
If you’re looking for a quick, casual Italian meal, whether for sit-down dining or quick drive-through to-go service, you should definitely give the new Fazoli’s, located at 24791 S.R. 54 in Lutz (less than a half-mile west of the Tampa Premium Outlets), a try.
Fazoli’s is sort of like an Olive Garden (but with no alcohol sales) in a family-friendly environment, and also serves its own unlimited garlic breadsticks when you dine inside.

Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I attended Fazoli’s pre-opening ribbon-cutting event on May 20 with other North Tampa Bay Chamber members and had the opportunity to meet franchisee Carlos Saenz and his family. Saenz, who also has owned Dairy Queen franchises in the Tampa Bay area, welcomed everyone to what is now the only Fazoli’s in the Tampa Bay area (the location on Busch Blvd. in Tampa closed a few months ago; the next nearest location is in Plant City).
We serve Fast, Fresh Italian,” Saenz said. “We have people who live in this area who have been anxiously waiting for this location to open, as they have been driving to Plant City for our breadsticks and Italian specialties.”
Jannah, Charmaine and I sampled a few items from the Fazoli’s menu, including slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza, baked lasagna, a Classic Sampler (fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna with meat sauce and spaghetti marinara with meatballs) and my favorite so far, the meatball sub. Among the other items on the Fazoli’s menu include fried mozzarella bites, pepperoni pizza breadsticks, baked ziti or spaghetti, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and more — all fairly priced. Another plus is that Fazoli’s sells Cheesecake Factory cheesecake slices for dessert. As I said…it may not be fine Italian dining, but it is worth a visit.
For more info, visit Fazolis.com, call (813) 803-3231 or stop in and tell general manager Nicole Taylor, operations director (and Wesley Chapel resident) David Ginsberg and crew I sent you!







