The Tampa Bay food scene is buzzing with excitement as several beloved fast food chains prepare to make their long-awaited return to the area. From Texas burger joints to Carolina chicken specialists, the culinary landscape is about to get a lot more interesting for local food enthusiasts.
Major Fast Food Returns Coming Soon
Whataburger Confirms Tampa Bay Locations
After popping-up in downtown Tampa last year, Whataburger is officially returning to the Tampa Bay area with two confirmed locations. The Texas-based chain has announced plans to open in Wesley Chapel as early as 2026, according to Wesley Chapel Local, which discovered construction permits over the weekend.
The 24-hour fast food restaurant will be located at 25340 Sierra Center Blvd. by Tampa Premium Outlets, taking over the old Aussie Grill building right off State Road 54. According to WFLA, the establishment will undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation with a revamped dining area that captures the authentic Whataburger atmosphere.
Additionally, St. Pete Rising reported another Whataburger location planned for Largo at 10150 Ulmerton Rd. in the former Joella’s Hot Chicken space. The chain has expanded its made-to-order burgers and iconic orange and white branding to over 1,130 locations across 17 states as of 2025.
Bojangles Returns After Four Decades
Bojangles is making its comeback to Tampa Bay after nearly 40 years away from the market. The chain, which started 48 years ago in North Carolina, currently has 10 Florida locations, though the closest one in Ocala is temporarily closed, leaving Bay area residents without access to their famous biscuit sandwiches.
Known for serving hearty breakfast options from dawn, Bojangles specializes in biscuit sandwiches, Bo rounds (seasoned hash browns), and Cajun-spiced fried chicken. The chain hasn’t operated in the Tampa Bay area since the 1980s, making this highly anticipated return a significant development for longtime fans.
New Openings and Fresh Concepts
Churned Ice Cream Opens Permanent Location
Ice cream lovers and Benson Boone fans now have a new destination in St. Petersburg. Churned soft-launched its brick-and-mortar location at 5504 Haines Rd. N on Monday, June 23. Steve Tishman has been operating the hard ice cream and popsicle business as a pop-up around St. Pete since September, after purchasing it from original owners Alyssa and Ray Wyatt.
The Wyatts founded Churned in 2021, and while an official grand opening date hasn’t been set, Tishman is currently selling pints of more than 30 flavors. Once he installs a dipping cabinet, customers will be able to purchase scoops and custom mixed-flavor pints.
Restaurant Closures and Changes
The Studio Public House Says Farewell
After four years of serving British-inspired cuisine in St. Pete, The Studio Public House will close this summer. Chef and owner Mike Crippen announced the closure on social media, explaining that the landlord chose not to renew their lease agreement.
While searching for a new location, Crippen continues serving popular menu items including fish and chips, curry potato volcano, and the Bollywood chicken curry. A specific closing date has not yet been announced.
Culinary Competitions and Awards
Epic Chef Competition Heats Up
Marvilou Mapa from Amalie Arena has advanced to the knockout rounds of Tampa’s Epic Chef competition. Feeding Tampa Bay launched the 10th anniversary of this culinary competition last Monday, featuring local chefs in friendly cook-offs while raising awareness for the organization’s hunger-relief mission.
This year marked the first time six contestants from both sides of the bay participated in the kickoff event, where each chef served 300 portions of a signature dish. The crowd voted for their favorites, with Mapa joining three other chefs advancing to the next round: Robert Blanque of Martin’s Italian in Oldsmar, Mohamad ElBanna of Birria Bros, and Brandon Greenwalt of Wild Child.
Local Donut Shop Earns National Recognition
Hole In One Donut in Lake Magdalene has earned a spot on Yelp’s “Top 50 donut shops in the US” list. Located at 14406 N Florida Ave., it’s one of only three Florida establishments to make the prestigious ranking, joining Donut King in Minneola and DG Doughnuts in Ocoee.
The Tampa donut shop previously won both Reader’s and Critic’s picks in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Best of the Bay awards in 2023, cementing its reputation as a local favorite.
Celebrity Food Adventures
Bucs Rookie Explores Tampa Dining
Shilo Sanders, rookie safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has launched a YouTube series called “Tampa Food Tour” to showcase the city’s dining scene. The 25-year-old athlete recently visited Michelin-recommended restaurant The Pearl for brunch, followed by a trip to Boulon Brasserie, one of Water Street’s popular French-inspired establishments.
Sanders, who signed a three-year $2.9 million contract with the Bucs after going undrafted, is using his platform to highlight Tampa’s fine dining options and share his culinary discoveries with fans.
Columbia Restaurant Legend Celebrates 97th Birthday
Felipe Núñez, a Hall of Fame waiter at Columbia Restaurant, will celebrate his 97th birthday at the iconic Ybor City establishment this weekend. Born in Ybor City in 1928, Núñez moved to New York during his youth before returning to Tampa with his family in 1951 aboard the Silver Meteor train.
After working at several unionized dining rooms throughout Tampa, Núñez joined the staff at Columbia Restaurant, where he worked for over two decades and earned a place in the restaurant’s hall of fame. This weekend’s celebration honors not just his birthday but also his lasting contribution to Tampa’s dining history.
Weekend Events and Food Experiences
Grindhaus Brew Lab Hosts Summerween
Grindhaus Brew Lab is hosting a unique Summerween event this weekend, combining books, brews, and BBQ. The event features horror novelist Wendy Dalrymple, author of “Birthday Party Demon” and her recently released “Credenza” (June 13), alongside fellow local authors Kenzie Jennings, Melanie Sue, and Maria DeVivo.
Akala Studios will showcase spooky stained glass artwork, while New York BBQ & Fire Grill will serve BBQ ribs, tips, and pork burnt ends, creating a perfect blend of literary culture and comfort food.
Music Meets Food at Over Easy Pop Series
Water Street’s Alter Ego lounge continues its Over Easy Pop-Up series with a Saturday, June 28 event at Mighty Fine, known for serving some of Tampa’s best smashburgers. House music DJ Jask, a fixture in the Bay area music scene, will provide the soundtrack for this three-hour food and music experience.
Tampa Bay’s food scene continues to evolve with exciting returns, new openings, and creative collaborations. As these beloved chains prepare to reopen and local establishments push culinary boundaries, food lovers have plenty to look forward to in the coming months. What will be the next big food trend to hit the Bay area?
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