While Jimmy Johnโs has never been my favorite sandwich place, the company has built its reputation for โFreaky Fastโ service, freshly-baked bread, with fresh meats and hand-sliced veggies on its sandwiches.
The newest Jimmy Johnโs in Wesley Chapel is in the same new plaza at 5478 Post Oak Blvd. as the newest Moeโs Southwest Grill and franchisee Eric Edmonds, a long-time Wesley Chapel resident, is excited about the store. โWeโve had great response from our customers already,โ Eric told me. โA lot of people love Jimmy Johnโs.โ
Maybe thatโs because of actor Brad Garrett (โEverybody Loves Raymondโ) & his portrayal of Tony Bolognavich in an ongoing series of commercials but the guess here is that itโs more about Jimmy Johnโs over-stuffed sandwiches, including new options like the smoked cheddar bourbon club sandwiches, with turkey or roast beef, lettuce, tomato, mayo, smoked cheddar cheese and sriracha bourbon sauce. With more than 2,700 locations nationwide, the company is doing just fine.
Of course, thereโs also favorites like the Hunterโs Club (top photo), with double roast beef, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes & mayo, and Charmaineโs โusualโ โ the Beach Club (below left), with turkey, provolone, avocado spread, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo.
Whatever sandwich you choose, you can make it a combo with Jimmy Johnโs own branded chips and a fountain drink. The brownies and chocolate chip cookies are pretty good, too.
The new Jimmy Johnโs is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. every day except Sun., when it is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For more info, call (813) 991-7700 or visit JimmyJohns.com & please tell Eric I sent you!โGN
The Hangry Joeโs Hot Chicken & Wings โMega Sando,โ with cheese, waffle fries & Hangry Sauce. (Photos by Gary Nager and Joel Provenzano)
Hangry Joeโs Hot Chicken & Wings is now open in Wesley Chapel! The new chicken-focused, quick-service restaurant has opened on the north side of Wesley Chapel Blvd. just west of I-75, in front of The Grove, next to Brooklyn Water Bagel (in the former location of King of the Coop).
This is the eighth Hangry Joeโs location in Florida. The Wesley Chapel restaurantโs Grand Opening was held on Oct. 19, following a โsoftโ opening a few days before. The husband-and-wife team of Nico and Jalahany Gutierrez was on hand for the Grand Opening, making sure everything was running smoothly in their new franchise, as the line outside their location began building several hours before the new Hangry Joeโs opened.
First-in-line Richard Coley celebrates theribbon-cutting at the new Hangry Joeโs in Wesley Chapel, then enjoys his Mega-Sando
In fact, Zephyrhills resident Richard Coley, who was first on line, said he arrived โat about midnightโ in order to be first. He even brought his own comfy chair with him!
As to why Richard โ who said this was his third attempt at being first on line for a Hangry Joeโs opening (he was first in Zephyrhills and third at Cocoa Beach, when he said a couple came to the soft opening the day before โand just never leftโ) โ is so taken with Hangry Joeโs, he said, โItโs the biggest chicken sandwich Iโve ever seen in my life…and itโs delicious!โ
Richard was guaranteed one of the 25 top prizes given away to the first 100 people on line โ one free โSandoโ per week for a year (Jannah also got one of the 24 other randomly-distributed top prizes) โ and as promised, the first 100 attendees all were served within the first hour of the new Hangry Joeโs opening.
Owner Nico Gutierrez (atleft behind the register) helped his employees deal with the crowd at the Grand Opening
Meanwhile, Nico, a Wesley Chapel resident for 14 years, wasnโt afraid to get behind the counter and help out both his customers and his staff. He wore a Hangry Joeโs branded polo, setting the example for his employees.
Nico also owns Code Ninjas, located in the New Tampa Center plaza at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at New Tampa/Cross Creek Blvd.
As to why someone who has a long professional background in software engineering got into the restaurant business, Nico said, โI worked in restaurants when I was younger and knew I would eventually get back to it.โ He also said he got connected with the Hangry Joeโs brand when he was invited to a Founders Dinner back in February because he wanted to learn more about the franchise. From that first meeting to opening in October, things obviously moved pretty quickly.
The line stretched around the building by the time the new Hangry Joeโs opened.
When asked what really sets Hangry Joeโs apart from its competition, Nico explained that itโs the Korean touch โ from the way the chicken is prepared to the way itโs fried. According to the companyโs website, โFounders Derek Cha and Mike Kim [both from South Korea] are the dynamic duo behind the success of Hangry Joeโs Hot Chicken & Wings…,โ and that, โTheir meticulous approach to sourcing ingredients, like locally-raised chickens and Korean gochujang peppers, ensures that each dish is a perfect blend of heat, sweetness, and smoky goodness.โ The company also prides itself on never freezing its chicken.
Unlike many fast food restaurants, the food that came out actually looked better than the pictures on the menu board! The โSando,โ their normal-size fried chicken sandwich, was plump and juicy, lightly fried, with the right amount of pickles and slaw, on a beautifully toasted bun.
The โmediumโ sauce had just the right amount of heat and flavor. For more extreme tastes, try the โMega Sandoโ which is a huge half- pound chicken breast, and go all the way up on the heat scale to โAngry Hot,โ but be aware that youโll have to sign a waiver if you do!
In addition to sandwiches, wings and Kore- an-style nuggets, Hangry Joeโs also offers chicken & waffles, waffle fries, mac & cheese, salads and wrap sandwiches.
The new Hangry Joeโs Hot Chicken & Wings is located at 27835 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Unit 102. For more info, visit HangryJoesWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 519-4997.
Try the crispy wings with soy garlic sauce & Reeseโs shake.
Of course, the new Wesley Chapel Steak N Shake sells those famous bacon & cheese double steakburgers with fries, (below left) hand-spun vanilla & strawberry shakes (with or without mix-ins) and (below right)Frisco Melts with classic onion rings. (Photos by Charmaine George)ย
Although New Tampaโs Steak N Shake was one of the first fast food restaurants to open in zip code 33647, the long-awaited Wesley Chapel Steak N Shake โ located at 5542 Post Oak Blvd., off Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54) โ is finally open following an official ribbon-cutting event on Oct. 7 (see photo below).ย
Owner Todd Webb and general manager Jason Good and their happy crew are now welcoming the community to Wesley Chapelโs first-ever Steak N Shake and to enjoy those famous โSteakburgersโ and hand-spun milkshakes and more in the locationโs all-new design, which is a much more modern look than what we have in New Tampa. The old soda fountain/diner-style bar stools are gone and in their place is a more convenient kiosk ordering and pick-up system. But yes, there is a still a drive-through window for customers who are on the go.
The Neighborhood News was on hand for the new Steak N Shakeโs VIP โFriends & Familyโ event on Oct. 5, as well as at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but one thing is for certain โ long-time fans of this 90-year-old chain with more than 450 locations in the U.S. and Europe will not be disappointed. Todd also promises the new Steak N Shake will host some great family events and will feature some cross-promotions with his The Palms Car Wash next door. He will likely keep you posted about these special events in ads in these pages.
For more information and a 20% bonus when you buy a Steak N Shake gift card at the new location, see the ad below.
Dr. Marta Rivera of Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center just off the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit of I-75, has made sure that the children of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have had beautiful, happy smiles for more than two decades. (Photos by Charmaine George)ย
Marta Rivera, D.M.D., has been one of the most trusted childrenโs dentists serving the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area for more than 20 years, but her Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa โ located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center โ added The Aesthetics Beauty Lab just a few months ago to provide skincare services for the parents of her pediatric patients (and other adults). What made โDr. Marta,โ as her patients affectionately call her, decide to add these services for adults? First, letโs talk about this popular local pediatric dentist and the services she has been providing for the children of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel for two+ decades. Then, weโll get into her new services for adults.
Dr. Martaโs Journey
Dr. Marta first opened her Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa in Hunterโs Green in 2003 but moved to her current location on Primrose Lake Cir. in Tampa Palms in 2008. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Marta moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 10, a place she loved growing up. However, she now considers Florida her true home, saying, โFlorida, especially New Tampa, is my favorite place.โ She also is fluent in Spanish, making her practice accessible to a diverse community.
Dr. Marta graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, where she later also earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the universityโs School of Dental Medicine. Before moving to Florida in 1997, she ran her own dental practice in Puerto Rico. After passing the Florida Dental Board exams, she worked with other dentists before starting her own practice.
โIโve seen this area grow, and itโs been a pleasure to be here,โ says Dr. Marta. Over the past 21 years, she has treated many patients, mostly children, but also a few adults.
โSome of my patients who grew up coming to me donโt want to go anywhere else now that theyโre adults,โ she says with a smile. However, she adds that she is no longer accepting new adult patients.
Embracing Innovation & Technology
Dr. Martaโs office is designed with children in mind. โWhen I first started decorating my โhouse,โโ she says with a laugh, explaining that she calls her office her house because she practically lives there, โI wanted the space to be fun and welcoming, like a second home. The practice is all about having an environment where kids feel comfortable and at ease.โ
Dr. Marta stresses the importance of starting dental care early. She takes a holistic approach to dentistry, promoting whole-body wellness. โWhy think of dental, skin, and bone health as separate things?,โ she asks, adding that she believes in a comprehensive approach to health, which includes proper nutrition for strong teeth and gums.
In addition to dental care, Dr. Marta offers guidance on tooth-friendly diets and supplements that can support dental health, like Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.
The office features lots of new technology, and Dr. Marta prides herself in having many devices not available at other pediatric (or even adult) dental offices. You can read about them all on her website under the โTechnologyโ header.
One of the most advanced treatments offered at Dr. Martaโs practice is ozone dentistry. Ozone, known by most people as the layer protecting the earthโs atmosphere, also can be used in dentistry to fight bacteria and promote healing.
โOur bodies naturally produce ozone to fight off illnesses,โ she explains. But, in dentistry, itโs used to kill the bacteria that cause cavities, without the need for invasive procedures.
Dr. Marta explains, โThe equipment is something that looks like a pen that I point at the affected area.โ Ozone can save a tooth before it gets to the point of needing a root canal.
โWhen a dentist cleans out a cavity,โ she says, โno matter how well they clean it, there is always the possibility of some bacteria staying behind. Even the tiniest amount of bacteria can continue to grow and cause the patient to need a root canal. By using the ozone, all of the bacteria is killed before filling the cavity.โ
The ozone treatment can be as simple as pointing this pen-like wand at the tooth or, for more serious cases, the tooth can be covered and then the gas is released inside that cover.
Ozone treatment also is effective in treating periodontal disease, preventing cavities and even promoting healing for cold sores and canker sores. Itโs a pain-free, side-effect-free option that many patients appreciate. And, Dr. Marta is one of only a few hundred dentists in all of North America offering this treatment.
Before the tooth can be treated with ozone, the dentist must clean out the cavity. There is conventional drilling but now, thanks to a company called Biolase, Dr. Marta uses a laser called the Waterlase MD. This laser replaces the drill, is less invasive and requires less anesthesia.
Another service Dr. Marta can provide is early orthodontic treatment. Although she is not an orthodontist, because she was trained in her residency to do orthodontics, and was able to first provide it in her practice in Puerto Rico, she is able to provide orthodontic treatments at Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa. She specializes in early interventions with Invisalign First.
โMany kids benefit from early orthodontic treatment, and Invisalign is a great option for them,โ she says. Invisalign First helps address issues like crowding, spacing, and narrow arches without the need for traditional braces.
The office also has a machine called iTero Element, which kids love because it eliminates the goop used for impressions. It is a scanning system that can capture a detailed 3D model of teeth and gums. This procedure is ideal for crowns, bridges and, of course, Invisalign clear aligners and retainers. Dr. Marta has a video on her website under the โTechnologyโ heading where you can see how the iTero Element works.
She also specializes in assessing and then treating infants and children with tongue or lip ties with simple laser frenectomy procedures to remove or modify a frenulum (a small fold of tissue that limits movement in the mouth). These quick, minimally invasive treatments can help babies with reflux, poor latch, or colic issues, and children with speech delays or mouth breathing.
โWe offer same-day treatment for infants because a hungry baby needs help right away,โ she explains. Parents often notice improvements immediately after the procedure.
The Aesthetics Beauty Lab
As we mentioned earlier, Dr. Marta isnโt only focused on children these days โ as she now also offers aesthetic services for her patientsโ parents (and other adults) at her new โAesthetics Beauty Lab.โ
Using advanced technology from Alma and Reveal, her office now provides services like skin tightening, dark spot treatment, hair and tattoo removal, as well as Botox and fillers.
Dr. Marta offers the parents of her young dental patients and other adults a variety of innovative skincare treatments at her Aesthetics Beauty Lab using the latest technology, like the Alma Opus Plasma machine (below left) and the Alma IQ skin analysis machine (above).ย
โWe want to take care of the kids, but parents need pampering too,โ Dr. Marta says.
โIโve always enjoyed taking care of my skin and especially my face,โ she adds. โFor many years I have gone to an aesthetician and when the American Dental Association gave the ok to move into this area, I was very interested and excited. A lot of dentists are now doing Botox and fillers in their offices. It is part of the dental career evolution. Everything face- and neck-related is part of our expertise as dentists.โ
It took Dr. Marta close to a year to become certified in not only the procedures she offers, but also the equipment she uses. She now has earned certifications in Master Botulinum Toxin hands-on training and Master Dermal Filler hands-on training from the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. Three of the pieces of equipment she is trained on are the โAlma Harmonyโ and โAlma Opus Plasma,โ as well as the โDenza RF System.โ
Dr. Marta says that the Opus Plasma is designed to address many skin conditions. It also helps to fight aging. Sessions last about 15 minutes, as tiny needles break the skin which stimulates healing to produce new collagen and elastin.
Meanwhile, the Alma Harmony can be used to correct dark spots, skin photodamage and more.
The Denza RF (RadioFrequency) System can be used in a similar way. It is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation and tightening process that uses monopolar and bipolar radiofrequencies with pulsing. It targets both superficial and deep layers of the skin, thereby stimulating collagen and elastin production. Denza also can be used for body contouring.
At this time, Dr. Marta is the only one providing these aesthetic procedures in the office. She accepts adult patients ages 18 and over.
โAs I entered my 40s, after years of suffering through adult acne, hormonal imbalances, and inflammatory auto-immune diseases, my skin was showing its battle wounds. I tried chemical peels and facials, but needed a more sustainable regimen with longer-lasting results. Then, as the skin rejuvenation Gods would have it, Dr. Marta Rivera began offering aesthetic skincare services in her beautiful โAesthetics Beauty Labโ suite. After a thorough skin analysis, Dr. Marta suggested the Opus Plasma laser for my overall skin condition and concerns. Just over a week ago, I experienced my first of three sessions with the Opus Plasma laser. It was fairly painless, and the down time was minimal. As a busy mother, and career woman, this is a complete game-changer. With the right before-&-after-care plan provided by Dr. Marta, I was able to resume all normal activities within 3-4 days. I am already seeing several positive results. My skin appearance is more uniform, and I have a fabulous glow to my face. Several areas of hyperpigmentation are lightened, and a scar on my cheek is not as prominent. I am thrilled to move forward with the Opus Plasma series, with Dr. Marta at the helm. She has certainly outdone herself and set the tone for a streamlined process to skin rejuvenation.โ โ C. Gonzales
Pediatric Dentistry of New Tampa is located at 5326 Primrose Lake Cir. and is open Mon.- Thur., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The office accepts many insurance plans, primarily PPOs. For more info or to schedule a visit, call (813) 374-0388 or visit TampaHappySmiles.com.
After reading some of the not-so-nice online comments about the new Kohlโs (and Sephora) store located at 1854 Sun Vista Pl., behind the Tampa Premium Outlets, next to At Home, I have to admit that I wasnโt expecting too much.
Whereas some commenters in local online communities railed that Kohlโs was less of a โdepartmentโ store than they remembered and more like a Ross or TJ Maxx, what I found was very much more like a Macyโs or Dillardโs but with lower prices. The menโs department is many times larger than any discount retailer, with large selections of brands from Nike and Under Armour to Columbia, Izod, Dockers and many more.
And, the prices (with Grand Opening specials throughout the store) were more reasonable than I expected, too โ especially when you sign up for a Kohlโs membership or credit card (or both). I ended up buying an Apt. 9 sports jacket for myself for less than $100, a nice silk tie to go with the jacket for around $20 and a V-neck T-shirt for less than $10.
The womenโs department was even larger (and the Sephora beauty supply area was bigger than I remember at the JC Penney at the Shops at Wiregrass) and the departments for kids and babies (I bought some Bluey and Spider-Man pajamas for the grandkids) were as large or larger than what Iโve seen at, say, Target. There also was a selection of Halloween-themed merchandise (and clothing) available in several departments. And, again unlike Ross or Marshallโs, everything is well organized and clearly marked.
Is Kohlโs the department store of my dreams? Maybe not. But, considering how close Jannah and I live to it and the prices Iโve already found, I think weโll both be visiting regularly.
For more information, call (813) 501- 2601 or visit Kohls.com. And, please tell them I sent you! โ GN
