Hub At Lexington Update — Lex Nails, Cinnaholic & Bonchon To Open In May

If you still think The Hub at Lexington will be just like every other development in Wesley Chapel, you haven’t been paying enough attention to what’s already happening at this 40,000-sq.- ft., six-building center that is being developed by Courtney Bissett-Hayes and her brother Paul Bissett of Center Connect Development. 

With several of the first businesses now open at The Hub at Lexington and more opening this month (and others soon), you and your family will soon be able to “Sip, Savor and Socialize” at more than a dozen restaurants and retail shops. There will be a number of events — including a Grand Opening sometime in September of this year — some with live music, centered around The Hub at Lexington’s shade-providing artificial trees. 

So, what’s open now and what’s coming soon to The Hub? Here’s a quick rundown: 

Now Open! 

Headlines Barber Shop — The first tenant to actually open its doors (at 27053 Halter Loop) at The Hub was Headlines Barber Shop, a local chain which has about a dozen Tampa Bay-area locations (and 7,000+ 5-star reviews). 

Favian, the barber in the right photo on this page, is clearly a popular guy, as our Facebook post about the attractive-looking barbershop back on Mar. 19 had received more than 11,500 views by our press time. Fellow barbers Luis, Max and Martha also are available for bookings at Headlines’ Hub at Lexington location. For more info, call (813) 428-5034 or visit HeadlinesBarbersTampaBay.com! 

La Creacion Bistro — The first restaurant to open at The Hub.

The Clubhouse Golf Simulator — Only open for a couple of weeks at our press time, The Clubhouse (above) is owned by Wesley Chapel High grads (and brothers) Mark and Tyler Ward. Tyler says that he and Mark have been thrilled with the response to their new business so far, as more than 200 people had already come in to give it a try and several of those have already signed up for memberships. 

The Clubhouse, which allows you to “play” everything from Augusta National (home of The Masters) to local courses like Heritage Isles Country Club (the course in the photo), also will have local PGA teaching pros available to provide lessons. “Plus, it’s better than playing four hours in this Florida heat,” Mark says. 

In addition, although The Clubhouse doesn’t yet have its beer and wine license, Tyler says it is “coming very soon” and there also are snacks and soft drinks available for purchase, “and you can bring your own beer and even food in the meantime.” For more info, call (813) 904-2867 or visit Clubhouse.golf. 

Pet Wants — Pet Wants, which just opened at our press time, promises “Nutrition You Can Trust,” with fresh dog and cat food and treats, bones and natural chews, pet health and wellness products (like Nootie ear and dental wipes), toys and Pet Wants-created “Natural Spaw” products and more. The Hub Pet Wants franchise owner Nickole Davis, who previously owned All Good Things Gifts in the KRATEs, says that the chain is around 20 years old and today has about 100 locations, including either four or five in Florida. 

“It’s a really cool, fun place to shop for and with your pets,” Nickole says. “Come check us out!” For more info, call (813) 586-1440 or visit PetWantsWesleyChapel.com. 

Opening In May! 

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken — (below) 

Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls — This gourmet cinnamon bun chain (photo, left), which was founded in Berkeley, CA, in 2010, today has 85 locations in 26 U.S. states (four in Florida, including a location on S. Howard Ave. in Tampa) and could open around the same time as Bonchon. With 20 frosting flavors and lots of unique toppings, you can design your own Cinnaholic creation or choose from one of the chain’s bes-sellers, like “Cookie Monster” and “Campfire S’Mores.” For more info, visit Cinnaholic.com. 

Lexington Nail Lab — Although it had the first sign up (right) at The Hub several months ago, this upscale nail salon is finally getting ready to open (at 27105 Halter Lp., next to Bonchon) this month. According to its website, Lexington Nail Lab will offer “beautiful, long-lasting nails and a relaxing salon experience,” plus a personalized attention, professional service, a modern setting, cleanliness and hygiene. For more info, visit LexingtonNailLab.com or call (352) 691-6073. 

Still To Come! 

Saigon Pho Restaurant — Although the sign (left) only saying “Vietnamese Restaurant,” we spoke with the owners of the successful (and tasty!) Banh Mi restaurant at The Hub at Bexley, who confirmed both the name and that they also own the upcoming Saigon Pho, which they hope will open by sometime in July. 

And…Urban Crunch Creamery Café, Brew Bar Self Pour, Island Grill, Farmer’s Milk Gourmet Bakery, The Monks Desi-Chinese Indian Fusion Cuisine & Suncoast Charging. 

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken To Open May 20!

Whether you already love crunchy Korean fried chicken or you’ve never tried it before, you have to try Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken when it opens at The Hub on Wednesday, May 20. 

I stopped in at the Bonchon location on E. Fletcher Ave., where owner and general manager Sam Takla was interviewing prospective employees for both stores and Sam was so excited that we were giving him some publicity that he not only refunded what I had already paid for two items but also brought out several other dishes, so photographer Charmaine George and I “would know just how delicious our food is.” 

He’s right. Even though I always order any kind of fried chicken without sauce on it (above), there are six different sauces (from Korean BBQ to spicy Yangnyeom) to choose from and our six-piece combo (four wings and two jumbo drumsticks) came with our choice of side. We chose cole slaw, but there’s also pickled radish. 

The chicken was crispy and juicy, the pork gyoza dumplings were excellent, too, and the Bulgogi beef bowl (left), sautéed with mushrooms, scallions, onions and sesame seeds, had just the right hint of sweetness. Sam also turned us onto the Japchae (glass noodles, red bell pepper, onions, spinach, mushrooms and bulgogi stir fried with soy garlic sauce), which Charmaine said was her favorite dish, plus a unique Mopo “corn dog,” which is actually mozzarella cheese wrapped in crispy breading, potato cubes and soy garlic on a stick, but no hot dog. We both loved the two-piece Korean donuts and their sweet cream dipping sauce. There are many more items on the menu I can’t wait to try, too! 

For more info, visit Bonchon.com. — GN

Bean Bar Co. Opens At AdventHealth WC

If you love The Bean Bar Co., located in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, and you also love working out, we have some great news for you! 

The Bean Bar Co. has now opened its newest location in the first floor lobby inside the Wellness Plaza at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, with all of your favorite coffee, espresso and tea drinks, plus breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast and more! And, you don’t have to be a member at the Wellness Plaza to enjoy this open-to-the-public Bean Bar location! 

Also new inside the Wellness Plaza is a second Wesley Chapel location (the other is in The Shops at Wiregrass) of 3 Natives juice & smoothie bar. 

For info about The Bean Bar Co., visit BeanBarCo.com. For 3 Natives, visit 3Natives.com. — GN, photos by Charmaine George 

Food + Beer — Your Independently Owned, Elevated-Menu Sports Pub!

Photos by Charmaine George

Every time a new restaurant opens anywhere in or near New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, but especially anywhere near the Tampa Premium Outlets — since Jannah and I live across the street from that mall — we always get super-excited hoping that the newest place will end up being “our place.” 

But, since most of the restaurants that have opened are the same chain restaurants that open in every major suburb in this country, more often than not, we are disappointed. 

Our first glimmer of real hope came when Food + Beer opened in the former location of Shuckin’ Shack (in the same plaza as Chicken Salad Chick) towards the end of 2025. 

Yes, Food + Beer is still basically a sports pub, but it definitely has a much more interesting, diverse, elevated and tasty menu than any of the “similar” chains in our area. 

Food + Beer is a privately owned mini-chain that started in Sarasota in 2017 and the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location is the company’s eighth. The other locations are spread around Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice and Lakeland, with two more coming soon to Ellenton and West Tampa. Food + Beer was the brainchild of co-founders and friends Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels, who envisioned a casual place with lots of TVs and delicious comfort food conceived and made in a scratch kitchen. 

And yes, it has pretty much become mine and Jannah’s local “place.” We stop off regularly for a burger or some wings and quite a few times for one drink after driving home following a Tampa Bay Lightning game. The vibe is definitely upbeat and friendly and Jannah says the craft cocktails at the full premium-liquor bar are spot-on. 

So, What About The Food? 

I’m so glad you asked! Between us, Jannah, Charmaine and I have been through most of the menu, although there are seasonal additions every quarter. The company’s culinary director Justin Collins (top photo) definitely seems to love his job and the opportunity he has been given to experiment with different flavor combinations. 

“And, everyone loves our regular samplings when we come up with new menu items and give our people a chance to try them,” Justin says. 

The only drawback for me so far has been the fact that Food + Beer does all of its seafood in the same baskets, while all other non-seafood fried items are cooked in a separate basket. 

In other words, I can still eat the wings (which are outstanding!), the fries, the crisp sweet potato tots and the Cuban eggrolls (with tasty mojo pork, ham, pickles and Swiss cheese). Check. I can not, however, eat the fresh catch nuggets, crab Rangoon cheese sticks (right) or the current “Crab Fest” seasonal soft shell crab BLT — even though I’m not allergic to crab or grouper — because they are fried in the same baskets as the Buffalo shrimp, which is seriously a bummer. Soft shell crab is such a favorite of mine and you definitely don’t find it in most places, much less at most “sports pubs.” 

Starters — One of my favorite starters is the tender Mexican street corn (below), which is served on the cob, with chipotle mayo, paprika, cilantro and feta cheese. 

We all loved the unique tin can nachos, which are indeed served in a tin can (below right) and the chips are covered with tomatillo stewed chicken, white queso, pico de gallo, black beans and corn salsa, with lime crema and pickled onions. You might want to ask for help before flipping the can over to let all the chips fall out, although it is the best way I’ve seen to get all of the tasty nacho ingredients to mix. 

Jannah and I also definitely gave thumbs-up to the bacon ranch quesadilla and we did add the optional blackened chicken. The signature jalapeño ranch dipping sauce, “definitely gives everything a kick of flavor,” Casey told me when he was on hand for Food + Beer’s opening weekend. 

Nuggets + Wings — My favorite way to enjoy Food + Beer’s wings are to get the plain bone-in wings, which come out super-crispy, and then add whatever sauce you prefer on the side. In addition to the only semi-spicy “House Buffalo,” other sauces include “Stupid Hot,” garlic parmesan, Memphis BBQ, Carolina gold, Nashville hot, blackened and my two favorites — the sweet Thai chili and the teriyaki. 

We were all surprised how much we loved the “PB&J” wings (top left), which are coated in a combo of an Asian-style peanut sauce and a spicy jalapeño jelly that definitely has a kick. I again suggest a side of the jalapeño ranch dipping sauce, which pretty much goes with everything. 

I’m not usually the biggest boneless wing guy, but marketing director Cassi Knapik suggested we try the Buffalo chicken wedge (left), with iceberg lettuce, chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, scallion, bacon jam, a 6-minute egg, House Buffalo nuggets and bleu cheese vinaigrette. And yes, all of that actually did work together nicely! 

Burgers — I’m not as into a lot of stuff on my burgers as some people, but I am partial to the basic cheeseburger and the Okeechobee Smash burger (with “a whole lotta onions”) at Food + Beer. But, Justin turned me on to a new favorite — the meatball smash burger (right), which is a seasoned patty with caramelized marinara, mozzarella, fresh basil and a zesty parmesan-crusted brioche bun. I’m definitely ordering extra marinara on the side of this one next time! 

Handhelds — My favorites are the Legalize Marinara (with scratch fried chicken, marinara, mozzarella, basil & parmesan on a garlic hoagie) and the “That Jawn!” cheesesteak, with shaved ribeye, caramelized onions and house yellow (cheese) “whiz,” although I also had it once with mozzarella — and liked it even better! (I know, Philly fan is threatening to hurt me for that one.) 

But, Jannah’s favorite things on the entire menu are the birria tacos (left) — grilled braised beef, Monterey Jack and cotija cheeses, plenty of cilantro, red onion and of course, a traditional consommé dip. I’ve heard people rave about the Cubano and the Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, too, but I haven’t sampled those yet. The “Malibu Barbie” wrap — with chicken breast, bacon, avocado, pico de gallo, spring mix, bibb lettuce and honey-lime vinaigrette in a whole wheat wrap — is definitely on Jannah’s radar. 

Bowls & Entrées — We liked the stewed chicken burrito bowl, but my favorite so far has been the tasty Korean bulgogi beef bowl (below right), served over sticky rice with kimchi, pickled veggies and cucumbers, topped with a sunny-side- up egg and sesame seeds. The bulgogi beef is tender and has such a great, semi-sweet flavor. 

Platters — These all have items I can’t sample, but there’s one with 6 Buffalo nuggets and 5 fried colossal shrimp, another with five Buffalo bone-in wings and 5 shrimp, and the “Florida Man,” with PBR-battered grouper, gator bites and five shrimp. Please let me know if you try one! 

Desserts — There are three deliciously different indulgences, each offering a different style of decadence. First, there’s the “S’more What?,” with a double fudge brownie, graham cracker and torched marshmallow Fluff. 

Not feeling chocolatey? How about a bananas Foster ice cream sandwich, which is a Nightingale banana pudding ice cream sandwich with banana caramel sauce infused with Misguided Red Sky Rum, bruléed banana and chopped pecans — oh, and a 151 rum flambé (this one’s for ages 21 + older only). 

But, my surprise favorite, because I’ve never really been a red velvet guy, are the fried red velvet Oreos (above). They’re dipped in red velvet batter, fried and topped with cream cheese icing and powdered sugar. The cookies retain some crunch but the Oreo cream inside becomes almost liquefied. Yum! 

Daily Specials, Happy Hour & More — Food + Beer also offers a number of different specials, including Burger Monday, when a basic cheeseburger + fresh-cut fries costs just $6.99 every Monday (dine-in only). There’s also Trivia Wednesday: starting every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.; and Wing Thursday, with 89¢ bone-in or boneless wings every Thursday (also dine-in only). 

Food + Beer’s Weekend Brunch is every Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and features a Bottomless Mimosa Bar that lets you build-your-own, with multiple juice options and add-ons like gummy bears, strawberries, blueberries etc; available during weekend brunch only. 

The brunch menu includes so many great items, many of which we still haven’t tried (but are kicking ourselves for), including chicken & red velvet waffles, and the “Big Country,” with country-fried chicken breast over a split, griddled biscuit with sausage gravy, two eggs cooked to order and your choice of bacon or sausage, just to name a couple. 

Lunch Specials at Food + Beer are offered Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and range from just $8–$10. 

The New Happy Hour Menu offers daily drink specials from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.- close (including $3 “cheap ass” draft beers, $4 wells, $5 calls and $6 premium liquor & margaritas), plus new food specials from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. & 10 p.m.-close — and $5–$8 “bites” like pretzel bites, fried pickles, house Buffalo boneless wings, bacon ranch quesadilla and chips & queso. 

Unfortunately, specialty cocktails like Jannah’s favorite Strawberry Feels Spritz (left) and “Casey’s PK” (above right), a unique take on a piña colada, aren’t offered at Happy Hour prices. 

Late Night: Food + Beer stays open late, with food served until 1 a.m. or later every night — for everyone, not just you hospitality folks! 

In other words, there’s a lot to like about Food + Beer (25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension). For more info, visit EatFoodDrinkBeer.com or call (813) 815-8001 — and please tell ‘em I sent you! 

Viera Still Hoping For A NT Police Substation; NT Blvd. Repaving Delayed & More

If you read this publication regularly, you know that District 7 Tampa City Council member and New Tampa resident Luis Viera will reach his term limits when Tampa’s Municipal Elections are held next March. 

You’re probably also aware that Viera is now actively campaigning to replace his friend (and current Florida House Minority Leader) Fentrice Driskell in the Dist. 63 State House seat in the November midterm elections. 

But, that doesn’t mean Viera is done fighting for the New Tampa community he calls home in City Council. Not by a long shot. 

Below are just a few of the items Viera has either recently gotten passed or is still working to bring to fruition: 

Morris Lopez Street Renaming — Although this one doesn’t directly benefit New Tampa, Viera has been lobbying for months to rename a street in Ybor City in honor of Tampa Police Officer Patrolman Morris Lopez, who was murdered on the streets of Ybor more than 75 years ago. Ofc. Lopez’s grandson, also named Morris Lopez, is not only a long-time New Tampa resident, but is also one of at least three people (Alan Cohn and Patricia Alonzo are the others, although only Lopez was listed at VoteHillsborough.gov as having officially filed his paperwork at our press time) to fill Viera’s soon-to-be-vacant seat. 

City Council is expected to have a first reading regarding the street renaming in Lopez’s honor at one of the May Council meetings. 

Viera says the honor for Patrolman Lopez is long overdue: “It’s just the right thing to do.” 

New Tampa Police Substation — Viera, who has been fighting for months for a TPD substation somewhere in New Tampa, said during the Apt. 7 City Council meeting that he “rejected” the memo he and the other City Council members received from Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw on Mar. 17 (right) that said, “Currently, however, the department’s most critical infrastructure priorities remain the construction of a new Forensic Facility and the development of a new Police Headquarters…Once progress is achieved on these critical projects, the department can better evaluate the need for future facility expansion opportunities, such as a New Tampa Substation, within a comprehensive long-term facilities plan.” 

“I’m not asking for a Taj Mahal big expenditure,” Viera says. “But all of the Tampa Police Officers I’ve spoken with in New Tampa support renting some small office in a strip center where the officers could meet with the community.” 

Viera’s motion for the City Council staff to look into what a substation office would cost and present a report to the Council, by the end of April or sometime in May, passed 5-0. 

New Tampa Blvd. Repaving — The funds allocated for this item were approved by Council months ago, and construction was expected to begin by sometime this month, but has been delayed until June or July of this year. In the meantime, almost all of the existing potholes on the 1.8-mile stretch of New Tampa Blvd. were recently filled in prior to the repaving (at left is one pothole that hadn’t been filled in at our press time). 

The City’s engineering department sent Viera the following memo: “The New Tampa Blvd project is ready to execute once the processing is complete of the 26-C-06 contract that council approved during the 3-26-2026 meeting. We are expecting paving to begin on New Tampa Blvd around June/July 2026, but this may vary to be sooner or later depending on the contractor’s schedule/availability.” 

Viera says, “You know I’ll be obnoxiously on this one until it’s done.” 

Nature Park All-Abilities Equipment Allocation — Viera also lobbied successfully for the City of Tampa to spend some of its surplus funds from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget on two pieces of All-Abilities equipment for the New Tampa Nature Park off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

The equipment is allocated to cost $175,000 of the $4.4-million of the surplus funds to be spent on parks throughout the city. 

Five Guys On County Line Rd. Has Closed

If you’ve recently driven by the Five Guys Burger & Fries located across the parking lot from Fresh Monkee, and next to the Max’s Pet Market & Salon (photo) at 6431 E. County Line Rd. in New Tampa, you’re already aware that this location — which is hidden from view from both Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and County Line Rd. — has closed (its last day was Mar. 15). 

One of the other store owners in the same plaza told me that they had heard that this location was Five Guys corporate-owned and that, “The company apparently looked at the store’s numbers and decided that it was time to just shut it down.” 

The same store owner also said that, “They literally came here on [Mar. 16] and took out most of the equipment, tore down the sign, packed it all onto a truck and drove away.” 

We also have now been told by multiple sources that a Middle Eastern shawarma shop is expected to move into the now-empty Five Guys, although no one yet knows exactly when the new eatery is planning to open or its name. 

In the meantime, please note that Five Guys not only still has more than 1,900 locations in operation around the world, it actually is expanding those numbers. 

For New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents who still need their Five Guys burger, fries, shakes and unlimited peanuts “fix,” the franchised locations at 25599 Sierra Center Blvd., across S.R. 56 from the Tampa Premium Outlets, and at 28894 Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54, in Wesley Chapel, are both still very much open and hoping to see you soon. 

We’ll keep you posted about the restaurant planned for the now-vacated Five Guys space. 

For ordering and more information about Five Guys Burgers & Fries, visit FiveGuys.com. — GN