Freeman's Eatery Food Truck, Caribbean Family Restaurant and Other New Restaurants (6/11)

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ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Freeman's Eatery Food Truck

A new food truck called Freeman's Eatery will launch in Pensacola in a couple of weeks, according to owner Derrick Smith.

The truck will serve breakfast sandwiches in the mornings and burgers and chicken sandwiches in the afternoons. Smith plans to operate Freeman's Eatery food truck in the Pensacola area once it opens in a couple of weeks.

Follow the truck's on Instagram.

DUVAL COUNTY

Alien Tacos & Tequila

A new restaurant called Alien Tacos & Tequila is set to open at 7643 Gate Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256 in July, according to owner Jordan Berman. Berman co-owns the venture with his father David.

The 120-seat eatery will be open 7 days a week from 11am to 10:30pm, staying open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Alien Tacos & Tequila promises a "bold, new and fun" concept with an aliens and outer space décor that represents an out-of-the-box theme.

In addition to a creative menu and bar program, the restaurant will feature an immersive ambiance. One element is a "do not push" button in the bathrooms that activates party lights for 10 seconds when pushed.

While this is David and Jordan Berman's first restaurant project together, they both bring business experience to the new space opening soon in Jacksonville. More details can be found at Alien Taco's website.

The father-son duo are preparing to launch Alien Tacos & Tequila this July.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

Ecologica Coffee Shop

A new cafe and coffee shop called Ecologica is gearing up for its grand opening soon, according to owner Carlos Murrieta. The health-focused brand existed as a pop-up before moving into its space at: 115 Strongway Ct, St. Augustine, FL 32086.

Ecologia is in its soft-opening phase and is located next to the Stone Climbing gym in St. Augustine. The cafe will serve its menu of premium coffees, matcha teas, arepas, wraps, salads and avocado toast.

While operating currently in a soft open mode, Murrieta and the Ecologica team are gearing up for a grand opening in a couple of weeks.

Follow them on Instagram.

Frizee's Gizzard, Livers and Whatnot

A new food truck called Frizee's Gizzard, Livers and Whatnot is set to launch in St. Augustine in about a month, owner Michelle Friedman told FFBW.

The truck will serve gizzards, livers, popcorn chicken, tater tots, jalepeno poppers, cheddar balls and more. It will operate 5-6 days a week at events, festivals and semi-permanent locations around the area.

Frizee's has a bigger mission than serving unique foods. The truck's sales will go towards helping St. Augustine Harley Angel's Dog Rescue establish a permanent facility. Once they establish a facility, Frizee's will still continue to operate.

The truck's sales will go towards supporting the local dog rescue's efforts to establish a permanent space. Look out for Frizee's to open in a month or so.

Find them on Facebook for updates.

FLAGLER COUNTY

Tab's Food Truck

Tab's Food Truck is coming to the Bunnell area in about a month, according to owner Teddy Putnam. The name "Tab's" is an acronym representing Teddy, his wife Anna, and his father Bill.

Teddy and Anna Putnam have had long careers in the restaurant industry and are now launching their first food truck venture. Tab's will specialize in handmade chicken sandwiches accompanied by homemade sauces and hand-cut fries as the menu staples.

After launching in roughly a month, the Putnams plan to scout out permanent locations around Bunnell to serve their signature chicken sandwiches.

MARION COUNTY

Caribbean Family Restaurant

A new food truck called Caribbean Family Restaurant, serving a fusion of Caribbean cuisines with a Haitian focus, is launching soon in Ocala.

Owner Patrick Delhomme is awaiting final paperwork before debuting the truck. He plans to find a semi-permanent location for Caribbean Family Restaurant in the Ocala area once opened.

The food truck's menu will highlight Haitian dishes and other Caribbean specialties. Look out for Caribbean Family Restaurant soon!

Golda's Place

A new food truck called Golda's Place will be serving cheeseburgers, fried chicken, fries, Puerto Rican sandwiches and more in Ocala soon.

Co-owned by Jonaly Perez, Golda's Place plans to open once paperwork and licensing is completed. The truck will attend events around Ocala and also look to establish a semi-permanent location.

Owners aim to launch Golda's Place's mobile operation in Ocala in the coming months after permitting is finalized. Follow them on Instagram.

Laynie Lou's Donuts 

A new donut shop called Laynie Lou's Donuts is opening in Ocala in about a month, co-owner Eldon Raines told FFBW.

Laynie Lou's will serve mini donuts with custom toppings, as well as coffee, breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches. Look out for the donut shop in approximately one month's time.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Encanto Restaurant & Bakery

A new restaurant called Encanto Restaurant & Bakery is set to open in July or August at 915 S Volusia Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, co-owner Joseph Salinas told FFBW.

The eatery will offer a Chipotle-style setup where guests can build their own Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes. Owned by Salinas and Pablo Paulino, Encanto aims to bring more Caribbean flavors to the Orange City area.

On weekends from 10pm-2am, Encanto will transition into a nightlife spot complete with a DJ and full bar service. The space will have around 70 seats and a total capacity of at least 130 people.

Salinas and Paulino, who also own Rincon del Sabor in Deland, are preparing for Encanto Restaurant & Bakery's anticipated July/August opening.

PASCO COUNTY

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

A new Tropical Smoothie Cafe location is opening at 8869 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654 by the end of the year, according to franchisee Dhairya Chaudhari.

Chaudhari and his wife Lokita franchise multiple Tropical Smoothie Cafes and also own some Cold Stone Creamery locations. They are also looking at potential locations in Spring Hill for future expansion.

The New Port Richey cafe will be their latest Tropical Smoothie spot, joining their existing franchises in the area. An exact opening date isn't available now, but Chaudhari estimates late this year or early next.

BREVARD COUNTY

Pokefin

A new location of the growing Pokefin brand is coming to Viera, owner Ronald Abeles told FFBW. Pokefin has two other locations, Abeles said, one in Cocoa Beach and the other in Satellite Beach.

The new location will be at: 7500 Lake Andrew Dr #105, Melbourne, FL 32940. Abeles expects them to open in the later half of this month. Abeles also anticipates this one to be their busiest, based on location. There will be 30 seats inside.

Rockin' Retro Ice Cream Parlor

A new 1950s/60s-themed ice cream shop called Rockin' Retro Ice Cream Parlor is set to open in Cocoa Beach this August.

Owners Jennifer Darr and Michael Daugherty are signing a lease soon for the parlor's location at 2019 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. The space will have around 40 seats.

Rockin' Retro Ice Cream Parlor will evoke classic Americana nostalgia with a retro decor and aesthetic. The menu will feature ice cream floats, shakes, traditional egg creams, 24 flavors of ice cream, as well as chocolate and vanilla soft serve, the owners reported to FFBW.

Keep an eye out for their white and red checkered ice cream and soda parlor in August.

MANATEE COUNTY

Balaton Bites Food Truck

A new food truck called Balaton Bites is having its grand opening on June 13 at 3805 Shimmering Oaks Dr, Parrish, FL 34219, owner and U.S. Army veteran Nathaniel Tims told FFBW.

Tims has over a decade of professional culinary experience, including his time as a chef de partie for Ebbe in Tampa when they received their Michelin Star. With his training, he will turn his focus to Eastern European (especially Hungarian) cuisine.

The menu will feature chicken paprikash, schnitzel, crepes and other Hungarian and regional specialties that Tims grew to love during his time stationed in Europe, where he met his wife and co-owner Liliana. The namesake of the business is Lake Balaton in Hungary, where the Tims' frequently vacation.

After the grand opening event in Parrish on June 13, Balaton Bites plans to attend various events and pop-ups throughout the greater Tampa and St. Petersburg areas.

Follow their latest updates on Instagram

SARASOTA COUNTY

The Duo Doner & Deli

A new takeout restaurant called The Duo Doner and Deli is opening at 5049 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242, co-owner Maja Rakowiecka told FFBW in an interview.

The Duo will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring European-style doner kebabs, sandwiches, paninis, waffles and more. It will be primarily a takeout operation with limited dine-in seating.

Rakowiecka said the space is currently undergoing remodeling, with an anticipated opening in a couple of months.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Bacon Bitch

A new location of the growing brunch and lunch spot Bacon Bitch is coming to West Palm Beach, owner Paul Silverberg told FFBW. Bacon Bitch has two locations in Miami and one other in Orlando.

Silverberg shared that the brand aims to provide more than dining; they seek to create an guest experience unlike any others with distinct branding and a lively atmosphere. Find the new location at: 330 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

Silverberg reported that they will open this location in July. He estimates that they will have between 150-200 seats. They will operate between 8 am - 6 pm seven days a week.

H&H Bagels

H&H Bagels, a New York bagel brand, is expanding to South Florida via franchisees Chris Greco and Eric Schultz, according to Greco.

Greco and Schultz are the first H&H Bagels franchisees in the United States. They plan to open 12 total locations from Jupiter to Fort Lauderdale over the next 3-5 years.

Their first location will open at 2200 Glades Rd #102a, Boca Raton, FL 33431 in July after completing construction soon. This will be a grab and go focused unit and will have around 10 seats inside.

Their second location at 890 North Railroad Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 will begin construction at the end of summer.

Greco and Schultz are leading the brand's entrance into the South Florida market starting with these upcoming openings. More units from different franchisees are planned for Miami and Orlando, the website shows.

Oh Goodness

A new food trailer called Oh Goodness specializing in snow cones, waffles and other sweet treats is preparing to open in West Palm Beach once their paperwork is complete. The trailer is owned by Cassidy and Daniel Roach.

Oh Goodness' dessert will be focused on using high-quality, organic ingredients free of unnatural dyes. The Roaches also aim to create a positive work environment and provide jobs for local teenagers once Oh Goodness trailer launches.

Expect the trailer to open in a few weeks. Follow Oh Goodness on Instagram.

COLLIER COUNTY

Ice Out & Poppin Food Truck

A new food truck called Ice Out & Poppin is set to launch in Naples in a couple of weeks, serving snow cones, fresh popped popcorn, snacks, drinks and candy, according to co-owner Ashley Lindsey.

The concession truck is owned by Ashley and Daniel Lindsey. Once open, Ice Out & Poppin plans to operate full-time attending various events and festivals around the Naples area.

DADE COUNTY

Vayla's Gourmet Shaved Ice

Popular shaved ice shop Vayla's is opening a new food truck for catering and events, as well as a location at the Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace mall food court in Florida City, owner Dimitris Labatos told FFBW.

The new mall location will open at 250 E Palm Dr, Florida City, FL 33034 in approximately a month, along with the debut of Vayla's food truck around the same timeframe.

The brand first launched in 2018 with its original Falls Mall store in Miami. This expansion brings Vayla's signature gourmet shaved ice flavors like coffee, banana, cola, lemon lime, mango and more to Florida City.

The upcoming food truck will allow Vayla's to serve its treats at catered events, while the Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace location provides a permanent mall presence.