Unlike most other local restaurants, Bubba’s 33’s menu has changed very little since it first opened on the south side of S.R. 56 (just east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel four years ago.
“That’s an indication that our customers enjoy our food,” says managing partner (since July 2021) Joe Vergona. “And we take a lot of pride in it. Almost everything we make is from scratch.”
Vergona says that although Bubba’s 33’s fries and pickles aren’t made from scratch, “pretty much all of our sauces are. We even make our own spice mixes.”
Bubba’s 33, the sports bar chain created in 2013 by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor, today has 45 locations in 15 U.S. states, with Texas having 19 of those. The Wesley Chapel Bubba’s 33 was the chain’s first link in Florida.
Try the California chicken entrée.
Jannah and I have been Bubba’s 33 fans since the beginning, and many members of our family have their own favorites. I love both the grilled and the espresso-marinated Signature, Texas Roadhouse-quality ribeye steaks; Jannah’s favorites are the classic cheeseburger with crispy bacon (and the tasty sweet potato fries) and the California chicken (grilled chicken breast topped with avocado, pico de gallo, jack cheese and scratch-made honey lime sauce); Jannah’s daughter Lauren is partial to the creamy chipotle pasta (with shrimp and grilled chicken, roasted peppers, onions and mushrooms tossed in spicy chipotle cream sauce and topped with cilantro and parmesan); and our granddaughter Rosie is crazy for the chicken & bacon mac n’ cheese. I’m also a fan of the fried chicken dinner (although I get the scratch-made cream gravy on the side) and I recently also enjoyed the Super Stromboli (homemade pizza dough stuffed with pepperoni, Genoa salami, sweet Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, mozzarella, provolone and pizza sauce).
Meanwhile, photographer Charmaine George sings the praises of the shotgun shrimp appetizer (“It’s just spicy enough and delicious,” she says), the new BBQ chicken pizza (with pepper jack cheese added to the usual Bubba’s 33 blend of cheeses, plus red onions, banana peppers and scratch-made honey chipotle BBQ sauce) and especially, the “Big Ol’”onion rings.
“We think our onion rings are the best in Wesley Chapel,” Vergona says, and it’s hard to argue with him. “The crunchiness and the flavor of the batter are definitely different,” Charmaine adds.
And, while Bubba’s 33’s hand-made pizzas can’t be called “New York style” (which is, of course, my favorite), they are super-tasty, have a crispy crust and are made with outstanding ingredients. My favorites are the meaty-meaty and the Dickie V (with Italian sausage, cherry peppers, fresh basil, grated parmesan and a zesty garlic buttered crust).
The desserts can’t be called anything but decadent. Both the chocolate chip cookie sundae and Oreo® brownie are served with vanilla ice cream and the Bubba’s cheesecake is NY-style and offered with your choice of strawberry glaze, fudge, caramel and pecan toppings.
About The Place
Bubba’s 33 features high-definition TVs all around, and has an excellent drink menu with a full premium-liquor bar and imported, domestic and craft beer options at great prices, so it’s the perfect place for watching football and hockey games and we also appreciate the nonstop rock videos.
Specials include Monday Madness, when any burger on the menu is just $10.99. Mondays also are “Ditch the Digital” nights, where you get a free dessert or appetizer for keeping your phone in a sealed pizza box and playing board games throughout your meal.
“We have lots of regulars coming in for Ditch the Digital,” Vergona says. “It’s fun!”
Speaking of free appetizers, you also can get one (up to $8.99) with the purchase of any entrée with the ad on pg. 45 of this issue. See the ad for details and restrictions.
Tuesday is Pizza Night, when any 12” (small) pizza is just $12.99. Tuesday also is free Music Bingo night (7 p.m.-9 p.m.). On most Wednesdays, Magic Mike (a magician, not a male dancer) performs and one kid 12 & under eats free with each paid adult meal.
Vergona says a four-year anniversary celebration is in the works for later this month. Call or visit Bubba’s 33 for details.
Bubba’s 33 (26340 Silver Maple Pkwy.) is open every day, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For more info, call (813) 522-5090, visit Bubbas33.com.
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