The Search For Wesley Chapel’s Favorite Fried Chicken Is Over! Well, Sort Of!

So, which is our readers’ favorite fried chick- lace in the Wesley Chapel area?

The answer I have for you is certainly not definitive, although the nine judges yours truly picked from amongst nearly 50 of our readers in both of our distribution areas definitely were in agreement on their favorites…well, mostly anyway.

Picking those nine judges was not an easy task. Of the 50 people who volunteered, I originally planned to only have five judges. But then, I thought, what would happen if more than one of the people we picked ended up not being able to be there for all three rounds? I decided that having at least a couple more couldn’t hurt — it would even allow us to employ Olympic-style scoring, if necessary (it wasn’t), where we could throw out the high and the low and just use the other seven scores for each restaurant.

At any rate, the nine people selected, from left to right in the top left photo, were: Bill Johnston (aka Colonel Sanders himself!) and his wife Suzanne Reno of Quail Hollow, Aaron “Dion” Rocha of New River Township, Cindy Cooley of Tampa Palms, Dion’s wife Suzanne Rocha, the father-daughter duo of Joshua & Zoe Paine of Heritage Isles and the son-&-father team of Karson (the self-proclaimed & costumed “King Chicken Wing” and Jason Centeno of Live Oak Preserve (and yes, a certain editor is in there, too).

All three rounds of judging were a blast for yours truly, the judges and even for Jannah, whose unenviable job it was to go and pick up the chicken from each of the restaurants, cut each tender into bite-sized pieces and plate them for me to bring to the judges.

I originally thought we were going to split the number of places into one group of 5 for Round 1 and one group of 6 for Round 2, but after Round 1, I realized that one Wesley Chapel chicken place (Wing Stop) had recently added tenders to its menu, so Round 2 ended up having the Mild and Spicy chicken tenders from seven places.

A few other things I have to mention:

  1. Because we bought and had to bring the chicken from multiple places to one central location, the judges knew beforehand that none of the chicken would ever be as hot or as moist as it would be at each of the actual restaurants.
  2. None of the chicken was served with sauces for fear that the judges would figure out whose chicken was whose too easily. But again, it also kept each place’s chicken from tasting its best.
  3. I have to thank president & CEO Hope Kennedy and office administrator Darlene Hill of the North Tampa Bay Chamber for allowing us to use the board room in the Chamber’s beautiful, new office in The Shops at Wiregrass for all three rounds of the contest.
  4. I also have to thank our photographer/ videographer Charmaine George for not only shooting still pictures, but also videotaping all of the proceedings. Although we are announcing the winners in this issue, we also will show video highlights from all three rounds as the premiere episode of our “Neighborhood Newsmakers” podcast. Look for updates about that first podcast on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page.
  5. Yours truly didn’t sample all of the chicken nor did I try to influence the judges in any way.

Here’s how the judging went for the first two nds of the contest, as each chicken tender was judged based on its Crispness, Moistness, Seasoning (for Mild) and Heat (for Spicy), but only the Overall score given for each restaurant counted:

Round 1 (July 23) —There were five Mild but only four spicy chicken tenders in this round, because Raising Cane’s is the only one of the 12 total restaurants that doesn’t sell spicy tenders.

The Mild tenders were from PDQ, Chicken Guy, Zaxby’s, Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken. The favorite of these five was Chicken Guy, with PDQ second (both of which advanced to the Finals) and Raising Cane’s third, with Zaxby’s fourth and Dave’s fifth.

On the Spicy side this round, Zaxby’s was the clear-cut winner by average score, but Chicken Guy was the #1 choice of more of the judges, so both advanced to the Finals, with PDQ and Dave’s not advancing.

Round 2 (July 30) — Chick-fil-A and Slim Chickens finished solidly as #s 1 and 2 (in that order) to advance to the Mild Finals, and they were followed by Popeye’s,Wing Stop,Chick’n Fun, Hangry Joe’s and Sweet Krunch, in that order.

The same seven restaurants competed for Favorite Spicy, with Chick-fil-A and Slim Chickens again finishing in the top two spots, followed (in order) by Chick’n Fun, Popeye’s,Wing Stop, Hangry Joe’s & Sweet Krunch.

Finals (Aug. 4) — The judges were never told which four Mild and which four Spicy tenders advanced to the Finals, but several recognized PDQ & Chick-fil-A from the first two rounds and one judge identified Chicken Guy from Round 1.

For the Finals, each judge was asked to put the four Finalists in each category from their overall #1 Favorite down to #4.

For Favorite Mild Tenders, PDQand Chick-fil-A finished in a flat-footed tie for first place, with each receiving 3 first-place, 3 second-place and 3 third-place votes. But, since five of the judges had PDQ finishing higher than Chick-fil-A, PDQ won for Favorite Mild Tenders. Chick-fil-A was second and Chicken Guy finished third (with 2 first-place votes), and Slim Chickens was fourth, with only 1 first-place vote.

The judges agreed that the four Mild Finalists were their four favorites from the first two rounds.

For Favorite Spicy Tenders, Chick-fil-A and Slim Chickens each had 3 first-place votes, but Chick-fil-A also had 4 second-place votes to Slim Chickens’ 1, so Chick-fil-A was named the Favorite Spicy Tenders winner, followed by Slim Chickens. Zaxby’s just beat out Chicken Guy to finish third.

Looking Back

The contest was certainly not scientific and I know it really doesn’t “prove” anything. I’m also quite certain that many, if not most, of our readers will disagree with the results.

But, what it did accomplish was to bring together a diverse group of our readers for a fun and interesting cause and there’s no doubt that these nine previous strangers — two couples, two father-&-child combos and one not-partnered judge — all became friends and took their “jobs” very seriously, but not too seriously.

There were comments like, “I can’t taste the chicken,” “Dill pickle undertones,” “Only one I didn’t finish,” “Needs sauce,” “Tastes like Publix” and “Heavy vinegar flavor” — and a lot of laughs.

All nine judges also want to try judging the Best Steaks, Best Fries, Best Burgers and a couple that I might actually try to put together — Best Pizza and Best Tacos, but I probably will have to select a whole new crew of judges next time.

Look for the podcast on our Facebook page!

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. 

Shuckin’ Shack To ‘Soft Open’ On Monday; Slim Chickens Opening Sept. 28!

We previously told you that both Slim Chickens (at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) and Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) were both expected to open soon, with Slim Chickens perhaps ready to open before our Sept. 19 New Tampa issue hit mailboxes. Both restaurants have now announced their new planned opening dates.

According to Jared, one of the franchise owners of Slim Chickens on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (just north of Old Pasco Rd.), although the restaurant’s gas hookup was completed, the threat of Hurricane Idalia caused additional delays and Jared says that the 225+-unit home of hand-breaded chicken tenders, sandwiches and nuggets (photo) and mason jar desserts is now expecting to open on or around Thursday, September 28. For more information, visit SlimChickens.com. 

Meanwhile, Shuckin’ Shack was previously set to open on Sept. 16, with a special North Tampa Bay Chamber VIP preview expected to take place on Sept. 12. Unfortunately, Shuckin’ Shack suffered similar Hurricane Idalia-related delays as Slim Chickens, but the soft opening — featuring a 15% discount for doctors, nurses, military & first responders — of the North Carolina-based chain’s 20th location is now expected on Monday, September 25. Look for a big photo spread of that opening day in our October 3 edition of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News! Visit TheShuckinShack.com or “Shuckin’ Shack Wesley Chapel” on Facebook for more information.—GN 

Nibbles & Bites: Sorbo To Open In Former Bru Growler Bar Location 

In the Shoppes at Wesley Chapel plaza at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel) that already is home to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Latin Twist CafĂ©, The Hungry Greek and Umu Japanese & Thai, the former location of Bru Growler Bar and Buttermilk Provisions before that will go back to its coffee-&-tea roots, as Sorbo Coffee ‱ Tea ‱ Bakery ‱ Wine (photo) is expected to open by sometime this fall. 

The partners who own Umu also are involved in the ownership of Sorbo, as our friend Chef Will told us when we stopped in a few days before we went to press with this issue. “Sorbo will serve coffee, tea and a variety of pastries for breakfast and become a wine bar in the afternoon,” Will said. “We are excited to be bringing this new concept to Wesley Chapel.” 

All I can say after my sneak peek inside is that the place already looks pretty great (and upscale) and will be a welcome addition to the community. — GN 

Slim Chickens To Open By Aug. 17!

Yes, we know that the Wesley Chapel area already has The Chicken Boss, Chick-fil-A, King of the Coop, Chick’n Fun, Zaxby’s, Popeye’s and many other restaurants, chain and mom-and-pop, that specialize in fried chicken (and/or wings) in its many (sometimes) delicious forms. 

Even so, as we reported months ago that it was coming, the latest news is that Wesley Chapel’s next entry into these “Chicken Wars” will be Slim Chickens, a chain founded in 2003 in Fayetteville, AR, with more than 225 units already open and with 1,200+ in development across most of the U.S. 

Specializing in hand-breaded chicken tenders, Slim Chickens’ Wesley Chapel location was still hiring at our press time and was expected to open by Thursday, August 17, according both to a Google search and a spokesperson at the nearly-completed building at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd., or about halfway between Chick’n Fun and The Wing House. 

With its nearest location to us on S. Macdill Ave. in Tampa, the Wesley Chapel location also will serve the chain’s new Nashville hot and other chicken sandwiches, wings, salads, Southern-style sides (including fried okra, mac n’ cheese and fried pickles) and, of course, its “Slim Sweets” signature desserts served in mason jars, like chocolate brownie pudding. 

For more information, visit SlimChickens.com. — GN 

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Getting Close To Opening On WC Blvd., Too! 

A few miles south of Slim Chickens, at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension (in the same plaza as Chicken Salad Chick) in Lutz is the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, which will be the 20th link in a chain that already has locations in seven states, including the nearest to us in Ocala. That Shuckin’ Shack also is owned by Brad Harper, who is opening the Lutz/ WC location. 

Founded in Carolina Beach, NC, in 2007 by co-founders Matt Piccinin and Sean Cook — because of the co-founders’ shared “craving for fresh oysters” — Shuckin’ Shack began franchising locations in 2014 and features raw, steamed and chargrilled oysters, “sharkbite” shrimp (because “bang-bang” and “firecracker” were already taken, according to TheShuckinShack.com), scallops, snow crab legs (by the lb. or 1/2-lb.), crab “balls,” calamari, fresh clams and mussels and a variety of sampler and family-style options, like a “Low Country Boil.” 

There also is an ahi tuna appetizer, but no fresh fish entrĂ©es on the menu, but there is a fried cod sandwich and mahi tacos (there also are shrimp, tuna, chicken and even oyster tacos), as well as wings, salads, po-boy and other sandwiches, quesadillas and even shrimp ‘N grits. 

And yes, when it opens later this summer, Shuckin’ Shack will feature a full liquor bar and will be managed by our new friends Alie and Hunter (photo, right). Watch our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page for opening date updates. — GN 

Playa Bowls Not Open Yet 

Speaking of the Shoppes at Wesley Chapel, we told you a couple of issues ago that Playa Bowls — the beach-themed açai-&-more healthy bowl chain with more than 200 locations — was planning to open on or around June 17.  Also known as “Pineappleland,” Playa Bowls was still not open at our press time and we had no word yet from local franchise owners Tabitha Castro and Pablo Reid as to when it will open. For more info, visit PlayaBowls.com.— GN 

Nibbles & Bites: Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Getting Close To Opening On WC Blvd., Too! 

A few miles south of Slim Chickens, at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension (in the same plaza as Chicken Salad Chick) in Lutz is the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, which will be the 20th link in a chain that already has locations in seven states, including the nearest to us in Ocala. That Shuckin’ Shack also is owned by Brad Harper, who is opening the Lutz/ WC location. 

Founded in Carolina Beach, NC, in 2007 by co-founders Matt Piccinin and Sean Cook — because of the co-founders’ shared “craving for fresh oysters” — Shuckin’ Shack began franchising locations in 2014 and features raw, steamed and chargrilled oysters, “sharkbite” shrimp (because “bang-bang” and “firecracker” were already taken, according to TheShuckinShack.com), scallops, snow crab legs (by the lb. or 1/2-lb.), crab “balls,” calamari, fresh clams and mussels and a variety of sampler and family-style options, like a “Low Country Boil.” 

There also is an ahi tuna appetizer, but no fresh fish entrĂ©es on the menu, but there is a fried cod sandwich and mahi tacos (there also are shrimp, tuna, chicken and even oyster tacos), as well as wings, salads, po-boy and other sandwiches, quesadillas and even shrimp ‘N grits. 

And yes, when it opens later this summer, Shuckin’ Shack will feature a full liquor bar and will be managed by our new friends Alie and Hunter (photo, right). Watch our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page for opening date updates. — GN 

Slim Chickens To Open By Aug. 17!

Yes, we know that the Wesley Chapel area already has The Chicken Boss, Chick-fil-A, King of the Coop, Chick’n Fun, Zaxby’s, Popeye’s and many other restaurants, chain and mom-and-pop, that specialize in fried chicken (and/or wings) in its many (sometimes) delicious forms. 

Even so, as we reported months ago that it was coming, the latest news is that Wesley Chapel’s next entry into these “Chicken Wars” will be Slim Chickens, a chain founded in 2003 in Fayetteville, AR, with more than 225 units already open and with 1,200+ in development across most of the U.S. 

Specializing in hand-breaded chicken tenders, Slim Chickens’ Wesley Chapel location was still hiring at our press time and was expected to open by Thursday, August 17, according both to a Google search and a spokesperson at the nearly-completed building at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd., or about halfway between Chick’n Fun and The Wing House. 

With its nearest location to us on S. Macdill Ave. in Tampa, the Wesley Chapel location also will serve the chain’s new Nashville hot and other chicken sandwiches, wings, salads, Southern-style sides (including fried okra, mac n’ cheese and fried pickles) and, of course, its “Slim Sweets” signature desserts served in mason jars, like chocolate brownie pudding. 

For more information, visit SlimChickens.com. — GN 

Sorbo To Open In Former Bru Growler Bar Location 

In the Shoppes at Wesley Chapel plaza at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel) that already is home to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Latin Twist CafĂ©, The Hungry Greek and Umu Japanese & Thai, the former location of Bru Growler Bar and Buttermilk Provisions before that will go back to its coffee-&-tea roots, as Sorbo Coffee ‱ Tea ‱ Bakery ‱ Wine (photo) is expected to open by sometime this fall. 

The partners who own Umu also are involved in the ownership of Sorbo, as our friend Chef Will told us when we stopped in a few days before we went to press with this issue. “Sorbo will serve coffee, tea and a variety of pastries for breakfast and become a wine bar in the afternoon,” Will said. “We are excited to be bringing this new concept to Wesley Chapel.” 

All I can say after my sneak peek inside is that the place already looks pretty great (and upscale) and will be a welcome addition to the community. — GN 

Playa Bowls Not Open Yet 

Speaking of the Shoppes at Wesley Chapel, we told you a couple of issues ago that Playa Bowls — the beach-themed açai-&-more healthy bowl chain with more than 200 locations — was planning to open on or around June 17. 

Also known as “Pineappleland,” Playa Bowls was still not open at our press time and we had no word yet from local franchise owners Tabitha Castro and Pablo Reid as to when it will open. For more info, visit PlayaBowls.com.— GN