Slap Burger Is Coming To Oak Ramble Plaza

As I was doing my New Tampa “rounds” in May, I couldn’t help but notice that a new restaurant is getting ready to open at 14915 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Oak Ramble Plaza (next to Papa John’’s Pizza). 

Slap Burger is a family-run burger shop founded in Paterson, NJ, in 2023, that, according to SlapBurgersNJ.com, is “dedicated to serving juicy smash burgers, hot chicken sandwiches, loaded platters, creamy milkshakes and refreshing lemonades. 

“Founded by two brothers with a shared vision, Slap Burger was built on the idea of creating something lasting, exciting and full of flavor. That vision quickly became a reality with the opening of our first location in Paterson, followed a year later by our second location in Clifton, NJ, designed to offer more space and seating for our growing customer base. 

“With two thriving locations already serving our community in New Jersey, and four additional branches set to open in New York (with the Oak Ramble location the young chain’s first of its ‘bold expansion plan’ outside of those two states), Slap Burger is growing into a destination where bold flavors meet great times.” 

The place inside looks a lot like a Five Guys store to me, but, whether or not the burgers are as good or better than Five Guys remains to be seen. 

Based on what the contractor told me, the new Slap Burger should open within a couple of weeks after the time this issue reached your mailbox. — GN 

Pasta Flame Is Open In Former Mpanitas Spot

You long-time readers know how much I love finding — and telling you about — new restaurants that open (or will open) in our area, especially when they’re hidden Mom-&-Pop gems that I think deserve to build a following. 

Although I liked Mpanitas, the Venezuelan empanada & arepa spot previously located in the building behind the Mobil gas station at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd., the new Pasta Flame restaurant that has been open in Mpanitas’ old spot for only a few weeks definitely has my attention. 

The halal pasta place, which looks from the outside like it could be a chain (but is just the first link of a possible future chain), owned by my new friend Saif (pronounced “Safe”), offers truly delicious-looking burgers and other sandwiches, but the stars of this show are Chef Muhammad (who previously cooked at Marriott and Hilton hotels) and his excellent al denté pastas, like the creamy tomato rosé pasta shown here (right), which has fresh tomatoes, onions and yellow peppers. I added grilled chicken to it and made it a combo with fresh, warm sliced ciabatta bread. 

I definitely need to try the truffle chicken Alfredo pasta next time. It’s actually made tableside (left photo) in a wheel of parmesan cheese, like a cacio e pepe at a fancy Italian place, with chicken, sautéed mushrooms and rich truffle cream sauce. The place itself isn’t fancy, but the food is delicious, so please visit Pasta Flame ASAP! 

For more info, visit PastaFlame.com or call (813) 599-3310 & tell Saif I sent you! — GN 

Congratulations To The Top-10 Graduating Seniors At Wharton High

Wharton High School — Graduation Ceremony: Wednesday, May 27, 8 a.m., Florida State Fairgrounds 

1. Aarna Patel, Valedictorian 

GPA: 10.5305/3.9705 unweighted 

Clubs/Activities: National Beta Club, NHS, Science NHS, National English Honor Society, Spanish NHS, Women in STEM, FBLA 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: International Relations & Public Policyy 

Best thing about high school: The people I have met. I have especially met amazing teachers like Mr. McKernan, and I feel so lucky to have had such an amazing teacher. 

2. Chavi Lakhotia, Salutatorian 

GPA: 9.0/4.0 unweighted 

Clubs/Activities: SGA, NHS, HOSA, Band (percussion), Speech & Debate, FBLA, TSA, Key Club, yearbook, tennis, dance 

College planning to attend: University of Texas at Austin

Planned major or future career: Environmental Science, Environmental/ Conservation Law 

Best thing about high school: Getting to explore my interests and make amazing memories with some of my best friends 

3. Vy Doan 

GPA: 8.8410/3.9610 unweighted 

Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Art Club, piano, drawing, guitar 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Psychology & International Affairs 

Best thing about high school: Meeting new people, making new friend & getting to experience new things! 

4. Ashray Sayini 

GPA: 8.5090/3.8690 unweighted 

Clubs/Activities: Red Cross, National English Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, FBLA, volunteer at Bay Chapel Food Pantry, Mayor Youth Corps, Herd Youth Trailblazers 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Science 

Best thing about high school: The time I’ve spent with my friends outside of the classroom, like staying late just to talk, play pickleball, eat brownies & enjoy the freedom of being together after long school days. I not only improved intellectually but also built connections and created moments of joy, making things more exciting. 

5. Himani Mehra 

GPA: 8.2676/3.9876 Clubs/Activities: Tri-M, FBLA, tennis, Boy Scouts, band, Speech & Debate, Science NHS 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Animal Science 

Best thing about high school: Being able to see how much I have accomplished over the years in band, tennis and academics this year. Having the opportunity to grow and do these things with my friends has made me many lasting memories. 

6. Luke Dostal 

GPA: 8.1346/3.9746 

Clubs/Activities: Theater, Key Cub, band, FBLA, TSA, Speech & Debate, HOSA, SNHS, track, Tri-M 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Pre-pharmacy & communication disorders/speech 

Best thing about high school: Being in Wharton’s Theater Company. 

7. Arvind Iyer 

GPA: 7.8428/3.8428 

College planning to attend: New York University 

Planned major or future career: Mathematics 

Best thing about high school: Seeing all the people I’d like to see every day. 

8. Fernando Soto-Briceno 

GPA: 7.7455/3.9855 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Aerospace Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Having funny moments while trying to stay serious during class 

9. Lauren Galfond 

GPA: 7.6630/3.9538 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity volleyball, Blue Crew, SADD, NHS, Beta Club 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned major or future career: Elementary education 

Best thing about high school: Getting to play volleyball in the Wharton gym in front of all my friends and family. 

10. Jayden Tang 

GPA: 7.5938/3.9538 

Clubs/Activities: FBLA, TSA, SNHS, piano, guitar, coding 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Electrical engineering 

Best thing about high school: Playing games with my classmates.