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Orlando & The Freakshow

Another Great Tampa Restaurant Is Closing Its Doors

Author Richie Ortiz

2024 is turning out to be a pretty rough year for many businesses in the Tampa area. I feel like I’m making a post about another one closing every week, and this week is no different. This one breaks my heart too because I absolutely love their fried chicken and waffles. Unfortunately, I have to inform everyone that Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe is closing its doors.

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe

I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Soul Food Sundays, but Ella’s has been GOATED in my book as far as Tampa restaurants. On Friday afternoon, Ella’s posted on their Instagram that on September 1st they would be closing their doors. This is after being in business for 15 years!

The writing was on the wall when the owner, Melissa Deming, listed the property back in December to be sold. According to the Tampa Bay Times, this was a last-ditch effort for Fleming to try and save the business. She figured if she sold it, she could probably keep the business open. It didn’t work out that way though.

Ella’s writes in the post “As we prepare for this bittersweet farewell, we invite you to join us in the coming weeks to share one last meal, raise a toast, and celebrate the memories that have made out time together in Seminole Heights so much fun.”

So since you only have a couple of weeks left to enjoy their delicious food, I figured I’d give you my Top 3 things on their menu:

Fried Chicken & Waffles

So good I had to mention them twice in this article. The only problem is you can only get them on Soul Food Sundays. However, if you do want a substitute during the week you can get their chicken and waffle sammy. Not as big of a meal, but you get your fix till you can get there on Sunday.

The Wino

I’m going to be honest, I don’t know how to pronounce this, but it’s delicious nonetheless. It’s a burger with bacon apple jam, gorgonzola, arugula, and red onions. You’ll just have to choose your side. You can choose from Fried Green Tomatoes, Salad, Cup of Soup, Fried Pickles, Slaw, and Garlic & Thyme Fries.

Triple Red Velvet Cake

C’mon now. Do I even need to say anything else. All of Ell’s desserts are homemade, so you can taste the love in all of their choices. However, the red velvet is my favorite.

What’s your favorite thing on the menu at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe?

Rich grew up in the Bronx, NY but moved to Tampa in 2006 to attend the University of Tampa. Even though he completed 4 years at the University for Sports Management, Ortiz realized his true passion for radio after taking a couple of classes to fulfill his communications minor and volunteering at UT's WUTT radio station as a sports director. Rich also worked at several clubs in Tampa as a host/promoter where he would meet and work alongside Davy Rolando, who would be the one who would help him get a job at WiLD 94.1. From there, Rich worked his way up from Promotions assistant to promotions coordinator, to eventually full-time on-air. Rich loves to write about his favorite Tampa food spots, concert reviews, and the WiLDest Florida man/woman stories.

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