“Fast Casual Bowl” Chain Opening First Tampa Area Locations in Brandon and St. Pete

Another chain is coming to Tampa Bay. This one though isn’t one transplants may recognize. The open locations for this one are already right here in Florida. “Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen” is opening two Tampa Bay locations in 2021. The chain serves customized bowls filled with chicken, steak, shrimp, tofu or pork mixed with specialty sauces. It looks pretty similar to Fresh Kitchen, which is already up and running on 4th Street in St. Pete. The Tampa Bay Times reports Bolay was launched by Tim Gannon, one of the co-founders of Outback Steakhouse.

The Brandon location will open first at 1544 West Brandon Boulevard on May 11. The Times says there will be $15,000 worth of food prizes at the grand opening. The St. Petersburg location will follow with an opening sometime in September. The location of that restaurant has yet to be announced. Bolay is currently open in Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Gainesville, Jupiter, and Miami according to their website. [Source: TBT]

#GenoAteTampa: Geno’s favorite spots to eat in St. Pete

• Engine No. 9

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  They're a bit pricey. You'll pay about $20 for a burger, tots and a Coke. But their burgers are creative and top notch. The goat cheese burger is my usual.

• Big Stein’s Deli

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  This monstrosity you see in the photo is the "Park Avenue" triple decker. Roast beef, turkey, Swiss cheese, cole slaw pilled high with Russian dressing.

• Mazzaros

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  It gets no better than Mazzaros. The Hot Italian #20 sandwich is my must get. But they have fresh pasta, pastries, wines, cheeses and it's the only place you can find the blueberry soda from Maine I love.
• Fresh Kitchen

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  It's on 4th not far from the radio station. It's a healthier choice and I'm not known for healthy eating so you know it's good. Only strike against this place is the portion size is kind of small. But it's one of those places most go to eat healthy. I'm 6'4 and about 300 pounds so I'm probably not their usual customer.

• Italia Mia

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  Their chicken parmesan is probably my favorite in all of Tampa Bay. It's so good that I probably visited 2 or 3 dozen times before I finally tried their pizza, which is fantastic too. But stick the NY style. The Sicilian pizza wasn't so great.

• Tropicana Field

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  I know it sounds crazy but seriously this Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich they served at Rays game could be the answer to the attendance problem.
• Red Mesa

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  They usually serve a steak burrito for lunch that'll be your last meal of the day. Don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu here though.

• Metro Diner

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  OK, I said I'm not a chain restaurant fan. However, the cinnamon roll pancakes are epic.