MOJO FUSION: Although it wasnât quite open when we went to press (it is open as youâre reading this), Jannah and I were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Friends & Family pre-opening of Mojo Fusion, the Latin Fusion restaurant owned by Luis Ledezma and his family. Ledezma, who has years of experience in the food business, is from Venezuela, but promises that his menu at the first restaurant he has owned also includes Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican and even Argentinian-style dishes on its smallish â but delicious â menu.
We got to sample the super-tasty Argentinian-style Choripan chorizo sandwich shown above (the chimichurri sauce is legit) and the Cuban nachos (plantain chips topped with shredded pork, chicharrones, melted cheese, pico de gallo, cilantro aioli and fresh chopped cilantro), as well as the âfantasticaâ house-made red sangria. For more info, call (813) 406-5385 or visit MojoGrillLatinFusion.com.
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MAEBERRY CO.: MaeBerry Co., the brainchild of Monica Russo, a Wesley Chapel resident who previously sold her baby clothes and accessories online only, opened the day before we went to press and I was so impressed with MaeBerryâs super-soft, breathable Hanlyn Collective Game-On bamboo pajamas that I bought a pair for my grandson Jackson (picture, right).
MaeBerry has lots of baby teethers, Itzy Ritzy diaper bags and so much more in one of the smallest spaces weâve seen at the KRATEs that you really should check it out for yourself. For more information, visit MaeBerryCo.com or search âMaeBerry Co.â on Facebook.
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EL PRINCE MEDITERRANEAN: Continuing our ongoing tour of the newest KRATEs to open at The Grove, El Prince Mediterranean, which has only had locations in Middle Eastern destinations like Dubai and Qatar, has opened its first U.S. location right here in Wesley Chapel.
Iâve only sampled a couple of items at El Prince so far, but both the meat shawarma (photo; which is delicious, marinated sliced ribeye beef roasted with Middle eastern spices, topped with onions and tahini sauce that I had them put on the side) and the El Prince salad (with dice lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onions and a savory vinaigrette dressing) were super yummy.
El Prince also offers shish kebab (cubes of marinated lamb) and shish tawook (cubes of marinated chicken) platters, kofta kebabs (grilled, seasoned ground beef) and a mixed grill of all three, plus bone-in grilled chicken and the specialty of the house â roasted lamb shank, and more.
For the full menu and more info, search âEl Prince Restaurantâ on Facebook or visit ElPrinceRestaurants.com.
Other KRATEs that were hoping to open by the time this issue reached your mailbox but will likely take a little longer to open are The Bacon Boss (one of our favorite local food trucks, with amazing burgers and more, opening its first actual restaurant) and Palaniâs Hawaiâi Noodles, both of which are now planning to open sometime later this month.
Other KRATE restaurants getting ready to open over the next couple of months include Ato Sushi Burritos & PokĂ© Bowls, Tasty Ramen, Boba Macâs Tea & Eat, Tacos el Patron, TJâs Hot Dogs, Flipnâ Fries Factory, Bakery X, Cafe Zorba and more. â GN