Ciara Cotey is a Wesley Chapel native and University of South Florida graduate and the daughter of Neighborhood News managing editor John C. Cotey. She has lived and worked in Seoul, South Korea, since 2012, and has been living through the coronavirus outbreak since January.
South Korea sends out detailed emergency messages when someone is identified as having COVID-19, and includes a list of all the places they had been while infected.
I first heard about COVID-19 (which Koreans just call “corona”) around the end of January, when it was becoming more widespread in China. It was the weekend of the Lunar New Year, so lots of people were traveling abroad and gathering with their families.
I wasn’t too worried about it, and it didn’t stop any of my Korean friends or coworkers from taking a weekend trip to Hong Kong or Shanghai over the vacation. I took a short trip to Daegu, which would become the epicenter of the spread in Korea, and we casually chatted about how we hoped the coronavirus would stay in China.
I teach English to some of the board members of the Central Bank of Korea, and one day when I arrived, they had a thermal camera set up outside the elevators. They informed me that I couldn’t get into the building without wearing a mask. Luckily, I had a few at home to deal with the fine dust, but when I went to buy some later, I learned that masks were sold out everywhere — both in stores and online.
No one here was taking it too seriously until the last week of February, when infections quadrupled in a matter of days, due to one patient who refused a test and attended several “church” events while she was sick. This led to the entire city of Daegu shutting down, and the rapid spread of the virus north into the South Korean capital of Seoul caused people to take it more seriously.
Soon, masks and hand sanitizers were quickly bought up, and the government started the warning system.
The Korean government sends out detailed national warning messages every time a new patient is discovered, and you can see the list of all the places they had been while infected.
If anyone receiving the messages had been near any of those places, there is a hotline phone number and the health department will tell you to self-quarantine. And, if you show symptoms, they will come to your house to test you.
Korea did a really good job of containing the virus when it was only China that had most of the cases. Daegu got pretty much shut down. After that, cases started popping up all over Seoul, but most of the cases still remain related to this “church.”
All of the registered members were tested and, after that, coronavirus testing became mandatory for people who might have come in contact with infected people.
I’m not really scared of catching the virus, because I’m healthy and the healthcare system in Korea is excellent, so I know I would recover. The testing and treatment of covid-19 is paid for by the government, so I also didn’t have any fear of going broke if I caught it. However, I would be worried about spreading it to other people, like my adult students and their families, or my boyfriend and his parents.
Lots of working moms have had to take unpaid leave to take care of their children, as the school year continues to be postponed, currently until mid-April.
It’s surprising to me that Americans are treating this as a vacation when the health system and response to the virus has been so abysmal. On Facebook, I see my friends back home going to the beach, going to concerts and taking advantage of the cheap flights to take a trip, and I can’t imagine that happening here.
Social distancing is so important when there’s no way to even follow the trail of infections. Americans here are all glad we stayed because if we had gone home out of fear, we wouldn’t have had the same access to the health care and testing we have here.
As for the whole toilet paper thing, Koreans are literally laughing at Americans because they don’t understand why toilet paper is sold out.
The only shortages I have seen have been hand sanitizer, thermometers and face masks, which are rationed by National Health Insurance. You can get 2 masks on the designated days. On Thursdays, for example, if your birth year ends with 5 or 9, you can stand in line at the pharmacy to get your masks. Luckily, my boyfriend had the foresight to order 200 masks in January, just in case.
If anything, this pandemic has created a huge demand for ordering groceries online, and people aren’t stocking up or going to the grocery store because they can get whatever they want delivered whenever they want.
In general, people are still pretty worried, but some people are still living their lives the way they did before. My friends still go out and drink with their friends on the weekends, I still see restaurants packed with people.
But, everyone wears a mask in the subway and if you cough, all heads turn towards you. At the start of the issue, several foreigners here just up and left on the soonest flight to get away from the virus, I guess not knowing that it would eventually spread to their home countries as well. My close friends in Daegu are all confined to their homes because the situation in Daegu is much more stressful than it is here in Seoul.
“My whole family communicates by calling and video chatting now,” my friend Eunyoung Kim tells me. “None of the restaurants in the neighborhood are open except for delivery, and they just leave it outside your door after you pay electronically so there’s no physical contact. It’s hard not being able to share a meal with your family members for fear of getting sick.”
In a family-oriented culture like Korea, people are feeling very isolated compared to before.
At the moment, Korea is only showing about 75 or so new cases per day, with recovery rates surpassing the new cases, so it looks like it’s slowing down so far. People coming in from Europe are now forced into quarantine, so if this method works, Korea should have it fully contained within the next few months.
Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully, the U.S. response to the pandemic will continue to get better over time.
Stonewood Grill and Tavern once again tops publisher Gary Nager’s Top 25 list of restaurants in New Tampa.
Every year, after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the previous year. Some of you love my opinions; others…not so much.
Even so, most people I meet out in our neck of the woods tell me they agree with my choices more than they do those of the readers year after year.
But, having waited until after the coronavirus outbreak hit home here in Florida to give you my list of favorites for 2019 surely didn’t help matters any, as several of the eateries listed on pages 32-37 of this issue were closing, at least temporarily, rather than be open for takeout and delivery only, per Florida Gov. Ron De Santis’ order on Mar. 20.
Sadly, there’s no doubt that some on this list may not be able to weather this storm and may close permanently. Until that happens, however, please support as many of the still-open eateries on my list as you can. I know Jannah and I will.
I’m glad I got to sit down to a perfectly seared ahi tuna appetizer, a tender medium-rare filet, and a flavorful grouper piccata at my (and our readers’) favorite restaurant in New Tampa — Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms — shortly before DeSantis gave his order.
As for the rest of my New Tampa top-25, please read on! — GN
1 — STONEWOOD 17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms | (813) 978-0388 Even though it hasn’t always been my #1 favorite restaurant in New Tampa, there’s no doubt that Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms has been near the top of my list since the day it opened nearly two decades ago.
Stonewood continues to serve the best (and best variety of) steaks (like the 9-oz. filet mignon pictured below) in New Tampa and it also offers a daily “market catch” (like the fresh grouper piccata, with sauce on the side and perfectly sautéed spinach, right) and other specials (like lollipop rib lamb chops…mmm) that have kept it near the top of my list every year.
New GM Matt Passardi — who previously ran the Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass — and his staff usually also keep their guests happy at New Tampa’s most-happening bar scene, but of course, covid-19 has shut down the bar and Stonewood’s elegant dine-in experience, at least for now. My suggestion? Get it to go while you can!
2 — THE FAT RABBIT 16029 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 252-3004 The day The Fat Rabbit opened a few very short years ago, I was impressed with the look and feel of the place as a bar hangout, but I was thrilled when I sampled the food the first several times. Even though I’m not so much a wing aficionado as I am a foodie, many in our area agree that The Fat Rabbit has the best wings anywhere — blackened with a side of the Fat Rabbit cilantro sauce are my faves — as well as great burgers, “taters” (try the garlic sweet potato) and grown up grilled cheese. But, adding a Catch of the Week (blackened mahi-mahi above) moved the Rabbit way up on my list.
CICCIO CALI Shoppes at The Pointe 17004 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 975-1222 The Ciccio Restaurant Group has created one of the most successful slates of local eateries in the entire Tampa Bay area, with concepts like Green Lemon, Daily Eats, Ciccio Water and Better Byrd (look them all up), but Ciccio Cali has been the only one in our area since Lodge closed in the former Ciccio & Tony’s location in City Plaza. But, I have always credited Ciccio Cali as the first to bring “bowl culture” to New Tampa. The menu has been simplified, with multiple “bowl style” options (the “Lean & Clean” with tuna is my fave), plus crisp-crust pizza and famous wrap sandwiches (the Cali Club is my fave).
4 — ACROPOLIS GREEK TAVERNA Oak Ramble Plaza 14947 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 971-1787 Although I spend a lot less time these days south of Tampa Palms on BBD, it never takes much to convince Jannah to go to (or take out from) Acropolis. Part of another successful Bay-area mini-chain, Acropolis features authentic saganaki cheese flambé and artichoke and spinach dip appetizers, a tender shish (filet) and chicken kabob duo, savory loin lamb chops and our favorite entrée — the thin, crisp, lightly fried Athenian fish pictured above. And, even though Acropolis doesn’t have a true Greek dressing, the Greek salad also is outstanding with its creamy Acropolis Greek dressing.
5 — LAS PALMAS LATIN GRILL 6431 E. County Line Rd. | (813) 803-3903 Speaking of amazing fish, owner/chef Ramses Garcia serves our area’s flakiest, tastiest merluza (like snapper) a la Rusa, as well as award-winning Cuban sandwiches and traditional specialties like ropa vieja (shredded beef), picadillo (ground beef) and arroz con pollo (chicken & yellow rice), and I really love the steaks — palomillo (in sour mojo sauce, with onions), churrasco (skirt steak with chimichurri sauce) and sautéed vaca frita (crispy beef). But, the lechon asado (tender roasted pork), masitas (pork chunks) and special pork chops (above) are my faves. You can’t go wrong with Ramses’ wife Ana’s award-winning tres leches dessert, either!
6 — BAYSCAPE BISTRO at Heritage Isles Golf Club 10630 Plantation Bay Dr. | (813) 994-3445 Former Wharton High culinary teachers Eddie and Lourdes Bujarski have created an impressive restaurant inside the Heritage Isles GC clubhouse. With a more extensive menu, Bayscape would finish even higher on my list, because it’s hard to beat for breakfast, lunch and dinner,. There are great wings, burgers, salads and sandwiches, but my faves are the dinner “signatures” like country fried chicken and slow-roasted, top round roast beef with brown gravy pictured above. It’s been a while since Jannah and I stopped in for dinner and Friday night karaoke, but the last time we were there during the week, the chef-made pasta bar was incredible.
7 — FUSHIA ASIAN BISTRO Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15317 Amberly Dr. | (813) 903-6705 If you still haven’t tried Fushia, you’ve been missing one of New Tampa’s best-kept secrets. Fushia may not serve traditional New York-style Chinese food, but it features many dishes I love you won’t find anywhere else in our distribution areas. I’m partial to the pan-fried pork dumplings, but Fushia has a large menu of dim sum (served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) appetizers, plus all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ, but my faves are the yang chow fried rice, the spicy yan jian pork, dry pot chicken and the beef with Chinese broccoli shown above.
8 — THAI RUBY Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15319 Amberly Dr. | (813) 558-0570 As Thai restaurants go, Thai Ruby is the most beautiful Thai place in New Tampa and also has the best food, especially since Sukhothai closed a couple of months ago. The spring rolls, ginger chicken, the spicy Thai combination fried rice (with chicken, beef and pork), the Siam chicken, filet of grouper and soft shell crab are all top-notch and Thai Ruby may have the largest selection of veggie dishes you’ll find anywhere (I love the steamed broccoli with carrots, green beans and snow peas), but this is the place I go when I have a craving for crispy duck, whether its the tender roast duckling shown above or the “fancy” duck with sweet & sour sauce.
9 — KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Pebble Creek Collection 19601 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-6600 For those who crave the teppanyaki (hibachi) table experience in our area, you won’t find a better choice than Kobe. And, even though Jannah and I usually sit at the bar rather than share a table with families with young children, you get the same great meal, just without the show. Kobe definitely has the best-quality filet mignon, sirloin steak and chicken of any Japanese restaurant in our area, and you can even get pepper-crusted tuna tataki hibachi, as well as beautiful-looking surf-&-turf combos with lobster, shrimp and scallops that I (sadly) am not able to enjoy. The sushi is really good, too.
10 — LIANG’S BISTRO ASIAN CUSINE 17515 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 978-1225 Even though I prefer many of the entrées at Fushia a little more than the main dishes at Liang’s, there’s no doubt that this is a very nice, upscale Chinese (with other Asian options) restaurant with very good food. My favorite entrées are the steamed (with mixed veggies) or Liang’s crispy fish, the sizzling Shanghai steak and Sichuan chicken, but I love Liang’s for its New York-style BBQ spareribs, the teriyaki wontons and especially, the crispy egg rolls shown above. The item Jannah and I take out most often, though, are Liang’s awesome sautéed string beans, but I order them in a spicy chili sauce, rather than the usual oyster sauce. So good.
11 — FULL CIRCLE PIZZA Pebble Creek Collection 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-3700 Don’t get me wrong…even though I find the deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza shown above very tasty, I’ll never say I like it as much as the New York-style pizza I grew up with. And, even though I know that deep-dish and thin-crust Chicago pizza is a big reason why many locals love Full Circle, I’m actually a much bigger fan of the other delicious menu items owner/chef Freddy Nova and his wife Julia have added since taking over the place in 2017. My favorites are the chicken and broccoli in garlic and oil and the meatball and chicken parmigiana subs.
12 — SUSHI CAFE The Walk at Highwoods Preserve 18015 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. | (813) 977-7800 For anyone who’s asking, for my money, Sushi Café has the best sushi in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. With a huge assortment of sushi rolls, including some truly unique options like a Pacific fusion roll with spicy tuna, crunch, cucumber and avocado on top, plus a wide variety of sashimi, Sushi Café also has one of the best spicy tuna tataki appetizers in our area (photo). I also really enjoy the “hibachi from kitchen” entrées, like the filet mignon and chicken options, even though (especially because?) there are no teppanyaki tables. I also recommend the crispy chicken katsu and chicken and veggie tempura.
13 — GINZA 6417 E County Line Rd. | (813) 907-1688 When you’re looking for the best value for your money in our area, I believe that Ginza has to be in that conversation, especially for lunch Monday-Friday, which costs only $12.95 for adults ($6.95-$8.95 for kids 4-14) for all of the sushi, appetizers and entrées you care to eat. Even at $21.95 for adults and $8.95-$12.95 for kids for dinner, it’s a great value, especially when you consider the quality of the unlimited egg and spring rolls, pan-fried pork dumplings and dishes like the spicy Mongolian chicken shown above (the Mongolian beef also is top-notch). And, while Ginza’s sushi may not be quite as good as Sushi Café’s, I do enjoy Ginza’s white meat fish sashimi, California roll and others.
14 — KOIZI ENDLESS HIBACHI & SUSHI Shoppes at The Pointe 17012 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 971-1919 Anytime you get into a discussion with a local about which endless hibachi and sushi restaurant they prefer — Koizi or Ginza — things can get a little heated. Koizi is $1 less for adults for lunch ($11.95) and dinner ($18.95)and it actually does have teppanyaki tables (above), I just have long felt that the quality of most items, especially the appetizers, is better at Ginza. Even so, the hibachi filet mignon, New York strip steak and chicken are all pretty good and there is a great variety of sushi and sashimi available. The teriyaki and black pepper chicken are also pretty good options .
15 — WOODFIRED PIZZA Palms Connection 2822 E. Bearss Ave. | (813) 341-2900 The first woodfired pizza place to open in (or near) either of our distribution areas is known for its high-quality pizza ingredients, as well as owner Peter Taylor’s unique pizza names — like my favorite Pizza Raquel, which features house-made fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, grana padano cheese and olive oil, to which I usually add either pepperoni, fire-roasted sausage or Italian-style meatballs (Peter’s “carnivore” pizza has all three) and fresh spinach. The wood-fired meatball appetizer and wings also are delicious, and I’ve yet to sample the wood oven petite (4-oz.) filet mignon, but the classic Caesar, Greek and iceberg wedge salads are excellent, too.
16 — LITTLE GREEK New Tampa Center 19022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 972-0707 Although it’s a completely different kind of eatery than Acropolis, Little Greek also has really good Greek food, as evidenced by the crowds that usually are in line (but always moving; great service!) during lunchtime. In addition to the only true gyro sandwiches (photo) and platters in New Tampa, this still-growing small chain (with around 30 locations in Florida and 50 total in six states), also features excellent steak, chicken, salmon and even lamb skewers, spanakopita, falafel, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and hummus and the only true Greek salad dressing in zip code 33647.
17 — SAKE HOUSE Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15311 Amberly Dr. | (813) 977-3838 This unassuming little sushi bar and Japanese restaurant has previously been called Fong’s Sushi and Sushi Raw, but one thing has remained consistent through all of its incarnations — really good sushi (photo) and specialties like gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) filled with your choice of pork, chicken or shrimp, tempura (shrimp, chicken, beef, scallops, salmon, veggie or even tofu), and beef and chicken teriyaki. The seared tuna tataki appetizer is outstanding, and among my favorite rolls are the tuna trio (spicy tuna inside, red and white tuna on top) and the OZ roll, with fried grouper and spicy crabmeat.
18 — OAKLEY’S GRILLE 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 523-5075 Even though the restaurant hasn’t been owned by anyone with the last name Oakley in a few years, current owner Luca Ammirati is a native Italian who has added a number of specialties from his homeland, starting with authentic fried meatballs served with the tomato sauce on the side. The last time I was in Oakley’s, Ammirati had not yet added penne carbonara, lasagna or penne al ragu (meat sauce), but all three are now listed on his website, so I definitely need to stop in to try them. And of course, Oakley’s still has my favorite bacon cheeseburger and crisp fries in New Tampa.
19 — ISLAND FIN POKE CO. 6417 E. County Line Rd. | (813) 575-8002 This newcomer, which was opened by former New Tampa residents Brenda and Jeff Sproat in late 2019, has established itself as the first Hawaiian-style create-your-own poke bowl place in New Tampa. I love the regular and spicy ahi tuna options as my protein (I usually do two scoops of spicy and one scoop of regular), and there are unique options like spam, octopus, shrimp and tofu, plus veggie options (like regular and spicy pickled veggies, edamame and corn), but as the Sproats say, the thing that sets Island Fin apart are the sauces. I really only need the OG and Island Fire marinating sauces…and an occasional Dole whip dessert.
20 — THAI LANNA & SUSHI Cross Creek Center 10022 Cross Creek Blvd. | (813) 991-0108 For those of you who don’t live off of Cross Creek Blvd., Thai Lanna is another excellent (and pretty) Thai place that also really good appetizers like the Thai spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings (bottom right in the photo) fried calamari and even fried eggplant. There are three kinds of crispy duck, with the volcano duck (with mixed veggies and sweet chili sauce) being my favorite. Try the and crab fried rice! Thai Lanna also has really fresh sushi (cooked shrimp sushi and California roll are shown above), too.
21 — MR. DUNDERBAK’S Oak Ramble Plaza 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 977-4104 When the original Mr. Dunderbak’s was in the University Mall, I thought it was a cool place for German food, even though I really only had roast bee and pastrami sandwiches there. The location on BBD (which has been around the last 15-20 of its 45 years in business) has a much more diverse menu, and I really enjoy German dishes like the crispy jagerschnitzel (available in veal or pork, both are great) shown above, and the kassler rippchen (pork chops). I’m not a big beer drinker, but Mr. D’s biergarten has a huge selection and is always packed. Great European chocolate selection, too.
22 — PETRA MEDITERRANEAN 17503 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 898-8991 If you’ve ever had a hankerin’ (as I sometimes do) for authentic beef shawarma hand-sliced off a rotating spit (photo), Petra is the place for you. The authentic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern menu includes a great sampler platter, which includes fried kibbe, falafel, hummus, babaganoush and grape leaves, served with a side of tahini sauce. I also really enjoy the nabulsi fried cheese appetizer, the tabouli, fattoush and Greek salads, as well as the chicken shawarma and chicken and shish (cubed lamb) kebab sandwiches and the Petra mixed grill with shish, kufta (ground lamb) and chicken kebabs.
23 — GLORY DAYS GRILL 17508 Doña Michelle Dr. | (813) 513-7550 When this, our distribution area’s first Glory Days Grill, opened a few years ago, replacing the popular Lee Roy Selmon’s, I will say I wasn’t a big fan. However, when Jannah and I first tried the new Glory Days on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, we recognized that the menu had been greatly upgraded and we have visited both locations quite a bit since then. We love the zucchini fries appetizer shown above, as well as the steak rice bowl, the grilled and comeback chicken entrées, Boston chowda and the 1/2-lb. proprietary blend burgers. Glory Days also has two sizes (7-oz. & 10-oz.) of its tasty “1988” sirloin steak and a great sports bar atmosphere.
24 — THE BRUNCHERY 17507 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 533-7271 For those of us who had been begging for a great breakfast place in New Tampa, owner Stanley Athan’s The Brunchery filled that void. And, even though I prefer fried eggs over easy with crispy bacon to the scrambled egg breakfast shown above, this was such a pretty picture we decided to use it instead. The Brunchery also serves a selection of “Benedict” (poached egg) breakfasts, avocado toast, a lox (smoked salmon) platter, ultimate omelets and an incredible variety of French toast options. I’m embarrassed to say Jannah and I haven’t sampled it for lunch yet, but it offers burgers, sandwiches (including tuna and grilled chicken melts) and salads.
25 — TAMPA PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 972-1991 There was a time, like when I first purchased the Neighborhood News 26 years ago, when this beautiful club, Boston Cooker and Hunter’s Green Country Club were the only “real” restaurants open for dinner in New Tampa. But of course, you usually had to be a member to dine at TPGCC, so I really only got to eat there when I attended New Tampa Rotary Club breakfast meetings on Friday mornings — and that club still meets there every week! However, I will say that the times when I’ve gotten to have dinner at TPGCC, the food has always been pretty good, like the filet shown above.
GARY’S NEXT 25 FAVES (in alphabetical order) All of these restaurants are very good, just not good enough (in my opinion) to make my Top-25 in New Tampa. I’m even admitting to liking some “fast food” places.-GN
Al-Sham Palace Aroy Thai Bearss Tavern & Tap Burger 21 Cantina Mexican Grill Cappy’s Pizza Deano’s Pizza & Pasta Don Julio’s Authentic Mexican Five Guys Burgers & Fries Ho King Hummingbird Jerk House Hunter’s Green Country Club Jersey Mike’s Subs Juice Factory Minerva Indian Restaurant Mulligans Irish Pub (at PCGC) Olive Garden Palm Thai PJ Dolan’s Irish Pub Saffron Indian Cuisine Snowrolls Steak n’ Shake Sushi Avenue Taste of NY Pizza Westshore Pizza
*- Notes – Mahana Fresh & Lima both didn’t open until 2020, or they would have made this list.
** – Sukhothai, Vallarta’s (Tampa Palms), and Regina Margherita (previously called Chefs of Napoli) were all on this list before they all closed (with Regina Margherita closing the week we went to press with this issue) and El Pescador, which previously occupied Lima’s location in the New Tampa Center plaza, made my top-50 before it closed.
Editor’s note: Since this story was written and sent to the printer on March 20, many things have changed. On the same day that Hillsborough County had its first coronavirus-related death on March 26, county leaders unanimously voted for a safer-at-home measure that goes into effect tonight at 10 p.m, a day after City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stay-at-home order against the wishes of county administrator Mike Merrill.
All sides came together for Thursday’s decision, which urges residents not to go to work unless they are performing an essential service, not to visit friends and family unless its an emergency as well as maintaining a six-foot distance from others if you go out.
Trips to grocery stores, pharmacies and doctor appointments are allowed, as are outdoor activities like biking, jogging and walking your dog as long as social distancing is fulfilled.
Also, since this story was written, the number of cases of coronavirus in Florida has increased from more than 500 to nearly 2,500, and the number of deaths has nearly tripled from 10 to 29.
In Hillsborough County, there are 151 cases of coronavirus, and only 21 in Pasco County.
Be safe. — JCC
The shelves containing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other necessities at area stores like Publix get emptied quicker than they are re-stocked, as fears grow about the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The novel coronavirus death toll has reached double figures in Florida, and the number of positive cases has surpassed 500.
That was on March 20, when we went to press with this issue.
What are those numbers today, as we land in your mailboxes?
Doubled? Tripled? Quadrupled?
Or worse?
Efforts to flatten the curve and prevent the spread are creating new dilemmas.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered schools to be closed, maybe for the rest of the academic year. Small businesses and restaurants are closed, some possibly forever. Many jobs are gone, and may not return.
“It is all happening so fast,” says Hunter’s Green resident Denise Maguire. “Every day we learn more.”
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released March 20 revealed that 72 percent, or nearly three out of every four Americans, now say their lives have been upended in some way by Covid-19.
The previous week, that number was only 26 percent.
And, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases for the National Institutes of Health, continues to say things are going to get worse before they get better.
Because testing has lagged, the full extent of the virus remains unclear. In New Tampa, BayCare Urgent Care on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. opened a drive-through site (above) for coronavirus testing on March 18 (other sites by other providers also are open in the Tampa Bay area).
Tents are set up behind the building, although only those who meet the strict criteria — fever and cough for at least a week, recently traveled internationally, or contact with someone infected — established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health are being tested.
Roughly 1,500 were tested at all seven drive-through sites set up by BayCare on the first day, and just under half of those who showed up were tested while the others did not meet the criteria and were turned away.
Social distancing is currently the best defense against coronavirus, according to the experts — which is why pictures of crowded Pinellas County beaches that have now been closed horrified many — and locally, people have been taking heed.
They also seem to preparing for the long haul — toilet paper, milk, eggs and hand sanitizer are among the items that have flown off the shelves at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart and others, as local stores hustle to keep the shelves stocked.
To combat hoarders, Publix and the Publix Pharmacy went as far as to set aside times (Tuesday and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-8 a.m.) where only seniors (age 65 and over) could purchase needed items, since they are the most at-risk for the virus.
“Spring Break” Extended
Schools have taken drastic steps as well, closing until April 15, and it seems most likely they will not reopen by then, and that the 2019-20 school year will either have to be extended or completed online.
“The district is working very hard to come up with a plan providing as much support as they can,” says Hunter’s Green Elementary kindergarten teacher Roxi Coriell. “It’s been amazing to see the response from teachers across the nation. I’m in all these Facebook groups and everyone is sharing all these resources. We’re trying to wrap our brains around what resources are available and how to put them to use.”
In an email to parents on March 19, new Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis announced that for the 2019-20 school year, all state-administered assessments are canceled, school grades will not calculated and all school districts will be required to launch and successfully implement an eLearning Continuity Plan.
Davis also said the Florida Department of Education (DoE) is working with the CDC to determine graduation plans. Wharton and Freedom seniors have been scheduled to graduate May 26 and 28, respectively.
The Wawa on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel remains open but prohibits customers from gathering outside.
As the illness spread nationwide, Floridians were at first encouraged to keep the size of any groups or gatherings at 1,000, then 100, then 50 and finally 10, numbers that seemingly changed every day.
People have been encouraged — but not yet forced, in all cases — to work from home, creating a whole new set of circumstances to deal with and forcing many businesses and parents to adjust.
Restaurants have suffered the brunt of social distancing locally, and while a few remained open last week as we went to deadline, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced as we were finishing this issue that restaurants can only be open for take-out and delivery.
Restaurants in New Tampa (& across Florida), like Las Palmas Latin Grill, had to quickly convert to takeout & delivery only to comply with Gov. Ron DeSantis order on Mar. 20. (Photo: John C. Cotey)
At Glory Days Grill in New Tampa, managing partner Jorge Hernandez says he and others have been blindsided.
“It’s pretty insane how everything happened so quickly,” he said, adding that sales had been up at his location before heading into March.
According to Hernandez, in the span of a few weeks, his restaurant had lost 60-80 percent of its business. On a typical night, he would have 10-12 servers working the floor. Before DeSantis shut down dine-in service, he was down to two, and he thinks that may be one too many now.
He had to let 70 percent of his staff go, although he hopes to rehire all of them when business returns to normal.
“We are keeping everyone on benefits, donating food to employees, trying to do these things to keep our (work) family together,” Hernandez said. “But, it’s so difficult to see my staff’s faces. It hurts.”
Hernandez said that one day last week, nine of the 10 people in his restaurant were friends, neighbors or family there to support him and/or his staff.
“It made me want to cry to see their support,” he said.
Like many restaurants in New Tampa, Glory Days is hoping curbside pick-up helps blunt the blows, but Hernandez knows it won’t be enough.
A little ways up the road, The Brunchery, which had only opened a few months ago, closed its doors for what management hoped would only be for two weeks.
“But, I think it will be longer than that,” owner Stanley Athan said.
Athan says that business had been slowly declining as the coronavirus news worsened, but on March 18, it dropped off the cliff, as fewer than a dozen tables were seated and he quickly made the decision to close.
As he drives around Tampa, he sees restaurant closures everywhere. And, those that aren’t already closed are only delaying the inevitable, he fears.
Athan also closed a restaurant he owns in Seattle, WA, which has been one of the coronavirus hotspots, last week.
“This is unprecedented,” he said.
If he has to stay closed for six months, he’s not sure he will be able to re-open.
The New Tampa Regional Library (above) has closed, and larger businesses that draw crowds, like the recently opened Urban Air Adventure Park, also have suspended their operations — at least temporarily.
The entire Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 was already shut down, and many stores at the Shops of Wiregrass also followed suit.
TJX, the parent company of HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, announced it was temporarily closing all its stores.
In accordance with social distancing, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church suspended masses, while St. James United Methodist Church livestreamed services Sunday on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, with plans to continue to do so.
Family of Christ Christian School on BBD may be closed due to the governor’s orders, but its child development center was still open to provide important daycare to children of parents who continue to work.
“Unless someone says I have to, there’s just no way I could close,” said Jill Hammon, the school’s director for the past 13 years just before we went to press. “What I’m surprised about, though, is how many people had to pull out because they’re not getting paid…We’re just trying to keep it running the best we can, because if we shut down too much, it will be hard to be able to open again.”
Meanwhile, the New Tampa YMCA closed on March 17, but continued its spring break camps, which were already in progress. At press time, the Y planned to stay closed until March 29, then re-evaluate when or whether to resume operations. And, on March 23, the New Tampa Y started offering all-day school-age relief care for essential workers.
On social media, dozens and dozens of people are offering their support, as well as their supplies and services. Maguire posted on NextDoor.com that she was willing to help with any grocery or supply deliveries, and was thrilled to see she wasn’t the only one offering.
“The last time I went out, I noticed there were very few people on the road and nothing in grocery store,” she said. “It was one of the reasons I put that note out there to help. There’s plenty of people who can’t afford food, who aren’t working right now. Since I did that, I’ve seen a lot of other people put the same message out. It’s been wonderful to see the community coming together.”
But, it will take more, she says: Listening to the experts, washing your hands and yes, social distancing.
“It’s so important that we do these things,” she said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”
A downtown area similar to this is on the horizon for Wesley Chapel after county commissioners recently approved an incentive package for the developers of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. (Photo: Pasco County)
Avalon Park Group/sitEX is developing what some believe will serve as Wesley Chapel’s downtown (see separate story about this on page 8), plans which were paved by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC), which has unanimously and enthusiastically approved up to $33 million of incentives for the public infrastructure project.
Developer Beat Kahli said Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which previously has been called Avalon Park West, will be a place where residents can live, work and play without ever leaving their community.
Kahli, the president and CEO of Avalon Park Group, also developed Avalon Park Orlando. He says he told those residents 20 years ago, “If you don’t want to leave, you don’t have to because we can satisfy all of your needs here…that’s our goal here.”
The BOC vote to approve the incentive package was 4-0.
“It’s such a great project,” said District 3 Pasco commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “This will be downtown Wesley Chapel. They don’t have a downtown…they have (malls), which some people count as downtown, but this will really be the downtown of Wesley Chapel.”
District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who represents much of Wesley Chapel, missed the meeting with an illness but says he, too, supports the plans.
“It’s definitely a great project,” Moore said. “It’s going to bring some much-needed Class A office space, which will lead to some high-paying jobs. That’s what I’m most excited about.”
The plan for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, whose 215 acres are located east of Curley Rd. on the north side of S.R. 54, goes well beyond your typical subdivision.
The urban mixed-use center will have a 10-year buildout and boasts 2,695 residential units, 165,000 square feet of Class “A” office space and 190,400 square feet of commercial development.
The project will include four-story buildings, with neighborhood commercial on the bottom floor and the other three floors reserved for residential.
There will be multiple parking decks and four freestanding Class A office buildings, which are typically larger, and feature top-of-the-line amenities and high-income tenants, and are located in a central location, which in this case would be the new downtown Wesley Chapel.
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel also will include two schools with capacity for 3,386 students — New River Elementary, which already exists, and Pinecrest Charter School, which is opening this fall.
According to David Engel, the manager of the county’s Office of Economic Growth, 50 percent of trip generation by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will remain on site, resulting in a reduction of more than 14,000 trips a day on S.R. 54.
“That can solve traffic problems,” Kahli said. “Instead of building subdivisions, we have to build towns.”
The total cost of the Avalon Park Wesley Chapel proposal is $785 million.
The county’s commitment to the $83.3 public infrastructure investment by Kahli will be $33 million via what is essentially a 30-year property tax rebate, provided the project hits certain benchmarks and triggers.
The deal also includes a $1.2-million loan (through the Penny for Pasco 1 cent sales tax ) to accelerate construction of the first office building, which is required to be at least 75,000 square feet and is one of the development agreement’s triggers.
The county says it will benefit greatly from the deal – 1,065 permanent jobs resulting in an estimated $42-million in payroll. A tax revenue forecast conducted by Wynne & Associates, LLC, said that over a 30-year period, the project will generate more than $198 million in ad valorem property taxes alone, which is approximately $112 million more than a conventional, suburban development would bring in.
“The return on investment to the county is substantial,” Engel said.
Moore said the success of Avalon Park Orlando is a good sign for Kahli’s efforts in Wesley Chapel.
“They have been very successful with the project in Orlando,” Moore says. “But, this is going to be bigger and better.”
Every year, after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the previous year. Some of you love my opinions; others…not so much.
Even so, most people I meet out in our neck of the woods tell me they agree with my choices more than they do those of the readers year after year.
For example, even when my kids were young and I ate a lot more fast food, I liked Chick-fil-A, Steak-n-Shake and others enough, but when I see enough people voting for any fast food eatery to place it in our readers’ top-10 — especially now, when we have more than 150 different restaurants between our two markets — I always feel like I need to have my say, too.
But, when I get to sit down to a perfect medium-rare, bone-in ribeye (photo) or big filet, with spicy bourbon creamed corn, a Caesar salad (with or without anchovies) and a glass of Malbec from my favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel — Dempsey’s Steak House at Saddlebrook Resort, I know my judgement can’t be all bad. — GN
— 1 — DEMPSEY’S 5700 Saddlebrook Way | (813) 907-4574
From the day it first opened at Saddlebrook Resort off S.R. 54 somewhere around 20 years ago, Dempsey’s has been my favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel — and for good reason!
It’s not because I used to live in Saddebrook before Dempsey’s opened, or because it’s the most expensive restaurant in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. Dempsey’s gets my nod year after year because the steakhouse named for Saddlebrook owner Tom Dempsey always features the best hand-cut steaks, freshest, top-quality fish and amazing starters and sides.
In other words, Dempsey’s isn’t just the best restaurant in the Chap. It’s a top-5 steakhouse in the Bay area, as good (and as pricy) as the Council Oak at the Seminole Hard Rock, Fleming’s, Charley’s and the 1200º Chophouse on St. Pete Beach.
When I told Saddlebrook assistant food and beverage director Geoffrey Rutgers that Dempsey’s was #1 with me again this year, the long-time Neighborhood News reader quickly set up the photo shoot for my picture on pg. 30. “I’ve trusted your picks for years and I know I’m not the only one,” he said.
Even though Grillsmith has always made my top-10 since it first opened in the Shops at Wiregrass, it’s now grabbing its loftiest spot on my list of WC favorites since the Tampa Bay-based chain first opened because of the addition of what they call “short-trip” fresh fish (like the grouper Mediterranean style shown above; we’ve also enjoyed corvina, snapper, mahi and even pompano and never had a bad piece of fish). There’s now also a larger selection of steaks and the mashed cauliflower is the best around.
Bubba’s 33 may be the highest-finishing new restaurant on my list since Dempsey’s, even though it’s an entirely different concept, price-point and feel.
Local Bubba’s 33 franchisee Jeff Dean and his wife (and marketing whiz) Crista have years of experience in the restaurant business, but Texas Roadhouse’s new concept also is amazing — sports bar prices with restaurant-quality food. “Everything is house-made,” Crista says. “From our hand-tossed pizzas to our hand-cut steaks.” And, the chicken-&-not-waffles above is my current favorite brunch item in Wesley Chapel.
My friends Anass El-Omari and his wife Susana only renamed and reopened the restaurant inside the Lexington Oaks Golf Club a little more than a year ago but it has been a best-kept secret in Wesley Chapel ever since. And, even though you can only get Anass’ perfect grilled mahi-mahi (above), crispy, but tender chicken parmigiana and filet mignon with cream sauce as daily specials since he revamped his own menu after the golf course was closed for renovations last year, the more golfer-oriented food is still excellent.
When Jannah and I feel like a delicious filet at a fair price, with great sides included, Longhorn is the first place we both usually think of — and not just because it’s the closest steakhouse to where we live. From the tender Flo’s filet to the NY strip, Longhorn’s steaks are aways done to perfection and if you’re somehow ever not happy, management will always make it right. We love the salad, the crisp-crust bread and always-fresh veggies, too. And, although we wish the bar area was a little bigger, the bartenders and drink prices are outstanding.
— 6 — GARDEN GRILLE Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-WC 26640 Silver Maple Pkwy. | (813) 591-6900
Please stop me if you’ve heard me say this before, but when the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel first opened in late 2018, it hosted a Grand Opening event, where the food served in the hotel’s Garden Grille restaurant was so good, I thought it must’ve come from an outside caterer.
Wrong! The food at the Garden Grille is excellent, from delicious crispy wings, to tasty meatballs and even a great ribeye steak. I wish the Garden Grille was open for lunch, but it’s also great for “event” food like the French toast casserole shown above.
— 7 — BONEFISH GRILL Shoppes at New Tampa (WC) 1640 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 907-8202
When you’re looking for the best seared tuna sashimi appetizer (photo) in Wesley Chapel, there’s no doubt in my mind that Bonefish Grill’s is #1. The thick slices are always fresh, always well-seared but still rare and covered in black and white sesame seeds. Bonefish does also feature excellent fresh fish, but not as good for my money as Grillsmith’s. And, the Outback-quality steaks are an added bonus. I can’t eat the bang-bang shrimp because of my accursed shellfish allergy, but people say it’s the best — and most often imitated — you’ll find anywhere.
— 8 — FORD’S GARAGE 25226 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz | (813) 540-3673
Speaking of seared tuna, Ford’s Garage probably has my second favorite version of it in Wesley Chapel, but everything — from the Buffalo chicken sandwich shown above to the prime black angus burgers to the grilled chicken Henry entrée and chop salad — is always top-quality. I feel like the burger buns are a little too big, but you gotta love the “Ford’s Garage” logo they bear. There probably is more indoor and outdoor bar seating at Ford’s Garage than any restaurant in Wesley Chapel not named Bahama Breeze (see below) and the drink prices are great, too.
— 9 — NOBLE CRUST Shops at Wiregrass 28330 Paseo Dr. | (813) 703-2602
There is no doubt in my mind that with a little larger and more diverse menu, Noble Crust would finish higher on my list of Wesley Chapel favorites. I love the house-made gnocchi and unique beef and pork meatball appetizers (there’s even Impossible meatballs available now), as well as the double cut pork chop, bistro steak and chicken fried chicken parm entrées and even though the bar area is a little tight, it offers an amazing selection of ultra-premium liquor and a great, fun vibe.
— 10 — TOP SHELF SPORTS LOUNGE AdventHealth Center Ice 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd. (813) 953-1032
Based on my experience at other ice rinks when both of my sons played ice hockey, I had no real expectations for good food when what is now called AdventHealth Center Ice first opened three years ago. Boy, was I wrong. Not only does Top Shelf have some of the best wings, burgers and bar food around, it also serves delicious mixed veggies as a side and the beers from owner Keelan Cottle’s own 81Bay Brewing are definitely popular with the hockey moms and dads.
The steak quality at the Outback Steakhouse has never been in question. The Victoria’s filet shown above is very similar in quality and price to Longhorn’s Flo’s filet. It’s all a matter of whose seasoning you prefer. In addition to the great variety of steaks, Outback also is famous for its shrimp on the barbie and bloomin’ onion appetizers, Alice Springs chicken and surf & turf options that I sadly can’t enjoy, but rewards members (like me!) get $20 off at Outback or Bonefish or $40 off at Fleming’s every third visit.
— 12 — BAHAMA BREEZE 25830 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz | (813) 949-0779
Bahama Breeze is more than just another chain restaurant. Even though some say it’s out of place in our area because it doesn’t border on a body of water, people really buy into the tropical look and feel of the Breeze and the food is pretty good, too. Although the ever-changing Market Catch fish isn’t always an option we like, the blackened mahi tacos above, skirt steak churrasco, burgers and Jamaican-inspired specials like the braised oxtail are all tasty entrée options and we also enjoy the wings, the beef empanadas and chicken quesadilla appetizers. It’s also our area’s largest restaurant and bar area.
When our distribution area’s first Glory Days Grill opened in New Tampa a few years ago, replacing the popular Lee Roy Selmon’s, I will say I wasn’t a big fan. However, when Jannah and I first tried the new Glory Days on S.R. 54, less than a mile from my office, we immediately recognized that the menu had been greatly upgraded. We absolutely love the zucchini fries appetizer shown above, as well as the steak rice bowl, the grilled chicken and comeback chicken entrées, boston chowda and the 1/2-lb. proprietary blend burgers.
Owners Jessica and Carl Meyers’ seemingly hard-to-find location on S.R. 54, a mile or so west of the Tampa Premium Outlets, has been bringing in hungry fans from the moment it opened and the addition of beer, wine and homemade sangria definitely hasn’t hurt business, either. Although I’ve always said that the menu could be more diverse, if you’re looking for the best lasagne, chicken or veal parmigiana (the latter is usually a special) in our area, this is your place — and the portions are huge, especially the calzones! The homemade Sicilian-style pizza is also unique and yummy.
— 15 — THE HUNGRY GREEK 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 345-8526
Any time you can offer quality food at excellent prices, you should have a chance to be successful in the restaurant biz and The Hungry Greek is proof of that theory. Years before AdventHealth Wesley Chapel opened directly across the street, The Hungry Greek was packing in the people, especially at lunchtime, with its classic gyro and souvlaki sandwiches and platters, shish kabob combo and chicken Caesar pita sandwich and the Greek salad is the most authentic and delicious in our area, too. I also really enjoy the Greek beer and decadent desserts.
— 16 — 900º WOODFIRED PIZZA Shops at Wiregrass 28152 Paseo Dr. #195 | (813) 527-6940
Here come four of my favorite pizza places and Italian restaurants in Wesley Chapel all in a row. I personally prefer the NY-style to the woodfired Neapolitan-style pizza at 900º Woodfired Pizza, but my favorite dish is definitely the freshly-made penne pesto Genovese shown above, although I usually have owner Steve Falabella’s happy crew add grilled chicken and even some sautéed spinach to mine. The penne alla vodka and lasagne are awesome, too!
The new location of Amici’s on Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54 in Lutz has brought me ever closer to the Mannino brothers and their delicious pizza, like the sausage and pepperoni NY-style shown above. But, like 900º Woodfired, Amici’s makes my list of Wesley Chapel favorites in part because it features a very authentic NY-style version of another one of my favorite pasta dishes — the linguine with white clams. I can’t really call it a sauce, because it’s correctly more of a light broth, but it is loaded with whole clams and garlic and is a definite must-try!
Even though I didn’t remember the name of their long-time, open-24-hours-a-day original Fratelli’s in the Hunts Point Market in The Bronx, NY, I am so happy that the Fratelli brothers decided to sell that location and bring their tasty NY-style pizza and pastas to Wesley Chapel. I was even happier when I first sampled the truly authentic penne with broccoli rabe, chicken and sausage shown above. You won’t find a better broccoli rabe in the Tampa Bay area and the baked pastas and hot subs also rock!
— 19 — LA PRIMA PIZZA 1211 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 907-2878
The fact that I have been friends with owner (and fellow transplanted New Yawka) Willie Lopez (and his son and pizza man Chris, photo) for more than 20 years has nothing to do with why I say La Prima has my favorite NY-style pizza in Wesley Chapel (or New Tampa, for that matter). However, it takes more than just great, oversized slices of pizza to make my list of favorite restaurants and La Prima also has really good Italian specialties like huge calzones and oven-baked meatball parmigiana subs.
Although I never really thought of Puerto Rican food as one of my favorite Latin cuisines until I tried the original location of Rice-n-Beans on S.R. 54 in Lutz, the spacious and beautiful new location (in the former location of Cody’s Roadhouse) has kept me a fan of Wesley Chapel’s Rice-n-Beans, especially the amazing fried chicken chicharrons shown above. I’m also a fan of the roast pork mofongo, the grilled pork chops and chicken breast in garlic sauce. And yes, the rice and (I prefer the red) beans served with every meal are also delicious and authentic. Great drink prices, too.
— 21 — YAMATO JAPANESE Shops at Wiregrass 28347 Paseo Dr. | (813) 907-8701
Still the only Japanese steakhouse in Wesley Chapel, Yamato has a tremendous variety of hibachi-grilled proteins (photo) and the quality of the NY strip and filet mignon, as well as the chicken and even tuna teppanyaki dishes (and veggies) is good, although maybe not quite at the same level as Kobe in New Tampa. Even so, the sushi also is fresh and Yamato even has a full, premium-liquor bar, as well as its popular sushi bar and teppanyaki tables. Jannah and I enjoy the food more than the show at Japanese steakhouses. (Photo: Yelp)
I can live without the line dancing, but the food and service at Texas Roadhouse are both very good and I like picking out my own steak from the steakhouse’s display window before I order my meal. I prefer the NY strip over the filet or ribeye at Texas Roadhouse, but all of them are tasty and not as heavily seasoned (or quite as expensive) as at Longhorn or Outback. And, although I usually prefer bread with a crisp crust, the honey butter Roadhouse rolls are kind of addictive. Jannah and I always sit at the bar to avoid the sometimes-long wait for a table.
Not only is the fast-and-casual Arroy Thai still the only Thai restaurant in Wesley Chapel, it’s also one of the better ones in our area. I enjoy the lunch specials, which include steamed jasmine rice, fried wontons and a salad with peanut dressing for only $8.95-$13.95, depending upon the protein you choose — which for me is usually chicken or pork with garlic and black pepper sauce, although I do also love the spicy basil and fresh ginger sauces, too. I also love the crispy duck dinner entrées, although I’m not big on curry sauces or noodle dishes.
— 24 — IRISH 31 Shops at Wiregrass 28358 Paseo Dr. | (813) 907-2306
Although I enjoy the food at Irish 31, much of the menu is fried, so I have limited options to choose from. My favorite appetizer is the crisp-and-light zucchini sticks. I also like the popular boxty (fried potato balls stuffed with everything from Shepherd’s pie to Velveeta, bacon and chives). My favorite entrées are the fish & chips (photo) and the hearty and tasty Mulligan stew. Even the salads are fresh and delicious, with the 31 chopped salad being my favorite and of course, the atmosphere is great, too.
— 25 — LOS VALLARTAS 5335 Village Market | (813) 907-5161
Mexican food primarily means steak and/or chicken fajitas to me and I prefer Los Vallartas’ always-sizzling and cooked- to-perfection fajitas (above) to the more expensive Cantina Laredo and the better bar atmosphere of Chuy’s. Vallartas’ onions and peppers always com out well-cooked and I like the restaurant’s addition of tomatoes to its fajitas. I also really enjoy the huge menu, especially the grilled ribeye steak Mexicana, topped with grilled onions, tomatoes and jalapeños. And all of the entrées come with rice and delicious refried beans.
GARY’S NEXT 25 FAVES (in alphabetical order) All of these restaurants are very good, just not good enough (in my opinion) to make my Top-25 in Wesley Chapel. I’m even admitting to liking three “fast food” places.-GN
Best NY Pizza BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse Bonsai Sushi Bosco’s Italian-to-Go Brunchie’s Burger Monger 365 Caffé Italiano Cantina Laredo Chuy’s Culver’s First Watch Five Guys Burgers & Fries FJ Express Hibachi Express Hot Wok 88 Jersey Mike’s Subs Mellow Mushroom NY NY Pizza O’Brien’s Irish Pub OTB Café PizzaMania Pomodoro Pizza Red Robin Umu Japanese & Thai Wolf’s Den
