OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy is coming to Wesley Chapel
Some would argue that Tampa Bay is thoroughly saturated with new chicken restaurants, but not celebrity chef and "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" host Guy Fieri. Chicken Guy, a fast-food chicken sandwich and tender concept spearheaded by the
Mayor of Flavortown himself, will soon open a new location at 25769 Sierra Center Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Co-founded in 2018 with Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl, the chain's menu primarily focuses on chicken tenders and Guy's "Big Bite" chicken sandwiches, which are both served either grilled or "crispy fried." There's also shakes, fries, mac and cheese, salads and more up for grabs.
New Orleans-inspired frozen cocktail chain Fat Tuesdays opens new Tampa location
A restaurant chain that focuses on boozy slushies and giant souvenir cups is making a comeback in Ybor City this week.Fat Tuesday officially opened Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the former Big Easy space at 1704 E 7th Ave. The chain will host a grand-opening party this weekend, from Friday-Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. "In celebration of the grand opening, the store will offer a special discount on its popular Sports Bottle cup, which will be available for $10 and refilled for $8 (regularly priced at $19 and $11 refills) along with handing out their classic daiquiri cups for free and get refills for $10," said the company in a press release.
Popular Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon will open first Tampa location Sept. 11
Bonchon, arguably one of the best South Korean fried chicken chains, will finally debut in Tampa next month. The the new outpost will open in the former Taco Bus location at 2308 E Fletcher Ave., on Sept. 11. Besides double-fried, extra crispy Korean wings, the fast-casual spot features bibimbap bowls, pork belly buns, Korean tacos, bulgogi fries, a full beer and wine menu and more. Florida's first Bonchon opened in Orlando in 2017, and the chain has since grown its footprint in the Sunshine State, with new locations in St. Johns and Jacksonville.
Events
The ‘painfully delicious’ I Like It Hot! Festival returns Largo next month
Each year, a local group of heat seekers host a two-day celebration of all things spicy and eye-watering. The 24th annual I Like it Hot! Festival returns to the Largo Event Center (6340 126th Ave. N) from Sept. 14-15, running from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Like previous iterations of the popular event, this year’s festival will feature a wide range of spice-related vendors peddling hot sauces, spice rubs and salsas, spice tolerance contests, live music, food trucks, non-food vendors and more. The main events of the festival are two entertaining contests: an "extreme" pepper eating contest (where the Scoville level gradually increases) and the Lolli Lick-A-Thon, where participants try to make it through “the hottest lollipop in the world.” Other competitions include the battle for best vendor, salsa, BBQ and hot sauce.
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a dinner party in Tampa
Although Rene's Mexican Kitchen mainly operates on a to-go basis, once every few months Chef Rene Valenzuela strays from his normal fare and hosts a themed, sit-down dinner filled picture-perfect entrees. For his next prix-fixe dinner, the Monterrey native is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with a four-course meal featuring both regional dishes and fan favorites. Chef Valenzuela’s Mexican Independence Day dinner party takes place on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at Seminole Heights’ Southern Brewery & Winery at 4500 N Nebraska Ave.—where you can also find Valenzuela’s popular food truck—hosts this multi-course Mexican meal.
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Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy is coming to Wesley Chapel
Some would argue that Tampa Bay is thoroughly saturated with new chicken restaurants, but not celebrity chef and "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" host Guy Fieri. Chicken Guy, a fast-food chicken sandwich and tender concept spearheaded by the
Mayor of Flavortown himself, will soon open a new location at 25769 Sierra Center Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Co-founded in 2018 with Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl, the chain's menu primarily focuses on chicken tenders and Guy's "Big Bite" chicken sandwiches, which are both served either grilled or "crispy fried." There's also shakes, fries, mac and cheese, salads and more up for grabs.
New Orleans-inspired frozen cocktail chain Fat Tuesdays opens new Tampa location
A restaurant chain that focuses on boozy slushies and giant souvenir cups is making a comeback in Ybor City this week.Fat Tuesday officially opened Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the former Big Easy space at 1704 E 7th Ave. The chain will host a grand-opening party this weekend, from Friday-Sunday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. "In celebration of the grand opening, the store will offer a special discount on its popular Sports Bottle cup, which will be available for $10 and refilled for $8 (regularly priced at $19 and $11 refills) along with handing out their classic daiquiri cups for free and get refills for $10," said the company in a press release.
Popular Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon will open first Tampa location Sept. 11
Bonchon, arguably one of the best South Korean fried chicken chains, will finally debut in Tampa next month. The the new outpost will open in the former Taco Bus location at 2308 E Fletcher Ave., on Sept. 11. Besides double-fried, extra crispy Korean wings, the fast-casual spot features bibimbap bowls, pork belly buns, Korean tacos, bulgogi fries, a full beer and wine menu and more. Florida's first Bonchon opened in Orlando in 2017, and the chain has since grown its footprint in the Sunshine State, with new locations in St. Johns and Jacksonville.
Events
The ‘painfully delicious’ I Like It Hot! Festival returns Largo next month
Each year, a local group of heat seekers host a two-day celebration of all things spicy and eye-watering. The 24th annual I Like it Hot! Festival returns to the Largo Event Center (6340 126th Ave. N) from Sept. 14-15, running from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Like previous iterations of the popular event, this year’s festival will feature a wide range of spice-related vendors peddling hot sauces, spice rubs and salsas, spice tolerance contests, live music, food trucks, non-food vendors and more. The main events of the festival are two entertaining contests: an "extreme" pepper eating contest (where the Scoville level gradually increases) and the Lolli Lick-A-Thon, where participants try to make it through “the hottest lollipop in the world.” Other competitions include the battle for best vendor, salsa, BBQ and hot sauce.
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a dinner party in Tampa
Although Rene's Mexican Kitchen mainly operates on a to-go basis, once every few months Chef Rene Valenzuela strays from his normal fare and hosts a themed, sit-down dinner filled picture-perfect entrees. For his next prix-fixe dinner, the Monterrey native is celebrating Mexican Independence Day with a four-course meal featuring both regional dishes and fan favorites. Chef Valenzuela’s Mexican Independence Day dinner party takes place on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at Seminole Heights’ Southern Brewery & Winery at 4500 N Nebraska Ave.—where you can also find Valenzuela’s popular food truck—hosts this multi-course Mexican meal.
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