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Orlando & The Freakshow

Say Goodbye: These Tampa Businesses Are Closing

Author Richie Ortiz

There have been a lot of rumors recently about Tampa businesses potentially closing their doors. We recently told you about the approval of the Westshore Mall demolition. Though these businesses provide different services, most of them share similar reasons why they may be closing. The economy. So I did some research and found out which ones are in fact shutting down, and which ones are safe. These are the businesses that are closing in Tampa.

Bacon Bitch

A super popular brunch spot in Downtown St. Pete unexpectedly closed it’s doors over the weekend (5/18-5/19) with no explanation! Someone posted on a public Facebook group that they tried to visit Bacon Bitch over the weekend and the doors were locked/lights were off. The St. Pete location was also removed from the company’s website. It’s a bummer for fans who enjoyed going there for a crazy birthday celebration that they won’t get an explanation.

The Stone Soup Company

This family-friendly restaurant has been in business in Tampa and St. Pete for 13 years. They posted on their Facebook page that they have unexpectedly closed. There was no explanation behind the sudden closure just “ceasing operations immediately”.

Beginning today The Stone Soup Company will be closing its doors. We would like to thank all the current and past...

Posted by The Stone Soup Company on Monday, April 29, 2024

Tijuana Flats

Tijuana Flats Closing 4 Tampa Bay Locations - Tijuana Flats in St. Petersburg

This one hits close to the heart for me. I’ve been eating at the St. Pete and South Tampa locations for years and never would have imagined them closing. Since the WiLD Station is in St. Pete, I’ve been eating at the 944 4th Street location more frequently. So I feel responsible that the south Tampa location is one of 4 other stores that will be closing. Should I have gotten more chips and queso? Should I have visited more on Taco Tuesday and bought more Dos Tacos with blackened chicken? These are questions I have to sit with. Now I’m going to have to head there and get some tubs of that Smack My Ass & Call Me Sally sauce before they change it or worse, get rid of it.

According to a press release released by the Tex-Mex chain, they announced there was an ongoing ownership change in progress. New ownership is looking to take Tijuana Flats back to their roots. They also announced the filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection so they could move forward. Therefore, Tijuana Flats will be closing at their 4027 S Dale Mabry Hwy, 9250 W Linebaugh, Ave., 9250 W Linebaugh, Ave., and 1635 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota locations.

Express

You would think with the prices of their clothing they’d be swimming in cash, but it turns out Express wasn’t as bougie as we thought. The apparel retailer has now begun the process of closing 95 stores in 30 states after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. When it comes to the 2 Tampa stores, we are currently safe and will stay open. However the same can’t be said for their Citrus Park and Countryside Mall locations.

Source: WFLA

Crisp & Green

Only a year after their opening, the fast-casual “healthy” restaurant abruptly shut its doors. Not only has the storefront sign already been removed, but the location has already been removed from Google and the restaurants website and placement on waterstreettampa.com has disappeared. Almost like it never happened.

Source: Creative Loafing

Red Lobster

ROHNERT PARK, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: A sign is posted on the exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant on April 17, 2024 in Rohnert Park, California. Red Lobster is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to address rising labor costs and in hopes of renegotiating property leases and long-term contracts. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

According to Fox 35 and a report any Bloomberg, Red Lobster has been weighing their options and could also possibly be filing for Chapter 11. This would relieve the nation’s seafood restaurant chain of a bunch of financial pressures that have been weighing them down. On May 14 it was announced that 3 Tampa Bay Red Lobster locations will be closing:
2625 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa
17021 Palm Pointe Drive, Tampa
10500 E Ulmerton Road, Largo

Source: Fox 35

The 5 Most Overrated Restaurants in Tampa

Tampa’s restaurant scene is scorching hot, but some of the most well-known spots are just overrated tourist traps. That’s the opinion at least of our listeners. Recently on the show, I asked which Tampa area restaurants are overhyped. There was an overwhelming choice for the #1 spot. And I disagree. But this is your list not mine.

Of the 5 restaurants that made this list of the 5 most overrated restaurants in Tampa, I was surprised you named 2 fast food style spots. One had subpar burgers according to you. The other you said has drive thru lines that just make visiting a hassle. Some restaurants that made the list come with a pretty hefty bill at the end of the meal.

The biggest debate among Tampa foodies is always where to find the best Cuban Sandwich. All of us in Tampa Bay generally agree our Cuban is far superior to the runner up version in Miami. But when it comes to declaring which is the best, that’s when the debate heats up. Bodega, Columbia Restaurant, Brocato’s, or the West Tampa Sandwich Shop all usually come up in the discussion. But one of those spots was deemed the most overrated restaurant in Tampa by our listeners and online Tampa area friends I polled on Facebook and on the Tampa Reddit.

Here’s a look at the 5 restaurants that you said are just too overrated. The #1 pick shocked me. It’s the only place on Earth where I enjoy a salad as a full meal. So for you to pick this one hurts Tampa. It really does. Let’s dive in.

  • #5: Meat Market

    Meat Market is one of those South Tampa spots for the fancy and fabulous. They make it clear on their website. Don’t stroll in wearing a tank top or beachwear.  As reddit user Gator_farmer said, Meat Market is where you go to be seen… going to Meat Market. MSH0123 on reddit says the only redeeming quality is their Espresso Martini.  Cocogator adds the cookie is a must. The Hyde Park steak house has only a 3.5 star rating on Trip Advisor. It’s on my gotta-try list at some point so I can’t guide you either way. But it’s popularity can’t be denied.  Is it worth the price? Guywithcoolsocks said he got a mediocre pulled pork sandwich for $40.

  • #4: Goody Goody

    While many love their brunch, the burgers aren’t worthy of the hype according to my listeners.  I can’t vouch for Goody Goody.  I’ve meant to try them, but just never have.

    The Hyde Park diner has a deep history going back to the 1920s.  The milkshakes, the homemade baked pies, and the giant pancakes are are pretty popular.  Goody Goody goes back so far that the diner once had servers on roller skates.   Inside, the checkered floors and unique green and yellow color scheme takes you back in time.

    But some Tampa reddit users were not fans.  Koderdood said “never again.”  AdFirm3593 said the food is bad, the staff isn’t friendly and it was just an all around awful experience.  JungleJims4322 was told to go drunk… and “it was still so bad.”

  • #3: Chick-fil-A

    Really!?  You never see the drive thru empty at any Tampa area Chick-fil-A.  So this one making the list came as a total shock to me.  But that was the most common complaint among listeners: the drive thru line.  They say even though the lines move fast, it’s not worth the effort when the line is wrapped around the building.  I get it. The lines can get long, but my pro tip is to avoid the drive thru completely.  The Chick-fil-A app is so easy to use.  I start tapping on my phone when the craving hits.  And then just walk in and pick up my order inside the store while the people stuck in the drive thru are breathing gas fumes.

  • #2: Bern's Steak House

    When I told friends I was moving to Tampa, one restaurant was unanimously suggested to me: Bern’s.  Even the guy who performed an oil change for my 1,000+ mile journey to Florida suggested I go the first week I arrive.  I’ve still yet to do the full Bern’s experience.  Downstairs in the bar, you can get a steak sandwich for a budget friendly $20.  Or at least you used to.  This was years ago that I did that.  But between the cost and reservation process being such a challenge, I’ve never gone through the whole complete Bern’s experience.  So I can’t say it’s overrated… but you did. It came in at #2.

    One listener suggested to get a better experience at Bern’s, go on a weekday.  You’ll have more time with the server to get good suggestions.

  • #1: Columbia Restaurant

    I’m shocked that this was the #1 pick for most overrated restaurant in Tampa. The 1905 Salad alone makes a trip over the Howard Frankland to Ybor worth the trip for me. As mentioned earlier, it’s the only restaurant in the world where I can enjoy a salad as a meal. Honestly, the Cuban sandwich at Columbia isn’t my favorite in town. But that 1905 Salad more than makes up for it. I love the half and half lunch special where you can get the smaller salad and half Cuban combo.

    On Reddit user said it’s a “pretty tourist trap with overpriced ‘meh’ food.” Another said that the Ybor location is the only Columbia one where they’ve had a good meal.

    Most agree, however, that the atmosphere, architecture and history are reason enough for a visit to Columbia Restaurant. It’s a no-brainer if you need a spot to take a visitor from out of town.

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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