1. CAPPY’S PIZZERIA There is no doubt that Harold Hasselback, the owner of one of the five individually-owned Cappy’s Pizzerias in the Tampa Bay area, has never lost sight of what his City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center location does best.
While some restaurants try to be all things to all people, Cappy’s menu consists mainly of pizza, calzones, salads (like the awesome Greek salad) and beer.
The pizza, which I have described in years past as “thin crust, but not New York-style” and “deep-dish, but not authentic Chicago-style,” has been among our readers’ favorites since Cappy’s first opened in Tampa Palms almost a decade ago, but had never won the title of “Favorite Pizza in New Tampa” — until now.
It’s a credit to Hasselback and his laser focus on what Cappy’s does best — delicious food at great prices — that this long-time favorite (which first opened in South Tampa) has ascended to the top of our readers’ Favorite Pizza list.
But, it’s not a big surprise. The formula of fantastic food (and beer) in a fun, funky, family atmosphere is a proven formula for success — and now, a Neighborhood News Reader Award! — GN
2. Taste of New York Pizzeria Taste of New York Pizzeria has been a favorite of yours truly and our readers in New Tampa since it opened, but this true NY-style pizza place has never finished as high in our annual Reader Survey as it has this year. It’s always, in my opinion, had the best NY-style crust and obviously, many of you agree.
3. Marco’s Pizza Marco’s Pizza is probably the best of the national pizza chains for my money, even though, like Cappy’s, you can’t call it true NY-style pizza. Also like Cappy’s, quality ingredients is the obvious key as to why so many locals love Marco’s, and with new locations still popping up everywhere, our readers aren’t alone.
4. Full Circle Pizza Full Circle Pizza has grown in popularity with our readers since new owners Julia and Freddy Nova took over last year, and for good reason. Not only does Full Circle feature authentic Chicago-style thin-crust and deep-dish pizza, it also has delicious Italian specialties like chicken parm and tasty pastas.
5. Precinct Pizza Precinct Pizza has only been open at the eastern end of Cross Creek Blvd. for a couple of years, but despite that somewhat remote location, owner Rick Drury has continued to build his following as a NY-style pizza place that also has great hero sandwiches, calzones, rolls, burgers and pastas.
6. Papa John’s 7. Capri Pizza-n-More 8. Westshore Pizza 9. Pizza Hut 10. Domino’s
Grillsmith is one of the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa’s favorite restaurants, according to our Reader Survey. (Facebook)
The results of our annual Reader Survey have been published, and first up:
The Favorite Restaurants.
In total, we had a record number of right around 1,500 ballots cast this year, surpassing our old record of more than 1,200 a few years ago. And the split of the voters was roughly 900 Wesley Chapel ballots and 600 New Tampa votes submitted this year.
One thing that I know helped stimulate more votes this year was the fact there were far fewer categories. For example, the only way to judge who won categories that didn’t appear on this year ballots — like favorite Latin, Asian, Mediterranean and favorite burgers was to see who received the most votes (five faves per ballot) for favorite restaurant in our coverage areas.
Liang’s Bistro, New Tampa (Facebook)
Your favorite Asian restaurant in Wesley Chapel was Yamato Japanese Steakhouse, followed by Bonsai Sushi, Umu Japanese & Thai, Asian Buffet and Arroy Thai. In New Tampa, the top vote-receiving Asian restaurant was Liang’s Bistro, followed by Kobe steakhouse, Sushi Café, Koizi, Sukhothai, Thai Ruby, Thai Lanna and Minerva.
The Latin restaurant that received the most Favorite Restaurant votes in Wesley Chapel was Chuy’s Tex-Mex, followed by Capital Tacos, Los Vallartas, Rice & Beans and Cantina Laredo. Rice & Beans also received more “Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel” votes than any other newcomer, beating out Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar and Blaze Pizza.
Chuy’s Tex-Mex in Wesley Chapel.
The Latin restaurant in New Tampa that received the most Favorite Restaurant votes was Vallarta’s, followed by Las Palmas (which will finish quite a bit higher on my list next month), Cantina, Tijuana Flats and Chipotle.
And, despite there being several more options, only two Mediterranean restaurants — Acropolis and Little Greek — finished in our readers’ top 40.
Other top-20 surprises this year (at least in one editor’s opinion) included Chick-fil-A (#7 Favorite Restaurant?), Cracker Barrel and Panera Bread.
Here’s your overall winners for Favorite Restaurant:
Steak Oscar at Bahama Breeze. (Facebook)
WESLEY CHAPEL 1. BAHAMA BREEZE Bahama Breeze Island Grille has only been located on the north side of S.R. 56 for two years or so, but the popular chain continues to attract large numbers of visitors — and votes in our annual Reader Dining Survey — each year it has been open.
New general manager Melissa Altamare recently took over for the beloved former GM Jeannie Lafever, but Melissa is a long-time Bahama Breeze employee who helped Jeannie open what we call the Wesley Chapel location.
Melissa is equally as friendly as Jeannie and the bottom line is that a lot of people love the whole tropical feel and menu of Bahama Breeze — even though some locals complain that the restaurant seems somewhat out of place here because it’s not located on a body of water.
Jannah and I have always been fond of Bahama Breeze’s blackened or almond-crusted fresh catch, as well as the burgers and the ahi tuna salad, and I’m a fan of the churrasco steak pictured top left on this page and the braised oxtail and Jamaican sampler platter.
Melissa says her favorite dishes are the habañero wings, the jerk chicken pasta and the “tequila sunburn” glazed salmon (bottom left). “But I keep finding new favorites,” she says. “I really do love our food.”
And, considering that Bahama Breeze took first place for not only Favorite Restaurant but also Favorite Bar in WC (see next page) with our readers by comfortable margins this year, Melissa and her outstanding staff should continue to have big crowds to contend with at arguably our area’s most spacious freestanding restaurant. — GN
2. GRILLSMITH Grillsmith has always been among Wesley Chapel’s most popular eateries since it first opened in the Shops at Wiregrass, but a recent menu upgrade to include a truly fresh catch every day has kept it close to the top on my list as well. Try the mashed cauliflower, too!
3. NOBLE CRUST Noble Crust has stayed near the top of the favorites list for both yours truly and our readers in WC, not only for its unique “Southern Italian” cuisine, but also the great vibe at the bar. I do still wish there were more choices like the gnocchi appetizer, Chicken Fried Chicken Parm and double pork chop entrées.
4. FIRST WATCH First Watch was the only real surprise for me in our readers’ top-5 in WC, not just because it’s only open for breakfast and lunch but also because the parking and wait times, especially for weekend brunch are often unbearable. Even so, I agree that the menu options are unique and tasty.
5. 900 WOODFIRED 900 Degrees Woodfired Pizza also won this year’s “Favorite Pizza in Wesley Chapel” category and owner Steve Falabella’s quick stop in the Shops at Wiregrass has great NY-style and woodfired Neapolitan-style pizza. But, I was glad to see it also get some props as a restaurant because it has yummy pastas & salad, too.
NEW TAMPA 1. STONEWOOD GRILL Stonewood Grill & Tavern’s three-peat as our readers’ Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa should come as no surprise.
Zip code 33647’s most upscale eatery features great steaks and fresh seafood, plus an always-hoppin’ bar area that helped Stonewood also finish as our readers’ second favorite bar or tavern in New Tampa this year (see next page).
For me, Stonewood’s decision to start opening for lunch a year or so ago was a great move. And, even though the menu is a little pricier than what many people want to spend for lunch, the food is great and the quieter, less-crowded atmosphere is perfect for conducting a business meeting or social event.
Jannah and I especially enjoy the seared ahi tuna appetizer, the 6- and 9-oz. filet mignon options, the fresh fish (we shared an excellent grilled grouper on our most recent visit) and the fresh, always tasty veggies.
In terms of food quality and service, nothing has changed since new managing partner Matt Passardi took over after the beloved Dave Rathbun departed last year, so this favorite 8-location, Florida-based mini-chain can expect to stay at or near the top of our readers’ list every year. — GN
2. CICCIO CALI Ciccio Cali, also located in the Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms (in the same parking lot at Stonewood) should receive all the credit for first bringing “bowl culture” to New Tampa, and also has great pizzas, burgers and wrap sandwiches.
3. LIANG’S BISTRO Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine may not be New York-style or even authentic Chinese food, but that hasn’t stopped it from being the favorite Asian restaurant in New Tampa with our readers virtually every year it has been open. Try the BBQ ribs and sautéed green beans (order ‘em spicy!).
4. MR. DUNDERBAK’S Mr. Dunderbak’s and Stonewood were the only restaurants that made the top-5 in two categories (Favorite Restaurant and Bar) this year, so people obviously love it for more than just its beer variety. I enjoy the tasty schnitzel, sausages and sandwiches, plus German chocolate bars. Sehr lecker!
5. ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA Acropolis Greek Taverna has been the highest-rated Mediterranean restaurant in New Tampa by our readers since the days when it was the only Greek restaurant in New Tampa. If you haven’t tried the saganaki (flaming cheese appetizer), lamb chops, filet shish kabobs, or the Athenian fish, you should.
6. THE FAT RABBIT 7. CHICK-FIL-A 8. VALLARTA’S 9. KOBE JAPANESE 10. SUSHI CAFE 11. GLORY DAYS GRILL 12. LAS PALMAS 13. CRACKER BARREL 14. CAPPY’S PIZZERIA 15. THE LITTLE GREEK 16. BAYSCAPE BISTRO 17. KOIZI ENDLESS HABACHI 18. SUKHOTHAI 19. RED LOBSTER 20. PANERA BREAD
AMC Highwoods 20, the target of recent criticism over its appearance inside and out, may be looking at a major $6-million facelift.
According to plans filed by Kansas City-based BRR Architecture with the City of Tampa, the AMC Highwoods 20 location just off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. could be receiving major interior renovations that include an upgraded lobby, new carpet and paint, larger bathrooms and new projection and speaker systems, with roomier recliner leather seating inside the theaters.
AMC Theatres public relations director Ryan Noonan did not confirm any specific enhancements, but did tell the Neighborhood News that “the renovation process is in place” and, if permitting goes smoothly, it could begin sometime around June and be completed by the end of 2020.
A woman who identified herself as one of the AMC Highwoods 20 managers declined comment.
Noonan said that the New Tampa location would likely receive the same upgrades AMC is putting in at many of its other theaters across the country.
“The new recliner seating is always the star of the show,” he said.
According to the plans, the renovations on the 82,815-sq.-ft. movie theater would cost roughly $6.6 million dollars.
“That’s great news,” said Tampa City Council member, Hunter’s Green resident and frequent AMC 20 patron Luis Viera, whose district includes the theater.
Viera wrote to AMC’s corporate management in November of 2019 stating that the New Tampa theater was “unkempt and not properly reflecting the exterior standards of New Tampa” and could use some TLC.
Many on social media agreed.
Posters on various platforms shared their horror stories, while others said they would rather drive 20 minutes to see a movie in Wesley Chapel.
Noonan acknowledged that AMC was aware of the bad press the theater had recently received.
“They have been discussing (renovating) the Highwoods 20 before any of that came to light,” said Noonan.
An upgrade would be a big boost to New Tampa’s only movie theater, which opened in 1999 and pales in comparison to the nearby and newer Cobb Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel when it comes to amenities like food, comfortable seating and offering a more modern experience.
AMC is currently renovating a number of its nearly-700 theaters across the country and has been for the last decade, Noonan said. He said there are less than a handful of new theaters built by AMC each year, with the company instead focusing of renovating its existing properties with better and reserved seating, touch-screen ticketing kiosks, eco-friendly restrooms and a full-service MacGuffins Bar.
Any AMC Highwoods 20 renovations would typically not cause the entire theater to be closed, just certain sections.
Most of the 20 auditoriums will have their current capacities reduced to make room for the larger, more comfortable seating. Auditorium 4, for example, currently has seating for 284, but plans indicate that once renovated, there would only be seating for 140.
“There will be a 40-60 percent reduction in seating,” Noonan said. “With the new seating it’s no longer an elbow-to-elbow experience.”
Viera said he hopes those that have been unhappy will support the effort to modernize the theater.
“They are taking the steps to fix it, and I would hope New Tampa recognizes that and supports it,” Viera said. “I’m thrilled to see this happen.”
Here are the area’s top teachers as selected by their peers. Congratulations!
Stacy Hoffman Hunter’s Green Elementary Math & Science, 3rd grade STEM lead “Teaching is my passion! My students become family and together we build a class community. We don’t see differences, we encourage others, and we understand that we learn from our mistakes. Through this, I become their biggest cheerleader, encouraging them to be the best they can be.”
Simon Meshbesher Liberty Middle Social Studies/History, 8th Grade “Teaching is the most exciting and rewarding profession! The extent of enjoying student achievement, watching students learn, offers unlimited possibilities to influence generations of students, imparting to them the excitement of learning, the passion of discovery, and the magic of an inquisitive mind.”
Michelle Payton Clark Elementary Math & Science 4th grade “My favorite thing about teaching is making positive connections with my students and showing them that learning can be fun…each time I see one of my students have an “A-Ha” moment, it means success (for both of us).”
Rachael Trent Freedom High ESE “The students in my classroom run their own business, have jobs on campus and volunteer at an assisted living facility in our community. I love that I am able to facilitate all of this for them in order to enrich their lives and help them become more independent adults.”
Daniel Sturlaugson Turner Bartels K-8 School 4th Grade “My favorite thing about teaching is empowering students to lead. Student leadership isn’t something that we are mandated to teach, but it’s crucial in preparing students to be college- and career-ready. It’s a true opportunity to see students grow and change right before your eyes.”
Shane Moody Benito Middle School Subject Area Leader for the Language Arts Department, ELA-3 (8th grade) Honors/Advanced classes. “The best thing about teaching is that I get to invest my time in developing young students on a path to success relating to their life goals…I am so proud to say I am a member of the Jaguar Family.”
Kendall Arnold Heritage Elementary 2nd grade “My favorite thing about teaching is making connections with students that last beyond the year they are in my class. I have students who come to visit me years after they leave my second grade class. This is the most meaningful part of my job.”
Carol Lynch Tampa Palms Elementary 1st grade “Tampa Palms Elementary has an incredibly talented staff of teachers and support personnel, so it really is an honor to be chosen by my peers for this award.”
Dawn Harris Pride Elementary Kindergarten “My favorite thing about teaching is the growth I see ALL my students achieve. They always make me proud.”
Lisa Keigher Chiles Elementary English Language Arts 3rd grade “My own children, who are now adults, went to Chiles. Their teachers, some who are still at Chiles…inspired me to go into education. To be chosen from my colleagues is the greatest honor I could have ever gotten.”
Elizabeth Glover Wharton High Social Studies, AP Human Geography (9th grade) and Student Government Advisor. “(My favorite thing about teaching?) Working with the students! Watching them have the ‘a-ha’ moments while explaining difficult concepts to them. Teaching them tools to perform tasks, then observing them while they self-start and do (them) on their own.”
Lisa Feigel and her daughter Ashley Tillett run the Your CBD Store located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54.
Lisa Feigel’s introduction to the power of cannabidiol, or CBD, happened in an unlikely place: Waupaca, WI.
It was there that her best friend, tired of listening to Lisa complain about her Fibromyalgia — which causes widespread muscle and joint pain — insisted she try CBD.
“I was like, ‘Don’t get me into that,’” Lisa recalled.
Now, Lisa is so into it, she owns two Your CBD Stores, including the first location in Wesley Chapel, open since August and located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54.
CBD helped relieve Lisa’a aches and pains, as well as various joint issues she was suffering from. She says she has become a true believer and is hoping to provide the same relief to others.
Her daughter, Ashley Tillett, a former teacher, manages the store. Lisa introduced Ashley — who suffered from both joint pain and anxiety — to CBD, and her life has been changed as well.
Both ladies are eager to answer any questions their customers might have and guide them to the right solutions.
“They can be skeptical,” Lisa says, but the tastefully and minimalist-designed store offers a soothing experience the minute you walk in.
“I tell people I manage a CBD boutique, because that’s what it is,” Ashley says. “It’s not a smoke shop. It’s not a (medical marijuana) dispensary.”
Your CBD Store doesn’t have hundreds of items that promise to do a million different things. It focuses on what it does best.
There are oils and creams and edible products infused with CBD, that offer much-desired relief from a plethora of problems, in various forms, with multiple dosage sizes.
Not only will Lisa and Ashley help find the right product to provide relief from what ails you, they also will check back in with you after a few days to make sure it worked. One of their hopes is that customers will choose CBD products over opioids and other addictive and sometimes dangerous drugs prescribed by doctors.
“We are invested in our customers,” Ashley says. “We want to know if they used it, if they have questions, how they feel and if we need to adjust their dosage.”
Should I Try It?
Some of the trepidation by customers stems from the link CBD has to the cannabis plant, which historically has a strong medicinal footprint, but hasn’t always had a great reputation.
Marijuana is a variety of cannabis, and contains more than 0.3% percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the ingredient that gets you “high.”
Hemp is also a variety of cannabis — it is often called a cousin of marijuana — but it contains less than 0.3% of THC.
CBD is derived from hemp and basically provides all of the health benefits of cannabis — without the high.
Studies to date are limited, but CBD has been touted for its effectiveness in treating childhood epilepsy by stopping the onset of seizures, and proponents say it can help relieve stress, inflammation and joint pain, as well as other physical and neurological maladies.
The CBD industry is in the midst of a growth explosion across the country, and regulation is growing stronger. But, Lisa warns, all CBD stores and their products are not created equal.
With more than 600 locations nationwide, Your CBD Store focuses on quality products, with third-party testing and QR codes on the bottles if you want to check out the lab reports.
SunMed CBD products is the exclusive supplier to Your CBD Stores. They have their own farms in Denver, CO, where they grow hemp, and the processing of those plants takes place in Florida.
SunMed touts its Co2 extraction process for eliminating the need for chemical solvents while producing higher quality, full-spectrum CBD.
After the Co2 extraction process, the CBD is processed again to remove even that small amount of THC to create SunMed CBD’s broad-spectrum offerings.
Full-spectrum products contain 0.3% of THC, which is the legal limit. While just the non-THC, broad-spectrum CBD oil alone can relieve pain and alleviate stress, sometimes it is more effective in combination with THC.
Lisa says the full-spectrum CBD products are generally her biggest sellers.
Plenty of Choices!
Whichever spectrum customers choose, the CBD products come in various forms and flavors and a variety of dosages, and the store offers free samples for those who are curious.
There are water-soluble products designed to be dissolved in water, and that get into your system in 4-7 minutes, while lasting 3-4 hours. Tincture oils are dispensed under your tongue and take longer to get into your system — 45 minutes or so — but last longer than the water-soluble products (typically around 7-10 hours).
There also are gummies, hard candy and honey sticks, which can be stirred into your coffee or tea.
Lisa says the topical creams are another big seller. They provide relief by being rubbed on balky knees, bad backs, sore shoulders and more.
Publisher Gary Nager says the topical cream is the only thing that has provided relief for his knees.
“I’ve spoken with doctors who have said it works for them or they have patients who tell them it’s a godsend,” Nager says. “I’d have to agree.”
SunMed also makes award-winning skincare products — the collagen cream is popular, Lisa says — and products for dogs (edible treats, water solubles and tinctures) who may suffer from anxiety when their owners leave home, in thunderstorms or on holidays when fireworks are being set off.
At the September USA CBD Expo in Miami, FL, which had more than 300 vendors and 13,000 attendees, SunMed CBD was awarded two Excellence Awards for Best CBD Tincture and Best CBD Topical.
While CBD research is still in its infancy, some of the studies conducted have produced encouraging results when it comes to managing pain and inflammation with arthritis, as well as anxiety.
“You use Ambien if you need to sleep. You use Tylenol if you have a headache. You use Zoloft if you are stressed out,” says Ashley. “If you are all of those things, use CBD.”
Your CBD Store of Wesley Chapel is currently offering 10-percent off for any customer who mentions this article, and 5 percent off for any returning customer who brings in their empty product container.
Your CBD Store Wesley Chapel is located at 30044 S.R. 54. It is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except for Saturdays, when it is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. It also is closed on Sundays. For more information, call (813) 536-0119, visit CBDrx4u.com/find-us/Florida/Wesley-Chapel or search YourCBDStoreWesleyChapel on Facebook.
