3 Natives Opens At The Shops At Wiregrass! 

After sampling two of his tasty sandwiches on my first visit, I’m hopeful that franchise owner/operator Rick Orosco can succeed with his 3 Natives franchise in a location in The Shops at Wiregrass where multiple other similar concepts have failed — next to Macy’s (between Fabletics and Zales Jewelers), at 28211 Paseo Dr. 

3 Natives, started in 2013 by three Florida natives in Tequesta (on the east coast of South Florida, near Jupiter Inlet), although only Tequesta local Anthony Bambino is credited as the founder on 3Natives.com. 

According to the website, Bambino traveled throughout Southern California as a salesperson and “saw little juice bars all over the place. He wanted to bring that type of healthy and quick food (and beverages) to South Florida to see if it would work.” 

The website also notes that, “What started out as a 900-sq.-ft. juice bar has quickly grown into 26+ stores in Florida and Oklahoma,” with more to come. 

Orosco says that his is the first 3 Natives franchise in the Tampa Bay area, with the closest stores in Lakewood Ranch and Orlando. He also says that the simple 3 Natives menu — featuring fresh juices and smoothies, açai bowls, sandwiches and salads has already been “very well received” by his growing list of customers in just a few weeks of being open. 

Rick loves giving away samples of those juices — “Lean n’ Green,” “The Beet” and “Easy Greens”(left photo) — to any and all newcomers, “because we press and bottle them right here in the store.” I’ve never been a veggie-based juice guy, but I did enjoy the sweetest of the three options (Lean n’ Green) after sampling all of them. 

I’ve yet to try the smoothies, salads or açai bowls, but I will say that I enjoyed both the tuna melt on tasty multigrain bread and especially, the hot, pressed Hercules wrap (with chicken breast, spinach, purple cabbage, pico, croutons, parmesan & Caesar dressing) — very yummy and obviously super fresh, too. 

For more info, visit 3Natives.com, call (813) 838-6491 or stop in and tell Rick I sent you! —GN 

How Much Chicken Is Too Much? Plus, Steak ‘N Shake Opening Delayed Again

First, of course, there was Chick-fil-A. Then Popeyes. And PDQ. And Chick’n Fun. And King of the Coop. And Zaxby’s. And Slim Chickens. And Chicken Boss. 

But now, Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy is expected to open sometime next month on the north side of S.R. 56. Raising Cane’s has started to go vertical on the south side of 56 (next to Rock & Brews). Hangry Joe’s is getting ready to open in the failed King of the Coop location on S.R. 54 in front of The Grove. 

And, for those of you who prefer Korean-style fried chicken over anything American-made, Sweet Krunch Korean Fried Chicken & Boba Tea will be open in the former location of FJ Express in the Shoppes at New Tampa at 1832 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (just south of S.R. 56) by the time this issue reaches your mailbox. 

(And, for the record, Chicken Boss closed and has been replaced by Indian Street Kitchen). 

Of course, when your restaurant boasts the name of the host of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” expectations are likely to be higher than for most of the other newcomers, even though the closest existing Chicken Guy location to us — in Winter Park, FL, reportedly faced eviction last year for unpaid rent and another in Michigan closed. The good news is that the fast-food joint co-founded by the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flavortown” has several new additions to its menu, including chopped salad, Buffalo mac & cheese and hot chicken tenders. 

At the end of the day, Chicken Guy, Raising Cane’s and Hangry Joe’s are all just (primarily) fried chicken chains, so although I will try them all, anyone who has a slightly different concept is much more likely than the others to get my business on an ongoing basis. That’s why I plan to be on-site when Sweet Krunch opens on Sept. 12 (which is after this issue goes to press but before it hits mailboxes). I want to see if the fourth Florida Sweet Krunch location — with its parmesan zucchini fries, Korean-style chicken, shrimp or Bulgogi beef teriyaki bowls, Korean-style fried rice and even Japchae (stir-fry Korean glass noodles) — can keep me interested. For more info, visit SweetKrunchFL.kwick-menu.com or the Ballantrae location at 17788 Aprile Dr., Land O’Lakes.

Steak N Shake Opening Delayed Again

If you’ve been hankerin’ to try the original smashed steakburgers and delicious hand-spun milk shakes at the new Steak N Shake, located at 5542 Post Oak Blvd.  (on Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to The Palms Car Wash), we’re sorry to say that as of today, it still isn’t open — but should be sooner than later.

Owner Todd Webb says the long-awaited new Steak N Shake was (finally) set to open on Sept. 23 (tomorrow), then again on Sept. 30, but still had its final inspection delayed as we went to press with our Oct 1 Wesley Chapel issue. For more info, visit SteakNShake.com or stop in at The Palms Car Wash.

New Eateries Now Open Or Opening Soon At The KRATEs & The Grove 

Retro Dogs Co-Owners (l-r) Gisella Latorre, Gisella Troncozo, Luis Latorre and Samantha Latorre (Photo by Charmaine George)

As you’re receiving this issue, the KRATE at The Grove Container Park recently finished celebrating its two-year anniversary on June 8, but the lineup of restaurants and shops at the KRATEs continues to evolve.

One of the biggest changes is that The Chicken Boss, the fried chicken concept opened last year by The Bacon Boss HQ owners Josh and Christy Norland, has closed. The Norlands’ announcement on The Chicken Boss’ Facebook page said, however, that “select menu items from The Chicken Boss will find a new home at The Bacon Boss HQ.”

Meanwhile, the Chicken Boss will be replaced at the KRATEs by Indian Street Kitchen, the faster-food concept from owner Harry Patel at Persis Indian Grill, the instant hit that opened earlier this year next to Double Branch Brewing & Bites in the Village at The Grove. 

“We’ll be serving every type of Indian street food at the new location,” Harry told me. “Come see and taste what we have to offer.” Although he wouldn’t give me any hints as to what the menu will include (“It’s not finished yet,” he said), a quick Google search revealed that samosas, those crispy, delicately spiced potato-filled pastries that are amazing at Persis, are the most popular type of Indian street food. Harry did say that Indian Street Kitchen should be open soon., although it weas not yet open at our press time.

Meanwhile, the Sausage King, located in the second space occupied by TJ’s Hot Dogs (TJ’s was the original tenant in the Chicken Boss space at the KRATEs), has closed just a few months after opening and has now been replaced by Retro Dogs. Retro Dogs is owned by Seven Oaks residents Gisella Troncozo and Luis Latorre, and their daughters, Gisella Latorre and Samantha Latorre (photo, above), and features a make your own hot dog station, a new hotdog being added every week, French fries, milkshakes and beer.

The hot dogs at both TJ’s and Sausage King were great, but hopefully, Retro Dogs will hang around a little longer.

Although not located in the KRATEs, Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings is expected to open in the former location of King of the Coop at the front of The Grove, next to Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. 

Like King of the Coop, Hangry Joe’s specializes in Nashville hot chicken sandwiches (photo, left), plus wings, shakes and waffle fries. With 21 franchise locations (including the nearest to us at 5347 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills, photo below), and restaurants in Korea and Dubai, Korean corporate owners Derek Cha and Mike Kim have a simple premise — “to deliver the finest chicken sandwich in town.” For more information, visit HangryJoes.com.

And finally, congratulations to new TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.) owner Jason Scott, who recently took over from original owners Jamie and Joe Hess and Lee Bevan.

Jason is an accomplished pianist who both played and booked the dueling pianists at TrebleMakers, and he is working hard to revamp the service and experience at the restaurant before trying to figure out what changes to make to the menu. He has started with new $8 lunch specials offered Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

For more information, call (813) 406-4371 or visit TrebleMakersofWC.com.

Nibbles & Bites: Now Open: Slim Chickens, Bad Ass Coffee & Sorbo! 

After a few delays, which certainly isn’t unusual here in Pasco County, Slim Chickens (at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) is finally open and the Arkansas-based chain with 225+ units and many more on the way is definitely worth a try.. 

The trio of partners who opened the Wesley Chapel Slim Chickens — Patrick Lee, Jared Blair and Charlie Blumberg — also have five additional units in development, with the closest planned for Mirada. 

Jannah, Charmaine and I all enjoyed our sampling of the Slim Chickens menu two days before it opened. We loved the hand-breaded chicken & waffles, the crispy and aptly-named chicken tenders (photo, above), the garlicky Texas toast, the super-crisp wings with multiple different sauces (our favorites so far were the honey BBQ and garlic parmesan) and the signature mason jar brownie dessert. And yes, you can take home the mason jar! 

For more info, visit SlimChickens.com or call (813) 923-7727. 

It Is Bad Ass! 

If you’re like me and crave delicious coffee from someplace other than the “S” word, I definitely recommend visiting the new Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, located inside the same Shell gas station that already is home to a Taco Bus location, at 25195 S.R. 54, where it meets S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz. 

Owners Jillian (with Minnie Mouse, the Sicilian mini-donkey, in the photo, left) and Christopher Bruckner, who also own the adjacent Taco Bus, are excited about the response so far from the community. 

And, please don’t be offended by the name. Born on the shores of The Big Island in our 50th state, the coffee is named for the stubborn donkeys who originally carried the coffee down the steep mountains. 

Whether you love the name or hate it, the chain’s 30 locations serve delicious coffee and other beverages as well as a variety of breakfast and dessert items. My favorite beverage so far is the hot Caramel Wave with both caramel and vanilla flavors, while Jannah is partial to the iced blended Chai tea. We both enjoyed the cinnamon Malasada donuts and bacon, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich. We haven’t yet sampled the lunch sandwiches. For more information about Bad Ass Coffee, call (813) 949-2428 or visit BadAssCoffee.com. 

Sorbo Opens On BBD! 

Those who have more upscale taste in coffee and tea but also are partial to baked goods and wine can check out the new Sorbo at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Owned by the same owners as Umu Japanese & Thai in the same plaza across from Advent Health Wesley Chapel, Sorbo (right) specializes in Matcha teas, espresso beverages and Refreshers. We’ve only sampled the tasty cappuccino and green matcha tea so far. For info, visit SorboWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 428-5396. 

Shuckin’ Shack: Now Serving Fresh American Seafood! 

The only people who have been waiting for the opening of the 20th Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) longer than yours truly are the people in the top photo — (l.-r.) co-owners Bill DiPaola and Brad Harper, GM Alie Ragsdale, manager Shane Cllett & kitchen manager Hunter Tilton. 

Well, the wait is over and all I can say is that I genuinely like the North Carolina-based chain. The casual new eatery had only been open a couple of weeks at our press time, but Jannah and I had already sampled quite a few tasty — and properly priced — items, including (left) excellent steamed snow crab legs, (bottom, right) blackened mahi-mahi tacos and steamed local clams. Photographer Charmaine George said the “Greggah” lobster roll sandwich also was spot on. But, my favorite item so far has been the clam-loaded New England-style clam “chowda.” Trust me, this is not just potato soup with a bite or two of clams. So good! 

Jannah and I already feel very much at home at the spacious bar (below left), which has plenty of TVs, full premium alcohol and specialty drinks, as well as beer and wine, just in time for football and hockey seasons! For more info, visit TheShuckinShack.com or call (813) 949-0016. 

Nibbles & Bites: Johnny C’s Italian Kitchen To Open By May 1!

Will offer takeout, delivery and banquet catering, in addition to dine-in seating and will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 278-8020. — Gary Nager; photos by Charmaine George

Former Saddlebrook Resort owner Thomas Dempsey, general manager Pat Ciaccio (photo, top right) and Erik and Seth Ravenna (all of whom were at Saddlebrook together before it was sold last year) have again joined forces to bring casual, contemporary Italian dining to the New Tampa area.

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery (located at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., in the space previously occupied by Precinct Pizza; photo, top left), which is expected to open by Monday, May 1, will proudly serve New York-style pizza and authentic Italian pasta dishes and other specialties.

Featuring both indoor and covered outdoor seating, Johnny C’s, which was named for Ciaccio’s father, “Who spent his entire life (working) in restaurants,” 

New Tampa Dining Updates On Zio’s, Kobe & The New Mpanitas 

Here are some updates on some restaurants we told you a couple of issues ago were getting ready to open in New Tampa. Unfortunately, none of them are open yet, but all three should open sooner than later.

We did mention before that Macaw Latin Provision on Cross Creek Blvd. (in the same plaza as Saffron) was now not going to open at all. However, what we didn’t know at that time was that the second Tampa location (the other is on Palm River Rd.) of Mpanitas was getting ready to open in its place. Owners Genesis and Julio say the Venezuelan eatery will specialize in homemade mini-empanadas, plus mandocas (fried dough rings), tequenos (cheese sticks) and other Venezuelan specialties.

For more info, visit Mpanitas on Facebook or Instagram.

Also still not open yet is Zio’s New York Bagel & Deli Co., but owner Jeff Cofini says his NY-style bagel place and deli should be open for breakfast and lunch every day very soon — hopefully only a week or two after this issue reaches you. Email Jeff at ZiosNYBagels@gmail.com if you want to work for Zio’s. 

And finally, the new location of Kobé Japanese Steakhouse (photo) still isn’t open, but at least the sign has finally gone up on the building. The last update we had a couple of weeks ago was that it would be at least 3-6 more months before Kobe would reopen, but we’ll keep you posted. — GN

‘Fast & Furious’ Actor Sung Kang Visits Zukku-San!

Sung Kang, who appeared in “Fast & Furious” films (beginning with “Tokyo Drift”), was in Tampa for the 16th annual Gasparilla Film Festival to promote his directorial film debut, “Shaky Shivers.” While in town, he visited the Wesley Chapel Zukku-San. Here (l.-r.) he poses with Zukku-San’s Kathy Nguyen & co-owner Ferdian Jap.—GN