Violet's Garage, Mahana Fresh, Jon Smith Subs and More Restaurant News

Welcome back to Florida Food and Beverage Weekly! We're glad that you're trusting us to bring you some of the best kept secrets about new and upcoming restaurants, food trucks and cafes in Florida.

Don't miss our feature articles:

Sun-Ray Cinema Opening in Daytona Beach

• Jacksonville-area movie theater opening a second unit on the beach.

Calle Ocho Getting a Dos Croquetas Location

• Cuban American restauranteur Alec Fernandez is opening a restaurant near Little Havana.

Chiffon Culture Opening in Former Sugar Dough Bakehouse Building

• Orlando bakery and cafe is expanding into a second unit.

Hot Birdie's Chicken Returning as Birdies at Benton in Tallahassee

• After closing Hot Birdie's Chicken, Kevin Stout is reviving the concept with a few changes.

BREVARD COUNTY

District Kitchen Food Truck

A new food truck has recently opened in Melbourne, owner Steven Spencer told FFBW. The truck opened on December 7th and will participate in events nearby. In a couple of weeks, Spencer said that they'd begin everyday functions Monday through Saturday at the corner of Highland Ave & Eau Gallie Blvd.

The truck serves a range of foods from BBQ pulled bork, specialty burgers, specialty sandwiches, loaded fries and much more. Spencer aims to feed the growing downtown Melbourne population.

Spencer is also a partner in the Cadillac Cove restaurant.

ORANGE COUNTY

Chiffon Culture

Co-owner Wendy Cheng recently reported to FFBW that Chiffon Culture is opening their second location this year. The bakery is highly reviewed in Winter Springs and is planning to open in Audubon Park.

They are taking over the former Sugar Dough Bakehouse at: 3122 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803. The space is smaller than their Winter Springs unit, so they will have a smaller, more focused menu.

Currently, the aim is to open later this month, towards the end of the year. Find them on social media. Read more.

Piki Head Island Grille

A new food truck is coming to Orlando soon, owner Daswell Molyneaux told FFBW. Piki Head Island Grille will serve a range of American and Island fusion dishes.

Molyneaux is hoping to open in a few weeks. Currently, he's waiting on some final licensing to come through. Once operating, Piki Head will begin traveling around Orlando to events and festivals. Check the brand's website.

Egyptian Eats

A new food truck is coming to Orlando soon, owner Akram Zayed told FFBW. Egyptian Eats will serve recipes that have been passed down in Zayed's family business for 150 years in Egypt.

Zayed anticipates opening on January 5, 2024 if all goes well. Currently, Egyptian Eats is waiting to get some final licensing.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Violet's Garage

A new event space, food hall, nano-brewery and performance venue is opening in Kissimmee next year. Violet's Garage is an ambitious concept that is coming to the area by way of the owners of Kapp and Kappy Bed and Breakfast, Christine and Thomas Kapp.

The food hall aspect will feature up to 5 kiosks rentable by up and coming chefs or retailers. Kapp reported that they want chefs who are bringing cuisines not readily available in the downtown Kissimmee area.

The main restaurant, named Floridillo, will feature classic American comfort foods, like salads, burgers, sandwiches, tater tots and others. They will not be using a fryer and hope to feed their guests with healthier renditions of classic menu items.

Violet's Venom, the nano brewery, will have 16 self-pouring taps. Four of the beers will be brewed in house, and the rest will be local and national favorites. Additionally, a full liquor bar will be serving up cocktails.

An opening date for Violet's Garage is still unknown. Kapp reported that they are in the construction phase still. Follow their Facebook page to keep up with developments.

Find the venue at: 14 W Neptune Rd #3, Kissimmee, FL 34741.

MANATEE COUNTY

Mahana Fresh

Franchisee Carlos Cano is bringing three locations of Mahana Fresh to Manatee and Sarasota County over the next couple of years. Cano reported that the first location will open in Bradenton on January 6th.

Before franchising with Mahana Fresh, Cano was the CFO for Bloomin' Brands international, where he opened overseas Outbacks and Carrabba's restaurants.

After this location opens, Cano will open two more units over the next two years.

The brand is known for serving healthy and fresh bowls. Find this location at: 9516 FL-64 #9432, Bradenton, FL 34212. Visit their website.

Food Hall

A new concept serving a wide range of Asian cuisines is coming to Bradenton soon, co-owner Hanh Nguyen told FFBW. Food Hall is expected to open early next year.

The name Food Hall was given to represent the wide range of cuisines that'll be on the menu. Nguyen reported that they will serve hibachi, sushi, pho, boba and much more.

Nguyen said that food hall should open in January. Find them at: 465 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34207.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Street Bitesz

Co-owner Nahil Attouf told FFBW that he is opening a food truck next year. Street Bitesz will offer Mediterranean food like shawarma and gyros. Attouf said that their dishes will also have some Moroccan spices and influence as well.

The truck is being built out now. Attouf estimates opening in late January.

PUTNAM COUNTY

H'Angry Kitchen

A new food truck is opening soon in Palatka, co-operator Derrick Deering told FFBW. H'Angry Kitchen will serve burgers, fries, and other dishes, like fried shrimp and shrimp and grits.

Owned by Deering's mother Sandra Holsey, H'Angry Kitchen is expected to open as soon as it completes all of its licensing. Find the truck on Facebook to keep up with its locations.

LEON COUNTY

Hot Birdie's Chicken

Hot Birdie's Chicken is returning to Tallahassee following the closure of its other two restaurants. Owner Kevin Stout reported to FFBW that he will be bringing back his delicious fried chicken sandwich in a matter of a month or two.

Hot Birdie's Chicken was centered around it's staple chicken sandwich. Stout started the business because of how popular the item was on the menu at his Food Glorious Food restaurant. He opened a unit in Tallahassee and Gainesville where they grew in popularity, but he due to unforeseen issues in his business partnership, Stout had to shut down.

Now, Stout is bring Hot Birdie's Chicken back to Tallahassee. The new restaurant will feature a bar, indoor and outdoor space, with a combined total of 200 seats.

You can keep up with the brand via Instagram. Find the new restaurant at: 1950 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32303, where it will share a plaza with Stout's Food Glorious Food and another full service restaurant he owns.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

Jon Smith Subs

A new subs shop is coming to Jacksonville soon, franchisee Solomon Jones told FFBW. This will be Jones' second Jacksonville-area location.

Jon Smith Subs in known for serving a delicious array of subs, fries, salads and cookies. Jones estimates that the new restaurant will open in April of 2024. His long term plan is to bring two more units to the greater Jacksonville area over the next 2-3 years.

Find this location at: 333 Village Main St #645, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.

If you get tired of waiting, go to his open sub shop at: 4765 Hodges Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

DUVAL COUNTY

Greedy Pirates

A new food truck is crossing state lines into Duval County, owner Kendra Daniels told FFBW. Greedy Pirates opened in May of this year and has been serving seafood in South Georgia since. Now, they're starting to attend events in the Jacksonville area.

To learn more about their specific menu offerings or where they will post up next, check out their website and Facebook.

Slider Box

A new food truck is preparing to open in Jacksonville soon, owner Christopher Matthews told FFBW. Slider Box will be an event and festival truck that serves cheeseburger sliders and fish sandwich sliders. They will also offer loaded fries.

Matthews is the owner of the popular truck Breakfast Bowls & Burritos, which has been open since 2019. Follow his Facebook page to keep up to date with his new food truck as well.

An opening date isn't available yet.

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