The chef behind the Tampa heavy-hitters Nebraska Mini Mart, Rooster & the Till and Gallito Taqueria will debut his newest restaurant this week, and its tasty Asian street food might have you saying, “Dang Dude….”
Ferrell Alvarez and his team at Dang Dude celebrate its soft opening this week at Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf—with a limited menu of dumplings, noodles, and double-fried chicken wings.
Expect to see small plates like pork dumplings with scallions and fried shallots alongside vegan and gluten-friendly dishes like chilled sesame noodles and garlic chive tempura with Malaysian chili-roasted shiitake mushrooms.
Gluten-free options are at the core of Dang Dude’s menu since soy sauce is replaced with tamari; double-fried chicken wings will be tossed in GF dry Szechuan rub or a sweet Asian-style barbecue.
Speciality drinks include boozy boba, sake bombs, and Asian-inspired cocktails like its tart Yuzu margarita. Expect a complete menu in the next few weeks as the new concept transitions into full service.
Ferrell Alvarez is joined by Chef Tyrian Hickshaw and General Manager Sarah Colarte, who will run day-to-day operations at the new fast casual joint. Hickshaw also works at Gallito Taqueria—another Proper House Group concept in Sparkman Wharf—that’s only a few steps away from Dang Dude.
Dang Dude’s refurbished shipping container formerly housed the soul food concept 7th + Grove, and the modern Vietnamese spot BT Restaurant before that.
Even with the highly-anticipated debut of Dang Dude, James Beard semifinalist Chef Alvarez and his team at Proper House Group are still full steam ahead on their other projects. The restaurant group is working on getting an Italian restaurant up and running in downtown Tampa.
Dang Dude is still hiring for team members, and you can visit the application link on its Instagram at @dang_dude_tpa if you’re interested in slinging dumplings there. Hiring ads for the restaurant say the starting rate is $17 an hour.
Sparkman Wharf’s newest Asian concept is now open at 615 Channelside Dr. in Tampa from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
