Mo Cookies Opens In The KRATEs; Tous Les Jours To Replace Capital Tacos! 

As we told you in this issue (as well as months ago in a previous issue), the cookie chain known as Cookie Plug (photo below left) is coming to the space in The Grove at Wesley Chapel next to the Ice Dreammm Shop — which, by the way, also sells cookies and was named one of our readers’ five Favorite Bakeries (as well as their second favorite ice cream shop) in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. 

Although we didn’t know, at our press time, when this young chain which claims to serve, “The fattest and thiccest cookies on the block” was expected to open, Cookie Plug, founded in 2019, today has 30 locations in 13 states (with the only Florida location in Ft. Myers), but according to CookiePlug.com, is planning to add more than 100 new locations, including more than 30 in the Sunshine State — ten in Tampa (including New Tampa), 15 in Orlando, five in Miami and this one in Wesley Chapel — over the next year or so. 

I will say that Cookie Plug has its work cut out for it if it plans to serve fatter cookies than what you can get at the new Mo Cookies, which opened in the KRATE at The Grove container park (in the former location of Urban Sweets, which I hated to see close), just before we went to press with this issue. 

Mo Cookies, which has an original location in Tallahassee, offers 20+ varieties of freshly baked cookies in four categories — “Standards,” which are thinner and cost $2.99 apiece (and are in the bottom row in the top photo); “Premiums” (which are thicker cookies served with toppings; top two rows); “Signatures” (3rd row from the top), which are “extra large, extra gooey” and cost $4.99 apiece; and “Grab N Go,” which cost $3.49 apiece (and aren’t shown in the picture), although there are “Pack” discounts on all of these options, too. Mo Cookies also offers your favorite cookies as a “MoZookie,” topped with vanilla ice cream. 

With varieties like “S’mores,” “Freshman 15” and “Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter” (the latter is my current favorite), it seems pretty likely that Mo Cookies is going to develop a local following, too. To order, call (813) 345-8059 or visit Order.Online or stop in & tell them I sent you! 

Tous Les Jours Coming To S.R. 56! 

Although New Tampa has now had its own Tous les Jours French-style Korean bakery inside the Lotte Plaza Market on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. for a little more than a year, many people who live in Wesley Chapel are happy that Tous les Jours has announced (with signage on the doors; photo above) that it is taking over the space previously occupied by Capital Tacos on S.R. 56. Although we had no information at our press time as to when the new Tous les Jours was expected to open, the fact that this international brand, with more than 1,600 locations worldwide (and 130+ in the U.S.), will bring its unique and huge selection of breads, pastries, pies, coffee, tea and blended drinks to Wesley Chapel will surely be a welcome addition. 

For more info, visit tljus.com. — GN 

Check Out The Geeky Ferret Hobby Store On 54 & Neverland Toys & Krane At The KRATEs 

The Geeky Ferret

The Geeky Ferret is a new hobby store located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel (next to the former location of Grey Wolf Armory in the plaza).

Geeky Ferret, which opened in Sept., offers Role-Playing Games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons, Collectible Card Games (CCGs) like Pokemon, Miniature games like Warhammer, Board games, Plastic Models (above), as well as paints and all the trimming to finish your models and miniatures. The store also has gaming tables for people to gather and play their games; one of them is configured for podcasting/streaming to the internet.

The store also sells geeky snacks and drinks for those long play sessions. With multiple 3D resin and filament printers in the store, the Geeky Ferret offers custom 3D-printed miniatures and other game-related products. Owner Nicole Webb says that the store will be expanding into the former Grey Wolf location (above, left) in its Phase Two, which will include radio-control products. For more information, stop in or call (813) 694-7997.

Neverland Toys & Krane Open AtThe KRATEs

While several of the restaurants have done pretty been well at the KRATE at The Grove, there’s no doubt it’s been tougher sledding for retailers at the container park.

One of the newest retail stores to open at the KRATEs is Neverland Toys, which has been open less than two months next to the Garden of Eden olive oil store. Although correctly billed as “Barbie Heaven” (photo right), it also is a great place for a large variety of Marvel and DC Comics action figures, Hot Wheels cars and trucks and games and toys for younger kids. Jannah and I found great gifts for all of our grandchildren, who range in age from toddlers through age 5.

For more information about Neverland Toys, search@never.land.toys on Instagram or “Neverland Toys”on Facebook.

Speaking of kids, if your kids love to try to grab toys and other prizes at those funky machines at fairs and arcades , the KRATEs now offer Krane, an unmanned arcade with about a dozen different machines, each with a different variety of toys and prizes, from Pikachu and other Pokemon to Hello Kitty items that the kids can pick up by operating a crane (or “The Claw” from the movie “Toy Story”). —GN

Three New KRATEs Adding New Flavors At The Grove

Although the KRATE at The Grove container park has overall been super-successful, any number of the KRATEs have come and gone in a little more than a year. Here are some updates on a few of the newest additions to Wesley Chapel’s dining & entertainment district.

El Pasta & More

One restaurant KRATE that already has changed names and ownership twice is the new El Pasta & More, which originally opened (at 5817 Goldview Pkwy., #107) as The Fry Room and was followed by Top That! Pizza & More.

But, where those predecessors have come and gone, the hope here is that El Pasta survives, as we already have enjoyed a really good penne with pesto and grilled chicken (also available with shrimp) and a unique chicken parmigiana, which is basically a sizable serving of crispy chicken tenders topped with a tasty marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, served over spaghetti. 

Other options include lamb shank with spaghetti, cheese ravioli, a “build-your-own” pasta with your choice of pasta type, sauce and toppings, a variety of naan bread pizzas, as well as a number of different desserts and more.

For more information, call El Pasta at (813) 973-9359 or visit ElPastaFL.com.

Bodega Deli

If you’ve never lived in New York City, you may not know that bodegas are small stores selling groceries that also usually have great sandwiches and other tasty treats.

Well, the owners of the new Bodega Deli (who also own the adjacent Bebo’s Cheesesteaks) in the former location (at 5840 Grand Oro Ln.) of Sugar Pop!, have recreated the NYC bodega feel — with yummy hot and cold subs, wraps and soups, as well as a variety of breakfast sandwiches and even a build-your-own pasta option with penne, fettuccine or ziti, and Alfredo, vodka (pink) or marinara sauce and meatballs, chicken or Italian sausage. And, of course, like any good New York deli, the Bodega features a variety of NY-style cheesecakes, as well as house-baked chocolate chip cookies and even Good Humor ice cream.

On our first visit, photographer Charmaine George and I enjoyed a “Chopped Cheese” hot sub with chopped beef and cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mayo on a sub roll. Very tasty. We also liked the tuna salad cold sub and the Oreo cookie cheesecake.

For more info, call (813) 597-6178 or visit BodegaDeliFL.com.

Garden Of Eden Olive Oil Co.

Although no one is walking around wearing only fig leaves, you definitely also should visit the new Garden of Eden Olive Oil Company, located at 5830 Goldview Pkwy., Unit 102, in the former location of The Rebellious Hippie and Mythos, both of which were eclectic gift shops.

Located next to Paleta Mia, Garden of Eden is anything but eclectic. It features more than 60 different varieties of olive oils and balsamic vinegars and charismatic owner Adel Youssef is always happy to tell you about (and let you sample) each and every kind. 

“All of our olive oils and balsamic vinegars come from our supplier in California, but we have olive oils imported from Australia, Greece, Portugal, Spain and others and our balsamic vinegars are both white and dark — and all of them are delicious and available for sampling here in the store.”

Adel, who says he preiously was in the Egyptian Secret Service protecting president Hosni Mubarak, always has fresh bread available to sample his wares, “although some people will just drink them without bread.” He also sells a variety of olive oil-based candles, skin care products and more. Go and check it all out and please tell Adel I sent you!

For more info, visit GardenofEdenOliveOilCompany.com or call (813) 606-4545.

Sausage King Replaces TJ’s Hot Dogs In The KRATEs 

Congrats go out to Christos Paradisis and Colleen Gallagher, who recently opened the new Sausage King in the former location of TJ’s Hot Dogs at the KRATE Container Park. 

Although we also enjoyed TJ’s, Sausage King not only has a greater variety of tasty options, Chris also grills his hot dogs, sweet and hot Italian sausages and Polska kielbasas, and Sausage King is already attracting new fans. 

I can vouch for the foot-long hot dog with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut (left photo), as well as the sweet Italian sausage sandwich with grilled onions and peppers. I also enjoyed the crispy fried mozzarella sticks with house-made marinara dipping sauce. 

Chris, who moved to this area from his native Greece, says the marinara is his “mama’s own recipe.” Colleen, who is from Philadelphia, says their goal for Sausage King is to remind folks of the flavors they love from back home in the Northeast. For more info, search “Sausage King” on Facebook.