Sindbad Is Now Open In Former Bang-Bang! Bowls Location In The Pebble Creek Collection

Although we told you it was getting ready to open last issue, the second Sindbad Tampa restaurant — which features smoothies, juices, crepes, desserts, cakes, ice cream and more — is now open in the former location of Bang-Bang! Bowls in the Pebble Creek Collection (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite C-2). 

The original Sindbad location is at 10933 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, and while the shop has a Middle Eastern-sounding name (Sindbad the Sailor is a fictional character from Baghdad), owners Laith Mahdawe and his wife Raghad Alkalide (who are Middle Eastern; top left photo), say their daughter-in-law, who is Mexican, was the inspiration for Sindbad’s many Mexican and Latin juices and other menu items. 

Although the new Sindbad was only open for two weeks at our press time and didn’t yet have all of its menu available, photographer Charmaine George and I definitely were impressed with the store’s incredible array of fresh fruits and veggies (photo below) that Laith and Raghad use to make fresh smoothies and juice drinks. We did also sample a few beverages, including a banana-strawberry smoothie (so fresh!) and a pure watermelon breeze juice served in a half of a small watermelon (Charmaine loved it). Sindbad also features juice drinks specifically created to help with everything from kidney stones to memory loss to indigestion (bottom left photo). 

We also enjoyed two dessert items — a slice of chocolate cheesecake with a scoop of fresh Hershey’s strawberry ice cream, and an unexpectedly delicious croissant ice cream sandwich filled with caramel ice cream. Both of the desserts were served with whipped cream and a couple of fresh strawberries. Both Hershey’s ice cream flavors we sampled (there are about a dozen flavors, and soon to also be served with Sindbad waffles), were creamy and tasty. 

For more info, visit “Sinbad Tampa” on Facebook or call (813) 443-9692 and please tell Laith and Raghad I sent you! — GN 

New Tampa’s Winn-Dixie To Become Another Aldi; Sindbad Gets Ready To Open in Pebble Creek 

As previously announced, the last remaining New Tampa Winn-Dixie supermarket, located at 6425 County Line Rd. (in the same plaza as LA Fitness), closed on Dec. 8 and is in the process of being converted to the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area’s third ALDI grocery store. 

At our press time, we didn’t know how long it would take for the new ALDI to open, but this Germany-based international brand already has nearly 2,500 U.S. supermarkets and more than 200 stores in Florida, including at 18002 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa and at 2215 Sun Vista Dr. in Lutz (in front of Costco). 

Sindbad To Replace Bang-Bang! 

Although the tasty Bang-Bang! Bowls store in the Pebble Creek Collection (at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite C-2) lasted less than a year, coming soon (maybe even by the time you’re reading this) to that location is the second Sindbad Tampa restaurant, which features smoothies, juices, crepes, desserts, cakes and ice cream. 

The original Sindbad location is at 10933 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace, and even though the shop has a Middle Eastern-sounding name (Sindbad the Sailor is a fictional character from Baghdad), the sign now posted in the Pebble Creek location would seem to indicate a more Mexican-inspired menu. Among the items listed on that sign include Elote (Mexican street corn), Mangonada (a Mexican frozen beverage), Aguas Frescas (Mexican fresh fruit juice smoothies), Frutas con Nieve (water-based Mexican ice cream) and more Latin fare. However, the New Tampa Sindbad, like its Temple Terrace counterpart, also will feature some delicious-looking Sindbad Waffles (right) with fresh strawberries, blueberries and Nutella and you can even add ice cream. 

Until the New Tampa location opens, visit or call the Temple Terrace Sindbad at (813) 443-9692 & please tell them I sent you! — GN