Tag: Dining Survey and Contest

Azteca D’Oro Finishes 2nd & Grillsmith 3rd In Super-Close 2023 Readers Dining Survey & Contest 

Since it only has three locations — Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood and the original in St. Pete — you can’t really call Noble Crust a chain. 

What you can call it, however, is a three-peat winner as our readers’ Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel. Noble Crust, which is known for its Southern-inspired Italian fare, craft cocktails and great vibe, has been in our readers’ top-5 every year since it opened in the Shops at Wiregrass in 2017, and has taken home top honors for 2021, 2022 & 2023. 

Although runner-up finisher Azteca D’Oro (see below) had the most first-place votes, Noble Crust had more 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-place votes than any other Wesley Chapel restaurant this year to secure the top spot with our readers. 

2. Azteca D’Oro 

2000 Piazza Ave., #170, Shops at Wiregrass 

(813) 527-6553 

Aztecadoro.com

A family-owned mini-chain with eight other locations from New Smyrna Beach to Lakeland, Azteca D’Oro opened in the Shops at Wiregrass earlier this year to mostly rave reviews and came within a few points of winning the top spot with our readers in its first year here. 

Azteca D’Oro’s quality, authentic Mexican cuisine and huge portions helped the newcomer earn the most first-place votes of the more than 500 Neighborhood News readers who voted in this category this year and it might have finished ahead of Noble Crust had it had as many 2nd-5th-place votes. 

3. Grillsmith 

2000 Piazza Ave., #100, Shops at Wiregrass 

(813) 907-1900 

Grillsmith.com.com 

Another perennial favorite, this five-location mini-chain has finished in our readers’ top-10 every year since it opened (including first-place honors as recently as 2020), Grillsmith’s third-place finish this year gives the Shops at Wiregrass a clean sweep of the top-three spots in this year’s survey. 

The restaurant’s fairly-priced American fare, like its “short-trip fresh fish,” and comfortable bar continue to attract fans among our readers. 

4. Bonefish Grill 

25264 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz 

(813) 907-8202 

BonefishGrill.com 

Although it’s never finished in the top-10 at its newer location on S.R. 56 before, this former two-time Readers Survey winner jumped up to #3 this year, thanks in part to its revamped menu. 

With nearly 200 locations nationwide, Bonefish is a full-fledged chain known for its fresh seafood, like the bang-bang shrimp shown here. 

5. Zukku-San 

25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz 

(813) 419-1351 

ZukkuSushi.com

Jumping up from its #19 finish with our readers last year (and #14 in 2021), Zukku-San on S.R. 56 is an upscale, family-owned Japanese restaurant with a premium full-liquor bar and delicious food. 

Starting with just a sushi “stall” at Tampa’s Armature Works, Zukku-San has added a full location in North Carolina and another fast casual concept called Ato at the KRATE Container Park at The Grove. 

6. The Living Room 

2001 Piazza Ave., #100 

Shops at Wiregrass 

(813) 934-7911 

TLR.restaurant 

It was only open for a short time when most of our readers submitted their ballots last year, so it came in at #25, but this upscale addition to The Shops at Wiregrass obviously pleased a lot of locals this year. 

The original Living Room in downtown Dunedin is a perennial favorite, and the Wesley Chapel location being voted Best Pasco Restaurant by Creative Loafing readers probably didn’t hurt its recognition factor with our readers this year. 

7. BJ’s Brewhouse 

2300 Grand Cypress Dr., Lutz 

(813) 575-1830 

BJsRestaurants.com 

Jumping up from #11 with our readers in 2021, BJ’s is another full-fledged chain with more than 200 U.S. locations that is still serving a wide variety of favorites, despite obviously reducing its number of menu options over the past year. 

Its ideal location in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 definitely helps keep the parking lot and wait list full at our local BJ’s and its fair pricing and premium full-liquor bar has helped keep it among our readers’ favorites 

8. Bahama Breeze 

25830 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz 

(813) 949-0779 

BahamaBreeze.com 

Like BJ’s Brewhouse, Bahama Breeze didn’t crack the top-25 when we asked readers for one list of favorites among all Wesley Chapel and New Tampa restaurants last year, but it was #7 in Wesley Chapel in 2021, the last time we split our areas into separate votes, as we did this year. 

This 43-unit chain still attracts plenty of locals with its island-inspired fare. 

9. Ford’s Garage 

25526 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz 

(813)540-3673 

FordsGarageUSA.com 

This is by far Ford’s Garage’s highest finish with our readers since 2019, when it finished 11th. 

The 22-location chain, which utilizes the Ford Motor Company’s logo, is located on the north side of S.R. 56 and features a wide variety of hand-crafted burgers and other better-than-the-average-burger-place food, plus a full-liquor bar. 

10. Bubba’s 33 

26340 Silver Maple Pkwy. 

(813) 522-5090 

Bubbas33.com

Bubba’s 33, the 27-unit sports bar chain from our friends at Texas Roadhouse, is another eatery that has finished higher with our readers this year than in any of the last five years. 

Bubba’s has been a solid top-20 finisher with our readers most years, but its combination of great food, sports and music videos attracted its most votes ever. 

Our Readers’ 2023 Top-25 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel (#s 11-25) 

11. Texas Roadhouse 

12. Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant 

13. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen 

14. Chuy’s Tex-Mex 

15. PizzaMania 

16. Florida Ave. Brewing Co. 

17. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux 

18. TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant 

19. Amici Pizza 

20. Outback Steak House 

21. Umu Japanese & Thai 

22. First Watch 

23. Hungry Greek 

24. (tie) Yamato Japanese Restaurant 

24. (tie) Sonny’s BBQ