
All of that, and local foodie events you can sink your teeth into throughout the month of October, await below.
Openings
Bougie Pizza Wanting to get in on the most pandemic proof concept – pizza – Datz has launched Bougie Pizza ghost kitchen. You can order classic pies like cheese and pepperoni to more “bougie” flavors like smoked chicken and a steak and potatoes pizza topped with Datz chips. Oh, and there are also vegan options. ‘Zas that are now available through Uber Eats, the Datz Restaurant Group app, and pick-up at Dough. 2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. datztampa.com
Feast Local Dunedin-based Feinstein Group has launched a new meal kit site, Feast Local. The menu offers nine signature Feasts cooked by either The Black Pearl or The Living Room on Main, which are then delivered to your door and can be refrigerated and reheated whenever your stomach starts to growl. Prices start at $11.99. All orders must be put in by 8 p.m. Sunday evening to be picked up, or delivered, by that following Wednesday. feastlocal.co
Let It Be Ice Cream The little service window has leveled up to an entire ice cream shop. Just blocks away from its original location, the expanded scoops shop also offers an expanded menu with small-batch ice creams, malts, sundaes, and all the sweet licks as well as hot dogs and pretzels. 3127 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. letitbeicecream.com
Southern Exposure Pub & Grub Other than a full bar, this somewhat under the radar concept offers a limited menu with entrees like baby back ribs, Louisiana gumbo, and southern pulled pork sandos. If your pockets a little light after the first of the month, the joint offers early bird specials, discounts for first responders and .50 cent wings Friday and Saturday for dine-in only. 326 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. southernexposurepubandgrub.com
Yummè The new healthy shake, tea and coffee spot is now slinging sips in St. Pete. Yummè’s menu features items like protein waffles, meal replacement shakes, pink lemonade tea, and a gluten-free vanilla ice cream shake. Although the joint is run by Herbalife Nutrition Distributor and Coach Xaviera Zientek, the owner wants locals to know that the space is for the community to come together and enjoy a healthy snack. 2942 49th St. N., St. Petersburg. @yumme.stpete on Instagram.
Coming Soon
Jack Pallino's Napoletano Pizza and Pub Set to open this month in Dunedin, the pie purveyor is stationed next door to sister concept Jack’s Bottle Shop. Add another local space to get your sports fix, along with pleasing the rest of the family with thoughtfully crafted decor, eats and a full bar. Won’t be long until you can watch kickoff at Jack’s. 718 Broadway, Dunedin. pallinospizza.com
Society BBQ Miami Chef and ex-Tampeño Richard Hales is bringing his Society BBQ concept to Tampa. The chef also plans on launching his other Grace Hospitality concepts throughout Tampa Bay as well. For now, Hales is looking for a space to settle Society BBQ in either Seminole Heights, Ybor City, or on Dale Mabry. Get ready for the Texas-style barbecue full-service restaurant that offers a selection of slow-smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides. societybbqmiami.com
ICYMI
Freak Shake Imperial Stout Bottle Release Bake’n Babes is releasing a 750 ml collaboration beer brewed with Late Start Brewing and Pour House Tampa and inspired by the bakery’s Nutella stuffed salted chocolate chip cookies. A portion of proceeds are being donated to Mary Lee’s House. $30. 4 p.m. October 10. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd. no. 112, Tampa. @bakenbabes on Instagram
Tampa Bay Food Fight The fourth annual event is back, but it’s different from ever before. Those who want to watch chefs from both sides of Tampa Bay duel can do it from their homes – for free. Although the event is free to stream, the goal of Tampa Bay Food Fight is to raise $150,000 for 100 student scholarships in Metropolitan Ministries’ Culinary Arts Program for 2021. Free, donations encouraged. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 15. qtego.net
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This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2020.