Sunshine City Magazine
Wicked Cantina heads to St. Pete, ramen pop-ups in Tampa, and more local food news | Tampa
Openings
Wicked Cantina A locally-owned restaurant chain is heading north and opening the doors of its first Pinellas location next month. The Tampa Bay Business Journal says that St. Pete’s first Wicked Cantina will open at 3650 Tyrone Blvd. N out of a former Sonny’s BBQ sometime in January. Wicked Cantina’s menu is stacked with expected Tex-Mex favorites like tacos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas and fajitas alongside a few American dishes like burgers and fish or chicken sandwiches. The restaurant offers a wide range of proteins for its various tacos and burritos, including chorizo, mahi mahi, shrimp, carnitas, brisket, grouper and shredded chicken. It also offers a separate vegan and gluten-free menu featuring dishes like butternut squash tacos and roasted veggie bowls. A selection of margaritas, draft beers, wines and other cocktails will join its expansive Tex-Mex menu. When St. Pete’s debut Wicked Cantina opens next year, it will be its third location in Tampa Bay. Its flagship location on Bradenton’s Anna Maria Island opened in 2014 and owners Mike and Janice Dolan opened a second restaurant in downtown Sarasota a few years later. 3650 Tyrone Blvd. N, St. Pete. wickedcantina.com
Canopy Road Cafe A Tallahassee-based cafe and breakfast spot continues its expansion throughout the greater Tampa area. Canopy Road Cafe’s newest location soft opened at 11220 Sullivan St. in Riverview last week, and is already dishing out the loaded breakfast plates it’s known for. Riverview’s Canopy Road Cafe will be its first location with a full bar program, although partner Dave Burton tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he’s still waiting for the liquor license to be approved. In the meantime, the cafe and restaurant boasts the same food and coffee menu as its 11 other locations throughout the Sunshine State. Specializing in traditional, diner-inspired fare with its “own little twists”, the cafe dishes out classics like biscuits and gravy, omelettes, eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, pancakes, loaded French toasts, waffles and skillets alongside lunch items like sandwiches, salads and burgers. Canopy Road serves coffee from Lucky Goat Coffee Co., a Tallahassee-based roaster and wholesaler, as well as a variety of juice, tea and soda.The Tallahassee-based regional chain was founded by Tampa native Brad Buckenheimer and David Raney in 2007. Its name is inspired by the many tree canopies that populate the greater Tallahassee area, paying homage to the business’ origins. 11220 Sullivan St., Riverview. canopyroadcafe.com
Coming Soon
Cheeky’s A familiar name in Tampa’s restaurant industry recently announced his latest venture, and he’s headed across the bridge to The ‘Burg. Willa’s co-founder Nate Siegel will helm a new St. Pete concept called Cheeky’s, a mix between a Southern chicken joint and a New England-style oyster bar that will dish out everything from fresh seafood and chowders to fried chicken, salads, sandwiches and more. Cheeky’s heads to the booming Grand Central District, and will soon be neighbors with Wild Child, Baba, Cappy’s Pizza and Bandit Coffee Co. While there’s no opening date set in stone, Cheeky’s is slated to debut sometime in 2024. It will be open for lunch and dinner service, in addition to weekend brunch and daily happy hours. Alongside its selection of seafood and chicken dishes, Cheeky’s will also offer beer, wine, frozen drinks, N/A beverages and craft cocktails. The mind behind Cheeky’s is local restaurateur Nate Siegel, co-founder of new American restaurant Willa’s in North Hyde Park. While Cheeky’s seems like it will be a tad more casual than its sibling concept across the bridge, Siegel says opening a restaurant on Central Avenue is a “dream come true.”
2823 Central Ave., St. Pete. Cheekys.net
Pepper Lunch Japanese “experimental” fast-casual concept Pepper Lunch is expanding into Florida with three cities confirmed—and one of those cities is Tampa. Tampa, Gainesville and Orlando will be home to 10 Pepper Lunch restaurants starting in late 2024, the chain’s first locations in the Southeastern United States. Currently boasting 500 locations in 15 countries, Pepper Lunch—a teppanyaki concept where customers grill their own meats and veggies on an iron griddle—hopes to establish a permanent presence in Florida. On offer at the restaurant are steaks, curry rice dishes, teriyaki and even pasta. The chain prides itself on diners being able to get in, cook their meal, chow down and head back out the door in 20 minutes (if they so choose) with a price point under $20. There is no information as of this writing on potential addresses for the Tampa franchises. (A version of this post first appeared at our sibling publication Orlando Weekly.) pepperlunchrestaurants.com—Matthew Moyer
Events
Trash Panda’s ramen pop-up It’s no secret that Ichicoro’s closure earlier this year left Seminole Heights in a ramen deficit, but folks can get their soup fix this weekend at an up-and-coming food truck’s pop-up—and its dishes might feel a bit familiar. Trash Panda Provisions hosts its ramen-themed pop-up at Common Dialect Brewery from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 15. The food truck will offer two types of traditional ramen and one brothless option loaded with chicharron, pickled ginger, a poached egg, chili oil, fish sauce and seasoned seaweed. Trash Panda’s traditional shoyu ramen features a chicken broth with sous vide chasu or braised pork belly, scallions, bamboo shoots and fried garlic, while its mushroom broth-based vegetarian option is topped with wilted greens, roasted mushrooms and corn. This new food truck came onto Tampa’s dining scene in late 2022, dishing out “familiar favorites and Asian inspired street food,” and pretty much anything else owner and operator Alberto “Tito” Jusi likes to eat. Jusi was part of the opening crew at the now-closed Ichicoro and worked at the Bib Gourmand-winning restaurant from its debut in 2015 until May 2021. 5023 N Florida Ave., Tampa. @trash_panda_provisions on Instagram
The DoughJoe’s ‘A Wonderful Loaf’ holiday market While some folks worry about grabbing last-minute presents before Christmas, others are marking their calendars for a popular bakery’s yearly holiday market. Jamison B. Breadhouse hosts its annual holiday market on Friday-Saturday, Dec. 22-23 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (or until sold out) at the bakery’s grab-and-go shop called The DoughJoe, located at 1806 N Nebraska Ave. on the outskirts of Ybor City. From specialty focaccia loaves and breakfast pastries to dinner rolls, traditional holiday treats and decadent desserts, Jamison B. DoughJoe will certainly impress your relatives at Christmas dinner. The bakery will not be accepting any pre-orders and both days of its holiday market are first come first serve and it will also be closed on Thursday, Dec. 21. The DoughJoes’s holiday market menu can be browsed on its website, and consists of artisan focaccia loaves that feed 6-8 people, breakfast pastries like chocolate pecan babka cinnamon rolls and chocolate cherry sourdough, ciabatta rolls for the dinner table and desserts like dark chocolate and olive oil cupcakes and its prized, $62 triple chocolate panettone. 1806 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @Jb3doughjoe on Instagram ICYMI
Proceeds from St. Pete brewery’s upcoming happy hour will go to local beagle rescue Downtown St. Petersburg is home to a plethora of dog-friendly bars and breweries, but one business in particular consistently raises money for local shelters and rescue organizations throughout the year. Pinellas Ale Works (commonly stylized as “PAW”) hosts a special, holiday-themed installment of its “Yappy Hour” fundraiser on Thursday, Dec. 21, benefiting Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue Inc., a nonprofit “dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abused, neglected and at-risk beagles and beagle mix dogs.” A dollar from every beer sold between 6 p.m.-8 p.m. will be donated to the organization, and if you make a direct donation to TBBR, you can take a cute Christmas-themed photo with your pup. TBBR is also raffling off a 360-degree Furbo dog camera to help raise more funds for its beagle-saving mission. PAW hosts its “Yappy Hour” each Thursday, benefitting a different rescue-focused organization each week.1962 First Ave. S, St. Pete. pawbeer.com
The 20 most-anticipated new restaurants coming to Tampa Bay in 2024 While this past year welcomed in some great new dining spots in Tampa Bay, there’s about to be even more to dish out. Over the next 12 months, diners can expect to see everything from new dumpling spots, new fish and chicken shacks, a couple high-end steak houses, a drive-thru Wawa and more. Here are a few of the hottest new eats coming soon to the Bay.
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Sunshine City Magazine
Tampa Shuffle’s six-year anniversary weekend kicks off with Women In Music showcase | Tampa
Kicking off Shuffle’s weekend-long, six-year anniversary party, Seek the Light Media—a woman-owned media company run by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor Yvonne Gougelet—is hosting its first-ever Women In Music Showcase this weekend.
A press release notes that along with March being National Women’s Month, the acoustic-based event—which includes a set from uke-weilding songwriter Ari Chi—was partially inspired by the need to raise awareness around a constant lack of diversity on gig lineups.
There’s no cover to get into the Women In Music Showcase happening on Friday, March 15, but donations to keep Tampa’s beloved woman-owned shuffleboard hotspot up and running will be greatly appreciated.
To close out its anniversary weekend, Shuffle—located at 2612 N Tampa St.—welcomes Lauris Vidal, his one-man band, a special “Tom Waits giving a hug to Paul Simon” vocal style, along with Tribal Style—the reggae roots outfit that came up in the Southern California scene before becoming a staple in the Bay area.
There’s no cover for any of the Shuffle six-year anniversary concerts happening Friday-Saturday, March 15-16 at Tampa Shuffle.
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Six local projects that encompass everything from uplifting South St. Petersburg communities to clean energy initiatives will benefit from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s federal appropriations success.
The congresswoman recently secured $14 million in area Community Priority Grants, with $5.5 million directly benefitting St. Petersburg organizations. Castor was particularly proud of receiving $1.5 million – her full ask – for the Enoch Davis Center.
The facility at 111 18th Ave. S. is named after a prominent local civil rights activist. Mayor Ken Welch called the center “vital but dated” when he announced plans in May 2023 to transform it into a state-of-the-art community hub.
“I love that one because I’m at the Enoch Davis Center a lot,” Castor told the Catalyst. “Those modern, up-to-date community centers are more important than ever.”
The federal grant will fund assessment, pre-construction and energy-efficiency costs. Welch previously noted the facility’s expansive upgrades will support neighborhood health and safety and provide “technology and tools to excel in our competitive 21st-century economy.”
Castor explained that the Inflation Reduction Act also allows local governments and organizations to receive rebates for sustainability efforts, like solar panels. “When you help the city save money, you help our neighbors save money, too,” she said.
“So, you’re going to see those kinds of investments … really ramp up,” Castor added. “And boy, do we need it – because our electric bills are out of sight.”
She also secured over $1.1 million for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The agency will use the money to convert its bus fleet to electric motors.
The federal funding will also help PSTA electrify its St. Petersburg Pier tram system. Castor called it a “great demonstration” of clean energy benefits due to the vehicles’ “high profile.”
“I was out there on The Pier about a week and a half ago, and they run all the time,” she said. “They’re gas-powered. And if you’re sitting behind the engine, it’s not great.”
From left, PSTA CEO Brad Miller and Congresswoman Kathy Castor discuss the SunRunner service with local resident and frequent rider Christopher Winters. Photo by Ashley Morales.
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg emerged as a big winner in the grant cycle. The Coastal Resilience Data Visualization Center at the College of Marine Science and the Disrupt Human Trafficking Data Project will each receive $963,000.
Coastal Resilience Center officials will use the funding for scientific planning, threat simulations and public outreach activities. Castor noted the city and state are particularly vulnerable to more frequent and intense storms and sea-level rise.
In addition, the nation experienced the hottest February in recorded history. Castor said people need up-to-date information on where to build and live safely.
“Hopefully, this informs policymakers to help them steer development away from the most dangerous areas,” she said. “It comes back to how people are feeling in their pocketbooks, with insurance costs. We really have to give people better tools and a better understanding of what a changing climate will mean for them.”
USFSP’s Trafficking in Person’s (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab will use the Community Grant funding to develop a statewide data repository called TIPSTR. The program will assist law-enforcement investigations, mitigate gaps in victim services, develop prevention programs and help discern the problem’s magnitude.
An $850,000 grant will support the Deuces Rising development, formerly the Sankofa project. It will provide 24 homeownership opportunities along the 22nd Street South (the Deuces) corridor for those earning below 80% of the area median income.
The public subsidy for each unit in the long-discussed development is just under $500,000. Castor said she “thought it was worthwhile to try to help lower the cost of the affordable housing portion.”
“This may turn out to be a one-two punch,” Castor added. “It (funding) is not at the level I sought. If it will qualify next year, I may come back and try to do another tranche for that.”
The Pinellas County Urban League will receive $81,130 for new computers and updated technological infrastructure. The goal is to increase reliable digital access to bolster economic opportunities in underserved communities.
Castor called the Urban League one of her “most valuable partners” in St. Pete. She said organizational leadership relayed their struggle to keep pace with continuously evolving technology.
Castor said securing the funding was easy as it aligned with congressional economic development initiatives. She also noted that the Urban League plays a prominent role in lowering local electricity costs by helping low-income residents weatherize their homes.
“The summers are so hot and go on for a longer period of time, and that impacts you if you work outside and want to enjoy our beautiful Sunshine City,” Castor said. “I don’t hear the climate skeptics that I used to … because the economics of it are right in front of them.”
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor was named the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Renewable Energy Champion in March 2023. Photo provided.
St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner once again, and it’s always the best excuse to get a little buck-wild in between the forced romance of Valentine’s Day and the moral obligation of Easter and Mother’s Day. Dozens of bars, restaurants and other venues throughout Tampa Bay are throwing a wide range of parties, street festivals, brunches and even kid-friendly festivities to celebrate the beloved drinking holiday—and here are the best 20-ish celebrations we could find.
Did we miss your St. Patrick’s Day party? Submit your event to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s calendar, then email [email protected] to be added to this event roundup.
The ‘Biggest’ St. Paddy’s Day Party Palm Harbor’s go-to deli hosts a full week of food specials and live entertainment to commemorate its favorite holiday—from drinking tunes from The Irish Ramblers to bagpipe performances and traditional Irish step dance. Indulge in classic Lucky Dill dishes like its reuben egg rolls, hot pastrami sandwiches and corned beef and cabbage, plus whiskey tastings and giveaways on select days. Tuesday-Sunday, March 12-17. No cover. Various times. Lucky Dill Deli, 33180 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor. @LuckyDillDeli on Facebook
21st Annual MacPatrick Fest South Tampa hotspot MacDinton’s Irish Pub has been hosting its multi-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the past 21 years, and that just may be the median age of partygoers at 2024’s installment this weekend. Each day features its own drink specials, themes and giveaways, but Sunday’s “Green Kegs” breakfast, open bar and live entertainment is certainly the fest’s finale. Thursday-Sunday, March 14-17. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. $15 & up. MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. macdintons.com
St. Paddy’s Punk & Roll Cage Brewing hosts its own mini-fest featuring over 15 local musicians that will take turns sharing its outdoor stage this weekend, plus booze-friendly eats courtesy of Kraken Joe’s Pizza. Friday-Sunday, March 15-17. Various times. No cover (RSVP encouraged.) Cage Brewing, 2001 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. cagebrewing.com
St. Patrick’s Weekend & Irish Coffee Stout Release Move over green beer, there’s a new holiday brew in town. Crooked Thumb Brewery releases its exclusive Irish Coffee Stout, plus live music and food trucks all weekend-long. Friday-Sunday, March 15-17. Various times. No cover. Crooked Thumb Brewery, 555 10th Ave S, Safety Harbor. crookedthumbbrew.com.
Sips & Shenanigans Brunch Get some grub before Tampa’s River O’Green festival at Melting Pot Social’s special holiday brunch, complete with bottomless green mimosas, corned beef and cabbage and other classic brunch fare. Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $40. Melting Pot Social, 105 West Tyler St., Tampa. meltingpotsocial.com
Corey Avenue Street Party 2024’s rendition of this annual block party coincides with one of its longtime sponsors, Swigwam Beach Bar, but this all-day St. Patrick’s Day gig will definitely continue throughout Corey Avenue’s 300 Block. Soggy Bottom Boys, Beach Rats and Full Throttle provide entertainment. Saturday, March 16. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. 300 Block of Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. @SwigwamBeachBar on Facebook.
St. Patrick’s Day Party & Mini-golf Tournament Largo’s resident farm and petting zoo hosts way more than kid’s birthday parties, as evidenced by its debut St. Patrick’s Day celebration this weekend. Flex your putting skills at its mini-golf tournament or relax with a beer and plate of corned beef and cabbage. Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. No cover (farm tours cost $10 per person). DK Farms & Gardens, 1750 Lake Ave SE, Largo. dkfarmsandgardens.com
Get Lucky Block Party Whiskey shots out of an ice luge and an open bar from 5 p.m.-7p.m. are the main draws of Bar HWRD’s holiday banger, which can either be a launching pad or end cap for a night of partying in South Tampa. Saturday, March 16. 5 p.m.-3 a.m. $10-$20. Bar HWRD, 302 South Howard Ave., Tampa. barhwrdtampa.com
River O’Green The City of Tampa’s family-friendly river-dyeing party returns to Curtis Hixon Park this weekend with kid activities, live entertainment, food trucks and green beer (for the parents.) Saturday, March 16. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. tampasdowntown.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bash by the Beach This beach-adjacent hotel hosts a night filled with whiskey tastings, perfectly poured pints of Guinness, live music and Irish-themed cocktails. 7Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. Noon-8 p.m. No cover, Eventbrite RSVP recommended. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, 100 Coronado Dr.,Clearwater. wyndhamgrandclearwater.com
2nd Annual Paddyfest Perhaps one of the most—if not the most—kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebrations returns to the heart of St. Pete this weekend, with tons of activities and entertainment in tow. Paddyfest St. Pete hosts a multitude of festivities including dozens of local vendors, food trucks slinging both Irish and American fare, whiskey tastings, a dedicated kids zone, live music and dancing, a wide variety of brews on tap and athletic performances from FSA Highland, a Florida-based organization that specializes in traditional Scottish sports like shot put, caber toss and sheaf toss.
Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. Noon-9 p.m. No cover. Williams Park, 330 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. paddyfeststpete.com
Mary Margaret’s St. Patrick’s Weekend This Central Avenue-adjacent bar offers Irish vibes year-round, but they’re usually kicked up a notch during its weekend-long party, which includes live music, bagpipers, specials like corned beef and cabbage and tons of Guinness to wash it all down. Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. 9 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. 29 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. marymargarets.com
St. Patrick’s Weekend Both days of Slizzy Mcgees’ annual party features live music from Flo-Raw and Stealing Crowns, local food trucks, specials on traditional Irish fare and of course, tons of booze. Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. Slizzy Mcgee’s, 1159 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @Slizzymcgees on Facebook
St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl This bar crawl throughout The ‘Burg kicks off at Welcome to the Farm and continues at various neighboring bars in downtown St. Pete. Ticket holders get drinks at each stop, access to food specials and specialty, holiday-themed cocktails. Sunday, March 17. $9.99 & up. Welcome To The Farm, 242 1st Ave. N St Petersburg. pubcrawls.com
St. Patrick’s Day Open Mic Night A nice, sober or low-key option for St. Patrick’s Day if barhopping and late nights isn’t your jam. RSVPs are recommended for this free-to-attend open mic night with craft beer, wine and kava available for purchase.
Sunday, March 17. 3 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. The Village Courtyard, Beach Boulevard South Gulfport. @villagecourtyard on Facebook
Flanagan’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival Billed as one of the “largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in Florida,” Flanagan’s annual party features a full lineup of music and entertainment from noon-8 p.m. and lots of flowing green beer. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. No cover. Flanagan’s Irish Pub, 465 Main St., Dunedin. @flanagansirishpub on Facebook
8th Annual Block Party If you aren’t ready to stop drinking after Paddyfest at Williams Park, then head to The Galley’s annual festivity complete with live music, plenty of Guinness, whiskey and Irish food specials. Sunday, March 17. 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. No cover. The Galley, 27 4th Street N , St. Petersburg. @TheGalleyDTSP on Facebook
Sober St. Patrick’s Day No hangover, no problem. This Clearwater kava house hosts a laid-back holiday party filled with N/A drink specials and screenings of St. Patrick’s Day-themed movies. Sunday, March 18. 8 p.m.-midnight. No cover. Kava House Brand, 11141 US Highway 19 N #408 Clearwater. kavahousebrand.com
St. Patrick’s Day at Caddy’s on the Beach Caddy’s locations on Indian Rocks Beach (20025 Gulf Blvd.), Madeira Beach (14080 Gulf Blvd.), Treasure Island (9000 W Gulf Blvd.) and Johns Pass (190 Boardwalk PI.) all host their own holiday parties with cheap drinks, raffles, giveaways, live entertainment and free green tea shots for anyone rocking the color of the evening. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. No cover. Various locations. caddys.com
O’Briens Irish Pub’s annual St. Patrick’s Event Step dancers, bagpipers and local acts like Noodles Magoo, The Headbang, Wyndbreakers and Nicaea provide the entertainment this weekend at Carollwood’s O’Briens Irish Pub, which just celebrated its 33rd anniversary. Sunday, March 17. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. $20. O’Briens Irish Pub, 15435 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. obrienspubstampa.com
O’Maddy’s Annual Waterfront Party Waterfront gulfport pub O’Maddy’s hosts one of the most popular St. Patrick’s Day parties each March, and 2024’s rendition offers plenty of flowing green beer, Irish fare and music from Pete & Dean Trio, Horses Wild and The Horny Toads. Sunday, March 17. 10 a.m.-midnight. No cover. O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille, 5405 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. @omaddys on Facebook
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