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Tampa's first Fazoli's is now closed

It's unclear exactly when the Hot Bins-adjacent location closed.

By Colin Wolf on Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 8:55 am

Photo via Google Street

Less than two years after opening, fast-casual Italian chain Fazoli's has closed its first and only Tampa restaurant.

Tampa's first Fazoli's debuted at 4011 E Busch Blvd back in February of 2022. It's unclear exactly when the Hot Bins-adjacent location closed, but the restaurant has been removed from the company's website, and both the Google and Facebook profiles now say it's "permanently closed."

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reached out to the company for more details, and calls to the location say the number is no longer in service.

Known for its baked pastas, as well as lasagna, pizzas, breadsticks and wings, Fazoli's holds a special place in the hearts of mid-western transplants, who essentially considered this fancy fast food back in the late mid to late 90s.

The celebrated opening of the Tampa location was originally part of a large push from Fazoli's to open 25-30 new franchises throughout the country in 2022. With the recent closure, there are now just 5 remaining Fazoli's in Florida, with the closest Tampa Bay location in Plant City.

Slideshow

All the Tampa Bay restaurants and bars that have closed in 2023

Dr. BBQ 1101 1st Ave S., St. Pete Dr. BBQ served its last customer on Dec. 29, 2022 according to its owners. St. Pete's go-to pregame spot quietly closed its doors in the first week of the new year, citing rising costs of running a business in the Sunshine City. Dr. BBQ will be remembered for its meaty menu of chicken wings, smoked classics, and more. Photo via Dr. BBQ/ Facebook

Chubby's Super Subs & Pizza5023 Bayshore Blvd, TampaAfter 40 years, South Tampa’s Chubby's Super Subs & Pizza closed last summer. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closing of Chubby's Super Subs & Pizza. A staple of Ballast point for over 40 years, it will be sad to see it go. We invite you to stop by anytime in the next 8 days to share any stories you might have about Chubby's— we would love to hear them,” Chubby’s wrote. “We will miss all of our customers, best part of the job. Come say goodbye to Chubby's and get your final Bomb on!”Photo via Google Maps

The Social House 6310 N Florida Ave, TampaIf you’re one of Tyler Lepley’s 920,000 Instagram followers, you may have noticed the actor teasing the opening of his new restaurant—which just happens to be located right here in Tampa. Lepley's Kitchen & Lounge will soon debut out of Seminole Heights' former Social House space, which quietly closed earlier this year.Photo via Social House/Google

Datz and Dough in South Tampa2616 S MacDill Ave, TampaFolks driving down S Macdill Avenue will soon miss the tongue-in-cheek phrases on Datz’s sign, because the South Tampa restaurant sold to new owners last July. Datz owners Roger and Suzanne Perry recently sold their South Tampa parcel for $6.1 million dollars and that the building’s new owners will revamp the former Datz space into another restaurant and replace the former bakery with a new retail concept.Photo via Datz/Facebook

Sea Hags Bar & Grill9555 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete BeachSea Hags was known for its menu of freshly-caught seafood, live music and "Old Florida Charm." Sea Hags' manager Evan Carpenter told WVTV that its former building will be redeveloped into a new concept, but neither he or the owners are sure what will replace the beloved St. Pete Beach outpost. In 2021, St. Pete Catalyst reported that Ping Pong Partners, founders of the Cordova Inn and Station House, purchased Sea Hags and its property for $5.2 million dollars with plans for a "condo resort development."Photo via Google Maps

South Tampa's Thailand Restaurant5252 S Dale Mabry Hwy., TampaAfter 45 years in business, South Tampa's Thailand Restaurant closed last June. Last spring, owners Amnuay and Moo Thambundit announced on Facebook that they would be retiring soon, and switched to solely take-out orders in May. “As many of you know, we will be retiring soon. We have served you all for over 44 years and are greatly appreciative of your long-time patronage to us,” the Thambundits wrote on Facebook in April. The Thambundits were once fixtures at Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's Best of the Bay, where their daughter, C Thambundit, used to help run the sampling. "The best memories I have are from trading food with other restaurants at the end of the night!," she told CL.Photo via thailandtampa/Facebook

The Pub2223 N Westshore Blvd.Tampa English restaurant The Pub closed last summer after 12 years at International Plaza. Besides citing the end of its lease, the folks behind The Pub didn't provide any additional details about its somewhat-surprising closure. The English pub was known for its wide variety of spirits and hearty British eats like bangers and mash and Shepherd's pie, in addition to its sports-watching parties, trivia and other events. But its “pour your own beer wall" was certainly the center of attention.The Pub Tampa/Facebook

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About The Author

Colin Wolf

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Colin Wolf has been working with weekly newspapers since 2007 and has been the Digital Editor for Creative Loafing Tampa since 2019. He is also the Director of Digital Content Strategy for CL's parent company, Chava Communications.

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