Wolf’s Den — Your Neighborhood Diner Is Focusing On What It Does Best!

By Gary Nager

 

Wolf's Den BBQ RIbs
Wolf’s Den BBQ RIbs

The last time I wrote about Wolf’s Den restaurant owner Roger Wolf, I was telling you about the passing of Roger’s beloved wife Patty (“Patty Wolf – The Smile & Spirit Of Wolf’s Den – Remembered At Memorial,” March 16, 2013) from ovarian cancer.

Fast forward just seven short months and a lot has happened at Wolf’s Den, which Roger and I like to call “Wesley Chapel’s Neighborhood Diner,” located on S.R. 56, in front of Sam’s Club.

The man who was among the first U.S. troops to serve in Vietnam nearly 50 years ago (when he was just 17) has been looking for the best way to expand his hours and menu at one of our area’s most successful mom-and-pop eateries.

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Wazoo Gets Wild While Peabody’s Hosts Seasonal Brew Battles

A Wazoo attendee samples one of Sierra Nevada Brewing's offerings at the 2013 Wazoo Beer Fest at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
A Wazoo attendee samples one of Sierra Nevada Brewing’s offerings at the 18th annual Wazoo Beer Fest at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa on August 3.

By Matt Wiley

Living among the animals for a night may sound like reality TV fare, but on August 3, it truly was reality for the animals on the other side of the glass at the Lowry Park Zoo during the zoo’s 18th annual Wazoo Beer Fest.

Named one of the top 10 beer festivals in the nation by USA Today, Wazoo has become one of the biggest annual fund raisers for Lowry Park Zoo, located on W. Sligh Ave in Central Tampa (call 935-8552 or visit LowryParkZoo.com) — and this year’s event raised more than $150,000 to help the zoo fund and maintain its amazing programs and exhibits. Fund-raising events, along with private donations, are what have kept Tampa’s zoo not only up and running, but also thriving, the past 25 years. Click through to view the bonus gallery…

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Casa Ramos — A 40-Year Mexican Tradition That Started With ‘Uncle Pepe’

By Gary Nager

Photos by Jayne Baker & Matt Wiley

OK, so there’s no doubt that a lot of us — including yours truly — were sad to see Sushi Tsu Japanese Steakhouse close its doors in the same Shoppes of Amberly plazain Tampa Palms as our office earlier this year. But, I was definitely intrigued by the idea of an upscale Mexican restaurant coming in to replace it.

And, in the less than two months that it’s been open, I have to say that I am definitely enjoying getting to know Casa Ramos and owner Mateo Ramos, who is the chief operatring officer of a company that operates more than 40 Azteca and Casa Ramos restaurants, primarily on the west coast of the U.S.Continue reading

Free Eyecare Professionals Grand Opening Aug. 17!

We congratulate Dr. David Scamard, O.D., on the Grand Opening of his new practice, Eyecare Professionals of Tampa Bay, LLC (located at 24412 S.R. 54, at Oak Grove Blvd., in the Eagle Plaza in Lutz). Although his new practice has been up and running for several weeks, the former owner of The Eyeglass Factory (less than a half-mile east of the new location) will hold his Ribbon Cutting & official Grand Opening at the spacious, new, full-service optical shop on Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Continue reading

Hibachi Japanese Express Is Open…& Yummy!

If you haven’t yet checked out the new Hibachi Japanese Express, located in the smaller outparcel building (next to China Wok) of the same Wesley Chapel Village Market that also is home to Vallarta’s & the new Famous Tate store, you should go…for lunch or dinner…today! Hibachi Express features the same fresh sushi (I even special ordered a grilled red snapper and cucumber roll that was just too good), choice NY strip (photo, right) and fresh large shrimp and scallop hibachi dishes, complete with ginger salad, mushroom soup, grilled hibachi veggies and fried rice, all at prices much less than most “teppanyaki (hibachi) table” restaurants because the hibachi grill is located in the open kitchen just behind Hibachi Express’ much faster lunch counter, so you’re paying for the quality food and not the show. And, with the current special of a still-sizable lunch-sized portion of hibachi steak, chicken or shrimp, with rice & veggies, for just $6.25, you can’t beat the value! For more info about Hibachi Japanese Express (5315 Village Market Dr.), call 991-9582 or stop in & tell Chen, the owner, that the New Tampa Neighborhood News sent you! — GN