What is is with restaurants in Seminole Heights? The number of failed restaurants is amazing. Rigo's (What a great place in its prime!) Stoopid's (?????). Seminole Heights Bakery. Several places in the strip mall at Powhattan and Nebraska. Sugar Daddy's and etc.
One of the best (worst?) examples is 5202 N. Nebraska (cor Frierson)
Since I moved to Seminole Heights in 2000 there have been 5 restaurants at that location.
The first was Old Tampa Cafe, that underwent new ownership some time after we arrived here. The new owners did not last long. It was not much of a restaurant, but the food was not bad.
Then came the Lunch Break. Aside from a coat of paint not much was done to the decor. The outside wall still had the Old Tampa Cafe signs. They did add decorations at each holiday. But they never took them down. Food was really good, being home style cooking. However it took a while for the food to be served. It did not seem as if they did any food prep. Sometimes people were not waited on timely. Suggestions were not appreciated. They would regularly not open up on time.
Then came the Gyro restaurant. Eager to please but lacking on experience in running a restaurant. Food was not very good. No changes in decor. The hours kept changing.
Seminole Heights Cafe took over. There were great plans. All of the old signs were removed and a new one put up. The exterior was painted and interior remodeling began. Then nothing for most of a year.
Now we have Martha's Restaurant. Soon to open on April 1. It is moving from another location on east Hillsborough Avenue where it had been for years. They seemed to know what they are doing. Complete interior remodeling. Wainscoting being put up. A new paint job of more than one color. They replaced the booths with tables. The booths that were designed for 4 people but could only really seat 2 so maximum number of customers could never be achieved. They redid the counter and placed stools there for the To Go customers. At the prior restaurants To Go customers sat at tables. This again will maximize the number of eat-in customers. Their breakfast/lunch hours are good (6A to 3P) with dinner on Friday. 4 to ???
I want several things when I go out to eat. Consistent quality. Food items should taste the same every time I go. Good and timely customer service. Decent environment. Consistent hours. (When a restaurant says it will be open it should be!)
My favorites are Three Coins, Nicko's and the taco bus Restaurant. Front Porch is good but the food is cooked differently each time I go.
So, Mr.B want to try out the latest version of nebraska Ave. diner? How about Sunday morning?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a multiple approach question...as a eight year resident of SH, I have seen the changes you talk about (well, maybe not all the incarnations, but several of them).
ReplyDeleteI have supported the local eating establishments as much as I can (am not a wealthy person, nor eat out every night). Also, I have a restricted diet (vegetarian)- so sometimes this limits where I can eat (due to their choices available).
Of course, the Taconazo (taco bus) is the perfect example of a small business that does not exclude anyone. Their vegetarian tacos are FANTASTIC! (and cheap too)
I believe the main reason we have such a dearth of restaurants comes from the nature of the neighborhood. Either people are moving in who self identify with some other area (South Tampa comes right to mind), and they go there to eat; - or- the remaining blue collar families tend to eat out less, or when they do, they eat fast food.
Does anyone else see it this way? Too much reliance upon the "known"-"oh, I know that BRAND of cookie cutter chain restaurant; I am willing to eat there."- or too much snobbery quite frankly- noses crinkling, and eyes rolled about how the decor is NOT what SoHo has, blah blah blah...
I think local people have been very supportive of area eateries. Front Porch and Frida's seem well attended, and Rigo's was a virtual hangout spot in its prime. It seems to me that the problem is lack of viable entrepreneurs. The people with experience in the food industry, like the taco bus, who have opened businesses in our area have been successful. Speaking of South Tampa, I doubt you'll find many traveling there for their coffee if Starbuck's opens here.
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