Rich BBQ, Oasis of Flavors, Empanada Daddy and More Restaurant News (6/25)
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OKALOOSA COUNTY
Rad Bowls
A new 80s-themed eatery, Rad Bowls, is set to open in the next 60 days at 1142 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578, owner Dustin Crawley told FFBW.
The 1,250-square-foot space will offer 25-30 seats and feature açaí bowls, New Zealand-style ice cream (made primarily from fruit and natural ingredients), gourmet toasts and a cocktail Pac-Man table.
Rad Bowls plans to operate six days a week, closed on Mondays, from approximately 7 am to 6 pm, though hours may be subject to change.
Crawley is a longtime Hungry Howie's franchisee who owns four locations with his sister. He also operates the Johnny's Snowcones food truck, serving New Orleans-style shaved ice.
This new venture aims to bring a unique, retro-themed hangout spot to Niceville, combining healthy options like açaí bowls with nostalgic 80's decor and games.
MARION COUNTY
Franco's Italian Restaurant
Franco and Jill Esposito are set to open Franco's Italian Restaurant in August at 1801 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470, the former home of Lorito's Italian Kitchen, which operated for 50+ years in the space. The couple shared details about Franco's during an interview with FFBW.
Franco's Italian Restaurant will seat 98 diners and offer both lunch and dinner service. Lunch dishes will range from $9-14, while dinner meals will be priced between $15-30. The restaurant will also feature lunch and to-go specials, including BOGO offers on pizza, select pastas, and calzones. One particular deal will be two 16" pizzas with up to 4 toppings each for $26.
The new restaurant will preserve the large wine bottle and candle sign to advertise on Silver Springs Blvd, the Esposito's said. The restaurant will serve beer and wine, with a wine list ranging from house selections to more high-end options.
Franco Esposito moved from Italy to the US in 1991 and brings authentic recipes and culinary expertise to the new venture. He previously was a partner in Francesco's Ristorante and Stone Fired Pizza located in Summerfield, which borders The Villages.
The Espositos aim to connect with the Ocala community over good food and service come August 1st.
Find the brand on Facebook for more updates.
Click here to read the article online and see the menu.
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ORANGE COUNTY
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Acropolis Greek Taverna, a 23-year-old Greek restaurant brand with four Tampa area locations, is set to open a new restaurant in Orlando, co-owner Michael Mikula told FFBW in an interview.
The new location will be at 390 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. It will feature over 200 seats inside and a full bar, bringing the chain's signature Greek cuisine to Central Florida.
Construction is planned to begin in a couple of weeks, with an opening date set for September.
In addition to the Orlando expansion, Acropolis Greek Taverna is also growing its presence in Tallahassee and Atlanta through franchisees. This marks a big step for the brand as it moves beyond its Tampa roots.
The restaurant chain continues to offer franchise opportunities in the Southeast and Texas. Interested parties can find more information about franchising at acropolisfranchise.com.
Donut'ste Donuts
Donut'ste Donuts, owned by Jacob "Chef Shalom" Buchanan and Chef Victoria Buchanan, is planning to relocate from Lake Mary to Winter Park later this year. Chef Shalom told FFBW that the popular vegan bakery will move into a new space at 1996 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 towards the end of the year.
Currently operating as a cottage bakery at 268 Second St, Lake Mary, FL 32746, Donut'ste has been growing in popularity, with their handmade, plant-based donuts, beignets, and cinnamon rolls that consistently sell out. The bakery offers pre-orders to keep up with the increasing demand.
Known for their large, shareable vegan donuts, Donut'ste crafts their treats without eggs or dairy, making them suitable for those following a plant-based diet.
With the move to Winter Park, Chef Shalom and Chef Victoria plan to add craft coffees to the menu to complement their signature items. The new location will provide a larger space to accommodate their growing customer base.
Keep up with Donut'ste via Instagram.
BREVARD COUNTY
Rich BBQ
Rich BBQ, a barbecue catering company in the Palm Bay area, is launching a new food trailer to expand its menu and operations, owner Jimmie Rich told FFBW.
The trailer will feature a hood, allowing for fried foods such as egg rolls, fried okra, onion rings and tater tots.
Rich BBQ will continue serving ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken and mac and cheese. New additions include cheeseburgers, quarter-pound beef hot dogs and fried bologna sandwiches.
The trailer plans to set up on Palm Bay Road near the Bass Pro Shop and a new towing yard. Rich is awaiting license approval and expects to open very soon.
For updates, follow Rich BBQ on Facebook.
PASCO COUNTY
Oasis of Flavors
A new food truck called Oasis of Flavors is planning to open on July 1 at 2441 Seven Springs Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655, co-owner Muhammad Karzon told FFBW.
The truck will specialize in Middle Eastern cuisine, offering dishes such as beef and chicken shawarma, falafel and more.
Oasis of Flavors will be stationed at the Texaco gas station at the above address seven days a week, Karzon said. Karzon and his team are preparing to bring authentic Middle Eastern flavors to New Port Richey. He reported that the two chefs are from the Middle East.
LEE COUNTY
Bruno's of Brooklyn
As Bruno's of Brooklyn nears its 10th anniversary, the restaurant is preparing to move to a larger location, owner Cal Bruno told FFBW. The popular Sicilian eatery will relocate from its current space at 2112 Second St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 to a new, expanded location just a few blocks away at 2149 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Bruno hopes to complete the move by late August, but the latest the restaurant will open in the new space is September 18, which marks the 10th anniversary of the business to the day.
The new location will be four times larger than the current space, allowing for an expanded dining area with 115 seats, an event space, and a dessert tasting room. With the addition of the upstairs event space and dessert room, Bruno's of Brooklyn will have a total of around 200 seats and a full bar on both levels.
Despite the move, the menu will remain the same, with an expansion of their specials. Bruno's of Brooklyn is known for serving authentic Sicilian recipes that Cal Bruno has enjoyed since childhood.
The restaurant's current space at 2112 Second St will be retained for hosting cooking classes, the popular "Cigars, Sips, and Sustenance" event and wine tastings.
Follow the brand online to keep up to date with future developments.
Yummy Island Fusion Cuisine
A new food truck, Yummy Island Fusion Cuisine, will debut in Southwest Florida on July 5, Chef Gabo Gabriel told FFBW.
Chef Gabriel, originally from Haiti, will serve a fusion of cuisines from across the Caribbean islands. The truck will operate 6-7 days a week between Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Chef Gabriel plans to hold a grand opening celebration on July 5. For updates on the food truck's locations and menu, follow Yummy Island Fusion Cuisine on Facebook.
COLLIER COUNTY
Denny's & Keke's Breakfast Cafe
RREMC Restaurant Group is set to open two new restaurant franchises in Florida, owner John Metz told FFBW.
A new Denny's will open this September at 3871 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112. This 150-seat restaurant will mark RREMC's 61st Denny's location since becoming a franchisee in 2002.
Additionally, RREMC is bringing a new Keke's Breakfast Cafe to Viera at 7171 Lake Andrew Dr Unit 102, Melbourne, FL 32940, taking over a space previously occupied by Melbourne Seafood Station. This location is slated to open in October.
RREMC Restaurant Group, which can be found at rremcrestaurants.com, also franchises Wahoo Seafood Grill, Hurricane Dockside Grill and Hurricane Grill & Wings locations.
These new openings underscore RREMC's continued growth, building on their extensive portfolio of franchised brands.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Gelato & Co
Gelato & Co, known for its authentic Italian gelato made with imported ingredients, is set to open two new locations in South Florida. Franchisee Giancarlo Triulzi, who also owns the Delray Beach location, is bringing the brand to Jupiter and Lake Worth Beach.
The Jupiter location will open around July 10 at 120 N Coastal Way, Jupiter, FL 33477 in the Harbourside Place shopping mall. The store will feature indoor seating with booths and outdoor seating, totaling 40-45 seats.
The Lake Worth Beach location will be situated at 8764 Lantana Road in a new development. An opening date for this location has not yet been announced.
Gelato & Co prides itself on using natural ingredients and making its gelato fresh. The company's roots can be traced back to the famous Cremeria Funivia in Bologna, Italy.
In addition to a wide variety of gelato flavors, the new locations will offer coffees, espresso drinks and pastries.
Triulzi became a Gelato & Co franchisee in 2022 with the opening of the Delray Beach store. More details about his incoming Lake Worth Beach location will be shared as they become available.
BROWARD COUNTY
Aura Lounge and Restaurant
A new dining and entertainment venue, Aura Lounge and Restaurant, is set to open in July at 1916 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020, owner Gregore Celestin told FFBW.
Celestin, a seasoned restaurateur, has been renovating the space, formerly an antique store, for nearly three years.
Aura will offer a weekly lineup of events. To name a couple that Celestin highlighted:
- Wednesdays: "Wine Therapy Night" featuring wine specials and R&B music
- Thursdays: Jazz and performance night
- Fridays and Saturdays: Disco and dance club from 10 pm to 4 am
- Weekends: Brunch from 11 am to 4 pm, followed by happy hour
The menu will be large, Celestin said, accommodating many tastes and preferences, and it will include Caribbean influences. Guests can also expect a full bar and hookah. There will be between 90-120 seats inside depending on the event taking place that day.
Downtown Espresso
A new café called Downtown Espresso is set to open between July 1-15 at 3111 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33065, co-owner Juan Fernandez-Stoll told FFBW.
The coffee shop will blend American and Latin influences, serving a variety of coffee drinks, cold brews, cappuccinos and more. Downtown Espresso will operate seven days a week from 7 am to 8 pm once operational.
In addition to the beverage menu, Downtown Espresso will offer a selection of baked goods and savory pastries, including empanadas, to pair with their coffee offerings.
Empanada Daddy
A new food truck called Empanada Daddy is set to launch in Oakland Park, co-owner Alexandra Segura told FFBW. The truck is also owned by Edison Napa.
The truck will specialize in fast foods with a focus on empanadas. Empanada Daddy plans to attend festivals and events once operational.
The owners are currently awaiting approval of paperwork and permits before launching. An exact opening timeline is not yet available. More details on the menu and debut will be shared once the truck is closer to opening.
Johnny's Hungry Hoagies
A new fast-casual concept called Johnny's Hungry Hoagies is set to open its first location at 790 E Broward Blvd #118, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, with plans for rapid expansion, according to COO and CMO Larry Brayman. The brand is owned by John Wiggins.
Brayman, who previously served as the Vice President of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's and the Director of Field Marketing for Dunkin' Brands, brings extensive experience in the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant industries to Johnny's Hungry Hoagies.
The restaurant will specialize in fresh, made-to-order hoagies, catering to both dine-in and carry-out customers. Brayman expects roughly a 50/50 split between the two ordering options.
In addition to their signature hoagies, Johnny's Hungry Hoagies will offer a selection of local micro brews and seasonal beers to complement the menu, Brayman said.
Following the opening of the downtown Fort Lauderdale location, the brand plans to launch four more stores in the area. Once these five locations are established, Johnny's Hungry Hoagies will begin franchising to accelerate their growth.
Puya Urban Cantina
A new kosher Mexican restaurant, Puya Urban Cantina, is set to open in Fort Lauderdale this October, co-owner Avi Bitton told FFBW.
The family-oriented concept will feature affordable prices, making it accessible for a wide range of diners. The restaurant will have 120 seats, including an outdoor bar area, 20 different flavors of margaritas, a full bar and fast-casual style dining.
The address for the new cantina will be: 2750 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
Bitton is also expanding his kosher Mexican concept to New York, where he plans to open Ondas, a higher-end Mexican kosher restaurant.
More details about Puya Urban Cantina's menu and social media accounts will be provided as the October launch approaches.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Lima Bakery
An authentic Peruvian bakery, Lima Bakery, is set to open its first brick-and-mortar location in Doral within the next 2-3 months, owner Eduardo Oran told FFBW in an interview. The bakery will be located in a new construction at 8700 NW 36th St Suite 105, Doral, FL 33178.
Owned by Eduardo Oran and Elena Burga, Lima Bakery has been operating out of a home base since 2021. The move to a permanent location will allow them to expand their menu to include empanadas, sandwiches, coffees, more desserts and a larger variety of Peruvian goods.
The new space will offer around 30 seats and will be open during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Oran expects to serve a mix of dine-in and takeout orders.
Customers can follow Lima Bakery's progress and get updates on the opening on their Instagram page.
Sky Filled Cookies
Sky Filled Cookies, a food truck operation, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location at Southland Mall in the next 1-2 months, co-owner Bernie Mena Jr. told FFBW.
The business, named after co-owner Joshua Jean's daughter Sky, started as a cottage bakery in 2020. Mena shared that demand was so high for their fried Oreo's and ice cream that they had to expand into a food truck two years ago.
Now, they will opening a permanent spot at 20505 S Dixie Hwy #1261 Cutler Bay, FL 33189. Hours of operation will be Monday - Saturday from 10am - 8pm and Sunday from 12pm - 6pm.
The expanded menu will include loaded waffles, baked cookies, cake pops, flavored popcorn, and more ice cream options, in addition to their signature deep-fried Oreos.
Sky Filled Cookies will also begin shipping cookies nationwide from the new location.
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