How Much Chicken Is Too Much? Plus, Steak ‘N Shake Opening Delayed Again

First, of course, there was Chick-fil-A. Then Popeyes. And PDQ. And Chick’n Fun. And King of the Coop. And Zaxby’s. And Slim Chickens. And Chicken Boss. 

But now, Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy is expected to open sometime next month on the north side of S.R. 56. Raising Cane’s has started to go vertical on the south side of 56 (next to Rock & Brews). Hangry Joe’s is getting ready to open in the failed King of the Coop location on S.R. 54 in front of The Grove. 

And, for those of you who prefer Korean-style fried chicken over anything American-made, Sweet Krunch Korean Fried Chicken & Boba Tea will be open in the former location of FJ Express in the Shoppes at New Tampa at 1832 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (just south of S.R. 56) by the time this issue reaches your mailbox. 

(And, for the record, Chicken Boss closed and has been replaced by Indian Street Kitchen). 

Of course, when your restaurant boasts the name of the host of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” expectations are likely to be higher than for most of the other newcomers, even though the closest existing Chicken Guy location to us — in Winter Park, FL, reportedly faced eviction last year for unpaid rent and another in Michigan closed. The good news is that the fast-food joint co-founded by the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flavortown” has several new additions to its menu, including chopped salad, Buffalo mac & cheese and hot chicken tenders. 

At the end of the day, Chicken Guy, Raising Cane’s and Hangry Joe’s are all just (primarily) fried chicken chains, so although I will try them all, anyone who has a slightly different concept is much more likely than the others to get my business on an ongoing basis. That’s why I plan to be on-site when Sweet Krunch opens on Sept. 12 (which is after this issue goes to press but before it hits mailboxes). I want to see if the fourth Florida Sweet Krunch location — with its parmesan zucchini fries, Korean-style chicken, shrimp or Bulgogi beef teriyaki bowls, Korean-style fried rice and even Japchae (stir-fry Korean glass noodles) — can keep me interested. For more info, visit SweetKrunchFL.kwick-menu.com or the Ballantrae location at 17788 Aprile Dr., Land O’Lakes.

Steak N Shake Opening Delayed Again

If you’ve been hankerin’ to try the original smashed steakburgers and delicious hand-spun milk shakes at the new Steak N Shake, located at 5542 Post Oak Blvd.  (on Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to The Palms Car Wash), we’re sorry to say that as of today, it still isn’t open — but should be sooner than later.

Owner Todd Webb says the long-awaited new Steak N Shake was (finally) set to open on Sept. 23 (tomorrow), then again on Sept. 30, but still had its final inspection delayed as we went to press with our Oct 1 Wesley Chapel issue. For more info, visit SteakNShake.com or stop in at The Palms Car Wash.

GiGi & Friends Brought A Ton Of Family Fun To The Shops!

Based on the reaction of the families who attended “GiGi & Friends Family Fun Day” at the Shops at Wiregrass on Aug. 24, it seems that a return visit would definitely be welcome, as there was a constant flow of kids running around and waiting in line for the many activities. There was a balloon artist making animals, kids being taught how to spin plates like a circus performer, a small mini-golf course, cornhole, glitter tattoos (this was GiGi’s station), a small climbable playground area, and facepainting (with many of the kids running around as dragons, butterflies and Spider-Man). Jabz Boxing brought hula-hoops, a punching bag and giant inflatable boxing gloves for the kids to play around with. There also was a stage for karaoke, so the kids could sing their favorite songs. Even though it was insanely hot that day, all we saw were smiles from the kids and even their parents.

Nibbles & Bites: Las Palmas Grand Reopening Now Set For Oct. 24!

You may have been wondering why the Las Palmas food truck is no longer operating in the parking lot in front of the New Tampa Winn-Dixie, just south of County Line Rd. It’s because our friends Ramses and Ana Garcia are getting close to reopening their Las Palmas Latin Grill in the same brick-&-mortar space as it was previously, at 6431 County Line Rd. in the same plaza as LA Fitness and Five Guys.

Las Palmas fans know that a kitchen fire in 2021 closed the restaurant, after which, Ramses bought a food truck so he and Ana could still serve at least some of their delicious, award-winning Cuban-style fare (photos) to their loyal customer base. 

And, although our Oct 17 New Tampa issue, when it hits mailboxes, will report that the revamped Las Palmas was expected to be open by the time that issue reached mailboxes in New Tampa (a little more than two years after the two-year anniversary of the fire), the revised reopening date — as reported on Ramses’ Facebook page — is now set for Tuesday, October 24. 

For more info, visit LasPalmasLatinGrill.com.—GN 

Kobé Japanese Steakhouse Finally Opens! 

Like many of you, we have been waiting for about two years for the official word that the relocated KobĂ© Japanese Steakhouse would be opening in its new location at 17641 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (next to Chili’s Grill & Bar) in New Tampa, a little more than a mile south of its former location in front of the Pebble Creek Collection. 

Well, our wait is over, as the new KobĂ© opened on Sept. 13, and it is definitely a larger, nicer location (previously occupied by two failed Mexican concepts and Romano’s Macaroni Grill before that) than its previous locale and has already been bringing in large numbers of people since that day. 

The New Tampa Kobé is one of about a dozen locations owned by members of the same family in the Orlando and Tampa Bay areas.

 

On our first visit, Jannah and I and photographer Charmaine George and her boyfriend Brendan all sampled not only some great filet mignon, sirloin steak, chicken, shrimp and scallops on Kobé’s teppanyaki table, we also enjoyed great appetizers like pan-fried gyoza (pork dumplings), a seared tuna tataki and vegetable tempura (photo, right) — all of which were excellent. And of course, who doesn’t love fresh hibachi-grilled veggies, lo mein noodles and fried rice? Jannah also said that her “Peachy Lychee” martini from the new Kobé’s full-liquor bar was excellent. 

For more info about KobĂ© Japanese Steakhouse’s New Tampa location, which is open for dinner only Mon.-Sat. and for lunch & dinner on Sun, call (813) 680- 5800 or visit KobeSteakhouse.com. — GN

Nibbles & Bites: Mpanitas Opens On CC Blvd.!

For those seeking unique local options outside of the KRATEs, we also wanted to let you know that the second Tampa location of Mpanitas has opened in the oft-vacated spot in the Mobil gas station plaza at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd.

With delicious Venezuelan favorites like the excellent empanadas shown here (above), stuffed with your choice of shredded or ground beef, chicken, cheese, ham & cheese, potatoes & cheese and even fish, Mpanitas also serves arepas, mini-empanadas, mandocas, sweet tequeños and outstanding cafĂ© con lechĂ©. For more info, follow “mpanitas” on Instagram.

Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel For Great Quality & Service

Lisa Feigel of Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel on S.R. 54 has the top-quality CBD products and expertise you need to help both you and your pets.

Whether you’re looking for natural products that can help relieve pain or anxiety — whether for you or your pets — Lisa Feigel, the owner of Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel, has not only the quality products you need, but also extensive knowledge of her ever-expanding product line to make sure you end up with the best possible all-natural solution to your problem.

With her extensive knowledge of CBD, or Cannabidiol, as well as one of the top-rated product lines to sell, SunMed, Lisa says she can help just about anyone who walks through the door of her Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel in the Freedom Plaza on S.R. 54.

“I am a big believer in CBD,” says Lisa, who opened her Wesley Chapel store in August 2019. “I believe in what it can do, and I think that most people who try it will almost always come back again.”

While CBD is derived from hemp (as is cannabis, or marijuana), it contains less than 0.3% of THC, and thus, does not produce any of the psychoactive effects of “weed.” However, CBD still retains all of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, the uses of which go back thousands of years.

Lisa’s SunMed CBD products have a wide range of effects on a wide range of maladies, from anxiety to sleep deprivation to pain management, and more. According to a recent New York Times story, Brightfield Group (a cannabis market research firm) conducted a survey of 5,000 people, revealing that 60 percent of CBD users have taken it for anxiety, followed by chronic pain, insomnia and depression.

“I have suffered intense paranoia and anxiety for most of my adult life,” says Sam Crook, one of Lisa’s regular customers. “Lisa was very VERY informative, patient, and just overall pleasant as she walked me through the options. Taking her advice, I purchased a few products and life has never felt better for me.”

By eliminating some of the things that had been holding him back, Crook says he has gotten a new lease on life with Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel products.

“With my anxiety and neuroses diminished, I feel more confident, more productive at my job and sleep better than I ever have,” says Crook, “Physically, I have more energy (than I’ve had) in years. These things are literal game changers.”

More and more people are experiencing the benefits of CBD. According to a story posted by Forbes.com, national CBD sales hit $4.6 billion in 2020 (just two years after hemp-derived cannabinoids were federally legalized), and some forecasters are predicting a U.S. market of roughly $20 billion by 2025.

SunMed grows its hemp in Oregon and Colorado, and is processed by a third party lab in Palmetto, FL.  The company uses a CO2 extraction, which means there are no carcinogens or ethanol in its products. 

SunMed’s carcinogen-free products have the USDA Organic designation, and are labeled with  QR codes, so users can see exactly what they are putting into their bodies.

Updated ‘Delta’ Info
For Delta 8 and Delta 9 CBD products that go Above & Beyond, visit Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel.

Delta 8 and Delta 9 products are for more extreme and chronic concerns. 

Delta 9 can produce some psychoactive effects, but does not require a medical marijuana card. In fact, Lisa says many medical cannabis card holders have come into her store looking for a less expensive way to get the same benefits. 

The difference between Delta 9 and Delta 8 is just one particular chemical bond appearing on the eighth carbon molecule instead of the ninth. 

“Delta 8 was a big deal when it was introduced in 2021 and really brought more people in to check us out,” Lisa says, adding that some of her customers have told her using Delta 8 has provided them with “the best sleep of their lives.”

CBG, or cannabigerol, and CBN, or cannabinerol, are Broad and Full spectrum products that can provide a drowsy effect which can aid with sleeping, while CBG is touted more for its “pick me up” and potential therapeutic, anti-inflammatory effects.

CBG is known as  the “super momma of cannabinoids” and Lisa says the topical pain cream version of it is one of her store’s best sellers.

Whether by cream, oil, gummy, water soluble or vape, Lisa says her store offers multiple ways to get her CBD products into your system. “Everyone has a preference,” she says, “but really, there’s no wrong way of taking CBD. It’s just a matter of getting it in you.”

For those who need a boost in losing weight, there is now TRIM! 

She says SunMed’s TRIM is the only CBD weight-loss product on the market, adding that, “in a 90-day clinical study of 120 people, participants lost up to 18 pounds, six inches around the waist and eight points in their BMI (Body Mass Index).

TRIM features THC-V, which it says is a non-psychoactive compound in hemp known to naturally suppress your appetite. This product can be taken as an edible, oil, or capsule. 

“There are always new products coming out all the time,” Lisa says. “TRIM has been very popular. It’s just another way that CBD can help make your life easier.”

As for your fur babies, CBD has proven to be effective in relaxing pets who have anxiety,  suffer from thunderstorms and fireworks. Your CBD Store has a variety of products, including the newest ones — Chillin’ Out (for relaxation) and Movin’ Easy (for mobility and aches and pains) broad spectrum hemp chews for dogs and cats. 

Stop in to Lisa’s beautiful boutique style store and try a free sample while she and her staff educate you on which CBD product is best for you!

Your CBD Store/Get SunMed Wesley Chapel (30044 S.R. 54) is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday & by appointment only on Sunday. For more info, call (813) 536-0119, visit getsunmed.com  or search “YourCBDStoreWesleyChapel” on Facebook and Instagram.Â